Can multivalency be expressed kinetically? The answer is yes

Inspired by the concept of multivalency and in pursuit of ever more intricate artificial molecular machines, we investigated the strict self-assembly of a triply threaded two-component superbundle, starting from a tritopic receptor in which three benzo[24]crown-8 macrorings are fused onto a triphenylene core and a trifurcated trication wherein three bipyridinium units are linked 1,3,5 to a central benzenoid core. The result of the investigation was quite unexpected and surprising. It transpired that the rapid formation of a doubly threaded two-component complex was followed by an extremely slow conversion (a week at 253 K in CD3COCD3 to reach equilibrium) of this kinetically controlled product into a thermodynamically controlled one, namely a triply threaded two-component superbundle. This intriguing observation begs the question: are there instances in nature where multivalency is expressed as a kinetically controlled process, prior to an equilibrium state being reached, and if so, what are the biological implications, if any?     

Sulfide ion electrooxidation catalysed by cobalt phthalocyanine microcrystals

Electrooxidation of sulfide ion catalysed by microcrystals of cobalt phthalocyanine was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in 0.5M KNO₃ at pH 9.22. Traces of catalyst were immobilized at the surface of a paraffin-impregnated graphite electrode by the mechanical transfer of its powder. The electro-oxidation of HS^– proceeds in two irreversible steps, with the first peak between 0 V and –0.12 V and the second at 0.17 V. The first step is second order in HS^– and its product is the adsorbed disulfide, which may further dissociate to give adsorbed sulfur atoms. The reduction of sulfur occurs at –0.1 V.     

Study of isotope exchange reactions by double labelling

This paper presents the method of double labelling in the study of the kinetics of homogeneous isotope exchange reactions. This method was tested by the determination of the Sn(II)−Sn(IV) exchange rate in hydrochloric acid medium. The system was labelled by the tracer^119mSn [initially in the Sn(IV) state]; when the isotope equilibrium was established, Sn(IV) was again labelled by tracer¹¹³Sn. The separation of Sn(II) and Sn(IV) in the given time of exchange was performed by the extraction of Sn(IV)-hydroxyquinolate into chloroform. The specific activities of the separated components were determined from the ratio of¹¹³Sn and^119mSn activities. The exchange rate was calculated from the time dependence of specific activities. The advantage and possibilities of the method of double labelling in the study of isotope exchange are discussed.     

Synthese und Molekülstruktur neuer Ringsysteme aus 1,1,3,3-Tetrachlor-1,3-diphosphapropan

Synthesis and Molecular Structure of new Ring Systems from 1,1,3,3-Tetrachloro-1,3-diphosphapropane 1,1,3,3-Tetrachloro-1,3-diphosphapropane 1 reacts in two different ways to form new heterocycles. Partial oxidation of 1 with tetrachloroorthobenzoquinone furnishes the methylene-bridged λ³P, λ⁵P species 3 . Subsequent reactions with di- and triethylamine lead to the condensed ring system 6 with the P?C bonds connected to a central four-membered ring. Compound 6 displays crystallographic inversion symmetry, a short transannular P? P distance and an extremely distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry at the four-membered ring phosphorus atoms. 1 reacts with 7 to give the heterocycle 8 with a central eight-membered ring involving four phosphorus atoms. The eight – membered ring shows a ?bent”? crown conformation, the condensed five – membered rings display envelope conformation.     

A viscometric study of poly(methyl methacrylate) in 2-alkoxyethanols

θ-Conditions, the temperature coefficient of unperturbed dimensions of the macromolecules and the thermodynamic interaction parameters ψ and κ were determined for solutions of poly(methyl methacrylate) in 2-alkoxyethanols (methoxy, ethoxy and butoxy). The results for this series of solvents fit the data reported for other solvents and dln $\text{r}{}_0{}^2\text{/}\text{d}\text{T = 2.6 × 10}{}^{\mathrm{?3}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{?1}}$. The dependence of parameters ψ and κ exhibited deviations from the theoretical dependence, mainly near the limiting value ψ = 0.5.     

