Orientation-selected 15N-HYSCORE detection of weakly coupled nitrogens around the archaeal rieske [2Fe-2S] center

The weakly coupled 15N atoms around a reduced Rieske [2Fe-2S] cluster of the uniformly 15N-labeled, hyperthermostable archaeal Rieske protein appear to produce readily observable cross-peaks in the HYSCORE spectra, with the well-resolved couplings of 0.3-0.4 MHz for the Nepsilon and 1.1 MHz for the peptide backbone nitrogens, in addition to the contributions from the coordinated Ndelta atoms. These features can be used for structure-mechanism studies of the biological redox protein system involving the weakly coupled nitrogens in coupled electron-proton transfer reactions.     

Action of HCl on 3-hydroxypyrazolo(iso)quinolines to give 1-chloropyrazoles: evidence for an addition–elimination mechanism by ab initio calculations in gas phase and water

 Addition–elimination reactions involving a nucleophile and a remote leaving group [S^H _N(AE)^tele] are well-known under basic conditions, especially amongst electron-poor six-membered heterocycles, but are less commonly encountered for five-membered heterocycles and are rare under acidic conditions. Concentrated HCl converts 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c] isoquinoline and 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline into 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]isoquinoline and 3-chloro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]quinoline, respectively. However, apparently neither the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)-quinolines nor the parent 1-hydroxypyrazole undergo this reaction. Additionally, all these systems are refractory under basic conditions. We present a plausible mechanism for the reaction, involving the 3-addition of Cl^- to the diprotonated heterocycle, followed by the elimination of water. Calculations of the initial transition states and intermediates, using optimisation at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), including thermochemistry [HF/6-31+G(d)], and single-point Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field determination of the free energy of solvation (Jaguar Poisson–Boltzmann self-consistent reaction field), support this mechanism and reproduce the observed order of reactivity, the addition step being 2–4 kcal less favourable for the isomeric 1-hydroxy-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-c](iso)quinolines and provide a rationalisation for the role of strong acid. Received: 27 June 2002 / Accepted: 6 September 2002 / Published online: 14 February 2003     

Quantification of monohydroxy-PAH metabolites in urine by solid-phase extraction with isotope dilution-GC–MS

For measurement of biomarkers from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure, an analytical method is described quantifying hydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) in urine samples. This method determined monohydroxy metabolites of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, and benz[a]anthracene. The sample preparation consisted of enzymatic hydrolysis, solid-phase extraction and derivatization with a silylating reagent. Five carbon-13 labeled standards were used for isotope dilution. Analytes were separated by gas chromatography (GC) and quantified with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). This method produced good recoveries (41-70%), linearity, and specificity. Data were corrected for blank levels from the naphthalene, fluorene, and phenanthrene metabolites. Method detection limits ranged from 2 ng L(-1) for 1-hydroxypyrene to 43.5 ng L(-1) for 1-hydroxynaphthalene. Using quality control charts from two urine pools, the method can be readily applied to biomonitoring PAH exposure.     

Lanthanum chromites partially substituted by calcium,strontium and barium synthesized by urea combustion

Because of their electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties rare earth and transition metal mixed oxides are important compounds. Lanthanum chromites have been extensively used as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect materials. In this work, lanthanum chromites partially substituted by alkaline earth metals were synthesized by the urea combustion process. TG and DSC techniques were used to evaluate the presence of the organic material in the powder after reaction on the hot plate. The powders were calcinated at 900°C and characterized by XRD and SEM. The results show that the particles have nanometric dimensions and the perovskite structure was formed.     

1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Difluoro-Substituted Azomethine Ylides. Synthesis and Transformations of 2-Fluoro-4,5-dihydropyrroles

2-Fluoro-4,5-dihydropyrrole-3,4-dicarboxylic acid derivatives were obtained by reaction of difluorocarbene with N-substituted ketone imines in the presence of fumaronitrile, maleonitrile, or dimethyl maleate. The reaction involves intermediate formation of azomethine ylides and their subsequent cycloaddition at the double bond. 11H-Dibenz[b,e]azepine and 3,4-dihydroisoquinolines react with difluorocarbene in the presence of fumaronitrile to give fluoro-substituted dibenzo[c,f]pyrrolo[1,2-a]azepine and pyrrolo[2,1-a]-isoquinoline derivatives. Treatment of 2-fluoro-4,5-dihydropyrrole-3,4-dicarbonitrile with amines and alkoxides affords the corresponding 2-amino- and 2-alkoxy derivatives, while its reactions with hydrazine hydrate and benzimidamide lead to formation of substituted pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyrazole and pyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyrimidine derivatives.     

Superexcited state reconstruction of HCl using photoelectron and photoion imaging

The velocity-map imaging technique was used to record photoelectron and photofragment ion images of HCl following two-photon excitation of the E Sigma(+)(0+), V 1Sigma(+)(0+) (nu=9,10,11) states and subsequent ionization. The images allowed us to determine the branching ratios between autoionization and dissociation channels for the different intermediate states. These branching ratios can be explained on the basis of intermediate state electron configurations, since the configuration largely prohibits direct ionization in a one-electron process, and competition between autoionization and dissociation into H* (n=2)+Cl and H+Cl*(4s,4p,3d) is observed. From a fit to the vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectrum of HCl+ it is apparent that a single superexcited state acts as a gateway to autoionization and dissociation into H+Cl*(4s). Potential reconstruction of the superexcited state to autoionization was undertaken and from a comparison of different autoionization models it appears most likely that the gateway state is a purely repulsive and low-n Rydberg state with a (4Pi) ion core.     

