Characterization of radicals arising from oxidation of commercially-important essential oils

Inappropriate use of essential oils may entail risks to human health due to mutational events, carcinogenic effects, genetic damages and sensitizing effect caused by generation of reactive oxygen species. In order to detect radicals that are expected to form during their oxidation, we measured the electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra of a standard reaction mixture (I) containing 25?μM flavin mononucleotide, 0.018% several essential oils (or 0.015% geraniol), 1.9 M acetonitrile, 20?mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), 0.1 M α-(4-pyridyl-1-oxide)-N-tert-butylnitrone (4-POBN) and 1.0?mM FeSO₄(NH₄)₂SO₄ irradiated with 436?nm visible light (7.8 J/cm²). The ESR peak heights of the standard reaction mixture (I) of the essential oils increased in the following order: tea tree?>?palmarosa?>geranium?>?clary sage?>?petitgrain?>?lavender?>?bergamot?>?frankincense?>?ravintsara?>?ylang ylang?>?lemongrass?>?niaouli?>?eucalyptus globulus?>?peppermint. The ESR peak height of the standard reaction mixture (I) of geraniol, a main component of palmarosa, was comparable to the one of palmarosa (97?±?19% of palmarosa). Furthermore, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-ESR analyses of the standard reaction mixture (I) of palmarosa and geraniol gave the same peaks. The results suggest that the radicals formed in the standard reaction mixture (I) of palmarosa are derived from geraniol. HPLC-ESR-mass spectrometry analyses detected m/z 294 ions, 4-POBN/5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-pentenyl radical adducts and m/z 320 ions, 4-POBN/C₇O₂H₉ radical adducts in the standard reaction (I) of geraniol. The 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-3-pentenyl and C₇O₂H₉ radicals may be implicated in the sensitizing effect of palmarosa.     

Oxygen uptake of carp,Cyprinus carpio,swimming in normoxic and hypoxic water

Synopsis Oxygen uptake (V_{o 2}) was measured in carp of approximately 40 cm length swimming at controlled variable oxygen tensions (P_{o 2}). At P_{o 2}> 120 mm Hg V_{o 2} increased with an increase in swimming speed from 5.6 to 11.3 cm · sec^–1. Extrapolation of V_{o 2} to zero activity at P_{o 2} = 140 mm Hg revealed a standard O₂ uptake of 36.7 ml O₂ · kg^–1 · h^–1 at 20° C. At the lowest swimming speed (5.6 cm · s^–1) the oxygen uptake increased when the water P_{o 2} was reduced. A near doubling in V_{o 2} was seen at P_{o 2} = 70 mm Hg compared to 140 mm Hg. At higher swimming speeds in hypoxic water V_{o 2} decreased relative to the values at low swimming speeds. As a result the slope of the lines expressing log V_{o 2} as a function of swimming speed decreased from positive to negative values with decreasing P_{o 2} of the water. pH of blood from the caudal vein drawn before and at termination of swimming at P_{o 2} = 70 mm Hg and 100 mm Hg did not show any decrease in relation to rest values at P_{o 2} = 140 mm Hg. Blood lactate concentration did not increase during swimming at these tensions.     

Novel examples of hybrid organic–inorganic solids based on building blocks

New hybrid organic/inorganic copper oxovanadium compounds of composition [Cu(dpa)₂]₄V₄O₁₂ (1), Cu₂(bipy)₂V₄O₁₂ (2), and Cu₂(bipy)₂V₆O₁₇ (3), which crystallize in the monoclinic 1, 2 and triclinic 3 symmetry, respectively, were obtained by soft hydrothermal routes. The first two structures present isolated [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ anionic units, the structure of 3 exhibits the same [V₄O₁₂]⁴⁻ cycles coupled by V₂O₅ dimeric bridges propagated as an infinite chain along the c-direction 3. For compound 1, the copper(I) centers are bonded to four nitrogen atoms with a distorted tetrahedral geometry. For compounds 2 and 3, the copper(II) centers are square pyramidal with two nitrogen atoms from the neutral diimine ligand and three oxygen atoms from the oxovanadium sub-unit. In all the compounds described herein, the vanadium ions are as V(V), occupying solely tetrahedral sites.     

