Conformational restrictions of peptides via backbone modification: Solution and crystal-state analysis of Boc-L-Pro-DZPhe-Gly-NH2

An N-alpha-protected model tripeptide amide containing, in the central position, an alpha,beta-dehydrophenylalanine (Z-configurational isomer), Boc-L-Pro-DELTA-Z-Phe-Gly-NH2 (Boc, tert-butyloxycarbonyl), has been synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. IR absorption and H-1 NMR studies provided evidence for the occurrence of a significant population of a conformer containing two consecutive, intramolecularly H-bonded (type II-III') beta-bends in solution. However, an X-ray diffraction analysis clearly indicates that only the type-II beta-bend structure survives in the crystal state.

Conformational characteristics of asparaginyl residues in proteins

Backbone conformations at 1064 asparaginyl residues in 123 non-homologous, high-resolution X-ray structures of proteins were analysed. Asn adopts conformations in left-handed x-helical region and other partially allowed regions in the Ramachandran map more readily than any other non-glycyl residue. Asn conformational clusters in the (phi,psi) regions of left-handed alpha-helix, right-handed alpha-helix and extended (beta) strands were investigated in detail for their occurrence in various secondary structures, especially in beta-turn regions. Preferences were observed for Asn conformations in different positions in various beta-turn types, including the first and fourth positions of the turn. Asparaginyl residues with extended conformations are found to occur frequently in irregular regions, although they are expected to occur predominantly in extended strands or in the third position of type II beta-turns. Asn conformations at the N-cap positions of helices strongly prefer extended conformation than alpha(L), which seems to be characteristic of non-glycyl residues at that position. In the linkers connecting two extended strands and those connecting an alpha-helix and an extended strand, Asn with alpha(L) or alpha(R) conformation is more favoured than Asn with the beta-conformation. Analysis of Asn-Asn doublets and Asn-X-Asn triplets permitted identification of conformational families in such sequences. Results of this investigation provide useful hints in modelling Asn-rich regions in proteins such as malaria parasite coat protein. (C) Munksgaard 1994.

Identification and characterization of a library of microheterogeneous cyclohexadepsipeptides from the fungus Isaria

Ten new cyclic hexadepsipeptides, six isariins and four isaridins, from the fungus Isaria have been identified and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled to tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESIMS/MS). The isariins possess a beta-hydroxy acid residue and five alpha-amino acids, while isaridins contain a beta-amino acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, and four alpha-amino acids. One- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy confirmed the chemical identity of some of the isariin fractions. Mass spectral fragmentation patterns of [M + H](+) ions reveal clear diagnostic fragment ions for the isariins and isaridins. Previously described cyclic depsipeptides, isarfelins from Isaria felina (Guo, Y. X.; Liu, Q. H.; Ng, T. B.; Wang H. X. Peptides 2005, 26, 2384), are now reassigned as members of the isaridin family. Examination of isaridin sequences revealed significant similarities with cyclic hexadepsipeptides such as destruxins and roseotoxins. The structure of an isariin (isariin A) investigated by NMR spectroscopy indicated the presence of a hybrid alpha beta C-11 turn, formed by the beta-hydroxy acid and glycine residues and a (D)Leu-(L)Ala type II' beta-turn. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of isariins and an isaridin on the intra-erythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum is presented.

A designed (3-hairpin peptide in crystals

Beta-hairpin structures have been crystallographically characterized only in very short acyclic peptides, in contrast to helices. The structure of the designed beta-hairpin, t-butoxycarbonyl-Leu-Val-Val-D-Pro-Gly-Leu-Val-Val-OMe in crystals is described. The two independent molecules of the octapeptide fold into almost ideal beta-hairpin conformations with the central D-Pro-Gly segment adopting a Type II' beta-turn conformation. The definitive characterization of a beta-hairpin has implications for de novo peptide and protein design, particularly for the development of three- and four-stranded beta-sheets.

