Asymmetric bioreduction of alkenes using ene-reductases YersER and KYE1 and effects of organic solvents

Asymmetric trans-bioreduction of activated alkenes by KYE1 from Kluyveromyces lactis and Yers-ER from Yersinia bercovieri, two ene-reductases from the Old Yellow Enzyme family, showed a broad substrate spectrum with a moderate to excellent degree of stereoselectivity. Both substrate- and enzyme-based stereocontrols were observed to furnish opposite stereoisomeric products. The effects of organic solvents on enzyme activity and stereoselectivity were outlined in this study, where two-phase systems hexane and toluene are shown to sustain bioreduction efficiency even at high organic solvent content.     

Conformational analysis of 1,1,2,2-tetraaryl-disilanes

A study of the static stereochemistry of 1,1,2,2-tetraphenyldisilane (1) and 1,1,2,2-tetramesityldisilane (2) by empirical force field calculations, X-ray diffraction, and ¹H NMR reveals that the preference for the anti conformation, exhibited by the unclamped 1,1,2,2-tetraarylethanes, is sustained in the analogous disilanes, although in somewhat attenuated form. This anti preference stands in contrast to the gauche preference of 1,1,2,2-tetraalkyldisilanes. Examination of ³J_HH coupling constants for R₂HSiSiHR₂; (R = phenyl, mesityl, 2,6-dimethyl-phenyl, t-butyl, cyclohexyl) suggests the existence of a Karplus relation for H-Si-Si-H systems.     

Spezifisch π→π*-induzierte Reaktionen von γ-Dimethoxymethylcyclohexen-2-onen: 1,3-Umlagerung und Wasserstoffabstraktion durch das α-Kohlenstoffatom

When α,β-unsaturated γ-dimethoxymethyl cyclohexenones are excited to the S₂(π,π*) state, certain unimolecular reactions can be observed to compete with S₂ → S₁ internal conversion. These reactions do not occur from the S₁(n,π*) or the lowest T(π,π* and n,π*) states. They comprise the radical elimination of the formylacetal substituent (cf. 8 , 9 → 32 + 33 ), γ → α formylacetal migration (cf. 6 → 27 , 8 → 30 , 9 → 34 , 12 → 37 ), and a cyclization process involving the transfer of a methoxyl hydrogen to the α carbon and ring closure at the β position (cf. 6 → 28 , 8 → 31 , 12 → 38 , 20 → 40 + 41 ). The quantum yield of the ring closure 20a → 40a + 41a is 0.016 at ≤ 0.05M concentration. It is independent of the excitation wavelength within the π→π* absorption band (238–254 nm), but Φ ( 40a + 41a ) decreases at higher concentrations. According to the experimental data the reactive species of these specifically π→π*-induced transformations is placed energetically higher than the S₁(n,π*) state, and it is either identical with the thermally equilibrated S₂(n,π*) state, or reached via this latter state. The linear dienone 14 undergoes a similar π→π*-induced cyclization (→ 42 ) whereas the benzohomologue 26 proved unreactive, and the dienone 22 at both n → π and π→π* excitation only gives rise to rearrangements generally characteristic of cross-conjugated cyclohexadienones.     

The Enantioselective Synthesis of 3-Methoxy-1, 3, 5 (10)-estratrien-11, 17-dione by a Thermal Intramolecular Cycloaddition Reaction. Preliminary communication

The enantiomerically pure (+)-3-methoxy-1, 3, 5 (10)-estratrien-11, 17-dione 11 (with trans-anti-trans configuration) was synthesized in a highly stereocontrolled fashion from (±)-t-butyl 4-methoxy-1-benzocyclobutene carboxylate (8) and the (+)-carboxylic acid 6 , obtained from 4 in two steps, followed by one crystallization of the (+)-ephedrine salt. The key step 10→11 (Scheme 2) involves a thermal intramolecular cycloaddition reaction.     

The fluorescence of biliverdin dimethyl ester

Freshly prepared solutions of biliverdin dimethyl ester ( 2 ) in ethanol showed fluorescence maxima at 710 and 770 nm [Φ_F = 1.1. 10^?4 (room temperature) and 5.0 10^?4 (77 K)]. The maxima of monoprotonated 2 at 77 K were shifted to 725 and 806 nm and the quantum yield was increased to 2.6. 10^?2. This acid effect was reversible by neutralization with base. When a neutral solution was kept standing in the dark at room temperature, or when an acidic solution was neutralized by base, an additional fluorescence maximum at 500 nm with a mirror image excitation spectrum with λ_max = 470 nm developed, which disappeared on addition of acid and which is attributed to a chemical change of 2 .     