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species’ effect on <Emphasis Type="Italic">lux</Emphasis>-biosensors based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella typhimurium</Emphasis>

The effect of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species on lux-biosensors based on the Escherichia coli K12 MG1655 and Salmonella typhimurium LT2 host strains was investigated. The bioactivity of exogenous free radicals to the constitutively luminescent E. coli strain with plasmid pXen7 decreased in the order H₂O₂ > OCl^– > NO^? > RОO^? > ONOO^–> O₂^?- while the bioluminescence of S. typhimurium strain transformed with this plasmid decreased in the order NO^? > H₂O₂ > ONOO^– > RОO^? > OCl^– > O₂^?- The cross-reactivity of induced lux-biosensors to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, the threshold sensitivity and the luminescence amplitude dependences from the plasmid specificity and the host strain were indicated. The biosensors with plasmid pSoxS′::lux possessed a wider range of sensitivity, including H₂O₂ and OCl^–, along with O₂^?- and NO^?. Among the used reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, H₂O₂ showed the highest induction activity concerning to the plasmids pKatG′::lux, pSoxS′::lux and pRecA′::lux. The inducible lux-biosensors based on S. typhimurium host strain possessed a higher sensitivity to the reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in comparison with the E. coli lux-biosensors.     

Solvatomorphs of dimeric transition metal complexes based on the V4O12 cyclic anion as building block: Crystalline packing and magnetic properties

Dinuclear [{M(phen)₂}₂V₄O₁₂] · C₆H₁₂O · H₂O (M = Co^II 1, Mn^II 2, Ni^II 3 and Cu^II 4) and [{Cu(phen)₂}₂V₄O₁₂] · 3.5H₂O 5 has been prepared by biphasic and hydrothermal syntheses, respectively. All five structures exhibit the {V₄O₁₂}^4? cluster in a chair-like configuration, covalently bonded to two [M(phen)₂]²⁺ fragments, producing a super-exchange magnetic phenomenon. The magnetic study of complexes 1–5 shows that they are very weak antiferromagnetically coupled systems, with J values of ?0.14, 2; ?0.64, 3 and ?0.23, 4 cm^?1. Complexes 1 to 3 correspond to isostructural compounds in which the cyclovanadate group acts as a bidentate bridged ligand. In the copper complexes (4 and 5) the {V₄O₁₂}^4? anion presents the novel monodentate bridging mode, and therefore a more significant distortion from the chair-like configuration. The mentioned complexes, together with that reported in the literature, permit to conclude that it is quite common for a single molecular species to exist in more than one crystalline arrangement. A detailed analysis of the structures of 1–4 shows that the crystal symmetry cannot be strictly centrosymmetric, due to the presence of the cyclohexanol molecule with a single –OH group in the lattice.     

Systematics of 2H patterns in natural compounds and its importance for the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways

The relative global ²H-content of natural plant products is correlated to that of the primary hydrogen source, i.e. water, to the site of their biosynthesis (C₃-, C₄- and CAM-plants; chloroplasts, cytosol), and to their biosynthetic pathways. A relative global ²H-content sequence can be established in the order phenylpropanoids > carbohydrates > bulk material > hydrolysable lipids > steroids. A detailed analysis of the ²H-patterns of the main groups of secondary compounds reveals regularities, in that they are correlated to the primary precursors and to the origin of hydrogen from four main pools with the mean δ²H-values [‰]_V?SMOW: leaf H₂O ～+30; carbohydrates ～?70; NADPH ～?250; flavoproteins ～?350. Aside from the ²H-discrimination between these pools, kinetic isotope effects on defined reactions only become effective in connection with metabolic branching events. So, the ²H-pattern of natural aromatic compounds can be correlated to the ²H-pattern of the precursor carbohydrates and a reduction step in the course of the shikimic acid pathway, furthermore to the implication of the NIH-shift. The pattern of aromatic compounds from the polyketide is different from that of the shikimate pathway. The alternating ²H-abundance of fatty acid chains is caused by the origin of their hydrogen atoms from carbohydrates and from NADPH, directly or via a flavoprotein, respectively. This is similar for isoprenoids, and the natural ²H-patterns permit their assignment to the mevalonate or non-mevalonate biosynthetic pathway. Generally, the correlations and regularities of the ²H-patterns of organic compounds found are a new reliable tool for the elucidation of biosynthetic pathways and origin assignments.     

