Ru(TAP)2(dppz)]2+: a DNA intercalating complex, which luminesces strongly in water and undergoes photo-induced proton-coupled electron transfer with guanosine-5'-monophosphate

The lowest excited state of [Ru(TAP)2(dppz)]2+ (TAP = 1,4,5,8-tetraazaphenanthrene, dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine) 1 is strongly luminescent, even in water, and very oxidizing. Therefore it is able to oxidise not only guanosine-5'-monophosphate (GMP), as demonstrated by laser flash photolysis, but also guanine-containing polynucleotides such as calf thymus DNA and [poly(dG-dC)]2. The luminescence quenching was found to be faster in H2O than in D2O, as is the back reaction, indicating that both processes probably proceed by proton-coupled electron transfer. These properties, that are controlled by the triplet MLCT state in which the charge has been transferred from the Ru to a TAP ligand, contrast with those of the well known [Ru(phen)2(dppz)]2+ 2.     

Cationic,neutral and anionic metal(II) complexes derived from 4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylic acid (chelidonic acid)

The structures of five metal complexes containing the 4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion illustrate the remarkable coordinating versatility of this ligand and the great structural diversity of its complexes. In tetraaquaberyllium 4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylate, [Be(H₂O)₄](C₇H₂O₆), (I), the ions are linked by eight independent O—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded framework structure. Each of the ions in hydrazinium(2+) diaqua(4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)calcate, (N₂H₆)[Ca(C₇H₂O₆)₂(H₂O)₂], (II), lies on a twofold rotation axis in the space group P2/c; the anions form hydrogen‐bonded sheets which are linked into a three‐dimensional framework by the cations. In bis(μ‐4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)bis[tetraaquamanganese(II)] tetrahydrate, [Mn₂(C₇H₂O₆)₂(H₂O)₈]·4H₂O, (III), the metal ions and the organic ligands form a cyclic centrosymmetric Mn₂(C₇H₂O₆)₂ unit, and these units are linked into a complex three‐dimensional framework structure containing 12 independent O—H...O hydrogen bonds. There are two independent Cu^II ions in tetraaqua(4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)copper(II), [Cu(C₇H₂O₆)(H₂O)₄], (IV), and both lie on centres of inversion in the space group P; the metal ions and the organic ligands form a one‐dimensional coordination polymer, and the polymer chains are linked into a three‐dimensional framework containing eight independent O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Diaqua(4‐oxo‐4H‐pyran‐2,6‐dicarboxylato)cadmium monohydrate, [Cd(C₇H₂O₆)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O, (V), forms a three‐dimensional coordination polymer in which the organic ligand is coordinated to four different Cd sites, and this polymer is interwoven with a complex three‐dimensional framework built from O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

A universal temperature controlled membrane interface for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds

A universal temperature controlled membrane interface (TCMI) has been constructed for hollow-fibre membranes. The membrane temperature is controllable in the range -70 to 250 degrees C using an electric heater and a flow of cooled nitrogen or helium gas. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds may be detected either by continuous diffusion across the membrane or by in-membrane pre-concentration followed by thermal desorption into the detector. The TCMI interface is demonstrated in combination with mass spectrometry and GC-MS, for the determination of VOCs and SVOCs in aqueous and air samples and for the on-line monitoring of a bioreactor.     

Chemically-assisted fragmentation combined with multi-dimensional liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization post source decay, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of flight or matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry for improved sequencing of tryptic peptides

Derivatization of tryptic peptides using an Ettan CAF matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) sequencing kit in combination with MALDI-post source decay (PSD) is a fast, accurate and convenient way to obtain de novo or confirmative peptide sequencing data. CAF (chemically assisted fragmentation) is based on solid-phase derivatization using a new class of water stable sulfonation agents, which strongly improves PSD analysis and simplifies the interpretation of acquired spectra. The derivatization is performed on solid supports, ZipTip(microC18, limiting the maximum peptide amount to 5 microg. By performing the derivatization in solution enabled the labeling of tryptic peptides derived from 100 microg of protein. To increase the number of peptides that could be sequenced, derivatized peptides were purified using multidimensional liquid chromatography (MDLC) prior to MALDI sequencing. Following the first dimension strong cation exchange (SCX) chromatography step, modified peptides were separated using reversed-phase chromatography (RPC). During the SCX clean up step, positively charged peptides are retained on the column while properly CAF-derivatized peptides (uncharged) are not. A moderately complex tryptic digest, prepared from six different proteins of equimolar amounts, was CAF-derivatized and purified by MDLC. Fractions from the second dimension nano RPC step were automatically sampled and on-line dispensed to MALDI sample plates and analyzed using MALDI mass spectrometry fragmentation techniques. All proteins in the derivatized protein mixture digest were readily identified using MALDI-PSD or MALDI tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). More than 40 peptides were unambiguously sequenced, representing a seven-fold increase in the number of sequenced peptides in comparison to when the CAF-derivatized protein mix digest was analyzed directly (no MDLC-separation) using MALDI-PSD. In conclusion, MDLC purification of CAF-derivatized peptides significantly increases the success rate for de novo and confirmative sequencing using various MALDI fragmentation techniques. This new approach is not only applicable to single protein digests but also to more complex digests and could, thus, be an alternative to electrospray ionization MS/MS for peptide sequencing.     