Photobiological effects of UVA and UVB light in zebrafish embryos: evidence for a competent photorepair system

The consequences of UVB and UVA irradiation on hatch rate, mortality, and malformation were studied in embryonic zebrafish (Danio rerio). The use of zebrafish embryos has expanded from traditional developmental models to diverse studies, including many techniques utilizing light exposure. To characterize useful indicators of photodamage, the responses and threshold limits of UV radiation as a function of embryonic stage and fish source were evaluated. Significant differences in UVB susceptibility were observed in embryos at 3, 6-7, 12, and 24h post-fertilization (hpf), with the 1000-cell stage (3 hpf) having greatest tolerance to UVB. Embryos derived from zebrafish raised in outdoor ponds were more tolerant to UVB than were embryos from laboratory-raised fish. Combinations of UVB and UVA exposure were used to confirm the presence of a competent photorepair system in zebrafish that could return otherwise malformed embryos to a normal phenotype. Overall, embryonic zebrafish had large tolerances (LD(50) of 850 J/cm(2)) to UVA, confirming their suitability for photoactivation and photorepair studies.     

[Cl3PNPCl3][MoNCl4], eine Verbindung mit strangartig assoziierten Anionen

[Cl₃PNPCl₃][MoNCl₄], a Compound having Columns of Stacked Anions The title compound is formed by the reaction of [Cl₃PNPCl₃]Cl with MoNCl₃ in CH₂Cl₂ and subsequent precipitation with CCl₄ in from of orange-red crystals. According to the ³¹P-NMR spectrum, the compound exists as its isomer phosphaneiminate [Cl₅Mo(NPCl₂NPCl₃)] in CD₂Cl₂/CH₃CN solution. The crystal structure of [Cl₃PNPCl₃][MoNCl₄] is isotypic with that of [Cl₃PNPCl₃][MoOCl₄] and shows the same kind of two-dimensional disorder. X-ray diffraction patterns show planes of diffuse scattering as well as Bragg reflexions. The latter correspond to an averaged structure with a = 1590.0, b = 1141.6, c = 418.0 pm, space group Pba2, Z = 2. In the averaged structure (606 reflexions, R = 0.071) the atom sites have fractional occupation. The real structure consists of square-pyramidal [MoNCl₄]^? ions stacked to form columns with alternating MoN distances of 175 and 243 pm. The packing of the columns is disordered in that the [MoNCl₄]^? pyramids point either in the +c or ?c direction. The [Cl₃PNPCl₃]⁺ ions are stacked in the c direction and show two types of disorder, namely a displacement parallel to c and a rotation by 120° about the P? P axis.     

Phosphaniminate von Alkalimetallen: Die Kristallstrukturen von [KNPCy3]4, [KNPCy3]4·2OPCy3, [CsNPCy3]4·4OPCy3 und [Li4(NPPh3)(OSiMe2NPPh3)3(DME)]

The alkalimetal phosphoraneiminates [KNPCy₃]₄, ( 1 ) [KNPCy₃]₄·2OPCy₃ ( 2 ) and [CsNPCy₃]₄·4OPCy₃ ( 3 ) (Cy = cyclohexyl) which are obtainable by the reaction of pottassium amide or cesium amide with Cy₃PI₂ or Cy₃PBr₂ in liquid ammonia, as well as the lithium derivative [Li₄(NPPh₃)(OSiMe₂NPPh₃)₃(DME)] ( 4 ) have been characterized by crystal structure determinations. 4 has been formed by the insertion reaction of silicon greaze (‐OSiMe₂)n into the LiN bonds of [LiNPPh₃]₆ in DME solution (DME = 1, 2‐dimethoxyethane). 1 : Space group P&1macr;, Z = 2, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = 1389.8(1); b = 1408.1(1); c = 2205.2(2) pm; α = 78.952(10)?; β = 81.215(10)?; γ = 66.232(8)?; R1 = 0.0418. 2 : Space group Pbcn, Z = 4, lattice constants at 193 K: a = 2943.6(2); b = 2048.2(1); c = 1893.8(1) pm; R1 = 0.0428. 3 : Space group Cmc2₁, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = 2881.6(2); b = 2990.2(2); c = 1883.7(2) pm; R1 = 0.0586. 4 ·1/2DME: Space group R&3macr;c, Z = 12, lattice dimensions at 193 K: a = b = 1583.5(1); c = 11755.3(5) pm; R1 = 0.0495. All complexes have heterocubane structures. In 1‐3 they are formed by four alkali metal atoms and by the nitrogen atoms of the (μ₃‐NPCy₃^‐) groups, whereas 4 forms a "heteroleptic" Li₄NO₃ heterocubane.