Determination of the inhibitory effect of green tea extract on glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase based on multilayer capillary enzyme microreactor

Natural herbal medicines are an important source of enzyme inhibitors for the discovery of new drugs. A number of natural extracts such as green tea have been used in prevention and treatment of diseases due to their low‐cost, low toxicity and good performance. The present study reports an online assay of the activity and inhibition of the green tea extract of the Glucose 6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) enzyme using multilayer capillary electrophoresis based immobilized enzyme microreactors (CE‐IMERs). The multilayer CE‐IMERs were produced with layer‐by‐layer electrostatic assembly, which can easily enhance the enzyme loading capacity of the microreactor. The activity of the G6PDH enzyme was determined and the enzyme inhibition by the inhibitors from green tea extract was investigated using online assay of the multilayer CE‐IMERs. The Michaelis constant (K_m) of the enzyme, the IC₅₀ and K_i values of the inhibitors were achieved and found to agree with those obtained using offline assays. The results show a competitive inhibition of green tea extract on the G6PDH enzyme. The present study provides an efficient and easy‐to‐operate approach for determining G6PDH enzyme reaction and the inhibition of green tea extract, which may be beneficial in research and the development of natural herbal medicines. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thin‐layer chromatography‐bioautographic method for the detection of arginase inhibitors

Arginase represents a promising therapeutic target for various pathologies including inflammatory, cardiovascular, and parasitic diseases or cancers. In the current work, we report, for the first time, about the development of a thin‐layer chromatography‐based bioautography which can be used to rapidly detect arginase inhibitors in complex matrices such as plant extracts. The assay is based on the detection of urea produced by arginase using the coloring reagent α‐isonitrosopropiophenone, resulting in the formation of a pink background on thin‐layer chromatography plates. The assay conditions were optimized in order to provide sufficient contrast between the pink colored thin‐layer chromatography plate and the clearer zones generated by the presence of arginase inhibitors. Different parameters were tested, such as incubation time and temperature, atmospheric conditions, as well as substrate and enzyme concentrations. This technique makes it possible to detect 0.1 μg of a known arginase inhibitor, N^ω‐hydroxy‐nor‐Arginine, after it has been spotted, either pure or mixed with a Myrtus communis methanolic fruit extract, and the plate has been developed in an appropriate solvent. The newly developed method was used to reveal the presence of an inhibitor in hempseed cakes (Cannabis sativa L.).     

Capillary electrophoresis‐based enzyme assays for β‐lactamase enzymes

Generic in‐capillary as well as offline CE‐based enzyme assays were developed for serine‐β‐lactamases and metallo‐β‐lactamases. The hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin to benzylpenicilloic acid was analyzed using 100 mM sodium phosphate solution, pH 6.0, as a background electrolyte. In‐capillary assays employed an uncoated as well as a polyethylene oxide‐coated capillary, while the offline assays employing long end and short end injection were performed in an uncoated capillary. Using procaine hydrochloride or 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid as internal standard, the respective assays were validated with regard to linearity, LOD and LOQ, repeatability, precision, and accuracy. The assays were applied to the determination of the Michaelis‐Menten parameters K_m and V_max of Bacillus cereus penicillinase as well as New Delhi metallo‐β‐lactamase 1 and Verona integrin‐encoded metallo‐β‐lactamase 2. Furthermore, the inhibition of the enzymes by irreversible and competitive inhibitors was evaluated. Comparable data were obtained with all assays. The use of a simple substrate ensured broad applicability to the various types of β‐lactamases.     

