Synthesis and characterization of Cr,Mo and W carbonyl complexes of bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl)benzylamine

Various Cr, Mo and W carbonyl complexes of a tridentate ligand containing N and P as donor atoms, bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl)benzylamine (DPBA), have been synthesized. Reaction of M(CO)₆ (M = Cr, Mo and W) with DPBA in a 1:1 mole ratio in toluene or xylene, resulted in the formation of facial and meridional complexes of the type [M(CO)₃(DPBA)] (M = Cr, Mo and W). Interaction of Cr(CO)₆ or Mo(CO)₆ with DPBA and PPh₃ in toluene yielded complexes of the composition [Cr(CO)₃(DPBA)(PPh₃)] and [Mo(CO)₂(DPBA)(PPh₃)], respectively. However reaction of W(CO)₆ with DPBA and PPh₃ yielded only [W(CO)₃(DPBA)]. Reaction of Cr(CO)₆ with DPBA and 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane(diphos) in toluene for 24 h resulted in the formation of a mixed ligand complex, [Cr(CO)₄(DPBA)(diphos)] where both the ligands coordinate to the metal atom through only one of their donor atoms. A unique binuclear complex of the composition [Mo(CO)₂(DPBA)(diphos)]₂ resulted, with the tridentate ligand DPBA acting as a bidentate bridging ligand, by the reaction of Mo(CO)₆ with DPBA and diphos in refluxing xylene for 24 h. All the complexes are characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectra. The ³¹P{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectral data of the complexes gave valuable information in elucidating the structures of the complexes. The ligand DPBA has found to behave in a triligate monometallic, biligate monometallic, monoligate monometallic and biligate bimetallic manner.     

Synthesis and characterization of deuterium-labelled (fulvene)M(CO)3 complexes (M = Cr, Mo)

The preparation and characterization of a series of deuterium-labelled (fulvene)M(CO)₃ (M = Cr, Mo) complexes is reported. (η⁵-6-Dimethylaminofulvene-d₂)Cr(CO)₃ and (η⁵-6-dimethylaminofulvene-d₂)Mo(CO)₃ were obtained in high yields by reacting the deuterated fulvene ligands with (MeCN)₃M(CO)₃ (M = Cr, Mo). In addition, syntheses of 6,6-diphenylfulvene-d₁₀ and 6,6-diphenyl-1,2-benzofulvene-d₁₀ as well as the corresponding tricarbonylchromium complexes are described.     

Homoleptic binuclear chromium carbonyls: why haven’t they been synthesized as stable molecules?

Density functional theory has been used to explore possible homoleptic binuclear Cr carbonyls Cr₂(CO)_n (n = 11, 10, 9, and 8) using the pure DFT method BP86 and the hybrid Hartree-Fock DFT method B3LYP. The binuclear Cr₂(CO)₁₁ is computed to be thermodynamically unstable with respect to dissociation into mononuclear fragments in contrast to the experimentally known Cr₂(CO)₁₀(μ-H)⁻. This may account for the failure to synthesize Cr₂(CO)₁₁ as a stable compound. Optimized structures for the formally unsaturated Cr₂(CO)₁₀ are a singlet with two four-electron donor bridging CO groups and no formal metal-metal bonding and a triplet with no bridging CO groups and a CrCr double bond similar to the OO bond in O₂. The more highly unsaturated homoleptic binuclear chromium carbonyls Cr₂(CO)₉ and Cr₂(CO)₈ are computed to be stable with respect to dissociation into mononuclear fragments in contrast to Cr₂(CO)₁₁ and Cr₂(CO)₁₀. The optimized structure for Cr₂(CO)₉ is a singlet Cr₂(CO)₆(μ-CO)₃ with a short metal-metal distance (∼2.3 Å) consistent with the Cr≡Cr triple bond required for an 18-electron configuration for each Cr atom. The global minimum for Cr₂(CO)₈ is a closely related Cr₂(CO)₅(μ-CO)₃ structure derived from the Cr₂(CO)₆(μ-CO)₃ global minimum by loss of one of the terminal CO groups with little change in the Cr≡Cr distance. Higher energy minima for Cr₂(CO)₈ include two different Cr₂(CO)₆(μ-CO)₂ structures, one formulated with two four-electron donor μ-CO groups bridging two Cr(CO)₃ groups and the other with similar μ-CO groups bridging a Cr(CO)₄ and a Cr(CO)₂group.     

