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The first coupled operando EPR/UV-Vis/ATR-IR spectroscopy setup for mechanistic studies of gas-liquid phase reactions is presented and exemplarily applied to the well-known copper/TEMPO-catalyzed (TEMPO=(2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yl)oxyl) oxidation of benzyl alcohol. In contrast to previous proposals, no direct redox reaction between TEMPO and Cu(I) /Cu(II) has been detected. Instead, the role of TEMPO is postulated to be the stabilization of a (bpy)(NMI)Cu(II) -O2 (⋅-) -TEMPO (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, NMI=N-methylimidazole) intermediate formed by electron transfer from Cu(I) to molecular O2 ., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

In order to present the relationship between ESR spectroscopy and isotope effects three levels are considered: (i) ESR spectroscopy is described on a general level up to the models for interpretation of the experimental spectra, which go beyond the usually used time and mass independent spin-Hamilton operator, (ii) the main characteristics of the generalized isotope effects are worked out, and finally (iii) the basic, mainly quantum mechanical effects are used to describe the coupling of electron spins with the degrees of freedom, which are accessible under the selected conditions, of the respective paramagnetic object under investigation. The ESR parameters and the respective models are formalized so far, that they include the time and mass depending influences and reflect the specific isotope effects. Relations will be established between the effects in ESR spectra to spin relaxation, to spin exchange, to the magnetic isotope effect, to the Jahn-Teller effects, as well as to the influence of zero-point vibrations. Examples will be presented which demonstrate the influence of isotopes as well as the kind of accessible information. It will be differentiated with respect to isotope effects in paramagnetic centres itself and in the respective matrices up to the technique of ESR imaging. It is shown that the use of isotope effects is indispensable in ESR spectroscopy.

Fe(III) compounds FeCl3 and FeCl4(-) have been used as ESR spin probes in ionic liquids (ILs) at 293 and 77 K for the first time. They showed characteristic spectral patterns, which could be separated from each other by simulation. The largest contribution originates from aggregated FeCl4(-) and other exchange coupled species at g' ≈ 2.6. FeCl4(-) has been shown to be an identifiable, changeable, customizable, transferable, and extractable probe with contributions to a characteristic ESR fine structure. For simulation a spin Hamiltonian with up to fourth order and statistic distributions of spin coupling parameters has been used. The different Fe(III) signals coexist being dependent on the functionalization of the IL, i.e., on changing the chain length of the substituent at the imidazolium cation as well as varying the respective anion (BF4(-), PF6(-), Cl(-), and FeCl4(-)). From the molecular structure and occurrence of the Fe(III) species conclusions could be drawn concerning their locations and reactions in polar and nonpolar compartments of the ILs. Their contributions could be purposefully adjusted via the molecular control of the properties of the ILs. The conversion of FeCl3 into FeCl4(-) and [FeCl4X2](3-) species could be observed to be dependent on the formation of polar and nonpolar domains in ILs.

Thermally reversible photochromic spiro-acridans have been synthesized for the first time. They exhibit high ring opening efficiencies. As the formed zwitterions do not possess a merocyanine structure their lifetime is in the range of milliseconds to seconds. An observed side reaction can be avoided by suitable substitution of hydrogen atoms.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) has been shown to affect phytoplankton species directly. These interactions largely depend on the origin and molecular size of DOM and are different in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In a preceding study, however, two humic substance preparations did not adversely affect coccal green algae or cyanobacterial growth even at high concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC). These results contradicted previous findings, showing a clear, negative response of different phototrophs to much lower DOC concentrations. To test whether or not at least defined building blocks of humic substances (HSs) are effective algicidal structures, we enriched two humic preparations with hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone, respectively, and exposed two different green algae, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata and Monoraphidium braunii, and two cyanobacterial species, Synechocystis sp. and Microcystis aeruginosa, to the unmodified and enriched HSs. As response variables, growth rates in terms of biomass increase, chlorophyll-a content, and photosynthetic yield were measured. The highest concentration (4.17 mM DOC) of the modified HSs clearly inhibited growth; the cyanobacterial species were much more sensitive than the green algal species. However, realistic ecological concentrations did not adversely affect growth. Aerating the exposure solution for 24 h strongly reduced the inhibitory effect of the modified HSs. The algicidal effect was obviously caused by monomers and not by polymerised high molecular weight HSs themselves. Furthermore, the maximum quantum yield (Φ PSII max) was stimulated in the green algal species by low and medium DOC concentrations, but reduced in the cyanobacterial species upon exposure to higher HS concentrations. The quinone- and phenol-enriched HSs only showed algicidal activity at high concentrations of 4.17 mM DOC and lost their effects over time, presumably by oxidation and subsequent polymerisation. This study confirms that the applied humic substances themselves are not effective algicides even if enriched in effective structures., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

