Syntheses, properties, and structural characteristics of several new [tetrakis(1-pyrazolyl)borato]samarium(III) complexes: comparative study of the B(pyrazolyl)4 and BH(pyrazolyl)3 ligation

Although reactions of samarium(III) chloride, SmCl₃ · 6H₂O, with potassium hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate K[BH(pz)₃] (pz = 1-pyrazolyl) in a molar ratio of (1/1) in THF afford [SmCl{BH(pz)₃}₂(Hpz)], similar reactions with K[B(pz)₄] gave rise to separation of anhydrous H[B(pz)₄]. The homoleptic eight-coordinate complex [Sm{B(pz)₄}₃] obtained from SmCl₃ · 6H₂O and threefold moles of K[B(pz)₄] was allowed to react with twofold moles of K[BH(pz)₃] to give a mixture of three major species [Sm{B(pz)₄}_n{BH(pz)₃}_(3 − n)] (n = 2, 1, 0), whereas similar reactions of [Sm{BH(pz)₃}₃] with K[B(pz)₄] did not proceed at all. The acetylacetonato (acac) complex [Sm{B(pz)₄}₂(acac)], derived from the triflate “Sm{B(pz)₄}₂(OTf)”, was treated with twofold moles of K[BH(pz)₃] and showed its quantitative conversion to [Sm{BH(pz)₃}₂(acac)]. However, analogous reaction of [Sm{BH(pz)₃}₂(acac)] with K[B(pz)₄] did not proceed. Accordingly, samarium(III) ion was determined to prefer coordination of BH(pz)₃ ligand to that of B(pz)₄, indicating less σ-donating electronic character of the latter. The complexes [Sm{B(pz)₄}₂(L-L)] (L-L = β-ketoenolato) in toluene-d₈ exhibited ¹H NMR spectroscopic equivalence of all four pyrazolyl groups at high temperatures, and are regarded as a new class of B(pz)₄ complexes, showing fast intramolecular exchange of their coordinated and uncoordinated pyrazolyl groups. Four compounds were crystallographically characterized.     

Deposition of iron titanate/titania ceramic composite thin films from a single molecular precursor

A heterobimetallic single molecular precursor, [Fe₂Ti₄(μ-O)₆(TFA)₈(THF)₆] (1) [TFA = trifluoroacetate, THF = tetrahydrofuran], was synthesized by the simple reaction of [Fe₃O(OAc)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃·4H₂O [OAc = acetato] with tetrakis(2-ethoxyethanalato)titanium(IV) in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid in THF. The synthesized precursor was analyzed by melting point, CHN analysis, FTIR, single crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Complex (1) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pca2₁ with cell dimensions a = 19.2114(14), b = 20.4804(15) and c = 17.2504(12) Å, and the complex undergoes thermal decomposition at 490 °C to give a residual mass corresponding to an Fe₂TiO₅-TiO₂ composite mixture. The synthesized precursor was utilized for deposition of Fe₂TiO₅-TiO₂ composite thin films by aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD) on glass substrates at 500 °C using argon as the carrier gas. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses of the thin films suggest the formation of good quality crystalline thin films of an Fe₂TiO₅-TiO₂ composite with an average grain size of 0.105-0.120 μm.     

Synthesis of magnesium titanate nanocrystallites from a cheap and water-soluble single source precursor

Pure nanocrystallite magnesium titanate (MgTiO₃) was conveniently synthesized by thermal decomposition of a cheap and water-soluble heterobimetallic single source precursor [Mg(H₂O)₅]₂[Ti₂(O₂)₂O(NC₆H₆O₆)₂]·7H₂O at low temperature. This single source precursor was obtained in high yield and in a crystalline form from the quaternary system of MgO-Ti(OC₄H₉)₄-H₂O₂-H₃nta (H₃nta = nitrilotriacetic acid) at pH 4.0. It was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectrum, NMR, thermal gravimetric analysis and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The morphology, microstructure, and crystallinity of the resulting MgTiO₃ materials have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The TEM image of the resulting MgTiO₃ powders only consists of the nano-scale crystallites with the crystalline size of 30-100 nm.     

