Dinuclear gold(III) pyrazolato complexes - Synthesis, structural characterization and transformation to their trinuclear gold(I) and gold(I/III) analogues

The reaction of AuCl₃py with Na(pz∗) (pz∗ = pyrazolato, or substituted pyrazolato anion) yields stable dinuclear [cis-Au^IIICl₂(μ-pz∗)]₂ complexes. In the presence of a base, the latter undergo reduction with concomitant transformation of the dinuclear -structure to trinuclear Au^I, Au^III (containing trans Au^IIICl₂-centres) and species.     

Substitution, abstraction and addition chemistry of low-coordinate gallium and indium ligand systems

Substitution, abstraction and addition processes have been shown to be viable chemistries for the modification of ligand systems featuring heavier group 13 element donor atoms. Thus substitution of the bromide in Cp^∗Fe(CO)₂In(Br)Mes^∗ (1) can be carried out with retention of the Fe-In bond, using 1 equiv. of the aryloxide nucleophile [OC₆H₄^tBu-4]⁻ to give Cp^∗Fe(CO)₂In(OC₆H₄^tBu-4)Mes^∗ (2). Structural and spectroscopic comparisons of 1 and 2 reveal that variation in the steric and/or π donor properties of the indyl ligand substituents have little effect on the nature of the Fe-In bond. Sequential reaction of [Cp^∗Fe(CO)₂]₂GaCl (3) with the halide abstraction agent and 4-picoline in dichloromethane proceeds via the known two-coordinate gallium cation (4). The net result is replacement of the gallium bound chloride substituent with a 4-picoline moiety, yielding (5) via a two-step abstraction/addition process. 5 represents only the second structurally characterized complex containing a cationic three-coordinate gallium centre, and the first displaying bonds to a transition metal.     

Broadband dielectric spectroscopy and calorimetric investigations of d-lyxose

Using broadband dielectric spectroscopy, we have studied different types of relaxation processes, namely, primary (α), secondary (β), and another sub-T_g process called γ-process, in the supercooled state of d-lyxose, over a wide frequency (10^-2–) and temperature range (120–340 K). In addition, the same sample was analyzed by differential scanning calorimeter. The temperature dependence of the relaxation times as well as the dielectric strength of different processes has been critically examined. It has been observed that the slower secondary relaxation (designated as β-) process shifts to lower frequencies with increasing applied pressure, but not the faster one. This pressure dependence indicates that the observed slower secondary relaxation (β-) is Johari–Goldstein relaxation process and faster one (γ-process) is probably the rotation of hydroxymethyl (–CH₂OH) side group attached to the sugar ring, that is, of intramolecular origin.     

Half-sandwich Mo(III) complexes with asymmetric diazadiene ligands

The asymmetric 1,4-diazadiene ligands R^∗NCHCHNR^∗ [R^∗ = (S)-CH(CH₃)Ph], , and 2,2′-bis(4-ethyloxazoline), as-ox, have been used to generate half-sandwich Mo^III derivatives by addition to Cp₂Mo₂Cl₄. Ligand affords a mononuclear, paramagnetic 17-electron product, , whereas as-ox leads to the isolation of a dinuclear compound where only one molecule of ligand has been added per two Mo atoms, Cp₂Mo₂Cl₄(as-ox). In the presence of free as-ox, this compound coexists with the paramagnetic mononuclear complex in solution. Both products are capable of controlling the radical polymerization of styrene under typical atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) conditions. However, the tacticity of the resulting polystyrene does not differ from that given by conventional free radical polymerization.     

Comprehensive inhibitor profiling of the Proteus mirabilis metalloprotease virulence factor ZapA (mirabilysin)

In this study we report for the first time the comprehensive inhibitor profiling of the Proteus mirabilis metalloprotease virulence factor ZapA (mirabilysin) using a 160 compound focused library of N-alpha mercaptoamide dipeptides, in order to map the and binding site preferences of this important enzyme. This study has revealed a preference for the aromatic residues tyrosine and tryptophan in and aliphatic residues in . From this library, six compounds were identified which exhibited sub- to low-micromolar K_i values. The most potent inactivator, SH–CO₂–Y–V–NH₂ was capable of preventing ZapA-mediated hydrolysis of heat-denatured IgA, indicating that these inhibitors may be capable of protecting host proteins against ZapA during colonisation and infection.     

