No description available.

This work aimed to investigate the evolutionary origin of the involvement of the HIF Prolyl Hydroxylases (PHDs) in oxygen sensing. The &alpha;/&beta;-heterodimer HIF (<u>H</u>ypoxia <u>I</u>nducible <u>F</u>actor) is a master regulator of oxygen homoeostasis in metazoans. In the nucleus, HIF binds to the Hypoxia Responsive Elements and forms a transcriptional complex that activates the transcription of a multitude of downstream genes. Under normoxic conditions, the Fe(II)- and oxygen-dependent PHDs catalyse 4R-prolyl-hydroxylation of the HIF &alpha;-subunit, which subsequently leads to its degradation. It had previously been proposed that the evolution of the HIF-pathway, shared by all metazoans but not found in other organisms, is linked to the rapid diversification of multicellular life during the Cambrian Explosion. This work investigates the structural and biochemical properties of a PHD of the basal metazoan Trichoplax adhaerens (taPHD), and a PHD-like enzyme of the protist Monosiga brevicollis (mbP4H). Two crystal structures of taPHD were obtained (1.2-1.3 Å), one containing a Trichoplax adhaerens HIF&alpha; subunit peptide (taODD). Comparison with crystal structures of human PHD2 showed a high degree of conservation of structural features and enzyme-substrate interactions. The prolyl-residue of taODD, shown to be hydroxylated by taPHD, is occupying the C⁴-endo conformation in the crystal structure, supporting the previously proposed mechanism of HIF&alpha; hydroxylation by PHD2 in humans. A conservation of biochemical properties with human PHD2, such as the formation of a stable enzyme-Fe(II)-2OG complex, was observed and could therefore be key to oxygen sensing by the PHDs. mbP4H was shown to catalyse 4R-prolyl-hydroxylation of taODD. It was proposed that the native substrate of mbP4H is a protein containing a prolyl-hydroxylation site similar to taODD, possibly with a YXXLAP motif. The study of biochemical properties and substrate selectivity of mbP4H suggests that the precursor of PHDs may have had similar properties to mbP4H. Further work on mbP4H could therefore yield clues about the evolutionary origin of HIF-prolyl hydroxylases in oxygen sensing and probe the previously proposed connection between metazoan life and HIF–mediated oxygen sensing.

Direct volume rendering techniques for scalar fields make use of transfer functions to map optical properties to the field; the field can subsequently be visualized through the drawing of isosurfaces in the volume spanned by the field. The utility of this approach is limited in the case of nested or clustered structures with the same isovalue and further does not easily allow for quantitative measurements of the visualized data. This report explores the use of topological structures (contour trees and Morse-Smale complexes) as an augmentation of traditional direct volume rendering and describes a fully functional implementation in the visualization software Inviwo. The implementation is evaluated through analysis of valency charge density fields in cubic MgO2 and FeO2. It is demonstrated that both contour trees and Morse-Smale complexes provide information and segmentation of initial volume data that allows for selective transfer function application (based on the segmentation), on-demand information on critical points and an overview of the scalar field through a topological representation embedded in the visualized volume. Analysis of the provided charge density fields show that contour trees generate physically irrelevant artefacts and thus are ill-suited for analysing highly symmetric data. On the other hand, the Morse-Smale complex approach is used to extract information of the bond strength of O-O contacts in MgO2 and FeO2 consistent with previous findings, as well as information on electronic charge configuration consistent with previous findings on MgO2. In the case of FeO2, the electronic configuration results are not consistent. This is speculated to be due to a combination of factors, most notably the lack of periodic boundary conditions in the implementation and the more complicated structure of FeO2.   In light of the partially accurate data analysis, as well as the added functionality and utility provided to visualization software, this approach to topology-guided visualization is considered promising and worthy of further study and/or development.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivos a clonagem, expressão e purificação da proteína HGPRT de Leishimania tarentolae, para a caracterização e cristalização dessa enzima, a fim do seu estudo estrutural e funcional. O gene da HGPRT foi amplificado a partir de uma biblioteca genômica de Leishmania tarentolae da cepa UC Lambda ZAP Express BamHI-Sal3A I. Esse gene foi clonado no vetor de expressão pET29a(+) e usado na transformação da bactéria Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Esse sistema de expressão apresentou uma superexpressão da proteína recombinante, que foi purificada em cromatografia de forma iônica, com o uso da coluna de troca anônica POROS 20HQ. A proteína purificada foi utilizada para sua caracterização, como a determinação das constantes cinéticas (Km, Vmax e Kcat) para os diferentes substratos. A proteína foi encontrada como dímero em solução e