Cadmium and zinc determination by neutron activation analysis and biochemical tests in tissues of workers professionally exposed to cadmium

Cadmium and zinc levels in urine, serum, hair obtained from workers professionally exposed to cadmium oxide dust and from a control, nonoccupationally exposed group were determined by neutron activation analysis. The study was completed by biochemical monitoring tests such as the ₂ (₂-MG) determination in urine and serum and the -aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) determination in blood. Significantly increased levels of cadmium in urine, serum, and hair, ₂-MG in urine and serum, ALAD in blood and decreased levels of zinc in serum were found in the exposed group compared to the control group. The most distinct differences of the parameters studied were observed for cadmium in hair. Correlations among the parameters were preliminary evaluated, too. For quality assurance purposes, the cadmium and zinc concentrations were determined in biological (standard) reference materials NBS SRM-1577 Bovine Liver, Bowen's Kale, IAEA A-11 Milk Powder, and IAEA H-8 Horse Kidney.     

On distribution of molecular weight in anionic polymerizates of caprolactam

Measurement has been made of the dependence of the molecular weight distribution on the ratio of the catalytic system components and on the polymerization time for polycaprolactam obtained by anionic polymerization. A bimodal character of the curves was observed for products made using molar ratios of activator (N-benzoylcaprolactam) to initiator (sodium dihydro-bis(methoxyethoxy)aluminate) of 1:1 and 1:3, when the polymerization times were less than 1 hr. This course is explained by the influence of fast side-reactions, mainly condensations. For a ratio of 3:1 of the components of the catalytic system, smooth integral distribution curves are obtained, accounting for a very fast decrease in the strong base concentration in the initial stages of the polymerization.     

Flow injection analysis : Part VI. The determination of phosphate and chloride in blood serum by dialysis and sample dilution

The rapid determination of chloride and inorganic phosphate in blood serum based on continuous flow spectrophotometry was adapted to Flow Injection Analysis by applying dialysis as well as differential dilution of the injected samples. In addition to the manual injection procedure, an automated microsampling unit was developed and used. By continuous dialysis, chloride could be determined reproducibly at a sampling rate of 125 samples per hour at sample volumes of 60 μl or less. A similar sampling rate and high precision were obtained for the determination of inorganic phosphate by using differential dilution.     

Flow injection analysis. principles,applications and trends

The basic principles of Flow Injection Analysis are outlined. The parameters governing the dispersion of the injected sample zone in the system are discussed, and it is demonstrated how these parameters can be manipulated in order to suit the requirements of an individual analytical procedure. A number of examples illustrating the practical application of f.i.a. are described, comprising the use of automated, stopped-flow, merging-zones, extraction techniques as well as f.i.a. scanning and methods based on intermittent pumping. Updated lists on f.i.a. procedures published and species that can be determined by f.i.a. are included.     

Spectral and electrochemical study of coordination molecules Cu4OX6L4: 3-Methylpyridine and 4-Methylpyridine Cu4OBrnCl(6−n)L4 complexes

The tetranuclear Cu₄OBr_nCl_(6-n)L₄ complexes, where L = 3-methylpyridine (3-Mepy), 4-methylpyridine (4-Mepy) and n=0–6 with trigonal bipyramidal coordination of copper(II) were prepared and their infrared and electronic absorption spectra as well as cyclic voltammograms in nitromethane solutions were measured. The polyhedra in Cu₄OBr_nCl_(6−n) (3-Mepy)₄ molecules are less distorted comparing with those of 4-Mepy analogues as indicated by infrared Cu₄O absorptions, far infrared Cu—Br, Cu—Cl, and Cu—N absorptions, d—d bands in electronic spectra and potentials, measured by cyclic voltammetry. The 3-Mepy complexes exhibit strong single infrared Cu₄O absorptions, while for related 4-Mepy complexes doubly split Cu₄O bands were observed. Two strongly overlapped d—d bands in electronic absorption spectra of the 3-and 4-Mepy complexes in nitromethane were resolved by Gaussian fitting. The 4-Mepy ligand produces slightly stronger ligand field than its 3-Mepy analogue. The maxima of high-energy d—d bands are in a linear correlation with the number of bromide ligands. The correlations for corresponding low-energy bands are considerably deviated from linearity. The halfwave potentials of the complexes in nitromethane correlate with both the number of bromides and the data of electronic absorption spectra suggesting that the reducing electron at the electrode process enters the half-filled d _{z 2} orbital of the copper(II) atom. The origin of a difference between the 3-and 4-Mepy complexes in their spectral and electrochemical properties is also discussed.