Pablo J. Alonso

Photoinhibition of Photosystem II from Higher Plants EFFECT OF COPPER INHIBITION

Strong illumination of Cu(II)-inhibited photosystem II membranes resulted in a faster loss of oxygen evolution activity compared with that of the intact samples. The phenomenon was oxygen- and temperature-dependent. However, D1 protein degradation rate was similar in both preparations and slower than that found in non-oxygen evolving PSII particles (i.e. Mn-depleted photosystem II). These results seem to indicate that during illumination Cu(II)-inhibited samples do not behave as a typical non-oxygen evolving photosystem II. Cytochrome b559 was functional in the presence of Cu(II). The effect of Cu(II) inhibition decreased the amount of photoreduced cytochrome b559 and slowed down the rate of its photoreduction. The presence of Cu(II) during illumination seems to protect P680 against photodamage as occurs in photosystem II reaction centers when the acceptor side is protected. The data were consistent with the finding that production of singlet oxygen was highly reduced in the preparations treated with Cu(II). EPR spin trapping experiments showed that inactivation of Cu(II)-treated samples was dominated by hydroxyl radical, and the loss of oxygen evolution activity was diminished by the presence of superoxide dismutase and catalase. These results indicate that the rapid loss of oxygen evolution activity in the presence of Cu(II) is mainly due to the formation of ˙OH radicals from superoxide ion via a Cu(II)-catalyzed Haber-Weiss mechanism. Considering that this inactivation process was oxygen-dependent, we propose that the formation of superoxide occurs in the acceptor side of photosystem II by interaction of molecular oxygen with reduced electron acceptor species, and thus, the primarily Cu(II)-inhibitory site in photosystem II is on the acceptor side.

Heterodimetallic [LnLn′] Lanthanide Complexes: Toward a Chemical Design of Two-Qubit Molecular Spin Quantum Gates

A major challenge for realizing quantum computation is finding suitable systems to embody quantum bits (qubits) and quantum gates (qugates) in a robust and scalable architecture. An emerging bottom-up approach uses the electronic spins of lanthanides. Universal qugates may then be engineered by arranging in a molecule two interacting and different lanthanide ions. Preparing heterometallic lanthanide species is, however, extremely challenging. We have discovered a method to obtain [LnLn′] complexes with the appropriate requirements. Compound [CeEr] is deemed to represent an ideal situation. Both ions have a doubly degenerate magnetic ground state and can be addressed individually. Their isotopes have mainly zero nuclear spin, which enhances the electronic spin coherence. The analogues [Ce2], [Er2], [CeY], and [LaEr] have also been prepared to assist in showing that [CeEr] meets the qugate requirements, as revealed through magnetic susceptibility, specific heat, and EPR. Molecules could now be used for quantum information processing.

Factors influencing the k10 montmorillonite-catalyzed diels-alder reaction between methyl acrylate and cyclopentadiene

Experimental factorial design has been used to study several factors that are assumed to affect the results of the K10-catalyzed Die] s-Alder reaction between methyl acrylate and cyclopentadiene. The results obtained were complemented by physical characterization of the solid catalysts using X-ray diffraction, FTIR studies of adsorption of pyridine, methyl acrylate, and solvents, and BET measurements. Among the factors studied, the nature of the solvent is the most important one influencing the reaction results. Complementary studies have shown that solvents miscible with water give rise to low yields and endo/exo selectivities, very close to those obtained without clay in the same solvent. In these solvents the clay does not play any catalytic role and the reaction takes place in the bulk of the solvent. In general, excellent results are obtained with solvents nonmiscible with water, but a close relationship exists between the nature of the solvent and the cation exchanged into the K10 montmorillonite. In particular, anisole is the best solvent for Zn2+-doped K10 montmorillonite-catalyzed reaction, but it is not so good when the exchanged cation is Fe3+ In this case a radical-promoted Friedel-Crafts reaction of cyclopentadiene with anisole and oligomerization of cyclopentadiene take place. The presence of radicals has been confirmed by ESR experiments. Furthermore, in methylene chloride as solvent, catalytic activity is related to strength of Lewis acidity, and Zn2+-K10 is a better catalyst than Fe3+-K10.

Copper-containing dendromesogens: the influence of the metal on the mesomorphism

The synthesis and liquid crystalline behaviour of the first and second generations of a dendrimeric structure based on poly(propyleneimine)(DAB-dendr(NH2)x) are reported. 4-(4-n-Alkoxybenzoyloxy)salicylaldehydes are used as mesogenic moieties attached at the peripheral amino groups of the dendrimers giving rise to dendromesogens with four and eight mesogenic branches. From these dendromesogens, considered as organic ligands, were prepared six metal-containing dendrimers which incorporate two or four copper atoms in their structures. All the dendrimeric ligands and three of the metal-containing dendrimers exhibit liquid crystalline properties which were studied by optical microscopy, DSC, X-ray diffraction and EPR spectroscopy.

