A Proposal for Positive Cooperativity in Anion-Cation Binding in Yttrium and Lutetium Complexes Based on o-Amino-Substituted Phenolate Ligands. On the Way to Coordination Polymers by Self-Assembly. Molecular Structures of [ClLu(OAr)(3)Na] (X-ray) and [ClY(OAr')(3)Y(OAr')(3)Na] (X-ray and (89)Y-NMR)

Unique hetero(poly)metallic complexes [ClM(OAr)(3)Na] (M = Lu (3a), Y (3b)) and [ClY(OAr')(3)Y(OAr')(3)Na] (4) containing the bis (OAr = OC(6)H(2)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6-Me-4) and mono (OAr' = OC(6)H(4)(CH(2)NMe(2))-2) o-amino-substituted phenolate ligands have been synthesized and characterized by NMR ((1)H, (13)C, and (89)Y) and X-ray structure determinations (3a and 4). Crystals of 3a are triclinic, space group P&onemacr;, with unit cell dimensions a = 10.706(1) ?, b = 14.099(2) ?, c = 18.882(3) ?, alpha = 93.48(1) degrees, beta = 99.49(1) degrees, gamma = 108.72(11) degrees, and Z = 2. The chlorine, lutetium, and sodium atoms in 3a lie on a pseudo-3-fold axis ( angleCl-Lu.Na = 177.82(5) degrees ) around which the three phenolate ligands are arranged in such a way that a "propeller-like" molecule with screw-type chirality results. Crystals of 4 are triclinic, space group P1, with unit cell dimensions a = 11.411(4) ?, b = 13.325(4) ?, c = 13.599(4) ?, alpha = 88.91(3) degrees, beta = 65.44(2) degrees, gamma = 72.77(3) degrees, and Z = 1. In 4 the chlorine, the two yttrium and the sodium atoms lie on a pseudo-3-fold axis (Cl-Y(1).Y(2).Na: angleCl-Y.Y = 179.36(8) degrees and angleY.Y.Na = 178.38(10) degrees ) around which the six phenolate ligands are arranged in two shells of three ligands. One shell bridges the yttrium atoms in an asymmetric fashion, while the second shell bridges the second yttrium and the sodium atom, resulting in two shells of opposite screw-type chirality. (1)H, (13)C, and (89)Y (for 3b and 4) NMR confirmed that the structures found for 3a and 4 in the solid state are retained in solution. For 4 (89)Y NMR showed two separate resonances (202.4 and 132.4 ppm), with (2)J(YY) = 0.4 Hz. The formation of 3a and 3b is described as resulting from positive cooperativity in anion-cation bonding: coordination of chloride anion to a neutral metal tris(phenolate) leads to preorganization of available binding sites in the resulting anionic complex for the binding of the sodium cation. In 4 this cooperativity is the driving force for the self-assembly of an anionic bimetallic molecular structure with available, preorganized binding sites for the capture of the cation. A proposal is made to use these observations for the possible synthesis of new coordination polymers.     

Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Leachate Treatment and Electricity Production Using Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells were designed and operated to treat landfill leachate while simultaneously producing electricity. Two designs were tested in batch cycles using landfill leachate as a substrate without inoculation (908 to 3,200 mg/L chemical oxygen demand (COD)): Circle (934 mL) and large-scale microbial fuel cells (MFC) (18.3 L). A total of seven cycles were completed for the Circle MFC and two cycles for the larger-scale MFC. Maximum power densities of 24 to 31 mW/m² (653 to 824 mW/m³) were achieved using the Circle MFC, and a maximum voltage of 635 mV was produced using the larger-scale MFC. In the Circle MFC, COD, biological oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC), and ammonia were removed at an average of 16%, 62%, 23%, and 20%, respectively. The larger-scale MFC achieved an average of 74% BOD removal, 27% TOC removal, and 25% ammonia reduction while operating over 52 days. Analysis of the microbial characteristics of the leachate indicates that there might be both supportive and inhibiting bacteria in landfill leachate for operation of an MFC. Issues related to scale-up and heterogeneity of a mixed substrate remain.     