Heterometal cubane-type WFe3S4 and related clusters trigonally symmetrized with hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate

The scope of formation and structures of tungsten-iron-sulfur clusters has been explored using reactions based on [(Tp*)WS₃]¹⁻ (1) as the ultimate precursor. The reaction system 1/FeCl₂/NaSEt/S affords the cubane cluster [(Tp*)WFe₃S₄Cl₃]¹⁻ (2), which with NaSEt is converted to [(Tp*)WFe₃S₄(SEt)₃]¹⁻ (3).Clusters 2 and 3 contain the cubane [WFe₃(μ₃-S)₄]³⁺ core.Complex 1 with FeCl₂/NaSEt forms [(Tp*)WFe₂S₃Cl₂(SEt)]¹⁻ (4) with the cuboidal [WFe₂(μ₂-S)₂(μ₃-S)(μ₂-SR)]²⁺ core.Treatment of 2 with excess Et₃P yields the edge-bridged double [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₆S₈(PEt₃)₄] (5) with the [W₂Fe₆(μ₃-S)₆(μ₄-S)₂] core. Reaction of 2 with excess leads a mixture of products, from which [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₅S₉Na(SH)(MeCN)]³⁻(6) was identified.This cluster, as closely related [(Tp)₂Mo₂Fe₆S₉(SH)₂]³⁻, exhibits a core topology [W₂Fe₅Na(μ₂-S)₂(μ₃-S)₆(μ₆-S)] very similar to the P^N cluster of nitrogenase. All reactions were carried out in acetonitrile. The structures of 2-6 were established crystallographically as Et₄N⁺ salts. In the cubane series, substitution of tungsten for molybdenum decreases the [MFe₃S₄]^3+/2+ redox potential by ca. 0.20 V but has a negligible effect on electron distribution. This work expands the small set of previously known weak-field W-Fe-S clusters, demonstrates the existence of tungsten-containing edge-bridged double cubanes and clusters with the P^N core topology, and introduces a new cuboidal core structure as found in 4 (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate).     

Monoorganobismuth(III) dithiocarboxylates: Synthesis, structures and their utility as molecular precursors for the preparation of Bi2S3 films and nanocrystals

Synthesis of a series of monoorganobismuth dithiocarboxylate complexes, [RBi(S₂CAr)₂] (R = Me, Ph, tol; Ar = Ph, tol), has been reported. They have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. Molecular structures of [RBi(S₂Ctol)₂] (R = Me or Ph) have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The bismuth atom in these complexes adopts a square pyramidal configuration with the R group at the apical position. In the solid state, these complexes show supra-molecular association devoid of Bi?S secondary interactions. Thermolysis of [RBi(S₂Ctol)₂] (R = Me or Ph) in refluxing diphenylether yielded Bi₂S₃ nanocrystals which were characterized by XRD, EDAX and SEM. The complex [PhBi(S₂Ctol)₂] has been employed for deposition of thin films of Bi₂S₃ by AACVD.     

Syntheses and characterization of new (pyrazolato)(pyrazole) rutheniums with κ-polypyrazolylborates: Halogeno-anion binding through the tris(pyrazole) moiety

(Polypyrazolylborato)(benzonitrile) ruthenium(II) complexes [RuCl{BR(pz)₃}(PhCN)₂] (R = pz, H; pz = pyrazol-1-yl), prepared from trans-[RuCl₂(PhCN)₄] and K[BR(pz)₃], were allowed to react with potassium 3,5-dimethyl-substituted polypyrazolylborate salt K[BH(3,5-Me₂pz)₃], and gave (pyrazolato)(pyrazole) species of [Ru{BR(pz)₃}(3,5-Me₂pz)(3,5-Me₂pzH)₂] {R = pz (1), H (2)}, respectively. Upon protonation with HBF₄ (Et₂O), the species 1 was converted to a fairly stable tris(pyrazole) derivative [Ru{B(pz)₄}(3,5-Me₂pzH)₃]BF₄ (3), which worked as a novel halogeno-anion receptor. Moreover, the complex [RuCl₂(PhCN)₄] was treated with K[BH(3,5-Me₂-4-Brpz)₃] in the presence of 3,5-dimethyl-4-bromopyrazole, 3,5-Me₂-4-BrpzH, to afford [Ru{BH(3,5-Me₂-4-Brpz)₃}(3,5-Me₂-4-Brpz)(3,5-Me₂-4-BrpzH)₂] and [Ru{BH(3,5-Me₂-4-Brpz)₃}(3,5-Me₂-4-Brpz)(3,5-Me₂-4-BrpzH)(PhCN)]. Single-crystal X-ray structural analyses were carried out for 1, 3 · CHCl₃, [Ru{B(pz)₄}(3,5-Me₂pzH)₂(OH₂)]O₃SC₆H₄CH₃ · CH₃OH, and [RuCl{B(pz)₄}(3,5-Me₂pzH)₂] · CHCl₃.     

