Novel oxidation reaction of prochlorperazine with bromate in the presence of synergistic activators and its application to trace determination by flow injection/spectrophotometric method

Valve-based comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC) is one of the most compact, robust, and inexpensive GC × GC instrument designs. The major drawback of a valve-based modulation configuration lies in diminished detection sensitivity. This loss in sensitivity is because under typical operating conditions the fraction of the first column (i.e., column 1) effluent transferred to the second column (i.e., column 2) is likely to be ∼5-10%. To address this loss in sensitivity, we report the development of a unique total-transfer (i.e., 100%) valve-based GC × GC, without adding complexity to the instrumentation. The new instrument design relies upon simply blocking one of the appropriate ports of the high-speed six-port diaphragm valve that is used as the modulator between columns 1 and 2. The modulation period and difference in head pressure between columns 1 and 2 are found to be the two primary variables that are controlled to provide good detection sensitivity and 100% mass transfer from column 1 to column 2. The detection sensitivity is better with a longer the modulation period. A limit of detection of 0.03 ng/μl was obtained for octane. This sensitive GC × GC configuration is also shown to provide acceptable separation peak capacity, with good separations achieved for real complex samples: gasoline and Eucalyptus oil, where compounds were spread out over much of the two-dimensional separation space. In principle, this total-transfer, valve-based GC × GC is more portable and less expensive than currently available GC × GC instrumentation.     

An integrated portable hand-held analyser for real-time isothermal nucleic acid amplification

A compact hand-held heated fluorometric instrument for performing real-time isothermal nucleic acid amplification and detection is described. The optoelectronic instrument combines a Printed Circuit Board/Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (PCB/MEMS) reaction detection/chamber containing an integrated resistive heater with attached miniature LED light source and photo-detector and a disposable glass waveguide capillary to enable a mini-fluorometer. The fluorometer is fabricated and assembled in planar geometry, rolled into a tubular format and packaged with custom control electronics to form the hand-held reactor. Positive or negative results for each reaction are displayed to the user using an LED interface. Reaction data is stored in FLASH memory for retrieval via an in-built USB connection. Operating on one disposable 3 V lithium battery >12, 60 min reactions can be performed. Maximum dimensions of the system are 150 mm (h) × 48 mm (d) × 40 mm (w), the total instrument weight (with battery) is 140 g. The system produces comparable results to laboratory instrumentation when performing a real-time nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) reaction, and also displayed comparable precision, accuracy and resolution to laboratory-based real-time nucleic acid amplification instrumentation. A good linear response (R² = 0.948) to fluorescein gradients ranging from 0.5 to 10 μM was also obtained from the instrument indicating that it may be utilized for other fluorometric assays. This instrument enables an inexpensive, compact approach to in-field genetic screening, providing results comparable to laboratory equipment with rapid user feedback as to the status of the reaction.     

Determination of alternative and conventional chelating agents as copper(II) complexes by capillary zone electrophoresis--the first use of didecyldimethylammonium bromide as a flow reversal reagent

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for analyzing 11 chelating agents [β-alaninediacetic acid (β-ADA), trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (CDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N′-triacetic acid (HEDTA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), 1,3-diaminopropane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (PDTA) and triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid (TTHA)] as negatively charged copper(II) complexes has been established. Both conventional and alternative chelating agents were included in this study, because they are used side by side in industrial applications. In this study, didecyldimethylammonium bromide (DMDDAB) was successfully used as a flow reversal reagent for the first time in an aqueous CZE method based on phosphate BGE with UV spectrophotometric detection. In addition this new flow modifier was compared to common TTAB. Method development was done using a fused silica capillary (61 cm × 50 μm i.d.). The optimized BGE was a 105 mmol L⁻¹ phosphate buffer with TTAB or DMDDAB in the concentration 0.5 mmol L⁻¹ at pH 7.1. The measurements were done with −20 kV voltage using direct UV detection at 254 nm. In both CZE methods all 11 analyte zones were properly separated (resolutions ≥2.4), and the calibrations gave excellent correlation coefficients (≥0.998; linear range tested 0.5-2.0 mmol L⁻¹). The limits of detection were ≤34 and ≤49 μmol L⁻¹ with the method of DMDDAB and TTAB, respectively. A clear benefit of both methods was the short analysis time; all 11 complexes were detected in less than 6 and 5.5 min with the methods of TTAB and DMDDAB, respectively. The two methods were tested with dishwashing detergents and paper mill wastewater samples and proved to be suitable for practical use.     

