Palladium metal electrode and its analytical application to precipitation and acid–base analysis in aqueous and non-aqueous media

Electrochemical characterization of palladium electrode has been reported. The investigated electrode showed a linear dynamic response for p-toluensulfonic acid and iodide ions in the concentrations range between 5?×?10^?1 and 1?×?10^?5 mol L^?1 with a Nernstian slope of 55 mV for p-toluensulfonic acid and 63 mV per decade for iodide ions in water, as well as 53 mV for p-toluensulfonic acid and 51 mV per decade for iodide ions in dioxane. The response time of the electrodes was less than 10 s in the used solvents. Some potential analytical applications of the sensors have been pointed. Palladium electrode for the potentiometric titrations of acids (citric, barbituric, and p-toluensulfonic acid), bases (N,N’-diphenylguanidine, tributylamine, and 2,2'–bipyridine), halides, and some real samples in aqueous and non-aqueous solutions were studied. Тetrabutylammonium hydroxide, perchloric acid, and silver nitrate proved to be very suitable titrating agents for these titrations. The standard deviation of the determination of the investigated compounds was less than 0.9 % from those obtained with a glass electrode, i.e., silver electrode.     

Interchromophoric interactions in chiral X-type π-conjugated oligomers: a linear and nonlinear optical study

A concept of chiral, X-type organized π-conjugated oligomers, linked by means of a binaphthalene pincer, is presented. NMR spectroscopy and cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry indicate that these oligomers are in close proximity and influence each other in a through-space manner in their neutral as well as in their oxidized states. The interaction between the oligomers was also confirmed by UV-vis, CD, and emission spectroscopy. The synthetic versatility of this design also enables the development of heterocoupled binaphthalene derivatives BN1-2 and BN1-3, consisting of an electron-neutral oligothiophene or electron-rich oligomer and an electron-poor oligothiazole. Hyper-Rayleigh scattering data show a significant enhancement of the second-order nonlinear hyperpolarizability β for BN1-3 and BN1-2, in contrast with the homocoupled binaphthalene derivatives (BN1-1, BN2-2, and BN3-3). This enhancement provides direct proof for the through-space charge-transfer interaction between the p-type and the n-type oligomers within BN1-3 and BN1-2.     

High Na+ and K+ -induced fluorescence enhancement of a π-conjugated phenylaza-18-crown-6-triazol-substituted coumarin fluoroionophore

The new π-conjugated 1,2,3-triazol-1,4-diyl fluoroionophore 1 generated via Cu(I) catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition shows high fluorescence enhancement factors (FEF) in the presence of Na(+) (FEF=58) and K(+) (FEF=27) in MeCN and high selectivity towards K(+) under simulated physiological conditions (160 mM K(+) or Na(+), respectively) with a FEF of 2.5 for K(+).     

Conformational control in a bipyridine linked π-conjugated oligomer: cation mediated helix unfolding and refolding

A chiral π-conjugated oligomer having alternate bipyridine and carbazole moieties connected through acetylinic bonds undergoes helical folding in chloroform-acetonitrile (40/60, v/v) as evident by fluorescence and circular dichroism changes. In the presence of transition metal cations such as Zn(2+) defolding of the helical conformation occurs. Upon decomplexation of the cation with EDTA, the helical conformation is regained.     

Intramolecular charge transfer in π-conjugated oligomers: a theoretical study on the effect of temperature and oxidation state

Intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of gaseous π-conjugated oligo-phenyleneethynylenes (OPE) induced by a homogeneous applied electric field has been theoretically investigated using a combined approach integrating molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and Perturbed Matrix Method calculations. In line with recent investigations, our results indicate the peculiar role of conformational transitions on OPE electronic properties which reflects on a strong temperature effect on ICT. Electron transfer reactions inducing chemical alteration on OPE, also taken into account in this study, revealed extremely important for explaining non-linear ICT effects and probably plays a central role in the mechanisms underlying molecular transport junctions. Our study further points out the necessity of using MD-based approach for modelling molecular electronics, even when relatively rigid molecular systems are concerned.     

