Fast O2 binding at dicopper complexes containing Schiff-base dinucleating ligands

A new family of dicopper(I) complexes [CuI2RL](X)2 (R=H, 1X, R=tBu, 2X and R=NO2, 3X, X=CF3SO3, ClO4, SbF6, or BArF, BArF=[B{3,5-(CF3)2C6H3}4]-), where RL is a Schiff-base ligand containing two tridentate binding sites linked by a xylyl spacer, has been prepared and characterized, and its reaction with O2 has been studied. The complexes were designed with the aim of reproducing structural aspects of the active site of type 3 dicopper proteins; they contain two three-coordinate copper sites and a rather flexible podand ligand backbone. The solid-state structures of 1ClO4, 2CF3SO3, 2ClO4, and 3BArF.CH3CN have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. 1ClO4 adopts a polymeric structure in the solid state while 2CF3SO3, 2ClO4, and 3BArF.CH3CN are monomeric. The complexes have been studied in solution by means of 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy, which put forward the presence of dynamic processes. 1-3BArF and 1-3CF3SO3 in acetone react rapidly with O2 to generate metaestable [CuIII2(mu-O)2(RL)]2+ 1-3(O2) and [CuIII2(mu-O)2(CF3SO3)(RL)]+ 1-3(O2)(CF3SO3) species, respectively, that have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and resonance Raman analysis. Instead, reaction of 1-3BArF with O2 in CH2Cl2 results in intermolecular O2 binding. DFT methods have been used to study the chemical identities and structural parameters of the O2 adducts, and the relative stability of the CuIII2(mu-O)2 form with respect to the CuII2(mu-eta2:eta2-O2) isomer. The reaction of 1X, X = CF3SO3 and BArF, with O2 in acetone has been studied by stopped-flow UV-vis exhibiting an unexpected very fast reaction rate (k=3.82(4)x10(3) M-1 s-1, DeltaH=4.9+/-0.5 kJ.mol-1, DeltaS=-148+/-5 J.K-1.mol-1), nearly 3 orders of magnitude faster than in the parent [CuI2(m-XYLMeAN)]2+. Thermal decomposition of 1-3(O2) does not result in aromatic hydroxylation. The mechanism and kinetics of O2 binding to 1X (X=CF3SO3 and BArF) are discussed and compared with those associated with selected examples of reported models of O2-processing copper proteins. A synergistic role of the copper ions in O2 binding and activation is clearly established from this analysis.     

On the class of bi-univalent functions

In an attempt to answer the question raised by A.W. Goodman, we obtain a covering theorem, a distortion theorem, a growth theorem, the radius of convexity and an argument estimate of f^′(z)$f^{\prime }(z)$ for functions of the class σ of bi-univalent functions.     

Service network design models for two-tier city logistics

This paper focuses on two-tier city logistics systems for advanced management of urban freight activities and, in particular, on the first layer of such systems where freight is moved from distribution centers on the outskirts of the city to satellite platforms by urban vehicles, from where it will be distributed to customers by a different fleet of dedicated vehicles. We address the issue of planning the services of this first tier system, that is, select services, their routes and schedules, and determine the itineraries of the customer-demand flows through these facilities and services. We propose a general scheduled service network design modelling framework that captures the fundamental concepts related to the definition of urban-vehicle tactical plans within a two-tier distribution network. We examine several operational assumptions regarding the management of the urban-vehicle fleet and the flexibility associated with the delivery of goods, and show how the proposed modelling framework can evolve to represent an increasing level of detail. A discussion of algorithmic perspectives completes the paper.     

Highly efficient aldol additions of DHA and DHAP to N-Cbz-amino aldehydes catalyzed by L-rhamnulose-1-phosphate and L-fuculose-1-phosphate aldolases in aqueous borate buffer

Aldol addition reactions of dihydroxyacetone (DHA) to N-Cbz-amino aldehydes catalyzed by L-rhamnulose-1-phosphate aldolase (RhuA) in the presence of borate buffer are reported. High yields of aldol adduct (e.g. 70-90%) were achieved with excellent (>98?:?2 syn/anti) stereoselectivity for most S or R configured acceptors, which compares favorably to the reactions performed with DHAP. The stereochemical outcome was different and depended on the N-Cbz-amino aldehyde enantiomer: the S acceptors gave the syn (3R,4S) aldol adduct whereas the R ones gave the anti (3R,4R) diastereomer. Moreover, the tactical use of Cbz protecting group allows simple and efficient elimination of borate and excess of DHA by reverse phase column chromatography or even by simple extraction. This, in addition to the use of unphosphorylated donor nucleophile, makes a useful and expedient methodology for the synthesis of structurally diverse iminocyclitols. The performance of aldol additions of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) to N-Cbz-amino aldehydes using RhuA and L-fuculose-1-phosphate aldolase (FucA) catalyst in borate buffer was also evaluated. For FucA catalysts, including FucA F131A, the initial velocity of the aldol addition reactions using DHAP were between 2 and 10 times faster and the yields between 1.5 and 4 times higher than those in triethanolamine buffer. In this case, the retroaldol velocities measured for some aldol adducts were lower than those without borate buffer indicating some trapping effect that could explain the improvement of yields.