Bromine Activation Research Articles

A density functional benchmark for dehydrogenation and dehalogenation reactions on coinage metal surfaces.

The on-surface synthesis of low-dimensional organic nanostructures has been extensively investigated through both experimental and theoretical methods, particularly by density functional theory (DFT). However, the complex mixture of interactions often poses challenges within the DFT framework, and there is a knowledge-gap regarding how the choice of DFT approach affects the computed results. Here, five different approaches including vdW interactions, i.e., PBE+D3, PBE+vdWsurf, rev-vdW-DF2, r2SCAN+rVV10 and BEEF-vdW, are employed to describe three prototypical on-surface reactions; dehydrogenation of benzene, debromination of bromobenzene, and deiodination of iodobenzene on the (111) facets of the coinage metals. Overall, rev-vdW-DF2 outperforms the other methods in describing benzene adsorption, whereas BEEF-vdW falls short. For dehydrogenation and debromination on Cu(111), all functionals except BEEF-vdW give reasonable activation energies compared to experiments. A similar trend is observed for Ag(111) and Au(111), with BEEF-vdW yielding significantly higher activation and reaction energies. For dehalogenation, all the five vdW approaches correctly capture the reactivity trend - Cu(111) > Ag(111) > Au(111) - and the expected hierarchy between bromobenzene desorption and carbon- bromine activation. Only BEEF-vdW fails to predict the faster kinetics of deiodination than the iodobenzene desorption.Our work forms a basis for evaluating density functionals in describing chemical reactions on surfaces.

Observations of cyanogen bromide (BrCN) in the global troposphere and their relation to polar surface O3 destruction

Abstract. Bromine activation (the production of Br in an elevated oxidation state) promotes ozone destruction and mercury removal in the global troposphere and commonly occurs in both springtime polar boundary layers, often accompanied by nearly complete ozone destruction. The chemistry and budget of active bromine compounds (e.g., Br2, BrCl, BrO, HOBr) reflect the cycling of Br and affect its environmental impact. Cyanogen bromide (BrCN) has recently been measured by iodide ion high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry (I− CIMS), and trifluoro methoxide ion time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CF3O− CIMS) during the NASA Atmospheric Tomography Mission second, third, and fourth deployments (NASA ATom), and could be a previously unquantified participant in active Br chemistry. BrCN mixing ratios ranged from below the detection limit (1.5 pptv) up to as high as 36 pptv (10 s average) and enhancements were almost exclusively confined to the polar boundary layers in the Arctic winter and in both polar regions during spring and fall. The coincidence of BrCN with active Br chemistry (often observable BrO, BrCl and O3 loss) and high CHBr3/CH2Br2 ratios imply that much of the observed BrCN is from atmospheric Br chemistry rather than a biogenic source. Likely BrCN formation pathways involve the heterogeneous reactions of active Br (Br2, HOBr) with reduced nitrogen compounds, for example hydrogen cyanide (HCN/CN−), on snow, ice, or particle surfaces. Competitive reaction calculations of HOBr reactions with Cl−/Br− and HCN/CN− in solution, as well as box model calculations with bromine chemistry, confirm the viability of this formation channel and show a distinct pH dependence, with BrCN formation favored at higher pH values. Gas-phase loss processes of BrCN due to reaction with radical species are likely quite slow and photolysis is known to be relatively slow (BrCN lifetime of ∼ 4 months in midlatitude summer). These features, and the lack of BrCN enhancements above the polar boundary layer, imply that surface reactions must be the major loss processes. The fate of BrCN determines whether BrCN production fuels or terminates bromine activation. BrCN reactions with other halogens (Br−, HOCl, HOBr) may perpetuate the active Br cycle; however, preliminary laboratory experiments showed that BrCN did not react with aqueous bromide ion (< 0.1 %) to reform Br2. Liquid-phase reactions of BrCN are more likely to convert Br to bromide (Br−) or form a C–Br bonded organic species, as these are the known condensed-phase reactions of BrCN and would therefore constitute a loss of atmospheric active Br. Thus, further study of the chemistry of BrCN will be important for diagnosing polar Br cycling.

