Coordination modes between copper(II) and N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid from a 2D-simulation analysis of EPR spectra. Implications for copper mediation of sialoglycoconjugate chemistry relevant to human biology

The equilibrium distribution of species formed between Cu(II) and N-acetylneuraminic (sialic) acid (I, LH) at 298 K has been determined using a two-dimensional (2D) simulation analysis of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. In acidic solutions (pH values < 4), the major species present are Cu(2+), [CuL]+ [logbeta = 1.64(4)], and [CuL2] [logbeta = 2.77(5)]. At intermediate pH values (4.0 < pH < 7.5), [CuL2H-1]- [logbeta = -2.72(7)] and two isomers of [CuLH-1] [logbeta (overall) = -3.37(2)] are present. At alkaline pH values (7.5 < pH < 11), the major species present is [CuL2H-2]2-, modeled as three isomers with unique giso and Aiso values [logbeta (overall) = -8.68(3)]. Two further species ([CuLH-3]2- and [CuL2H-3]3-) appear at pH values > 11. It is proposed that [CuL]+ most likely features I coordinated via the deprotonated carboxylic acid group (O1) and the endocyclic oxygen atom (OR) forming a five-membered chelate ring. Select Cu(II)-I species of the form [CuLH-1] may feature I acting as a dianionic tridentate chelate, via oxygen atoms derived from O1, OR, and one deprotonated hydroxy group (O7 or O8) from the glycerol tail. Alternatively, I may coordinate Cu(II) in a bidentate fashion as the tert-2-hydroxycarboxylato (O1,O2) dianion. Spectra predicted for Cu(II)-I complexes in which I is coordinated in either a O1,OR {I1-} or O1,O2 {I2-} bidentate fashion {e.g., [CuL]+ (O1,O R), [CuL2] (bis-O1,O R), [CuLH-1] (isomer: O1, O2), [CuL2H-1]- (O1, O R; O1, O2), and [CuL2H-2]2- (isomer: bis-O1, O2)} have "irregular" EPR spectra that are ascribed to the existence of Cu(II)-I(monomer) <==> Cu(II)-I(polymer) equilibria. The formation of polymeric Cu(II)-I species will be favored in these complexes because the glycerol-derived hydroxyl groups at the complex periphery (O, 7O, 8O9) are available for further Cu(II) binding. The presence of polymeric Cu(II)-I species is supported by EPR spectral data from solutions of Cu(II) and the homopolymer of I, colominic acid (Ipoly). Conversely, spectra predicted for Cu(II)-I complexes where I is coordinated in a {I2-} tridentate {e.g., [CuLH-1] (isomer: O1, O R, O7, or O8) and [CuL2H-2]2- (isomer: bis-O1,O R,O7, or O8)} or tetradentate fashion {I3-} {e.g., [CuLH-3]2- (O1, O R, O, 8O9)} are typical for mononuclear tetragonally elongated Cu(II) octahedra. In this latter series of complexes, the tendency toward the formation of polymeric Cu(II)-I analogues is small because the polydentate I effectively wraps up the mononuclear Cu(II) center. This work shows that Cu(II) could potentially mediate the chemistry of sialoglycoconjugate-containing proteins in human biology, such as the sialylated amyloid precursor protein of relevance to Alzheimer's disease.     

Ion-pair formation observed in a pulsed-field ionization photoelectron spectroscopic study of HF

The pulsed-field ionization (PFI) photoelectron (PE) spectrum of HF has been recorded at the chemical dynamics beamline of the advanced light source over the photon energy range 15.9-16.5 eV using a time-of-flight selection scheme at a resolution of 0.6 meV. Rotationally-resolved structure in the HF+(X 2 pi 3/2, 1/2, v+ = 0, 1) band systems are assigned. The spectral appearance of these systems agrees with a previous VUV laser PFI-PE study. Importantly, extensive rotationally-resolved structure between these two vibrational band systems is also observed. This is attributed to ion-pair formation via Rydberg states converging on the v+ = 1 vibrational levels of the HF+(X 2 pi 3/2, 1/2) spin-orbit states. These Rydberg states are assigned to the 1 sigma+ part of the nd-complexes (sigma, pi, and delta). Ion-pair formation is observed in this study by the detection of F- ions. Some partially rotationally-resolved structure in a previously published threshold photoelectron spectrum is similarly attributed to ion-pair formation (F- detection) through a combination of the v+ = 17 level of the (A 2 sigma+) 3s sigma Rydberg state and the (X 2 pi 3/2, 1/2, v+ = 1) 7d Rydberg states. On the basis of the present study, an accurate experimental value for the dissociation energy of the ground state of HF has been obtained, D0(HF) = 5.8650(5) eV.     

