Modular Synthetic Approach to Carboranyl‒Biomolecules Conjugates

The development of novel, tumor-selective and boron-rich compounds as potential agents for use in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) represents a very important field in cancer treatment by radiation therapy. Here, we report the design and synthesis of two promising compounds that combine meta-carborane, a water-soluble monosaccharide and a linking unit, namely glycine or ethylenediamine, for facile coupling with various tumor-selective biomolecules bearing a free amino or carboxylic acid group. In this work, coupling experiments with two selected biomolecules, a coumarin derivative and folic acid, were included. The task of every component in this approach was carefully chosen: the carborane moiety supplies ten boron atoms, which is a tenfold increase in boron content compared to the l-boronophenylalanine (l-BPA) presently used in BNCT; the sugar moiety compensates for the hydrophobic character of the carborane; the linking unit, depending on the chosen biomolecule, acts as the connection between the tumor-selective component and the boron-rich moiety; and the respective tumor-selective biomolecule provides the necessary selectivity. This approach makes it possible to develop a modular and feasible strategy for the synthesis of readily obtainable boron-rich agents with optimized properties for potential applications in BNCT.     

Probing for electrical inclusions with complex spherical waves

Let a physical body Ω in ?² or ?³ be given. Assume that the electric conductivity distribution inside Ω consists of conductive inclusions in a known smooth background. Further, assume that a subset Γ ? ?Ω is available for boundary measurements. It is proved using hyperbolic geometry that certain information about the location of the inclusions can be exactly recovered from static electric measurements on Γ. More precisely: given a ball B with center outside the convex hull of Ω and satisfying (B? ∩ ?Ω) ? Γ, boundary measurements on Γ with explicitly given Dirichlet data are enough to determine whether B intersects the inclusion. An approximate detection algorithm is introduced based on the theory. Numerical experiments in dimension two with simulated noisy data suggest that the algorithm finds the inclusion‐free domain near Γ and is robust against measurement noise. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Pressure effects on the quadrupole coupling constant of 7Li in first stage lithium graphite

The pressure dependence of the experimental ⁷Li NMR spectra is reported for first stage lithium graphite (LiC₆) intercalation compound at temperatures T = 232 and 293 K. This experiment together with the presented point charge model calculation of the ⁷Li quadrupole coupling constant $\text{(}\text{e}{}^2\text{qQ}\text{h}\text{)}$ allows an unambiguous determination of the sign of e²qQ/h which is negative: $\text{e}{}^2\text{qQ}\text{h=-52 kHz}$ at p = 1 bar and T = 232 K. The averaged location of the electrons transferred from the Li intercalant to the graphite layers, as estimated in this study, is in excellent agreement with earlier theoretical energy-band calculations. The compressibility of LiC₆ in the c-direction is predicted to be k_c = 1.7 × 10^-12cm²dyn^-1, it agrees with estimates derived from the available phonon dispersion relations.     

Crystallographic report: Bis{µ‐[O‐cyclopentyl(4‐methoxyphenyl)dithiophosphonato]1κ:S,2κ:S‐[O‐cyclopentyl(4‐methoxyphenyl)dithiophosphonato]‐1κ2S,S′}dicadmium(II)

The centrosymmetric title compound, [Cd₂{CH₃OC₆H₄P(OC₅H₉)S₂}₄], features an eight‐membered [? Cd? S? P? S? ]₂ ring owing to the presence of bridging dithiolate ligands. Tetrahedral coordination geometries for cadmium are completed by chelating ligands. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Artinian level modules and cancellable sequences

In order to use dualization to study Hilbert functions of artinian level algebras we extend the notion of level sequences and cancellable sequences, introduced by Geramita and Lorenzini, to include Hilbert functions of certain artinian modules. As in the case of algebras a level sequence is cancellable, but now by dualization its reverse is also cancellable which gives a new condition on level sequences. We also give a characterization of the cancellable sequences involving Macaulay representations.     