By means of continuous wave electron spin resonance (cw ESR) in the X and L bands, the spin exchange of series of different concentrations of the spin probes 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO), 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPOL), and 4-(trimethylamino)-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl iodide (CAT-1) in H(2)O and D(2)O have been examined. The rate constants k(e) of the spin exchange have been determined by complete spectra simulations, as well as directly from hyperfine line broadenings and concentration depending line shifts. The obtained results showed a good agreement. Their respective differences {k(e)(H(2)O) - k(e)(D(2)O)} could be determined for the first time. They reflect the different influence of the solvents on the spin dynamics but confirm the decrease of the reaction rate in D(2)O, caused by the higher degree of order in this liquid. The spectroscopic and kinetic results presented in this paper establish a further kind of isotopic effect.

We have developed a noncontact method to probe the electrical conductivity and complex permittivity of single and polycrystalline samples in a flow-through reactor in the temperature range of 20-500 °C and in various gas atmospheres. The method is based on the microwave cavity perturbation technique and allows the simultaneous measurement of microwave conductivity, permittivity and of the catalytic performance of heterogeneous catalysts without any need for contacting the sample with electrodes. The sensitivity of the method towards changes in bulk properties was proven by the investigation of characteristic first-order phase transitions of the ionic conductor rubidium nitrate in the temperature range between 20 and 320 °C, and by studying the temperature dependence of the complex permittivity and conductivity of a niobium(V)-doped vanadium-phosphorous-oxide catalyst for the selective oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. Simultaneously, the catalytic performance was probed by on line GC analysis of evolving product gases making the technique a real in situ method enabling the noninvasive investigation of electronic structure-function relationships.

Dissolved humic substances are taken up by organisms and interact on various molecular and biochemical levels. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, such material can promote longevity and increase its reproductive capacity; moreover, the worms tend to stay for longer in humic-enriched environments. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the chemical enrichment of humic substances with hydroxybenzene moieties intensifies these physiological effects. Based on the leonardite humic acid HuminFeed (HF), we followed a polycondensation reaction in which this natural humic substance and a dihydroxybenzene (hydroquinone or benzoquinone) served as reaction partners. Several analytical methods showed the formation of the corresponding copolymers. The chemical modification boosted the antioxidant properties of HF both in vitro and in vivo. Humic substances enriched with hydroxybenzene moieties caused a significantly increased tolerance to thermal stress in C. elegans and extended its lifespan. Exposed nematodes showed delayed linear growth and onset of reproduction and a stronger pumping activity of the pharynx. Thus, treated nematodes act younger than they really are. In this feature the modified HF replicated the biological impact of hydroquinone-homopolymers and various plant polyphenol monomers, thereby supporting the hydroxybenzene moieties of humic substances as major effective structures for the physiological effects observed in C. elegans.

