P4N4F7O—the isoelectronic counterpart of P4N4F8

TAS⁺ ((Me₂N)₃S⁺) P₄N₄F₇O⁻ (8) was prepared from TAS⁺P₄N₄F₉⁻ via F/O exchange using Me₃SiOSiMe₃. The salt was characterised by X-ray crystallography. The bonding situation in the anion is briefly discussed. The structural properties of the anion are compared with those of the isoelectronic neutral phosphazene P₄N₄F₈.     

Probing the structure of DNA aptamers with a classic heterocycle

DNA aptamers are synthetic, single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides selected by SELEX methods for their binding with specific ligands. Here we present ethidium binding results for three related DNA aptamers (PDB code: 1OLD, 1DB6, and 2ARG)that bind L-argininamide (L-Arm). The ligand bound form of each aptamer's structure has been reported and each are found to be composed primarily of two domains consisting of a stem helical region and a loop domain that forms a binding pocket for the cognate ligand. Previous thermodynamic experiments demonstrated that the DNA aptamer 1OLD undergoes a large conformational ordering upon binding to L-Arm. Here we extend those linkage binding studies by examining the binding of the heterocyclic intercalator ethidium to each of the three aptamers by fluorescence and absorption spectrophotometric titrations. Our results reveal that ethidium binds to each aptamer with DeltaG degree's in the range of -8.7 to -9.4 kcal/mol. The stoichiometry of binding is 2:1 for each aptamer and is quantitatively diminished in the presence of L-Arm as is the overall fluorescence intensity of ethidium. Together, these results demonstrate that a portion of the bound ethidium is excluded from the aptamer in the presence of a saturating amount of L-Arm. These results demonstrate the utility of ethidium and related compounds for the probing of non-conventional DNA structures and reveal an interesting fundamental thermodynamic linkage in DNA aptamers. Results are discussed in the context of the thermodynamic stability and structure of each of the aptamers examined.     

Viscosities of solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes in ethylene carbonate at 40°C

The viscosities of dilute solutions of a number of tetraalkylammonium and alkali metal halides, tetraphenylarsonium chloride, sodium tetraphenylborate, tetrabutylammonium tetrabutylborate, water, and 3,3-diethylpentane have been measured in the high-dielectric constant solvent, ethylene carbonate (EC) at 40°C. Crude values of the apparent molar volumes of these solutes have also been obtained. Relative viscosities were fitted to the extended Jones-Dole equation, _r=17#x002B;A c ^1/2+B C+D c ².The pattern of the B coefficients is strikingly similar to that previously observed in the high dielectric constant, linear-chain hydrogen-bonded solvent, N-methylacetamide (NMA). Ionic values for _v and B have been obtained using a variety of splitting techniques. Alkali metal ions have large B coefficients indicating strong cation solvation with the normal order Li>Na>K>Cs. Small anions have positive but much smaller B values than in NMA. The observed order does suggest, however, a small degree of anion solvation. Large organic ions do not display the sharp crossing of the Einstein law,D =2.5_v, uniquely characteristic in H₂O of hydrophobic interaction. The two non-electrolytes have negative B coefficients showing that the Einstein law is not valid at the molecular level and that hydrocarbons are not good models for their isoelectronic tetraalkylammonium ion counterparts. An empirical modification of the Einstein law to account for the finite size of the solvent molecules is discussed. As in NMA the D coefficients are roughly linear in the square of B suggesting that they arise from hydrodynamic origins.     

Determination of mercury and organic mercury contents in Malaysian seafood

The contents of mercury and organic mercury in various types of seafood from various location in Malaysia were determined by neutron activation analysis. Total mercury was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whilst organic mercury was determined by INAA after chemical separation. Samples were digested in acid media and into the solution was added copper ion and KBr to release organic mercury compound from sulphur component of the tissue. The organic mercury was then extracted into toluene and then treated with cysteine paper to convert the compound into sub-organo-mercury from. The paper was then transferred into polyethylene vials and irradiated in the MINT TRIGA Reactor. Analytical results of organic mercury in Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomurus commersoni), shrimp (Peneaus sp.), squid (Loligo sp.) and cockle (Anadara granosa) is in the range of 45%–94% of the total mercury.     

Synthesis of tryptophan N-glucoside

The naturally occurring l-tryptophan N-glucoside was synthesized using 2-O-pivaloylated glucosyl trichloroacetimidate, which gave β-N^In-glucosides. From 2-O-acetylated donors only tryptophan-1-yl-ethylidene compounds (amide acetals) were obtained. The employment of α-azido l-tryptophan benzyl ester facilitated purification and deprotection and improved the yields of the glycosylation step.     

Infrared spectra of o-toluidine and m-toluidine complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) halides

The infrared spectra of eighteen metal complexes of empirical formula [ML₂X₂] (M = Co, Ni, Cu or Zn; L = o^? or m-toluidine; X = Cl, Br or I) have been determined over the range 4000-150 cm^?1. Assignments of the internal vibrations of the amino group are based on the band shifts induced by ¹⁵N-labelling of the nitrogen donors. Bands within the range 400–600 cm^?1 are assigned to the metal-nitrogen stretching frequency (vM-N) on the grounds of their sensitivity to ¹⁵N-labelling and metal ion substitution and their absence of sensitivity to halide substitution. Bands within the range 350–150 cm^?1 are assigned to the metal-halogen stretching frequency (vM-X) on the basis of their sensitivity to halide and metal ion substitution and their insensitivity to ¹⁵N-labelling. Structural aspects of the spectra are discussed and the present assignments are compared with those previously reported.     