Chromium (D-phenylalanine)3 improves obesity-induced cardiac contractile defect in ob/ob mice

Objective: Low‐molecular weight chromium compounds, such as chromium picolinate [Cr(pic)₃], improve insulin sensitivity, although toxicity is a concern. We synthesized a novel chromium complex, chromium (d ‐phenylalanine)₃ [Cr(d ‐phe)₃], in an attempt to improve insulin sensitivity with reduced toxicity. The aim of this study was to compare the two chromium compounds on cardiac contractile function in ob/ob obese mice. Research Methods and Procedures: C57BL lean and ob/ob obese mice were randomly divided into three groups: H₂O, Cr(d ‐phe)₃, or Cr(pic)₃ (45 µg/kg per day orally for 6 months). Results: The glucose tolerance test displayed improved glucose clearance by Cr(d ‐phe)₃ but not Cr(pic)₃. Myocytes from ob/ob mice exhibited depressed peak shortening (PS) and maximal velocity of shortening/relengthening (±dL/dt), prolonged time‐to‐PS and time‐to‐90% relengthening (TR90), reduced electrically stimulated rise in intracellular Ca²⁺ (Δfura‐2 fluorescence intensity), and slowed intracellular Ca²⁺ decay. Although a 3‐month Cr(d ‐phe)₃ treatment for a separate group of ob/ob and lean 2‐month‐old mice only rectified reduced ±dL/dt in ob/ob mice, all mechanical and intracellular Ca²⁺ abnormalities were significantly attenuated or ablated by 6 months of Cr(d ‐phe)₃ but not Cr(pic)₃ treatment (except TR90). Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca²⁺ ATPase activity and Na⁺‐Ca²⁺ exchanger expression were depressed in ob/ob mice, which were reversed by both Cr(d ‐phe)₃ and Cr(pic)₃, with a more pronounced effect from Cr(d ‐phe)₃. Cr(d ‐phe)₃ corrected reduced insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake and improved basal phosphorylation of Akt and insulin receptor, as well as insulin‐stimulated phosphorylation of Akt and insulin receptor in ob/ob myocytes. Heart homogenates from ob/ob mice had enhanced oxidative stress and protein carbonyl formation compared with the lean group, which were attenuated by both Cr(d ‐phe)₃ and Cr(pic)₃. Discussion: Our data suggest that the new Cr(d ‐phe)₃ compound possesses better cardio‐protective and insulin‐sensitizing properties against obesity.     

Donor-substituted allenylidene(carbonyl)(XR3)chromium complexes (X=P, As, Sb) - synthesis and properties

Photolysis of the allenylidene pentacarbonyl chromium complexes [(CO)₅CrCCC(R¹)R²] (R¹=NMe₂, NPh₂; R²=NMe₂, OMe, Ph) in THF in the presence of equimolar amounts of XR₃ (XR₃=various phosphanes, P(OMe)₃, AsPh₃, SbPh₃) affords cis-allenylidene tetracarbonyl XR₃ complexes, cis-[(CO)₄(XR₃)CrCCC(R¹)R²]. When in the photolysis of [(CO)₅CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph], the phosphanes PR₃ (R=C₆H₄F-p, C₆H₄Cl-p, OMe) are used in excess (three equivalents) two carbonyl ligands are displaced and the mer-tricarbonyl complexes mer-[(CO)₃(PR₃)₂CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph] are formed both PR₃ ligands being mutually trans. The structure of the new complexes is established by IR, NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy, that of cis-[(CO)₄(PPh₃)CrCCC(NMe₂)Ph] additionally by an X-ray structural analysis. As indicated by the spectroscopic data of the compounds, these complexes are best described as hybrids of allenylidene and zwitterionic alkynyl complexes with delocalization of the electron pair at nitrogen bonded to the C_γ atom of the allenylidene ligand towards the metal center. The relative contribution of the allenylidene and zwitterionic alkynyl resonance forms is influenced by XR₃. Increasing the donor properties of XR₃ favors the allenylidene resonance form.     

