Thesis advisor: Amir H. Hoveyda / Chapter 1. Mechanistic Insights and Factors Influencing Polytopal Rearrangements in Stereogenic-at-Ru Carbenes. Herein, the mechanistic elucidation of the stereochemical inversion in stereogenic-at-Ru carbene complexes through olefin metathesis (OM) and non-olefin metathesis (non-OM) based polytopal rearrangements is provided. Our investigations involve the isolation and characterization of previously hypothesized higher-energy (e.g., endo-anti) and lower-energy (e.g., exo-anti) diastereomers, and their interconversion under thermal and/or acid-catalyzed conditions is demonstrated. Furthermore, our computational efforts highlighting the importance of the anionic ligands, due to their critical role in trans influence, dipolar interactions, and e-e repulsions, in polytopal rearrangements are reported. Finally, the positive influence of H-bonding in OM and non-OM processes is also rationalized. (a) Khan, R. K. M.; Zhugralin, A. R.; Torker, S.; O'Brien, R. V.; Lombardi, P. J. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Synthesis, Isolation, Characterization, and Reactivity of High-Energy Stereogenic-at-Ru Carbenes: Stereochemical Inversion Through Olefin Metathesis and Other Pathways," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 12438-12441. (b) Torker, S.; Khan, R. K. M. and Hoveyda, A. H. "The Influence of Anionic Ligands on Stereoisomerism of Ru Carbenes and Their Importance to Efficiency and Selectivity of Catalytic Olefin Metathesis Reactions," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 3439-3455. Chapter 2. Highly Z- and Enantioselective Ring-Opening/Cross-Metathesis of Enol Ethers Through Curtin-Hammett Kinetics. The first instances of Z- and enantioselective Ru-catalyzed olefin metathesis are presented. Ring-opening/cross-metathesis (ROCM) reactions of oxabicyclic alkenes and enol ethers and a phenyl vinyl sulfide are promoted by 0.5-5.0 mol % of enantiomerically pure stereogenic-at-Ru complexes with an aryloxy chelate tethered to the N-heterocyclic carbene. Products are formed efficiently and with exceptional enantioselectivity (up to >98:2 enantiomer ratio). Surprisingly, the enantioselective ROCM reactions proceed with high Z selectivity (up to >98% Z). Moreover, reactions proceed with the opposite sense of enantioselectivity versus aryl olefins, which afford E- isomers exclusively. DFT calculations and deuterium-scrambling experiments, indicating fast interconversion between endo- and exo-Fischer carbene diastereomers, support a Curtin-Hammett situation. On this basis, models accounting for the stereoselectivity levels and trends are provided. Furthermore, the correlation of Fischer carbene character to the observed chemoselectivity in ROCM with enol ethers is also disclosed. Finally, a general proposal for the substrate-controlled Z selectivity in OM is also discussed. (a) Khan, R. K. M.; O'Brien, R. V.; Torker, S.; Li, B. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Z- and Enantioselective Ring-Opening Cross-Metathesis with Enol Ethers Catalyzed by Stereogenic-at-Ru Carbenes: Reactivity, Selectivity, and Curtin-Hammett Kinetics," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 12774-12779. (b) Torker, S.; Koh, M. J.; Khan, R. K. M. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Origin of Z selectivity in Olefin Metathesis Reactions of Certain Terminal Alkenes Catalyzed by Typically E-Selective Ru Carbenes," manuscript submitted. Chapter 3. A New Class of Highly Efficient Ru Catalysts for Z-Selective Olefin Metathesis. Herein, we outline a general design for Z-selective OM, which led to the development of a new class of stereogenic-at-Ru carbene complexes (Ru4-9). Furthermore, we demonstrate that the newly developed dithiolate complexes Ru4b and Ru5 efficiently promote high activity and selectivity in ROMP reactions of norbornene and cyclooctene. Notably, the catechothiolate Ru4b catalyzes Z-selective ROCM with a broad scope of alkenes involving various functional groups (e.g., alcohols, enol ethers, vinyl sulfides, amides, heterocycles, and conjugated 1,3-dienes). More importantly, we disclose that the catecholate complex Ru4a is kinetically non-selective in OM and readily decomposes in the presence of mildly acidic moieties (e.g., alcohols and CDCl3). Subsequently, Ru9 is developed to efficiently promote highly Z-selective CM of a diol cross-partner with a wide range of alkene substrates. Most remarkably, the aforementioned protocol is employed in two natural product syntheses and the OM-based Z-selective cracking of oleic acid, which is unprecedented with existing Ru-carbenes and Mo/W-alkylidenes. (a) Khan, R. K. M.; Torker, S. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Readily Accessible and Easily Modifiable Ru-Based Catalysts for Efficient and Z-Selective Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization and Ring-Opening Cross-Metathesis," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2013, 135, 10258-10261. (b) Koh, M. J.; Khan, R. K. M.; Torker, S. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Broadly Applicable Z- and Diastereoselective Ring-Opening/Cross-Metathesis Catalyzed By a Dithiolate Ru Complex," Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2014, 53, 1968-1972. (c) Khan, R. K. M. ; Torker, S. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Reactivity and Selectivity Differences Between Catecholate and Catechothiolate Ru Complexes. Implications Regarding Design of Stereoselective Olefin Metathesis Catalysts," J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 14337-14340. (d) Koh, M. J.; Khan, R. K. M.; Torker, S.; Yu, M.; Mikus, M. S. and Hoveyda, A. H. "Synthesis of High-Value Alcohols, Aldehydes and Acids by Catalytic Z-Selective Cross-Metathesis" manuscript submitted. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2014. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Chemistry.