The preparation and structure of tris[bis(pyrazolyl)borate]indium(III)

The compound In[(pz)₂BH₂]₃ (pz = 1-pyrazolyl, C₃H₃N₂⁻) was prepared from In(NO³)₃ and K[(pz)₂-BH₂] in water, and characterised by spectroscopic and X-ray methods. Crystals are orthorhombic,Pna2₁,a = 20.279(4),b = 8.884(2),c = 13.411(2)Å;R = 0.0285. Individual molecules contain a near-regular six-coordinate indium atom with In–N (av.) 2.241(5)Å. The pyrazolyl borate ligands are puckered, with dihedral angles between the two rings of each ligand in the range 133–144°.     

Dependence of the resting [Ca2+]cyt of RBL-1 cells on Ca2+ entry

The cytoplasmic Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_cyt) in resting cells in an equilibrium between several influx and efflux mechanisms. Here we address the question of whether capacitative Ca²⁺ entry to some extent is active at resting conditions and therefore is part of processes that guarantee a constant [Ca²⁺]_cyt. We measured changes of [Ca²⁺]_cyt in RBL-1 cells with fluorometric techniques. An increase of the extracellular [Ca²⁺] from 1.3 mM to 5 mM induced an incrase in [Ca²⁺]_cyt from 105±10 nM to 145±8.5 nM. This increase could be inhibited by 10 μM Gd³⁺, 10 μM La³⁺ or 50 μM 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, blockers of capacitative Ca²⁺ entry. Application of those blockers to a resting cell in a standard extracellular solution (1.3 mM Ca²⁺) resulted in a decrease of [Ca²⁺]_cyt from 105±10 nM to 88.5±10 nM with La³⁺, from 103±12 to 89±12 nM with Gd³⁺ and from 102±12 nM to 89.5±5 nM with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate. From these data, we conclude that capacitative Ca²⁺ entry beside its function in Ca²⁺ signaling contributes to the regulation of resting [Ca²⁺]_cyt.     

CO2 transported in xylem sap affects CO2 efflux from Liquidambar styraciflua and Platanus occidentalis stems, and contributes to observed wound respiration phenomena

The [CO₂] in the xylem of tree stems is typically two to three orders of magnitude greater than atmospheric [CO₂]. In this study, xylem [CO₂] was experimentally manipulated in saplings of sycamore (Platanus occidentalis L.) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua L.) by allowing shoots severed from their root systems to absorb water containing [CO₂] ranging from 0.04% to 14%. The effect of xylem [CO₂] on CO₂ efflux to the atmosphere from uninjured and mechanically injured, i.e., wounded, stems was examined. In both wounded and unwounded stems, and in both species, CO₂ efflux was directly proportional to xylem [CO₂], and increased 5-fold across the range of xylem [CO₂] produced by the [CO₂] treatment. Xylem [CO₂] explained 76–77% of the variation in pre-wound efflux. After wounding, CO₂ efflux increased substantially but remained directly proportional to internal stem [CO₂]. These experiments substantiated our previous finding that stem CO₂ efflux was directly related to internal xylem [CO₂] and expanded our observations to two new species. We conclude that CO₂ transported in the xylem may confound measurements of respiration based on CO₂ efflux to the atmosphere. This study also provided evidence that the rapid increase in CO₂ efflux observed after tissues are excised or injured is likely the result of the rapid diffusion of CO₂ from the xylem, rather than an actual increase in the rate of respiration of wounded tissues.     

First air stable tin(II) β-heteroarylalkenolate: Synthesis, characterization and application in chemical vapor deposition

A novel tin(II)-compound, bis(η²-N,O-2-[4,5-dimethyloxazolyl]-1,1,1-trifluoro-propen-2-olato)tin, Sn^II[(Me₂C₃NO)(CHCOCF₃)]₂ (1), was obtained by reacting Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with 2 M equivalents of the β-heteroarylalkenol, (Me₂C₃NO)(CHCOHCF₃) (2). The molecular structures of ligand and the tin derivative were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction and multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopic studies, which confirmed the monomeric nature and fourfold coordination of the tin(II) center with a pseudo-pyramidal geometry. The bidentate chelating mode of 2 imparted intriguingly high air stability to 1, which together with its high volatility make it an interesting precursor for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. CVD of 1 on gold-coated Al₂O₃ substrates produced single crystalline SnO₂ nanowires by vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism. Transmission electron microscopy studies and X-ray diffraction data confirmed the high crystallinity of SnO₂ nanowires possessing an average diameter of 90 nm.     

