Molar excess heat capacities and volumes for mixtures of alkanoates with cyclohexane at 25°C

Molar excess volumes V ^E at 25°C have been determined by vibrating-tube densimetry, as a function of mole fraction x for different series of an alkanoate (H _2m+1 C _m COOC _n H _2n+1 )+cyclohexane. Three types of alkanoates were investigated, i.e., methanoates (m=0, with n=3 and 4), ethanoates (m=1, with n=2, 3, and 4) and propanoates (m=2, with n=1, 2, and 3). In addition, a Picker flow calorimeter was used to obtain molar excess heat capacities C _p ^E at constant pressure at the same temperature. V ^E is positive for all systems and rather symmetric, with V ^E (x=0.5) amounting to almost identical values in a series of mixtures containing an alkanoate isomer of same formula (say C₄H₈O₂, C₅H₁₀O₂, or C₆H₁₂O₂). The composition dependence of C _p ^E is rather unusual in that two more or less marked minima are observed for most of the mixtures, especially when the alkanoate is a methanoate or an ethanoate. These results are discussed in terms of possible changes in conformation of both the ester and cyclohexane.     

The effect of packing density of cellulose plugs on streaming potential phenomena

An experimental investigation on streaming potentials of porous plugs of cellulose in both the linear and the non-linear range is described. The variation of the electrokinetic coefficients as a function of fibre concentration in the porous pad has been studied, using solutions of different concentration of Congo Red dye as a permeant. The trend observed for changes of both linear electrokinetic coefficientL ₂₁ and non-linear coefficientL ₂₁₁ as packing density,c _F, increases, is somewhat analogous, the similarity suggesting some proportionality between both coefficients. The electroviscous effect accounts for the decrease ofL ₂₁₁ with the increase ofc _F. The coefficientL ₂₂₁ was found to be always negative and, in absolute value, to decrease with increasingc _F. Second-order coefficients have been interpreted in terms of modifications of “generalized conductivities” produced by the changes of thermodynamic forces.     

Monitoring of the metal displacement from the recombinant mouse liver metallothionein Zn(7)-complex by capillary zone electrophoresis with electrospray MS detection

A solution of a Zn-complex of recombinant mouse MT-1 isoform (Zn(7)-MT-1) was prepared and titrated with Cd(2+) ions. A method based on the coupling of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with electrospray MS detection was developed for the analysis of the stoichiometry of the species formed during the titration. The method offered the possibility of the on-line removal of up to 100 mM Tris or phosphate buffer solutions that would otherwise suppress the electrospray signal. By allowing the determination of the metal stoichiometry of the complex species present in solution the method was shown to be complementary to circular dichroism and UV-VIS spectrophotometry conventionally used for similar studies. The titration of the Zn(7)-MT complex with Cd(II) showed the sequential displacement of the Zn by Cd. The unusually high stability of the Cd(6)Zn(1)-MT species was observed which suggests a structural role of the remaining Zn(II) ion.     

Acidity of a Cu-bound histidine in the binuclear center of cytochrome C oxidase

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) is a crucial enzyme in the respiratory chain. Its function is to couple the reduction of molecular oxygen, which takes place in the Fea3-CuB binuclear center, to proton translocation across the mitochondrial membrane. Although several high-resolution structures of the enzyme are known, the molecular basis of proton pumping activation and its mechanism remain to be elucidated. We examine a recently proposed scheme (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 1858; FEBS Lett. 2004, 566, 126) that involves the deprotonation of the CuB-bound imidazole ring of a histidine (H291 in mammalian CcO) as a key element in the proton pumping mechanism. The central feature of that proposed mechanism is that the pKa values of the imidazole vary significantly depending on the redox state of the metals in the binuclear center. We use density functional theory in combination with continuum electrostatics to calculate the pKa values, successively in bulk water and within the protein, of the Cu-bound imidazole in various Cu- and Cu-Fe complexes. From pKas in bulk water, we derived a value of -266.34 kcal.mol(-1) for the proton solvation free energy (Delta). This estimate is in close agreement with the experimental value of -264.61 kcal.mol(-1) (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 7314), which reinforces the conclusion that Delta is more negative than previous values used for pKa calculations. Our approach, on the basis of the study of increasingly more detailed models of the CcO binuclear center at different stages of the catalysis, allows us to examine successively the effect of each of the two metals' redox states and of solvation on the acidity of imidazole, whose pKa is approximately 14 in bulk water. This analysis leads to the following conclusions: first, the effect of Cu ligation on the imidazole acidity is negligible regardless of the redox state of the metal. Second, results obtained for Cu-Fe complexes in bulk water indicate that Cu-bound imidazole pKa values lie within the range of 14.8-16.6 throughout binuclear redox states corresponding to the catalytic cycle, demonstrating that the effect of the Fe oxidation states is also negligible. Finally, the low-dielectric CcO proteic environment shifts the acid-base equilibrium toward a neutral imidazole, further increasing the corresponding pKa values. These results are inconsistent with the proposed role of the Cu-bound histidine as a key element in the pumping mechanism. Limitations of continuum solvation models in pKa calculations are discussed.     

The key elements of traceability in chemical measurement: agreed or still under debate?