A series of complexes of the type [(Tp(R1,R2))M(X)] (Tp = trispyrazolylborato) with R(1)/R(2) combinations Me/tBu, Ph/Me, iPr/iPr, Me/Me and for M = Mn or Fe coordinating [Pz(Me,tBu)](-) (Pz = pyrazolato) or Cl(-) as co-ligand X has been synthesised. Although the chloride complexes were very unreactive and stable in air, the pyrazolato series was far more reactive in contact with oxidants like O(2) and tBuOOH. The [(Tp(R1,R2))M(Pz(Me,tBu))] complexes proved to be active pre-catalysts for the oxidation of cyclohexene with tBuOOH, reaching turnover frequencies (TOFs) ranging between moderate and good in comparison to other manganese catalysts. Cyclohexene-3-one and cyclohexene-3-ol were always found to represent the main products, with cyclohexene oxide occasionally formed as a side product. The ratios of the different oxidation products varied with the reaction conditions: in the case of a peroxide/alkene ratio of 4:1, considerably more ketone than alcohol was obtained and cyclohexene oxide formation was almost negligible, whereas a ratio of 1:10 led to a significant increase of the alcohol proportion and to the formation of at least small amounts of the epoxide. Pre-treatment of the dissolved [(Tp(R1,R2))M(Pz(Me,tBu))] pre-catalysts with O(2) led to product distributions and TOFs that were very similar to those found in the absence of O(2), so that it may be argued that tBuOOH and O(2) both lead to the same active species. The results of EPR spectroscopy and ESI-MS suggest that the initial product of the reaction of [(Tp(Me,Me))Mn(Pz(Me,tBu))] with O(2) contains a Mn(III)(O)(2)Mn(IV) core. Prolonged exposure to O(2) leads to a different dinuclear complex containing three O-bridges and resulting in different TOFs/product distributions. Analogous findings were made for other complexes and formation of these overoxidised products may explain the deviation of the catalytic performances if the reactions are carried out in an O(2) atmosphere., (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Electron spin resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry are two analytical methods that are very rarely used in combination. In this paper, we will show that the methods complement one another in the example of the distribution of stable nitroxide radicals in human skin, including the spatial resolution of these distribution processes. There are many ESR investigations dealing with this subject, but unfortunately, they are all limited to the detection of paramagnetic species. The combination with MS allows the successful examination of the distribution profile of the main biotransformation product of the nitroxide radicals, the respective "ESR-silent" hydroxylamines. In order to maintain the biological state of the sample material as far as possible, atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization with ion trap detection has been used for the mass spectrometric investigations. The results validate the former findings of the strong reduction of stable free radicals by biological material; moreover, the diamagnetic species formed during these processes have been identified.

Comprehensive examinations of the motional properties (rotational correlation time τ(R)) and the spin exchange ω(SS) of the spin probe TEMPOL have been carried out using ESR spectroscopy in two different solvents. For the first time, the dynamic parameters τ(R) and ω(SS) have been determined simultaneously by simulation of spectra measured at three different ESR frequencies (L-, X-, and Q-band) between 293 and 500 K using a dynamic model based on a stochastic fitting program and, for comparison, two alternative models involving the shift of the hyperfine lines and considering the line broadening due to spin exchange in a wide range of conditions. Possibilities and limits of the used models are shown upon comparing the obtained results of the spin exchange. Moreover, the analysis of the ESR spectra gave evidence for the existence of cage effects that produce re-encounters of the spin probes. This has been done for the activation energies, which have been calculated from the temperature dependence of the rate constants of the spin exchange. From the ratio of the activation energies and the influence of the viscosities on the dynamics of the examined systems in n-octanol and an ionic liquid, conclusions can be drawn for the re-encounter effects in solvent cages. However, in contrast to n-octanol, the dynamics of the spin probe in the ionic liquid depends on specific and anisotropic interactions. The temperature dependence of the Q-band measurements required the development of a novel Q-band cavity.

