The Effect of Cyclodextrins on the Luminol-Hydrogen Peroxide Chemiluminescence

The action of different molar ratios of α, β, γ-cyclodextrin upon the chemiluminescence of the luminol-H₂O₂ in alkaline buffer Tris-HCl, pH=8.5 has been evidenced. It was found out that α, β, γ- cyclodextrin have an antioxidant capacity, probably due to the free radicals (that are generate in the system) encapsulation in the their cavity. This behaviour depends on α, β, γ-cyclodextrin molar ratio; α-cyclodextrin and γ-cyclodextrin protects more efficiently against free radicals than β-cyclodextrin. These findings could be very important regarding the oxidative stress process.     

Analysis of vitamin E in food and phytopharmaceutical preparations by HPLC and HPLC-APCI-MS-MS

Summary The analysis of α, β, γ, δ-tocopherols, trienols, α-tocopheryl acetate and nicotinate (vitamin E) in complex matrices was carried out using a new liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method giving better separation efficiency, selectivity and sensitivity than that described in the literature. The use of normal-phase (NP)-HPLC on silica gel with issoctane-diisopropylether-1,4-dioxane as optimized mobilepphase yielded higher resolution than conventional reversed-phase (RP)-HPLC using methanol mobile phase. Identification of peaks was by UV-absorbance at 295 nm, diode array, or fluorescence detection (λ _ex = 295 nm,λ _ex = 330 nm). The latter was found to be more selective and ten times more sensitive than UV-absorbance detection. A quadrupole, ion-trap mass spectrometer with an atmospheric-pressure ionization (APCl) interface was used to detect vitamin E constituents in the femtomole range. With collision-induced dissociation (CID) in the ion source, which gave characteristic fragmentation, the identity of the investigated compounds could be confirmed. Plots of peak area versus amount injected allowed quantitation of α, β, γ, δ-tocopherols and-trienols, α-tocopheryl acetate and nicotinate in real samples such as peanut, almond, spinach, spelt grain bran, latex and tablets. The method described offers fast identification and quantitation of vitamin E constituents of complex biological origin. Dedicated to Professor Dr. Heinz Engelhardt on the occasion of his 65^th birthday.     

Phase transition in LAMOX type compounds

La₂Mo₂O₉ (LMO) was synthesized at lower temperature 973 K (LT-phase) by ceramic route. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) scan of LT-phase of LMO showed α→β transition at 843 K during heating and β→α conversion via a metastable γ-phase during cooling. This was also confirmed by thermo-dilatometry and impedance spectroscopy. La₂Mo_1.95V_0.05O_9-δ (LMVO), La_1.96Sr_0.04Mo₂O_9-δ (LSMO) and La_1.96Sr_0.04Mo_1.95V_0.05O_9-δ (LSMVO) were prepared in a similar way. These compounds exhibited α→β transition on heating with shift in transition temperature, but the existence of γ-phase during cooling disappeared. Substitution increased the ionic conductivity of α-phase and reduced that of β-phase.     

Local forms of molecular mobility in copolymethacrylates containing side‐chain nonlinear optical chromophores

Local forms of molecular mobility of comb‐like random copolymethacrylates, containing side‐chain nonlinear optical chromophores and amyl‐ or octafluoroamyl‐groups, are studied. In the glassy state, two relaxation processes are found, which are due to reorientation of terminal polar groups (γ₂‐process) and rotation of chromophore groups about their long axes (β‐process). For octafluoroamyl‐containing copolymers, the γ₂‐process is superposition of the two molecular motions due to reorientation of terminal chromophore groups and ? CF₂H groups. The intensity and relaxation times in the range of the γ₂‐process depend on the chemical structure and concentration of chromophores in a copolymer. For the β‐process, the molecular mobility weakly depends on the chromophore structure, being mainly determined by the relative lengths of the rigid chromophore and flexible side chains. On the global spectrum of depolarization current it was observed the γ₁‐process due to reorientation of (CH₂)_n spacers between chromophore groups and copolymer backbone. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 46: 1488–1496, 2008     

Molecular dynamics in fluorinated side-chain maleimide copolymers as studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy

A series of alternating maleimide (MI) copolymers with fluorinated side chains have been investigated using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The side chains consist of fluoroalkane (–C _x F_2x+1, x=1, 7, 9) end groups connected to the main chain via methylene spacers. The experiments were carried out in a frequency range of 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz and at temperatures between 120 K and 500 K. The fluorinated MI copolymers show a fast sub-T _g (β) relaxation characterized by an Arrhenius-type temperature dependence with activation energy in the range of 30–37 kJ/mol. Two more processes (α and δ-like) are observed, corresponding to independent relaxations of the main chain and the fluoroalkane domains respectively. For shorter side chains, the δ-like process is not observed but instead another relaxation process, α _S , occurs at temperatures higher than either the α and δ-like processes. When compared with unfluorinated MI copolymers, the fluorinated MI copolymers show the δ-like process and a slower β-relaxation unlike their unfluorinated counterparts. A model to explain the molecular origin of the four processes is proposed, supplemented by differential scanning calorimetry and published WAXS/SAXS data.     

