Measured Rate Constants Research Articles

Lewis Acids and Electron-Withdrawing Ligands Accelerate CO Coordination to Dinuclear CuI Compounds.

A series of dinuclear molecular copper complexes were prepared and used to model the binding and Lewis acid stabilization of CO in heterogeneous copper CO2 reduction electrocatalysts. Experimental studies (including measurement of rate and equilibrium constants) and electronic structure calculations suggest that the key kinetic barrier for CO binding may be a σ-interaction between CuI and the incoming CO ligand. The rate of CO coordination can be increased upon the addition of Lewis acids or electron-withdrawing substituents on the ligand backbone. Conversely, Keq for CO coordination can be increased by adding electron density to the metal centers of the compound, consistent with stronger π-backbonding. Finally, the electrochemically measured kinetic results were mapped onto an electrochemical zone diagram to illustrate how these system changes enabled access to each zone.

Applying Copolymerization Kinetics to Understand and Optimize Swelling Responses in Superabsorbent Hydrogels

While acrylic acid (AA)-based superabsorbent hydrogels (SAHs) have been widely used in multiple applications, the effects of counterion condensation and the polyelectrolyte effect at suppressing the effective degree of ionization in such systems limit their superabsorbency. Herein we describe the use, and investigate the mechanism, of sulfate comonomers containing different types of polymerizable functional groups for increasing the superabsorbency of acrylic acid-based SAHs. Specifically, acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS), 3-sulfopropyl acrylate (SPAK), and 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate (SPMK) sulfated monomers featuring similar distances between the polymer backbone and the sulfate group but different polymerizable groups were copolymerized with acrylic acid to fabricate SAHs. Measurements of the effective homopolymerization rate constants and copolymerization ratios associated with each copolymerization enabled the prediction of the relative chain distributions of monomers in each copolymer, as quantified by the blockiness parameter (i.e., the instantaneous or average number of consecutive monomers of each type polymerized). While all sulfated comonomers significantly enhanced swelling relative to an acrylic acid control, copolymers in which longer AA blocks are produced (AA-AMPS) resulted in lower swelling than copolymers in which shorter AA blocks are produced (AA-SPAK, AA-SPMK), a result attributed to the suppressed polyelectrolyte effect in copolymers with shorter AA blocks. The formation of limited length blocks of the sulfated monomer SPMK showed additional benefits for enhancing swelling, consistent with enhanced direct charge–charge repulsion between fixed charges in such copolymer systems. We anticipate this linkage between copolymerization kinetics and swelling properties offers the potential to enable improved rational design of superabsorbent hydrogels with higher sorbency.

Reactions of Nickel Ions in Water Radiolysis up to 300 °C

Radiation chemistry of hydrated metal ions plays a significant role in the field of nuclear energy, especially regarding water radiolysis in coolant water in nuclear reactors. This work reports new experimental data on the reactivity of Ni2+/+ species under critical conditions of temperature and pressure. The reaction rates of hydrated nickel ions with water radiolysis products (e-aq, •OH, H, and H2O2) have been investigated for a 25-300 °C temperature range and 200 bar pressure using electron pulse radiolysis/transient absorption. Extensive experiments with the Ni2+/+ species in various salts and pH up to 300 °C were performed. Kinetic decay traces of short-lived monovalent nickel ions were fitted to extract the rate constants versus temperature up to 300 °C. A blue shift of the absorption spectrum of the monovalent nickel ion with increasing temperature was demonstrated, which may indicate a change in the average coordination number. The Arrhenius parameters for the reactions of Ni2+ with e-aq and Ni+ with •OH, H, and H2O2 were obtained. All measured rate constants increased with temperature and followed Arrhenius behavior.

Activation of Methane by Zr+: A Deep-Dive into the Potential Surface via Pressure- and Temperature-Dependent Kinetics with Statistical Modeling.

