A pentapeptide macrocyclic ligand, KYCAR (lysyl-tyrosyl-cystyl-alanyl-arginine), has been designed as a potential chelating ligand for SPECT imaging and therapeutic in vivo agents. This study shows the synthesis and characterization of KYCAR complexes containing nonradioactive rhenium, 99mTc, or 188Re. The metal complexes were also biologically evaluated to determine in vivo distribution in healthy mice. The overall goals of this project were (1) to synthesize the Tc/Re pentapeptide complexes, (2) to identify spectroscopic methods for characterization of syn versus anti rhenium peptide complexes, (3) to analyze the ex vivo stability, and (4) to assess the biological properties of the [99mTc]TcO-KYCAR and [188Re]ReO-KYCAR complexes in vivo. Details on these efforts are provided below. METHODS:NatRe/99mTc/188ReO-KYCAR complexes were synthesized, and macroscopic species were characterized via HPLC, IR, NMR, and CD. These characterization data were compared to the crystallographic data of ReO-KYC to assist in the assignment of diastereomers and to aid in the determination of the structure of the complex. RESULTS:The radiometal complexes were synthesized with high purity (>95%). HPLC, IR, NMR and CD data on the macroscopic natReO-KYCAR complexes confirm the successful complexation as well as the presence of two diastereomers in syn and anticonformations. Tracer level complexes show favorable stabilities ex vivo for 2+ h. CONCLUSION:Macroscopic metal complexes form diastereomers with the KYCAR ligand; however, this phenomenon is not readily observed on the tracer level due to the rapid interconversion. It was determined through pKa measurements that the macroscopic natReO-KYCAR complex is 0 at physiological pH. The [99mTc]TcO-KYCAR is stable in vitro while the [188Re]ReO-KYCAR shows 50% decomposition in PBS and serum. Biologically, the tracer level complexes clear through the hepatobiliary pathway. Some decomposition of both tracers is evident by uptake in the thyroid and stomach.

The lithium oxygen battery has a theoretical energy density potentially meeting the challenging requirements of electric vehicles. However, safety concerns and short lifespan hinder its application in practical systems. In this work, we show a cell configuration, including a multiwalled carbon nanotube electrode and a low flammability glyme electrolyte, capable of hundreds of cycles without signs of decay. Nuclear magnetic resonance and electrochemical tests confirm the suitability of the electrolyte in a practical battery, whereas morphological and structural aspects revealed by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction demonstrate the reversible formation and dissolution of lithium peroxide during the electrochemical process. The enhanced cycle life of the cell and the high safety of the electrolyte suggest the lithium oxygen battery herein reported as a viable system for the next generation of high-energy applications.

The investigation of ion-solvent interaction in electrolytes is crucial for basic understanding of ion transport through the bulk electrolyte as well as interphase formation processes on both electrodes, which dictate performances of lithium ion batteries (LIBs). In this report, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to study the solvation behaviors of two typical lithium salts (lithium hexafluorophosphate, or LiPF6, and lithium tetrafluoroborate, or LiBF4) dissolved in ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) mixtures. With increasing salt concentration and DMC percentage in both systems, 19F NMR experiences an upfield shift along with decreasing J31P−19F and J11B−19F, which evidence the stronger interaction between the Li+ and F− in an environment with diminishing presence of high dielectric medium. The quadrupolar relaxation of 11B dominates the 19F relaxation mechanism and demonstrates that LiBF4 mainly exists as ion pairs in solution either at high salt concentration or in a medium of low polarity. 7Li, 19F, 1H NMR diffusion measurements were conducted to characterize the relative mobility of cation, anion and solvent molecules, the results of which support the conclusion above. Salt concentration and solution polarity have a much stronger effect on cation-anion aggregation and solvation in the LiBF4 system than in the LiPF6 system.

This paper reports the first example of dearomatization of ubiquitous terpyridine (tpy) ligands via 2'/6'-, 3/5'-, or 4'-selective alkylation of the central pyridine ring. The reaction is mediated by the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust, aluminum (Al), and depending on the conditions employed, exhibits ionic or radical character as suggested by experimental and computational analysis. In the latter case, intermediate formation of an Al-III complex supported by pi-radical monoanionic ligand (tpy(center dot))(1-) is apparent. The 3'/5'-alkylation leads to unprecedented zwitterionic Meisenheimer Al-III complexes, which were identified as efficient precatalysts for the selective hydroboration of C=O and C equivalent to C functionalities. Turnover numbers (TONs) up to similar to 1000 place the corresponding complexes in the category of the most efficient Al catalysts reported to date for the title reaction. The acquired data suggest that aluminum monohydrides, or more likely dihydrides, could be relevant catalytic species. Alternatively, one can also imagine a mechanistic scenario in which the dearomatized "chemically noninnocent" ligand acts as hydride donor, and a detailed investigation of this is warranted in the future.

