Solvent effects in the interaction of methyl-beta-cyclodextrin with solvatochromic merocyanine dyes

The UV-vis spectroscopic behavior of dyes: 2,6-diphenyl-4-(2,4,6-triphenylpyridinium-1-yl)phenolate (1) and 4-[(1-methyl-4(1H)-pyridinylidene)-ethylidene]-2,5-cyclohexadien-1-one (2) was investigated in solutions of methyl- beta-cyclodextrin (methyl-beta-CyD), using water, methanol, ethanol, propan-2-ol, butan-1-ol, acetone, acetonitrile, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), chloroform and dichloromethane as solvents. In aqueous solutions of dye (2) the addition of M-beta-CD leads to a bathochromic shift (of the maximum absorption), showing that the probe was transferred to a microenvironment of lower polarity and suggesting the formation of a 1 : 1 dye (2) : CyD inclusion complex, with a binding constant of 128.5 +/- 3.5 dm(3) mol(-1). Data for dye 2 in alcohols showed hypsochromic shifts, which increased in the following order: methanol < ethanol < propan-2-ol < butan-1-ol. These observations appear to reflect dye-solvent interactions through hydrogen bonding. If dye-solvent interactions are strong, the CyD-dye interactions are consequently weak, but the latter increase in importance when the dye-solvent interaction becomes weaker. With hydrogen-bond accepting solvents, data for both dyes showed clearly increasing hypsochromic shifts following the order: DMSO < DMA < DMF < acetone < acetonitrile. This order is exactly the inverse of the increasing order of basicity of the medium. This indicates that the dominant factor for the observed effects in these solvents is the solvent-CyD interaction through hydrogen bonding involving the hydroxyl groups of the CyD and the basic groups of the solvents. These interactions diminish in intensity if the basic character of the medium is reduced, increasing the capability of the dye to interact with the CyD using its phenoxide donor moiety. The largest hypsochromic shifts were obtained in chloroform (66.0 nm) and dichloromethane (67.5 nm) with dye after addition of methyl-beta-CyD. In these specific situations, solvents display weak basic and acid properties, that enhanced CyD-dye interactions to such an extent that association complexes formed through hydrogen bonding could be detected (K11) values of 24.8 +/- 4.9 dm3 mol(-1) in dichloromethane and 66.1 +/- 8.0 dm3 mol(-1) in chloroform).     

Structurally diagnostic ion-molecule reactions: acylium ions with alpha-, beta- and gamma-hydroxy ketones

Gas-phase reactions of four acylium ions and a thioacylium ion with three isomeric alpha-, beta- and gamma-hydroxy ketones are performed by pentaquadrupole mass spectrometric experiments. Novel structurally diagnostic reactions are observed, and found to correlate directly with interfunctional group separation. All five ions tested (CH(3)CO(+), CH(2)(double bond)CHCO(+), PhCO(+), (CH(3))(2)NCO(+) and (CH(3))(2)NCS(+)) react with the gamma-hydroxy ketone (5-hydroxy-2-pentanone) to form nearly exclusively a cyclic oxonium ion of m/z 85 that formally arises from hydroxy anion abstraction. With the beta-hydroxy ketone (4-hydroxy-2-pentanone), CH(2)(double bond)CHCO(+), PhCO(+) and (CH(3))(2)NCO(+) form adducts that undergo fast cyclization via intramolecular water displacement, yielding resonance-stabilized cyclic dioxinylium ions. With the alpha-hydroxy ketone (3-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-butanone), PhCO(+), (CH(3))(2)NCO(+) and (CH(3))(2)NCS(+) form stable adducts. Evidence that these adducts display cyclic structures is provided by the triple-stage mass spectra of the (CH(3))(2)NCS(+) adduct; it dissociates to (CH(3))(2)NCO(+) via a characteristic reaction-dissociation pathway that promotes sulfur-by-oxygen replacement. If cyclizations are assumed to occur with intramolecular anchimeric assistance, relationships between structure and reactivity are easily recognized.     

QSAR of copper(II) complexes with cytotoxic properties

Summary A QSAR based on a multiple regression analysis for 15 copper(II) semi- and thiosemicarbazone complexes with cytotoxic properties is presented. In vitro cytotoxicity was selected as the dependent variable and Van der Waals volumes (Vm), octanol- water partition coefficients (logP), specific rate constants of the copper(II) complexes towards superoxide radicals (k _s ) and variation in C=N vibration bands (CN) in IR spectra of the complexes with respect to the free ligands were selected as the independent variables. The stepwise regression procedure and the all possible regressions were practiced in the analysis of the data. The orthogonality analysis proved noncollinearity among the variables. According to the obtained equation the two best copper(II) complexes were submitted to a broad in vivo screening study and resulted to be active against La, P-388 and L-1210 leukemias.