No / The design of new functional crystalline materials requires an understanding of the factors that control salt and co-crystal formation. These states often only differ in the location of the proton and are influenced by chemical and crystallographic factors. The interaction between a carboxylic acid and a pyridine is a frequently used supramolecular synthon in crystal engineering which can exist as either a co-crystal (CO2H center dot center dot center dot N) or salt (CO2-center dot center dot center dot HN+). The results of a Cambridge Structure Database search indicate that the nature of the functional groups on the pyridine play a stronger role in selection of the phase than those of the acid. However, the nature of the local hydrogen bonding of the interaction also adjusts the potential for proton transfer. This was demonstrated by ab initio modelling of the energy landscape for binary and ternary co-crystals by inclusion of varying components of the local environment.

Palladium-catalyzed olefin dioxygenation is a powerful tool in the generation of complex and valuable substrates, one which may become complimentary to the well known Sharpless dihydroxylation. In this work the mechanism of this transformation is examined via reaction kinetics and Hammett studies, which corroborate a PdII/IV catalytic cycle and suggest that the rate determining step is the oxidation of PdII to PdIV. Olefin dioxygenation was also found to proceed in the presence of catalytic quantities of BF3•OEt2 or triflic acid, with stoichiometric hypervalent iodine oxidant and an acetic acid solvent. Furthermore, asymmetric variants of intramolecular palladium-catalyzed olefin dioxygenation were also investigated, which resulted in the formation of tetrahydrofuran products in up to 36% ee. Next, chelate-assisted C–H bond functionalization of indoles at the C7 position and of carbazoles at the C1 position was investigated with a variety of arylation, halogenation and oxygenation techniques. Lastly, our efforts towards the synthesis of a mono-phosphine based [5]helicene ligand via olefin metathesis and photocyclization strategies will be discussed.

Palladium-catalyzed olefin dioxygenation is a powerful tool in the generation of complex and valuable substrates, one which may become complimentary to the well known Sharpless dihydroxylation. In this work the mechanism of this transformation is examined via reaction kinetics and Hammett studies, which corroborate a PdII/IV catalytic cycle and suggest that the rate determining step is the oxidation of PdII to PdIV. Olefin dioxygenation was also found to proceed in the presence of catalytic quantities of BF3•OEt2 or triflic acid, with stoichiometric hypervalent iodine oxidant and an acetic acid solvent. Furthermore, asymmetric variants of intramolecular palladium-catalyzed olefin dioxygenation were also investigated, which resulted in the formation of tetrahydrofuran products in up to 36% ee. Next, chelate-assisted C–H bond functionalization of indoles at the C7 position and of carbazoles at the C1 position was investigated with a variety of arylation, halogenation and oxygenation techniques. Lastly, our efforts towards the synthesis of a mono-phosphine based [5]helicene ligand via olefin metathesis and photocyclization strategies will be discussed.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Montana, 2007. / Title from title screen. Description based on contents viewed Oct. 5, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 61-64).

