Structure and magnetism of a new pyrazolate bridged iron(II) spin crossover complex displaying a single HS-HS to LS-LS transition

The dinuclear iron(II) complex [(pypzH)(NCSe)Fe([micro sign]-pypz)(2)Fe(NCSe)(pypzH)].2H(2)O displays a single, sharp spin crossover transition between the [HS-HS] and [LS-LS] states and is structurally characterised above and below the T(1/2)= 225 K value     

Crystal Structures and Magnetic Studies of Naphthalene Derivatives Containing Nitronly Nitroxides

Crystal structures of new nitronyl nitroxide derivatives 1, 2 and 3 were determined with X‐ray diffraction analysis: 1, monoclinic, C₂/c, a = 1.2404(5) nm, b = 0.9730(5) um, c = 2.7049(10) ran, β = 98.189(15)°, V = 3.2315(24) nm³, Z = 8; 2, or‐thorhombic, Pbca, a = 0.61262(2) nm, b = 1.11426(6) nm, c = 2.30543(13) nm, V = 1.57373(13) nm³, Z = 4; 3, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a=0.64253(4) nm, b=2.55003(17) nm, c = 1.15497(6) nm, β = 95.000(3)°, V = 1.8852(2) nm³, Z = 4. Their magnetic properties were measured with SQUID and analyzed based on their crystal structures with simple singlet‐triplet, modified one dimensional antiferromagnetic chain and modified singlet‐triplet models respectively: 1, J/k_b= ?2.5 K; 2, J/k_b = 7.8 K, θ = 2.8 K; 3, J/k_b = ?0.96 K, θ = 0.21 K.     

Determination of copper in medicinal plants used as dietary supplements by atomic absorption spectrometry with direct flame solid analysis

An alternative device for the direct solid analysis (DSA) for copper determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is proposed. Copper was directly determined in commercial medicinal plants used as dietary supplements. The determination of copper in solid samples by DSA–FAAS was made by using a conventional air–acetylene flame. Between 0.05 and 1.5 mg of each test, sample was weighed directly into a small polyethylene vial connected to the device used for solid introduction into the flame. Test samples were introduced into the flame as a dry aerosol using a T-quartz cell set between the burner and the optical path. The T-quartz cell has a slit in the superior part by which the solid aerosol passes to the flame. A transient signal, evaluated as integrated absorbance, is produced and it is totally integrated in 2 s. Background signals always presented absorbance values less than 0.1. It was found a characteristic mass of 0.8 ng Cu and absolute limit of detection of 1.2 ng (3 s), or 1.2 μg g⁻¹ if a sample mass of 1 mg was used. Optimized conditions for air flow rate, flame stoichiometry, and so on were established as well. No excessive grinding of the samples was needed and samples with particle of size less than 80 μm were used throughout. No statistical difference between the results from the proposed system and those obtained by sample digestion and determination by conventional FAAS was observed. With the proposed procedure, more than 50 test samples can be analyzed in 1 h and it can be easily adapted to conventional spectrometers for FAAS.     

Self-assembling of helical poly(phenylacetylene) carrying L-valine pendants in solution, on mica substrate, and on water surface

In the present work, we investigated self-assembling of a poly(phenylacetylene) carrying L-valine pendants (PPA-Val) in a water/methanol solution, upon evaporation of the solution on mica, and on the water surface. With intercalation of a fluorescence probe of Ru(phen)2(dppx)2+ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppx=7,8-dimethyldipyridophenazine) into the hydrophobic cavities associated by the PPA-Val chains, their helical structures were directly detected in solution with an in situ fluorescence microscope. Helical aggregates were observed with AFM upon evaporation of the solvents, suggesting that the helical structures in the solution are the building blocks of the helical aggregates. Self-assembling structures of PPA-Val on the water surface were, however, very different from that formed upon evaporation of its THF solution on the mica surface. The polymer chains associated into a monolayer of extended fibers on the water surface, whereas superhelical fibers formed on the mica surface. Water molecules play a critical role in inducing the polymer to form diverse morphological structures in its bulk solution and on its surface. In solution, the isotropic hydrophobic effect drove the polymer chains to form superhelical aggregates, while on the water surface, the hydrophobic effect concentrated mainly on the lateral part of the polymer, thus giving a monolayer of extended fibers.     

Amperometric biosensors for glucose based on carbon paste modified electrodes

The modification of carbon-paste electrodes by incorporation of the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOD) is described. The resulting probes can be operated as amperometric glucose sensors in the presence or absence of a mediator (1,1'-dimethylferrocene) mixed into the paste. Extended linear calibration ranges have been obtained up to 90 and 5OmM glucose respectively. The electrode responses were rapid, reaching steady-state values within 30-40 sec. Advantages of using a GOD-paste formulation are suggested. Plasma glucose assays were correlated with spectrophotometric determinations based on glucose oxidase (y = 1.07x - 0.16, r = 0.973, n = 17).     