Helical Conformations of Hexapeptides Containing N-Terminus Diproline Segments

The role of N-terminus diproline segments in facilitating helical folding in short peptides has been investigated in a set of model hexapeptides of the type Piv-Xxx-Yyy-Aib-Leu-Aib-Phe-OMe (Piv, pivaloyl). Nine sequences have been investigated with the following N-terminus dipeptide segments: (D)Pro-Ala (4) and Pro-Psi Pro (5, Psi, pseudoproline), Ala-Ala (6), Ala-Pro (7), Pro-Ala (8), Aib-Ala (9), Ala-Aib (10). The analog sequences Piv-Pro-Pro-Ala-Leu-Aib-Phe-OMe (2) and Piv-Pro-Pro-Ala-Aib-Ala-Aib-OMe (3) have also been studied. Solid state conformations have been determined by X-ray crystallography for peptides 4, 6, and 8 and compared with the previously determined crystal structure of peptide 1 (Boc-Pro-Pro-Aib-Leu-Aib-Val-OMe); (Rai et al., JACS 2006, 128, 7916-7928). Peptides 1 and 6 adopt almost identical helical conformations with unfolding of the helix at the N-terminus Pro (1) residue. Peptide 4 reveals the anticipated (D)Pro-Ala type II' beta-turn, followed by a stretch of 3(10)-helix. Peptide 8 adopts a folded conformation stabilized by four successive 4 -> 1 intramolecular hydrogen bonds. Ala (2) adopts an alpha(L) conformation, resulting in a type II beta-turn conformation followed by a stretch of 3(10)-helix. Conformational properties in solution were probed using solvent perturbation of NH chemical shifts which permit delineation of hydrogen bonded NH groups and nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between backbone protons, which are diagnostic of local residue conformations. The results suggest that continuous helical conformations are indeed significantly populated for peptides 2 and 3. Comparison of the results for peptides 1 and 2, suggest that there is a significant influence of the residue that follows diproline segments in influencing backbone folding. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 94: 360-370, 2010.

Identification and characterization of a library of microheterogeneous cyclohexa-depsipeptides from the fungus

Ten new cyclic hexadepsipeptides, six isariins and four isaridins, from the fungus Isaria have been identified and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography, coupled to tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESIMS/MS). The isariins possess a beta-hydroxy acid residue and five alpha-amino acids, while isaridins contain a beta-amino acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, and four alpha-amino acids. One- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy confirmed the chemical identity of some of the isariin fractions. Mass spectral fragmentation patterns of [M + H](+) ions reveal clear diagnostic fragment ions for the isariins and isaridins. Previously described cyclic depsipeptides, isarfelins from Isaria felina (Guo, Y. X.; Liu, Q. H.; Ng, T. B.; Wang H. X. Peptides 2005, 26, 2384), are now reassigned as members of the isaridin family. Examination of isaridin sequences revealed significant similarities with cyclic hexadepsipeptides such as destruxins and roseotoxins. The structure of an isariin (isariin A) investigated by NMR spectroscopy indicated the presence of a hybrid alpha beta C-11 turn, formed by the beta-hydroxy acid and glycine residues and a (D)Leu-(L)Ala type II' beta-turn. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of isariins and an isaridin on the intra-erythrocytic growth of Plasmodium falciparum is presented.

Aqueous ring-opening metathesis polymerizations

Past workers in this group as well as in others have made considerable progress in the understanding and development of the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) technique. Through these efforts, ROMP chemistry has become something of an organometallic success story. Extensive work was devoted to trying to identify the catalytically active species in classical reaction mixtures of early metal halides and alkyl aluminum compounds. Through this work, a mechanism involving the interconversion of metal carbenes and metallacyclobutanes was proposed. This preliminary work finally led to the isolation and characterization of stable metal carbene and metallacyclobutane complexes. As anticipated, these well-characterized complexes were shown to be active catalysts. In a select number of cases, these catalysts have been shown to catalyze the living polymerization of strained rings such as norbornene. The synthetic control offered by these living systems places them in a unique category of metal catalyzed reactions. To take full advantage of these new catalysts, two approaches should be explored. The first takes advantage of the unusual fact that all of the unsaturation present in the monomer is conserved in the polymer product. This makes ROMP techniques ideal for the synthesis of highly unsaturated, and fully conjugated polymers, which find uses in a variety of applications. This area is currently under intense investigation. The second aspect, which should lend itself to fruitful investigations, is expanding the utility of these catalysts through the living polymerization of monomers containing interesting functional groups. Polymer properties can be dramatically altered by the incorporation of functional groups. It is this latter aspect which will be addressed in this work.

