A simple,rapid method for the generation of ligand binding isotherms

Using the protonation of tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) as a standard reaction, a technique is established for the generation of reaction isotherms by continuous titration in a flow microcalorimeter. The procedure uses an exponential dilution device of simple design that provides a constant internal volume, efficient mixing of the contents and is a closed system. The method has considerable advantages over conventional calorimetric procedures and the precision of enthalpy measurements is estimated to be within ± 2%.     

Lattice-Boltzmann simulations of the dynamics of polymer solutions in periodic and confined geometries

A numerical method to simulate the dynamics of polymer solutions in confined geometries has been implemented and tested. The method combines a fluctuating lattice-Boltzmann model of the solvent [Ladd, Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 1339 (1993)] with a point-particle model of the polymer chains. A friction term couples the monomers to the fluid [Ahlrichs and Dunweg, J. Chem. Phys. 111, 8225 (1999)], providing both the hydrodynamic interactions between the monomers and the correlated random forces. The coupled equations for particles and fluid are solved on an inertial time scale, which proves to be surprisingly simple and efficient, avoiding the costly linear algebra associated with Brownian dynamics. Complex confined geometries can be represented by a straightforward mapping of the boundary surfaces onto a regular three-dimensional grid. The hydrodynamic interactions between monomers are shown to compare well with solutions of the Stokes equations down to distances of the order of the grid spacing. Numerical results are presented for the radius of gyration, end-to-end distance, and diffusion coefficient of an isolated polymer chain, ranging from 16 to 1024 monomers in length. The simulations are in excellent agreement with renormalization group calculations for an excluded volume chain. We show that hydrodynamic interactions in large polymers can be systematically coarse-grained to substantially reduce the computational cost of the simulation. Finally, we examine the effects of confinement and flow on the polymer distribution and diffusion constant in a narrow channel. Our results support the qualitative conclusions of recent Brownian dynamics simulations of confined polymers [Jendrejack et al., J. Chem. Phys. 119, 1165 (2003) and Jendrejack et al., J. Chem. Phys. 120, 2513 (2004)].     

Electron pair localization function: a practical tool to visualize electron localization in molecules from quantum Monte Carlo data

In this work we introduce an electron localization function describing the pairing of electrons in a molecular system. This function, called "electron pair localization function," is constructed to be particularly simple to evaluate within a quantum Monte Carlo framework. Two major advantages of this function are the following: (i) the simplicity and generality of its definition; and (ii) the possibility of calculating it with quantum Monte Carlo at various levels of accuracy (Hartree-Fock, multiconfigurational wave functions, valence bond, density functional theory, variational Monte Carlo with explicitly correlated trial wave functions, fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo, etc). A number of applications of the electron pair localization function to simple atomic and molecular systems are presented and systematic comparisons with the more standard electron localization function of Becke and Edgecombe are done. Results illustrate that the electron pair localization function is a simple and practical tool for visualizing electronic localization in molecular systems.     

An anionic nucleophilic catalyst system for the diastereoselective synthesis of trans-beta-lactams

Trans-disubstituted beta-lactams show increasing utility and prominence in numerous pharmaceutical applications, making their asymmetric synthesis an attractive goal for chemists. We introduce an anionic, nucleophilic catalyst system that provides an efficient, diastereoselective route to trans-disubstituted beta-lactams, a complement to our previously described catalytic methodology for generating the corresponding cis diastereomers. This catalytic, "switch mechanism" process allows for flexibility in the stereoselective synthesis of beta-lactams, producing either cis or trans products as desired from the same substrates. [reaction: see text]     

Ion atmosphere relaxation and percolative electron transfer in Co bipyridine DNA molten salts

