Einkristalluntersuchungen an Fluoroperowskiten MPdF3 (M = Rb,K) und PdF2

Single Crystal Investigations on Fluoroperovskites MPdF₃ (M = Rb, K) and PdF₂ Single crystal investigations on PdF₂ (violet) confirm the tetragonale rutile structure [1, 2] with a = 495.44(3) pm, c = 338.48(3) pm, Z = 2, space group P4₂/mnm-D (No. 136) (x_F = 0.3058(8)). RbPdF₃ and KPdF₃ have been obtained. RbPdF₃ and KPdF₃ both ruby-red single crystals crystallize cubic (perovskite-structure), space group Pm3m-O (No. 221) with a = 429.41(8) pm (RbPdF₃) respectively a = 424.30(4) pm (KPdF₃).     

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid

Selected benzoic acid derivatives and related substances were used as additives to 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (2,5DHB) and the performance of the mixtures in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry was investigated. Using benzoic acid derivatives substituted at position 2 and/or 5 or related substances as a co-matrix in the 1–10% range with 2,5DHB results in improved ion yields and signal-to-noise ratio of analyte molecules, especially for the high-mass range. The enhanced performance is prominent for 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzoic acid and exists for both proteins and oligosaccharides. It is suggested that the improvement is caused by a disorder in the 2,5DHB crystal lattice allowing ‘softer’ desorption. Charge transfer from matrix ions to additive molecules at the expense of analyte ionization gives a simple explanation for the deteriorating effects of some tested additives.     

A prochelator peptide designed to use heterometallic cooperativity to enhance metal ion affinity

A peptide has been designed so that its chelating affinity for one type of metal ion regulates its affinity for a second, different type of metal ion. The prochelator peptide (PCP), which is a fusion of motifs evocative of calcium loops and zinc fingers, forms a 1 : 2 Zn : peptide complex at pH 7.4 that increases its affinity for Zn²⁺ ∼3-fold in the presence of Tb³⁺ (log β₂ from 13.8 to 14.3), while the 1 : 1 luminescent complex with Tb³⁺ is brighter, longer lived, and 20-fold tighter in the presence of Zn²⁺ (log K from 6.2 to 7.5). This unique example of cooperative, heterometallic allostery in a biologically compatible construct suggests the possibility of designing conditionally active metal-binding agents that could respond to dynamic changes in cellular metal status.     

A polarizable empirical force field for molecular dynamics simulation of liquid hydrocarbons

Electronic polarizability is usually treated implicitly in molecular simulations, which may lead to imprecise or even erroneous molecular behavior in spatially electronically inhomogeneous regions of systems such as proteins, membranes, interfaces between compounds, or mixtures of solvents. The majority of available molecular force fields and molecular dynamics simulation software packages does not account explicitly for electronic polarization. Even the simplest charge‐on‐spring (COS) models have only been developed for few types of molecules. In this work, we report a polarizable COS model for cyclohexane, as this molecule is a widely used solvent, and for linear alkanes, which are also used as solvents, and are the precursors of lipids, amino acid side chains, carbohydrates, or nucleic acid backbones. The model is an extension of a nonpolarizable united‐atom model for alkanes that had been calibrated against experimental values of the density, the heat of vaporization and the Gibbs free energy of hydration for each alkane. The latter quantity was used to calibrate the parameters governing the interaction of the polarizable alkanes with water. Subsequently, the model was tested for other structural, thermodynamic, dielectric, and dynamic properties such as trans/gauche ratios, excess free energy, static dielectric permittivity, and self‐diffusion. A good agreement with the experimental data for a large set of properties for each considered system was obtained, resulting in a transferable set of polarizable force‐field parameters for CH₂, CH₃, and CH₄ moieties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

First total synthesis of the marine steroid alkaloid plakinamine B

The first total synthesis of the marine steroid alkaloid plakinamine B (1) was accomplished in seven steps starting from known aldehyde 3. Key steps in this synthesis are the attachment of a vinylpyridine side chain by an aldol reaction, a chemoselective reduction of a pyridinium salt to a vinyl tetrahydropyridine, and the introduction of the 3α-methylamino group under Mitsunobu conditions. Plakinamine B and some of its precursors with amino or pyridinium side chains show significant antimicrobial activities.     

Heterogeneous platinum catalytic aerobic oxidation of cyclopentane-1,2-diols to cyclopentane-1,2-diones

A method for the aerobic oxidation of cyclopentane-1,2-diols to the corresponding diketones over a commercial heterogeneous Pt/C catalyst is described. Unsubstituted and 3- or 4-substituted cyclopentane-1,2-diols are oxidized to 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds in good yields under the reported optimized reaction conditions (atmospheric air, 1 mol % of catalyst, 1 equiv of LiOH, aqueous solvents and 60 °C temperature). The method is applicable for producing cyclopentane-1,2-diketones in a scalable manner.     

Probing the 3d spin momentum with X-ray emission spectroscopy: the case of molecular-spin transitions

We report X-ray emission spectra of Fe(III), Fe(II), and Co(II) spin-crossover compounds in their high-spin and low-spin forms. It is shown that all X-ray emission features are sensitive to the spin state. Variations of the Kbeta and the Kalpha emission line shapes, which are in agreement with theory, can be used as quantitative probes of the spin state; it is suggested that with appropriate reference experiments one can extract the spin momentum for a general case. Resonant X-ray emission spectra unveil details of the redistribution of electrons on the 3d levels associated with the spin-state change by revealing features at the X-ray absorption preedge not accessible through standard absorption measurements.