Unprecedented polymer-supported π-acid: Synthesis and its application as a promoter to the monothioacetalization of acetals

A novel polymer was synthesized by copolymerization of styrene monomer bearing dicyanoketene acetal functionality and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and used successfully as a recyclable π-acid catalyst in monothioacetalization of aromatic, aliphatic, acyclic, and cyclic acetals with thiophenol and phenylthiotrimethylsilane.     

Electrochemical synthesis of a ferrocenecarboxylic acid–C60 composite and its electrocatalysis to hydrogen peroxide

A new ferrocenecarboxylic acid–C₆₀ composite (Fc–C₆₀) has been synthesized by controlled potential electrolysis. A composite modified glassy carbon electrode has been prepared based on its good electrochemical activity. The modified electrode in 0.1 M NaClO₄ solution shows a reversible oxidation wave at E_1/2 = 0.32 V (vs. SCE) attributed to the oxidation of the ferrocene entity and a quasi-reversible reduction wave of C₆₀ entity at E_1/2 = ?0.54 V (vs. SCE). Electrocatalytic studies show that Fc–C₆₀ at the modified electrode can mediate the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and a broad linear range from 1.2 μM to 21.9 mM for H₂O₂ were obtained with a determination limit of 2.5 × 10^?7 M by amperometry.     

A nucleic acid base derivative tethered to a ruthenium carbene complex: hydrogen bonded dimers in both the solid state and solution?

A ruthenium carbene bearing a uracil (Ur) substituent has been prepared and has a dimeric structure in the solid state-the dimer being held together by hydrogen bonds between two uracil groups on neighbouring molecules: evidence for the persistence of this interaction in solution has been obtained.     

“Climate change” and the “butterfly effect” in an eighteenth century monograph

Long before the phrases “climate change” and “butterfly effect” were incorporated into the mainstream literature, these phrases appeared in an appropriate context almost verbatim in the first Chapter of a book entitled “The Emigrant” published in the mid-nineteenth century (in 1846) by Sir Francis Bond Head (1793–1875). Head was Upper Canada’s sixth Lieutenant Governor under King George IV and Queen Victoria. Head claimed that forest wildfires were “changing the climate” of North America as manifested in a warming effect “on the thermometer”. In that author’s account, these fires were provoked by First Nations to create fly-free zones meant to attract game that they could then hunt more readily. Head used language such as “swarms of little flies, strange as it may sound, are, and for many years have been, most materially altering the climate…” which is remarkably reminiscent of E. N. Lorenz’s (1917–2008) “butterfly effect” of the theory of chaotic dynamical systems. The historical context and the rationales that may have led Head to use this contemporary environmental language in a proper context are briefly discussed.     

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...     

Overcoming acid–base copolymer neutralization using mesoporous carbon and its catalytic activity in the tandem deacetalization–Knoevenagel condensation reaction

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Acid–base copolymer materials are of considerable interest because of their fundamental implications for acid–base bifunctional catalysis...     

Asymmetric Michael addition of malonates to enones catalyzed by a primary β-amino acid and its lithium salt

Highly enantioselective Michael addition of malonates to enones was achieved using a mixed catalyst consisting of a primary β-amino acid, O-TBDPS (S)-β-homoserine, and its lithium salt. Various cyclic and acyclic enones were converted into 1,5-ketoesters in high yields (up to 92%) with high enantioselectivity (up to 97% ee) under mild reaction conditions. Details of synthesis of the catalyst, optimization of the reaction conditions for the Michael addition reaction, and a plausible reaction mechanism are described.     

Determination of rosamultin in rat plasma by LC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

A specific and reliable LC–MS/MS method for the determination of rosamultin in rat plasma was validated. Plasma samples were prepared with protein precipitation method, and chromatographic separation was performed on a Thermo C₁₈ analytical column (4.6 mm × 50 mm, 3.0 μm). The mass spectrometry (MS) analysis was conducted in positive SRM mode for the transitions of m/z 673.2 → 511.1 for rosamultin and m/z 601.1 → 330.9 for IS. The method validation was conducted over the calibration range of 1.0–500 ng/mL with the precision ≤11.03% and accuracy within ±14.64%. The assay was applied to the pharmacokinetic study after oral administration of rosamultin at a dose of 20 mg/kg in rats.     

