Absolute infrared intensities of hydrocarbons

Dipole-moment derivatives, calculated by both the CNDO/2 method with different parameterizations and the INDO method, are compared to the experimental values determined from absolute infrared intensity measurements for the IR active modes of methane, ethane, ethylene and acetylene. A parameter refinement procedure is introduced in which the CNDO/2 molecular orbital parameters are adjusted through a damped least-squares treatment to give best agreement with the observed dipole-moment derivatives. It is found that the refinement does not substantially improve the agreement obtained with the original CNDO/2 parameterization. The INDO method gives somewhat poorer agreement than the CNDO/2 calculations. As an example of the applicability of the molecular orbital methods toward reproducing relative infrared intensities, the spectrum of cyclopropane in the gasphase is examined.

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Zusammenfassung Die Ableitungen des Dipol-Moments, die nach der CNDO/2-Methode mit verschiedenen Parametrisierungen sowie der INDO-Methode berechnet wurden, werden mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen aus Messungen der absoluten Infrarot-Intensitäten für die IR-aktiven Schwingungen von Methan, Äthan, Äthylen und Azetylen verglichen. Die CNDO/2-Parameter werden mit einer Methode der kleinsten Quadrate den beobachteten Dipol-Moment-Ableitungen angepaßt. Die Ergebnisse sind jedoch nicht wesentlich von denen der ursprünglichen CNDO/2-Methode verschieden. Die INDO-Ergebnisse sind nicht so gut wie die CNDO/2-Ergebnisse. Als Beispiel der Anwendbarkeit der MO-Methoden zur Berechnung von relativen IR-Intensitäten wird das Spektrum des Cyclopropans in der Gasphase untersucht.

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Résumé Les dérivées du moment dipolaire, calculées par la méthode CNDO/2 avec différentes paramétrisations et par la méthode INDO, sont comparées aux valeurs expérimentales déterminées à partir de mesures d'intensité absolue pour les modes actifs dans l'infra-rouge dans le méthane, l'éthane, l'éthylène et l'acétylène. Les paramètres sont ajustés de manière à donner le meilleur accord avec les dérivées du moment dipolaire. Cet ajustement n'améliore pas sensiblement l'accord obtenu avec la paramétrisation CNDO/2 originale. La méthode INDO donne des résultats moins bons que les calculs CNDO/2. Le spectre du cyclopropane en phase gazeuse est étudié comme exemple de l'applicabilité de la méthode des orbitales moléculaires au calcul des intensités relatives infra-rouge.

     

FORTY YEARS OF BLUE-LIGHT RESEARCH AND NO ANNIVERSARY

The status of near- UV/blue-light research is described and critically assessed. It is argued that the generally accepted proposition of flavins acting as near- UV/blue-light photoreceptors is reasonable, but that also other pigments, specifically pteridines and pterins, should be considered. In view of the fact that a receptor assay, applicable to any organism and near-UV/blue-light reaction, is not yet at hand, caution appears to be indicated as to what one can accept as a reasonable “criterion” for the involvement of any proposed photoreceptor pigment.     

Conotoxins as research tools and drug leads

The complex mixture of biologically active peptides that constitute the venom of Conus species provides a rich source of ion channel neurotoxins. These peptides, commonly known as conotoxins, exhibit a high degree of selectivity and potency for different ion channels and their subtypes making them invaluable tools for unravelling the secrets of the nervous system. Furthermore, several conotoxin molecules have profound applications in drug discovery, with some examples currently undergoing clinical trials. Despite their relatively easy access by chemical synthesis, rapid access to libraries of conotoxin analogues for use in structure-activity relationship studies still poses a significant limitation. This is exacerbated in conotoxins containing multiple disulfide bonds, which often require synthetic strategies utilising several steps. This review will examine the structure and activity of some of the known classes of conotoxins and will highlight their potential as neuropharmacological tools and as drug leads. Some of the classical and more recent approaches to the chemical synthesis of conotoxins, particularly with respect to the controlled formation of disulfide bonds will be discussed in detail. Finally, some examples of structure-activity relationship studies will be discussed, as well as some novel approaches for designing conotoxin analogues.     