o pI de aproximadamente 8,2. Além disso, essa proteína foi utilizada nos ensaios de cristalização pelo método de difusão de vapor em gotas suspensas. Os cristais obtidos foram utilizados nos testes da difração de raios-X sendo coletado um conjunto de dados no Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncroton. Os dados de difração de raios-X foram processados com o uso do pacote de programa HKL. A resolução da estrutura cristalográfica foi obtida pelo método de substituição molecular através do programa AmoRe. Para o refinamento da estrutura foram utilizados os programas de refinamento automático CNS e REFMAC, e a manipulação na estação gráfica foi realizada através do programa O. A estrutura da HGPRT foi resolvida a 2,1 &#197 de resolução com os fatores de concordância Rwork e Rfree finais de 17,34 e 21,53%, respectivamente. / The aims of this work were the cloning, expression and purification of the protein HGPRT from Leishimania tarentolae, for the characterization and crystallization of the enzyme for it structural and functional study. The full-length hgprt gene was isolated from a leishmania tarentolae UC strain Lambda ZAP Express BamHI-Sal3A I genomic library. This gene was cloned in the expression vector pET29a+, and used in the transformation of the bacteria Escherichia coli BL21(DE3). This expression system presented a super-expression of the recombinant protein, which was purified by ionic change chromatography, utilizing the anionic change column POROS 20HQ. The purified protein was utilized for its characterization, including its kinetics constants (Km, Vmax e Kcat) for different substrates. The protein was found to be a dimmer in solution with pI close to 8.2. Besides, this protein was used in the crystallization assays by the steam diffusion in suspended drop technique. The obtained crystals were utilized in the x-ray diffraction studies. The data collection was performed in the Laboratório Nacional de Luz Síncroton. The X-ray diffraction data were processed utilizing the package program HKL. The crystallographic structure resolution was obtained by the molecular replacement method from the AmoRe program. For the structure refinement, the automatic refinement programs CNS and REFMAC were used, and the graphic manipulation was made through the O program. The structure of the HGPRT was resolved with 2,1 &#197 of resolution and final agreement factors Rwork and Rfree of 17,34% and 21,53%, respectively.

No estudo da estrutura cristalina dos materiais, pertinente à disciplina de Ciência dos Materiais e outras afins, há uma grande dificuldade da parte de alunos em compreender como identificar pontos, direções e planos cristalográficos, segundo o padrão de notação dos conhecidos índices de Miller. Parte desta dificuldade surge da necessidade de se visualizar algo que é tridimensional em apenas duas dimensões. Para contribuir com a diminuição de tais dificuldades foi elaborado neste trabalho um curso de Educação a Distância (EaD) assíncrono, destinado a estudantes de graduação e pós-graduação, especificamente sobre a determinação dos índices cristalográficos de Miller, onde recursos de visualização tridimensional interativa foram empregados. Apenas o sistema cúbico foi contemplado nesta versão do curso. As representações tridimensionais foram criadas com o programa Wolfram Mathematica 10.1. O curso foi desenvolvido em um ambiente virtual de aprendizagem gratuito (MOODLE 2.6.4) e hospedado em um servidor específico para este fim (MCO2). Os roteiros para determinar pontos, direções e planos cristalográficos foram elaborados com o auxílio do programa Adobe Macromedia Flash 8.0. Algumas ilustrações foram criadas com o programa Solid Works. O curso contempla a interatividade através de exercícios e do chat entre os participantes. Para que haja aprimoramento contínuo, há no final um questionário destinado aos estudantes, sobre a estrutura do curso e a compreensão dos conceitos teóricos disponibilizados. / In the study of the crystal structure of materials, pertaining to the discipline of materials science and others alike, students have been shown great difficulty on understanding how identify points, directions and plans using the standard notation with the well known Miller indices. Part of this issue arises from the need to visualize something that is three dimensional in only two dimensions. To overcome this problem a asynchronous Distance Education course was created for undergraduated and graduated students, helping them on determining crystallographic Miller indices by means of three-dimensional visualization resources. In the present version of the course only the crystal cubic system was covered. Three-dimensional representations were created using Wolfram Mathematica 10.1. The course were built in a virtual free-learning environment (MOODLE 2.6.4) and hosted in a dedicated commercial server (MCO2). For determining crystal points, directions and planes, guide instructions were worked out with the support of Adobe Macromedia Flash 8.0. Some pictures were created with Solid Works. Course interactivity is accomplished by proposed exercises and chat among the participants. For providing continuous improvement, students at the end can answer a survey about the course structure and the available theoretical concepts.