We report an electrolyte with low flammability, based on diethylene glycol dimethyl ether (DEGDME) dissolving lithium bis-trifluoromethane sulfonimidate (LiTFSI), and lithium nitrate (LiNO3) for high-performances lithium/sulfur battery. Self-diffusion coefficients, conductivity, and lithium transport number of the electrolyte are obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Interface stability, lithium stripping/deposition ability, and the electrochemical stability window of the electrolyte are determined by voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. The tests suggest conductivity higher than 10(-2) S cm(-1), lithium transport number of about 0.5, electrochemical stability extending from 0 V to 4.6 V, and excellent compatibility with lithium metal. A composite cathode using sulfur and multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is characterized in terms of structure and morphology by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The study shows spherical flakes in which the carbon nanotubes protect the crystalline sulfur from excessive dissolution, and create the optimal host for allowing the proper cell operation. The Li/S cell reveals highly reversible process during charge/discharge cycles, fast kinetic, and lithium diffusion coefficient in the sulfur electrode ranging from 10(-12) to 10(-10) cm(2) s(-1). The cell evidences a coulombic efficiency approaching 100%, capacity from 1300 mAh g(-1) to 900 mAh g(-1) and practical energy density higher than 400 Wh kg(-1).

Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TREGDME) dissolving lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiCF3SO3) is studied as a suitable electrolyte medium for lithium battery. Thermal and rheological characteristics, transport properties of the dissolved species, and the electrochemical behavior in lithium cell represent the most relevant investigated properties of the new electrolyte. The self-diffusion coefficients, the lithium transference numbers, the ionic conductivity, and the ion association degree of the solution are determined by pulse field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The study sheds light on the determinant role of the lithium nitrate (LiNO3) addition for allowing cell operation by improving the electrode/electrolyte interfaces and widening the voltage stability window. Accordingly, an electrochemical activation procedure of the Li/LiFePO4 cell using the upgraded electrolyte leads to the formation of stable interfaces at the electrodes surface as clearly evidenced by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy, and ex situ scanning electron microscopy. Therefore, the lithium battery employing the TREGDME-LiCF3SO3-LiNO3 solution shows a stable galvanostatic cycling, a high efficiency, and a notable rate capability upon the electrochemical conditions adopted herein.

A comparative study of sulfur composites using carbon of various natures, namely, graphite, mesocarbon microbeads, and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, is performed in lithium battery design and evaluation. Morphological and structural analyses, by means of SEM and XRD, cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic cycling in lithium cells are employed for characterization of the materials. Tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether containing lithium trifluoromethansulfonate is considered the preferred electrolyte for performing the electrochemical tests. Prior to use in cells, the electrolyte characteristics in terms of H-1, Li-7, and F-19 nuclei self-diffusion coefficients, ionic conductivity, and ionic association degree are studied by combining NMR and impedance spectroscopy. The best lithium-sulfur composite reported herein achieves a capacity higher than 500mAhg(-1) over 140cycles with no sign of dendrite formation or failure. This performance is considered sufficiently suitable for the development of high-energy lithium batteries, in particular, considering the expected safety of the cells by employing a nonflammable glyme electrolyte instead of a conventional carbonate-based one.

Glyme electrolytes are prepared by dissolving sodium trifluoromethane sulfonate (NaCF3SO3) either in dimetoxyethane (DME) or in diethyleneglycoledimethylether (DEGDME). The solutions, designed for sodium battery applications, are thermally characterized by TGA and studied in terms of transport properties by combining pulse field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG NMR) and electrochemical techniques. Both electrolytes reveal suitable characteristics for sodium batteries, such as ion conductivity of about 10−3Scm−1, sodium transport number of 0.5, a stable stripping-deposition trend, and electrochemical stability windows extending from 0 to 4V. However, the more volatile DME leads to a higher ion association degree. The suitability of both electrolytes is then verified in sodium-sulfur cells by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic test. The measurements confirm the reversibility of the sodium-sulfur process, and reveal the expected trend of the sulfur electrode in sodium cell with average working voltage of about 1.8V, with a higher polarization and lower capacity for the cell using the DME-based electrolyte. Accordingly, the DEGDME-based solution appears to be more suitable for sodium battery applications.