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-29T14:11:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_4660_Felipe de Oliveira Fiuza.pdf: 369187 bytes, checksum: 96583c5175d693658068592c041f7efe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-03-28 / Tendo em vista a importante contribuição dos estudos culturais e literários para o aprofundamento do debate sobre as narrativas policiais norte-americanas, este estudo pretende levantar singularidades, rupturas e questões de masculinidade(s) associadas à literatura hardboiled, de modo a fundamentar uma investigação de sua reverberação na obra de Rubem Fonseca. Para tal fim, parte-se, principalmente, dos estudos de masculinidade hegemônica empreendidos por R.W. Connell e seus comentadores, e da análise de três dos maiores expoentes fundadores do gênero, Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler e Jim Thompson. Considerando essa fundação da literatura policial norte-americana, serão então analisadas quatro obras protagonizadas pelo personagem Mandrake, ―O Caso F.A‖, ―Dia dos Namorados‖, ―Mandrake‖ e o romance A Grande Arte. Pretende-se, assim, observar como o autor se vale dessa tradição da literatura policial, e de suas implicações com questões de masculinidade(s), para criar uma obra de tamanha potência crítica, estilística e política. / Taking into consideration the important contribution of literary and cultural studies to the deepening of debate about North-American detective narratives, this study intends to assemble singularities, disconnections and contemporary masculinity issues associated with hard-boiled literature, aiming to substantiate an investigation of its influence in Rubem Fonseca‘s work. In order to do so, we take as a starting point the studies of hegemonic masculinities, by R.W. Connell and her commentators, and the analysis of three of the genre‘s founding fathers, Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Jim Thompson. Considering the foundation of North-American detective novel, four works which has Mandrake as its main character will be analyzed : ―O Caso F.A‖, ―Dia dos Namorados‖, ―Mandrake‖ and the novel A Grande Arte. Seeking to observe how the author utilizes the hard-boiled tradition and its implications in masculinities issues in order to create a work of enormous critical, stylistic and political potency.

This thesis challenges the traditional view of the 'femme fatale' as merely a dangerous and ravenous sexual predator who leads men into ruination. Critical, especially feminist, scholarship mostly regards the femme fatale as a sexist construction of a male fantasy and treats her as an expression of misogyny that ultimately serves to reaffirm male authority. But this thesis proposes alternative ways of viewing the femme fatale by showing how she can also serve as a figure for imagining female agency. As such, I focus on a particular character type that is distinct from the general archetype of the femme fatale because of the greater degree of agency she demonstrates. This 'criminal femme fatale' uses her sexual appeal and irresistible wiles both to manipulate men and to commit criminal acts, usually murder, in order to advance her goals with deliberate intent and full culpability. This thesis reveals and explains the agency of the criminal femme fatales in American Hardboiled crime fiction between the late 1920s and the end of World War II in the works of three authors: Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain. The criminal femme fatales in the narratives of these authors show a subversive power and an ability to act - even though, or perhaps only if, this action is a criminal one. I show that these criminal femme fatales exhibit agency through their efforts to challenge not only the 'masculine' genre and the criminal space that this genre represents, but also to undercut the male protagonist's role and prove his failure in asserting control and dominance. Hammett's narratives provide good examples of how the criminal femme fatales function on a par with male gangsters in an underworld of crime and corruption. Chandler's work demonstrates a different case of absent/present criminal women who are set against the detective and ultimately question his power and mastery. Cain's narratives show the agency of the criminal femme fatales in the convergence between their ambition for social mobility and their sexual power over the male characters. To explain how these female characters exhibit agency, I situate this body of literature alongside contemporaneous legal and medical discourses on female criminality. I argue that the literary female criminal is a fundamentally different portrayal because she breaks the 'mad-bad' woman dichotomy that dominates both legal and medical discourses on female criminality. I show that the criminal femme fatales' negotiations of female agency within hardboiled crime fiction fluctuate and shift between the two poles of the criminalized and the medicalized women. These criminal femme fatales exhibit culpability in their actions that bring them into an encounter with the criminal justice system and resist being pathologized as women who suffer from a psychological ailment that affect their control. The thesis concludes that the ways in which the criminal femme fatales trouble normative socio-cultural conceptions relating to docile femininity and passive sexuality, not only destabilize the totality and fixity of the stereotype of the femme fatale in hardboiled crime fiction, but also open up broader debates about the representation of women in popular culture and the intersections between genre and gender.