A new 3D transition-metal complex-templated framework based on Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate and copper(I)-pyrazine moieties

A new Wells-Dawson polyoxometalate-based compound, [Cu^II(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)]₃[Cu^I₆(pz)₆(P₂W₁₈O₆₂)₂] (2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pz = pyrizine) (1), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by routine physical methods. Compound 1 exhibits a [Cu^II(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺ complex-templated 3D (3,4)-connected framework with the topology of (6³)(6²8⁴), which is built up by the cross-linking of porous P₂W₁₈-Cu layers and Cu^I-pz chains with Cu2 atoms as intersections. The transition-metal complex cation [Cu^II(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺ acts not only as a template locating in the voids of inorganic layers, but also as a charge-balance complex to make the 3D structure more steady. The electrochemistry property of compound 1 has also been discussed.     

The dynamics of mitochondrial Ca fluxes

We have investigated the kinetics of mitochondrial Ca²⁺ influx and efflux and their dependence on cytosolic [Ca²⁺] and [Na⁺] using low-Ca²⁺-affinity aequorin. The rate of Ca²⁺ release from mitochondria increased linearly with mitochondrial [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_M). Na⁺-dependent Ca²⁺ release was predominant al low [Ca²⁺]_M but saturated at [Ca²⁺]_M around 400 μM, while Na⁺-independent Ca²⁺ release was very slow at [Ca²⁺]_M below 200 μM, and then increased at higher [Ca²⁺]_M, perhaps through the opening of a new pathway. Half-maximal activation of Na⁺-dependent Ca²⁺ release occurred at 5-10 mM [Na⁺], within the physiological range of cytosolic [Na⁺]. Ca²⁺ entry rates were comparable in size to Ca²⁺ exit rates at cytosolic [Ca²⁺] ([Ca²⁺]_c) below 7 μM, but the rate of uptake was dramatically accelerated at higher [Ca²⁺]_c. As a consequence, the presence of [Na⁺] considerably reduced the rate of [Ca²⁺]_M increase at [Ca²⁺]_c below 7 μM, but its effect was hardly appreciable at 10 μM [Ca²⁺]_c. Exit rates were more dependent on the temperature than uptake rates, thus making the [Ca²⁺]_M transients to be much more prolonged at lower temperature. Our kinetic data suggest that mitochondria have little high affinity Ca²⁺ buffering, and comparison of our results with data on total mitochondrial Ca²⁺ fluxes indicate that the mitochondrial Ca²⁺ bound/Ca²⁺ free ratio is around 10- to 100-fold for most of the observed [Ca²⁺]_M range and suggest that massive phosphate precipitation can only occur when [Ca²⁺]_M reaches the millimolar range.     

A high-spin Fe(II)/low-spin Fe(III) redox couple featuring the hydro[tris(4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)]borate ligand: Synthesis, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic characterization

The white homoleptic high-spin iron(II) complexes Fe[Tp^Me2,4Cl]₂ (1) was isolated in quantitative yield from reaction mixtures containing 1 equiv of FeCl₂(THF)_1.5 and 2 equiv of K[Tp^Me2,4Cl] (Tp^Me2,4Cl = hydrotris[(4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)]borate). Its purple low-spin iron(III) counterparts 1[O₃SCF₃] and 1[PF₆] were synthesized and isolated in 85% yields upon treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of silver triflate and silver hexafluorophosphate, respectively. The three paramagnetic compounds are air and thermally stable as solids and in solution; they were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ¹H NMR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. In addition, 1[PF₆] was authenticated by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two scorpionate ligands are κ³-N,N′,N′′ ligated to the central Fe^III ion, forming an almost perfect FeN₆ octahedron with an average Fe-N bond distance of 1.9551(18) Å. In addition, complex 1 which oxidizes reversibly at E_1/2 = 0.483 V/SCE (ΔE_p = 94 mV), remains high-spin (S = 2) when the temperature is lowered to 2 K.     

