Herein, we present three new binuclear copper(II) complexes containing different polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, able to catalyze the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcathecol, a model substrate for catechol oxidase. The ligands and complexes were successful characterized in solid and solution states. The structure of C1 was determined by X-ray crystallography and it contains a [CuII2(L1-µ-phenoxo)(OAc)(H2O)2] unit, with two coppers in a pyramidal square geometry and a large distance of 3.715 Å between the copper(II) centers. All complexes (C1, C2 and C3) were found to be effective catalysts in the oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcathecol to its quinone and C1 provided the highest catalytic constants at the three pH values studied. In addition to their potential use as a biomimetic catalyst in catechol oxidation, the interaction of these complexes with deoxyribonucleic acid from calf thymus (CT-DNA) was also studied, and C3 showed the greatest affinity with nucleic acids.

Currently, there is great interest in the study of water-soluble metal compounds capable of releasing carbon monoxide, due to their potential therapeutic use. This paper reports the synthesis, spectroscopic characteristics and CO release properties of three water-soluble manganese(I) carbonyl compounds [Mn(aaz)(CO)3]Br (1; where aaz = 6-amino-6-methylperhydro-1,4-diazepine), [Mn(Me2aaz)(CO)3]Br (2; where Me2aaz = 6-amino-1,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-diazacycloheptane) and [Mn(tacn)(CO)3]Br (3; where tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane), that can act as photoCORMs (where CORM is carbon monoxide-releasing molecule). The main aim was to propose a mechanism for the CO release. Compounds 1-3 are capable of releasing carbon monoxide when exposed to light (λ385 and λ410) and thus, act as photoCORMs. The formation of a biscarbonyl intermediate was identified during the photo-release process at λ385 and the quantum yields and rates of CO release were determined. The proposed CO release mechanisms involve two steps, where photo and redox processes take place, and compounds 1 and 2 exhibit a slightly different mechanism from compound 3. A good understanding of the CO photo-release mechanism is very important with regard to the development of more efficient compounds, particularly those intended for medical applications.

The appearance of resistant bacteria was found to reduce the efficiency of antimicrobial therapies with the current antibiotics, thereby increasing the need for more efficient drugs for the treatment of infections. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in antimicrobial activity following the interaction of several compounds with metal ions. The present study used a methodology adapted for antimicrobial bioassays using plant extracts, in compliance with the standards of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The results obtained were considered appropriate for determining MIC, MBC as for performing antimicrobial sensitivity testing with good efficiency and reproducibility. The bacteriaPseudomonas fluorescens exhibited high sensitivity to the tested compounds, being efficient to evaluate the antibacterial activity. The bioassays with the metal complexes of flavonoid quercetin and Ga(III) ions, and synthetic ligand H2bbppd and Cu(II) ions showed a greater inhibitory effect than their individual ligands, thus, the addition indicated an increase in the antimicrobial activity after the coordination. Both metal complexes exhibit good antimicrobial performances, such as low minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC ≤ 250 µg/ml), bactericidal effect and a broad activity spectrum, which qualify these compounds as suitable candidates to the next step of drugs fabrication. Nevertheless, further studies on the mechanism of growth inhibition and toxicity are needed, in order to evaluate the potential of therapeutic application.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as exigências térmicas para o desenvolvimento de ortézia dos citros (Praelongorthezia praelonga) e estimar o número de gerações por ano nos municipios de Bauru, Barretos, São José do Rio Preto, Bebedouro, Avaré, Araraquara, Itapetininga e Limeira, no Estado de São Paulo. Para a determinação da duração das fases de ovo e ninfa, e de suas exigências térmicas, criaram-se insetos em mudas de limão-cravo (Citrus limonia) a 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30 e 32ºC, umidade relativa de 70±10% e fotofase de 14 horas. A duração das fases de desenvolvimento e do ciclo biológico (ovo-adulto) foi afetada pela temperatura, tendo sido maior nas temperaturas mais baixas. O limiar térmico inferior de desenvolvimento (Tb) e a constante térmica (K) para as fases ovo, ninfa e período ovo-adulto foram 6,16ºC e 398,40 graus-dia (GD), 12,10ºC e 374,50 GD, e 10,28ºC e 735,29 GD, respectivamente. Com base nas médias de temperatura do ar dos diferentes municípios avaliados, o número de gerações por ano varia de 4,99 a 6,60.

