Alkaloid Composition of Chelidonium majus L. Studied by Different Chromatographic Techniques

The greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.) is a well known source of isoquinoline alkaloids with therapeutic value. The aim of our work was to develop a simple and fast method to determine the alkaloid composition in Chelidonium plant organs. TLC-densitometry seemed to be the most convenient analytical technique for routine, fast investigations and its precision was controlled by using HPLC. A densitometric method using Silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ with chloroform-methanol 60:30 (v/v) and methylene chloride-methanol 97:3 (v/v) as mobile phases has been developed to quantify the main alkaloids (chelidonine, chelerythrine, sanguinarine, coptisine and berberine). The application of TLC permitted utilizing the fluorescence of alkaloids without purification and made the detection extremely sensitive. The samples were further investigated by our reliable HPLC method. Analysis was performed on a C₁₈ column with acetonitrile-methanol-30 mM ammonium formate (pH = 2.8) 14.7:18.0:67.3 (v/v/v) as mobile phase and alkaloids were determined at 280 nm by using external standards. Our TLC-densitometric method elaborated is a simple technique for accurate and reproducible determination of Chelidonium alkaloids. The results of the two chromatographic methods showed good agreement.     

LC-MS Quantitative Determination of Atropine and Scopolamine in the Floral Nectar of Datura Species

The present study aimed at determining selected alkaloid components in the nectar of Datura species, to elucidate whether the alkaloid content of the floral nectar can lead to intoxication. A simple and rapid liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry analysis was developed for the quantitative determination of atropine and scopolamine, the main toxic alkaloids of the Datura species. This method allowed the direct coupling of an electrospray mass selective detector to the LC system. Under these conditions, atropine and scopolamine were well separated from other components and detected with mass spectrometry (mass selective detector). Simultaneous determination of atropine and scopolamine was performed with gradient elution on an Ascentis Express C₁₈ (Supelco) reversed-phase column based on a new fused core particle design. Liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry was used in positive ion mode. Atropine and scopolamine produced protonated species at m/z 290 and 304 (which are also the base peaks). Our data confirmed that the alkaloid characteristics for the vegetative and reproductive parts of the Datura plants may also occur in the nectar secreted by the flowers. In Datura species with large flowers and high nectar amounts, the alkaloid content increases proportionately and thus the nectar may be a potential source of intoxication.     

HPLC Determination of Flavonoids in Hairy-Root Cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria baicalensis</Emphasis> Georgi

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method has been established for determination of the main flavonoid components of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) roots and hairy-root cultures. Wogon, the dried root of the plant, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of bronchitis, hepatitis, tumors, and inflammatory diseases. Lyophilized hairy roots were extracted with methanol. The crude extracts were purified by SPE on Supelco LC-8 cartridges. HPLC separations were performed on a Eurospher 100-C₈ reversed-phase column. The mobile phase was a gradient prepared from mixtures of acetonitrile and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Peaks were identified by addition of standards and/or by diode-array detection. Baicalein 7-O-glucuronide (baicalin), wogonin 7-O-glucuronide (wogonoside), baicalein, wogonin, and acteoside were determined by the external standard method at 280 nm. We found that the aglycon (baicalein and wogonin) content of the transformed roots was consistently higher than that of the intact root from Siberia.     

Effect of the activation of a graphite-epoxy composite electrode and the buffer capacity of a solution on the reversibility of the hydroquinone electrode reaction

Peak potentials and the kinetics of hydroquinone oxidation at an electrode from a graphite-epoxy composite in activated and passivated states were studied in supporting electrolytes of different buffer capacities and pH varying from 0.1 to 8.8, using methods of direct-current and cyclic voltammetry. The electrode was activated before its polarization by mechanically cutting a 0.2–4-μm surface layer directly in a test solution. The electrode was passivated by storing in air for two or more days. The behavior of hydroquinone in its oxidation at the passivated and activated electrodes was compared using diagnostic criteria for the following functions: I _a?v ^1/2, logI _a?logv, I _a/v ^1/2?v ^1/2, and I _a/c, where v is the rate of the potential sweep and c is the volumetric concentration of hydroquinone. The potential difference of anodic and cathodic peaks in cyclic voltammograms indicated the reversibility of the electrode reaction in all supporting electrolytes.     