A Versatile Approach for the Synthesis of Antimicrobial Polymer Brushes on Natural Rubber/Graphene Oxide Composite Films via Surface-Initiated Atom-Transfer Radical Polymerization.

A simple strategy was adopted for the preparation of an antimicrobial natural rubber/graphene oxide (NR/GO) composite film modified through the use of zwitterionic polymer brushes. An NR/GO composite film with antibacterial properties was prepared using a water-based solution-casting method. The composited GO was dispersed uniformly in the NR matrix and compensated for mechanical loss in the process of modification. Based on the high bromination activity of α-H in the structure of cis-polyisoprene, the composite films were brominated on the surface through the use of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) under the irradiation of a 40 W tungsten lamp. Polymerization was carried out on the brominated films using sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) as a monomer via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The NR/GO composite films modified using polymer brushes (PSBMAs) exhibited 99.99% antimicrobial activity for resistance to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. A novel polymer modification strategy for NR composite materials was established effectively, and the enhanced antimicrobial properties expand the application prospects in the medical field.

Typhoon- and pollution-driven enhancement of reactive bromine in the mid-latitude marine boundary layer.

Tropospheric reactive bromine is important for atmospheric chemistry, regional air pollution, and global climate. Previous studies have reported measurements of atmospheric reactive bromine species in different environments, and proposed their main sources, e.g. sea-salt aerosol (SSA), oceanic biogenic activity, polar snow/ice, and volcanoes. Typhoons and other strong cyclonic activities (e.g. hurricanes) induce abrupt changes in different earth system processes, causing widespread destructive effects. However, the role of typhoons in regulating reactive bromine abundance and sources remains unexplored. Here, we report field observations of bromine oxide (BrO), a critical indicator of reactive bromine, on the Huaniao Island (HNI) in the East China Sea in July 2018. We observed high levels of BrO below 500m with a daytime average of 9.7±4.2 pptv and a peak value of ∼26 pptv under the influence of a typhoon. Our field measurements, supported by model simulations, suggest that the typhoon-induced drastic increase in wind speed amplifies the emission of SSA, significantly enhancing the activation of reactive bromine from SSA debromination. We also detected enhanced BrO mixing ratios under high NOx conditions (ppbv level) suggesting a potential pollution-induced mechanism of bromine release from SSA. Such elevated levels of atmospheric bromine noticeably increase ozone destruction by as much as ∼40% across the East China Sea. Considering the high frequency of cyclonic activity in the northern hemisphere, reactive bromine chemistry is expected to play a more important role than previously thought in affecting coastal air quality and atmospheric oxidation capacity. We suggest that models need to consider the hitherto overlooked typhoon- and pollution-mediated increase in reactive bromine levels when assessing the synergic effects of cyclonic activities on the earth system.

Electrophilic activation of molecular bromine mediated by I(III).

In pursuit of a genuine bromo-λ3-iodane, it has been found that the combination of Br2 and electron deficient λ3-iodanes can result in the delivery of both bromine atoms from Br2 to a range of aryl substrates, some highly deactivated. These brominations occur rapidly in common chlorinated solvents at room temperature and can be achieved with the catalytic activation of commercially available PhI(OAc)2 and PhI(OTFA)2. para-NO2 substituted derivatives are employed to direct bromination towards more deactivated substrates. The mechanism of Br2 activation is discussed with insights being made, however it remains unclear.

Effect of attaching hydrophilic oligopeptides to the C-terminus of organic solvent-tolerant metal-free bromoperoxidase BPO-A1 from Streptomyces aureofaciens on organic solvent-stability

Metal-free bromoperoxidase BPO-A1 from Streptomyces aureofacience was selected among several similar enzymes exhibiting brominating activity as the most stable haloperoxidase against 70%(v/v) methanol. A comparison of the BPO-A1 and octahistidine-tagged BPO-A1 at the C-terminus (BPO-A1-His8) revealed that the His-tag enhanced the organic solvent-stability of BPO-A1 with pH- and heat-stabilities. Additionally, the contribution of the hydrophilicity at the C-terminal of BPO-A1 to the organic solvent-stability was confirmed employing several mutants bearing hydrophilic oligopeptides. Fortunately, two excellent mutants, BPO-A1-Lys8 and BPO-A1-Arg8, with high stabilities against various water-miscible organic solvents were obtained. In conclusion, the enhancing effect of the hydrophilic oligopeptides on the organic solvent-stability was associated with a decrease in the hydrophobic surface area near the C-terminus.

