OPTICAL AND THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION OF NATURAL (Sepia officinalis) MELANIN

Abstract The optical properties and the thermal diffusivity of natural cuttlefish ( Sepia officinalis ) melanin have been measured. The optical absorption and scattering properties of melanin particles were determined at 580 nm and 633 nm, using photometric and photothermal techniques. For the photometric studies, the absorption and the transport scattering coefficients were determined from the measurements of diffuse reflectance and transmittance. The scattering anisotropy was obtained from an additional measurement of the total attenuation coefficient and independently obtained by goniometry. For photothermal studies, pulsed photothermal radiometry was used to deduce the absorption and transport scattering coefficients via a model based on optical diffusion theory. Pulsed photothermal radiometry was also used to provide the thermal diffusivity of solid melanin pressed pellets.     

Perhalogenmethylmercapto-heterocyclen, (VII) [1] konkurrenzreaktionen elektronenarmer,substituierter aromaten um die halogenmethylmercapto- BZW. Chlorgruppe von Cl3-nFnCSCl in starken saeuren

Electron-deficient aromatics, such as 2,5-bis(trifluoromethylmercapto)thiophene ($\text{1a}$) or (trifluoromethylmercapto)benzene ($\text{8a}$), react with F₃CSCl in the presence of F₃CSO₃ as a catalyst to give mainly 3-chloro-2,5-bis(trifluoromethylmercapto)thiophen ($\text{3a}$) and 1-chloro-4- or 2-(trifluoromethylmercapto)benzene ($\text{10}$, respectively. This reaction competes with the one expected to result in 2,3,5-tris(trifluoromethylmercapto)thiophene ($\text{2a}$) and 1,4- and 1,2-bis(trifluoromethylmercapto)benzene ($\text{9}$,$\text{9′}$), respectively. Further reactions of deactivated aromatics with Cl_3-nF_nCSCl show that the chlorine substitution is in general catalysed by strong acids. Reaction mechanisms are proposed for both Substitutions. The Cl_3-nF_nCS group in aromatics exerts a -M-effect in the case of an attack of a positive ion, e.g. H^⊕, the well-known +M-effect in the case of reactions with positively polarized molecules, e.g. CF₃S^β+Cl^β-.     

The direct determination of Brueckner orbitals with application to the H2 molecule

An iterative procedure is presented which allows for the direct determination of approximate Brueckner orbitals for small atomic and molecular systems. Starting from the Hartree-Fock determinant one first determines pair natural orbitals (PNOs) of independent electron pairs in the HF-field of the remaining electrons. The use of the generalized Brillouin-theorem then leads to an approximate Brueckner orbital for each electron pair. This procedure must be repeated up to self-consistency which is reached generally after 4–5 macroiterations. Applications to the ground state of H₂ show how important the use of Brueckner orbitals is to get good expectation values of one-electron operators and the correct asymptotic behaviour of the potential energy curve for large internuclear distances.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine Iterationsmethode beschrieben, die eine direkte Bestimmung genäherter Bruecknerorbitale für kleine atomare und molekulare Systeme gestattet. Ausgehend von der Hartree-Fock-Determinante bestimmt man zunächst Paar-NOs (PNOs) der unabhängigen Elektronenpaare im HF-Feld der übrigen Elektronen des Systems. Mit Hilfe des verallgemeinerten Brillouin-Theorems erhält man dann ein genähertes Bruecknerorbital für jedes Elektronenpaar. Dies Verfahren muß bis zur Selbstkonsistenz wiederholt werden, die man im allgemeinen nach 4–5 solcher Makroiterationen erreicht. Anwendung auf den Grundzustand des H₂-Moleküls zeigt, wie wichtig die Benutzung von Bruecknerorbitalen ist, wenn man gute Erwartungswerte von Einelektronenoperatoren und das richtige asymptotische Verhalten der Potentialkurve bei großen Abständen erhalten will.