An investigation concerning the stepwise reduction of the β-diketiminato nickel(II) hydride dimer [LNi(μ-H)(2)NiL], 1 (L = [HC(CMeNC(6)H(3)(iPr)(2))(2)](-)), has been carried out. While the reaction with one equivalent of potassium graphite, KC(8), led to the mixed valent Ni(I)/Ni(II) complex K[LNi(μ-H)(2)NiL], 3, treatment of 1 with two equivalents of KC(8) surprisingly yielded in the trinuclear complex K(2)[LNi(μ-H)(2)Ni(μ-H)(2)NiL], 4, in good yields. The Ni(3)H(4) core contains one Ni(II) and two Ni(I) centers, which are antiferromagnetically coupled so that a singlet ground state results. 4 represents the first structurally characterized molecular compound with three nickel atoms bridged by hydride ligands, and it shows a very interesting chemical behavior: Single-electron oxidation yields in the Ni(II)(2)Ni(I) compound K[LNi(μ-H)(2)Ni(μ-H)(2)NiL], 5, and treatment with CO leads to the elimination of H(2) with formation of the carbonyl complex K(2)[LNi(CO)](2), 6. Beyond that, it could be shown that 4 undergoes H/D exchange with deuterated solvents and the deuteride-compound 4-D(4) reacts with H(2) to give back 4. The crystal structures of the novel compounds 3-6 have been determined, and their electronic structures have been investigated by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and DFT calculations.

For the first time, heterogeneous catalytic reactions have been monitored by in situ EPR spectroscopy in the Q-band using a homemade heatable probe head equipped with a flow reactor. The reactions of Al(2)O(3)-supported TEMPO with NO and H(2) as well as of SiO(2)/Al(2)O(3)-supported H(4)PVMo(11)O(40) with methanol and formaldehyde were studied up to 400 degrees C. TEMPO radicals are immobilized on the support in positions which impose a different reactivity to NO and H(2). This may be due to different accessibility, which changes during thermal treatment. By combined evaluation of anisotropic X- and Q-band spectra with a complex hyperfine structure (e.g., from VO(2+)), spin Hamiltonian parameters can be derived with higher precision, since limits of the specific resolution in both frequency bands are compensated for. In addition to VO(2+), Mo(5+) is formed above 180 degrees C depending on the O(2) content of the feed, which is easily discriminated in the Q-band but not in the X-band.

In the context of a potential modeling of reduced oxovanadium species occurring on the surfaces of silica-supported vanadia catalysts in the course of its turnover, the incompletely condensed silsesquioxane H(3)(c-pentyl)T(7) was reacted with Cl(4)V(THF)(2) (where THF = tetrahydrofuran) in the presence of triethylamine. Precipitation of 3 equiv of HNEt(3)Cl seemed to point to the clean formation of [((c-pentyl)T(7))(V(IV)Cl)] (1), which was supported by electron paramagnetic resonance studies performed for the resulting solutions, but further analytical and spectroscopic investigations showed that the processes occurring at that stage are more complex than that and even include the formation of [((c-pentyl)T(7))(V(V)O)](2) as a side product. Storage of a red-brown hexane solution of this product mixture reproducibly led to the precipitation of blue crystals belonging to the chloride-free compound [((c-pentyl)T(7))(2)(V(IV)=O)(3)(THF)(2)] (2), as revealed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Performing the same reaction in the presence of 2 equiv of pyridine leads to an analogous product, where the THF ligands are replaced by pyridine. Subsequent investigations showed that the terminal oxo ligands at the vanadium centers are, on the one hand, due to the presence of adventitious water; on the other hand, the [(c-pentyl)T(7)](3-) ligand also acted as a source of O(2-). The results of SQUID measurements performed for 2 can be interpreted in terms of a ferromagnetic coupling between the vanadyl units. Exposing 2 to a dioxygen atmosphere resulted in its immediate oxidation to yield the V(V) complex [((c-pentyl)T(7))(V(V)O)](2), which may model a fast reoxidation reaction of oxovanadium(IV) trimers on silica surfaces.

Electron by electron: Beta-diketiminato nickel(I) complex fragments are capable of activating N(2) through coordination. The resulting complex can be reduced in two single-electron steps, which further activates the N-N bond. The picture shows the structure of the singly reduced complex with mu-eta(1):eta(1)-bound N(2).

