Influence of preparative conditions on molecular weight and stereoregularity distributions of polypropylene

The influence of preparative conditions on the molecular weight and stereoregularity distributions of polypropylene was investigated. The stereoregularity distribution is narrowed by using a highly stereospecific catalyst, by decreasing the polymerization temperature, and for the three-component catalyst by keeping the mole proportion of the electron-donating third component at 0.5. The molecular weight distribution can be narrowed by using a highly stereospecific catalyst, a high monomer concentration, and a high polymerization temperature, and by having a lower conversion, particularly at low monomer concentration. The possibility of long-chain branching in polypropylene was indicated by data from the fractionation of tritium-labeled polymers.     

Localized Deposition of Chitosan as Matrix for Enzyme Immobilization

A local electrodeposition method was developed for chitosan by exploiting a pH gradient between a macroscopic electrode (the support) and a much smaller counter electrode. The deposition was confined either by using the direct mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) or by performing the deposition in channels of a microfluidic network. The roughness was characterized by noncontact scanning force microscopy. The availability of amino groups at the surface of the microstructures was visualized after labeling by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The enzyme glucose oxidase could be entrapped during the electrochemical deposition and showed activity as seen by SECM images.     

功能性CdSe纳米晶的合成及自组装膜光致发光

以巯基丙酸(RSH)为稳定剂,采用湿化学法合成了功能性CdSe纳米晶,用XRD、TEM表征其粒度和形貌,用UV-Vis监测成核及成膜过程。结果表明：制得的CdSe近似呈球形,平均粒径为48 nm。利用静电自组装法层层组装成CdSe-PDDA复合膜,荧光测试表明：所得CdSe纳米晶自组装复合膜(CdSe-PDDA)的荧光强度随着组装层数的增加而呈线性增强,该复合膜在582 nm附近有黄绿色荧光发射。     

A formal total synthesis of the salicylihalamides

The synthesis of the macrolactone 23 is described. The synthesis features a diastereoselective hydroboration of the chiral alkene 17 followed by a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction with the benzoate 5. The resulting seco acid 21 was converted to the macrolactone 23 by a Mitsunobu lactonization using immobilized triphenylphosphine. The stereogenic centers in the alkene 17 were established by a Noyori reduction of the beta-keto ester 8 and an Evans aldol reaction. The synthesis illustrates the conversion of a syn aldol product to the corresponding anti product by inversion of the methyl-bearing center.     

A designed well-folded monomeric four-helix bundle protein prepared by Fmoc solid-phase peptide synthesis and native chemical ligation

The design and total chemical synthesis of a monomeric native-like four-helix bundle protein is presented. The designed protein, GTD-Lig, consists of 90 amino acids and is based on the dimeric structure of the de novo designed helix-loop-helix GTD-43. GTD-Lig was prepared by the native chemical ligation strategy and the fragments (45 residues long) were synthesized by applying standard fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. The required peptide-thioester fragment was prepared by anchoring the free gamma-carboxy group of Fmoc-Glu-allyl to the solid phase. After chain elongation the allyl moiety was orthogonally removed and the resulting carboxy group was functionalized with a glycine-thioester followed by standard trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) cleavage to produce the unprotected peptide-thioester. The structure of the synthetic protein was examined by far- and near-UV circular dichroism (CD), sedimentation equilibrium ultracentrifugation, and NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The spectroscopic methods show a highly helical and native-like monomeric protein consistent with the design. Heat-induced unfolding was studied by tryptophan absorbance and far-UV CD. The thermal unfolding of GTD-Lig occurs in two steps; a cooperative transition from the native state to an intermediate state and thereafter by noncooperative melting to the unfolded state. The intermediate exhibits the properties of a molten globule such as a retained native secondary structure and a compact hydrophobic core. The thermodynamics of GuHCl-induced unfolding were evaluated by far-UV CD monitoring and the unfolding exhibited a cooperative transition that is well-fitted by a two-state mechanism from the native to the unfolded state. GTD-Lig clearly shows the characteristics of a native protein with a well-defined structure and typical unfolding transitions. The design and synthesis presented herein is of general applicability for the construction of large monomeric proteins.     

