Structure resolution of Ba5Al3F19 and investigation of fluorine ion dynamics by synchrotron powder diffraction, variable-temperature solid-state NMR, and quantum computations

The room temperature structure of Ba(5)Al(3)F(19) has been solved using electron microscopy and synchrotron powder diffraction data. One-dimensional (1D) (27)Al and ultrafast magic-angle-spinning (MAS) (19)F NMR spectra have been recorded and are in agreement with the proposed structural model for Ba(5)Al(3)F(19). The (19)F isotropic chemical shift and (27)Al quadrupolar parameters have been calculated using the CASTEP code from the experimental and density functional theory geometry-optimized structures. After optimization, the calculated NMR parameters of both the (19)F and (27)Al nuclei show improved consistency with the experimental values, demonstrating that the geometry optimization step is necessary to obtain more accurate and reliable structural data. This also enables a complete and unambiguous assignment of the (19)F MAS NMR spectrum of Ba(5)Al(3)F(19). Variable-temperature 1D MAS (19)F NMR experiments have been carried out, showing the occurrence of fluorine ion mobility. Complementary insights were obtained from both two-dimensional (2D) exchange and 2D double-quantum dipolar recoupling NMR experiments, and a detailed analysis of the anionic motion in Ba(5)Al(3)F(19) is proposed, including the distinction between reorientational processes and chemical exchange involving bond breaking and re-formation.     

Synthesis and photochemical behavior of the tetrazolo tautomer of 2-azido-4-pyrimidinone-2'-deoxyriboside

The 2-azido analogue of 2'-deoxyuridine was prepared in three steps from 2'-deoxy-2-thiouridine. The sulfur atom of the 2-thio nucleoside was methylated and then displaced by hydrazine to furnish the corresponding 2-hydrazino derivative. After diazotization, the 2-azido compound that exists as its tetrazolo tautomer was obtained. Upon UV irradiation in aqueous solution, the title compound led to isocytosine.     

Electrochemical meso-functionalization of magnesium(II) porphine

Regioselective meso-functionalization of the totally unsubstituted magnesium(II) porphine was performed by controlled potential electrolysis with pyridine and triphenylphosphine as nucleophiles leading to the original pyridinium and phosphonium substituted derivatives, respectively. The crystallographic structure of the latter is described as the only meso-phosphonium porphyrin reported to date.     

1H and 19F ultra-fast MAS double-quantum single-quantum NMR correlation experiments using three-spin terms of the dipolar homonuclear Hamiltonian

Measuring internuclear distances through dipolar interaction is a major challenge for solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Obtaining reliable interatomic distances provides an access to the local structure in ordered or disordered solids. We show that at magic angle spinning (MAS) frequencies larger than ca. 50 kHz, some of the three-spin terms of the homogeneous homonuclear dipolar Hamiltonian can be used to promote the creation of double-quantum coherences between neighbouring (1)H or (19)F spins without using dipolar recoupling pulse sequences in the Dipolar Homonuclear Homogeneous Hamiltonian (DH(3)) double-quantum/single-quantum correlation experiment. This makes it possible to probe inter-nuclear spatial proximity with limited risk of probe or sample damage from radio-frequency (RF) irradiation, and is fully appropriate for fast repetition rate offering sensitivity gains in favourable cases. Experimental demonstrations are supported by multi-spin numerical simulations, which points to new possibilities for the characterization of spin-system geometries.     

Two-mode dynamics in dispersed systems: the case of particle-stabilized foams studied by diffusing wave spectroscopy

The stabilization of aqueous foams solely by solid particles is an active field of research. Thanks to controlled particle chemistry and production devices, we are able to generate large volumes of such foams. We previously investigated some of their unique properties, especially the strongly reduced coarsening. Here we report another type of study on these foams: performing diffusing wave spectroscopy (DWS), we investigate for the first time the internal dynamics on the scales of both the particles and the bubbles. When compared to surfactant foams, unusual features are observed; in particular, two well-separated modes are found in the dynamics, both evolving with foam aging. We propose an interpretation of these specificities, taking into account both the scattering by free particles in the foam fluid (fast mode), and by the foam structure (slow mode). To validate our interpretation, we show that independent measurements of the interstitial fluid scattering length, obtained indirectly on the foam and directly on the drained liquid, are in good agreement. We have also identified the experimental conditions required to observe such two-process dynamics. Counter-intuitively, the fraction of free particles within the foam interstitial fluid has to be very low to get an optimal signature of these particles on the DWS correlation curves. This study also sheds light on the partitioning of the particles inside the foams and at the interfaces, as the foam ages. Lastly, the results shown here (obtained by analyzing the fluctuations of the transmitted light) implement the previous ones (obtained by analyzing the mean transmitted intensity), and prove that the foam structure is actually not fully frozen.     

Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles and positive enhancement for myocardial perfusion studies assessed by subsecond T1-weighted MRI

Superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs) are usually referred to as T₂ MR contrast agents, reducing signal intensity (SI) on T₂-weighted MR images (negative enhancement). This study reports the original use of SPIOs as T₁-enhancing contrast agents, primarily assessed in vitro, and then applied to an in vivo investigation of a myocardial perfusion defect. Using a strongly T₁-weighted subsecond MR sequence with SPIOs intravenous (IV) bolus injection, MR imaging of myocardial vascularization after reperfusion was performed, on a dog model of coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion. Immediately after the intravenous bolus injection of 20 μmol/kg of SPIOs, a positive signal intensity enhancement was observed respectively, in the right and left ventricular cavity and in the nonischemic left myocardium. Moreover, compared to normal myocardium, the remaining ischemic myocardial region (anterior wall of the left ventricle) appeared as a lower and delayed SI enhancing area (cold spot). Mean peak SIE in the nonischemic myocardium (posterior wall) was significantly higher than in the ischemic myocardium (anterior wall) (110 ± 23% vs. 74 ± 22%, Mann-Whitney test < 1%, n₁ = 6, n₂ − n₁ = 0, U > 2). In conclusion, the T₁ effect of SPIOs at low dose, during their first intravascular distribution, suggests their potential use as positive markers to investigate the regional myocardial blood flow and some perfusion defects such as the “no-reflow phenomenon”.     

A coated wire-type lead(II) ion-selective electrode based on a phosphorylated calix[4]arene derivative.

The preparation of a lead-selective electrode based on 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis-(diphenylphosphinoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (1) as an ionophore is reported. The plasticized PVC membrane containing 30% PVC, 57% ortho-nitrophenyloctylether (NPOE), 4% sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and 9% ionophore 1 was directly coated on a graphite electrode. It exhibits a nearly Nernstian slope of 28.0 +/- 0.2 mV decade(-1) over a concentration range of 1 x 10(-5) - 1 x 10(-2) mol dm(-3) with a detection limit of 1.4 x 10(-6) mol dm(-3). The response time of the electrode was found to be ca. 17 s. The potential of the sensor was independent of the pH variation in the range 3.5 - 5.0. The selectivity of the electrode performance towards lead ions over Th4+, La3+, Sm3+, Dy3+, Y3+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, NH4+ Ag+, Li+, Na+ and K+ ions was investigated. The prepared electrode was used successfully as an indicator electrode for a potentiometric titration of a lead solution using a standard solution of EDTA. The applicability of the sensor for Pb2+ measurements in various synthetic water samples spiked with lead nitrate was also checked.     

Infrared and near infrared emission spectra of SbH and SbD

The X³Σ⁻ ground state vibration-rotation spectrum of SbH and the near infrared spectra of the b¹Σ⁺-X³Σ⁻ transitions of SbH and SbD have been measured at high resolution by Fourier transform spectroscopy. The SbH and SbD radicals were generated in a tube furnace with a D.C. discharge of a flowing mixture of argon, hydrogen (or deuterium), and antimony vapor. In the infrared region, the 1-0 and 2-1 bands of the three components (0⁺, 1_e, and 1_f) as well as the 0⁺ component of the 3-2 band were observed for ¹²¹SbH and ¹²³SbH. In the near infrared region, the 0-0, 1-1, and 2-2 bands of the b¹Σ⁺-X³Σ⁻ system of both SbH and SbD as well as the 3-3 band of SbD were observed. Except for a few lines, the antimony isotopic shift was not resolved for these electronic spectra. The present data set was combined with the available ground state data on SbD and a¹Δ data for SbH and SbD from previous work, and a least-squares fit was performed for each of the four isotopologues: ¹²¹SbH, ¹²³SbH, ¹²¹SbD, and ¹²³SbD. Improved spectroscopic constants were obtained for the observed vibrational levels of the X³Σ⁻, a¹Δ, and b¹Σ⁺ states of these four isotopologues. In addition, all the above data were also fitted simultaneously to a multi-isotopologue Dunham model, which yielded Dunham constants and Born-Oppenheimer breakdown parameters for these three electronic states. Interestingly, we found that Born-Oppenheimer breakdown corrections were also required for some of the spin-spin and spin-rotation parameters of the X³Σ⁻ state.     

Inhibition of Diamino Pelargonic Acid Aminotransferase,an Enzyme of the Biotin Biosynthetic Pathway,by Amiclenomycin: A Mechanistic Study

The mechanism of action of amiclenomycin ( 1a ), a naturally occuring inhibitor of diaminopelargonic acid aminotransferase, has been established. The enzyme catalyzes the formation of an aromatic adduct between the inhibitor and pyridoxal‐5′‐phosphate. The structure of the adduct, determined by mass spectrometry, is in agreement with the reported X‐ray crystal structure. Kinetic parameters, characteristic of k_cat inhibitors, have been observed, with a K_I value of 2 μM and a k_inact value of 0.4 min^?1. The irreversibility of the inactivation observed, in spite of the absence of covalent bond between the inhibitor and the protein, reveals the high affinity of the adduct for the active site. Two other cis‐1‐amino‐4‐substituted‐cyclohexa‐2,5‐dienes, 3a and 4a , were also found to efficiently inhibit the enzyme. The trans‐isomers were either much less potent ( 1b ) or inactive ( 3b and 4b ). The aminocyclohexadiene moiety, which is, apparently, responsible for the inhibition, could constitute an original pharmacophore for the design of new herbicides.