The Cu(II)-fluconazole complex revisited. Part I: Structural characteristics of the system

Protonation equilibria and Cu(II) binding processes by an antifungal agent fluconazole, α-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-α-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl-methyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol, were studied using the UV-Vis, EPR and NMR spectroscopic techniques. The protonation constant of fluconazole was determined from NMR titration and attributed to N4′ nitrogen atoms using the DFT methods. The spectroscopic data suggest that at pH as low as 0.4 the first complex is formed, in which one or two Cu(II) ions are bound to one of the nitrogen atoms (N4′) from triazole rings. Above pH 1.5 each Cu(II) ion is surrounded by two nitrogen atoms (also N4′) from two different ligand molecules, forming primary monomeric complexes and above pH = 5, both dimeric or oligomeric species occur, which is well registered by the EPR technique.The mixture of Cu(NO₃)₂ with fluconazole in a 1:1 molar ratio in a water (pH = 4.5)/ethanol solution gave crystals of [Cu₂(H₂O){(C₆H₃-2,4-F₂)(CH₂N₃C₂H₂)₂C-OH}{(C₆H₃-2,4-F₂)(CH₂N₃C₂H₂)₂C-O}(NO₃)](NO₃)₂·9(H₂O). This complex is the first example of a cupric 3D polymeric structure with a fluconazole ligand coordinated via both N2′ and N4′ atoms from the same triazole rings. At higher pH values, we obtained a binuclear complex [Cu₂(L)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₃)₂], in which the copper(II) atoms were bridged by the oxygen atoms of the deprotonated OH group of fluconazole.The hypothetical oxidative properties of this system were also examined, however it failed to generate either reactive oxygen species or DNA scission products.     

Reduction chemistry of the mixed ligand metallocene [(C5Me5)(C8H8)U]2(μ-C8H8) with bipyridines

The U⁴⁺ cyclooctatetraenyl complex, [(C₅Me₅)(C₈H₈)U]₂(μ-C₈H₈), 1, reacts with two equiv of 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂bipy) and 2 equiv of 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) to form 2 equiv of (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁸-C₈H₈)U(Me₂bipy-κ²N,N′) and (η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁸-C₈H₈)U(bipy-κ²N,N′), respectively. X-ray crystallography, infrared spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations indicate that the products are best described as U⁴⁺ complexes of bipyridyl radical anions. Hence, only one of the (C₈H₈)²⁻ ligands in 1 acts as a reductant and delivers 2 electrons per equiv of 1. Since the reduction potentials of uncomplexed (C₈H₈)²⁻, Me₂bipy, and bipy are −1.86, −2.15, and −2.10 V vs SCE, respectively, it is likely that prior coordination of the bipyridine reagents enhances the electron transfer.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of a monomeric and a macrocyclic copper (II) complex with a large cavity using benzylacetylacetone ligand

The bidentate ligand benzylacetylacetone was used to synthesize the Cu(II) complexes 1 and 2 without and with 4,4^′-bipyridine ligand, respectively. The complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic studies. The mononuclear complex [Cu(C₁₀H₉O₂)₂] (1) has been synthesized by the reaction of copper acetate with the ligand whereas the tetranuclear complex [Cu₄(4,4^′-bpy)₄(C₁₀H₉O₂)₄(C₂H₃O₂)₄] (2) has been synthesized by the reaction of copper acetate with the ligand followed by the addition of 4,4^′-bipyridine. The X-ray analysis shows that the complex 1 has square planar geometry and the complex 2 has square pyramidal geometry around the metal centers. The thermogravimetric studies showed that the complexes undergo decomposition in multiple steps.     

