Search

Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) of transition metal complexes with organic ligands is considered from an experimental and theoretical point of view. In the experimental sections, instrumentations used in conventional ENDOR and multiple resonance spectroscopy and in some new double resonance methods are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on various experimental techniques which supplement the conventional ENDOR experiment. The different methods are illustrated by a number of applications on transition metal complexes1. In the theoretical sections, the analysis of ENDOR spectra of complex spin systems is described including second order effects, transitions probabilities and determination of signs of the magnetic parameters. Some of the approaches used in ENDOR to interpret ligand hyperfine and quadrupole data are outlined. Finally, a review of the ENDOR literature on transition metal complexes with organic ligands is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this review is to describe some spectacular effects of many-electron interactions in certain core levels in heavy atoms, as well as to give an overview of closely related phenomena in molecules, solids and adsorbates. The central concept will be what we shall call giant Coster-Kronig (gCK) fluctuation and decay of a hole level, involving ineraction of a single hole with configurations with primarily two holes and one excited electron. In systems with an open "valence shell" structure. i.e. with empty levels spacially as compact as the occupied ones, the interaction process can become extremely strong and lead to a breakdown of the one-electron picture. In some cases, there is even a complete breakdown of the quasi-particle picture, in which case the spectral strength has no prominent discret features and rather shows a continuum-like distribution. The breakdown of the one-electron picture can be associated with symmetry breaking and localization, in a wide sense, of the hole. Due to the gCK fluctuation process (configuration interaction), a hole has to be described in terms of a wave-packet of one-electron symmetry states. As a consequence, in a number of cases, an atomic hole cannot be confined to a proper subshell but will move in a polarized subshell. In molecules, a hole will often not be confined to a molecular symmetry orbital but will be localized to varying degrees. Finally, in a metal, a hole in a narrow band often cannot be described in terms of extended states, in which case the non-validity of a ground state band picture may show up as band narrowing or shifted band structure. Particularly spectacular effects of localization occur in the case of two holes in a narrow band. Examples of atomic levels showing very strong many-electron effects are 4 s, 4 p-like holes in Cd to Gd and 5 s, 5 p-like holes in Bi to Pu, where the gCK process takes the form ns ⇆ np5nd9nf,ɛf and np5 ⇆ nd8nf,cf, with n=4 and 5, resp. These spectra represent a partial or complete breakdown of the quasi-particle picture. In molecules one has found a large number of cases of partial or complete breakdown of the quasi-particle picture in the inner valence region of e.g. N2, N2O4, C2H2, CS2, to mention only a few examples. This type of behaviour seems to be the rule rather than the exception due to the high density of two-hole-one-electron levels in the inner valence region. Finally, in metallic Ni a hole in the 3 d-valence band has been found to show pronounced effects of localization, giving rise to a narrowing of the 3 d-band in comparison with the calculated ground-state band structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is thought to be a supplement to an earlier one "Mechanism of Hydrogen Transfer in Redox Enzymes"33). Most of the basic concepts and hypotheses put forward then, are still valid. Substantial new evidence supporting our views has been advanced since then. The new data presented here concern modified or as we call them "mutilated flavins", namely 5-deaza- and 5-thiaflavin, which upon incorporation into apoflavoprotein retain some, but not all of the activities encountered with the native flavoproteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the process of light energy conversion to chemical form by specialized plant cell organelles, the chloroplasts, is well understood, many contemporary investigations have been concerned with the catalytic role played by manganese in oxygen evolution. Current views of the photosynthetic electron transport chain or the so-called "Z-scheme" intermediates identify the cytochromes b6, b-559 and f, the chlorophyll linked primary electron acceptor and donors of photosystems -I and -II and a number of e.p.r. distinct iron-sulfur centres involved in non cyclic and possibly cyclic electron transfer pathways. The accumulation of four redox equivalents leads to the oxidation of water to yield molecular oxygen by a water splitting metalloenzyme (designated -Y) which involves at least two manganese atoms per molecule of enzyme. During the four electron oxidation of water, e.p.r. and proton relaxation evidence suggest the two manganese atoms undergo redox changes between manganese(II) and manganese(III) states. A number of proposed manganese