Coulometric redox titrations of some biologically active thiols with iodine in methanol and bromine in acetic acid

The possibility of coulometric titrations of cysteine, 2-thio-uracil, 6-mercaptopurine, and 6-thioguanine with iodine and bromine in methanol and with bromine in acetic acid has been investigated. Conditions have been found for the direct titration of the test substances with iodine in methanol based on their 1-electron oxidation to the corresponding disulphides and for their direct and indirect determination with bromine in acetic acid based on their 6-electron oxidation to the corresponding sulphonic acids.On leave from Department of Analytical Chemistry, Charles University, Prague, Czechoslovakia     

Determination of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid in human urine by capillary electrophoresis with indirect UV detection and confirmation with electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry

γ-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), a minor metabolite or precursor of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), acts as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator via binding to GABA receptors and to specific presynaptic GHB receptors. Based upon the stimulatory effects, GHB is widely abused. Thus, there is great interest in monitoring GHB in body fluids and tissues. We have developed an assay for urinary GHB that is based upon liquid–liquid extraction and capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with indirect UV absorption detection. The background electrolyte is composed of 4 mM nicotinic acid (compound for indirect detection), 3 mM spermine (reversal of electroosmosis) and histidine (added to reach a pH of 6.2). Having a 50 μm I.D. capillary of 40 cm effective length, 1-octanesulfonic acid as internal standard, solute detection at 214 nm and a diluted urine with a conductivity of 2.4 mS/cm, GHB concentrations ≥2 μg/ml can be detected. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) were determined to be dependent on urine concentration and varied between 2–24 and 5–60 μg/ml, respectively. Data obtained suggest that LOD and LOQ (both in μg/ml) can be estimated with the relationships 0.83 κ and 2.1 κ, respectively, where κ is the conductivity of the urine in mS/cm. The assay was successfully applied to urines collected after administration of 25 mg sodium GHB/kg body mass. Negative electrospray ionization ion-trap tandem mass spectrometry was used to confirm the presence of GHB in the urinary extract via selected reaction monitoring of the m/z 103.1→m/z 85.1 precursor–product ion transition. Independent of urine concentration, this approach meets the urinary cut-off level of 10 μg/ml that is required for recognition of the presence of exogenous GHB. Furthermore, data obtained with injection of plain or diluted urine indicate that CZE could be used to rapidly recognize GHB amounts (in μg/ml) that are ≥ 4 κ.     

Flow-injection determination of creatine in animal tissues

After deproteination of samples with trichloroacetic acid, creatine is determined by reaction with 1-naphthol and biacetyl, based on a stopped-flow method. The calibration graph is linear over the range 0–250 mg l^?1, and recoveries from muscle samples are quantitative.     

Possible Mechanisms of Intercalation

Recent knowledge of the kinetics and intercalation mechanisms are summarized and accompanied by examples of intercalation reactions of water and ethanol into anhydrous vanadyl phosphate and redox intercalation of alkali metal cations into vanadyl phosphate dihydrate. Three possible mechanisms of intercalation are presented which are based on: (i) a concept of exfoliation of layers; (ii) the formation of stages and randomly stacked layers; (iii) co-existence of intercalated and non-intercalated parts of crystals of the host separated by an advancing phase boundary. The corresponding kinetic curves are ascribed to mechanisms (ii) and (iii).     

Surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy and quartz crystal microbalance study of streptavidin film structure effects on biotinylated DNA assembly and target DNA hybridization

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy is employed for the study of biotinylated DNA assembly on streptavidin modified gold surfaces for target DNA hybridization. Two immobilization strategies are involved for constructing streptavidin films, namely, (1) physical adsorption on biotin-containing thiol treated surfaces through biotin-streptavidin links and (2) covalent attachment to 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) treated surfaces through amine coupling. To understand the structural properties of the streptavidin films, a quartz crystal microbalance with energy dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) is used to monitor the streptavidin immobilization procedures. The simultaneously measured frequency (Deltaf) and dissipation factor (DeltaD) changes, together with the SPR angle shifts (Deltatheta), suggest that the streptavidin film assembled on the biotin-containing surface is highly rigid with a well-ordered structure while the streptavidin film formed through amine coupling is highly dissipative and less structured. The subsequent biotinylated DNA (biotin-DNA) assembly and target hybridization results show that the streptavidin film structure has distinct effects on the biotin-DNA binding amount. On the streptavidin matrix, not only the probe DNA density but also the strand orientation mediated by the streptavidin films has distinct effects on hybridization efficiency. Particularly, the molecularly ordered streptavidin films formed on the biotin-containing surfaces ensure a well-ordered DNA assembly, which in turn allows for a higher efficiency in target DNA capture and for a higher sensitivity in the hybridization analysis when compared to the biotin-DNA assembled on the less structured streptavidin films formed through amine coupling.     

