An alternative efficient redox couple for the dye-sensitized solar cell system

A series of new cobalt complexes [Co(LLL)(2)X(2)] were synthesized and evaluated as redox mediators for dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO(2) solar cells. The structure of the ligand and the nature of the counterions were found to influence the photovoltaic performance. The one-electron-transfer redox mediator [Co(dbbip)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (dbbip = 2,6-bis(1'-butylbenzimidazol-2'-yl)pyridine) performed best among the compounds investigated. Photovoltaic cells incorporating this redox mediator yielded incident photon-to-current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) of up to 80%. The overall yield of light-to-electric power conversion reached 8 % under simulated AM1.5 sunlight at 100 W m(-2) intensity and more than 4% at 1000 W m(-2). Photoelectrodes coated with a 2 microm thick nanoporous layer and a 4 microm thick light-scattering layer, sensitized with a hydrophobic ruthenium dye, gave the best results.     

Chemoenzymatic approach to enantiopure streptogramin B variants: characterization of stereoselective pristinamycin I cyclase from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis

Streptogramin B antibiotics are cyclic peptide natural products produced by Streptomyces species.In combination with the synergistic group A component, they are "last line of defense" antimicrobial agents against multiresistant cocci. The racemization sensitivity of the phenylglycine (Phg(7)) ester is a complex challenge in total chemical synthesis of streptogramin B molecules. To provide fast and easy access to novel streptogramin antibiotics, we introduce a novel chemoenzymatic strategy in which diversity is generated by standard solid phase protocols and stereoselectivity by subsequent enzymatic cyclization. For this approach, we cloned, overproduced, and biochemically characterized the recombinant thioesterase domain SnbDE TE of the pristinamycin I nonribosomal peptide synthetase from Streptomyces pristinaespiralis. SnbDE TE catalyzes regioselective ring closure of linear peptide thioester analogues of pristinamycin I as well as stereoselective cyclization out of complex in situ racemizing substrate mixtures, enabling synthesis of Streptogramin B variants via a dynamic kinetic resolution assay. A remarkable substrate tolerance was detected for the enzymatic cyclization including all the seven positions of the peptide backbone. Interestingly, SnbDE TE was observed to be the first cyclase from a macrolactone forming NRPS which is additionally able to catalyze macrolactamization of peptide thioester substrates. An N-methylated peptide bond between positions 4 and 5 is mandatory for a high substrate turnover. The presented strategy is potent to screen for analogues with improved activity and guides our understanding of structure--activity relationships in the important class of streptogramin antibiotics.     

Synthesis and derivatization of daptomycin: a chemoenzymatic route to acidic lipopeptide antibiotics

Daptomycin is a branched cyclic nonribosomally assembled acidic lipopeptide, which is the first clinically approved antibiotic of this class. Here we show that the recombinant cyclization domain of the Streptomyces coelicolor calcium-dependent antibiotic (CDA) nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) is a versatile tool for the chemoenzymatic generation of daptomycin derivatives. Linear CDA undecapeptide thioesters with single exchanges at six daptomycin-specific residues were successfully cyclized by CDA cyclase. Simultaneous incorporation of all six of these residues into the peptide backbone and elongation of the N-terminus of CDA by two residues yielded a daptomycin derivative that lacked only the beta-methyl group of l-3-methylglutamate. Bioactivity studies with several substrate analogues revealed a significant role of nonproteinogenic constituents for antibacterial potency. In accordance with acidic lipopeptides, the bioactivity of the chemoenzymatic assembled daptomycin analogue is dependent on the concentration of calcium ions. Single deletions of the four acidic residues in the peptide backbone suggest that only two aspartic acid residues are essential for antimicrobial potency. These two residues are strictly conserved among other nonribosomal acidic lipopeptides and the EF-motif of ribosomally assembled calmodulin. Based on these findings CDA cyclase is a versatile catalyst that can be used to generate novel daptomycin derivatives that are otherwise difficult to obtain by chemical modification of the parental tridecapeptide to improve further its therapeutic activity.     

Negatively charged hyperbranched polyether-based polyelectrolytes

The preparation of carboxylated hyperbranched polyglycerols of narrow polydispersity was achieved by modification (78–90%) of the hydroxyl end groups via Michael addition of acrylonitrile, followed by hydrolysis. High conversion could only be achieved for low molecular weight starting materials (520 and 1,030 g mol⁻¹). The solution properties of the resulting materials were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), showing the formation of large aggregates with size depending on the pH value. After deposition on a negatively charged mica surface, the structures observed by atomic force microscope (AFM) show the coexistence of aggregates and single macromolecules. Most interesting, in the case of the lower molecular weight sample (PG 520 g mol⁻¹), extended and ordered terrace structures were formed, which are unprecedented for hyperbranched polymers and are of interest for surface modification in general.     

