The 8th Annual Northeast Student Chemistry Research ... · The ACS seeks to: Promote the public perception and understanding of chemistry and the chemical sciences through public

The 8th Annual Northeast Student

Chemistry Research Conference

(NSCRC)

Saturday, April 22, 2006

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Ray and Maria Stata Center

Building 32

32 Vassar Street

Cambridge, MA

Book of Abstracts

Table of Contents

Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Members of the NSCRC 2006 Organizing Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The American Chemical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

The American Chemical Society Division of Chemistry Education (CHED) . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Chemistry Education Committee Northeastern Section, American Chemical Society . . 5

American Chemical Society Younger Chemists Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

The Northeastern Section Younger Chemists Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Schedule of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Biography: The Keynote Speaker Professor Daniel G. Nocera of Massachusetts

Institute of Technology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Oral Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Poster Presentations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Author Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

NSCRC 2006 2

Book of Abstracts

Members of the NSCRC 2006 Organizing Committee

Chair:Ivan Korendovych, Tufts University

Vice-Chairs:Alfio Fichera, MIT

William Neeley, MIT

WebMaster:Viatcheslav N. Azev, Tufts University

Program and Printing:Viatcheslav N. Azev, Tufts University

Laila Dafik, Tufts University

Gifts and Journal Committee:T. K. Subrahmanian, Tufts University

Laila Dafik, Tufts University

Arrangement and Promotion:Sapna Sharma, UMass-Dartmouth

LeAnn Williams, Shire

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Book of Abstracts

The American Chemical Society

The ACS is a self-governed individual membership organization

that consists of more than 163,000 members - 60 % from indus-

try, at all degree levels. This provides ample opportunity for

peer interaction, regardless of your professional or scientific inter-

ests.

The ACS seeks to:

� Promote the public perception and understanding of chemistry and the chemical

sciences through public outreach programs and public awareness campaigns

� Assist the federal government with advice on scientific and technological issues in-

volving the chemical sciences

� Enrich professionals in academia and private industry through development pro-

grams, peer interactions and continuing educational courses

� Host national, regional and local section meetings for the exchange of ideas, infor-

mation and chemical research discoveries

� Foster communication and understanding between members, the chemical industry,

the government and the community to enhance the quality of scientific research,

support economic progress and ensure public health and safety

The Northeastern Section of theAmerican Chemical Society

The chemical society of Philadelphia was the forerunner of what later

became the American Chemical Society. Celebrating 150 years the ACS

was founded in New York in 1896. Two years later in 1898, the North-

eastern Section of the ACS was begun when a group of 150 chemists

gathered together in Parker House, thus initiating a series of monthly

meetings which have continued to the present day. NESACS enjoyed

its centennial anniversary in 1998 and is one of the largest local sec-

tions. The current chair of NESACS is Patricia Mabrouk (Northeastern

University).

Membership activities have resulted in a number of National Awards, such as the

grassroots Award from the ACS office of Legislative and Government and the Outstanding

NSCRC 2006 4

Book of Abstracts

Local YCC Section Award. The NSYCC & the NSCRC are excellent examples of the way

in which a professional organization, working in tandem with its younger members, can

yield a fruitful outcome, ensuring continuing growth in membership and securing the

society’s future.

The American Chemical Society Division ofChemistry Education (CHED)

The American Chemical Society Devision of Chemical Education (CHED) is a mem-

bership division of the American Chemical Society. Its 6,000 members are teachers of

chemistry at pre-college, college, and university level, or are workers in indstry and gov-

erment with a particular interest in education.

CHED is governed by a fifteen-member Executive Committee. Thirteen of the mem-

bers are elected by the members of the Division; the other two are the Editor of the

Journal of Chemical Education and the Director of the ACS Examination Institute. The

work of the Division is carried out by many other committies and task forces.

Programming of the Division of Chemical Education is rich and varied, and member-

ship is open to anyone who is interested in furthering chemistry education. The major

vehicle for communication among CHED members is the Devision Newsletter and pro-

grams at national and regional meetings.

Chemistry Education Committee NortheasternSection, American Chemical Society

The Chemical Education Committee of the Northeastern Section of the American

Chemical Society sponsors programs to promote the interest and the involvement of stu-

dents and Educators in the chemical profession of the Society. The programmming is for

high school Teachers and their students as well as college and university students and

their Professors.

The prorgams for high school students and their Teachers include sponsorship of the

U. S. Chemistry Olimpiade Team, awards for outstanding teaching, National Chemistry

Week activities, and high school chemistry examination contests. Grants are also awarded

for regional meetings.

The undergraduates at all colleges and university are organized under the Student

Affiliates of the ACS. Summer Research Scholarships, travel grants for national ACS

meetings and regional prorgams are sponsored for them by the Committee. Regional

programs include an Undergraduate Day in celebration of National Chemistry Week an

the Northeast Chemistry Reserch Conference (NSCRC).

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Book of Abstracts

American Chemical Society Younger ChemistsCommittee

The American Chemical Society Younger Chemists Committee was formed to identify

needs and concerns of younger chemists and to develop programs responsive to their needs.

We are driven by our three strategic goals:

1. To make the ACS relevant to younger chemists

2. Increase the involvement of younger chemists in the ACS at all levels

3. Develop mechanisms to integrate younger chemists into the profession

What are Younger Chemists? One YCC member coined the definition: ”Younger

chemists are people not yet established in their careers. The criterion for being a member

of this group is not age, but experience.”

YCC is a Joint Board-Council committee of the ACS whose members represent indus-

try, government and academies. Committee members are appointed for three-year terms

by the ACS President and Chairman of the Board. The Committee holds executive and

open sessions at each ACS national meeting and any interested chemist is welcome to

participate.

The Northeastern Section Younger ChemistsCommittee

The Northeastern Section Younger Chemists

Committee (NSYCC) is a local section YCC de-

voted to the professional advancement of chemists

in industry, government laboratories, undergrad-

uate institutions, graduate schools, and post-

doctoral positions. Its membership is drawn from

the northeast region’s colleges and universities,

corporations and laboratories. We hope to expand our membership in the NSYCC by

including representatives from different northeastern colleges and universities as well as

industrial corporations.

One of the most important annual events organized by the NSYCC is the Northeast

Student Chemistry Research Conference (NSCRC), now in its seventh year. This confer-

ence provides a forum for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as post-doctoral

fellows, to present research to their peers, exchange helpful ideas, practice presentation

skills, and network with other younger chemists from the Northeast.

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Another important program organized by the NSYCC is the German Exchange Pro-

gram. Each year since 2001, a group of younger chemists from either the Northeastern

Section of the ACS (NESACS) or the Gesellschaft Deutscher Chemiker (GDCh) has trav-

eled across the Atlantic Ocean to participate in this week-long program. The students are

selected based on applications, research accomplishments and recommendations. The pro-

gram usually consists of visits to local laboratories, tours of local companies, networking

events, and, of course, sight-seeing. In addition, the students are given the opportunity

to present their research in an international forum at a student research conference in

Boston, the NSCRC, and in Germany, the Euregionale.

Established in 1999, the NSYCC has been going strong ever since, gaining membership,

adding programs, and winning awards! The committee has won a ChemLuminary Award,

given by the ACS to recognize local section achievements.

The current Chair of NSYCC is Ivan Korendovych (Tufts University).

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Book of Abstracts

Acknowledgements

The members of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society’s Younger

Chemists Committee would like to thank the following people and sponsors for their

generous contributions:

Amanda Donathen, AAAS

Joseph Graham, ACS

Maureen Naff, Springer

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Book of Abstracts

Schedule of Events

8:30 am - 9:00 am Poster Set-Up and Registration, Breakfast

9:00 am - 9:15 am Welcoming Remarks

9:15 am - 9:30 am German Exchange Presentation

9:30 am - 9:50 am D.R. Killelea (Tufts University) “Energy flow in gas-

surface reaction”.

9:50 am - 10:10 am Jessica C. DeMott (Brandeis University) “ Hyperco-

ordinate main group PNP pincer complexes”.

10:10 am - 10:30 am Laura B. Sessions (Dartmouth College) “Block

Copolymers for the Formation of Multimetallic

Nanocomposite and Nanoparticle Systems”.

10:30 am - 10:50 am Coffee Break

10:50 am - 11:10 am Ellen M. Sletten (Stonehill College) “A Flexible Stere-

ospecific Synthesis of Polyhydroxylated Pyrrolizidines

from Commercially Available Pyranosides”.

11:10 am - 11:30 am Andrea J. Gabert (MIT) “Synthesis and characteriza-

tion of ABA triblock copolymers with smectic C* liquid

crystal side chains via ring opening metathesis polymer-

ization using a bimetallic molybdenum initiator”.

11:30 am - 11:50 am Alisa A. Mueller (Harvard University) “Structure and

Mechanism of TadA, an Adenosine Deaminase That

Acts on tRNA”.

11:50 am - 12:30 pm Lunch

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm First Poster Session (odd numbered posters)

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Second Poster Session (even numbered posters)

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Keynote Address: Dr. Daniel G. Nocera of Massa-

chusetts Institute of Technology: “Powering the Planet:

The Challenge to Chemistry in the 21st Century”.

3:30 pm - 3:50 pm Awards Presentation

3:50 pm - 4:00 pm Closing Remarks, Poster Take-Down

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Book of Abstracts

Dr. Daniel G. NoceraDepartment of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Professor Daniel Nocera attended Rutgers University where he

received a B.S. in Chemistry, graduating with Highest Honors in

1979. He subsequently moved to the California Institute of Tech-

nology where he began research on electron transfer reactions in

biological and inorganic systems. After earning his Ph.D. degree in

1984, he accepted an appointment in the Chemistry Department

at Michigan State University where he was promoted to Professor

in 1990. In mid-summer 1997, he joined the Faculty of the Massa-

chusetts Institute of Technology where he is currently a Professor

of Chemistry.