Quantum-chemical study of ytterbium fluorides and of complex F<Subscript>2</Subscript>YbF<Subscript>2</Subscript>CeF<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The structural parameters of the (²Σ⁺//C_∞v)-YbF, (¹A₁//C_2v)-YbF2, (²A₂^′//D_3h)-YbF₃, (¹Ag//D_2h)-YbF₂Yb, (¹Ag//C_2h)-FYbF₂YbF, (¹A₁//C_2v)-FYbF₂YbF, (¹A₁//C_2v)-YbF₂YbF₂, (³B_3u//D_2h)-F₂YbF₂YbF₂, (²A′//C_s)-FYbF₂YbF₂, and (³B₂//С_2v)-F₂YbF₂CeF₂ molecules have been determined. Disproportionation of ytterbium monofluoride (2YbF → YbF₂ + Yb + 0.46 eV) is less exothermic than dimerization (2YbF → YbF₂Yb + 2.10 eV). The bond energy of the ytterbium difluoride molecules in the trans dimer (2.93 eV) exceeds those in the cis dimer (2.86 eV) and the coaxial dimer (1.66 eV). Ytterbium trifluoride dimerizes exothermically (2.95 eV) without spin pairing. The dipole and quadrupole moments of the molecules as well as the charges and spin populations of the atoms and the valence electron configurations of the lanthanides have been calculated.     

Quantum-chemical study of lutetium,ytterbium, and gadolinium phthalocyaninates PcLnCl

Structural parameters and IR spectra of the (¹A₁//C_4v)-PcLuCl, (²B₂//C_4v)-PcYbCl, and (⁸A₂//C_4v)-PcGdCl molecules, (²A₂//C_4v)-Pc⁺LuCl, (3B₁//C_4v)-Pc⁺YbCl, and (⁹A₁//C_4v)-Pc⁺GdCl cations, (¹A_g//D_2h)-PcLuCl₂LuPc dimer, and PcLuCl···PcLuCl coaxial molecular pair have been simulated using the DFT (U) PBE0/SDD method. The PcLnCl (Ln = Lu, Yb, Gd) molecules have exhibited the equilibrium Ln–N bond length of 222, 223, and 230 pm, the Ln–Cl bond length of 245, 246, and 253 pm, the dipole moment of 4.73, 4.57, and 4.84 D directed from Cl to Ln, and ionization potential of 6.6 eV. β-Decay (¹A₁//C_4v)-Pc¹⁷⁷LuCl → (¹A₁//C_4v)-(Pc^177mHfCl)⁺ occurs with no significant change of the charge on the metal atom.     

Nonaqueous CE for Rapid and Sensitive Determination of Matrine and Oxymatrine in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sophora flavescens</Emphasis> and Its Medicinal Preparations

A simple, rapid, and sensitive non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis procedure for the quantitative determination of matrine and oxymatrine is established. Optimum separation conditions were obtained when the sample was injected under pressure for 3 s at 50 mbar and separated with the buffer containing 70 mM ammonium acetate, 7.0% (v/v) acetic acid, and 10% (v/v) acetonitrile in methanol medium at 25 kV applied voltage. The analytes were detected at 205 nm. The two alkaloids can be separated within 12 min and quantified with high sensitivity. The method was validated in terms of reproducibility, linearity, and accuracy when applied to the analysis of matrine and oxymatrine in Sophora flavescens and its medicinal preparations.     