Characterization of vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidases involved in the production of brominated sesquiterpenes by the red alga Laurencia okamurae

ABSTRACT The red algal genus Laurencia produces abundant brominated metabolites, including cuparane- and laurane-type brominated sesquiterpenes. In order to gain insights into the biosynthesis mechanisms for brominated compounds, we focused on the vanadium-dependent bromoperoxidase (V-BPO). Four members of the homologous genes encoding for V-BPO were obtained from L. okamurae by PCR amplification. The recombinant V-BPO protein produced in Escherichia coli exhibited a significant brominating activity to monochlorodimedone. The function of V-BPO was examined by an assay using nerolidol as a relevant natural substrate. The enzyme properties of V-BPO were compared with those of related halogenating enzymes. The results indicate that V-BPO is one of the key enzymes responsible for the production of brominated compounds in Laurencia.

Uric Acid Reacts with Peroxidasin, Decreases Collagen IV Crosslink, Impairs Human Endothelial Cell Migration and Adhesion.

Uric acid is considered the main substrate for peroxidases in plasma. The oxidation of uric acid by human peroxidases generates urate free radical and urate hydroperoxide, which might affect endothelial function and explain, at least in part, the harmful effects of uric acid on the vascular system. Peroxidasin (PXDN), the most recent heme-peroxidase described in humans, catalyzes the formation of hypobromous acid, which mediates collagen IV crosslinks in the extracellular matrix. This enzyme has gained increasing scientific interest since it is associated with cardiovascular disease, cancer, and renal fibrosis. The main objective here was to investigate whether uric acid would react with PXDN and compromise the function of the enzyme in human endothelial cells. Urate decreased Amplex Red oxidation and brominating activity in the extracellular matrix (ECM) from HEK293/PXDN overexpressing cells and in the secretome of HUVECs. Parallelly, urate was oxidized to 5-hydroxyisourate. It also decreased collagen IV crosslink in isolated ECM from PFHR9 cells. Urate, the PXDN inhibitor phloroglucinol, and the PXDN knockdown impaired migration and adhesion of HUVECs. These results demonstrated that uric acid can affect extracellular matrix formation by competing for PXDN. The oxidation of uric acid by PXDN is likely a relevant mechanism in the endothelial dysfunction related to this metabolite.

Upgrading of thiophenic compounds from fuels over a silver-modified MoO3 catalyst under ambient conditions

The demand for heterocyclic sulfur compounds is increasingly in fine chemical industry, where the thiophenic sulfur impurities in fuels can be a potential recyclable feedstock. In this work, the catalytic upgrading of thiophenic sulfur compounds over a silver-modified MoO3 catalyst under ambient conditions was reported. Br2 and H2O2/HBr were used to convert thiophenic compounds in alkane and alcohol solutions. The conversion of various thiophenic compounds (thiophene, benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene) to the corresponding bromides reached up to 81.6 ~ 99.8%. The bromination path undergoes electrophilic substitution mechanism, and the transformation of mono- to dibromides is identified as the rate-determining step. The introduction of MoAg2O4 phase on MoO3 is rationalized to boost the conversion of mono-bromothiophene, which results in the selectivity of 2,5-dibromothiophene increased from 10% to over 50%. The optimized silver loading was 10% due to its high thiophene conversion and selectivity of dibromides. Silver modification of MoO3 rods not only stabilized the textural property of catalysts but also improved its bromination activity compared to the bulk MoO3 indicated by SEM and FTIR characterization. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation suggested that the formation of 2-bromothiphene and 2,5-dibromothiophene were preferred on the MoO3(111) and MoAg2O4(111) sites, respectively. The catalytic upgrading approach paves the way for the efficient utilization of thiophenic sulfur impurities in fuels to their value-added under mild conditions.

