One-electron reduction of selenomethionine oxide

Experimental evidence is provided that selenomethionine oxide (MetSeO) is more readily reducible than its sulfur analogue, methionine sulfoxide (MetSO). Pulse radiolysis experiments reveal an efficient reaction of MetSeO with one-electron reductants, such as e^-_aq (k = 1.2 × 10¹⁰M^-1s^-1), CO^·-₂ (k = 5.9 × 10⁸ M^-1s^-1) and (CH₃)₂) C^·OH (k = 3.5 × 10⁷M^-1s^-1), forming an intermediate selenium-nitrogen coupled zwitterionic radical with the positive charge at an intramolecularly formed Se_∴ N 2σ/1σ* three-electron bond, which is characterized by an optical absorption with λ_max at 375 nm, and a half-life of about 70 μs. The same transient is generated upon HO^· radical-induced one-electron oxidation of selenomethionine (MetSe). This radical thus constitutes the redox intermediate between the two oxidation states, MetSeO and MetSe. Time-resolved optical data further indicate sulfur-selenium interactions between the Se_∴ N transient and GSH. The Se_∴ N transient appears to play a key role in the reduction of selenomethionine oxide by glutathione.     

Interactions of superoxide anion with enzyme radicals: kinetics of reaction with lysozyme tryptophan radicals and corresponding effects on tyrosine electron transfer

The kinetics of O^·-₂ reaction with semi-oxidized tryptophan radicals in lysozyme, Trp^·(Lyz) have been investigated at various pHs and conformational states by pulse radiolysis. The Trp^·(Lyz) radicals were formed by Br^·-₂ oxidation of the 3-4 exposed Trp residues in the protein. At pH lower than 6.2, the apparent bimolecular rate is about 2 × 10⁸M^-1s^-1; but drops to 8 × 10⁷M^-1s^-1 or less above pH 6.3 and in CTAC micelles. Similarly, the apparent bimolecular rate constant for the intermolecular Trp^·(Lyz) + Trp^·(Lyz) recombination reaction is about (4-7 × 10⁶M^-1s^-1) at/or below pH 6.2 then drops to 1.3-1.6 × 10⁶M^-1s^-1 at higher pH or in micelles. This behavior suggests important conformational and/or microenvironmental rearrangement with pH, leading to less accessible semioxidized Trp^· residues upon Br^·-₂ reaction. The kinetics of Trp^·(Lyz) with ascorbate, a reducing species rather larger than O^·-₂ have been measured for comparison. The well-established long range intramolecular electron transfer from Tyr residues to Trp radicals-leading to the repair of the semi-oxidized Trp^·(Lyz) and formation of the tyrosyl phenoxyl radical is inhibited by the Trp^·(Lyz)+O^·-₂ reaction, as is most of the Trp^·(Lyz)+Trp^·(Lyz) reaction. However, the kinetic behavior of Trp^·(Lyz) suggests that not all oxidized Trp residues are involved in the intermolecular recombination or reaction with O^·-₂. As the kinetics are found to be quite pH sensitive, this study demonstrates the effect of the protein conformation on O^·-₂ reactivity. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the kinetics of a protein-O^·-₂ reaction not involving the detection of change in the redox state of a prosthetic group to probe the reactivity of the superoxide anion.     

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions of Iron Bleomycin in the Absence and Presence of DNA

Using the pulse radiolysis technique, we have demonstrated that bleomycin-Fe(III) is stoichiometrically reduced by CO₂^- to bleomycin-Fe(II) with a rate of (1.9 ± 0.2) × 10⁸M^-1s^-1. In the presence of calf thymus DNA, the reduction proceeds through free bleomycin-Fe(III) and the binding constant of bleomycin-Fe(III) to DNA has been determined to be (3.8 ± 0.5) x 10⁴ M^-1. It has also been demonstrated that in the absence of DNA O₂^-1 reacts with bleomycin-Fe(III) to yield bleomycin-Fe(II)O₂, which is in rapid equilibrium with molecular oxygen, and decomposes at room temperature with a rate of (700 ± 200) s^-1. The resulting product of the decomposition reaction is Fe(III) which is bound to a modified bleomycin molecule. We have demonstrated that during the reaction of bleomycin-Fe(II) with O₂, modification or self-destruction of the drug occurs, while in the presence of DNA no destruction occurs, possibly because the reaction causes degradation of DNA.     