Artificial photosynthesis based on dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells

A new series of amphiphilic heteroleptic ruthenium(II) sensitizers [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(dhbpy)(NCS)₂] (C1), [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(bccbpy)(NCS)₂] (C2), [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(mpubpy)(NCS)₂] (C3), [Ru(H₂dcbpy)(bhcbpy)(NCS)₂] (C4) have been synthesized and fully characterized by UV-Vis, emission, NMR and cyclic voltammetric studies (where dhbpy = 4,4′-dihexyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bccbpy = 4,4′-bis(cholesteroxycarbonyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, mpubpy = 4-methyl-4′-perfluoro-1H,1H,2H,2H,3H,3H-undecyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bhcbpy = 4,4′-Bis(hexylcarboxamido)-2,2′-bipyridine). The amphiphilic amide heteroleptic ruthenium(II) sensitizers, self-assembled on TiO₂ surface from ethanol solution, reveal efficient sensitization in the visible window range yielding ≈80% incident photon-to-current efficiencies (IPCE). Under standard AM 1.5 sunlight, the C4 sensitizer gave 15 mA/cm² short circuit photocurrent density, 0.66 fill factor and an open circuit voltage of 0.75 V, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 7.4%.     

Binding of palladium(II) complexes to guanine, guanosine or guanosine 5-monophosphate in aqueous solution: potentiometric and NMR studies

The interaction of guanine, guanosine or 5^′-GMP (guanosine 5^′-monophosphate) with [Pd(en)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ and [Pd(dapol)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂, where en is ethylenediamine and dapol is 2-hydroxy-1,3-propanediamine, were studied by UV-Vis, pH titration and ¹H NMR. The pH titration data show that both N1 and N7 can coordinate to [Pd(en)(H₂O)₂]²⁺ or [Pd(dapol)(H₂O)₂]²⁺. The pK_a of N1-H decreased to 3.7 upon coordination in guanosine and 5^′-GMP complexes, which is significantly lower than that of ∼9.3 in the free ligand. In strongly acidic solution where N1-H is still protonated, only N7 coordinates to the metal ion, but as the pH increases to pH ∼3, ¹H NMR shows that both N7-only and N1-only coordinated species exist. At pH 4-5, both N1-only and N1,N7-bridged coordination to Pd(II) complexes are found for guanosine and 5^′-GMP. The latter form cyclic tetrameric complexes, [Pd(diamine)(μ-N1,N7-Guo]₄⁴⁺ and [Pd(diamine)(μ-N1,N7-5^′-GMP)]₄H_x^(4−x)−, (x=2,1, or 0) with either [Pd(en)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ or [Pd(dapol)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂. The pH titration data and ¹H NMR data agree well with the exception that the species distribution diagrams show the initial formation of the N1-only and N1,N7-bridged complexes to occur at somewhat higher pH than do the NMR data. This is due to a concentration difference in the two sets of data.     

Preparation and structural organisation of heteroleptic tetraphenylantimony(V) complexes comprising unidentately and bidentately coordinated O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphate groups: Multinuclear (C, P) CP/MAS NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies

O,O′-dipropyldithiophosphate and O,O′-di-iso-butyldithiophosphate (Dtph) tetraphenylantimony(V) complexes of the general formula [Sb(C₆H₅)₄{S₂P(OR)₂}] (R = C₃H₇, i-C₄H₉) were prepared and studied by means of ¹³C, ³¹P CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Distorted octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal molecular structures have been established for prepared complexes. These unexpected structural distinctions between chemically related compounds are defined by the principally different coordination modes of O,O′-dipropyldithiophosphate and O,O′-di-iso-butyldithiophosphate ligands in their molecular structures (i.e., S,S′-bidentate chelating and S-unidentately coordinated, respectively). To characterise quantitatively phosphorus sites in both species of dithiophosphate ligands, ³¹P chemical shift anisotropy parameters (δ_aniso and η) were calculated from spinning sideband manifolds in MAS NMR spectra. The ³¹P chemical shift tensors for the bidentate chelating and unidentately coordinated dithiophosphate ligands display a profoundly rhombic and nearly axially symmetric characters, respectively.     

