Synthesis of novel tri-podal mesogenic alkenes and side-chain polysiloxanes

Low molecular weight tri-podal biphenyl- and benzoate-type mesogens [C₆H₅C₆H₄O(CH₂)₅SiMe₂CH₂CH₂SiMe₂]₃CH (4), [C₁₁H₂₃O(C₆H₄)₂O(CH₂)₅SiMe₂]₃CH (5) and [MeOC₆H₄OC(O)C₆H₄O(CH₂)₅SiMe₂]₃CH (6) (C₆H₄ = 1,4-phenylene) were obtained, from branched silyl substituted methane precursors [CH₂CH(Me)₂Si]₃CH (1) and (HMe₂Si)₃CH (2). The biphenyl-containing ones (4) and (5) were converted into terminal alkenes, which were subsequently hydrosilylated with poly(methylsiloxanes). The polymer derived from (5) exhibited mesomorphic properties. Such systems have the potential to significantly increase the density of liquid crystal rod-like structures in side chains of linear polymers (or dendritic liquid crystal polymers).     

Thiol- and disulfide-modified oligonucleotide monolayer structures on polycrystalline and single-crystal Au(111) surfaces

We provide a comprehensive study of single- (ss) and double-strand (ds) oligonucleotides with either 25 or 10 bases or base pairs (bp) immobilized on polycrystalline and single-crystal Au(111) surfaces. The study is based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, interfacial capacitance data, and electrochemical scanning tunnelling microscopy (in situ STM). The sequences used were the 25-bp sequence from the BRCA1 gene (25-mer), while the 10-bp oligonucleotides contained solely linear adenine and thymine sequences. The oligonucleotides were modified by the dimethoxytrityl group (DMT) via a disulfide group [DMT-S-S-ss25-mer and DMT-S-S-ds(AT)₁₀], a pure disulfide group (A₁₀-S-S-T₁₀), or a thiol group [HS-ss25-mer and HS-ds-(AT)₁₀], all via a hexamethylene linker. The overall pattern suggests strategies for controlled adsorption of DNA-based molecules and recognition of complementary strands or other molecules.     

Access to the structures of fluoromagnesium compounds: synthesis and structural characterization of the β-diketiminato magnesium fluoride [{CH(CMeNAr)2}Mg(μ-F)(THF)]2·toluene

β-Diketiminato magnesium fluoride [{CH(CMeNAr)₂}Mg(μ-F)(THF)]₂·toluene (Ar=2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, 2·toluene) was synthesized. The molecular structure of 2 revealed for the first time, the double fluoro bridge feature between the two magnesium atoms with a typical MgF bond length (average 1.95 Å).     

The synthesis and characterisation of 1′-ethynyl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocene and derivatives

The synthesis of 1′-ethynyl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocene is reported along with its cyclic voltammetry measurements and the X-ray structure determination of its W(CO)₅-complex. Basic coordination and organic chemistry of 1′-ethynyl-2,5-dimethylazaferrocene is also presented via derivatives incorporating cis-Pt(dppe) and Si(Et)₃ units.     

Conformation-dependent change in antitumor activity of linear and branched (1----3)-beta-D-glucans on the basis of conformational elucidation by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The antitumor activity of (1----3)-beta-D-glucans was tested in order to clarify its conformation-dependent response together with conformational elucidation by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) spectroscopy. It was shown that the following three conformations, single chain, single helix and triple helix, are readily distinguished by the high-resolution solid-state 13C-NMR method. It turned out that preparations of linear (1----3)-beta-D-glucans of a triple helical conformation were ineffective in the inhibition of tumor growth. These linear (1----3)-beta-D-glucans were converted to an effective form in the inhibition of tumor growth when they were lyophilized from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions as a result of a conformational change from the triple helical to the single chain forms. They were not effective, however, when assayed in DMSO solution. In contrast, it was found that a branched (1----3)-beta-D-glucan is effective not only in either saline solutions of the triple helical sample or the lyophilized sample from DMSO, but also in DMSO solution. The aforementioned drastic change in antitumor activity was interpreted in terms of resulting conformational changes as analyzed by the 13C-NMR method.     