A new and simple preparation method for fluoride-templated tetranuclear vanadium phosphonate cage compounds, M(n+)[(V2O3)2(RPO3)4

We report the chemistry and photophysics of atomic gold and silver particles in inorganic glasses. By synchrotron irradiation of gold-doped soda-lime silicate glasses we could create and identify unambiguously the gold dimer as a stable and bright luminescing particle embedded in the glassy matrix. The gold dimer spectra coincide perfectly with rare gas matrix spectra of Au(2). The glass matrix is, however, stable for years, and is hence perfectly suited for various applications. If the irradiated gold-doped sample is annealed at 550 degrees C a bright green luminescence can be recognized. Intense 337 nm excitation induces a decrease of the green luminescence and the reappearance of the 753 nm Au(2) emission, indicating a strong interrelationship between both luminescence centers. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations indicate that the green luminescence can be assigned to noble metal dimers bound to silanolate centers. These complexes are recognized as the first stages in the further cluster growth process, which has been investigated with small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS). In silver-doped glasses, Ag(0) atoms can be identified with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy after synchrotron activation. Annealing at 300 degrees C decreases the concentration of Ag(1), but induces an intense white light emission with 337 nm excitation. The white luminescence can be decomposed into bands that are attributed to small silver clusters such as Ag(2), Ag(3) and Ag(4), and an additional band matching the green emission of gold-doped glasses.

The noninvasive method of spectral-spatial electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) was used to obtain a polarity map of human skin. The spin probes TEMPO, TEMPOL, and CAT-1, which are considered to act as drug representatives, were applied as reporter molecules. The polarity in skin layers was described by means of the changes of the hyperfine splitting constant A(iso), which itself is a reflection of interactions at a molecular level, and the effect of polarity on the spatial distribution of spin probes in skin samples was studied. Analyses of ESR tomograms of two-phase systems finalized in a simplified description for the empiric interpretation of values of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants A(iso) of spin probes in different layers of human skin. The simplified statement provides values for the probability of interactions of water molecules with the NO group of spin probes. This allows conclusions concerning the state of hydration of the spin probes in different layers of the skin and introduces the spatial polarity function as additional and valuable information for existing skin models.

The possibilities of electron spin resonance (ESR) and electron spin resonance imaging (ESRI) for investigating the properties of the spin probes TEMPO and TEMPOL in two-phase systems have been examined in the systems water/n-octanol, Miglyol/Miglyol, and Precirol/Miglyol. Phases and regions of the phase boundary could be mapped successfully by means of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants, and, moreover, the quantification of rotational and lateral diffusion of the spin probes was possible. For the quantitative treatment of the micropolarity, a simplified empirical model was established on the basis of the Nernst distribution and the experimentally determined isotropic hyperfine coupling constants. The model does not only describe the summarized micropolarities of coexisting phases, but also the region of the phase boundary, where solvent molecules of different polarities and tendencies to form hydrogen bonds compete to interact with the NO group of the spin probe., (Copyright 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Dissolved natural organic matter (NOM) plays an essential role in freshwater geochemical and biochemical processes. A major property, its redox behavior, can be attributed to the chinone building blocks, which can form stable radicals. However, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) data indicating free radicals on solid NOM are sparse. Here we present EPR spectra of 23 NOM from European surface waters isolated by reverse osmosis. The organic radical concentrations of NOM ranged from 5 x 10(15) to 1.84 x 10(17) spins g(-1), and g values ranged from 2.0031 to 2.0045. Number and type of organic radicals in solid NOM are significantly influenced by the pH of raw water. EPR experiments indicate the presence of semiquinone-type radicals in coexistence with carbon-centered "aromatic" radicals, with the semiquinone-type radicals dominating at alkaline pH. Basically these processes are reversible. Organic radical concentrations in NOM adjusted to pH 6.5 before freeze-drying correlate with iron and aluminum contents. UV- and VIS-irradiation of solid NOM can lead to more than a 10-fold increase of the concentration of organic radicals. These radicals were long-lived and had the same g value as the original radical. Similar effects were not observed with isolated humic and fulvic acids, demonstrating the limited reflection of environmental properties of organic carbon by the classical isolation procedure.