Eine Reihe 3-(p-X-phenyl)-Thiophenmonomeren (X = -H, -CH3, -OCH3, -COCH3, -COOC2H5, -NO2) wurde elektrochemisch polymerisiert, um Filme zu erhalten, die umkehrbar reduziert und oxidiert werden konnten (n-und p-dotiert wurden). Die Oxidationspotentiale der Monomere und die formalen Potentiale der n und p-Dotierprozesse der Polymere wurden mit Resonanz- und induktiven Effekten der Substituenten (Hammett konstanten) am Phenylring sowie semiempirisch errechneten Bildungswärmen der Monomereradikalkationen korreliert. Außerdem wurden die Oxidationspotentiale mit den Ionisierungspotentialen der Monomere verglichen, die über die Dichtefunktionialtheorie (DFT) errechnet wurden, die der Energie für das Erzeugen der Radikalkationen entsprechen. Um theoretische Grundlagen für die Einstufen-Bildung regioregulär -konjungierter Oligo- und Polythiophene zu erhalten, wurden die elektronischen Zustände von 3-Phenylthiophen-Derivaten anhand von Molekülorbitalberechnungen auf Grundlage der Dichtefunktionaltheorie mit Becke’s Drei-Parameter-Funktion (B3LYP), sowie mit den Basissätzen 6-31G(d) und 3-21G(d) erklärt. Die Reaktivität der Verknüpfung von mono- und oligo-3-Phenylthiophenen wurde von den berechneten ungepaarten Elektronenspindichten der entsprechenden Radikal-Anionen abgeleitet. Die Ionisierungspotentiale, die den Energien zur Erzeugung der Radikal-Anionen während der Oxidation entsprechen, wurden abgeschätzt. Die aus den 3-Phenylthiophenen entstandenen regioselektiven Hauptprodukte können gut durch die Größe der Spindichten erklärt werden. Da die Verknüpfungsreaktion an der zwei-Position des Thiophnrings (C-2) sterisch durch die Phenylgruppe und den Thiophenring gehindert ist, startet die Initiierung der 3-Phenylthiophene über die Bildung eines Kopf-Schwanz-Dimers. Folglich spielt das Kopf-Schwanz-Dimer eine wichtige Rolle bei den Wachstumsreaktionen der 3-Phenylthiophene. Die Ursache dafür liegt darin, dass das Kopf-Schwanz-Dimer in 5-Position die höchste Spin-Dichte besitzt und die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Kopf-Kopf-Verknüpfung aufgrund der sterischen Hinderung zwischen dem Thiophenring und der Phenylgruppe gering ist. Polymerfilme von 3-Phenylthiophenderivaten, die durch elektrochemische Polymerisation synthetisiert wurden, sind in situ und ex situ durch Resonanz-Raman-Spektroskopie bei verschiedenen Anregungswellenlängen, sowie durch in situ und ex situ UV-Vis Spektroskopie analysiert wurden. Die Entwicklung der in situ UV-Vis-Spektren der Polymer von 3-Phenylthiophene nach der Dotierung wird durch ähnliche Eigenschaften gekennzeichnet, wie für viele Polythiophene mit einem hohen Grad der Konjugation beobachtet. Während der schrittweisen Oxidation der Poly-3-phenylthiophen Filme verringert sich die Intensität der Absorption wegen des Überganges bei 450-566 nm und ein neues ausgedehntes Absorptionsband, das auf (bi)polaron Zustände bezogen wird erscheint bei ungefähr 730-890 nm. Andererseits wird während der Oxidation (p-Dotierung) des Poly3-phenylthiophen Filmes eine blau/hypsochrome Verschiebung für beide Absorptionsbänder beobachtet . Es wird durch die Tatsache erklärt, dass ein Polymer eine Verteilung der Kettenlängen enthält und die längste Polymer kette (dessen Absorption bei niedriger Energie auftritt), bei niedrigeren Potentialen zu oxidieren beginnt. Die elektrochemischen Bandlücken der Derivate von 3-Phenylthiophen sind durch zyklische Voltametrie gemessen worden. Der Effekt der Substituenten auf den Oxidations-/Reduktions- potentiale wird besprochen. Bei Bandlücken, die durch zyklische Voltammetrie erhalten wurden, hat sich herausgestellt, dass sie im Allgemeinen höher liegen als optische Bandlücken. Erste Resultate der in situ Resonanz-Raman-Spektroskopie, von dem elektrochemisch erzeugten Polymerderivate von 3-Phenylthiophen Filmen auf einer Platinelektrode, in einer organischen Elektrolytlösung, werden berichtet. Beobachtete