Mononucleotide recognition by cyclic trinuclear palladium(II) complexes containing 4,7-phenanthroline N,N bridges

Reaction of [(dach)Pd(NO3)2] entities (dach = (R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane, (S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) and 4,7-phenanthroline (phen) providing, respectively, 90 and 120 degrees bond angles, leads to the formation of two novel positively charged homochiral cyclic trinuclear metallacalix[3]arene species [((R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)Pd(phen)]3(NO3)6 (2a) and [((S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)Pd(phen)]3(NO3)6 (2b). These species have been characterised by 1)H NMR and X-ray diffraction methods (2b), showing that they possess accessible cavities suited for supramolecular recognition processes. We prove, indeed, from 1H NMR studies the inclusion of mononucleotides inside the cavity of the trinuclear species [(ethylenediamino)Pd(phen)]3(6+) (1), [((R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)Pd(phen)]3(6+) (2a) and [((S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)Pd(phen)]3(6+) (2b) in aqueous solution. Association constants (K(ass)) range from 85 +/- 6 M(-1) for the interaction between [(ethylenediamine)Pd(phen)]3(6+) and adenosine monophosphate to 37 +/- 4 M(-1) for the interaction between [(1,2-diaminocyclohexane)Pd(phen)]3(6+) and thymidine monophosphate. We invoke the synergy of electrostatic, anion-pi and pi-pi interactions to explain the recognition of mononucleotides inside the cavity of the metallacalix[3]arenes.     

Cyclic AMP and low molecular weight effector(s) present in yeast extract are involved in pectin lyase production by Penicillium griseoroseum cultured on sucrose

Pectin lyase (PL) induction by organic and inorganic components of yeast extract (YE) was evaluated in Penicillium griseoroseum, cultured in a mineral medium containing sucrose, by determining PL activity (A235) and mycelial growth (mycelial dry weight). The lowest YE concentration that promoted significant PL induction without acting as a carbon source for the fungus corresponded to 0.0075%. Neither calcined YE nor a nutrient solution containing micronutrients induced PL production, indicating that the inducer was an organic compound. Vitamins, phospholipid components, amino acids, and nitrogenous bases were tested in place of YE and promoted no significant PL induction. A PL inducer compound was found to be soluble in the nucleotide fraction obtained during extraction of YE. The inducer was shown to be a thermostable polar substance dialyzable at 2000 Daltons, hydrolyzable by HCl, and activated by boiling for up to 60 min. Cyclic AMP (cAMP) exogenously added to the culture medium at 5 and 10 mM was capable of inducing PL in P. griseoroseum grown on sucrose, suggesting that at least one compound may be present in YE acting in a cooperative fashion for the maintenance of high levels of cAMP into the cell. PL activity and the level of cAMP inside the fungal cells increased after the addition of YE to the culture medium, suggesting the participation of this messenger in this enzyme's synthesis.     

Comparative study on the use of Ir, W and Zr-coated graphite tubes for the determination of chromium in slurries of human scalp hair by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The use of Ir, W and Zr-coated graphite tubes, as permanent chemical modifiers, was studied for the determination of chromium in human scalp hair by ETAAS using the slurry sampling technique. The use of Mg(NO₃)₂ and Pd, as aqueous chemical modifiers, was also investigated and compared to the use of the permanent chemical modifiers. Scalp hair samples were pulverized using a Zr vibrational ball mill, (mean particle diameter of 0.8 μm) and suspended in ultrapure water. The lowest limit of detection, 44.5 μg kg^–1,was achieved for the use of W-coated graphite tubes. The repeatability of the overall procedures (slurry preparation and ETAAS determination) were 15.7, 14.5 and 16.7% for W- and Zr-coated graphite tubes and Mg(NO₃)₂, respectively. The methods were applied to several reference materials, CRM 397 (human hair), DOLT-1 (dogfish liver) and DORM-1 (dogfish muscle), and the results obtained were in agreement to the certified values. Finally, the methods were applied to several human scalp hair samples from healthy adults. Received: 3 April 1997 / Revised: 12 May 1997 / Accepted: 15 May 1997     

Isotope dilution analysis as a definitive tool for the speciation of organotin compounds

Different spike solutions available for the determination of butyltin compounds by isotope dilution analysis are described and applied for the determination of butyltin compounds in PACS-2 certified reference material. Additionally, those spike solutions were evaluated during the course of an interlaboratory exercise organised by the National Research Council of Canada and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (UK) in order to quantify tributyltin in a pilot sediment. The aim of this project was to evaluate the capabilities of isotope dilution mass spectrometry to reduce the uncertainty in the certification of Reference Materials for the speciation of organotin compounds. All participants were supplied with a 17Sn-enriched TBT solution from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (UK). In our case, we performed the analysis of the pilot sediment also using a 119Sn enriched spike (mixed mono-, di- and tributyltin) and a 118Sn-119Sn double spike. The use of these additional spike solutions not only allowed the determination of monobutyltin and dibutyltin in the pilot sediment but also the evaluation and correction of possible extraction-derived rearrangement reactions. An excellent agreement amongst our results and between the participants was obtained with a precision of 8.4% RSD at a level of ca. 80 ng TBT g(-1) (as Sn).     

