New Method for the Reduction of Benzophenones with Raney Ni‐Al Alloy in Water

Raney Ni‐Al alloy in a dilute alkaline aqueous solution has been shown to be a powerful reducing agent, which is highly effective in the reduction of benzophenones to the corresponding hydrocarbon derivatives, in the absence of any organic solvents.     

Stabilization of Water‐Soluble Antioxidant in Water‐in‐Oil‐in‐Water Double Emulsions

Abstract

In this study, we are introducing a method that can effectively stabilize antioxidants in water‐in‐oil‐in‐water (W/O/W) double emulsions. Preliminarily, stable W/O/W double emulsions were produced by manipulating the characteristics of internal aqueous phase via two‐stage emulsification, resulting consequently in the formation of fine internal water droplets in the dispersed oil droplets. From conductivity measurements that can determine the elution amount of internal aqueous phase, it was confirmed that the double emulsion stability could be improved by treating the internal aqueous phase with a hydroxypropyl‐beta‐cyclodextrin. In this study, kojic acid, 5‐hydroxy‐2‐(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐pyrone was selected as a model antioxidant. The stabilization of kojic acid was attempted by locating it in the internal water droplets of the stable W/O/W double emulsions. The stability of kojic acid in the double emulsion system could be maintained at 90% for 10 weeks at high temperature. We believe that these stable W/O/W double emulsions could be used meaningfully as a carrier for many unstable antioxidants.     

Flow Injection On‐line Preconcentration Coupled with Hydride Generation Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry for Ultra‐Trace Amounts of Bismuth Determination in Biological and Environmental Water Samples

Abstract

A simple and sensitive flow injection on line separation and preconcentration system coupled to hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG‐AFS) was developed for ultra‐trace bismuth determination in water and urine samples. The preconcentration of bismuth on a nylon fiber‐packed microcolumn was carried out based on the retention of bismuth complex with Bismuthiol I. A 15% (v/v) HCl was introduced to elute the retained analyte complex and merge with KBH₄ solution for HG‐AFS detection. Under the optimal experimental conditions, an enhancement factor of 20 was obtained at a sample frequency of 24/h with a sample consumption of 13.0 ml. The limit of detection was 2.8 ng/l and the precision (RSD) for 11 replicate measurements of 0.1 µg/l Bi was 4.4%.     

Preparation of Langmuir-Blodgett Film of Oligophenylenevinylene at the Air/Water Interface and Study on its Fluorescence

Phenylenevinylene polymers and oligomers were widely investigated as active materialsused in emission layer of light emitting diodes (LEDs), recently, due to their conductingand luminescent properties1-3. Comparing with their polymers, oligophenyl ene-vin…     

Study on Cyclometalated Palladium-azo Complexes as Colorimetric Probes for Hazardous Gas in Water

A synthesized cyclometalated palladium-azo complex was explored as a multifunctional probe for visual detection of SO2, H2S and NH3 in water. In acidic aqueous environment, the sensing solution underwent a sharp color change from poor violet to deep blue when titrated with Na2SO3 standard solution. But the color changed from poor violet to bright yellow when titrated with Na2S standard solution. In basic environment, the sensing solution rapidly changed to magenta when titrated by NH4Cl-NH3 standard buffer solution at high concentration. However, the color of sensing solution changed to blue when titrated by NH4Cl-NH3 standard buffer solution at low concentration although the pH was kept constant during the titration. Different species of these hazardous gases at environmentally relevant concentration levels were differentiated by independent optical signal outputs, and the interference from other inorganic ions commonly existing in water was very small.     

Study on liquid crystallinity in 2,9‐dialkylpentacenes

A series of semiconducting and symmetrical 2,9‐dialkylpentacenes was successfully synthesized via a five‐step process and their structures confirmed by ¹H NMR, IR and elemental analyses. Their liquid crystallinity was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The introduction of alkyl chains also improved their solubility. For alkyl chains longer than butyl, focal conic or baton texture was observed, indicating the existence of an ordered smectic phase. Thermal analyses revealed that the both melting and smectic–isotropic transition temperatures show an odd–even effect when the alkyl chain is larger than heptyl or octyl. The synthesized compounds are promising candidates for semiconductors in organic field‐effect transistors because their liquid crystallinity allows easy molecular alignment in the device fabrication process.     