Trypanosoma cruzi é um protozoário flagelado que ao infectar seres humanos causa a doença de Chagas, uma doença tropical negligenciada que afeta milhões de pessoas no mundo todo. As fumarato hidratases (FH), ou fumarases, são enzimas que catalisam a reação estéreo-específica reversível de hidratação do fumarato em S-malato, e foram recentemente consideradas essenciais para a viabilidade do parasito Trypanosoma brucei, sugerindo seu potencial como alvo macromolecular para o desenvolvimento de novos fármacos tripanocidas. O presente trabalho visou à caracterização funcional, bioquímica, biofísica e estrutural das fumarases de T. cruzi (TcFHs) e humana (HsFH) de forma a avaliar o papel das TcFHs para o parasito Trypanosoma cruzi, mapear o mecanismo de ação e identificar as diferenças entre TcFHs e a enzima humana de forma a serem exploradas no planejamento de inibidores seletivos às fumarases do parasito. Análise das sequências mostrou que TcFHs pertencem à classe I das fumarases (enzimas diméricas dependentes de ferro) e não são homólogas à HsFH que pertence a classe II (tetraméricas independentes de ferro). Estudos de localização celular confirmaram a existência de duas fumarases em T. cruzi, uma citosólica (TcFHc) e uma mitocondrial (TcFHm), e experimentos de nocaute gênico sugeriram que essas enzimas são essências para o parasito. A caracterização cinética das enzimas TcFHc, TcFHm e HsFH mostrou que as fumarases de T. cruzi são sensíveis ao oxigênio enquanto a enzima humana se mantém ativa em condições aeróbicas. Estudos de ressonância eletrônica paramagnética mostraram a presença de um cluster de ferro-enxofre, sensível a oxidação por oxigênio, envolvido no mecanismo enzimático das enzimas TcFHs. Modelos estruturais das TcFHs, construídos por homologia à estrutura cristalográfica da fumarase de Leishmania major, foram comparados à estrutura cristalográfica obtida para a fumarase humana e as diferenças entre as duas estruturas foram utilizadas no planejamento de ligantes seletivos às fumarases do parasito. O ligante planejado inibiu a fumarase citosólica de T. cruzi na faixa de 1 ?M e não apresentou efeito na atividade da enzima humana. Testes in vivo demonstraram o efeito tripanocida do inibidor provavelmente por interferir na produção de ATP pela mitocôndria do T. cruzi. Os resultados obtidos com o desenvolvimento desse projeto apresentam uma proposta inovadora no desenvolvimento de novas terapias contra a doença de Chagas, o uso da enzima fumarase como alvo macromolecular, assim como apresenta um inibidor potente e seletivo para a enzima do parasito a ser utilizado como protótipo no desenvolvimento de fármacos contra Trypanosoma cruzi. A síntese de moléculas análogas ao inibidor de forma a melhorar suas propriedades farmacológicas encontra-se em andamento / Trypanosoma cruzi is a flagellate protozoan parasite that infects humans and causes Chagas disease, a tropical neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Fumarate hydratases (FH), or fumarases, are enzymes responsible for the reversible stereo-specific hydration of fumarate into S-malate, and were recently considered to be essential to Trypanosoma brucei viability, suggesting, therefore, a potential role for FHs as macromolecular targets to the drug development against trypanosomatids. The present work focused on the functional, biochemical, biophysical and structural characterization of T. cruzi fumarases (TcFHs) and human fumarase (HsFH) to evaluate TcFHs role for T. cruzi, map the reaction mechanism and identify and exploit differences between the parasite and host enzymes in order to design selective inhibitors to the parasite enzyme. Sequence analysis revealed that TcFHs belong to class I fumarases (dimeric and iron-sulfur containing enzymes) and are not homologous to HsFH which belongs to class II fumarases (tetrameric iron independent enzymes). Cellular sub-localization studies confirmed the presence of a cytosolic and a mitochondrial fumarases in T. cruzi and gene knockout experiments suggested TcFHs are essential to the parasite. The kinetic characterization showed that TcFHs activity is highly sensitive to oxygen whereas HsFH activity remained stable in aerobic conditions. Electron paramagnetic experiments further revealed the presence of an iron-sulfur cluster highly sensitive to oxidation and involved in the catalytic mechanism in both TcFHm and TcFHc. TcFHs structural models, built by homology modeling using the Leishmania major fumarase crystal structure as template, were compared to the HsFH crystal structure and the differences were used to design a selective ligand to the parasite fumarases. The designed ligand showed to inhibit TcFHc with an IC50 of 1 ?M and showed no effect on the human fumarase activity. In vivo assays using T. cruzi epimastigotes demonstrated the trypanocidal effect of the designed inhibitor probably caused by stalling ATP production. The results obtained with the development of this project represent an innovative proposal on the development of new therapies against Chagas disease, the use of fumarase enzyme as a macromolecular target, as well as present a potent and selective inhibitor to the parasite enzyme to be further used as a prototype in the development of drugs against Chagas disease. The synthesis of inhibitor analogues with optimized pharmacological properties are currently in progress.

