Calculation of the Raman frequencies as a function of pressure in the solid phases II and III (III’) of benzene

We calculate here the Raman frequencies of the lattice modes A(A _g ), B(B _2g ) and C(B _1g B _3g ) as a function of pressure at room temperature for the solid phases (II, III and III’) of benzene. This calculation is performed using volume data through the mode Grüneisen parameter. It is found that our calculated frequencies of those lattice modes increase with increasing pressure, as expected. Calculated frequencies are in good agreement with the measurements of the three lattice modes for the solid phases studied in benzene.     

Stereoselective synthesis and characterization of the optically labile chiral Cr(III) complex Δ-(+)589{Cr[(−)bdtp]3}

The diastereoisomeric complex Δ-(+)-tris(cyclicO,O′, 1 (R), 2(R)(−)dimethylethylene dithiophosphato)chromium(III), was synthesized stereoselectively in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution. The complex proves optically labile, [α]_D=+106, in CHCl₃, changing quickly to [α]_D=+211. The CD spectra in THF enable us to characterize the complex and show a configuration inversion which gives the diastereoisomeric equilibrium Λ⇌Δ with an excess of the Λ-(R,R)(R,R)(R,R) diastereoisomeric form. The equilibrium constant K=0.86 at 25 °C is indicative of a different thermodynamic stability between the two diastereoisomers in THF solution, Λ-(R,R)> Δ-(R,R), δΔH°=1.5 kJ mol⁻¹, δΔG°=0.3 kJ mol⁻¹, δΔS°=4 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The kinetic diastereoisomer Δ-(R,R)(R,R)(R,R) is stabilized in CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, EtOH solvents where it is highly soluble and optically stable with a maximum negative chirality factor, g=−5×10⁻³, in CHCl₃.     

Enrichment of dissimilatory Fe(III)-reducing bacteria from groundwater of the Siklós BTEX-contaminated site (Hungary)

Dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria are commonly found in microbial communities of aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface environments where they often play key role in the degradation of the contaminants. The Siklós benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX)-contaminated area is one of the best characterized petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated sites of Hungary. Continuous monitoring of the microbial community in the center of the contaminant plume indicated the presence of an emerging Geobacter population and a Rhodoferax phylotype highly associated with aromatic hydrocarbon-contaminated subsurface environments. The aim of the present study was to make an initial effort to enrich Rhodoferax-related and other dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria from this environment. Accordingly, four slightly different freshwater media were used to enrich Fe(III) reducers, differing only in the form of nitrogen source (organic, inorganic nitrogen or gaseous headspace nitrogen). Although enrichment of the desired Rhodoferax phylotype was not succeeded, Geobacter-related bacteria were readily enriched. Moreover, the different nitrogen sources caused the enrichment of different Geobacter species. Investigation of the diversity of benzylsuccinate synthase gene both in the enrichments and in the initial groundwater sample indicated that the Geobacter population in the center of the contaminant plume may not play a significant role in the anaerobic degradation of toluene.     

Synthesis,X-ray structures,and magnetic properties of heterometal dinuclear Cr(III)–M(II) complexes

New 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazolato (bpypz) bridged heterometal dinuclear complexes [(nta)Cr(μ-bpypz)M^II(picen)]⁺ (M = Mn(II), Ni(II)) and [(acac)₂Cr(μ-bpypz)Ni^II(picen)]²⁺ (nta = nitrilotriacetate, picen = N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine, acac = acetylacetate) were synthesized and characterized by the X-ray analysis, ESI-MS and the magnetic measurements, and/or ²H NMR spectra. The molecular structures were compared from a viewpoint of the conformation of the picen depending on M^II ionic radii or different modes of hydrogen bonds. The picen in [(nta)Cr(μ-bpypz)Mn^II(picen)]BF₄ takes an abnormal conformation with intramolecular bifurcated three-center hydrogen bonds between two carboxylate oxygens of nta and an amine proton of the picen as found for the previously reported corresponding Fe(II) complex [K. Ni-iya, A. Fuyuhiro, T. Yagi, S. Nasu, K. Kuzushita, S. Morimoto, S. Kaizaki, Bull. Chem. Soc. Jpn. 74 (2001) 1891]. On the other hand, for both Ni(II)-nta and Ni(II)-acac complexes, the picen takes a normal conformation with only a two-center hydrogen bond between non-bridging ligands. The magneto-structural relation is discussed for the Cr(III)–Ni(II) complexes in connection with the orthogonality or orbital overlap arising from the difference in distortion around Cr(III) moiety.     