The objective of this work was to determine the temperature requirements for the development of croton mealybug (Praelongorthezia praelonga) and to estimate the number of year generations at the state of São Paulo, Brazil, counties of Bauru, Barretos, São José do Rio Preto, Bebedouro, Avaré, Araraquara, Itapetininga and Limeira. In order to determine stage durations of egg and nymph stages, and their temperature requirements, the insects were reared on Rangpur lime (Citrus limonia) seedlings at 18, 20, 22, 25, 28, 30 e 32ºC, under 70±10% relative humidity and a 14-hour photofase. Developmental stages and biological cycle (egg-adult) durations were affected by temperature, and higher values of these parameters were obtained at lower temperatures. The lowest temperature development threshold (TT) and thermal constant (K) for egg and nymph stages and for the egg-adult period were 6.16ºC and 398.40 degree-days (DD), 12.10ºC and 374.50 DD, and 10.28ºC and 735.29 DD, respectively. Based on the air temperature average values from the evaluated counties, the number of generations per year varies from 4.99 to 6.60.

Os estudos sobre enzimas têm mostrado que existe uma relação clara entre a evolução enzimática e a propriedade de promiscuidade catalítica que elas podem apresentar. Com isto, o desenvolvimento de sistemas biomiméticos capazes de atuar de modo promíscuo, de forma similar a algumas enzimas, mostrou-se um novo desafio para os químicos bioinorgânicos. Neste trabalho, reportamos a estrutura de raios X e os estudos em solução e de promiscuidade catalítica do complexo [(bpbpmp)FeIII(µ-OAc)2FeII](ClO4), (1), contendo o ligante binucleante não-simétrico 2-{[(2-hidroxibenzil)(2-piridilmetil)aminometil]-4-metil-6-[bis(2-piridilmetil)aminometil]}fenol (H2bpbpmp). Estudos de titulações potenciométrica e espectrofotométrica e cinéticos mostraram que esse composto de coordenação gera espécies ativas capazes de clivar o dsDNA (DNA de fita dupla) hidroliticamente, com um aumento de 1,9×10(8) na taxa de reação em comparação com a reação não catalisada, e capazes de oxidar o 3,5-di-terc-butilcatecol (3,5-dtbc), com k cat = 1,16 × 10-2 s-1 e K M = 7,1×10-4 mol L-1. Assim, o complexo 1 apresenta atividades de hidrolase e oxidoredutase, sendo um interessante modelo sintético para estudos de promiscuidade catalítica.

Catalytic promiscuity has emerged as an important property of many enzymes since the relationship of this property to enzymatic evolution became clear. Simultaneously, the development of suitable biomimetic catalytic systems capable of mimicking the promiscuous catalytic properties of such enzymes represents a new challenge for bioinorganic chemists. In this paper we report on the X-ray structure, the solution studies and the promiscuous catalytic activity of the mixed-valence complex [(bpbpmp)FeIII(µ-OAc)2FeII](ClO4), (1), containing the unsymmetrical dinucleating ligand 2-{[(2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methyl-6-[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]}phenol (H2bpbpmp). Potentiometric and spectrophotometric titrations and kinetics studies showed that this coordination compound generates active species that promote hydrolytic cleavage of double strand DNA (dsDNA), with a rate enhancement of 1.9×10(8) over the non-catalyzed reaction, as well as promote oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (3,5-dtbc), with k cat = 1.16 × 10-2 s-1 and K M = 7.1×10-4 mol L-1. Thus, complex 1 shows both hydrolase and oxidoreductase activities and can be regarded as a man-made model for studying catalytic promiscuity.