Thermodynamics of the second-stage dissociation of n-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid in water from 5 to 55°c

The thermodynamic second dissociation constants of the protonated form of N-(2-acetamido)iminodiacetic acid were determined at 12 temperatures from 5–55°C by measurement of the electromotive force using a cell without liquid junction, with hydrogen and silver—silver bromide electrodes. At 25°C, pK₂is 6.844. The standard changes in Gibbs energy, enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity were derived from the change of the pK₂ values with temperature. At 25°C, ΔG° = 9335 cal mol^-1, ΔH° = 2928 cal mol^-1, ΔS^o = -21.5 cal K^-1 mol^-1, and ΔC°_p = -34 cal K^-1 mol^-1. The results are interpreted and compared with those of structurally related compounds.     

Solvent reorganization controls the rate of proton transfer from neat alcohol solvents to singlet diphenylcarbene

Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy was used to study singlet diphenylcarbene generated by photodissociation of diphenyldiazomethane with a UV pulse at 266 nm. Absorption by singlet diphenylcarbene was detected and characterized for the first time. Similar band shapes were observed in acetonitrile and in cyclohexane with lambda(max) approximately 370 nm. The singlet absorption decays by intersystem crossing to triplet diphenylcarbene at rates that agree with previous measurements. The singlet absorption band is completely formed 1 ps after the pump pulse. It is preceded by a strong and broad absorption band, which is tentatively assigned to excited-state absorption by a singlet diazo excited state. In neat alcohol solvents the growth and decay of the diphenylmethyl cation was observed. This species is formed by proton transfer from an alcohol molecule to singlet diphenylcarbene. Since a shell of solvent molecules surrounds each nascent carbene, the intrinsic rate of protonation in the absence of diffusion could be measured. In methanol, proton transfer occurs with a time constant of 9.0 ps, making this the fastest known intermolecular proton-transfer reaction to carbon. In O-deuterated methanol proton transfer occurs in 15.0 ps. Slower rates were observed in the longer alcohols. The protonation times correlate reasonably well with solvation times in these alcohols, suggesting that solvent fluctuations are the rate-limiting step. In all alcohols studied, the carbocations decay on a somewhat slower time scale to yield diphenylalkyl ethers. In methanol and ethanol the rate of decay is determined by reaction with neutral solvent nucleophiles. There is evidence in 2-propanol that geminate reaction within the initial ion pair is faster than reaction with solvent. No isotope effect was observed for the reaction of the diphenylmethyl carbocation in methanol. Using comparative actinometry the quantum yield of protonation was measured. In methanol, the quantum yield of carbocations reaches a maximum value of 0.18 approximately 18 ps after the pump pulse. According to our analysis, 30% of the photoexcited diazo precursor molecules are eventually protonated. Somewhat lower protonation efficiencies are observed in the other alcohols. Because the primary quantum yield for formation of singlet diphenylcarbene is still unknown, the importance of reaction channels that might exist in addition to protonation cannot be determined at present. Singlet carbenes are powerful, photogenerated bases that open new possibilities for fundamental studies of proton transfer in solution.     

Speciation of selenium in selenium-enriched shiitake mushroom, Lentinula edodes

The major selenium compound in an aqueous extract of the most popular mushroom in Eastern Asian countries, shiitake (Lentinula edodes), fortified with selenium (Se) was identified by means of hyphenated techniques, i.e. HPLC-inductively coupled argon plasma mass spectrometry and HPLC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC–ICP MS and HPLC–ESI MS). Sixty-eight per cent of the total Se in the selenized shiitake was extracted with water, and 49.8% of the Se in the water extract was eluted in the high molecular mass fraction (>40,000 kDa) before incubation at 37 °C. After incubation, 40.6% of the Se in the water extract was eluted in a lower molecular mass fraction and the Se eluted in the high molecular mass fraction had decreased to 14.0%, suggesting that the major selenium compound in the water extract was initially in a form bound to macromolecule(s) and was then enzymatically liberated from the macromolecule(s). The retention time of the liberated selenium compound in HPLC–ICP MS matched that of selenomethionine (SeMet), and the masses of molecular and fragment ions detected by HPLC–ESI MS also suggested that the selenium compound was SeMet. The selenized shiitake accumulated Se as SeMet, and SeMet might be bound to the water extractable high molecular mass protein(s).Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available for this article at     

