A microtiter plate assay for the detection of inhibitors of the Na +, K + -ATpase

A rapid microtiter plate assay for the detection of inhibitors of the Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase has been developed. The assay is based on the measurement of inorganic phosphate released from the substrate, ATP, and has been designed to be carried out in the individual wells of a microtiter plate. Since the production of inorganic phosphate is determined colorimetrically, multiple samples can be tested simultaneously using a microtiter plate reader. This microtiter plate assay is particularly useful for screening large numbers of samples, such as microbial culture supernatants.     

Comparison of the heat- and pressure-induced helix-coil transition of two DNA copolymers

The helix-coil transition of poly[d(I-C)] and poly[d(A-T)] was studied as a function of hydrostatic pressure, temperature, and sodium ion concentration. These studies were undertaken in light of a recently published phase diagram for double stranded nucleic acids [Dubins et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 9254-9259]. The sign and magnitude of the volume change for the heat-induced helix-coil transition, DeltaV(T), of poly[d(I-C)] and poly[d(A-T)] were dependent on the helix-coil transition temperature, T(M), at atmospheric pressure. The sign of DeltaV(T) changed from negative to positive as T(M) was increased by increasing the sodium ion concentration. For poly[d(I-C)], DeltaV(T) = 0 cm(3) mol(-1), when the sodium ion concentration is such that the spectroscopically monitored T(M) = 55 degrees C at atmospheric pressure. For poly[d(A-T)], the value of DeltaV(T) = 0 under conditions such that T(M) = 47 degrees C at atmospheric pressure. Negative values of DeltaV(T) imply that the helical form is destabilized at high pressure. Under experimental conditions where the DeltaV(T) for the transition is negative, the transition could be caused by increasing the pressure under isothermal conditions. At temperatures below T(M) measured at atmospheric pressure the midpoint of the pressure-induced helix-coil transition, P(M), decreases with increasing temperature. The volume change of the pressure-induced transitions helix-coil transition, DeltaV(P), was calculated assuming a two-state model. The magnitude of DeltaV(P) (per cooperative length) was much larger than the volume change (per base pair) measured for the heat-induced transition, DeltaV(T), calculated using the Clapeyron equation. The ratio of these two volume changes was used to calculate the cooperative length for the pressure-induced transition. This parameter depends strongly on temperature, becoming greater closer to T(M) measured at atmospheric pressure. At temperatures approaching T(M) the magnitude of the cooperative length of the pressure-induced transition is approximately twice that observed for the heat-induced transition (N(T)). On the basis of the temperature dependence of the DeltaV(T) for the two polymers the coefficient of thermal expansion of the two polymers was found to be 0.17 and 0.16 cm(3) K(-1) mol(-1) for poly[d(I-C)] and poly[d(A-T)], respectively.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Direct CH Functionalization of Benzoquinone

A direct Pd‐catalyzed C? H functionalization of benzoquinone (BQ) can be controlled to give either mono‐ or disubstituted BQ, including the installation of two different groups in a one‐pot procedure. BQ can now be directly functionalized with aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and cycloalkene groups and, moreover, the reaction is conducted in environmentally benign water or acetone as solvents.     

[Ni(NHC)2] as a Scaffold for Structurally Characterized trans [H−Ni−PR2] and trans [R2P−Ni−PR2] Complexes

The addition of PPh₂H, PPhMeH, PPhH₂, P(para-Tol)H₂, PMesH₂ and PH₃ to the two-coordinate Ni⁰ N-heterocyclic carbene species [Ni(NHC)₂] (NHC=IiPr₂, IMe₄, IEt₂Me₂) affords a series of mononuclear, terminal phosphido nickel complexes. Structural characterisation of nine of these compounds shows that they have unusual trans [H−Ni−PR₂] or novel trans [R₂P−Ni−PR₂] geometries. The bis-phosphido complexes are more accessible when smaller NHCs (IMe₄>IEt₂Me₂>IiPr₂) and phosphines are employed. P−P activation of the diphosphines R₂P−PR₂ (R₂=Ph₂, PhMe) provides an alternative route to some of the [Ni(NHC)₂(PR₂)₂] complexes. DFT calculations capture these trends with P−H bond activation proceeding from unconventional phosphine adducts in which the H substituent bridges the Ni−P bond. P−P bond activation from [Ni(NHC)₂(Ph₂P−PPh₂)] adducts proceeds with computed barriers below 10 kcal mol⁻¹. The ability of the [Ni(NHC)₂] moiety to afford isolable terminal phosphido products reflects the stability of the Ni−NHC bond that prevents ligand dissociation and onward reaction.     

Computational study of ethene hydroarylation at [Ir(κ(2)-OAc)(PMe3)Cp]+

Density functional theory calculations have been employed to model ethene hydroarylation using an [Ir(κ(2)-OAc)(PMe(3))Cp](+) catalyst, 1. The reaction proceeds via: (i) an acetate-assisted C-H activation of benzene via an AMLA-6 transition state; (ii) rate-limiting insertion of ethene into the Ir-Ph bond; and (iii) protonolysis of the β-phenylethyl species by HOAc. A range of competing processes are assessed, the most important of which are the C-H activation of ethene at 1 and trapping of the β-phenylethyl intermediate with ethene. The former process gives rise to Ir-vinyl species which can then access further ethene insertion to give stable allyl by-products. A comparison with other ethene hydroarylation catalysts reported in the literature is presented.     

Combined Experimental and Computational Investigations of Rhodium‐Catalysed CH Functionalisation of Pyrazoles with Alkenes

Detailed experimental and computational studies have been carried out on the oxidative coupling of the alkenes C₂H₃Y (Y=CO₂Me ( a ), Ph ( b ), C(O)Me ( c )) with 3‐aryl‐5‐R‐pyrazoles (R=Me ( 1 a ), Ph ( 1 b ), CF₃ ( 1 c )) using a [Rh(MeCN)₃Cp*][PF₆]₂/Cu(OAc)₂ ? H₂O catalyst system. In the reaction of methyl acrylate with 1 a , up to five products ( 2 aa – 6 aa ) were formed, including the trans monovinyl product, either complexed within a novel Cu^I dimer ( 2 aa ) or as the free species ( 3 aa ), and a divinyl species ( 6 aa ); both 3 aa and 6 aa underwent cyclisation by an aza‐Michael reaction to give fused heterocycles 4 aa and 5 aa , respectively. With styrene, only trans mono‐ and divinylation products were observed, whereas with methyl vinyl ketone, a stronger Michael acceptor, only cyclised oxidative coupling products were formed. Density functional theory calculations were performed to characterise the different migratory insertion and β‐H transfer steps implicated in the reactions of 1 a with methyl acrylate and styrene. The calculations showed a clear kinetic preference for 2,1‐insertion and the formation of trans vinyl products, consistent with the experimental results.