Comparison Between Different Assays for Superoxide Dismutase-Like Activity

The direct and indirect methods for assaying the superoxide dismutase activity of a compound are compared. With the use of a direct method. the mechanism of the catalysis of O₂-dismutation by the tested compound can be determined. while with the indirect method it cannot. and this may lead to misinterpretation of the results. Assuming that the catalysis occurs via the 'ping-pong' mechanism, both the direct and indirect methods are limited to the determination of values of k_cat ≥ 10⁵M^-1s^-1 and k_cat ≥ 3 × 10⁶M^-1s^-1. respectively. Moreover, many side reactions may occur with the indirect method which may interfere with the measurements. Nevertheless. the indirect method approximates better the in vivo conditions than the direct method, and a tested compound that has high SOD activity using a direct method and low SOD activity using an indirect method. will most probably be a poor SOD mimic in vivo.     

Rate of electron transfer between plastocyanin, cytochrome ƒ, related proteins and artificial redox reagents in solution

The rate of electron transfer between reduced cytochrome ƒ and plastocyanin (both purified from parsley) has been measured as k = 3.6 · 10⁷ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹, at 298 °K and pH 7.0, with activation parameters ΔH^‡ = 44 kJ · mole⁻¹ and ΔS^‡ = +46 J · mole⁻¹ · °K⁻¹. Replacement of cytochrome ƒ with red algal cytochrome c-553, Pseudomonas cytochrome c-551 and mammalian cytochrome c gave rates at least 30 times slower: k = 5 · 10⁵, 7.5 · 10⁵ and 1.0 · 10⁶ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹, respectively.

Similar measurements made with azurin instead of plastocyanin gave k = 6 · 10⁶ and approx. 2 · 10⁷ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹ for reaction of reduced azurin with cytochrome ƒ and algal cytochrome respectively.

Rate constants of 115 and 80 M⁻¹ · s⁻¹ were found for reduction of plastocyanin by ascorbate and hydroquinone at 298 °K and pH 7.0. The rate constants for the oxidation of plastocyanin, cytochrome ƒ, Pseudomonas cytochrome c-551 and red algal cytochrome c-553 by ferricyanide were found to be between 3 · 10⁴ and 8 · 10⁴ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹.

The results are discussed in relation to photosynthetic electron transport.     

The dimerization of protochlorophyll pigments in non-polar solvents

The infrared, visible and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of protochlorophyll a and vinylprotochlorophyll a in dry non-polar solvents (carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, cyclohexane) are presented and interpreted in terms of dimer interaction.

The infrared spectra in the 1600–1800 cm⁻¹ region clearly show the existence of a coordination interaction between the C-9 ketone oxygen function of one molecule and the central magnesium atom of another molecule. Infrared spectra in the OH stretching region (3200–3800 cm⁻¹) provide a valuable test of the water content in the samples.

The analysis of the absorption and circular dichroism spectra of protochlorophyll a and vinylprotochlorophyll a in carbon tetrachloride demonstrates the existence of a monomer-dimer equilibrium in the concentration range from 10⁻⁶ to 5 · 10⁻⁴ M. The dimerization constants are (6±2) · 10⁵ 1 · M⁻¹ for protochlorophyll a and (4.5±2) · 10⁵ 1 · M⁻¹ for vinylprotochlorophyll a at 20 °C. The deconvolution of visible spectra in the red region has been performed in order to obtain quantitative information on the dimer structure. Two models involving a parallel or a perpendicular arrangement of the associated molecules are considered.

From ¹H NMR spectra, it appears that the region of overlap occurs near ring V, in agreement with the interpretation of the infrared spectra.     

Equilibrium and structure of thallium(III)–ethylenediamine complexes in pyridine solution and in solid

The formation of three [Tl(en)_n]³⁺ complexes (n=1–3) in a pyridine solvent has been established by means of ²⁰⁵Tl and ¹H NMR. Their stepwise stability constants based on concentrations, K_n=[Tl(en)_n ³⁺]/{[Tl(en)_n−1 ³⁺]·[en]}, at 298 K in 0.5 M NaClO₄ ionic medium in pyridine, were calculated from ²⁰⁵Tl NMR integrals: log K₁=7.6±0.7; log K₂=5.2±0.5 and log K₃=2.64±0.05. Linear correlation between both the ²⁰⁵Tl NMR shifts and spin–spin coupling ²⁰⁵Tl–¹H versus the stability constants has been found and discussed. A single crystal with the composition [Tl(en)₃](ClO₄)₃ was synthesized and its structure determined by X-ray diffraction. The Tl³⁺ ion is coordinated by three ethylenediamine ligands via six N-donor atoms in a distorted octahedral fashion.     