Purpose: An innovative, noninvasive, low-frequency electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy method was applied and adapted to investigate the integrity of multilamellar liposomes from hydrogenated phospholipids after subcutaneous injection in living mice. Moreover, the fate of the injected liposomal preparations was examined, as well as the possibility to achieve a depot effect., Methods: Highly concentrated solutions of the spin probe 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-trimethylammoniumpiperidine-1-oxyl-iodide (CAT-1; 138 mM) were encapsulated in liposomes. They were characterized by laser diffraction, and the liberation of spin probe was investigated by ESR spectroscopy., Results: Line shape changes allowed the differentiation between encapsulated and released CAT-1 after subcutaneous injection of liposomes. Multilamellar liposomes form a local depot at the site of injection. A sustained release of the spin probe from the depot was monitored by means of ESR. Whereas 40% of the spin probe was released within the first 96 h after administration, 60% remained in intact liposomes under the skin. No depot formation could be observed after injection of CAT-1 solutions, but a fast signal decrease due to systemic distribution and bioreduction of the nitroxide spin probe., Conclusions: Noninvasive analysis of liposomal integrity in living animals was successfully accomplished using a new L-Band ESR spectroscopy method. The liberation of CAT-1 from liposomes in vitro and in vivo was monitored by changes in the lineshape of ESR spectra and Heisenberg spin exchange. The significance of liposomal integrity for the formation of a localized drug depot effect was proved.

The structure of the very strong solid Lewis acid aluminum chlorofluoride (ACF, AlCl(x)F(3-x), x = 0.05-0.3) was studied by IR, ESR, Cl K XANES, (19)F MAS NMR, and (27)Al SATRAS NMR spectroscopic methods and compared with amorphous aluminum fluoride conventionally prepared by dehydration of alpha-AlF(3) x 3H(2)O. The thermal behavior of both compounds was investigated by DTA and XRD. In comparison to ACF, amorphous AlF(3) prepared in a conventional way is not catalytically active for the isomerization reaction of 1,2-dibromohexafluoropropane, which requires a very strong Lewis acid. Both compounds are mainly built up of corner-sharing AlF(6) octahedra forming a random network. The degree of disorder in ACF is higher than in amorphous AlF(3). Terminal fluorine atoms were detected in ACF by (19)F NMR. The chlorine in ACF does not exist as a separate, crystalline AlCl(3) phase. Additionally, chlorine-containing radicals, remaining from the synthesis, are trapped in cavities of ACF. These radicals are stable at room temperature but do not take part in the catalytic reaction.

Evidence was given for trapping of H-atoms in fluid solutions of octasilsesquioxanes. Use was made of the positive effect of scavengers on the yield of trapped H-atoms. Carbon and silicon-centered radicals formed simultaneously through radiation chemical processes were detected. Most of the radical species were identified by the simulation of the corresponding ESR spectra. A wide range of thermal stability is covered by the radicals depending on the chemical nature of the substitutents of the cages and the precursors.

Colloidal Prussian blue and dissolved hexacyanoferrate ions strongly interact with the surface of goethite (alpha-FeOOH) particles. Whereas Prussian blue is deposited on the surface of goethite as a solid phase with all the properties typical of solid Prussian blue, the hexacyanoferrate ions form initially a layer of surface bound hexacyanoferrate ions, which exhibit properties intermediate between those of free hexacyanoferrate ions and hexacyanoferrate ions bound in Prussian blue. The products of interaction of goethite with Prussian blue and hexacyanoferrate ions were studied by voltammetry of immobilized microcrystals, infrared spectrometry, Vis diffuse reflection spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and ESR spectroscopy. The kinetics of Prussian blue destruction was measured by solution Vis spectrometry and also by voltammetry of solid microcrystals. The remarkable stability of Prussian blue in soils can be explained by its strong adherence as a solid phase to iron oxides and oxide hydroxides in soils. This prevents the formation of soluble colloids of Prussian blue. It does not prevent the hydrolysis of Prussian blue to iron oxide hydroxides and hexacyanoferrate(II) ions at elevated pH which proceeds at almost the same rate as that of pure Prussian blue colloid. Even when this hydrolysis of Prussian blue occurs, it is the hexacyanoferrate(II) that is effectively adsorbed on the surface of iron oxide hydroxides, again decreasing the physical mobility of hexacyanoferrate., (Copyright 2001 Academic Press.)