Characterization of the cellulose-degrading bacterium NCIMB 10462

The gram-negative cellulase-producing bacterium NCIMB 10462 has been previously namedPseudomonas fluorescens subsp. or var.cellulosa. Because of renewed interest in cellulose-degrading bacteria for use in the bioconversion of cellulose to chemical feed stocks and fuels, we re-examined the characteristics of this microorganism to determine its true metabolic potential. Metabolic and physical characterization of NCIMB 10462 revealed that this is an alkalophilic, nonfermentative, gram-negative, oxidase-positive, motile, cellulose-degrading bacterium. The aerobic substrate utilization profile of this bacterium has few characteristics consistent with a classification ofP. fluorescens and a very low probability match with the genusSphingomonas. However, total lipid analysis did not reveal that any sphingo-lipid bases are produced by this bacterium. NCIMB 10462 grows best aerobically, but also grows well in complex media under reducing conditions. NCIMB 10462 grows slowly under anaerobic conditions on complex media, but growth on cellulosic media occurred only under aerobic conditions. Total fatty acid analysis (MIDI) of NCIMB 10462 failed to group this bacterium with a known pseudomonas species. However, fatty acid analysis of the bacteria when grown at temperatures below 37°C suggest that the organism is a pseudomonad. Since a predominant characteristic of this bacterium is its ability to degrade cellulose, we suggest that it be calledPseudomonas cellulosa.

     

Relating ground water and sediment chemistry to microbial characterization at a BTEX-contaminated site

The National Center for Manufacturing Science is investigating bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon at a site near Belleville, MI. As part of this study, we examined the microbial communities to help elucidate biodegradative processes currently active at the site. We observed high densities of aerobic hydrocarbon degraders and denitrifiers in the less-contaminated sediments. Low densities of iron and sulfate reducers were measured in the same sediments. In contrast, the highly contaminated sediments showed low densities of aerobic hydrocarbon degraders and denitrifiers, and high densities of iron and sulfate reducers. Methanogens were also found in these highly contaminated sediments. These contaminated sediments also showed a higher biomass, by the phospholipid fatty acids, and greater ratios of phospholipid fatty acids, which indicate stress within the microbial community. Aquifer chemistry analyses indicated that the highly contaminated area was more reduced and had lower sulfate than the less-contaminated area. These conditions suggest that the subsurface environment at the highly contaminated area had progressed into sulfate reduction and methanogenesis. The less-contaminated area, although less reduced, also appeared to be progressing into primarily iron- and sulfate-reducing microbial communities. The proposed treatment to stimulate bioremediation includes addition of oxygen and nitrate to the subsurface. Ground water chemistry and microbial analyses revealed significant differences that resulted from the injection of dissolved oxygen and nitrate. These differences included an increase in Eh, small decrease in pH, and large decreases in BTEX, dissolved iron, and sulfate concentrations at the injection well. Injected nitrate was rapidly utilized by the subsurface microbial communities, and significant nitrite amounts were observed in the injection well and in nearby down-gradient observation wells. Microbial and molecular analyses indicated an increase in denitrifying bacteria after nitrate injection. The activity and population of denitrifying bacteria were significantly increased at the injection well relative to a down-gradient well for as long as 2 mo after the nitrate injection ended.

     

The determination of tungsten, molybdenum, and phosphorus oxyanions by high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometery

The toxic properties of tungsten compounds have recently been brought to the forefront with clusters of human cancer cases, such as in Fallon, NV. Such instances have made the determination of tungsten in natural water supplies vitally important. Tungsten exists in most environmental matrices as the soluble and mobile tungstate anion, although it can polymerize with itself and other anions, such as molybdate and phosphate. Because the geochemical and toxicological properties of these polymer species will vary from the monomeric tungstate parent, determination of tungstate speciation is as critical as determination of total dissolved tungsten concentration. Use of chromatographic separations, followed by element-specific detection is a proven technology for elemental speciation. In the present work, anion exchange chromatography has been coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to determine tungstate, molybdate, and phosphate species at the sub-μg l⁻¹ and μg l⁻¹ levels. The method provides quantitative determination of these species in about 10 min with the capability to simultaneously determine other oxyanion species. The method has been applied to groundwater and extracts of soils amended with tungsten powder. The water soluble tungsten in 1-h deionized water extracts after six months of soil aging was >15 mg l⁻¹, however, only 50% of the tungsten was present as monomeric tungstate.     