Chemometrics-Assisted Optimization of Beta-/Gamma-Tocol Separation on a C<Subscript>30</Subscript> Stationary Phase in Reversed-Phase LC

This paper presents a chemometrics-assisted optimization study to improve the separation of tocopherol (-T) and tocotrienol (-TT) homologues on a C₃₀ stationary phase in reversed-phase HPLC. The HPLC settings were optimized using a central composite design and the response surface methodology. Flow rate, column temperature, and mobile phase composition were chosen as independent variables. Peak resolution (R_s), analysis time (t_R), and peak symmetries of the tocopherol isomers were chosen as response variables. Optimum performance in terms of R_s was obtained at a flow rate of 0.31 mL min^?1, a temperature of 8.70 °C, and % B content (methyl tert-butyl ether: methanol: water, 80:18:2, v/v/v) in the mobile phase of 38.12%. The analysis of variance and regression analysis gave adjusted R² values of 0.9841 for R_s, 0.9850 for t_R-(α-T), 0.9853 for t_R-(β-T), and 0.9204 for the peak symmetry of β-T. This confirms the good agreement of experimental data with predicted values. The close eluting peaks of β-/γ-tocol could be baseline separated at the optimized conditions at a minimized analysis time. Empirical second-order polynomial models were derived that gave statistically high significances (P?<?0.0001). Hence, the models can be successfully employed to predict the optimum separation conditions of co-eluting peaks of β-/γ-tocols. The optimized method was successfully applied to determine the individual tocol homologues in various cold pressed edible oils. Total contents ranged from 15 to almost 2600 mg tocol kg^?1 oil.     

Effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-methyl groups in the benzene rings of the macrocyclic frame on the chemistry of phosphacavitands

Effect of ortho-methyl groups in the benzene rings of the macrocyclic matrix on the chemistry of cavitands with phosphorous amide bridges in the upper rim is studied. The presence of ortho-methyl groups is shown to prevent formation of phosphacavitands of C _4v symmetry and favor formation of macrocyclic systems of C _2v symmetry, enhance solubility of phosphacavitands in organic solvents, hinder oxidation of phospha(III)cavitands and decrease the yield of phospha(V)cavitands, prevent formation of binuclear molybdenum complexes of phosphorous amide cavitands, and favor formation of their tetranuclear analogs.     

Aromaticity of Bare Iridium Trimers and Ir3M0/+ and $$\rm{Ir}_3M_2^{+/3+}$$ (M = Li,Na, K,and Be,Ca) Bimetallic Clusters

The structural stabilities, bonding nature, electronic properties, and aromaticity of bare iridium trimers \(\rm{Ir}_3^{+/-}\) with different geometries and spin multiplicities are studied at the DFT/B3LYP level of theory. The ground state of the \(\rm{Ir}_3^{+}\) cation is found to be the ³A₂ (C_2v) triplet state and the ground state of the \(\rm{Ir}_3^{-}\) anion the ⁵A₂ (C_2v) quintet state. A detailed molecular orbital (MO) analysis indicates that the ground-state \(\rm{Ir}_3^{+}\) ion (C_2v, ³A₂) possesses double (σ and partial δ) aromaticity as well as the ground-state \(\rm{Ir}_3^{-}\) ion (C_2v, ⁵A₂). The multiple d-orbital aromaticity is responsible for the totally delocalized three-center metal-metal bond of the triangular Ir₃ framework. \(\rm{Ir}_3^{-}\) (C_2v, ¹A₁) structure motif is perfectly preserved in pyramidal Ir₃M^0/+ (C_s, ¹A′) and bipyramidal \(\rm{Ir}_3M_2^{+/3+}\) (C_2v, ¹A₁) (M = Li, Na, K and Be, Ca) bimetallic clusters which also possess the corresponding d-orbital aromatic characters.     

Internal rotation potential functions of the acryloyl chloride molecule in the ground (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Subscript>0</Subscript>) and excited (<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript>) electronic states

The internal rotation potential function of the acryloyl chloride molecule in the S ₀ and S ₁ electronic states was reproduced using systems of torsional vibration levels obtained for its trans and cis isomers by analyzing the vibrational structure of the UV spectrum of the molecule. The kinematic factor F in the S ₀ ground state was calculated including geometric parameter relaxation as a function of internal rotation angle. The torsional potential parameters in the S ₀ state obtained in this work were substantially different from those determined from the infrared Fourier-transform spectrum ignoring the resonance perturbation of the level with v = 3. The form of the internal rotation potential function and the higher stability of the trans isomer (the main isomer) were substantiated by high-level quantum-mechanical calculations.     