The electron-transfer kinetics of spinach ferredoxin with strong reductants

The reduction of spinach ferredoxin by V(II)-EDTA, Eu(II)-DPTA and propylene viologen was monitored electrochemically. The rates of these reactions were found to be 3.0 · 10⁴, 3.2 · 10⁵ and 1.2 · 10⁵ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹, respectively, by the use of chronoamperometry, pulse polarography, differential pulse polarography and rotating-disk voltammetry. These reaction rates were analyzed by tunneling theory for electron transfers, and the comparisons between the theoretical and experimental values were quite good. The tunneling theory also worked quite well with other ferredoxin electron-transfer rates that are available in the literature. In addition to that, the activation enthalpy and entropy compared well with the tunneling theory.     

Kinetics of Reduction of Hypervalent Iron in Myoglobin by Crocin in Aqueous Solution

Crocin in aqueous solution is oxidized by ferrylmyoglobin, MbFe(IV)=O, in a second order reaction with k = 183 1 · mol^-1 · s^-1, AH^‡₂₉₈ = 55.0 kJ · mol^-1, and ΔLS^‡₂₉₈ = -17 J · mol^-1 K^-1 (pH = 6.8, ionic strength 0.16 (NaCl), 25°C), as studied by stopped-flow spectroscopy. The reaction has 1:1 stoichiometry to yield metmyoglobin, MbFe(III), and has AG^o = -11 kJ · mol^-1, as calculated from the literature value E⁰ = +0.85 V (pH = 7.4) vs. NHE for MbFe(IV)=O/MbFe(III) and from the half-peak potential +0.74 V (vs. NHE in aqueous 0.16 NaCl, pH = 7.4) determined by cyclic voltammetry for the one-electron oxidation product of crocin, for which a cation radical structure is proposed and which has a half-peak potential of +0.89 V for its formation from the two-electron oxidation product of crocin. The fer-rylmyoglobin protein-radical, MbFe(IV)=O, reacts with crocin with 2:l stoichiometq to yield MbFe(IV)= 0, as determined by ESR spectroscopy, in a reaction faster than the second order protein-radical generating reaction between H₂O₂ and MbFe(III), for which latter reaction k = 137 L · mol^-1 · s^-1, ΔH^‡₂₉₈ = 51.5 kJ · mol^-1, and ΔH^‡₂₉₈ = -31 J · mol^-1 · K^-1 (pH = 6.8, ionic strength = 0.16 (NaCI), 25°C) was determined. Based on the difference between the stoichiometry for the reaction between crocin and each of the two hypervalent forms of myoglobin, it is concluded in agreement with the determined half peak reduction potentials, that the crocin cation radical is less reducing compared to crocin, as the cation radical can reduce the protein radical but not the iron(IV) centre in hypervalent myoglobin.     

Redox reactions of the urate radical/urate couple with the superoxide radical anion, the tryptophan neutral radical and selected flavonoids in neutral aqueous solutions

The kinetics of several processes involving the potential antioxidant role of urate in physiological systems have been investigated by pulse radiolysis. While the monoanionic urate radical, ^·UH^-, can be produced directly by oxidation with ^·Br^-₂ or ^·OH, it can also be generated by oxidation with the neutral tryptophan radical, ^·Trp, with a rate constant of 2 × 10⁷ M^-1s^-1. This radical, ^·UH^-, reacts with ^·O^-₂ with a rate constant of 8 × 10⁸ M^-1s^-1. Also, ^·UH^- is reduced by flavonoids, quercetin and rutin in CTAB micelles at rate constants of 6 × 10⁶ M^-1s^-1 and 1 × 10⁶ M^-1s^-1, respectively. These results can be of value by providing reference data useful in further investigation of the antioxidant character of urate in more complex biological systems.     

