Species-dependence of the redox potential of the primary quinone electron acceptor QA in photosystem II verified by spectroelectrochemistry

The redox potentials E_m(Q_A/) of the primary quinone electron acceptor Q_A in oxygen-evolving photosystem II complexes of three species were determined by spectroelectrochemistry. The E_m(Q_A/) values were experimentally found to be −162 ± 3 mV for a higher plant spinach, −171 ± 3 mV for a green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and −104 ± 4 mV vs. SHE for a red alga Cyanidioschyzonmerolae. On the basis of possible deviations for the experimental values, as estimated to differ by 9-29 mV from each true value, plausible causes for such remarkable species-dependence of E_m(Q_A/) are discussed, mainly by invoking the effects of extrinsic subunits on the delicate structural environment around Q_A.     

Dinuclear and polynuclear Cu(II) azido-bridged compounds with 7-azaindole as a ligand. Synthesis, characterization and 3D structures

In this study three new dinuclear Cu(II) compounds with the ligand 7-azaindole (abbreviated as Haza) and bridging end-on azide anions with the general formula [Cu₂(Haza)₄(N₃)₂(A)₂] (in which A =  (1), (2) and (3)) are reported, as well as a dinuclear-based polymeric compound with the overall formula [Cu₄(L)₆(N₃)₆(ClO₄)₂]_n·(CH₃OH)_2n (4). The latter compound contains both end-on and end-to-end azide anions. Full characterization of all four compounds has been performed by spectroscopic methods and by using 3D X-ray structure analysis.     

Re(I)(tricarbonyl) complexes with the 2-(2-pyridyl)-N-methyl-benzimidazole, 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole and 2-(2-pyridyl)benzothiazole ligands - syntheses, structures, electrochemical and spectroscopic studies

The reactions of Re(CO)₅Cl with the chelating ligands 2-(2-pyridyl)-N-methylbenzimidazole, 2-(2-pyridyl)benzoxazole and 2-(2-pyridyl)benzothiazole afforded neutral fac-Re(CO)₃(L)Cl and ionic complexes with structures confirmed by means of X-ray measurements. UV-vis absorption and emission properties have been studied at room and 77 K temperatures in order to determine the nature of the lowest electronically excited states. Electrochemical behaviour of the investigated fac-Re(CO)₃(L)Cl and complexes has been studied using cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. Preliminary results from the electrogenerated chemiluminescence studies of the ionic and the neutral fac-Re(CO)₃(MPBI)Cl complexes are briefly presented.     

Scaling behaviors of weighted food webs as energy transportation networks

Food webs can be regarded as energy transporting networks in which the weight of each edge denotes the energy flux between two species. By investigating 21 empirical weighted food webs as energy flow networks, we found several ubiquitous scaling behaviors. Two random variables A_i and C_i defined for each vertex i, representing the total flux (also called vertex intensity) and total indirect effect or energy store of i, were found to follow power law distributions with the exponents α≈1.32 and β≈1.33, respectively. Another scaling behavior is the power law relationship, , where η≈1.02. This is known as the allometric scaling power law relationship because A_i can be treated as metabolism and C_i as the body mass of the sub-network rooted from the vertex i, according to the algorithm presented in this paper. Finally, a simple relationship among these power law exponents, η=(α−1)/(β−1), was mathematically derived and tested by the empirical food webs.     