Production of mixed halogenated congeners of the natural product heptachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Q1) by photolysis in the presence of bromine

Halogenated 1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrroles (MBPs) are a class of marine halogenated natural products that have been detected in biota from all over the world. However, structures and standards of many mixed chlorinated/brominated MBPs are not available. For this reason, the known 2,3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-heptachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Q1 or MBP-79) was UV-irradiated in the presence of bromine with the goal of inducing a chlorine → bromine exchange. A few drops of bromine were added to a solution of Q1 and 10 mL of either CH₂Br₂, CH₂Cl₂, or CHCl₃. The experiments were performed both at room temperature and elevated temperature for 30 min. At least four out of five possible bromohexachloro-1′methyl-1,2′-bipyrroles (BrCl₆-MBPs), at least seven out of 13 possible Br₂Cl₅-MBPs, as well as traces of Br₃Cl₄-MBPs and Br₄Cl₃-MBPs were obtained in this way. Selective fragment ions in the GC/ECNI-MS spectra as well as electrophilic bromination of hexachloro-MBP solutions were used to verify the structures of the BrCl₆-MBP isomers. The BrCl₆-MBPs eluted from DB-5-like columns in the order of 4′-bromo-2,3,3′,4,5,5′-hexachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Br-MBP-76), which co-eluted with 3′-bromo-2,3,4,4′,5,5′-hexachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Br-MBP-78), followed by 2-bromo-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Br-MBP-75), 3-bromo-2,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Br-MBP-77), and 5′-bromo-2,3,3′,4,4′,5-hexachloro-1′-methyl-1,2′-bipyrrole (Br-MBP-74). These BrCl₆-MBPs were also detected in a sample of cetacean blubber from Australia, but the abundance pattern was different. While Br-MBP-76/Br-MBP-78 dominated in the cetacean, irradiation of Q1 (MBP-79) in the presence of bromine led to high proportions of Br-MBP-75. The suitability of the UV-induced Cl → Br exchange was confirmed by the Br-assisted UV-irradiation of pentachloroanisole (PCA). This experiment produced at least two bromotetrachloro- and three dibromotrichloroanisoles, the last eluting in each case being the most relevant. Thus, this method is most likely generally suited for the production of mixed-halogenated aromatic organohalogen compounds which are not readily obtainable by synthesis.     

Study of interactions between actinomycin D and oligonucleotides by microchip electrophoresis and ESI-MS

In the present study, the interactions between actinomycin D (ActD) and single stranded DNA (ssDNA) 5′-CGTAACCAACTGCAACGT-3′ and a duplex stranded DNA (dsDNA) with this sequence were investigated by microchip-based non-gel sieving electrophoresis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The ssDNA was designed according to the conserved regions of open reading frame 1b (replicase 1B) following the Tor 2 SARS genome sequence of 15611-15593. The binding constants of the interactions between ActD and ssDNA/dsDNA were (8.3 ± 0.32) × 10⁶ M⁻¹ (ssDNA) and (2.8 ± 0.02) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (dsDNA), respectively, calculated from microchip electrophoresis via Scatchard plot. The binding stoichiometries were 1:1 (single/1ActD molecule) and 1:2 (duplex/2ActD molecules) calculated from microchip electrophoresis, and the results were further verified by ESI-MS. The results obtained by these two methods indicated that ActD bound much more tightly to ssDNA used in this work than dsDNA. Furthermore, this is shown that the microchip-based non-gel sieving electrophoresis method is a rapid, highly sensitive and convenient method for the studies of interactions between DNA and small molecule drugs.     