The first enantiomerically pure [n]triangulanes and analogues: sigma-[n]helicenes with remarkable features

(M)-(-)- and (P)-(+)-Trispiro[2.0.0.2.1.1]nonanes [(M)- and (P)-3] as well as (M)-(-)- and (P)-(+)-tetraspiro[2.0.0.0.2.1.1.1]undecanes [(M)- and (P)-4]-enantiomerically pure unbranched [4]- and [5]triangulanes-have been prepared starting from racemic bicyclopropylidenecarboxylic [(1RS)-12] and exo-dispiro[2.0.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylic [(1RS,3SR)-13] acids. The optical resolutions of rac-12 and rac-13 furnished enantiomerically pure acids (S)-(+)-12, (R)-(-)-12, (1R,3S)-(-)-13, and (1S,3R)-(+)-13. The ethyl ester (R)-25 of the acid (R)-(-)-12 was cyclopropanated to give carboxylates (1R,3R)-26 and (1R,3S)-26. The ester (1R,3S)-26 and acids (1R,3S)-13 and (1S,3R)-13 were converted into enantiomerically pure methylene[3]triangulanes (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28. An alternative approach consisted of an enzymatic deracemization of endo-[(1SR,3SR)-dispiro[2.0.2.1]heptyl]methanol (rac-20) or anti-[(1SR,3RS)-4-methylenespiropentyl]methanol (rac-18). This afforded (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28 (starting from rac-20), as well as enantiomerically pure (M)-(-)- and (P)-(+)-1,4-dimethylenespiropentanes [(M)- and (P)-23] starting from rac-18. The methylenetriangulanes (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28 were cyclopropanated furnishing (M)- and (P)-3. The rhodium-catalyzed cycloaddition of ethyl diazoacetate onto (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28 yielded four diastereomeric ethyl trispiro[2.0.0.2.1.1]nonane-1-carboxylates in approximately equal proportions. The enantiomerically pure esters (1R,3S,4S)- and (1S,3R,4R)-30 were isolated by careful distillation and then transformed into [5]triangulanes (M)- and (P)-4 using the same sequence of reactions as applied for (M)- and (P)-3. The structures of the key intermediates (R)-12 and rac-31 were confirmed by X-ray analyses. Although [4]- and [5]triangulanes have no chromophore which would lead to any significant absorption above 200 nm, they have remarkably high specific rotations even at 589 nm with [alpha](20)D=-192.7 [(M)-3, c=1.18, CHCl(3))] or +373.0 [(P)-4, c=1.18, CHCl(3))]. This remarkable optical rotatation is in line with their helical arrangement of sigma bonds, as confirmed by a full valence space single excitation configuration interaction treatment (SCI) in conjunction with DFT computations at the B3LYP/TZVP//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory which reproduce the ORD very well. Thus, it is appropriate to call the helically shaped unbranched [n]triangulanes the "sigma-[n]helicenes", representing the sigma-bond analogues of the aromatic [n]helicenes.     

Novel method for bulk resistance evaluation in conductivity measurement for high-purity water

A major issue with the electrolytic conductivity measurement for pure water is the lack of standard or reference methods. A primary method traceable to SI and suitable for pure-water conductivity measurement was developed at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany, as the base for the calibration method for the conductivity measuring devices at the low conductivity level. This paper provides a novel method to calculate the bulk resistance of pure water using impedance measured at a single frequency, which is one of the key procedures for the primary methods.     

Syntheses and characterization of three hybrid materials based on polymeric copper complexes and saturated Keggin polyoxoanions

Three novel heteropolytungstates, [Cu(phen)₂]₄[α-SiW₁₂O₄₀] (1), [Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄][α-SiW₁₂O₄₀] · H₂O (2) and [Cu(4,4′-bpy)(4,4′-Hbpy)_0.5]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] (3) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (1) exhibits interesting chiral layer constructed from interperpendicular helical chains running along a crystallographic 2₁ axis in the c and a directions. Furthermore, the chiral layers are connected by the [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions via hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D superamolecular structure. The [Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄]⁴⁺ coordinated complexes in compound (2) are packed together via the aromatic π–π stacking interactions and exhibit an interesting 3D sandglasslike “host” network with 1D channels, in which [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions “guests” reside. Compound (3) has a unique 2D superamolecular network, which is composed of cationic Cu^I coordination polymer chains and discrete [PW₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ polyoxoanions as linkers. It is noteworthy that the monprotonated 4,4′-bpy ligands of (3) act as arms and connect the adjacent 2D network, generating a 3D interpenetrating superamolecular structure.     

Syntheses and properties of mixed dinuclear copper(II) complexes with heterocyclic dithiocarbamates and a cyclic octadentate tertiary amine

Five new Cu^II complexes of general formula [Cu₂(Rdtc)tpmc](ClO₄)₃, (1)–(5), where tpmc and Rdtc ^– refer to N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-teraazacyclotetradecane and piperidine- (Pipdtc), 4-morpholine- (Morphdtc), 4-thiomorpholine- (Timdtc), piperazine- (Pzdtc) or N-methylpiperazine- (N-Mepzdtc) dithiocarbamates, respectively, have been prepared. Elemental analyses, conductometric and magnetic measurements, u.v./vis, i.r., e.p.r. and mass spectroscopy have been employed to characterize them. The complexes adopt an exo coordination of Cu^II ions and tpmc. The dithiocarbamate ion joins both the sulphur and the copper atoms acting as a bridging ligand The presence of different heteroatoms in the piperidine ring influences the (C=N) and (C=S) vibrations which decrease in the order of the complexes: Pipdtc>N-Mepipdtc>Pzdtc>Morphdtc>Timdtc ligands. Attention has been paid to the detailed mechanism of the mass spectral fragmentation of the complexes. The g _eff factors of the complexes have been also estimated by e.p.r. spectra. Finally, the complexes obtained demonstrate microbiologycal activity against some bacteria.