Synthesis of a Tetracyclo [4.4.0.02,4.03,8]decanone via Intramolecular Reductive Coupling

The reduction of cis-4 a-methyl-1,2,4a,7,8,8 a-hexahydronaphthalene-2,7-dione ( 1 ) was studied by cyclic voltammetry and product analysis. On a preparative scale, 6-hydroxy-3-methyltetracyclo[4.4.0.0^2,4.0^3,8]decan-10-one ( 2 ) was obtained in 22% yield via an intramolecular hydrodimerization/aldol reaction sequence. The CV. results (Hg, DMF) suggest that the cyclopropane ring is formed after the first electron transfer by coupling of the anion radical with the second C. C-double bond.     

Analysis of conformational equilibria in aplidine using selective excitation 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular mechanics/dynamics calculations

Aplidine (dehydrodidemnin B), a natural product with potent antitumor activity currently in multicenter phase II clinical trials, exists in DMSO as a mixture of four slowly interconverting conformations in a ratio of 47:33:13:7. NMR spectroscopy shows that these arise as a consequence of cis/trans isomerization about the NMe-Leu(7)-Pro(8) and Pro(8)-Pyr amide bonds of the molecule's side chain. Two major conformations account for 47% and 33% of the total population, a ratio of 60:40 between the two. They correspond to the cis- and trans-isomers, respectively, about the Pro(8)-Pyr amide bond. Two minor conformers arise as a consequence of similar isomerism about the Pro(8)-Pyr amide bond, but in structures in which the NMe-Leu(7)-Pro(8) amide bond is cis rather than trans. These account for approximately 13% and 7% of the total population, corresponding to a ratio of 65:35 cis/trans, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the three-dimensional structures of all four conformational isomers are similar in the macrocycle and that all are essentially unchanged with respect to the macrocycle of didemnin B. Significant differences in the conformation of the molecule's side chain are, however, observed between major and minor pairs. Analysis of hydrogen-bonding patterns shows that each major conformer exhibits a beta-turn like structure and is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between a different carbonyl group of the pyruvyl unit of the molecule's side chain and the NH of the Thr(6) residue. The minor isomers have a cis-amide bond between the NMe-Leu(7) and Pro(8) residues that obliges the side chain to adopt an extended disposition where hydrogen bonding to the macrocycle is absent. These results suggest that the ability of the molecule's side chain to adopt a beta-turn-like conformation may not be a prerequisite for biological activity in the didemnins and that conformations having an extended side-chain may play a role in the biological activity of aplidine.     

Programmable gate delayed ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry: a study with low concentrations of dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether in air

The concept of using a short ionisation event, in this case a pulsed corona discharge, in conjunction with programmed gate delay is described. This technique is proposed for the selective study of different ionisation processes within the reaction region of an ion mobility spectrometer. The utility of such an approach was tested in a study of the ionisation of dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether (DPM); a compound commonly used to test the operation of ion mobility spectrometers. Dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether at a concentration of 113 microg m(-3) in air, with a water level of 75 mg m(-3) in air, was analysed using a switchable, high resolution ion mobility spectrometer, operating in the positive mode at 40 degrees C at ambient pressure. The ion mobility spectrometer was fitted with a pulsed corona discharge ionisation source, doped with ammonia at a concentration of 1.3 mg m(-3) in the reaction region, and interfaced to a mass spectrometer. Synchronisation of the ionisation event to the operation of the shutter grids for the drift region enabled different parts of the product ion population to be injected into the drift tube, and programming the gate delays produced a map of the gate delay verses drift time response surface. Ammonium bound dipropylene-glycol-monomethyl-ether was observed, [(DPM)NH4]+ (m/z 166) as well as the ammonium bound dimer [(DPM)2NH4]+ (m/z 314), the same as those observed with a 63Ni source. Two other species were also observed, but their molecular identity was not elucidated. One of them m/z 146, also observed with 63Ni, formed ammonium bound ions [(m/z 146)NH4]+ (K0= 1.49 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)), ammonium bound dimer ions [(m/z 146)2NH4]+(K0= 1.18 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)) and a mixed cluster ion with DPM [(m/z 146)(DPM)NH4]+(K0= 1.18 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)); while the other, m/z 88 a decomposition product, formed ammonium bound monomer [(m/z 88)NH4]+(K0= 1.68 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)), dimer ions [(m/z 88)2NH4]+(K0= 1.40 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)) and a mixed cluster ion containing DPM and ammonium, [(DPM)(m/z 88)2NH4]+(K0= 1.40 cm2 V(-1) s(-1)). The assignment of responses to these ions required the additional dimensionality in the data provided from the gate delay studies. The relationships evident in the programmable gate delay data enabled these ions to be differentiated from alternative assignments of possible nitrogen clusters, formed at the interface of the mass spectrometer.     

Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations and cone angles of phosphine ligands

Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations were performed on 54 conformations of 18 phosphines (PH₃; PH_3−nR_n, where n = 1,…3, and R = Me and Et, n = 1 or 2 and R =ⁱPr, and n = 1 and R =^tBu, PMe₂Et, PMeEt₂, and PPhMe₂, and PPh₂R where R = Me, Et, ⁱPr, ^tBu and Ph). The results are compared to those previously obtained from MINDO/3 and MNDO calculations, and to experimental data. Single conformer cone angles and weighted average cone angles were calculated from MM2 optimized geometries employing Tolman's general definition, and they are compared to Tolman's values, MINDO/3 results, and T.L. Brown's E_R values. Of the cone angle definitions used, the weighted average values are suggested as the best single representation of phosphine ligand sizes. The steric parameters (cone angle and E_R values) alone, and in conjunction with electronic parameters, are correlated with experimental data.     

121Sb-Mössbauer-Spektren von Antimon(V)-Verbindungen. II

¹²¹Sb Mössbauer Spectra of Antimony (V) Compounds. II The Mössbauer resonance effect of ¹²¹Sb has been studied at 4.2 K in a series of 11 antimony(V) compounds which are in most cases bridged. Isomer shift and quadrupole splitting variations are considered in the light of results of X-ray and vibrational spectroscopy. Preparation and the vibrational spectra of [NMe₄][SbCl₄(n₃)₂] are described. Within the limitations of available structural data related tin compounds are compared with those of corresponding ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra.     

TRANSFER OF EXCITATION ENERGY BETWEEN PORPHYRIN CENTERS OF A COVALENTLY-LINKED DIMER*

Abstract— Three covalently-linked porphyrin hybrid dimers were synthesized, each containing a metallotetraarylporphyrin [Zn(II), Cu(II), or Ni(II)], and a free base tetraarylporphyrin. Transfer of singlet excitation energy from the metalloporphyrin center to the free base porphyrin center was determined by measuring fluorescence properties. The Zn hybrid dimer displayed excellent intramolecular transfer of energy ( 85%) from the excited singlet state of the Zn(II) chromophore to the free base chromophore. No evidence for such transfer of the excited singlet state energy was found in the Ni(II) or Cu(II) analogues. From our experimental data, the fluorescence quantum yield of the Zn hybrid dimer was the same as for the free base monomer porphyrin (0.11; Seybold and Gouterman, 1969). Thus, the covalent attachment of another fluorescent porphyrin center effectively doubled the antenna size without decreasing the quantum yield even though the fluorescence quantum yield of the Zn(II) containing monomer was substantially less (0.03, according to Seybold and Gouterman, 1969) than that of the free base porphyrin. The donor-acceptor distance and the rate constant for energy transfer were calculated using the Forster equation. Assuming random orientation, a donor-acceptor distance of 15 Å was calculated with an associated rate constant (k_ci) for energy transfer of 1.9 ± 10₉ s_–1.     

Nucleophilic Substitution in Dipolar Aprotic Solvents: Hexamethylphosphoric triamide

The rate of the reaction between ethyl tosylate and chloride as well as bromide ion has been measured in hexamethylphosphoric triamide in the presence of several counterions. Rate constants for the free ions at 25.0° are 14.4 mole^?1 for chloride and 2.0 mole^?1min^?1 for bromide, both independent of the cation used. The equilibrium constants for ion pair dissociation of lithium-, ammonium- and tetra-n-butylammonium chloride are 3.97 × 10^?2, 1.52 × 10^?3 and 6.36 × 10^?3 mole, and for the corresponding bromides 3.30 × 10^?2, 9.65 × 10^?3, and 9.62 × 10^?3 mole.