Synthesis of tricarbonyl rhenium and technetium complexes of a 5′-carboxamide 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine for selective inhibition of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase 1

Herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase type 1 (HSV1-TK) is frequently used as reporter protein in gene therapy. Our aim is to produce single photon emitting reporter probe based on technetium-99m. The synthesis of organometallic technetium and rhenium complexes of a 5′-carboxamide 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine derivative able to selectively inhibit HSV1-TK is presented. The 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine functionalized with a suitable tridentate chelating system at position 5′ was synthesized from commercial 2′-deoxyuridine in seven steps. The 5-ethyl-2′-deoxyuridine derivative was labeled with the fac-M(CO)₃-core (M = Tc, Re). The resulting rhenium complex was found to be a selective competitive inhibitor of HSV1-TK (K_i = 4.56 μM). Inhibition of the human cytosolic thymidine kinase (hTK1) previously reported with organometallic rhenium and technetium complexes of 5′-carboxamide thymidine derivative was not observed. The uptake of the technetium-99m complex in transfected cells expressing HSV1-TK has been evaluated to assess its possible use as reporter.     

A new colorimetric platform for ultrasensitive detection of protein and cancer cells based on the assembly of nucleic acids and proteins

An amplified colorimetric method has been developed for the detection of protein and cancer cells based on the assembly of nucleic acids and proteins for the first time. In this process, the assembly of nucleic acids was triggered by a biotinylated DNA strand after a sandwich immunoreaction. The biotinylated DNA strand and sandwich immunocomplex were connected by streptavidin. Then, the assembly of biotinylated bovine serum albumin (Biotin-BSA) and streptavidin-horseradish peroxidase (SA-HRP) occurred at a node of the assembled products of nucleic acids through the biotin-streptavidin reaction. Under the catalysis of horseradish peroxidase, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was oxidized by H₂O₂ and the oxidized product was analyzed by its UV–vis absorbance signal and sensitive colorimetric detection. This colorimetric sensor could not only achieve the quantitative determination of protein by UV–vis absorbance but could also be applied for semiquantitative determination by digital visualization. Using alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as the model target, this proposed colorimetric method showed a wide linear range from 5 pg/mL to 1 ng/mL with a detection limit of 1.95 pg/mL by the instrument, and even 5 pg/mL target protein could be distinguished simply by the naked eye. This approach was then expanded to detect cancer cells based on the recognition of folic acid receptors that were over-expressed on the cancer cells by folic acid-tethered DNA. More importantly, this strategy can be further used as a universal colorimetric method for the determination of viruses or other proteins by changing the corresponding antibodies.     

A 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine-imprinted polymer gel surface plasmon resonance sensor based on template-responsive shrinkage

Molecularly imprinted polymer gel film on the gold substrate of a chip was prepared with minute amount of cross-linker for the fabrication of a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor sensitive to 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine. The molecularly imprinted gel film was anchored on a gold chip by a surface-bound photo-radical initiator. The sensing of 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine is based on responsive shrinkage of the imprinted polymer gel film that is triggered by target binding. This change can improve the responsiveness of the imprinted SPR sensor to 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine. The molecularly imprinted polymer gel film was characterized with contact angle measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammogram, swelling measurements and atomic force microscopy. The changes of SPR spectroscopy wavenumber shifts revealed that the imprinted gel sensing film can ‘memorize’ the binding of 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine compared to non-imprinted one. The imprinted gel-SPR sensor showed a linear response in the range of 9.0 × 10⁻¹² to 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol L⁻¹ (R² = 0.9998) for the detection of 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine, and it also exhibited high selectivity to 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine compared to its structurally related analogues. We calculated the detection limits to be 0.471 ng L⁻¹ for tap water and 0.772 ng kg⁻¹ for soil based on a signal to noise ratio of 3. The method showed good recoveries and precision for the samples spiked with 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine. This suggest that the imprinted gel-SPR sensing method can be used as a promising alternative for the detection of 3,3′-dichlorobenzidine.     

