Elucidating the Coordination Chemistry and Mechanism of Biological Nitrogen Fixation

How does the enzyme nitrogenase reduce the inert molecule N₂ to NH₃ under ambient conditions that are so different from the energy‐expensive conditions of the best industrial practices? This review focuses on recent theoretical investigations of the catalytic site, the iron–molybdenum cofactor FeMo‐co, and the way in which it is hydrogenated by protons and electrons and then binds N₂. Density functional calculations provide reaction profiles and activation energies for possible mechanistic steps. This establishes a conceptual framework and the principles for the coordination chemistry of FeMo‐co that are essential to the chemical mechanism of catalysis. The model advanced herein explains relevant experimental data.     

PBA@POM Hybrids as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

To realize the effective conversion of renewable energy through water decomposition, efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential. In this article, PBA@POM was successfully prepared with a Prussian blue analogue (PBA) as the initial structure. A facile hydrothermal process is reported for obtaining PBA@POM by etching the cubic PBA with a strong Brønsted acid, H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀ (HPMo). The hollow cube structure not only exposes more active sites but also promotes electron transport, which results in excellent electrocatalytic activity for the OER. Compared with the PBA, which initially simply adhered to POM, the optimum PBA@POM hybrids display remarkably enhanced OER catalytic activity, with an almost constant overpotential of 440 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 and a small Tafel slope (23.45 mV dec^?1). The facilely prepared PBA@POM with good electrochemical activity and stability promises great potential for the OER.     

Beitrag zum Stabilisierungsmechanismus des Wollkeratins durch einige Metalle

Zusammenfassung Das Verhalten des Wollkeratins ist im kochenden Wasser nach Behandlung mit Kupfer-, Kadmium-, Silber- und Quecksilbersalzen unnormal, nicht nur verglichen mit dem Verhalten des metallfreien Proteins, sondern auch gegenüber des unter gleichen Bedingungen mit anderen Metallen behandelten Keratins. Die beobachteten Phänomene werden in einigen Fällen entweder mit der Annahme der Bildung von Vernetzungen zwischen benachbarten Polypeptidketten durch Komplexbildung des Metalls mit einigen Gruppen des Keratins oder durch Blockieren des Cysteins und der Verhinderung des Disulfidaustausches erklärt. In anderen Fällen jedoch, besonders bei Silber, ist die Erklärung der eintretenden Veränderung mit Hilfe dieser zwei Mechanismen nicht möglich, und es wird die direkte Reaktion des Metalls mit dem Schwefel des Cystins vorgeschlagen. Hierbei wird das Cystin und damit die Disulfidbindung gespalten. Die Spaltung dieser Bindung und die Verhinderung ihrer Rückbildung, entweder in derselben oder in anderer Lage, senkt die Zahl der Quervernetzungen im Keratin herab und damit die Fixierung der Polypeptidketten in ihrer ursprünglichen Lage. Hieraus resultiert eine Schrumpfung der Ketten und die Kontraktion der Faser.

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Summary Wool fibres containing cadmium, copper, mercury or silver set in a different way than the untreated ones or the fibres which contain other metals. This behaviour is explained in some cases by assuming the formation of complexes between the metal and the protein or by the disulphide exchange mechanism. In other cases, however, and particularly with silver this is not possible, and therefore the direct reaction between the metal and the sulphur of cystine is proposed. According to this mechanism the contraction of the fibre is due to the breakdown of the disulphide bond and the inability of its reformation.

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Mit 10 Abbildungen und 2 Tabellen     

Polarisabilites moléculaires et effet diélectrique de milieu à l'état liquide. Étude théorique de la molécule d'eau et de ses diméres

The model of Onsager in which a polar molecule undergoes a reaction field due to the polarization of the molecular surroundings is used to evaluate by a S.C.F. calculation (CNDO/2 approximation) the modifications of a molecular structure in the liquid state.Application to water molecule and to three polar dimers for values of the dielectric constant varying between 3 and 78, shows that most of geometric parameters and dipoles moments vary of few per cent when the molecule is inserted in a liquid. In the liquid state dipole moments do not depend very much on the dielectric constant but energies and relative stabilities of isomers are strongly dependent on the medium.[/p]

     

Three‐Component Reactions with (S)‐Methyl Pyroglutamate: An Efficient Way to Diversely Substituted Asymmetric Amidocyclohexenes

Chiral N‐dienyl lactams are crucial building blocks for the synthesis of complex organic compounds. However, their generation is rather challenging. This paper reports the novel one‐pot reaction of (S)‐methyl pyroglutamate as the a mide component with different a ldehydes and d ienophiles (AAD reaction) to give novel chiral 1‐amido‐2‐cyclohexenes. The corresponding N‐dienyl lactams generated in situ undergo subsequent Diels–Alder reactions in good yield and diastereoselectivity. The scope and limitations of the three‐component protocol were investigated. X‐ray and NMR spectroscopic analysis of the products as well as DFT calculations of the intermediates were also performed to explain the observed stereoselectivity and structural features.     