He is W.M. Keck Professor of Energy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

and is widely recognized in the world as a leading researcher in energy at the molecular

level. He studied the basic mechanism of energy conversion in biology and chemistry

with primary focus in recent years in the photogeneration of hydrogen and oxygen and

pioneered each of these areas of science. He created the field of proton-coupled electron

transfer (PCET) at a mechanistic level with the publication of the first ultrafast laser

study of an electron transfer through a hydrogen bonded interface. His research group

focuses on the mechanisms of energy conversion in chemistry and biology. One of his

current projects focuses on the potential of solar energy schemes to produce alternative

fuels like hydrogen.

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Book of Abstracts

Oral Presentations

1. Energy Flow in Gas-Surface Reactions

D.R. Killelea, A.L. Utz

Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, 62 Talbot Ave, MA, 02155

Energetic molecules play a key role in many chemical processes. Our experiments

probe the reactivity of energetic methane molecules impinging on a nickel surface and

reveal detailed insight into the dynamics of dissociative chemisorption. Some current

theories of CH4 dissociation on Ni surfaces assume rapid randomization of all energy in

the incident molecule. In this case, the reactivity would scale with total energy of the

incident CH4 molecule. Recent results from our lab show that the probability of CH4

dissociation on nickel surfaces is strongly dependent on the initial vibrational state of CH4.

In fact, the reaction is more effectively promoted with excitation of the antisymmetric

stretch in CH4 than translational energy or a bending mode that has 30% more energy.

These results are clear evidence of mode-specific chemistry. To explain these results, we

look at results that investigate the flow of vibrational energy from excited bonds and give

a time frame for the redistribution of energy. We conclude the mode specific behavior we

observe is the result of the internal energy of the CH4 molecules is staying localized, and

in fact it is the inability of the molecules to sample all the available states that leads to

non-statistical behavior.

2. Hypercoordinate Main Group PNP Pincer Complexes

Jessica C. DeMott, Chengyun Guo, Bruce M. Foxman and Oleg V.

Ozerov

Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, MS 2308, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA02454

The focus of this work has been to investigate the use of PNP pincer ligands in the

formation of hypercoordinate main group element complexes. The family of PNP pincer

ligands has been used to stabilize unusual environments about metal centers through the

tridentate ligation of a central amido N-donor and two rigidly attached neutral phos-

phine arms. These ligands are also qualified to support hypercoordinate main group

complexes. Several approaches have been taken in the synthesis of the (PNP )AlCl2

and (PNP )AlR2. Characterization of these compounds, by methods including multinu-

clear NMR and X-ray crystallography, demonstrate hypercoordination at the Al center.

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Pentacoordinate systems of third period main group elements are not uncommon. The

formation of hypercoordinate second period complexes, however, is a far more appealing

challenge. Approaches to hypercoordinate boron complexes have been investigated and

multinuclear NMR support the formation of pentacoordinate systems.

3. Block Copolymers for the Formation of Multimetallic

Nanocomposite and Nanoparticle Systems

Laura B. Sessions, David S. Glueck, Robert B. Grubbs

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College 6128 Burke Labs Hanover, NH 03755

Polymers can function to assemble metallic species on the size-scale of the polymer,

leading to nanomaterials that have interesting properties due to their tiny dimensions. We

are interested in organizing two kinds of metallic nanocomposites within one multiblock

polymer system.

In the past, we have utilized diblock copolymers with one block containing pendant

alkyne groups for complexation with dicobalt octacarbonyl to form cobalt composite ma-

terials separated into block copolymer domains.[1] A second metallic species, gold, will

NSCRC 2006 12

Book of Abstracts

be added by use of a functional endgroup on the diblock copolymer (Figure 1). Thus far,

interesting magnetic properties have been found in these bimetallic systems due to the

cobalt-containing nanodomains.

[1] L. A. Miinea, L. B. Sessions, K. D. Ericson, D. S. Glueck, R. B. Grubbs, Macro-

molecules, 2004, 37, 8967.

4. A Flexible Stereospecific Synthesis of Polyhydroxylated

Pyrrolizidines from Commercially Available Pyranosides

Ellen M. Sletten, Louis J. Liotta

Department of Chemistry, Stonehill College, 320 Washington St. #1369 Easton, MA 02357

Nitrogen containing sugar analogs, known as azasugars or iminosugars, such as poly-

hydroxylated pyrrolidines, pyrrolizidines, and indolizidines, have the potential to become

important therapeutic agents due to their ability to inhibit glycosidases. Synthetic path-

ways that are able to systematically produce a variety of these azasugars are eagerly

sought after, since even minute structural or stereochemical changes often significantly al-

ter the degree of enzyme inhibition. The development of the synthesis of tetrahydroxylated

pyrrolizidines 3 and 4 starting from methyl-4,6-benzylidine- alpha,D-glucopyranoside, 1,

is described and will be used as a template to develop syntheses of all the stereoisomers

of 2,3,6,5 tetrahydroxylated pyrrolizidine as well as other analogous bicyclic polyhydrox-

ylated iminosugars.

The key steps in this synthesis involve a one-pot conversion of an iodopyranoside to a

divinyl amine by employing a simultaneous Zn reduction and reductive amination of the

resulting aldehyde. After protection of the amine, a ring closing metathesis results in a

multifunctional eight membered ring, which then undergoes an internal SN2 cyclization

to form an alkene-containing pyrrolizidine. Dihydroxylation of the alkene followed by

hydrogenolysis of the benzyl protecting groups results in tetrahydroxylated pyrrolizidines

3 and 4.

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Book of Abstracts

5. Synthesis and Characterization of ABA Triblock Copolymers

With Smectic C* Liquid Crystal Side Chains via Ring Opening

Metathesis Polymerization Using a Bimetallic Molybdenum

Initiator

Andrea J. Gabert, Eric Verploegen, Paula T Hammond, and Richard R.

Schrock

Department of Chemistry, MIT, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 021239

A series of monomers suitable for ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP)

containing a side chain smectic C* liquid crystal mesogen (BPP4) have been synthe-

sized. Two of the monomers have BPP4 attached to norbornene with a six or ten carbon

spacer (NB6wBPP4 and NB10wBPP4, respectively), and the third monomer has BPP4

attached to norbornadiene via a ten carbon spacer (NBD10wBPP4). The monomers were

polymerized by ROMP using the bimetallic initiator, Mo(NAr)(OR)2[= CHC5H4]2Fe

(where Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, OR = CMe(CF3)2). ABA Triblock copolymers were

also synthesized where the A = NBD10wBPP4 or NBnwBPP4 (n = 6, 10) and B =

methyltetracyclododecene (MTD). All polymerizations were living and the polymers were

characterized by various techniques including polarized optical microscopy and differential

scanning calorimetry. The synthesis of the series of monomers, the synthesis of ABA tri-

block copolymers using the bimetallic molybdenum initiators, as well as characterization

of the resulting polymers will be presented.

6. Structure and Mechanism of TadA, an Adenosine Deaminase

That Acts on tRNA

Alisa A. Mueller, Heather C. Losey, Alexander J. Ruthenburg, and

Gregory L. Verdine

Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, 12 Oxford St.,Cambridge, MA 02138

The bacterial enzyme tRNA adenosine deaminase (TadA) enhances the versatility

of tRNA-Arginine-2 by converting an adenosine in its 5 wobble position to an inosine.

Although this protein is widely recognized for its crucial role in RNA editing, the precise

mode by which it recognizes and binds to its substrate to catalyze the reaction remains

elusive. We report two co-crystal structures. The first, of resolution 1.7 A, consists of

the E55Q mutant of TadA bound to a 16-mer tRNA minisubstrate representing the stem

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Book of Abstracts

loop. This co-crystal structure models the structure of TadA prior to reaction with the

substrate. Crystal unit cells are composed of dimers of protein-RNA complexes with

RNA-RNA and protein-protein contacts governing the interactions between cells. The

second co-crystal structure, of resolution 2.4 A, represents the structure of TadA after

the reaction has been completed and consists of TadA E55Q bound to a 17-mer tRNA

minisubstrate.

We hope that our future research will verify that the position of the hydrated adenine

in its transition state is an intermediate between these two sites. Future endeavors are

directed towards obtaining crystal structures of TadA in its representative transition state.

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Poster Presentations

1. Investigation of Conformational Changes Upon Inhibition of

Diamine Oxidase

Sharon Aditya, Yuliya Allakhverdiyeva, Lear Brace, Michael Flaherty

Department of Chemistry, Emmanuel College, 400 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115

Copper amine oxidases (CuAO) are ubiquitous enzymes that catalyze amine oxidation

to aldehydes and ammonia concomitant with the reduction of molecular oxygen to hydro-

gen peroxide. CuAOs contain both inorganic and organic cofactors. While the general

structure of the catalytic site is well known, a detailed understanding of the nature of

the interaction of the inhibitors and substrates with the organic cofactor is still to be

determined.

To further elucidate these effects, CuAO with substrates and inhibitors were submitted

to fluorimetric titrations. Energy Minimizations using MacroModel package (Schrodinger

Inc.) were performed on the same systems. Both computational and experimental results

have been applied to correlate the conformational changes in the enzyme upon binding of

substrates and inhibitors.

