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.     

Si-E (E = N, O, F) bonding in a hexacoordinated silicon complex: new facts from experimental and theoretical charge density studies

The concept of hypervalency in molecules, which hold more than eight valence electrons at the central atom, still is a topic of constant debate. There is general interest in silicon compounds with more than four substituents at the central silicon atom. The dispute, whether this silicon is hypervalent or highly coordinated, is enlightened by the first experimental charge density determination and subsequent topological analysis of three different highly polar Si-E (E = N, O, F) bonds in a hexacoordinated compound. The experiment reveals predominantly ionic bonding and much less covalent contribution than commonly anticipated. For comparison gas-phase ab initio calculations were performed on this compound. The results of the theoretical calculations underline the findings of the experiment.     

Structural Comparison of Oligoribonucleotides and Their 2′-Deoxy-2′-fluoro Analogs by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy

1-(2′-Deoxy-2′-fluororibofuranosyl)pyrimidines were synthesized and incorporated into an RNA oligonucleotide to give 5′-r[C_fGC_f(U_fU_fC_fG)GC_fG]-3′ (C_f: short form of C = 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorocytidine; U_f: short form of U = 2′-deoxy-2′-fluorouridine). The oligomer was investigated by means of UV, CD, and NMR spectroscopy to address the question of how F-labels can substitute ¹³C-labels in the ribose ring. Through-space (NOE) and through-bond (scalar couplings) experiments were performed that make use of the ameliorated chemical-shift dispersion induced by ¹⁹F as an alternative heteronucleus. A comparison of the structures of fluorinated vs. unmodified oligomer is given. It turns out that the fluorinated oligonucleotide exists in a 14:3 equilibrium between a hairpin and a duplex conformation, in contrast to the unmodified oligonucleotide which predominantly adopts the hairpin conformation. Furthermore, the fluorinated hairpin structure adopts two distinct conformations that differ in the sugar conformation of the U and C nucleoside units, as detected by the ¹⁹F-NMR chemical shifts. The role of the 2′-OH group as stabilizing element in RNA secondary structure is discussed.     

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°.     

Zu Fragen der Legierungsbildung bei Bimetallkatalysatoren

Problems of alloying and surface composition of bimetallic catalysts and some results of investigations on alloying in Ni–Cu-η-Al₂O₃ catalysts are discussed.     

Kristallstruktur und katalytische Wirksamkeit

Relationships between aspects of structure and catalytical activity are discussed for aluminas, X-ray amorphous alumina silicates, zeolites, active coals and metals, respectively.     

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.