Analysis of spin states, spin barriers, and trans-effects involved in the coordination and stabilization of dinitrogen by biomimetic iron complexes

Coordination of dinitrogen to Sellmann-type iron (II) complexes in a sulfur-dominated coordination sphere, which emulates the environment of iron centers in the FeMo-cofactor of nitrogenase, is analyzed with respect to spin states, spin barriers, and the effect of trans-ligands. Such detailed investigations became only recently feasible when the reliability of density functional methods, which are the only quantum chemical methods capable of describing large transition metal complexes, could significantly be improved for the calculation of energies for states of different spin. It is found that the actual binding energy of dinitrogen is of sufficient magnitude for a reasonably strong fixation of N₂ by Sellmann-type coordination compounds. However, potential fixation is determined by additional factors which reduce the binding energy. One factor is the change in spin state of the N₂-free metal fragment, which lowers the total energy and quenches the thermodynamic stabilization effect of the binding energy. In addition, the metal fragment rearranges and gains even more stabilization energy for the un-coordinated state. Apart from these thermodynamical effects, the existence of spin barriers, which must be overcome upon binding of dinitrogen, leads to kinetical effects, which cannot be neglected.     

A nonenzymic model for the coenzyme B12-dependent isomerization of methylmalonyl-SCoA to suiccinyl-SCoA

Dimethyl bromomethylmalonate (IV) reacts with vitamin B_12s in aqueous solution yielding a relatively unstable carbon-cobalt bonded adduct V, which shows visible spectra in good accord with expectation. The adduct V was allowed to decompose in water, in the dark, at room temperature and at physiological pH. Three products: succinic acid (VI), methylmalonic acid (VIII) and malonic acid (VII) were formed in 3, 18, and 13% yields respectively. Isolation of the succinic acid rearrangement product provides support for the intermediacy of the carbon-cobalt bond in the coenzyme B₁₂ dependent enzymic carbon-skeleton rearrangement of methylmalonyl-SCoA to succinyl-SCoA.     

Analysis of functional groups on the surface of plasma-treated carbon nanofibers

Plasma chemically modified carbon nanofibers were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy with regard to the content of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and the contribution of carboxylic groups or ester, carbonyl and hydroxylic groups or ether on the surface. Unfortunately, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy only provides an average value of the first 10 to 15 molecular layers. For comparison, depth profiles were measured and wet chemical methods were applied to estimate the thickness of the functionalized layer and the distribution of oxygen-containing functional groups within the near-surface layers. The results indicate that the fiber surface is covered by a monomolecular oxygen-containing layer and that plasma treatment allows a complete oxygen functionalization of the uppermost surface layer. The best conditions for plasma treatment found within the set of parameters applied to generate complete functionalization are: plasma gas O(2)/Ar ratio 1:1, gas pressure 1-1.5 hPa, plasma power 80 W, treatment time >or= 5 min. Additionally, three quick and easy methods are presented to estimate the efficiency of plasma treatment with regard to surface functionalization: pyrolysis, contact angle measurements, and light permeability measurements of aqueous carbon nanofiber suspensions.     

Polysulfonylamine. CLX [1] Kristallstrukturen von Metall‐di(methansulfonyl)amiden. 10 [2] Die dreidimensionalen Koordinationspolymere M[(CH3SO2)2N] mit M = Kalium,Rubidium, Caesium (isotype Strukturen für M = K,Rb)