2. Nighttime Oxidation of VOCs at Appledore Island, ME

during ICARTT 2004

Ambrose, J. L., H. R. Mayne, J. Stutz, R. W. Talbot, and B. C. Sive

Chemsitry Department, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824

Ambient mixing ratios of trace gases important to nighttime chemistry of nitrate rad-

ical (NO3) were measured at Appledore Island (AI), ME, USA from July 2 - August

15, 2004 as part of the International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport

and Transformation (ICARTT) campaign. These, together with the local meteorological

record and published kinetics data were used to investigate the nighttime oxidation of

volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at AI during the period July 9 - August 28. Addi-

tionally, ambient concentrations of dinitrogen pentoxide (N2O5) were estimated for the

nighttime hours from the measured concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and NO3

and the corresponding equilibrium constant. The estimated N2O5 concentrations and cal-

culated water vapor concentrations were used to evaluate the importance of homogeneous

N2O5 hydrolysis to the overall nighttime removal of nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2)

relative to the gas-phase reactions of NO3 with VOCs. Furthermore, airflow patterns

were used to couple the trace gas measurements with source region influence.

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3. Synthesis and Application of Platinum-coated Polystyrene

Nanosphere Catalysts in Enantioselective Hydrogenations

Bela Torok, Ryan DeSousa, Kalyani Satuluri, Marianna Torok,

Valentina Atanassova, G. K.Surya Prakash

Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston,MA 02125-3393

Monodisperse polystyrene nanospheres have been prepared by emulsifier-free emulsion

polymerization with 4% crosslinking agent. The nanospheres have been produced in three

different sizes (250, 350 and 500 nm, respectively). The obtained nanospheres have been

coated with Platinum to obtain new hydrogenation catalysts. The Pt deposition on the

nanospheres have been carried out by several reduction methods. The catalysts have been

characterized by Scanning Elelctron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy to

determine the particle size and surface morphology of these systems. It was observed that

using the same reduction method, the nanospheres particle size had a significant effect on

the formation of the metal particles. The activity and selectivity of the synthesized cata-

lysts have been studied in the cinchona alkaloid modified enantioselective hydrogenation

of ethyl pyruvate. The test reaction revealed that the particle size of the nanospheres and

Pt particles had significant effect on the enantioselectivity of the hydrogenations. Under

optimized condition high optical yields have been obtained indicating the positive role of

the nonpolar polymer-support on modifier adsorption.

4. Mercury Uptake from Fish-Based Fertilizer by Spinach

Bonzagni, A., H. Magruder, and J. Benoit

Department of Chemistry, Wheaton College, Norton, MA 02766

This project investigates the potential for plant uptake of mercury from fish-based

fertilizer. These fish emulsions provide an organic alternative to chemical fertilizers, but

they may contain significant levels of mercury due to widespread environmental mercury

contamination and bioaccumulation in fish. We ascertained that Neptune’s Catch brand

fish fertilizer contains significant levels of methyl mercury, and we compared spinach

plants grown using this fish fertilizer with an inorganic nitrogen/phosphorus fertilizer

(Pete’s). Spinach plants were grown from seeds in Wheaton’s greenhouse, and half of the

plants were fed with Neptune’s Catch while the other plants were fed with Pete’s. Other

conditions (e.g. nitrogen additions, light levels) were matched for the treatments and the

controls. Both soils and leaves of the spinach plants were analyzed for total and methyl

mercury concentration.

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5. Templating the Growth Of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate

On Gold via Microcontact Printing Of Self-assembled

Monolayers

Tania M. Cabrera, Leigh M. Friguglietti, Richard W. Gurney

Department of Chemistry, Simmons College, 300 The Fenway. Boston, MA 02115

Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is the main inorganic component of kidney

stones. Crystal growth studies of COM would be greatly facilitated if nuclei seed crys-

tals were templated on surfaces, whereby, the size and nucleation density of the COM

seed could be controlled. The effect of impurities on the crystal growth of nucleated

COM crystals and the nucleation effect of the surface functional group can also be de-

termined directly by studying impurities in solution and different templates, respectively.

We adopted a route to crystal formation using micropatterned, self-assembled monolay-

ers (µP-SAM) of alkanethiols on Au. µ-squares of hydrophilic thiolates (−SC15H30CO2H,

−SC10H20CO2H, −SC11H22OH) were surrounded by a non-polar background

(−SC15H30CH3). The effects of chain length, hydrophilic w-group, and density of hy-

drophilic w-group per square were studied by modifying the µ-patterns, accordingly. The

effects of ion concentration and pH of buffered solution were studied by varying the COM

growth solution. Optimum incubation time for crystal growth was also considered. Re-

sults were documented using DIC microscopy. Future work will investigate the effect of

the size of and the spacing between the micron features.

6. Anion Binding to Monotopic and Ditopic Macrocyclic

Amides

Mimi Cho, Ivan V. Korendovych, Philip Butler, Richard J. Staples

and Elena V. Rybak-Akimova

Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155

Anion recognition by enzymes is of great interest, but the mechanisms of enzymatic

recognition of anions are still difficult to understand due to the complexity of biological

systems. The synthesis of small, biomimetic molecules capable of specifically binding an-

ions has been invaluable in examining the properties of substrate recognition. We have

synthesized 14, 15, and 30-membered macrocycles (1, 2, and 3 respectively), containing

amino groups and 2,6-diamidopyridine groups, which have well-established anion recog-

nition properties.

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The synthesized molecules were characterized spectroscopically and structurally by

X-ray diffraction methods. The binding properties of the macrocycles for various anions

were analyzed by 1H and 19F NMR. It was shown that at least a 15-membered ring is

required for binding F- anions. The large cavity size of 3 was found to accommodate two F-

anions. Macrocycle 3 was also discovered to bind larger anions such as monocarboxylates

and dicarboxylates, while the smaller macrocycles, 1 and 2, were not capable of binding

these anions. The data seem to support ditopic binding of the dicarboxylates.

7. Controlling Coiled Coil Stability Through Stereochemistry

Ginevra Clark and Krishna Kumar


This project utilizes (2S, 3S) and (2S, 3R) trifluorovaline (TFV), and (2S, 4S) and

(2S, 4R) trifluoroleucine (TFL) to study the effects of stereochemistry on the packing

of core residues in a coiled coil motif. A coiled coil composed of TFV and TFL will

contain a spatially constrained array of CH3 and CF3 groups. We want to determine

what stereochemical features are relevant to peptide folding, and how the properties of

the CF3 group perturb these preferences.

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One can anticipate that the trifluoroleucine and trifluorovaline diastereomers will have

similar chemical properties, but quite different packing preferences. Two peptides, SS and

RR were synthesized. SS was designed with (2S, 3S) trifluorovaline at “a” positions and

(2S, 4S) trifluoroleucine at “d” positions in a coiled coil motif. RR is composed of (2S, 3R)

trifluorovaline and (2S, 4R) trifluoroleucine at the corresponding positions. Preliminary

studies suggest that a disulfide-bonded dimer of RR (RR-RR) is more stable than the

dimer of SS (SS-SS). AUC data suggests that while RR-RR appears to form a stable

disulfide-bonded dimer, SS-SS is present in multiple oligomerization states. Furthermore,

disulfide exchange experiments reveal a strong preference for the heterodimer (RR-SS).

8. Cucurbit[7]uril As a Molecular Platform For the Association

And Isolation Of Monosaccharides

Bethany C. Collins and Steven C. Haefner

Department of Chemical Sciences, Bridgewater State College, Bridgewater, MA 02325

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) was synthesized according to a standard literature procedure

and separated from all other homologues by selective dissolution and recrystallization.

While CB[7] is insoluble in water, addition of monosaccharides results in a marked in-

crease in solubility. The interactions between CB[7] and aqueous monosaccharides were

studied using various techniques including infrared and NMR spectroscopies. Prelimi-

nary results indicate that glucose solutions preferentially interact with CB[7] relative to

other homologues, and we have found that CB[7] and monosaccharides associate to form a

hydrogen-bonded complex which can be isolated from solution by the use of a precipitating

solvent, namely acetone or acetonitrile. Interactions between CB[7] and monosaccharides

produce a significant upfield shift of the CB[7] protons as evidenced by 1H NMR. The

synthesis, isolation, and characterization of CB[7] and its subsequent interactions with

glucose and mannose will be presented.

9. Fluorination of Cell Surfaces Using Biosynthesis

Laila Dafik, Marc d’Alarcao, Krishna Kumar


The cell surface is the province of diverse oligosaccharide structures that participate

in a wide spectrum of biological recognition events. Metabolic engineering allows the

incorporation of unnatural glycans on cell surfaces, and therefore the modification of its

properties. The sialic acid biosynthetic pathway allows for such alteration - its toler-

ance has been demonstrated towards multiple unnatural substrates, such as derivatives

NSCRC 2006 20

Book of Abstracts

of Nacyl mannosamine and sialic acid. We have demonstrated the incorporation of flu-

orinated groups on mammalian cell surfaces using this pathway. The incorporation of

unnatural, exogenously supplied mannosamine and/or sialic acid derivatives could lead

to the generation of non-stick mammalian cells and also exhibit phenotypic properties

that are anti-metastatic providing leads in the development of new drug candidates. We

have tested multiple fluorinated substrates and catalogued their incorporation on mam-

malian cell surface proteins and/or lipids. Cell suspensions (HL-60, Jurkat and HeLa)

were incubated with the synthetic compounds and cell membrane fractions were col-

lected after 72 hours. The sialic acid fraction membrane-bounded glycoproteins -were

hydrolyzed and subsequently analyzed after derivatization with the fluorescent agent 1,2-

diamino-4,5-dimethylenedioxybenzene (DMB). The DMB labeled sialic acids could then

be quantitated.