Conductometric and voltammetric studies on the bis(triphenyl phosphine) ruthenium(II) complex, cis-[RuCl2(L)(PPh3)2], where L: 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline

Conductometric investigation on the bis(triphenyl phosphine) ruthenium(II) complex, cis-[RuCl₂(L)(PPh₃)₂] (A) (where PPh₃: triphenyl phosphine and L: 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline, C₁₃N₃H₉), in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was performed at temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °C. In addition, cyclic voltammograms of A were recorded on platinum working electrode in dichloromethane (DCM) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) using n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (NBu₄PF₆) as supporting electrolyte at 25 °C. The molar conductivities (Λ) demonstrate that A behaves as uni-univalent electrolyte in DMSO over the whole temperature range. This behavior can be explained in terms of the replacement upon dissolution of chlorine and PPh₃ ligands by DMSO molecules, and consequently, the formation of the ion-pair [RuCl(L)(PPh₃)(DMSO)₂]Cl [B⁺Cl⁻] which is dissociated in some extent. The Λ values were analyzed by means of the Lee-Wheaton conductivity equation in order to estimate the limiting molar conductivities (Λ^o) and the ion-pair association constants (K_A) of [B⁺Cl⁻]. The limiting ion conductivities for the B⁺ ion were evaluated using n-tetrabutylammonium chloride (NBu₄Cl) as “reference electrolyte”. The thermodynamic functions related with the ion association, such as Gibbs free energy , enthalpy , and entropy , were evaluated as well. The mobility of B⁺ was found to increase linearly with rising temperature and the consequent decrease of the viscosity (η) of DMSO. The K_A and values indicate that the association of [B⁺Cl⁻] increases to some extent with the rise of the temperature followed by the decrease of the dielectric constant (ε) of DMSO. The voltammetric experiments indicated that the couple Ru^3+/2+ is reversible and diffusion controlled in DCM and completely irreversible in DMSO.     

The aluminium(III)-sialic acid interaction: A potential role in aluminium-induced cellular membrane degeneration

The coordination between Al(III) and sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, HL, pK_a = 2.58 ± 0.01) was studied by potentiometric titrations at 25 °C in aqueous 0.2 M KCl, by ¹H NMR, and by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The potentiometric measurements gave the following aluminium complex stoichiometries and stability constants: , log β(AlLH₋₂) = −6.34 ± 0.02, and log β(AlL₂H₋₁) = −1.14 ± 0.04. The ¹H NMR spectra yielded structural information on species . The ESI-MS data confirmed the metal-ligand stoichiometry of the complexes.The metal-ligand speciation at micromolar Al(III) concentrations (i.e., under in vivo conditions) at physiological pH values reveals that considerable amount of Al(III) is complexed. This suggests that the toxic effect of Al(III) towards cellular membranes might be due to its coordination by protein-bound sialic acid.     

In situ alkylation of 4,4′-bipyridine in hydrothermal synthesis of one-dimensional copper(I) bromide compounds

Hydrothermal reaction of CuBr₂, 4,4′-bipyridine and ethanol/methanol generated two copper (I) bromide complexes with in situ alkylated 4,4′-bipyridium, namely [C₁₄H₁₈N₂][Cu₅Br₇] (1) and [C₁₂H₁₄N₂][Cu₄Br₆] (2). The structure of 1 consists of chains and N,N′-diethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium. The underlying structural motif in of 1 is the Cu₅Br capped square pyramid, which is different from the Cu₅Br₂ pentagonal bipyramidal structural motif in various documented anions. The in 1 contains untypical μ₅-bromide, with which five copper atoms forms a capped square pyramid rather than a pentagonal pyramid as predicted by Subramanian and Hoffmann. Compound 2 is isostructural with [C₁₂H₁₄N₂][Cu₄Cl₆] reported by Willett, and consists of chains and N,N′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium. The chain is composed of alternating Cu₆Br₆ and Cu₂Br₆ units.     