Photosensitized formation of singlet oxygen by phycobiliproteins in neutral aqueous solutions

Phycobiliproteins (PBPs) are a type of promising sensitizers for photodynamic therapy (PDT). Upon irradiation (λ>500nm) of an oxygen-saturated aqueous solution of phycobiliproteins, particularly, C-phycocyanin (C-PC), allophycocyanin (APC) or R-phycoerythrin (R-PE), the formation of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) was detected by using imidazole in the presence of p-nitrosodimethylaniline (RNO). The bleaching of RNO caused by the presence of imidazole in our system showed typical concentration dependence with a maximum at about 8mM imidazole, which is in agreement with the formation of ¹O₂. In addition, the generation of ¹O₂ was verified further in the presence of D₂O and specific singlet oxygen quencher — 1,4-diazabicyclo [2,2,2] octane (DABCO) and sodium azide (NaN₃). Our experimental results indicated that APC possesses high ability to generate reactive oxygen species and the relative quantum yields of photogeneration of ¹O₂ by PBPs are as follows: APC > C-PC > R-PE.     

Photodynamic induction of DNA–protein cross-linking in solution by several sensitizers and visible light

The combined effect of several sensitizers and light on H ₂O or D₂O solutions of DNA-histone complexes, as well as the significance of singlet oxygen (¹O₂), in this photosensitizing reaction has been studied. On H₂O solutions, the production of ¹O₂, as well as the formation of DNA-protein cross-links (DPCs), were found to be dependent on light dose for all the sensitizers. Mesotetra (4N-methylpyridyl) porphine (T₄ MPyP), methylene blue (MB), and toluidine blue (TB) were the best photosensitizers with regard to tryptophan photolysis, followed by hematoporphyrin (HP), thioflavine T (TT), and pyronin G (PG). The formation of DPCs showed high initial rates, reaching a plateau at dose over 90 J/cm ². Under these irradiation conditions, the percentage of DPCs induced by the sensitizers decreases in the order T₄ MPyP > MB > TB ? HP ≈ TT ? PG (≈0). These DPCs were totally destroyed with proteinase K (15μg/ml). The irradiation of the DNA-histone-sensitizer solutions in the presence of L -carnosine (5 × 10^-4 M) produced approximately a 50% of DPCs inhibition for T₄ MPyP, MB, and TB, and a total inhibition for HP, TT, and PG. The substitution of H₂O by D₂O as solvent significantly increased the photodegradation of tryptophan, as well as the photoinduction of DPCs by the sensitizers. The results obtained indicate that singlet oxygen is the main agent responsible in the DNA–protein cross-linking formation. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Unusual ligand design: A platinum(II) mediated [2+2] photocycloaddition followed by a nickel(II) induced methoxyactivation