Tetrazole and triazole carbene complexes of group 6 metal carbonyls

In order to study the relative stability of cis- and trans-isomers of bis(NHC)tetracarbonyl complexes of group 6 metals, we synthesized the corresponding complexes with triazolin- and tetrazolinylidene ligands. By reaction of the free carbene (L = 1,3,4-triphenyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazolin-5-ylidene) - first synthesized by Enders - with the hexacarbonyls of Cr, Mo and W the corresponding M(L)(CO)₅ complexes are generated. Depending on an excess of carbene also the cis-(L)₂Mo(CO)₄ complex was obtained. The latter can be photolytically converted to the trans-(L)₂Mo(CO)₄ complex. The corresponding complexes with the 1,4-dimethyltetrazolin-5-ylidene ligand (L′), Cr(L′)(CO)₅, cis-(L′)₂Cr(CO)₄ and trans-(L′)₂Cr(CO)₄ can be obtained by reaction of hexacarbonyl-μ-trihydroxy-dichromate with dimethyltetrazolium salt. In the cis-(L′)₂Cr(CO)₄ complex, one carbonyl ligand can be replaced by donor ligands such as pyridine or phenylisocyanide to form sym-mer-tricarbonyl complexes. All new complexes are fully characterized by spectroscopy and most by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Speciation dependant antioxidative response in roots and leaves of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv CO 27) under Cr(III) and Cr(VI) stress

Growth, lipid peroxidation, H₂O₂ produciton and the response of the antioxidant enzymes and metabolites of the ascorbate glutathione pathway to oxidative stress caused by two concentrations (50 and 100 µM) of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was studied in 15 day old seedlings of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench cv CO 27) after 10 days of treatment. Cr accumulation in sorghum plants was concentration and organ dependant. There was no significant growth retardation of plants under 50 µM Cr(III) stress. 100 µM Cr(VI) was most toxic of all the treatments in terms of root and leaf growth and oxidative stress. 50 µM Cr(VI) treated roots exhibited high significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), dehydroascorbate reductase (DHAR) and glutathione reductase (GR) (p < 0.01) and significant increases in catalse (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and monodehydroascorbate reductase (MDHAR) (p < 0.05). A high increase in ascorbic acid (AA) level was seen in roots of 50 µM Cr(VI) treated plants in comparison with control. Levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) showed a varied and complex response in all the treatments in both plant parts. GSH/GSSG ratio was not affected by Cr(III) treatment in leaves, in contrast, roots exhibited significant reduction in the ratio. Results indicate that GSH depletion increased sensitivity to oxidative stress (Cr(VI) roots and leaves and Cr(III) 100 µM roots) and AA in tandem with APX compensated for GSH depletion by acting directly on H₂O₂ and the mechanism of defensive response in roots as well as leaves varied in its degree and effectiveness due to the concentration dependant differences observed in translocation of the element itself, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and enzyme inhibition based on the oxidation state supplied to the plants.     

Gold acyls and imidoyls prepared from anionic Fischer-type carbene complexes

Reaction of [(CO)₅WC(O)Ph]Li or [(CO)₅WC(O)Ph]NBu₄ with Ph₃PAuCl affords acyl complexes of gold. In the latter conversion, both the crystalline products [(CO)₅WCl]NBu₄ (2) and Ph₃PAuC(O)Ph (3) have been isolated and fully characterised. Similarly, imidoyl gold compounds (4-8) result from deprotonated aminocarbene complexes, [(CO)₅MC(NR²)R¹]Li (M = Cr, W; R¹ = Ph, Me; R² = H, Me) and Ph₃PAuCl. Crystal and molecular structure determinations of dinuclear [Ph₃PAuC(NH)Ph] · Cr(CO)₅ (6) show N-coordination of the chromium carbonyl unit that selectively affords a Z-isomer.     

