Effect of oxidant on the reaction of [RhCl(cyclooctadiene)(phosphine)] with 1-hexene

Summary A promoting role of an oxidant, present in commercial 1-hexene, in the substitution of phosphine in the complex [RhCl(COD)(phosphine)] (1) where the phosphine is PPh₃ or 1/2 BPS-2 [bis(diphenylphosphinoethyl)tetra-methyldisiloxane] and COD=cycloocta-1,5-diene, has been detected and explained. When [oxidant]>[(1)] two reaction steps are distinguished: an oxidation of phosphine to phosphine oxide with generation of [RhCl(COD)], followed by its fast dimerization, and an oxidation of the dimer to Rh^III species. When [oxidant]<[(1)] the latter step is not observed and the reaction of [RhCl(COD)] with 1-hexene is favoured, particularly when an excess of phosphine (even at high oxidant concentration) is present. Most rate constants of the individual steps were evaluated.     

Two 9‐[(E)‐nitrophenylvinyl]‐9H‐carbazoles

The crystal structures of 9‐[(E)‐(4‐nitrophenyl)vinyl]‐9H‐carbazole and 9‐[(E)‐(3‐nitrophenyl)vinyl]‐9H‐carbazole, both C₂₀H₁₄N₂O₂, are determined mainly by van der Waals forces and π–π interactions between the carbazole and benzene systems. However, the packing modes are different. In the 4‐nitro derivative, the molecules in the weakly bound stack are related by a unit‐cell translation, while in the 3‐nitro derivative there are centrosymmetric pairs of molecules joined by π–π interactions and also pairs of molecules, related by another centre of symmetry, connected by eight relatively short C—H...O interactions.     

Direct probe of iron vibrations elucidates NO activation of heme proteins

We use nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy (NRVS) to identify the Fe-NO stretching frequency in the NO adduct of myoglobin (MbNO) and in the related six-coordinate porphyrin Fe(TPP)(1-MeIm)(NO). Frequency shifts observed in MbNO Raman spectra upon isotopic substitution of Fe or the nitrosyl nitrogen confirm and extend the NRVS results. In contrast with previous assignments, the Fe-NO frequency of these six-coordinate complexes lies 70-100 cm-1 lower than in the analogous five-coordinate nitrosyl complexes, indicating a significant weakening of the Fe-NO bond in the presence of a trans imidazole ligand. This result supports proposed mechanisms for NO activation of heme proteins and underscores the value of NRVS as a direct probe of metal reactivity in complex biomolecules.     

Impact of polymer hydrophobicity on the properties and performance of DNA sequencing matrices for capillary electrophoresis

To elucidate the impact of matrix chemical and physical properties on DNA sequencing separations by capillary electrophoresis (CE), we have synthesized, characterized and tested a controlled set of different polymer formulations for this application. Homopolymers of acrylamide and N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and copolymers of DMA and N,N-diethylacrylamide (DEA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization and purified. Polymer molar mass distributions were characterized by tandem gel permeation chromatography - laser light scattering. Polymers with different chemical compositions and similar molar mass distributions were selected and employed at the same concentration so that the variables of comparison between them were hydrophobicity and average coil size in aqueous solution. We find that the low-shear viscosities of 7% w/v polymer solutions decrease by orders of magnitude with increasing polymer hydrophobicity, while hydrophilic polymers exhibit more pronounced reductions in viscosity with increased shear. The performance of the different matrices for DNA sequencing was compared with the same sample under identical CE conditions. The longest read length was produced with linear polyacrylamide (LPA) while linear poly-N,N-dimethylacrylamide (PDMA) gave approximately 100 fewer readable bases. Read lengths with DMA/DEA copolymers were lower, and decreased with increasing DEA content. This study highlights the importance of polymer hydrophilicity for high-performance DNA sequencing matrices, through the formation of robust, highly-entangled polymer networks and the minimization of hydrophobic interactions between polymers and fluorescently-labeled DNA molecules. However, the results also show that more hydrophobic matrices offer much lower viscosities, enabling easier microchannel loading at low applied pressures.     

Chemical activation of ultrasonic cavitation

A method for intensifying ultrasonic cavitation in water and aqueous solutions has been proposed, which consists of a chemical fixation of dissolved oxygen. The influence of selected reducing agents on the intensity of cavitation in water and alkaline solutions has been investigated.     

Nonlinear neutral inclusions: Assemblages of spheres

The problem of determining nonlinear neutral inclusions in (electrical or thermal) conductivity is considered. Neutral inclusions, inserted in a matrix containing a uniform applied electric field, do not disturb the field outside the inclusions. The well known Hashin coated sphere construction is an example of a neutral inclusion. In this paper, we consider the problem of constructing neutral inclusions from nonlinear materials. In particular, we discuss assemblages of coated spheres and the two-dimensional analogous problem of assemblages of coated disks.     

Interactions of di- and trivalent anionic azo dyes with polycations of integral type

The spectral changes of Crystal Ponceau 6R and Ponceau 4R induced by the interaction with polycations having N,N-dimethyl-2-hydroxypropane-1,3-diylammonium chloride units in the main chain were followed. The stoichiometry of the polycation-dye complex related to the dye structure was elaborated by UV-VIS spectrophotometry and viscosimetric measurements. Formation of a tricomponent complex between the polycation/dye complex and poly(sodium acrylate) was also revealed.