Analysis of soluble intermediates in the lithium–sulfur battery by a simple in situ electrochemical probe

This paper describes a simple setup using a thin, insulated platinum wire as an in situ electrochemical probe for analysis of the soluble polysulfide intermediates formed and consumed during the course of the discharge process of a lithium–sulfur cell. The probe, sharing common reference and counter electrodes with the cell, can be used to follow the changes in concentration of polysulfides in the electrolyte. The results herein both support and complement more advanced techniques studied elsewhere for understanding the dominant processes occurring in the cell.     

Development of porous sintered-ceramic separators for application in a LiAl/LiClKCl/FeS battery

The procedure for fabrication of porous sintered-ceramic separators and the technical feasibility of using such separators in LiAl/molten LiClKCl/FeS battery cells have been investigated. Processing techniques have been developed to fabricate ∼1.5–2.5 mm thick, ∼35–60% porous, flat, sintered Y₂O₂ and MgO separator plates with sufficient strength to allow handling prior to and during cell assembly. These separators performed successfully in laboratory-scale cells for up to ∼2000 h and 283 cycles, indicating that the concept of a sintered separator, is viable for LiAl/FeS batteries. The particularly attractive features of these separators are potentially low cost, prefabricated form that allows easy cell assembly, and small pore size (average diameter 0.5–1.0 μm) which provides good particle retention. The test results from the sintered-separator cells indicate that Y₂O₂ is probably unsuitable for long-term performance in LiAl/FeS cells because of its reaction with the positive active material. This is in agreement with the recently reported data on cells with Y₂O₂ felt and powder separators. Sintered MgO separators, however, showed good chemical and mechanical stability in the cell environment.     

Preparation of Mg–Al hydrotalcite from the effluent of Friedel–Crafts reaction and its application as a catalyst in Knoevenagel reaction

Abstract

Hydrotalcite containing magnesium and aluminium (Mg–Al HT) with a molar ratio of Mg(II)/Al(III) = 2.5 has been prepared by a co-precipitation method using the effluent of a Friedel–Crafts acylation reaction. The HT was calcined at 500°C and reconstructed with deionized water. The synthesized HT was characterized by XRD and FT-IR spectroscopy and was successfully used as a catalyst in the Knoevenagel reaction of aldehydes and active methylene compounds. The catalyst was found to be reusable.     

Development and validation of a rapid and sensitive LC–MS/MS method for the determination of polyphyllin II in rat plasma and its application in a pharmacokinetic study

Polyphyllin II, a major steroidal saponin isolated from Paris polyphylla, exhibits significant pharmacological activities. In this study, a rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was established and validated for the determination of polyphyllin II in plasma. Polyphyllin II and polyphyllin VII (internal standard) were separated on a Waters Acquity™ HSS T3 column and the mass analysis was performed in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization ion source. Results showed that the method was sensitive (lower limit of quantitation 0.5 ng/ml), precise (<15%) and linear in the range of 0.5–500 ng/ml (r > 0.99). Interestingly, the sensitivity in current study was ~10 times higher than that in the previous study. The results of the pharmacokinetic study of polyphyllin II in rats suggested that polyphyllin II was poorly absorbed into blood and reached its highest concentration at ~3.67–5.00 h with a slow elimination half-life of 8.34–13.37 h. The bioavailability was 6.1–8.2%. The results indicated that the absorption of polyphyllin II may primarily occur via passive diffusion in rats. This study provides valuable information that can be used as a reference for the pharmacokinetic investigation of other steroidal saponins.     

Development of a simple combining apparatus to perform a magnetic stirring-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and its application for the analysis of carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides in tea drinks

This study introduced a simple combining apparatus for performing a magnetic stirring-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (MSA-DLLME) for the detection of trace carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides in tea drinks coupled with high performance liquid chromatography. The simple combining apparatus was made up of a sample vial and a cut plastic dropper. The bulb end of the cut plastic dropper was inserted into the neck of the sample vial and the open tip end of the plastic dropper was then cut to an appropriate length. The combining apparatus made was then used to perform the MSA-DLLME. In this experiment, 1-octanol was injected into the tea drink sample solution and the extraction process accelerated by magnetic agitation. The sample solution turned clear and separated into two layers after leaving it alone for several minutes. The cut plastic dropper was gently put down into the sample vial, and then the liquid level of the sample solution elevated up to the tip of the plastic dropper for the collection of low-density extractant. Finally, the collected extractant was drawn out by a microsyringe and injected into the high performance liquid chromatography-diode-array detector for analysis. A series of extraction parameters were investigated and optimized. Under the most favorable conditions, high enrichment factors were obtained for carbofuran, carbaryl and isocarbophos (between 130 and 185). The limits of detection (S/N = 3) were in the range of 0.13–0.61 μg L⁻¹, and the relative standard deviation varied below 7.8% (n = 5). Additionally, good recoveries were obtained between 79.4% and 114.4% in the three tea drinks. The simple combining apparatus utilized in this MSA-DLLME method was shown to be economical, fast, and convenient for the collection of low density extractant.     