DFT-based molecular modeling and vibrational study of the La(III) complex of 3,3′-(benzylidene)bis(4-hydroxycoumarin)

Molecular modeling of the La(III) complex of 3,3′-(benzylidene)bis(4-hydroxycoumarin) (PhDC) was performed using density functional theory (DFT) methods at B3LYP/6-31G(d) and BP86/TZP levels. Both Stuttgart-Dresden effective core potential and ZORA approximation were applied to the La(III) center. The electron density distribution and the nucleophilic centers of the deprotonated ligand PhDC^2- in a solvent environment were estimated on the basis of Hirshfeld atomic charges, electrostatic potential values at the nuclei, and Nalewajski-Mrozek bond orders. In accordance with the empirical formula La(PhDC)(OH)(H₂O), a chain structure of the complex was simulated by means of two types of molecular fragment: (1) two La(III) cations bound to one PhDC^2- ligand, and (2) two PhDC^2- ligands bound to one La(III) cation. Different orientations of PhDC^2-, OH^- and H₂O ligands in the La(III) complexes were investigated using 20 possible [La(PhDC^2-)₂(OH)(H₂O)]^2- fragments. Energy calculations predicted that the prism-like structure based on “tail-head” cis-LML2 type binding and stabilized via HO...HOH intramolecular hydrogen bonds is the most probable structure for the La(III) complex. The calculated vibrational spectrum of the lowest energy La(III) model fragment is in very good agreement with the experimental IR spectrum of the complex, supporting the suggested ligand binding mode to La(III) in a chain structure, namely, every PhDC^2- interacts with two La(III) cations through both carbonylic and both hydroxylic oxygens, and every La(III) cation binds four oxygen atoms of two different PhDC^2-. Figure Low energy prism-like model fragment, [La(PhDC^2-)₂(OH)(H₂O)]^2-, optimized at BP86/TZP level of theory     

Binding of α-synuclein with Fe(III) and with Fe(II) and biological implications of the resultant complexes

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is hallmarked by the abnormal intracellular inclusions (Lewy bodies or LBs) in dopaminergic cells. Amyloidogenic protein α-synuclein (α-syn) and iron (including both Fe(III) and Fe(II)) are both found to be present in LBs. The interaction between iron and α-syn might have important biological relevance to PD etiology. Previously, a moderate binding affinity between α-syn and Fe(II) (5.8 × 10³ M⁻¹) has been measured, but studies on the binding between α-syn and Fe(III) have not been reported. In this work, electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the binding between α-syn and Fe(II) and the redox property of the resultant α-syn-Fe(II) complex. The complex is of a 1:1 stoichiometry and can be readily oxidized electrochemically and chemically (by O₂) to the putative α-syn-Fe(III) complex, with H₂O₂ as a co-product. The reduction potential was estimated to be 0.025 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which represents a shift by −0.550 V vs. the standard reduction potential of the free Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple. Such a shift allows a binding constant between α-syn and Fe(III), 1.2 × 10¹³ M⁻¹, to be deduced. Despite the relatively high binding affinity, α-syn-Fe(III) generated from the oxidation of α-syn-Fe(II) still dissociates due to the stronger tendency of Fe(III) to hydrolyze to Fe(OH)₃ and/or ferrihydrite gel. The roles of α-syn and its interaction with Fe(III) and/or Fe(II) are discussed in the context of oxidative stress, metal-catalyzed α-syn aggregation, and iron transfer processes.     

The crystal structure of the stable isomer Λ-mer,cis-RR of (1,4,7,11,14,17-hexaazacycloeicosane)cobalt(III) ion as the bromide trihydrate salt

The complex [Co(hace)]³⁺ with the macrocyclic hexamine ligand 1,4,7,11,14,17-hexaazacycloeicosane has been obtained (from equilibrium preparations) in only one of the six possible geometric forms. The present crystal structure of [Co(hace)]-Br₃·3H₂O shows this to be the Λ-mer, cis-RR isomer (this enantiomer for the particular crystal selected) with chelate ring conformations δ, chair, λ, δ, chair, λ (in order around the macrocycle). This confirms the detailed structure as predicted by energy minimization. The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell dimensions a = 8.738(6), b = 9.566(3), c = 28.45(1) Å and Z = 4. The structure was refined by a full-matrix least-squares procedure to final R = 0.059 and R_w = 0.059 for 2046 reflections with I⩾2.5σ(I). The acentric space group implies that the enantiomers crystallize separately.     