The novel dimer of the composition [Pt₂Cl₄(μ-(κP¹:κP²-o-MeO-trans-dppen))₂] (1) (o-MeO-trans-dppen = 1,2-(bis(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)ethylene) has been prepared and characterized by a single crystal X-ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. This latter compound undergoes a [2+2] photocycloaddition reaction yielding the tetraphosphane all-trans-1,2,3,4-tetrakis(di(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphanyl)cyclobutane (o-MeO-dppcb). The X-ray structure of the dimeric Ni(II) complex that contains the latter ligand, of the formula [Ni₂Cl₄(μ-(κP¹:κP²:κP³:κP⁴-o-MeO-dppcb))] (2) reveals that the apical coordination sites of both square pyramidal Ni(II) coordination spheres are occupied by methoxy-oxygen atoms of the ligand. As a consequence, this dimeric Ni(II) complex 2 is prone to a thermally induced regio- and diastereoselective metal-assisted methoxy-group cleavage. The stepwise formed new mono- and bis-phenolate complexes [Ni₂Cl₃(μ-(κO¹,κP¹:κP²:κP³:κP⁴-o-MeO-O-dppcb))] (3) and [Ni₂Cl₂(μ-(κO¹,κP¹:κP²:κO²,κP³:κP⁴-o-MeO-O,O′-dppcb))] (4), respectively, contain the novel chiral tetraphosphane ligands all-trans-1,2,3-tris((di-o-methoxyphenyl)phosphano)-4-((o-methoxy-phenyl)(o-phenolate)phosphano)cyclobutane (o-MeO-O-dppcb) and all-trans-1,2-bis((di-o-methoxyphenyl)phosphano)-3,4-bis((o-methoxyphenyl)(o-phenolate)phosphano)cyclobutane (o-MeO-O,O′-dppcb). Compounds 3 and 4 have been synthesized independently and are also fully characterized by both single crystal X-ray structure analyses, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The conversion of 2 into 3 and then further into 4 has been followed by a variable-temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR experiment with compound 2 in DMF-d⁷, revealing that the cleavage of the second methoxy group is kinetically disfavoured. This is in agreement with the X-ray structure analysis of 3, indicating the lack of any methoxy-oxygen atom coordination that could easily induce a further methoxy-group cleavage. o-MeO-O-dppcb and o-MeO-O,O′-dppcb are rare P-stereogenic tetraphosphine ligands and contribute to the synthetic field of new κ³-P,P,O-coordinating phosphanylphenolate ligands that are believed to be important for the SHOP process (SHOP, Shell Higher Olefin Process).     

Hymenolepis diminuta: Chloride fluxes and membrane potentials associated with sodium-coupled glucose transport

Glucose transport by Hymenolepis diminuta was inhibited when Cl^? in the bathing medium was replaced with acetate (C₂H₃O₂^Post?), but was unaffected when Cl^? was replaced with SCN^?. The relative effectiveness of the anions to inhibit influx of 7.4 mM Cl^? in the presence of 1 mM glucose was SCN^? > Cl^? > C₂H₃O₂^Post?. Glucose stimulated the influxes of 120 mM Cl^? and SCN^?, but had little effect on 120 mM C₂H₃O₂^Post? influx. While the diffusion rates of the anions were C₂H₃O₂^Post? > SCN^? = Cl^?, the preference of the glucose transport system for the anions was SCN^? > Cl^? > C₂H₃O₂^Post?. Efflux of Cl^? was not affected by the rate of glucose influx. Finally, microelectrode recordings of worms anesthetized with 2 mM arecoline revealed a transmembrane potential (TMP) of ?45 ± 3.6 mV (inside negative). Three to four minutes after addition of glucose (5 mM) there was a progressive hyperpolarization of the TMP to ?58 mV. A revised model of the glucose transport system that is consistent with previous observations on this organism is proposed.     

Theoretical study of the interaction between molecular oxygen and tetraaza macrocyclic manganese complexes

Theoretical chemistry calculations using the Density Functional Theory (DFT) were carried out to understand the interaction between oxygen (O₂) and MnN₄ type manganese-based complexes during the formation of MnN₄-O₂ adducts. In order to understand how this interaction is affected by different macrocyclic ligands, O₂ was bonded to manganese-porphyrin (MnP), manganese-octamethylporphyrin (MnOMP), manganese-tetraaza[14]annulene (MnTAA), manganese-dibenzo [b,i] [1, 4, 8, 11]-tetraaza [14] annulene (MnDBTAA), manganese-2,3,9,10-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene ([(tim)Mn]²⁺), and manganese-2,3,9,10-tetraphenyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-1,3,8,10-tetraene ([(ph-tim)Mn]²⁺). The binding and activation of the oxygen molecule was facilitated by an increasing trend in the O-O bond lengths and a decreasing one in the O-O vibrational frequency, with preference for the O₂ side-on interaction among MnN₄ macrocycles. The catalytic activities of the MnN₄ complexes toward the O₂ binding process increased in the following order: [(ph-tim)Mn]²⁺?<?MnP?<?MnOMP?<?MnDBTAA?<?MnTAA?<?[(tim)Mn]²⁺. Therefore, it was concluded that the [(tim)Mn]²⁺complex was the most active for the binding and activation of molecular oxygen.     

