Dielectric and13C NMR studies of the carbon monoxide clathrate hydrate

The structure I clathrate hydrate of carbon monoxide has been studied using dielectric measurements and¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Broad, weak dielectric absorption curves with maxima at 2.2–3.8 K yieldE _a = 0.14 kJ mol^–1 for the average Arrhenius activation energy associated with the reorientation of the low polarity guest. Except for H₂S this represents the fastest reorienting polar guest known among the clathrate hydrates. The low temperature dielectric absorption curves can best be fitted with a Cole-Davidson asymmetric distribution of relaxation times and activation energies (with = 0.06 at 4 × 10⁶ Hz), which at 10⁷ Hz has been resolved into a double symmetric distribution of discrete relaxation times for CO in the small and large cages. The cross-polarization magic angle spinning¹³C NMR spectra indicate identical chemical shifts for CO in the small and large cages, in contrast to other hydrates. The static spectra show that the CO molecules undergo anisotropic reorientation in the large cages and that there is still considerable mobility at 77 K. One possible model for the anisotropic motion has the CO rapidly moving among sites over each of the 14 faces of the cage with the CO axis orientated towards the cage centre. The cage occupancy ratio at 220 K, _s/ _L = 1.11, indicates slightly greater preference of CO for the small cage.Dedicated to Dr D. W. Davidson in honor of his great contributions to the sciences of inclusion phenomena.     

Slipping of a histidine improved the peroxidase activity of a de novo designed polypeptide packing an iron porphyrin

Polypeptides with two histidines and an iron porphyrin (1H⁴⁰-7H⁴⁶) were synthesized with a variety of positions of a histidine. In 4H⁴³, histidine (H⁴³) was in the hydrophobic region of an α-helix. The other polypeptides were of slightly or substantially distorted conformation. In the pH 7.2 buffer solution, two histidines of the polypeptide coordinated the iron porphyrin regardless of their positions. Some polypeptides (1H⁴⁰, 3H⁴², and 5H⁴⁴) showed an enhanced catalytic activity in the peroxidase reaction using cumene hydroperoxide compared to that of 4H⁴³, whereas some polypeptides (2H⁴¹ and 6H⁴⁵) were ineffective catalysts. The distortion of the peptide conformation by the addition of MeOH was also effective for the peroxidase reaction.     

Novel synthesis and properties of 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate: autorecycling oxidation of some alcohols under photo-irradiation

Three-step reactions starting from 2-chlorotropone with barbituric acid afforded novel 7,9-dimethylcyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (9·BF₄⁻), which is the isoelectronic compound of the 5-ethyl-3-methyllumiflavinium ion. The stability of cation 9 is expressed by the pK_R+ value, which was determined spectrophotometrically, as ca. 6.0. The electrochemical reduction of 9 exhibited low reduction potential at −0.58 (V vs Ag/AgNO₃), upon cyclic voltammetry (CV). In a search for the reactivity, reactions of 9·BF₄⁻ with some nucleophiles, hydroxide, hydride, amines, thiols, and methanol, were carried out to exhibit that the introduction of nucleophiles is dependent on the nucleophile itself. The photo-induced oxidation reactions of some alcohols catalyzed by 9·BF₄⁻ under aerobic conditions were carried out to give the corresponding carbonyl compounds in more than 100% yield [based on compound 9·BF₄⁻], suggesting the oxidizing function of 9·BF₄⁻ toward alcohols in the autorecycling process. The UV-vis and fluorescence spectra of 9 were studied to suggest the electron transfer from alcohols to the excited 9.     

Investigation of the Interactions of β‐Peptides with DNA Duplexes by Circular Dichroism Spectroscopy

The interaction of β‐peptides with the DNA duplexes of dA₂₀dT₂₀ and a GCN4‐binding CRE sequence was examined. To gauge the factors that govern these interactions, two β‐pentadecapeptides, 1 and 2 , a β‐dodecapeptide, 3 , three β‐decapeptides, 4 – 6 , three β‐heptapeptides, 7 – 9 , and β‐octaarginine 10 were designed and synthesized. The β‐peptides were conceived to adopt a β‐peptide 3₁₄ helix, in which the side chains at position i and i + 3 are aligned vertically along one side of the helix. The side chains of Lys, Asn, and Arg were positioned such that potential H‐bonding sites were created for a helical conformation to interact with the base pairs of DNA. CD Analysis showed that β‐peptides 1, 2 , and 10 interacted with dA₂₀dT₂₀. In addition, β‐peptides 1 and 2 showed significant interaction with a DNA‐duplex 20mer containing the ATF/CREB recognition sequence for the regulatory protein GCN4. It is impossible, at this stage of the investigation, to make a safe proposal about the actual nature of the interaction of the structures(s) of the complexes, the formation of which is suggested by the CD spectra reported herein.     

