Luminescent Palladium(II) Complexes with π‐Extended Cyclometalated [RC^N^NR′] and Pentafluorophenylacetylide Ligands: Spectroscopic,Photophysical, and Photochemical Properties

A series of cyclometalated Pd^II complexes that contain π‐extended R? C^N^N? R′ (R? C^N^N? R′=3‐(6′‐aryl‐2′‐pyridinyl)isoquinoline) and chloride/pentafluorophenylacetylide ligands have been synthesized and their photophysical and photochemical properties examined. The complexes with the chloride ligand are emissive only in the solid state and in glassy solutions at 77 K, whereas the ones with the pentafluorophenylacetylide ligand show phosphorescence in the solid state (λ_max=584–632 nm) and in solution (λ_max=533–602 nm) at room temperature. Some of the complexes with the pentafluorophenylacetylide ligand show emission with λ_max at 585–602 nm upon an increase in the complex concentration in solutions. These Pd^II complexes can act as photosensitizers for the light‐induced aerobic oxidation of amines. In the presence of 0.1 mol % Pd^II complex, secondary amines can be oxidized to the corresponding imines with substrate conversions and product yields up to 100 and 99 %, respectively. In the presence of 0.15 mol % Pd^II complex, the oxidative cyanation of tertiary amines could be performed with product yields up to 91 %. The Pd^II complexes have also been used to sensitize photochemical hydrogen production with a three‐component system that comprises the Pd^II complex, [Co(dmgH)₂(py)Cl] (dmgH=dimethylglyoxime; py=pyridine), and triethanolamine, and a maximum turnover of hydrogen production of 175 in 4 h was achieved. The excited‐state electron‐transfer properties of the Pd^II complexes have been examined.     

Sulfur Deficiency Changes Mycosporine-like Amino Acid (MAA) Composition of Anabaena variabilis PCC 7937: A Possible Role of Sulfur in MAA Bioconversion

In the present investigation we show for the first time that bioconversion of a primary mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) into a secondary MAA is regulated by sulfur deficiency in the cyanobacterium Anabaena variabilis PCC 7937. This cyanobacterium synthesizes the primary MAA shinorine (RT = 2.2 min, λ_max = 334 nm) under normal conditions (PAR + UV-A + UV-B); however, under sulfur deficiency, a secondary MAA palythine-serine (RT = 3.9 min, λ_max = 320 nm) appears. Addition of methionine to sulfur-deficient cultures resulted in the disappearance of palythine-serine, suggesting the role of primary MAAs under sulfur deficiency in recycling of methionine by donating the methyl group from the glycine subunit of shinorine to tetrahydrofolate to regenerate the methionine from homocysteine. This is also the first report for the synthesis of palythine-serine by cyanobacteria which has so far been reported only from corals. Addition of methionine also affected the conversion of mycosporine-glycine into shinorine, consequently, resulted in the appearance of mycosporine-glycine (RT = 3.6 min, λ_max = 310 nm). Our results also suggest that palythine-serine is synthesized from shinorine. Based on these results we propose that glycine decarboxylase is the potential enzyme that catalyzes the bioconversion of shinorine to palythine-serine by decarboxylation and demethylation of the glycine unit of shinorine.     

PHYCOBILIPROTEINS: COMPARISON OF SOLUTION AND SINGLE CRYSTAL FLUORESCENCE FOR C-PHYCOCYANIN AND B-PHYCOERYTHRIN*

Abstract— Trimeric and hexameric solution forms of C-phycocyanin (CPC) from the cyanophyte Agme-nellum quadruplicatum have been isolated and their spectral properties compared to those obtained from single crystals. Although the absorbance peak of a suspension of small C-phycocyanin crystals is red-shifted only 7 nm relative to the solution forms, the single crystal fluorescence is red-shifted 60 nm relative to the solution forms. The crystal fluorescence spectrum exhibits a single peak at LD_max= 708 nm when excited at 514.5 or 530.9 nm and two peaks (LD_max= 661 and 708 nm) when excitation occurs at 568.2 nm. Fluorescence depolarization measurements indicate that extensive energy transfer could occur for both solution and crystal forms with the latter being dependent upon the relative orientation of the crystal with respect to the excitation dipole. Similar results were obtained with B-phycoerythrin (BPE) from the red alga Porphyridium cruentum where the single crystal fluorescence is red-shifted =50nm relative to the solution spectra with two peaks (LD_max= 583 and 617 nm) observed whose relative intensities are dependent on the excitation wavelength (LD_max– 514.5 and 530.9 nm). Single crystal fluorescent lifetimes exhibited considerable shortening relative to that observed for the solution forms. The implications of these results are discussed with respect to the possible relationships of the crystalline structures to the assembly forms present within phycobilisomes.     

