Defined molecular models for the surface chemistry of Hume-Rothery nanophases related to catalysis are very rare. The Al-Cu intermetalloid cluster [(Cp*AlCu)6H4] was selectively obtained from the clean reaction of [(Cp*Al)4] and [(Ph3PCuH)6]. The stronger affinity of Cp*Al towards Cu sweeps the phosphine ligands from the copper hydride precursor and furnishes an octahedral Al6 cage to encapsulate the Cu6 core. The resulting hydrido cluster M12H4 reacts with benzonitrile to give the stoichiometric hydrometalation product [(Cp*AlCu)6H3(N=CHPh)].

Two overlapping DNA fragments from yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing the actin gene have been inserted into pBR322 and cloned in E.coli. Clones were identified by hybridization to complementary RNA from a plasmid containing a copy of Dictyostelium actin mRNA. One recombinant plasmid obtained (pYA102) contains a 3.93-kb Hindlll fragment, the other (pYA208) a 5.1-kb Pstl fragment, both share a common 2.2-kb fragment harboring part of the actin gene. Cloned yeast actin DNA was identified by R-loop formation and translation of the hybridized actin mRNA and by DNA sequence analysis. Cytoplasmic actin mRNA has been estimated to be about 1250 nucleotides long. There is only one type of the actin gene in S.cerevisiae.

The triangular clusters [Zn3Cp*3](+) and [Zn2CuCp*3] were obtained by addition of the in situ generated, electrophilic, and isolobal species [ZnCp*](+) and [CuCp*] to Carmona's compound, [Cp*Zn-ZnCp*], without splitting the ZnZn bond. The choice of non-coordinating fluoroaromatic solvents was crucial. The bonding situations of the all-hydrocarbon-ligand-protected clusters were investigated by quantum chemical calculations revealing a high degree of σ-aromaticity similar to the triatomic hydrogen ion [H3](+). The new species serve as molecular building units of Cu(n)Zn(m) nanobrass clusters as indicated by LIFDI mass spectrometry.

We have cloned 215‐kb DNA containing the maternal effect region (ME) of the Shaker gene complex (shC) at 16F of the Drosophila X chromosome. Five translocation and deletion breakpoints have been mapped on the cloned DNA allowing a correlation of the genetic map to transcription units. The ME region spans ˜100 kb. The genetic behavior of this region correlates with the occurrence of maternal RNAs in this part of the ShC. Two transcripts have been identified in the vicinity of chromosomal rearrangements which cause a Sh phenotype. These are a 4.5‐kb transcript interrupted by T(x;2)B27 and a 2‐kb transcript interrupted by T(X;3)ShLC and T(X;Y)W32. The latter transcript is derived from a primary transcript which spans >65 kb genomic DNA. The cDNA‐sequencing data show that this Shaker (IAchannel) gene can encode a protein of ˜35 kd with three α‐helical membrane‐spanning sequences near its carboxyl terminus. These have a striking homology with membrane‐spanning sequences of the vertabrate Na+ channel.

Zinc–zinc interactions on nickel and palladium centers are highly dependent on the co-ligands. These dependencies are also found for the formation of dihydrogen vs. dihydride complexes and underline the analogy [Zn2Cp*2] ↔ H2.

The first example of ligand protected Cu-Zn clusters is described. Reaction of [CpCu(CN(t)Bu)] with [Zn2Cp*2] yields [(CuCN(t)Bu)4(ZnCp*)4] (1a) and [(CuCN(t)Bu)4(ZnCp*)3(ZnCp)] (1b). According to DFT calculations, the [Cu4Zn4] unit fulfils the unified superatom model for cluster valence shell closing.

The self-assembly of the hydrogensquarates is elucidated by means of linear-polarized infrared (IR-LD) spectroscopy of oriented colloids in nematic host and the so-called reducing-difference procedure for polarized IR-LD spectra interpretation. The scopes and limitation are discussed on five novel derivatives of squaric acid and its anions, that is, 2-chloro-3-aminopyridinium hydrogensquarate (1), bis (1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolinium) squarate (2), bis hydrogensquarate dihydrate salt of 4-(aminomethyl)pyridine (3), N-(2-ammoniumethyl)-piperazinium monohydrate hydrogensquarate squarate (4), and 3-nitropyridinium hydrogensquarate monohydrate (5), respectively. The structures of these compounds 1-5 were solved by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the crystallographic data were used for the experimental elucidation of the corresponding IR spectra of crystals with respect to studying Fermi-resonance (FR), Davydov splitting (DS), and Fermi-Davydov (FD) as well as Evans' hole effects. The various motifs for self-assembly of squaric acid and its anions in the organic crystals are discussed together with their IR-spectroscopic properties.

The novel hydrogensquarate salt of 4-cyanopyridine was synthesized, and its structure and properties were elucidated in detail spectroscopically, thermally, and structurally, using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, linear-polarized solid-state IR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, DTA, and positive and negative ESI MS as well as 1H and 13C NMR methods. Quantum chemical methods were used to calculate the electronic structure, vibrational data, and electronic spectra. 4-Cyanopyridinium hydrogensquarate monohydrate crystallizes in the space group P and exhibits a layered structure with molecules linked by intermolecular NH...O(HSq-) (2.651 A) and HOH...O(HSq-) (2.792 and 2.563 A) hydrogen bonds with participation of cations, anions, and the solvent molecule. The formation of stable layers of the type (2HSq-.2H2O)n and the observation of a red color in the solid state is discussed. The optical and magnetic properties were elucidated in comparison to the data for neutral 4-cyanopyridine as well as its four known salts.