10. AlkB Reverses Etheno DNA Lesions Caused by Lipid

Oxidation in itro and in vivo

J.Delaney, L.Smeester, C.Wong, L.Frick, K.Taghizadeh, J.Wishnok,

C.Drennan, L.Samson and J.Essigmann


Oxidative stress converts lipids into DNA damaging agents. The genomic lesions

formed include 1,N6-ethenoadenine (eA) and 3,N4-ethenocytosine (eC), in which two

carbons of the lipid alkyl chain form an exocyclic adduct with a DNA base. We have

built viral genomes containing these lesions, which were passed through E. coli containing

or lacking the recently characterized DNA repair enzyme AlkB, which has been thought

to repair only 1-alkylpurines and 3-alkylpyrimidines by a direct reversal of base damage

mechanism. We have developed genetic assays revealing eA to be very toxic and mutagenic

in an AlkB-deficient cell; however, both toxicity and mutagenicity were eliminated in E.

coli containing AlkB, thereby implicating a new substrate which AlkB can repair by an

unprecedented direct reversal mechanism. ESI-TOF mass spectrometry performed on a

16mer containing eA reacted with purified AlkB revealed intermediates along the AlkB

repair pathway, consistent with eA being epoxidized by AlkB, followed by hydrolysis of the

epoxide to form the eA-glycol prior to dealkylation to restore the undamaged adenine base.

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry revealed the jettisoned alkyl group is released as

the dialdehyde, glyoxal.

NSCRC 2006 21

Book of Abstracts

11. Synthesis of Indole and Oxindole Derivatives Of

Glutathione As Potential Inhibitors Of Glyoxalase II

Alison Erbeck and Edward Brush


The glyoxalase system performs key roles in biological detoxification and cell growth.

The system is made up of two enzymes, glyoxalase I (GxI) and glyoxalase II (GxII),

which use glutathione as a co-substrate. These enzymes are involved in a variety of

diseases, and are considered to be therapeutic targets. My work has focused on the syn-

thesis of unique indole and oxindole conjugates with glutathione as potential reversible

or irreversible inhibitors for GxII. The following compounds were synthesized: ethyl 3-

bromooxindole acetic acid, 3-methyleneoxindole, S-glutathionyl-3-bromooxindole acetate,

S-glutathionyl-3-indole acetic acid, and S-glutathionyl-3-methyleneoxindole, and charac-

terized using NMR, HPLC, and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Preliminary kinetic analysis indi-

cates that these compounds are good inhibitors of GxII, with greater than 50% inhibition

by 1 mM ethyl 3-bromooxindole acetic acid and 3-methyleneoxindole. This research may

contribute to further defining the role that GxII plays in human disease. This research

was supported by a Norris/Richards Scholarship and the Adrian Tinsley Program.

12. Scope and Mechanism Of a New Aromatic

ortho-Hydroxylation With Hydrogen Peroxide And Biomimetic

Iron Complexes.

Margaret M. Flook, Sonia Taktak, Elena V. Rybak-Akimova


The non-heme iron(II) complex of BPMEN (BPMEN = N,N’- dimethyl- N,N’- bis(2-

pyridylmethyl)ethane- 1,2- diamine) mimics the active site iron-containing enzymes, and

was recently found to efficiently promote ortho-hydroxylation of benzoic acids using hydro-

gen peroxide as the oxidant. Previously in this project, the focus has been on determining

the scope of this reaction. The effect of position and nature of substituents (methyl, nitro,

chloro) had been investigated using UV-Vis, ESI-MS and NMR techniques. A continua-

tion of this work is presented here, including a broader range of substituents and more

complete NMR and UV-Vis data, to further describe the scope of this complex in pro-

moting selective aromatic hydroxylations. Along with these studies, a new large-scale

extraction of the salicylic acid product was performed. Also, the results of recent kinetic

NSCRC 2006 22

Book of Abstracts

studies are to be presented here, which will help shed light on the mechanism of the

oxidation reaction.

13. Catalytic and Stoichiometric Reactions Of Nickel and

Palladium Pincer Complexes

Oleg V. Ozerov, Lauren C. Gregor, Lei Fan

Department of Chemistry, Brandeis University, MS 2308, 415 South Street, Waltham, MA02454

Pincer ligands can be used to form metal complexes which are extraordinary tools

used in the exploration of organometallic chemistry. Their high stability, reactivity, and

selectivity make them excellent candidates as catalysts for many organic reactions. The

rigid diarylamido-based PNP pincer ligands utilized here have been shown to yield unusual

structures and catalytic reactivity with a variety of metal centers. In general, nickel is

an underused metal in pincer ligand chemistry and it has been our goal to investigate

reactions of a variety of nickel pincer complexes utilizing the different PNP ligands. The

(PNP)NiOTf complex (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) serves as a synthon for the

(PNP )Ni+ cation because of the ease in which the triflate ion can be displaced and

can act as a practical Lewis acid for catalysis reactions. The (PNP)NiOTf complex is

an efficient catalyst for the coupling of aldehydes with acetonitrile, which prompted the

exploration of other aldehyde coupling reactions. Attempts to couple aldehydes with

alkynes led to unusual results in which various Ni-alkynyl and Ni-alkyne complexes were

formed. Difficulty in isolating the products led to the switch to (PNP)Pd complexes in

order to investigate the alkyne reactions.

NSCRC 2006 23

Book of Abstracts

14. Rechargable Organic Dye Cells

F.A.Horan S.K.Swope, A.B.Waghe

Chemical, Earth, Atmospheric and Physical Sciences Department, Plymouth State University,MSC 48,Plymouth, NH 03264

Organic dyes have found various nontraditional applications in recording, displays and

medical and pharmaceutical use. However, we have found that many of these dyes can

store electrical charge. The test results from six dyes indicate methyl green dye (1%

solution) when charged with 2 volt DC, stores charge for 10 minutes in water. The dye

separates into oxidized and reduced forms when electric potential is applied. These forms

lose or gain electrons to get back to their original states, resulting into current through an

external circuit. The bulkier ions do not diffuse rapidly which helps dyes to store charges

when they are charged. Charging and discharging curves of various dyes and different pH

and conditions are presented here. Half cells of a dye in acidic solution when connected

to half cell of same dye in a basic solution also showed electrical output indicating the

reduced and oxidized form of dyes are generating this current. This work may lead to

novel electric storage device

15. Synthesis of Vinyl and Polyhydroxylated Pyrrolidines and

Subsequent Purification Attempts using High Performance

Liquid Chromatography

James T. Hummel and Louis J. Liotta

Department od Chemistry, Stonehill College, 320 Washington Street, Easton, MA 02357

The synthesis of polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines is of substantial interest because of

the ability of these compounds to inhibit glycosidases, a group of carbohydrate process-

ing enzymes. Such inhibition results in the activity of polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines

as antiviral and antitumor agents. Purification of such compounds is a crucial step to

fully understanding how these compounds interact with the active site of glycosidases.

Through a series of reactions outlined in Scheme 1 the intermediate vinyl pyrrolidine 6

has been synthesized in a 23 % yield. Further reacting intermediate 6 with catalytic

osmium tetroxide in N-methylmorphiline-N-oxide allowed for the successful synthesis of

dihydroxylated, dibenzyl pyrrolidines 18a and 18b in a reasonable yield of 16 %. Ini-

tial separation attempts of diols 18a and 18b were conducted using C18 reverse phase

chromatography, which was inconclusive. Further attempts to separate diols 18a and 18b

should be investigated with an amino-containing normal-phase column.

NSCRC 2006 24

Book of Abstracts

16. Aminosilane [4+2] Annulations Toward the Synthesis of

Alkaloid (-)-205B

Leland L. Johnson, Jr., James S. Panek

Department of Chemistry, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215

Hundreds of alkaloids containing quinolizidine and indolizidine core structures have

been isolated, and many have been found to possess potent biological activity. [1] These

compounds have proven to be synthetically challenging targets, due to their complex

core structures. The Panek chiral aminosilane technology began with Sparks in the early

90s[2], and has led to the application of these emerging methodologies toward the syn-

thesis of numerous natural product and natural product-like fragments and molecules.[3]

Recently, Huang and Panek have published the total synthesis of alkaloid (-)-217A uti-

lizing aminosilanes in a [4+2] annulation strategy.[4] Expanding the aminosilane [4+2]

annulation methodology, we have embarked on several projects to further develop this

methodology, including the progress toward the enantioselective synthesis of the tricyclic,

aza-acenaphthalene alkaloid (-)-205B.[5]

The retrosynthetic analysis, and corresponding forward synthesis of alkaloid (-)-205B,

as well as additional isomers, will be reviewed. New methods incorporating fully - sub-

stituted stereocenters and adjacent, fully - substituted stereocenters[6] into our repertoire

will also be discussed.

17. The Preparation of Novel Fluorescent Sensors for Divalent

Zinc

Daniel P. Kennedy, Arnold L. Rheingold, Roy P. Planalp

Department of Chemistry, University of New Hampshire, 23 College Rd, Durham, NH 03824

NSCRC 2006 25

Book of Abstracts

A variety of novel N-heterocyclic containing ligands based on the TAME framework

(TAME=1,1,1-tris(aminomethyl)ethane) have been prepared for the fluorescence detec-

tion of divalent zinc. The complex [Zn(TAMEisoquin)]2+ (Fig.1) demonstrates a 14 fold

enhancement of the emission intensity as compared to that of the free ligand. Solutions

of TAMEisoquin with the metals Na+, K+,Mg2+, Ca2+,Mn2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+,

and Cd2+ (1:1 DMF:water at RT) did not show significant enhancement of the emis-

sion intensity as compared to the free ligand. The known fluorescent zinc sensor TQEN

(TQEN=2-quinolinylmethyl)ethylenediamine) was shown by Mikata and coworkers to

possess a 23 fold enhancement of emission intensity in the presence of Zn2+, but this

ligand also showed a 14 fold enhancement in the presence of Cd2+.[1] The complex

[Cd(TAMEisoquin)]2+ undergoes rapid racemization at room temperature because of

the poor match between the size of the cation and the binding cavity of the ligand, thus

attenuating the emission intensity. Synthesis of the ligands, crystal structures of their

complexes, and their potential as new fluorescent sensors for zinc will be discussed.