model systems exhibiting the features required by the well known S-state mechanism of oxygen evolution are discussed. The modelling of both the charge separation function of the photosystems and the properties of the catalytically active manganese is of current interest from an energy production point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major solid state principles involved in mineralization in biological systems are discussed. Three major biological control factors of mineralization are described; structural, spatial, and chemical control. Factors determining nucleation on organic surfaces, mineral growth, mineral structure, and morphology are reported. Oriented growth of minerals on organic matrices can occur by three processes; (i) lattice matching (epitaxis) between the organic matrix and depositing crystal faces, (ii) surface structural relationships between the organic matrix and depositing crystal faces, (iii) ordered aggregation of preformed mineral particles. Several a priori reasons indicate that epitaxis is unlikely to be a major process of oriented growth in biomineralization. The presence and importance of biogenic amorphous minerals is also described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The redox chemistry of chromium(VI) is discussed with respect to the cellular metabolism of the carcinogen chromate in vivo. Possible sites for cellular reduction of chromium(VI) to chromium(III) are considered. The reactions of amino acids, ascorbic acid, carboxylic acids, thiol-containing mole-cules and other small molecules with chromate under physiological conditions are presented. In general only ascorbate and those molecules containing sulfhydryl groups are capable of easily reducing chromate at pH 7.4. Thus, in the cytoplasm, glutathione, cysteine and ascorbate are likely candidates to react with chromate. While most proteins are unreactive toward chromate, certain redox proteins are active in reducing chromate. The heme proteins hemoglobin and cytochrome P-450 possess chromate-reductase activity, whereas cytochrome c and myoglobin are inactive. The NADPH-dependent flavoenzymes glutathione reductase and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase also possess chromate-reductase activity. However, the NAD(P)H enzymes, isocitrate dehydrogenase, glutamate dehyrogenase and malate dehydrogenase do not reduce chromate. Both microsomes and mitochondria possess chromate-reductase activity. The microsomal activity is accounted for by the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase/cytochrome P-450 system. The enzyme(s) responsible for the mitochondrial reduction of chromate have not been identified. Chromium(VI) and its metabolite chromium(III) inhibit the normal activities of enzymes which bind chromium(III) or reduce chromate. The metabolism of chromate involves the generation of reactive intermediates which ultimately bind to cellular constituents and damage their function in the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductive elimination of the 2′-hydroxyl group from ribonucleotides to yield 2′-deoxyribonucleotides, the monomeric precursors of DNA, requires an uncommon type of enzyme catalysis in which the transition metals, manganese, iron, or cobalt, and free radical intermediates cooperate. In the group of deoxyadenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B 12)-dependent ribonucleotide reductases the coenzyme supplies a transient radical pair of deoxyadenosyl· and cob(II)alamin whereas in the nonheme-iron group of enzymes a protein subunit carries a stable tyrosyl radical coordinated to a binuclear iron(III) complex; the manganese-dependent enzymes are less precisely known. The radicals are thought to function in hydrogen transfer from cysteine SH to the ribonucleotide substrate, and the metal complexes are apparently needed to generate and stabilize the radicals. In aerobic organisms oxygen also plays a critical role in these processes and hence in DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. In addition to the transition metals, Mg2+ or Ca2+ are required by several ribonucleotide reductases for structural integrity. However the most potent inhibitors of deoxy-ribonucleotide biosynthesis (of potential interest in chemotherapy) are not metal chelators but radical scavengers. Cell cycle arrest and cell death produced by simple chemicals like N-hydroxyurea and hydroxamates can be traced back to their reaction with ribonucleotide reductase. Evidence is accumulating that independent enzymes of deoxyribonucleotide and DNA synthesis are functionally coupled in a novel type of supramolecular structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief discussion of the vast and increasingly important area of organoselenium chemistry is presented as it relates to the biochemistry of this element. Organo selenoamino acids are the basic building blocks of many selenium-containing macromolecules, which are the primary focus of this article. First to be discussed are synthetic selenium analogues of sulfur-containing natural products such as selenocoenzyme A and selenobiotin. Secondly, are those enzymes which will indiscriminately incorporate selenium and the most important of these are considered. Finally, the