High-temperature spin-crossover in coordination compounds of iron(II) with tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane

Novel mononuclear Fe(II) complexes of tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane [Fe{HC(pz)₃}₂]²⁺ with and p-sulfonatothiacalix[4]arene (TCAS⁴⁻) as counterions were obtained. The compounds were characterized by magnetic susceptibility method, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The structure of [Fe{HC(pz)₃}₂]SiF₆ has been analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The ¹H NMR spectroscopy measurements of [Fe{HC(pz)₃}₂]₂(TСAS) in aqueous solution reveal the outer sphere inclusion of [Fe{HC(pz)₃}₂]²⁺ into the cyclophanic cavity of TCAS⁴⁻. The temperature induced spin-crossover ¹А₁ ⇔ ⁵Т₂, accompanied by thermochromism, has been revealed from the temperature dependence of μ_eff and IR spectra for both complexes. The comparative analysis of magnetochemical and spectroscopy data elucidates the effect of the cyclophanic counterion on the physico-chemical properties of Fe(II) complex.     

Synthesis, characterization and luminescence property of heterobimetallic trinuclear Mo(W)-Ag-S clusters containing 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane

Reactions of (NH₄)₂MS₄ or (NH₄)₂MOS₃ (M = Mo, W) with AgSCN and closo carborane diphosphine ligand 1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (L) in CH₂Cl₂ yielded four heterobimetallic trinuclear Mo(W)-Ag-S clusters: [Ag₂MoS₄L₂] (1), [Ag₂WS₄L₂] (2), [Ag₂MoOS₃L₂] (3) and [Ag₂WS₄L₂] (4), respectively. All the new clusters have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and their molecular structures (except for 3) were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystal structure analysis showed that the closo carborane diphosphine ligand was coordinated bidentately to Ag(I) atom through its two phosphorus atoms, resulting in a stable five-member chelating ring between the diphosphine ligand and the metal. The coordination sphere of the central M atom, as well as all the Ag atoms, was tetrahedron. The skeletons of these clusters could be classified into two types: with (NH₄)₂MS₄, the three metal atoms (two Ag atoms and one M atom) are in a linear conformation, while with (NH₄)₂MOS₃, the conformation of the heterobimetallic trinuclear cluster is butterfly shaped. The luminescence properties of the clusters were investigated in CH₂Cl₂ solution at room temperature and for the first time the butterfly-shaped Ag-W-S cluster containing the Ag₂WS₄ core has been proved to show luminescence property.     

Glucagon receptor mediates calcium signaling by coupling to Gαq/11 and Gαi/o in HEK293 cells

Glucagon induces intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) elevation by stimulating glucagon receptor (GCGR). Such [Ca²⁺]_i signaling plays important physiological roles, including glycogenolysis and glycolysis in liver cells and the survival of β-cells. Previous studies indicated that phospholipase C (PLC) might be involved in glucagon-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i response. Other studies also debated whether cAMP accumulation mediated by GCGR/Gα_s coupling contributes to [Ca²⁺]_i elevation. But the exact mechanisms remain uncertain. In the present study, we found that glucagon induces [Ca²⁺]_i elevation in HEK293 cells expressing GCGR. Removing extracellular Ca²⁺ did not affect glucagon-stimulated [Ca²⁺]_i response. But depleting the intracellular Ca²⁺ store by thapsigargin completely inhibited glucagon-induced [Ca²⁺]_i response. Experiments with forskolin and adenylyl cyclase inhibtor revealed that cAMP is not the cause of [Ca²⁺]_i response. Further studies with Gα_q/11 RNAi and pertussis toxin (PTX) indicated that both Gα_q/11 and Gα_i/o are involved. Combination of Gα_q/11 RNAi and Gα_i/o inhibition almost completely abolished glucagon-induced [Ca²⁺]_i signaling.     

μ- and μ4-η coordination of A2H2 (A = C, Si, Ge, Sn and Pb) ligands with transition metals

The heavier analogs of C₂H₂ have been studied at the B3LYP level for their μ and μ₄-η² coordination properties with the transition metals. Based on known alkyne compounds, transition metal fragments [W₂(μ-NH)(Cp)₂(Cl)₂] and [Fe₄(CO)₁₂] have been chosen. The SBKJC relativistic effective core potentials and their associated basis sets were used on W, Fe, Sn and Pb, and the 6-31G(d) basis set was used on all other elements. All the complexes of Si₂H₂, Ge₂H₂, Sn₂H₂ and Pb₂H₂ are found to be local minima. The trans-twist nature of the ligand A₂H₂ (A = Si-Pb) is large in μ-coordinated complexes of W, and it is very small in μ₄-η² coordinated complexes of Fe. The electronic structure of these complexes was investigated using fragment molecular orbital method (FMO).     