Transitions among five polymorphs of chlorpropamide near the melting point

Five polymorphs of chlorpropamide (α, β, δ, γ, and ε) were investigated near the melting point by using DSC. Structure of samples was tested by X-ray powder diffraction. Four first polymorphs were found to transform into ε-polymorph, which melts at T _m=128°C, Δ_m H=24 kJ mol⁻¹. Enthalpy of the polymorph transitions ranges from +3 kJ mol⁻¹ for α→ε to −0.8 kJ mol⁻¹ for β→ε. Structure of three first polymorphs was published elsewhere, and the structure of δ-polymorph is published for the first time. XRPD patterns for all polymorphs are reported, together with the atomic coordinates for the δ-polymorph.     

Experimental X-ray intensity ratios of the Lα Lβ, Lγ, Lℓ and Lη lines

Experimental, relative intensities for the components of L X-rays have been collected from the literature, and the atomic number dependence has been found for the L_β/L_α, L_γ/L_α, L_ℓ/L_α and L_η/L_α ratios. Among the L X-ray components L_α is predominant if Z<40, L_β/L_α≈1.0 if 50≤Z≤90, L_γ/L_β≈1.0 if 94≤Z≤100, and L_γ/L_α>1.0 if Z≈100.     

Influence of iron oxide support preparation method on the properties of Ru/Fe2O3 catalysts for water-gas shift reaction

Studies were undertaken of phase transitions of iron oxide obtained from iron oxide-hydroxides of type α-, β-, γ- and δ-FeOOH, and used as a support of ruthenium catalysts Ru/Fe₂O₃, employed in the water-gas shift reaction. In asprepared pure supports and ruthenium catalysts the main phase was α-Fe₂O₃. After use in the water-gas shift reaction, the support showed the presence of different phases of iron oxide. The most active Ru/Fe₂O₃ catalysts prepared on the basis of α- and δ-FeOOH, after use in the water-gas shift reaction, revealed the presence of Fe₃O₄ or a mixture of phases Fe₃O₄ and γ-Fe₂O₃. The least active catalysts, prepared on the basis of β- and γ-FeOOH, contained a solid solution of Fe₃O₄-γ-Fe₂O₃ with traces of α-Fe₂O₃.     

Thermal denaturation of mixtures of human serum proteins

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been employed to study the thermal denaturation processes of the main protein fractions of blood serum. These processes have been compared for albumins (nondefatted (HSA) and fatty acid free (HSAf)), α,β-globulins, γ-globulins, and their mixtures in aqueous (pH 6.5) and buffer (pH 7.2) solutions. The results have indicated that α,β-globulins inhibit γ-globulins’ aggregation in buffer solutions. The decrease of stability of HSA and HSAf aqueous solutions has been observed in the presence of γ-globulins. The mixtures of albumins and γ-globulins have revealed the tendency to ready aggregation in water. Moreover, the results have suggested that neither γ-globulins nor albumins severely change the stability of α,β-globulins.     

Phase equilibria in the Tl2Te-SnTe-Bi2Te3 system

phase equilibria in the Tl₂Te-SnTe-Bi₂Te₃ system were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction, and microhardness measurements. Some polythermal sections and isothermal (at 600 and 800 K) sections of the phase diagram and a projection of the liquidus surface were constructed. It was shown that the system is characterized by the formation of solid solutions with the Tl₅Te₃ structure (δ) and solid solutions based on SnTe (γ₁), Tl₂Te (α), Bi₂Te₃ (β), and two TlBiTe₂ (γ₂ and γ′₂) phases. Their homogeneity regions were determined. The liquidus surface consists of the primary crystallization fields of the β-, γ₁-, γ′₂-, and δ phases and the compounds SnBi₂Te₄ and SnBi₄Te₇. The liquidus of the α phase is degenerate. The primary crystallization fields of phases were determined, and the types and coordinates of in- and monovariant equilibria were found.     