Implementation and Impacts of Surface and Blowing Snow Sources of Arctic Bromine Activation Within WRF-Chem 4.1.1.

Elevated concentrations of atmospheric bromine are known to cause ozone depletion in the Arctic, which is most frequently observed during springtime. We implement a detailed description of bromine and chlorine chemistry within the WRF‐Chem 4.1.1 model, and two different descriptions of Arctic bromine activation: (1) heterogeneous chemistry on surface snow on sea ice, triggered by ozone deposition to snow (Toyota et al., 2011 https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-3949-2011), and (2) heterogeneous reactions on sea salt aerosols emitted through the sublimation of lofted blowing snow (Yang et al., 2008, https://doi.org/10.1029/2008gl034536). In both mechanisms, bromine activation is sustained by heterogeneous reactions on aerosols and surface snow. Simulations for spring 2012 covering the entire Arctic reproduce frequent and widespread ozone depletion events, and comparisons with observations of ozone show that these developments significantly improve model predictions during the Arctic spring. Simulations show that ozone depletion events can be initiated by both surface snow on sea ice, or by aerosols that originate from blowing snow. On a regional scale, in spring 2012, snow on sea ice dominates halogen activation and ozone depletion at the surface. During this period, blowing snow is a major source of Arctic sea salt aerosols but only triggers a few depletion events.

FTIR Characterization of the Development of Antimicrobial Catheter Coatings Loaded with Fluoroquinolones

The purpose of this paper was to present the development of antimicrobial coatings for different urinary catheters. Antimicrobial catheter coatings were prepared by immobilizing fluoroquinolones either with the use of linkers (covalent binding) or by activating the polymer matrix with iodine/bromine (noncovalent binding). The possibility of the deposition of antimicrobial agent(s) following bromine activation on latex, polyurethane, and silicone was evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), used to monitor the changes in the catheter’s molecular structure occurring over the course of its multi-stage modification, confirmed the presence of fluoroquinolones in the catheter matrix as well as site-specific reactions. The amounts of drugs embedded in the catheter matrix were determined by the HPLC method. Stability of the drug binding was checked by examining the drug release. The new antimicrobial coatings obtained with the participation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics have the potential to protect the patient against infections during catheterization.

Predicting the Substrate Scope of the Flavin-Dependent Halogenase BrvH.

The recently described flavin‐dependent halogenase BrvH is able to catalyse both the bromination and chlorination of indole, but shows significantly higher bromination activity. BrvH was annotated as a tryptophan halogenase, but does not accept tryptophan as a substrate. Its native substrate remains unknown. A predictive model with the data available for BrvH was analysed. A training set of compounds tested in vitro was docked into the active site of a complete protein model based on the X‐ray structure of BrvH. The atoms not resolved experimentally were modelled by using molecular mechanics force fields to obtain this protein model. Furthermore, docking poses for the substrates and known non‐substrates have been calculated. Parameters like distance, partial charge and hybridization state were analysed to derive rules for predicting activity. With this model for activity of the BrvH, a virtual screening suggested several structures for potential substrates. Some of the compounds preselected in this way were tested in vitro, and several could be verified as convertible substrates. Based on information on halogenated natural products, a new dataset was created to specifically search for natural products as substrates/products, and virtual screening in this database yielded further hits.