Deux familles d'aldéhyde déshydrogénases (ALDH) phylogénétiquement et structuralement distinctes catalysent l'oxydation des aldéhydes : les ALDH phosphorylantes et les ALDH non phosphorylantes. Ces enzymes jouent un rôle essentiel au niveau cellulaire en intervenant au niveau du métabolisme et dans des processus de détoxication. En 2003, la résolution de la structure tridimensionnelle de l'enzyme bifonctionnelle 4-hydroxy-2-cétovalérate aldolase/acétaldéhyde déshydrogénase (DmpFG) de Pseudomonas sp. CF600 a permis l'identification d'une nouvelle famille d'ALDH : la sous-unité DmpF étant structuralement apparentée aux ALDH phosphorylantes alors qu'elle présente une activité de type non phosphorylante CoA-dépendante. Par la caractérisation enzymatique et structurale des orthologues MhpEF issus d'Escherichia coli et de Thermomonospora curvata, nos travaux montrent que les paramètres cinétiques de MhpF ne dépendent pas de son état oligomérique, ce qui est cas unique pour les ALDH. De plus, la résolution des structures cristallographiques de l'enzyme complexée avec du NAD+ ou du CoA, couplée à la structure en solution de la forme apoenzyme obtenue par SAXS montrent que le Rossmann fold s'accomode de la présence des cofacteurs par un vaste changement conformationnel. Enfin, l'étude du mécanisme catalytique et la résolution de la structure thioacylenzyme permettent d'identifierla MhpF comme étant un hybride des deux familles d'ALDH caractérisées jusqu'à présent / Two phylogenetically and structurally unrelated families of NAD(P)-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) catalyze the oxidation of aldehydes into activated or non-activated acids. These enzymes are known to be involved in many biological functions such as cellular differentiation, central metabolism, or detoxification pathways. The crystal structure of the bifunctional enzyme, 4-hydroxy-2-ketovalerate aldolase (DmpG)/acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (DpmF) from Pseudomonas sp. CF600, leads to the identification of a new ALDH family. The DmpF subunit exhibits a non-phosphorylating CoA-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase activity while its structure belongs to the phosphorylating ALDH superfamily. The kinetics of the MhpEF orthologs from Escherichia coli and Thermomonospora curvata show that the kinetic parameters of MhpF do not depend of its oligomeric state, which is unique for an ALDH. In addition, the crystal structures of the enzyme with NAD+ or CoA, as well as the solution structure of the apoenzyme using SAXS, reveal the dynamics of the overall Rossmann fold between apo or cofactors-bound conformers, which is necessary to carry on the catalytic cycle. Finally, the catalytic mechanism and the structure of the thioacylenzyme intermediates indicate that MhpF is a hybrid between both ALDH families characterized to date

In eukaryotes protein degradation is performed by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The 26S proteasome, a 2.5MDa large multimeric molecular machine, consists of more than 30 subunits and represents the core component of this proteolytic pathway. The complex is assembled from a proteolytically active 20S proteasome and two 19S regulator cap complexes. So far crystal structure, topology and enzymatic mechanism have only been elucidated for the 20S proteasome core particle (CP). CPs are assembled from four stacked rings of seven subunits each, following an alpha7beta7beta7alpha7-stochiometry. The strict established order of the proteasomal assembly and maturation is essential to prevent uncontrolled and premature protein degradation in the cell. CPs belong to the class of Ntn-hydrolases. Peptide hydrolysis is performed inside a central cavity at the active sites of the beta-type subunits, with Ogam of the hydroxyl group of the N-terminal threonine acting as the nucleophile. Release of the proteolytically active threonine through N-O-Acetyl rearrangement is the last step of the proteasomal assembly. Compartmentalisation of CPs is an important way to regulate substrate access to the central cavity as well as release of the generated oligopeptides. The activity of eukaryotic CPs are controlled by an unique mechanism: docking of regulatory complexes, like Blm3, PA28 or 19S, causes a conformational change of the N-terminal residues of the latent alpha-subunits, resulting in an activation of the proteolytically active sites. Archaebacterial CPs lack such regulatory gating mechanism. The controlled degradation of proteins by the proteasome dominates a variety of biological essential processes, like metabolic adaptation, apoptosis, inflammation, immune and stress response, as well as cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Selective and specific natural and synthetic inhibitors of CPs might find their practical application in treatment of cancer or inflammatory diseases.