Dendrimers with a Pentaphenylene Core: A Photophysical Study

Novel dendrimers G2PC and G4PC consisting of a p‐pentaphenylene core ( PC ) appended in the para position with two second‐generation ( G2 ) or two fourth‐generation ( G4 ) sulfonimide branches and two n‐octyl chains, as well as a model compound of the pentaphenylene core ( G0PC ), are prepared. The photophysical properties (absorption, emission, and excitation spectra; fluorescence decay lifetime; and fluorescence anisotropy spectra) of the three compounds are investigated under different experimental conditions (dichloromethane solution and solid state at 293 K, dichloromethane/methanol rigid matrix at 77 K). In the absorption spectra contributions from both the branches and the core can be clearly identified. The fluorescence spectra show only the characteristic fluorescence of the pentaphenylene unit with λ_max around 410 nm in fluid solution and 420 nm in the solid state. In solution the fluorescence quantum yields are 0.78, 0.76, and 0.72 for G0PC , G2PC , and G4PC , respectively, and the fluorescence lifetime is about 0.7 ns in all cases. Energy transfer from the chromophoric groups of the dendrimer branches to the core does not occur. The three compounds show the same, high steady‐state anisotropy value (0.35) in dilute rigid‐matrix solution at 77 K. In dichloromethane at 293 K, the increasing anisotropy values along the series G0PC (0.17), G2PC (0.27), and G4PC (0.32), with increasing molecular volume of the three compounds, show that depolarization takes place by molecular rotation. In the solid state the anisotropy is very low (0.015, 0.017, and 0.035 for G0PC , G2PC , and G4PC , respectively), probably because of fast depolarization via energy migration.     

Spectroscopic study of the light-harvesting protein C-phycocyanin associated with colorless linker peptides

C-Phycocyanin (PC) trimers associated with linker polypeptides were isolated from the phycobilisome (PBS) rods of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002. LXY refers to a linker polypeptide (L) having an apparent mass of Y kDa, located at position X in the phycobilisome where X can be R (rod), C (core) or RC (rod-core junction). Measurements of the absorption, fluorescence and excitation anisotropy of PC trimer, PC.LR32.3 and PC.LRC28.5 complexes document the spectroscopic modulation of each linker polypeptide on the PC chromophores. The difference spectra between the PC trimer and the PC-linker complexes show that although the effect induced by the linker polypeptides is qualitatively similar in behavior, the extent of the modulation is greater in PC.LRC28.5. Measurements taken at 77 K show that a red-wavelength component of the PC trimer absorption-fluorescence spectra is the target of the linker's influence and that this component is altered to a greater extent by LRC28.5. In addition the 77 K absorbance of the PC trimer resolves band features that are consistent with an excitonic coupling interaction between neighboring alpha 84 and beta 84 chromophores. These band features are also evident in the absorbance of PC.LR32.3 but are absent in PC.LRC28.5 indicating that LRC28.5 may be perturbing the coupling interaction established in the PC trimer alpha 84-beta 84 chromophore pairs. Structurally, the linker polypeptide should disrupt the C3 symmetry in the central cavity of the associated phycobiliprotein and this asymmetric interaction should serve to guide the transfer of excitation energy along PBS rods toward the core elements.     

ISOLATION,CHARACTERIZATION AND RECONSTITUTION OF PHYCOBILIPROTEIN ROD-CORE LINKER POLYPEPTIDE COMPLEXES FROM THE PHYCOBILISOME OF Mastigocladus laminosus*

A rod-core complex, (αβ)₆^PC. L_RC^29.5,(αβ)₃^APC.L_C^8.9, composed of hexameric phycocyanin (PC) and trimeric allophycocyanin (APC) subcomplexes associated to the CpcG2 gene product, has been isolated from the phycobilisome of Mastigocladus laminosus. Exactly the same complex was obtained by reconstitution using the subcomplexes(αβ)₃^PC. L_RC 29.5 and (aβ)₃^APC.L_C^8.9 as educts. Spectroscopic analysis of the isolated PC-L_R and PC-L_RC complexes from M. laminosus shows that the L_RC cause the largest red-shift in the absorbance and fluorescence emission maxima of PC. These results indicate that L_RC mediate PC-APC interactions in vitro. Only the CpcG2 polypeptide was able to promote this specific interaction, as neither CpcG3-PC nor, as a negative control, CpcC-PC complexes showed any reconstitution products with the core subcomplex (αβ)₃^APC.L_c^8.9. This is an indication that each of the four L_RC in the phycobilisomes of M. laminosus and Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 attaches two peripheral rods specifically to one of four different core binding sites.     