Evaluating the impact of blowing-snow sea salt aerosol on springtime BrO and O<sub>3</sub> in the Arctic

Abstract. We use the GEOS-Chem chemical transport model to examine the influence of bromine release from blowing-snow sea salt aerosol (SSA) on springtime bromine activation and O3 depletion events (ODEs) in the Arctic lower troposphere. We evaluate our simulation against observations of tropospheric BrO vertical column densities (VCDtropo) from the GOME-2 (second Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment) and Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) spaceborne instruments for 3 years (2007–2009), as well as against surface observations of O3. We conduct a simulation with blowing-snow SSA emissions from first-year sea ice (FYI; with a surface snow salinity of 0.1 psu) and multi-year sea ice (MYI; with a surface snow salinity of 0.05 psu), assuming a factor of 5 bromide enrichment of surface snow relative to seawater. This simulation captures the magnitude of observed March–April GOME-2 and OMI VCDtropo to within 17 %, as well as their spatiotemporal variability (r=0.76–0.85). Many of the large-scale bromine explosions are successfully reproduced, with the exception of events in May, which are absent or systematically underpredicted in the model. If we assume a lower salinity on MYI (0.01 psu), some of the bromine explosions events observed over MYI are not captured, suggesting that blowing snow over MYI is an important source of bromine activation. We find that the modeled atmospheric deposition onto snow-covered sea ice becomes highly enriched in bromide, increasing from enrichment factors of ∼5 in September–February to 10–60 in May, consistent with composition observations of freshly fallen snow. We propose that this progressive enrichment in deposition could enable blowing-snow-induced halogen activation to propagate into May and might explain our late-spring underestimate in VCDtropo. We estimate that the atmospheric deposition of SSA could increase snow salinity by up to 0.04 psu between February and April, which could be an important source of salinity for surface snow on MYI as well as FYI covered by deep snowpack. Inclusion of halogen release from blowing-snow SSA in our simulations decreases monthly mean Arctic surface O3 by 4–8 ppbv (15 %–30 %) in March and 8–14 ppbv (30 %–40 %) in April. We reproduce a transport event of depleted O3 Arctic air down to 40∘ N observed at many sub-Arctic surface sites in early April 2007. While our simulation captures 25 %–40 % of the ODEs observed at coastal Arctic surface sites, it underestimates the magnitude of many of these events and entirely misses 60 %–75 % of ODEs. This difficulty in reproducing observed surface ODEs could be related to the coarse horizontal resolution of the model, the known biases in simulating Arctic boundary layer exchange processes, the lack of detailed chlorine chemistry, and/or the fact that we did not include direct halogen activation by snowpack chemistry.

Reaction of human peroxidasin 1 compound I and compound II with one-electron donors

Human peroxidasin 1 (hsPxd01) is a homotrimeric multidomain heme peroxidase embedded in the extracellular matrix. It catalyses the two-electron oxidation of bromide by hydrogen peroxide to hypobromous acid which mediates the formation of essential sulfilimine cross-links between methionine and hydroxylysine residues in collagen IV. This confers critical structural reinforcement to the extracellular matrix. This study presents for the first time transient kinetic measurements of the reactivity of hsPxd01 compound I and compound II with the endogenous one-electron donors nitrite, ascorbate, urate, tyrosine and serotonin using the sequential stopped-flow technique. At pH 7.4 and 25 °C compound I of hsPxd01 is reduced to compound II with apparent second-order rate constants ranging from (1.9 ± 0.1) × 104 M−1 s−1 (urate) to (4.8 ± 0.1) × 105 M−1 s−1 (serotonin). Reduction of compound II to the ferric state occurs with apparent second-order rate constants ranging from (4.3 ± 0.2) × 102 M−1 s−1 (tyrosine) to (7.7 ± 0.1) × 103 M−1 s−1 (serotonin). The relatively fast rates of compound I reduction suggest that these reactions may take place in vivo and modulate bromide oxidation due to formation of compound II. Urate is shown to inhibit the bromination activity of hsPxd01, whereas nitrite stimulates the formation of hypobromous acid. The results are discussed with respect to known kinetic data of homologous mammalian peroxidases and to the physiological role of human peroxidasin 1.

