Dithiadiazolyls as heterocyclic chelators: a radical approach to coordination chemistry?

The ability of heterocyclic compounds to act as chelating ligands via the cleavage of a heterocyclic E–E (or E–E′) bond with concomitant formation of M–E (and M–E′) bonds is described with particular reference to the 7π heterocyclic dithiadiazolyl radicals, R

. These electron-rich ring systems form a diversity of structural bonding types in which the heterocyclic ring can formally act as a 2e⁻, 3e⁻, 5e⁻ or 6e⁻ donor ligand. These structural bonding modes are described through examples in which the heterocyclic ring interacts with halide anions, N atoms and particularly metal centres, forming monometallic, dimetallic and trimetallic complexes. The structural features which determine which compounds are likely to act as cyclic chelators are discussed and examples of thiadiazole, diselenadiazolyl and dithiole rings acting as cyclic chelators are given.     

The ionic product of water in highly concentrated sodium perchlorate solutions

The ionic product of water, pK(w)=-log[H(+)][OH(-)], has been determined in aqueous solutions of sodium perchlorate over the concentration range of 1.0-8.0 M at 25 degrees C from high-precision potentiometric titrations carried out in cells with liquid junction using both glass and hydrogen electrodes. The glass electrode results are systematically lower probably as a result of interference by Na(+) ions.     

5-Naphthylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline (5NA8HQ) as a novel corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in hydrochloric acid solution

In this study, 5-naphthylazo-8-hydroxyquinoline (5NA8HQ) was synthesized, characterized, and tested as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl solution in the temperature range 20 to 50 °C. Weight-loss and potentiodynamic polarization measurements were used to analyse the corrosion behaviour of the metal in the absence and presence of different concentrations of the inhibitor. Analyses of surface film and inhibited solutions by FT-IR and UV–visible spectroscopy enabled us to clarify aspects of the inhibition mechanism. Further examination using X-ray diffraction confirmed the action of 5NA8HQ as an effective inhibitor of corrosion of mild steel in acidic media. The results obtained showed that this compound was a good inhibitor of corrosion. The inhibition is of mixed anodic–cathodic nature with predominance of anodic character. The Langmuir isotherm was found to accurately describe the adsorption behaviour of 5NA8HQ. Spectrophotometric analysis showed the formation of a layer at the surface of the corroded sample; this was interpreted as formation of complexes between 5NA8HQ and metal cations present in the steel structure.     

Design rules for charge-transport efficient host materials for phosphorescent organic light-emitting diodes

The use of blue phosphorescent emitters in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) imposes demanding requirements on a host material. Among these are large triplet energies, the alignment of levels with respect to the emitter, the ability to form and sustain amorphous order, material processability, and an adequate charge carrier mobility. A possible design strategy is to choose a π-conjugated core with a high triplet level and to fulfill the other requirements by using suitable substituents. Bulky substituents, however, induce large spatial separations between conjugated cores, can substantially reduce intermolecular electronic couplings, and decrease the charge mobility of the host. In this work we analyze charge transport in amorphous 2,8-bis(triphenylsilyl)dibenzofuran, an electron-transporting material synthesized to serve as a host in deep-blue OLEDs. We show that mesomeric effects delocalize the frontier orbitals over the substituents recovering strong electronic couplings and lowering reorganization energies, especially for electrons, while keeping energetic disorder small. Admittance spectroscopy measurements reveal that the material has indeed a high electron mobility and a small Poole-Frenkel slope, supporting our conclusions. By linking electronic structure, molecular packing, and mobility, we provide a pathway to the rational design of hosts with high charge mobilities.     

Site-specific mapping and time-resolved monitoring of lysine methylation by high-resolution NMR spectroscopy

Methylation and acetylation of protein lysine residues constitute abundant post-translational modifications (PTMs) that regulate a plethora of biological processes. In eukaryotic proteins, lysines are often mono-, di-, or trimethylated, which may signal different biological outcomes. Deconvoluting these different PTM types and PTM states is not easily accomplished with existing analytical tools. Here, we demonstrate the unique ability of NMR spectroscopy to discriminate between lysine acetylation and mono-, di-, or trimethylation in a site-specific and quantitative manner. This enables mapping and monitoring of lysine acetylation and methylation reactions in a nondisruptive and continuous fashion. Time-resolved NMR measurements of different methylation events in complex environments including cell extracts contribute to our understanding of how these PTMs are established in vitro and in vivo.     