Keggin polyoxometalate-templated chair-like heptanuclear silver complex

Two isostructural Keggin-templated compounds containing a chair-like heptanuclear silver complex, [{Ag₇(Hbtz)₂(btz)₄}{PM₁₂O₄₀}]·H₂O (M = W, 1; Mo, 2) (Hbtz = benzotriazolate), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by routine methods and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the compounds 1 and 2, the Hbtz ligands present two types of coordination modes. A pentameric silver chain with two kinds of Ag?Ag weak interactions exists in the heptanuclear silver complex. The heptanuclear silver cations connect the polyoxoanions PM₁₂O₄₀³⁻ to a two-dimensional layer, and the adjacent layers are fused together by the pseudo wave-like chains, H-bonds and Ag^I–π interactions, constructing a three-dimensional net. Furthermore, electrochemical properties have been studied for compounds 1 and 2 and the two compounds display excellent electrocatalytic activities to the reduction of nitrite.     

Availability of O2 as a Substrate in the Cytoplasm of Bacteria under Aerobic and Microaerobic Conditions

The growth rates of Pseudomonas putida KT2442 and mt-2 on benzoate, 4-hydroxybenzoate, or 4-methylbenzoate showed an exponential decrease with decreasing oxygen tensions (partial O₂ tension [pO₂] values). The oxygen tensions resulting in half-maximal growth rates were in the range of 7 to 8 mbar of O₂ (corresponding to 7 to 8 μM O₂) (1 bar = 10⁵ Pa) for aromatic compounds, compared to 1 to 2 mbar for nonaromatic compounds like glucose or succinate. The decrease in the growth rates coincided with excretion of catechol or protocatechuate, suggesting that the activity of the corresponding oxygenases became limiting. The experiments directly establish that under aerobic and microaerobic conditions (about 10 mbar of O₂), the diffusion of O₂ into the cytoplasm occurs at high rates sufficient for catabolic processes. This is in agreement with calculated O₂ diffusion rates. Below 10 mbar of O₂, oxygen became limiting for the oxygenases, probably due to their high K_m values, but the diffusion of O₂ into the cytoplasm presumably should be sufficiently rapid to maintain ambient oxygen concentrations at oxygen tensions as low as 1 mbar of O₂. The consequences of this finding for the availability of O₂ as a substrate or as a regulatory signal in the cytoplasm of bacterial cells are discussed.     

Evidence on the Formation of Singlet Oxygen in the Donor Side Photoinhibition of Photosystem II: EPR Spin-Trapping Study

When photosystem II (PSII) is exposed to excess light, singlet oxygen (¹O₂) formed by the interaction of molecular oxygen with triplet chlorophyll. Triplet chlorophyll is formed by the charge recombination of triplet radical pair ³[P680^•+Pheo^•−] in the acceptor-side photoinhibition of PSII. Here, we provide evidence on the formation of ¹O₂ in the donor side photoinhibition of PSII. Light-induced ¹O₂ production in Tris-treated PSII membranes was studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin-trapping spectroscopy, as monitored by TEMPONE EPR signal. Light-induced formation of carbon-centered radicals (R^•) was observed by POBN-R adduct EPR signal. Increased oxidation of organic molecules at high pH enhanced the formation of TEMPONE and POBN-R adduct EPR signals in Tris-treated PSII membranes. Interestingly, the scavenging of R^• by propyl gallate significantly suppressed ¹O₂. Based on our results, it is concluded that ¹O₂ formation correlates with R^• formation on the donor side of PSII due to oxidation of organic molecules (lipids and proteins) by long-lived P680^•+/TyrZ^•. It is proposed here that the Russell mechanism for the recombination of two peroxyl radicals formed by the interaction of R^• with molecular oxygen is a plausible mechanism for ¹O₂ formation in the donor side photoinhibition of PSII.     