most important and interesting class of selenium-containing macromolecules are the naturally occurring selenoproteins, of which there are eight currently known and only three which have been extensively studied. Physical studies which relate to or have the potential to aid in investigations of selenium biochemistry constitute the final topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both natural and polluting metal ions are taken up by marine organisms. For many metal, and metal-containing ions, mechanisms exist which allow these organisms to discriminate between essential and non-essential ions, and reject the latter. In this article we examine the accumulation mechanisms and effects of metal and metal-containing ions on bivalve molluscs and tunicates (sea squirts). Special emphasis is put on the internal or physiological environment of metal ions in marine organisms. A molecular mechanism based on experimental studies is presented to explain the extraordinary accumulation of vanadium in tunicate blood cells called vanadocytes. Vanadium in the form of vanadate anion is transported into the blood cells by passage through anionic channels. Inside the cell it is reduced to cationic V(III) and V(IV) ions which are trapped inside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium is an essential element. It is found widely distributed in minor and trace amounts throughout the lithosphere and biosphere. Vanadium is present in all mammalian tissues at concentrations of about 10 µM or less. Numerous physiological effects of this element are known at both the organismic and cellular levels, and in some instances these effects can be explained in terms of its biochemistry. Vanadate(V) and/or vanadyl(IV) ions are very potent inhibitors (K1 ≲ 10−6 M) of certain phosphatases, ATPases, phosphotransferases, nucleases, and kinases, among others. Vanadate(V) activates adenylate kinase. These ions have been quite useful as kinetic and spectroscopic (EPR) probes of complex cellular processes. Vanadium is an insulin mimetic agent. The ability of vanadium at low concentrations to influence enzymes is probably important to its function in vivo. Much of the biochemistry of vanadium is intricately related to the redox and coordination chemistry of this element. In particular, the parallel between the chemistries of vanadates and phosphates can account for the observed inhibition of various phosphohydrolases. However, there is ample evidence that vanadium in the body exists primarily as the vanadyl(IV) ion, VO2+, complexed to proteins and other cellular components; several biological reducing agents can convert vanadium(V) to this form. Serum transferrin appears to be involved in the metabolism of vanadium, perhaps as the transport protein for VO2+. Despite recent major advances in our understanding of the biochemistry of vanadium, the delineation of the physiological function(s) of this important element has remained an elusive goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the enzyme nitrogenase have shown that it contains two novel metal-sulfur clusters: the iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co), which contains one Mo, 6-7 Fe, and ∼ 4 S atoms in a spincoupled paramagnetic (S=3/2) cluster; and the P clusters, variants of normal but highly reduced 4 Fe-4 S clusters in which three Fe atoms are somehow distinguished from the fourth and which, when oxidized, exhibit an usually high spin (S=5/2 or 7/2) ground state. No structures consistent with all available spectroscopic data have been proposed for either unit. Synthetic efforts aimed at developing models for FeMo-co have utilized tetrathiomolybdate as starting material, and have resulted in two well-characterized classes of Mo-Fe-S cluster: those containing the MoFe3S4 "cubane" core and those containing a "linear" MoS2Fe unit. The former apparently contain Mo in a relatively reduced valence state (ca. + 3) and exhibit Mo-S and Mo-Fe distances in good agreement with those found for the Mo site of nitrogenase; the latter contain Mo in a higher oxidation state (ca. + 6) and have significantly shorter Mo-S distances. Synthetic work related to the P clusters has centered on the properties of the [Fe4S4(SR)4]3− ions, for which two different structures with different magnetic properties are found, and on the properties of 4 Fe-4 S clusters with non-thiolate ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed picture of the unique electronic structure of active sites in copper proteins is essential to our understanding of their biological functions. This has been achieved through a combination of complementary spectroscopic techniques, chemical perturbations, and parallel studies on copper complexes which serve as spectral analogues. These studies provide a basis for the generation of a "spectroscopically effective" picture of the active site and allow a correlation of changes in geometric and electronic structure with variation in function. When combined with high-resolution crystallographic information, single crystal spectral studies allow a correlation of electronic features with specific geometric features and provide a great deal of insight into the bonding at the site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical aspects of mineral flotation in particular the adsorption of flotation reagents at the mineral-water interface, were reviewed in 1959 for the last time. Several papers have been published since on this topic. The aim of this chapter is to survey recent publications that have contributed to the development of the flotation theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the solvent extraction of actinide ions by different combinations of extractants have been reviewed. Various equilibria involved in the extraction processes and the formation of the extractable complexes have been considered along with their equilibrium constant data. Various methods which are useful in establishing the composition and the nature of the extractable complexes are presented. The data on isolation and structural studies of some complexes, involved in synergic extraction, are also included. A brief description of the different areas in which synergic extraction is finding application is also given. Many combinations of extractants, where the studies conducted are very few but, which are likely to yield enhanced extractions are indicated. Areas of research, both from the academic and applied points of view, which require attention are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a homogeneous chemical reaction maintained far from equilibrium where the reaction mechanism contains coupled feedback steps, oscillations in the concentrations of certain intermediates are possible. Until recently, the few known chemical oscillators were discovered accidentally, were variants of these reactions, or were extracted from biological systems. To provide new chemical oscillators for theoretical and experimental study, a program has been developed to design homogeneous oscillators based on reactions of inorganic compounds and ions. Mechanistic detail is presented for the chlorite-iodide-arsenite oscillator, and other newly designed oscillators are discussed more briefly. A classification scheme for grouping these and related oscillators is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of a renewed interest in the structural chemistry of organic derivatives of antimony(V) during the last decade, a brief account of the same is presented highlighting points of special importance and future growth. Attention is focussed on the structural and bonding aspects. Details about their synthesis are only included when they are applicable in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The available models and experimental results used in the description of magnetic order phenomena have been recently summarized in several papers. Among the materials showing low-dimensional magnetism, fluorides are of great interest as they provide examples for most of the different theoretical models. This article emphasizes the relationships between crystallographic features and dimensionality of the magnetic interactions in fluorides. The involved compounds are characterized by rings, chains, layers and three-dimensional arrangements of fluorinated MF6 octahedra. Spin-flop and zero-point spin-reduction phenomena are also considered, as many fluorides exhibit these behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectral and magnetic properties of simple high spin cobalt(II) complexes are reviewed with the aim of showing how it is possible to relate the experimental data to the electronic structure and the coordination geometry of the complexes. It is hoped that this may be of help to all researchers who need to characterize cobalt(II) complexes or use cobalt(II) as a spectroscopic probe. The data relative to electronic, EPR, MCD, NMR spectra as well as to magnetic susceptibility measurements are interpreted within an Angular Overlap approach. Energy level diagrams are employed to calculate the electronic spectra and then, applying the relevant perturbation μ, g, A values are calculated for different chromophores in different coordination environments. The underlying theory is sketched paying in every case much attention to show the possibility of calculating the electronic properties in low symmetry environments. An extensive compilation of available experimental data is presented. The chromophores are classified according to the coordination number and according to the donor atom set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An account of the quantum theory of the molecular hypothesis for chemical substances is presented, and is used as a basis for a critical discussion of the theory of natural optical activity. Atoms and molecules are characterized as composite elementary excitations (or quasi-particles) of the macroscopic quantum-mechanical system we call matter, and the spontaneously broken space inversion symmetry revealed by the existence of optical isomerism is studied in this context. Special attention is paid to the representation of the space-inversion operator {ie1-1}. Finally a variety of microscopic quantum theories of natural optical activity are critically reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review departs from a discussion of some basic features of light-induced electron transfer reactions in solutions. Particular emphasis is placed on charge separation and kinetic