After a general introduction to both the ring-opening metathesis reaction (Chapter 1) and the polymerization of fuctionalized monomers by transition metal catalysts (Chapter 2), the limits of the existing living ROMP catalysts with functionalized monomers are examined in Chapter 3. Because of the stringent limitations of these early metal catalysts, efforts were focused on catalysts based on ruthenium complexes. Although not living, and displaying unusually long induction periods, these catalysts show high promise for future investigations directed at the development of catalysts for the living polymerization of functionalized monomers. In an attempt to develop useful catalysts based on these ruthenium complexes, efforts to increase their initiation rates are presented in Chapter 4. This work eventually led to the discovery that these catalysts are highly active in aqueous solution, providing the opportunity to develop aqueous emulsion ROMP systems. Recycling the aqueous catalysts led to the discovery that the ruthenium complexes become more activated with use. Investigations of these recycled solutions uncovered new ruthenium-olefin complexes, which are implicated in the activation process. Although our original goal of developing living ROMP catalysts for the polymerization of fuctionalized monomers is yet to be realized, it is hoped that this work provides a foundation from which future investigations can be launched.

In the last chapter, the ionophoric properties of the poly(7-oxanobornene) materials is briefly discussed. Their limited use as acyclic host polymers led to investigations into the fabrication of ion-permeable membranes fashioned from these materials.

α-异噁唑偶氮基-β-二酮类衍生物及其互变异构体的光谱

研究了5种新型的具有不同结构的aα-异噁唑偶氮基-β-二酮类衍生物的红外光谱和紫外光谱，讨论了它们的酮式-烯醇式以及偶氮式．腙式之间的互变异构化现象。结果表明，所有化合物无论以固体形式或在溶液中均以腙式二酮体和偶氮式烯醇体的混合形式存在。各化合物的紫外吸收谱均呈双峰状，峰值分别处于246～262nm和326～339nm之间，其中，高波长吸收峰的强度明显高于低波长吸收峰强度，说明了各化合物中偶氮式烯醇体形式均多于腙式二酮体形式，其原因是由于各化合物中偶氮式烯醇体的异构体较多，且易以分子内氢键形式形成六元环，

Synthesis, optical and thermal characterization of novel thiazolyl heterocyclic azo dye

Thiazolyl heterocyclic azo dye and its metal (Ni2+, Co2+)-azo complexes were synthesized. Their structures were confirmed by elemental analysis, UV-VIS absorption spectra, FT-IR, H-1 NMR and MALDI-MS. The thermal properties of metal complexes were studied by DSC-TGA. The optical constants (complex refractive index N=n + ik) and thickness of the complex thin films on polished single-crystal silicon substrates were investigated on a scanning ellipsometer. Results indicate that thiazolyl metal-azo complexes possess good optical and thermal properties. They would be a promising recording medium candidate for NVD with the Super-resolution near field structure (Super-RENS) technology. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