Practical asymmetric enzymatic reduction through discovery of a dehydrogenase-compatible biphasic reaction media

[reaction: see text] An enzyme-compatible biphasic reaction media for the asymmetric biocatalytic reduction of ketones with in situ cofactor regeneration has been developed. In this biphasic reaction media, which is advantageous for reactions at higher substrate concentrations, both enzymes (alcohol dehydrogenase and FDH from Candida boidinii) remain stable. The reductions with poorly water-soluble ketones were carried out at substrate concentrations of 10-200 mM, and the optically active (S)-alcohols were formed with moderate to good conversions and with up to >99% ee.     

Synthesis of a Naphthalimide Functionalized Calix[4]arene; A Host Type Fluorophore for Inclusion Compounds in Organic Medium

This article reports the synthesis and the properties of 5,11,17,23-tetra(t-butyl)-25,27-bis-(ethoxy-1,8-naphthalimide)-26,28-hidroxy-calix[4]arene and the formation of an inclusion compound in organic medium. This functionalized calix[4]arene was conceived as the association of a potential host species with a good fluorophore for optical sensoring purposes. Calix[4]-NI as we will call it, maintains its ‘cone-pinched’ configuration and exhibits typical naphthalimide fluorescence bands in non-polar solvents. Its ability to interact with guest species via hydrogen bonding in its endo-hydrophilic cavity to form inclusion compounds was verified with absorption and fluorescence measurements using N-ethanol-1,8-naphthalimide as guest species, which was projected to fit exactly the host cavity and to interact with its naphthalimide π electrons. For this reason, it was possible to follow the formation of the inclusion compound with electronic spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and properties of niobia films derived from niobium pentaethoxide

The hydrolysis of niobium pentaethoxide precursor in the presence of triethylamine (TEA) is discussed. Three precursors with TEA/Nb(OEt)₅ mole ratios of 0.25, 0.4 and 0.8 were prepared. Niobia colloids with different appearance were obtained after autoclaving the above precursors at 250°C during 12 h. The surface roughness and microstructure of niobia films prepared with the colloids by spread coating method are strongly dependent on the TEA/Nb(OEt)₅ mole ratio. At a value of 0.4 TEA/Nb(OEt)₅ mole ratio, a niobia film with large surface roughness can be achieved. It is opaque and mechanically stable and has differently ordered needle microstructure. The crystalline structure and photoelectrochemical property of niobia film with the largest surface roughness were examined. The effect of CO₂ gas bubbling, reflux and addition of 2-methoxyethanol on the hydrolysis of Nb(OEt)₅ and the nature of the Nb₂O₅ films is also discussed.     

[O9,24] [2.1.2.1] metacyclophane-9-ene,a “twin cyclophane”, and its dehydrogenation products - synthesis structure determination and 1H-NMR-spectroscopy

The synthesis of [O⁹,24] [2.1.2.1]metacyclophane-9-ene and of its dehydrogenation products^the new pyrenocyclophanes $\text{8}$, $\text{10}$, $\text{11}$, and $\text{12}$, is described; their structures are discussed in connection with their ¹H-NMR-spectra.     

Comparison between radioimmunoanalysis and Mancini methods for a case of ascorbic acid radioprotection on rats contaminated with tritiated water

The recovery of humoral immune response has been comparatively studied by a radioimmunoanalysis (RIA) method and by Mancini single immunoradial diffusion method in an experiment consisting in chronic contamination with low doses of tritiated water (HTO) and oral administration of high doses of ascorbic acid on rats as radioprotector. The radioprotective effect of ascorbic acid was found to be dependent both on the radiation dose and the amount of ascorbic acid administered.     

Sodium and Calcium Laurylamidomethylsulfate: Aqueous Micellar Phases, Their Properties, and a Precipitate of Vesicles

A new anionic surfactant (M-LAMS) that is capable of forming intermolecular hydrogen bonds was investigated. Inverse solubilities of Na and Ca salts were found. Critical micelle concentration and aggregation behavior were determined by surface tension, light scattering, electric birefringence, and SANS measurements. It is found that the Na salt forms globular micelles while the Ca salt forms rodlike micelles. The phase behavior of the micellar solutions with increasing cosurfactant concentration was also studied. It is observed that 100 mM Na-LAMS solutions in the presence of 100 mM CaCl(2) undergo several phase transformations with increasing n-hexanol concentration. We found not only the expected micellar L(1) phase and a lamellar phase at concentrations quite low for this kind of system, but also a novel phase: At a cosurfactant/surfactant ratio x(C) of 1.2 a white precipitate is formed at the bottom of the sample. With increasing ratio x(C) the precipitate dissolves into a liquid crystalline L(alpha) phase that at x(C)=3.2 is transformed into an L(3) or sponge phase. Investigation by FF-TEM, light microscopy, and SANS shows that the precipitate consists of agglomerated polydisperse multilamellar vesicles. The vesicles consist of densely packed bilayers that contain little water. The bilayer thickness is about 20 ? and independent of its composition whereas the interlamellar distance is strikingly linked to concentrations of cosurfactant (surfactant/cosurfactant ratio) and electrolyte. With increasing cosurfactant content, the bilayers become less rigid and resulting thermal undulations force the membranes apart and weaken their interactions until a common L(alpha) phase is formed. This transition is an example of a bonding-nonbonding transition of membranes. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.