The kinetics of Zr+ + CH4 are measured using a selected-ion flow tube apparatus over the temperature range 300-600 K and the pressure range 0.25-0.60 Torr. Measured rate constants are small, never exceeding 5% of the Langevin capture value. Both collisionally stabilized ZrCH4+ and bimolecular ZrCH2+ products are observed. A stochastic statistical modeling of the calculated reaction coordinate is used to fit the experimental results. The modeling indicates that an intersystem crossing from the entrance well, necessary for the bimolecular product to be formed, occurs faster than competing isomerization and dissociation processes. That sets an upper limit on the lifetime of the entrance complex to crossing of 10-11 s. The endothermicity of the bimolecular reaction is derived to be 0.09 ± 0.05 eV, in agreement with a literature value. The observed ZrCH4+ association product is determined to be primarily HZrCH3+ not Zr+(CH4), indicating that bond activation has occurred at thermal energies. The energy of HZrCH3+ relative to separated reactants is determined to be -0.80 ± 0.25 eV. Inspection of the statistical modeling results under best-fit conditions reveals reaction dependences on impact parameter, translation energy, internal energy, and angular momentum. Reaction outcomes are heavily affected by angular momentum conservation. Additionally, product energy distributions are predicted.

Experimental kinetic study of the reactions between OH radicals and three 2‐butenes over the temperature range 220–370 K and pressure range 0.67–40 kPa (5–300 Torr)

AbstractGas phase reactions between OH radicals and three 2‐Butenes were studied using a flash photolysis resonance‐fluorescence technique over the temperature range 220–370 K and total gas pressures of 0.67 kPa (5 Torr) to 40 kPa (300 Torr). Measured rate constants exhibited weak negative temperature dependences. Most studies were carried out in argon, but some test experiments employed helium or nitrogen as the bath gas. Rate constants of OH reactions with cis‐2‐butene and trans‐2‐butene were found to exhibit a pressure dependence at room temperature and above. Kinetic parameters and describing termolecular rate constants in Ar bath gas were derived for both reactions and can be used to calculate rate constants at the Earth's atmospheric conditions. The high‐pressure limiting rate constants are , cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and , cm3 molecule−1 s−1 for OH addition reactions with cis‐2‐butene and trans‐2‐butene, respectively. Their rate constants at 1 atm (760 Torr, 101 kPa) pressure can be represented as kZ(T, 1 atm) = 5.93 × 10−11 × (T/298)−1.61 × exp ( − 17/T), cm3 molecule−1 s−1 and kE(T, 1 atm) = 6.75 × 10−11 × (T/298)−1.64 × exp ( − 16/T), cm3 molecule−1 s−1. The rate constant of the OH addition reaction with 2,3‐dimethyl‐2‐butene was found to be pressure independent under our conditions and can be represented as kTME(T) = 14.08 × 10−11 × (T/298)−1.714 × exp ( − 95.7/T), cm3 molecule−1 s−1 with kTME (298 K) = (10.21 ± 0.30) × 10−11, cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Complementary measurements of IR absorption spectra of cis‐2‐butene and trans‐2‐butene were done between 500 and 3300 cm−1. They are presented in Supporting Information.

Measurement of Henry's law and liquid-phase loss rate constants of peroxypropionic nitric anhydride (PPN) in deionized water and in n-octanol

Abstract. The Henry's law solubility (HS) and liquid-phase loss rate constants (kl) of the tropospheric trace gas constituents peroxyacetic nitric anhydride (PAN; CH3C(O)O2NO2, commonly known as peroxyacetyl nitrate) and peroxypropionic nitric anhydride (PPN; C2H5C(O)O2NO2, also known as peroxypropionyl nitrate) in deionized (DI) water and of PPN in n-octanol were measured using a flow bubble apparatus at temperatures between 5.0 and 25.0 ∘C. For PAN in DI water, the observed values for HS,aq are consistent with the literature, whereas the solubility of PPN in DI water is slightly lower than literature values, ranging from HScp(PPN)aq = (1.49 ± 0.05) M atm−1 at 25.0 ∘C to HScp(PPN)aq = (7.01 ± 0.25) M atm−1 at 5.0 ∘C (stated uncertainties are at the 1σ level). The data are best described by ln⁡(HScp(PAN)aq/[Matm-1]) = -(17.8±0.3) + (5620±85)/T and ln⁡(HScp(PPN)aq/[Matm-1]) = -(19.5±1.7) + (5955±480)/T, where T is in kelvin. For n-octanol, the PPN solubility ranges from HScp(PPN)oct = (88±5)Matm-1 at 25.0 ∘C to HScpoct = (204±16)Matm-1 at 5.0 ∘C and is best described by ln⁡(HScp(PPN)oct/[Matm-1]) = -(6.92±0.75) + (3390±320)/T. n-Octanol–water partition coefficients (KOW) for PPN were determined for the first time, ranging from 59 ± 4 at 25.0 ∘C to 29 ± 3 at 5.0 ∘C. Observed loss rate constants in DI water are consistent with recent literature and larger than the thermal dissociation rates for both PAN and PPN, consistent with a hydrolysis mechanism, whereas kl values in n-octanol are significantly smaller than gas-phase dissociation rate constants, likely owing to a “cage effect” in the organic liquid. The results imply that uptake of either PAN or PPN on cloud water and organic aerosol is negligible but that uptake of PPN may constitute an overlooked source of peroxy radicals in organic aerosol.