A novel, low cost and environmentally sustainable lithium sulfide-carbon composite cathode, suitably prepared by combining polyethylene oxide (PEO), LiCF3SO3 and Li2S-C powders is here presented. The cathode is characterized in lithium-metal cell employing a solution of LiCF3SO3 salt in dioxolane-dimethylether (DOL-DME) as the electrolyte. Detailed NMR investigation of the diffusion properties of the electrolyte is reported in order to determine its suitability for the proposed cell. The addition of LiNO3 to the electrolyte solution allows practical application in a lithium sulfur cell using the Li2S-C-based cathode characterized by a specific capacity of about 500 mAh g-1 (as referenced to the Li2S mass). The cell holds its optimal performances for over 70 cycles at C/5 rate, with a steady state efficiency approaching 99%. X-ray diffraction patterns of the cell upon operation suggest the reversibility of the Li2S electrochemical process, while repeated electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements indicate the suitability of the electrode-electrolyte interface in terms of low and stable cell impedance. Furthermore, the EIS study clarifies the activation process occurring at the Li2S cathode during the first charge process, leading to the decrease of the cell polarization during the following cycles. The data here reported shed light on important aspects to be considered for the efficient application of the Li2S cathode in lithium battery.

In this report, the lithium solvation behavior of two series of glyme-based electrolytes, with lithium trifluoromethanesulfonate (LiTf) or lithium-bis-(trifluormethanesulfonyl)-imide (LiTFSI) in six glymes with different chain length, is characterized using natural abundance oxygen-17 (17O) NMR spectroscopy. The effect of salt addition on chemical shift is observed by comparing the 17O NMR spectra of electrolytes and their corresponding neat solvents. The study reveals a more pronounced effect of the salt addition on the chemical shift of ether oxygens compared to terminal oxygens of glymes, thus suggesting a preferential coordination of Li+ with the ether oxygens. The 17O NMR data exhibit decreasing chemical shift changes with increasing chain length of glymes due to the increased number of ether oxygens coordinating each Li+ in the electrolytes. In addition, the trend of anion oxygen chemical shift, particularly for Tf− anion, suggests an effect of the chain length on the ion association degree. The results illustrate the sensitivity of 17O NMR to subtle changes in the ion-solvent and ion–ion interactions.

We propose in this work a polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether (MW 500) dissolving lithium trifluoromethansulfonate (LiCF3SO3) salt as suitable electrolyte media for a safe and efficient use of the lithium metal anode in battery. Voltammetry and galvanostatic tests reveal significant enhancement of the electrolyte characteristics, in terms of cycling life and chemical stability, by the addition of lithium nitrate (LiNO3) to the solution. Furthermore, PFG NMR measurements suggest the applicability of the electrolyte in battery in terms of ionic conductivity, lithium transference number, ionic-association degree and self-diffusion coefficient. Accordingly, the electrolyte is employed in a lithium battery using lithium iron phosphate as the selected cathode. The battery delivers a stable capacity of 150 rnAh g(-1) and flat working voltage of 3.5 V, thus leading to a theoretical energy density referred to the cathode of 520 Wh kg(-1). This battery is considered a suitable energy storage system for advanced applications requiring both high safety and high energy density. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Herein, we report the characteristics of electrolytes using various ether-solvents with molecular composition CH3O[CH2CH2O]nCH3, differing by chain length, and LiCF3SO3 as the lithium salt. The electrolytes, considered as suitable media for lithium-sulfur batteries, are characterized in terms of thermal properties (TGA, DSC), lithium ion conductivity, lithium interface stability, cyclic voltammetry, self-diffusion properties of the various components, and lithium transference number measured by NMR. Furthermore, the electrolytes are characterized in lithium cells using a sulfur-carbon composite cathode by galvanostatic charge-discharge tests. The results clearly evidence the influence of the solvent chain length on the species mobility within the electrolytes that directly affects the behavior in lithium sulfur cell. The results may effectively contribute to the progress of an efficient, high-energy lithium-sulfur battery.

Many noncoding RNA molecules adopt alternative secondary and tertiary conformations that are critical for their roles in gene expression. Although many of these rearrangements are mediated by other biomolecular components, it is important to evaluate the equilibrium relationship of the conformers. To measure the spontaneous interconversion in a bi-stable RNA stem loop sequence into which a single (19)F-uridine label was incorporated, a (19)F-(19)F EXSY experiment was employed. The kinetic exchange rate measured from EXSY experiments for this system was 37.3±2.8s(-1). The advantage of this approach is that exchange kinetics can be monitored in any RNA sequence into which a single (19)F nucleotide is incorporated by commercial synthesis. This method is therefore suitable for application to biologically significant systems in which dynamic conformational rearrangement is important for function and may therefore facilitate studies of RNA structure-function relationships.

A general synthesis of bridged isoxazolidines from a double hetero-Michael addition of N-substituted hydroxylamines to quinone monoketals has been developed. The different addition order of N-benzylhydroxylamine and N-Boc hydroxylamine is also discussed. Moreover, the various functionalities in the isoxazolidine products allow facile derivatization.