Energy metabolism of Chironomus anthracinus (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the profundal zone of Lake Esrom,Denmark, as a function of body size,temperature and oxygen concentration

The profundal zone of Lake Esrom, Denmark has a dense population of Chironomus anthracinus, which survives 2–4 months of oxygen depletion each summer during stratification. The metabolism of 3rd and 4th instar larvae was examined in regard to variation in biomass and temperature. Respiration at air saturation was described by a curvilinear multiple regression relating oxygen consumption to individual AFDW and temperature. At 10 °C and varying oxygen regimes the O₂ consumption and CO₂ production of 4th instar larvae were almost unaltered from saturation to about 3 mg O₂ l^–1, but decreased steeply below this level. The respiratory quotient increased from 0.82 at saturation to about 3.4 at oxygen concentrations near 0.5 mg O₂ l^–1. This implied a shift from aerobic to partially anaerobic metabolism. At 0.5 mg O₂ l^–1 the total energy production equalled 20% of the rate at saturation of which more than one third was accounted for by anaerobic degradation of glycogen. This corresponded to a daily loss of 12 µg mg AFDW^–1 or approximately 5% of the body reserves. At unchanged metabolic rate the glycogen store would last three weeks, but long term oxygen deficiency causes a further suppression of the energy metabolism in C. anthracinus.     

Synthesis and initial in vitro biological evaluation of two new zinc-chelating compounds: Comparison with TPEN and PAC-1

The lipophilic, cell-penetrating zinc chelator N,N,N′,N′,-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN, 1) and the zinc chelating procaspase-activating compound PAC-1 (2) both have been reported to induce apoptosis in various cell types. The relationship between apoptosis-inducing ability and zinc affinity (K_d), have been investigated with two new model compounds, ZnA-DPA (3) and ZnA-Pyr (4), and compared to that of TPEN and PAC-1. The zinc-chelating o-hydroxybenzylidene moiety in PAC-1 was replaced with a 2,2′-dipicoylamine (DPA) unit (ZnA-DPA, 3) and a 4-pyridoxyl unit (ZnA-Pyr, 4), rendering an order of zinc affinity TPEN > ZnA-Pyr > ZnA-DPA > PAC-1. The compounds were incubated with the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12 and cell death was measured in combination with ZnSO₄, a caspase-3 inhibitor, or a ROS scavenger. The model compounds ZnA-DPA (3) and ZnA-Pyr (4) induced cell death at higher concentrations as compared to PAC-1 and TPEN, reflecting differences in lipophilicity and thereby cell-penetrating ability. Addition of ZnSO₄ reduced cell death induced by ZnA-Pyr (4) more than for ZnA-DPA (3). The ability to induce cell death could be reversed for all compounds using a caspase-3-inhibitor, and most so for TPEN (1) and ZnA-Pyr (4). Reactive oxygen species (ROS), as monitored using dihydro-rhodamine (DHR), were involved in cell death induced by all compounds. These results indicate that the Zn-chelators ZnA-DPA (3) and ZnA-Pyr (4) exercise their apoptosis-inducing effect by mechanisms similar to TPEN (1) and PAC-1 (2), by chelation of zinc, caspase-3 activation, and ROS production.     

Synthesis and structural chemistry of novel heteropolymolybdates and -tungstates

The chemistry of polynuclear oxometalate anions is dominated by molybdenum and tungsten in their highest oxidation state. During the past twenty years this class of compounds has attracted much attention because of their variable applications, e.g. as reagents in analytical procedures, as industrial catalysts and as potential anticancer drugs.In order to obtain model systems for the investigation of the catalytic activity of heteropolyanions we have synthesized and structurally characterized some organo derivatives of polyoxoanions. We secondly focus on Sb(III) and Bi(III) heteropolytungstates to examine the important influence of the unshared electron pair on the resulting structures and properties. Some of these compounds may be regarded as supramolecular aggregates showing inclusion phenomena.In 9 two [SbW₉O₃₃]^9– anions are linked by a set of six sodium ions forming a nearly planar hexagon. The sodium ions are enveloped by an oxygen cage formed by terminal oxygen atoms of the polyanions and by water molecules. Furthermore, the four anions [Sb₂W₂₂O₇₄(OH)₂]^12–, [Sb₂W₂₀Fe₂O₇₀(H₂O)₆]^8–, [Sb₂W₂₀Co₂O₇₀(H₂O)₆]^10– and [Bi₂W₂₀Fe₂O₆₈(OH)₂(H₂O)₆]^6– (in10, 11, 12, 13) may be regarded as transition metal complexes of novel [Sb₂W₂₀O₇₀]^14– or [Bi₂W₂₀O₇₀]^14– anions which are serving as ligands. The octahedral coordination sphere of each transition metal is formed by three oxygen atoms of the anion and completed by three water molecules. The Sb(III) heteropolyanion, [Na₂Sb₈W₃₆O₁₃₂(H₂O)₄]^22– in (14) includes two sodium and four antimony ions besides four water molecules. Each anion consists of four -B-SbW₉-Keggin fragments linked together by four SbO₄-groups, incorporating two sodium and four water molecules effecting an additional connection of the subunits.     