An SECM-Based Spot Analysis for Redoxmer-Electrode Kinetics: Identifying Redox Asymmetries on Model Graphitic Carbon Interfaces.

The fundamental process in non-aqueous redox flow battery (NRFB) operation revolves around electron transfer (ET) between a current collector electrode and redox-active organic molecules (redoxmers) in solution. Here, we present an approach utilizing scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) to evaluate interfacial ET kinetics between redoxmers and various electrode materials of interest at desired locations. This spot-analysis method relies on the measurement of heterogeneous electron transfer rate constants (kf or kb ) as a function of applied potential (E-E0 '). As demonstrated by COMSOL simulations, this method enables the quantification of Butler-Volmer kinetic parameters, the standard heterogeneous rate constant, k0 , and the transfer coefficient, α. Our method enabled the identification of inherent asymmetries in the ET kinetics arising during the reduction of ferrocene-based redoxmers, compared to their oxidation which displayed faster rate constants. Similar behavior was observed on a wide variety of carbon electrodes such as multi-layer graphene, highly ordered pyrolytic graphite, glassy carbon, and chemical vapor deposition-grown graphite films. However, aqueous systems and Pt do not exhibit such kinetic effects. Our analysis suggests that differential adsorption of the redoxmers is insufficient to account for our observations. Displaying a greater versatility than conventional electroanalytical methods, we demonstrate the operation of our spot analysis at concentrations up to 100 mM of redoxmer over graphite films. Looking forward, our method can be used to assess non-idealities in a variety of redoxmer/electrode/solvent systems with quantitative evaluation of kinetics for applications in redox-flow battery research.

Shock tube and multi-species laser absorption measurements of rate constants for methanol pyrolysis

Quantitative and high-accuracy measurements of multiple rate constants regarding the reaction kinetics of methanol pyrolysis were performed in shock tube experiments over 1200 - 1610 K, 0.72 - 4.50 atm. The key reactions investigated include both the thermal dissociation of methanol and its major fragments (for example, CH2OH and CH3O), and their H-abstraction by H and CH3 radicals. Laser absorption time-histories of CH2O, CO and H2O were measured and analyzed with a Bayesian approach for systematic determination of the joint posterior distribution of their rate constants, using FFCM-1 as the base mechanism. Various types of uncertainty sources in the current measurements, including both the non-ideal effects in the shock tube and uncertainties in the mixture composition and the absorption model, were thoroughly analyzed. A comparative analysis using other reaction models was also briefly discussed.

Branching fraction measurement of the prompt-NO switch reaction NCN + H

The branching fraction ϕ of the prompt-NO switch reaction NCN + H (1), essentially yielding either CH + N2 (1a) or HCN + N (1b), is key for modeling prompt-NO formation in flames. Large discrepancies exist between available experimental data and flame modeling studies on the one hand and high-level theoretical predictions on the other hand, resulting in a factor of 5 uncertainty for ϕ1b at T=1500 K. By simultaneous monitoring of NCN and HCN concentration-time profiles during the reaction NCN + H at temperatures 1200K<T<2000K behind shock waves, ϕ1b has been directly measured for the first time. Thermal decomposition of cyanogen azide (NCN3) and ethyl iodide (C2H5I) served as sources for NCN radicals and H atoms. NCN has been detected by UV laser absorption at 329.130 nm and HCN detection was accomplished by mid-infrared frequency modulation spectroscopy at 3228.049cm−1. Kinetic simulations provided both the total rate constant k1 from the NCN and k1b from the HCN profiles. In order to account for a side reaction of residual BrCN from NCN3 synthesis, a rough estimate for the rate constant of the reaction BrCN + H was inferred from the experiments as well. The measured rate constants for k1 confirm earlier results (Faßheber et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 16 (2014) 11647) and k1b follows the Arrhenius expression k1b/(cm3mol−1s−1)=4.2×1014exp(−38.2kJmol−1/RT) with moderate uncertainties of ±(37−49%). The branching fraction increases with temperature, yielding ϕ1b=0.22(±46%) at 1200 K, 0.47(±42%) at 1600 K, and 0.63(±53%) at 2000 K. The corresponding prompt-NO switch temperature of TS=1670K (ϕ1b=0.5) shows that the reaction NCN + H advances toward the Fenimore products HCN + N already at typical temperatures of hydrocarbon/air flames, in stark contrast to the most recent theoretical estimate reporting TS=3235K.