Synthesis, structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of high oxidation state diruthenium complexes containing four identical unsymmetrical bridging ligands

Six Ru2(6+) derivatives of the form Ru2(L)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2), where L = 2-Fap, 2,3-F(2)ap, 2,4-F(2)ap, 2,5-F(2)ap, 3,4-F(2)ap, or 2,4,6-F(3)ap, are synthesized and characterized as to their electrochemical, spectroscopic, and/or structural properties. These compounds are synthesized from a reaction between LiC[triple bond]CC6H5 and Ru2(L)4Cl. Two of the investigated complexes exist in a (4,0) isomeric form while four adopt a (3,1) geometric conformation. These two series of geometric isomers are compared with previously characterized (4,0) Ru2(ap)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2), (4,0) Ru2(F5ap)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2), and (3,1) Ru2(F5ap)4(C[triple bond]CC6H5)(2). The overall data on the nine compounds thus provide an opportunity to systematically examine how the electrochemical and structural properties of these Ru2(6+) complexes vary with respect to isomer type and electronic properties of the bridging ligands.     

Addition initiated ring closure substituted spiro[4,2]Hepta-1,3-dienes via fulvene intermediates

The reactivity of the epoxy-fulvene 1 with various nucleophiles has been examined. It is a versatile Intermediate for the preparation of spiro[4.2]hepta-1,3-diene synthons via nucleophilic addition to the C₆ position followed by intramolecular cyclization of the substituted cyclopentadiene anion generated in situ.     

THE 'OPSIN SHIFT' IN BACTERIORHODOPSIN: STUDIES WITH ARTIFICIAL BACTERIORHODOPSINS

Abstract— The difference (in cm⁻¹) in absorption maxima between the protonated Schiff base of retinals and the pigment derived therefrom has been defined as the opsin shift. It represents the influence of the opsin binding site on the chromophore. The analysis of the opsin shifts of a series of dihydrobacteriorhodopsins has led to the external point-charge model, which in addition to a counter anion near the Schiff base ammonium, carries another negative charge in the vicinity of the β-ionone ring. This is in striking contrast to the external point-charge model proposed earlier for the bovine visual pigment. The absorption maxima of rhodopsins formed from bromo- and phenyl retinals support the two models. A retinal carrying a photoaffinity label has yielded a nonbleachable bacteriorhodopsin.     

Synthesis gas as substrate for the biological production of fuels and chemicals

Synthesis gas provides a simple substrate for the production of fuels and chemicals. Synthesis gas can be produced via established technologies from a variety of feedstocks including coal, wood, and agricultural and municipal wastes. The gasification is thermally efficient and results in complete conversion of the feedstock to fermentable substrate.Clostridium ljungdahlii grows on the synthesis gas components, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. Production of acetic acid and ethanol accompanies growth with synthesis gas as sole source of energy and carbon. Rate and yield parameters are compared forC. ljungdahlii grown on carbon monoxide, or hydrogen with carbon dioxide.

     

Effects of ammonium nitrate on sensitivity for determinations of copper,iron, and manganese in sea water by atomic absorption spectrometry with pyrolytically coated graphite tubes

Ammonium nitrate, used as a matrix modifier in sea-water analysis to eliminate the interference of sodium chloride, degrades the pyrolytic coating on graphite-furnace tubes. The initially increased sensitivities for copper, manganese and iron are maintained for up to 15 atomizations; there is then a rapid decline to a constant lower sensitivity. The characteristics depend strongly on the particular lot of furnace tubes. To decrease the NaCl interference without using matrix modifier, estuarine samples must be diluted (1 + 1) with pure water. Blanks and standards are prepared and diluted with Gulf Stream water containing low amounts of trace metals to match the estuarine matrix.     

Some aspects of the polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole by grignard reagents

The polymerization of N-vinylcarbazole (NVC) initiated by PhMgBr in benzene was studied at 32°C. R_p is second order with respect to PhMgBr concentration but increases with NVC concentration (up to 0.06 M) and falls thereafter. R_p and P _n are depressed by the addition of thiophene and water. Modifiers such as benzaldehyde, butanone, and ethylene glycol practically inhibit the polymerization. Carbon tetrachloride and carbon dioxide, when passed through the NVC solution first, enhance the R_p and P _n increases with increasing PhMgBr and NVC concentrations, respectively. R_p increases with temperature, but P _n shows a maxium at a certain temperature. A cationic mechanism has been proposed where the polymerization is initiated by RMg⁺ cations produced from the ionization of PhMgBr by the Ashby and Smith mechanism.