Toward separation of nuclear spin isomers with coherent light.

We propose an approach for separating nuclear spin isomers with coherent light and illustrate it by numerical calculations using fulvene as a model system. The scheme employs the equivalence of torsion and interchange of equivalent H-atoms in a class of molecules of which fulvene is a simple example. The exchange symmetry couples with the rotational symmetry to produce a spatial distinction between the two photo-excited nuclear spin isomers, and wavepacket interferometry is applied to separate the species.     

The preparation of bis- and tris-(trimethylsilyl)acetic acid

Contrary to an earlier report, lithiation of tris(trimethylsilyl)methane followed by carbonation does not yield the acid (Me₃Si)₃CCO₂H, (I), if an alkali extraction step is included in the work up; the product is actually the acid (Me₃Si)₂CHCO₂H, (II). The acid (I) can be obtained if the alkali extraction is omitted. Separate experiments have confirmed that (I) is rapidly converted into (II) by aqueous or methanolic base.     

Metal-organic frameworks with exceptionally high capacity for storage of carbon dioxide at room temperature

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) show high CO2 storage capacity at room temperature. Gravimetric CO2 isotherms for MOF-2, MOF-505, Cu3(BTC)2, MOF-74, IRMOFs-11, -3, -6, and -1, and MOF-177 are reported up to 42 bar. Type I isotherms are found in all cases except for MOFs based on Zn4O(O2C)6 clusters, which reveal a sigmoidal isotherm (having a step). The various pressures of the isotherm steps correlate with increasing pore size, which indicates potential for gas separations. The amine functionality of the IRMOF-3 pore shows evidence of relatively increased affinity for CO2. Capacities qualitatively scale with surface area and range from 3.2 mmol/g for MOF-2 to 33.5 mmol/g (320 cm3(STP)/cm3, 147 wt %) for MOF-177, the highest CO2 capacity of any porous material reported.     

Ultrasonic-assisted leaching of trace metals from sediments as a function of pH

The effects of ultrasonication on the leaching of trace metals form sediments as a function of pH have been investigated using atomic absorption spectrometry. Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn and Mn were leached from sediments by ultrasonic effect using phthalate buffers at pH values of 2.2-6.0. Parameters influencing leaching, such as leaching time, solution matrix, wet or dry sample and final pH were evaluated. Results from ultrasonic leaching experiments were comparable to those of conventional procedure. In addition, this ultrasonic-assisted leaching method reduces the time required for conventional method approximately from 12 h to 25 min. Depending on the metal and sample type, metal removal increased linearly or exponentially with decreasing pH. The accuracy of the method was tested by comparing obtained results with this of conventional method. The average relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) of ultrasonic-assisted leaching method (ULM) varied between 1.71 and 3.00% for N = 36, depending on the analyte. This technique shows promise for studying chemical and biological availability and uptake/release processes for metals in sediment and soil as a function of pH.     

Alkynenitriles: chelation-controlled conjugate additions

[reaction: see text] Chelation between gamma-hydroxybutynenitrile and Grignard reagents triggers a particularly facile anionic conjugate addition reaction. Structurally diverse Grignard reagents add with equal efficiency, providing an intermediate anion that stereoselectively alkylates benzaldehyde in an overall addition-alkylation reaction.     

A highly sensitive and selective method for the extraction-spectrophotometric determination of cobalt

The method is based on the highly sensitive reaction between cobalt and 4-(5-bromo-2-pyridylazo)-l,3-diaminobenzene. The cationic complex in slightly acidic solution is quantitatively extracted into chloroform as an ion pair with anthraquinone sulfonate; interfering ions are retained in the aqueous phase by selected masking agents. The cobalt complex is then rapidly back-extracted into 2.4 M HCl and measured at 573 nm (? = 1.16 × 10⁵ l mol^-1 cm^-1).     

Complexes of tris(o-phenanthroline)nickel(II) and copper(II) bromide with dithiocarbamates derived from α-amino acids

Complexes of 1,10-o-phenanthroline (o-phen)-Ni^II and Cu^II with dithiocarbamates derived from -amino acids (glycine, phenylalanine, alanine, methionine and tryptophan) were synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, spectral and thermal studies and by biological screening; the complexes are non-electrolytes. The empirical formula are [Ni(o-phen)₂(aadtc)] and [Cu₂(o-phen)₂(phaladtc)(H₂O)₂Br₂] where, aadtc = glycinyl-, phenylalaninyl-, alaninyl-, methioninyl- and tryptophanyldithiocarbamate and phaladtc = phenylalaninyldithiocarbamate. The structure of these complexes is probably octahedral. Molecular association through hydrogen bonding between the —NH and the carboxylate groups is proposed for the Ni^II complexes. The Cu^II complex is dimeric with the phenylalaninyldithiocarbamate acting as a bridge.     

Synthesis of a homotrifunctional conjugation reagent based on maleimide chemistry

A novel homotrifunctional conjugation reagent, 1,3,5-tris-(N-maleimidomethyl)benzene has been synthesized in high yield with minimum purification. The reactivity of this compound was examined by using l-cysteine as a nucleophile.     

Concanavalin a immobilized affinity adsorbents for reversible use in yeast invertase adsorption

Concanavalin A (Con A) immobilized poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) beads were investigated for specific adsorption of yeast invertase from aqueous solutions. PHEMA beads were prepared by a suspension polymerization technique with an average size of 150-200 microm, and activated by epichlorohydrin. Con A was then immobilized by covalent binding onto these beads. The maximum Con A immobilization was found to be 10 mg/g. The invertase-loading capability of the PHEMA/Con A beads was 107 mg/g. The maximum invertase adsorption capacity on the PHEMA/Con A adsorbents was observed at pH 5.0. The values of the Michaelis constant K(m) of invertase were significantly larger upon adsorption, indicating decreased affinity by the enzyme for its substrate, whereas V(max) was smaller for the adsorbed invertase. Adsorption improved the pH stability of the enzyme as well as its temperature stability. Thermal stability was found to increase with adsorption. The adsorbed enzyme activity was found to be quite stable in repeated experiments. Storage stability of adsorbed invertase.