A test for monitoring traces of cholinesterase inhibitors in surface waters

Summary The inhibitory effect on cholinesterase activity is the only common attribute of organophosphorus pesticides and carbamates. Therefore a screening test based on cholinesterase assay is suitable for detection of total pesticides in the pollution control of surface waters. The reaction-rate cholinesterase assay in which acetylthiocholine iodide is used as substrate and 5,5-dithio-bis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) (Ellman's reagent) as indicator, with spectrophotometric monitoring at 412 nm for 2 min is applied. The detection limits for various pesticides in aqueous solutions have been determined. The results are comparable to those of gas Chromatographic analyses and for carbamates are even better. The sensitivity can be improved by two orders of magnitude by preconcentration on Amberlite XAD-4 column. The collection efficiency of about 80% for all the pesticides tested has been confirmed by gas chromatography. A rapid and simple field test is based on the same assay system. The reaction is stopped by complete inhibition of the enzyme and the colour is compared visually with that of standards prepared by dilution of the initial enzyme solution, and the comparison is facilitated by use of a red filter (_max 555 nm). A relative standard deviation of 5.5% was obtained for 3 series of sample covering the range 0–100% inhibition, 9 experiments done by 6 persons.

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Nachweis von Spuren Cholinesterase hemmender Faktoren in Oberflächenwässern

Zusammenfassung Der hemmende Effekt gegenüber Cholinesterase ist das einzige gemeinsame Kennzeichen phosphor-organischer Pestizide und Carbamate. Der Nachweis mit Cholinesterase eignet sich daher für den Nachweis von Pestiziden bei der Reinheitskontrolle von Oberflächengewässern. Der Nachweis mit Acetylthiocholinjodid als Substrat und 5,5-Dithio-bis(2-nitrobenzoe-säure) (Ellmans Reagens) als Indikator durch spektrophotometrische Bestimmung bei 412 nm wurde angewendet. Die Erfassungsgrenzen für verschiedene Pestizide in wäßriger Lösung wurden bestimmt. Die Ergebnisse sind mit denen gaschromatographischer Analysen vergleichbar, für Carbamate sogar besser. Die Empfindlichkeit kann durch Anreicherung mit Amberlit XAD-4 um zwei Größenordnungen verbessert werden. Die Anreicherung um ungefähr 80% wurde gaschromatographisch für alle untersuchten Pestizide bestätigt. Ein schneller und einfacher Feldversuch beruht auf demselben Reaktionsvorgang. Die Reaktion wird durch vollständige Hemmung des Enzyms abgebrochen und die Farbe visuell verglichen mit verdünnten Standardlösungen der ursprünglichen Enzymlösung. Dieser Vergleich wird durch ein Rotfilter (_max 555 nm) erleichtert. Eine relative Standardabweichung von 5,5% wurde für 3 Probenreihen mit einem Hemmungseffekt von 0–100% erhalten, wobei 6 Personen 9 Versuche durchführten.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Preparation and Structure of [Me3N(CF3)2BCCB(CF3)2NMe3]

Bis‐trimethylamine‐ethynyl‐di‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane [Me₃N(CF₃)₂BCCB(CF₃)₂NMe₃] ( 1 ) has been prepared from trimethylamine‐ethynyl‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane, [HCCB(CF₃)₂NMe₃], and dimethylamino‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane, (CF₃)₂BNMe₂. The structure of 1 has been determined by x‐ray crystallography. In the solid state the molecule possesses crystallographic C_i symmetry. The acetylenic attachment to the boron atom is characterized by a short B–C bond length of 1.565(4) Å and an essentially linear B–C–C′ bond angle of 178.1(4)°.     

Reversible energy transfer

Analysis of the transient and steady-state kinetics of reversible energy transfer shows that while the interpretation of lifetime measurements is difficult unless the donor and acceptor lifetimes are appreciably different, quantum yield measurements are relatively easy to interpret.

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Zusammenfassung Die Analyse der Kinetik der Übergangszustände und der stationären Zustände der reversiblen Energieübertragung zeigt, daß im Gegensatz zu einer schwierigen Interpretation der Messungen der Lebensdauer — es sei denn die Lebensdauer von Donor und Acceptor sind wesentlich voneinander verschieden — die Messungen der Quantumausbeute verhältnismäßig einfach zu interpretieren sind.

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Résumé L'analyse de la cinétique de l'état transitoire et de l'état stationnaire du transfert réversible d'énergie montre que, si l'interprétation des mesures de durée de vie est difficile, à moins queles durées de vie du donneur et de l'accepteur soient très différentes, il est par contre relativement facile d'interpréter les mesures de rendement quantique.

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Dedicated to the memory of Professor K. H. Hansen.     

Mass fragmentation pattern of N- and O-substituted 2-morpholinols

The mass spectra of a series of N- and O-substituted 2-morpholinols were considered and the complex fragmentation pattern explained on the basis of evidences reported in the literature and of experimental data (high resolution, metastable ions). The primary fragmentations are given by inductive cleavage due to the heteroatoms, while ring contractions, through retro Diels-Alder reactions, form most of the secondary pattern with different ions related to N- and O-substituents. Moreover, hemiacetals in the tautomeric hydroxyaldehyde form undergo an α-cleavage.