Development of a Rapid,Economical and Safe Method,for the Dissolution of Particulate Beryllium,for Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract

Current methods, for the dissolution of particulate beryllium, on static, surface smear or personal air sampler (PAS) filter papers, have, as drawbacks, high acid emissions, the risk of acid burns to staff, the possibility of perchloric acid induced explosions and a high labour requirement, because they rely on digestion of samples by concentrated strong acids.

An alternative method is presented, which overcomes these difficulties. The sample is boiled with a mixture of 2% nitric acid and 0.1% potassium bisulphate. The resulting solution may be determined for beryllium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry directly.

The method has been validated by analysing samples doped with up to 15 μg of particulate beryllium in the particle size range 1–150μm.     

Comparison of a pump-around, a diffusion-driven, and a shear-driven system for the hybridization of mouse lung and testis total RNA on microarrays

In the present study, we demonstrate the benefits of a shear-driven rotating microchamber system for the enhancement of microarray hybridizations, by comparing the system with two commonly used hybridization techniques: purely diffusion-driven hybridization under coverslip and hybridization using a fully automated hybridization station, in which the sample is pumped in an oscillating manner. Starting from the same amount of DNA for the three different methods, a series of hybridization experiments using mouse lung and testis DNA is presented to demonstrate these benefits. The gain observed using the rotating microchamber is large: both in terms of analysis speed (up to tenfold increase) and in final spot intensity (up to sixfold increase). The gain is due to the combined effect of the hybridization chamber miniaturization (leading to a sample concentration increase if comparing iso-mass conditions) and the transport enhancement originating from the rotational shear-driven flow induced by the rotation of the chamber bottom wall.     

Perfluoropropylene oxide as a reagent for the synthesis of germanium,titanium, tin,and zirconium fluorides

A new method of preparation of germanium, titanium, tin, and zirconium fluoride alcohol complexes by reaction of the metal oxides with a solution of perfluoropropylene oxide in methanol is developed. The reaction of the complexes obtained with ligands (L = 1,10-phenanthroline or dimethyl sulfoxide) was studied, and the structure of the obtained compounds was determined. A new route to the synthesis of 1-fluorogermatrane is developed.     

An efficient catalytic method for the synthesis of 2,7-dialkyl-2,3a,5a,7,8a,10a-hexaazaperhydropyrenes

An efficient method for the synthesis of 2,7-dialkyl-2,3a,5a,7,8a,10a-hexaazaperhydropyrenes in high yields (up to 95%) via the intermolecular cyclization of 1,4,5,8-tetraazadecalin with N,N-bis(methoxymethyl)-N-alkylamines in the presence of SmCl₃·6H₂O as the catalyst has been developed.     

Alizarin-s,a reagent for thorium. a gravimetric,colorimetric, and spectrophotometric study

The claim of Beck in the use of alizarin-S for separating cerite earths from thorium could not be substantiated. Detailed conditions for estimating from 0.0095 to 6.3 mg of thorium dioxide in 50 ml of solution by the method of Rao and Murthy are described. The absorption characteristics of alizarin-S and its-thorium complex have been studied in their dependance on pH. The thorium complex has been shown by adopting different optical methods to correspond to Th-Al-S (a stoichiometric ratio of 1:1) which is also confirmed from gravimetric analyses. The dissociation coefficient of the complex at pH 2.7 has been computed to be less than 1.10^-8.     

Vanadium- or vanadylacetylacetonate as a cocatalyst for the terpolymerization of ethylene,propylene, and dicyclopentadiene

Vanadium trisacetylacetonate [V(C₅H₇O₂)₃] and vanadyl bisacetylacetonate [VO-(C₅H₇O₂)₂] were found to be satisfactory catalysts (with Al₂Et₃Cl₃ cocatalyst) for the terpolymerization of ethylene, propylene, and dicyclopentadiene to unsaturated, sulfurcurable elastomers. Polymerization solvents of heptane or benzene were used. Best yields of terpolymers were obtained in benzene. Terpolymers with unsaturations of greater than ?0.20 mole C?C/kg. can be cured with a sulfur-based vulcanzing recipe. Both acetylacetonates produced terpolymers, in benzene, with practically equivalent properties. They also appeared to be nearly equal to corresponding terpolymers made with catalysts of VOCl₃ or VCl₄.     