Study on the Fluorescence System of Oxolinic Acid‐Tb(III) and the Determination of Oxolinic Acid

Abstract

In Tris‐HCl buffer (pH=7.43), Tb³⁺ can react with oxolinic acid (OA) and form a 1:2 complex, which emits the intrinsic fluorescence of Tb³⁺. Based on this, a new fluorimetric method of determination of OA is developed. Under the optimum conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity of the system is proportional to the concentration of OA in the range of 1.5×10^?7～2.5×10^?5mol/L, and the detection limit is 5.5×10^?9 mol/L. Recovery test was also satisfactory. The experiments indicated that the luminescence mechanism was attributed to the M*–M luminescence.     

Factors Affecting the Droplet Size of Water‐in‐Oil Emulsions (W/O) and the Oil Globule Size in Water‐in‐Oil‐in‐Water Emulsions (W/O/W)

Multiple emulsions of the W₁/O/W₂ type are promising tools for encapsulating bioactive ingredients in the inner aqueous droplets. It is necessary, however, to control the factors influencing their encapsulation efficiency. One important factor is the particle size because it determines the surface area available for mass transport. Because of the coexistence of water and oil droplets in multiple emulsions, there are numerous factors that have an impact on particle size, for example, oil phase composition, interfacial properties, and viscosity of the phases. The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate the effect of these factors on particle sizes in multiple emulsions.     

Effect of Emulsification Method on the Properties of Lecithin‐ and PGPR‐Stabilized Water‐in‐Oil‐Emulsions

Water‐in‐oil (w/o) emulsions were prepared with phosphatidylcholine‐depleted lecithin or polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) as emulsifying agents. The effect of different laboratory emulsification devices and the effect of sodium chloride on particle size distribution, coalescence stability, and water droplet sedimentation were investigated. The properties of lecithin‐stabilized w/o emulsions were found to depend more strongly on the emulsifying method than those prepared with PGPR. The rotor‐stator system was not suitable for preparing stable w/o emulsions with lecithin. Whereas the addition of salt was essential to achieve coalescence‐stable emulsions prepared with PGPR, the presence of NaCl favored the coalescence of water droplets and phase separation in emulsions containing lecithin.     

New Method for the Synthesis of 2‐Aza‐1,3‐Butadienes

2‐Aza‐1,3‐butadienes have been synthesized from carbonyl compounds and 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyl‐disilazane in the presence of cobalt‐containing catalysts. The best yields (up to 95%) were achieved in the case of aldehydes branched in the α-position and 2-methylcyclohexanone. In the case of two α,β‐unsaturated ketones, pyridine derivatives were found as the main products.     

Study on colour characteristics depending on orientation of liquid crystal in the in‐plane switching mode

The degree of colour shift depending on viewing direction in the in‐plane switching (IPS) mode has been investigated. The IPS cell with pure twist deformation exhibits a stronger colour shift than that of the IPS cell with tilt as well as twist deformation, although the former has better luminance uniformity in the bright state than the latter. Furthermore, the IPS cell with multi‐directional LC orientation, with tilt as well as twist deformation, shows the least colour shift.     

An Electrorheological Study on the Behavior of Water‐in‐Crude Oil Emulsions Under Influence of a DC Electric Field and Different Flow Conditions

The influence of an applied DC electric field on viscosity and droplet size distribution of different water‐in‐crude oil emulsions was monitored in order to investigate the induction of coalescence of the water droplets. The effects caused by the voltage imposition were studied by rheological analysis and the validity of the obtained results was discussed, comparing with the features of real electrocoalcscer systems. A low field NMR technique (CPMG NMR) and digital video microscopy (DVM) were used to elucidate the behavior of the emulsions. Experiments performed at low shear rate with increasing electric field magnitude showed an increase in viscosity until a critical value. E_CRIT was reached. Thereafter coalescence occurred and viscosity decreased irreversibly below its initial value. The electrorheological behavior of the emulsions can be attributed to the organization (flocculation) of water droplets induced by the electric field, accompanied by an increase in viscosity. The structure breaks down as the shear rate is increased, leading to a decrease in viscosity. Experiments performed at high shear showed only a small decline in the viscosity. Although it was evident that coalescence took place, it did not involve the whole sample, because the electrodes were uncoated. As a direct consequence, the mean value of the droplet size within the emulsion did not change noticeably. Nonetheless this mean value was less recurrent and the formation of droplets of very large diameter occurred.     

