Tissue-spray ionization mass spectrometry for raw herb analysis

Tissue-spray ionization mass spectrometry is developed for the in situ chemical analysis of raw herbs under ambient conditions. We demonstrated that analyte molecules could be directly sprayed and ionized from solvent-wetted ginseng tissues upon the application of high electrical voltage to the tissue sample. Abundant phytochemicals/ metabolites, including ginsenosides, amino acids and oligosaccharides, could be detected from ginseng tissues when the tissue-spray experiments were conducted in positive ion mode. Thermally labile and easily hydrolyzed malonyl-ginsenosides were also detected in negative ion mode. The tissue-spray ionization method enables the direct detection of analytes from raw herb samples and preserves the sample integrity for subsequent morphological and/ or microscopic examination. In addition, this method is simple and fast for chemical profiling of wild-type and cultivated-type American ginsengs with differentiation.     

Preferential binding of peptides to graphene edges and planes

Peptides identified from combinatorial peptide libraries have been shown to bind to a variety of abiotic surfaces. Biotic-abiotic interactions can be exploited to create hybrid materials with interesting electronic, optical, or catalytic properties. Here we show that peptides identified from a combinatorial phage display peptide library assemble preferentially to the edge or planar surface of graphene and can affect the electronic properties of graphene. Molecular dynamics simulations and experiments provide insight into the mechanism of peptide binding to the graphene edge.     

Microbial genotoxicity bioreporters based on <Emphasis Type="Italic">sulA</Emphasis> activation

A bacterial genotoxicity reporter strain was constructed in which the tightly controlled strong promoter of the Escherichia coli SOS response gene sulA was fused to the alkaline phosphatase-coding phoA reporter gene. The bioreporter responded in a dose-dependent manner to three model DNA-damaging agents—hydrogen peroxide, nalidixic acid (NA), and mitomycin C (MMC)—detected 30–60 min after exposure. Detection thresholds were 0.15 μM for MMC, 7.5 μM for nalidixic acid, and approximately 50 μM for hydrogen peroxide. A similar response to NA was observed when the bioreporter was integrated into a specially designed, portable electrochemical detection platform. Reporter sensitivity was further enhanced by single and double knockout mutations that enhanced cell membrane permeability (rfaE) and inhibited DNA damage repair mechanisms (umuD, uvrA). The rfaE mutants displayed a five- and tenfold increase in sensitivity to MMC and NA, respectively, while the uvrA mutation was advantageous in the detection of hydrogen peroxide. A similar sensitivity was displayed by the double rfaE/uvrA mutant when challenged with the pre-genotoxic agents 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline and 2-aminoanthracene following metabolic activation with an S9 mammalian liver fraction.     

Ruthenium complexes of 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane for atom and group transfer reactions

With support by macrocyclic tertiary amine ligand 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Me₃tacn), a number of mononuclear metal–ligand multiple bonded complexes have been isolated. Starting with a brief summary of these complexes, the present review focuses on ruthenium-oxo and -imido complexes of Me₃tacn. A family of monooxoruthenium(IV) complexes [Ru^IV(Me₃tacn)O(N–N)]²⁺ (N–N = 2,2′-bipyridines) and a cis-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]⁺ have been isolated, and the structures of [Ru^IV(Me₃tacn)O(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]ClO₄ have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Oxidation of [Ru^III(Me₃tacn)(NHTs)₂(OH)] (Ts = p-toluenesulfonyl) with Ag⁺ and electrochemical oxidation of [Ru^III(Me₃tacn)(H₂L)](ClO₄)₂ (H₃L = α-(1-amino-1-methylethyl)-2-pyridinemethanol) are likely to generate ruthenium-imido complexes supported by Me₃tacn. DFT calculations on cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]⁺ and proposed ruthenium-imido complexes have been performed. Complexes [Ru^IV(Me₃tacn)O(N–N)]²⁺ are reactive toward alkene epoxidation, and cis-[Ru^VI(Me₃tacn)O₂(CF₃CO₂)]⁺ efficiently oxidizes various organic substrates including concerted [3+2] cycloaddition reactions with alkynes and alkenes to selectively afford α,β-diketones, cis-diols, or CC bond cleavage products. Related oxidation reactions catalyzed by ruthenium Me₃tacn complexes include epoxidation of alkenes, cis-dihydroxylation of alkenes, oxidation of alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, and arenes, and oxidative cleavage of CC, CC, and C–C bonds, all of which exhibit high selectivity. Ruthenium Me₃tacn complexes are also active catalysts for amination of saturated C–H bonds.     

Mechanisms of TiO2 nanoparticle transport in porous media: role of solution chemistry, nanoparticle concentration, and flowrate

The controlled self-assembly of multi-components in one system represents the capability integrating intermolecular interactions and functions of components and is believed the key procedure leading to multifunctional materials finally. In pursuing this goal, we used a double-chain cationic surfactant with a benzoic acid group at the end of one tail to encapsulate Keggin-type polyanion clusters via electrostatic interaction, obtaining uniform supramolecular hybrid reverse micelles, which served as hydrogen-bonding donors. Five pyridine derivatives containing conjugated and non-conjugated groups were chosen as hydrogen-bonding acceptors to bind with reverse micelles. Through mixing with these components according to chemical stoichiometry, the hybrid reverse micelle changed to a new self-assembly precursor through intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The as-prepared reverse micelles bearing conjugated pyridine groups exhibit supramolecular liquid crystal properties, which were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The length and number of the alky chain in the pyridine derivatives, as well as the charges of polyoxometalates were also studied with regard to the liquid crystal structure. The synergistic effect of among three components was analyzed, and the liquid crystal properties could be conveniently adjusted through the modification of the hydrogen-bonding acceptor components.     