Synthesis of the glivocarcin-M aglycone

The synthesis of the agylcone of the antibiotic Gilvocardin-M by a sequential Meerwein Diels-Alder route is reported. The D-ring of the agylcone is attached by a halogen atom directed Meerwein arylation reaction and the A-ring is attached by a halogen atom directed Diels-Alder reaction. In the key step the directing chlorine atom is removed by a new thiophenylation reduction sequence.     

Highly efficient synthesis of linear pyrrole oligomers by twofold Heck reactions

The twofold Heck reaction of the vinylpyrroles 3a and 3b with the iodobenzenes 4a-c led to the linear pyrrole oligomers 5, 6, and 7. The synthesis of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical oligomers, such as 10a and 10b, was also accomplished by a Heck reaction of 8 and 9 and by a Heck reaction of 3a and 11 followed by a Wittig reaction and a second Heck reaction with 8. The pentacyclic oligomers 14 and 19 were prepared by a twofold Heck reaction of 13 with 4 and by a twofold Heck reaction of 15 with 16 followed by a Wittig reaction and a twofold Heck reaction with 8.     

Controlled release by polyelectrolyte microcapsule membranes

Polyelectrolyte submicron microcapsules were prepared by interfacial crosslinking of an aqueous salt solution of poly(ethyleneimine) and a toluene solution of brominated poly-(2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide). The two solutions were brought together and mixed by sonication. As a result, a stable emulsion was obtained, which was subsequently cast into a membrane in which the microcapsules were embedded. The salt solution contained in the microcapsules could be released under controlled conditions. The rates of release were measured. They could be controlled by applying osmotic pressures, by additional quaternization of the membrane, or by modification of the structure of the capsule wall by introduction of a surfactant.     

A Total Synthesis of FK-506(1)

A total synthesis of FK-506 (1) is presented. The synthesis features a highly convergent approach utilizing a block coupling strategy. Top and bottom half sections of the molecule are coupled by addition of a vinyl cuprate with a spiroenone. The alpha-allyl aldol functionality is revealed by a reductive opening of the spiroenone system. The labile alpha,beta-diketoamide hemiketal portion of the molecule is prepared by a late stage generation and oxidation of a masked enediol. Top and bottom half segments are themselves derived by coupling of smaller subunits, resulting in a very convergent route.     

Synthesis and conformational analysis of 17alpha,21-cyclo-22-unsaturated analogues of calcitriol

Six new calcitriol analogues, conformationally restricted at their side chain by the introduction of both a cyclopropane ring at C17-C20 and a double or triple bond at C22, were synthesized using the Wittig-Horner approach to construct the triene system. The six CD-ring and side-chain bearing fragments were prepared from ketone 14 by a divergent route to generate both series of epimers at C20, followed by stereoselective cyclopropanation. The (E)-alkenyl side chain was synthesized by means of a Wittig reaction. The alkynyl side chain was prepared by Corey-Fuchs homologation, followed by alkylation. The (Z)-alkenyl side chain was prepared from the previous alkyne by partial hydrogenation. The 20-epi analogues bind more strongly to VDR than the corresponding analogues with the C20 natural stereochemistry. These results can be reasoned by conformational analysis and hydrophobic interactions with the VDR ligand-binding domain.     