Spectroscopy and coordination chemistry of a new bisnaphthalene-bisphenanthroline ligand displaying a sensing ability for metal cations

A new fluorescent macrocyclic structure (L1) bearing two naphthalene units at both ends of a cyclic polyaminic chain containing two phenanthroline units was investigated with potentiometric and fluorescence (steady-state and time-resolved) techniques. The fluorescence emission spectra show the simultaneous presence of three bands: a short wavelength emission band (naphthalene monomer), a middle emission band (phenanthroline emission), and a long-wavelength band. All three bands were found to be dependent on the protonation state of the macrocyclic unit (including the polyaminic and phenanthroline structures). The existence of the long-wavelength emission band is discussed and is shown to imply that a bending movement involving the two phenanthroline units leads to excimer formation. This is determined by comparison with the excimer emission formed by intermolecular association of 1,10-phenanthroline. With ligand L1, excimer formation occurs only at pH values above 4. At very acidic pH values, the protonation of the polyamine bridges is extensive leading to a rigidity of the system that precludes the bending movement. The interaction with metal cations Zn(II) and Cu(II) was also investigated. Excimer formation is, in these situations, increased with Zn(II) and decreased with Cu(II). The long-emission band is shown to present a different wavelength maximum, depending on the metal, which can be considered as a characteristic to validate the use of ligand L1 as a sensor for a given metal.     

Conformational behavior and coordination chemistry of 2,11-dithia[3.3]orthocyclophane with platinum group metals

The compound 2,11-dithia[3.3]orthocyclophane (L) is a mesocyclic dithioether that can act as a bidentate ligand in different conformations. In the ionic heteroleptic complexes [PtL(eta(4)-cod)][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (1), [RhL(eta(4)-cod)][CF(3)SO(3)] (2), and [IrL(eta(4)-cod)][CF(3)SO(3)] (3) (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), L is coordinated in the anti I conformation both in solution and in the solid state, as revealed by an X-ray diffraction study of complex 1. However, in complexes [PdL(PPh(3))(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (4) and [PtL(PPh(3))(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (5), L exhibits two different conformations: anti I and anti II in a 40:60 ratio, as observed by (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy, with no exchange up to 90 degrees C. The homoleptic complexes [PdL(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (6) and [PtL(2)][SO(3)CF(3)](2) (7), with two ligands bound to the metal, display two isomers in solution, one of them with L in conformations anti I-anti II and the other with conformations anti II-anti II with a 75:25 ratio. The X-ray structure of 6 showed only the presence of the anti II-anti II isomer in the solid state. All complexes were synthesized by the reaction of a suitable chloride complex with 2 equiv of silver triflate and 1 equiv of L.     

Protonation and coordination properties towards Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) of a phenanthroline-containing macrocycle with an ethylamino pendant arm

Protonation and Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination with the ligand 5-aminoethyl-2,5,8-triaza-[9]-10,23-phenanthrolinophane (L2), which contains an aminoethyl pendant attached to a phenanthroline-containing macrocycle, have been investigated by means of potentiometric, 1H NMR and spectrofluorimetric titrations in aqueous solutions. The coordination properties of L2 are compared with those of the ligand 2,5,8-triaza-[9]-10,23-phenanthrolinophane (L1). Ligand protonation occurs on the aliphatic amine groups and does not involve directly the heteroaromatic nitrogens. The fluorescence emission properties of L2 are controlled by the protonation state of the benzylic nitrogens: when not protonated, their lone pairs are available for an electron transfer process to the excited phenanthroline, quenching the emission. As a consequence, the ligand is emissive only in the highly charged [H3L2]3+ and [H4L2]4+ species, where the benzylic nitrogens are protonated. Considering metal complexation, both [ML1]2+ and [ML2]2+ complexes (M = Zn(II) and Cd(II)) are not emissive, since the benzylic nitrogens are weakly involved in metal coordination, and, once again, they are available for quenching the fluorescence emission. Protonation of the L2 complexes to give [MHL2]3+ species, instead, leads to a recovery of the fluorescence emission. Complex protonation, in fact, occurs on the ethylamino group and gives a marked change of the coordination sphere of the metals, with a stronger involvement in metal coordination of the benzylic nitrogens; consequently, their lone pairs are not available for the process of emission quenching.