Synthesis of fluorous fullerene adducts: reversible solubilization of fullerenes in perfluorinated solvents

Fullerene (C60) Diels-Alder adducts with perfluoroalkylated 1,3-cyclopentadiene (1a,b) were synthesized and studied. The perfluoroalkylated cyclopentadiene was found to be less reactive toward C60 than cyclopentadiene itself, possibly because of the electron-withdrawing effect of the side chain. Because of the same effect, the temperature of the retro-Diels-Alder reaction for the fluorinated adducts was lower (70 degrees C) than the reported value (95 degrees C) for the cyclopentadiene adducts of C60. Higher adducts of the fluorous diene and C60 were found to be soluble in perfluorohexane and to show visible partitioning between organic (toluene) and fluorous phases. Also, the Diels-Alder addition of the fluorous diene was accompanied by extensive oxidation of the fullerene core, as revealed by MALDI-TOF data.     

Integrating sensitive quantification of hepatic metabolic functions by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection

We report the establishment of capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) detection as a common analytical platform for sensitive quantification of both phase I and II metabolism in various hepatic in vitro models.     

A novel 3D mammalian cell perfusion-culture system in microfluidic channels

Mammalian cells cultured on 2D surfaces in microfluidic channels are increasingly used in drug development and biological research applications. These systems would have more biological or clinical relevance if the cells exhibit 3D phenotypes similar to the cells in vivo. We have developed a microfluidic channel based system that allows cells to be perfusion-cultured in 3D by supporting them with adequate 3D cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. The maximal cell-cell interaction was achieved by perfusion-seeding cells through an array of micropillars; and 3D cell-matrix interactions were achieved by a polyelectrolyte complex coacervation process to form a thin layer of matrix conforming to the 3D cell shapes. Carcinoma cell lines (HepG2, MCF7), primary differentiated (hepatocytes) and primary progenitor cells (bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) were perfusion-cultured for 72 hours to 1 week in the microfluidic channel, which preserved their 3D cyto-architecture and cell-specific functions or differentiation competence. This transparent 3D microfluidic channel-based cell culture system also allows direct optical monitoring of cellular events for a wide range of applications.     

Graphenes Prepared by Hummers,Staudenmaier and Hofmann Methods for Analysis of TNT‐Based Nitroaromatic Explosives in Seawater

The detection of TNT and related nitroaromatic compounds in seawater is of great interest. Electrochemical techniques can be applied for detection purposes since nitroaromatic compounds contain easily reducible nitro groups. In this study, we investigate the performance of thermally reduced graphenes prepared by three different oxidative methods: Hummers, Staudenmaier and Hofmann methods with consequent thermal exfoliation. The Hofmann method‐based graphene was found to exhibit the highest sensitivity in detecting TNT electrochemically. Extended study on the detection of TNT in seawater using the graphene material provided significant improvements in the detection sensitivity. These findings will have profound impacts on the detection of nitroaromatic explosives in seawater.     

3He NMR as a sensitive probe of fullerene reactivity: [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone to C70

The [2 + 2] photoadditions of 3-methyl-2-cyclohexenone to C70 and 3He@C70 have been studied by a combination of HPLC chromatography and FAB-MS, as well as IR and 1H and 3He NMR spectroscopies. The total yield of the mixture of monoadducts was 55% (67% on the basis of the recovered C70). The use of 3He NMR was especially powerful in determining the regioselectivity of the photoaddition reaction of enone to C70. Results of the 3He NMR experiments conducted on the product mixture implicate the two [6,6] bonds closest to the poles of the fullerene (C1-C2 and C5-C6) in the photoaddition process. This reaction mode is analogous to that of most thermal addition reactions to C70. Separation and characterization of the product mixture shows that eight distinct monoadducts are formed in the photoaddition, namely, the four diastereomeric adducts to the C1-C2 and C5-C6 bonds of the C70 cage, each consisting of cis- and trans-fused isomers in a ratio of 2:3. The major mode of photoaddition, accounting for 65% of the product mixture, involves addition to the C1-C2 bond of the ovoid fullerene. Mechanistic implications of these findings are discussed.     

Quantitative determination of four nitrofuran metabolites in meat by isotope dilution liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation-tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory method based on isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for the low-level determination of residues of four nitrofuran veterinary drugs in meat, e.g., furazolidone, furaltadone, nitrofurantoin, and nitrofurazone. The procedure entails an acid-catalysed release of protein-bound metabolites, followed by their in situ conversion into the 2-nitrobenzaldehyde (NBA) imine-type derivatives. Liquid-liquid extraction and clean-up on a polymeric solid phase extraction cartridge are then performed before LC-MS/MS analysis by positive electrospray ionisation (ESI) applying multiple reaction monitoring of three transition reactions for each compound. Reliable quantitation is obtained by using one deuterated analogue per analyte (d4-NBA derivative) as internal standard (IS). Validation of the method in chicken meat was conducted following the European Union (EU) criteria for the analysis of veterinary drug residues in foods. The decision limits (CCalpha) were 0.11-0.21 microg/kg, and the detection capabilities (CCbeta) 0.19-0.36 microg/kg, thus below the minimum required performance limit (MRPL) set at 1 microg/kg by the EU. The method is robust and suitable for routine quality control operations, and more than 200 sample injections were performed without excessive pollution of the mass spectrometer or loss of LC column performance.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of dibenzo(perhydrotriazino)aza-14-crown-4 ethers

By triple condensation of thiourea or guanidine with 1,ω-bis(2-formylphenoxy)-3-oxapentane and ammonium acetate first representatives of the new class of ethers bis(benzo)aza-14-crown-4 were obtained in 28–73% yield that included as a subunit a symm-perhydrotriazine ring. This reaction also proceeds readily with N-monomethyl- and N-monopropenyl-substituted thioureas affording the corresponding derivatives of triazinoazacrown ether. At the same time urea in the similar condensation does not form the expected perhydrotriazinoazacrown ether. The molecular structure of one perhydroazacrown ether as a complex with a chloroform molecule was established by XRD analysis.     

Synthesis of 2-aminofurans and 2-unsubstituted furans via carbenoid-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition

An efficient dual synthetic manifold for 2-aminofurans and 2-unsubstituted furans has been developed. The carbenoid-mediated [3 + 2] cycloaddition of copper carbenoids with enamines provides 2-amino-2,3-dihydrofurans which serve as common intermediates for both 2-aminofurans and 2-unsubstituted furans.