光系统Ⅱ核心天线复合物CP43和CP47的分离纯化及其光谱学特性的研究

应用改进DEAE-Toyopearl 650S阴离子交换柱层析从高等植物菠菜(Spinacia oleracea)中分离纯化了核心天线复合物CP43和CP47。并对它们的纯度和完整性色素种类和含量，以及色素分子的结合状态进行了研究并对色素分子间的能量传递机制进行了讨论。结果如下： 1、HPLC检测结果表明：纯化的CP43和CP47均只含Chla和β-Car两种色素分子，并且，平均每分子CP43多肽含19-20分子Chla和4-5分子β-Car;而平均每分CP47则含20-21分子Chla和3-4分子β-Car。 2、以436nm和480nm激发光激发样品得到的CP43和CP47的低温荧光发射光谱的最大荧光发射峰分别位于683nm和693nm。进一步发现，CP43和CP47，在相同条件下分别以436nm和480nm激发光激发样品得到的低温荧光发射光谱经归一化后几乎完全重叠，而且400-500nm波长范围内的激发光扫描得到的三维低温荧光发射光谱沿激发轴具有较好的对应关系，表明纯化的CP43和CP47都具有较高的完整性。 3、纯化的CP43和CP47的吸收光谱的红区最大吸收峰分别位于671nm和674nm。该光区的导数光谱均分辨出偏蓝区和偏红区两个子峰，CP43的这两个子峰分别位于669nm和682nm;而CP47的两个子峰则分别位于669nm和680nm。进一步用包含这两个子峰的高斯解析参数对红区最大吸收峰进行拟合，结果证明，拟合的曲线与实测曲线几乎完全吻合，这表明，CP43和CP47均至少包含两种不同状态的Chla分子。 3．1应用不同的变性温度处理CP43，发现随变性温度的不断提高，其红区最大吸收峰的峰值逐渐减小，四阶导数光谱分辨出的两个子峰同时减小，但差光谱显示：随处理温度的不断提高，这两个组分峰值的变化并不同步进行，较低温度范围内(55℃以下)682nm吸收峰下降明显，而较高温度范围内(55℃以上)，669nm吸收峰下降明显。 同时，随处理温度不断提高CP43脱辅基蛋白的结构也在不断发生变化，其变化过程明显表现出两个跃变阶段。这两个跃变阶段分别出现在40～50℃范围内和55～60℃范围内，恰与吸收光谱两个组分峰变化的转变过程相一致。这证明，CP43中分别位于669nm和682nm的不同的色谱组分即代表两种不同结合态的Chla分子，分别简称为“CP43-669”和“CP43-682”。它们在色素蛋白复合物中所处的环境不同，因而对蛋白质结构的依赖性不同，前者更高地依赖于蛋白复合物的整体构象，而后者则主要依赖于蛋白质的二级结构。 3.2 经不同的变性温度处理的CP47，其红区最大吸收峰的峰位逐渐蓝移，而吸收峰值无明显的变化，只有当处理温度提高到65℃以后，蓝移后的吸收峰值(669nm)才开始明显减小;四阶导数光谱表现为680nm吸收峰的信号逐渐下降669nm的吸收信号逐渐明显;处理减对照差光谱只观察到680nm吸收值的逐渐减少，而几乎观察不到669nm吸收值的变化。同时，随变性温度的不断提高，CP47的脱辅基蛋白的结构也发生相应的变化与CP43不同，蛋白结构变化最大的温度范围为60℃～65℃之间，但同CP47的峰位蓝移、导数光谱中680nm信号的减小，以及差光谱中680nm吸收值的减小相一致。由此认为，同CP43一样，CP47的吸收光谱中分辨出的分别位于669nm和680nm处的两个不同光谱组分亦分别代表两种不同结合状态的Chla分子，分别简称为“CP47-669”和“CP47-680”，与CP43中的相应组分对应，它们处于不同的蛋白环境中，从而对蛋白质结构变化的依赖性不同。 3.3 CP43和CP47的CD光谱表现出明显的正负双峰，表明色素分子间存在较强的激子相互作用。随变性温度的不断提高，正负CD双峰的信号逐渐减弱，变化过程与脱辅基蛋白结构的变化以及CP43-682的变化相一致，表明色素分子间的激子相互作用更高依赖于CP43-682和CP47-680。并认为CP43-682和CP47-680可能以二聚体或多聚体的形式存在，并且二聚体或多聚体的形成依赖于蛋白天然构象。而CP43-669和CP47-669则以单体的形式位于蛋白结构中相对伸展的区域。并提出：在CP43-682以CP47-680分子之间，激发能主要以激子偶合机制进行而在CP43-669，CP47-669分子间及CP43-669至CP43-682间，CP47-669至CP47-680之间激发能则主要以Foster机制进行。 4、以488nm激发光得到的CP43和CP47的共振拉曼光谱都具有全反式构型类胡萝卜素分子的四个典型特征峰由此认为CP43和CP47中的β-Car分子亦具有全反式构型;与溶于丙酮抽体物中的β-Car分子相比较，CP43和CP47中的β-Car分子的共振拉曼光谱中具有较强的960cm~(-1)的拉曼峰，表明，CP43和CP47中的β-Car分子具有扭曲的构象。 应用经归一化后的吸收光谱与荧光激发光谱相比较的办法发现CP43和CP47中存在β-Car分子和Chla分子间的能量传递其能量传递效率分别为29.8～29.9%和52.3～56.9%。这表明，在正常条件下，CP47中β-Car分子和Chla分子间的能量传递效率远大于CP43。此外，当选用蛋白结构变化最明显的热变性温度处理样品后，发现，不论CP43还是CP47中β-Car与Chla分子间的能量传递效率大大降低，表明，这两种色素分子间的能量传递严格依赖于蛋白复合物的天然构象，并认为，正常条件下，CP43和CP47内β-Car与Chla分子间的空间距离较近，可能不大于10A，CP43和CP47相比较，CP47内这两种色素分子间的距离更近。并进一步提出，在CP43和CP47中，β-Car到Chla分子间的能量传递最大可能以Dexter的电子交换机制进行。