What is Best Strategy for Water Soluble Fluorescence Dyes?—A Case Study Using Long Fluorescence Lifetime DAOTA Dyes**

The lipophilic nature of organic dyes complicates their effectiveness in aqueous solutions. In this work we investigate three different strategies for achieving water-solubility of the diazaoxatriangulenium (DAOTA⁺) chromophore: hydrophilic counter ions, aromatic sulfonation of the chromophore, and attachment of charged side chains. The long fluorescence lifetime (FLT, τ_f=20 ns) of DAOTA⁺ makes it a sensitive probe to analyze solvation and aggregation effects. Direct sulfonation of the chromophore was found to increase solubility drastically, but at the cost of greatly reduced quantum yields (QYs) due to enhanced non-radiative deactivation processes. The introduction of either cationic (4) or zwitterionic side chains (5), however, brings the FLT (τ_f=18 ns) and QY (ϕ_f=0.56) of the dye to the same level as the parent chromophore in acetonitrile. Time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy also reveals a high resistance to aggregation and non-specific binding in a high loading of bovine serum albumin (BSA). The results clearly show that addition of charged flexible side chains is preferable to direct sulfonation of the chromophore core.     

Development of a Solid‐Phase Extraction‐Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay Method with a New Sorbent of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube for the Determination of Estrone in Water

Abstract

A sensitive solid‐phase extraction‐enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (SPE‐ELISA) method was developed to analyze the estrone in environmental water. A new SPE sorbent of the multiwall carbon nanotube was tested and proved to have similar adsorbability for estrone comparing to the commercial C₁₈ SPE. A specific polyclonal antibody for estrone (A‐E1) and a broad‐spectrum antibody for estrone, estradiol and estriol (A‐E2) were produced. For A‐E1, the limit detection of estrone was 0.04 µg/l and for A‐E2 were 0.07, 0.04 and 0.2 µg/l of estrone, estradiol and estriol, respectively. Different river water samples were analyzed by ELISA and HPLC method.     

New One‐Pot Procedure for the Synthesis of 2‐Substituted Benzimidazoles

A highly selective synthesis of 2‐substituted benzimidazole derivatives from the reaction of o‐phenylendiamine derivatives and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of an organic salt, NH₄OAc, in absolute ethanol is presented. The products were obtained by evaporating the solvent followed by a simple recrystallization with excellent yields.     

Development of Magnetic Particle-based Chemiluminescence Enzyme Immunoassay for the Detection of 17β-estradiol in Environmental Water

In the present work, a simple, fast, and highly sensitive chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay for 17β-estradiol (E2) in environmental water samples was developed, using magnetic particles (MPs) labeled with secondary antibody as both the immobilization matrix and the separation tools. The specific anti-E2 polyclonal antibody (PcAb) was produced against a conjugate of estradiol–bovine serum albumin. The specificity of the anti-E2 antibody was studied. The results showed that the antibody did not cross-react with the structurally related endocrine-disrupting compounds, including estrone, ethinyl E2, estriol, E2-17-glucuronide, E2-3-sulfate-17-glucuronide, androstenedione, and dihydrotestosterone. The water samples were pretreated with solid-phase extraction using C₁₈ cartridges for the removal of matrix effects. Several physicochemical parameters including the dilution ratios of E2-6–horseradish peroxidase conjugate and anti-E2 PcAb, immunoreaction time, volume of chemiluminescent substrate and MPs, chemiluminescence reaction time, and pH of assay solution were studied and optimized. At optimal experimental conditions, it was found that the proposed method exhibited high performance with detection limit of 2.0 pg/mL, linear range of 20–1,200 pg/mL, and total assay time of 45 min. Both inter- and intra-assay coefficient of variation were less than 10%. The average recoveries of three different spiked concentration samples ranged from 86.3% to 108%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of E2 in river, waste, and tap water, and showed a good correlation with the commercially available radioimmunoassay kit.     