Chemical modification of the surface of a sulfonated membrane by formation of a sulfonamide bond

This paper describes a novel approach for the surface modification of a cation-exchange membrane, bearing sulfonate groups, by a cationic layer. The modification procedure involved the chlorosulfonation of the sulfonate groups of the base membrane with thionyl chloride, followed by a reaction with a diamine to yield a sulfonamide bond and a terminal amine. The latter could be quaternized by reaction with methyl iodide or protonated by soaking in acidic media. The membranes were characterized in detail by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies as well as elemental analysis to confirm that the above reactions occurred. The selectivity of these membranes toward the electrochemically assisted transport of protons versus Zn2+ metallic cations was determined during an electrodialysis in a two-compartment electrochemical cell. The data indicate a significant decrease of the transport of the metallic cations following modification of the membrane with the cationic layer. The later allows for the transport of protons from the catholyte to the anolyte compartment with much improved selectivity since the divalent cations are excluded from the membrane due to the electrostatic barrier of the cationic layer.     

End-point evaluation in instrumental titrimetry-II Confidence intervals in extrapolation of linear titration curves

The random titration error has been evaluated by single linear regression analysis of both linear branches of titration curves. As a simplification the confidence interval of a titration is estimated by substituting divergent linear confidence limits for the curved confidence limits of both branches of the curve. The influence of the angle between both branches upon the confidence interval of a titration has also been evaluated. The procedure has been proved advantageous by applying it to several amperometric and photometric titrations of lead and by comparing the results with those obtained by the complementary approach of Liteanu and C?rm?s, and by the usual statistical treatment of end-points obtained by graphical extrapolation. The method allows a critical consideration of the experimental conditions with regard to the desired level of precision.     

Atomization of Al in a tungsten coil electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometer

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry of Al in a tungsten coil atomizer was evaluated and applied for its determination in hemodialysis fluid. The system was mounted on a Varian Spectra AA-40 spectrophotometer with continuum background correction and all measurements, in peak height absorbance, were done at 309.3 nm. The purge gas was a mixture of 90% Ar plus 10% H(2). Observation height, gas flow, drying, pyrolysis and atomization steps were optimized. The heating program was carried out by employing a heating cycle in four steps: dry, pyrolysis, atomization and clean. The determination of Al in hemodialysis solutions was performed by using a matrix-matching procedure. Al in hemodialysis solutions was determined by TCA and by electrothermal atomization with a graphite tube atomizer. There is no differences between results obtained by both methods at a confidence level of 95%. The characteristic mass of Al by using the TCA was 39 pg and the detection limit was 2.0 mug l(-1).     

Development of high-temperature pulsed slit nozzle and its application to supersonic jet absorption spectrometry

A high-temperature pulsed slit nozzle, consisting of a circular pulsed nozzle and an interface to convert a circular flow into a slit flow has been constructed. The absorption spectrum is measured by scanning the wavelength of the monochromator equipped with a xenon arc lamp and by detecting the transmitted light through a jet with a photomultiplier. A rotationally cooled spectrum is clearly observed for aniline only when a long slit nozzle is employed. The absorptivity increases proportionally to the slit length at least up to 6 cm. The time for recording a spectrum is 3.5 min, which is reduced to several seconds by transmitting a white light through a jet and by measuring the spectrum with an optical multichannel analyzer. The detection limit is estimated to a partial vapor pressure of 0.4 torr for aniline. The present system can be conveniently used in routine analysis, because of a wide spectral coverage of the lamp source.     

Template synthesis of a huge macrocycle by olefin metathesis using easily accessible [Pt(PEt(3))(2)] templates

We have reported the template synthesis of a 90-membered macrocycle by olefin metathesis. The macrocycle 7 was prepared by an initial six-oxidative-addition reaction of 2 by [Pt(PEt(3))(4)]. The definite structure of a six-oxidative product was confirmed by the crystal structure. The coordination of 2,6-bis(hex-5-enyloxy)pyridine to 3 led to the hexacationic aryl complex of type 4. The metathesis of olefin-substituted pyridine with Grubbs catalyst ([PhCH==RuCl(2)(Cy(3)P)(2)]) formed the expected macrocycle 5. The olefin metathesis reaction was formed under high dilution to suppress intermolecular olefin metathesis polymerization. The detachment of the newly formed macrocycle 6, followed by reduction to alkane macrocycle 7 by using palladium on charcoal and hydrogen led to a huge macrocycle. The mild and easy access of the template protocol opens a host of potential subsequent transformations toward the construction of a variety of macrocycles.     

