The role of post-translational modification in the photoregulation of Fe-type nitrile hydratase

The inactive, nitrosyl bound form of Fe-type nitrile hydratase (NHase) contains two active site cysteine residues that are post-translationally modified to sulfenate (SO-) and sulfinate (SO2-) ligands. DFT and INDO/S calculations support the hypothesis that these unusual modifications play a key role in modulating the electronic absorption spectra and photoreactivity of the Fe(III) centre in the enzyme.     

An iodine-123 generator/iodination kit: A preliminary report

Preliminary results are described of a¹²³Xe filled device to serve as a combination¹²³I generator/iodination kit.¹²³X was produced in the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) by the reaction¹²⁷I(p, 5n)¹²³Xe. The device consists of a small glass ampoule containing an internal glass breakseal and a flanged neck on which was crimped a multi-injection type septum. The ampoule contained a hydrogen sulfide atmosphere to assure that the iodine generated from the decay of the xenon was in the form of iodide. Following an adequate period for¹²³Xe to decay (this period can be used for shipment), a needle is forced through the septum breaking the seal and residual gases are pumped off. The¹²³I in the form of iodide can then be rinsed from the ampoule with any desired solvent or reagent added directly to the device to carry out an iodination in an enclosed environment. Preliminary results of both iodine recovery and iodinations have been promising. This research was supported by the US Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-ACO2-76CH0016.     

Indium(III) one-dimensional polymers with pyrazine and pyrazine, 2-carboxylic acid as the spacer molecules

The reactions of indium(III) chloride tetrahydrate with pyrazine (C₄H₄N₂) and pyrazine, 2-carboxylic acid afford two polymeric frameworks, the structures of which were characterized in the solid state by single crystal analysis. The former is a one-dimensional infinite structure interlinked by the pyrazine spacer, while the latter is a one-dimensional ‘zigzag’ polymeric structure. A dimeric indium(III) pyrazine complex is also reported.     

Structural studies in main group chemistry : XIX. Organotin(IV) derivatives of tetracyanoethylene, 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane and 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoquinone. The isolation of stable organotin-substituted radicals

The reaction of organotin chlorides with the lithium salt of 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) or hexaalkylditins with TCNQ yield stable organotin-substituted free radicals of the types R₃SnTCNQ^. (R = Me, n-Pr, n-Bu) and Me₂Sn(TCNQ^.)₂. The reaction of hexaphenylditin with TCNQ yields a (σ → π) charge transfer complex of stoichiometry (Ph₃SnSnPh₃)·TCNQ, whilst [Me₂SnCl(terpyridyl)⁺](TCNQ^-·) was isolated from the reaction of [Me₂SnCl(terpyridlyl)⁺][Me₂SnCl₃^-] and LiTCNQ. The oxidation of hexaalkylditins by tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) yields stable free radicals of the type R₃SnTCNE·, but treatment with 2,3,5,6-tetrachlorobenzoquinone yields either R₃SnOC₆Cl₄O·-p (R = Me) or R₃SnOC₆Cl₄OSnR₃-p (R = n-Bu, Ph). Tin-119 Mössbauer spectroscopy shows that the derivatives R₃SnTCNQ· and R₃TCNE· have trigonally-bipyramidally coordinated tin with planar [SnC₃] skeletons and bridging [TCNQ·] and [TCNE·] groups forming infinite one-dimensional chain structures. Me₃SnOC₆Cl₄O·-p was inferred to possess a similar structure but with oxy bridges forming chains with a Sn---O---Sn---O backbone. Me₂Sn(TCNQ·)₂ has a structure intermediate between tetrahedral and octahedral with a non-linear MeSnMe unit and anisobidentate chelation by two TCNQ groups. The TCNQ derivatives were of two types: (i) “green” or “brown”, indicative of delocalisation of the Ione electron over the cyanoquinone ligand, and (ii) a “blue” form in which spin-pairing of the Ione electron between adjacent organic groups takes place. Me₃SnTCNQ· may exist in both forms depending upon the mode of preparation.     

Neutral solvent/crown ether interactions 3. Reorientation of the hydrogen bonds in the low temperature (−150°C) structure of 18-crown-6·2(CH3NO2)

The title complex was crystallized from a saturated solution of 18-crown-6 in nitromethane at 5°C and cooled to –150°C prior to X-ray diffraction data collection. At –150° C 18-crown-6·2(CH₃NO₂) is monoclinic,P2₁/_n witha=9.290(2),b=7.864(6),c=13.627(8) Å, =1000.84(4)° andD _calc=1.31 g cm^–3 for Z=2. Leastsquares refinement using 1521 independent observed reflections [F _o5(F _o)] led to a final conventionalR value of 0.041. The complex at –150°C is isostructural with its room temperature structure with the exception of the orientation of the methyl hydrogen atoms and their crown ether oxygen interactions. The methyl group hydrogen atoms were fully refined isotropically. The crown ether resides around a center of inversion and hasD _3d symmetry. There is one methyl hydrogen...crown interaction at 2.35(3) Å, one apparently bifurcated hydrogen bond utilizing a second methyl hydrogen atom (2.55(3), 2.65(3) Å) and the third hydrogen atom is actually directed away from the crown ring (closest H...O contact=2.67(3) Å). Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82048 (5 pages).For part 2, see reference [24].     

Polymerization by alkaline earth metal compounds—I. Studies on the polymerization of methylmethacrylate by triphenylmethyl metal derivatives and related compounds of calcium,strontium and barium

A series of related organo-alkaline earth metal compounds of formula (Ph₃C)MX(THF)_η, (M = Ca, Sr, Ba; X = Cl: M = Ca, Sr; X = Br: M = Ba; X = CPh₃), has been isolated and characterized using analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) has been studied using these organometallic compounds as initiators. Investigations of the tacticity variations of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) produced in 1,2-dimethoxyethane or tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 210 K have shown that the syndiotacticity is higher in the former solvent, decreases with the following changes in initiator composition: Ca > Sr ? Ba; Cl > Br; in THF, it is dependent on the monomer concentration. The molecular weight distributions of the PMMA samples are broad and have distinct bi- or poly-modal features. The polymerization process appears to be anionic in nature but the evidence suggests that more than one type of propagation occurs and mechanistic aspects are discussed. Polymerization of bulk MMA by these same initiators is also reported. The initiators RMX(THF)_n (M = Sr, R = Me, n = 3 or R = Et, n = 2) and (C₃H₅)SrBr(THF)₂ are shown to be inefficient for polymerization of MMA. The glass transition temperatures of a range of PMMA samples of differing tacticity are presented and discussed.     

PHOTOPEROXIDATION OF LENS LIPIDS: PREVENTION BY VITAMIN E

Abstract— Light of visible frequency was observed to initiate peroxidative degradation of lipids of rat lenses when the latter were maintained in organ culture. The extent of degradation was monitored by measurement of malanaldehyde. This photodegradative process, which we believe is triggered by light catalyzed generation of superoxide and its subsequent transformation to other potent oxidants. was observed to be thwarted substantially if the medium of organ culture was fortified with 10⁻³ and 10⁷ M vitamin E (α-tochopherol). These studies suggest that vitamin E may be metabolically beneficial by protecting light exposed tissues, such as those in the eye against photoperoxidativc damage concomitant to light-catalyzed generation of oxygen-free radicals. The findings appear relevant to age-associated pathogenesisof cataracts and their possible attenuation. In addition, they provide a basis of pathogenesis in other ocular tissues such as the macula known to undergo age-dependent degeneration.