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Résumé On propose un schéma itératif qui permet le calcul direct des orbitales de Brueckner approchées pour les atomes et les petites molécules. Partant du déterminant Hartree-Fock on calcule d'abord les PNO (pair natural orbitals) des paires indépendantes d'électrons dans le champ effectif des autres électrons dans l'approximation Hartree-Fock. Ensuite le théorème de Brillouin généralisé permet de calculer les orbitales de Brueckner approchées pour chaque paire d'electrons. On recommence le calcul des PNO, la self-consistance de cette méthode itérative s'établit en général au bout de 4 ou 5 macroitérations. Les applications à la molécule H₂ démontrent que l'utilisation d'orbitales de Brueckner s'impose si l'on s'intéresse à des bonnes valeurs moyennes d'opérateurs monoélectroniques ou au comportement asymptotique correct des courbes de potentiel aux grandes distances.

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Dedicated to the memory of Prof. K. H. Hansen.     

Solid-phase synthesis of dihydrovirginiamycin S1, a streptogramin B antibiotic

We describe the first solid-phase synthesis of dihydrovirginiamycin S(1), a member of the streptogramin B family of antibiotics, which are nonribosomal-peptide natural products produced by Streptomyces. These compounds, along with the synergistic group A components, are "last line of defense" antimicrobial agents for the treatment of life-threatening infections such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The synthesis features an on-resin cyclization and is designed to allow production of streptogramin B analogues with diversification at positions 1', 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6. Several synthetic challenges known to hinder the synthesis of this class of compounds were solved, including sensitivity to acids and bases, and epimerization and rearrangements, through the judicious choice of deprotection conditions, coupling conditions, and synthetic strategy. This work should enable a better understanding of structure-activity relationships in the streptogramin B compounds, possible identification of analogues that bypass known resistance mechanisms, and perhaps the identification of analogues with novel biological activities.     

Evidence for a trigonal twist mechanism involving a phosphite ligand of Os3(CO)7,[P(OMe)3]5

The fluxional molecule Os₃(CO)₇[P(OMe)₃]₅ has been prepared from OS₃(CO)₁₂ and P(OMe)₃ by a combination of thermal and UV irradiation synthetic methods. An investigation by ³¹P and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy indicated that the mechanism of fluxionality in this compound probably involves the P(OMe)₃ ligand of the Os(CO)₃[P(OMe)₃] unit moving from one equatorial site to the other via a trigonal twist mechanism.     

Light-directed radial combinatorial chemistry: orthogonal safety-catch protecting groups for the synthesis of small molecule microarrays

We describe the development of photolabile protecting groups based on the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenacyl group (TMP). Orthogonal safety-catches were created by introducing an acid-activatible dimethyl ketal (AA-TMP) and an oxidatively activatible 1,3-dithiane (OA-TMP) into the photolabile TMP group. We demonstrate the application of these protecting groups in light-directed synthesis of small molecule microarrays with diversity elements radially attached to a hydroxyproline scaffold.     

Analysis of functional groups on the surface of plasma-treated carbon nanofibers

Plasma chemically modified carbon nanofibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with regard to the content of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and the contribution of carboxylic groups or ester, carbonyl and hydroxylic groups or ether on the surface. Unfortunately, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy only provides an average value of the first 10 to 15 molecular layers. For comparison, depth profiles were measured and wet chemical methods were applied to estimate the thickness of the functionalized layer and the distribution of oxygen-containing functional groups within the near-surface layers. The results indicate that the fiber surface is covered by a monomolecular oxygen-containing layer and that plasma treatment allows a complete oxygen functionalization of the uppermost surface layer. The best conditions for plasma treatment found within the set of parameters applied to generate complete functionalization are: plasma gas O(2)/Ar ratio 1:1, gas pressure 1-1.5 hPa, plasma power 80 W, treatment time >or= 5 min. Additionally, three quick and easy methods are presented to estimate the efficiency of plasma treatment with regard to surface functionalization: pyrolysis, contact angle measurements, and light permeability measurements of aqueous carbon nanofiber suspensions.     