Ultraviolet disinfection efficacy test method using bacteria monolayers

Monolayers of bacterial cells of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were inoculated on glass slide carriers using an automated inoculum spray deposition system. The use of bacterial monolayers allows for control of critical variables for testing and verification of light-based disinfection technologies. This approach avoids the variability associated with manual inoculation and high inoculum titers, which can engender clustering of cells and the associated photoprotection that clustering incurs. The use of glass slide carriers avoids problems caused by irregular microscopic surface features, which can impact the efficacy evaluation of light-based disinfection technologies. Scanning electron micrographic (SEM) imaging was used to verify the surface topography and the presence of monolayers. The spray deposition method produced a mean density of >106 colony forming units (CFU) per carrier. The inoculated carriers were exposed to ultraviolet light for 120 s from a focused multivector ultraviolet (FMUV) light system. A mean log CFU reduction of 4.8 was achieved for S. aureus (p < 0.0001). A mean log CFU reduction of 5.1 was achieved for P. aeruginosa (p < 0.0001). The test method presented herein will facilitate increased accuracy in the measurement of ultraviolet susceptibility rate constants.

Label-free measurement of reaction rate constants in solution using fluidic dielectrophoresis

We use the fluidic dielectrophoresis (fDEP) motion of a polarizable liquid-liquid electrical interface to quantify reaction rate kinetics of binding interactions in solution. Using a T-shaped microfluidic channel we co-flow two reactant streams side-by-side. Their resulting interface enables controlled diffusive mixing and product formation. We electrokinetically engineer the interface such it is electrical in nature so that one liquid stream possesses a higher electrical conductivity and the other a higher permittivity. When the interface is exposed to a perpendicular alternating current (AC) electric field the electrical mismatch drives it to polarize and displace across the microchannel width in a direction and magnitude that is a function of the electrical properties of the interface and of the field frequency applied. At a low frequency below the inverse interfacial charge relaxation timescale, the high conductive stream displaces into the high permittivity stream. At frequencies above this inverse timescale the direction reverses. At an intermediate “crossover” frequency (COF), the polarization of the interface tends to zero and the displacement ceases. Because interfacial reactions influence the electrical properties, binding dynamics can be quantified using the COF. We measure the COF down the axial length of an interface subjected to binding reactions between CaGreen and Ca2+, and between avidin and biotin. The experimental measurements are in good agreement with an electrokinetically coupled two-dimensional simulation of the reaction-diffusion equations. From this work, we show that the motion of an electrical interface in an electrical field can be utilized to measure kinetic reaction rates in solution phase.

Amphotericin B release rate is the link between drug status in the liposomal bilayer and toxicity

Amphotericin B (AmB) is an amphiphilic drug commonly formulated in liposomes and administered intravenously to treat systemic fungal infections. Recent studies on the liposomal drug product have shed light on the AmB aggregation status in the bilayer, which heat treatment (curing) modifies. Although toxicity was found related to aggregation status - loose aggregates significantly more toxic than tight aggregates - the precise mechanism linking aggregation and toxicity was not well understood. This study directly measured drug release rate from various AmB liposomal preparations made with modified curing protocols to evaluate correlations among drug aggregation state, drug release, and in vitro toxicity. UV–Vis spectroscopy of these products detected unique curing-induced changes in the UV spectral features: a ∼25 nm blue-shift of the main absorption peak (λmax) in aqueous buffer and a decrease in the OD346/OD322 ratio upon thermal curing, reflecting tighter aggregation. In vitro release testing (IVRT) data showed, by applying and fitting first-order release kinetic models for one or two pools, that curing impacts two significant changes: a 3–5-fold drop in the overall drug release rate and a ten-fold decrease in the ratio between the loosely aggregated and the tightly aggregated, more thermodynamically stable drug pool. The kinetic data thus corroborated the trend independently deduced from the UV–Vis spectral data. The in vitro toxicity assay indicated a decreased toxicity with curing, as shown by the significantly increased concentration, causing half-maximal potassium release (TC50). The data suggest that the release of AmB requires dissociation of the tight complexes within the bilayer and that the reduced toxicity relates to this slower rate of dissociation. This study demonstrates the relationship between AmB aggregation status within the lipid bilayer and drug release (directly measured rate constants), providing a mechanistic link between aggregation status and in vitro toxicity in the liposomal formulations.