Structure‐Reactivity Relationships as Probes for the Inhibition Mechanism of Cholesterol Esterase by Aryl Carbamates. I. Steady‐State Kinetics

For substituted phenyl‐N‐butyl carbamates (1) and 4‐nitrophenyl‐N‐substituted carbamates (2), linear relationships between values of NH proton chemical shift (δ_NH), pKa, and logk_[OH] and Hammett substituent constant (σ) or Taft substituent constant (σ*) are observed. Carbamates 1 and 2 are pseudo‐substrate inhibitors of porcine pancreatic cholesterol esterase. Thus, the mechanism of the reaction necessitates that the inhibitor molecule and the enzyme form the enzyme‐inhibitor tetrahedral species at the K_i step of the reaction and then form the carbamyl enzyme at the k_c step of the reaction. Linear relationships between the logarithms of K_i and k_c for cholesterol esterase by carbamates 1 and σ are observed, and the reaction constants (ρs) are ?3.4 and ?0.13, respectively. Therefore, the above reaction forms the negative‐charge tetrahedral species and follows the formation of the relatively neutral carbamyl enzymes. For the inhibition of cholesterol esterase by carbamates 2 except 4‐nitrophenyl‐N‐phenyl carbamate and 4‐nitrophenyl‐N‐t‐butyl carbamate, linear relationships of ‐logK_i and logk_c with σ* are observed and the ρ* values are ?0.50 and 1.03, respectively. Since the above reaction also forms the negative‐charge tetrahedral intermediate, it is possible that the K_i step of this reaction is further divided into two steps. The first K_i step is the development of the positive‐charge at the carbamate nitrogen from the protonation of the carbamate nitrogen. The second K_i step is the formation of the tetrahedral intermediate with the negative‐charge at the carbonyl oxygen. From Arrhenius plots of a series of inhibition reactions by carbamates 1 and 2, the isokinetic and isoequilibrium temperatures are different from the reaction temperature (25°C). Therefore, the observed ρ and ρ* values only depend upon the electronic effects of the substituents. Taken together, the cholesterol esterase inhibition mechanism by carbamates 1 and 2 is proposed.     

1,1‐Diethyl‐1‐germa‐2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetraphospholan (C2H5)2Ge(tBuP)4, Molekül‐ und Kristallstruktur

1,1‐Diethyl‐1‐germa‐2,3,4,5‐tetra‐ tert ‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetraphospholane (C₂H₅)₂Ge( t BuP)₄, Molecular and Crystal Structure The reaction of the diphosphide K₂[(tBuP)₄] · THF ( 1 ) with the germanium(IV) compound (C₂H₅)₂GeCl₂ leads via a [4 + 1]‐cyclo‐condensation reaction to 1,1‐diethyl‐1‐germa‐2,3,4,5‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐2,3,4,5‐tetraphospholane (C₂H₅)₂Ge(tBuP)₄ ( 2 ) with the 5‐membered GeP₄ ring system. 2 could be characterized ³¹P NMR spectroscopically, mass spectrometrically and by a single crystal structure analysis.     

