Anodic stripping voltammetry of sulphide at a nickel film: towards the development of a reagentless sensor

The determination of sulphide at an electrochemically generated nickel oxide layer at glassy carbon and screen-printed electrodes in acidic media has been examined and appraised. The NiO layer was found to produce a stripping-like signal to sulphide and gave a linear peak current response from 20 to 90 μM. The response was further enhanced by repetitive cycling allowing accumulation of nickel sulphide at the electrode surface such that lower micromolar levels of sulphide (i.e. 5 μM) can be determined. The response at the NiO layer to sulphide is shown to be reproducible over a period of 24 h, thereby offering the development of a disposable amperometric sensor for sulphide.     

Hydrogen-bonded networks through second-sphere coordination

The reaction of 4, 7-phenanthroline (1) with aqueous transitionmetal complexes [Mn(H2O)6][NO3]2, [Co(H2O)6][NO3]2, [Ni(H2O)6[NO3]2, [Mn(H2O)6][ClO4]2, and [Co(H2O)6][ClO4]2 does not produce coordination complexes between these metal cations and the N-donor ligand as expected. Instead, supramolecular hydrogenbonded networks are formed between the nitrogen donor atoms of 4, 7-phenanthroline and the OH groups of coordinated water molecules: M-O-H...N interactions. This motif of second-sphere coordination for 1 can be exploited as a tool for crystal engineering. As a demonstration of the generality of this new interaction as a supramolecular building block, five X-ray crystal structures are reported that utilise this hydrogen bonding scheme; [Co(H2O)4(NO3)2].(1)2 (2a), [Co(MeCN)2(H2O)4][ClO4]2.(1)2 (2b), [Ni(H2O)4(NO3)2].(1)2 (3a), [Mn(H2O)4(NO3)2].(1)2 (4a), and [Mn(H2O)6][ClO4]2.(1)(4).4H2O (4b). Each network involves complete saturation of the hydrogen-bond donor sets between the aqua complex and 1 using primarily M-O-H...N(1) and M-O-H...O(anion), interactions. Thermogravimteric analysis shows these materials to have stabililities similar to coordination polymers involving metal-ligand bonds; this demonstrates that second-sphere hydrogen bonding has potential for the construction of polymeric metal-containing materials.     

Structure and dynamics of metallomacrocycles: recognition of zinc xylyl-bicyclam by an HIV coreceptor

As platforms for the design of metal-based therapeutic and diagnostic agents, macrocycles are rigid enough to provide strong metal binding sites and orient functional groups stereoselectively, yet flexible enough to accommodate structural changes required for induced-fit recognition of biological targets. We consider the recognition of the Zn(II) complex of the bis-tetraazamacrocycle xylyl-bicyclam, a potent anti-HIV agent, by the coreceptor CXCR4, a G-protein-coupled receptor used by HIV for membrane fusion and cell entry. NMR studies show that the macrocycles of Zn(II)(2)-xylyl-bicyclam perchlorate exist in aqueous solution as two major configurations, trans-I (nitrogen chirality R,S,R,S), and trans-III (S,S,R,R). Acetate addition induced a major structural change. X-ray crystallography shows that the acetate complex contains the unusual cis-V cyclam configuration (R,R,R,R and folded) with bidentate coordination of acetate to Zn(II) plus second-coordination-sphere double H-bond formation between diagonal NH protons on the opposite cyclam face and acetate carboxylate oxygens. Detailed 1D and 2D NMR studies show that the major configuration of Zn(II)(2)-xylyl-bicyclam acetate in aqueous solution is cis-V/trans-I. Molecular modeling shows that an analogous cis-V site can be formed when Zn(II)(2)-xylyl-bicyclam binds to CXCR4, involving the carboxylate groups of Asp262 (Zn(II) coordination) and Glu288 (double H-bonding). The second cyclam can adopt the trans-I (or trans-III) configuration with Zn(II) binding to Asp171. These interactions are consistent with the known structure-activity relationships for bicyclam anti-HIV activity and receptor mutation. Consideration of the anti-HIV activity of xylyl-bicyclam complexes of other metal ions suggests that affinity for carboxylates, configurational flexibility, and kinetic factors may all play roles in receptor recognition. For example, Pd(II) cyclam complexes interact only weakly with axial ligands and are inflexible and inactive, whereas Co(III) cyclams bind carboxylates strongly, are configurationally flexible, and yet have low activity. Our findings should aid the design of new generations of active macrocycles including highly specific chemokine receptor antagonists.     

