Synthese und Kristallstrukturen der Phosphaniminato-Komplexe [MCl2(NPPh3)]2 mit M = Al und Ga, [SbCl2(NPMe3)(DMF)]2 sowie des Phosphanimin-Komplexes [Ph3PNH · BF3] · THF

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of the Phosphorane Iminato Complexes [MCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ with M = Al and Ga, [SbCl₂(NPMe₃)(DMF)]₂, and of the Phosphorane Imine Complex [Ph₃PNH · BF₃] · THF The phosphorane iminato complexes [MCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ with M = Al and Ga and [SbCl₂(NPMe₃)(DMF)]₂ are formed as colourless crystals by reactions of the anhydrous trichlorides MCl₃ (M = Al, Ga, Sb) with the corresponding silylated phosphorane imines Me₃SiNPR₃ in acetonitrile and in dimethyl formamide, respectively. The phosphorane imine derivative [Ph₃PNH · BF₃] · THF is formed from Me₃SiNPPh₃ and boron trifluoride etherate in boiling tetrahydrofuran. The compounds are characterized by their i. r. spectra and by crystal structure analyses. [AlCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ : Space group P1 , Z = 1, structure solution with 1 585 observed unique reflections, R = 0.061. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 917.6, b = 1 053.5, c = 1 145.2 pm, α = 111.72°, β = 100.80°, γ = 109.95°. [GaCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ : Space group P1 , Z = 1, structure solution with 2 586 observed unique reflections, R = 0.066. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 917.5, b = 1 058.3, c = 1 153.7 pm, α = 105.52°, β = 107.75°, γ = 109.88°. In both compounds the metal atoms are linked to planar M₂N₂ four-membered rings via the N-atoms of the phosphorane iminato groups. [SbCl₂(NPMe₃)(DMF)]₂ : Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, structure solution with 3 805 observed unique reflections, R = 0.038. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 1 913.0, b = 726.8, c = 2 040.7 pm, β = 113.62°. The unit cell contains two symmetry independent dimeric molecules, in which the antimony atoms are centrosymmetricly μ₂ linked via the N-atoms of the phosphorane iminato groups. Along with the oxygen atom of the dimethyl formamide molecule the Sb atoms achieve a ψ-octahedral environment. [Ph₃PNH · BF₃] · THF : Space group C2/c, Z = 8, structure solution with 2 048 observed unique reflections, R = 0.058. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 2 460.4, b = 869.2, c = 1 978.0 pm, β = 116.35°.     

Precise Quantification of Molybdate In Vitro by the FRET-Based Nanosensor ‘MolyProbe’

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element in all kingdoms of life. Mo is bioavailable as the oxyanion molybdate and gains biological activity in eukaryotes when bound to molybdopterin, forming the molybdenum cofactor. The imbalance of molybdate homeostasis results in growth deficiencies or toxic symptoms within plants, fungi and animals. Recently, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods have emerged, monitoring cellular and subcellular molybdate distribution dynamics using a genetically encoded molybdate-specific FRET nanosensor, named MolyProbe. Here, we show that the MolyProbe system is a fast and reliable in vitro assay for quantitative molybdate determination. We added a Strep-TagII affinity tag to the MolyProbe protein for quick and easy purification. This MolyProbe is highly stable, resistant to freezing and can be stored for several weeks at 4 °C. Furthermore, the molybdate sensitivity of the assay peaked at low nM levels. Additionally, The MolyProbe was applied in vitro for quantitative molybdate determination in cell extracts of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the fungus Neurospora crassa and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our results show the functionality of the Arabidopsis thaliana molybdate transporter MOT1.1 and indicate that FRET-based molybdate detection is an excellent tool for measuring bioavailable Mo.     

A Photoionization Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometric Study on the Detection of Ethynamine (HCCNH2) and 2H-Azirine (c-H2CCHN)

Ices of acetylene (C₂H₂) and ammonia (NH₃) were irradiated with energetic electrons to simulate interstellar ices processed by galactic cosmic rays in order to investigate the formation of C₂H₃N isomers. Supported by quantum chemical calculations, experiments detected product molecules as they sublime from the ices using photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS). Isotopically-labeled ices confirmed the C₂H₃N assignments while photon energies of 8.81 eV, 9.80 eV, and 10.49 eV were utilized to discriminate isomers based on their known ionization energies. Results indicate the formation of ethynamine (HCCNH₂) and 2H-azirine (c-H₂CCHN) in the irradiated C₂H₂:NH₃ ices, and the energetics of their formation mechanisms are discussed. These findings suggest that these two isomers can form in interstellar ices and, upon sublimation during the hot core phase, could be detected using radio astronomy.     

Kinetic energy release and position of transition state during the intramolecular substitution of ionized 2-benzoyl pyridines

The loss of substituents X from molecular ions of ortho substituted 2-benzoyl pyridines has been investigated as a function of the dissociation energy of the C? X bond. Comparison of unimolecular and collisional induced decompositions of the resulting [M ? X]⁺ ions and reference ions arising from 3-hydroxypyrido[1,2-α]indole shows that cyclic fragment ions are formed in every case by an intramolecular substitution reaction with the exception of the parent compound (X = H), which gives rise to a mixture of [M ? H]⁺ ions with different structures. The heat of formation of the cyclic ion has been estimated experimentally and by calculation using thermochemical data, and from this value and the appearance energies, the activation energies of the reverse reactions have been evaluated for the different reaction systems. Measurement of the kinetic energy release during the substitution reactions shows that only part of the reverse activation energy is released as kinetic energy. The energy partitioning quotient varies from 0.37 to 0.08 depending on the dissociation energy of the C? X bond or the reaction enthalpy. A sudden change in the energy partitioning quotient is observed with increasing exothermicity of the reaction, paralleling the behaviour of similar reaction systems. These results are interpreted as a demonstration of the influence of the variation of transition state position on the energy partitioning quotient.     

