Models for copper proteins. Copper(I) and (II) complexes of a novel binucleating tetraamino-tetrathioether ligand

The novel binucleating ligand, 6,6 prime-methylene-bis(5 prime-amino-3 prime,4 prime-benzo-2 prime-thiapentyl)-1,11-diamino-2,3:9,10-dibenzo-4,8-dithiaundecane (H4L) was prepared and reacted with copper(II) salts in dry MeOH to yield mixtures of copper(I) and copper(II) complexes with Cl- and ClO-4 counter ions. The amine functions on the ligand release protons to form copper(I) complexes: (Cu2L)X2, where X=Cl−, ClO4-. The complexes were oxidized to (Cu2L)X4 with H2O2 in DMF; Cu(NO3)2 gave a different complex, [Cu2(H4L)(NO3)2](NO3)2, as regards proton releasing ability, coordination and oxidation number. Evidence for the structures of this new tetraamino-tetrathioether ligand and its copper complexes is provided by 1H-, 13C-n.m.r., mass, u.v.–vis., i.r. spectra, elemental analyses, molar conductivities and magnetic moments. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Conversion of Allylic Alcohols into Allylic Nitromethyl Compounds via a Palladium-Catalyzed Solvolysis: An Enantioselective Synthesis of an Advanced Carbocyclic Nucleoside Precursor(1)

A two-step reaction sequence to homoallylic nitro compounds from allylic alcohols is presented. Ethoxy carbonylation of the alcohols with ethyl chloroformate provides the corresponding allylic ethyl carbonates in high yields. Exposure of these substrates to catalytic palladium(0) in CH(3)NO(2) initiates a reaction sequence, ionization-decarboxylation-nitromethylation, that culminates with the formation of nitroalkenes. The regio- and stereochemical outcomes of the nitromethyl allylation reaction can be explained by the behavior of the transient pi-allylpalladium complexes. This methodology serves as a centerpiece for the synthesis of an important carbocyclic nucleoside intermediate.     

99mTc-labelled human serum albumin: Chemical and electrochemical labelling methods

The labelling of human serum albumin /HSA/ with^99mTc has been investigated using a chemical method /stannous citrate/ and electrolytically generated tin/II/ ions. A comparative study of various chemical parameters and current intensities has been carried out in order to find the optimal conditions for labelling. The labelling yield was over 95%, for the chemical and electrolytical methods.     

DNA Hydrolysis by Homo- and Heteronuclear Cu(II)–Ni(II) Complexes of Two Diester-type Ligands

Nucleolytic activities of novel mononuclear Cu(II), homo- and heterodinuclear Cu(II)–Ni(II) complexes with two diester-type ligands were investigated on pCYTEXP by neutral agarose gel electrophoresis. The analyses of the cleavage products obtained electrophoretically indicate that the examined complexes induce very similar conformational changes on supercoiled DNA by converting supercoiled form to nicked form. At concentrations greater than 100M, the complexes possessed effective nucleolytic activities for 10min of incubation time. However, their nucleolytic activities did not increase significantly with longer periods of incubation. The pH-nucleolytic activity profiles of the complexes differed significantly. Metal complex induced DNA cleavage was also tested for inhibition by various radical scavengers. It could be proposed from the data that diffusible intermediate oxidants are not involved in these reactions or they are not necessary for DNA cleavage since none of antioxidants inhibited DNA cleaving activities of the complexes.     

Characterization of glucoamylase immobilized on celite

Immobilization of glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.3) on Celite R649 bio-catalyst carrier for hydrolysis of maltose and maltodextrin has been investigated in both packed bed and recirculated batch reactors. The kinetics parameters on the hydrolysis of maltose were estimated from the packed bed reactor. It is found that this immobilized enzyme is as efficient as the soluble enzyme in catalyzing hydrolysis of maltose. However, it is less efficient than the soluble enzyme in hydrolyzing 30% (w/v) maltodextrin, giving a maximum dextrose equivalent (DE) value of 96.0% instead of 98.2%.     

Solid phase extraction and preconcentration of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV) on Duolite XAD761 prior to their inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric determination

A simple and effective method is presented for the separation and preconcentration of thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) by solid phase extraction on Duolite XAD761 adsorption resin. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) 9-phenyl-3-fluorone chelates are formed and adsorbed onto the Duolite XAD761. Thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are quantitatively eluted with 2 mol L⁻¹ HCl and determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The influences of analytical parameters including pH, amount of reagents, amount of Duolite XAD761 and sample volume, etc. were investigated on the recovery of analyte ions. The interference of a large number of anions and cations has been studied and the optimized conditions developed have been utilized for the trace determination of uranium and thorium. A preconcentration factor of 30 for uranium and thorium was achieved. The relative standard deviation (N = 10) was 2.3% for uranium and 4.5% for thorium ions for 10 replicate determinations in the solution containing 0.5 μg of uranium and thorium. The three sigma detection limits (N = 15) for thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) ions were found to be 4.5 and 6.3 ng L⁻¹, respectively. The developed solid phase extraction method was successively utilized for the determination of traces thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) in environmental samples by ICP-MS.     