A quantum chemical study of the Fe@<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis><Subscript>60</Subscript> endocomplex

At the DFT (U)PBE0/cc-pVDZ level the structural parameters of a hypothetical Fe@C ₆₀ endocomplex are determined. The (A ₁//C _3v )–Fe@C ₆₀ state characterized by the electron spin square of 3.07 au, the free valence of 4.15, the dipole moment of 1.15 D, and the 172 pm Fe nuclear shift relative to the center of inertia of С₆₀ corresponds to the energy minimum. The Stone–Wales rearrangement in the quasi-triplet state increases the endocomplex energy by 1.56 eV and by 0.79 eV in the quasi-quintet state.     

Determination of molar extinction coefficients for endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C<Subscript>82</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2v</Subscript>)

Isomerically pure endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C₈₂(C _2v) was synthesized by the electric arc method, extracted from the soot with o-dichlorobenzene, isolated from the extract by HPLC, and characterized by mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry. The spectrophotometric titration of a solution of endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C₈₂(C _2v) was conducted with potassium perchlorotriphenylmethide. The concentration of Dy@C82(C _2v) in o-dichlorobenzene was determined, and the molar absorption coefficients for its neutral and anionic forms were calculated (3.0?10³ (at 927 nm) and 4.0?10³ mol^–1 L cm^–1 (at 884 nm), respectively.     

New Ether-Functionalized Ionic Liquids for Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Biodiesel

Ionic liquids (ILs) are being explored as solvents for the enzymatic methanolysis of triglycerides. However, most available ILs (especially hydrophobic ones) have poor capability in dissolving lipids, while hydrophilic ILs tend to cause enzyme inactivation. Recently, we synthesized a new type of ether-functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) carrying anions of acetate or formate; they are capable of dissolving a variety of substrates and are also lipase-compatible (Green Chem., 2008, 10, 696–705). In the present study, we carried out the lipase-catalyzed transesterifications of Miglyol® oil 812 and soybean oil in these novel ILs. These ILs are capable of dissolving oils at the reaction temperature (50 °C); meanwhile, lipases maintained high catalytic activities in these media even in high concentrations of methanol (up to 50% v/v). High conversions of Miglyol oil were observed in mixtures of IL and methanol (70/30, v/v) when the reaction was catalyzed by a variety of lipases and different enzyme preparations (free and immobilized), especially with the use of two alkylammonium ILs 2 and 3. The preliminary study on the transesterification of soybean oil in IL/methanol mixtures further confirms the potential of using oil-dissolving and lipase-stabilizing ILs in the efficient production of biodiesels.     

Charge distribution and mobility of lithium ions in Li<Subscript>2</Subscript>TiO<Subscript>3</Subscript> from <Superscript>6,7</Superscript>Li NMR data

A comparative analysis of ^6,7Li NMR spectra is performed for the samples of monoclinic lithium titanate obtained at different synthesis temperatures. In the ⁷Li NMR spectra three lines are found, which differ in quadrupole splitting frequencies v _Q and according to ab initio EFG calculations are assigned to three crystallographic sites of lithium: Li1 (v _Q ～ 27 kHz); Li2 (v _Q ～ 59 kHz); Li3 (v _Q ～ 6 kHz). The dynamics of lithium ions is studied in a wide temperature range from 300 K to 900 K. It is found that the narrowing of ⁷Li NMR spectra as a result of thermally activated diffusion of lithium ions in the low-temperature Li₂TiO₃ sample is observed at a higher temperature in comparison with a sample of high-temperature lithium titanate. Based on the analysis of ⁶Li NMR spectra it is assumed that there is mixed occupancy of lithium and titanium sites in the corresponding layers of the crystal structure of low-temperature lithium titanate, which hinders lithium ion transfer over regular crystallographic sites.     