A nanoscale vesicular polydiacetylene sensor for organic amines by fluorescence recovery

We report a nanoscale lipid membrane-based sensor of conjugated polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles for fluorescence detection of organic amines. The vesicle sensor was constructed by incorporation of a BODIPY fluorescent dye into the PDA vesicles. The fluorescent properties of the resulting vesicles can be manipulated by adjusting lipid components, and are controlled by environmental and solution conditions. The fluorescence of the BODIPY dye was significantly quenched in the polymerization of diacetylene lipid vesicles by a UV irradiation process. However, it was sufficiently recovered by external stimuli such as a hike of solution pH. The fluorescence recovery process was reversible, and a decrease in solution pH resulted in repeated quenching. The reported system transforms an external stimulus into a large fluorescence intensity change, demonstrating great potential in developing new signal reporting method for biosensor design. The quench-recovery phenomenon of the BODIPY-PDA is believed to be related to the energy transfer between the dye and the PDA conjugate backbone. The vesicle sensor was applied for detecting an organic amine, triethylamine (TEA) and a large linear relationship was obtained between the increase in fluorescence intensity and the concentrations of TEA. The detection limit of TEA by vesicle sensors using fluorescence recovery was found to be 10 μM.     

Photosmog im Modell

A new experiment to show and to explain the supposition sfo air pollution by tropospheric ozone in summer is introduced. Nitrogen oxides are produced by a sparking plug, followed by UV-irradiation including high temperature. The reaction of the hydrocarbons is simulated by a circulation incited by a gas pump. The determination of ozone by cracking rubber was used for the first time in the forties to investigate the Los Angeles smog. The result can be obtained within twelve minutes.     

Force-induced de-adhesion of specifically bound vesicles: strong adhesion in competition with tether extraction

A theoretical study of the thermodynamic equilibrium between force-induced tether formation and the adhesion of vesicles mediated by specific ligand-receptor interactions has been performed. The formation of bonds between mobile ligands in the vesicle and immobile receptors on the substrate is examined within a thermodynamic approximation. The shape of a vesicle pulled with a point force is calculated within a continuous approach. The two approaches are merged self-consistently by the use of the effective adhesion potential produced by the collective action of the bonds. As a result, the shapes of the vesicle and the tether, as well as the number of formed bonds in the contact zone, are determined as a function of the force, and approximate analytic expressions for them are provided. The de-adhesion process is characterized by the construction of a phase diagram that is a function of the density of the ligands in the vesicle, the surface coverage by receptors, the ligand-receptor binding affinity, and the reduced volume of the vesicle. In all cases, the phase diagram contains three regions separated by two nonintersecting lines of critical forces. The first is the line of onset forces associated with a second-order shape transition from a spherical cap to a tethered vesicle. The second line is attributed to the detachment forces at which a first-order unbinding transition from a tethered shape to a free vesicle occurs.     

Influence of spontaneous curvature and microtubules on the conformations of lipid vesicles

The conformations of vesicles deformed by microtubules are studied within the framework of the curvature energy. The phenomenon in which the destruction of a microtubule is followed by the formation of peristaltic shapes on a protrusion created by the microtubule is investigated. The influence of the spontaneous curvature on the conformations of vesicles is examined, and the results are compared to existing experiments. The elastic properties of a vesicle deformed by the microtubule are studied.     

Cascade assembly of the benzo[a]anthraquinone ring system common to the angucycline antibiotics

A benzo[a]anthraquinone ring system, common to a group of angucycline antibiotics, has been prepared by a unique cascade of reactions. The reaction sequence was initiated by a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling between a bromoquinone and vinyl boronic anhdyride. The reaction product is proposed to undergo a 6π-electron cyclization triggered by reductive activation of the quinone. The reaction process is proposed to be autocatalytic.