The Michaelis-Menten equation is used in many biochemical and bioinorganic kinetic studies involving homogeneous catalysis. Otherwise, it is known that determination of Michaelis-Menten parameters K M, Vmax, and k cat by the well-known Lineweaver-Burk double reciprocal linear equation does not produce the best values for these parameters. In this paper we present a discussion on different linear equations which can be used to calculate these parameters and we compare their results with the values obtained by the more reliable nonlinear least-square fit.

Sulfonamides obtained by reaction of 8-aminoquinoline with 4-nitrobenzenesulfonylchloride and 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzenesulfonyl chloride were used to synthesize coordination compounds with CuII and ZnII with a ML2 composition. Determination of the crystal structures of the resulting zinc and copper complexes by X-ray diffraction show a distorted tetrahedral environment for the [Cu(qnbsa)2], [Cu(qibsa)2] and [Zn(qibsa)2] complexes in which the sulfonamide group acts as a bidentate ligand through the nitrogen atoms from the sulfonamidate and quinoline groups. The complex [Zn(qnbsa)2] crystallizes with a water molecule from the solvent and the Zn is five-coordinated and shows a bipyramidal-trigonal geometry. The electrochemical and electronic spectroscopy properties of the copper complexes are also discussed.

Um sensor biomimético catecol oxidase, baseado em um novo complexo cobre(II) foi desenvolvido para determinação de catequina em chá verde e os resultados comparados com os obtidos por eletroforese capilar. O complexo dinuclear de cobre(II) [Cu2(HL)(µ-CH3COO)](ClO4), contendo o ligante N,N-[bis-(2-piridilmetil)]-N',N'-[(2-hidroxibenzil)(2-hidroxi-3,5-di-tert-butilbenzil)]-1,3-propanodiamino-2-ol (H3L), foi sintetizado e caracterizado por IV, ¹H RMN e análise elementar. As melhores condições para otimização do sensor biomimético foram estabelecidas por voltametria de onda quadrada. O melhor desempenho desse sensor foi obtido em 75:15:10% (m/m/m) de pó de grafite:nujol:complexo de cobre(II), tampão fosfato 0,05 mol L-1 (pH 7,5) e freqüência, amplitude de potencial, incremento em 30 Hz, 80 mV, 3,3 mV, respectivamente. A curva analítica foi linear na faixa de concentração 4,95 × 10-6 a 3,27 × 10-5 mol L-1 (r=0,9993) com limite de detecção de 2,8 × 10-7 mol L-1. Esse sensor biomimético demonstrou longo tempo de estabilidade (9 meses; 800 determinações) e reprodutibilidade com um desvio padrão relativo de 3,5%. A recuperação da catequina em amostras de chá verde variou de 93,8 a 106,9% e a determinação, comparada com a obtida usando eletroforese capilar, mostrou-se aceitável a um nível de confiança de 95%.

A catechol oxidase biomimetic sensor, based on a novel copper(II) complex, was developed for the determination of catechin in green tea and the results were compared with those obtained by capillary electrophoresis. The dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu2(HL)(µ-CH3COO)](ClO4), containing the ligand N,N-[bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)]-N',N'-[(2-hydroxybenzyl)(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)]-1,3-propanediamine-2-ol (H3L), was synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. The best conditions for the optimization of the biomimetic sensor were established by square wave voltammetry. The best performance for this sensor was obtained in 75:15:10% (m/m/m) of the graphite powder:nujol:copper(II) complex, 0.05 mol L-1 phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.5) and frequency, pulse amplitude, scan increment at 30 Hz, 80 mV, 3.3 mV, respectively. The analytical curve was linear in the concentration range 4.95 × 10-6 to 3.27 × 10-5 mol L-1 (r = 0.9993) with a detection limit of 2.8 × 10-7 mol L-1. This biomimetic sensor demonstrated long-term stability (9 months; 800 determinations) and reproducibility with a relative standard deviation of 3.5%. The recovery of catechin from green tea samples ranged from 93.8 to 106.9% and the determination, compared with that obtained using capillary electrophoresis, was found to be acceptable at the 95% confidence level.