Characterization of neutron spectrum at Es-Salam Research Reactor using Høgdahl convention and Westcott formalism for the k<Subscript>0</Subscript>-based neutron activation analysis

For the general applicability of the k ₀-NAA method two formalisms were carried out to deal with “1/ν and non-l/ν ((n,γ)” reaction nuclides, respectively. In the Høgdahl-formalism the reactor neutron spectrum parameters, such as α and f were measured using three methods: Cd-ratio, Cdcovered and bare triple monitors. In addition, bare bi-isotopic method using Zr is also utilized for the calculation of f. According to the Westcottformalism the modified spectral index r(α)√T _n /T ₀ and g(T _n ) factor for monitoring neutron temperature T _n , were measured employing Lu as non “1/v” monitor and ¹⁹⁷Au, ⁹⁶Zr and ⁹⁴Zr as “1/v” monitors. The reduced resonance integral of lutetium s _0,Lu was also calculated. To evaluate the applicability of k ₀-NAA in our analytical system, the analysis of two kinds of SRMs was executed. The analytical results showed that the relative error of most of the elements was less than 10%.     

The thermal properties of water-n,n-dimethylformamide solutions at 278–323.15 K and 0.1–100 MPa

The isothermal compressibility coefficients κ _T , volumetric thermal expansion coefficients α, and pressure coefficients (?p/?T) _v were calculated for water-N,N-dimethylformamide (DMFA) mixtures of 12 compositions over the temperature and pressure ranges 278–323.15 K and 0.1–100 MPa. The composition dependences of κ _T passed minima, and the corresponding α and (?p/?T) _v dependences passed maxima. The structural features of water and hydrophobic hydration effects were found to play a determining role in changes in the thermodynamic properties of water-DMFA solutions.     

Volume expansion coefficients of the water-acetone system at temperatures of 278–323.15 K and pressures up to 1000 bar

Densities ρ at atmospheric pressure and compressibility coefficients k = (v ₀-v)/v ₀ were studied for the water-acetone system over the whole range of compositions at 278.15 and 288.15 K and at pressures up to 1000 bar. The measurement data and results obtained earlier were used to calculate the volume expansion α and pressure β coefficients at 278–323.15 K over the pressure range specified.     

Compressibility coefficients of water-2-propanol mixtures over the temperature and pressure ranges 278–323.15 K and 1–1000 bar

The compressibility coefficients k = (v ₀-v)/v ₀ of the water-2-propanol binary system were measured over the entire composition range, the temperature range 278–323.15 K, and the pressure range from atmospheric pressure to 1000 bar. The results are tabulated. Partial molar compressibility coefficients of the components were calculated. It was found that the partial molar compressibility coefficient of water decreased as the alcohol concentration in the mixture increased and became negative at x > 0.5–0.6 (x is the alcohol mole fraction).     

Synthesis and structure of bis(1,2-diaminoethane) copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoate) monohydrate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-diaquabis(1,2-diaminoethane)copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzoate)

X-ray structural analysis has been performed for two complex compounds: Cu(en)₂(o-HB)₂H₂O (I) (a = 16.873(4) Å, b = 8.713(2) Å, c = 14.803(3) Å, β = 91.15(2)°, V = 2175.8(8) ų, C2/c, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.0263, 1516 reflections with I > 3σ (I)) and [Cu(en)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺(o-AB^?)₂ (II) (a = 7.488(5) Å, b = 22.122(8) Å, c = 7.856(5) Å, β = 118.77(2)°, V = 1140.7(11) ų, P2₁/n, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.0432, 1684 reflections with I > 3σ(I)) synthesized under identical conditions (en is ethylenediamine, o-HB is o-hydroxybenzoate, and o-AB is o-aminobenzoate). Although the compounds were assumed to have similar structures and the Cu-Lig bond lengths and the cis and trans angles are acceptable for an octahedral structure, the geometric parameters of o-HB suggest that the copper atom has a plane square environment.