Inelastic neutron scattering on an Mn10 supertetrahedron: assessment of exchange coupling constants, ferromagnetic spin waves and an analogy to the Hückel method

The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic characterisation by magnetisation and inelastic neutron scattering (INS) of a mixed-valent Mn(10) supertetrahedral aggregate [Mn(III)(6)Mn(II)(4)(μ(4)-O)(4)(μ(3)-N(3))(3)(μ(3)-Br)(Hmpt)(6)(Br)]Br(0.7)(N(3))(0.3)·2MeOH·3MeCN (1) (H(3)mpt=3-methylpentan-1,3,5-triol) is reported. The magnetic core of the molecule can be described as an octahedron of six S=2 Mn(III) ions with four faces, each capped by a S=5/2 Mn(II) ion such as to form the supertetrahedron. Unlike most related complexes, the molecular symmetry is slightly reduced from approximately T(d) to C(3). The magnetic data reveal a total spin of S=22 in the ground state due to ferromagnetic exchange couplings within the molecule. The combined INS and magnetic data permits the accurate determination of the exchange coupling constants. Two types are found. The couplings between the Mn(III) ions in the inner octahedron are characterised by J(a)=18.4(3) K, whereas the couplings between the apical Mn(II) ions to the neighbouring Mn(III) ions are given by J(b)=7.3(2) K. The significantly larger coupling strength J(a) as compared to J(b), and the near-T(d) symmetry have profound consequences on the energy spectrum, which are discussed and carefully analysed. In particular, the observed INS spectra can consistently be reproduced by a simplified model in which the inner octahedron is replaced by one large spin of length S(0)=12. This model provides intuitive insight into the structure of the magnetic spectrum. Additionally, the magnetic excitations at low temperature are analysed within the frame of ferromagnetic linear spin-wave theory, which permits an analytical calculation of the energy levels. For ferromagnetic clusters, a close analogy to the Hückel method of electronic structure calculation can be drawn, which allows one to grasp the results of the spin-wave theory or the magnetic excitation spectrum, respectively, in a chemical language.     

Vibrationally quantum-state-specific dynamics of the reactions of CN radicals with organic molecules in solution

The dynamics of reactions of CN radicals with cyclohexane, d(12)-cyclohexane, and tetramethylsilane have been studied in solutions of chloroform, dichloromethane, and the deuterated variants of these solvents using ultraviolet photolysis of ICN to initiate a reaction. The H(D)-atom abstraction reactions produce HCN (DCN) that is probed in absorption with sub-picosecond time resolution using ～500 cm(-1) bandwidth infrared (IR) pulses in the spectral regions corresponding to C-H (or C-D) and C≡N stretching mode fundamental and hot bands. Equivalent IR spectra were obtained for the reactions of CN radicals with the pure solvents. In all cases, the reaction products are formed at early times with a strong propensity for vibrational excitation of the C-H (or C-D) stretching (v(3)) and H-C-N (D-C-N) bending (v(2)) modes, and for DCN products there is also evidence of vibrational excitation of the v(1) mode, which involves stretching of the C≡N bond. The vibrationally excited products relax to the ground vibrational level of HCN (DCN) with time constants of ～130-270 ps (depending on molecule and solvent), and the majority of the HCN (DCN) in this ground level is formed by vibrational relaxation, instead of directly from the chemical reaction. The time-dependence of reactive production of HCN (DCN) and vibrational relaxation is analysed using a vibrationally quantum-state specific kinetic model. The experimental outcomes are indicative of dynamics of exothermic reactions over an energy surface with an early transition state. Although the presence of the chlorinated solvent may reduce the extent of vibrational excitation of the nascent products, the early-time chemical reaction dynamics in these liquid solvents are deduced to be very similar to those for isolated collisions in the gas phase. The transient IR spectra show additional spectroscopic absorption features centered at 2037 cm(-1) and 2065 cm(-1) (in CHCl(3)) that are assigned, respectively, to CN-solvent complexes and recombination of I atoms with CN radicals to form INC molecules. These products build up rapidly, with respective time constants of 8-26 and 11-22 ps. A further, slower rise in the INC absorption signal (with time constant >500 ps) is attributed to diffusive recombination after escape from the initial solvent cage and accounts for more than 2/3 of the observed INC.     

