Lipophilicity of Some Preservatives Estimated by RP-TLC Using Stationary Phases with Different Polarity

Lipophilcity of some preservatives was determined by reversed phase high performance thin layer chromatography (RP-HPTLC) using methanol–water mixtures in different volume proportions as mobile phase on three stationary phases of different polarity: RP-18F_254s, RP-18WF_254s and CNF_254s plates. The R _M values decreased linearly with increasing methanol concentration in the mobile phase in all cases. The regression determination coefficients obtained for all stationary phases were excellent (higher than 0.98 in most cases). The chromatographic behavior of the preservatives on the RP-HPTLC plates used in this study is similar and in a very good agreement with their polarity. Good chromatographic regularities found for retention factors and by applying principal component analysis for all three types of stationary phases indicate that the same lipophilic interactions are dominants in all cases. The relationships between different RP-HPTLC retention parameters (R _M0 , b, scores of R _F -PC1/R _F and scores of R _M -PC1/R _M ) and various calculated log P values of the same preservatives show highly significant correlations for all types of stationary phases.     

染料敏化太阳能电池用TiO2薄膜电极的改性制备及光电化学性能

以钛酸四异丙酯为钛源, 用水热法合成制备了具有典型锐钛矿晶型的TiO2纳米材料. 采用金属镍掺杂和表面包覆一层氧化钕, 对TiO2薄膜电极进行改性研究. 实验结果表明, 所制备纳米TiO2颗粒较均匀, 粒径约为17~18 nm. 经镍掺杂后, 颗粒团聚粒径明显增大, 但是仍保持均匀状态和多孔结构. 与改性前的TiO2薄膜电极相比, 金属掺杂和表面包覆有助于光生电子和空穴有效地分离, 电池的短路光电流提高了16%, 光电转换效率提高了17%.     

Lipophilicity data for some preservatives estimated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography and different computation methods

The chromatographic behavior of some preservatives was performed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on C18 (LiChroCART, Purosphere RP-18e), C8 (Zorbax, Eclipse XDB-C8), CN100 (Säulentechnik, Lichrosphere) and NH₂ (Supelcosil LC-NH₂) columns. The lipophilicity estimated for the first time on the first three columns are comparable and very well correlated. The mobile phase was a mixture of methanol–water (0.1% formic acid) in different volume proportions from 40% to 60% (v/v) for RP-C18, RP-C8 and RP-CN100 column (exception for parabens on RP-C8 column—the methanol concentrations being from 55% to 65%) and from 30% to 50% (v/v) for RP-NH₂. Highly significant correlations were obtained between different experimental indices of lipophilicity (log k_w, S, φ₀, mean of k and log k, and scores of k and log k corresponding to the first principal component) and computed log P values, and C8 column seems to be more suited for estimating the lipophilicity of the investigated compounds. These direct correlations offer a very good opportunity to derive powerful predictive models via Collander-type equations. The reliability of scores values as lipophilic indices is shown by their high correlation with the log K_ow obtained using classical “shake-flask” technique, log k_w and also some of the computed log P values. In addition, the results obtained applying PCA to the retention data may be used in interpreting the molecular mechanism of interactions between eluents and stationary phases with different polarity and to explain the chromatographic behavior of compounds. Finally, the “congeneric lipophilicity chart” described by the scores corresponding to the first principal component has the effect of separating compounds from each other more effectively from congeneric ((dis)similarity) point of view. The parabens and tert-butylhydroquinone appeared to be the most lipophilic preservatives.     

NAD(P)H‐Independent Asymmetric CC Bond Reduction Catalyzed by Ene Reductases by Using Artificial Co‐substrates as the Hydrogen Donor

To develop a nicotinamide‐independent single flavoenzyme system for the asymmetric bioreduction of C?C bonds, four types of hydrogen donor, encompassing more than 50 candidates, were investigated. Six highly potent, cheap, and commercially available co‐substrates were identified that (under the optimized conditions) resulted in conversions and enantioselectivities comparable with, or even superior to, those obtained with traditional two‐enzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD(P)H)‐recycling systems.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of some diisocyanate–silane compounds

Some silica-organic compounds were prepared by an addition reaction between γ-amino-propyl-triethoxy silane and 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. The obtained products were characterized by FTIR spectrometry. The essential synthesis parameter was the molar ratio between the two reactants. The thermal behavior of the products was rather good, until 150 °C no mass loss or thermal effects being observed. The thermal behavior was determined under non-isothermal conditions, using TG/DTG/HF diagrams. Due to the hydroxyl end-groups, these compounds are recommended for adhesives between organic and inorganic surfaces.     