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for the simultaneous quantification of tamoxifen, anastrozole, and letrozole in human plasma and its application to a clinical study

There is substantial evidence that circulating estrogens promote the proliferation of breast cancer. Consequently, adjuvant hormonal treatment strategies targeting estrogen action have been established. Such hormonal therapies include selective estrogen receptor modulators, such as tamoxifen, which interfere at the estrogen receptors directly, or non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole and letrozole, which inhibit estrogen synthesis through blocking the aromatase, a key enzyme of estrogen production. Despite considerable therapeutic success, in several cases, the use of these drugs is limited by side effects that have been described to significantly impair the adherence of patients to endocrine treatment. However, objective data concerning patient adherence and its clinical relevance are limited. One promising approach to check patient-reported adherence is drug monitoring in human plasma. Therefore, a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method to determine the plasma concentrations of tamoxifen, anastrozole, and letrozole has been developed and fully validated according to guidelines for clinical and forensic toxicology. The validation criteria evaluated were selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision, limit of quantification, recovery and matrix effects, sample stability, and carryover. The six-point calibration curves showed linearity over the range of concentrations from 25 to 500 ng/ml for tamoxifen, 5 to 200 ng/ml for anastrozole, and 10 to 300 ng/ml for letrozole. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracies were always better than 15%. The validated procedure was successfully applied to a clinical study (Patient-Reported Outcomes in Breast Cancer Patients undergoing Endocrine Therapy, PRO-BETh). A major aim of PRO-BETh study is the comprehensive evaluation of adherence to treatment in pre- and post-menopausal women with breast cancer. Plasma samples of 310 breast cancer patients undergoing anti-estrogen therapy were analyzed. Eight samples did not contain a quantifiable amount of drug, strongly indicating non-adherence of the corresponding patients to adjuvant breast cancer treatment. Furthermore, plasma concentrations at the lower end of the observed plasma level distribution might represent a hint but not a confirmation for non-adherence in terms of non-daily and irregular intake of the prescribed drug.     

Synthesis and physical studies on a new anion exchange material: Zirconium (IV) ethylenediamine and its application to the separation of MoO42− from other anionic species

Zirconium (IV) ethylenediamine has been prepared by interaction of aqueous solutions of zirconium oxychloride and ehtylenediamine at pH 4.4 and 9.6. Its anion exchange capacity, chemical and thermal stabilities, pH titration curve and chemical composition were studied. Infrared spectra using the KBr disc method, TGA and DTA were recorded. A tentative formula was proposed showing zirconium (IV) oxide : ethylenediamine in the ratio 3:1, [ZrO(OH)⁺²]₃ [NH₂ (CH₂) ₂NH₂]. 3 H₂O. Distribution coefficient (Kd) values of a number of anionic species were determined in distilled water, and various concentrations of ammonium nitrate solution. On the basis of the difference in Kd values, the separations such as Cl⁻ - MoO₄²⁻, Br - MoO₄²⁻, I⁻ - MoO₄²⁻, SO₄²⁻ - MoO₄²⁻ and C₂O₄²⁻ - MoO₄²⁻ have been achieved successfully on its column.     

Preparation of a new benzylureido-β-cyclodextrin-based column and its application for the determination of phenylmercapturic acid and benzylmercapturic acid enantiomers in human urine by LC/MS/MS

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry - A benzylureido-β-cyclodextrin was synthesized by the reaction of 6-amino-β-cyclodextrin with an active benzyl isocyanate. Then, it was bonded to...     

Development of a UPLC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin, 2-hydroxy atorvastatin,and naringenin in rat plasma and its application to pharmacokinetic interaction studies

Recent studies have revealed that the combination therapy of atorvastatin (ATV) with naringenin (NG) can offer meaningful benefits in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, while decreasing adverse side effects. To investigate whether there are pharmacokinetic interactions among ATV, its metabolite 2-hydroxy atorvastatin (2-ATV), and NG, in the current study, we developed and validated a simple, rapid, and specific UPLC–MS/MS method to simultaneously determine the concentrations of these analytes in the rat plasma. Sample preparation was performed using simple protein precipitation. Chromatographic analysis was carried out on an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (1.7 μm, 2.1 × 100 mm) using gradient elution mode, and these three analytes were detected using a Xevo® TQD triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer, in the positive ion electrospray ionization interface. The developed method showed good linearity over the following concentrations in rat plasma samples: 3–1200 ng/ml (r = 0.9965) for ATV, 1.5–600 ng/ml (r = 0.9934) for 2-ATV, and 3–1200 ng/ml (r = 0.9964) for NG. The assays were validated and satisfied the acceptance criteria recommended by U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Upon successful application of the method to a pharmacokinetic interaction study, the results indicated that NG significantly enhanced the bioavailability of ATV and 2-ATV.     

Potassium Natural Asphalt Sulfonate (K-NAS): Synthesis and characterization as a new recyclable solid basic nanocatalyst and its application in the formation of carbon–carbon bonds

In this research, we synthesized and characterized a new heterogeneous basic nanocatalyst and its catalytic application was studied in the Claisen-Schmidt and Knoevenagel condensations. In order to prepare this nanocatalyst, first, the Iranian natural asphalt was sulfonated with the concentrated sulfuric acid and then, converted to the potassium natural asphalt sulfonate (K-NAS). In order to characterization of the nanocatalyst, used of FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), inductively coupled plasma (ICP) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. This new basic heterogeneous nanocatalyst have advantages such as being eco-friendly, huge specific surface area, high reactivity and recyclability .     

CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticle-modified electrode as a novel electrochemical interface in the quantification of Zn<Superscript>2+ </Superscript>ions at trace level: application to real sample analysis

A simple strategy has been proposed to quantify Zn²⁺ ions using CeO₂ nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrode. The CeO₂ nanoparticles were prepared by sucrose-nitrate decomposition method, and it was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR, TEM, and surface area analyzer. The synthesized CeO₂ nanoparticles were used as modifier molecules as a thin film on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in the trace level quantification of Zn²⁺ by using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV) techniques. The fabricated sensor exhibited a good analytical response towards Zn²⁺ ions. The modified electrode showed a wide linearity in the concentration range 20–380 μg L^?1 with a limit of detection 0.36 μg L^?1. The proposed electrochemical sensor was successfully applied to trace level Zn²⁺ quantification from real sample matrices.