Ions Can Move a Proton‐Coupled Electron‐Transfer Reaction into Tunneling Regime

The effects of charged species on proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) reaction should be of significance for understanding/application of important chemical and biological PCET systems. Such species can be found in proximity of activated complex in a PCET reaction, although they are not involved in the charge transfer process. Reported here is the first study of the above‐mentioned effects. Here, the effects of Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Me₄N⁺ observed in PCET reaction of ascorbate monoanions with hexacyanoferrate(III) ions in H₂O reveal that, in presence of ions, this over‐the‐barrier reaction entered into tunneling regime. The observations are: a) dependence of the rate constant on the cation concentration, where the rate constant is 71 (at I = 0.0023), and 821 (at 0.5M K⁺), 847 (at 1.0M Na⁺), and 438 M ^?1 s^?1 (at 0.011M Ca²⁺); b) changes of kinetic isotope effect (KIE) in the presence of ions, where k_H/k_D=4.6 (at I = 0.0023), and 3.4 (in the presence of 0.5M K⁺), 3.3 (at 1.0M Na⁺), 3.9 (at 0.001M Ca²⁺), and 3.9 (at 0.001M Mg²⁺), respectively; c) the isotope effects on Arrhenius pre‐factor where A_H/A_D=0.97 (0.15) in absence of ions, and 2.29 (0.60) (at 0.5M Na⁺), 1.77 (0.29) (at 1.0M Na⁺), 1.61 (0.25) (at 0.5M K⁺), 0.42 (0.16) (at 0.001M Ca²⁺) and 0.16 (0.19) (at 0.001M Mg²⁺); d) isotope differences in the enthalpies of activation in H₂O and in D₂O, where ΔΔH^?(D,H)=3.9 (0.4) kJ mol^?1 in the absence of cations, 1.3 (0.6) at 0.5M Na⁺, 1.8 (0.4) at 0.5M K⁺, 1.5 (0.4) at 1.0M Na⁺, 5.5 (0.9) (at 0.001M Ca²⁺), and 7.9 (2.8) (at 0.001M Mg²⁺) kJ mol^?1; e) nonlinear proton inventory in reaction. In the H₂O/dioxane 1 : 1, the observed KIE is 7.8 and 4.4 in the absence and in the presence of 0.1M K⁺, respectively, and A_H/A_D=0.14 (0.03). The changes when cations are present in the reaction are explained in terms of termolecular encounter complex consisting of redox partners, and the cation where the cation can be found in a near proximity of the reaction‐activated complex thus influencing the proton/electron double tunneling event in the PCET process. A molecule of H₂O is involved in the transition state. The resulting ‘configuration’ is more ‘rigid’ and more appropriate for efficient tunneling with Na⁺ or K⁺ (extensive tunneling observed), i.e., there is more precise organized H transfer coordinate than in the case of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (moderate tunneling observed) in the reaction.     

A new disordered langbeinite‐type compound,K2Tb1.5Ta0.5P3O12, and Eu3+‐doped multicolour light‐emitting properties

For the first time, a new langbeinite‐type phosphate, namely potassium terbium tantalum tris(phosphate), K₂Tb_1.5Ta_0.5(PO₄)₃, has been prepared successfully using a high‐temperature flux method and has been structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The results show that its structure can be described as a three‐dimensional open framework of [Tb_1.5Ta_0.5(PO₄)₃]_∞ interconnected by K⁺ ions. The Tb^III and Ta^V cations in the structure are disordered and occupy the same crystallographic sites. The IR spectrum, the UV–Vis spectrum, the morphology and the Eu³⁺‐activated photoluminescence spectroscopic properties were studied. A series of Eu³⁺‐doped phosphors, i.e. K₂Tb_1.5–xTa_0.5(PO₄)₃:xEu³⁺ (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07, 0.10), were prepared via a solid‐state reaction and the photoluminescence properties were studied. The results show that under near‐UV excitation, the luminescence colour can be tuned from green through yellow to red by simply adjusting the Eu³⁺ concentration from 0 to 0.1, because of the efficient Tb³⁺→Eu³⁺ energy‐transfer mechanism.     

Enzyme and inhibition assay of urease by continuous monitoring of the ammonium formation based on capillary electrophoresis

We present here an easy‐to‐operate and efficient method for enzyme and inhibition assays of urease, which is a widely distributed and important enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of urea to ammonia and CO₂. The assay was achieved by integrating CE technique and rapid on‐line derivatization method, allowing us to continuously drive the sample to the capillary, thus to measure the amount of the product ammonia from the beginning to the end of the reaction. The method exhibits excellent repeatability with RSD as low as 2.5% for the initial reaction rate (n = 5), with the LOD of ammonia of 20 μM (S/N = 5). The enzyme activity as well as the inhibition of urease by Cu²⁺ were investigated using the present method. The results show that Cu²⁺ is a noncompetitive inhibitor on urease, in accordance with the result published in the literature. The enzyme activity and inhibition kinetic constants were obtained and were found to be consistent with the results of traditional off‐line enzyme assays. Our study indicates that the present approach is a reliable and convenient method for analysis of the urease activity and inhibition kinetics by continuous on‐line monitoring of the ammonium formation based on CE.     