Determination of mononitrophenols in water by gas-chromatography

Nitrophenols are highly toxic hydrophilic organic compounds. Nitrophenols prevalence in the biosphere is associated with both human industrial activity and with natural processes in the atmosphere and hydrosphere. Nitrophenols determination using gas chromatography requires chemical modification in order to reduce the hydrophilicity and polarity of the analytes. The derivatization must be carried out before the extraction concentration stage, but in most methods of the nitrophenols determination in water this approach is not implemented. The method of determination of mononitrophenols (2-, 3-, and 4-nitrophenols) in water was developed. It involved the nitrophenols bromination directly in the water, bromoderivatives liquid extraction with toluene, silylation by N-tert-Butyldimethylsilyl-N-methyltrifluoroacetamide (MTBSTFA) extract and gas chromatographic determination with the electron-capture detector ( GC-ECD ). The nitrophenols bromination conditions in aqueous solutions were optimized (pH value, bromination duration, bromide-ions concentration). In order to reduce the oxidizing activity of bromine, the nitrophenols bromination was recommended in the presence of bromide anions. The extraction (degree of extraction) and gas chromatographic (retention indices, ECD relative molar responses) properties and nitrophenols bromoderivatives properties were studied. It was shown that the degree of extraction of brominated nitrophenols in the toluene/water system exceeded 80% and the subsequent silylation of the bromoderivatives significantly improved their chromatographic properties. The analytical range of nitrophenols in water was 0.02-10 µg/dm 3 with an error of 10-35%, the detection limits were 0.05-0.07 μg/dm 3 , the sample volume for analysis was 50 cm 3 , the analysis duration was 90 min. Key words : mononitrophenols, chemical modification, gas-chromatography, electron-capture detector DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15826/analitika.2020.24.2.006 I.V. Gruzdev, B.M. Kondratenok, E.I. Lyu-Lyan-Min Institute of Biology of Komi Scientific Centre of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IB FRC Komi SC UB RAS), Kommunisticheskaya st., 28, Syktyvkar, 167982, Russian Federation

Activated Carbon‐Anchored 3D Carbon Network for Bromine Activity and its Enhanced Electrochemical Performance in Zn−Br2 Hybrid Redox Flow Battery

AbstractThere has been a huge demand on the usage of biomass‐derived activated carbon as an electrode and electrocatalyst for energy storage and conversion applications owing to its abundance, high surface area, good chemical stability, low cost, and eco‐friendliness. Herein, we report for the first time, activated carbon (AC) derived from Phyllanthus Emblica Leaves (PEL) (Indian gooseberry) biomass as an electrocatalyst for enhancing the bromine electro‐kinetics. The AC‐anchored graphite felt (AC−GF) showed excellent improvement in the bromine reversibility, which reinforces the overall performance of the zinc bromine redox flow battery (ZBRFB). Specifically, the AC−GF showed significant improvement in voltage efficiency. The flow cell employing AC in the positive electrode showed high Coulombic, voltage, and energy efficiency of 99, 83 and 82 %, respectively at a current density of 30 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the cell showed good cycle performance with 96.43 % Coulombic efficiency retention even after 100 cycles. Thus, the significant improvement in the cell performance unveils the good electrochemical/catalytic activity of the AC and therefore can be used as a potential low‐cost electrocatalyst in ZBRFB.

A useful propionate cofactor enhancing activity for organic solvent-tolerant recombinant metal-free bromoperoxidase (perhydrolase) from Streptomyces aureofaciens

The oxidative brominating activity of an organic solvent-tolerant recombinant metal-free bromoperoxidase BPO-A1 with C-terminal His-tag (rBPO-A1), from Streptomyces aureofaciens found to depend on various additives. These included carboxylic acids, used as cofactors and alcohols, used as water-miscible organic solvents. Enzyme activity was significantly enhanced by using propanoic acid (PA) as a cofactor, which had a high Log D at pH 5.0 and ethylene glycol with a low Log P. The positional specificity of oxidative hydroxybromination for olefins, using rBPO-A1 and PA in the presence of methanol, was higher compared to a non-enzymatic reaction using peracetic acid. The oxidative bromination step, occurring after enzymatic peroxidation step, is suggested to be pseudoenzymatic.