Raman Banden werden zugewiesen; gegründet auf diesen Resultaten werden die zuvor angenommenen molekularen Strukturen diskutiert. / A series of 3-(p-X-phenyl) thiophene monomers (X= –H, –CH3, –OCH3, –COCH3, –COOC2H5, –NO2) was electrochemically polymerized to furnish polymer films that could be reversibly reduced and oxidized (n- and p-doped). The oxidation potentials of the monomers and formal potentials of the n- and p-doping processes of polymers were correlated with resonance and inductive effects (Hammett constants) of the substituents on the phenyl ring as well as the semiempirically calculated heats of formation of the monomer radical cations. Moreover, the oxidation potentials of the monomers were correlated with the ionization potentials of the monomers calculated via density functional theory (DFT), which correspond to the energies for generating radical cations during oxidative processes. For obtaining a theoretical basis for the one-step formation of regioregular –conjugated oligo-and polythiophenes, the electronic states of 3-phenylthiophene derivatives were elucidated by molecular orbital calculations using density functional theory with the Becke-type three parameters functional (B3LYP), the 6-31G(d), and 3-21G(d) basis sets. The reactivity for coupling reaction of mono- and oligo-3-phenylthiophenes are inferred from the calculated unpaired electron spin densities of the respective radical cations, and the ionization potentials which correspond to the energies for generating radical cations during oxidative processes were estimated. The major regioselective products of the oligomerization of 3-phenylthiophene can be well understood in terms of the magnitude of spin densities. Since the steric hindrance between the phenyl group and thiophene ring interferes with the coupling reaction occurring between 2-postions (C–2) of thiophene rings, the initiating reaction of 3-phenylthiophene is generaton of a head-to-tail (HT) dimer. Thus, the head-to-tail (HT) dimer plays an important role in the propagation reactions of 3-phenylthiophene. This originates from the highest spin density at the 5- position of the HT dimer and low probability of the HH coupling due to the steric hindrance between thiophene ring and phenyl group. Polymer films of the 3-phenylthiophene derivatives prepared by electrochemical polymerization were analyzed, in situ and ex situ, with resonance Raman spectroscopy using several excitation wavelengths as well as in situ and ex situ UV-Vis-spectroscopy. The evolution of the in situ UV-Vis-spectra of poly 3-phenylthiophene derivatives upon doping is characterized by similar features as observed for many polythiophenes with high degree of conjugation. During stepwise oxidation of the poly-3-phenylthiophene films the intensity of the absorption due to the transition around 450–566 nm decreases and a new broad absorption band related to (bi)polaron states appears around 730-890 nm. On the other hand, during the oxidation (p-doping) of the poly-3-phenylthiophene films a blue/hypsochromic shift is observed for both absorption bands. It is explained by the fact that a polymer contains a distribution of chain lengths, and the longest polymer chains (the absorption of which occurs at lower energies) start to oxidize at lower potentials. The electrochemical bandgaps of 3-phenylthiophene derivatives have been measured by cyclic voltammetry. The effect of substituents on the oxidation / reduction potentials is discussed. Bandgaps obtained by cyclic voltammetry have been found to be in general higher than optical bandgaps. Preliminary results of in situ resonance Raman spectroscopy of electrochemically generated poly-3-phenylthiophene derivatives films on a platinum electrode exposed to an organic electrolyte solution are reported. Observed Raman bands are assigned; based on these results previously suggested molecular structures are discussed.