The polarographic behaviour of the 1,4-benzodiazepines, oxazepam and lorazepam, and a method for quality control

The polarographic behaviour of the drugs, oxazepam and lorazepam, has been investigated over a wide pH range. Different types of wave are obtained depending on the pH. The pK_a, values calculated are in good agreement with those obtained from u.v. spectroscopic measurements. For analytical purposes, the optimal pH is 4.7 (acetate supporting electrolyte), the 4-electron reduction wave being measured. A quality control method for the two drugs in different formulations containing 0.5–15 mg of active constituent is described.     

Potassium carbonate,a support for the green synthesis of azoles and diazines

A novel potassium carbonate mediated synthesis of 2‐amino‐1,3‐thia/oxa zoles, 2‐amino‐1,3,4‐thia/oxa diazines and 2‐hydrazino‐1,3,4‐thiadiazines has been described here. The use of K₂CO₃ allows for an aqueous workup thereby eliminating the organic solvent from both the reaction step and post reaction stage, without compromising the yield and reaction time.     

Rapid HPLC Methods for the Separation and Quantitation of a Mono-, Di-, and Tri-Saccharides Mixture and Applications

Abstract

A simple, rapid method has been developed for the separation and quantitation of mono-, di-, and tri-saccharides. The method utilizes a 30cmx 3.9mm i.d. Microbondapak NH₂ column, refractive index detection and water-acetonitrile elution. Two chromatographic systems are described. The isocratic mode was necessary to develop a procedure. 20 Carbohydrate's retention times were evaluated. To optimize the separation of nine water-soluble sugars, a gradient mode flow-programming was used. Separation was achieved within 28 minutes. The low detection limit (4 micrograms) of the above chromatographic procedure and its different possibilities could be of great interest to the analyst. The method has been successfully applied to quantify the major carbohydrates found in two types of commercial honey.     

Reactions of methylenecyclopropanes with a diethylzinc-bromoform system, and the utilization for synthesis of a novel cyclopropylidene-nucleoside

The reactions of substituted methylenecyclopropane with diethylzinc-bromoform gave bromospiro[2.2]pentane derivatives, bromoform-addition compounds, an oxabicyclo-compound and adjacent dibromo-compound, and the last product was derived to a novel ,β-unsaturated nucloside.     

Synthesis, characterization and development of a high-throughput methodology for the discovery of botulinum neurotoxin a inhibitors

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), etiological agents of the deadly food poisoning disease botulism, are the most toxic proteins currently known. Although only a few hundred cases of botulism are reported in the United States annually, there is growing interest in BoNTs attributable to their potential use as biological warfare agents. Neurotoxicity results from cleavage of the soluble NSF-attachment protein receptor complex proteins of the presynaptic vesicles by the BoNT light chain subunit, a Zn endopeptidase. Few effective inhibitors of BoNT/A LC (light chain) activity are known, and the discovery process is hampered by the lack of an efficient high-throughput assay for screening compound libraries. To alleviate this bottleneck, we have synthesized the peptide SNAPtide and have developed a robust assay for the high-throughput evaluation of BoNT/A LC inhibitors. Key aspects for the development of this optimized assay include the addition of a series of detergents, cosolvents, and salts, including 0.01% w/v Tween 20 to increase BoNT/A LC catalysis, stability, and ease of small molecule screening. To evaluate the effectiveness of the assay, a series of hydroxamate-based small molecules were synthesized and examined with BoNT/A LC. The methodology described is superior to other assays reported to date for the high-throughput identification of BoNT/A inhibitors.     