Polysulfonylamines. CLX. Crystal Structures of Metal Di(methanesulfonyl)amides. 10. The Three‐Dimensional Coordination Polymers M[(CH₃SO₂)₂N], where M is Potassium, Rubidium, Cesium (Isotypic Structures for M = K, Rb) Low‐temperature X‐ray crystal structures are reported for KA (monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, Z′ = 1), RbA (isotypic and isostructural with KA), and CsA (monoclinic, P2₁/n, Z′ = 1), where A^— denotes the anion obtained by deprotonation of the strong nitrogen acid (MeSO₂)₂NH. In KA and RbA, the anion is distorted into a rare C₁ conformation, whereas the standard C₂ conformation is retained in the cesium complex. The structures consist of three‐dimensional coordination networks, in which each cation adopts an irregular (O₆N)‐heptacoordination by forming close contacts to one (O, N)‐chelating, one (O, O)‐chelating and three κ¹O‐bonding ligands; however, the coordination number for Cs⁺ is effectively increased to 8 by a very short Cs···Cs contact distance of 422.5 pm. The crystal packings of the isotypic compounds KA and RbA display lamellar layer substructures that involve six independent ligand‐metal bonds and comprise an internal cation lamella and peripheral regions built up from anion monolayers; the 3D framework is completed by one independent M—O bond cross‐linking the layer substructures. In contrast, CsA features anion monolayers that intercalate planar zigzag chains of cations (Cs···Cs alternatingly 422.5 and 487.5 pm, Cs···Cs···Cs 135.7°), whereby each chain is surrounded and coordinated by four anion stacks and each anion stack connects two cation chains. All structures exhibit close C—H···A interanion contacts consistent with weak hydrogen bonding.     

Stereochemistry and bonding in N-substituted-2-phenyl-3-cyanoaziridines

A series of ten N-alkyl(aralkyl)-2-phenyl-3-cyanoaziridines has been synthesized to continue investigations of the molecular stereochemistry and bonding of functionalized aziridines. Substantial spectroscopic evidence is presented which indicates the presence of stereoselective hyperconjugation between the phenyl and nitrile groups and the aziridine ring. The ¹H and ¹³C nmr chemical shifts are rationalized in terms of the interactions of the substituents on the aziridine ring, and how these interactions vary with the steric bulk of the nitrogen substituents. Various stereoselective coupling constants (¹H-¹H and ¹³C-¹H) are also reported.     

Specific and sensitive determination of medroxyprogesterone acetate in human serum by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

The mass fragmentographic determination of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) in serum, using as internal standard medroxyprogesterone propionate (MPP) synthesized from MPA, is described. After addition of MPP, the sera are extracted on Sep-Pak C18 cartridges and MPA and MPP are detected as their respective 3-enol trifluoroacyl esters. Serum samples from 84 patients with breast cancer, daily receiving MPA orally, were determined showing a large variation in MPA concentrations (4-349 ng/ml). Our proposed gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) method, which can be considered as a reference, was compared with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) method showing a correlation coefficient of 0.73 (n = 69; p much less than 0.001). The assay was also used to determine sequential serum levels of patients receiving a single oral dose of MPA. With only minor adjustments, the GC-MS method allows the determination of serum concentrations of related steroids such as megestrol acetate and cyproterone acetate.     

Characterization of a putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenase provides new insight into the role of the active site architecture

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are known for their high rates of hydrogen turnover, and are intensively studied in the context of biotechnological applications. Evolution has generated a plethora of different subclasses with widely different characteristics. The M2e subclass is phylogenetically distinct from previously characterized members of this enzyme family and its biological role is unknown. It features significant differences in domain- and active site architecture, and is most closely related to the putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Here we report the first comprehensive biochemical and spectroscopical characterization of an M2e enzyme, derived from Thermoanaerobacter mathranii. As compared to other [FeFe]-hydrogenases characterized to-date, this enzyme displays an increased H₂ affinity, higher activation enthalpies for H⁺/H₂ interconversion, and unusual reactivity towards known hydrogenase inhibitors. These properties are related to differences in active site architecture between the M2e [FeFe]-hydrogenase and “prototypical” [FeFe]-hydrogenases. Thus, this study provides new insight into the role of this subclass in hydrogen metabolism and the influence of the active site pocket on the chemistry of the H-cluster.

Characterization of a group D putative sensory [FeFe]-hydrogenase reveals how the active site can be tuned to decrease CO inhibition and increase stability of a reduced H-cluster while retaining the ability to catalyze H⁺/H₂ interconversion.