Kinetics of the oxidation of bromide ions by bis(2,2′-bipyridine)manganese(III) ions in aqueous perchlorate media

The kinetics of the oxidation of bromide ions by the bis(2,2′-bipyridine)manganese(III) ion have been investigated over a range of acid concentrations for several temperatures. Initial rates of reaction are measured and from their variation with [Mn^III] and [Br−] it is concluded that the observed order in [Mn(bipy)₂³⁺_aq] is one and that in [Br⁻] is intermediate between zero and one. It is shown kinetically that intermediate complexes between Mn^III and Br⁻ ions are involved and from the variation of the rate constant with acidity it is concluded that the decomposition of Mn(bipy)₂Br²⁺_aq is definitely involved as a rate controlling step and that the decomposition of the protonated complex Mn(bipy)(bipyH⁺)Br³⁺_aq is also probably involved as a rate controlling step. The kinetics and mechanism for this oxidation are compared with those found for other cations complexed with bipyridine, for aqua-cations and other complexes of Co^III.     

微生物氧化As(III)和Sb(III)的研究进展

砷(Arsenic,As)和锑(Antimony,Sb)属于同族元素,具有相似的化学性质,是公认的有毒类金属(metalloid),广泛存在于自然界中。随着人类的发展,环境中砷和锑的污染日益严重,类金属污染环境的修复已经刻不容缓。现已表明,自然界中的微生物在砷和锑的生物地球化学循环中发挥着重要的作用,尤其是微生物的氧化作用,可以将毒性较强的亚砷酸盐[Arsenite,As(III)]和亚锑酸盐[Antimonite,Sb(III)]氧化为毒性较低的砷酸盐[Arsenate,As(V)]和锑酸盐[Antimonate,Sb(V)],被认为是一种潜在的类金属污染环境修复方法。本文就国内外对As(III)氧化菌和Sb(III)氧化菌的多样性、As(III)和Sb(III)微生物氧化调控机制和应用的研究进展进行总结,旨在为深入了解和探索微生物介导的砷和锑生物地球化学循环及污染环境的微生物修复提供参考。     

Chromium (III)-nucleotide complexes as probes of the guanosine 5′-triphosphate-induced microtubule assembly

Cr(III)GTP is shown to promote assembly of microtubules that are indistinguishable from those assembled using MgGTP. The rate of assembly using Cr(III)GTP is faster than the rate of assembly using MgGTP. The action of Cr(III)GTP is not due to dissociation of GTP from Cr(III)GTP. Microtubules assembled using [8-¹⁴C]Cr(III)GTP are shown to bind 0.55 mol of ¹⁴C label per mol of tubulin dimer. This is comparable to [8-¹⁴C]GTP binding under identical conditions. The distribution of ¹⁴C label is shown to be 55% Cr(III)GTP, 30% GDP, and 15% Cr(III)GDP. Microtubules assembled using Cr(III)GTP have marked resistance to calcium depolymerization but are readily depolymerized by exposure to cold. Two possible models for calcium-induced depolymerization are discussed. Neither Cr(III)ATP nor Cr(III)GDP was found to support assembly. Cr(III)ATP was found to inhibit ATP- and UTP-induced assembly but not GTP- or ITP-induced assembly. This is discussed in terms of the nucleoside diphosphokinase postulated to shuttle phosphoryl groups from nucleoside-5′-triphosphates to GDP, thereby supporting assembly indirectly.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the decomposition of μ-amido-μ-hydroxo(tetraamminecobalt(III))(tetraaquacobalt(III)) ion in acidic aqueous solution

The title complex undergoes decomposition in acidic aqueous solution resulting in equimolar concentration of aquapentaamminecobalt(III) and hexa- aquacobalt(II). The kinetic studies over the ranges of 0.048 M ⩽ [H⁺] ⩽ 0.385 M, 25 ⩽ θ_c ⩽ 41.5°C and at I = 0.5 M reveals that the intricate mechanism involves protonation equilibrium of the title complex, followed by a rate determining bridge cleavage. The further follow-up reaction is a fast electron transfer process to form products. The rate expression derived from the mechanism is k_obs = k₁K₁[H⁺]/(1 + K₁[H⁺]) where the values of k, and K, are found to be 8.9 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹ and 3.5 M⁻¹ respectively at 25 °C. The results are compared with that obtained for the decomposition reactions of mononuclear aquaammine complexes of cobalt(III).     

Peroxidase-like activities of iron(III)—Porphyrins: kinetics of the reduction of a peroxidatically active derivative of deuteroferriheme by anilines

The kinetics of the reduction by aniline and a series of substituted anilines of a peroxidatically active intermediate, formed by oxidation of deuteroferriheme with hydrogen peroxide, have been studied by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The reaction with aniline was first order with respect to [intermediate] and showed first-order saturation kinetics with respect to [aniline]. The second-order rate constant was 2.0 ± 0.2 × 10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1 at 25°C (independent of pH in the range 6.60–9.68) compared with the value of 2.4 × 10⁵ M^?1 sec^?1 for the reaction of aniline with horseradish peroxidase Compound I. The effect of aniline substituents upon reactivity towards the heme intermediate closely paralled those reported for reaction with the enzymic intermediate. Anilines bearing electron-donating substituents reacted more rapidly and those bearing electron-withdrawing substituents more slowly than the unsubstituted amine. The rate constants for the heme intermediate reactions (k_dfh)found to be related to those for the enzymic reactions (k_hrp) by the equation:log k_DFH= 0.65log k_HRP+ 1.96 with a correlation coefficient of 0. 98.     