Foram determinadas as estruturas de dois compostos naturais, um fosfato sintético, um complexo de cobre e refinada a estrutura de outro complexo de cobre. As intensidades das reflexões foram medidas com um difratômetro automático CAD-4. As estruturas foram resolvidas por métodos diretos com MULTAN-80 ou pela função de Patterson e refinadas por míninos quadrados com matriz completa. Neste trabalho apresenta-se um capítulo sobre métodos direto. Epiheineanina, C21H26N2 . C3H6 O, é um alcalóide extraído de Peschiera affinis, pertence ao sistema ortorrômbico, P212121, a= 8,626 (1), b=13,490 (4), c=19,181(3) &#197 Z= 4, do(flot)= 1,16 (1) Mg.m-3 dc=1,22 Mg.m-3, V=2232 (1) &#1973. O empacotamento molecular é constituído por tiras de moléculas interligadas por pontes de hidrogênio entre N(1) de uma molécula e 0(1) de outra relacionada com a primeira através de uma translação em Z, atuando N(1) como doador.Uma segunda ponte de hidrogênio de uma molécula de acetona presente como resultado do processo de cristalização. Acetonídeo do ácido rotúndico, C33H52O5.C6H6, foi obtido a partir do extrato etanólico de Guettarda angelica, é ortorrômbico, P212121, a= 11,353 (2), b=13,111 (4), c=24,049 (3) &#197, Z= 4, do(flot)= 1,05 Mg.m-3, dc= 1,12 Mg.m-3, V= 3580 (2) &#1973. A estrutura é constituída de 6 anéis hexagonais, com quatro em conformação de cadeira, um em meio bote e o último entre cadeira e meio bote, apresentando-se distorcido. O empacotamento é constituído por moléculas inter-ligadas por pontes de hidrogênio. Fosfato ácido de ferro tetra-hidratado, Fe2+Fe3+2 (HPO4)4. 4H2O, foi obtido por síntese hidrotérmica, é monoclínico, P21/n, &#914= 90,84(1) 0,a= 5,152 (1)0, b= 16,629 (2)0, c= 8,749(1) &#197, Z=2 fórmulas/cela, do (flot)= 2,7(1) Mg.m-3, dc=2,76 Mg.m-3, V= 749,5 (5) &#1973. Íon Fe2+ em posição especial e Íon Fe3+ ocupando posição geral, são octaedricamente coordenados por ligantes água e oxigênios dos (HPO4)&#8254 e (PO4)2-, formando um arranjo de poliedros acoplados entre si pelos vértices. As águas e os OH&#8254 participam de pontes de hidrogênio. Tetraclorocuprato de bis-ll amino undecanóico (CuCl4)2-(NH+3 - (CH2)10 - COOH) 2, foi derivado a partir do ácidoll-amino undecacóico, é triclínico, p&#8254l&#8254, a= 7,237(l), b=7,536(1), c=27,605(1) &#197, &#945= 97,98(8) o, &#946= 92,45(8) o, &#978= 90,02(8) o, Z=2, d=o= 1,35 Mg.m-3, dc= Mg.m-3, V= 1489(l) &#1973. Os dois Cu2+ em posição especial são octaedricamente coordenadas por ligantes Cl&#8254. Os octaedros, com coordenação (4+2) e (6) compartilham vértices e estão arranjados no plano da face C. Duas cadeias de aminoácidos estendem-se aproximadamente nos planos (100) e (200), dimerizadas através de suas carboxilas em torno dos centros de simetria ½, ½, ½ e 0, 0, ½. Três carbonos de uma das cadeias apresentam-se desordenados. Os carbonos e nitrogênio terminais das cadeias estão fora do plano médio das respectivas cadeias. Sulfato de cobre de bis-ll amino undecanóico TR-hidratado, [Cu(NH+ - CH2)10) COO&#8254)2] SO4.3H2O, foi derivado a partir do ácido ll-amino undecanóico, é triclínico, Pl&#8254, a=7,745(2), b=9,535 (4), c=20,343 (5) &#197, &#945= 80,91 (3)o, &#946= 79,28 (2)o, &#978= 87,58(3)o, Z=2, do(flot)= 1,38 (2) Mg.m-3, dc= 1,40 (1) Mg.m-3, V= 1460(1) &#1973. O sulfato tem coordenação tetraédrica e o Cu+2 octaédrica distorcida (4+1+1), com distâncias Cu-O longas de 2,238 e 2,785 &#197. Todos os nitrogênios e as águas participam extensivamente de pontes de hidrogênio. O conjunto de tetraedros e octaedros dispõem-se em torno no plano (0 0 1). / The structure of two natural compounds, a synthetic phosphate and a cooper complex were determined and the structure of another copper complex was refined. The reflection intensities were measured with a CAD-4 automatic diffractometer. The structures were solved by direct methods using either MULTAN-80 or the Patterson function and were refined by the least squares method, with a full matrix. Epiheyneanine, C21H26N2O3 . C3H6 O, is a alcaloid extracted from Peschiera affinis, belongs to the orthorhombic system, P212121, a= 8,626 (1), b=13,490 (4), c=19,181(3) &#197, Z= 4, do(flot)= 1,16 (1) Mg.m-3 dc=1,22 Mg.m-3, v= 2232 (1) &#1973. The molecular packing is in strips which are interlinked by hydrogen bonds between the N(1) atom of one molecule and O(1) of another which is translated along the X axis, with the nitrogen acting as the donor. A second hydrogen bond occurs between the O(1) of the first molecule and the oxigena tom of an acetone molecule present as a result of the crystallization process. Acetonide of rotundic acid, 33H52O5.C6H6, was extracted from Guettarda angélica in ethanol, is orthombic, P212121, a= 11,353 (2), b=13,111 (4), c=24,049 (3) &#197, Z= 4, do(flot)= 1,05 Mg.m-3, dc= 1,12 Mg.m-3, V= 3580 (2) &#1973. The structure consists of six hexagonal rings, with four of them in a chair conformation, one in a half boat conformation and the last is between a chair and a half conformation that is distorced. The molecular packing consists of molecules interlinked by hydrogen bonds. Tetra-hydrated iron phosphate acid, Fe2+Fe3+2+ (HPO4)4. 4H2O, was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis, is monoclinic, P21/n, &#914= 90,84(1) 0,a= 5,152 (1)0, b= 16,629 (2)0, c= 8,749(1) &#197, Z=2 fórmulas/cela, do (flot)= 2,7(1) Mg.m-3, dc=2,76 Mg.m-3, V= 749,5 (5) &#1973. The Fe2+ íon is in a special position and the Fe3+ion is in a general position, both are octahedricaly coorfinated by water and the oxygen of the (HPO4) and (PO4)2-, forming a net of polyhedral joined at the vertices. The water molecules and the OH&#8254 ions participate in the hydrogen bonds. Bis-ll amino undecanoic chlorocuprate, (CuCl4)2-(NH+3 - (CH2)10 - COOH) 2, was obtained from the ll-amino undecanoic acid, is triclinic, p&#8254l&#8254, a= 7,237(l), b=7,536(1), c=27,605(1) &#197, &#945= 97,98(8) o, &#946= 92,45(8) o, &#978= 90,02(8) o, Z=2, d=o= 1,35 Mg.m-3, dc= Mg.m-3, V= 1489(l) &#1973. The two Cu2+ ions in special position are octahedrical co-ordinated by Cl&#8254. The octahedral, with (4+2) and (6) co-ordination , share vertices and are distributed in the C face plane. Two aminoacid chains are stretched along the (1 0 0 ) and the (2 0 0 ) planes, dimerized through their carboxyl groups around the symmetry centers ½, ½, ½ and 0, 0, ½. Three carbons of one of the chains are disordered. The terminal carbons and nitrogen chains are out of the mean plane of their respective chains. Bis-ll amino undecanoic Cu(II) sulphate tri-hydrate, [Cu(NH+3.