Determination of lead in whole blood with a simple flow-injection system and computerized stripping potentiometry

An automated (24 samples/hour) procedure is described for the determination of lead (0–1000 μg l^?1) in human blood based on flow-injection stripping potentiometry. The samples are diluted 20-fold with 0.5 M hydrochloric acid containing 100 mg l^?1 mercury and 40 μg l^?1 cadmium (II), and a 1.1 ml aliquot is injected into the flow system. With a mercury-coated carbon fibre as working electrode, lead (II) is determined by using cadmium (II) as internal standard and a calibration graph prepared from bovine blood. Analyses of two human blood reference samples yielded results of 335±37 and 691±24 μg l^?1 lead, the certified values being 332 and 663 μg l^?1, respectively.     

Heterocyclic Rearrangement of 4,5,6,7-Tetrahydro-6,6-dimethyl-benzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazol-4-one (Z)-Arylhydrazones into Corresponding 2-Aryl-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-4-one Oximes

The thermal base-catalysed and photochemical transformation (Boulton-Katritzky rearrangement) of the title tetrahydrobenzo[c][1,2,5]oxadiazoles to tetrahydro-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazoles is studied. Attempts to induce analogous rearrangement in tetrahydro-2H-benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol-4-one arylhydrazones or oximes failed. Some CNDO/2 calculation are also carried out.     

Heterogeneous thermal excitation and relaxation in supercooled liquids

We investigate a phenomenological model which rationalizes the effects of dielectric hole burning on the basis of heterogeneous dielectric and specific heat relaxation in supercooled liquids. The quantitative agreement between model predictions and dielectric hole-burning observations is lost if the assumption of correlated dielectric and thermal relaxation times is removed from the model. This suggests that dynamically distinct domains in real liquids are associated with a time constant which characterizes both the structural and thermal relaxation behaviors. The calculations demonstrate that the observed burn-induced modifications reflect the spectral selectivity and persistence time of the fictive temperatures within these domains, and that 100 or more cycles of the sinusoidal burn field can be required to saturate the heat accumulated in the slow degrees of freedom. It is also shown that the recovery of dielectric holes is entirely accounted for by the model, and that the persistence times do not provide direct insight into rate exchange processes. Additionally, the model predicts that the heating effects considered here are a significant source of nonlinear dielectric behavior, even in the absence of deliberate frequency selective hole burning.     

Three-coordinate [Cu(II)X(3)](-) (X=Cl, Br), trapped in a molecular crystal

Mixtures of [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)Cl(-) with CuBr(2) (or CuBr(2)+CuCl(2)) in ethanol/dichloromethane yield crystals containing three-coordinate copper(II) with mixed chloride and bromide ligands, namely [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)[CuCl(0.9)Br(2.1)](-) (1) and [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)[CuCl(2.4)Br(0.6)](-) (2). The trigonal-planar coordination of copper(II) is angularly distorted but unambiguous, as there is no other halide ligand within 6.7 A of the copper atom. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on planar [CuClBr(2)](-) show that the energy surface for angle bending is very soft. Crystallisation in the presence of CH(3)CN yields [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+)[CuCl(0.7)Br(2.3)(NCCH(3))](-) (3), in which there is additional secondary coordination by NCCH(3) (Cu-N 2.44 A). DFT calculations of the potential energy surface for this secondary coordination show that it is remarkably flat (<3 kcal mol(-1) for a variation of Cu-N by 0.8 A). The crystal packing in 1, 2 and 3, which involves multiple phenyl embraces between [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+) ions and numerous C-H...Cl and C-H...Br motifs, is associated with intermolecular energies that are larger than the variations in intramolecular energies. For reference, the crystal structures of [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)(+)](2)[Cu(2)Cl(6)](2-) (4) and [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)(+)](2)[Cu(2)Br(6)](2-) (5) are described. We conclude 1) that three-coordinate copper(II) with monatomic halide ligands, although uncommon, can be regarded as normal, 2) that steric control by ligands is not necessary to enforce three-coordination, 3) that a hydrophobic aryl environment stabilises [Cu(Cl/Br)(3)](-), and 4) that the energy change in the transition from three- to four-coordinate copper(II) is very small (ca 5 kcal mol(-1)).     