The Kinetics of the Reaction of Ferritin with Superoxide

Using pulse radiolysis and competition kinetics with cytochrome c, the reaction of superoxide with horse spleen ferritin was investigated. The second-order rate constant is estimated to be 2 ± 1 × 10⁶dm³mol^-1s^-1     

The monofunctionalized 1,4,7-triazacyclononane derivatives 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N-acetate (L) and N-(2-hydroxybenzyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (HL) and their complexes with vanadium(IV)/(V). Localized and delocalized electronic structures in compounds containing the mixed valent [OV---O---VO] core

The synthesis of the tetradentate pendant arm macrocycles 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-N-acetate (L¹) and N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (HL²) and their coordination chemistry with vanadium(IV) and (V) are reported. The following mononuclear species have been prepared and characterized by UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy: [L¹V^IVO(NCS)] (1), [L¹VO₂]·H₂O (2), [L²VO(NCS)] (3), [L²VO(NCS)]Cl (4), and [L²VO₂] (5). In addition, the dinuclear, mixed valent complexes [L₂¹V₂O₃]Br (6), [L₂²V₂O₃](ClO₄)·0.5acetone (7), and the homovalent complex [L₂²V₂O₃](ClO₄)₂ (8) have been synthesized. Complexes 2, 3, 6 and 7 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Crystal data: 2, space group P2₁c,a=9.944(4),b=6.701(3),c=18.207(8)Å, β=102.88(3)°, V=1182.7 ų, Z=4, D_calc=1.51 g cm⁻³, R=0.049 based on 4760 reflections; 3, space group Pbca, A=11.003(6), b=14.295(7), C=20.21(1) Å, V=3178.8 ų, Z=8, D_calc=1,50 g cm⁻³, R=0.057 based on 1049 reflections; 6, space Pbcn, a=12.922(3), B=13.852(3), C=12.739(3) Å, V=2280.3 ų, Z=4, D_calc=1,75 g cm⁻³, R=0.047 based on 1172 reflections; 7, space group C2/c, A=23.553(9), B=13.497(5), C=20.951(8) Å, β=90.03(3)°, V=6660.2 ų, Z=8, D_calc=1.49 g cm⁻³, R=0.053 based on 3698 reflections. Complexes 6 and 7 are mixed valent V(IV)/(V) complexes containing the [OV---O---VO]³⁺ core. In the solid state 6 belongs to class III (delocalized) and 7 to class I (localized) according to the Robin and Day classification of mixed valent compounds. A rationale for these differing electronic structures is given.     

Characterization of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) binding to cloned porcine GHRH receptor

To study structure-activity relationships of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a competitive binding assay was developed using cloned porcine adenopituitary GHRH receptors expressed in human kidney 293 cells. Specific binding of [His¹,¹²⁵I-Tyr¹⁰,Nle²⁷]hGHRH(1–32)-NH₂ increased linearly with protein concentration (10–45 μg protein/tube). Binding reached equilibrium after 90 min at 30°C and remained constant for at least 240 min. Binding was reversible to one class of high-affinity sites (K_d = 1.04 ± 0.19 nM, B_max = 3.9 ± 0.53 pmol/mg protein). Binding was selective with a rank order of affinity (IC₅₀) for porcine GHRH (2.8 ± 0.51 nM), rat GHRH (3.1 ± 0.69 nM), [N-Ac-Tyr¹, -Arg²]hGHRH(3–29)-NH₂ (3.9 ± 0.58 nM), and [ -Thr⁷]GHRH(1–29)-NH₂ (189.7 ± 14.3 nM), consistent with their binding to a GHRH receptor. Nonhydrolyzable guanine nucleotides inhibited binding. These data describe a selective and reliable method for a competitive GHRH binding assay that for the first time utilizes rapid filtration to terminate the binding assay.     

Reduction of ferricytochrome c by hydrogen atoms: Evidence for intramolecular transfer of reducing equivalent

Direct evidence obtained by means of the technique of pulse radiolysis-kinetic spectrometry, with measurements in the time range 10⁻⁶ to 1 s, is presented that, consequent upon reaction of a single H-atom with a single molecule of ferricytochrome c, a reducing equivalent is transmitted via the protein structure to the ferriheme moiety. Such transmission accounts for at least 70% of the total reduction of the ferri to the ferro state of cytochrome c. The remainder of the total reduction takes place without stages resolvable on the time scale of these experiments. Reduction brought about by H atoms appears to follow a different course than reduction by hydrated electrons. In the latter case, intramolecular transmission of reducing equivalents could not be demonstrated (Lichtin, N. N., Shafferman, A. and Stein, G. (1973) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 314, 117–135).

