Journey from an Enabler to a Strategic Leader: Integration of the Medical Affairs Function in ESG Initiatives and Values.

Like most private enterprises, the pharmaceutical industry has deeply rooted environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters that challenge its long-term sustainability. Overcoming these external challenges requires collaborative and proactive steps as well as procedures guiding the adoption of ESG principles by all internal stakeholders. Environmental challenges such as climate change, and in addition the changes in society, have resulted in the need for governance addressing and coordinating efforts. The core function of medical affairs (MA) is connecting with stakeholders within a company and also between the company and external stakeholders. In this article, we describe the involvement of MA in several aspects of ESG, as a contributor, partner, and implementer. MA has a significant opportunity to emerge as a leading function involved in ESG strategies and their tactical implementation. Although the involvement of MA in the environment pillar of ESG is less, the function can implement changes relating to the conduct of meetings, clinical studies, and the digitalization of medical education via virtual platforms. Due to its patient centricity, MA is tasked to address social determinants of health to improve patients' outcomes. As a linking function within a company and with its external stakeholders, MA can provide proactive input in policy generation and enable effective governance by adherence to standards of accountability, ethics, and compliance, as well as transparency. Championing ESG is a collective responsibility that transcends any single department. It mandates a company-wide commitment. MA represents an essential pivot point in catalyzing the integration of ESG principles within industry, contributing to a healthcare ecosystem that is not merely more sustainable and ethical but also more conducive to patient health and public well-being.

Second-Generation Atroposelective Synthesis of KRAS G12C Covalent Inhibitor GDC-6036.

A chromatography-free asymmetric synthesis of GDC-6036 (1) was achieved via a highly atroposelective Negishi coupling of aminopyridine 5 and quinazoline 6b catalyzed by 0.5 mol % [Pd(cin)Cl]2 and 1 mol % (R,R)-Chiraphite to afford the key intermediate (Ra)-3. An alkoxylation of (Ra)-3 with (S)-N-methylprolinol (4) and a global deprotection generates the penultimate heterobiaryl intermediate 2. A controlled acrylamide installation by stepwise acylation/sulfone elimination and final adipate salt formation and crystallization delivered high-purity GDC-6036 (1).

Stereoselective Synthesis of the IDO Inhibitor Navoximod.

A highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of the IDO inhibitor navoximod, featuring the stereoselective installation of two relative and two absolute stereocenters from an advanced racemic intermediate, is described. The stereocenters were set via a crystallization-induced dynamic resolution along with two selective ketone reductions: one via a biocatalytic ketoreductase transformation and one via substrate-controlled hydride delivery from LiAlH(Ot-Bu)3. Following this strategy, navoximod was synthesized in 10 steps from 2-fluorobenzaldehyde and isolated in 23% overall yield with 99.7% ee and high purity.

Corrigendum: Enzymatic Synthesis of 2-Keto-3-Deoxy-6-Phosphogluconate by the 6-Phosphogluconate-Dehydratase From Caulobacter crescentus.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00185.].

Enzymatic Synthesis of 2-Keto-3-Deoxy-6-Phosphogluconate by the 6-Phosphogluconate-Dehydratase From Caulobacter crescentus.

The availability of metabolic intermediates is a prerequisite in many fields ranging from basic research, to biotechnological and biomedical applications as well as diagnostics. 2-keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate (KDPG) is the key intermediate of the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway for sugar degradation and of sugar acid and sugar polymer breakdown in many organisms including human and plant pathogens. However, so far KDPG is hardly available due to missing efficient synthesis routes. We here report the efficient biocatalytic KDPG production through enzymatic dehydration of 6-phosphogluconate (6PG) up to gram scale using the 6PG dehydratase/Entner-Doudoroff dehydratase (EDD) from Caulobacter crescentus (CcEDD). The enzyme was recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli, purified to apparent homogeneity in a simple one-step procedure using nickel ion affinity chromatography, and characterized with respect to molecular and kinetic properties. The homodimeric CcEDD catalyzed the irreversible 6PG dehydration to KDPG with a Vmax of 61.6 U mg-1 and a KM of 0.3 mM for 6PG. Most importantly, the CcEDD showed sufficient long-term stability and activity to provide the enzyme in amounts and purity required for the efficient downstream synthesis of KDPG. CcEDD completely converted 1 g 6PG and a straight forward purification method yielded 0.81 g of stereochemically pure KDPG corresponding to a final yield of 90% as shown by HPLC-MS and NMR analyses.