Quantum mechanical study of antioxidative ability and antioxidative mechanism of rutin (vitamin P) in solution

A quantum mechanical approach has been used to shed light on the antioxidative mechanism for scavenging hydroxyl radicals (OH) and superoxide radicals () by rutin in the solution phase. Density-functional theory (DFT) using B₃LYP and UB₃LYP functional and split-valance 6-311+G^∗∗ basis sets were used to optimize rutin and its different radical forms. Analysis of the theoretical bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) values for all OH sites of rutin in solution clearly shows the importance of the B-ring and the 3′-OH and 4′-OH groups in the antioxidant activity. We have also investigated the spin density of the radicals to determine the delocalization possibilities. The results of the calculations showed that the oxidation of rutin by both the hydroxyl radical and superoxide radical is an exothermic reaction. In all calculations solvent effects were considered using a polarized continuum model (PCM).     

Intracellular anion fluorescence assay for sodium/iodide symporter substrates

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is primarily responsible for iodide accumulation in the thyroid gland for the synthesis of thyroid hormones; however, it can also transport other lyotropic anions in the thyroid gland and nonthyroid tissues. Some NIS substrates have important physiological or clinical roles, and others are environmental contaminants with health-related consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a yellow fluorescent protein variant, YFP–H148Q/I152L, as a biosensor to monitor the cellular uptake of NIS substrates, including thiocyanate (SCN⁻), nitrate (), chlorate (), perchlorate (), and perrhenate (). The fluorescence of purified YFP–H148Q/I152L was suppressed by anions with an order of potency of > = I⁻ = SCN⁻ = > ? Cl⁻. Anions also suppressed the fluorescence of YFP–H148Q/I152L expressed in FRTL-5, a thyroid cell line with high NIS expression. Quantitation of intracellular concentrations revealed differences among anions in the affinity and maximal velocity of NIS-mediated uptake as well as in the rate constant for passive efflux. These results suggest that YFP–H148Q/I152L can serve as an intracellular biosensor of NIS-transported anions and may be useful to study the physiology of endogenous anions as well as the health-related consequences of environmental anions.     

Synthesis and characterization of a dinuclear ferric complex with redox-active ligands

A dinuclear ferric complex with the redox-active ligand (L^Cl₂)^2- (H₂L^Cl₂ = N,N′-dimethyl-bis(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,2-diaminoethane), was synthesized and characterized. The two iron(III) ions are six-coordinate in a distorted octahedral environment of the donor set of one (L^Cl₂)²⁻ and one amine and one phenolate donor of a second (L^Cl₂)²⁻, which bridges the two complex halves. The relatively low-symmetric complex 1 crystallizes in the space group R. The crystal structure contains hexagonal, one-dimensional channels parallel to the c axis with diameters of ∼13 Å. The absorption spectrum of 1 exhibits strong characteristic features of p_π → d_π^∗, p_π → d_σ^∗, phenolate-to-metal CTs, and π → π^∗ ligand transitions. Electrochemical studies on 1 reveal the redox-activity of the coordinated ligand (L^Cl₂)²⁻ by showing irreversible oxidative electron-transfer waves. The reductive electron transfers at negative potentials seem to originate from metal-centered processes. A detailed comparison to complexes with similar donor sets provides new insights into the electrochemical properties of these kinds of complexes.     

Unexpected structural and electronic effects of internal rotation in diruthenium paddlewheel complexes containing bulky carboxylate ligands