Not every H-atom reacts with ferricytochrome c at a site which results in conversion of the Fe(III) state to the Fe(II) state. Approximately half of reacting H-atoms do not produce reduction.

The following second order rate constants have been determined in solutions of low ionic strength at 20±2 °C: k[H+ferricytochrome c] = (1.0±0.2) · 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹ at pH 3.0 and 6.7; k[H+ferrocytochrome c] = (1.3±0.2) · 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹ at pH 3.0; k[e⁻_aq + ferrocytochrome c] = (1.9±0.4) · 10¹⁰ M⁻¹ · s⁻¹ at pH 6.7.     

Augmentation of Soil with Sporangia of Actinoplanes spp. for Biological Control of Pythium Damping-off

A method was developed for applying strains of Actinoplanes spp. that are hyper-parasites of oospores of Pythium ultimum to soil for reducing Pythium damping-off of plants. The method is based on the augmentation of soil with sporangia of a strain of Actinoplanes spp. borne on clay granules. In vitro sporulation of strains K30, W57, W257 and 25844 was: (1) greater for most strains on dilute Czapek-Dox agar than on four other agar media; (2) inhibited by continuous exposure to fluorescent light of intensity 4-150 μEm^-2s^-1, but not by exposure to 1 μEm^-2s^-1 or darkness; (3) greater at 20-307deg;C than at 10°C;and (4) greater at pH 6-7 than at pH 5 or 8. On solid carriers treated with dilute Czapek-Dox broth (pH 7) and incubated in the dark at 30°C for 3 weeks, strains sporulated poorly or not at all on vermiculite, perlite and rice hulls, but sporulated abundantly (10⁷-10⁹ colony-forming units (CFU) g^-1 of granules) on montmorillonite clay granules. When strains 25844, W57 and W257 were applied as granules (4 10⁷ - 4 × 10⁸ CFU g^-1) at 5% (w/w) to field plots infested with 750-1000 oospores of P. ultimum g^-1 of soil, only strain 25844 consistently increased emergence and reduced root rot of table beets 8- 1 at 24-28 days after planting compared with controls. Strain 25844 (10⁸ CFU g^-1 of granules) at 1% (w/w) also increased the emergence of bush beans at 28 days after planting in P. ultimum-infested plots, but lower rates were ineffective. The inoculum viability of strain 25844 on clay granules declined 100-fold during 2 months of storage at 5-35°C, but thereafter remained stable for another 4 months. Strain 25844 on 6-month-old granules retained a high degree of hyper-parasitic activity toward oospores of P. ultimum. Augmentation of field soil with sporangia of Actinoplanes spp. is a valid approach to the biological control of pythium damping-off.     

Nitrogen atom transfer and redox chemistry of terpyridyl phosphoraniminato complexes of osmium (IV)

