Direct Electrochemistry of Multi‐Copper Oxidases at Carbon Nanotubes Noncovalently Functionalized with Cellulose Derivatives

This study describes the direct electron transfer of multi‐copper oxidases, i.e., laccase (from Trametes versicolor) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD, from Myrothecium verrucaria) at multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) noncovalently functionalized with biopolymers of cellulose derivatives, i.e., hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), methyl cellulose (MC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The functionalization of the MWNTs with the cellulose derivatives is found to substantially solubilize the MWNTs into aqueous media and to avoid their aggregation on electrode surface. Under anaerobic conditions, the redox properties of laccase and BOD are difficult to be defined with cyclic voltammetry at either laccase/MWNT‐modified or BOD/MWNT‐modified electrodes. The direct electron transfer properties of laccase and BOD are thus studied in terms of the bioelectrocatalytic activities of the laccase/MWNT‐modified and BOD/MWNT‐modified electrodes toward the reduction of oxygen and found to be facilitated at the functionalized MWNTs. The possible application of the laccase‐catalyzed O₂ reduction at the laccase/MWNT‐modified electrode is illustrated by constructing a CNT‐based ascorbate/O₂ biofuel cell with the MWNT‐modified electrode as the anode for the oxidation of ascorbate biofuel.     

Die Reaktion von SeCl4 mit Übergangsmetalltetrachloriden. Synthese und Kristallstrukturen von (SeCl3)2MCl6 mit M = Zr,Hf, Mo,Re

The Reaction of SeCl₄ with Transition Metal Tetrachlorides. Synthesis and Crystal Structures of (SeCl₃)₂MCl₆ with M = Zr, Hf, Mo, Re The transition metal tetrachlorides ZrCl₄, HfCl₄ and MoCl₄ react with SeCl₄ in closed ampoules at temperatures of 140°C to (SeCl₃)₂MCl₆ (M = Zr, Hf, Mo) which are all isotypic and crystallize in the (SeCl₃)₂ReCl₆ structure type (orthorhombic, Fdd2, Z = 8, lattice constants for M = Zr: a = 1165.7(1)pm, b = 1287.2(2)pm, c = 2180.2(2)pm; for M = Hf: a = 1162.9(2)pm, b = 1285.0(2)pm, c = 2178.2(3)pm; for M = Mo: a = 1153.8(1)pm, b = 1267.7(1)pm, c = 2147.4(2)pm). The Cl^? ions form a hexagonal closest packing with one fourth of the octahedral holes filled by Se⁴⁺ and M⁴⁺ in an ordered way. The MCl₆ octahedra are regular, the SeCl₆ octahedra are distorted with 3 short and 3 long Se? Cl bonds (mean 215 pm and 287 pm). The structures can thus be regarded as built of SeCl₃⁺ and MCl₆^2? ions. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show for M = Zr the expected diamagnetic behavior, for M = Mo and Re paramagnetic behavior according to the Curie-Weiss law with magnetic moments of 2.5 B. M. for M = Mo and 3.7 B. M. for M = Re corresponding to 2 and 3 unpaired electrons respectivly.     

Dispersion state of CuO on CeO2

XRD and XPS are used to study the dispersion state of CuO on ceria surface. The dispersion capacity values of CuO measured by the two methods are consistent, which are of 1.20 mmol CuO/100 m² CeO₂. In addition, the results reveal that highly dispersed Cu²⁺ ions are formed at low CuO loadings and that increasing the CuO content to a value higher than its dispersion capacity produces crystalline CuO after the surface vacant sites on CeO₂ are filled. The atomic composition of the outermost layer of the CuO/CeO₂ samples has been probed by using static secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SSIMS), and the ratim of Cu/Ce are found to be 0.93 and 0.46 for the 1.22 and 0.61 mmol CuO/CeO₂ samples respectively. Temperature-programmed reduction (TPR) profile with two reduction peaks at 156 and 165°C suggests that the reduction of highly dispersed Cu²⁺ ions consists of two steps and is easier than that of CuO crystallites, in which the TPR profile has only one reduction peak at about 249°C. The above experimental results are in good agreement with the prediction of the incorporation model. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

4-Hydroxy-2-quinolones. 122. 1-Hydroxy-3-oxo-5,6-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">ij</Emphasis>]-quinoline-2-carboxylic acid hetarylamides as potential antitubercular agents

An improved method is reported for the synthesis of a series of 1-hydroxy-3-oxo-5,6-dihydro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2,1-ij]quinoline-2-carboxylic acid hetarylamides. The antitubercular activity of all of the compounds prepared has been studied. The structure-biological activity dependence revealed is discussed. __________ Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 7, pp. 1023–1033, July, 2007.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 221 [1]. Stannylsubstituierte Bicyclo [1.1.0]tetraphosphane: Bildung und Eigenschaften von R3Sn(H)P4 (R  CH3, C6H5, c-C6H11, o-C7H7)