A series of complexes containing the bulky carboxylate ligand 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoate (TiPB) of type trans-[Ru₂(TiPB)₂(O₂CCH₃)₂X] [X = Cl (1), PF₆ (2)] and [Ru₂(TiPB)₄X] [X = Cl (3), PF₆ (4)] have been synthesised. The corresponding complexes trans-[Ru₂(TiPB)₂(O₂CCH₃)₂] (5) and [Ru₂(TiPB)₄] (6) were also isolated. Magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that the diruthenium cores have the expected three (1-4) or two (5 and 6) unpaired electrons consistent with σ²π⁴δ²(δ^∗π^∗)³ and σ²π⁴δ²δ^∗2π^∗2 electronic configurations. Compounds 1-4 and 6 were structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography, and show the expected paddlewheel arrangement of carboxylate ligands around the diruthenium core. The diruthenium cores of complexes 3, 4 and 6 are all distorted to minimise steric interactions between the bulky carboxylate ligands. The Ru-Ru bond length in the complex 6 [2.2425(6) Å] is the shortest observed for a diruthenium tetracarboxylate and, surprisingly, is 0.014 Å shorter than in the analogous complex 4, despite an increase in the formal Ru-Ru bond order from 2.0 (6) to 2.5 (4). This is rationalised in terms of the extent of internal rotation, or distortion, about the diruthenium core. This was supported by density functional theory calculations on the model complexes [Ru₂(O₂CH)₄] and [Ru₂(O₂CH)₄]⁺, that demonstrate the relationship between Ru-Ru bond length and internal rotation. Electrochemical and electronic absorption data were recorded for all complexes in solution. Comparison of the data for the ‘bis-bis’ (1, 2 and 5) and tetra-substituted (3, 4 and 6) complexes indicates that the shortening of the Ru-Ru bond length results in a small increase in energy of the near-degenerate δ^∗ and π^∗ orbitals.     

Unstable steady state operations of substrate inhibited cultures by dissolved oxygen control

Microorganism kinetic growth characterized by substrate inhibition was investigated by means of a continuous stirred tank reactor equipped with a feedback controller of the medium feeding flow rate. The aerobic growth of Pseudomonas sp. OX1 with phenol as carbon/energy source was adopted as a case study to test a new control strategy using dissolved oxygen concentration as a state variable. The controller was successful in steadily operating bioconversion under intrinsically unstable conditions. A simple model of the controlled system was proposed to set the feedback controller.The specific growth rate of Pseudomonas sp. OX1 was successfully described by means of the Haldane model. The regression of the experimental data yielded μ_M = 0.26 h⁻¹, K_Ph = 5 × 10⁻³ g/L and K_I = 0.2 g/L. The biomass-to-substrate fractional yield as a function of the specific growth rate did not change moving from substrate-inhibited to substrate-deficient state. The data was modelled according to the Pirt model: m = 1.7 × 10⁻² g/(g h), . The specific growth rates calculated for batch and continuous growth were compared.     

A new method for quantifying iodine in a starch-iodine matrix

A rapid and sensitive method for quantifying iodine in intact starch granules using gas chromatography is described with detection limits as low as 0.2% (w/w) iodine in starch. Sample preparation includes NaBH₄ reduction of the various iodine species associated with starch to the colorless soluble iodide ion, followed by its quantitative derivatization to EtI using in CH₂Cl₂. Identification and quantification of EtI is carried out by extraction and injection of the EtI so generated in CH₂Cl₂ into a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS). Routine quantification of EtI was then performed using GC with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Results for different iodine:potassium iodide ratios of the initially bound iodine and for seven different starch matrices showed that in all cases regression coefficients for the standards were high (R² >0.96).     

Microwave-assisted solubilization and solution properties of hyperbranched polysaccharide

A water-insoluble hyperbranched β-d-glucan (TM3a), extracted from sclerotia of Pleurotus tuber-regium, was treated by microwave exposure to improve its solubility in water. This method led to complete dissolution of the TM3a polysaccharide in 0.02 wt % aqueous NaN₃. Various treatment periods were tested, and optimal conditions corresponded to 35 s at 765 W. The solution properties of TM3a in water were studied systematically by using size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering, viscometry, and dynamic light scattering at 25 °C. The dependences of intrinsic viscosity ([η]), radius of gyration (), and hydrodynamic radius (R_h) on weight average molecular weight (M_w) for TM3a in 0.02 wt % aqueous NaN₃ at 25 °C were found to be , , and in the M_w range from 8.20 × 10⁵ to 4.88 × 10⁶. The fractal dimension, ratio of , and the <r²>_o/M_w value of TM3a were calculated and discussed. The results indicated that TM3a existed in a sphere-like conformation in 0.02 wt % aqueous NaN₃. Furthermore, by using transmission electron microscopy, we observed directly the spherical molecules of TM3a. This work gave valuable information on improvement of solubility and chain conformation characterization of the water-insoluble polysaccharide in water.     