Energy transfer kinetics of phycoerythrocyanins (PECs) from the cyanobacteriumAnabaena variabilis (I)

The exritation energy transfer processes in monomeric phycoerythrocyanins (PEC) have been studied in detail using steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectra techniques as well as the deconvolution tech-nique of spectra. The results indicate that the energy transfer processes should take place between α₈₄,-PVB and β₈₄- or β₁₅₅-PCB chromophores. the time constants of energy transfer are 34.7 and 130 ps individually; the component with lifetime of 1.57 ns originates from the fluorescence lifetime of the terminal emitter of β₈₄- and /or β₁₅₅ -PCB chro-mophores; and the component with lifetime of 515 ps might be assigned to the energy transfer between two PCB chro-mophores of β subunit. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Cavity size effect on ICT-dual emission of p-(N,N-dimethylamino)-2-styrylquinoline: complexation with cyclodextrin derivatives

The effect of cyclodextrin inclusion complex formation on the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) of the included 4-N,N-dimethylamino-2-strylquinoline (2-StQ-NMe₂) has been studied in detail. 2-StQ-NMe₂ in presence of α-, β-, γ- and HP-α- and Hp-β-CDs predominantly exhibits ICT fluorescence predominantly than the emission from locally excited state, whereas in presence of HP-γ-CD the later is observed. In presence of α-CD, 2:1 complexation of the 2-StQ-NMe₂ is observed in addition to 1:1 complexation. The observed results are explained by the CD cavity size and an active role for the secondary hydroxyl groups present in the wider rim of the CD cavity and also which finds support from absorption, emission, lifetime and molecular modeling studies. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi: ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fluorescent porphyrins trapped in monolithic SiO2 gels

Macrocyclic molecules play key roles in basic processes in living organisms. Free bases and the metal complexes of porphyrins exhibit a wide range of important optical properties. In these systems the position of the most intense absorption band depends on the peripheral substituents of the macrocycle. Sol-gel methods have generally allowed the successful trapping of porphyrins into inorganic networks. The materials obtained are strong and transparent monolithic gels, but in the majority of cases the red fluorescence of the porphyrins disappears with ageing. We have evaluated the effect of the type and spatial disposition of the substituents in the porphyrin macrocycle periphery on key optical properties, with particular emphasis on the conservation of red fluorescence when porphyrins are simply trapped or covalently bonded to the inorganic matrix. Here, we report the use of the sol-gel procedures to obtain monolithic gels with the hydroxyl- or amino-substituted α, β, γ, δ-tetraphenylporphyrins, (H₂T(S)PP), simply trapped or covalently bonded to the SiO₂ matrix.     

Thermal coefficients and internal pressure of aqueous urea. Concentration,temperature, and isotopy effects

The thermal expansion α, isothermal compressibility β, and internal pressure coefficients of H₂O-(NH₂)₂CO and D₂O-(ND₂)₂CO fy systems at 278 K, 298 K, and 318 K and aquamolality m ≤ 1.5 were calculated. The changes in the isotope differences Δα, Δβ_T, and Δfy at different solute concentrations and temperature are discussed. In contrast to Δα and Δfy, Δβ_T is almost independent of the urea concentration already at 298 K and independent of m at 318 K. The derivative δfy/δT increased in dilute solution, at lower temperatures, and on passing from protium to deuterium system, which corresponded to increased structuring. The isotope difference for the Grüneisen constant at given temperatures and concentrations is shown to be independent of the urea content.     

Thermal And Structural Characterization of Commercial α-, β-, and γ-Cyclodextrins

α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins (CDs) marketed by five different companies were characterized from the thermal and structural point of view. Three αCD samples showed two-step DSC dehydration profiles and their XRD patterns were characteristic for αCD⋅6H₂O form I, whereas one brand with an apparent three-step DSC dehydration behaviour was a mixture of αCD⋅6H₂O form I and anhydrous αCD. The differences in the DSC profiles after dehydration and EGA onset decomposition temperatures recorded for the five βCD brands were attributed to different manufacturing and purification processes. The five γCDs brands showed a common thermal behaviour and very similar XRD patterns. The patterns did not match the idealized pattern of γCD⋅14.1H₂O, indicating the occurrence of two different hydrated crystal structures. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The Polymorphism of Glycine. Thermochemical and structural aspects

