IR and NMR Properties of Ionic Liquids: Do They Tell Us the Same Thing?

We used a combination of theoretical and experimental methods to derive the spectroscopic properties of imidazolium-based ionic liquids. Vibrational frequencies, NMR chemical shifts, and quadrupole coupling constants react in comparable manner to changes in the chemical environment. This suggests that both the IR and the NMR spectroscopic properties reflect a similar type of electronic perturbation caused by hydrogen bonding. These relationships of the spectroscopic properties provide detailed information about structural complexes and may thus serve as good indicators of ion-pair formation. They also help to decide which spectroscopic tool is the most sensitive for investigating molecular interactions. The measurement of only one spectroscopic property allows the prediction of other properties that cannot be so easily measured. In some cases, this is the only way to obtain reliable coupling constants for deriving molecular correlation times from macroscopic NMR relaxation times, thus opening a new path for studying structure-dynamics relations in ionic liquids.     

'Boomerang'-like insertion of a fusogenic peptide in a lipid membrane revealed by solid-state 19F NMR

Solid state (19)F NMR revealed the conformation and alignment of the fusogenic peptide sequence B18 from the sea urchin fertilization protein bindin embedded in flat phospholipid bilayers. Single (19)F labels were introduced into nine distinct positions along the wild-type sequence by substituting each hydrophobic amino acid, one by one, with L-4-fluorophenylglycine. Their anisotropic chemical shifts were measured in uniaxially oriented membrane samples and used as orientational constraints to model the peptide structure in the membrane-bound state. Previous (1)H NMR studies of B18 in 30% TFE and in detergent micelles had shown that the peptide structure consists of two alpha-helical segments that are connected by a flexible hinge. This helix-break-helix motif was confirmed here by the solid-state (19)F NMR data, while no other secondary structure (beta-sheet, 3(10)-helix) was compatible with the set of orientational constraints. For both alpha-helical segments we found that the helical conformation extends all the way to the respective N- and C-termini of the peptide. Analysis of the corresponding tilt and azimuthal rotation angles showed that the N-terminal helix of B18 is immersed obliquely into the bilayer (at a tilt angle tau approximately 54 degrees), whereas the C-terminus is peripherally aligned (tau approximately 91 degrees). The azimuthal orientation of the two segments is consistent with the amphiphilic distribution of side-chains. The observed 'boomerang'-like mode of insertion into the membrane may thus explain how peptide binding leads to lipid dehydration and acyl chain perturbation as a prerequisite for bilayer fusion to occur.     

Fused 1,2‐Dithioles. Part VII

The 1,2‐dithiolosultam derivative 14 was obtained from the (α‐bromoalkylidene)propenesultam derivative 9 (Scheme 1). Regioselective cleavage of the two ester groups (→ 1b or 2b ) allowed the preparation of derivatives with different substituents at C(3) in the dithiole ring (see 27 and 28 ) as well as at C(6) in the isothiazole ring (see 17 – 21 ; Scheme 2). Curtius rearrangement of the 6‐carbonyl azide 21 in Ac₂O afforded the 6‐acetamide 22 , and saponification and decarboxylation of the latter yielded ‘sulfothiolutin’ ( 30 ). Hydride reductions of two of the bicyclic sultams resulted in ring opening of the sultam ring and loss of the sulfonyl group. Thus the reduction of the dithiolosultam derivative 14 yielded the alkylidenethiotetronic acid derivative 33 (tetronic acid=furan‐2,4(3H,4H)‐dione), and the lactam‐sultam derivative 10 gave the alkylidenetetramic acid derivative 35 (tetramic acid=1,5‐dihydro‐4‐hydroxy‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐one) (Scheme 3). Some of the new compounds ( 14, 22, 26 , and 30 ) exhibited antimycobacterial activity. The oxidative addition of 1 equiv. of [Pt(η²‐C₂H₄)L₂] ( 36a , L=PPh₃; 36b , L=1/2 dppf; 36c , L=1/2 (R,R)‐diop) into the S? S bond of 14 led to the cis‐(dithiolato)platinum(II) complexes 37a – c . (dppf=1,1′‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; (R,R)‐diop={[(4R,5R)‐2,2‐demithyl‐1,3‐dioxolane‐4,5‐diyl]bis(methylene)}bis[diphenylphosphine]).     

Improved procedure for the synthesis of thiazolium-type peptide coupling reagents: BMTB as a new efficient reagent

An efficient scalable synthesis of 2-halothiazolium-type peptide coupling reagents has been developed. The key step is the formation of the 2-bromothiazole scaffold through cyclization of α-thiocyanato ketones with hydrogen bromide. Using this method, the new coupling reagent 2-bromo-N-methylthiazolium bromide (BMTB) was synthesized. BMTB was tested in a difficult model coupling reaction of two sterically hindered N-methylated amino acids and showed higher activity than the well-established peptide coupling reagent HATU.     