A combined experimental and modelling approach for the Weimberg pathway optimisation.

The oxidative Weimberg pathway for the five-step pentose degradation to α-ketoglutarate is a key route for sustainable bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass to added-value products and biofuels. The oxidative pathway from Caulobacter crescentus has been employed in in-vivo metabolic engineering with intact cells and in in-vitro enzyme cascades. The performance of such engineering approaches is often hampered by systems complexity, caused by non-linear kinetics and allosteric regulatory mechanisms. Here we report an iterative approach to construct and validate a quantitative model for the Weimberg pathway. Two sensitive points in pathway performance have been identified as follows: (1) product inhibition of the dehydrogenases (particularly in the absence of an efficient NAD+ recycling mechanism) and (2) balancing the activities of the dehydratases. The resulting model is utilized to design enzyme cascades for optimized conversion and to analyse pathway performance in C. cresensus cell-free extracts.

Recombinant AroL-Catalyzed Phosphorylation for the Efficient Synthesis of Shikimic Acid 3-Phosphate.

Shikimic acid 3-phosphate, as a central metabolite of the shikimate pathway, is of high interest as enzyme substrate for 5-enolpyruvoyl-shikimate 3-phosphate synthase, a drug target in infectious diseases and a prime enzyme target for the herbicide glyphosate. As the important substrate shikimic acid 3-phosphate is only accessible via a chemical multi-step route, a new straightforward preparative one-step enzymatic phosphorylation of shikimate using a stable recombinant shikimate kinase has been developed for the selective phosphorylation of shikimate in the 3-position. Highly active shikimate kinase is produced by straightforward expression of a synthetic aroL gene in Escherichia coli. The time course of the shikimate kinase-catalyzed phosphorylation is investigated by 1 H- and 31 P-NMR, using the phosphoenolpyruvate/pyruvate kinase system for the regeneration of the ATP cofactor. This enables the development of a quantitative biocatalytic 3-phosphorylation of shikimic acid. After a standard workup procedure, a good yield of shikimic acid 3-phosphate, with high HPLC- and NMR purity, is obtained. This efficient biocatalytic synthesis of shikimic acid 3-phosphate is superior to any other method and has been successfully scaled up to multi-gram scale.

Secrets of solid state and aqueous solution structures of [Ni(tmdta)](2-).

The molecular structures of Li2[Ni(tmdta)]·5H2O (1a, tmdta = trimethylenediaminetetraacetate), {C(NH2)3}2[Ni(tmdta)]·6H2O (1b), and {Ni(H2O)6}[Ni(tmdta)]·2H2O (2a) have been determined. The central trimethylenediamine chelate ring shows half-chair (hc) geometries in 1a and 1b, while a twist-boat (tb) conformation is encountered in 2a. The coexistence of tb and hc forms in the solid state prompted us to elucidate the existence of a tb ⇌ hc equilibrium in aqueous solution. Evaluation of the data from solid state vibrational spectra (Raman and IR) for the hc and tb forms showed excellent agreement with simulated spectra obtained with DFT computations (TPSSh/TZVP). This outstanding matching between theory and experiment enabled us to build composite spectra with varying hc:tb ratios. Comparison of these results with Raman and IR spectra recorded for [Ni(tmdta)](2-) in aqueous solution revealed that simulated Raman and IR spectra with a hc:tb ratio = 2:3 match the solution spectra in an accurate way. This equilibrium ratio enabled us to compute (13)C NMR sifts for the paramagnetic solution spectrum of [Ni(tmdta)](2-) based on the relative contributions by hc and tb fractions. This leads to computed shifts that agree closely with the experimental ones. Also, the kinetics of the skeleton dynamics could be estimated quantitatively by temperature-dependent (13)C NMR spectroscopic measurements. An interesting effect encountered for the very first time here concerns a drastic intensity difference of the 10Dq band ((3)A2g → (3)T2g(F) transition) in solid state electronic spectra of tb vs hc isomers, where the intensity of this band in the case of the hc form is much lower than that of the tb conformer and thus more similar to the case of the usual Ni(II) chromophore in octahedral environment. The equilibrium constants for complex formation and protonation of Ni(II)-tmdta at low pH have been estimated by pH-dependent UV-vis titration experiments. Correlation of these data with those of Ni(II)-edta and related 3d M(II) edta and tmdta complexes allow important conclusions on the consequences resulting from extending the central diamine ring in the ligand by one methylene group in terms of both complex and protolytic stability for edta vs tmdta complexes.