ESI‐MS studies of the non‐covalent interactions between biologically important metal ions and N‐sulfonylcytosine derivatives

The aim of this report is to present the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry results of the non‐covalent interaction of two biologically active ligands, N‐1 ‐ (p‐toluenesulfonyl)cytosine, 1‐TsC, 1 and N‐1 ‐ methanesulfonylcytosine, 1‐MsC, 2 and their Cu(II) complexes Cu(1‐TsC‐N3)₂Cl₂, 3 and Cu(1‐MsC‐N3)₂Cl₂ and 4 with biologically important cations: Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The formation of various complex metal ions was observed. The alkali metals Na⁺ and K⁺ formed clusters because of electrostatic interactions. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ salts produced the tris ligand and mixed ligand complexes. The interaction of Zn²⁺ with 1–4 produced monometal and dimetal Zn²⁺ complexes as a result of the affinity of Zn²⁺ ions toward both O and N atoms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Combining Medium Effects and Cofactor Catalysis: Metal‐Coordinated Synzymes Accelerate Phosphate Transfer by 108

The systematic exploration of the modification of polyethylene imine with guanidinium and octyl groups has led to the identification of a catalyst, CD6, which accelerates the phosphate transfer reaction of HPNP (2‐hydroxypropyl‐4‐nitrophenyl phosphate) in the presence of divalent metals such as Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Mg²⁺ or Ni²⁺. CD6 exhibits saturation kinetics that are described by Michaelis–Menten parameters K_m ranging from 2.5–8 mM and k_cat ranging from 0.0014–0.09 s^?1. For Zn^II–CD6 this corresponds to an overall acceleration k_cat/k_uncat of 3.8×10⁵ and a catalytic proficiency (k_cat/K_m)/k_uncat of 1.5×10⁸. Catalysis by Zn^II–CD6 is specifically inhibited by inorganic phosphate, allowing turnover regulation by product inhibition. This effect stands in contrast to Zn^II‐catalysed transesterification of HPNP in water or by the synzymes Co^II–CD6 and Ni^II–CD6, with which no such interference by product is observed. These characteristics render synzyme Zn^II–CD6 an efficient enzyme model that reflects enzyme‐like properties in a wide range of features.     

Structure‐Reactivity Relationships as Probes to Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Mechanisms by Aryl Carbamates. II. Hammett‐Taft Cross‐Interaction Correlations

Substituted phenyl‐N‐butyl carbamates ( 1 ) and p‐nitrophenyl‐N‐substituted carbamates ( 2 ) are characterized as “pseudo‐pseudo‐substrate” inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase. Since the inhibitors protonate in pH 7.0 buffer solution, the virtual inhibition constants (K_i's) of the protonated inhibitors can be calculated from the equation, ‐logK_i' = ‐logK_i ‐ pK_a + 14. The ‐logK_i' and logk_c values for acetylcholinesterase inhibitions by carbamates 1 correlate with the Hammett equation (log(k/k₀) = ρσ); moreover, those by carbamates 2 correlate with the Taft equation (log(k/k₀) = ρ* σ*). With modified Hammett‐Taft cross‐interaction variations, multiple linear regressions of the ‐logK_i' and logk_c values of carbamates 1 and 2 give good correlations, and the cross‐interaction constants (ρ_XR) are 0.5 and 0.0, respectively. The ρ_XR value of 0.5 indicates that the carbamate O‐C(O)‐N‐R geometries for the transition states that lead to enzyme‐carbamate tetrahedral intermediates are all pseudo‐trans conformations. Therefore, the carbamate moiety of the inhibitors stretches along the active site gorge of the enzyme but does not bind in the acyl binding site pocket of the enzyme. Overall, the carbamate O‐C(O)‐N‐R geometries for carbamates 1 and 2 , protonated carbamates 1 and 2 , and the tetrahedral intermediate are all retained in pseudo‐trans conformations. The ρ_XR value of 0.0 suggests that the transition states that lead to the carbamyl enzymes are breaking C‐O bonds and are excluding the leaving groups, substituted phenols.     