Treatment of zinc-contaminated water using a multistage ferrihydrite sorption system

Previous studies demonstrated the environmental and economic benefits of treating lead(II)-contaminated water streams with ferrihydrite in multiple equilibrium sorption stages. In this work, multistage ferrihydrite sorption systems were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing single-solute zinc(II) (Zn(II)) concentrations in contaminated water streams to very low levels. As for lead(II) (Pb(II)), experimental data and modeling results indicate that a multistage sorption system can significantly reduce Zn(II) effluent concentrations for the same total amount of sorbent or, alternatively, dramatically lower total sorbent consumption for the same effluent Zn(II) concentration. Compared to Pb(II), however, Zn(II) removal requires on the order of 10 times more sorbent to achieve the same target effluent concentration for the same pH and number of stages. Model predictions were made using a steady-state, multistage, equilibrium adsorber model that was previously developed for and integrated into OLI Systems' Environmental Simulation Program (ESP). The modified triple-layer model was used to simulate Zn(II) surface-liquid equilibria within the adsorber model. Engineering screening evaluations again indicate that a 2- to 3-stage sorption process can provide significant economic savings when compared to a 1-stage process operating with the same target effluent Zn(II) concentration. Additional equilibrium stages beyond 2 or 3 provide diminishing economic returns. The major economic driver for multiple contacting stages is reduced capital investment and operating costs for sludge handling, dewatering, and disposal.     

Speciation of V, Cr and Fe by capillary electrophoresis-bandpass reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis-dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-DRC-ICP-MS) for the speciation of iron(III/II), vanadium(V/IV) and chromium(VI/III) is described. Two different CE migration modes were employed for separating the six metal ions using pre-capillary complexation. One is counter-electroosmotic mode in which iron(III/II) and vanadium(V/IV) ions were well separated using a 60 cm x 75 microm i.d. fused silica capillary. The voltage was set at +22 kV and a 15 mmol l(-1) tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) buffer (pH 8.75) containing 0.5 mmol l(-1) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 0.5 mmol l(-1) ortho-phenanthroline (phen) was used as the electrophoretic buffer. The other is co-electroosmotic mode in which chromium(VI/III) ions were well separated while the applied voltage was set at -22 kV and a 10 mmol l(-1) ammonium citrate buffer (pH 7.7) containing 0.5 mmol l(-1) diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and 0.01% polybrene was used as the electrophoretic buffer. The mass spectra were measured at m/z 51, 52 and 56 for V. Cr and Fe, respectively. The interfering polyatomic ions of 35Cl16O+, 40Ar12C+ and 40Ar16O+ on 51V+, 52Cr+ and 56Fe+ determination were reduced in intensity significantly by using NH3 as the reaction cell gas in the DRC. The detection limits were in the range of 0.1-0.5, 0.4-1.3 and 1.2-1.7 ng ml(-1) for V, Cr and Fe, respectively. Applications of the method for the speciation of V, Cr and Fe in wastewater were demonstrated. The recoveries were in the range of 92-120% for various species.     

Channel flow cell studies on the evaluation of surface pretreatments using phosphoric acid or polymaleic acid for calcite stone protection

The dissolution kinetics of surface-pretreated and weathered calcite was investigated in dilute acid using a channel flow cell with microdisk detection. Two pretreatments were studied, polymaleic acid and phosphoric acid. Treatment with polymaleic acid was shown to significantly passivate calcite but to a lesser extent than the phosphoric acid and the former coating was found to be less effective for protection of calcite from acid attack. However, treatment of calcite with phosphoric acid resulted in the passivation of calcite from acid attack which strongly inhibited dissolution, an effect that was enhanced even further after exposure to the environment.     