Recognizing calcifications of the carotid artery on panoramic radiographs to prevent strokes.

Panoramic radiographs are made routinely in dentistry and are regarded as a standard component of an initial dental examination. Often, these radiographs show opacities in the carotid artery territory (CAT), which frequently arise as a result of calcification in the internal (ICA) or external carotid artery (ECA). This study details the examination of patients with suspected calcifications in the carotid artery (CA), using a sonographic examination based on the panoramic radio graphs to confirm or rule out a possible stenosis in the cervical bloodvessels. Thirty-three patients were examined sonographically. Based on the ultrasound investigation in 4 patients, hemodynamic stenoses were detected. Eighteen patients had an atheroma in the ICA, but no hemodynamic stenosis, and 5 patients showed no sign of calcification. Three patients were not examined sonographically at the University Hospital in Basel and were therefore excluded from the evaluation. Three patients did not attend the sonographic examination. The diagnosis of panoramic radiographs should not be restricted to teeth and jaws; especially in patients over 50 years old and in those with health risk factors, greater attention should be paid to the lateral areas. Using the radiographs they already have, dentists can also contribute.

Quantum chemical studies on the enantiomerization mechanism of several [Zn(py)3(tach)]2+ derivatives.

The enantiomerization mechanism of the trigonal-prismatic [Zn(py)(3)(tach)](2+) complex and several derivatives has been studied by applying DFT calculations (B3LYP/LANL2DZp). The enantiomerization pathways of [Zn(py(3)tach-X)](2+) (X = C, Si, Ge, N, P, As, O, S and Se) start from a distorted trigonal-prismatic C(3) symmetric ground state via an ideal trigonal-prismatic C(3v) structure to end up in a C(3)' symmetric image of the ground state. The activation energy and structural data of the complexes depend on electronic and steric factors. The activation barriers of the complexes decrease in the order [Zn(py(3)tach-Ge)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-Si)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-As)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-Se)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-P)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-S)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-C)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-N)](2+) > [Zn(py(3)tach-O)](2+).

Surface quality after implantoplasty.

Implantoplasty describes a method using rotating instruments to smoothen rough implant surfaces which are exposed to the oral cavity. The goal of this procedure is to reduce the adherence of plaque and to facilitate the cleaning of the implant surfaces. The aim of this study was to compare different rotary instruments for their effectiveness and efficiency to smoothen micro-rough implant surfaces. For this purpose, 22 implants were processed with 10 different cutters and one diamond bur under standardized conditions, and then analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, collection of roughness data (Ra values, arithmetic mean roughness, Rz values, and average roughness) was obtained by using tactile surface measurement. The time needed to reach a subjectively-assessed smooth surface was determined for each instrument. The statistical analysis included the calculation of the mean values (± SD) for the required time, Ra and Rz values and the examination of correlations between these parameters, taking the logarithm of the values obtained and comparing them with linear mixed models. Irrespective of the drill design (spherical or conical) all rotary instruments used in the study showed obvious variations in processing times as well as significant differences (p < 0.001) of Ra and Rz values. The processing time required did not correlate with the Ra-(p = 0.44) or the Rz values (p = 0.83). Compared to spherical carbide cutters with transversal grooves, the conical cutters had the lowest mean roughness values (<1 micron).

FAM83A confers EGFR-TKI resistance in breast cancer cells and in mice.