Lumped kinetic modelling of polyolefin pyrolysis: A non-isothermal method to estimate rate constants

The measurement of kinetic parameters in the pyrolysis of polyolefins requires the use of a lumped kinetic model for predicting the product distribution of wax, oil and gas yields. A non-isothermal method was established, in which a sample is heated in a tube reactor to a desired temperature at a constant rate of temperature rise. This method avoided the error present in the heating up stage which is inherent in any practical isothermal method in which reaction proceeds to a significant extent before the operating temperatures of polyolefin pyrolysis are reached, which results in challenges when defining the reaction time. The non-isothermal measurements were conducted between 450 and 550 °C for polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (HDPE and LDPE) and the temperature and lump yields are non-linearly regressed to achieve the kinetic parameters. The measured kinetic rate constants have the same trend as those reported in the literature using the isothermal method, but are lower than the values reported at similar conditions. The kinetic parameters derived are then validated by using isothermal experimental data. The calculated data using the measured kinetic parameters are generally in agreement with the experimental data. The non-isothermal method established in this work proves to be a much faster method for the measurement of intrinsic rate constants at high temperatures.

Erythrocyte lysis and angle-resolved light scattering measured by scanning flow cytometry result to 48 indices quantifying a gas exchange function of the human organism.

Molecular/cell level of gas exchange function assumes the accurate measurement of erythrocyte characteristics and rate constants concerning to molecules involved into the CO2 /O2 transport. Unfortunately, common hematology analyzers provide the measurement of eight indices of erythrocytes only and say little about erythrocyte morphology and nothing about rate constants of cellular function. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the ability of the Scanning Flow Cytometer (SFC) in the complete morphological analysis of mature erythrocytes and characterization of erythrocyte function via measurement of lysing kinetics. With this study we are introducing 48 erythrocyte indices. To provide the usability of application of the SFC in clinical diagnosis, we formed four categories of indices which are as follows: content/concentration (9 indices), morphology (26 indices), age (5 indices), and function (8 indices). The erythrocytes of 39 healthy volunteers were analyzed with the SFC to fix the first-ever reference intervals for the new indices introduced. The essential measurable reliability of the presented method is expressed in terms of errors of characteristics of single erythrocytes retrieved from the solution of the inverse light-scattering problem and errors of parameters retrieved from the fitting of the experimental kinetics by molecular-kinetics model of erythrocyte lysis.

Bromine Radical (Br• and Br2•-) Reactivity with Dissolved Organic Matter and Brominated Organic Byproduct Formation.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a major scavenger of bromine radicals (e.g., Br• and Br2•-) in sunlit surface waters and during oxidative processes used in water treatment. However, the literature lacks quantitative measurements of reaction rate constants between bromine radicals and DOM and lacks information on the extent to which these reactions form brominated organic byproducts. Based on transient kinetic analysis with different fractions and sources of DOM, we determined reaction rate constants for DOM with Br• ranging from <5.0 × 107 to (4.2 ± 1.3) × 108 MC-1 s-1, which are comparable with those of HO• but higher than those with Br2•- (k = (9.0 ± 2.0) × 104 to (12.4 ± 2.1) × 105 MC-1 s-1). Br• and Br2•- attack the aromatic and antioxidant moieties of DOM via the electron transfer mechanism, resulting in Br- release with minimal substitution of bromine into DOM. For example, the total organic bromine was less than 0.25 μM (as Br) at environmentally relevant bromine radicals' exposures of ∼10-9 M·s. The results give robust evidence that the scavenging of bromine radicals by DOM is a crucial step to prevent inorganic bromine radical chemistry from producing free bromine (HOBr/OBr-) and subsequent brominated byproducts.

