Transesterification of an RNA model in buffer solutions in H2O and D2O

Transesterification of a phosphodiester bond of RNA models has been studied in various buffer solutions, under neutral and slightly alkaline conditions in H₂O and D₂O. The results show that imidazole is the only buffer system where a clear buffer catalysis on the cleavage of a phosphodiester bond is observed. The rate enhancement in sulphonic acid buffers is smaller, and a sulphonate base, particularly, is inactive as a catalyst. The rate‐enhancing effect of imidazole is, however, catalytic, and the catalytic inactivity of sulphonate buffers can be attributed to their structure and/or charge. The catalysis by imidazole is a complex system which, in addition to first‐order reactions, involves a process that shows a second‐order dependence in imidazole concentration. The latter reaction becomes significant in acidic imidazole buffers (pH < pK_a), as the buffer concentration increases. The kinetic solvent deuterium isotope effect k_H/k_D, referring to first‐order catalysis by imidazole base, is 2.3 ± 0.3. That referring to second‐order catalysis is most probably much larger, but an accurate value could not be obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites compatibilized with hydroxyl‐functional polypropylenes

The properties of polypropylene composites can be tailored through the use of nanoclay fillers. The effectiveness of a metallocene‐catalyzed hydroxyl‐functional polypropylene in the compatibilization of polypropylene layered nanosilicate composites was studied, and the results were compared with those for a commercial maleic anhydride functionalized polypropylene. Polypropylene/organoclay nanocomposites were prepared by melt blending, and two polypropylene/compatibilizer/organoclay ratios, 90/5/5 and 70/20/10, were characterized. The organomodification of the clay was carried out with octadecylamine and N‐methylundecenylamine. The structure of the layered silicate was studied by transmission electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering. The fracture surfaces of the composites and thus the efficiency of the compatibilizers to penetrate the galleries of the organoclays were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, and the melt viscosity was studied by stress‐controlled rotational rheometry. The nanostructure was observed with both alkyl amines used for intercalation. The fillers facilitated the processability of all the composites, consisting of equal amounts of compatibilizer and organoclay filler and, in some of the composites, containing twice as much compatibilizer as organoclay filler. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1892–1903, 2005     

Synthesis of Xenbucin using Suzuki reaction catalyzed by Pd/C in water

Xenbucin 1, an analgesic drug, was synthesized in 4 steps using two different routes. The biaryl fragment could successfully be produced via a Pd/C catalysed Suzuki coupling in water using sodium tetraphenylborate as a phenylation reagent. Overall yields of the routes were 36% and 59%, respectively.      

Highly Flexible Dielectric Films from Solution Processable Covalent Organic Frameworks**

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are known to be a promising class of materials for a wide range of applications, yet their poor solution processability limits their utility in many areas. Here we report a pore engineering method using hydrophilic side chains to improve the processability of hydrazone and β-ketoenamine-linked COFs and the production of flexible, crystalline films. Mechanical measurements of the free-standing COF films of COF-PEO-3 (hydrazone-linked) and TFP-PEO-3 (β-ketoenamine-linked), revealed a Young's modulus of 391.7 MPa and 1034.7 MPa, respectively. The solubility and excellent mechanical properties enabled the use of these COFs in dielectric devices. Specifically, the TFP-PEO-3 film-based dielectric capacitors display simultaneously high dielectric constant and breakdown strength, resulting in a discharged energy density of 11.22 J cm⁻³. This work offers a general approach for producing solution processable COFs and mechanically flexible COF-based films, which hold great potential for use in energy storage and flexible electronics applications.     

Indole-olefin-oxazoline (IndOlefOx)-ligands: synthesis and utilization in asymmetric Rh-catalyzed conjugate addition

The synthesis and utility of novel indole-olefin-oxazoline (IndOlefOx)-ligands are described. The use of these ligands was demonstrated in rhodium catalyzed asymmetric conjugate additions between 2-cyclopentenone, 2-cyclohexenone, and 2-cycloheptenone with different boron reagents with good yields and enantioselectivities of up to 94%.     

Low-medium resolution HLA-DQ2/DQ8 typing for coeliac disease predisposition analysis by colorimetric assay

Coeliac disease is an inflammation of the small intestine, occurring in genetically susceptible individuals triggered by the ingestion of gluten. Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA) DQ2 and DQ8 gene have been identified as key genetic factors in coeliac disease as they are presented in almost 100 % of the patients. These genes are encoded by the combination of certain alleles in the DQA and DQB region of chromosome 6. Specifically, DQA1*05:01 and DQB1*02:01 alleles for serologically defined leukocyte antigen DQ2 cis, DQA1*05:05 and DQB1*02:02 for DQ2 trans and DQA1*03:01 and DQB1*03:02 alleles for the DQ8. Specific identification of these alleles is a challenge due to the high number of alleles that have been identified so far: 46 in the DQA region and 160 in the DQB region (as of IMGT/HLA Database 10/2011 release). In the reported work, the development of a multiplex colorimetric assay for the low to medium HLA typing of the DQ2 and DQ8 genes is presented. The optimisation of probe design and assay conditions, performed by both surface plasmon resonance and enzyme-linked oligonucleotide assay, are reported. Finally, the performances of the developed typing platform were validated by the analysis of real patient samples and HLA typing, compared with those obtained using hospital based typing technology and an excellent correlation obtained.     

A linear programming approach to test efficiency in multi-objective linear fractional programming problems

In a multi-objective linear fractional programming problem (MOLFPP), it is often useful to check the efficiency of a given feasible solution, and if the solution is efficient, it is useful to check strong or weak efficiency. In this paper, by applying a geometrical interpretation, a linear programming approach is achieved to test weak efficiency. Also, in order to test strong efficiency for a given weakly efficient point, a linear programming approach is constructed.     

Rh–IndOlefOx catalyzed conjugate addition/Heck-type coupling of organoboronics to a lactam or a lactone

Four indole-olefin-oxazoline (IndOlefOx) ligands were synthesized and evaluated in Rh-catalyzed reactions between organoboronics and a lactam or a lactone. In addition to the expected conjugate addition products, the formation of significant amounts of Heck-type products was observed. The scope and limitations of these reactions were investigated.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of Janus dendrimers,part 1

Eight Janus-type dendrimers up to the second generation were synthesized, and their thermal properties were evaluated. Compounds consist of the dendritic bisMPA based polyester moieties, and either 3,4-dihexyloxybenzoic acid or 3,4-dihexadecyloxybenzoic acid moieties, attached to opposite sides of the pentaerythritol core. The structures of the molecules were verified with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI TOF mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The thermal stability was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis, displaying onset decomposition temperatures (T_d) ranging from 241 to 308 °C. Phase transitions were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Based on the performed studies it was confirmed that OH terminated dendrimers 2, 4, 6 and 8 exhibited liquid crystalline phases. Also, the X-ray powder diffraction measurements were accomplished for the dendrimers having terminal hydroxyl groups.