Use of the tubulin bound paclitaxel conformation for structure-based rational drug design

A new computational docking protocol has been developed and used in combination with conformational information inferred from REDOR-NMR experiments on microtubule bound 2-(p-fluorobenzoyl)paclitaxel to delineate a unique tubulin binding structure of paclitaxel. A conformationally constrained macrocyclic taxoid bearing a linker between the C-14 and C-3'N positions has been designed and synthesized to enforce this "REDOR-taxol" conformation. The novel taxoid SB-T-2053 inhibits the growth of MCF-7 and LCC-6 human breast cancer cells (wild-type and drug resistant) on the same order of magnitude as paclitaxel. Moreover, SB-T-2053 induces in vitro tubulin polymerization at least as well as paclitaxel, which directly validates our drug design process. These results open a new avenue for drug design of next generation taxoids and other microtubule-stabilizing agents based on the refined structural information of drug-tubulin complexes, in accordance with typical enzyme-inhibitor medicinal chemistry precepts.     

Nucleosides. Part LX. Synthesis and Characterization of Monomeric Cordycepin-Vitamin and Cordycepin-Lipid Conjugates Model Substances for Biodegradable Ester and Carbonate Linkages in Conjugates and Potential Inhibitors of HIV-1 Replication

Monomeric 3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin) was modified at the 2′-O- ( 13–18 ) and 5′-O-position ( 25–29 ) by the vitamins E, D₂, and A and by the two lipids 1,2-di-O-palmitoylglycerol and 1,2-di-O-hexadecylglycerol via succinate or carbonate linkages. The base-labile conjugates afforded protection groups like the 2-(4-nitro-phenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) and monomethoxytrityl group (MeOTr) that are cleavable without harming the ester and carbonate bonds, respectively. Monomeric conjugates of cordycepin and vitamin E, vitamin D₂, 1,2-di-O-palmitoylglycerol, and 1,2-di-O-hexadecylglycerol (see 13, 14, 17, 18, 25, 26, 28 , and 29 ) inhibited HIV-1-induced syncytia formation 1.7 to 6.2 fold compared to 1.5-fold for cordycepin (see Table); IC₅₀ values for 25 and 28 were 257 and 267 m?M , respectively. In addition, the monomeric cordycepin-vitamin and -lipid conjugates inhibited HIV-1 RT activity 28–49% which compares with a 13% inhibition of HIV-1 RT observed for cordycepin. The minimal inhibition of HIV-1-induced syncytia formation and HIV-1 RT activity did not proceed by the activation of RNase L. The monomeric conjugates tested ( 13, 14 ) increased PKR expression.     

First metallamacrocyclic complexes of Pt(iv) with 3,3,3',3'-tetraalkyl-1,1'-phenylenedicarbonylbis(thioureas): synthesis by direct or electrolytic oxidative addition of I(2), Br(2) and Cl(2)

Elemental I(2) and Br(2) cleanly react with the 3:3 Pt(ii) metallamacrocycle of 3,3,3',3'-tetra(n-butyl)-1,1'-terephthaloylbis(thiourea)(cis-[Pt(II)(3)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)]3), in chloroform at room temperature, to yield oxidative addition products; (195)Pt NMR studies reveal that a stepwise oxidative addition readily occurs to each of the Pt(ii) centres in the metallamacrocycle to yield the mixed valence species cis-[Pt(II)(2)Pt(IV)I(2)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)] and cis-[Pt(II)Pt(IV)(2)I(4)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)], and the fully oxidised cis-[Pt(IV)(3)I(6)(L(p)(1)-S,O)(3)] in solution, depending on the mole ratio I(2):3. Similar results are obtained on treatment of solutions of 3 with elemental Br(2). Treatment of the corresponding 2:2 Pt(ii) complex of 3,3,3',3'-tetraethyl-1,1'-isophthaloylbis(thiourea)(cis-[Pt(II)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)]4) with iodine, results in facile oxidative addition to yield cis-[Pt(IV)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)I(4)], with a trans-Pt(iv)-iodo arrangement. Molecules in the crystal structure of 5 have their trans-Pt(iv)-iodo axes essentially aligned, with very close intermolecular iodide contacts (3.775(1)A), resulting in chains of weakly bound metallamacrocycles in the solid. An alternative electrolytic synthesis method, using a simple two-compartment glass cell containing 4 and a chosen halide salt in dichloromethane, led to the formation of cis-[Pt(IV)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)Br(4)] 6 and cis-[Pt(IV)(2)(L(m)(1)-S,O)(2)Cl(4)] 7, completing characterization of a series of first-reported trans-Pt(iv)-X (X=I, Br, Cl) metallamacrocyclic complexes.     