PSII色素蛋白复合物的脂质体重组及反应中心的功能研究

光系统II（PSII）是存在于类囊体膜中的多亚基色素蛋白复合物，是吸收光能、催化光诱导水裂解释放氧气、质子和电子的重要机构。它在体内的基本单位是由外周天线蛋白（LHCII）与PSII核心复合物结合形成的PSII-LHCII超分子复合物，这一结构保证了LHCII吸收的能量能够快速有效的传递到PSII反应中心（RC），进行原初光化学反应。 本论文分为两部分：1、利用捕光色素蛋白复合物（LHCII）与PSII核心复合物在以DGDG、PG、SQDG三种类囊体膜脂形成的脂质体中重组的方法，研究了LHCII与PSII在脂膜上结构与功能的相互作用;2、通过研究光破坏和色素置换对PSII RC的影响，探讨了RC中不同色素的功能。主要结果如下： 1、LHCII与PSII核心复合物的蛋白脂质体研究： 将OECC（粗提核心复合物）、pdOE（纯化核心复合物）、LHCII（大量天线）制剂分别与脂质体重组并研究了其光谱性质。LHCII在与脂质体重组前表现出典型的聚集态光谱特征，重组后吸收和荧光发射峰发生明显蓝移;LHCII、OECC和pdOE三种蛋白脂质体与重组前的样品相比荧光发射强度增加;表明脂环境影响了色素蛋白复合物的聚集状态以及色素和蛋白之间的相互作用。 OECC和pdOE分别与LHCII在脂质体中重组，得到两种重组蛋白（LHCII-OECC和LHCII-pdOE）脂质体，用冰冻蚀刻电镜技术和低温荧光光谱的方法研究其结构和功能特征。LHCII和核心复合物（OECC或pdOE）结合形成PSII-LHCII重组颗粒，并在脂质体中均匀排布，阻止了LHCII晶格状结构的形成。重组蛋白脂质体的吸收光谱既有LHCII的吸收特征，又有核心复合物的特征吸收峰，但低温荧光光谱的主要发射峰是核心复合物的特征峰（684 nm-685 nm），而不是LHCII的特征峰（680 nm）;而且激发不同色素得到的荧光发射光谱基本一致，这些结果证明LHCII吸收的能量传递到了核心复合物中，在重组蛋白脂质体中不同色素蛋白复合物在结构和功能上都实现了相互偶联。 通过对OECC或pdOE与LHCII重组形成的蛋白脂质体放氧或DCPIP光还原活性的检测研究了PSII光化学活性特征。LHCII和核心复合物（OECC或pdOE）的重组蛋白脂质体与单独核心脂质体相比，在强光和弱光下光化学活性都明显提高。这从另一个角度证明了核心复合物与LHCII的功能偶联，LHCII的结合使捕光截面积增大，从而使PSII光化学活性增加。 用77K飞秒时间分辨荧光光谱分析了几种蛋白脂质体的能量传递和捕获情况。LHCII、OECC和pdOE三种蛋白脂质体的主要荧光衰减组分分别是670 ps（发射峰在680 nm）、650 ps（发射峰在690 nm）和570 ps（发射峰在685 nm）。LHCII-OECC和LHCII-pdOE脂质体的主要衰减组分分别是940 ps（发射峰在690 nm）和840 ps（发射峰在685 nm），并且出现了一个在核心复合物脂质体和LHCII脂质体中没有的40 ps组分，可以推测，这是LHCII和核心复合物之间达到平衡的时间组分，比激发态衰减的平均寿命要快得多，因此支持了PSII的trap-limited激发能衰减动力学模型。此外，可以看到天线的增大使Chl a荧光衰减的寿命延长，这一特性可能与PSII的光保护机制有关。 LHCII和OECC、LHCII和pdOE在脂质体中都成功的实现了重组，而且在结构和功能上没有明显差异;表明小天线以及23 kDa、17 kDa蛋白可能不是LHCII和核心复合物结合及能量传递所必需的。 2、受体侧光破坏和色素置换对PSII RC的影响： 在800 μmol.m-2 .s-1光照和无外加电子受体、供体的情况下，研究了PSII RC色素的受体侧光破坏情况。Chl a、Pheo和β-Car的光漂白几乎同时发生，其中在680 nm吸收的色素破坏最为显著，670 nm吸收的外周Chl比其他色素更加稳定。荧光发射强度呈先升高后降低的趋势，最大发射峰位逐渐蓝移，表明色素之间的能量传递受到破坏。用β-Car的主要吸收波长488 nm和514.5 nm激发得到两组谱带峰位和强度不同的拉曼光谱，表明在PSII RC中存在两个光谱性质不同的β-Car。光破坏过程中两组谱带的位置和带宽都没有明显变化，表明β-Car的光保护机制不涉及自身构象的变化。 将PSII RC与Cu-Chl a进行色素置换，得到了与Cu-Chl重组的RC（Cu-Chl-RC），含有0.5 Cu-Chl/2Pheo。与对照RC（按同样方式与Chl a置换的RC）和天然RC相比，Cu-Chl含量增加而Chl含量减少，660 nm的吸收增加而670 nm吸收降低，因此推测是外周Chl被替换。色素置换过程对RC的多肽组分及大部分的P680活性没有影响，CD光谱的变化也很小，表明产生CD信号的色素和蛋白环境也没有受到明显影响。但是Cu-Chl-RC的荧光发射强度明显降低，最大发射峰蓝移且峰形发生变化，Cu-Chl可能在重组RC中作为激发态的淬灭剂，阻碍了色素之间的能量传递。