Comparison between Eulerian and Lagrangian semi-analytical models to simulate the pollutant dispersion in the PBL

In this work we display a numerical comparison, under statistical and computational point of view, between semi-analytical Eulerian and Lagrangian dispersion models to simulate the ground-level concentration values of a passive pollutant released from a low height source. The Eulerian approach is based on the solution of the advection–diffusion equation by the Laplace transform technique. The Lagrangian approach is based on solution of the Langevin equation through the Picard’s Iterative Method. Turbulence inputs are calculated according to a parameterization capable of generating continuous values in all stability conditions and in all heights of the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL). Numerical simulations and comparisons show a good agreement between predicted and observed concentrations values. The comparison reveals the main advantages and disadvantages between the models.     

Bis(phosphino)borates: a new family of monoanionic chelating phosphine ligands

The reaction of dimethyldiaryltin reagents Me(2)SnR(2) (R = Ph (1), p-MePh (2), m,m-Me(2)Ph (3), p-(t)BuPh (4), p-MeOPh (5), p-CF(3)Ph (6)) with BCl(3) provided a high-yielding, simple preparative route to the corresponding diarylchloroboranes R(2)BCl (R = Ph (10), p-MePh (11), m,m-Me(2)Ph (12), p-(t)BuPh (13), p-MeOPh (14), p-CF(3)Ph (15)). In some cases, the desired diarylchloroborane was not formed from an appropriate tin reagent Me(2)SnR(2) (R = o-MeOPh (7), o,o-(MeO)(2)Ph (8), o-CF(3)Ph (9)). The reaction of lithiated methyldiaryl- or methyldialkylphosphines with diarylchloroboranes or dialkylchloroboranes is discussed. Specifically, several new monoanionic bis(phosphino)borates are detailed: [Ph(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (25); [(p-MePh)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (26); [(p-(t)BuPh)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (27); [(p-MeOPh)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (28); [(p-CF(3)Ph)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (29); [Cy(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (30); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P[p-(t)BuPh](2))(2)] (31); [(p-MeOPh)(2)B(CH(2)P[p-(t)BuPh](2))(2)] (32); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P[p-CF(3)Ph](2))(2)] (33); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(BH(3))(Me)(2))(2)] (34); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(S)(Me)(2))(2)] (35); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(i)Pr(2))(2)] (36); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] (37); [(m,m-Me(2)Ph)(2)B(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] (38). The chelation of diarylphosphine derivatives 25-33 and 36 to platinum was examined by generation of a series of platinum dimethyl complexes. The electronic effects of substituted bis(phosphino)borates on the carbonyl stretching frequency of neutral platinum alkyl carbonyl complexes were studied by infrared spectroscopy. Substituents remote from the metal center (i.e. on boron) have minimal effect on the electronic nature of the metal center, whereas substitution close to the metal center (on phosphorus) has a greater effect on the electronic nature of the metal center.     

One-step electrochemical synthesis of pure poly(2,5-dicyano-p-phenylenevinylene) films

In this communication we describe the electrochemical synthesis of poly(2,5-dicyano-p-phenylenevinylene) (DCNPPV) polymer films on indium tin oxide substrates. We investigate the purity, morphology, absorption and emission properties of the film. The purity was checked by infrared spectroscopy. The film formed presented spectroscopic purity equivalent to the chemically prepared PPV that was dialyzed for one week. Scanning electron microscopy of the surface revealed a grain-like morphology. The absorption and emission spectra showed absorption and emission bands at 420 nm and 575 nm, respectively, with the absorption onset at 422 nm, which corresponds to an energy gap of 2.25 eV. The electrochemical determination of the energy gap gives 2.05 eV, thus quite close to the optical energy gap at the onset of absorption. The EA and IP were determined by electrochemical measurements and are 3.46 eV and 5.51 eV, respectively.