3‐Indoxyl Phosphate as an Electrochemical Substrate for Horseradish Peroxidase

In this work 3‐indoxyl phosphate (3‐IP), an alkaline phosphatase substrate, is demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for horseradish peroxidase (HRP). HRP catalyzes the oxidation of 3‐IP in presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) generating the product indigo blue, which is an aromatic heterocycle compound insoluble in aqueous solutions. This product was easily converted into its soluble parent compound indigo carmine (IC) (by addition of fuming sulfuric acid to the reaction media) which has a reversible voltammetric peak at the formal potential of ?0.15 V (vs. Ag pseudo‐reference electrode) when a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) is used. Parameters that influence the enzymatic reaction, such as pH, temperature, substrate concentration and reaction time have been optimized. Moreover, the enzyme apparent kinetic constants (V_max, K_M) for both substrates (3‐IP and H₂O₂) have been calculated. Indirect measurements of HRP activity in solution were carried out not only by cyclic voltammetry but also using amperometric detection in a flow system. The detection limits were 6.86×10^?12 and 5.68×10^?12 M, respectively. Thus, 3‐IP is the first substrate that could be used for alkaline phosphatase (AP) and HRP, the most common enzymatic labels in affinity assays.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Novel 2,4‐Dihydro‐5‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ones and Potentiometric Determination of Their pKa in Nonaqueous Solvents

The novel 4‐amino‐ or 4‐aryl‐substituted 2,4‐dihydro‐5‐[(4‐trifluoromethyl)phenyl]‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ones 3a – 3g were synthesized by reaction of N‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐4‐(trifluoromethyl)benzenehydrazonic acid ethyl ester ( 2 ) and primary amines or hydrazine by microwave irradiation. Compounds 3a – 3g were potentiometrically titrated with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (Bu₄NOH) in four nonaqueous solvents, i.e., ⁱPrOH, ^tBuOH, MeCN, and N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). Also half‐neutralization potential values and the corresponding pK_a values were determined in all cases.     

A Highly K+‐Selective Two‐Photon Fluorescent Probe

A highly K⁺‐selective two‐photon fluorescent probe for the in vitro monitoring of physiological K⁺ levels in the range of 1–100 mM is reported. The two‐photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) probe shows a fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of about three in the presence of 160 mM K⁺, independently of one‐photon (OP, 430 nm) or two‐photon (TP, 860 nm) excitation and comparable K⁺‐induced FEs in the presence of competitive Na⁺ ions. The estimated dissociation constant (K_d) values in Na⁺‐free solutions (K_d^OP=(28±5) mM and K_d^TP=(36±6) mM ) and in combined K⁺/Na⁺ solutions (K_d^OP=(38±8) mM and K_d^TP=(46±25) mM ) reflecting the high K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity of the fluorescent probe. The TP absorption cross‐section (σ_2PA) of the TPEF probe+160 mM K⁺ is 26 GM at 860 nm. Therefore, the TPEF probe is a suitable tool for the in vitro determination of K⁺.     

The effect of temperature on the stability of compounds used as UV‐MALDI‐MS matrix: 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacetophenone, α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid, 3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid,nor‐harmane and harmane