Alkali cation attachment to derivatized fullerenes studied by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization

The complexation of alkali metal ions with amphiphilic fullerene derivatives has been investigated by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. The formation of analyte ions occurs via two competing mechanisms including electron transfer from matrix-derived ions and metal ion attachment. The interplay of these processes has been examined by laser fluence dependent sample activation and by variation of the target composition. The attachment of metal ions has been established as the gentler and thus more efficient route towards the formation of intact analyte ions. Investigations into the metal ion complexation have been conducted to reveal the reactivity order of the alkali metals in these reactions and to elucidate the influence of structural differences of the analytes, as well as to unravel effects caused by the anionic counter ion of the metal. The experimental data have been derived by two complementary approaches. Competing reactants were either studied simultaneously, so that the product distribution would provide direct insight into the reactivity pattern, and/or product distributions were obtained in a large variety of separate experiments and normalized for reliable comparison. It has been found that the extent to which complexation is observed follows the charge density order of the alkali metal ions. The structural features of the fullerene-attached ligands were of profound influence on the attachment of the metal ion, inducing enhanced selectivity for the complexation with less reactive metals. The metal ion attachment is reduced with the use of smaller anionic counter ions. Rationalization of these findings is provided within the framework of the mechanisms of ion formation in MALDI.     

The Reaction Pathway of Cellulose Pyrolysis to a Multifunctional Chiral Building Block: The Role of Water Unveiled by a DFT Computational Investigation

LAC (hydroxylactone (1R,5S)‐1‐hydroxy‐3,6‐dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐2‐one) is one of the most interesting products of the pyrolysis of cellulose and represents a useful chiral building block in organic synthesis. A computational investigation at the DFT level on the mechanism of formation of LAC shows that this species can be obtained following two reaction paths, path A and path B , starting from a well‐known pyrolysis product (ascopyrone P). A series of internal rearrangements involving in all cases a proton transfer leads directly to LAC ( path B ). An alternative path ( path A ) can be also followed. From this path, via a “gate” connecting the two reaction channels, it is possible to reach path B and form LAC. In both cases, the rate‐determining step of the process is the initial keto‐enol isomerization. We found that water, which is present in the reaction mixture, “catalyzes” the reaction by assisting the proton transfers present in all the steps of the process. In particular, water lowers the barrier of the rate‐determining step that becomes 40.9 kcal mol^?1 (79.4 kcal mol^?1 in the absence of water). The corresponding computed rate constant is 4.3×10 s^?1 at 500 °C, a value which is consistent with the presence of LAC in the absence of metal catalysts. The results of this study on the non‐catalyzed process underpin the important role played by water in the formation of pyrolysis products of cellulose where proton transfer is a key mechanistic step.     

Melissa officinalis L. Aqueous Extract Exerts Antioxidant and Antiangiogenic Effects and Improves Physiological Skin Parameters

Melissa officinalis (MO) is a medicinal plant well-known for its multiple pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer and beneficial effects on skin recovery. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo safety profile of an MO aqueous extract by assessing cell viability on normal (HaCaT—human keratinocytes) and tumor (A375—human melanoma) cells and its impact on physiological skin parameters by a non-invasive method. In addition, the antioxidant activity and the antiangiogenic potential of the extract were verified. A selective cytotoxic effect was noted in A375 cells, while no toxicity was noticed in healthy cells. The MO aqueous extract safety profile after topical application was investigated on SKH-1 mice, and an enhanced skin hydration and decreased erythema and transepidermal water loss levels were observed. The in ovo CAM assay, performed to investigate the potential modulating effect on the angiogenesis process and the blood vessels impact, indicated that at concentrations of 100 and 500 µg/mL, MO aqueous extract induced a reduction of thin capillaries. No signs of vascular toxicity were recorded at concentrations as high as 1000 μg/mL. The aqueous extract of MO leaves can be considered a promising candidate for skin disorders with impaired physiological skin parameters.