Les glicosidases que hidrolitzen els substrats amb retenció de configuració segueixen un mecanisme general en què després d'una primera etapa d'associació enzim-lligand s'encadenen dues etapes catalítiques que porten a la hidròlisi del substrat conservant la configuració del carboni anomèric en el nou extrem generat. En el present treball es comprova a través d'estudis mecanístics, principalment estudis en estat preestacionari i anàlisis de Hammett, que amb aquest mecanisme tan senzill no es pot descriure correctament l'activitat catalítica de la 1,3-1,4-β-glucanasa de Bacillus licheniformis, i es proposa el mecanisme que es mostra a continuació: on els complexos enzim-substrat adopten dues conformacions productives (SES* i SES**) i on el balanç entre aquestes dues conformacions en funció del substrat explica els diferents comportaments cinètics en estat estacionari i preestacionari.Un estudi en profunditat sobre la importància que exerceix la interacció entre l'enzim i l'hidroxil a C2 de la unitat de glucopiranosa que ocupa el subseti -1 demostra que en el cas de la 1,3-1,4-β-glucanasa de Bacillus licheniformis aquesta interacció no juga el paper rellevant que s'ha observat en altres β-glicosidases que actuen amb retenció de configuració.L'estudi de la reacció d'hidratació del glical G4G3G' catalitzada per la 1,3-1,4-β-glucanasa de Bacillus licheniformis permet proposar que hi ha un canvi en el residu que fa el paper d'àcid general. De manera que es proposa que l'Asp136 que en la reacció d'hidròlisi de substrats ajuda al posicionament dels residus catalítics i juga un paper en la regulació dels seus pKa, és el residu que fa d'àcid general en la reacció d'hidratació de glicals. / Las glicosidasas que hidrolizan substratos con retención de configuración siguen un mecanismo general en que después de una primera etapa de asociación enzima-ligando se encadenan dos etapas catalíticas que llevan a la hidrólisis del substrato conservando la configuración del carbono anomérico en el nuevo extremo generado. En el presente trabajo se comprueba a través de estudios mecanísticos, principalmente estudios en estado pre-estacionario y análisis de Hammett, que con este mecanismo tan sencillo no se puede describir correctamente la actividad catalítica de la 1,3-1,4-β-glucanasa de Bacillus licheniformis, y se propone el mecanismo que se muestra a continuación: donde los complejos enzima-substrato adoptan dos conformaciones productivas (SES* y SES**) y donde el balance entre estas dos conformaciones en función del substrato explica los diferentes comportamientos cinéticos en estado estacionario y pre-estacionario.Un estudio en profundidad sobre la importancia que ejerce la interacción entre el enzima y el hidroxilo en C2 de la unidad de glucopiranosa que ocupa el subsitio -1 demuestra que en el caso de la 1,3-1,4-β-glucanasa de Bacillus licheniformis esta interacción no juega el papel relevante que se ha observado en otras β-glicosidasas que actuan con retención de configuración.El estudio de la reacción de hidratación del glical G4G3G' catalizada por la 1,3-1,4-β-glucanasa de Bacillus licheniformis permite proponer que hay un cambio en el residu que ejerce el papel de ácido general. De manera que se propone que el Asp136 que en la reacción de hidrólisis de substratos ayuda en el posicionamiento de los resíduos catalíticos y juega un papel en la regulación de sus pKa, es el resíduo que actúa de ácido general en la reacción de hidratación de glicales. / Retaining glycosidases follow a general mechanism in which the first enzime-ligand association is followed by two catalytic steps that render the product of hydrolysis with the same anomeric configuration as the starting material. In the present work we demonstrate using mechanistic studies, basically pre-steady state kinetics and Hammett analysis, that this mechanism is too simple to properly describe the catalytic activity of Bacillus licheniformis 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase, and the following mechanism is proposed: In this mechanism, the enzim-substrate complexes adopt two productive conformations (SES* and SES**) and the balance between these two conformations depending on the nature of the substrate explains the diferent behaviours observed in pre-steady and steady state kinetics.A deep study on the importance of the interaction between the enzyme and the hydroxyl group at C2 of the glucopyranose residue that occupies the -1 subsite demonstrates that in Bacillus licheniformis 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase this interaction is not the key interaction observed in other retaining β-glycosidases.The study of the G4G3G' glical hydration catalysed by the Bacillus licheniformis 1,3-1,4-β-glucanase let us propose that there is a change in the residue that acts as a general acid. We propose that Asp136, that plays a role positioning the catalytic residues and modulating their pKa in the hydrolysis reaction, acts as the general acid in the hydration of glycals.

Dashiell Hammett's The Maltese Falcon and Red Harvest are examples of iconic hard-boiled detective literature that reflect on the anxieties and tensions of the 1930s-1940s. With the Great Depression looming over these decades, the genre uses the hard-boiled detective as a way to communicate with and understand this time period. In our analysis of game theory, we look at how Dashiell Hammett's characters make decisions based on the actions of other players in the game, illustrating the influences of bargaining power and manipulation. With characters that oftentimes find themselves in situations where they must collude to reach maximum utility, the novels explore the various ways in which one player takes advantage of another, almost always leading towards the detective's best payoff. Game theory provides us with a unique method to looking at literature, hard-boiled fiction particularly, as a reflection of the historical period of its conception and prime.