The thermal stability of several commonly used crystalline matrix‐assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (UV‐MALDI‐MS) matrices, 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid; GA), 2,4,6‐trihydroxyacetophenone (THA), α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (CHC), 3,5‐dimethoxy‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (sinapinic acid; SA), 9H‐pirido[3,4‐b]indole (nor‐harmane; nor‐Ho), 1‐methyl‐9H‐pirido[3,4‐b]indole (harmane; Ho), perchlorate of nor‐harmanonium ([nor‐Ho + H]⁺) and perchlorate of harmanonium ([Ho + H]⁺) was studied by heating them at their melting point and characterizing the remaining material by using different MS techniques [electron ionization mass spectrometry (EI‐MS), ultraviolet laserdesorption/ionization‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (UV‐LDI‐TOF‐MS) and electrospray ionization‐time‐of‐flight‐mass spectrometry (ESI‐TOF‐MS)] as well as by thin layer chromatography analysis (TLC), electronic spectroscopy (UV‐absorption, fluorescence emission and excitation spectroscopy) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H‐NMR). In general, all compounds, except for CHC and SA, remained unchanged after fusion. CHC showed loss of CO₂, yielding the trans‐/cis‐4‐hydroxyphenylacrilonitrile mixture. This mixture was unambiguously characterized by MS and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy, and its sublimation capability was demonstrated. These results explain the well‐known cluster formation, fading (vanishing) and further recovering of CHC when used as a matrix in UV‐MALDI‐MS. Commercial SA (SA 98%; trans‐SA/cis‐SA 5 : 1) showed mainly cis‐ to‐trans thermal isomerization and, with very poor yield, loss of CO₂, yielding (3′,5′‐dimethoxy‐4′‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1‐ethene as the decarboxilated product. These thermal conversions would not drastically affect its behavior as a UV‐MALDI matrix as happens in the case of CHC. Complementary studies of the photochemical stability of these matrices in solid state were also conducted. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermal Behavior of N,N＇Bis[N-（2,2,2-trinitroethyl）-N-nitro]ethylenediamine

The thermal behavior and kinetic parameters of the exothermic decomposition reaction of N‐N‐bis[N‐(2,2,2‐tri‐nitroethyl)‐N‐nitro]ethylenediamine in a temperature‐programmed mode have been investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results show that kinetic model function in differential form, apparent activation energy E_a and pre‐exponential factor A of this reaction are 3(1 ‐α)^2/3, 203.67 kJ·mol^?1 and 10^20.61s^?1, respectively. The critical temperature of thermal explosion of the compound is 182.2 °C. The values of ΔS^≠ ΔH^≠ and ΔG^≠ of this reaction are 143.3 J·mol^?1·K^?1, 199.5 kJ·mol^?1 and 135.5 kJ·mol^?1, respectively.     

Characterization of N‐Boc/Fmoc/Z‐N′‐formyl‐gem‐diaminoalkyl derivatives using electrospray ionization multi‐stage mass spectrometry

N‐Boc/Fmoc/Z‐N′‐formyl‐gem‐diaminoalkyl derivatives, intermediates particularly useful in the synthesis of partially modified retro‐inverso peptides, have been characterized by both positive and negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI) ion‐trap multi‐stage mass spectrometry (MSⁿ). The MS² collision induced dissociation (CID) spectra of the sodium adduct of the formamides derived from the corresponding N‐Fmoc/Z‐amino acids, dipeptide and tripeptide acids show the [M + Na‐NH₂CHO]⁺ ion, arising from the loss of formamide, as the base peak. Differently, the MS² CID spectra of [M + Na]⁺ ion of all the N‐Boc derivatives yield the abundant [M + Na‐C₄H₈]⁺ and [M + Na‐Boc + H]⁺ ions because of the loss of isobutylene and CO₂ from the Boc protecting function. Useful information on the type of amino acids and their sequence in the N‐protected dipeptidyl and tripeptidyl‐N′‐formamides is provided by MS² and subsequent MSⁿ experiments on the respective precursor ions. The negative ion ESI mass spectra of these oligomers show, in addition to [M‐H]^?, [M + HCOO]^? and [M + Cl]^? ions, the presence of in‐source CID fragment ions deriving from the involvement of the N‐protecting group. Furthermore, MSⁿ spectra of [M + Cl]^? ion of N‐protected dipeptide and tripeptide derivatives show characteristic fragmentations that are useful for determining the nature of the C‐terminal gem‐diamino residue. The present paper represents an initial attempt to study the ESI‐MS behavior of these important intermediates and lays the groundwork for structural‐based studies on more complex partially modified retro‐inverso peptides. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and properties of new orange red light‐emitting hyperbranched and linear polymers derived from 3,5‐dicyano‐2,4,6‐tristyrylpyridine

