The origin of unidirectional charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers: nonadiabatic quantum dynamics of exciton and charge in pigment–protein complexes

Exciton charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers from purple bacteria (PbRC) and photosystem II (PSII) occurs exclusively along one of the two pseudo-symmetric branches (active branch) of pigment–protein complexes. The microscopic origin of unidirectional charge separation in photosynthesis remains controversial. Here we elucidate the essential factors leading to unidirectional charge separation in PbRC and PSII, using nonadiabatic quantum dynamics calculations in conjunction with time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) with the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics/polarizable continuum model (QM/MM/PCM) method. This approach accounts for energetics, electronic coupling, and vibronic coupling of the pigment excited states under electrostatic interactions and polarization of whole protein environments. The calculated time constants of charge separation along the active branches of PbRC and PSII are similar to those observed in time-resolved spectroscopic experiments. In PbRC, Tyr-M210 near the accessary bacteriochlorophyll reduces the energy of the intermediate state and drastically accelerates charge separation overcoming the electron–hole interaction. Remarkably, even though both the active and inactive branches in PSII can accept excitons from light-harvesting complexes, charge separation in the inactive branch is prevented by a weak electronic coupling due to symmetry-breaking of the chlorophyll configurations. The exciton in the inactive branch in PSII can be transferred to the active branch via direct and indirect pathways. Subsequently, the ultrafast electron transfer to pheophytin in the active branch prevents exciton back transfer to the inactive branch, thereby achieving unidirectional charge separation.

Essential factors leading to unidirectional charge separation in photosynthetic reaction centers are clarified via nonadiabatic quantum dynamics calculations.     

Vibrational frequencies and infrared absorption intensities of 1,2-dibromoethane

Infrared and Raman spectra of 1,2-dibromoethane CH₂BrCH₂Br and CD₂BrCD₂Br were observed in the liquid state, and the fundamental frequencies were determined by comparison with those of related molecules. Infrared absorption intensities of fundament bands were measured in the liquid state, and the intensity data were interpreted on the basis of the valence-optical theory. From the converged value of a population ratio, the energy difference between the trans and gauche isomers was determined, which was in good agreement with the value obtained from the temperature effect of the IR spectrum.     

Convenient synthesis of 3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl compounds from aromatic aldehydes by means of the TBAF-mediated Horner reaction

A simple synthesis of 3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl compounds by means of the TBAF-mediated Horner reaction is described. The reagent, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyldiphenylphosphine oxide, was readily prepared either by Arbuzov reaction of ethyl diphenylphosphinite with 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl iodide or by treating chlorodiphenylphosphine with trifluoroacetic acid and water. Treatment of the phosphine oxide with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of TBAF at room temperature afforded the corresponding 3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl compounds in good yields. The present method is very convenient for preparing 3,3,3-trifluoropropenyl compounds from aromatic aldehydes in terms of availability of the reagent, operational simplicity, and good yields of the products.     

Preparation and reaction of cyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium salt

Cyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (2a) was conveniently prepared from 3-bromopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (1a). The Wittig reaction of cyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (2a) with carbonyl compounds gave alkylidenecyclopropanes (4, 6 and 7). Successive treatment of 1a with two equivalents of base and carbonyl compounds gave alkylidenecyclopropanes (4 and 5) without isolation of intermediary 2a. 2-Methylcyclopropyltriphenylphosphonium bromide (2b) was prepared and allowed to react with carbonyl compounds.     

Gas chromatography of bile acids as their hexafluoroisopropyl ester-trifluoroacetyl derivatives.

Bile acids, such as cholic, chenodeoxycholic, deoxycholic, lithocholic and ursodeoxycholic acids, were allowed to react with hexafluoroisopropanol and tri-fluoracetic anhydride at 37 for 30 min. The resulting derivatives were gas chromatographed on QF-1, with flame ionization detection, and were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Separation was good. By using this method, these acids were detected in samples of human duodenal fluid; the ratios of each were 24.4, 41.5, 24.9, 2.3 and 6.9%, respectively.     

A new synthetic method: Direct replacement of the nitro group by hydrogen or deuterium

The nitro group in tertiary or secondary aliphatic nitro compounds is replaced by hydrogen or deuterium on treatment with tributyltin hydride or tributyltin deuteride, respectively.     

Stereoselective syntheses of 4-hydroxy 4-substituted glutamic acids

The 4-hydroxy 4-substituted glutamic acid moiety is a common substructure of biologically important natural products such as monatin [(2S,4S)-2], lycoperdic acid (3), and dysiherbaine (4). To develop methodology for syntheses of these natural products, cycloadditions of nitrone 5 with 2-substituted 2-propen-1-ols 6 and 2-substituted acrylates 8 were investigated. Reactions of nitrone 5 with alcohols 6 in the presence of MgBr2OEt2 gave cycloadducts 7 in a highly stereoselective manner, whereas noncatalyzed reactions of 5 with acrylates 8 afforded adducts 9. Using the former reaction, syntheses of monatin [(2S,4S)-2], monatin derivative 18, and lycoperdic acid (3) were accomplished. The C4-epimer of monatin [(2S,4R)-2)] was also synthesized by employing the latter cycloaddition.     

Synthesis of Urea‐Tethered Disaccharides in Water

A new method for the synthesis of urea‐linked disaccharides in aqueous media has been developed. The key feature of our approach is two strained Steyermark‐type gluco‐ and galactopyranosyl oxazolidinones. Each oxazolidinone is attached to a pyranose ring in a di‐equatorial trans‐annulation framework. Reaction of these oxazolidinones with 4‐aminohexopyranose in water proceeded smoothly to afford the urea‐tethered cellobiose and lactose analogues. The galactose‐type oxazolidinone proved to be more reactive than the glucose‐type, which is explained by the presence of an axial hydroxy group at C4 in the former.     

Synthesis of (-)-aphanorphine using aryl radical cyclization

[structure: see text] The synthesis of (-)-aphanorphine was achieved by using Bu(3)SnH-mediated aryl radical cyclization of 1-benzyloxycarbonyl-2-(2-bromo-4-methoxyphenylmethyl)-2-methoxycarbonyl-4-(phenylthiomethylene)pyrrolidine, leading to exclusive formation of the 6-exo cyclization product.