鲤鱼发育早期HPG轴和GH/IGF轴相关因子的转录起始分析

采用RT-PCR的方法,以不同发育时期的鲤鱼胚胎和幼鱼为材料,研究了与鱼类生殖相关的HPG轴以及与生长相关的GH/IGF轴中GnRH、GtH以及GH、GHR和IGF重要信号分子的转录起始特征。结果显示,sGnRH、cGnRH、GtH-Iβ亚基和GHR于鲤鱼胚胎受精后20h开始转录,IGF-1于受精后23h开始转录,GtH-IIβ亚基于受精后26h开始转录,GtHα亚基于受精后46h开始转录,GH于1dph(孵出后第1天)开始转录。其中,GHR和IGF-1均早于GH开始转录,GtHα亚基和β亚基的转录起始时

Self-assembly of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene and a Ag-hmt coordination polymer into a porous structure

A novel porous material constructed from p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene molecules and a Ag-I coordination polymer has been structurally characterized. The porous supramolecular complex features a bilayer arrangement of p-sulfonatocalix[4]arene molecules linked by a Ag-I-hmt (hmt: hexamethylene- tetramine) coordination polymer through metal-ligand bonding, hydrogen bonding and host-guest interactions.

1,1 '-di(tert-butyl)metallocenium cations. The x-ray crystal structures of [M((C5H4Bu)-Bu-t)(2)]PF6 (M = Fe, Co) and [Co((C5H4Bu)-Bu-t)(2)](2)CoCl4

The hexafluorophosphate salts [Fe((C5H4Bu)-Bu-t)(2)]PF6 (1) and [Co((C5H4Bu)-Bu-t)(2)]PF6 (2) crystallize in isotypic structures with centrosymmetric cations which have a staggered (transoid) conformation of the exactly parallel ring Ligands (conformational angle tau = 180 degrees). The tetrachlorocobaltate salt, [CO((C5H4Bu)-Bu-t)(2)](2)CoCl4 (3), contains one almost eclipsed (tau = 140.4 degrees) and one almost staggered (tau = 101.4 degrees) cobaltocenium cation; in both cases, the cyclopentadienyl ring planes are slightly inclined (by alpha = 5.4 degrees and 4.1 degrees, respectively) to give more room to the tert-butyl substituents which are bent away from the metal in all three complexes 1 - 3.

ELECTROCHEMICAL DETECTION OF COBALT IN HAIR FOLLOWING ON-COLUMN DERIVATIZATION WITH 1-(2-PYRIDYLAZO)-2-NAPHTHOL-6-SULFONIC ACID AND REVERSED-PHASE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A method for the specific determination of cobalt based on reversed-phase liquid chromatography with amperometric detection via on-column complex formation has been developed. A water-soluble chelating agent, 1-(2-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol-6-sulphonic acid (PAN-6S), is added to the mobile phase and aqueous cobalt solutions are injected directly into the column to form in situ the cobalt-PAN-6S chelate, which is then separated from other metal PAN-6S chelates and subjected to reductive amperometric detection at a moderate potential of -0.3 V. Because the procedure eliminates the interference of oxygen and depresses the electrochemical reduction of the mobile phase-containing ligand PAN-6S, by virtue of the quasi:reversible electrode process of the cobalt-PAN-6S complex, a low detection limit of 0.06 ng can be readily obtained. Interference effects were examined for sixteen common metal species, and at a 5- to 8000-fold excess by mass no obvious interference was observed. The feasibility of the method as an approach to the specific analysis of cobalt in a hair sample has been demonstrated.