New theoretical expressions for the five adsorption type isotherms classified by BET based on statistical physics treatment

New theoretical expressions to model the five adsorption isotherm types have been established. Using the grand canonical ensemble in statistical physics, we give an analytical expression to each of five physical adsorption isotherm types classified by Brunauer, Emett, and Teller, often called BET isotherms. The establishment of these expressions is based on statistical physics and theoretical considerations. This method allowed estimation of all the mathematical parameters in the models. The physicochemical parameters intervening in the adsorption process that the models present could be deduced directly from the experimental adsorption isotherms by numerical simulation. We determine the adequate model for each type of isotherm, which fixes by direct numerical simulation the monolayer, multilayer, or condensation character. New equations are discussed and results obtained are verified for experimental data from the literature. The new theoretical expressions that we have proposed, based on statistical physics treatment, are rather powerful to better understand and interpret the various five physical adsorption type isotherms at a microscopic level.     

CoSm(SeO3)2Cl,CuGd(SeO3)2Cl,MnSm(SeO3)2Cl,CuGd2(SeO3)4 und CuSm2(SeO3)4: Übergangsmetallhaltige Selenite von Samarium und Gadolinum

CoSm(SeO₃)₂Cl, CuGd(SeO₃)₂Cl, MnSm(SeO₃)₂Cl, CuGd₂(SeO₃)₄ and CuSm₂(SeO₃)₄: Transition Metal containing Selenites of Samarium and Gadolinum The reaction of CoCl₂, Sm₂O₃, and SeO₂ in evacuated silica ampoules lead to blue single crystals of CoSm(SeO₃)₂Cl (triclinic, , Z = 4, a = 712.3(1), b = 889.5(2), c = 1216.2(2) pm, α = 72.25(1)°, β = 71.27(1)°, γ = 72.08(1)°, R_all = 0.0586). If MnCl₂ is used in the reaction light pink single crystals of MnSm(SeO₃)₂Cl (triclinic, , Z = 2, a = 700.8(2), b = 724.1(2), c = 803.4(2) pm, α = 86.90(3)°, β = 71.57(3)°, γ = 64.33(3)°, R_all = 0.0875) are obtained. Green single crystals of CuGd₂(SeO₃)₂Cl (triclinic, , Z = 4, a = 704.3(4), b = 909.6(4), c = 1201.0(7) pm, α = 70.84(4)°, β = 73.01(4)°, γ = 70.69(4)°, R_all = 0.0450) form analogously in the reaction of CuCl₂ and Gd₂O₃ with SeO₂. CoSm(SeO₃)₂Cl contains [CoO₄Cl₂] octahedra, which are connected via one edge and one vertex to infinite chains. The Mn²⁺ ions in MnSm(SeO₃)₂Cl are also octahedrally coordinated by four oxygen and two chlorine ligands. The linkage of the polyhedra to chains occurs exclusively via edges. Both, the cobalt and the manganese compound show the Sm³⁺ ions in eight and ninefold coordination of oxygen atoms and chloride ions. In CuGd(SeO₃)₂Cl the Cu²⁺ ions are coordinated by three oxygen atoms and one Cl^— ion in a distorted square planar manner. One further Cl^— and one further oxygen ligand complete the [CuO₃Cl] units yielding significantly elongated octahedra. The latter are again connected to chains via two common edges. For the Gd³⁺ ions coordination numbers of ?8 + 1”? and nine were found. Single crystals of the deep blue selenites CuM₂(SeO₃)₄ (M = Sm/Gd, monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 1050.4(3)/1051.0(2), b = 696.6(2)/693.5(1), c = 822.5(2)/818.5(2) pm, β = 110.48(2)°/110.53(2)°, R_all = 0.0341/0.0531) can be obtained from reactions of the oxides Sm₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃, respectively, with CuO and SeO₂. The crystal structure contains square planar [CuO₄] groups and irregular [MO₉] polyhedra.     

Energetic and stereochemical effects of the protein environment on substrate: a theoretical study of methylmalonyl-CoA mutase

QM/MM methods were used to study the isomerization step from (2R)-methylmalonyl-CoA to succinyl-CoA. A pathway via a "fragmentation-recombination" mechanism is ruled out on energetic grounds. For the other radicalic pathway, involving an addition recombination step, geometries and vibrational contributions have been determined, and a barrier height of 11.70 kcal/mol was found. The effect of adjacent hydrogen-donating groups was found to reduce the energy barrier by 1-2 kcal/mol each and thus to provide a significant catalytic effect for this reaction. By means of molecular dynamics studies, the stereochemistry of the methylmalonyl-CoA mutase catalyzed reaction was examined. It is shown that TYR89 is essential for maintaining stereoselectivity of the abstraction of a hydrogen in the backreaction. The subsequent selective formation of one isomer of methylmalonyl-CoA is probably due to the presence of a bulky side chain.     

Highly enantioselective Cu-catalysed asymmetric 1,4-addition of diphenylzinc to cyclohexenone

Highly enantioselective Cu-catalysed 1,4-addition of diphenylzinc to cyclohexenone has been achieved for the first time using a monodentate phosphoramidite ligand.