Polypyridyl complexes of Co decorated with 350-Da polyether chains (Co(350)(2+)) form molten phases of nucleic acids when paired with DNA counterions (Co(350)DNA) or 25-mer oligonucleotides. Analysis of voltammetry and chronoamperometry of mixtures of these phases with complexes having ClO(4)(-) counterions (Co(350)(ClO(4))(2)) and no other diluent provides charge transport rates from the oxidation and reduction currents for the complexes. As the mole fraction of the Co(350)(ClO(4))(2) complex in the mixture is varied from ca. 0.25 to 1, the physical diffusion constants derived from the Co(III/II) wave increase from 1 x 10(-11) cm(2)/s to 5 x 10(-10) cm(2)/s, and apparent diffusion constants dominated by the Co(II/I) electron self-exchange increase from 1 x 10(-10) cm(2)/s to 2 x 10(-8) cm(2)/s. Pure Co(350)DNA melts, containing no Co(350)(ClO(4))(2) complex, do not exhibit recognizable voltammetric waves; DNA suppresses the Co(II/I) electron transfer reactions of Co complexes for which it is the counterion. There are therefore two microscopically distinct kinds of Co(350) complexes, those with DNA and those with ClO(4)(-) counterions, with respect to their Co(II/I) electron-transfer dynamics, leading to percolative behavior in their mixtures. The electron-transfer rates of the Co(II/I) couple are controlled by the diffusive relaxation of the ionic atmosphere around the reaction pair, and the inactivity of the bound Co complexes can be attributed to the very low mobility of the anionic phosphate groups in the DNA counterion. Substitution of sulfonated polystyrene for DNA produced similar results, suggesting that this phenomenon is general to other polymer counterions of low mobility. We conclude that the measured Co(II/I) charge transport and electron-transfer rate constants reflect more the diffusive mobility of the perchlorate counterion than the intrinsic Co(II/I) electron hopping rate.     

An Unexpected Formation of a 14‐Membered Cyclodepsipeptide

The treatment of diluted solutions of the hydroxy diamides 6a and 6b in toluene with HCl gas at 100° gave the dimeric, 14‐membered cyclodepsipeptide 10 in up to 72% yield (Scheme 3). The same product was formed from the linear dimer of 6b , the depsipeptide 11 , under the same conditions (cf. Scheme 4). All attempts to prepare the cyclic seven‐membered monomer 9 , starting with different precursors and using different lactonization methods failed, and 10 was the only product which was isolated (cf. Scheme 6). For example, the reaction of the ester 20 with NaH in toluene at 80° led exclusively to the cyclodimer 10 . On the other hand, the base‐catalyzed cyclization of the hydroxy diester 22 , which is the ‘O‐analogue' of 20 , yielded neither the seven‐membered dilactone, nor the 14‐membered tetralactone, but only the known trimer 23 and tetramer 24 of 2,2‐dimethylpropano‐3‐lactone (cf. Scheme 7).     

Perchlorate analysis using solid-phase extraction cartridges

Perchlorate is a compound of increasing concern as an environmental contaminant and is being regulated at increasingly stringent levels. Reliable methods are needed to consistently analyze perchlorate at low concentration levels. This research investigates the use of solid-phase extraction cartridges as an alternative to large-volume injection loops to achieve low-level (microg/L level) perchlorate quantitation. The method involves commercially available strong anion exchange (SAX) cartridges. Water samples are filtered (100 to 1000 mL) using the cartridge, which removes the perchlorate from the solution by anion exchange. Then, after the desired volume is filtered, the perchlorate is extracted using 4 mL of 1% NaOH. In addition, a cleanup method is developed to remove competing anions (chloride, sulfate, and carbonate) that are often found in environmental samples. Analyses are performed with an ion chromatograph using a 10-microL injection loop, yielding a perchlorate method detection limit (MDL) of 210 microg/L. One-liter volumes of a 2-microg/L perchlorate spiked deionized water solution are filtered with SAX SPE. Following extraction and analysis, an MDL of 0.82 microg/L is obtained, comparable to that found for 1-mL injection loop systems (reported as low as 0.53 microg/L). MDL studies are then conducted on perchlorate-amended groundwater (solution concentration of 70 microg/L) and surface water (solution concentration of 10 microg/L) using a filtration volume of 200 mL. The MDLs are 6.7 microg/L for the groundwater and 2.4 microg/L for the surface water.     

Hydroxamic acid polymers

A polymer bearing hydroxamic acid groups and having a high affinity for iron(III) was prepared through the following procedure. Acryloylalanine (III), prepared by the reaction of acryloyl chloride with alanine, was treated with N-hydroxysuccinimide in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide to give the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester (IV). The ester IV was polymerized by using AIBN in dioxane to give polymer V. Treatment of polymer V with methylhydroxylamine in DMF gave the hydroxamic acid polymer II. The water-soluble polymer II was purified by dialysis or by gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) on Sephadex G-25. Analytical GPC on Sephadex G-200 and Sepharose 4B indicate that the average molecular weight of the polymer is in the range of 5 × 10⁵ to 1 × 10⁶. The presence of hydroxamic acid groups is confirmed by the intense red-brown color produced by the addition of iron(III) to a 50% aqueous DMF solution of the polymer under acidic conditions. In pure water the polymer-iron complex precipitates as a tan solid. Iron-binding studies of the polymer reveal that the iron(III) trihydroxamic acid complex FeA₃ forms at low concentrations of iron. At higher iron levels a lower order of stability is apparent, which can be accounted for by the conversion of FeA₃ to FeA₂⁺. In contrast, the FeA₃ complex of the trihydroxamic acid deferoxamine-B is stable at all iron levels. These results are consistent with the polymer structure, which for steric reasons would favor a stable complex, FeA₂⁺, between iron and two adjacent hydroxamic acid groups. An FeA₃ complex would be expected to have a lower stability as a result of either bond angle strain and atomic compression, or a lower probability in bringing a third hydroxamic acid into position to form the octahedral complex.     

