Effects of pH and Dye Concentration on the Optical and Structural Properties of Coumarin-4 Dye-Doped SiO2-PDMS Xerogels

Optical and structural properties of coumarin-4 dye-doped SiO₂-PDMS xerogels synthesized by acid catalyzed (one-step) and acid-base catalyzed (two-step) sol-gel routes with varying pH (0.6 to 7) and dye content ( 5 × 10^–4 to 5 × 10^–2 mole) are reported. Spectroscopic methods such as photo-luminescence, FT-IR and FT-Raman were used for characterizations. The acid catalyzed xerogels prepared with pH < 2.5 exhibited two fluorescence peaks, I at 390 nm and II at 480 nm. The acid-base catalyzed xerogels synthesized with pH < 2.5 also exhibited two peaks, I at 400 nm and II at 475 nm. Peak II was not observed for the samples with pH 2.5. This phenomenon was attributed to the existence of pH dependent different forms of coumarin-4 molecule. The concentration-quenching phenomenon was observed for the acid catalyzed xerogels prepared with different dye concentration. TheFT-IR spectra indicated the existence of hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl groups of dye molecules and the silanol groups of gel matrix. The hydrogen bonding was the highest for the samples with the extremity pH, 0.6 and 7, resulting in the highest dye/gel matrix interactions, hence, the highest fluorescence peaks. The Raman studies indicated that the samples prepared with pH < 2.5 possessed relatively more number of 3-membered siloxane rings than 4-membered siloxane rings. The ring statistics was reversed for the samples with pH > 2.5. The number of silanol groups was higher for the samples with pH > 2.5.     

Designed self-assembly of molecular necklaces

This paper reports an efficient strategy to synthesize molecular necklaces, in which a number of small rings are threaded onto a large ring, utilizing the principles of self-assembly and coordination chemistry. Our strategy involves (1) threading a molecular "bead" with a short "string" to make a pseudorotaxane and then (2) linking the pseudorotaxanes with a metal complex with two cis labile ligands acting as an "angle connector" to form a cyclic product (molecular necklace). A 4- or 3-pyridylmethyl group is attached to each end of 1,4-diaminobutane or 1,5-diaminopentane to produce the short "strings" (C4N4(2+), C4N3(2+), C5N4(2+), and C5N3(2+)), which then react with a cucurbituril (CB) "bead" to form stable pseudorotaxanes (PR44(2+), PR43(2+), PR54(2+), and PR53(2+), respectively). The reaction of the pseudorotaxanes with Pt(en)(NO(3))(2) (en = ethylenediamine) produces a molecular necklace [4]MN, in which three molecular "beads" are threaded on a triangular framework, and/or a molecular necklace [5]MN, in which four molecular "beads" are threaded on a square framework. Under refluxing conditions, the reaction with PR44(2+) or PR54(2+) yields exclusively [4]MN (MN44T or MN54T, respectively), whereas that with PR43(2+) or PR53(2+) produces exclusively [5]MN (MN43S or MN53S, respectively). The products have been characterized by various methods including X-ray crystallography. At lower temperatures, on the other hand, the reaction with PR44(2+) or PR54(2+) affords both [4]MN and [5]MN. The supermolecules reported here are the first series of molecular necklaces obtained as thermodynamic products. The overall structures of the molecular necklaces are strongly influenced by the structures of pseudorotaxane building blocks, which is discussed in detail on the basis of the X-ray crystal structures. The temperature dependence of the product distribution observed in this self-assembly process is also discussed.     

Post-lactonization of vinyl polymers containing pendent ester and hydroxymethyl groups

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate with methyl and ethyl α-hydroxymethylacrylate and with α-hydroxymethylstyrene have been prepared with free-radical initiators at temperatures below 80°C. At higher reaction temperatures or under extrusion conditions, alcohol was eliminated and the free hydroxyl content was greatly decreased. All evidence indicates the formation of six-membered lactone groups in this post-polymerization reaction: direct evidence for their formation is lacking, however, since neither infrared nor nuclear magnetic resonance spectra could be used to detect lactonization in this system. The loss of activity from ¹⁴C ester-labeled methyl methacrylate copolymer on heating could be correlated with the extent of lactonization. The degree of lactonization is relatively less with copolymers containing higher amounts of hydroxymethyl groups. The resulting polymers exhibit higher heat distortion temperatures and decreased impact resistance when compared to poly(methyl methacrylate). Attempts were made to incorporate similar lactone structures by cyclocopolymerization with methyl methacrylate of α-methacryloxymethylstyrene or ethyl α-methacryloxymethylacrylate, but only crosslinked polymers or polymers with pendent unsaturation were found.     