Breast cancers commonly become resistant to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs); however, the mechanisms of this resistance remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that resistance may originate, at least in part, from molecular alterations that activate signaling downstream of EGFR. Using a screen to measure reversion of malignant cells into phenotypically nonmalignant cells in 3D gels, we identified FAM83A as a candidate cancer-associated gene capable of conferring resistance to EGFR-TKIs. FAM83A overexpression in cancer cells increased proliferation and invasion and imparted EGFR-TKI resistance both in cultured cells and in animals. Tumor cells that survived EGFR-TKI treatment in vivo had upregulated FAM83A levels. Additionally, FAM83A overexpression dramatically increased the number and size of transformed foci in cultured cells and anchorage-independent growth in soft agar. Conversely, FAM83A depletion in cancer cells caused reversion of the malignant phenotype, delayed tumor growth in mice, and rendered cells more sensitive to EGFR-TKI. Analyses of published clinical data revealed a correlation between high FAM83A expression and breast cancer patients' poor prognosis. We found that FAM83A interacted with and caused phosphorylation of c-RAF and PI3K p85, upstream of MAPK and downstream of EGFR. These data provide an additional mechanism by which tumor cells can become EGFR-TKI resistant.

Functional sphere profiling reveals the complexity of neuroblastoma tumor-initiating cell model.

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a neural crest-derived childhood tumor characterized by a remarkable phenotypic diversity, ranging from spontaneous regression to fatal metastatic disease. Although the cancer stem cell (CSC) model provides a trail to characterize the cells responsible for tumor onset, the NB tumor-initiating cell (TIC) has not been identified. In this study, the relevance of the CSC model in NB was investigated by taking advantage of typical functional stem cell characteristics. A predictive association was established between self-renewal, as assessed by serial sphere formation, and clinical aggressiveness in primary tumors. Moreover, cell subsets gradually selected during serial sphere culture harbored increased in vivo tumorigenicity, only highlighted in an orthotopic microenvironment. A microarray time course analysis of serial spheres passages from metastatic cells allowed us to specifically "profile" the NB stem cell-like phenotype and to identify CD133, ABC transporter, and WNT and NOTCH genes as spheres markers. On the basis of combined sphere markers expression, at least two distinct tumorigenic cell subpopulations were identified, also shown to preexist in primary NB. However, sphere markers-mediated cell sorting of parental tumor failed to recapitulate the TIC phenotype in the orthotopic model, highlighting the complexity of the CSC model. Our data support the NB stem-like cells as a dynamic and heterogeneous cell population strongly dependent on microenvironmental signals and add novel candidate genes as potential therapeutic targets in the control of high-risk NB.

Structures of vanadium(III)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-diacetato-N,N'-di-3-propionato complexes. Critical role of pπ-dπ donation in determining the coordination number.

Li[V(eddadp)]·3H(2)O (1a) and Cs[V(eddadp)]·2H(2)O (1b) were characterized by X-ray crystallography. 1a crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc with a = 11.467(7) Å, b = 13.398(8) Å, c = 12.529(8) Å, ß = 114.85(4)°; V = 1746.7(2) Å(3), and Z = 4; 1b crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 10.265(5) Å, b = 11.673(6) Å, c = 15.507(8) Å, ß = 104.29(2)°, V = 1800.6(2) Å(3), and Z = 4. The solution structure of 1 has been ascertained to be predominantly six-coordinated with a hexadentate eddadp which is based on a comparison of the electronic and Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of 1 with those in the solid state.

Detailed spectroscopic, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies on the protolytic equilibria of Fe(III)cydta and the activation of hydrogen peroxide.