Baylis-Hillman mechanism: a new interpretation in aprotic solvents

Using reaction rate data collected in aprotic solvents, we have determined that the Baylis-Hillman rate-determining step is second order in aldehyde and first order in DABCO and acrylate. On the basis of these data, we have proposed a new mechanism involving a hemiacetal intermediate. The proposed mechanism was then supported using two different kinetic isotope experiments.     

Stereoselective synthesis of optically active bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic acids that target pilus biogenesis in pathogenic bacteria

Optically active bicyclic beta-lactams were synthesized, starting from 2-H-delta 2-thiazolines and Meldrum's acid derivatives. Several methods to accomplish an ester hydrolysis without damaging the beta-lactam framework were investigated. A rapid CsOH saponification of the beta-lactam methyl esters was developed and protonation of the Cs-carboxylates by Amberlite (IR-120 H+) afforded a series of bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic acids. Moreover, a convenient method for the synthesis of 2-H-delta 2-thiazolinecarboxylic acid methyl ester 2 was developed. Bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic acids 7a-g and aldehydes 4a-d were screened for their affinity to the bacterial periplasmic chaperone PapD using a surface plasmon resonance technique. beta-Lactams substituted with large acyl substitutents showed better binding to the chaperone than the native C-terminal peptide PapG 8, demonstrating that bicyclic beta-lactams constitute a new class of potential bacterial chaperone inhibitors.     

The structural characteristics of organozinc complexes incorporating N,N'-bidentate ligands

Dimethylzinc reacts with an excess of N-2-pyridylaniline 6 to give the homoleptic species, Zn[PhN(2-C(5)H(4)N)](2) 8. Single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals a solid-state dimer based on an 8-membered (NCNZn)(2) core motif. Zn[CyN(2-C(5)H(4)N)]Me (Cy =c-C(6)H(11)) 10, prepared by the combination of ZnMe(2) with the corresponding cyclohexyl-substituted pyridylamine, is also dimeric in the solid state but reveals a central (ZnN)(2) metallacycle. Employment of (p-Tol)NH(2-C(5)H(4)N)(p-Tol = 4-MeC(6)H(4)) 11 yielded the tris(zinc) adduct Zn(3)[(p-Tol)N(2-C(5)H(4)N)](4)Me(2) 12, which incorporates a central chiral molecule of 'Zn[(p-Tol)N(2-C(5)H(4)N)](2)' 12a, that bridges two 'Zn[(p-Tol)N(2-C(5)H(4)N)]Me' 12b units. A similar trimetallic structure is noted when the pyridylaniline substrate 11 is replaced with the bicyclic guanidine 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine (hppH), affording Zn(3)(hpp)(4)Me(2) 13. Spectroscopic studies point to retention of the solid-state structure of in hydrocarbon solution. Reaction of 13 with dimesityl borinic acid, Mes(2)BOH (Mes = mesityl), affords Zn(3)(hpp)(4)(OBMes(2))(2) 14 in which the trimetallic core is retained. This reactivity is in contrast to the closely related reaction of dimeric Zn[Me(2)NC[N(i)Pr](2)]Me 15 with Mes(2)BOH, which yielded Zn[Me(2)NC[N(i)Pr](2)][OBMes(2)].Me(2)NC[N(i)Pr][NH(i)Pr] 16 as a result of protonation at the guanidine ligand in addition to the Zn-Me bond.     

Pressure-induced hydration at 0.6 GPa in a synthetic gallosilicate zeolite

The onset of pressure-induced hydration and volume expansion is lowered to 0.6 GPa via the increased flexibility of the host lattice using isomorphous substitution of Al by larger Ga in a sodium aluminosilicate natrolite.