control of the events by organized molecular assemblies such as micelles and vesicles. Subsequently, we describe some fundamental aspects of redox catalysis with colloidal dispersions of noble metals and their oxides. The application of these concepts to the problem of hydrogen and oxygen production from water by visible light is illustrated. Detailed analysis is made of methods to obtain highly active and selective catalysts, and the performance of bifunctional redox catalysts in cyclic water cleavage systems by visible light is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solar energy is the prominent renewable source of electricity if cheap methods will be designed for its concentration and conversion. The geographical, seasonal and spectral distribution of the terrestrial solar energy are described. The concept of non-tracking fluorescent concentrators and the mathematical background for collection and concentration of direct and diffuse light are discussed. The single plate, multiple stacks and thin films doped by one or more colorants are reviewed. The differences between inorganic and organic materials are analyzed. Suggestions for new hybrid systems are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In graminaceous plants such as barley, oats, and wheat, novel iron-chelating amino acids are secreted from the roots. A typical example is mugineic acid. A phytosiderophore, mugineic acid significantly stimulates iron-uptake and chlorophyll synthesis in rice plants. Most microbial siderophores have hydroxamate or phenolate groups as Fe(III)-coordination donors, while phytosiderophores consist of carboxyl, amine, and hydroxyl groups as the ligand functional groups. The mugineic acid-Fe(III) complex and its structurally analogous Co(III) complex have been characterized by some spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The coordination of mugineic acid to Co(III) and Fe(III) ions involves the azetidine nitrogen, secondary amine nitrogen, both terminal carboxylate oxygens as basal planar donors, and the hydroxyl oxygen and intermediate carboxylate oxygen as axial donors in nearly octahedral configuration. The Mössbauer (ΔEQ = 0.24 and δFe = + 0.39 mm/sec) and ESR (g = 9.4, 4.51, 4.44, and 4.31) parameters of the mugineic acid-Fe(III) complex are characteristic of high-spin (S = 5/2) ferric type. Of special interest is the apparent high reduction potential (E1/2 = − 102 mV vs. NHE) of the mugineic acid-Fe(III) complex, as compared to those of the microbial hydroxamates and ferric enterobactin. The mechanism of iron-absorption and -transport in gramineous plants probably includes Fe(III)-solubilization by mugineic acid and reduction from the thermodynamically stable ferric mugineic acid complex (log KMLM = 18.1) to the weakly bound ferrous complex (log KMLM = 8.1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various chemical syntheses of the lysine containing analogues of siderophores di-Na,Nω-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)lysine (I) and di-Na,Nω-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)lysyl-Nω-(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)lysine are reported. The most effective synthon for introduction of the catechol moiety proved to be the N-hydroxysuccinimide ester of 2,3-dibenzyloxybenzoic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief presentation of iron chemistry is made with emphasis on those aspects relevant to siderophore biochemistry. Siderophore structure and biosynthesis is described. The underlying chemistry associated with, 1, the movement of iron(III) complexes across membranes and 2, the removal of iron from such complexes is discussed in detail. The ability of siderophores to interact with other metals is considered. Finally, the role of siderophores in infection and their clinical potential as iron scavenging molecules are reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siderophores, defined as iron(III) specific transport compounds, are widely distributed in aerobic and facultative anaerobic microbial species. The list of microbes known to form siderophores includes various enteric bacteria; human, animal and plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi; soil microorganisms; Gram positive and negative species, blue green alga (Cyanobacteria) and higher algae; nitrogen fixing bacteria; and many types of fungi including all species of Penicillia, Neurospora, basidiomycetes and certain types of yeast. As natural products, siderophores are classed conveniently as hydroxamates, catechols and "miscellaneous", the latter possibly structurally related to the phytosiderophores of plants. A variety of standard methods has evolved for detection, enhanced production, isolation, characterization and synthesis of the siderophores. The cloning of the enterobactin and aerobactin systems of Escherichia coli has been reported. A very large number of siderophores remain to be characterized as either known compounds or new products. The opportunities for technical exloitation of the substantial reservoir of basic research knowledge of siderophores abound in fields as diverse as clinical medicine and plant pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current status of research on