Characterization on the Microstructures of Brominated Natural Rubber from Latex

To elucidate the mechanism of brominated natural rubber (BNR), eight BNR samples with different bromine content were prepared from latex in different bromination time, and the microstructures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and 1H-NMR spectroscopy, respectively. The hardness of BNR increased and its nature transformed from elastomer to resin with the increase of bromine content. Unlike chlorinated natural rubber (CNR), FTIR showed that there were no carbonyl groups on the molecular chains of BNR. 1H-NMR spectroscopy revealed that the reaction activity of bromine and the secondary hydrogen atom of BNR were much higher than those of the primary one. The brominated substitution took place in the hydrogen atom of CH3 and CH2 groups firstly, then in the late period of bromination the bond of C=C was transferred to the saturated bond of C-C due to the Markovnikov addition of hydrogen bromide. Based on these findings, the mechanism of BNR from latex could be deduced as a free radical reaction and the detailed bromination process was presented.

Microphysics of the aqueous bulk counters the water activity driven rate acceleration of bromide oxidation by ozone from 289-245 K.

The reaction of ozone with bromide is an initiation process in bromine activation resulting in the formation of reactive bromine species with impacts on the fate of compounds in the lower atmosphere. Environmental halide sources often contain organics, which are known to influence aqueous bulk reactivity. Here, we present a study investigating the temperature dependence of bromide oxidation by ozone using a coated wall flow tube reactor coated with an aqueous mixture of citric acid, as a proxy for oxidized secondary organic matter, and sodium bromide. Using the resistor model formulation, we quantify changes in the properties of the aqueous bulk relevant for the observed reactivity. The reactive uptake coefficient decreased from 2 × 10-6 at 289 K to 0.5 × 10-6 at 245 K. Our analysis indicates that the humidity-driven increase in concentration with a corresponding increase in the pseudo-first order reaction rate was countered by the colligative change in ozone solubility and the effect of the organic fraction via increased viscosity and decreased diffusivity of ozone as the temperature decreased. From our parameterization, we provide an extension of the temperature dependence of the reaction rate coefficients driving the oxidation of bromide, and assess the temperature-dependent salting effects of citric acid on ozone solubility. This study shows the effects of the organic species at relatively mild temperatures, between the freezing point and eutectic temperature of sea as is typical for the Earth's cryosphere. Thus, this study may be relevant for atmospheric models at different scales describing halogen activation in the marine boundary layer or free troposphere including matrices such as sea-spray aerosol and brine in sea ice, snow, and around mid-latitude salt lakes.

Potential bio-protective effect of copper compounds: mimicking SOD and peroxidases enzymes and inhibiting acid phosphatase as a target for anti-osteoporotic chemotherapeutics.

Copper complexes with transformed methimazole ligand have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, thermogravimetric analysis, EPR, FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopies. Results support their stoichiometries and geometrical structures: [Cu(C4H5N2S)2Cl2]·2H2O(1), [Cu(C8H10N4S)SO4H2O](2) and [Cu(C8H10N4S)SO4](3). ((C4H5N2)2S: bis(l-methylimidazol-2-yl)sulfide; (C4H5N2S)2 = Bis[bis(l-methylimidazol-2-yl)disulfide]) Concurrently, the structurally distinct soluble species corresponding to complexes (1) and (2) were subsequently used in an in vitro investigation of their potential biological properties. In view of their possible pharmaceutical activity, the complexes were in vitro evaluated as phosphatase acid inhibitors. Their radical bio-protective effects were also studied measuring the effect against DPPH• and O2•- radicals. Additional catalytic properties as peroxidase mimics were evaluated using Michaelis-Menten kinetic model by means of phenol red and pyrogallol assays. The complexes exhibited catalytic bromination activity and the ability to oxidize pyrogallol substrate indicating that they can be considered as functional models. The relationships between the structures and the in vitro biological activities have also been considered. Serum protein albumin has attracted the greatest interest as drug carrier and the affinity of biological/pharmaceutical compound is relevant to the development of new medicine. In that sense, interaction studies by fluorescence and EPR spectroscopies were performed showing the binding capacity of the complexes.