Searching of chemical structure data bases with parallel computer hardware

The use of two types of parallel computer hardware for increasing the efficiency of processing in chemical structure data bases is discussed. The distributed array processor can be used for the clustering of 2-D chemical structure data bases by using the Jarvis—Patrick clustering method and for the ranking of output in an experimental system for substructure searching in the 3-D macromolecules in the Protein Data Bank. The Inmos transputer can be used in the construction of PC-based systems for 2-D substructure searching and in the identification of the maximal substructures common to pairs of 3-D molecules.     

Monitoring of sources of clinical exposure to nickel

Due to the widespread uses of Ni and Ni alloys, patients undergoing medical treatments can experience inadvertent exposure to the metal, present as a contaminant in fluids for intravenous administration or released from surgical implants and other medical devices. Because of the risk of acute allergic reactions in Ni-sensitive subjects, sources of metal exposure within medical care and its concentrations in biological fluids of potentially exposed patients should be periodically monitored, using reliable analytical procedures, which include strict measures of contamination control. The results of a recent survey on the concentrations of Ni and other potentially toxic metals in human albumin solutions are reported.     

Asymmetric induction in mixed [2 + 2] photoadditions employing a chiral auxiliary in the alkene component

Asymmetric induction was achieved in the photoaddition of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone to optically active enoates 1a–c and the absolute configuration of the major adduct was determined.     

Splicing I: Using mixed basis sets in ab initio calculations

The effect of mixing (or “splicing”) extended and minimal basis sets on molecular properties such as geometries, Mulliken charges, dipoles, and internal rotation barriers was studied for several test molecules. The effect is gauged by comparison with full extended basis set calculations. It is found that splicing improves most properties relative to full minimal basis set calculations, and little accuracy is lost if the splicing is done in a judicious manner.     

Quasilocalization of extra electrons in high density methane and ethane gases

The extent of electron quasilocalization in the high density gases is greater in ethane than in methane. However, the density required for quasilocalization in methane is n/n_c > 0.1, while that in ethane is n/n_c > 0.4, where n_c is the critical density. The mobilities in methane and ethane cross at n = 6 × 10²¹ molecules/cm³, in the respective fluids along their vapor/liquid coexistence curves.     

ABNORMAL EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE AMERICAN SEA URCHIN FOLLOWING ILLUMINATION OF GAMETES WITH VISIBLE LIGHT FROM A PHOTOTHERAPY UNIT

Abstract— The unfertilized oocytes and spermatozoa of the American sea urchin ( Arbacia punctulata ) were exposed to phototherapy lights in order to determine the effect of this treatment regimen on post-irradiation fertilization and embryonic development. Light treatment revealed dose-dependent abnormalities in fertilization and subsequent embryonic development.     

Dissociation behavior of doubly-charged tryptic peptides: correlation of gas-phase cleavage abundance with ramachandran plots

Analysis of fragmentation patterns from 5654 unique doubly charged tryptic peptides is obtained. Great variability of average relative abundance of bond cleavage is found between different amino acid combinations. There exist similarities as well as differences between b and y ions. Strong enhancement or suppression of cleavage gives insight into possible chemical interactions at reactive conformations formed by preferred phi-psi angles.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes of monodonor ligands: efficient reagents for asymmetric ketone hydrogenation

[Chemical reaction: See text] A series of BINOL-derived ligands have been prepared and incorporated into ruthenium(II) complexes containing a diamine ligand. The complexes have proven to be excellent catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of ketones, giving reduction products with enantiomeric excesses of up to 99%.     

CHLOROPHYLL ONE-ELECTRON PHOTOCHEMISTRY-II. PHOTOSENSITIZATION BY CHLOROPHYLL,PHEOPHYTIN AND BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL OF A ONE-ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTION BETWEEN ETHANOL AND QUINONE*

Abstract— Chlorophyll, pheophytin and bacteriochlorophyll sensitize a one-electron transfer in the presence of quinones in ethanol, to produce a ternary complex of ground state porphyrin analog, alcohol cation radical and semiquinone anion radical as the primary photo-product at low temperature. A similar photo-oxidation of alcohol to produce a binary complex is caused by direct excitation of quin-one in the absence of chlorophyll. The mechanisms of these reactions and their implications for photosynthesis are discussed.     

Regioselective ortho lithiation of halopyridines

Regioselective ortho lithiation of 2-, 3-, and 4-halopyridines is achieved with lithium diisopropylamide (?78°, tetrahydrofuran) to afford, upon quenching with electrophilic reagents, 2,3- and 3,4-disubstituted pyridines in good to excellent yield.