Eight-vertex tetrametallic structures derived from cubanes: a close relationship between bisdisphenoidal metallaborane and organometallic clusters

The metallaborane Cp4Co4B4H4 and the organometallic cluster Cp4Fe4C4H4 (Cp = eta5-cyclopentadienyl) not only are isoelectronic but also exhibit completely analogous eight-vertex bisdisphenoidal structures. Such structures, as well as the tetracapped tetrahedral structure of the Cp4Fe4(mu3-CO)4 precursor to Cp4Fe4C4H4, can be derived from a cube by insertion of diagonals in each of the six faces. Furthermore, the formation of Cp4Fe4C4H4 from Cp4Fe4(mu3-CO)4 can be described as a double diamond-square-diamond process preserving D2d symmetry throughout the process.     

A facile three-step synthesis of (±)-crispine A via an acyliminium ion cyclisation

A high yielding cyclisation of the readily available N-(4,4-diethoxybutyl)-2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acetamide to 8,9-bis(methyloxy)-2,3,6,10b-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-a]isoquinolin-5(1H)-one is described. The latter can be reduced with either AlH₃ or BH₃ to (±)-crispine A in an overall yield of 55%.     

Synthesis of tetrahydropyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine scaffolds from 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine derivatives

Reactions between N,N′-dimethylethylene diamine and a range of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine derivatives provided ready access to the corresponding tetrahydropyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine systems if the substituent located at the 4-position of the pyridine ring was either hydrogen or an electron withdrawing substituent. In contrast, the presence of electron donating substituents at the 4-position made the formation of ring-fused products much more difficult. The two-step sequential nucleophilic substitution procedures from pentafluoropyridine gave convenient and adaptable methodology for the synthesis of polyfunctional tetrahydropyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine scaffolds of interest to the life science discovery arenas.     

Glycosidation with a disarmed glycosyl iodide: promotion and scope

[reaction: see text] Glucuronyl iodide 1 has been studied in detail as a "disarmed" glycosyl donor. In a model reaction, using N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) as a promoter and 2-phenylethanol as acceptor, best results were obtained using NIS with I(2), followed by trimethylsilyltrifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf). When a series of primary and secondary alcohols was glycosylated using these conditions, yields of 60-83% of beta-glucuronides were obtained. Various "nonheavy" metal salts also effectively catalyzed the model reaction but led to significant amounts of alpha-product with less reactive secondary alcohols.     

Energy levels of iodine monochloride near the first dissociation limit

Absorption transitions to vibrational levels close to the A state dissociation limit of ICI have been examined using a two-photon sequential absorption technique. The discrete rotational structures of I³⁷ Cl bands to within 0.7 cm^?1 of the limit have been selectively excited and analysed. A value of 17557.514 ± 0.030 cm^?1 has been obtained for the I(²P^o_{$\text{3}\text{2}$}) + Cl(²P^o_{$\text{3}\text{2}$}) dissociation energy D_e, relative to the minimum of the ICI ground state potential well. The two-photon technique can be used to excite and display separately the high resolution absorption spectra of different isotopic species of a molecule which are contained in a mixture.     

Mathematical Correction for Polyatomic Isobaric Spectral Interferences in Determination of Lanthanides by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The determination of lanthanides by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS) is complicated by several spectral overlaps from M⁺, MO⁺ or MOH⁺ ions formed in the ICP. Especially, it is essential to avoid the spectral interferences from lighter lanthanide and Ba polyatomic ions on middle or heavier lanthanides. To tackle this problem, we have developed a mathematical correction method, which reduces all the spectral overlaps from oxide species of Pr, Nd, Ce and Sm over Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho, and Gd, Tb over Yb and Lu. It can also successfully correct the oxide and hydroxide interference of Ba over Eu. The effectiveness of the proposed the mathematical correction scheme is demonstrated for the USGS Standard Rock samples AGV‐1 and G‐2. The results show that the experimental data obtained by applying the mathematical correction scheme for lanthanides is in good agreement with the reported values, using pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulisation methods, for their ICP‐MS analysis.     

An asymptotic analysis of the kick-out diffusion mechanism

The kick-out model for impurity diffusion in semiconductors is studied. The kick-out mechanism is thought to play an important rôle in a number of applications, including the diffusion of zinc and chromium in gallium arsenide. Asymptotic solutions are derived for both one- and two-dimensional surface source problems. In the one-dimensional case, a mechanism for the destruction of self-interstitials is also incorporated. The calculated diffusion profiles have shapes which are typical of diffusion systems in which the kick-out mechanism is believed to be active. For the two-dimensional problem, contours of constant impurity concentration are calculated and some are found to have the bird's beak shape which is frequently observed in experiments.