Matrix-isolation FT-IR spectra and theoretical study of dimethyl sulfate

The preferred conformations of dimethyl sulfate and their vibrational spectra were studied by matrix-isolation FT-IR spectroscopy and theoretical methods (DFT and MP2, with basis sets of different sizes, including the quadruple-zeta, aug-cc-pVQZ basis). Conformer GG (of C2 symmetry and exhibiting OSOC dihedral angles of 74.3 degrees ) was found to be the most stable conformer in both the gaseous phase and isolated in argon. Upon annealing of the matrix, the less stable observed conformer (GT; with C1 symmetry) quickly converts to the GG conformer, with the resulting species being embedded in a matrix-cage which corresponds to the most stable matrix-site for GG form. The highest energy TT conformer, which was assumed to be the most stable conformer in previous studies, is predicted by the calculations to have a relative energy of ca. 10 kJ mol-1 and was not observed in the spectra of the matrix-isolated compound.     

Thermal decomposition of novel rare-earth selenites

TG and DTA have been carried out on new anhydrous rare-earth selenites R₂Se_aO_3+2a (a=3.5,4) in order to establish their stability. Decomposition occurs in three steps attributed to successive losses of SeO₂. The first process gives rise to other new group of selenites of composition R₂Se₃O₉, which crystallize in two different forms depending on the rare-earth element. The second process leads to isomorphous compounds R₂SeO₅. The final product of thermal degradation is R₂O₃. All products were characterized by chemical analysis and X-ray powder diffraction methods.     

New designs for inhibitors of the NF-κB: DNA binding

We present a series of new inhibitors of the association between nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B) and the corresponding B site in DNA. They were designed using the lead compound 15-deoxy-^12,14 -prostaglandin J₂ (PGJ2), which is a natural product with demonstrated inhibitory efficiency for this system. First, the binding mode of PGJ2 to NF-B was unraveled by GOLD docking calculation. Subsequently, substitutions were made to PGJ2 to optimize its association with NF-B. Care was taken not to strongly increase the reactivity of the new compounds, and to keep the overall shape, size and hydrophilicity of the lead compound, which should render them a similar bioavailability. Molecular mechanics calculations were performed to decide on the suitability of the substitutions, and to evaluate the energies of association with NF-B. Density functional theory calculations were performed also to study the overall reactivity of the substituted drugs towards NF-B. Important general conclusions were obtained, concerning the improvement of these natural inhibitors; namely, a set of rational methodologies were deduced to improve the association between the PGJ2 derivatives and NF-B, and their efficiency demonstrated by generating a set of substituted complexes, some of them with a very much increased affinity for NF-B, opening new doors to enlarge the therapeutic capabilities of this class of drugs.     

Nucleophilic additions of lithiated allylphenylsulfone to nitrones: experimental and theoretical investigations

The nucleophilic addition of lithiated allylphenylsulfone to nitrones at −80 °C proceeds exclusively α to the phenylsulfonyl group affording anti adducts in high yield. At 0 °C isoxazolidines are obtained with complete all-trans selectivity. The formation of these compounds involves isomerization of the allylsulphonyl moiety to give a transient vinylsulfone that then undergoes a subsequent intramolecular Michael addition. The addition to several nitrones has been studied and theoretical calculations have been refined to accurately explain the selectivity of the allylation reaction.     

A multisite molecular mechanism for Baeyer-Villiger oxidations on solid catalysts using environmentally friendly H2O2 as oxidant

The molecular mechanism of the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by the Sn-beta zeolite has been investigated by combining molecular mechanics, quantum-chemical calculations, spectroscopic, and kinetic techniques. A theoretical study of the location of Sn in zeolite beta was performed by using atomistic force-field techniques to simulate the local environment of the active site. An interatomic potential for Sn/Si zeolites, which allows the simulation of zeolites containing Sn in a tetrahedral environment, has been developed by fitting it to the experimental properties of quartz and SnO2(rutile). The tin active site has been modeled by means of a Sn(OSiH3)3OH cluster, which includes a defect in the framework that provides the flexibility necessary for the interaction between the adsorbates and the Lewis acid center. Two possible reaction pathways have been considered in the computational study, one of them involving the activation of the cyclohexanone carbonyl group by Sn (1) and the other one involving hydrogen peroxide being activated through the formation of a tin-hydroperoxo intermediate (2). Both the quantum-chemical results and the kinetic study indicate that the reaction follows mechanism 1, and that the catalyst active site consists of two centers: the Lewis acid Sn atom to which cyclohexanone has to coordinate, and the oxygen atom of the Sn-OH group that interacts with H2O2 forming a hydrogen bond.     