Two new orange red light‐emitting hyperbranched and linear polymers, poly(pyridine phenylene)s P1 and P2, were prepared by the Heck coupling reaction. In particular, an A₂ + B₃ approach was developed to synthesize conjugated hyperbranched polymer P2 via one‐pot polycondensation. The polymers were characterized by NMR, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and elemental analysis. They showed excellent solubility in common solvents such as tetrahydrofuran, CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, and N,N‐dimethylformamide and had high molecular weights (up to 6.1 × 10⁵ and 5.8 × 10⁵). Cyclic voltammetry studies revealed that P2 had a low‐lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy level of ?3.22 eV and a highest occupied molecular orbital energy level of ?5.43 eV. The thin film of P2 emitted strong orange‐red photoluminescence at 595 nm. A double‐layer light‐emitting diode fabricated with the configuration of indium tin oxide/P2/tris(8‐hydroxy‐quinoline)aluminum/Al emitted orange‐red light at 599 nm, with a brightness of 662 cd/m² at 7 V and a turn‐on voltage of 4.0 V; its external quantum efficiency was calculated to be 0.19% at 130.61 mA/cm². This indicated that this new electroluminescent polymer (P2) based on 3,5‐dicyano‐2,4,6‐tristyrylpyridine could possibly be used as an orange‐red emitter in polymer light‐emitting displays. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 493–504, 2005     

A three‐dimensional polymeric potassium complex of 5‐sulfonobenzene‐1,2,4‐tricarboxylic acid: poly[μ‐aqua‐aqua‐μ9‐(2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoato)‐dipotassium(I)]

The asymmetric unit in the structure of the title compound, [K₂(C₉H₄O₉S)(H₂O)₂]_n, consists of two eight‐coordinated K^I cations, one 2,4‐dicarboxy‐5‐sulfonatobenzoate dianion (H₂SBTC²⁻), one bridging water molecule and one terminal coordinated water molecule. One K^I cation is coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms and three sulfonate O atoms from four H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by two bridging water molecules. The second K^I cation is coordinated by four sulfonate O atoms and three carboxylate O atoms from five H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands and by one terminal coordinated water molecule. The K^I cations are linked by sulfonate groups to give a one‐dimensional inorganic chain with cage‐like K₄(SO₃)₂ repeat units. These one‐dimensional chains are bridged by one of the carboxylic acid groups of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligand to form a two‐dimensional layer, and these layers are further linked by the remaining carboxylate groups and the benzene rings of the H₂SBTC²⁻ ligands to generate a three‐dimensional framework. The compound displays a photoluminescent emission at 460 nm upon excitation at 358 nm. In addition, the thermal stability of the title compound has been studied.     

Synthesis and characterization of UV‐curable ladder‐like polysilsesquioxane

Various ladder‐like structured poly(phenyl‐co‐methacryl silsesquioxane)s (LPMSQ)s with high molecular weight (M_w = 10,000 ～ 40,000) were synthesized by direct hydrolysis and polymerization in the presence of base catalyst at 25 °C. Synthesized LPMSQs mainly showed ladder‐like structure and photo‐cure reaction by 100 mW/cm² (360 nm) for 10 s without any photo‐cure initiators. Chemical composition and structural analysis of the obtained LPMSQs were characterized using ¹H NMR, ²⁹Si NMR, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Physical properties of LPMSQs before and after photcuring were analyzed by Nanoindentation. Surface modulus increased to 8GPa and hardness of thin films increased from 100 to 400 MPa. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011