Syntheses and michael additions to vinylidene diphosphine complexes of type [M(CO)4{(Ph2P)2CCH2}] (MCr,Mo or W)

Treatment of [M(CO)₄Ph₂PCHPPh₂]⁻ with CH₃- OCH₂Cl at 20 °C gave the methoxymethyl derivations [M(CO)₄{Ph₂PCH(CH₂OCH₃)PPh₂}] (MCr or W), but a similar treatment at 80 °C gave derivatives of a vinylidene diphosphine [M(CO)₄(Ph₂P)₂C CH₂]. Treatment of [M(CO)₄Ph₂PCHPPh₂]⁻with CH₃CHClOCH₃ at 20 or 80 °C gave only [M(CO)₄- (Ph₂P)₂CHCH(CH₃)OCH₃] (MCr or W). The vinylidene diphosphine complexes [M(CO)₄(Ph₂P)2- CCH₂] (MCr, Mo or W) were even more easily prepared by treating [M(CO)₆] with (Ph₂P)₂CCH₂ (vdpp) in hot solvents such as CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂- CH₂OCH₃.Treatment of [W(CO)₄vdpp] with LiBuⁿ followed by methanol gave [W(CO)₄(Ph₂P)₂CHCH₂Buⁿ] (1c), i.e. conjugate addition to the CCH₂ occurs. 1c was also made by treating [W(CO)₄(Ph₂P)₂CH]⁻ with n-pentyl-iodide. Similarly LiMe was added to [W(CO)₄(Ph₂P)₂CCH₂]. Treatment of [M(CO)₄- vdpp] with NaCH(COOEt)₂ gave [M(CO)₄(Ph₂- P)₂CHCH₂CH(COOEt)₂] (MW or Mo). Pyrrolidine added to the CCH₂ bonds of [M(CO)₄vddp] to give [M(CO)₄(Ph₂P)₂CHCH₂NC₄H₈]. ³¹p and ¹H NMR and IR data are given.     

Electronic spectra of the chromium chalcocarbonyl complexes,Cr(CO)5(CX) and (η6-C6H6)Cr(CO)2(CX) (X= O,S,Se)

The room-temperature electronic spectra of the chromium chalcocarbonyl complexes, Cr(CO)₅(CX) and (η⁶-C₆H₆)Cr(CO)₂(CX) (X = O, S, Se), have been recorded in solution, and in some cases, in the gas phase. Assignments for the thiocarbonyl and selenocarbonyl spectra are proposed on the basis of the literature assignments for the parent all-CO derivatives. Overall, the data support the order of increasing electron withdrawing capacity of the chalcocarbonyl ligands as CO < CS < CSe.     

Isolation and Characterization of Chromium(VI)-Reducing Bacteria from Tannery Effluents

Two chromium-resistant bacteria (IFR-2 and IFR-3) capable of reducing/transforming Cr(VI) to Cr(III) were isolated from tannery effluents. Isolates IFR-2 and IFR-3 were identified as Staphylococcus aureus and Pediococcus pentosaceus respectively by 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. Both isolates can grow well on 2,000 mg/l Cr(VI) (as K₂Cr₂O₇) in Luria-Bertani (LB) medium. Reduction of Cr(VI) was found to be growth-associated in both isolates and IFR-2 and IFR-3 reduced 20 mg/l Cr(VI) completely in 6 and 24 h respectively. The Cr(VI) reduction due to chromate reductase activity was detected in the culture supernatant and cell lysate but not at all in the cell extract supernatant of both isolates. Whole cells of IFR-2 and IFR-3 converted 24 and 30% of the initial Cr(VI) concentration (1 mg/l) in 45 min respectively at 37°C. NiCl₂ stimulated the growth of IFR-2 whereas HgCl₂ and CdCl₂ significantly inhibited the growth of both isolates. Optimum temperature and pH for growth of and Cr(VI) reduction by both isolates were found to be between 35 and 40°C and pH 7.0 to 8.0. The two bacterial isolates can be good candidates for detoxification of Cr(VI) in industrial effluents.     