[1] Mikata, Y.; Wakamatsu, M.; Yano, S. Dalton Trans., 2005, 545-550.

18. Diiron(II) µ−aqua µ−hydroxo Model for Non-Heme Iron

Sites in Proteins

Ivan V. Korendovych, Sergey V. Kryatov, William M. Reiff,

Elena V. Rybak Akimova


We have synthesized a diiron(II) complex with a novel aqua-hydroxo bridging motif,

[Fe2(µ−H2O)(µ−OH)(TPA)2](OTf)3 (1). This is a new member of the diiron diamond

core family. The complex is stable in solution in non-polar solvents as well as in the solid

NSCRC 2006 26

Book of Abstracts

state; two hydroxides are not required to keep diiron core intact. Replacing of one of the

two hydroxo bridges with H2O bridge does not disrupt electronic communication between

two Fe(II) sites.

The drastic difference of ca. 1 V in redox potential between complex 1 and its bis-

hydroxo bridged analog Fe2(OH)2(TPA)3+ is accompanied by only moderate difference

in dioxygen reactivity. This observation is consistent with the inner-sphere mechanism of

iron(II)-dioxygen association rather than the outer-sphere electron transfer. Oxygenation

of 1 in dichloromethane at low temperature in the presence of CoCp2 results in formation

of new intermediate. Investigation of the nature of this intermediate is in progress. One-

electron oxidation of 1 produces mixed-valent diiron(II)-bis-µ−hydroxo TPA complex.

19. Synthesis of Benzo[N,X] Heterocycles (X=N, O) by

Microwave Assisted Solvent-Free Solid Acid Catalyzed

Cyclizations

Shainaz M. Landge, Bela Torok


The synthesis of several types of benzo[N,X]-heterocycles, such benzimidazoles, ben-

zodiazepines, benzoxazepines by a solvent-free solid acid catalyzed method is described.

The commercially available and inexpensive K-10 montmorillonite is an excellent catalyst

for the synthesis of the target compounds. The reactions have been carried out using

NH2

NH2

R

R1 CHO

R3

O

K-10, mwR

N

NR1

R

R1

N

N

R3

R3

R2R2

R2

NH2

OH

R R3

O

K-10, mw

R2

R

O

N

R3

R3

R2

R2R = H, 4-Cl, 3-Me, 4-MeR1 = H, Me, 2-pentyl, Ph, 1-cyclohexenylR2 = H, MeR3 = Me, Et, iPr

Scheme 1 Synthesis of benzimidazoles, benzodiazepines and benzoxazepines with microwave assisted K-10 montmorillonite catalyzed cyclization of o-phenyle nediamines and o-aminophenols with ketones and aldehydes

K-10, mw

a wide variety of o-functionlized aniline derivatives (NH2 and OH), along with ketones,

NSCRC 2006 27

Book of Abstracts

aldehydes and some bifunctional reagents such as ketoesters and diketones. The cycliza-

tion reactions have been initiated by microwave irradiation and provided the products

in very high yields (up to 98%) and excellent selectivities in very short reaction times

(1-14min). The effective combination of solid acid catalysis, solvent-free conditions and

microwave irradiation provides an attractive highly ecofriendly approach for the synthesis

of these important heterocycles. Beyond these, the ease of product isolation, catalyst sta-

bility and handling make this process an attractive, environmentally benign alternative

for the synthesis of the target compounds.

20. Synthesis Of Solvated Rh(III) Bis-bipyridine Complexes and

Their Subsequent Reactivity With D-glucose and D-mannose

Sarah M. Lane, Steven C. Haefner


Our group is currently examining the ability of transition metal complexes to se-

lectively bind with specific monosaccharides such as D-glucose and D-mannose. Initial

efforts have focused on the synthesis and subsequent reactivity of Rh(III) bis-bipyridine

complexes. These complexes have accessible cis-coordination sites stabilized by solvents

such as DMF or acetonitrile. Reaction of cis − [Rh(bpy)2Cl2]+ with two equivalents of

AgBF4 does not give the expected disubstituted species, [Rh(bpy)2(DMF )2]3+. Instead,

the monosubstituted complex, [Rh(bpy)2(DMF )Cl]2+ was obtained in 34% yield. The 1H

NMR studies of [Rh(bpy)2(DMF )Cl]2+ confirmed the adjacent position of the DMF and

Cl− groups. Likewise, reaction of [Rh(bpy)2(Cl)2]+ with neat triflic acid produces cis and

trans isomers of [Rh(bpy)2(OTf)Cl]+ instead of the expected bis-triflate complex. Titra-

tion studies indicate that both cis − [Rh(bpy)2(DMF )Cl]2+ and [Rh(bpy)2(OTf)Cl]+

react with glucose in basic solutions. The synthesis and characterization of these Rh(III)

complexes, as well as their reactions with simple monosaccharides will be presented.

21. Single Crystalline Ice Growth And Evaluation

Irene Li, Henning Groenzin, Mary Jane Shultz


Although water (and its solid form, ice) is among the most abundant substances on

earth, its chemical and physical properties are surprisingly little investigated. The reason

for this lack of understanding lies in the intrinsic difficulties of investigating ice. Ice tends

to grow dendritically (a form of mathematical chaos), making sample preparations of a

consistent and repeatable nature challenging.

NSCRC 2006 28

Book of Abstracts

We grow cylindrical ice pieces of 1” diameter and 4” length with single crystalline

domains in the range of 20-25 cm3. Samples are grown on a vibration isolation table

under highly controlled conditions which include growth rate, bath temperature, convec-

tion minimization, and water equilibration time. Crossed polarizers are used to evaluate

crystalline domain size, as well as to determine the c-axis orientation via a custom-made

Rigsby stage comprised of four independently rotatable axis situated between two crossed

polarizers. Further verification is done through selective etching with a Formvar solution;

there are characteristic etchpit shapes unique to each orientation. It was found that the

c-axis is oriented approximately perpendicular to the ice growth direction.

The ice is used for further studies by sum-frequency generation (SFG) a nonlinear

optical technique uniquely suited for surface studies.

22. Refractive Index and the Non-ideality of Pyridine

Leanne Lortie, Herbert Ellison

Department of Chemistry, Wheaton College, W0919 26 E. Main Street, Norton MA 02766

This work was designed to further establish the nonideality of pyridine in solution by

examining changes in refractive index. Several series of solutions were prepared using

cyclohexane as a solvent, ranging in concentration from 0.1 to 1.4M, and the refractive

index of each solution was measured using a thermostated refractometer set to 25C.

Analyzing the trend in the refractive index of the solutions versus either the molarity or

mole fraction of pyridine, leads to the conclusion that a polynomial function fits the data

better than a linear function. An ideal solution shows a linear dependence of refractive

index on concentration. This was confirmed after analyzing the refractive index versus

the molarity or mole fraction of ideal solutions of toluene, o-xylene and acetophenone,

which gave linear functions as lines of best fit. The pyridine data strongly suggests that

this solute forms a dimer in solution, although to only a slight extent.

23. Synthesis and Reactivity of Solvated Ru(II/III) Chelates

With Monosaccharides

Lindsay T. McDonald and Steven C. Haefner


Metal-saccharide interactions are widely observed in biological systems. Despite this,

only a limited number of well-characterized metal-saccharide species have been reported,

especially amongst the 2nd and 3rd row transition metals. In an effort to expand this

NSCRC 2006 29

Book of Abstracts

field, and as an initial step towards the development of metal based artificial recep-

tors, we are currently examining the reactivity of cis − [Ru(bpy)2(DMF )2][BF4]2 (1),

cis − [Ru(acac)2(CH3CN)2][BF4] (2), and cis − [Ru(bpy)2(MeOH)2][BF4]2 (3) with

monosaccharides such as glucose, mannose and glucosamine. The previously unreported

complex 1 was synthesized from cis − Ru(bpy)2Cl2 in 80% yield by halide abstraction

with AgBF4. The cis-arrangement of the DMF ligands was confirmed by 1H NMR spec-

troscopy. Saccharide binding studies with 1 and 2 produced essentially no changes in

the UV-visible spectrum. However complex 3 exhibited an increase in Uv-visible ab-

sorbance with increasing saccharide concentration indicative of metal-saccharide complex-

ation. This result suggests that saccharide binding is possible in the presence of weakly

donating, monodentate solvents such as methanol. In an effort to strengthen the metal-

saccharide interactions, the reactivity of (1) with glucosamine was also examined. NMR

spectroscopic studies indicate formation of a new ruthenium species and are suggestive of

a chelating interaction with glucosamine.

24. Probing Fluorination Effects On Model Antimicrobial

Peptides

He Meng and Krishna Kumar


We demonstrate that antimicrobial activity and proteolytic stability of antimicrobial

peptides can be improved to some extent by incorporation of hexafluoroleucine. Sec-

ondary structure formation and aggregation of monomer were enhanced upon fluorina-

tion. Hemolytic activity was elevated in M2 series and has not shown apparent change

for BII series. These results implicate that fluorination may be applicable to engineer

potentially therapeutic peptides.

25. Highly Asymmetric Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation

of Isophorone on Proline Modified Palladium Catalysts

Shilpa C. Mhadgut, Marianna Torok, Joseph Esquibel and Bela Torok


Special importance of chiral molecules in numerous domain of our life provides ex-

traordinary potential for asymmetric synthesis. Heterogeneous asymmetric catalytic hy-

drogenation is one of the most versatile methods in synthesis of chiral compounds. The

NSCRC 2006 30

Book of Abstracts

development of a highly enantioselective heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, based on

proline modified Pd catalysts is described. It was first used in the sonochemical asymmet-

ric hydrogenation of isophorone (3,3,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone). The process resulted

in highly enhanced enantioselectivities up to 85% enantiomeric excess (ee). The key fac-

tor in achieving high ee in this system was adsorption of proline on the catalyst surface.