Enhanced resolution comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography applied to the analysis of roasted coffee volatiles

The present research is based on the full exploitation of the separation power of a 0.05 mm internal diameter (ID) capillary, as a comprehensive two-dimensional (2D) GC (GC × GC) secondary column, with the objective of attaining very high-resolution second dimension separations. The aim was achieved by using a split-flow system developed in previous research [P.Q. Tranchida, A. Casilli, P. Dugo, G. Dugo, L. Mondello, Anal. Chem. 79 (2007) 2266], and a dual-oven GC × GC instrument. The column combination employed consisted of a polar 30 m × 0.25 mm ID column connected, by means of a T union, to a detector-linked high-resolution 1.1 m × 0.05 mm ID apolar analytical column and to a 0.33 m × 0.05 mm ID retention gap; the latter was connected to a manually operated split valve. As previously demonstrated, the use of a split valve enables the regulation of gas flows through both analytical columns, generating the most appropriate gas linear velocities. Comprehensive 2D GC experiments were carried out on Arabica roasted coffee volatiles (previously extracted by means of solid-phase microextraction) with the split-valve closed (equal to what can be defined as conventional GC × GC) and with the split-valve opened at various degrees. The reasons why it is absolutely not effective to use a 0.05 mm ID column as second dimension in a conventional GC × GC instrument will be discussed and demonstrated. On the contrary, the use of a 0.05 mm ID column as second dimension, under ideal conditions in a split-flow, twin-oven system, will also be illustrated and discussed.     

Development and validation of an ion pair HPLC method for gemcitabine and 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxyuridine determination

A reverse phase HPLC method based on ion-pair formation was set up for the simultaneous determination of gemcitabine and its metabolite 2′,2′-difluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (dFdU) in plasma samples obtained from cancer patients. The separation was performed on a μBondapack C₁₈ (300 mm × 3.9 mm i.d., 10 μm particle size) column at room temperature. The mobile phase, 5 mM pentane-1-sulfonic acid pH 3.1/methanol (96:4), was pumped at a flow rate of 1.5 mL min⁻¹. Gemcitabine and dFdU eluted in less than 16 min. Linearity, sensitivity, and reproducibility studies, which actual values met the demands for bioanalytical assays, validated the method. This assay provided pharmacokinetic data from patients treated with intravenous gemcitabine.     

Synthesis of porphyrin-appended terpyridine as a chemosensor for cadmium based on fluorescent enhancement

The design and synthesis of a porphyrin-appended terpyridine, 5-(4-([2,2′:6′,2″]-terpyridin-4-yl-carboxyamidyl)phenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin (H₂TPPTPy) and its application as potential fluoroionophore for recognition of metal ions are reported. For preparation of the fluoroionophore, a novel simple strategy with improved total yield has been applied for the synthesis of 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine-4′-carboxylic acid as a ligand. H₂TPPTPy shows chelation-enhanced fluorescence effect with cadmium ion via the interruption of photoinduced electron transfer (PET) process, which has been utilized as the basis of the fabrication of the Cd(II)-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Cd(II)-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. It shows a linear response toward Cd(II) in the concentration range of 3.2 × 10⁻⁶ to 3.2 × 10⁻⁴ M with a limit of detection of 1.2 × 10⁻⁶ M. The chemosensor shows good selectivity for Cd(II) over a large number of cations, such as alkali, alkali earth and transitional metal ions except Cu(II) and Zn(II). The sensor has been used for determination of Cd(II) in water samples with satisfactory recoveries.     