Crystal structure of solvate [Cd2L2Cl4]·CH2Cl2 (L = pyrazolylquinoline, the derivative of monoterpenoid (+)-3-carene) and photoluminescence of chiral complex CdLCl2

Using the single crystal X-ray diffraction data (150 K, Bruker X8 Apex CCD autodiffractometer, MoK α radiation), the crystal structure of the [Cd₂L₂Cl₄]·CH₂Cl₂ (L = pyrazolylquinoline, the derivative of monoterpenoid (+)-3-carene) compound is determined. Crystals are monoclinic, unit cell parameters are: a = 10.7005(4) ?, b = 16.8491(4) ?, c = 11.9658(4) ?, β = 93.308(1)°, P2₁ space group. The structure is formed from discrete acentric molecules of a binuclear [Cd₂L₂Cl₄] complex and uncoordinated CH₂Cl₂ molecules. The Cd²⁺ ions coordinate N atoms of bidentate chelating ligands L, which leads to the closure of two five-membered chelate CdN₃C rings. The coordination sphere of Cd atoms also includes three Cl atoms (two bridging and one terminal), consequently, two CdCl₃N₂ coordination sites and a Cd₂Cl₂ metal ring are formed. The Cl₃N₂ polyhedra have the form of distorted tetragonal pyramids. The CH₂Cl₂ molecules located in the channels formed by the complexes are linked with them by weak H-bonds. The excitation spectra of L and the CdLCl₂ compound contain bands with λ_max of 352 nm and 360 nm respectively. At 300 K and λ_excit 350 nm, in the photoluminescence spectrum of L a rather intense broad split band with λ_max 372 nm and 386 nm is observed. The photoluminescence spectrum of the CdLCl₂ compound contains a broad band with λ_max 418 nm. The photoluminescence intensity of this compound is significantly lower than that of L.     

Synthesis and Fluorescence Properties of Pyrimidine‐Based Diboron Complexes with Donor–π–Acceptor Structures

Pyrimidine‐based diboron complexes bearing β‐iminoenolate ligands and phenyl groups as bulky substituents on the boron atoms were synthesized as novel fluorescent dyes, and their fluorescence properties were investigated in solution and in the solid state. The diboron complexes with donor–π–acceptor structures showed positive solvatochromism in the fluorescence spectra. The cyano derivative exhibited the most dramatic redshift of the fluorescence maximum F_max with increasing solvent polarity (from 551 nm in n‐hexane to 710 nm in acetonitrile). The diboron complexes showed solid‐state fluorescence in the range of 578–706 nm with fluorescence quantum yields of 0.06–0.28. Additionally, the trifluoromethyl derivative exhibited solvent‐inclusion solid‐state fluorescence. The trifluoromethyl derivative formed toluene‐inclusion and ethyl acetate‐inclusion crystals. The toluene‐inclusion crystal (F_max=668 nm, Φ_f=0.16) showed a blueshifted F_max and higher Φ_f value compared to the original trifluoromethyl derivative (F_max=694 nm, Φ_f=0.08) in the solid state. On the other hand, the F_max (709 nm) and Φ_f (0.04) values of the ethyl acetate‐inclusion crystal were redshifted and lower, respectively.     