Das Schwingungsspektrum von Barium-Divanadat

The infrared and laser-Raman spectra of crystalline Ba₂V₂O₇ are reported and discussed by means of a Site Symmetry analysis.

28. Mitt. der Reihe Orthovanadate und verwandte Verbindungen. 27. Mitt.:E. J. Baran undM. E. Escobar, J. Phys. Chem. Solids, im Druck; 26. Mitt.:E. J. Baran, I. L. Botto, J. F. Ramos undP. J. Aymonino, Mh. Chem.109, 1139 (1978); 25. Mitt.:E. J. Baran, J. Mol. Struct.48, 441 (1978); 24. Mitt.:E. J. Baran undI. L. Botto, J. inorg. nucl. Chem.40, 1603, (1978); 23. Mitt.:M. E. Escobar undE. J. Baran, Z. Anorg. allg. Chem.,441, 273 (1978).     

On-line preconcentration and determination of mercury in biological samples by flow injection vapour generation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

An FI-ICP-AES method for the determination of trace levels of mercury in biological samples has been described, which is based on the extraction of the mercury complex with 1,5-bis (di-2-pyridyl)methylene thiocarbonohydrazide (DPTH) on-line into isobuthyl-methyl ketone (IBMK). The organic phase (containing the complex) has been mixed on-line with SnCl₂ in N,N-dimethylformamide. Thus, mercury vapour can be generated directly from the organic phase and separated in a gas-liquid separation device. The detection limit for mercury is 4 ng/ml and the calibration curve is linear at least from 10 to 2500 ng/ml. The relative standard deviation for 10 replicate measurements is ±1% for 100 ng/ml of Hg(II). Results from the analysis of some certified biological reference materials are given.     

Effects of UV-B radiation on the Patagonian Jaborosa magellanica Brisben

Treatment of Jaborosa magellanica with artificial UV-B radiation caused changes in plant growth, plant chemistry and increase DNA polymorphisms. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that UV-B radiation decreases the chlorophylls content, and increases the amount of UV-B absorbing compounds (e.g., phenylpropanoids). Other UV-induced alterations include reduction in leaf area, alterations in plant architecture, and DNA damage. Using random primers and PCR amplification procedure, a high degree of polymorphism was detected when treated plants were compared to non-irradiated plants. These biochemical changes may be interpreted as plant response to UV-B radiation stress and as an indicator of DNA damage.     

Organocatalytic ring expansion of beta-lactams to gamma-lactams through a novel N1-C4 bond cleavage. direct synthesis of enantiopure succinimide derivatives

Tetrabutylammonium cyanide (20 mol %) catalyzes ring expansion of 4-(arylimino)methylazetidin-2-ones 2 to 5-aryliminopyrrolidin-2-ones 3 through a novel N1-C4 bond cleavage of the beta-lactam nucleus. New, efficient one-pot protocols to enantiopure succinimide derivatives 3 and 4 from beta-lactam aldehydes 1 have also been developed. [reaction: see text]     

Sol-gel ZrO2 coatings for chemical protection of stainless steel

ZrO₂ coatings deposited on 316 L stainless steel sheets were synthesized by sol-gel method using Zr(OC₃H₇)₄ as precursor and isopropanol, glacial acetic acid, and water as solvents for application with ultrasounds. Different solutions for dip-coating were prepared with compositions varying between 0.025 and 0.9 mol/dm³ of ZrO₂. X-ray diffraction shows that the films densified at 800°C are crystalline with a tetragonal structure. The thickness of the coatings varied from 0.35–0.75 m. The influence of the ZrO₂ coatings on the corrosion behavior of stainless steel substrates in aqueous NaCl was studied through potentiodynamic polarization curves at 1 mV/s. The values of the electrochemical parameters allow for an explanation of the role of the films in the increased resistance of steel against corrosion in moderately aggressive environments.