Gold-catalyzed cycloisomerizations of 1-(2-(tosylamino)phenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ols to 1H-indole-2-carbaldehydes and (E)-2-(iodomethylene)indolin-3-ols

A method to prepare 1H-indole-2-carbaldehydes and (E)-2-(iodomethylene)indolin-3-ols by gold(I)-catalyzed cycloisomerization of 1-(2-(tosylamino)phenyl)prop-2-yn-1-ols with N-iodosuccinimide (NIS) is reported. The reactions were shown to be operationally simplistic and proceed efficiently for a wide variety of substrates, affording the corresponding products in good to excellent yields (70-99%). The mechanism is suggested to involve activation of the alkyne moiety of the substrate by the gold(I) catalyst. This triggers intramolecular addition of the tethered aniline moiety to give a vinyl gold intermediate, which undergoes iododeauration with NIS to give the (E)-2-(iodomethylene)indolin-3-ol adduct. Subsequent 1,3-allylic alcohol isomerization (1,3-AAI) followed by formylation of this vinyl iodide intermediate then gives the 1H-indole-2-carbaldehyde.     

Nonionic diethanolamide amphiphiles with isoprenoid-type hydrocarbon chains: thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behaviour

The thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behaviour of a series of diethanolamide amphiphiles with isoprenoid-type hydrocarbon chains (geranoyl, H-farnesoyl, and phytanoyl) has been investigated. When neat, both H-farnesoyl and phytanoyl diethanolamide form a smectic liquid crystalline structure at sub-zero temperatures. In addition, all three diethanolamides exhibit a glass transition temperature at around -73 °C. Geranoyl diethanolamide forms a lamellar crystalline phase with a lattice parameter of 17.4 ? following long term storage accompanied by the loss of the glass transition. In the presence of water, H-farnesoyl and phytanoyl diethanolamide form lyotropic liquid crystalline phases, whilst geranoyl diethanolamide forms an L(2) phase. H-farnesoyl diethanolamide forms a fluid lamellar phase (L(α)) at room temperature and up to ～ 40 °C. Phytanoyl diethanolamide displays a rich mesomorphism forming the inverse diamond (Q(II)(D)) and gyroid (Q(II)(G)) bicontinuous cubic phases in addition to an L(α) phase.     

Nonionic diethanolamide amphiphiles with unsaturated C18 hydrocarbon chains: thermotropic and lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behavior

The neat and lyotropic liquid crystalline phase behavior of three nonionic diethanolamide amphiphiles with C18 hydrocarbon chains containing one, two or three unsaturated bonds has been examined. This has allowed the effect of degree of unsaturation on the phase behavior of diethanolamide amphiphiles to be investigated. Neat linoleoyl and linolenoyl diethanolamide undergo a transition from a glassy liquid crystal to a liquid crystal at ～-85 °C, while neat oleoyl diethanolamide undergoes a transition at ～-60 °C to a liquid crystalline material before re-crystallizing at -34 °C. Oleoyl diethanolamide then undergoes a third transition from a crystalline phase to a smectic liquid crystalline phase at ～5 °C. In the absence of water, the transition temperature from a smectic liquid crystal to an isotropic liquid decreases with increasing unsaturation. The addition of water results in the formation of a lamellar phase (L(α)) for all three amphiphiles. The lamellar phase is stable under excess water conditions up to temperatures of at least 70 °C. Approximate partial binary amphiphile-water phase diagrams generated for the three unsaturated C18 amphiphiles indicate that the excess water point for each amphiphile occurs at ～60% (w/w) amphiphile.     

Effects of applied potential on the mass of non-conducting poly(ortho-phenylenediamine) electro-deposited on EQCM electrodes: comparison with biosensor selectivity parameters

An electrochemical quartz-crystal microbalance (EQCM) was used to determine the mass of poly-(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) layers electro-deposited at different applied potentials in neutral buffered monomer solution, conditions that produce the insulating form of the polymer used as a permselective membrane in biosensor applications. There was a systematic increase in the total, steady state PoPD mass deposited for fixed applied potentials from 0.05 to 0.6 V vs. SCE, followed by a plateau up to 0.8 V. Comparison of PoPD mass and permselectivity parameters indicates that the ability of the passivating form of PoPD to block interference species in biosensor applications is not related in a simple way to the mass of material deposited on the surface. Instead, effects of the applied electropolymerisation potential in driving the electro-oxidation of oPD dimers and oligomers formed during the electro-deposition process are likely to have a more direct impact on the selectivity characteristics of the PoPD layer. The results highlight the usefulness of apparent permeabilities, especially of ascorbic acid, in revealing differences between PoPD layers electro-deposited under different conditions.