A matrix isolation study of the C(s) symmetric OCNO(X 2A') radical

Here we report the first experimental detection of the C(s) symmetric nitroformyl radical, OCNO(X 2A') in a nitrogen-carbon dioxide matrix at 10 K using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The nu1 vibrational frequency was observed at 2113 cm(-1). This assignment was confirmed by follow-up experiments using isotopically labeled reactant molecules (15N, 18O, 13C). To synthesize this radical, we irradiated solid nitrogen-carbon dioxide ice mixtures with energetic electrons at 10 K. Suprathermal nitrogen atoms in their electronic ground and/or first electronically excited state were generated via the radiation induced degradation of molecular nitrogen; these atoms could then react with carbon dioxide to eventually yield the nitroformyl radical. We also investigated the kinetics of the formation of the nitroformyl radical and support the arguments with computations on the doublet and quartet OCNO potential energy surfaces (PESs).     

Thiyl radical interaction with pyrimidine C5-C6 double bond

Addition and elimination interaction of thiyl radicals with the C5-C6 double bond in pyrimidines was studied by the pulse radiolysis technique in aqueous solution with the use of different monitoring systems. For this purpose, p-thiocresol, cysteamine hydrochloride, and mercaptoethanol were used. The rate constants of addition and elimination of thiyl radicals were determined by applying the modified version of ACUCHEM (computer program for modeling complex reaction systems). Aliphatic thiyl radicals add to the pyrimidine C5-C6 double bond with k = 1.0-3.0 x 10(7) dm3 mol(-1) s(-1), whereas elimination takes place with k = 0.7-2.0 x 10(5) s(-1). Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d)/PCM level show that the addition should occur at the C6 position of the pyrimidine ring and that the energy of interaction between thiyl radicals and the pyrimidine double bond C5-C6 is low.     

Ionization of cyclic aromatic amines by free electron transfer: products are governed by molecule flexibility

The bimolecular electron transfer from secondary aromatic amines to parent radical cations of nonpolar solvents such as alkanes and alkyl chlorides results in the synchronous formation of amine radical cations as well as aminyl radicals, in comparable amounts. If as for cyclic aromatic amines (c-Ar(2)NH) the intramolecular bending motion around the amine group is restricted in varying degrees (acridane, phenothiazine) or completely prevented (carbazole), then this picture is modified. In the free electron transfer, the completely rigid carbazole yields exclusively amine radical cations. Acridane exhibits preferred radical cations, but phenothiazine with the more flexible six-membered ring involving sulfur as a further heteroatom follows the common two-product rule; see above. The phenomenon is reasoned by a peculiarity in the bimolecular free electron transfer where after diffusional approach the actual electron jump proceeds in the ultrashort time range. Therefore, it reflects femtosecond molecular motions which, in the case of free mobility, continuously pass through different molecule conformers, combined with fluctuation of the electrons of the responsible molecular n-orbitals. The rigid systems, however, do not show this effect because of a nonexistent bending motion.     

False Results Caused by Solvent Impurity in Tetrahydrofuran for MALDI TOF MS Analysis of Amines

Tetrahydrofuran (THF) is one of the most frequently used solvents in the MALDI TOF MS analysis of synthetic compounds. However, it should be used with caution because a trace amount of 4-hydroxybutanal (HBA) might be generated and accumulated in THF during storage. Since only a tiny amount of analytes is required in MALDI MS measurements, a trace amount of HBA might have a significant effect on the MS results. It was found that HBA will quickly react with primary and secondary amino compounds, leading to false results about the sample composition with an extra series of ions with additional mass of 70 Da in between. The formation of HBA can be inhibited by butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) antioxidant. Therefore, when THF is required as the solvent for sample preparation, it is strongly recommended to use a BHT-stabilized one, at least for the analysis of compounds with amino groups.

Measuring nitrate concentration in wastewaters with high chloride content

The presence of chloride ions in wastewaters in concentrations above 50 mg/L poses interference in several methods used for the measurement of nitrate-nitrogen. The aim of this study was to characterise the reliability and costs of some commonly available methods for the analysis of nitrate concentration in landfill leachate which contains high chloride levels. To investigate the effect of chloride interference, several widely used methods [ion chromatography (IC), continuous flow analysis (CFA), the German standard method (DIN), cuvette test (CUV), standard addition method (SAM) and reflectometric test (REF)] were used to measure the nitrate concentration in synthetic solutions containing varying concentrations of chloride and nitrate-nitrogen. Nitrate recoveries of the various methods were found to decrease in the following rank order: CUV (>95%) > IC (>90%) > CFA (89%) > DIN (88%) > REF (70%) > SAM (<80%). In the second part of the study, the same methods were used to measure nitrate concentrations in samples of biologically nitrified landfill leachate with and without chloride elimination. For leachate samples without chloride elimination, CUV results were well correlated (linear regression) with IC results (slope = 1.02/R² = 0.99) but to lesser extents with results obtained by CFA (0.91/0.86), DIN (0.89/0.97) and REF (0.86/0.77), and not correlated with SAM (0.74/–1.3). The incurred measurement costs per sample (in Euros) for the methods were as follows: CFA (<0.1) < DIN (0.6) < REF (0.7) < SAM (3) < CUV (3.8) < IC (15). Cuvette tests are recommended as the method of choice due to their accuracy and lower cost than IC.