Molekulare Zusammensetzung von flüssigem Schwefel. Teil 2: Qualitative Analyse und Isolierung von S7, S12, α-S18 und S20

Molecular Composition of Liquid Sulfur. Part 2: Qualitative Analysis and Preparation of S₇, S₁₂, α-S₁₈, and S₂₀ from S₈ Raman spectra of sulfur melts (115–300°C), of quenched melts and of CS₂ extracts of quenched melts show besides S₈ the presence of S₆ and S₇. Formation of S₇ from S₈ at 120°C takes more than 8 h; the S₇ equilibrium concentration increases with temperature. Pure crystalline S₇, S₁₂, α-S₁₈ and S₂₀ are prepared on a preparative scale by fractional extraction, crystallization, flotation and precipitation of quenched sulfur melts. Also a mixture of larger rings (S_x; x? = 25) has been isolated. Infrared and Raman spectra of α-S₁₈, S₂₀ and S_x are reported.     

Synthese und Kristallstrukturen der Phosphaniminato-Komplexe [MCl2(NPPh3)]2 mit M = Al und Ga, [SbCl2(NPMe3)(DMF)]2 sowie des Phosphanimin-Komplexes [Ph3PNH · BF3] · THF

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of the Phosphorane Iminato Complexes [MCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ with M = Al and Ga, [SbCl₂(NPMe₃)(DMF)]₂, and of the Phosphorane Imine Complex [Ph₃PNH · BF₃] · THF The phosphorane iminato complexes [MCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ with M = Al and Ga and [SbCl₂(NPMe₃)(DMF)]₂ are formed as colourless crystals by reactions of the anhydrous trichlorides MCl₃ (M = Al, Ga, Sb) with the corresponding silylated phosphorane imines Me₃SiNPR₃ in acetonitrile and in dimethyl formamide, respectively. The phosphorane imine derivative [Ph₃PNH · BF₃] · THF is formed from Me₃SiNPPh₃ and boron trifluoride etherate in boiling tetrahydrofuran. The compounds are characterized by their i. r. spectra and by crystal structure analyses. [AlCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ : Space group P1 , Z = 1, structure solution with 1 585 observed unique reflections, R = 0.061. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 917.6, b = 1 053.5, c = 1 145.2 pm, α = 111.72°, β = 100.80°, γ = 109.95°. [GaCl₂(NPPh₃)]₂ : Space group P1 , Z = 1, structure solution with 2 586 observed unique reflections, R = 0.066. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 917.5, b = 1 058.3, c = 1 153.7 pm, α = 105.52°, β = 107.75°, γ = 109.88°. In both compounds the metal atoms are linked to planar M₂N₂ four-membered rings via the N-atoms of the phosphorane iminato groups. [SbCl₂(NPMe₃)(DMF)]₂ : Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, structure solution with 3 805 observed unique reflections, R = 0.038. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 1 913.0, b = 726.8, c = 2 040.7 pm, β = 113.62°. The unit cell contains two symmetry independent dimeric molecules, in which the antimony atoms are centrosymmetricly μ₂ linked via the N-atoms of the phosphorane iminato groups. Along with the oxygen atom of the dimethyl formamide molecule the Sb atoms achieve a ψ-octahedral environment. [Ph₃PNH · BF₃] · THF : Space group C2/c, Z = 8, structure solution with 2 048 observed unique reflections, R = 0.058. Lattice dimensions at ?70°C: a = 2 460.4, b = 869.2, c = 1 978.0 pm, β = 116.35°.     

Precise Quantification of Molybdate In Vitro by the FRET-Based Nanosensor ‘MolyProbe’

Molybdenum (Mo) is an essential trace element in all kingdoms of life. Mo is bioavailable as the oxyanion molybdate and gains biological activity in eukaryotes when bound to molybdopterin, forming the molybdenum cofactor. The imbalance of molybdate homeostasis results in growth deficiencies or toxic symptoms within plants, fungi and animals. Recently, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) methods have emerged, monitoring cellular and subcellular molybdate distribution dynamics using a genetically encoded molybdate-specific FRET nanosensor, named MolyProbe. Here, we show that the MolyProbe system is a fast and reliable in vitro assay for quantitative molybdate determination. We added a Strep-TagII affinity tag to the MolyProbe protein for quick and easy purification. This MolyProbe is highly stable, resistant to freezing and can be stored for several weeks at 4 °C. Furthermore, the molybdate sensitivity of the assay peaked at low nM levels. Additionally, The MolyProbe was applied in vitro for quantitative molybdate determination in cell extracts of the plant Arabidopsis thaliana, the fungus Neurospora crassa and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our results show the functionality of the Arabidopsis thaliana molybdate transporter MOT1.1 and indicate that FRET-based molybdate detection is an excellent tool for measuring bioavailable Mo.