Synthesis and characterization of divalent metal complexes containing the heteroscorpionate ligand dihydrobis(3-carboxyethyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate

The dihydrobis(3-carboxyethyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate ligand, Bp^COOET,Me, reacts with divalent metals to yield complexes of general type [(Bp^COOET,Me)₂M], where M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II). All complexes have been fully characterized by elemental analyses and FT-IR in the solid state and by NMR (¹H and ¹¹³Cd NMR) spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry in solution. A single crystal structural characterization is reported for [Cu(Bp^COOET,Me)₂] and [Zn(Bp^COOET,Me)₂]. In the two complexes, both metals are four-coordinated and they are only bound to the nitrogen atoms of the bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligand; however, while the environment of the copper atom is square planar, that of the zinc center shows a tetrahedral distorted conformation.     

Contrasting Effects of Carbon Dioxide and Irradiance on the Acclimation of Photosynthesis in Developing Soybean Leaves

Leaves developed at high irradiance (I) often have higher photosynthetic capacity than those developed at low I, while leaves developed at elevated CO₂ concentration [CO₂] often have reduced photosynthetic capacity compared with leaves developed at lower [CO₂]. Because both high I and elevated [CO₂] stimulate photosynthesis of developing leaves, their contrasting effects on photosynthetic capacity at maturity suggest that the extra photosynthate may be utilized differently depending on whether I or [CO₂] stimulates photosynthesis. These experiments were designed to test whether relationships between photosynthetic income and the net accumulation of soluble protein in developing leaves, or relationships between soluble protein and photosynthetic capacity at full expansion differed depending on whether I or [CO₂] was varied during leaf development. Soybean plants were grown initially with a photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) of 950 µmol m^–2 s^–1 and 350 µmol [CO₂] mol^–1, then exposed to [CO₂] ranging from 135 to 1400 µmol mol^–1 for the last 3 d of expansion of third trifoliolate leaves. These results were compared with experiments in which I was varied at a constant [CO₂] of 350 µmol mol^–1 over the same developmental period. Increases in area and dry mass over the 3 d were determined along with daily photosynthesis and respiration. Photosynthetic CO₂ exchange characteristics and soluble protein content of leaves were determined at the end of the treatment periods. The increase in leaflet mass was about 28 % of the dry mass income from photosynthesis minus respiration, regardless of whether [CO₂] or I was varied, except that very low I or [CO₂] increased this percentage. Leaflet soluble protein per unit of area at full expansion had the same positive linear relationship to photosynthetic income whether [CO₂] or I was varied. For variation in I, photosynthetic capacity varied directly with soluble protein per unit area. This was not the case for variation in [CO₂]. Increasing [CO₂] reduced photosynthetic capacity per unit of soluble protein by up to a factor of 2.5, and photosynthetic capacity exhibited an optimum with respect to growth [CO₂]. Thus CO₂ did not alter the relationship between photosynthetic income and the utilization of photosynthate in the net accumulation of soluble protein, but did alter the relationship between soluble protein content and photosynthetic characteristics in this species.     

New (NS)2 Schiff base with a flexible spacer: Synthesis and structural characterization of its first coordination polymer [Cu2(μ-I)2(μ-(thio)2dapte)]n (1)

New one-dimensional copper(I) coordination polymer [Cu₂(μ-I)₂(μ-(thio)₂dapte)]_n (1) {(thio)₂dapte = N,N′-di-(thiophenecarbaldehyde)-1,2-di(o-aminophenylthio)ethane} involving a novel (NS)₂ Schiff-base with a flexible spacer has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. Each Cu(I) center adopts a distorted [CuN₂S₂] tetrahedron environment arising from two crystallographically equivalent (thio)₂dapte Schiff-base ligands. Each ligand acts as N₂S₂-bis-chelating ligand with the nitrogen atoms of the two imine functions and from the two thioether atoms in anti-form leading to the dinuclear [Cu₂(μ-(thio)₂dapte)] groups. Such [Cu₂] entities are bridged by two iodine anions [(μ-I)₂] to form a neutral one-dimensional copper(I) coordination polymer (1).