Chemical content of Margaretta rosea Oliv. roots. 323. Glycosides and aglycones

The roots of Margaretta rosea Oliv., subsp. rosea Bullock contain cardenolides mixed with Kedde negative ester glycosides. 6 Cardenolides were identified by paper chromatography (PC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Three of them were free aglycones (uzarigenin ( 1 ), corotoxigenin ( 3 ) and coroglaucigenin ( 5 ), the other three their corresponding 6-deoxy-β-D -allo-pyranosides (ascleposide ( 2 ), gofruside ( 4 ) and frugoside ( 6 ). Only two cardenolides ( 1 and 5 ) were isolated in crystalline form. The behaviour of the more polar portion of the glycoside mixture shows that D -gluco derivatives of at least 5 of the 6 cardenolides mentioned were also present. The Kedde. negative glycosides were a complicated mixture containing mainly 2,6-dideoxysugars linked to esterified polyhydroxy-pregnanes. After mild acid hydrolysis cymarose, oleandrose and digitoxose could be identified by PC and TLC. From the crude aglycone portion only one cristalline genin (M) could be isolated. This was still a mixture, but its main component according to the mass spectrum was a monobenzoyl derivative C₂₈H₃₈O₇. - A small amount of cristalline O-acetyl-β-amyrin was isolated from the least polar components.     

THE TRIPLET EXTINCTION COEFFICIENTS OF SOME BACTERIAL CAROTENOIDS

The extinction coefficients of the triplet states of the bacterial carotenoids, neurosporenc (Λ_max 489 nm). sphcroidene (Λ_max 510 nm). spheroidenone (Λ_max 550 nm) and spirilloxanthin (Λ_max 550 nm) in cyclohexane have been determined to be 27.4. 30.9. 6.06 and 9.20 × 10⁴ dm³ mol^?1 cm¹, respectively. These values were obtained by an energy transfer technique using a range of carotenoid concentrations. For the three that had been studied earlier, the extinctions now obtained are suhstantially higher than prcviously reported.     

N21,N22‐carbonyl‐bridged biliverdin. red‐blue color change effected by conformation

An N₂₁,N₂₂‐carbonyl‐bridged mesobiliverdin, prepared in high yield by reaction of the unbridged parent (λ_max 639 nm, ? 15,700, chloroform) with 1,1′‐carbonyldiimidazole and 1,8‐diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec‐7‐ene, gave magenta‐colored solutions in chloroform that absorb strongly in the visible spectrum (λ_max 534 nm, ? 27,700) and shifted to bright blue (λ_max 669 nm, ? 35,300) upon addition of trifluoroacetic acid.     

Thermophilic laccase from xerophyte species Opuntia vulgaris

Two laccase temperature isoforms capable of oxidizing phenolic compounds to quinones were isolated and purified to homogeneity from the cladodes of the xerophyte species Opuntia vulgaris. These catalytically active proteins exhibit apparent molecular masses of 137 and 90 kDa. Under reducing conditions, both isoforms yielded a subunit molecular mass of 43 kDa, suggesting that the enzyme is a multimer of the 43 kDa subunit. The 137 kDa isoform when heated at 80°C for 3min generated three polypeptide bands on activity stained polyacrylamide gels exhibiting 137, 90 and 43 kDa molecular forms. All isoforms of the enzyme exhibited an optimum pH of 10 when 2,6‐dimethoxyphenol was used as a substrate. The optimum temperature of the 137 kDa enzyme form was noted to be 80°C and that of the 90 kDa enzyme form was 70°C. Denaturation kinetics of both the laccase isoforms carried out at their respective optimum temperatures for 30 min exhibited enzyme activity in excess of their t_1/2 values throughout the assay period. The K_m for the 137 kDa form was determined to be 2.2 ± 0.3 mm and the V_max was 2.8 ± 0.2 IU/mL. These high temperature stable laccase isoforms having alkaline pH optima can find significant industrial use. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthese von Metallkomplexen des Tetra-(2,3-anthra)-tetraazaporphins und Vergleich ihrer Elektronenabsorptionsspektren mit denen anderer anellierter Tetraazaporphinsysteme

Copper, nickel and aluminium derivatives of tetra-2,3-anthratetraazaporphin bearing different substituents in the anthracen part have been prepared. The absorption spectra of these substances in different solvents are given and compared with metal complexes of other linearly annellated tetraazaporphins. In the series of vanadyl complexes of tetraazaporphin (_max 597 nm), tetra-[1,2-(4-tert-butyl)-benzo]-tetraazaporphin (_max 698 nm), tetra-[2,3-(6-tert-butyl)-naphtho]-tetraazaporphin (_max 807 nm), tetra-2,3-(anthra)-tetraazaporphin (_max 932 nm), tetra-2,3-(tetraceno)-tetraazaporphin (_max 1055 nm), the absorption maxima of the Q-band are shifted per annellated benzene ring about 100 nm to longer wave lengths.