Rapid reactions occur between [Os^VI(tpy)(Cl)₂(N)]X (X = PF₆⁻, Cl⁻, tpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) and aryl or alkyl phosphi nes (PPh₃, PPh₂Me, PPhMe₂, PMe₃ and PEt₃) in CH₂Cl₂ or CH₃CN to give [Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₃)]⁺ and its analogs. The reaction between trans-[Os^VI(tpy)(Cl)₂(N)]⁺ and PPh₃ in CH₃CN occurs with a 1:1 stoichiometry and a rate law first order in both PPh₃ and Os^VI with k(CH₃CN, 25°C) = 1.36 ± 0.08 × 10⁴ M⁻ s⁻¹. The products are best formulated as paramagnetic d⁴ phosphoraniminato complexes of Os^IV based on a room temperature magnetic moment of 1.8 μ_B for trans-[Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₃)](PF₆), contact shifted ¹H NMR spectra and UV-Vis and near-IR spectra. In the crystal structures of trans-[Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂( NPPh₃)](PF₆)·CH₃CN (monoclinic, P2₁/n with a = 13.384(5) Å, b = 15.222(7) Å, c = 17.717(6) Å, β = 103.10(3)°, V = 3516(2) ų, Z = 4, R_w = 3.40, R_w = 3.50) and cis-[Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₂Me)]-(PF₆)·CH₃CN (monoclinic, P2₁/c, with a = 10.6348(2) Å, b = 15.146(9) ÅA, c = 20.876(6) Å, β = 97.47(1)°, V = 3334(2) ų, Z = 4, R = 4.00, R_w = 4.90), the long Os-N(P) bond lengths (2.093(5) and 2.061(6) Å), acute Os-N-P angles (132.4(3) and 132.2(4)°), and absence of a significant structural trans effect rule out significant Os-N multiple bonding. From cyclic voltammetric measurements, chemically reversible Os^V/IV and Os^IV/III couples occur for trans-[Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₃)](PF₆) in CH₃CN at +0.92 V (Os^V/IV) and −0.27 V (Os^IV/III) versus SSCE. Chemical or electrochemical reduction of trans-[Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₃)](PF₆) gives isolable trans-Os^III(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₃). One-electron oxidation to Os^V followed by intermolecular disproportionation and PPh₃ group transfer gives [Os^VI(tpy)Cl₂(N)]⁺, [OS^III(tpy)(Cl)₂(CH₃CN)]⁺ and [Ph₃=N=PPh₃]⁺ (PPN⁺). trans-[Os^IV(tpy)(Cl)₂(NPPh₃)](PF₆) undergoes reaction with a second phosphine under reflux to give PPN⁺ derivatives and Os^II(tpy)(Cl)₂(CH₃CN) in CH₃CN or Os^II(tpy)(Cl)₂(PR₃) in CH₂Cl₂. This demonstrates that the Os^VI nitrido complex can undergo a net four-electron change by a combination of atom and group transfers.     

Ricochet inter-ring haptotropic rearrangement of σ-methyl-(η-indenyl) chromium tricarbonyls. Experimental kinetic and theoretical DFT study

σ-Methyl-(η⁵-indenyl) chromium tricarbonyl (III) rearranges quantitatively into η⁶-1-endo-methylindene) chromium tricarbonyl (IV) in C₆D₆ solution at 30–60°C. Methyl group attachment to the positions 2 or 3 of indenyl ligand in (III) has no influence on the activation parameters of this ricochet inter-ring haptotropic rearrangement (ΔG^#=23.6 kcal mol⁻¹; ΔH^#=18.9±0.2 kcal mol⁻¹; ΔS^#=−18.6±0.2 cal K⁻¹ mol⁻¹). (IV) undergoes further irreversible isomerization at 60–120° into (ν⁶-3-methylindene) chromium tricarbonyl (V) with a higher activation barrier (ΔG^#=28.5±0.1 kcal mol⁻¹) via two consecutive [1,5]-sigmatropic hydrogen shifts. The mechanisms of both rearrangements have been studied in detail using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with extended basis sets. Calculations show that the rearrangement (III) → (IV) proceeds in two steps. Methyl group migration from chromium into position 1 of the indenyl ligand is the rate-determining step leading to the formation of the 16-electron intermediate (VII). The calculated activation barrier (E_a=19.6 kcal mol⁻¹) is in good agreement with the experimental one. Further rearrangement (VII) → (V) proceeds via a trimethylenemethane-type transition state (XVIII) with an activation barrier 11.8 kcal mol⁻¹. The coordination of the chromium tricarbonyl group at the six-membered ring has only minor influence on the kinetic parameters of the hydrogen [1,5]-sigmatropic shift in indene.     

Structure and characterization of platinum(II) and platinum(IV) complexes with protonated nucleobase ligands

