Thermochemical Analysis of Cyanoethyl Ethers of Cellulose Blended with Polyacrylonitrile

Thermochemical reactions of cyanoethyl ethers of cellulose with polyacrylonitrile in the temperature range of its cyclization were studied.__________Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Khimii, Vol. 78, No. 4, 2005, pp. 652–654.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Sazanov, Kutsenko, Novoselova.     

Role for bound water and CH-pi aromatic interactions in photosynthetic electron transfer

Photosystem I (PSI) is one of two photosynthetic reaction centers present in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria and catalyzes the reduction of ferredoxin and the oxidation of cytochrome c or plastocyanin. The PSI primary chlorophyll donor, which is oxidized in the primary electron-transfer events, is a heterodimer of chl a and a' called P700. It has been suggested that protein relaxation accompanies light-induced electron transfer in this reaction center (Dashdorj, N.; Xu, W.; Martinsson, P.; Chitnis, P. R.; Savikhin, S. Biophys. J. 2004, 86, 3121. Kim, S.; Sacksteder, C. A.; Bixby, K. A.; Barry, B. A. Biochemistry 2001, 40, 15384). To investigate the details of electron transfer and relaxation events in PSI, we have employed several experimental approaches. First, we report a pH-dependent viscosity effect on P700+ reduction; this result suggests a role for proton transfer in the PSI electron-transfer reactions. Second, we find that changes in hydration alter the rate of P700+ reduction and the interactions of P700 with the protein environment. This result suggests a role for bound water in electron transfer to P700+. Third, we present evidence that deuteration of the tyrosine aromatic side chain perturbs the vibrational spectrum, associated with P700+ reduction. We attribute this result to a linkage between CH-pi interactions and electron transfer to P700+.     

Free radicals in electrochemical reduction of 3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridines with nitrophenyl groups in positions 2, 4, and 6

In the electrochemical reduction of 2,6-bis- and 2,4,6-tris(nitrophenyl) derivatives of 3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridine, in the first stage, one of the para-nitrophenyl groups in position 2 or 6 of the heterocycle is reduced. Free radicals have been obtained and identified, the primary species being ion radicals of the nitrophenyl type. The presence of the heterocycle in the molecule of the 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative stabilizes secondary free radicals of the nitrosophenyl type. In the process of electrochemical reduction, no evidence has been found of any intramolecular transfer of electrons or protons from the dihydropyridine part of the molecule to the nitrophenyl groups. Derivatives of 2,6-bis(p-nitrophenyl)-3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridine have been synthesized, and the oxidation and methylation of these derivatives have been studied.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 481–487, April, 1991.     

Quantification of tryptamine in brain using high-performance liquid chromatography

The concentration of endogenously formed tryptamine in central nervous system tissue was determined after extraction into ethyl acetate, purification on a weak cation-exchange resin and analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorometric detection. Final chromatographic separation of this indoleamine was achieved using a muBondapak C18 reversed-phase column under isocratic conditions. Using this method, the concentration of tryptamine in the whole brain of normal rats was found to be 0.60 +/- 0.06 ng/g of tissue, while pretreatment with dl-p-chlorophenylalanine, tranylcypromine and l-tryptophan increased the concentration to 96.7 +/- 21.9 ng/g.     

2-(1-Chloroalkyl)furans in the reaction with sodium diethyl phosphite

2-(1-Chloroethyl) and 2-(1-chloro-2-methylpropyl)furans react with sodium diethyl phosphite to give two products, 2-(1-diethoxyphosphorylmethyl)furan and 2-alkyl-5-(diethoxyphosphoryloxy)furan. The fraction of the latter product increases with increasing size of the alkyl radical. 2-Methyl substitution in the substrate completely suppresses phosphate formation. 2-(1-Chloroethyl)-5-(2-methylpropyl)furan under the action of sodium diethyl phosphite eliminates hydrogen chloride to give the corresponding alkene.     

The Auger electron spectrum of water vapour

The Auger electron spectrum of water vapour has been recorded and analyzed. For the analysis, an approximate formula for calculating the intensities of the Auger electron lines is derived. It is shown, that the calculated intensities along with theoretical energies of the Auger transitions account well for the observed spectrum. In particular, new assignments in terms of transitions to triplet final states are suggested.     

Synthesis and transformations of 2-(2-furyl)-and 2-[β;-(2-furyl)vinyl]naphth[1,2-d]imidazoles

The corresponding 2-(2-furyl)naphth[1,2-d]imidazoles were obtained by heating Schiff bases, prepared from 1,2-naphthalenediamine and furfural and 5-bromo- and 5-nitrofurfurals, in nitrobenzene. 2-[-(2-Furyl)vinyl]naphth[1,2-d]imidazoles were synthesized by condensation of 2-methylnaphth[1,2-d]imidazole with furfural and 5-bromo- and 5-nitrofurfural. The methylation, nitration, and acetylation of the compounds obtained were studied, and the replacement of the bromine atom in the furan ring by a nitro group was also investigated.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, pp. 1555–1557, November, 1972.     

Polymerization of acrylonitrile with VCl4–Al(C2H5)3 catalyst system in presence of acetonitrile

The polymerization of acrylonitrile with the homogeneous catalyst system of VCl₄–AlEt₃ in acetonitrile at 40°C has been investigated. The rate of polymerization is found to be first-order with respect to monomer and inversely proportional to the catalyst concentration. The overall activation energy for this catalyst system is 10.97 kcal/mole. The inverse proportionality of rate of polymerization with the catalyst concentration is attributed to the permanent complex formation between the catalyst complex and acrylonitrile, and a reaction scheme is proposed.     

Sodium aluminum hydride reduction of organic compounds in hydrocarbon media

Summary The reduction of complex esters and carbonyl compounds in hydrocarbon media by aluminum hydrides of the alkali metals results in the formation of the corresponding alcohol in high yield. The reduction of nitriles proceeds with the formation of primary amines.