(CH2)10) COO&#8254)2] SO4.3H2O, was derived from the ll-amino undecanoic acid, is triclinic, Pl&#8254, a=7,745(2), b=9,535 (4), c=20,343 (5) &#197, &#945= 80,91 (3)o, &#946= 79,28 (2)o, &#978= 87,58(3)o, Z=2, do(flot)= 1,38 (2) Mg.m-3, dc= 1,40 (1) Mg.m-3, V= 1460(1) &#1973. The sulphate has tetrahedral co-ordination and the Cu2+ ion has distorted (4 + 1 + 1) co-ordination with Cu-O long distances of 2,238 and 2,785 &#197. All the nitrogen atoms and water molecules participate extensively in the hydrogen bonds. The tetrahedral and the octahedral groups are located around the (0 0 1) plane

Foram determinadas as estruturas cristalinas e moleculares, por método de difração de raios-X de monocristais, da série de quatro complexos de cloreto de Cobalto (II) com tri-benzilfosfinóxido, dibenzilfenilfosfinóxido, benzildifenilfosfinóxido e trifenilfosfinóxido. Os dados cristalinos sao: Dicloro bis(tribenzilfosfinóxido) Cobalto(II), CoCl2.2tbpo, COCl2&#8204(C7H7)3PO&#8204 2; sistema cristalino: ortorrômbico; grupo espacial: P212121; a = 15,133(1), b = 15,905(1), c = 16,493(1)&#197, V = 3954 &#1973; dc = 1,289(2) g.cm-3; do = 1,29(1) g.cm-3. Dicloro bis(dibenzilfosfinóxido) Cobalto(II), CoCl2.2dbfpo, CoCl2 &#8204(C7H7)2(C6H5)PO&#8204 2; sistema cristalino: monoclínico; grupo espacial: c2/c; a = 18,187(9), b = 10,998(7), c = 18,954(3) &#197, &#946 = 96,12#176(4), V = 3769&#1973; dc = 1,314 (3) g.cm-3, do = 1,33(1) g.cm-3. Dicloro bis(benzilfosfinóxido) Cobalto(II), CoCl2.2dbfpo, CoCl2 &#8204(C7H7)2(C6H5)PO&#8204 2; sistema cristalino: monoclínico; grupo espacial: p21/c; a = 10,217(2), b = 16,776(2), c = 21,920(3)&#197, = 112,15&#176(3), V = 3494 &#1973; dc = 1,364(3) g.cm-3; do = 1,37(1) g.cm-3. Dicloro bis(trifenilfosfinóxido) Cobalto(II), CoCl2.2tbpo, CoCl2&#8204(C6H5)3PO&#8204 2; sistema cristalino: ortorrômbico; grupo espacial: Fdd2; a = 20,73092), b = 32,947(6), c = 9,761(2) &#197, V = 6666 &#1973, dc = 1,368(1) g.cm-3; do = 1,37(1) g.cm-3. As intensidades das reflexões foram medidas por difratometria automática. As estruturas foram resolvidas pelo método direto e refinadas por mínimos quadrados com matriz completa. As distâncias e ângulos mais relevantes para os quatro compostos são dadas na ordem CoCl2.2dbfpo; CoCl2.bdfpo, CoCl22tfpo, para Co-O: 1,937(7) e 1,920(6); 1,974(3), 1, 974(3) e 1,977(3); 1,940(10)&#197, para Co-Cl: 2,255(3) e 2,249(3); 2,249(2); 2,243(2) e 2,249(2); 2,243(4)&#197, para O-P: 1,505(7) e 1,547(7); 1,529(4); 1,513(4) e 1,501(4), 1,505(10)&#197, para Cl-Co-Cl: 113,01(14)&#176; 120,5(1)V; 121,78(7)&#176; 111,55(28)&#176, para O-Co-O: 104,98(30)&#176; 103,7(2)&#176; 100,04(16)&#176; 100,25(67)&#176, para Co-O-P: 153,0(8)&#176 e 176,0(8)&#176; 135,2(2)&#176; 140,80(26)&#176 e 136,43(24)&#176; 155,21(73)&#176. Nas quatro estruturas o Cobalto (II) apresenta-se tetraedricamente coordenado. Uma comparação dos parâmetros moleculares destas quatro estruturas entre si e com dados da literatura permite concluir que o Cobalto (II) exerce predominantemente um efeito de orientação dos ligantes orgânicos. A estrutura molecular dos complexos CoCl2.2bdfpo e CoCl2.2tfpo possui eixo 2 de