Conserved Tyr223(5.58) plays different roles in the activation and G-protein interaction of rhodopsin

Rhodopsin, a seven transmembrane helix (TM) receptor, binds its ligand 11-cis-retinal via a protonated Schiff base. Coupling to the G-protein transducin (G(t)) occurs after light-induced cis/trans-retinal isomerization, which leads through photoproducts into a sequence of metarhodopsin (Meta) states: Meta I ? Meta IIa ? Meta IIb ? Meta IIbH(+). The structural changes behind this three-step activation scheme are mediated by microswitch domains consisting of conserved amino acids. Here we focus on Tyr223(5.58) as part of the Y(5.58)X(7)K(R)(5.66) motif. Mutation to Ala, Phe, or Glu results in specific impairments of G(t)-activation measured by intrinsic G(t) fluorescence. UV-vis/FTIR spectroscopy of rhodopsin and its complex with a C-terminal G(t)α peptide allows the assignment of these deficiencies to specific steps in the activation path. Effects of mutation occur already in Meta I but do not directly influence deprotonation of the Schiff base during formation of Meta IIa. Absence of the whole phenol ring (Y223A) allows the activating motion of TM6 in Meta IIb but impairs the coupling to G(t). When only the hydroxyl group is lacking (Y223F), Meta IIb does not accumulate, but the activity toward G(t) remains substantial. From the FTIR features of Meta IIbH(+) we conclude that proton uptake to Glu134(3.49) is mandatory for Tyr223(5.58) to engage in the interaction with the key player Arg135(3.50) predicted by X-ray analysis. This polar interaction is partially recovered in Y223E, explaining its relatively high activity. Only the phenol side chain of tyrosine provides all characteristics for accumulation of the active state and G-protein activation.     

Comparison of Alternate Reactants for pM Level Cobalt Analysis in Seawater by the Use of Catalytic Voltammetry

The analysis of Cobalt (Co) at low pM concentrations in seawater with Adsorptive Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry involves high concentrations of sodium nitrite (NaNO₂) to enhance the signal in an electrocatalytic reaction. In this study we found three substitutes for NaNO₂ that critically affected the sensitivity. Optimisation of a method with potassium bromate (KBrO₃) resulted in an excellent detection limit (0.9 pM) after a 90 s adsorption period. Reactant concentration and consumption were 10× reduced compared to protocols with NaNO₂ and reagent blanks were lower. Accuracy and precision were verified with SAFe intercalibration standards and the method was applied using open ocean seawater samples. The reaction mechanism is discussed and differences to NaNO₂ are shown.     

Metallkomplexe mit biologisch wichtigen Liganden. CXLVII [1] Struktur und Eigenschaften von Pfeiffers Nickel(II)‐Schiff‐Base‐Komplex aus Salicylaldehyd und Glycinester

Metal Complexes with Biological Important Ligands. CXLVII [1] Structure and Properties of Pfeiffer's Nickel(II) Schiff Base Complex from Salicylaldehyde and Glycine Ester. The structure of the planar nickel(II) complex reported by Paul Pfeiffer with two Schiff base ligands from salicylaldehyde and glycine ethylester and with trans‐NiO₂N₂ arrangement was determined by X‐ray diffraction. The finding by Pfeiffer that this complex reacts with oxygen to give the bis(O, N‐imine) complex Ni(OC₆H₄CH=NH)₂ under C‐N cleavage could be confirmed by spectroscopic data, and a reaction path is suggested.     

Über Reaktionen von Arylbiguaniden mit Benzoin beimpH der Biguanidbasen

Summary Arylbiguanides2 a–e react with benzoin (1) at thepH of the base to two different products.1 undergoes in presence of the base2 a–e oxidation to benzil and benzoic acid, which reacts fast with the arylbiguanides2 a–e to yield N-[4-(arylamino)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl]benzamides3 a–d. After lowering thepH of the reaction mixture, the bases2 b–e react with benzil to yield 2-[1-aryl-5-oxo-4,4-diphenyl-2-imidazoline-2-yl]guanidine4 b–e. The mechanism of the formation is discussed. The structure of4b was established from a single crystal x-ray structure analysis. The analysis was carried out at 100K: C₂₃H₂₁N₅O,M _r=383.5, monoclinic, C 2/c,a=15.842(6),b=8.419(3),c=30.223(10) Å, =98.44(3)°,V=3 987.3(9) ų,Z=8,d _x=1.277 g/cm³, =0.81 cm^–1,R=5.89%R _w=4.97% (1 537 observations, 233 parameters).