     

New photoluminescent conjugated polymers with 1,4‐dioxo‐3,6‐diphenylpyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole (DPP) and 1,4‐phenylene units in the main chain

A series of π‐conjugated polymers and copolymers containing 1,4‐dioxo‐3,6‐diphenylpyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole (also known as 2,5‐dihydro‐3,6‐diphenylpyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐1,4‐dione) (DPP) and 1,4‐phenylene units in the main chain is described. The polymers are synthesised using the palladium‐catalysed aryl‐aryl coupling reaction (Suzuki coupling) of 2,5‐dihexylbenzene‐1,4‐diboronic acid with 1,4‐dioxo‐2,5‐dihexyl‐3,6‐di(4‐bromophenyl)pyrrolo[3,4‐c]pyrrole and 1,4‐dibromo‐2,5‐dihexylbenzene in different molar ratios. Soluble hairy rod‐type polymers with molecular weights up to 21 000 are obtained. Polymer solutions in common organic solvents such as chloroform or xylene are of orange colour (λ_max = 488 nm) and show strong photoluminescence (λ_max = 544 nm). The photochemical stability is found to be higher than for corresponding saturated polymers containing isolated DPP units in the main chain. Good solubility and processability into thin films render the compounds suitable for electronic applications.     

Characterization of Two Light-Harvesting Subunits Isolated from the Brown Alga Pelvetia canaliculata: Heterogeneity of Xanthophyll Distribution

The main light-harvesting fraction from Pelvetia canaliculata was isolated on a sucrose density gradient from digitonin-solubilized chloroplasts. After further solubilization by dodecyl maltoside, the bulk fraction was separated into two subunits by preparative isoelectric focusing. The more acidic brown fraction was mainly composed of 22 kDa polypeptides having an apparent pI of 4.55. Its pigment composition was very simple, containing chlorophyll (Chi) a, Chi c and fucoxanthin. The in vivo spectral properties of fucoxanthin, namely a shift in light absorption to the green and efficient energy transmission to Chi a, were conserved in this subunit. No xanthophyll associated with photoprotection was found in this band, even when obtained from photoinhibited thalli. The less acidic green band contained predominantly 22 kDa polypeptides that were resolved into numerous components by denaturing isoelectric focusing. Its pigment composition was more complex, containing, in addition, pigments of the so-called xanthophyll cycle. In photoinhibited thalli, about half of the violaxanthin was converted into antheraxanthin and zeaxanthin. All the pigments of the xanthophyll cycle were specifically associated with this subunit, and it may thus have a central role in the thermal dissipation of the absorbed light energy as postulated for light-harvesting complex II isolated from green plants.     

Photoisomerization of zeta-carotene stereoisomers in cells of Euglena gracilis mutant W3BUL and in solution

Abstract— Dark-grown cells of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris bleached mutant W₃BUL are shown by a novel alumina HPLC method to accumulate a cis isomer of ζ-carotene (cis I; δ_max at 286,296,377,398,422 nm; ε_mM= 97 at 398 nm). Illumination of cells with saturating blue light converts nearly all of this to the trans isomer (δ_max at 379,400,425 nm) and a small amount of a second cis isomer (cis II; δ_max at 285.5,296, 374, 394.5, 419 nm; ε_mM= 111 at 394.5 nm) with no significant changes in any other carotenoids. Photoisomerization of the purified isomers in hexane yields the same mixture of stereoisomers in all three cases, and this mixture is similar to that produced in the cells. Photoisomerization of the purified cis isomers in hexane occurs readily with first order kinetics indicating that no additional photosensitizer or catalyst is necessary for the reaction in vivo. Wild-type cells grown in darkness in the presence of 72 μM J₃₃₄ accumulate ζ-carotene almost exclusively with approximately equal amounts of the cis I and trans isomers, thus cis I is not unique to the mutant. Cis I is identified as 15-cis-ζ-carotene by UV, visible, infrared and mass spectra; cis II may be the 13-eis isomer. Since W₃BUL also accumulates cis isomers of phytoene and phytofluene while the other carotenoids are trans, it is suggested that, in Euglena, ζ-carotene is the point of isomerization from cis to trans in the biosynthetic pathway.     