X-ray, DSC and solution calorimetric investigations were carried out for α-, β- and γ-modifications of glycine. Particular attention was paid to kinetic and thermochemical aspects of γ- → α-phase transition. The temperature of this phase transition turned out to be sensitive to a) conditions under which the crystals of the γ-modification were grown, b) tempering of crystals c) form (geometry) of crystals. Kinetics of this phase transition of single crystals of γ-phase in rhomboedric form can be described by the equation for two-dimension nuclei growth, whereas for crystals of triangle geometry the equation for three dimension growth is valid. On the basis of energy parameters describing growth of α-form in γ- →α-phase transition, the kind of structure defects, which are responsible for this phase transition, was estimated. Taking into account the Δ_sol H _m, the absolute values of the lattice energies of the investigated polymorphs indescending order are follows: γ->α->β-modification. The obtained results are discussed with respect to the peculiarity of the crystal lattice structures, particularly the network of hydrogen bonds. The β-modification of glycine is monotropically related to the other forms, whereas γ-and α-polymorphs are enantiotropically-related phases. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cyclodextrin effect on solvolysis of ortho benzoyl chlorides

A kinetic study was carried out on the solvolysis of ortho benzoyl chlorides in the presence of α-, β- and γ-Cyclodextrin (CD). The solvolysis mechanism of benzoyl chlorides is sensitive to the substituents, and to the solvent in which the reaction takes place. In water, the behaviour exhibited by benzoyl chlorides which have electron-attracting groups, is consistent with an associative mechanism whilst electron-donating substituents induce a dissociative mechanism. The results obtained in the presence of CD show a decrease in the observed rate constant, k _obs, as the CD concentration increases. This behaviour can be explained if these substrates undergo solvolysis through a dissociative path in the presence of α-, β- and γ-CD.     

Study of the conformation of γ-zeins in purified maize protein bodies by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy

The γ-zeins are a mixture of 16, 27, and 50-kDa polypeptides which are important in the formation and stabilization of protein bodies (PB). These organelles are used for deposition of zeins, the water-insoluble storage proteins in maize. The nature of the physical interaction between proteins in the assembly and stabilization of PB are fairly well known. It is suggested the repeated hexapeptide sequence (PPPVHL)₈ in the N-terminus is responsible for aggregation of the γ-zeins on the PB surface. Despite this importance, there is little information about the native conformation of γ-zeins. In this work, we have analyzed the secondary structures of γ-zeins in purified protein bodies from two maize cultivars, in the solid state, by FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. The results revealed that γ-zeins in their physiological state are comprise similar proportions of α-helix and β-sheet, 33 and 31% as determined by FTIR. It was not possible to state if the polyproline II (PPII) conformation is present in the solid-state structure of γ-zeins, as has been demonstrated for the hexapeptide in solution. Because of the similarity of the solid-state NMR spectra of γ and α-zeins in the α carbon region we attributed their contributions to the β-sheet structures rather than to the PPII conformation or a mixture of these extended structures.     

Pockels-effect relaxation in poled side chain polymers: Decoupling of chromophor reorientation from α-relaxation

 The relaxation of the polar order of poled side chain polymers carrying NLO-active chromophores was monitored by Pockels-effect relaxation studies. Dielectric relaxation investigations were performed in order to analyze the coupling or decoupling of the chromophore reorientation to the relaxation modes of the side chain polymers. It was found that the chromophores perform their own reorientation relaxation mode both in the molten and the glassy state, which is not coupled to backbone relaxations. The chromophore reorientation process is characterized by a narrow distribution of the relaxation times and high activation energies. Studies on physical aging reveal that the chromophore reorientation is controlled by the free volume. The chromophore reorientation process can be influenced by the chemical linkage of the chromophore to the polymer backbone and by the nature of the backbone. Received: 1 August 1996 Accepted: 22 November 1996     

Host–guest interactions between niobocene dichloride and α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrins: preparation and characterization

The possible inclusion complexes of Cp₂NbCl₂ into α-, β-, and γ-CD hosts have been investigated. The existence of a true inclusion complex in the solid state was confirmed by a combination of thermogravimetric analysis, FTIR, PXRD, and ¹³C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopies. The solid-state results demonstrated that α-cyclodextrin does not form inclusion complexes with Cp₂NbCl₂ whereas β- and γ-cyclodextrins do form such complexes. PXRD, NMR, and thermal analysis showed that the organometallic molecules of Cp₂NbCl₂OH are included in the cavities of β- and γ-cyclodextrins, possibly adopting a symmetrical conformation in the complex, with each glucose unit in a similar environment. In solution, ¹H NMR experiments suggest that niobocene has a shallow penetration on the β-CD leading to upfield shift on H-3 signal with a minor perturbation on the H-5 proton while for γ-CD, both H-3 and H-5 are shifted upfield substantially. This suggests that niobocene penetrates deeper into the γ-CD cavity than in the β-CD cavity, as a result of the cavity size. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.