Synergistic liquid-liquid extractive spectrophotometric determination of gold(III) using 1-(2′,4′-dinitro aminophenyl)-4,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-dihydropyrimidine-2-thiol

Synergistic liquid-liquid extractive spectrophotometric determination of gold(III) using 1-(2′,4′-dinitro aminophenyl)-4,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-dihydro pyrimidine-2-thiol [2′,4′-dinitro APTPT] has been described. Equal volumes (5 cm³) of the 2′,4′-dinitro APTPT (0.02 mol L⁻¹) in the presence of pyridine (0.5 mol L⁻¹) form an orange-red coloured ternary complex with gold(III) of molar ratio 1:1:1 at pH 1.8-2.4 with 5 min of shaking. The absorbance of coloured organic layer in 1,2-dichloroethane is measured spectrophotometrically at 445 nm against reagent blank. A pronounced synergism has been observed by the binary mixture of 2′,4′-dinitro APTPT and pyridine, which shows that the enhancement in the absorbance is observed in the presence of pyridine by the adduct formation in the organic phase. Beer's law was obeyed in the concentration range 2.5-20.0 μg mL⁻¹, with molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity values of 8.7 × 10³ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹ and 0.023 μg cm⁻² respectively. A repetition of the method was checked by finding relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) (n = 10) which was 0.17%. The composition of the gold(III)-2′,4′-dinitro APTPT-pyridine adduct was established by slope analysis, molar ratio and Job's method. The ternary complex was stable for more than 48 h. The influence of various factors such as pH, 2′,4′-dinitro APTPT concentration, solvent and pyridine on the degree of complexation has been established. A number of foreign ions tested for their interferences and use of suitable masking agents wherever necessary are tabulated, which show that selectivity of the method has been enhanced. The method is successfully employed for the determination of gold(III) in binary, synthetic mixtures and ayurvedic samples. The reliability of the method is assured by inter-comparison of experimental values, using an atomic absorption spectrometer.     

Rapid determination of total hardness in water using fluorescent molecular aptamer beacon

A double-labelled synthetic oligonucleotide is used as a fluorescent molecular aptamer beacon for the reagentless determination of total hardness in tap and bottled waters. Modified thrombin binding aptamer (5′-NH-C3-GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG-C3-SH-3′) carrying 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) and 7-amino-4-methyl-coumarin labels at 5′ and 3′, respectively, was used for the simultaneous combined measurement of Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ cations. Interference from the K⁺ cation is eliminated via selective tuning of the assay conditions, increasing the temperature beyond the melting point of the potassium-stabilised quadruplex facilitating its liberation from the quadruplex, whilst maintaining the integrity of the magnesium/calcium-stabilised structure. No interference from other cations found in tap or bottled water was observed. The detection limit of the aptamer beacon is 0.04 mmol L⁻¹, with a dynamic linear range of 0-0.5 μM and is very reproducible, with an R.S.D. = 8%, n = 3. The fluorescent molecular beacon is applied to the determination of total hardness in tap and bottled waters and its’ performance compared to that of the standard method of complexiometric titration and atomic absorption spectroscopy, with an excellent correlation observed. Further work is focused on the immobilization of the aptamer for the development of a re-usable fluorescent/electrochemical aptasensor, for the determination of water hardness.     

Preparative separation of di- and trisulfonated components of Quinoline Yellow using affinity-ligand pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography

Four positionally isomeric 2-(2-quinolinyl)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dionedisulfonic acids (SA) and one triSA, components of the color additive Quinoline Yellow (QY, Color Index No. 47005), were isolated from the dye mixture by affinity-ligand pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography (CCC) through complementary use of ion-exchange and ion-pair reagents as the ligand. The added ligands facilitated the partitioning of the very polar polysulfonated components into the organic stationary phase of the two-phase solvent systems that consisted of isoamyl alcohol–methyl tert-butyl ether–acetonitrile–water (3:5:1:7), (3:4:1:7) or (3:1:1:5). Thus, separation of a 5-g portion of QY using sulfuric acid as the retainer and dodecylamine as the ligand (an ion-exchange reagent, 20% in the stationary phase), resulted in 1.21 g of 6′,5-diSA and 1.69 g of 6′,8′,5-triSA, both of over 99% purity. A minor component, 8′,4-diSA, not previously reported was also obtained (4.8 mg of over 94% purity) through a similar separation of a different batch of QY using hydrochloric acid as the retainer and 10% dodecylamine as the ligand in the stationary phase. Two components that co-eluted (0.55 g) in the 5 g separation were separated when trifluoroacetic acid was used as the retainer and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (an ion-pair reagent) as the ligand. The separation resulted in 20.7 mg of 6′,4-diSA, not previously reported, and 111.8 mg of 8′,5-diSA, both of over 98% purity. The isolated compounds were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance with correlated spectroscopy assignments.     

Photochemical and pharmacological aspects of nitric oxide release from some nitrosyl ruthenium complexes entrapped in sol–gel and silicone matrices

The entrapped [Ru(terpy)(L)NO](PF₆)₃, where terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and 3,4-diiminebenzoic acid (NH · NHq) complexes into sol–gel processed polysiloxane and silicone matrices, shows NO release characteristics when submitted to light irradiation at 355 and 532 nm, as judged by NO measurement using a NO-sensor electrode. The pharmacological properties of doped matrix showed vasodilator characteristics by visible light irradiation, which is of great interest because the target delivery system can avoid the occurrence of side effects possibly by the aquo ruthenium species. All matrices obtained showed to be amorphous materials. The scanning electron micrographs of the matrices showed irregularly shaped particles, with a broad size of 1000 μm for both matrices and homogeneous distribution.     

Tuning photophysical properties with ancillary ligands in Ru(II) mono-diimine complexes

The series of complexes [XRu(CO)(L-L)(L′)₂][PF₆] (X = H, TFA, Cl; L-L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline and 4,4′-dicarboxylic-2,2′-bipyridyl; L′₂ = 2PPh₃, Ph₂PC₂H₄PPh_2, Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂) have been synthesized from the starting complex K[Ru(CO)₃(TFA)₃] (TFA = CF₃CO₂) by first reacting with the phosphine ligand, followed by reaction with the L-L and anion exchange with NaPF₆. In the case of L-L = phenanthroline and L′₂ = 2PPh₃, the neutral complex Ru(Ph₃P)(CO)(1,10-phenanthroline)(TFA)₂ is also obtained and its solid state structure is reported. Solid state structures are also reported for the cationic complexes where L-L = phenanthroline, L₂ = 2PPh₃ and X = Cl and for L-L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, L₂ = 2PPh₃ and X = H. All the complexes were characterized in solution by a combination of ¹H and ³¹P NMR, IR, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The purpose of the project was to synthesize a series of complexes that exhibit a range of excited-state lifetimes and that have large Stokes shifts, high quantum yields and high intrinsic polarizations associated with their metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) emissions. To a large degree these goals have been realized in that excited-state lifetimes in the range of 100 ns to over 1 μs are observed. The lifetimes are sensitive to both solvent and the presence of oxygen. The measured quantum yields and intrinsic anisotropies are higher than for previously reported Ru(II) complexes. Interestingly, the neutral complex with one phosphine ligand shows no MLCT emission. Under the conditions of synthesis some of the initially formed complexes with X = TFA are converted to the corresponding hydrides or in the presence of chlorinated solvents to the corresponding chlorides, testifying to the lability of the TFA Ligand. The compounds show multiple reduction potentials which are chemically and electrochemically reversible in a few cases as examined by cyclic voltammetry. The relationships between the observed photophysical properties of the complexes and the nature of the ligands on the Ru(II) is discussed.     