Reportamos aqui a síntese e caracterização do ligante hexadentado H2L (N,N',N,N'-bis[(2-hidroxi-3,5-di-terc -butilbenzil)(2-piridilmetil)]etilenodiamino), como derivado adicional do bem conhecido pré-ligante H2bbpen, e que contém dois grupos fenolatos e dois grupos piridínicos conectados à unidade etilenodiamina. Os grupos fenolatos no pré-ligante H2L estão adequadamente protegidos por grupos substituintes volumosos (terc-butil) nas posições orto- e para-, a partir dos quais complexos contendo radicais fenoxil estáveis podem ser obtidos. Assim, sintetizamos quatro novos complexos mononucleares com MnIII, GaIII, InIII e FeIII, que através de oxidação eletroquímica produzem espécies fenoxil mono- ou di-oxidadas em solução. Estas espécies radicalares foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia UV-Vis e Ressonância Paramagnética Eletrônica e estudos eletroquímicos. Como esperado, no caso dos complexos de GaIII, InIII e FeIII, nenhum processo de oxidação centrado no metal foi observado. Entretanto, o complexo de manganês sofre processos de oxidação centrados tanto no metal quanto no ligante e conseqüentemente um complexo MnIV-radical fenoxil pode ser gerado em solução. As estruturas dos complexos [MnIII(L)]+ e [GaIII(L)]+ foram determinadas por análises de cristalografia de raios X, revelando complexos monocatiônicos com geometrias octaédricas distorcidas.

Reported herein are the synthesis and characterization of the hexadentate H2L pro-ligand (N,N',N,N'-bis[(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert -butylbenzyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)]ethylenediamine), as a further derivative of the well known pro-ligand H2bbpen which contains two phenolate and two pyridyl pendant arms. The phenolate groups in H2L are suitably protected by bulky substituents (tert-butyl) in the ortho- and para- positions, from which stable phenoxyl radical complexes can be formed. Thus, we have synthesized four new mononuclear complexes with MnIII, GaIII, InIII and FeIII which through electrochemical oxidation generate one- and two-electron oxidized phenoxyl species in solution. These radical species were characterized by UV-Vis, Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance and electrochemical studies. As expected, in the case of the GaIII, InIII and FeIII complexes no metal-centered oxidation was observed. However, the manganese complex undergoes metal- and ligand-centered oxidation processes and therefore a phenoxyl radical-MnIV complex can be generated in solution. The crystal structures of the [MnIII(L)]+ and [GaIII(L)]+ complexes were determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses revealing monocationic complexes with distorted octahedral geometries.

A reação entre Fe(ClO4)3.nH2O e N,N'-bis[(2-hidroxibenzil)-N,N' -bis(1-metilimidazol-2-il-metil)]etilenodiamina (H2bbimen) resulta na formação de dois isômeros geométricos, A e B, do cátion complexo [Fe(bbimen)]+, os quais foram isolados e caracterizados por espectroscopia na região do infravermelho e UV-visível, espectrometria de massas, medidas de condutividade molar, voltametria cíclica, espectroeletroquímica e espectroscopia de ressonância paramagnética eletrônica (RPE). A geometria de um desses isômeros foi claramente demonstrada por análise cristalográfica de raios X de monocristal. O composto cristaliza no sistema monoclínico, grupo espacial P2(1)/c, a = 14,104 (3), b = 15,626 (3), c = 13,291 (3) Å, beta = 98,07 (3)º, Z = 4, R1 = 6,35% e wR2 = 20,57%. As propriedades eletroquímicas do cátion [Fe(bbimen)]+ (-0,58 V versus NHE) são bastante similares às das transferrinas (-0,52 V versus NHE), indicando que o complexo é um bom modelo para as propriedades redox daquelas metaloenzimas. A espectroscopia de RPE foi a única técnica espectroscópica capaz de diferenciar os dois isômeros isolados (A e B). Os estudos de RPE revelaram que o isômero A trata-se de um complexo de FeIII spin alto distorcido rombicamente (E/D <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 0,33) e apresenta um espectro caracterizado por uma linha estreita em g1 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 4,1 e outra larga em g2 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 9,0. O espectro de RPE do isômero B apresenta, além das linhas em g1 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 4,2 e em g2 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 9,0, um conjunto de linhas em g1 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 3,0, g2 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 3,6 e g3 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 5,1, que têm sido atribuídas a complexos de FeIII com simetria tendendo à axial (E/D <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 0,22). Estudos teóricos empregando cálculos semi-empíricos, combinados com os dados de RPE, foram essenciais para a atribuição das estruturas geométricas dos isômeros A e B.