High-dose chromium(III) supplementation has no effects on body mass and composition while altering plasma hormone and triglycerides concentrations

Chromium is generally believed to be an essential element and is often claimed to have value as a weight loss or muscle building agent. Recent studies in humans and rats have failed to demonstrate effects on body composition, although recent studies with pharmacological doses of the cation [Cr(III)₃O(O₂CCH₂CH₃)6(H₂O)₃]⁺ (or Cr3) (≤1 mg Cr/kg body mass) in rats have noted a trend toward body mass loss and fat mass loss. Thus, the effects of large gavage doses of Cr3 (1–10 mg Cr/kg) on body mass, organ mass, food intake, and blood plasma variables (insulin, glucose, leptin, cholesterol, and triglycerides) were examined over a 10-wk period using male Sprague-Dawley rats. No effects on body composition were noted, although Cr3 administration lowered (p<0.05) plasma insulin, leptin, and triglycerides concentrations. As Cr3 is absorbed greater than 10-fold better than commercially available nutritional supplements, the lack of an effect of the Cr(III) compound at these levels of administration clearly indicates that Cr(III) supplements do not have an effect on body composition at any reasonable dosage.     

Characterization of tricarbonyl-chromium(0), -molybdenum(0) and -tungsten(0) complexes with 2,2-para-cyclophane

Complexes of the type M(CO)₃(22cy), where M = Cr, Mo, W and 22cy = 2,2-para-cyclophane were prepared and characterised. The i.r., p.m.r., mass spectrography spectra are discussed. The Mo derivative decomposes in solution giving 22cy, Mo(CO)₆ and Mo, according to a first order mechanism.     

Properties of homo- and heteronuclear mixed biscarbene complexes with conjugated bithiophene units

The syntheses and structures of homo- and heteronuclear biscarbene complexes with bithiophene spacers were investigated. The complexes were synthesized by lithiation of bithiophene followed by metallation using combinations of the metal precursors MnMeCp(CO)₃, W(CO)₆, Mo(CO)₆ and Cr(CO)₆, after which the reaction was quenched with triethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate. This classical Fischer method yielded monocarbene complexes, [ML_nC(OEt)C₄H₂S-C₄H₃S], ([ML_n] = Cr(CO)₅1a, W(CO)₅2a or MnMeCp(CO)₂3a), homonuclear biscarbene complexes, [ML_nC(OEt)C₄H₂S-C₄H₂SC(OEt)ML_n], ([ML_n] = Cr(CO)₅1b, W(CO)₅2b or MnMeCp(CO)₂3b) and heteronuclear biscarbene complexes, [ML_nC(OEt)C₄H₂S-C₄H₂SC(OEt)M′L_n] (1d: [ML_n] = Cr(CO)₅ and [M′L_n] = W(CO)₅; 1e: [ML_n] = MnMeCp(CO)₂ and [M′L_n] = Cr(CO)₅; 1f: [ML_n] = Cr(CO)₅ and [M′] = Mo(CO)₅); 2d: [ML_n] = MnMeCp(CO)₂ and [M′L_n] = W(CO)₅; 3c: [ML_n] = MnMeCp(CO)₂ and [M′L_n] = Mo(CO)₅). Electron density calculations with the gaussian03 software package of 1e revealed a polar rod with the negative pole towards the chromium carbene side, whereas the biscarbenes 1d and 1b showed very little polarity. By-products resulting from activation of the carbene moieties in homonuclear biscarbene complexes included (i) ester-type complexes of the form [ML_nC(OEt)C₄H₂S-C₄H₂SC(O)OEt], ([ML_n] = Cr(CO)₅1c or W(CO)₅2c), formed in situ in the reaction of 1b and 2b, (ii) the organic bis-ester compound [EtOC(O)C₄H₂S-C₄H₂SC(O)OEt] 4, where both metal moieties had been substituted by oxygen and (iii) the carbon-carbon coupled dimeric bithienyl compound [C₄H₃S-C₄H₂SC(O)C(O)C₄H₂S-C₄H₃S] 5. By-products obtained from heteronuclear biscarbene reactions contain the former diketo compound (or a derivative) as spacer between two metal carbonyl fragments and have the general formula [ML_nC(OEt)C₄H₂S-C₄H₂SCR-CR′C₄H₂S-C₄H₂SC(OEt)ML_n] (5a: [M] = Cr(CO)₅, R = OH, R′ = OEt; 5b: [M] = W(CO)₅, R = R′ = O; 5c: [M] = Mo(CO)₅, R = R′ = O). Reaction of 1d, 1e and 1f with hex-3-yne resulted in the formation of benzannulated products 6a, 6b and 6c. All novel complexes were fully characterized using various spectroscopic techniques. The crystal structures of 1b, 2a and 5 are reported.     