Monodentate sigma-N and Bidentate sigma-N,sigma-N' Coordination of 1,1-Bis((N-p-tolylimino)diphenylphosphoranyl)ethane, CHCH(3)(PPh(2)=NC(6)H(4)-4-CH(3))(2), to Platinum(II)

The new ligand, 1,1-bis((N-p-tolylimino)diphenylphosphoranyl)ethane (1,1-BIPE), 1, has been synthesized by means of a Staudinger reaction of 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (1,1-dppe) with 2 equiv of p-tolylazide. Bridge-splitting reactions of Pt(2)Cl(4)(PR(3))(2) with 1 readily afforded sigma-N monodentate complexes, [PtCl(2)(PR(3)){1,1-BIPE-sigmaN}] (2a, PR(3) = PEt(3); 2b, PR(3) = PMe(2)Ph). Conversion of 2 into the six-membered platinacycle [PtCl(PR(3)){1,1-BIPE-sigmaN,sigmaN'}](+)[X](-) (3) (X = Cl, PtCl(3)(PR(3)), BF(4)) took place after prolonged stirring, its reaction rate being strongly dependent on the type of phosphine (>5 days for 2ain the presence of NaBF(4), 1 h for 2b) and the metal-to-ligand ratio. The compounds 1, 2, and 3 have been fully characterized by (1)H, (31)P{(1)H}, and (13)C{(1)H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, or FAB mass spectroscopy. The molecular structures of CHCH(3)(PPh(2)=NC(6)H(4)-4-CH(3))(2) (1) and [PtCl(PMe(2)Ph){(N(pTol)=PPh(2))(2)CHCH(3)}](+)[Cl](-) (3b) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data for 1: space group P2(1)/c with a = 8.9591(5) ?, b = 19.1961(12) ?, c = 21.9740(9) ?, beta = 105.069(4) degrees, V = 3649.1(3) ?(3), and Z = 4. The structure refinement converged to R = 0.080 and R(w) = 0.109. Crystal data for 3b: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c with a = 12.4021(7) ?, b = 16.9705(11) ?, c = 23.760(2) ?, beta = 109.544(5) degrees, V = 4712.7(5) ?(3), and Z = 4. The structure refinement converged to R1 = 0.057, wR2 = 0.122. Variable temperature NMR spectroscopy has revealed that complexes 3 exclusively adopt a twisted boat conformation with the methyl group in equatorial position at low temperature, in agreement with the solid state structure of 3b as determined by X-ray crystallography. Boat-to-boat inversion is assumed to take place at temperatures above 293 K. Furthermore, for 3, hindered rotation of one of the p-tolyl substituents on nitrogen has been established at low temperatures.     

Synthesis of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitriles and -6-carboxylic acid esters

Dieckmann ring closure reactions of 4-[(2-cyanoethyl)substituted amino]-2-phenyl-5-pyrimidinecarboxylates (Ha-f) afforded several 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxo-2-phenylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6- carbonitriles (IIIa-f). The open-chain intermediates (IIa-f) were prepared by dechloroamination of 5-carbethoxy-4-chloro-2-phenylpyrimidine (1a) with several 3-substituted amino- propionitriles. Alkylation of the sodium salt of 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-8-methyl-5-oxo-2-phenyl-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6- carbonitrile (IIIa) with methyl iodide in DMF resulted in methylation at C-6 to afford IV. Tosylation of IIIa in pyridine gave the corresponding tosyl ester (V) of the enolic form. Oxidative dehydrogenation at the 6,7-position resulted when IIIa reacted with thionyl chloride, affording 5,8-dihydro-8-methyl-5-oxo-2-phenylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6- carbonitrile (VII). Dechloroamination of la or 5-carbethoxy-4-chloro-2-methylthiopyrimidine (Ib) with ethyl 3-ethylaminopropionate followed by Dieckmann cyclization of the resulting open-chain intermediates gave the corresponding ethyl 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-oxopyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carboxylates IX'a and IX'b, respectively. These exist predominately in the enol form and undergo alkylation and oxidation reactions similar to IIIa.