Purpose: The possibilities of the noninvasive examination of microacidity (5) in different depths of the skin in vitro was explored, and the impact of drug treatment on the pH inside the skin was studied., Methods: Spectral-spatial electron spin resonance imaging (ss-ESRI) and pH-sensitive nitroxides were used to obtain a pH map of rat and human skin in vitro., Results: The dermal application of therapeutically used acids, such as salicylic acid and azelaic acid, caused a plain change of microacidity (pH) inside the skin. Species-linked differences between rat and human skin samples with respect to penetration and microacidity were found., Conclusions: ESRI has been shown to be a new and completely noninvasive method to monitor microacidity in different skin layers and on the skin surface. This nondestructive method allows serial measurements on skin samples to be performed without any preparatory steps.

Nitric oxide (NO) has been known for a long while to act as an inactivator of the soybean lipoxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase. More recently, NO was shown to interact also with a mammalian 15-lipoxygenase [Wiesner, R., Rathmann, J., Holzhütter, H. G., Stosser, R., Mader, K., Nolting, H. & Kühn, H. (1996) Nitric oxide oxidises ferrous mammalian lipoxygenases to a pre-activated ferric species, FEBS Lett. 389, 229-232]. In this paper we present a detailed kinetic analysis of the interaction of NO with the 15-lipoxygenase from reticulocytes. Time courses of hydroperoxide formation were monitored after an anaerobic incubation of the enzyme with varying concentrations of NO and for varying length of the incubation period. Owing to the presence of O2 during the enzymatic reaction, the inhibitory effect of NO declines in a time-dependent manner since NO is converted into non-reactive NO2. This is manifested as a lag phase of the time course. The lag phase becomes more pronounced if the enzyme is incubated over a fixed period (15 s) with increasing concentrations of NO. In contrast, increasing the length of the incubation period at fixed concentrations of NO diminishes the duration of the lag phase. These experimental findings can be accounted for by a kinetic model which assumes (a) fast reversible binding of NO to the inactive ferrous Fe(II) form of the enzyme and (b) slow irreversible conversion of the Fe(II)-NO complex into an activated ferric form of the enzyme which is susceptible to peroxide activation. The rate constants for these two different kinetic modes of NO action were estimated by fitting the solutions of the model equations to the experimental time courses. The dissociation constant of the Fe(II)-NO complex amounts to 2.5 microM. Computer simulations performed on the basis of the model indicate that the response of the lipoxygenase to increasing intracellular NO concentrations depend upon the available peroxide tone: at low peroxide concentration the enzyme is initially trapped in the inactive ferrous form and thus may be activated by NO via the activated ferric species. On the other hand, at high peroxide concentrations, a partial inhibition of the initially active enzyme is expected.

Nitric oxide is known as an inhibitor of soybean lipoxygenase-1. Investigating the interaction of a mammalian 15-lipoxygenase with nitric oxide, we found that this enzyme is also inhibited reversibly when incubated with nitric oxide for a short time period (5 s) under anaerobic conditions. This inhibition may be due to the formation of a dissociable lipoxygenase-nitric oxide complex. With longer incubation periods the ferrous lipoxygenase is oxidised to a ferric form. This oxidation renders the enzyme more susceptible to peroxide activation, causing a time-dependent shortening of the kinetic lag phase.