The R* rule and energy flux in a plant-nutrient ecosystem

The R* rule predicts that the species that can survive in steady state at the lowest level of limiting resource, R*, excludes all other species. Simple models indicate that this concept is not necessarily consistent with Lotka's conjecture that an ecological system should evolve towards a state of maximum power, Max(G), where G is the power, or rate of biomass production of the system. To explore the relationship in detail, we used a published model of a plant-nutrient system in which a plant can use various strategies, S, of allocation of energy between foliage, roots, and wood. We found that the allocation strategy, S_MinR*, that leads to , where is a limiting nutrient in soil pore water in our model (and equivalent to R* in Tilman's notation), is the same as the strategy, S_{MaxG_root}, for which energy flux to roots is maximized. However, that allocation strategy is different from the strategy, S_MaxG, that produces maximum power, or maximum photosynthetic rate, for the plant system, Max(G). Hence, we conclude that and Max(G) should not necessarily co-occur in an ecological system. We also examined which strategy, S_fit, was fittest; that is, eliminated any other strategies, when allowed to compete. The strategy S_fit differed from S_MinR*, S_MaxG, and S_{MaxG_root}, which we demonstrated mathematically. We also considered the feasible situation in which a plant is able to positively influence external nutrient input to the system. Under such conditions, the strategy, S_{MaxG_root}, that maximizes energy flux to roots was the same as the strategy, S_MaxR*, that leads to maximum concentration of available nutrient in soil pore water, , and not same as S_MinR*, for .     

Anionic effects on the formation of tridentate 4′-chloro-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine copper(II) complexes having 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of metal and ligand and their crystal symmetry

A facile synthetic procedure has been used to prepare one five-coordinate and four six-coordinate copper(II) complexes of 4′-chloro-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (tpyCl) ligand with different counterions (, , , , and ) in high yields. They are formulated as [Cu(tpyCl-κ³N,N′,N′′)(SO₄-κO)(H₂O-κO)] · 2H₂O (1), trans-[Cu(tpyCl-κ³N,N′,N″)(NO₃-κO)₂(H₂O-κO)] (2), [Cu(tpyCl-κ³N,N′,N″)₂](BF₄)₂ (3), [Cu(tpyCl-κ³N,N′,N″)₂](PF₆)₂ (4) and [Cu(tpyCl-κ³N,N′,N″)₂](ClO₄)₂ (5) and versatile interactions in supramolecular level including coordinative bonding, O-H?O, O-H?Cl, C-H?F, and C-H?Cl hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking play essential roles in forming different frameworks of 1-5. It is concluded that the difference of coordination abilities of the counterions used and the experimental conditions codominate the resulting complexes with 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of metal and ligand.     

Square-planar and trigonal prismatic silver(I) in bipyrimidine and oxalate bridged tetranuclear complexes and one-dimensional compounds: Synthesis and crystal structures

The reaction of [Ag₄(hfac)₄(THF)₂] (hfac⁻ = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonate, THF = tetrahydrofurrane) with 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm) leads to single crystals. They crystallise in the triclinic system, space group . Their structure consists of [Ag₄(hfac)₄(μ₂-bpm)₃] tetranuclear complexes. In this complex, Ag(I) ions adopt distorted square planar and trigonal prismatic geometries. When [Ag₄(hfac)₄(THF)₂] is replaced by monohydrated silver(I) perchlorate, a one-dimensional (1D) compound with a formula of [[Ag(μ₂-bpm)]⁺]_n, is obtained as single crystals. They crystallise in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c. Their structure consists of [[Ag(μ₂-bpm)]⁺]_n chains separated by non-coordinated perchlorate ions. In the chains, the Ag(I) centres adopt a square planar geometry. Finally, starting from [[Ag(μ₂-bpm)]⁺]_n, and sodium oxalate , another 1D compound with a formula of [Ag(μ₂-bpm)(μ₂-ox)]_n, 4nH₂O is obtained as single crystals. They crystallise in the triclinic system, space group . In these chains, bipyrimidine and oxalate are alternate. They generate a square planar geometry around the Ag(I) cations.     