Photochromic fulgides: Transformation of the non‐photochromic (Z)‐isomer of a fulgide into a highly photochromic (E)‐isomer via structural modification involving enhanced conjugation

The non‐photochromic fulgide (1‐Z) has been successfully converted into the highly photochromic ( 3‐Z ) analogue. A dicyanomethylene group was introduced at the 5‐position of 1‐Z in order to enhance the latter's conjugation properties that would facilitate the photochemical Z→E isomerization process. The irradiation of the product 3‐Z with a UV light at λ_max 350 nm formed a bluish green solution which absorbed at λ_max 620 nm, corresponding to the ring‐closed product 4. The latter was also formed from the reference dicyanomethylene product 3‐E synthesized from 1‐E. The irradiation of 4 at λ_max 532 nm produced the reversion to the original pale yellow color of 3‐E.     

Anion induced regulation of the absorption maximum of the twenty two carbon analog of the N-retinylidene-n-butylammonium cation.

Abstract— This study was undertaken to further investigate the way in which the counter anion controls the Λ_max of the absorption spectrum of compounds similar to N-retinylidene-n-butylammonium salts (NRBA). The following relationship had been found: ΔE =ΔE^o -F d₀e²/εd²; here ΔE is the observed excitation energy, e the charge on the electron, ε the dielectric constant, d₀ a constant and d the distance between centers of opposite charge as estimated from crystallographic radii. Resonance theory implies that ΔE^o should be of the same numerical value as the corresponding carbonium ion which can be generated readily from the corresponding alcohol. The C₂₂SB analog of NRBA was prepared and then converted to the halide salts. The Δ_max of these salts was determined in several halohydrocar-bon solvents, and ΔE^o was determined by least squares for each solvent. The average value of ΔE^o was found to be 653 nm, while the Λ_max, for the carbonium ion was previously found to be 644 nm. The results are supportive of previous work.     

Characterizations of iron-rich clay modified electrodes and their applications in optical recognition

Optical recognition was studied with modified electrodes based on iron-rich clays. According to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), several clay minerals including montmorillonite K10 (mont. K10) contain a lot of iron. Cyclic voltammetry suggested that electrochemically active iron species exist in most iron-rich clays and are likely to reside at different sites. The associated electrochemical activity is strongly pH-dependent and photosensitive. Under UV irradiation (λ ≤ 420 nm), these iron species were activated, and a pronounced photocurrent resulted. When these electrodes were flow-injected with 2-pyridylcarboxylic acids (λ_ab,max = 260 nm), the originally monotonic photocurrent could be modulated into a more recognizable a.c. pattern and the 260 nm optical signal became distinguishable. The photoresponse was highly reproducible, and the response time (t₉₀) was less than 10s.     

Simultaneous in vivo RP-HPLC-DAD quantification of multiple-component and drug-drug interaction by pharmacokinetics, using 6,7-dimethylesculetin, geniposide and rhein as examples

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that multidrug combinations could amplify the therapeutic efficacies of each agent. Interestingly, the pharmacological effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is usually attributed to the drug‐interaction property (synergism) of multiple active constituents. Pharmacokinetics is a useful means of evaluating the drug interactions of major active compounds in TCM. A simple, sensitive and reliable RP‐HPLC‐DAD method has been developed to simultaneously quantify 6,7‐dimethylesculetin (D), geniposide (G) and rhein (R), which are the active ingredients in Yin–Chen–Hao–Tang (YCHT), performing drug‐interaction pharmacokinetics studies in vivo. Plasma samples were prepared using methanolic precipitation, a filtration step, and then injection of the methanolic extract onto a Nova‐Pak C₁₈ Guard‐Pak? guard column with a gradient mobile phase. Triple‐wavelength diode array detection was set at λ_max values of 343 nm for D, 241 nm for the G, and 259 nm for R. Our results successfully demonstrate that this method has excellent and satisfactory selectivity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery. In healthy rats, the estimated pharmacokinetic parameters (i.e. C_max, AUC and Cl) of D, G and R, when administered with COC (a combination of D, G and R), were C_max 16.05 mg/L, AUC 108.96 mg h/L and Cl 0.36 L/h for D; C_max 9.35 mg/L, AUC 64.71 mg h/L and Cl 0.88 L/h for G; and C_max 14.18 mg/L, AUC 57.98 mg h/L and Cl 1.77 L/h for R. Here, we report that the COC combination could significantly increase the plasma level and slow the elimination rate compared with any one or two of the three individual compounds, which may indicate a drug–drug interaction. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.