The reaction of H₂[PtCl₆] · 6H₂O and (H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)] · 2(18C6) · 6H₂O (18C6 = 18-crown-6) with 9-methylguanine (MeGua) proceeded with the protonation of MeGua forming 9-methylguaninium hexachloroplatinate(IV) dihydrate (MeGuaH)₂[PtCl₆] · 2H₂O (1).The same compound was obtained from the reaction of Na₂[PtCl₆] with (MeGuaH)Cl.On the other hand, the reaction of guanosine (Guo) with (H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)] · 2(18C6) · 6H₂O in methanol at 60 °C proceeded with the cleavage of the glycosidic linkage and with ligand substitution to give a guaninium complex of platinum(IV), [PtCl₅(GuaH)] · 1.5(18C6) · H₂O (2).Within several weeks in aqueous solution a slow reduction took place yielding the analogous guaninium platinum(II) complex, [PtCl₃(GuaH)] · (18C6) · 2Me₂CO (3).H₂[PtCl₆] · 6H₂O and guanosine was found to react in water, yielding (GuoH)₂[PtCl₆] (4) and in ethanol at 50 °C, yielding [PtCl₅(GuoH)] · 3H₂O (5).Dissolution of complexes 2 and 5 in DMSO resulted in the substitution of the guaninium and guanosinium ligands, respectively, by DMSO forming [PtCl₅(DMSO)]⁻.Reactions of 1-methylcytosine (MeCyt) and cytidine (Cyd) with H₂[PtCl₆] · 6H₂O and(H₃O)[PtCl₅(H₂O)] · 2(18C6) · 6H₂O resulted in the formation of hexachloroplatinates with N3 protonated pyrimidine bases as cation (MeCytH)₂[PtCl₆] · 2H₂O (6) and (CydH)₂[PtCl₆] (7), respectively. Identities of all complexes were confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR spectroscopic investigations, revealing coordination of GuoH⁺ in complex 5 through N7 whereas GuaH⁺ in complex 3 may be coordinated through N7 or through N9. Solid state structure of hexachloroplatinate 1 exhibited base pairing of the cations yielding (MeGuaH⁺)₂, whereas in complex 6 non-base-paired MeCytH⁺ cations were found. In both complexes, a network of hydrogen bonds including the water molecules was found. X-ray diffraction analysis of complex 3 exhibited a guaninium ligand that is coordinated through N9 to platinum and protonated at N1, N3 and N7. In the crystal, these NH groups form hydrogen bonds N–HO to oxygen atoms of crown ether molecules.     

Kinetics and equilibria of Ga(III)---thiocyanate complex formation. Mechanism of ligand substitution reactions of Ga(III) in aqueous solution

The kinetics and equilibria of complex formation by Ga(III) with NCS⁻ in aqueous solution have been measured over a range of acidities and temperatures, the contributing paths to the reaction resolved, and their rate constants and activation parameters determined. The hydrolysis equilibria required to carry out this resolution of kinetic behaviour have also been measured.

Unlike the other reported complexation reactions of Ga(III) in aqueous solution, the separate reaction pathways can be assigned with no ambiguity. At 25 °C and ionic strength 0.5 M, the observed forward rate constant for the complex formation is described by {k₁ + k₂K_1h/[H⁺] + k₃K_1hK_2h/[H⁺]²} M⁻¹ s⁻¹. For these conditions, the first and second successive hydrolysis constants of Ga(H₂O)₆³⁺ are given by pK_1h = 3.69 ± 0.01 and pK_2h = 3.74 ± 0.04. The rate constants corresponding to the reactions of the species Ga(H₂O)₆³⁺, Ga(H₂O)₅(OH)²⁺ and Ga(H₂O)₄(OH)₂⁺ with NCS⁻ are k₁ = 57 ± 4 M^{−1 −1}, k₂ = (1.08 ± 0.01) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and k₃ = 3 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. The complexation equilibrium quotient [GaNCS²⁺]/([Ga³⁺][NCS⁻]) has been independently determined by spectrophotometric titration to be 20.8 ± 0.3 M⁻¹ at 25 °C and ionic strength 0.5 M.

These kinetic results lead to an interpretation of the data, and a reinterpretation of other data for aquo-Ga(III) complex formation kinetics from the literature which support the assignment of a dissociative interchange mechanism for these reactions rather than the associative activation mode sometimes proposed.     

Mechanism of reaction of nitrogen dioxide radical with hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives: A pulse radiolysis study

Nitrogen dioxide radical (NO^·₂) is known as a toxic agent produced in the metabolism of nitrates and nitrites. By the use of the pulse radiolysis technique, the mechanism of the reaction of NO^·₂ radical with hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (HCA) was studied and the rate constants have been measured. The rate constants were found to be 7.4 × 10⁸, 7.2 × 10⁸, 8.6 × 10⁸ dm³ mol^-1s^-1 for ferulic acid, sinapic acid and caffeic acid, respectively. The reactions produce the corresponding phenoxyl radical.