The catalyst/proline mixture was presonicated with ultrasounds and then hydrogenation

was performed. The results initiated the idea of improving catalyst-modifier interaction

through ionic (acid-base) interaction. When several base-supported Pd catalysts such as

Pd/BaCO3, Pd/CaCO3 and Pd/SrCO3 were used, the expected effect was outstanding.

It was observed that the (S)- and (R)-proline provided the opposite enantiomers of the

product with nearly the same ee values (99 and 97% ee respectively). Effective combi-

nation of enhanced proline adsorption and secondary kinetic resolution resulted in the

excellent enantioselectivities.

26. Design, Synthesis, and Testing of Indole and Oxindole

Aspartic Acid Derivatives as Potential Caspase Inhibitors

David Mofford and Edward Brush


Multicellular organisms dispose of damaged cells through apoptosis, initiated by ac-

tivating a family of enzymes called caspases. However, unregulated caspase activation

results in the death of healthy cells, contributing to neurodegenerative disease. Caspase

inhibition is thought to be a promising direction in the treatment of these diseases. Our

goal is to synthesize N-aspartyl amide derivatives of indole and oxindole acetic acids,

and evaluate these compounds as potential caspase inhibitors. Our preliminary inhibi-

tion data are promising, with 3-methyleneoxindole (69%), indole-3-acetic acid (29%), and

N-aspartylindole-3-acetate (44%) all producing modest inhibition of caspase-3. Current

efforts are focused on the synthesis and characterization of the potential mechanism-based

inhibitors N-aspartyloxindole-3-acetate and N-aspartyl-3-bromooxindole-3-acetate. This

research may lead to new information about caspase and apoptosis inhibition and ulti-

mately to the development of new therapeutic agents. This work was made possible by

a grant from the Adrian Tinsley Program for Undergraduate Research at Bridgewater

State College.

NSCRC 2006 31

Book of Abstracts

27. A New Class of Organofluorine Inhibitors of Amyloid

Fibrillogenesis: Synthesis And In Vitro QSAR Studies

Mohammed Abid, Shilpa Mhadgut, Marianna Torok, Bela Torok


Synthesis of novel trifluoromethylated indole derivatives and their application as ef-

fective inhibitors of amyloid fibrillogenesis is described. These inhibitors were synthesized

by solid acid-catalyzed Friedel-Crafts hydroxyalkylation of indoles and pyrroles with ethyl

3,3,3 trifluoropyruvate and ethyl 4,4,4 trifluoroacetoacetate. The inexpensive and read-

ily available K-10 montmorillonite was found to be an efficient catalyst for this synthesis.

The products were isolated in excellent yield and selectivity under mild experimental con-

ditions, during very short reaction times. Use of naturally occurring clay catalyst makes

this process environmentally benign.

The above synthesized products were tested as inhibitors of amyloid fibrillogenesis.

All substituted indole derivatives have shown considerable effect (20-70% inhibition) in

structure-activity relationship studies, some of them demonstrated excellent activity (93-

96% inhibition). Further studies showed that each functional group from the core structure

has significant role. The elimination of any of these functional groups resulted in a partial

or complete loss of activity.

NSCRC 2006 32

Book of Abstracts

28. Study of Titanium Catalyzed Enyne Hydroaminations

Taryn D. Palluccio, Stephen A. Waratuke


Hydroamination reactions involve the addition of an amine to an alkene or alkyne and

are typically performed in the presence of a catalyst. The steric and electronic nature

of the catalyst can control the regio- and stereo-selective formation of hydroamination

products as well as provide an efficient reaction pathway. As the alkene and alkyne

functional groups are known to have different activities toward hydroamination, my ini-

tial catalytic studies have focused on alkyne and enyne hydroaminations with activated

amines using titanium aryloxide catalysts. One of our goals upon optimization of the

reaction methodology is to explore diene hydroamination reactions which are challenging

for most transition metal catalysts. The syntheses of starting materials and catalytic hy-

droamination reactions are conducted using Schlenk lines, a dry box, and other moisture

sensitive techniques. All reactions are monitored by GC/MS and NMR spectroscopy. Our

preliminary results will be presented as well as a general overview of the project.

29. Study Of Ligands

Jared Pearl and Stephen Waratuke


My project is the synthesis of bulky ligands with nitrogen and oxygen binding sites to

serve as ligands to group 4 metal centers. The two ligand classes that I have begun working

on are tripodal amine ligands and substituted phenoxides. The tripodal amine model

compounds are [tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine] or TPA, and [tris(2 benzimidazoylmethyl)

amine] or NTB. The synthesis method, purification, and spectroscopic data for these

amines have been reported in the literature. The synthesis of 2,3,5,6-tetraphenyl phenol

serves as the model for the second class of molecules. Understanding the ability of these

ligands to donate electrons and alter the electronics of the metal center while also altering

the geometry at the potential binding sites is crucial to the development of ligands for

catalysis. A great deal of interest in using these types of ligands to support catalytic

carbon-carbon and carbon-nitrogen bond formation is evident in the literature. The

synthesis, methodology, and current new ligand targets will be presented as well as the

overall goals of the project.

NSCRC 2006 33

Book of Abstracts

30. Conducting Organic Polymer Networks Of

Poly(Norbornylene) Containing Bis-EDOT Monomers Via

Solid-State Oxidative Conversion

Mustafa S. Yavuz, Samuel A. Pendergraph,Gregory A. Sotzing

Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 97 N. Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06269

Herein, we describe the preparation of conducting polymers containing

3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) moieties via two different routes: solution, and solid-

state oxidative conversion (SOC) into the respective conjugated polymer. The impact of

our SOC technique over the conventional solution system include: high yields, processabil-

ity, and lower costs. The processable poly(norbornylene) precursors containing oxidatively

polymerizable BisEDOT-Benzene and BisEDOT-Thiophene units have been synthesized.

Conducting polymers obtained via the conventional electro-deposition were compared to

polymers obtained via SOC and were found to have similar behavior. Furthermore, we

have demonstrated that the conversion to conductive polymer in the solid state can be

obtained not only via electrochemical oxidation, but also via chemical oxidation using

ferric chloride.

31. Relationship Between Collagen Structural Hierarchy and

Susceptibility to Degradation by Ultraviolet Radiation

Olena Rabotyagova, Peggy Ceby, David Kaplan

BME/Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, 62 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155

Collagen type I is the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in the human body,

providing the basis for tissue structure and directing cellular functions. In the present

study, we examined the relationship between collagen structure (native vs. denatured)

and sensitivity to UV radiation (λ = 254 nm, I= 7.3x10−3Watt/cm2). Structure and

functional changes in the collagens in film form were related to the initial conforma-

tion (native vs. denatured) and energy of irradiation exposure. These changes were

tracked using SDS-PAGE to assess molecular weight, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR)

spectroscopy to study changes in the secondary structure, and atomic force microscopy

(AFM) to characterize changes in mechanical properties of the films. Differences were

found at the molecular (primary structure), nano and mesoscopic (conformation and su-

percoiling of the triple helices) and macro levels with differences in mechanical properties.

In general, susceptibility to the effects of radiation was higher for collagen in the native

conformation. The results suggest that the negative effects of electromagnetic radiation

NSCRC 2006 34

Book of Abstracts

on extracellular matrices are important to assess in the context of the state of collagen

structure with implications in tissue remodeling, wound repair and disease progression.

32.

Maolin Guo, Elise Rapoza, Yibin Wei, Gregory Su

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 OldWestport Rd, Dartmouth, MA, 02747

The North American native fruit cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon, Ait. Ericaceae)

have long been known to contain compounds with beneficial health effects (against infec-

tions, cancer, aging, stroke and cardiovascular diseases). However, little is known about

the biochemical mechanism related to these health benefits. We hypothesized that reg-

ulating of iron homeostasis may play a pivotal role in the bio-effects of cranberry. Here

we have tested the ability of quercetin, one of the major flavonoids found in cranberries,

to inhibit free radical formation via iron-chelation mechanism. Iron is known to catalyze

the formation of dangerous hydroxyl free radicals via Fenton Reaction. It was found that

quercetin can strongly chelate Fe(II) with an apparent binding constant ca. 106M−1 in

phosphate buffer at pH 7.2, and consequently attenuated Fenton Reaction. Quercetin

strongly inhibits 2-deoxyribose degradation by hydroxyl radical even at relatively high

iron concentrations and in the presence of major cellular iron chelators such as ATP and

citrate. In addition, quercetin can scavenge hydroxyl radical if formed in solution. These

results demonstrate that quercetin can effectively modulate iron biochemistry under phys-

iological conditions.

33. Single Shot Sub-Picosecond Electron Diffraction

F.M. Rudakov, D.H. Dowell, J.F. Schmerge, J.D. Cardoza, J.B. Hastings

and P.M. Weber

Depatrment of Chemistry, Brown University, 324 Brook St, Providence, RI, 02912

The time resolution of pump-probe spectroscopy is determined only by the laser pulse

duration, which can be on the order of a few femtoseconds. In contrast the time resolution

of the ultrafast electron diffraction is also limited by the electron pulse duration. The space

charge interactions of electrons within the pulse have made it difficult to obtain electron

pulses shorter than 1 ps. Our work shows that space-charge limitations can be overcome by

using relativistic electrons. We performed both experimental and computational studies

of 5 MeV electron diffraction on 160 nm thick aluminum foil using the rf-gun at the

Gun Test Facility located at the Stanford Linear Accelerator. We observed the diffraction

NSCRC 2006 35

Book of Abstracts

pattern obtained with a single electron pulse of 2 pC (107 electrons) and having a duration

of 500 fs. Our simulations show that by reducing the laser pulse duration and the charge

per pulse the time resolution of 100 fs is readily attainable.