The previously unknown heteropolyoxometalates [gamma-SiO(4)W(10)O(32)(OH)Cr(2)(OOCR)(2)(OH(2))(2)](5-) (R = H, CH(3)) have been prepared by the reaction of [gamma-SiO(4)W(10)O(32)](8-) with [Cr(OH(2))(6)](3+) in formate or acetate buffer solution. Isolation of these new Cr(III)-substituted polyoxometalates was accomplished both as Cs(+) salts and as the Bu(4)N(+) salt for the acetate-containing anion. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, UV/vis, IR, and ESR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of (Bu(4)N)(3)H(2)[gamma-SiO(4)W(10)O(32)(OH)Cr(2)(OOCCH(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)].3H(2)O [P2(1)2(1)2(1); a = 17.608(12), b = 20.992(13), c = 24.464(11) Å; Z = 4; R = 0.057 for 6549 observed independent reflections] reveals that the two corner-linked CrO(6) octahedra are additionally bridged by two acetate groups, demonstrating the relationship to the well-studied oxo-centered trinuclear carboxylato complexes of Cr(III).

CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) contributes to the regulation of the steady-state concentration of reactive oxygen species in cells and minimizes pathological consequences induced by these reactive oxygen species. During the exaggerated formation of reactive oxygen species, often resulting from an activation of phagocytotic cells, CuZnSOD is administered with a therapeutic purpose. But inhibition of the endogeneous or administered CuZnSOD by products generated during the process of formation of reactive oxygen species (H2O2, HOCl, .OH, products of lipid peroxidation) might intensify cell damage. In this study, we compared the influence of malondialdehyde (MDA, high reactive molecule formed in lipid peroxidation) and H2O2 (known to inhibit the CuZnSOD) on bovine CuZnSOD. MDA reacted with CuZnSOD. The reaction was found to be both time- and concentration-dependent, which was demonstrated by the formation of fluorophors. EPR spectroscopy revealed that this reaction had no influence on the activity of CuZnSOD since the catalytic centre of the CuZnSOD was not effected by MDA. In contrast, H2O2 modified the catalytic centre which caused an activity decrease.

A new application of X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) is demonstrated for in vivo investigations on living mice. It is the first report on in vivo detection, identification, and localization of a free radical after uptake in the body of a living mammal by inhalation. The volatile di-tert-butyl-nitroxyl (DTBN) has been used as a suitable spin probe. After inhalation of DTBN, a superimposed ESR spectrum consisting of a polar (g = 2.0057; a = 1.65 mT) and a nonpolar paramagnetic species (g = 2.0061; a = 1.51 mT) was detected in mice tails. Collected blood exhibits only the polar spectrum. The decay of signals after removing of the DTBN-soaked swab follows first-order kinetics with k = 0.08 min-1.

ESR spectroscopic investigations on the mechanism of Maillard-reactions using the model D-glucose/glycine show radical formation in some of the reaction steps. These are possibly due to competitive reactions against ionic mechanism. The formation of radicals depends on the concentration of reactants and reaches a maximum in thermically induced browning reactions. The addition of L-cysteine leads to a decrease in the radical concentration to about 60%. It can be indirectly proven that the radicals are involved in the formation of browning products. The hyperfine structures of ESR spectra are supposed to be similar to pyrazine cation radicals.

2-Chloroethylphosphonic acid (CEPA) facilitates the separation of the fruit from the pedicel significantly. The application of 2,000 and 4,000 ppm CEPA in four sweet cherry varieties during maturation resulted in the formation of a complete abscission layer in the transition zone between pedicel and fruit. In contrast, in the untreated fruit no abscission layer was evident at maturity. The walls of the cells in the abscission layer contained less total polysaccharides than adjacent cells. Cellulose was partially broken down, and the pectins were degraded. The Ca and Mg content in the cell walls decreased. Thus the same histochemical changes are involved in natural and CEPA induced abscission.

Abscission layer formation in the sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) during fruit maturation occurred in the transition zone between the fruit and the pedicel. The abscission layer, consisting of 5-8 rows of cells, was first identified by its low affinity for haematoxylin. The walls of cells in the abscission layer contained less total polysaccharides than adjacent cells. The pectins were degraded and the cellulose was partially broken down resulting in cell separation. The Ca level in the abscission zone decreased and Ca and Mg were lost from the walls of cells in the layer during abscission. After the abscission layer formed, cells associated with the layer had a lower capacity to bind (45)Ca than cells distal or proximal to the layer.