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 28. Core enlargement of tungsten-iridium clusters with alkynyl, ethyndiyl, and butadiyndiyl reagents

Reaction of [WIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)] (1c) with [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded the edge-bridged tetrahedral cluster [W2Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-CO)(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5Me5)] (3) and the edge-bridged trigonal-bipyramidal cluster [W3Ir3(mu4-eta2-C2Ph)(mu-eta2-C=CHPh)(Cl)(CO)8(eta-C5Me5)(eta-C5H5)2] (4) in poor to fair yield. Cluster 3 forms by insertion of [W(C[triple bond]CPh)(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] into Ir-Ir and W-Ir bonds, accompanied by a change in coordination mode from a terminally bonded alkynyl to a mu4-eta2 alkynyl ligand. Cluster 4 contains an alkynyl ligand interacting with two iridium atoms and two tungsten atoms in a mu4-eta2 fashion, as well as a vinylidene ligand bridging a W-W bond. Reaction of [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H5)] (1a) or 1c with [(eta-C5H5)(CO)2 Ru(C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)] afforded [Ru2WIr3(mu5-eta2-C2)(mu-CO)3(CO)7(eta-C5H5)2(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (5a), Me (5c)] in low yield, a structural study of 5a revealing a WIr3 butterfly core capped and spiked by Ru atoms; the diruthenium ethyndiyl precursor has undergone Ru-C scission, with insertion of the C2 unit into a W-Ir bond of the cluster precursor. Reaction of [W2Ir2(CO)10(eta-C5H5)2] with the diruthenium ethyndiyl reagent gave [RuW2Ir2{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)Ru(CO)2(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)6(eta-C5H5)3] (6) in low yield, a structural study of 6 revealing a butterfly W2Ir2 unit capped by a Ru(eta-C5H5) group resulting from Ru-C scission; the terminal C2 of a new ruthenium-bound butadiyndiyl ligand has been inserted into the W-Ir bond. Reaction between 1a, [WIr3(CO)11(eta-C5H4Me)] (1b), or 1c and [(eta-C5H5)(CO)3W(C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)] afforded [W2Ir3{mu4-eta2-(C2C[triple bond]C)W(CO)3(eta-C5H5)}(mu-CO)2(CO)2(eta-C5H5)(eta-C5R5)] [R = H (7a), Me (7c); R5 = H4Me (7b)] in good yield, a structural study of 7c revealing it to be a metallaethynyl analogue of 3.     

Physicochemical properties of enhanced-fluidity liquid solvents

Enhanced fluidity (EF) liquid mixtures are advantageous as mobile phases for the separation of moderate to polar compounds in liquid chromatography (reversed-phase, normal, size exclusion, size exclusion, and chiral separations). The low viscosities and high diffusivities of EF mixtures allow highly efficient separations to be achieved in a small amount of time. The best use of enhanced-fluidity liquids is only possible when their physicochemical properties are known. Herein, the techniques used to measure the physicochemical properties (phase diagram, diffusivity, solvent strength and pH) of EF liquids are described. For each technique, the experiment design and the care necessary to insure the quality of the collected data are described. Finally, the impact of the measured physicochemical properties on the chromatography is also highlighted.     

Platination of [3-X-7,8-Ph2-7,8-nido-C2B9H8] (X=Et, F): Synthesis and characterisation of slipped and 1,2→1,7 isomerised products

The reaction of the labelled carborane ligand [3-Et-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ with a source of {Pt(PMe₂Ph)₂}²⁺ affords non-isomerised 1,2-Ph₂-3,3-(PMe₂Ph)₂-6-Et-3,1,2-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (1). The analogous reaction between [3-F-7,8-Ph₂-7,8-nido-C₂B₉H₈]²⁻ and {Pt(PMe₂Ph)₂}²⁺ yields 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-4-F-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (3). Compound 1 has a heavily slipped structure (Δ 0.72 Å), which to some degree obviates the need for C atom isomerisation. However, that it is a kinetic product of the reaction is evident from the fact that it reverts to isomerised 1,8-Ph₂-2,2-(PMe₂Ph)₂-4-Et-2,1,8-closo-PtC₂B₉H₈ (2) slowly at room temperature but more rapidly with gentle warming. The heteroatom and labelled-B atom positions in the isomerised compounds 2 and 3 may be explained most simply by the rotation of a CB₂ face of an intermediate based on the structure of 1. Compounds 1–3 were characterised by a combination of spectroscopic and crystallographic techniques.