The reaction of Fe(ClO4)3.nH2O with N,N'-bis[(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N' -bis(1-methylimidazole-2-yl-methyl)]ethylenediamine (H2bbimen) affords two geometric isomers, A and B, of the complex cation [Fe(bbimen)]+, which were fully characterized by IR and UV-visible spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry, molar conductivity measurements, cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry and EPR spectroscopy. The geometry of one of these isomers has been clearly demonstrated through X-ray crystallographic analysis. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, a = 14.104 (3), b = 15.626 (3), c = 13.291 (3) Å, beta = 98.07 (3)º, Z = 4, R1 = 6.35% and wR2 = 20.57%. The electrochemical properties of [Fe(bbimen)]+ (-0.58 V versus NHE) are quite similar to those of transferrins (-0.52 V versus NHE) and indicate that it is a good model for the redox potential of these metalloenzymes. EPR spectroscopy was the only spectroscopic technique able to differentiate the isolated isomers A and B. EPR studies revealed that isomer A is better described as a rhombically distorted (E/D <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 0.33) high-spin FeIII complex (g1 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 4.1 with a shoulder at g2 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 9.0), while the spectrum of B has a set of lines at g1 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 3.0, g2 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 3.6 and g3 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 5.1, in addition to the line at g1 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 4.2 and a shoulder at g2 <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 9.0, which have been ascribed to FeIII complexes in axial symmetry (E/D <FONT FACE=Symbol>@</FONT> 0.22). Semi-empirical theoretical studies, combined with EPR data, were essential to the proposition of the geometric structures of A and B.

Neste trabalho, investigamos os perfis de excitação Raman do complexo [FeII FeIII(bpbpmp) (C2H3O2)2 ](ClO4) (1) e de sua inédita forma oxidada, [FeIII FeIII(bpbpmp)(C2 H3O2)2](ClO4 )2 (2), sendo bpbpmp a molécula 2-bis[{(2-piridilmetil)-aminometil}-6-{(2-hidroxibenzil)(2 -piridilmetil)}-aminometil]-4-metilfenol. No complexo 1, o modo vibracional mais intensificado no espectro Raman é o correspondente ao ni(Fe-Ophen-terminal), observado em 608 cm-1. Já no complexo 2, passa a ser o ni(COphen-terminal), observado em 1276 cm-1. Estas diferenças são devidas às mudanças na estrutura eletrônica do esqueleto dinuclear unido por ponte fenolato, a qual é capaz de deslocalizar carga eletrônica entre os dois centros metálicos.

Raman excitation profiles for the complex [FeII FeIII(bpbpmp)(C2 H3O2)2](ClO4 ) (1), and its oxidized form, the new compound [FeIII FeIII(bpbpmp)(C2 H3O2)2](ClO4 )2 (2), are reported. H2bpbpmp is the proligand 2-bis[{(2-pyridylmethyl)-aminomethyl}-6-{(2-hydroxybenzyl)(2 -pyridylmethyl)}-aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol. For compound 1, the most enhanced vibrational mode in the Raman spectra is the nu(Fe-Ophen-terminal), observed at 608 cm-1. For compound 2, the nu(COphen-terminal), which corresponds to the band at 1276 cm-1, becomes the most enhanced one. These differences are ascribed to the changes in the electronic structure of the dinuclear phenolate bridged core upon oxidation. The phenolate bridge allows charge density transmission between the metal centers.