The crystal structure of the as-yet-unknown salt K[Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)].3H(2)O, where cydta = (+/-)-trans-1,2-cyclohexanediaminetetraacetate, has been resolved: orthorhombic space group Pbca with R1 = 0.0309, wR2 = 0.0700, and GOF = 0.99. There are two independent [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-) anions in the asymmetric unit, and the ligand is (R,R)-cydta in both cases. The coordination polyhedron is a seven-coordinate capped trigonal prism where the quadrilateral face formed by the four ligand donor oxygen atoms is capped by the coordinated water molecule. The speciation of [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-) in water was studied in detail by a combination of techniques: (i) Measurements of the pH dependence of the Fe(III/II)cydta redox potentials by cyclic voltammetry enabled the estimation of the stability constants (0.1 M KNO(3), 25 degrees C) of [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-) (log beta(III)(110) = 29.05 +/- 0.01) and [Fe(II)(cydta)(H(2)O)](2-) (log beta(II)(110) = 17.96 +/- 0.01) as well as pK(III)(a1OH) = 9.57 and pK(II)(a1H) = 2.69. The formation enthalpy of [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-) (DeltaH degrees = -23 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1)) was measured by direct calorimetry and is compared to the corresponding value for [Fe(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) (DeltaH degrees = -31 +/- 1 kJ mol(-1)). (ii) pH-dependent spectrophotometric titrations of Fe(III)cydta lead to pK(III)(a1OH) = 9.54 +/- 0.01 for deprotonation of the coordinated water and a dimerization constant of log K(d) = 1.07. These data are compared with those of Fe(III)pdta (pdta = 1,2-propanediaminetetraacetate; pK(III)(a1OH) = 7.70 +/- 0.01, log K(d) = 2.28) and Fe(III)edta (pK(III)(a1OH) = 7.52 +/- 0.01, log K(d) = 2.64). Temperature- and pressure-dependent (17)O NMR measurements lead to the following kinetic parameters for the water-exchange reaction at [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-) (at 298 K): k(ex) = (1.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(7) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 40.2 +/- 1.3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = +28.4 +/- 4.7 J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaV(++) = +2.3 +/- 0.1 cm(3) mol(-1). A detailed kinetic study of the effect of the buffer, temperature, and pressure on the reaction of hydrogen peroxide with [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-) was performed using stopped-flow techniques. The reaction was found to consist of two steps and resulted in the formation of a purple Fe(III) side-on-bound peroxo complex [Fe(III)(cydta)(eta(2)-O(2))](3-). The peroxo complex and its degradation products were characterized using Mossbauer spectroscopy. Formation of the purple peroxo complex is only observable above a pH of 9.5. Both reaction steps are affected by specific and general acid catalysis. Two different buffer systems were used to clarify the role of general acid catalysis in these reactions. Mechanistic descriptions and a comparison between the edta and cydta systems are presented. The first reaction step reveals an element of reversibility, which is evident over the whole studied pH range. The positive volume of activation for the forward reaction and the positive entropy of activation for the backward reaction suggest a dissociative interchange mechanism for the reversible end-on binding of hydrogen peroxide to [Fe(III)(cydta)(H(2)O)](-). Deprotonation of the end-on-bound hydroperoxo complex leads to the formation of a seven-coordinate side-on-bound peroxo complex [Fe(III)(cydta)(eta(2)-O(2))](3-), where one carboxylate arm is detached. [Fe(III)(cydta)(eta(2)-O(2))](3-) can be reached by two different pathways, of which one is catalyzed by a base and the other by deprotonated hydrogen peroxide. For both pathways, a small negative volume and entropy of activation was observed, suggesting an associative interchange mechanism for the ring-closure step to the side-on-bound peroxo complex. For the second reaction step, no element of reversibility was found.

Quis custodiet ipsos custodies: who watches the watchmen?

This Commentary highlights two articles in this issue of the American Journal of Pathology, discussing the implications of stromal expression of caveolin-1 in breast cancer.