the aerobactin gene complex of Escherichia coli has been reviewed from the standpoint of its organization and regulation. The reasons for selection of the basidiomycetous yeast, Rhodotorula pilimanae, as the most suitable eukaryotic species to which to extend similar studies have been enumerated. A convenient bio-assay is described for detection of mutants of Rhodotorula pilimanae blocked in the biosynthesis of rhodotorulic acid. The application of the bio-assay to a mutagenized culture of Rhodotorula pilimanae enabled collection of a series of mutants, one of which forms an altered version of the constituent amino acid of rhodotorulic acid, Nδ-acetyl-Nδ-hydroxyornithine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of solid state laser, tunable in the visible range, has been developed recently. Incorporation of perylimide and pyrromethene dyes into glasses prepared by the sol-gel method enables the design of new types of visible, stable solid lasers. These can be prepared either in the form of slabs or rods or as waveguiding active media deposited on glass or polymer supports. The difference between the refractive indices of the film and its support determines whether waveguiding occurs in the film or a leaky waveguide laser is formed. The efficiency of the lasers obtained recently is up to 70% when appropriate optical pumping is designed. We discuss the chemical and physical aspects of the photostability of the dyes in glasses, phenomena responsible for non-radiative relaxation of their excited state, and energy efficiencies of laser. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerium(III) energy levels and photophysics represent an intermediate status between d-group behavior and the other lanthanides showing narrow absorption bands and luminescence bands reminiscent of 4fq configuration atomic energy levels. Once the energetic separations of 0.5 to 2 eV of 5d-like orbitals are recognized to provide huge Stokes shifts and rather wide emission bands, it is also obvious that Ce(III) does not have a standard symmetry of ligating atoms (e.g. coordination number N = 9 and D3h know from aqua ions and anhydrous LnCl3 and LnBr3) but N is often 12, 11, 8, 7 or 6 (and rarely octahedral, as frequent in the d groups), 8 in irregular symmetries perhaps most typical. Scintillators for detecting very high kinetic energies (approaching the relativistic regime of photons and particles with very low rest-mass) involve closed shells, such as 4f and 5d in lutetium(III); barium 5p, 5d and 4f in highly electrovalent barium(II) in transparent crystals; and perhaps 4f and 6s in hafnium(IV) and tantalum(V) fluorides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few years the sol-gel process has turned into an interesting and promising method of synthesizing materials for obtaining thin or thick films with definite functions. The techniques of film preparation such as dip and spin coating are simple and allow us to prepare coatings with smooth optical surfaces with controlled stoichiometry, structure and texture. In this paper we give an up to date overview of what has been achieved in the field of chromogenic materials such as anodic or cathodic electrochromic coatings, counter or ion storage electrodes, transparent electron conductors and ionic conductors to be used in electrochromic (EC) devices. We also review the sol-gel research in the related areas of photochromic, thermochromic and electrooptic sol-gel materials whose properties are essentially used to modulate the luminous or solar energy as well as sol-gel materials prepared in the form of nanoparticles proposed recently for the development of a new type of solar cell. Finally we stress the future developments in these fast growing fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of nonlinear optics has been characterized by a remarkable increase in research activities during the past decade. We summarize the specific research into nonlinear optical materials prepared by the sol-gel technology. The chapter describes the preparation of glasses doped by semiconductor nanoparticles such as CdS, CuCl, CuBr, Bi2S3 and PbI2, metal nanoparticles and organic dyes. The third order susceptibilities of the various materials are tabulated. Glasses doped by organic dyes, their preparation, and properties of second and third order nonlinearity are discussed. The potential of these materials for industrial and technical applications is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the principles of optical and electrochemical sensors based on the use of the sol-gel technique, in particular their fabrication, working principles, and various configurations. We also report on potential applications, e.g. to environmental and clinical analysis, to gas sensing, and to bioprocess monitoring. Methods are critically reviewed for making such sensors, how to encapsulate organic, inorganic and biological matter, and how to control the properties of the resulting materials. Specifically, sensors for gases, ions, and organic as well as bioorganic molecules are discussed in some detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, considerable progress has been made with sol-gel coating films for optical and electronic applications. Nonlinear