34. Polyoxanorbornene Silica Nanocomposites

Daniel Sandberg and Thomas A.P. Seery

Department of Chemistry, University of Connecticut, 97 N. Eagleville Rd. Storrs, CT 06269

Polymer science has seen recent interest in the area of nanocomposite synthesis. The

Seery research group uses Grubbs catalyst to grow polymer chains from tethered initia-

tors on silica nanoparticles. Efforts to date show evidence of backbiting reactions. This

process either cleaves a ring polymer leaving an active catalyst on the surface or creates a

loop on the surface and releases a chain fragment with active catalyst present at both ends

of the polymer chain. This undesired side reaction placed limitations on both the brush

density and molecular weight of polynorbornene chains that could be grown in this fash-

ion. Altering the organic moieties of the reaction was a suggested means of inhibiting the

side reactions. If the reaction proceeds without backbiting or cross metathesis, polymer

molecular weight is expected to increase linearly as the percent of monomer converted to

polymer increases. Ongoing experiments will include the synthesis of a series of nanocom-

posites that are allowed to polymerize for different periods of time. Gel permeation

chromatography will be performed on cleaved polymer chains from these nanocomposites

to determine the molecular weight and gas chromatography mass spectroscopy will be

used to determine the percent conversion.

35. Biochemical Interactions Of the Binding Domain Of

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type A With its Receptors

Sapna Sharma and Bal Ram Singh

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, 285Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA-02747-2300

Botulinum neurotoxins produced by seven different serotypes of Clostridum botulinum

causes flaccid paralysis by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular

junctions of cholinergic neurons. The exact mechanism of toxin action is unknown. We

have successfully cloned, expressed and purified the C-terminal quarter of the Heavy

chain of BoNT/A (HCQ, also known as the binding domain) and have been able to verify

its functional attributes through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western

blotting and dot-blot assay.

NSCRC 2006 36

Book of Abstracts

The significant application of this binding domain is to determine chemical compounds

such as small molecules that would inhibit its binding to neuronal cell membrane and

design vaccines that will have therapeutic effects. To meet this objective, we have in-

vestigated the interaction of HCQ with compounds such as Quinic acid and N-acetyl

neuraminic acid using competitive ELISA.

36. Metal Ions Facilitate the Folding of Alkaline Phosphatase

Amy Silverio and S.C. Pastra-Landis

Department of Chemistry, Wheaton College, Norton, MA 02766

Metal ions serve many purposes in natural proteins, from cofactors in enzymatic catal-

ysis to carriers in electron transfer. We are investigating the role of metal ions in directing

protein folding and stabilizing the tertiary structure of a metalloenzyme. In this work,

alkaline phosphatase was first unfolded in the presence of a high concentration of urea at

70 °C. The refolding process of the metalloprotein was investigated. Both native metals,

Zn2+ and Mg2+, which are known to be part of the active site of this enzyme, and other

divalent metal ions, including Mn2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Ni2+ were found to facilitate the

refolding process of alkaline phosphatase to varying extents when they were added to

the urea heat-denatured metalloprotein. It was discovered that besides the native met-

als, Cu2+ was the most effective metal ion that assisted in the refolding process of the

enzyme. We have begun to examine whether the refolded protein samples also recover

enzymatic function; preliminary experiments are incomplete.

37. Site-Directed Mutagenesis and Characterization of

Prokaryotic and Mitochondrial Cytochrome C

Ellen M. Sletten, F. Timur Senguen, Kara L. Bren

Department of Chemistry, Stonehill College, 320 Washington St. #1369 Easton, MA 02357

Cytochrome c is a heme containing electron transfer protein found in a wide variety

of organisms. The iron center of the heme has six coordination sites: four of which are

occupied by the pyrrols of the porphyrin ring and the remaining two sites are (in class

one) occupied by histadine and methionine residues. Recently, it has been discovered

that some cytochromes c display fluxion of the iron methionine coordination. While the

fluxion in select cytochromes c has been verified by various NMR experiments, the origin

of the fluxion has only been hypothesized. Comparison of the fluxional cytochrome c

Hydrogenobacter thermophilus (Ht) and nonfluxional cytochrome c Pseudomonas arugi-

nosa (Pa) have lead to the proposal that fluxion is suppressed by a hydrogen bond to the

NSCRC 2006 37

Book of Abstracts

methionine ligand. In order to explore this hypothesis, various site-directed mutations to

the residue that hydrogen bonds to the axial methionine are performed. The interesting

results of the HtQ64A mutant are highlighted in this presentation.

38. Development Of Catalyst Capable of Hydrolyzing

D-Ala-D-Lac Termini Of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

T K Subrahmanian Alfio Fichera and Krishna Kumar


The Vancomycin family of glycopeptide antibiotics work by interfering with bacterial

cell wall biosynthesis. Vancomycin acts by binding a terminal dipeptide intermediate in

cell wall biosynthesis, D-Ala-D-Ala, tightly (Kd 1 mM) thereby preventing the action of

crosslinking enzymes that provide structural rigidity to the cell wall. Vancomycin resistant

bacterial strains have recently emerged and pose significant threats to human health.

The resistant bacteria alter their terminal dipeptide to the D-Ala-D-Lac depsipeptide,

which reduces the binding affinity of Vancomycin by 1000 fold. We have developed a

series of small molecules with nucleophilic groups capable of hydrolyzing the ester bond

and re-sensitizing resistant bacteria to Vancomycin. We report here the synthesis and

antimicrobial activity of a series of such compounds.

39. Synthesis and Reactivity of Cationic Molybdenum

Alkylidene Compounds Supported by Diketonate and

Diketiminate Ligands

Zachary J. Tonzetich, Annie J. Jiang, and Richard R. Schrock


The chemistry of molybdenum imido alkylidene compounds has been developed with

both b-diketonate (acac) and b-diketiminate (nacnac) supporting ligands. These species

provide an interesting compliment to the traditional Schrock-type metathesis catalysts

supported by two alkoxide ligands. Entry into the chemistry involves reaction of a bis-

triflate precursor with the alkali metal salt of the acac or nacnac ligand to afford com-

plexes of the type Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(LˆL)(S)(OTf) (Ar = 2, 6− iPr2C6H3; LˆL

= TMHD, S = THF, quinuclidine, 2,4-lutidine; LˆL = HFAC, S = THF; LˆL = NˆNMe =

[2, 6−Me2C6H3NC(Me)]2CH, S = none; LˆL = NˆNCl = [2, 6−Cl2C6H3NC(Me)]2CH,

S = none). The triflate ligand in these compounds can be removed with sodium borate

salts to give rare examples of cationic imido alkylidene species. The solid-state structure

NSCRC 2006 38

Book of Abstracts

of two such cationic species, Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(TMHD)(THF )BArF4(ArF =

3, 5− (CF3)2C6H3) and Mo(NAr)(CHCMe2Ph)(NˆNCl)BArF4, has been determined

by X-ray diffraction. The preliminary metathesis chemistry of these species has also been

probed with simple olefins such as ethylene and shown to resemble that of the parent

bis-alkoxide catalysts.

40. Progress Toward the First Chemical Synthesis of a Single

Walled Carbon Nanotube

Vikki M. Tsefrikas and Lawrence T. Scott

Department of Chemistry, Boston College, 2609 Beacon Street, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467

Carbon nanotubes have unique molecular structures that grant them the potential

to be revolutionary electronic and chemical materials. However, further exploration of

their properties requires a uniform and reproducible nanotube sample with a specific

diameter and ring-orientation. Therefore, progress is being made towards the chemical

synthesis of a [6,6] arm-chair single walled carbon nanotube with 6-fold symmetry. The

strategy undertaken involves the synthesis of a C60H12 hemispherical endcap, which will

subsequently be elongated to the desired nanotube.

The synthetic pathway includes regioselective functionalization of the polycyclic aro-

matic hydrocarbon dibenzo[a,g]corannulene, catalytic homocoupling of the C28H14 bowl

and cyclodehydrogenation to a C56H24 symmetrical dimer. Installation of the final four

carbon atoms by a double Diels-Alder reaction across the bay regions of a perylene moiety,

and precedented pyrolysis of an anhydride precursor will afford the target endcap. The

curved building block, dibenzo[a,g]corannulene, has been successfully synthesized by two

independent routes employing similar precursors: 1) flash vacuum pyrolysis and 2) double

intramolecular Heck reactions.

41. Intramolecular Michael Additions: Studies Toward the

Total Synthesis of Salvinorin A

NSCRC 2006 39

Book of Abstracts

Grace C. Wang, Jonathan R. Scheerer and David A. Evans


The most potent naturally-occurring hallucinogen, salvinorin A (1) is a selective kappa-

opioid receptor agonist and a potential medicinal candidate for diseases characterized

by hallucinosis or altered perception. No total synthesis has been reported to date.

Retrosynthetic disconnections of salvinorin A at C5C10 and C8C9 suggest that total

synthesis could be achieved from either a linear malonate precursor (2) or a macrocyclic

precursor (3) through an intramolecular cyclization cascade.

A model system (4) was developed to investigate stereoselective Michael reaction con-

ditions for conversion to lactone 5a. After a survey of bases, solvents, and temperatures,

the methyl malonate 4 in 1:2 THF/DMF solution gave optimal results (d.r. greater than

95:5).