Synthesis, characterization and structure of some arylantimony ferrocenylacrylates

A series of arylantimony ferrocenylacrylates with the formula (C₅H₅FeC₅H₄CHCHCO₂)_nSbAr_(5−n) (n=1, 2; Ar C₆H₅, 4-CH₃C₆H₄, 3-CH₃C₆H₄, 2-CH₃C₆H₄, 4-FC₆H₄) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR and mass spectra. The crystal structures of C₅H₅FeC₅H₄CHCHCO₂Sb(C₆H₅)₄ (I₁) and (C₅H₅FeC₅H₄CHCHCO₂)₂Sb(C₆H₅)₃ (II₁) have been determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Supramolecular salts containing the anionic [Ge(C2O4)3] complex and heteroaromatic amines

The crystalline compounds (Hbipy)₂[Ge(C₂O₄)₃] (1) and (Hphen)₂[Ge(C₂O₄)₃] · 2(H₂O) (2) [Hbipy⁺ is the 2,2′-bipyridinium cation (C₁₀H₉N₂), and Hphen⁺ is the 1,10′-phenathrolinium cation (C₁₂H₉N₂)] were isolated from mild hydrothermal syntheses and their structures were elucidated from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two compounds were further characterised by vibrational spectroscopy (FT-IR and FT-Raman), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and CHN elemental composition. Compounds 1 and 2 comprise the tris(oxalato-O,O′)germanate dianion complex, [Ge(C₂O₄)₃]²⁻, which co-crystallises with Hbipy⁺ (in 1), or Hphen⁺ and water molecules (in 2). In 1, the germanium oxalate anionic complex, [Ge(C₂O₄)₃]²⁻, and the Hbipy⁺ organic residues interact mutually via N-H?O hydrogen bonding interactions, leading to supramolecular discrete hydrogen-bonded units which are further interconnected via π-π stacking. Compound 2, on the other hand, exhibits a more complex hydrogen bonding network due to the presence of the water molecules of crystallisation which, along with π-π stacking between neighbouring Hphen⁺ residues, mediate the crystal packing.     

Diazo complexes of osmium: preparation of binuclear derivatives with bis(aryldiazene) and bis(aryldiazenido) bridging ligands

Depending on experimental conditions and the nature of the phosphite, the reaction of OsH₂P₄ [P=P(OEt)₃ and PPh(OEt)₂] with bis(aryldiazonium) salts [N₂Ar-ArN₂](BF₄)₂ [Ar-Ar=4,4^′-C₆H₄-C₆H₄, 4,4^′-(2-CH₃)C₆H₃-C₆H₃(2-CH₃), 4,4^′-C₆H₄-CH₂-C₆H₄ and 1,5-C₁₀H₆] afford the cis and the trans binuclear [{OsHP₄}₂(μ-HNNAr-ArNNH)](BPh₄)₂1, 2 aryldiazene derivatives. These complexes 1, 2 further react with the mono(diazonium) (4-CH₃C₆H₄N₂)BF₄ salt to give the bis(aryldiazene) [{Os(4-CH₃C₆H₄NNH)P₄}₂(μ-HNNAr-ArNNH)](BPh₄)₄3, 4 derivatives. Binuclear bis(aryldiazenido) [{OsP₄}₂(μ-N₂Ar-ArN₂)](BPh₄)₂ (6) [P=P(OEt)₃; Ar-Ar=4,4^′-C₆H₄-C₆H₄, 4,4^′-C₆H₄-CH₂-C₆H₄] complexes were prepared by deprotonating with NEt₃ the nitrile-diazene [{Os(4-CH₃C₆H₄CN)P₄}₂(μ-HNNAr-ArNNH)](BPh₄)₄ (5) derivatives. The aryldiazenido compounds 6 react with HCl to give the new aryldiazene [{OsClP₄}₂(μ-HNNAr-ArNNH)](BPh₄)₂ (7) derivatives. The characterisation of the complexes by IR and ¹H, ³¹P, ¹⁵N NMR data is also discussed. The reaction of the hydride OsH₂(PPh₂OEt)₄ with mono(diazonium) salts was also studied and led exclusively to the mono(aryldiazene) [OsH(ArN NH)(PPh₂OEt)₄]BPh₄ (8) (Ar=C₆H₅, 4-CH₃C₆H₄) derivatives. Spectroscopic data (¹H, ³¹P, ¹⁵N NMR) on ¹⁵N-labelled derivatives suggest the presence of two isomers with the N-bonded and the π-bonded ArNNH ligand, respectively.     