optical films and ferroelectric films are among those that have been studied most extensively. Optical and electronic coating films based on inorganic-organic hybrid or composite films have attracted much attention. These and other recent developments are stressed in this article which deals with a wide variety of optical and electronic coating films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present article reviews the photochemical deactivation modes and properties of electronically excited metallotetrapyrroles. Of the wide variety of complexes possessing a tetrapyrrole ligand and their highly structured systems, the subject of this survey is mainly synthetic complexes of porphyrins, chlorins, corrins, phthalocyanines, and naphthalocyanines. All known types of photochemical reactions of excited metallotetrapyrroles are classified. As criteria for the classification, both the nature of the primary photochemical step and the net overall chemical change, are taken. Each of the classes is exemplified by several recent results, and discussed. The data on exciplex and excimer formation processes involving excited metallotetrapyrroles are included. Various branches of practical utilization of the photochemical and photophysical properties of tetrapyrrole complexes are shown. Motives for further development and perspectives in photochemistry of metallotetrapyrroles are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several tetrapyrroles are employed by Nature to carry out fundamental biological functions and synthetic models compounds have been extensively used in order to understand the mechanisms of action of natural systems. One of the structures present in many enzymes is the corrinoid structure. It consists of a tetrapyrrolic macrocycle, where a direct link between two pyrrole rings exists. Such a direct link and the different degrees of unsaturation that can be introduced into the macrocycle modulate its chelating properties towards metal ions and its reactivity. A most interesting example of the corrinoid structure is corrole, a macrocycle where an 18 electron aromatic π system analogous to that of a porphyrin is maintained. Corrole has been shown to be a versatile ligand capable of coordinating transition and main group metals without significant distortion of the macrocycle plane. The present article reviews the developments of the chemistry of corrole and its metal complexes considering the synthetic procedures that can be followed in order to prepare such compounds, their spectroscopic characterization and redox reactivity and demonstrates the peculiar ligand field effect of this macrocycle. The chemistry of other synthetic corrinoids is also reviewed with special attention to their preparation procedures and axial ligand binding reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The noble metals ruthenium, osmium, rhodium, iridium, palladium, platinum, silver, and gold form a variety of complexes M(P) LL′ with tetrapyrrole ligands which are studied in many laboratories because their coordination chemistry and catalytic power is similar to that of the corresponding iron and cobalt tetrapyrroles forming the prosthetic groups in heme proteins and vitamin B12. Apart from the corrins and corroles which are treated in the second article of this volume, the main interest is devoted to noble metal complexes of porphyrins, but complexes of hydroporphyrins, porphyrin analogs, homologs, porphyrinoids, and phthalocyanines are also mentioned where appropriate. The treatise is organized into four main topics: metal insertion ("equatorial coordination chemistry", Sect. 2, formation of the M(P) entity), substitution and redox reactions ("axial coordination chemistry", Sect. 3, exchange of axial ligands L and L′), organometallic chemistry (a special case of axial coordination chemistry, Sect. 4), and notes on current special chemical topics like electrochemistry, catalysis, supramolecular chemistry, and biological applications. Where possible, the material is compressed in schemes and tables giving a synopsis of consecutive reactions of Ru/Os and Rh/Ir dyads. The two other dyads, Pd/Pt and Ag/Au, are so strongly governed by the square planar d8 configuration that they are practically devoid of axial coordination chemistry. The redox reactions of the Ru/Os dyad live on the switches between d6-d5 and d6-d4-d2 configurations mostly with octahedral geometry about the metal, those of the Rh/Ir dyad on the switches between the d6-d7-d8 configurations, giving rise to octahedral, square-pyramidal, and square planar geometries. The occurrence of the dinuclear or mononuclear Rh d7 systems give a special touch of radical chemistry to the organometallic chemistry of rhodium porphyrins which is expected to be fruitful to organometallic chemistry as a whole. Although a broad overview was intended, many entries are just given in keywords or tables in order to give the reader a chance to get more information. Nevertheless, out of nearly 500 papers scrutinized, only nearly 400 references appear in order to keep the volume and the writing time within certain limits, and any research group missing a paper in this review is asked for patience with the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]