Formation and Photoinduced Electron Transfer in Porphyrin- and Phthalocyanine-Bearing N-Doped Graphene Hybrids Synthesized by Click Chemistry.

Graphene doped with heteroatoms such as nitrogen, boron, and phosphorous by replacing some of the skeletal carbon atoms is emerging as an important class of two‐dimensional materials as it offers the much‐needed bandgap for optoelectronic applications and provides better access for chemical functionalization at the heteroatom sites. Covalent grafting of photosensitizers onto such doped graphenes makes them extremely useful for light‐induced applications. Herein, we report the covalent functionalization of N‐doped graphene (NG) with two well‐known electron donor photosensitizers, namely, zinc porphyrin (ZnP) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), using the simple click chemistry approach. Covalent attachment of ZnP and ZnPc at the N‐sites of NG in NG−ZnP and NG−ZnPc hybrids was confirmed by using a range of spectroscopic, thermogravimetric and imaging techniques. Ground‐ and excited‐state interactions in NG−ZnP and NG−ZnPc were monitored by using spectral and electrochemical techniques. Efficient quenching of photosensitizer fluorescence in these hybrids was observed, and the relatively easier oxidations of ZnP and ZnPc supported excited‐state charge‐separation events. Photoinduced charge separation in NG−ZnP and NG−ZnPc hybrids was confirmed by using the ultrafast pump‐probe technique. The measured rate constants were of the order of 1010 s,−1 thus indicating ultrafast electron transfer phenomena.

Combined Free-Energy Calculation and Machine Learning Methods for Understanding Ligand Unbinding Kinetics.

The determination of drug residence times, which define the time an inhibitor is in complex with its target, is a fundamental part of the drug discovery process. Synthesis and experimental measurements of kinetic rate constants are, however, expensive and time consuming. In this work, we aimed to obtain drug residence times computationally. Furthermore, we propose a novel algorithm to identify molecular design objectives based on ligand unbinding kinetics. We designed an enhanced sampling technique to accurately predict the free-energy profiles of the ligand unbinding process, focusing on the free-energy barrier for unbinding. Our method first identifies unbinding paths determining a corresponding set of internal coordinates (ICs) that form contacts between the protein and the ligand; it then iteratively updates these interactions during a series of biased molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to reveal the ICs that are important for the whole of the unbinding process. Subsequently, we performed finite-temperature string simulations to obtain the free-energy barrier for unbinding using the set of ICs as a complex reaction coordinate. Importantly, we also aimed to enable the further design of drugs focusing on improved residence times. To this end, we developed a supervised machine learning (ML) approach with inputs from unbiased “downhill” trajectories initiated near the transition state (TS) ensemble of the string unbinding path. We demonstrate that our ML method can identify key ligand–protein interactions driving the system through the TS. Some of the most important drugs for cancer treatment are kinase inhibitors. One of these kinase targets is cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), an appealing target for anticancer drug development. Here, we tested our method using two different CDK2 inhibitors for the potential further development of these compounds. We compared the free-energy barriers obtained from our calculations with those observed in available experimental data. We highlighted important interactions at the distal ends of the ligands that can be targeted for improved residence times. Our method provides a new tool to determine unbinding rates and to identify key structural features of the inhibitors that can be used as starting points for novel design strategies in drug discovery.

An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation of the Gas-Phase C(3P) + N2O Reaction. Low Temperature Rate Constants and Astrochemical Implications.

The reaction between atomic carbon in its ground electronic state, C(3P), and nitrous oxide, N2O, has been studied below room temperature due to its potential importance for astrochemistry, with both species considered to be present at high abundance levels in a range of interstellar environments. On the experimental side, we measured rate constants for this reaction over the 50-296 K range using a continuous supersonic flow reactor. C(3P) atoms were generated by the pulsed photolysis of carbon tetrabromide at 266 nm and were detected by pulsed laser-induced fluorescence at 115.8 nm. Additional measurements allowing the major product channels to be elucidated were also performed. On the theoretical side, statistical rate theory was used to calculate low temperature rate constants. These calculations employed the results of new electronic structure calculations of the 3A″ potential energy surface of CNNO and provided a basis to extrapolate the measured rate constants to lower temperatures and pressures. The rate constant was found to increase monotonically as the temperature falls (kC(3P)+N2O (296 K) = (3.4 ± 0.3) × 10-11 cm3 s-1), reaching a value of kC(3P)+N2O (50 K) = (7.9 ± 0.8) × 10-11 cm3 s-1 at 50 K. As current astrochemical models do not include the C + N2O reaction, we tested the influence of this process on interstellar N2O and other related species using a gas-grain model of dense interstellar clouds. These simulations predict that N2O abundances decrease significantly at intermediate times (103 - 105 years) when gas-phase C(3P) abundances are high.