A New Series of Homoleptic, Paramagnetic Organochromium Derivatives: Synthesis, Characterization and Study of Their Magnetic Properties

The synthesis and characterization of the triad of organochromium derivatives [Cr(C(6)Cl(5))(4)](n-) (n=0, 1, 2) are described. By treating [CrCl(3)(thf)(3)] with LiC(6)Cl(5) in 1:5 molar ratio, the salt [Li(thf)(4)][Cr(III)(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (1) was obtained as a violet solid in 57 % yield. Oxidation of 1 with [N(4-BrC(6)H(4))(3)][SbCl(6)] yielded the neutral complex [Cr(IV)(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (2) as a brown solid in 71 % yield. The arylation of [CrCl(2)(thf)] with LiC(6)Cl(5) under similar conditions as above gave [[Li(thf)(3)](2)(mu-Cl)](2)[Cr(II)(C(6)Cl(5))(4)] (3) as an extremely air- and water-sensitive red solid in 47 % yield. The crystal and molecular structures of 1 and 3 have been established by X-ray diffraction methods. Complex 3 contains the unusual cation [[Li(thf)(3)](2)(mu-Cl)](+) with an almost linear Li-Cl-Li unit (174.2(6)degrees). All four C(6)Cl(5) groups are sigma-bonded to the Cr(II) center, which is located in a square-planar environment. The local geometry around the Cr(III) center in 1 is, in turn, pseudo-octahedral, since two of the C(6)Cl(5) groups act as standard sigma-bonded monodentate ligands, while the other two act as small-bite didentate ligands coordinated through both the ipso-C and one of the ortho-Cl atoms. Compounds 1-3 are paramagnetic with maximum spin multiplicity each (EPR and magnetization measurements).

Persistence of short range order in the fluid phases of a mesogen copper complex studied by EPR

Abstract The synthesis and thermal characterization of a new copper complex, bis[N-(4-n-pentoxyphenyl)-4-n-decyloxysalicylaldiminate] Cu(II), having mesomorphic properties is given. The EPR spectrum of this material has been measured for its different phases as a function of temperature. The results are compared with those for two other Cu(II) compounds, bis[4-n-decyloxysalicylate] Cu[II] and bis[N-(n-pentyl)-4-n-decyloxysalicylaldiminate] Cu(II) which have a related molecular structure, but are not mesomorphic. The influence on the spectra of exchange interactions in all the phases, as well as the molecular motion in the fluid phases is discussed, and it is concluded that the exchange interactions are not destroyed by the molecular motion. These facts suggest that molecular motion in the high temperature phases takes places whilst keeping a short range order, resulting in a locally correlated motion.

Optical properties of ZnF2CdF2 glasses doped with 4f ions

Abstract Glasses with composition (in mol %), 32 ZnF 2 , 28 CdF 2 , 20 BaF 2 , 11 LiF, 5 AlF 3 , 4 LaF 3 have been prepared and doped with some 4f ions (Ho 3+ , Tm 3+ , Er 3+ ). The energy levels and oscillator strengths of the electronic transitions have been obtained. Using the Judd-Ofelt theory, the radiative transition probabilities between the different levels were calculated. We have measured the emission bands and lifetimes and determined the non-radiative transition rates, the luminescence efficiencies and the emission cross-sections of some “laser transitions”. The optical properties of this new material are slightly improved with respect to those of the fluorozirconate glasses.

Vanadyl metal mesogen derivatives: an ESR study

An EPR study of the metallo-organic compounds bis(N-pentyl, 4-(4-decyloxybenzoyloxy) salicylaldiminato) of oxovanadium (IV) and bis(N-(4-pentyloxyphenyl), 4-(4-decyloxybenzoyloxy) salicylaldiminato) of oxovanadium (IV) is presented. Both materials are mesogenic and undergo some phase transitions between room temperature and 150 degrees C (for the first compound) and 270 degrees C (for the second one). The EPR signals are due to the vanadyl group. The spectra have been measured at different temperatures and the changes in them have been correlated with some of the phase transitions. Modifications in the spectra occurring after several heating-cooling cycles dependent on the presence or absence of an applied magnetic field (up to 1.4 mT) are also observed. The behaviour is discussed in terms of molecular orientations in the presence of a magnetic field. A qualitative discussion of the different contributions to the magnetic susceptibility is given.

Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance and Hyperfine Sublevel Correlation Spectroscopic Studies of Flavodoxin Mutants from Anabaena sp. PCC 7119

The influence of the amino acid residues surrounding the flavin ring in the flavodoxin of the cyanobacterium Anabaena PCC 7119 on the electron spin density distribution of the flavin semiquinone was examined in mutants of the key residues Trp(57) and Tyr(94) at the FMN binding site. Neutral semiquinone radicals of the proteins were obtained by photoreduction and examined by electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) and hyperfine sublevel correlation (HYSCORE) spectroscopies. Significant differences in electron density distribution were observed in the flavodoxin mutants Trp(57) --> Ala and Tyr(94) --> Ala. The results indicate that the presence of a bulky residue (either aromatic or aliphatic) at position 57, as compared with an alanine, decreases the electron spin density in the nuclei of the benzene flavin ring, whereas an aromatic residue at position 94 increases the electron spin density at positions N(5) and C(6) of the flavin ring. The influence of the FMN ribityl and phosphate on the flavin semiquinone was determined by reconstituting apoflavodoxin samples with riboflavin and with lumiflavin. The coupling parameters of the different nuclei of the isoalloxazine group, as detected by ENDOR and HYSCORE, were very similar to those of the native flavodoxin. This indicates that the protein conformation around the flavin ring and the electron density distribution in the semiquinone form are not influenced by the phosphate and the ribityl of FMN.