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.     

Aryldiazenido derivatives: A new entry to the functionalization of Keggin polyoxometalates

A series of aryldiazenido polyoxomolybdates of the type (nBu₄N)₂[Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr){Na(MeOH)}] (Ar = C₆F₅, 1; Ar = O₂N-o-C₆H₄, 2; Ar = O₂N-m-C₆H₄, 3; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 4a; Ar = (O₂N)₂-o,p-C₆H₃, 5) have been obtained by controlled degradation of the parent compounds (nBu₄N)₃[Mo₆O₁₈(NNAr)] with NaOH in methanol. They have been characterized by elemental analysis and UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy. In addition, 4a has been characterized by ⁹⁵Mo NMR spectroscopy and the crystal structure of (nBu₄N)₂[Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNC₆H₄-p-NO₂){Na(H₂O))]·H₂O (4b) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure of the anion of 4b features a lacunary Lindqvist-type anion [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNC₆H₄-p-NO₂)]³⁻ interacting with a sodium cation through the four terminal axial oxygen atoms. The 1:1 sodium complexes react with BaCl₂ and BiCl₃ to yield 2:1 complexes which have been isolated as (nBu₄N)₄[Ba{Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr)}₂] (Ar = C₆F₅, 6; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 7) and (nBu₄N)₃[Bi{Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr)}₂] (Ar = C₆F₅, 8; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 9). X-ray crystallography analysis of 9·Me₂CO has shown that the tetradentate [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(N₂C₆H₄-p-NO₂)]³⁻ anions provide a square-antiprismatic environment for Bi. In contrast, IR spectroscopy provides evidence for a square-prismatic environment of Ba in 6 and 7. In acetonitrile-methanol mixed solvent, [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr)]³⁻ and [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻, generated in situ by alkaline degradation of their respective parents, [Mo₆O₁₈(NNAr)]³⁻ and [PW₁₂O₄₀]³⁻, react together to give the Keggin-type diazenido compounds (nBu₄N)₄[PW₁₁O₃₉(MoNNAr)] (Ar = O₂N-o-C₆H₄, 10; Ar = O₂N-m-C₆H₄, 11; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 12), which have been characterized by ³¹P and ¹⁸³W NMR spectroscopy.     

Sub-lethal levels of waterborne petroleum may depress routine metabolism in polar cod Boreogadus saida (Lepechin, 1774)

Petroleum-related activities in Arctic waters are rapidly increasing parallel to the ongoing thinning of the Arctic sea ice. As part of a series of studies on petroleum-induced stress in polar cod Boreogadus saida, we tested the effects of acute (~60 min) and chronic (4 weeks) exposure to the water soluble fraction (WSF) of petroleum on whole body metabolism inferred from measurements of oxygen consumption rates. The exposure of polar cod to WSF leads to a statistically significant depression in routine metabolism in the order Control (0.260 mg O₂ g fish⁻¹ h⁻¹; N = 6) > Chronic (0.191 mg O₂ g fish⁻¹ h⁻¹; N = 6) > Acute (0.110 mg O₂ g fish⁻¹ h⁻¹; N = 2), decoupling of routine metabolism and body mass but possibly also to a partial metabolic compensation after 4 weeks of exposure. The results are reviewed in context with similar studies on Antarctic and non-polar fishes.