Structural, magnetic, high-frequency and high-field EPR investigation of double-stranded heterometallic [{Ni(en)2}2(micro-NCS)4Cd(NCS)2](n).nCH3CN polymer self-assembled from cadmium oxide, nickel thiocyanate and ethylenediamine

A novel heterometallic 1D coordination polymer [{Ni(en)2}2(micro-NCS)4Cd(NCS)2](n) x nCH3CN (en = ethylenediamine) has been prepared using the self-assembly process in a one-pot reaction of cadmium oxide, nickel and ammonium thiocyanates with an acetonitrile solution of ethylenediamine. The complex consists of an uncommon cis-Cd(SCN)4(NCS)2(4-) fragment and a rare combination of cis-Ni(en)2(2+) and trans-Ni(en)2(2+) building blocks linked by micro(1,3)-NCS bridges into a double-stranded zigzag chain structure. Each chain is comprised of [Ni2Cd2(micro-NCS-N,S)4)] macrocycles with chair-like and rectangular-like shapes arrayed alternately. The shortest intrachain CdCd separations are 9.535(1) and 10.868(2) A, while the nearest NiNi distances are 5.418(1) and 6.612(2) A. A network of weak N-HS hydrogen bonds, involving the terminal NCS ligands and NH2-groups of en, links the infinite chains and results in the formation of an extended supramolecular three-dimensional framework. Variable-temperature (1.8-300 K) magnetic susceptibilities show a slight change of the micro(B) value at low temperature, indicative of weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J = 1.55 cm-1) between magnetic canters. High-field, high-frequency (100-400 GHz) EPR spectra were simulated using S = 1 ground state for separate Ni2+ ions with the spin Hamiltonian parameters g = 2.165, D = 0.45 cm-1 and E = 0.03 cm(-1). According to DFT calculations, the D and E parameters are -0.35 cm(-1) and 0.049 cm-1 for the cis arrangement of Ni2+ and 0.58 cm(-1) and 0.012 cm(-1) for trans.     

The electronic structure and adsorption geometry of L-histidine on Cu(110)

The adsorption of L-histidine on clean and oxygen-covered Cu(110) surfaces has been studied by soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy. The valence band spectra, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen 1 s XPS and N K edge absorption spectra were measured for submonolayer, monolayer, and multilayer films. The spectra provide a detailed picture of the electronic structure and adsorption geometry at each coverage. In the monolayer, the histidine molecules are randomly oriented, in contrast to the submonolayer regime, where the molecules are coordinated to the copper surface with the imidazole functional group nearly parallel to, and strongly interacting with, the surface. The pi*/sigma* intensity ratio in NEXAFS spectra at the nitrogen edge varies strongly with angle, showing the imidazole ring is oriented. Adsorption models are proposed.     

Unimolecular elimination of HF and HCl from chemically activated CF3CFClCH2Cl

The unimolecular reactions of CF3CFClCH2Cl molecules formed with 87 kcal mol(-1) of vibrational energy by recombination of CF3CFCl and CH2Cl radicals at room temperature have been characterized by the chemical activation technique. The 2,3-ClH and 2,3-FH elimination reactions, which have rate constants of (2.5 +/- 0.8) x 10(4) and (0.38 +/- 0.11) x 10(4) s(-1), respectively, are the major reactions. The 2,3-FCl interchange reaction was not observed. The trans (or E)-isomers of CF3CFCHCl and CF3CClCHCl are favored over the cis (or Z)-isomers. Density functional theory at the B3PW91/6-31G(d',p') level was used to evaluate thermochemistry and structures of the molecule and transition states. This information was used to calculate statistical rate constants. Matching the calculated to the experimental rate constants for the trans-isomers gave threshold energies of 62 and 63 kcal mol(-1) for HCl and HF elimination, respectively. The threshold energy for FCl interchange must be 3-4 kcal mol(-1) higher than for HF elimination. The results for CF3CFClCH2Cl are compared to those from CF3CFClCH3; the remarkable reduction in rate constants for HCl and HF elimination upon substitution of one Cl atom for one H atom is a consequence of both a lower E and higher threshold energies for CF3CFClCH2Cl.     

One‐Step Ring Opening Metathesis Block‐Like Copolymers and their Compositional Analysis by a Novel Retardation Technique

Using a one‐step synthetic route for block copolymers avoids the repeated addition of monomers to the polymerization mixture, which can easily lead to contamination and, therefore, to the unwanted termination of chain growth. For this purpose, monomers ( M1 – M5 ) with different steric hindrances and different propagation rates are explored. Copolymerization of M1 (propagating rapidly) with M2 (propagating slowly), M1 with M3 (propagating extremely slowly) and M4 (propagating rapidly) with M5 (propagating slowly) yielded diblock‐like copolymers using Grubbs’ first ( G1 ) or third generation catalyst ( G3 ). The monomer consumption was followed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy, which revealed vastly different reactivity ratios for M1 and M2 . In the case of M1 and M3 , we observed the highest difference in reactivity ratios (r₁=324 and r₂=0.003) ever reported for a copolymerization method. A triblock‐like copolymer was also synthesized using G3 by first allowing the consumption of the mixture of M1 and M2 and then adding M1 again. In addition, in order to measure the fast reaction rates of the G3 catalyst with M1 , we report a novel retardation technique based on an unusual reversible G3 Fischer‐carbene to G3 benzylidene/alkylidene transformation.     