New Method for the Synthesis of 5‐Hydroxycamptothecin Derivatives

Abstract

An efficient hydroxylation at the 5‐position of the C ring of camptothecins was accomplished with the complex of CuI and organic amines as catalyst in the presence of oxygen at room temperature in dimethyl formate (DMF). To be successfully hydroxylated, the insoluble camptothecin analogue was transformed to the corresponding 20 carbonates.     

Study on the Regulation of Diorganogermanium Compounds on the Maillard Reaction of Histidine and Glycine by Fluorescence Spectrum

TheMaillardreactioncomprisesoftwostages,earlyandadvanced.AminoacidsorproteinsreactwithglucosetoformastableAmadoricproductthroughSchiffbaseadducts,whichareconverted,uponfurtherincubation,toadvancedglycosylationendproducts(AGE)withafluorescentorbrownproperty'.Ge-132((GeCHZCHZCOOH)O3Q)caninhibittheMaillardreactioneffectively'.Inthispaper,weinvestigatetheearlystagesoftheMaillardreactionofHisandGlyunderphysiologicalconditionsinwhichthenuorescentpropertyisthemostimportantcharacter.Theregul…     

Study on a Fluorometric Method for the Determination of Protein in Serum Using Quercetin‐Lanthanum (III)‐Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate‐Protein System

Abstract

It was found that the fluorescence intensity of lanthanum (III) (La³⁺)‐quercetin (Qu) complex is greatly enhanced by proteins in the presence of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS). Based on this finding, a new fluorimetric method for the determination of proteins was developed. Under optimum conditions, the enhanced intensity of fluorescence is in proportion to the concentration of proteins in the range of 2.5×10^?8 to 1.0×10^?5 g/mL for bovine serum albumin (BSA), 5.0×10^?8 to 1.5×10^?5 g/mL for human serum albumin (HSA), and 1.0×10^?7 to 1.5×10^?5 g/mL for egg albumin (EA). Their detection limits (S/N=3) are 5.0×10^?9 g/mL, 7.0×10^?9 g/mL, and 2.1×10^?8 g/mL, respectively. The interaction mechanism was also studied.     

Study on Dynamic Interfacial Tension of 3‐Dodecyloxy‐2‐hydroxypropyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride at n‐Decane/Water Interface

Dynamic interfacial tension (DIT) and interface adsorption kinetics at the n‐decane/water interface of 3‐dodecyloxy‐2‐hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (R₁₂TAC) were measured using spinning drop method. The effects of R_nTAC concentration and temperature on DIT have been investigated, the reason of the change of DIT with time has been discussed. The effective diffusion coefficient, D _a, and the adsorption barrier, ?_a, have been obtained with extended Word‐Tordai equation. The results show that the higher the concentration of surfactants is, and the smaller will be the DIT and the lower will be the curve of the DIT, and the R₁₂TAC solutions follow a mixed diffusion‐activation adsorption mechanism in this investigation. With increase of concentration in bulk solution of R₁₂TAC from 8×10^?4 mol · dm^?3 to 4×10^?3 mol · dm^?3, D _a decreases from 2.02×10^?10 m^?2 · s^?1 to 1.4×10^?11 m^?2 · s^?1 and ? _a increases from 2.60 kJ · mol^?1 to 9.32 kJ · mol^?1, while with increase of temperature from 30°C to 50°C, D _a increases from 2.02×10^?10 m^?2 · s^?1 to 5.86×10^?10 m^?2 · s^?1 and ε_a decreases from 2.60 kJ · mol^?1 to 0.73 kJ · mol^?1. This indicates that the diffusion tendency becomes weak with increase strength of the interaction between surfactant molecules and that the thermo‐motion of molecules favors interface adsorption.