On the identification of ionic species of neutral halogen dimers, monomers and pincer type palladacycles in solution by electrospray mass and tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray (ESI) mass spectra analysis of acetonitrile solutions of a series of neutral chloro dimers, pincer type, and monomeric palladacycles has enabled the detection of several of their derived ionic species. The monometallic cationic complexes Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (1a) and [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)]⁺ (1b) and the bimetallic cationic complex [κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]Pd-Cl-Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (1c) were detected from an acetonitrile solution of the pincer palladacycles Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N,κ¹-S-C(CH₃S-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Cl) 1. For the dimeric compounds {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](μ-Cl)}₂ (2, Y=H and 3, CF₃), highly electronically unsaturated palladacycles [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (2d, 3d) and their mono and di-acetonitrile adducts, namely, [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)]⁺ (2e, 3e) and [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)₂]⁺ (2f and 3f) were detected together with the bimetallic complex [Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]-Cl-Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N](CH₃)₂]⁺ (2a, 3a) and its acetonitrile adducts [κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)Pd-Cl-Pd[ κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂]⁺ (2b, 3b) and [κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)Pd-Cl-Pd[κ¹-C, κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺ (2c, 3c). The dimeric palladacycle {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(CH₃O-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](μ-Cl)}₂ (4) is unique as it behaves as a pincer type compound with the OCH₃ substituent acting as an intramolecular coordinating group which prevents acetonitrile full coordination, thus forming the cationic complexes [(C₆H₄(o-CH₃O)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂-κO,κC,κN)Pd]⁺ (4b), [(C₆H₄(o-CH₃O)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂- κO,κC,κN)Pd(CH₃CN)]⁺ (4c) and [(C₆H₄ (o-MeO)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂-κO, κC,κN)Pd-Cl-Pd(C₆H₄(o-CH₃O)CC(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂-κO,κC,κN)]⁺ (4a). ESI-MS spectra analysis of acetonitrile solutions of the monomeric palladacycles Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Cl)(Py) (5, Y=H and 6, Y=CF₃) allows the detection of some of the same species observed in the spectra of the dimeric palladacycles, i.e., monometallic cationic 2d-3d, 2e-3e and {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](Py)}⁺ (5a, 6a) and {Pd[κ¹-C,κ¹-N-C(Y-2-C₆H₄)C(Cl)CH₂N(CH₃)₂](CH₃CN)(Py)}⁺ (5b, 6b) and the bimetallic 2a, 3a, 2b, 3b, 2c and 3c. In all cationic complexes detected by ESI-MS, the cyclometallated moiety was intact indicating the high stability of the four or six electron anionic chelate ligands. The anionic (chloride) or neutral (pyridine) ligands are, however, easily replaced by the acetonitrile solvent.     

Five- and six-coordinate hydridorhodium(III) complexes containing metalated Schiff-bases as ligands