A three‐dimensional framework of bis­[tris­(ethyl­enediamine)zinc] tetra­iodo­cadmate diiodide assisted by N—H⋯I hydrogen bonds

The title salt, [Zn(C₂N₂H₈)₃]₂[CdI₄]I₂, conventionally abbreviated [Zn(en)₃]₂[CdI₄]I₂, where en is ethyl­enediamine, contains discrete [Zn(en)₃]²⁺ cations and [CdI₄]²⁻ anions with distorted octa­hedral and nearly tetra­hedral geometries, respectively, as well as uncoordinated I⁻ ions. The cation and the free I⁻ anion lie on twofold rotation axes and the [CdI₄]²⁻ anion lies on a axis in the space group I2d. The structure exhibits numerous weak inter‐ionic hydrogen bonds of two types, viz. N—H⋯I⁻(free ion) and N—H⋯I([CdI₄]²⁻), which support the resulting three‐dimensional framework.     

Application of Non‐Stop‐Flow Differential Pulse Voltammetry at a Tubular Detector of Silver Solid Amalgam for Electrochemical Determination of Lomustine (CCNU)

An application of the flow differential pulse voltammetry with tubular detector based on silver solid amalgam for determination of antineoplastic drug lomustine in pharmaceutical preparations is presented. The highest sensitivity was obtained in [0.10 mol dm^?3 MES; 2.00 mol dm^?3 NaCl; pH 6.0]:EtOH (9 : 1) with flow rate 0.50 mL min^?1, and the magnitude of the modulation amplitude ?0.070 V. The calibration dependence was linear in the range 1×10^?6–1 × 10^?4 mol dm^?3 (R²=0.999). The limit of detection was 1.5×10^?7 mol dm^?3. This method was successfully used for determination of lomustine in real samples of chemotherapy drug CeeNU Lomustine 40 mg.     

Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Enzymatic Reactor of Silver Solid Amalgam Powder for Measurements in Flow Systems

An enzymatic reactor based on silver solid amalgam powder was suggested as the main part of biosensors in flow systems for the first time. Biosensors were tested with following enzymes: ascorbate oxidase, glucose oxidase, catalase, tyrosinase and laccase. The current response of each biosensor was optimized with respect to the detection potential, flow rate, the injection and reactor volume. Relative standard deviation for detection with the studied enzymes was found to be in the range of 0.81–2.1 %. The biosensor with the ascorbate oxidase reactor was used for determination of ascorbic acid in the vitamin tablets Celaskon.     

Designed helical peptides inhibit an intramembrane protease

gamma-Secretase cleaves the transmembrane domain of the amyloid precursor protein, a process implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, and this enzyme is a founding member of an emerging class of intramembrane proteases. Modeling and mutagenesis suggest a helical conformation for the substrate transmembrane domain upon initial interaction with the protease. Moreover, biochemical evidence supports the presence of an initial docking site for substrate on gamma-secretase that is distinct from the active site, a property predicted to be generally true of intramembrane proteases. Here we show that short peptides designed to adopt a helical conformation in solution are inhibitors of gamma-secretase in both cells and enzyme preparations. Helical peptides with all d-amino acids are the most potent inhibitors and represent potential therapeutic leads. Subtle modifications that disrupt helicity also substantially reduce potency, suggesting that this conformation is critical for effective inhibition. Fluorescence lifetime imaging in intact cells demonstrates that helical peptides disrupt binding between substrate and protease, whereas an active site-directed inhibitor does not. These findings are consistent with helical peptides interacting with the initial substrate docking site of gamma-secretase, suggesting a general strategy for the development of potent and specific inhibitors of intramembrane proteases.     

Hole Migration in Telomere-Based Oligonucleotide Anions and G-Quadruplexes

Vacuum ultraviolet photoionization of a gas-phase oligonucleotide anion leads to the formation of a valence hole. This hole migrates towards an energetically favorable site where it can weaken bonds and ultimately lead to bond cleavage. We have studied Vacuum UV photoionization of deprotonated oligonucleotides containing the human telomere sequence dTTAGGG and G-quadruplex structures consisting of four dTGGGGT single strands, stabilized by NH₄⁺ counter ions. The oligonucleotide and G-quadruplex anions were confined in a radiofrequency ion trap, interfaced with a synchrotron beamline and the photofragmentation was studied using time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Oligonucleotide 12-mers containing the 5'-TTAGGG sequence were found to predominantly break in the GGG region, whereas no selective bond cleavage region was observed for the reversed 5'-GGGATT sequence. For G-quadruplex structures, fragmentation was quenched and mostly non-dissociative single and double electron removal was observed.