simetria enquanto que nos 2.2bdfpo e CoCl2.2tbpo a coordenação em torno do Cobalto (II) é suficientemente distorcida para que essa simetria seja perdida. Isto permite explicar os espectros de I.V. destes complexos no que tange ao desdobramento das respectivas freqüências de estiramento da ligação P-O. Em todos os complexos o empacotamento cristalino consiste de um arranjo discreto das moléculas. / The crystal and molecular strctures of a series of four complexes of Cobalt (II) Chloride with tribenzylphosphine oxide and triphenylphosphine oxide, benzyldiphenylphosphine oxide and triphenylphosphine oxide were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal data are: Bis (tribenzylphosphine oxide) dichloro Cobalt(II), CoCl2.2tbpo, COCl2&#8204(C7H7)3PO&#8204 2; crystal system: orthorrombic; space group: P212121; a = 15,133(1), b = 15,905(1), c = 16,493(1)&#197, V = 3954 &#1973; dc = 1,289(2) g.cm-3; do = 1,29(1) g.cm-3. Bis (dibenzylphosphine oxide) dichloro Cobalt(II), CoCl2.2dbfpo, CoCl2 &#8204(C7H7)2C6H5)PO&#8204 2; crystal system: monoclinic; space group: c2/c; a = 18,187(9), b = 10,998(7), c = 18,954(3) &#197, &#946 = 96,12#176(4), V = 3769&#1973; dc = 1,314 (3) g.cm-3, do = 1,33(1) g.cm-3. Bis (benzylphosphine oxide) dichloro Cobalt(II), CoCl2.2dbfpo, CoCl2 &#8204(C7H7)2(C6H5)PO&#8204 2; crystal system: monoclinic; space group: p21/c; a = 10,217(2), b = 16,776(2), c = 21,920(3)&#197, = 112,15&#176(3), V = 3494 &#1973; dc = 1,364(3) g.cm-3; do = 1,37(1) g.cm-3. Bis (triphenylphosphine oxide) dichloro Cobalt(II), CoCl2.2tbpo, CoCl2&#8204(C7H7)3PO&#8204 2; crystal system: orthorrombic; space group: Fdd2; a = 20,73092), b = 32,947(6), c = 9,761(2) &#197, V = 6666 &#1973, dc = 1,368(1) g.cm-3; do = 1,37(1) g.cm-3. The intensities of the reflexion were measured by automatic diffractometry. The structures were solved by Direct Method, and refined by full matrix least-squares. The relevant distances and angles the four compounds are given in order CoCl2.2dbfpo; CoCl2.bdfpo, CoCl22tfpo, for Co-O: 1,937(7) and 1,920(6); 1,974(3), 1, 974(3) e 1,977(3); 1,940(10)&#197, for Co-Cl: 2,255(3) e 2,249(3); 2,249(2); 2,243(2) and 2,249(2); 2,243(4)&#197, for O-P: 1,505(7) and 1,547(7); 1,529(4); 1,513(4) and 1,501(4), 1,505(10)&#197, for Cl-Co-Cl: 113,01(14)&#176; 120,5(1)V; 121,78(7)&#176; 111,55(28)&#176, for O-Co-O: 104,98(30)&#176; 103,7(2)&#176; 100,04(16)&#176; 100,25(67)&#176, for Co-O-P: 153,0(8)&#176 and 176,0(8)&#176; 135,2(2)&#176; 140,80(26)&#176 and 136,43(24)&#176; 155,21(73)&#176. In the four structures the Cobalt (II) are tetrhaedrically coordinated. A comparison among the molecular parameters of these four structures, and with other data from the literature allows us to conclude that the Cobalt (II) orients the organic ligands. A two fold axis is presented by the molecular structure of the complexes CoCl2.2bdfpo and CoCl2.2tfpo while in CoCl2.2bdfpo and CoCl2.2tbpo the coordination around the Cobalt (II) is so distorced that is symmetry axis is lost. This allows us to explain the i.r. spectra of this complexes in the region associated to the splitting of the P-O stretching band. In all complexes the crystal packing consists of a arrangement of discrete molecules