The reactions of either [RhCl(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ (2) or [RhCl(C₂H₄)₂]₂ (3) with Schiff-bases 1a-d derived from 2-aminopyridine afford, in the presence of four equivalents of PiPr₃, the octahedral chloro(hydrido)rhodium(III) complexes [{(C₅H₄N)NC(C₆H₄R)}RhHCl(PiPr₃)₂] (4a-d) in which the metalated Schiff-base behaves as a chelating ligand. Treatment of 4a (RH) with NaI and CF₃SO₃Tl produce the corresponding derivatives [{(C₅H₄N)NC(C₆H₅)}RhHX(PiPr₃)₂] (5, 6) by salt metathesis. The triflato compound 6 reacts with nBu₄NF · xH₂O to give [{(C₅H₄N)NC(C₆H₅)}RhHF(PiPr₃)₂] (7). While attempts to eliminate HCl from 4a failed, the reaction of 4a with AgPF₆ generates the five-coordinate cationic complex [{(C₅H₄N)NC(C₆H₅)}RhH(PiPr₃)₂]PF₆ (8) which adds one equivalent of acetonitrile to give [{(C₅H₄N)NC(C₆H₅)}RhH(NCCH₃)(PiPr₃)₂]PF₆ (9). Treatment of 4a with either nBu₂Mg or LiAlH₄ affords the dihydridorhodium(III) compound [{(C₅H₄N)NC(C₆H₅)}RhH₂(PiPr₃)₂] (10) being also accessible from 8 and nBu₂Mg.     

Reactivity of platina-β-diketones towards chelating nitrogen and sulfur donors: formation of acyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) and acyl(chloro)platinum(II) complexes

The platina-β-diketone [Pt₂{(COMe)₂H}₂(μ-Cl)₂] (1) was found to react with chelating N,N-ligands 2(R^′NCR)C₅H₄N (R/R^′=Ph/OH, H/Ph, Me/Ph) to form acyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) complexes [Pt(COMe)₂Cl(H){2-(R^′NCR)C₅H₄N}] (R/R^′=Ph/OH 2a; H/Ph 2b; Me/Ph (2c)). Reactions of complex 1 with chelating S,S- and N,S-donors (RS-CH₂-CH₂-SR, 2-(RSCH₂)C₅H₄N, R=Et, Ph, t-Bu) afforded acyl(chloro)platinum(II) complexes [Pt(COMe)Cl(RSCH₂CH₂SR)] (R=Et, 3a; Ph, 3b; t-Bu, 3c) and [Pt(COMe)Cl{2-(RSCH₂)C₅H₄N}] (R=Et, 4a; Ph, 4b; t-Bu, 4c), respectively. All complexes were fully characterized by microanalysis, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. Furthermore, molecular structures of complexes 3b and 4b were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealing close to square-planar configuration. In complex 4b the acetyl ligand is trans to pyridine N atom (configuration index SP-4-2). The reactions are discussed in terms of consecutive oxidative addition and reductive elimination reactions.     

Coordination chemistry of the heterotopic 1,2-phenylenebis(thio)diacetic acid ligand: Rhodium(I), palladium(II) and nickel(II) complexes

Starting from the heterotopic multidentate ligand 1,2-phenylenebis(thio)diacetic acid (1), cis-rac-[PdCl₂{1,2-(HOOCCH₂S)₂C₆H₄-κ²S,S′}] (2), cis-rac-[Rh{1,2-(HOOCCH₂S)₂C₆H₄-κ²S,S′}(cod)]BF₄ (3) and cis-rac-[Ni{1,2-(OOCCH₂S)₂C₆H₄-κ⁴O,O′S,S′}{cis-(C₃H₄N₂)}₂] (4) were prepared and characterised by X-ray diffraction and conventional spectroscopic techniques. Compounds 1-4 show extensive hydrogen-bonded networks (XH?O, X = O, N) in the solid state.     

Reactivity of an extremenly sterically crowded monofunctional Pt complex, [Pt(1-MeC-N3)3(H2O)]2+ (1-MeC=1-methylcytosine), toward model nucleobases and selectivity toward guanine in single- and double-stranded deoxyoligonucleotides