Comparison of the potential for developmental toxicity of prenatal exposure to two dietary chromium supplements, chromium picolinate and [Cr3O(O2CCH2CH3)(6(H2O)3]+, in mice

BACKGROUND: Chromium(III) is generally thought to be an essential trace element that allows for proper glucose metabolism. However, chromium(III) picolinate, Cr(pic)₃, a popular dietary supplement form of chromium, has been shown to be capable of generating hydroxyl radicals and oxidative DNA damage in rats. The cation [Cr₃O(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺, Cr3, has been studied as an alternative supplemental source of chromium. It has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and lower glycated hemoglobin levels in rats, making it attractive as a potential therapeutic treatment for gestational diabetes. To date, no studies have been published regarding the safety of Cr3 supplementation to a developing fetus. METHODS: From gestation days (GD) 6–17, mated CD‐1 female mice were fed diets delivering either 25 mg Cr/kg/day as Cr(pic)₃, 3.3 or 26 mg Cr/kg/day as Cr3, or the diet only to determine if Cr3 could cause developmental toxicity. Dams were sacrificed on GD 17, and their litters were examined for adverse effects. RESULTS: No signs of maternal toxicity were observed. No decrease in fetal weight or significantly increased incidence of skeletal defects was observed in the Cr3 or Cr(pic)₃ exposed fetuses compared to the controls. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to either Cr(pic)₃ or Cr3 at the dosages employed did not appear to cause deleterious effects to the developing offspring in mice. Birth Defects Res (Part B), 80:1–5, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bacterial Cr(VI) Reduction Concurrently Improves Sunflower (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Helianthus Annuus</Emphasis> L.) Growth

Four Cr(VI)-reducing bacterial strains (Ochrobactrum intermedium, CrT-2, CrT-3 and CrT-4) previously isolated from chromium-contaminated sites were inoculated on to seeds of sunflower (Helianthus annuus var SF-187), which were germinated and grown along with non-inoculated controls with chromate salts (300 μg CrCl₃ or K₂CrO₄ ml⁻¹). Severe reduction (20%) in seed germination was observed in Cr(VI) stress. Plant height decreased (36%) with Cr(VI) when compared with chromium-free control, while O. intermedium inoculation resulted a 20% increment in this parameter as compared to non-inoculated chromium-free control. CrT-3 inoculation resulted a 69% increment in auxin content as compared to non-inoculated control. O. intermedium caused 30% decrease in chromium uptake in sunflower plant roots under Cr(VI) stress as compared to chromium-free control plants.     

Adsorption Mechanism of Cr(VI) onto Coir Pith

Reductive adsorption of Cr(VI) on coir pith (hereafter CP) was examined as a function of pH, ionic strength, and temperature. The CP contains 1.33 meq g^{? 1} phenolic, 0.43 meq g^{? 1} of lactonic, and 0.35 meq g^{? 1} carboxylic sites. Thus the CP surface is enriched with electron-donating oxygen functionalities. As evidenced by infrared (IR) spectroscopy, the Cr(VI) → Cr(III) conversion is facilitated by CP sites that are enriched with O─ O functional groups. The adsorption of reduced Cr(VI) was found to occur via C─ O─ functional groups first forming innersphere complexes with the CP surface, yielding keto (> C═ O) groups on the CP surface. The reductive adsorption of Cr(VI) was almost completed within 3 to 4 h, and it was dependent on pH and background ionic strength, yielding the highest monolayer coverage (9.56E-7 mol m^{? 2}) at pH 3.7 in 0.1 M NaNO₃. The Γ_Cr(III) followed the order with respect to the ionic strength: Γ_{0.1 M} > Γ_{0.01 M} > Γ_{0.001 M}. The initial rate constant, k _i , increased with temperature as k _i ^{313 K} > k _i ^{303 K} > k _i ^{293 K} > k _i ^{283 K}.     