Light- and temperature-assisted spin state annealing: accessing the hidden multistability

Among responsive multistable materials, spin crossover (SCO) systems are of particular interest for stabilizing multiple spin states with various stimulus inputs and physical outputs. Here, in a 2D Hofmann-type coordination polymer, [Fe(isoq)₂{Au(CN)₂}₂] (isoq = isoquinoline), a medium-temperature annealing process is introduced after light/temperature stimulation, which accesses the hidden multistability of the spin state. With the combined effort of magnetic, crystallographic and Mössbauer spectral investigation, these distinct spin states are identified and the light- and temperature-assisted transition pathways are clarified. Such excitation-relaxation and trapping-relaxation joint mechanisms, as ingenious interplays between the kinetic and thermodynamic effects, uncover hidden possibilities for the discovery of multistable materials and the development of multistate intelligent devices.

Two new two-stage manipulation protocols, namely light- and temperature-assisted spin state annealing (LASSA/TASSA), are applied to a spin crossover coordination polymer, [Fe(isoq)₂{Au(CN)₂}₂], revealing the hidden multistability of spin states.     

Photoelectron spectra of cyclopolysilanes

Summary He (I) PE spectra of cyclopentasilane and cyclohexasilane show excellent agreement with STO-3 G + ab initio calculations. The HOMO in both compounds is of (SiSi) 3 p character. First IP's appear at 9.4 and 9.6 eV respectively.

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Photoelektronenspektren von Cyclopolysilanen (Kurze Mitt.)

Zusammenfassung Die He (I) PE-Spektren der Cyclosilane Si₅H₁₀ und Si₆H₁₂ zeigen ausgezeichnete Übereinstimmung mit STO-3 G + ab initio Rechnungen. Beide Ringe besitzen HOMO's mit (SiSi) 3 p Charakter. Die ersten Ionisierungspotentiale liegen bei 9.4 bzw. 9.6 eV.

     

ACIDITY DEPENDENCE OF THE ABSORPTION AND FLUORESCENCE SPECTRA OF ISOFLAVONE AND 7-HYDROXYISOFLAVONE

-The pH and H₀ dependence of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of isoflavone and 7-hydroxyisoflavone are reported. Isoflavone is fluorescent in acidic solution only, whereas 7-hydroxyisoflavone is fluorescent in all acidity ranges under investigation. Ground and first excited singlet state p K _a's have been determined spectrophotometrically and fluorimetrically, respectively. Excited state protolytic equilibration processes via a second order reaction (proton gain) are found to be too slow to compete efficiently with fluorescence. This is deduced from the close agreement between the p K _a's of the conjugate acids obtained by absorption and fluorescence titrations. On the other hand, photodissociation of 7-hydroxyisoflavone proceeds faster than its fluorescence decays. The experimental p K _a(S₁) is in fair agreement with the calculated one. 7-Hydroxyisofiavone forms a phototautomer (or exciplex) in the pH 2 to H₀-1 acidity range, which is characterized by its long wavelength emission. Quantum efficiencies are given for isoflavone and 7-hydroxyisoflavone in aqueous solutions of various acidities. Deuteration effects thereon are discussed.     

Strukturanalyse organischer Sulfide mit Hilfe der Gras-Chromatographie

Zusammenfassung Eine Methode der Identifizierung von Alkyl- und Arylgruppen organischer Sulfide wurde ausgearbeitet, die die Spaltung dieser Stoffe mit Raney-Nickel zur gaschromatographischen Bestimmung der dabei entstandenen Kohlenwasserstoffe ausnützt.

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Summary A method was developed for identifying alkyl- and aryl groups of organic sulfides. The method employs the cleavage of these materials with Raney nickel for the gas chromatographic determination of the resulting hydrocarbons.

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Résumé On a mis au point une méthode d'identification des groupes alkylés et arylés des sulfures organiques exploitant la dissociation de ceux-ci par le nickel Raney pour le dosage par chromatographic en phase gazeuse des carbures d'hydrogène qui se forment.

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Die Autoren danken den Kollegen Dr.M. Veea, Ing.J. Petránek und Ing.J. Gaspari für die Überlassung von Proben organischer Sulfide.