Hydrolytic protein cleavage mediated by unusual mononuclear copper(II) complexes: X-ray structures and solution studies

The crystal structures and redox and UV-vis/EPR spectroscopic properties of two new mononuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(HL1)Cl2] (1) and [Cu(L1)Cl] (2), prepared through the reaction between copper(II) chloride and the ligand 2-[(bis(pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methyl-6-formylphenol (HL1) under distinct base conditions, are reported along with solution studies. Also, we demonstrate that these CuII complexes are able to cleave unactivated peptide bonds from bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the thermostable enzyme Taq DNA polymerase at micromolar concentration, under mild pH and temperature conditions. The cleavage activity seems to be specific with defined proteolytic fragments appearing after protein treatment. The location of the specific cleavage sites was tentatively assigned to solvent-accessible portions of the protein. These are two of the most active Cu(II) complexes described to date, since their cleavage activity is detected in minutes and evidence is here presented for a hydrolytic mechanism mediating protein cleavage by these complexes.     

(Fluoren-9-ylidene)methanedithiolato complexes of platinum: synthesis, reactivity, and luminescence

Platinum(II) complexes with (fluoren-9-ylidene)methanedithiolato and its 2,7-di-tert-butyl- and 2,7-dimethoxy-substituted analogues were obtained by reacting different chloroplatinum(II) precursors with the piperidinium dithioates (pipH)[(2,7-R2C12H6)CHCS2] [R = H (1a), t-Bu (1b), or OMe (1c)] in the presence of piperidine. The anionic complexes Q2[Pt{S(2)C=C(C12H6R(2)-2,7)}2] [R = H, (Pr(4)N)(2)2a; R = t-Bu, (Pr4N)(2)2b, (Et4N)(2)2b; R = OMe, (Pr4N)(2)2c] were prepared from PtCl(2), piperidine, the corresponding QCl salt, and 1a-c in molar ratio 1:2:2:2. In the absence of QCl, the complexes (pipH)(2)2b and [Pt(pip)(4)]2b were isolated depending on the PtCl(2):pip molar ratio. The neutral complexes [Pt{S2C=C(C12H6R(2)-2,7)L(2)] [L = PPh(3), R = H (3a), t-Bu (3b), OMe (3c); L = PEt(3), R = H (4a), t-Bu (4b), OMe (4c); L(2) = dbbpy, R = H (5a), t-Bu (5b), OMe (5c) (dbbpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl)] were similarly prepared from the corresponding precursors [PtCl2L2] and 1a-c in the presence of piperidine. Oxidation of Q(2)2b with [FeCp2]PF6 afforded the mixed Pt(II)-Pt(IV) complex Q2[Pt2{S2C=C[C12H6(t-Bu)(2)-2,7]}4] (Q(2)6, Q = Et4N+, Pr4N+). The protonation of (Pr4N)(2)2b with 2 equiv of triflic acid gave the neutral dithioato complex [Pt2{S2CCH[C12H6(t-Bu)(2)-2,7]}4] (7). The same reaction in 1:1 molar ratio gave the mixed dithiolato/dithioato complex Pr4N[Pt{S2C=C[C12H6(t-Bu)(2)-2,7]}{S2CCH[C12H6(t-Bu)(2)-2,7]}] (Pr(4)N8) while the corresponding DMANH+ salt was obtained by treating 7 with 2 equiv of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN). The crystal structures of 3b and 5c.CH2Cl2 have been solved by X-ray crystallography. All the platinum complexes are photoluminescent at 77 K in CH2Cl2 or KBr matrix, except for Q(2)6. Compounds 5a-c and Q8 show room-temperature luminescence in fluid solution. The electronic absorption and emission spectra of the dithiolato complexes reveal charge-transfer absorption and emission energies which are significantly lower than those of analogous platinum complexes with previously described 1,1-ethylenedithiolato ligands and in most cases compare well to those of 1,2-dithiolene complexes.     

A complex containing three different kinds of Ru—N bonds: ethoxydinitronitrosyl(N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine‐κ2N,N′)ruthenium(II)

The octahedral title compound, [Ru(C₂H₅O)(NO)(NO₂)₂(C₆H₁₆N₂)], crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group P3₁ with an ethoxy ligand axially coordinated trans to the nitro­syl ligand. The Ru^II ion is equatorially coordinated by a tetramethylethylenediamine group acting as a bidentate ligand, and to two nitro moieties whose planes are tilted with respect to the mean equatorial plane. Each nitro­gen ligand bonded to the metallic centre has a different hybridization state.     

Rapid screening of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors in urine samples using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

In this paper a solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS) method is proposed for a rapid analysis of some frequently prescribed selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI)—venlafaxine, fluvoxamine, mirtazapine, fluoxetine, citalopram, and sertraline—in urine samples. The SPME-based method enables simultaneous determination of the target SSRI after simple in-situ derivatization of some of the target compounds. Calibration curves in water and in urine were validated and statistically compared. This revealed the absence of matrix effect and, in consequence, the possibility of quantifying SSRI in urine samples by external water calibration. Intra-day and inter-day precision was satisfactory for all the target compounds (relative standard deviation, RSD, <14%) and the detection limits achieved were <0.4 ng mL^–1 urine. The time required for the SPME step and for GC analysis (30 min each) enables high throughput. The method was applied to real urine samples from different patients being treated with some of these pharmaceuticals. Some SSRI metabolites were also detected and tentatively identified.     