The complex formed between the U2 and U6 small nuclear (sn) RNA molecules of the eukaryotic spliceosome plays a critical role in the catalysis of precursor mRNA splicing. Here, we have used enzymatic structure probing, F-19 NMR, and analytical ultracentrifugation techniques to characterize the fold of a protein-free biophysically tractable paired construct representing the human U2-U6 snRNA complex. Results from enzymatic probing and F-19 NMR for the complex in the absence of Mg2+ are consistent with formation of a four-helix junction structure as a predominant conformation. However, F-19 NMR data also identify a lesser fraction (up to 14% at 25 degrees C) of a three-helix conformation. Based upon this distribution, the calculated Delta G for inter-conversion to the four-helix structure from the three-helix structure is approximately -4.6 kJ/mol. In the presence of 5 mM Mg2+, the fraction of the three-helix conformation increased to similar to 17% and the Stokes radius, measured by analytical ultracentrifugation, decreased by 2%, suggesting a slight shift to an alternative conformation. NMR measurements demonstrated that addition of an intron fragment to the U2-U6 snRNA complex results in displacement of U6 snRNA from the region of Helix III immediately 5' of the ACAGAGA sequence of U6 snRNA, which may facilitate binding of the segment of the intron adjacent to the 5' splice site to the ACAGAGA sequence. Taken together, these observations indicate conformational heterogeneity in the protein-free human U2-U6 snRNA complex consistent with a model in which the RNA has sufficient conformational flexibility to facilitate inter-conversion between steps of splicing in situ.

Transactivation-response element (TAR) is a stable stem–loop structure of HIV RNA, which plays a crucial role during the life cycle of the virus. The apical loop of TAR acts as a binding site for essential cellular cofactors required for the replication of HIV. High-affinity aptamers directed against the apical loop of TAR have been identified by the SELEX approach. The RNA aptamers with the highest affinity for TAR fold as hairpins and form kissing complexes with the targeted RNA through loop–loop interactions. The aptamers with the strongest binding properties all possess a GA base pair combination at the loop-closing position. Using liquid-crystal NMR methodology, we have obtained a structural model in solution of a TAR–aptamer kissing complex with an unprecedented accuracy. This high-resolution structure reveals that the GA base pair is unilaterally shifted toward the 5′ strand and is stabilized by a network of intersugar hydrogen bonds. This specific conformation of the GA base pair allows for the formation of two supplementary stable base-pair interactions. By systematic permutations of the loop-closing base pair, we establish that the identified atomic interactions, which form the basis for the high stability of the complex, are maintained in several other kissing complexes. This study rationalizes the stabilizing role of the loop-closing GA base pairs in kissing complexes and may help the development or improvement of drugs against RNA loops of viruses or pathogens as well as the conception of biochemical tools targeting RNA hairpins involved in important biological functions.

The 375 amino acid human protein DEK has been expressed in two functional, structured domains. DEK is an abundant nuclear protein that associates with chromatin and alters its topology by introducing positive supercoiling in DNA, which results in lower replication efficiency. DEK has clinical importance as transfection of the cDNA of the C-terminal region of DEK can partially reverse the abnormal DNA-mutagen sensitivity in fibroblasts derived from ataxia–telangiectasia (A–T) patients, and elevated levels of DEK mRNA are observed in various forms of cancer. Because high-level expression of full-length DEK has proved elusive, we sought an alternative for structural studies that would provide insights on DEK’s function. We have discovered that DEK contains two structured domains and have expressed these domains at a high level in Escherichia coli in M9 minimal media. The N-terminal domain (amino acids 68–226) includes the region responsible for introducing supercoils into DNA, and the C-terminal domain (amino acids 309–375) includes the region that can reverse the abnormal DNA-mutagen sensitivity of A–T cells. 1H–15N correlation nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of these two fragments reveal the characteristic signature of folded proteins.

The chromatin-associated protein DEK was first identified as a fusion protein in patients with a subtype of acute myelogenous leukemia. It has since become associated with diverse human ailments ranging from cancers to autoimmune diseases. Despite much research effort, the biochemical basis for these clinical connections has yet to be explained. We have identified a structural domain in the C-terminal region of DEK [DEK(309-375)]. DEK(309-375) implies clinical importance because it can reverse the characteristic abnormal DNA-mutagen sensitivity in fibroblasts from ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) patients. We determined the solution structure of DEK(309-375) by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and found it to be structurally homologous to the E2F/DP transcription factor family. On the basis of this homology, we tested whether DEK(309-375) could bind DNA and identified the DNA-interacting surface. DEK presents a hydrophobic surface on the side opposite the DNA-interacting surface. The structure of the C-terminal region of DEK provides insights into the protein function of DEK.