Determination of chromium(III) in water by solid-phase microextraction with a polyimide-coated fiber and gas chromatography-flame photometric detection

A method for the determination of trace Cr(III) in aqueous solution by solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography (GC)-flame photometric detection (FPD) was developed. Aqueous Cr(III) was first converted to the volatile chromium trifluoroacetylacetonate (Cr(tfa)3) by derivatization with 1,1,1-trifluoroacetylacetone (Htfa), followed by SPME extraction using a polyimide-coated silica fiber. The distribution constants (K) of derivatized cis- and trans-Cr(tfa)3 between the polyimide phase and aqueous phase were 2012 and 2214, respectively. The two Cr(tfa)3 isomers extracted can be efficiently separated by a DB-210 GC column within 9 min. Selective detection of Cr was performed by a FPD equipped with a 385-nm long-pass filter. Linearity (r> 0.99) over the concentration range 5-300 ng ml(-1) Cr was obtained and the limit of detection was 2 ng ml(-1) Cr. The relative standard deviation was 7% at 10 ng ml(-1) Cr (n = 5). Applicability of this method to water analysis was tested by analyzing the chromium content in a reference standard water sample and an industrial effluent.     

Analyses of preservatives by capillary electrochromatography using methacrylate ester-based monolithic columns

Five common food preservatives were analyzed by capillary electrochromatography, utilizing a methacrylate ester-based monolithic capillary as separation column. In order to optimize the separation of these preservatives, the effects of the pore size of the polymeric stationary phase, the pH and composition of the mobile phase on separation were examined. For all analytes, it was found that an increase in pore size caused a reduction in retention time. However, separation performances were greatly improved in monolithic columns with smaller pore sizes. The pH of the mobile phase had little influence on separation resolution, but a dramatic effect on the amount of sample that was needed to be electrokinetically injected into the monolithic column. In addition, the retention behaviors of these analytes were strongly influenced by the level of acetonitrile in the mobile phase. An optimal separation of the five preservatives was obtained within 7.0 min with a pH 3.0 mobile phase composed of phosphate buffer and acetonitrile 35:65 v/v. Finally, preservatives in real commercial products, including cold syrup, lotion, wine, and soy sauces, were successfully determined by the methacrylate ester-based polymeric monolithic column under this optimized condition.     

Capillary Zone Electrophoresis of Eleven Priority Phenols with Amperometric Detection

A scheme for separation and detection of eleven priority phenols using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with amperometric detection is described. With a capillary of I.D. 50 μm and length 62.5 cm at 9 kV and an electrophoretic buffer of 20 mM CHES (pH 10.1), complete separation of the eleven compounds was achieved in less than 17 min. Amperometric detection was carried out using a carbon fiber microelectrode of diameter 9 μm inserted into the end of the detection capillary. Linearity over two orders of magnitude was generally obtained for the eleven priority phenols. With an electrode potential+1.10 V (vs. Ag/AgCl reference), the concentration limits of detection were in the sub-ppm (10^?6 M) level. This method was successfully applied to analysis of priority phenols in industrial waste water.     

The Effects of UVA-I (340-400 nm), UVA-II (320-340 nm) and UVA-I+II on the Photoisomerization of Urocanic Acid in vivo

Abstract— Ultraviolet B radiation (280-320 nm) can systemically suppress contact hypersensitivity (CHS), delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) and tumor rejection responses in mice. Several models have been postulated for the initiation of this UVB-induced immune suppression and, although the complete mechanism is unclear, our early studies suggested that initiation is via the activation of a photoreceptor in the skin, identified as urocanic acid (UCA). Recent preliminary data from our laboratory and others indicated that UVA (320-400 nm)-emitting broadband sunlamps can also isomerize UCA but may not lead to immune suppression, in contrast to UVB-emitting sunlamps, which cause both effects. Although the reason for this inconsistency is unknown, the emission spectra of UVA lamps contain differing amounts of UVB, UVA-I (340-400 nm) and UVA-II (320-340 nm) from those of UVB sources. In this study we determined a detailed dose-response for the isomerization of UCA in mouse skin using the UVA-I, UVA-II and UVA-I+II wavelength ranges. The dose-response curves obtained were put on an equal energy basis by quantum correction and the possibility of wavelength interaction for this effect investigated. A simple additive wavelength interaction between UVA-I, UVA-II, and UVA-I+II was observed for trans-UCA photoisomerization. This result indicates that the failure of UVA-I, UVA-II or UVA-I+II radiation to induce immune suppression of the CHS response in an animal model is not due to complex wavelength interactions and/or the presence of an in vivo endogenous photosensitizer of UCA isomerization. Other factors, such as downstream blocking by UVA of the cis -UCA generated signal, may be involved.     

Comparison of microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography and micellar electrokinetic chromatography methods for the analysis of phenolic compounds

In this study, microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) and micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) were compared for their abilities to separate and detect thirteen phenolic compounds (syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, (+)-catechin, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-epicatechin, and (-)-gallocatechin), and two other ingredients (caffeine and theophylline) in teas and grapes. Separation of phenolic compounds was improved by changing the SDS concentration for MEEKC, but the SDS concentration rarely affected the resolution for MEKC. Organic modifier (acetonitrile or methanol) was found to markedly influence the resolution and selectivity for both MEEKC and MEKC systems. In addition, a higher voltage and a higher column temperature improved the separation efficiency without any noticeable reduction in resolution for MEEKC whereas they caused a poor resolution for the MEKC system. Although separations with baseline resolution were achieved by the optimized MEEKC and MEKC methods, the separation selectivity resulting from the proposed MEEKC method was completely different from that of MEKC.