Ein Beitrag zur ?nologie und ?kologie von Selen

Summary Little is known about selenium contents in alcoholic beverages, especially in wine, because no reliable determination method was available so far. A procedure for the detection of selenium in the pg- and low ng-range was developed, which uses the hydride-generation-condensation-AAS (HGC-AAS). Selenium contents in 103 German wines of the year vintages 1950 until 1985 were determined. In mean they range between 0.29 and 0.79 g/l Se and show a certain dependence from the geological soil formation and the wine species. Corresponding vineyard soils from Ingelheim (Rheinhessen, FRG) contain 0.18–0.44 mg/kg Se, mean 0.24 mg/kg Se, 10% of it is available for plants. The distribution of selenium in grape berries shows selenium-rich seeds and — with red wine species — selenium-rich skins. Higher selenium contents by contamination were observed near an industrial location. The behaviour of selenium in the vegetation cycle is pursued. The selenium depletion during fermentation may amount to 60%. All results are summarized in the so-called trace element vinogram. Selenium hence is a regular and natural constituent part of wine.

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Herrn Prof. Dr. R. Neeb zum 60. Geburtstag gewidmet     

Phase Relations in the Ni–Mn–Ga Ternary System and Aging Effect on Shape Memory Properties of Ferromagnetic Ni<Subscript>2</Subscript>MnGa Sputtered Films

Summary. Isothermal sections of the Ni–Mn–Ga ternary phase diagram at 1073 and 1273 K were investigated over a wide range of alloy compositions. The range of the β-Ni₂MnGa phase, its equilibria with the γ-(Mn, Ni), α′-Ni₃Ga, and γ-Ni₃Ga₂ phases, and the liquidus and solidus lines were determined experimentally. The aging effect on the shape memory effect (SME) of Ni₂MnGa sputtered films was also investigated. The two-way SME of the constraint-aged films was confirmed by the temperature change.     

A density functional study on magnetic exchange interaction between Mn(II) ion and nitronyl nitroxide radical in <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-metal-radical complexes

The magneto-structural correlation between a Mn(ll) ion, coordinated in an octahedral environment, and two nitronyl nitroxide radical ligands in trans- and cis-metal-radical complexes is investigated by the broken symmetry (BS) approach within density functional theory (DFT). The dependences of coupling constants J on three structural parameters: (i) bond angle θ (Mn-O-N (nitroxide)); (ii) rotating angle ψ, defined by the nitronyl nitroxide radical plane rotating around the axial Mn-O (nitroxide); (iii) bond distance R (Mn-O (nitroxide)) are directly calculated. Our calculations showed that both trans- and cis-Mn(ll)-radical complexes behave a stronger antiferromagnetic interaction, consistent with experiments. In view of molecular orbital theory, the direct exchanges, including σ-type and π-type exchanges, are responsible for the magnetic exchange pathways. There is a preferable linear correlation between the calculated coupling constants J and the overlap integral squares S b between the local magnetic orbitals at the various rotating angle ψ at the fixed bond angle θ and bond distance R, in both trans- and cis-Mn(ll)-radical complexes.     

A simplified assay of furosemide in plasma and urine by high-pressure liquid chromatography.

A simplified high-pressure liquid chromatograhic method for determination of furosemide in plasma and urine has been developed using a fluorometric detector directly coupled to the column effluent. The method includes an ether extraction from acidified biologic samples. The mobile phase used for chromatography on a reversed-phase column (C15 hydrocarbon permanently bonded to silica particles) is sufficiently acidic to induce fluorescence of furosemide. The methylester of furosemide is employed as an internal standard. The sensitivity is 0.1 and 0.25 microgram per ml plasma and urine, respectively. The applicability to pharmacokinetic studies of furosemide is shown.