Understanding the electronic structure, reactivity, and hydrogen bonding for a 1,2-diphosphonium dication

The experimental charge density for hexamethyldiphosphonium ditriflate has been determined from low-temperature high-resolution X-ray diffraction data. These results have been compared with theoretically calculated values for the isolated gas-phase compound. Analysis of the topological and atomic basin properties has provided insight into the exact nature of the P-P bond in both the crystalline and the gas-phase structures. The rho(b)(r) and nabla2rho(b)(r) values highlight the covalent nature of the P-P bond, while the atomic charges indicate a localization of the positive charges on the two phosphorus atoms. This seems to indicate that a covalent bond is formed despite a strong electrostatic repulsion between these two heteroatoms. The topological properties and electrostatic potentials have also been shown to provide significant insight into the chemical reactivity of the title compound. A topological analysis of P2Me4, P2Me5(+), and P2Me6(+2) species has provided information about the progression of the P-P bond in the synthesis of the title compound. An investigation of the different hydrogen-bonding networks present in the crystalline and gas-phase structures, along with their affect on the electronic structure of the title compound has also been investigated. This has all led to significant new insight into the electronic structure, reactivity, and weak hydrogen bonding in prototypical 1,2-diphosphonium dications.     

Studying the Link between the Potential of a Metal-Oxide Anode, the Current Efficiency for Chlorate, and the Current Losses for the Oxygen and Chlorine Evolution in a Wide Range of the Chlorate Electrolysis Conditions

Dependences of the current efficiency for chlorate and current losses for the oxygen evolution on the anode potential are studied. The study is performed in a cell without directed electrolyte circulation during the electrolysis of chloride–chlorate solutions of various compositions at the ORTA and ORTA-I1 anodes, at different current densities, temperatures, and solution pH. At identical temperatures, the dependences have extremums. The anode potentials corresponding to extremums coincide with critical potentials (found in a polarization study) for anodes covered with coatings containing ruthenium dioxide. The current efficiency for chlorate at ORTA-I1 is higher than that at ORTA, while the extremum region is less pronounced. The problem of how to substantially decrease the specific power consumption in the chlorate production by simultaneously increasing the anodic current density and the electrolysis temperature is considered.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of a Model for Galactose Oxidase

An active-site analog of the radical copper enzyme galactose oxidase has been prepared from a synthetic tripod chelate ((2-pyridylmethyl)[(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)methyl][(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-3-(methylthio)phenyl)methyl]amine, duncamine (dnc)) that binds a single Cu(II) ion through phenolate, thioether-substituted phenolate, and pyridylamine arms. The Cu complex crystallizes as a dinucleated dimer bridged by phenolate oxygens, and the structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Addition of pyridine (or other coordinating bases) dissociates the complex into a monomeric derivative that has been characterized spectroscopically (optical absorption and EPR) and electrochemically. The model provides insight into the properties of a mutant form of galactose oxidase which retains the same copper ligand complement as the wild type protein but lacks catalytic activity.     

Cross olefin metathesis for the selective functionalization, ferrocenylation, and solubilization in water of olefin-terminated dendrimers, polymers, and gold nanoparticles and for a divergent dendrimer construction

Olefin cross metathesis was used to efficiently functionalize polyolefin dendrimers, polymers, and gold nanoparticles using the second-generation Grubbs catalyst. In these structures, the tethers were lengthened to prevent the facile cross metathesis that otherwise predominates in polyolefin dendrimers having short tethers. This synthetic strategy allows the one-step access to polyacid, polyester, and polyferrocenyl structures from polyolefins. Cross metathesis is also used to efficiently achieve an iterative divergent dendritic construction. All the cross metathesis reactions were monitored by 1H NMR showing the chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was a very useful technique to confirm the efficiency of this synthetic strategy.     

Trifluoroethanol as a Metal-Free,Homogeneous, and Recyclable Medium for the Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidones

Trifluoroethanol is an efficient and recyclable medium in promoting one-pot, three-component condensation reactions of β-ketoesters, aldehydes, and urea (or thiourea) to afford the corresponding dihydropyrimidones in good yields. This protocol does not require the use of an acid or base catalyst.