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QSAR von Kupfer(II)-Komplexen mit cytotoxischen Eigenschaften

Zusammenfassung Es wird eine quantitative Struktur-Aktivitäts-Beziehung basierend auf einer multiplen Regressionsanalyse für 18 Kupfer(II)-Semi- und Thiosemicarbazon-Komplexe präsentiert. Die in vitro-Cytotoxizität wurde als die abhängige Variable und Van-der-Waals-Volumina (Vm), Octanol-Wasser-Verteilungskoeffizienten (logP), spezifische Geschwindigkeitskonstanten der Kupfer(II)-Komplexe gegenüber Superoxid-Radikalen (k _s ) und die Variationen der C=N-Vibrationsbanden (CN) in den IR-Spektren der Komplexe gegenüber den freien Liganden als unabhängige Variablen eingeführt. Es wurde stufenweise Regression und die alle möglichen Regressionen-Prozedur in der Analyse der Daten verwendet. Die Orthogonalitätsanalyse zeigte Nichtkolinearität der Variablen an. Entsprechend den erhaltenen Gleichungen wurden die beiden besten Kupfer(II)-Komplexe einem breiten in vivo-Screening unterworfen. Sie waren gegenüber La, P-388 und L-1210 Leukemie aktiv.

     

Evaluation of a fluorometric-enzymatic method based on 3alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase for the mycotoxin zearalenone determination in corn

A new method for the fluorometric determination of zearalenone (ZEN) based on its reaction with βNADH in the presence of the enzyme 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3α-HSD) is described. The procedure is based on the change in fluorescence intensity that takes place during the enzymatic reaction (excitation at 340 nm and emission at 454 nm). The optimum reaction conditions and the analytical characteristics were studied; linear response range (1-10 mg l⁻¹) and reproducibility (8 mg l⁻¹, 2.7%, n=7). Moreover, a mathematical model explaining the analytical signal is proposed. The method has been applied to zearalenone determination in a spiked corn sample.     

Isomerization of 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene over aluminum and chromium orthophosphates

The skeletal isomerization of 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene over AlPO₄ (Al/P=1), CrPO₄ (Cr/P=1), and CrPO₄−AlPO₄ (CrAlP, 5–10 wt.% AlPO₄) catalysts is a first order reaction. Catalytic performance is affected by the precipitation agent. CrPO₄ catalysts obtained in propylene oxide-aqueous ammonia showed the highest activity. Moreover, the incorporation of AlPO₄ to CrPO₄ developed CrAlP catalysts that exhibited increased activity, irrespective of the precipitation method, as compared with both AlPO₄ and CrPO₄ catalysts. Besides, CrAlP catalysts prepared in propylene oxide-aqueous ammonia were the more active ones.     

2-Methyl-3-butyn-2-ol conversion on AlPO4-cesium oxide (20 wt.%) catalysts obtained by impregnation with cesium chloride

2-Methyl-3-butyn-2-ol underwent almost exclusively dehydration to 3-methyl-3-buten-1-yne (acid activity) on pure AlPO₄, whereas its modification with cesium oxide developed AlPO₄-based materials with increased basic properties and hence, high selectivities to the base-catalyzed cleavage of MBOH yielding acetone and acetylene. At the same conversion level, catalysts obtained from cesium chloride exhibit higher selectivities to the base-catalyzed process than those obtained from cesium acetate.     

Evaluation of mass spectrometry and radiation detection for the analysis of radionuclides

Summary The feasibility of measuring picogram levels of actinides in a urine matrix using ion chromatography coupled on-line to an inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometer (IC-Q-ICPMS) was investigated. A chelation column for separation of matrix ions and preconcentration of the actinides was combined with a cation-exchange column for separation of the actinides. Sample preparation required simple addition of ammonium acetate to adjust the pH of the urine matrix. Spike solutions containing ²³² Th, ²³⁷Np, ²³⁸U, ²³⁹Pu, and ²⁴¹Am were added to undiluted urine, diluted urine (1 : 9) and water. Results showed that this approach enhanced the signal sensitivities of all the tested actinides over two orders of magnitude in the water matrix, while certain elements (especially Am) can still be effectively concentrated in undiluted urine.     

Gas-phase polar [4+ + 2] cycloaddition with ethyl vinyl ether: a structurally diagnostic ion-molecule reaction for 2-azabutadienyl cations

The intrinsic reactivity of eight gaseous, mass-selected 2-azabutadienyl cations toward polar [4(+) + 2] cycloaddition with ethyl vinyl ether has been investigated by pentaquadrupole mass spectrometric experiments. Cycloaddition occurs readily for all the ions and, with the only exception of those from the N-acyl 2-azabutadienyl cations (N-acyliminium ions), the cycloadducts are found to dissociate readily upon collision activation (CID) both by retro-Diels-Alder reaction and by a characteristic loss of an ethanol (46u) neutral molecule. Ethanol loss from the intact polar [4(+) + 2] cycloadduct functions therefore as a structurally diagnostic test: 72 u neutral gain followed by 46 u neutral loss, i.e., as a combined ion-molecule reaction plus CID 'signature' for N-H, N-alkyl and N-aryl 2-azabutadienyl cations. The two N-acyliminium ions tested are exceptional as they form intact cycloadducts with ethyl vinyl ether which dissociate exclusively by the retro-Diels-Alder pathway.     

Low-temperature synthesis of uranium tetraboride by solid-state metathesis reactions

A novel synthesis of uranium tetraboride (UB(4)) by solid-state metathesis reaction is demonstrated. This approach significantly lowers the temperature required to synthesize this material to < or = 850 degrees C. When UCl(4) is reacted with 2 equiv of MgB(2) at 850 degrees C, crystalline UB(4) is formed. Powder X-ray diffraction and ICP-AES data support the reduction of UCl(4) to UCl(3) as the initial step in the reaction. The UB(4) product is purified by washing with water.