O complexo [Fe2III(BPClNOL)2(SO4)] 3 foi sintetizado pela reação do pré-ligante N-(2-hidroxibenzil)-N-(2-metilpiridil)[(3-cloro)(2-hidroxi)]propilamina (H2BPClNOL) com FeSO4.7H2O. O composto oxidado apresenta absorção máxima em 519 nm (épsilon = 1,40X10³ dm³ mol-1 cm-1) e a espécie de valência mista absorve em 439 nm (épsilon = 9,8X10² dm³ mol-1 cm-1). O processo de redução da espécie oxidada ocorre em -0,843 V vs. Fc/Fc+. A espectroscopia Mössbauer confirmou que o composto 3 possui átomos de Fe3+, spin alto. Medidas magnéticas mostram que a unidade binuclear apresenta acoplamento antiferromagnético, J/kB = - 15 K (J =-10,4 cm-1). O complexo [Fe2III(BPClNOL)2(SO4)] 3 é o terceiro integrante de uma família de compostos binucleares de ferro sintetizados com o ligante H2BPClNOL ([Fe2III(BPClNOL)2 (OAc)]+ 1, [Fe2III(BPClNOL)2(H2O) 2]2+ 2). A comparação das propriedades físico-químicas dos complexos indica que o número de grupos pontes, assim como a natureza dos mesmos, apresentam significativas influências sobre o espectro eletrônico e as propriedades eletroquímicas dos referidos complexos.

Complex [Fe2III(BPClNOL)2(SO4)] 3 was synthesized through the reaction of the pro-ligand N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)[(3-chloro)(2-hydroxy)]propylamine (H2BPClNOL) and FeSO4.7H2O. The maximum absorption for the oxidized compound was at 519 nm (epsilon = 1.40X10³ dm³ mol-1 cm-1) while that of the mixed-valence compound was at 439 nm (epsilon = 9.8X10² dm³ mol-1 cm-1). The redox process to transform the oxidized compound to the mixed-valence form occurs at E1/2 = -0.843 V vs. Fc/Fc+. The Mössbauer spectrum confirms the presence of FeIII high spin ions and the magnetic studies reveal a weak antiferromagnetically coupled dimer, J/kB = - 15 K ( J = -10.4 cm-1). Complex 3 is the third of a family of dinuclear iron compounds synthesized with the H2BPClNOL ligand ([Fe2III(BPClNOL)2 (OAc)]+ 1, [Fe2III(BPClNOL)2(H2O) 2]2+ 2). Analysis of the physicochemical properties of these complexes allowed us to infer that the number and kind of bridging groups have a significant influence on their electrochemical and UV-Vis properties.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estabelecer, baseado em um novo conceito de avaliação de parâmetros fisiológicos vegetais, o nível de dano causado por Orthezia praelonga Douglas 1891 e por Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville 1842) em folhas de limão cravo e cafeeiro 'Obatã', respectivamente. Foram feitas leituras de trocas gasosas por infravermelho, além da avaliação da condutância estomática, temperatura foliar, transpiração foliar e concentração interna de CO2. Os dados demonstraram uma correlação negativa entre o nível de infestação e a fotossíntese, sendo o ponto de inflexão negativa da curva tomado como referência de nível de dano, onde o nível de controle para O. praelonga encontra-se abaixo do limite de 7 a 13% de área foliar lesionada (40 a 70 cochonilhas por folha), e o de L. coffeella encontra-se abaixo dos valores de 26 a 36% de área foliar lesionada. Dentre os parâmetros avaliados a fotossíntese foi o que demonstrou melhor correlação para este tipo de análise.