Fenretinide-induced caspase-8 activation and apoptosis in an established model of metastatic neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Resistance of high-risk metastatic neuroblastoma (HR-NB) to high dose chemotherapy (HD-CT) raises a major therapeutic challenge in pediatric oncology. Patients are treated by maintenance CT. For some patients, an adjuvant retinoid therapy is proposed, such as the synthetic retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR), an apoptotic inducer. Recent studies demonstrated that NB metastasis process is enhanced by the loss of caspase-8 involved in the Integrin-Mediated Death (IMD) process. As the role of caspase-8 appears to be critical in preventing metastasis, we aimed at studying the effect of 4-HPR on caspase-8 expression in metastatic neuroblasts. METHODS: We used the human IGR-N-91 MYCN-amplified NB experimental model, able to disseminate in vivo from the primary nude mouse tumor xenograft (PTX) into myocardium (Myoc) and bone marrow (BM) of the animal. NB cell lines, i.e., IGR-N-91 and SH-EP, were treated with various doses of Fenretinide (4-HPR), then cytotoxicity was analyzed by MTS proliferation assay, apoptosis by the propidium staining method, gene or protein expressions by RT-PCR and immunoblotting and caspases activity by colorimetric protease assays. RESULTS: The IGR-N-91 parental cells do not express detectable caspase-8. However the PTX cells established from the primary tumor in the mouse, are caspase-8 positive. In contrast, metastatic BM and Myoc cells show a clear down-regulation of the caspase-8 expression. In parallel, the caspases -3, -9, -10, Bcl-2, or Bax expressions were unchanged. Our data show that in BM, compared to PTX cells, 4-HPR up-regulates caspase-8 expression that parallels a higher sensitivity to apoptotic cell death. Stable caspase-8-silenced SH-EP cells appear more resistant to 4-HPR-induced cell death compared to control SH-EP cells. Moreover, 4-HPR synergizes with drugs since apoptosis is restored in VP16- or TRAIL-resistant-BM cells. These results demonstrate that 4-HPR in up-regulating caspase-8 expression, restores and induces apoptotic cell death in metastatic neuroblasts through caspase-8 activation. CONCLUSION: This study provides basic clues for using fenretinide in clinical treatment of HR-NB patients. Moreover, since 4-HPR induces cell death in caspase-8 negative NB, it also challenges the concept of including 4-HPR in the induction of CT of these patients.

Chemokines in neuroectodermal cancers: the crucial growth signal from the soil.

Although chemokines and their receptors were initially identified as regulators of cell trafficking during inflammation and immune response, they have emerged as crucial players in all stages of tumor development, primary growth, migration, angiogenesis, and establishment as metastases in distant target organs. Neuroectodermal tumors regroup neoplasms originating from the embryonic neural crest cells, which display clinical and biological similarities. These tumors are highly malignant and rapidly progressing diseases that disseminate to similar target organs such as bone marrow, bone, liver and lungs. There is increasing evidence that interaction of several chemokine receptors with corresponding chemokine ligands are implicated in the growth and invasive characteristics of these tumors. In this review we summarize the current knowledge on the role of CXCL12 chemokine and its CXCR4 and CXCR7 receptors in the progression and survival of neuroectodermal tumors, with particular emphasis on neuroblastoma, the most typical and enigmatic neuroectodermal childhood tumor.

The impact of tripodal chelates on water exchange kinetics and mechanisms: a variable temperature and pressure 17O NMR study to clarify the structure-reactivity relationship in [Fe(II)(L)(H2O2](-) complexes.

The effect of temperature and pressure on the water exchange reaction of [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) and [Fe(II)(BADA)(H2O)2](-) (NTA = nitrilotriacetate; BADA = beta-alanindiacetate) was studied by 17O NMR spectroscopy. The [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) complex showed a water exchange rate constant, k(ex), of (3.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 298.2 K and ambient pressure. The activation parameters DeltaH( not equal), DeltaS( not equal) and DeltaV( not equal) for the observed reaction are 43.4 +/- 2.6 kJ mol(-1), + 25 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) and + 13.2 +/- 0.6 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. For [Fe(II)(BADA)(H2O)2](-), the water exchange reaction is faster than for the [Fe(II)(NTA)(H2O)2](-) complex with k(ex) = (7.4 +/- 0.4) x 10(6) s(-1) at 298.2 K and ambient pressure. The activation parameters DeltaH( not equal), DeltaS( not equal) and DeltaV( not equal) for the water exchange reaction are 40.3 +/- 2.5 kJ mol(-1), + 22 +/- 9 J K(-1) mol(-1) and + 13.3 +/- 0.8 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively. The effect of pressure on the exchange rate constant is large and very similar for both systems, and the numerical values for DeltaV( not equal) suggest in both cases a limiting dissociative (D) mechanism for the water exchange process.