Cobalt(II) Complexes of Nitrile‐Functionalized Ionic Liquids

A series of nitrile‐functionalized ionic liquids were found to exhibit temperature‐dependent miscibility (thermomorphism) with the lower alcohols. Their coordinating abilities toward cobalt(II) ions were investigated through the dissolution process of cobalt(II) bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and were found to depend on the donor abilities of the nitrile group. The crystal structures of the cobalt(II) solvates [Co(C₁C_1CNPyr)₂(Tf₂N)₄] and [Co(C₁C_2CNPyr)₆][Tf₂N]₈, which were isolated from ionic‐liquid solutions, gave an insight into the coordination chemistry of functionalized ionic liquids. Smooth layers of cobalt metal could be obtained by electrodeposition of the cobalt‐containing ionic liquids.     

Characterization of the antioxidative activity of novel nontoxic neuropeptides by using capillary electrophoresis

In the present study, we have monitored the oxidation process of novel nontoxic neuropeptides and determined its rate constants, which describe the antioxidative potential of the peptides. A capillary electrophoretic method was implemented which ensures the simultaneity of analysis of reactants and products in a short time of analysis. The rate constants of oxidation of the four novel peptides, 4-methoxy-L-tyrosinyl-gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine (UPF1), D-serinyl-gamma-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine (UPF6), 4-methoxy-L-tyrosinyl-alpha-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine and D-serinyl-alpha-L-glutamyl-L-cysteinyl-glycine, designed by us, were compared with those of oxidation of glutathione (reduced glutathione) by using capillary electrophoresis. The second-order rate constants were similar for all peptides if the oxidation was carried out with hydrogen peroxide (k(II) = 0.208 - 0.236 x 10(3)/M.min). The rate constants were also determined for the mixtures of peptides. When the oxidation is caused by hydroxyl radical (OH*), the gamma-glutamate containing peptides (UPF1 and UPF6) exhibited two to four times higher antioxidative activity (k(II) = 4.428 and 2.152 x 10(3)/M.min, respectively). The results suggest that the antioxidative potential of the peptides studied is not determined by the formation of disulphide bridge alone.     

Redox-induced ligand reorganization and helicity inversion in copper complexes of N,N-dialkylmethionine derivatives

N,N'-Dipicolyl, bis(stilbylvinylpyridylmethyl), and diquinaldyl methionine derivatives form stable Cu(II) complexes with metal ligation by three nitrogen atoms and the carboxylate. One-electron reduction results in the exchange of carboxylate for sulfide in the complexes. This ligand reorganization is accompanied by inversion of the helical orientation of the two arms containing nitrogen heterocycles, resulting in nearly mirror image circular dichroism spectra. This paper provides details for the synthesis of these complexes and the evidence for the remarkable stereochemical interconversion that accompanies the reduction reaction. Detailed analysis of the electronic spectra of the ligands and metal complexes is provided along with X-ray crystallographic structures of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the N,N'-dipicolylmethionine complexes.     

Chemical effects during formation of the electronic surface structure of III–V semiconductors in a sulfide solution

The electronic properties of the (100) surface of n-GaAs, p-GaAs, and n-InP semiconductors treated with various sulfide solutions have been studied. Sulfide treatment was shown to increase the photoluminescence intensity, decrease the depth of the near-surface depleted region in the semiconductor, and shift the surface Fermi level toward the conduction band. These effects are the stronger, the higher the sulfur chemical activity in the solution. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 875–878 (May 1999)     

Redox inversion of helicity in propeller-shaped molecules derived from s-methyl cysteine and methioninol

One-electron reduction inverts the helicity of copper complexes formed from derivatives of S-methylcysteine and methioninol. The change in conformation of the organic ligand is followed in the exciton-coupled circular dichroism (ECCD) spectra of the complexes.     

Zum Reaktionsmechanismus von Glutaraldehyd mit Proteinen

The interaction of glutaraldehyde with model aliphatic amines was studied in order to understand the crosslinking reaction of glutaraldehyde with proteins. The reaction in organic solvents gave N-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines and N,N-dialkyl-1,5-diiminopentanes. The isolated products are new or were previously described by us for the first time¹. Hydration of the reaction products led to stable N-alkylpiperidines and N,N-dialkyl-1,5-diaminopentanes. In aqueous solution the reaction depends on thepH: at apH above 7, N-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines and at apH below 7, polymers were obtained. For the crosslinking reaction of proteins with glutaraldehyde the following mechanism is proposed: Monomeric glutaraldehyde reacts with the protein to give intermediate N-alkyl-2,6-dihydroxypiperidines. Intramolecular dehydration leads to the corresponding N-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines. Condensation of the cyclic monohydrate of glutaraldehyde and N-alkyl-2,6-dihydroxypiperidines gives linear polymeric crosslinks containing -oxo-N-alkylpiperidine units.

Lubig R., Dissertation, RWTH Aachen, 1974.     

Optical spectroscopy for in situ characterisation of semiconductor interfaces and layers

The potential of optical techniques for semiconductor interfaces and growing layers is demonstrated using in particular the example of Raman spectroscopy in combination with molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth. Recent developments allow this method to be applied not only in situ but while growth progresses. This application critically depends on the resonant excitation which provides the required sensitivity for layers in the nanometre range. Here the heteroepitaxy of II–VI compound semiconductors on III–V substrates serves as an example to illustrate the wealth of information, e.g. on layer composition, crystallinity, growth rate, and interfacial reactivity. Very recent results on gallium nitride growth clearly reveal that such experiments can be performed even at temperatures as high as 685?°C.