 Reactions of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃Cl]NO₃ (1-MeC-N3=1-methylcytosine, bound to Pt via N3) and the respective aqua species [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(H₂O)]²⁺ with the model nucleobases 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH), 9-methyladenine (9-MeA), single-stranded 5′d(T₃GT₃), and double-stranded [5′d(GAGA₂GCT₂CTC)]₂ have been studied in solution by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy, HPLC, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Reactions are generally slow, in particular with the chloro species, and guanine is the only reactive base in the oligonucleotides. However, unlike (dien)Pt^II, which binds randomly to the guanines in the ds dodecamer, (1-MeC-N3)₃Pt^II binds selectively to the terminal guanine only, probably because base fraying takes place at the duplex ends. The X-ray crystal structures of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(9-EtG-N7)]ClO₄·8H₂O (1b) and of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(9-MeA-N7)](ClO₄)₂·0.5H₂O as well as NMR spectroscopic studies of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(9-EtGH-N7)] (NO₃)₂·H₂O (1a) are reported. The tetrakis(nucleobase) complexes adopt a head-tail-head orientation of the three 1-MeC bases and an orientation of the fourth base (purine) that permits a maximum of intracomplex H bonds between exocyclic groups. As far as the guanine adduct (1a, 1b) is concerned, relative orientations of the four bases are identical in the model and in the oligonucleotide adduct. Received: 19 June 1998 / Accepted: 1 October 1998     

Syntheses and luminescence behavior of tetranuclear copper(I) diynyl complexes: X-ray crystal structure of [Cu4(PPh3)4(μ3-η-CCCCPh)4]

A series of luminescent tetranuclear cuboidal copper(I) diynyl complexes, [Cu₄(PAr₃)₄(μ₃-η¹-CCCCR′)₄] (Ar=Ph, R′=Ph, C₆H₄CH₃-p, C₆H₄OCH₃-p; Ar=C₆H₄CH₃-p, C₆H₄F-p, R′=Ph) has been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of [Cu₄(PPh₃)₄(μ₃-η¹-CCCCPh)₄] has been determined. The origin of the low-energy emission in the complexes is assigned as derived from a metal-centered 3d⁹4s¹ state, mixed with LMCT [diynyl→Cu₄] and IL [π-π*(diynyl)] states.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, hydrogen bonding and spectroscopy of Co, Mn and Ni oxalate complexes with the ligand (N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine)

Three new compounds are reported with the tetradentate ligand (N,N′-bis(2-Pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine) (abbreviated as pypn), two mononuclear compounds i.e. [Co(pypn)(C₂O₄)](ClO₄) (1), [Mn(pypn)(C₂O₄)](ClO₄) (2) and one dinuclear compound [Ni₂(pypn)₂(C₂O₄)](ClO₄)₂(C₂H₆O)_1/4(H₂O) (3). In the Co(III) and Mn(II) complexes the oxalate behaves as bidentate ligand, chelating the metal in the O,O′ mode, whereas in the Ni(II) compound the oxalate behaves as tetradentate ligand binding each Ni(II) ion by two oxygen atoms and bridging the two metallic centers.The synthesis, X-ray crystal structure of all three compounds and their spectroscopic properties are presented in detail. The geometry around the Co³⁺, Mn³⁺, Ni²⁺ ions is essentially octahedrally based, while the stabilization of the crystal lattice in all cases is maintained by interesting hydrogen bond systems.     

Phase Separation in Binary Mixtures of Bipolar and Monopolar Lipid Dispersions Revealed by H NMR Spectroscopy, Small Angle X-Ray Scattering, and Molecular Theory