Talking about "traceability" means talking about a "property of the result of a measurement", about "the value of a standard", about "stated references" and about an "unbroken chain of comparisons". It describes by which comparison, and to which other value, the result of a measurement has been obtained, i.e. is "traceable to". It is about the underlying structure of the measurement process of the result of a measurement and therefore about the authority of the result. Since values carried by (certified) reference materials have also been obtained by measurement, the definition of traceability equally applies. Traceability in the context of reference materials is also about the authority of the values carried by the (certified) reference materials and is, therefore, of key importance for the authority of the reference materials themselves. Hence, values of results of measurements constitute part of the traceability chain and their uncertainties are an intrinsic accompanying phenomenon. Uncertainties need a traceability chain against which they can be evaluated, and a traceability chain is an a priori requirement for evaluating the uncertainty budget of a measurement result. An attempt has been made to exemplify "traceability" chains in some types of chemical measurement and to identify the degree of international agreement on the key elements of "traceability". It is concluded that there is less than universal agreement on this issue. The debate should continue in order to arrive at the international understanding and agreement needed, as "traceability" is now being incorporated in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Laboratory Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) and in other "guiding" or regulatory documents. It is also the reason why the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM) has taken up the study of the concept in its core programme on Metrology in Chemistry, and why it sponsored the Workshop in Bratislava.     

Etude de la structure de l'iodatochromate de potassium par spectrographie d'absorption infrarouge entre 3 et 35μ

Résumé Dans le spectre d'absorption infrarouge de l'iodatochromate de potassium K[(CrO₃)(IO₃)], on peut identifier la présence de bandes de vibration de valence de ponts Cr-0-I à 508 et680 cm^–1.

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Summary The infrared absorption spectrum of potassium iodatochromate K(CrO₃)(IO₃) contains vibration bands of the valence bridges Cr-O-I at 508 and 680 cm^–1.

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Zusammenfassung Im Infrarot-Absorptionsspektrum des Kaliumjodatochromats lassen sich Banden der Valenzschwingungen der Atomgruppe Or-O-J bei 508 und 680 cm^–1 nachweisen.

     

Stereochemical Aspects in the Asymmetric Michael Addition of Chiral Imines to Substituted Electrophilic Alkenes

The Michael-type addition of chiral imines, derived from racemic alpha-substituted cyclanones and optically active 1-phenylethylamine, to electrophilic alkenes, in neutral conditions, constitutes one of the most efficient methods for the stereocontrolled construction of quaternary carbon centers. In order to create an additional stereogenic center at the alpha- or beta-position to the quaternary one, the behavior of a variety of alpha- and beta-substituted alkenyl acceptors was examined. In general, these additions are highly regioselective, the alkylation taking place predominantly, if not exclusively, at the more substituted alpha-side of the imine function; however, in some cases (electrophilic alkenes 28 and 49), significant amounts (10-15%) of regioisomeric adducts were obtained. With the exception of methyl propiolate 52, a remarkable control of the absolute configuration of the adducts were always observed with these Michael acceptors. According to the general rule we have previously proposed, the alkylation process takes place preferentially on the less hindered pi-face of the more substituted secondary enamine, in tautomeric equilibrium with the starting imine. An excellent diastereocontrol was always obtained by using the present alpha- and beta-substituted alkenes. These stereochemical outcomes can be interpreted by invoking that the reaction proceeds through a compact approach of the reactants, the hydrogen atom at the nitrogen center of the enamine being transferred to the alpha-vinylic carbon atom of the acceptor, concertedly with the creation of the C-C bond. In this respect the "endo-approach" 58, in which the electron-withdrawing group of the acceptor faced to the nitrogen atom of the enamine (case of acceptors 10, methyl methacrylate, 24, 28, 43, 47, and 49) largely prevails over the "exo-approach" 59 (case of acceptor 38). This predominant "endo-preference" can be reasonably interpreted in terms of a cooperative effect between steric and stereoelectronic factors.     

Synthesis of microcin SF608

The first total synthesis of aquatic peptide microcin SF608 is described. Coupling of L-Hpla with the dipeptide L-Phe-L-Choi followed by coupling with agmatine and a deprotection step gave microcin SF608. In addition, the levorotatory character of L-Hpla (5) was thoroughly established, and the conformational analysis of L-Choi containing peptides 1 and 8-10 was performed using NMR spectroscopy to examine the cis-trans isomer equilibrium of the L-Phe-L-Choi amide bond.     

Smenoqualone a novel sesquiterpenoid from the marine sponge Smenospongia sp.

Smenoqualone, a novel quinonic terpenoid with a rearranged drimane skeleton was isolated from a marine sponge Smenospongia sp. The stereostructure was determined by detailed analyses of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C correlations via HMQC, HMBC and NOE difference NMR experiments.     

Poly(9,9'-spirobifluorene-manganese porphyrin): a new catalytic material for oxidation of alkenes by iodobenzene diacetate and iodosylbenzene

Anodic oxidation of tetraspirobifluorene-manganese porphyrin lead to the coating of the working electrode by insoluble electroactive poly(9,9'-spirobifluorene-manganese porphyrin) films for which electrochemical behaviour and physicochemical properties are described; these polymeric materials are able to catalyze the heterogeneous epoxidation of styrene with iodobenzene diacetate and iodosylbenzene.