Synthesis and structural studies of (2E,3E)-3-[(6-{[(1E,2E)-2-(hydroxyimino)-1-methylpropylidene]amino}pyridin-2-yl)imino]butan-2-one oxime, ligand and its mono-, di- and trinuclear copper(II) complexes

A new dioxime ligand, (2E,3E)-3-[(6-{[(1E,2E)-2-(hydroxyimino)-1-methylpropylidene]amino}-pyridin-2-yl)imino]butan-2-one oxime, (H₂Pymdo) (3) has been synthesized in H₂O by reacting 2,3-butenedione monoxime (2) with 2,6-diaminopyridine. Mono-, di- and tri-nuclear copper(II) complexes of the dioxime ligand (H₂Pymdo) and/or 1,10-phenanthroline have been prepared. The dioxime ligand (H₂Pymdo) and its copper(II) complexes were characterized by ¹H-n.m.r., ¹³C-n.m.r. and elemental analyses, magnetic moments, i.r. and mass spectral studies. The mononuclear copper(II) complex of H₂Pymdo was found to have a 1:1 metal:ligand ratio. Elemental analyses, stoichiometric and spectroscopic data of the metal complexes indicated that the metal ions are coordinated to the oxime and imine nitrogen atoms (C=N). In the dinuclear complexes, in which the first Cu(II) ion was complexed with nitrogen atoms of the oxime and imine groups, the second Cu(II) ion is ligated with dianionic oxygen atoms of the oxime groups and are linked to the 1,10-phenanthroline nitrogen atoms. The trinuclear copper(II) complex (6) was formed by coordination of the third Cu(II) ion with dianionic oxygen atoms of each of two molecules of the mononuclear copper(II) complexes. The data support the proposed structure of H₂Pymdo and its Cu(II) complexes.     

Structural, Electronic, and Optical Properties of Noble Metal Clusters from First Principles

We examine low-energy isomeric forms, static polarizabilities, and optical absorption spectra of Ag _n , n = 2–8, and Au _n , n = 2–3, clusters using first principles computations within the static and time-dependent versions of the density functional theory. The noticeable decrease in the static polarizabilities of Ag₇ and Ag₈ compared to the values characteristic of Ag _n , n = 2–6, is correlated with the transition from two-dimensional to three-dimensional structures at n = 7. The optical spectra computed within the time-dependent local density approximation for the most stable structures are in good agreement with the available experimental data and the results of earlier theoretical studies. Optical spectra of higher-energy isomers typically present features that are not observed in the experimental spectra. The d electrons affect the spectra of noble metal clusters by quenching the oscillator strengths through screening of the s electrons and by getting directly involved in the excitations. Due to the larger s–d hybridization in Au compared to Ag, these effects are more pronounced in Au _n clusters.     

Titrimetric determination of selenium in anodic slimes

The determination of selenium in the presence of tellurium and copper has been studied, to allow analysis of anodic slimes from electrolytic copper refining. Three methods have been developed for the determination of selenium in these slimes. They are based on the extraction of selenium with sodium sulphite, reduction of selenite with sodium sulphite, and separation of selenium and tellurium by adjustment of pH. Selenium (10(-3)-10(-2)M) is determined in the presence of tellurium, copper, iron, silver and lead. The methods are fast and simple, do not need expensive reagents, and give satisfactory results.     

Live Cell Imaging With Biocompatible Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots Derived From Edible Mushrooms Agaricus bisporus,Pleurotus ostreatus,and Suillus luteus

In the study, fluorescent imaging of live cells was performed using fluorescent carbon quantum dots derived from edible mushrooms species; Agaricus bisporus, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Suillus luteus as a fluorophore agent. Carbon quantum dots were synthesized through a facile and low-cost method based on microwave irradiation of dried mushroom samples in hydrogen peroxide solution under optimized conditions (microwave energy, solution type, duration of microwave treatment, amount of mushroom). Upon purification with centrifugation, microfiltration, and dialysis, the lyophilized carbon quantum dots were identified through UV–visible, fluorescence and FT-IR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and quantum yield calculation. Cell viability assessment of the carbon quantum dots was evaluated against human epithelial cell line PNT1A using the Alamar Blue Assay. In vitro fluorescence cell imaging studies demonstrated that the carbon dots could dynamically penetrate the cell membrane and nuclear membrane and localize in both the cytoplasm and the nucleus.