Azadepsipeptides: synthesis and evaluation of a novel class of peptidomimetics

A general route to azadepsipeptides, a new class of pseudopeptides, has been established. The methodology was applied to the synthesis of a bis-aza analogue of the antiparasitic cyclooctadepsipeptide PF1022A. Comparison of the X-ray crystal structures of natural PF1022A (8) and the chimeric aza analogue 9 revealed that the introduction of nitrogen in the backbone of PF1022A results in almost complete conservation of the 3D structure with only minor deviations at the new nitrogen positions.     

A prenyloxycoumarin from Psiadia dentata

A new coumarin identified as 5-hydroxy-6-methoxy-7-(3-methyl-but-2-enyloxy)-2H-1-benzopyran-2-one (isoobtusitin) was isolated from Psiadia dentata. This compound showed, in vitro, a moderate inhibitory activity against poliovirus and a very weak activity against (HIV), whereas it was inactive against (HSV1), (VSV), and murine tumoral cell lines (3LL, L1210).     

Viscosity effects on the thermal decomposition of bis(perfluoro-2-N-propoxypropionyl) peroxide in dense carbon dioxide and fluorinated solvents

The thermal decomposition of the free-radical initiator bis(perfluoro-2-N-propoxyprionyl) peroxide (BPPP) was studied in dense carbon dioxide and a series of fluorinated solvents. For the fluorinated solvents, the observed first-order decomposition rate constants, k(obs), increased with decreasing solvent viscosity, suggesting a single-bond decomposition mechanism. The k(obs) values are comparatively larger in dense carbon dioxide and similar to the "zero-viscosity" rate constants extrapolated from the decomposition kinetics in the fluorinated solvents. The decomposition activation parameters demonstrate a compensation behavior of the activation enthalpy with the activation entropy upon change in solvent viscosity. Comparison of the change in activation parameter values upon change in solvent viscosity for BPPP with two additional initiators, acetyl peroxide (AP) and trifluoroacetyl peroxide (TFAP), further suggests that carbon dioxide exerts a very minimal influence on the decomposition mechanism of these initiators through solvent-cage effects.     

Quantum chemistry with an attached processor

The Floating Point Systems, Inc. Model 164 Attached Processor (FPS-164) is a high-speed, pipelined, parallel processor designed for large-scale scientific computation. Benchmark studies of operations common in quantum chemistry codes are discussed and the performance of the FPS-164 is compared with other commonly available computers. A complete system of electronic structure codes has been implemented on the FPS-164 using the Fortran-77 cross-compiler and calls to optimized vector and matrix routines. The conversion of a generalized valence bond (GVB ) code illustrates the strategy adopted to adapt Fortran codes to the FPS-164. A typical production example, a large scale (GVB ) and configuration interaction calculation on the vinyl radical, shows a net throughput equivalent to nearly nine VAX 11/780 computers.     

Expectation values and density matrices in the Coupled-Cluster theory

A scheme for calculating expectation values in coupled-cluster wave functions is given. The unlinked terms originating from the norm of the wave function are eliminated. Hermiticity and trace conditions for the density matrices are exhibited in such a way as to guarantee their conservation in any reasonable truncation scheme.     

Coprecipitation/accumulation/distribution of manganese and iron, and electrochemical characteristics of Mn in calcareous seawater

A study of managanese and iron associated with particulate matter in seawaters derived from the English Channel (and North Sea). Sequential extraction procedures have been used to identify geochemical processes that govern Mn and Fe coprecipitation/accumulation/distribution in different particulate phases (carbonate; Fe-Mn(hydr)oxides; organic matter and residual phase). The oxidation states of Mn and Fe, some mechanisms of bonding and the magnetic characteristics of particles have been investigated by Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron spin resonance(ESR) spectroscopy, and mass susceptibility balance. The effect of pH and redox potential on stability of different dissolved and particulate Mn species was also examined. In the these calcareous seawaters, manganese (II) is predominantly bound to the carbonate phase (calcite) in the form of Mn_xCa_1-xCO₃. However the persistent occurrence of Mn in oxidation states > 2 in these particles has suggested the existence of manganese(III) in the polymeric FeOOH structures as an intermediate entity during Mn(II) oxidation in the sea. The activity coefficient of the entity MnOOH in FeOOH has been evaluated and p-pH diagrams of Mn have been proposed under marine conditions.     

Electronic structure and properties of heteropoly anions with the formula [PM12O40]n− [M=V(V), Mo(VI), W(VI)]

Institute of Catalysis, Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Central Institute of Physical Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the German Democratic Republic. Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 29–33, January–February, 1989.     

Direct determination of cadmium at parts-per-billion level in waters by derivative atomic absorption spectrometry using atom trapping technique

A method has been described for the direct determinations of trace cadmium using derivative atom trapping flame atomic absorption spectrometry with an improved water-cooled stainless steel trapping equipment. The characteristic concentration (gave a derivative absorbance of 0.0044) and detection limit (3sigma) of cadmium were 0.028 and 0.02 ng ml(-1) when collecting for a 1 min, respectively, which were 992 and 145-fold better than those of the conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limit and sensitivity of the proposed method for a 2 min collection time were 1 and 2 orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The present method was applied to the determinations of cadmium in water samples with a recovery range of 91 approximately 111% and a relative standard deviation of 4.7 approximately 5.6%.