Concurrent Removal of Mn(II) and Cr(VI) by Achromobacter sp. TY3-4

In this study, we report a bacterium, Achromobacter sp. TY3-4, capable of concurrently removing Mn (II) and Cr (VI) under oxic condition. TY3-4 reduced as much as 2.31?mM of Cr (VI) to Cr (III) in 70?h, and oxidized as much as 20?mM of Mn(II) to Mn oxides in 80?h. When 0.58?mM Cr (VI) and 10?mM Mn(II) were present together, both Cr(VI) and Mn(II) were completely removed by TY3-4 and the generated precipitates are Mn^IIIOOH, Mn^III,IV₃O₄, Mn^IVO₂ and Cr^III(OH)₃. Experiments also show that both biosroption and bioreduction of Mn(II) are the driving forces for Mn(II) removal, whereas bioreduction of Cr(VI) is the driving force for Cr(VI) removal. On the basis of these results, a possible reaction was proposed that TY3-4 concurrently reduces Cr(VI) and oxidizes Mn(II). This study is fundamental for Mn and Cr cycles. The strain shows potential for practical application.     

Structures, dynamic behaviour in solution and cross-coupling reactions of the α-palladiated (η-alkylarene)tricarbonylchromium complexes containing a palladium-chromium bond

Structures of the complexes (η³-C₃H₅)Pd(μ-η^6:1-CH₂PhCr(CO)₃ and (η³-C₃H₅)Pd[μ-η^6:1-CH(Ph)Ph]Cr(CO)₃ in solution were evaluated by NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy. The dynamic behaviour of the complexes was investigated. Quick rotation (on the NMR time scale) of the tricarbonylchromium groups around the axis passing through the centre of the η⁶-coordinated phenyl ring and the chromium atom takes place at room temperature and becomes slow on cooling. The η³-allylic ligand was proved to undergo no dynamic changes in solution. Unlike the solid state, the semi-bridging carbonyl groups between chromium and palladium atoms are absent or very weak in solution. Cross-coupling reactions of the complexes with organohalides are described.     

Chromium uptake,retention and reduction in photosynthetic <Emphasis Type="Italic">Euglena gracilis</Emphasis>

Photosynthetic Euglena gracilis grown with different K₂CrO₄ concentrations was analyzed for its ability to take up, retain and reduce Cr(VI). For comparison, cells were also exposed to CrCl₃. Cellular Cr(VI) uptake at pH 7.2 showed a hyperbolic saturation pattern with K _m of 1.1 mM, V _m of 16 nmol (h × 10⁷ cells)⁻¹, and K _i sulfate of 0.4 mM. Kinetic parameters for sulfate uptake were similar, K _m = 0.83 mM, V _m = 15.9 nmol (h × 10⁷cells)⁻¹ and K _i chromate = 0.3 mM. The capacity to accumulate chromium depended on the ionic species, external concentration and pH of the incubation medium. Cr(VI) or Cr(III) accumulation was negligible in the acidic (pH 3.5) culture medium, in which Cr(VI) was abiotically reduced to Cr(III). At pH 7.2 Cr(VI) was fully stable and high accumulation (>170 nmol/1 × 10⁷ cells at 1 mM K₂CrO₄) was achieved; surprisingly, Cr(III) accumulation was also significant (>35 nmol/1 × 10⁷ cells at 1 mM CrCl₃). Cr(VI) was reduced by cells at pH 7.2, suggesting the presence of an external reductive activity. Cr(VI) induced an increased cysteine and glutathione content, but not in phytochelatins suggesting that chromium accumulation was mediated by monothiol compounds.