The objective of this study was to determine the damage levels caused by Orthezia praelonga Douglas, 1891 and Leucoptera coffeella (Guérin-Mèneville 1842), on rangpur lime and Obatã coffee leaves, respectively. Measurements were based on a new concept for the evaluation of the following plant physiological parameters: photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and transpiration, and internal concentration of CO2 (by infrared analyzer). A negative correlation between infestation level and photosynthesis was found, where the negative inflexion point of the curve was considered as a reference for damage levels. The control level for O. praelonga is below the 7-13% limit for damaged leaf area (40 to 70 scales per leaf), while for L. coffeella it is below the 26-36% limit for the same variable. Photosynthesis provided the best correlation for this type of analysis.

Apresentamos neste trabalho a síntese, estrutura cristalina e as propriedades espectrais de ¹H NMR do complexo mononuclear [ZnII(L-Br)].2H2O o qual contém em sua primeira esfera de coordenação, o ligante hexadentado H2L-Br (H2L-Br = N,N'-bis-(5- bromo-2-hidróxibenzil)- N,N'-bis-(piridin-2-ilmetil)-1,2-etanodiamina). Cálculos teóricos utilizando DFT mostram boa correlação entre os parâmetros calculados e aqueles obtidos através de cristalografia de raios X em monocristais e revelam que somente os grupos fenolatos do ligante H2L-Br participam na formação do HOMO, enquanto somente os anéis piridínicos contribuem para a formação do LUMO.

We describe herein the synthesis, crystal structure and ¹H NMR properties of the mononuclear [ZnII(L-Br)].2H2O complex containing the hexadentate H2L-Br ligand (H2L-Br = N,N'-bis-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N '-bis-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-ethane-1,2-diamine). DFT calculations demonstrate very good agreement between parameters calculated and those determined by X-ray crystallography, and reveal that only the phenolate groups of the H2L-Br ligand participate in the formation of the HOMO, while only one of the pyridine rings contributes to the LUMO formation.

As lagartas de Deuterollyta majuscula (Herrich-Schaffer) podem, ao se alimentar, causar danos às folhas e frutos do abacateiro. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar a biologia em condições de laboratório, mantido a 25±2ºC, UR de 70±10% e fotofase de 14 horas e descrever os danos provocados pela praga. O ciclo biológico (ovo-adulto) foi de 39,6 dias e a viabilidade total de 55%. Foram determinados 5 instares. O peso de pupas foi de 0,0966 mg para fêmeas e 0,0901 mg para os machos. As fêmeas colocaram, em média, 201 ovos durante aproximadamente 7,6 dias. A longevidade média de machos e fêmeas foi de 15,3 e 13,9 dias, respectivamente, e a razão sexual de 0,56. Através da tabela de vida de fertilidade determinou-se uma capacidade de aumento de 64 vezes a cada geração, sendo a duração média de uma geração de 46 dias e a razão finita de aumento (<FONT FACE=Symbol>ll</FONT>) de 1,095. Estes resultados fornecem subsídios que podem ser utilizados para o estabelecimento de estratégias de manejo do inseto.

Deuterollyta majuscula (Herrich-Schaffer) causes injuries to leaves and fruits of avocado. The aim of this work was study the biology under laboratory conditions, at 25±2ºC, 70±10% of RH, and 14-hour of photophase and to describe the damage caused by this pest. The biological cycle (egg-adult) was 39.6 days and the total viability was 55%. Five instars were observed. The pupae weight was 0.0966 mg for females and 0.0901 mg for males. The females laid an average of 201 eggs in approximately 7.6 days. The mean longevity of males and females was 15.3 and 13.9 days, respectively, and sex ratio of 0.56. The fertility life table showed a 64-fold increase capacity in each generation, with one generation lasting an average of 46 days, with finite rate of increase (lambdal) of 1.095. These results can provide background information to the establishment of strategies to manage this new avocado pest.