Steady-State and Frequency-Domain Lifetime Measurements of an Activated Molecular Imprinted Polymer Imprinted to Dipicolinic Acid

We recently demonstrated the synthesis and fluorescence activity associated with an optical detector incorporating a molecular imprinted polymer (MIP). Steady-state and time-resolved (lifetime) fluorescence measurements were used to characterize the binding activity associated with MIP microparticles imprinted to dipicolinic acid (DPA). DPA is a unique biomarker associated with the sporulation phase of endospore-forming bacteria. Vinylic monomers were polymerized in a dimethylformamide solution containing DPA as a template. The resulting MIP was then pulverized and sorted into small microscale particles. Tests were conducted on replicate samples of biologically active cultures representing both vegetative stationary phase and sporulation phase of Bacillus subtilis in standard media. Samplers were adapted incorporating the MIP particles within a dialyzer cartridge (500 MW). The permeability of the dialyzer membrane permitted diffusion of lighter molecular weight constituents from microbial media effluents to enter the dialyzer chamber and come in contact with the MIP. Results showed dramatic (10-fold over background) steady-state fluorescence changes (as a function of excitation, emission and intensity) for samples associated with high endospore biomass (DPA), and a frequency-domain lifetime of 5.3 ns for the MIP-DPA complex.     

Influence of Intramolecular Coordination on the Aggregation of Sodium Phenolate Complexes. X-ray Structures of [NaOC(6)H(4)(CH(2)NMe(2))-2](6) and [Na(OC(6)H(2)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6-Me-4)(HOC(6)H(2)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6-Me-4)](2)

The structural characterization of two new sodium phenolate complexes, containing ortho-amino substituents, enables the influence of intramolecular coordination on the aggregation of sodium phenolate complexes to be determined. Crystals of hexameric [NaOC(6)H(4)(CH(2)NMe(2))-2](6) (1a) are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 11.668(4) ?, b = 18.146(4) ?, c = 14.221(5) ?, beta = 110.76(3) ?, V = 2815.5(16) ?(3), and Z = 2; R = 0.0736 for 2051 reflections with I > 2.0sigma(I). Complex 1a contains a unique Na(6)O(6) core, consisting of two face-fused cubes, with the ortho-amino substituent of each phenolate coordinating to a sodium atom. In addition, two of the phenolate ligands have an eta(2)-arene interaction with an additional sodium atom in the core. Crystals of dimeric [(NaOC(6)H(2)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6-Me-4)(HOC(6)H(2)(CH(2)NMe(2))(2)-2,6-Me-4)](2) (2b) are triclinic, space group P&onemacr;, with a = 10.0670(8) ?, b = 10.7121(7) ?, c = 27.131(3) ?, alpha = 92.176(8) degrees, beta = 99.928(8) degrees, gamma = 106.465(6) degrees, V = 2752.1(4) ?(3), and Z = 2; R = 0.0766 for 5329 reflections with I > 2.0sigma(I). Dimeric complex 2b contains two phenolate ligands, which bridge the two sodium atoms, each coordinating with one ortho-amino substituent to a sodium atom, while the second available ortho-amino substituent remains pendant. The coordination sphere of each sodium atom is completed by a (neutral) bidentate O,N-coordinated parent phenol molecule. The second ortho-amino substituent of this neutral phenol is involved in a hydrogen bridge with its acidic hydrogen. On the basis of these two new crystal structures and previously reported solid state structures for sodium phenolate complexes, it is shown that the introduction of first one and then two ortho-amino substituents into the phenolate ligands successively lowers the degree of association of these complexes in the solid state. In this process, the basic Na(2)O(2) building block of the molecular structures remains intact.