Effect of Intersystem Crossings on the Kinetics of Thermal Ion-Molecule Reactions: Ti+ + O2, CO2, and N2O.

A selected-ion flow tube apparatus has been used to measure rate constants and product branching fractions of 2Ti+ reacting with O2, CO2, and N2O over the range of 200-600 K. Ti+ + O2 proceeds at near the Langevin capture rate constant of 6-7 × 10-10 cm3 s-1 at all temperatures to yield 4TiO+ + O. Reactions initiated on doublet or quartet surfaces are formally spin-allowed; however, the 50% of reactions initiated on sextet surfaces must undergo an intersystem crossing (ISC). Statistical theory is used to calculate the energy and angular momentum dependences of the specific rate constants for the competing isomerization and dissociation channels. This acts as an internal clock on the lifetime to ISC, setting an upper limit on the order of τISC < 1e-11 s. 2Ti+ + CO2 produces 4TiO+ + CO less efficiently, with a rate constant fit as 5.5 ± 1.3 × 10-11 (T/300)-1.1±0.2 cm3 s-1. The reaction is formally spin-prohibited, and statistical modeling shows that ISC, not a submerged transition state, is rate-limiting, occurring with a lifetime on the order of 10-7 s. Ti+ + N2O proceeds at near the capture rate constant. In this case, both Ti+ON2 and Ti+N2O entrance channel complexes are formed and can interconvert over a barrier. The main product is >90% TiO+ + N2, and the remainder is TiN+ + NO. Both channels need to undergo ISC to form ground-state products but TiO+ can be formed in an excited state exothermically. Therefore, kinetic information is obtained only for the TiN+ channel, where ISC occurs with a lifetime on the order of 10-9 s. Statistical modeling indicates that the dipole-preferred Ti+ON2 complex is formed in ∼80% of collisions, and this value is reproduced using a capture model based on the generic ion-dipole + quadrupole long-range potential.

The Roles of pH in the Modification of Wild-Type Recombinant &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Phlebia radiata&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Manganese Peroxidase 3 Activities and Stability of Secondary Structures

This investigation is aimed at understanding the specific role of pH and calcium ions on the activity and stability of wild-type recombinant Phlebia radiata manganese peroxidase 3 (rPr-MnP3). The pH-dependent cycle of reactions for rPr-MnP3 was evaluated by investigating time-dependent changes in the activity and electronic absorption spectrum of rPr-MnP3.The rPr-MnP3 had maximum efficacy (kcat/Km) for Mn (II) oxidation at pH 5.0 and 3.0 for oxidation of ABTS. Raising the pH of a solution of resting rPr-MnP3 from pH 6.7 (form XH) to pH 8.6 (form X−), a rapid alkaline transition occurs. Leaving the X− form of the enzyme at pH 8.6, it slowly becomes converted to a third form of the enzyme Y−, which returned to the original XH form of the enzyme at pH 6.7. Recovery of form XH from form Y− occurred through an intermediate Z form. The pH inactivation of rPr-MnP3 followed first-order kinetics. The rate of formation of XH from Z is pH-dependent and biphasic in nature, with measured rate constants (k) = 0.25 min−1, and half-life (T1/2) = 2.8 min. The pH-dependent properties observed may be indicative of a greater degree of conformational flexibility at rPr-MnP3 active site due to disruption of the haem-linked hydrogen-bonding network in the distal haem pocket. Calcium ions were observed to significantly stabilised the enzyme’s spectral features and reduce the loss of activity during the alkaline pH transition. Calcium ions enhance the recovery of the initial activity but cannot prevent the final time-dependent irreversible denaturation and aggregation.