Disproportionation of hydroxylamine by water-soluble iron(III) porphyrinate compounds

The reactions of hydroxylamine (HA) with several water-soluble iron(III) porphyrinate compounds, namely iron(III) meso-tetrakis-(N-ethylpyridinium-2yl)-porphyrinate ([Fe^III(TEPyP)]⁵⁺), iron(III) meso-tetrakis-(4-sulphonatophenyl)-porphyrinate ([Fe^III(TPPS)]³⁻), and microperoxidase 11 ([Fe^III(MP11)]) were studied for different [Fe^III(Porph)]/[HA] ratios, under anaerobic conditions at neutral pH. Efficient catalytic processes leading to the disproportionation of HA by these iron(III) porphyrinates were evidenced for the first time. As a common feature, only N₂ and N₂O were found as gaseous, nitrogen-containing oxidation products, while NH₃ was the unique reduced species detected. Different N₂/N₂O ratios obtained with these three porphyrinates strongly suggest distinctive mechanistic scenarios: while [Fe^III(TEPyP)]⁵⁺ and [Fe^III(MP11)] formed unknown steady-state porphyrinic intermediates in the presence of HA, [Fe^III(TPPS)]³⁻ led to the well characterized soluble intermediate, [Fe^II(TPPS)NO]⁴⁻. Free-radical formation was only evidenced for [Fe^III(TEPyP)]⁵⁺, as a consequence of a metal centered reduction. We discuss the catalytic pathways of HA disproportionation on the basis of the distribution of gaseous products, free radicals formation, the nature of porphyrinic intermediates, the Fe^II/Fe^III redox potential, the coordinating capabilities of each complex, and the kinetic analysis. The absence of revealed either that no HAO-like activity was operative under our reaction conditions, or that , if formed, was consumed in the reaction milieu.     

Squarato-metal(II) complexes. 1: Structural and magnetic characterization of squarato-bridged dinuclear nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes

A new series of dinuclear squarato-bridged nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes [Ni₂(2,3,2-tet)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Ni₂(aepn)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₂(pmedien)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂.4H₂O (3) and [Cu₂(DPA)₂(μ_1,2-C₄O₄)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4) where is the dianion of 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-en-1,2-dione (squaric acid), 2,3,2-tet = 1,4,8,11-tetraazaundecane, aepn = N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, pmedien = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and DPA = di(2-pyridylmethyl)amine were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The spectral and structural characterization as well as the magnetic behaviour of these complexes is reported. In this series, structures consist of the groups as counter ions and the bridging the two M(II) centers in a μ-1,3- (1-3) and in a μ-1,2-bis(monodentate) (4) bonding fashions. The coordination geometry around the Ni(II) ions in 1 and 2 is six-coordinate with distorted octahedral environment achieved by N atoms of the amines and by one or two oxygen atoms from coordinated water molecules, respectively. In the Cu(II) complexes 3 and 4, a distorted square pyramidal geometry is achieved by the three N-atoms of the aepn or DPA and by an oxygen atom from a coordinated water molecule. The electronic spectra of the complexes in aqueous solutions are in complete agreement with the assigned X-ray geometry around the M(II) centers. The complexes show weak antiferromagnetic coupling with ∣J∣ = 1.8-4.2 cm⁻¹ in the μ-1,3- bridged squarato compounds 1-3, and J = −16.1 cm⁻¹ in the corresponding μ-1,2- bridged squarato complex 4. The magnetic properties are discussed in relation to the structural data.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of zig-zag chains of transition metals with O-P-O bridges

A novel series of linear chain coordination polymers, [NH₄][M^II(H₂PO₂)₃(H₂O)] where M = Mn, Co, Ni, has been obtained by the reaction of divalent metals salts with ammonium pyrophosphite, [NH₄][H₂PO₂], in a methanol-water mixture. They crystallise in the monoclinic P2₁/n cell and contain polar chains aligned with opposing polarity. Both bridging and terminal monodentate coordination modes are exhibited by the . Two types of hydrogen-bond between a coordinated water and a monodentate connect the chains into a 3D-network. The compounds have been further characterised by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies, TGA, and their magnetic properties measured. All three compounds exhibit weak antiferromagnetic nearest neighbour interaction. A similar study on the known [Fe^III(H₂PO₂)₃] is also reported. Its magnetic susceptibility fits a model for a 1D-antiferromagnet with 2 J/k of 1.20(1) K and g of 2.019(2).     