Anti-endotoxin agents. 2. Pilot high-throughput screening for novel lipopolysaccharide-recognizing motifs in small molecules

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), otherwise termed 'endotoxins', are an integral part of the outer leaflet of the outer-membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipopolysaccharides play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of 'Septic Shock', a major cause of mortality in the critically ill patient, worldwide. The sequestration of circulatory endotoxin may be a viable therapeutic strategy for the prophylaxis and treatment of Gram-negative sepsis. We have earlier shown that the pharmacophore necessary for small molecules to bind LPS is simple, comprising of two protonatable cationic functions separated by about 15 A, permitting the simultaneous interaction with the negatively charged phosphates on lipid A, the toxically active center of endotoxin. In this report, we employ high-throughput screening methods, using a novel fluorescent probe displacement method. Searches in three-dimensional structure databases yielded about approximately 4000 commercially available small molecules, each possessing two cationic functions spaced approximately 15 A apart. Approximately 400 such compounds have been screened in an effort to validate the method by which high-affinity endotoxin binders can be identified. We show that the IC50 values that are obtained from the fluorescence-based primary screen are correlated both to the enthalpy of binding, as measured by isothermal titration calorimetry, as well as to biological potency in vitro assays. By performing rapid toxicity screens in tandem with the bioassays, lead compounds of interest can be easily identified for further systematic structural modifications and SAR studies.     

TiCl4 Dissolved in Ionic Liquid Mixtures from Аb Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations

To gain a deeper understanding of the TiCl4 solvation effects in multi-component ionic liquids, we performed ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium [C4C1Im]+, tetrafluoroborate [BF4]−, chloride [Cl]− both with and without water and titanium tetrachloride TiCl4. Complex interactions between cations and anions are observed in all investigated systems. By further addition of water and TiCl4 this complex interaction network is extended. Observations of the radial distribution functions and number integrals show that water and TiCl4 not only compete with each other to interact mainly with [Cl]−, which strongly influences the cation-[BF4]− interaction, but also interact with each other, which leads to the fact that in certain systems the cation-anion interaction is enhanced. Further investigations of the Voronoi polyhedra analysis have demonstrated that water has a greater impact on the nanosegregated system than TiCl4 which is also due to the fact of the shear amount of water relative to all other components and its higher mobility compared to TiCl4. Overall, the polar network of the IL mixture collapses by including water and TiCl4. In the case of [Cl]− chloride enters the water continuum, while [BF4]− remains largely unaffected, which deeply affects the interaction of the ionic liquid (IL) network.     

Methyl transfer in field desorption mass spectrometry of ammonioalkanecarboxylate hydrochloride salts

Intramolecular methyl transfer has been observed previously in pyrolysis electron impact mass spectra of complex ammonioalkanecarboxylates. We present here field desorption mass spectra results of more simple N,N,N-trimethylammoniocarboxylate hydrochloride salts and their N,N,N-perdeuterotrimethylammonium analogs in which we observe methyl transfer. We demonstrate that mechanisms for this and other fragmentation and rearrangement processes are dependent on anode heating current. Addition of the protonating agent p-toluenesulfonic acid suppresses most ions except the protonated molecular ion.     

Zinc-porphyrin Solvation in folded and unfolded states of Zn-cytochrome c

After a brief review of the use of photochemical triggers and heme metal substitution to probe the folding dynamics of cytochrome c, we present new results on the photophysics and photochemistry of folded and unfolded states of the zinc-substituted protein (Zn-cyt c). Our measurements of Zn-cyt c triplet state decay kinetics reveal a systematic isotope effect on lifetimes: the decay in the folded protein (tau(H)2(O) approximately 10 ms) is only modestly affected by isotopically substituted buffers (k(H)2(O)/k(D)2(O) = 1.2), whereas a reduced triplet lifetime (approximately 1.3 ms) and greater isotope effect (1.4) were found for the chemically denatured, fully unfolded protein. The shortest lifetime (0.1-0.4 ms) and greatest isotope effect (1.5) were found for a fully exposed model compound, zinc-substituted N-acetyl-microperoxidase-8 (ZnAcMP8), implying that the unfolded protein provides some protection to the Zn-porphyrin group even under fully denaturing conditions. Further evidence for partial structure in unfolded Zn-cyt c comes from bimolecular quenching experiments using Ru(NH(3))(6)(3+) as an external Zn-porphyrin triplet state quencher. In the presence of quencher, partially unfolded protein at midpoint guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) and urea concentrations exhibits biphasic triplet decay kinetics, a fast component corresponding to an extended, solvent-exposed state (6.6 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) in GdmCl, 6.3 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) in urea) and a slow component attributable to a compact, relatively solvent-inaccessible, state (5.9 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) in GdmCl, 8.6 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) in urea). The variation in Zn-porphyrin solvation for the compact states in the two denaturants reveals that the cofactor in the partially unfolded protein is better protected in urea solutions.