PHOTOKINETIC ASPECTS OF SPECIFIC HYDROGEN BONDING IN ALL-TRANS RETINAL AT ROOM TEMPERATURE

Room-temperature hydrogen-bonding of all- trans retinal (ATR) with 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in cyclohexane results in fluorescence enhancement and triplet yield quenching; these effects, as well as the associated absorption spectral changes in both ground and triplet states and the kinetics of H-bonding in the triplet state, have been studied by steady-state absorption-emission and laser flash-photolytic transient measurements. The fluorescence enhancement is predominantly controlled by the H-bonding in the ground state (static interaction) and gives a value of 440 M ^-1 for the corresponding equilibrium constant which is very similar to the value (420 M ^-1) obtained from the analysis of absorption spectral data as a function of [HFIP˜. The quantum yield of triplet occupation (ø_T) of the H-bonded complex, ATR-HFIP, in cyclohexane is non-negligible and is about one-third of ø_T of free ATR. The kinetic data of H-bonding equilibration in the triplet state, observable on a nanosecond time scale, indicate that the triplet ATR is a stronger base than the ground state as far as H-bonding with HFIP is concerned.     

Photooxidation of Methionine Derivatives by the 4-Carboxybenzophenone Triplet State in Aqueous Solution. Intracomplex Proton Transfer Involving the Amino Group

Abstract— Oxidation of the triplet state of 4-carboxybenzophenone (CB) by a series of five substituted methionines and three methionine-containing dipeptides was monitored under laser flash photolysis conditions in aqueous solution. Spectral resolution techniques were employed to follow the concentration profiles of the intermediates formed from the quenching events. From these concentration profiles, quantum yields for the intermediates were determined. Branching ratios were evaluated for the decay of the charge-transfer complex by the competing processes of back electron transfer, proton transfer and escape of radical ions. The relative prominence of these processes was discussed in terms of the proton-transfer tendencies of the nominal sulfur-radical-cationic species. A systematic decrease was observed in the quantum yields for the escape of radical ions along with a correlated increase in the proton-transfer yields. The enhanced propensity of the sulfur radical cations to depro-tonate is due to deprotonation at the carbons adjacent to the sulfur-cationic site and at the unsubstituted amino groups when present. This scheme was supported by an observed decrease in the yields of dimeric sulfur radical cations with an increase in the electron-withdrawing abilities of the substituents, making the radical-cationic species stronger acids. The involvement of protons on the amino groups was implicated by the correlation of the quantum yields of ketyl radical formation in the photochemistry experiments with the rate constants for the reaction of the CB radical anion with the sulfur-containing substrates in pulse radiolysis experiments.     

Hydrogen-deuterium exchange in bulk LiBH4

Because of its apparent simplicity, diffusion of hydrogen in solids can be regarded as a general model system for diffusion. However, only rudimentary knowledge exists for the dynamics of hydrogen in complex hydrides. Insight into the specific diffusion process is given by hydrogen-deuterium exchange experiments. Thermogravimetry and Raman spectroscopy are used to measure the hydrogen-deuterium exchange during the decomposition of LiBH4. At a temperature of 523 K the self-diffusion constant of deuterium in LiBH4 is estimated to be D approximately 7 x 10(-14) m(2) s(-1). A careful analysis of the Raman spectra shows that hydrogen is statistically exchanged by deuterium in LiBH4; i.e., the diffusing species is assumed to be the single hydrogen atom.     

Valuations on Convex Sets of Oriented Hyperplanes

We discuss valuations on convex sets of oriented hyperplanes in ^d. For d = 2, we prove an analogue of Hadwigers characterization theorem for continuous, rigid motion invariant valuations.     

Mimicking the biomolecular control of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal growth: effect of contiguous glutamic acids

Scanning confocal interference microscopy (SCIM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were used to investigate the adsorption of the synthetic polypeptide poly(l-glutamic acid) (poly-glu) to calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystals and its effect on COM formation. At low concentrations (1 μg/mL), poly-glu inhibits growth most effectively in ?001? directions, indicating strong interactions of the polypeptide with {121} crystal faces. Growth in ?010? directions was inhibited only marginally by 1 μg/mL poly-glu, while growth in ?100? directions did not appear to be affected. This suggests that, at low concentrations, poly-glu inhibits lattice-ion addition to the faces of COM in the order {121} > {010} ≥ {100}. At high concentrations (6 μg/mL), poly-glu resulted in the formation of dumbbell-shaped crystals featuring concave troughs on the {100} faces. The effects on crystal growth indicate that, at high concentrations, poly-glu interacts with the faces of COM in the order {100} > {121} > {010}. This mirrors MD simulations, which predicted that poly-glu will adsorb to a {100} terrace plane (most calcium-rich) in preference to a {121} (oblique) riser plane but will adsorb to {121} riser plane in preference to an {010} terrace plane (least calcium-rich). The effects of different poly-glu concentration on COM growth (1-6 μg/mL) may be due to variations between the faces in terms of growth mechanism and/or (nano)roughness, which can affect surface energy. In addition, 1 μg/mL might not be adequate to reach the critical concentration for poly-glu to significantly pin step movement on {100} and {010} faces. Understanding the mechanisms involved in these processes is essential for the development of agents to reduce recurrence of kidney stone disease.