Trinuclear iridium and rhodium complexes: the solution to a puzzle involving the multiple coordination possibilities of 1,8-naphthyridine-2-one ligands

Abstract The multiple coordination possibilities of 1,8-naphthyridine-2-one (HOnapy) and 5,7-dimethyl-1,8-napthyridine-2-one (HOMe2napy) ligands allow the synthesis of a variety of tri- di- and mononuclear complexes, showing fluxional behaviour and frequent exchange of the coordinated ML2 fragments. Thus, reactions of [M2(μ-OMe)2(cod)2] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with HOnapy and HOMe2napy yield the compounds of the general formula [M(μ-OR2napy) (cod)]n (M = Ir, R = Me (1a, 1b, H (2); M = Rh, R = Me (3a, 3b). They crystallise as inconvertible yellow (a) and purple/orange (b) forms and also show a puzzling behaviour in solution. X-ray diffraction studies on both forms (3a, 3b) and spectroscopic data reveal that the yellow forms are mononuclear complexes whilst the dark-coloured crystals contain dinuclear complexes. In solution, the nuclearity of the complexes depends on the solvent. In addition both types of complexes are fluxional. The mixed-ligand complexes [M2(μ-OMe2napy)2(CO)2(cod)] M = Ir (5), Rh (6) have been isolated and characterised; they are found to be intermediates in the synthesis of the trinuclear complexes [M3(μ3-OMe2napy)2(CO)2(cod)2]+ M = Rh (8), Ir (9). Reactions of [IrCl(CO)2(NH2-p-tolyl] with the complexes [Rh(μ-OR2napy)(diolefin)]n followed by addition of a poor donor anion is a general one-pot synthesis for the hetertrinuclear complexes [Rh2Ir(μ3-OR2napy)2(CO)2(diolefin)2]+ (RMe, diolefin = cod (10), tetrafluorobenzo-barrelene (tfbb) (11), 2,5-norbornadiene (nbd) (12); RH, diolefin=cod (13)). This synthesis follows a stepwise mechanism from the mononuclear to the trinuclear complexes in which mixed-ligand heterodinuclear complexes are involved as intermediates of the type [(diolefin)Rh(μ-OMe2napy)2Ir(CO)2]. Heteronuclear complexes which possess the core [RhIr2]3+, such as [RhIr2(μ3-OR2napy)2(CO)2(cod)2]BF4 (RMe (14), H (15)), result from the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Rh(CO)2Sx]+ (S = solvent). The trinuclear complexes undergo two chemically reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The chemical oxidation of 10, 14 and 9 with silver salts gives the mixed-valence trinuclear radicals [Rh2Ir(μ3-OMe2napy)2(CO)2(cod)2]2+ (16), [RhIr2(μ3-OMe2napy)2(CO)2(cod)2]2+ (17) and [Ir3(μ3-OMe2napy)2(CO)2(cod)2]2+ (18), which have been isolated as the perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate salts. The EPR spectrum of 16 indicates that the unpaired electron is essentially in an orbital delocalised on the metals. The molecular structures of the complexes 3a, 3b, 6, 10b and 16a are described. Crystals of 3a are triclinic, P-1, with a = 9.7393(2), b = 14.0148(4), c = 16.0607(4) A , α = 88.122(3), β = 83.924(3), γ = 87.038(3)°, Z = 4; 3b crystallises in the Pna2i orthorhhombic space group, with a = 16.7541(3), b = 11.7500(8), c = 17.7508(7) A , Z = 4 ; complex 6 is packed in the monoclinic space group P2i/c, a = 9.6371(1), b = 11.8054(4), c = 27.2010(9) A , β = 90.556(4)°, Z = 4; crystals of 10b are monoclinic, P21/n, with a = 17.546(7), b = 13.232(6), c = 17.437(8) A , β = 106.18(1)°, Z = 4; crystals of 16a are triclinic, P-1, with a = 10.318(4), b = 12.562(6), c = 19.308(8) A , α = 92.12(8), β = 97.65(9) , γ = 90.68(5)°, Z = 2. The five different structures show the coordination versatility of the OMe2napy molecule as ligand, which behaves as a N,N′-chelating (3a), bidentate N,O-donor (3b, 6), or as a tridentate N,N′,O-donor bridging ligand (10b, 16a).