Insights into a Divergent Phenazine Biosynthetic Pathway Governed by a Plasmid-Born Esmeraldin Gene Cluster

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Highlights? Esm gene cluster resides on a highly unstable giant plasmid ? EsmA1 and A2 work together to promote the formation of phenazine-1,6-dicarboxylic acid ? Polyketide synthase enzymes EsmB1–B5 catalyze the unique methyl transfer ? Atypical polyketide synthase enzymes EsmD1–D3 catalyze the esterification.     

Effect of thymol on the antibacterial efficiency of plasma-treated cotton fabric

In this research, the effect of thymol on the antibacterial activity of cotton fabric when modified by low-temperature plasma was investigated. The modification consisted of plasma pre-functionalization followed by one-step wet treatment with thymol. Oxygen and nitrogen were used as the working gases in the plasma reactor. The results showed that plasma-treated samples can absorb more thymol than untreated samples. Thus, the antibacterial activity of the samples in this case, which was analyzed by the bacteria counting test, was increased considerably. Durability of the antibacterial property was also assessed. It was concluded that loading thymol on plasma-treated cotton fabric produced effective durable antibacterial textiles.     

The Energy Landscape of Uranyl–Peroxide Species

Nanoscale uranyl peroxide clusters containing UO₂²⁺ groups bonded through peroxide bridges to form polynuclear molecular species (polyoxometalates) exist both in solution and in the solid state. There is an extensive family of clusters containing 28 uranium atoms (U₂₈ clusters), with an encapsulated anion in the center, for example, [UO₂(O₂)_3?x(OH)_x^4?], [Nb(O₂)₄^3?], or [Ta(O₂)₄^3?]. The negative charge of these clusters is balanced by alkali ions, both encapsulated, and located exterior to the cluster. The present study reports measurement of enthalpy of formation for two such U₂₈ compounds, one of which is uranyl centered and the other is peroxotantalate centered. The [(Ta(O₂)₄]‐centered U₂₈ capsule is energetically more stable than the [(UO₂)(O₂)₃]‐centered capsule. These data, along with our prior studies on other uranyl–peroxide solids, are used to explore the energy landscape and define thermochemical trends in alkali–uranyl–peroxide systems. It was suggested that the energetic role of charge‐balancing alkali ions and their electrostatic interactions with the negatively charged uranyl–peroxide species is the dominant factor in defining energetic stability. These experimental data were supported by DFT calculations, which agree that the [(Ta(O₂)₄]‐centered U₂₈ capsule is more stable than the uranyl‐centered capsule. Moreover, the relative stability is controlled by the interactions of the encapsulated alkalis with the encapsulated anion. Thus, the role of alkali‐anion interactions was shown to be important at all length scales of uranyl–peroxide species: in both comparing clusters to clusters; and clusters to monomers or extended solids.     

Ab initio and experimental thermodynamic and kinetic study of proton-assisted bond activation in gaseous hydrocarbons: deconvolution of reaction efficiencies in the case of adamantane

1) Protonation at all possible sites of adamantane (C(10)H(16)) was studied at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p)//MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level. This provided values of the changes in the thermodynamic state functions for these processes. Whenever direct comparison was possible, the agreement with experimental data was very good. 2) By the same means, the reaction paths linking the various species obtained in these reactions were analyzed. 3) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) spectroscopy was used to determine the rate constants for proton transfer from 16 protonated reference bases to adamantane in the gas phase. Also, the rate constants for the formation of ionic products in these reactions were determined. 4) The experimental reaction rates were successfully predicted and refined on the basis of a simple mechanistic model based on the reaction profiles indicated above. 5) Our results hint at the potential usefulness of this approach for mechanistic studies.