NSCRC 2006 40

Book of Abstracts

42. Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerization Using New

Alkoxyamine Initiators

Qing Xia and Robert B. Grubbs

Department of Chemistry, Dartmouth College, 6128 Burke Laboratory, Hanover, NH 03755

Nitroxide mediated radical polymerization of n-butyl acrylate was studied by using

the new alkoxyamine initiator DMAP. In order to avoid working with the corresponding

unstable free nitroxide, a low percentage of which is necessary for controlled polymeriza-

tion, a strategy involving in situ generation of free nitroxide has been developed. By first

preheating the initiator for a certain period of time and then adding in the monomer,

low polydispersity poly(n-butyl acrylate) was obtained (Mw/Mn lower than 1.40) as op-

posed to the polymerization process without preheating (Mw/Mn higher than 3). The

decomposition of the alkoxyamine initiator was studied at different temperatures by us-

ing EPR. Another new alkoxyamine was also synthesized by the addition of 1-phenylethyl

radicals to N-tert-butyl-a-phenylnitrone. Its role as an initiator in the nitroxide mediated

polymerization is till under investigation.

43. Determination of Bisphenol A in Water Contacted With

Plastic Using HPLC With Fluorescence Detection

J.T.Yukica W.W.Fogelman, A.B.Waghe

Chemical, Earth, Atmospheric and Physical Sciences Department, Plymouth State University,MSC 48,Plymouth, NH 03264

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component in the preparation of polycarbonate plastics and

epoxy resins. This plastic is often used to make food containers and beverage bottles.

BPA is linked to hormone-disrupting effects in human cells and mice, and some studies

have shown that there may even be risk associated with relatively low-doses. In this study

we attempt to determine the amount of BPA released from Nalgene brand bottles. Both

nanopure water and methanol equilibrated with the polymer for 2 days at 2 different

temperatures released measurable amounts of BPA. Results indicated that the amount of

BPA released in alcohol and water depends on both pH and temperature.

44. Peptide Mimics of DNA

Deniz Yuksel and Krishna Kumar


NSCRC 2006 41

Book of Abstracts

Prokaryotic organisms defend themselves against phage attack via several ways, one

of which is the employment of restriction-modification (R-M) systems. However, the R-

M system is not perfect; phage and some plasmids found ways to deceive the system.

A striking example is found in phage T7 where its 0.3 gene product -an anti-restriction

protein- inhibits Type I R-M enzymes. The structure of Ocr protein with the arrange-

ment of its negative charges and its bent shape is unique in its mimicry of B-DNA. The

Ocr protein exhibits a nice example of molecular mimicry and demonstrates that despite

all their differences it is possible to achieve structural similarity between proteins and

DNA. Previously, dimeric, two-helix, three-helix and four-helix bundles have been de-

signed and characterized to create native-like proteins. Here, we propose a new design

paradigm where a dimeric two-helix helical bundle is decorated with the required pattern

of aspartate and glutamate residues to create a DNA-mimicking protein like Ocr.

45. Photochemical Reduction of CO2 by Sphalerite (ZnS)

Colloidal Particles and the Origin of Life

Xiang V. Zhang, Scot T. Martin, Cynthia M. Friend, Heinrich Holland,

F.M. Michel, Martin Schoonen


Photochemical reduction of CO2 on mineral surfaces could have contributed signifi-

cantly to carbon fixation on prebiotic Earth and the growth of long-chain organic mole-

cules. We demonstrate that under UV irradiation colloidal particles of sphalerite (ZnS)

chemically reduce aqueous CO2 to form organic molecules (“prebiotic soup”). Measure-

ments of total organic carbon show that photoproducts other than formate also form,

which implies the formation of carbon-carbon coupling products. The likely presence of

sphalerite colloidal particles in the oceans of the prebiotic Earth suggests that photo-

chemical reactions on their surface could have played a significant role in the prebiotic

synthesis of organic molecules.

NSCRC 2006 42

Book of Abstracts

Author Index

Note: Presenting authors shown in bold

AUTHOR AFFILIATION PAGE

Aditya, S. Emmanuel College 16

d’Alarcao, M. Tufts University 20

Allakhverdiyeva, Y. Emmanuel College 16

Ambrose, J. L. University of New Hamp-

shire

16

Atanassova, V. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

17

Benoit, J. Wheaton College 17

Bonzagni, A. Wheaton College 17

Brace, L. Emmanuel College 16

Bren, K. L. Stonehill College 37

Brush, E. Bridgewater State College 22, 31

Butler, P. Tufts University 18

Cabrera, T. M. Simmons College 18

Cardoza, J. D. Brown University 35

Ceby, P. Tufts University 26

Cho, M. Tufts University 18

Clark, G. Tufts University 19

Collins, B. C. Bridgewater State College 20

Dafik, L. Tufts University 19

Delaney, J. MIT 21

DeMott, J.C. Brandeis University 11

DeSosua, R. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

17

Dowell, D. H. Brown University 35

Drennan, C. MIT 21

Ellison, H. Wheaton College 29

Erbeck, A. Bridgewater State College 22

Esquibel University of Massachusetts,

Boston

30

Essigmann, J. MIT 21

Evans, D. A. Harvard University 39

Continued on the next page

NSCRC 2006 43

Book of Abstracts


Fan, L. Brandeis University 23

Fichera, A. MIT 38

Flaherty, M. Emmanuel College 16

Flook, M. M. Tufts University 22

Fogelman, W. W. Plymouth State University 41

Foxman, B. M. Brandeis University 11

Frick, L. MIT 21

Friend, C. M. Harvard University 42

Frigugrietti, L. M. Simmons College 18

Gabert, A. J. MIT 14

Glueck, D. S. Dartmouth College 12

Gregor, L. C. Brandeis University 23

Groenzin, H. Tufts University 28

Grubbs, R. B. Dartmouth College 12, 41

Guo, G. Brandeis University 11

Guo, M. University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth

35

Gurney, R. M. Simmons College 18

Haefner, S. G. Bridgewater State College 20, 28, 29

Hammond, P. T. MIT 14

Hastings, J. B. Brown University 35

Holland, H. Harvard University 42

Horan, F. A. Plymouth State University 24

Hummel, J. T. Stonehill College 24

Jiang, A. J. MIT 38

Johnson, L. L. Boston University 25

Kaplan, D. Tufts University 34

Kennedy, D. P University of New Hamp-

shire

25

Korendovych, I. K. Tufts University 18, 26

Kryatov, S. V. Tufts University 26

Kumar, K. Tufts University 19, 20, 30, 38, 41

Landge, S. M. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

27

Lane, S. M. Bridgewater State College 28


NSCRC 2006 44

Book of Abstracts


Li, I. Tufts University 28

Liotta, L. J. Stonehill College 13, 24

Lortie, L. Wheaton College 29

Losey, H. C. Harvard University 14

Magruder, H. Wheaton College 17

Martin, S. T Harvard University 42

Mayne, H. R. University of New Hampshire 16

McDonald, L. T. Bridgewater State College 29

Meng, H. Tufts University 30

Mhadgut, S. C. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

30, 32

Michel, F. M. Harvard University 42

Mofford, D. Bridgewater State College 31

Mohammed, A. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

32

Mueller, A. A. Harvard University 14

Ozerov, O. V. Brandeis University 11, 23

Palluchio, T. D. Bridgewater State College 33

Panek, J. S. Boston University 14

Pastra-Landis, S. C. Wheaton College 37

Pearl, J. Bridgewater State College 33

Pendergraph, S. A. University of Connecticut 34

Planalp, R. P. University of New Hampshire 25

Prakash, G. K. S. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

17

Rabotyagova, O. Tufts University 34

Raposa, E. University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth

35

Reiff, W. M. 26

Rheingold, A. L. University of New Hampshire 25

Rudakov, F. M. Brown University 35

Ruthenburg, A. J. Harvard University 14

Rybak-Akimova, E. V. Tufts University 18, 22, 26

Samson, L. MIT 21

Sandberg, D. University of Connecticut 36


NSCRC 2006 45

Book of Abstracts


Satuluri, K. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

17

Scheerer, J. R. Harvard University 39

Schmerge, J. F. Brown University 35

Schrock, R. R. MIT 14, 38

Scott, L. T. Boston College 39

Seery, T. University of Connecticut 36

Senguen, F. T. Stonehill College 37

Sessions, L. B. Dartmouth College 12

Sharma, S. University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth

36

Shultz, M. J. Tufts University 28

Silvero, A. Wheaton College 37

Singh, B. R. University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth

36

Sive, B. C. University of New Hampshire 16

Sletten, E. M. Stonehill College 13, 37

Smeester, L. MIT 21

Sotzing, G. A. University of Connecticut 34

Staples, R. J. Harvard University 18

Stutz, J. University of New Hampshire 16

Su, G. University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth

35

Subrahmanian, T. K. Tufts University 38

Swope, S. K. Plymouth State University 24

Taghizadeh, K. MIT 21

Taktak, S. Tufts University 22

Talbot R. V. University of New Hampshire 16

Tonzetich, Z. J. MIT 38

Torok, B. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

17, 27, 30, 32

Torok, M. University of Massachusetts,

Boston

17, 30, 32

Tsefrikas, V. M. Boston College 39

Verdine, G. L. Harvard University 14


NSCRC 2006 46

Book of Abstracts


Verploegen, E. MIT 14

Waghe, A. B. Plymouth State University 24, 41

Wang, G. C. Harvard University 39

Waratuke, S. A. Bridgewater State College 33

Weber, P. M. Brown University 35

Wei, Y. University of Massachusetts,

Dartmouth

35

Wishnok, J. MIT 21

Wong, C. MIT 21

Utz, A. L. Tufts University 11

Xia, Q. Dartmouth College 41

Yavuz, M. S. University of Connecticut 34

Yukica, J. T. Plymouth State University 41

Yuksel, D. Tufts University 41

Zhang, X. V. Harvard University 42

NSCRC 2006 47

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