Binary mixtures of C₂₀BAS and POPC membranes were studied by solid-state ²H NMR spectroscopy and small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) over a wide range of concentrations and at different temperatures. Three specifically deuterated C₂₀BAS derivatives—[1′,1′,20′,20′-²H₄]C₂₀BAS, [2′,2′,19′,19′-²H₄]C₂₀BAS, and [10′,11′-²H₂]C₂₀BAS—combined with protiated 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), as well as membranes containing POPC-d₃₁ and fully protiated bolalipid, were used in NMR experiments to obtain structural information for the mixtures. The ²H NMR spectra of [10′,11′-²H₂]C₂₀BAS/POPC membrane dispersions reveal that the bolalipid is predominantly in the transmembrane conformation at high bolalipid concentrations (100, 90, and 70 mol %). At ≤50 mol % C₂₀BAS, smaller quadrupolar couplings appear in the spectra, indicating the presence of U-shaped conformers. The proportion of U-shaped bolalipids increases as the amount of POPC in the membrane increases; however, the transmembrane component remains the dominant bolalipid conformation in the membrane even at 45°C and 10 mol % C₂₀BAS, where it accounts for ∼50% of the bolalipid population. The large fraction of C₂₀BAS transmembrane conformers, regardless of the C₂₀BAS/POPC ratio, together with the findings from molecular mean-field theory calculations, suggests the coexistence of phase-separated bolalipid-rich domains and POPC-rich domains. A single lamellar repeat distance was observed in SAXS experiments corresponding to the average repeat spacing expected for C₂₀BAS- and POPC-rich domains. These observations are consistent with the presence of microphase-separated domains in the mixed membrane samples that arise from POPC-C₂₀BAS hydrophobic mismatch.     

Preparation and structural characterization of methylmercury(II) complexes of the minor tRNA-base 7-methylguanine

Methylmercury(II) complexes of 7-methylguanine (7mguaH) have been isolated from aqueous solution in the pH range 1-12 and structurally characterized. 1:1 complexes [(7mgua)HgCH₃]·2H₂O and [(7mguaH)HgCH₃][NO₃]· H₂O with respectively N1 - and N9-coordination (X-ray analyses) were obtained from solutions in the respective pH ranges 9–12 and 1–4. A 2:1 complex [(7mgua)(HgCH₃)₂][NO₃] with N1,N9-coordination (X-ray) may be prepared in the intermediate pH range 4–7. Two 3:1 complexes were isolated: [(7mgua)(HgCH₃)₃][NO₃]₂ from strongly acid solution (pH = 1–3), and [(7mguaH₋₁)(HgCH₃)₃][NO₃] in the pH range 7–9. Whereas an X-ray analysis establishes N1,N3,N9-coordination for the former species in the solid state, the ¹H NMR data suggest N2,N3,N9-coordination for the former and N2,N2,N9-coordination for the latter species in d₆-DMSO solution.     

Nitrogen fixation in subarctic streams influenced by beaver (Castor canadensis)

Nitrogen fixation was measured in four subarctic streams substantially modified by beaver (Castor canadensis) in Quebec. Acetylene-ethylene (C₂H₂ C₂H₄) reduction techniques were used during the 1982 ice-free period (May–October) to estimate nitrogen fixation by microorganisms colonizing wood and sediment. Mean seasonal fixation rates were low and patchy, ranging from zero to 2.3 × 10^–3 µmol C₂H₄ · cm^–2 · h^–1 for wood, and from zero to 7.0 × 10^–3 µmol C₂H₄ · g AFDM^–1 · h^–1 for sediment; 77% of all wood and 63% of all sediment measurements showed no C₂H₂ reduction. Nonparametric statistical tests were unable to show a significant difference (p > 0.05) in C₂H₂ reduction rates between or within sites for wood species or by sediment depth.Nitrogen contributed by microorganisms colonizing wood in riffles of beaver influenced watersheds was small (e.g., 0.207 g N · m^–2 · y^–1) but greater than that for wood in beaver ponds (e.g., 0.008 g N · m^–2 · y^–1) or for streams without beaver (e.g., 0.003 g N · m^–2 · y^–1). Although mass specific nitrogen fixation rates did not change significantly as beaver transform riffles into ponds, the nitrogen fixed by organisms colonizing sediment in pond areas (e.g., 5.1 g N · m^–2 · y^–1) was greater than that in riffles (e.g., 0.42 g N · m^–2 · y^–1). The annual nitrogen contribution is proportional to the amount of sediment available for microbial colonization. We estimate that total nitrogen accumulation in sediment, per unit area, is enhanced 9 to 44 fold by beaver damming a section of stream.