Nucleophilic Addition of CH, NH, and OH Bonds to the Phosphadiazonium Cation and Interpretation of (31)P Chemical Shifts at Dicoordinate Phosphorus Centers

The phosphadiazonium cation [MesNP](+) reacts quantitatively with the fluorenylide anion, MesNH(2), and MesOH (Mes = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl), resulting in formal insertion of the N-P moiety into the H-Y (Y = C, N, O) bonds. Specifically, reaction of MesNPCl with fluorenyllithium gives the aminofluorenylidenephosphine [crystal data: C(31)H(38)NP, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 9.568(8) ?, b = 24.25(2) ?, c = 11.77(1) ?, beta = 101.38(8) degrees, Z = 4]. Similarly, reaction of [MesNP][GaCl(4)] with MesNH(2) gives the diaminophosphenium salt [MesN(H)PN(H)Mes][GaCl(4)] [crystal data: C(36)H(60)Cl(4)GaN(2)P, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 24.921(2) ?, b = 10.198(4) ?, c = 16.445(2) ?, beta = 93.32(1) degrees, Z = 4], and reaction with MesOH gives the first example of an aminooxyphosphenium salt [MesN(H)POMes][GaCl(4)]. It is proposed that the reactions involve nucleophilic attack at phosphorus followed by a 1,3-hydrogen migration from Y to N. Experimental evidence for the formation of sigma-complex intermediates is provided by the isolation of [MesNP-PPh(3)][SO(3)CF(3)] [crystal data: C(37)H(44)F(3)NO(3)P(2)S, triclinic, P&onemacr;, a = 10.663(1) ?, b = 19.439(1) ?, c = 10.502(1) ?, alpha = 103.100(7) degrees, beta = 113.311(7) degrees, gamma = 93.401(7) degrees, Z = 2]. As part of the unequivocal characterization of the aminooxyphosphenium salt, detailed solid-state (31)P NMR studies and GIAO calculations on the phosphenium cations have been performed. Contrary to popular belief, the phosphorus shielding in dicoordinate cations is not caused by the positive charge but results from efficient mixing between the phosphorus lone pair and pi orbitals.     

Hydrogen migrations in mass spectrometry. VI—the chemical ionization mass spectra of substituted benzoic acids and benzyl alcohols

The H₂ and CH₄ chemical ionization mass spectra of a series of series of substituted benzoic acids and substituted benzyl alcohols have been determined. For the benzoic acids the major fragmentation reactions of the protonated molecule involve elimination of H₂O or elimination of CO₂, the latter reaction involving migration of the carboxylic hydrogen to the aromatic ring. For the benzyl alcohols the major fragmentation reactions of [MH]⁺ involve loss of H₂O or CH₂O, analogous to the CO₂ elimination reaction for the benzoic acids. It is shown that the CO₂ and CH₂O elimination reactions occur only when a conjugated aromatic ring system is present, and that for the carboxylic acid systems, methyl groups and, to a lesser extent, phenyl groups are capable of migrating. The only discernible effect of substituents on the fragmentation of [MH]⁺ is an enhancement of the H₂O loss reaction in the benzoic acid system when an amino, hydroxyl, or halogen substituent is ortho to the carboxyl function. This ‘ortho’ effect, which differs in scope from that observed in electron impact mass spectra, is attributed to an intramolecular catalysis by the ortho substituent of the 1,3 hydrogen migration in the carbonyl protonated acid followed by H₂O elimination. Apparently, this route is favoured over the direct elimination of H₂O from the carbonyl protonated acid, since the latter has a high activation energy barrier because of unfavourable orbital symmetry restrictions.     

Highly porous uranyl selenate nanotubules

A first amine-templated uranyl selenate based upon highly porous uranyl selenate nanotubules, (C4H12N)14[(UO2)10(SeO4)17(H2O)], has been prepared in the room-temperature reaction of uranyl nitrate, butylamine, and H2SeO4 in aqueous solution. The structure consists of nanometer-scale tubular [(UO2)10(SeO4)17(H2O)]14- units packed in a hexagonal-type fashion. The tubules have elliptical cross section with outer dimensions of 25 x 23 A = 2.5 x 2.3 nm. The internal free crystallographic diameter of the tubules is 12.6 A = 1.26 nm, which is comparable to the effective pore size in large-pore zeolites. This finding demonstrates the possibility of nanostructures for actinides in higher oxidation states and opens up a new area of research and exploration.