Crystal structures of [M(NTf2)3(H2O)n] (M = Eu and Yb) and a template effect of linear molecules on the 3D hydrogen bonding network structure of [Eu(NTf2)3(H2O)3]

Lewis acid catalysts [Eu(NTf₂)₃] and [Yb(NTf₂)₃] can be easily crystallized from a p-xylene solution in the presence of carboxylic acids and a small amount of water to give a trihydrate and a pentahydrate, respectively. In the crystallization of [Eu(NTf₂)₃(H₂O)₃], linear molecules such as n-alkanes and n-alkanoic acids act as templates to form crystals belonging to the trigonal space group with a hexagonal cylindrical structure, which is constructed by 3D hydrogen bonding network. On the other hand, [Eu(NTf₂)₃(H₂O)₃] crystallized in the cubic space group P2₁3 in the presence of a bulkier carboxylic acid, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid. In both [Eu(NTf₂)₃(H₂O)₃] crystals, ligands act as bidentate ligands coordinating to the Eu atom through two oxygen atoms. [Yb(NTf₂)₃] crystallized as a pentahydrate in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, in which ligands coordinated to the Yb atom with only one oxygen atom.     

Synthesis and characterisation of a new vanadyl oxalatophosphate compound: (C10H10N2)[(VO)(HPO4)]2(C2O4)

A new vanadyl oxalatophosphate compound, (C₁₀H₁₀N₂)[(VO)(HPO₄)]₂(C₂O₄), was synthesized via the hydrothermal approach and characterised structurally using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and thermogravimetric analysis. The compound has two-dimensional anionic layers with occupying the interlayer spaces.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion

The oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion in 0.005 ? [HClO₄] ? 0.5 mol dm⁻³ is first order in and a fractional order in [oxalic acid], the reactive entities being AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions. The pseudo first-order rate, k_obs, with respect to [Au(III)], is retarded by increasing [H⁺] and [Cl⁻]. The retardation by H⁺ ion is caused by the dissociation equilibrium . A mechanism in which a substitution complex, is formed from AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions prior to its rate limiting disproportionation into products is suggested. The rate limiting constant, k, has been evaluated and its activation parameters are reported. The equilibrium constant K₁ for the formation of the substitution complex and its thermodynamic parameters are also reported.     

Dinuclear gold(III) pyrazolato complexes - Synthesis, structural characterization and transformation to their trinuclear gold(I) and gold(I/III) analogues

The reaction of AuCl₃py with Na(pz∗) (pz∗ = pyrazolato, or substituted pyrazolato anion) yields stable dinuclear [cis-Au^IIICl₂(μ-pz∗)]₂ complexes. In the presence of a base, the latter undergo reduction with concomitant transformation of the dinuclear -structure to trinuclear Au^I, Au^III (containing trans Au^IIICl₂-centres) and species.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes possessing the η-p-cymene ligand

Complexes possessing a soft donor η⁶-arene and hard donor acetylacetonate ligand, [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(κ²-O,O-acac-μ-CH)]₂[OTf]₂ (1) (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate; acac = acetylacetonate) and {Ar′ = 3,5-(CF₃)-C₆H₃}, were prepared and fully characterized. The lability of the μ-CH linkage for complex 1 and the THF ligand of 2 allow access to the unsaturated cation [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(κ²-O,O-acac)]⁺. The reaction of with KTp {Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate} produces . The azide complex forms upon reaction of with N₃Ar (Ar = p-tolyl), and reaction of with CHCl₃ at 100 °C yields the chloride-bridged binuclear complex . The details of solid-state structures of [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(κ²-O,O-acac-μ-CH)]₂[OTf]₂ (1), and are disclosed.