Towards an understanding of the quadrupole splittings found in the Mössbauer spectroscopic data of a number of substituted tetraphenylporphyriniron(III) halides

Mononuclear and μ-oxo-dimers of a series of unsymmetrical substituted tetraphenylporphyriniron(III) complexes have been prepared and studied using Mössbauer spectroscopy. The Mössbauer data are discussed and compared to the other known data for similar high spin Fe(III) porphyrinsA good correlation between Hammet σ_R° (the mesomeric values) of the porphyrin substituent and the Mössbauer quadrupole splitting (Δ) has been found.     

Absorption of the biomimetic chromium cation triaqua-μ3-oxo-μ-hexapropionatotrichromium(III) in rats

The cation [Cr₃O(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺ has been shown in vitro to mimic to the oligopeptide chromodulin’s ability to stimulate the tyrosine kinase activity of insulin receptor and shown in healthy and type 2 diabetic model rats to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations. However, the degree to which the complex is absorbed after gavage administration to rats had not been previously determined. The biomimetic cation at nutritional supplement levels is absorbed with greater than 60% efficiency, and at pharmacological levels, it is absorbed with greater than 40% efficiency, an order of magnitude greater absorption than that of CrCl₃, Cr nicotinate, or Cr picolinate, currently marketed nutritional supplements. The difference in degree of absorption is readily explained by the stability and solubility of the cation.     

Structure-redox potential relations of some tris(β-dicarbonylato)iron(III) chelates

The polarographic behaviour of a series of tris(β- dicarbonylato)iron(III) chelates is reported. Conventional polarography and voltametric studies in acetonitrile revealed that these complexes undergo a one- electron reduction process at the Hg and carbon fibre electrodes. The influence of substituents within the β-dicarbonylato moiety is discussed in terms of Hammett σ functions. Reduction potentials are related to Racah's interelectronic repulsion parameter B and to the energy of the spin-forbidden transition ⁴T₂g ←⁶A_1g. The polarographic behaviour of binary mixtures indicates that ligand exchange in solution is a fast process and formation of mixed-ligand chelates in solution with predetermined stoichiometry is unlikely.     

Structure of microbial communities performing the simultaneous reduction of Fe(II)EDTA.NO2−and Fe(III)EDTA−

BioDeNOx is a combined physicochemical and biological process for the removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from flue gas. In the present study, two anaerobic bioreactors performing BioDeNOx were run consecutively (RUN-1 and RUN-2) at a dilution rate of 0.01 h⁻¹ with Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ and Fe(III)EDTA⁻ as electron acceptors and ethanol as electron donor. The measured protein concentration of the reactor biomass of both runs was 120 mg/l. Different molecular methods were used to determine the identity and abundance of the bacterial populations in both bioreactors. Bacillus azotoformans strain KT-1 was recognized as a key player in Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ reduction. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of the reactor biomass showed a greater diversity in RUN-2 than in RUN-1. Enrichments of Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ and Fe(III)EDTA⁻ reducers and activity assays were conducted using the biomass from RUN-2 as an inoculum. The results on substrate turnover, overall microbial diversity, and enrichments and finally activity assays confirmed that ethanol was used as electron donor for Fe(II)EDTA.NO²⁻ reduction. In addition, the Fe(III)EDTA⁻ reduction rate of the microbial community proved to be feasible enough to run the bioreactors, ruling out the chemical reduction of Fe(III)EDTA⁻ with sulfide as was proposed by other researchers.     

Ligand field,electronic and solvent effects in the non-aqueous electrochemistry of tris(β-dionato)chromium(III) chelates

The electrochemical behaviour of a series of tris-(β-dionato)chromium(III) chelates has been investigated in acetone and acetonitrile. Reduction proceeds in one electron steps involving the chromium ion. Solvent effects are less important than the influence of substituents within the β-dionato moiety. Potentials range from −2.15 to −0.89 V and a linear correlation exists between E_1/2 and the sum of Hammett σ functions of the substituents. Comparison with similarly structured complexes indicates that electronic configuration, ionization potentials and ligand field effects influence the reduction potentials. The paramagnetic complexes behave differently from the diamagnetic ones.