LC–MS/MS method for determination of kansuinine a in rat plasma and its application to a rat pharmacokinetic study

Kansuinine A is a macrocyclic jatrophane diterpene isolated from the plant Euphorbia kansui Liou. It exhibits many pharmacological activities including cytoxic, antitumor, antiallergic and proinflammatory effects. In the present study, a simple and sensitive LC–MS/MS method was established and validated for the determination of kansuinine A in rat plasma. After methanol-mediated protein precipitation, chromatographic separation was achieved on an Acquity BEH C₁₈ column (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 μm) using acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in water as mobile phase by gradient elution. Kansuinine A and IS were quantified in negative multiple reaction monitoring mode with ion transitions at m/z 731.1–693.2 for kansuinine A and m/z 723.2–623.1 for IS. The method showed excellent linearity over the range 1–500 ng/ml. The intra- and inter-day precisions (relative standard deviation) were 2.13–4.28 and 3.83–7.67%, respectively, whereas accuracy (relative error) ranged from −4.17 to 3.73%. The extraction recovery, stability and matrix effect met the requirement of the regulations issued by the US Food and Drug Administration. The validated method was successfully applied to the pre-clinical pharmacokinetic study of kansuinine A in rats after oral administration (20 mg/kg) and intravenous administration (2 mg/kg). This study provides valuable reference for the further study of E. kansui liou, especially for the drug development and clinical application of kansuinine A.     

Arsenopyrite mineral based electrochemical sensor for acid–base titrations in γ-butyrolactone and propylene carbonate

Abstract  

A novel acid–base sensor based on the natural mineral arsenopyrite for titrations in γ-butyrolactone and propylene carbonate is validated and studied. This sensor, which requires only small sample volumes, was employed for the titrations of some important organic acids (benzoic, anthranilic, and salicylic acid) with potassium hydroxide. A stable stationary potential was attained at the arsenopyrite electrode in γ-butyrolactone and propylene carbonate in less than 5 min. The change in the electrode potential from the acidic to basic region was 379 to −160 mV in γ-butyrolactone and 434 to −67 mV in propylene carbonate. The arsenopyrite electrode showed a relatively fast response time in the investigated solvents (11 s in γ-butyrolactone and 14 s in propylene carbonate). It can be used without any time limit or without considerable divergence in the potential. The investigated electrode showed a linear dynamic response for p-toluenesulfonic acid concentrations in the range 0.1–0.001 M, and a sub-Nernst dependence in γ-butyrolactone as well as in propylene carbonate. Unlike traditional pH titration, an end-point color indicator is unnecessary in this method, and real-time monitoring can be realized. The relative standard deviations for measurements of benzoic, anthranilic, and salicylic acids were 0.10–0.31%, which show that the repeatability and accuracy of measurements taken with the sensor are satisfactory.     

Theoretical introduction and design of Si/N catalysts as efficient reducing agents in CO2 hydroboration by planar Si/N π-conjugated molecules

Structural Chemistry - Hydroboration of CO2 has been recognized as a desirable reaction for value-added chemical production. The main aims of this report are to introduce and study the mechanism of...     

Quantitative determination of bilobetin in rat plasma by HPLC–MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study

Although bilobetin, a biflavone isolated from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, represents a variety of pharmacological activities, to date there have been no validated determination methods for bilobetin in biological samples. Thus, we developed a liquid chromatographic method using a tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of bilobetin in rat plasma. After protein precipitation with acetonitrile including diclofenac (internal standard), the analytes were chromatographed on a reversed-phased column with a mobile phase of purified water and acetonitrile (3:7, v/v, including 0.1% formic acid). The ion transitions of the precursor to the product ion were principally deprotonated ions [M − H]⁻ at m/z 551.2 → 519.2 for bilobetin and 296.1 → 251.7 for the IS. The accuracy and precision of the assay were in accordance with US Food and Drug Administration regulations for the validation of bioanalytical methods. This analytical method was successfully applied to monitor plasma concentrations of bilobetin over time following intravenous administration in rats.     

Design of chiral N-triflyl phosphoramide as a strong chiral Brønsted acid and its application to asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction

A highly reactive and acidic chiral Br?nsted acid catalyst, chiral N-triflyl phosphoramide, was developed. Highly enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone with silyloxydiene was demonstrated using this chiral Br?nsted acid catalyst.