Optisch aktive übergangsmetall-komplexe : LXVIII. Darstellung,epimerisierung, röntgenstrukturanalyse und absolute konfiguration von (-)546-C7H7Mo(CO)(PN★)I

C₇H₇Mo(CO)(PN^★)I (I) (PN^★  (S)(+)-(C₆H₅)₂PN(CH₃)CH(CH₃)(C₆H₅)) is prepared in 90% yield by reaction of C₇H₇Mo(CO)₂I and PN^★. The two diastereo-isomers Ia and Ib differing only in the Mo-configuration exhibit chemical shift differences of their C₇H₇ and CH₃ signals. Ia and Ib can be separated by fractional crystallization. In solution Ia epimerizes with respect to the Mo configuration. The half lives in benzene for the equilibration Ia ? Ib are 5.5, 30, and 104 min at 60, 50, and 40°C, respectively. Phosphine exchange experiments show that the epimerization proceeds via PN^★ dissociation.An X-ray structure analysis was carried out on a single crystal of Ia. The absolute configuration at Mo was determined to be (R).     

Rapid and sensitive method for determining free amino acids in honey by gas chromatography with flame ionization or mass spectrometric detection

This paper describes a rapid, sensitive and specific method for determination of free amino acids in honey involving a new reaction of derivatization and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization (FID) and mass spectrometric (MS) detection. The method allows the determination of 22 free amino acids in honey samples in a short time: 8 and 5 min for GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. Quantitation was performed using Norvaline as internal standard, with detection limits ranging between 0.112 and 1.795 mg/L by GC-FID and between 0.001 and 0.291 mg/L by GC-MS in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The method was validated and applied to a set of 74 honey samples belonging to four different botanical origins: eucaliptus, rosemary, orange and heather. The statistical treatment of data shows a correct classification of different origins over 90%.     

Copper-catalyzed dimerization of chromium Fischer carbene complexes: synthesis of dialkoxytrienes and their Nazarov-type cyclization to 2-alkoxy-2-cyclopentenones

Fischer carbene complexes 1 underwent a clean ligand dimerization reaction yielding functionalized olefins and trienes 4 in the presence of copper (I) catalysts. If treated with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), trienes 4c, d, f undergo a cyclization process (Nazarov reaction) which furnishes cyclopentenone derivatives 6c, d, 7c, d and 8 in good yields. Finally, the Fischer aminocarbene 9 efficiently cyclodimerizes to the substituted arene 10 in the presence of CuBr.     

Preparation and Properties of Nickel and Iron Oxides obtained by Calcination of Layered Double Hydroxides

A constant pH precipitation method has been applied to obtain solids with Ni/Fe molar ratios of 2/1, 3/2, 1/1, 2/3, and 1/2. In all cases, a phase with the hydrotalcite‐like structure is obtained, containing Ni^II and Fe^III in the brucite‐like layers and carbonate in the interlayer, and, for samples with a Ni/Fe molar ratio lower than 2/1, amorphous hydrated iron oxides, undetected by X‐ray diffraction, are also formed. The solids have been characterized by element chemical analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy, temperature‐programmed reduction and assessment of specific surface area by nitrogen adsorption at ?196 °C. In all cases reduction leads to zero‐valent state for the metals, reduced nickel particles probably favouring reduction of Fe^III species; the specific surface area increases with the iron content, probably due to the amorphous nature of the hydrated iron oxides formed. Calcination at 1200 °C in air leads to well crystallized solids, formed by NiFe₂O₄ spinel and, additionally, rocksalt‐type NiO for Ni/Fe ratios larger than 1/2. In this way, solids with tailored compositions of these two phases can be prepared.     

The aggregation of sodium dehydrocholate in water

 We used a battery of different methods to study the association in aqueous sodium dehydrocholate (NaDHC) solutions. This salt associates by a stepwise mechanism. Below (9.6 ± 4.2) × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ there is a molecular solution with some strongly insoluble dehydrocholic acid produced by hydrolysis. Between (9.6 ± 4.2) × 10⁻⁴ and (5.2 ± 2.2) × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³, an aggregate similar to acid soap (NaDHC.HDHC) appears and its amount and the aggregate's size increase with concentration. At =(2.20 ± 0.85) × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³ the aggregates formed have properties usually associated with true micelles, such as solubilisation of water-insoluble dyes. These aggregates increase in size with concentration and change their shape at 8 × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³, giving nonsymmetrical aggregates. The changes in the solution physicochemical properties at these concentrations may be misinterpreted and this explains the different values of the critical micelle concentration reported in the literature for substances with similar structure, such as bile salts. Received: 14 May 2001 Accepted: 10 August 2001     

Determination of phenolic compounds in water samples by on-line solid-phase extraction—supercritical-fluid chromatography with diode-array detection

Summary The eleven Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) priority phenolic compounds have been determined by solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled on-line to supercritical-fluid chromatography (SFC) with diodearray detection. The variables affecting chromatographic separation were optimized and the analytes were separated at 40 °C in two diol columns connected in series; a gradient of methanol, as modifier, and CO₂ was used as mobile phase. Under these conditions, all the compounds studied were separated to baseline in less than 13 min. PLRP-S and LiChrolut EN were tested as sorbents in a 10×3 mm i.d. laboratory-packed precolumn for solid-phase extraction. An ion-pair reagent, tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBA), was used in the extraction process to increase break-through volumes. The performance of the method was checked with tap and river waters and the pre-concentration of 20 mL of sample in a PLRP-S pre-column enabled phenolic compounds to be determined at low μg L⁻¹ levels with limits of detection ranging between 0.4 and 2 μg L⁻¹. The repeatability and reproducibility between days (n=3) for real samples spiked at 10 μg L⁻¹ were lower than 10%.