Characterization and complementation of a Pichia stipitis mutant unable to grow on d-xylose or l-arabinose

Pichia stipitis CBS 6054 will grow on d-xylose, d-arabinose, and l-arabinose. d-Xylose and l-arabinose are abundant in seed hulls of maize, and their utilization is important in processing grain residues. To elucidate the degradation pathway for l-arabinose, we obtained a mutant, FPL-MY30, that was unable to grow on d-xylose and l-arabinose but that could grow on d-arabinitol. Activity assays of oxidoreductase and pentulokinase enzymes involved in d-xylose, d-arabinose, and l-arabinose pathways indicated that FPL-MY30 is deficient in d-xylitol dehydrogenase (D-XDH), d- and l-arabinitol dehydrogenases, and d-ribitol dehydrogenase. Transforming FPL-MY30 with a gene for xylitol dehydrogenase (PsXYL2), which was cloned from CBS 6054 (Gen Bank AF127801), restored the D-XDH activity and the capacity for FPL-MY30 to grow on l-arabinose. This suggested that FPL-MY30 is critically deficient in XYL2 and that the d-xylose and l-arabinose metabolic pathways have xylitolas a common intermediate. The capacity for FPL-MY30 to grow on d-arabinitol could proceed through d-ribulose.     

Multistep energy transfer in single molecular photonic wires

We demonstrate the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of an unidirectional photonic wire based on four highly efficient fluorescence energy-transfer steps (FRET) between five spectrally different chromophores covalently attached to double-stranded DNA. The DNA-based modular conception enables the introduction of various chromophores at well-defined positions and arbitrary interchromophore distances. While ensemble fluorescence measurements show overall FRET efficiencies between 15 and 30%, single-molecule spectroscopy performed on four spectrally separated detectors easily uncovers subpopulations that exhibit overall FRET efficiencies of up to approximately 90% across a distance of 13.6 nm and a spectral range of approximately 200 nm. Fluorescence trajectories of individual photonic wires show five different fluorescence intensity patterns which can be ascribed to successive photobleaching events.     

Reactivity of 3d transition metal cations in diethylene glycol solutions. Synthesis of transition metal ferrites with the structure of discrete nanoparticles complexed with long-chain carboxylate anions

Study of the reactivity of 3d transition metal cations in diethylene glycol solutions revealed several key features that made it possible to develop a new method for synthesis of the nanocrystalline transition metal ferrites. The 3-7 nm particles of [MFe2O4]n[O2CR]m, where M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Zn, ligated on their surface with long-chain carboxylate anions, have been obtained in an isolated yield of 75-90%. The key features are the following. Complexation of the first-row transition metal cations with diethylene glycol at a presence of alkaline hydroxide is sufficient to enable control over the rate of their hydrolysis. The reaction of hydrolysis leads to the formation of metal oxide nanocrystals in colloidal solution. The nanoparticles growth is terminated by an added long-chain carboxylic acid, which binds to their surface and acts as a capping ligand. The isolated nanocrystalline powders are stable against agglomeration and highly soluble in nonpolar organic solvents.     

Comparative preparations of homoleptic hydridic anions of iron and ruthenium using solution-based organometal hydrogenation techniques

A study of the preparations of the complex hydridic anions [MH(6)](4)(-) (M = Fe and Ru) reveals a number of distinctive features. Here a soluble homoleptic ruthenium hydride has been prepared for the first time. For example, both FeX(2) and [Ru(eta(4)-1,5-COD)X(2)], X = Cl and Br, react with PhMgBr solutions under hydrogen to produce the title compounds. The benzene liberated in these reactions is more readily hydrogenated in the case of a homogeneous room temperature ruthenium hydride preparation to both cyclohexane and cyclohexene. The (1)H NMR spectroscopic data show that the two complex anions have hydride absorptions in the low-frequency region, delta -20.3 and -14.7, respectively. Further, (1)H spin-lattice relaxation times (T(1)) for M-H are longer in the case of Ru vs Fe.     

Thermal lens spectrometric determination of hexavalent chromium

The applicability of thermal lens spectrometry (TLS) for quantification and routine determination of hexavalent chromium was investigated by using a collinear dual beam thermal lens spectrometer. In aqueous solutions the LOD of 0.1 μg l⁻¹ was obtained for Cr(VI) by using 160 mW laser power. The performance of the technique was verified by the determination of hexavalent chromium in standard reference water samples (NIST SRM 1643a and NIST SRM 1643c) and comparing the results for Cr(VI) in CCA (Cr, Cu, As)-treated timber extracts to concentrations obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Good agreement between the TLS results and reported values for Cr(VI) in SRMs as well as AAS results for Cr(VI) in CCA-treated timbers confirmed that TLS is a reliable and accurate analytical technique applicable for the determination of Cr(VI) in aqueous solutions at concentration levels 0.5–100 μg l⁻¹.     

(Benzylthio)- und (Arylthio)-substituierte Nitril-ylide: Thermische Erzeugung und Reaktionen

Thermal Generation and Reactions of (Benzylthio)-and (Arylthio)-Substituted Nitrile Ylides Thermolysis of 4-(benzylthio)- and 4-(arylthio)-1,3-oxazol-5(2H)-ones 6 , at 110–155° in the presence of dipolarophiles with activated C≡C, C?C, C?O, C?S, and N?N bonds, led to 5-membered cyclo-adducts and CO² (cf. Schemes 3, 5-7). Heating 6a and 6c in the presence of ethyl propiolate yielded ethyl quinoline-3-carboxylate ( 19 ) and ethyl pyridine-3-carboxylate( 22 ), respectively (cf. Scheme 8). These results are rationalized on the basis of the intermediate formation of thio-substituted nitrile ylides of type 7 (cf. Scheme 2), which undergo regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions with reactive dipolarophiles. In the absence of such a dipolarophile, the nitrile ylides isomerize via a [1,4]-H shift to give 2-aza-1,3-butadienes of type 20 . The latter are trapped in a Diels-Alder reaction with ethyl propiolate (cf. Scheme 8).     

Determination of lead in the urine of exposed and unexposed adults by extraction and flow-injection/atomic absorption spectrometry

Lead is extracted from urine with ammonium pyrrolidien dithiocrbamate into methyl isobutyl ketone, and 20 μl of the extract is injected into a water carrier stream in a flow-injection/atomic absorption system. The procedure is simple, quick, accurate and reproducible. Recoveries are 96–105%. The mean urine lead contents of 20 unexposed and 20 printing-press lead exposed workers was found to be 39.0 ± 8.3 and 71.7 ± 26.3 μg Pb l^?1, respectively.     

Unsaturated end-groups in PVC—IV

NMR spectra are reported for the following compounds: 1-chloropentene-2, 1,1-dichloropentene-2 and 1,2-dichloropentene-2. They represent models for unsaturated end-groups in PVC and are the result of allylic rearrangement of the compounds: 3-chloropentene-1, 1,3-dichloropentene-1 and 2,3-dichloropentene-1. Their NMR characteristics were determined to make possible the identification of these structural defects in PVC.     

Synthesis of corroles bearing up to three different meso substituents

[reaction: see text] We have developed a new method that affords regioisomerically pure corroles possessing up to three different substituents at the meso positions. The corrole formation reaction involves the acid-catalyzed condensation of a dipyrromethane-dicarbinol with pyrrole followed by oxidation with DDQ. ABC-Type corroles were synthesized for the first time according to this procedure.