Gas chromatography of manganese(II) and manganese(III) trifluoroacetylacetonates by the ligand vapour technique

The thermal properties and gas Chromatographie behaviour of manganese(II) and manganese(III) trifluoroacetylacetonates (TFA) were investigated by using the ligand vapour technique. The two chelates, Mn(TFA); and Mn(TFA)₃, can be quantitatively eluted on a mixed-liquid phase (1.9% OV-17 ÷ 0.1% PEG-20M) at column temperatures above 210°C and 130–150°C, respectively; Mn(TFA)₃ is completely converted to Mn(TFA)₂ by thermal dissociation at column temperatures above 180°C and completely eluted as Mn(TFA)₂ above 210°C. The chelates can be determined separately within errors of about 1% after a preliminary extraction.     

Preparation of prolonged-release spherical micro-matrix of ibuprofen with acrylic polymer by the emulsion-solvent diffusion method for improving bioavailability

Prolonged-release spherical micro-matrices of ibuprofen with acrylic polymer (Eudragit RS) were prepared using a novel emulsion-solvent diffusion method. It was found by examining cross sections of the spherical matrix before and after dissolution tests with a scanning electron microscope and a porosimeter that the resultant micro-matrix had a sponge-like internal structure. The spherical matrices were successfully recovered with a relatively high concentration of the drug in ethanol (0.4-0.6 g/ml) and over a wide range of temperatures (5-35 degrees C). The size of the spherical matrix could be easily controlled by varying the agitation speed of the system and the concentration of emulsifier added to the aqueous medium. The drug release rate from the spherical matrix decreased with increasing concentration of polymer formulated due to the reduced diffusion path and increased tortuosity in the matrix. Spherical matrices with ibuprofen:Eudragit RS = 3:1 improved the bioavailability of the drug and prolonged the drug action in beagle dogs.     

Steady-state and nanosecond spectroscopic studies of triplet sensitized reaction of K-region arene oxides

Photorearrangement reactions of K-region arene oxides, 9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1a), 3-acetyl-9,10-epoxy-9,10-dihydrophenanthrene (1b), and 3,4-epoxy-3,4-dihydropyrene (1c) in dichloroethane (DCE) solution were investigated by steady irradiation and nanosecond transient spectroscopy. Photorearrangements producing substituted oxepins, 2 occur via the singlet excited state of these compounds, while the phenolic products, 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (3a), 3-acetyl-9-hydroxyphenanthrene (3b), and 4-hydroxypyrene (3c) are formed via the triplet state. Phenol 3 formation from the triplet 1 sensitized by the triplet 3 (i.e. product sensitization) is proposed for the photorearrangement reactions of 1a and 1c, and this process is the only way phenol (3a) is formed because of the negligible intersystem crossing probability of 1a. No product sensitization occurs in the photorearrangement reaction of 1b.     

A review of Mg metal-promoted CF bond activation; a reliable synthetic approach to difluorinated organic compounds

The carbon-fluorine bond of a trifluoromethyl group attached to a π system can be activated by metallic magnesium in the system TMSCl-THF or DMF providing a variety of difluorinated compounds via a selective CF bond cleavage. Thus, trifluoromethyl ketones, α,β-unsaturated ketones, esters, imines, and aromatics can be transformed into the corresponding difluoroenol silyl ethers, enamines, and difluoro(trimethylsilyl)methyl aromatics in good to excellent yields, respectively. This protocol enabled us to synthesize β,β-difluoroamino acids, difluoroheterocycles, and functionalized difluoroacetates.     

Synthesis of optically active pheromones with an epoxy ring, (+)-disparlure and the saltmarsh caterpillar moth pheromone [(Z,Z)-3,6-cis-1-9,10-epoxyheneicosadiene]

(+)-Disparlure $\text{2}$, and the saltmarsh caterpillar moth pheromone enantiomers $\text{1}$ were synthesized and the stereochemistry of the naturally occurring $\text{1}$ was shown to be 9$\text{S}$, 1O$\text{R}$.     

Photodynamic Efficiency of Protoporphyrin IX: Comparison of Endogenous Protoporphyrin IX Induced by 5-Aminolevulinic Acid and Exogenous Porphyrin IX

Abstract— Photodynamic efficiency of protoporphyrin IX (PP) accumulated in HeLa cells by the incubation of PP with HeLa cells was compared with that of accumulated PP formed from 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) as a precursor. The ALA-induced PP was photodynamically more efficient than exogenous PP. The difference is caused by monomelic PP concentration and PP localization site in HeLa cells. Exogenous PP was accumulated mainly in plasma membrane, and the membrane was strongly damaged by irradiation. The ALA-induced PP was selectively accumulated in mitochondria and inactivated the mitochondrial function by irradiation.