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 221. Stannyl-Substituted Bicyclo[1.1.0]tetraphosphanes: Formation and properties of R₃Sn(H)P₄ (R ? CH₃, C₆H₅, c-C₆H₁₁, o-C₇H₇) The unsymmetrically substituted bicyclo[1.1.0]tetraphosphanes Me₃Sn(H)P₄ ( 1 ), Ph₃Sn(H)P₄ ( 2 ), (c-Hex)₃Sn(H)P₄ ( 3 ) and (o-Tol)₃Sn(H)P₄ ( 4 ) have been obtained by reaction of a solution of (Na/K) HP₄ with R₃ SnCl (R ? Me, Ph, c-Hex, o-Tol) under proper conditions. The structure of the compounds 1 – 4 , which are only stable in solution, has been elucidated by means of ³¹P-NMR-spectroscopy. Whereas 3 exists at ?60°C as the exo,endo isomer, 1, 2 and 4 are fluctuating molecules at room temperature and probably invert between the three possible configurational isomers (exo,exo-, exo,endo- and endo,endo-form).     

Deoxypegan-1-one derivatives. synthesis and borohydride reduction of 3-[(E)-arylmethylidene]-3,9-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolin-1(2H)-ones

3-[(E)-Arylmethylidene]-3,9-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolin-1(2H)-ones were prepared by reaction of quinazolyl-2-propionic acid hydrochloride with aromatic aldehydes in acetic anhydride in the presence of Et₃N. 3-[(E)-Arylmethylidene]-1,2,3,9-tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolin-1-ols were formed by reduction of the 3-arylidene derivatives with sodium borohydride in methanol, readily lost water when heated with acids, and were converted into 3-[(E)-arylmethylidene]-3,9-dihydropyrrolo[2,1-b]quinazolines. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 463–467, September–October, 2006.     

On the affinity of cytosine towards electrophiles

Ab initio SCF computations on the intrinsic preferences of the H⁺, CH ₃ ⁺ and C₂H ₅ ⁺ cations towards the two principal sites of protonation or alkylation on cytosine, N₃ or O₂, show that this preference undergoes a continuous modification with the increase in size and complexity of the cation. N₃ is the preferred site of fixation of H⁺, O₂ the preferred site of C₂H ₅ ⁺ , while CH ₃ ⁺ has no marked preference. The exchange repulsion term of the binding energy appears responsible for the preference of C₂H ₅ ⁺ for O₂.This work was supported by the Ligue Francaise contre le Cancer and the National Foundation for Cancer Research (USA)     

Structural and Transport Properties of Mg1−xMnxMn2O4±δ Spinels

The synthesis and structural properties of Mg_1−xMn_2+xO₄, for 0≤x≤1 are described. Complete miscibility in the solid state exists for this system. For the material with the correct stoichiometry, i.e. MgMn₂O₄, the effect of temperature on the cation distribution was investigated= above 600°C the inversion degree (m) starts increasing. The electrical conductivity shows a small dependence on P(O₂) which is consistent with the small oxygen non-stoichiometry determined by means of thermogravimetry. The main contribution to the transport properties arises from the inversion equilibrium. Two distinct conductivity regimes, below and above the inversion threshold, can be assumed to explain the electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power results.     

Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of the Two Misfit Layer Compounds: [SrGd0.5S1.5]1.16 NbS2 and [Sr(Fe,Nb)0.5S1.5]1.13 NbS2

Crystal structures of two new misfit compounds, [SrGd_0.5S_1.5]_1.16NbS₂ and [Sr(Fe,Nb)_0.5S_1.5]_1.13NbS₂, were determined through the composite approach, i.e., by refining each subpart (Q, H-parts, and the common part) of these composite materials, separately. The Q-part is a three-atom-thick layer, with the NaCl-type structure, where external SrS planes enclose the inner GdS or (Fe,Nb)S plane; the structural difference between these two compounds lies in the central layer within the Q-part: Gd and S atoms are in special positions (octahedral coordination), while Fe and S atoms are statistically distributed on split (×4) positions (tetrahedral coordination) around a central unique site (=special position occupied by Nb). The H-part is a sandwich of sulfur planes enclosing the inner Nb plane as observed for the structure of the binary compound NbS₂ itself. The Sr-Gd derivative shows a paramagnetic behavior in the whole studied temperature range (2-300 K). On the other hand, antiferromagnetic interactions occur in the Sr-Fe derivative; the complex magnetic behavior of this compound is related to the statistical distribution of Fe atoms which leads to frustration of the magnetic interactions. At room temperature, experimental values obtained from Mössbauer spectrum correspond to Fe³⁺ in tetrahedral sulfur environment: isomer shift δ=0.32 mm s⁻¹, and quadrupole splitting ΔE=0.48 mm s⁻¹.     

Immobilization of α-amylase in vinyl-polymer-based interpenetrating polymer networks

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of poly(ethylene glycol), poly(vinyl alcohol) and polyacrylamide were prepared as a support for enzyme immobilization and kinetic studies were performed for the immobilization of -amylase. The effect of IPN composition on the extent of immobilization was investigated and the percentage of relative activity of the immobilized enzyme was evaluated as a function of the chemical architecture of the IPNs, pH and temperature, taking starch as a substrate. The kinetic constants and the maximum reaction velocity were also evaluated. The IPNs were characterized by IR spectral analysis.