Purification of honokiol derivatives from one-pot synthesis by high-performance counter-current chromatography

This paper describes the application of high-performance counter-current chromatography (HPCCC) as a fast, useful and economic alternative for the separation and purification of seven honokiol derivatives (two of them are isomers), which were synthesized by a one-pot procedure. Five honokiol derivatives were successfully separated by n-hexane–ethyl acetate–methanol–water solvent system at three different volume ratios in a step-gradient elution. Two derivatives were obtained through a cycle elution mode. The whole separation process produced 366.3 mg, 323.6 mg, 242.8 mg, 216.2 mg, 203.5 mg, 185.8 mg and 279.3 mg of 3′-formylhonokiol (1), 2′-methoxy-3′-formylhonokiol (2), 2′-methoxyhonokiol (3), 4-methoxyhonokiol (4), 3′,5-diformylhonokiol (5), 2′,4-dimethoxy-3′-formylhonokiol (6) and 2′,4-dimethoxyhonokiol (7) from crude sample of 3 g with purities of 98.7%, 99.3%, 98.6%, 98.2%, 99.0%, 98.4% and 99.2%, respectively. The purities and structural identification were determined by HPLC, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and mass spectroscopy.     

Stable free radical polymerization of n-butyl acrylate in the presence of high-temperature initiators

Living radical polymerizations of acrylate are known to be difficult to achieve using TEMPO as a mediator. The stable free radical polymerization (SFRP) of acrylate tends to stop at low monomer conversion due to the accumulation of TEMPO in the medium as a result of unavoidable bimolecular termination. Rather than solving this problem by destroying the excess nitroxide using ascorbic acid or glyceraldehyde associated with pyridine as reported recently, high temperature initiators were used to slowly and continuously generate new radicals throughout the polymerization to consume the excess TEMPO molecules. Polymerizations of n-butyl acrylate initiated by the alkoxyamine unimer (1-benzoyloxy)-2-phenyl-2-(2′,2′,6′,6′-tetramethyl-1′-piperidinyloxy)ethane (BST) were performed between 130 °C and 134 °C in the presence of a series of high temperature peroxide and azo initiators. The best results in this study were obtained by the continuous addition of small amounts of di-tert-amyl peroxide throughout the polymerization. Under these conditions, the acrylate polymerizations fulfilled the criteria of a controlled polymerization process although the molecular weight distributions were slightly broad (M_w/M_n ∼ 1.5).     

Relationship between trans-column eddy diffusion and retention in liquid chromatography: Theory and experimental evidence

Experimental results demonstrate that trans-column eddy diffusion depends on the retention of compounds. The combination of elution profiles recorded in different points of the exit column cross-section and of the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) of small molecules clearly show a strong link between retention and column performance in liquid chromatography. These results validate a new model of trans-column eddy diffusion in packed columns. The contribution to the column HETP of the trans-column eddy diffusion term decreases with increasing retention factor from k′ = 0 to k′ = 3 above which it becomes negligible. The best column performance in RPLC is observed for the most retained compounds. This is due to the combination of the lack of a residual trans-column eddy diffusion contribution and the vanishing contribution of the instrument to band broadening.     

Miniaturized Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy for the in-situ analysis of the Martian surface: Calibration and quantification

We report on our ongoing studies to develop Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for planetary surface missions to Mars and other planets and moons, like Jupiter's moon Europa or the Earth's moon. Since instruments for space missions are severely mass restricted, we are developing a light-weight miniaturized close-up LIBS instrument to be installed on a lander or rover for the in-situ geochemical analysis of planetary surface rocks and coarse fines. The total mass of the instrument will be ≈ 1 kg in flight configuration. Here we report on a systematic performance study of a LIBS instrument equipped with a prototype laser of 216 g total mass and an energy of 1.8 mJ. The LIBS measurements with the prototype laser and the comparative measurements with a regular 40 mJ laboratory laser were both performed under Martian atmospheric conditions.