Copper·Lys-Gly-His-Lys mediated cleavage of tRNA: Studies of reaction mechanism and cleavage specificity

The reactivity of [Cu²⁺·Lys-Gly-His-Lys-NH₂]²⁺ and [Cu²⁺·Lys-Gly-His-Lys]⁺ toward tRNA^Phe has been evaluated. The amidated and carboxylate forms of the copper peptides display complex binding behavior with strong and weak sites evident (, for the amide form; and , for the carboxylate form), while Cu²⁺(aq) yielded and . The time-dependence of the reaction of [Cu²⁺·Lys-Gly-His-Lys]⁺ and [Cu²⁺·Lys-Gly-His-Lys-NH₂]²⁺ with tRNA^Phe yielded k_obs ∼ 0.075 h⁻¹ for both complexes. HPLC analysis of the reaction products demonstrated guanine as the sole base product. Mass spectrometric data shows a limited number of cleavage fragments with product peak masses consistent with chemistry occurring at a discrete site defined by the structurally contiguous D and TΨC loops, and in a domain where high affinity magnesium centers have previously been observed to promote hydrolysis of the tRNA^Phe backbone. This cleavage pattern is more selective than that previously observed by Long and coworkers for nickel complexes of a series of C-terminally amidated peptides (Gly-Gly-His, Lys-Gly-His, and Arg-Gly-His), and may reflect variations in structural recognition and a distinct reaction path by the nickel derivatives. The data emphasizes the optimal positioning of the metal-associated reactive oxygen species, relative to scissile bonds, as a major criterion for development of efficient catalytic nucleases or therapeutics.     

Conductometric and voltammetric studies on the bis(triphenyl phosphine) ruthenium(II) complex, cis-[RuCl2(L)(PPh3)2], where L: 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline

Conductometric investigation on the bis(triphenyl phosphine) ruthenium(II) complex, cis-[RuCl₂(L)(PPh₃)₂] (A) (where PPh₃: triphenyl phosphine and L: 2-(2′-pyridyl)quinoxaline, C₁₃N₃H₉), in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was performed at temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °C. In addition, cyclic voltammograms of A were recorded on platinum working electrode in dichloromethane (DCM) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) using n-tetrabutylammonium hexafluorophosphate (NBu₄PF₆) as supporting electrolyte at 25 °C. The molar conductivities (Λ) demonstrate that A behaves as uni-univalent electrolyte in DMSO over the whole temperature range. This behavior can be explained in terms of the replacement upon dissolution of chlorine and PPh₃ ligands by DMSO molecules, and consequently, the formation of the ion-pair [RuCl(L)(PPh₃)(DMSO)₂]Cl [B⁺Cl⁻] which is dissociated in some extent. The Λ values were analyzed by means of the Lee-Wheaton conductivity equation in order to estimate the limiting molar conductivities (Λ^o) and the ion-pair association constants (K_A) of [B⁺Cl⁻]. The limiting ion conductivities for the B⁺ ion were evaluated using n-tetrabutylammonium chloride (NBu₄Cl) as “reference electrolyte”. The thermodynamic functions related with the ion association, such as Gibbs free energy , enthalpy , and entropy , were evaluated as well. The mobility of B⁺ was found to increase linearly with rising temperature and the consequent decrease of the viscosity (η) of DMSO. The K_A and values indicate that the association of [B⁺Cl⁻] increases to some extent with the rise of the temperature followed by the decrease of the dielectric constant (ε) of DMSO. The voltammetric experiments indicated that the couple Ru^3+/2+ is reversible and diffusion controlled in DCM and completely irreversible in DMSO.     

Luminescent metalloreceptors with pendant macrocyclic ionophore: Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry and ion-binding study

Metalloreceptors containing ruthenium(II) bipyridine unit as fluorophore and pendant macrocyclic units as ionophore have been synthesized and their luminescence and electrochemical properties have been investigated. Ion-binding study of these fluoroionophore with the anions F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, , , , , CH₃COO⁻, and and cations Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, monitored by luminescence and ¹H NMR spectral changes, reveal strong interactions of and F⁻ for 2 and 3 and of Cu²⁺ only for 3. Luminescence titrations for 2 and 3 have been carried out to determine binding constants (K_s), and the calculated values are in the range 2.85 × 10² to 4.48 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. The ¹H NMR spectral changes for 2 and 3 with the addition of increasing concentration of F⁻ and exhibit substantial low-field shift of the CONH proton indicating its involvement in complex formation with the anions. The adduct of 2 and 3 have been isolated and characterized by ¹H and ³¹P NMR, mass and IR spectroscopy. The results are discussed in light of selectivity, structures of the anion bound complexes and their luminescence property.