Application of molecularly imprinted polymers to determine B1, B2, and B3 fumonisins in cereal products

The aim of this study was to develop an analytical method for qualitative and quantitative determination of the B₁, B_2, and B₃ fumonisins in cereal products. A LC coupled to an IT‐MS was used as the analytical instrument. The AFFINIMIP FumoZON Molecularly Imprinted Polymer SPE cartridges (Polyintell) were used to isolate fumonisins from the analyzed samples and the clean‐up step. Statistical parameters evaluated in some validation experiments were as follows: mean recovery 95–106%, precision <17% (expressed as recovery RSD). The developed method was used to determine fumonisins in 49 cereals (42 maize‐based and seven wheat‐based products). In most cases, concentrations of the studied compounds found in the analyzed samples were low. The highest total concentration of the B₁, B₂, and B₃ fumonisins was found in maize flour samples (range, 26–1102 μg/kg, mean 498 μg/kg).     

The structure and fragmentation of B n (n≥3) ions in peptide spectra

The unimolecular and low energy collision-induced fragmentation reactions of the MH⁺ ions of N-acetyl-tri-alanine, N-acetyl-tri-alanine methyl ester, N-acetyl-tetra-alanine, tetra-alanine, penta-alanine, hexa-glycine, and Leu-enkephalin have been studied with a particular emphasis on the formation and fragmentation of B _n (n=3,4,5) ions. In addition, the metastable ion fragmentation reactions of protonated tetra-glycine, penta-glycine, and Leu-enkephalin amide have been studied. B _n ions are prominent stable species in all spectra. The B _n ions fragment, in part, by elimination of CO to form A _n ions; this reaction occurs on the metastable ion time scale with a substantial release of kinetic energy (T _1/2=0. 3–0. 5 eV) that indicates that a stable configuration of the B _n ion fragments by way of a reacting configuration that is higher in energy than the fragmentation products, A _n + CO. Ab initio calculations strongly suggest that the stable configuration of the B₃ and B₄ ions is a protonated oxazolone formed by interaction of the developing charge with the next-nearest carbonyl group as HX is lost from the protonated species H-(Yyy) _n -X · H⁺. The higher B _n ions also fragment, in part, to form the next-lower B ion, presumably in its stable protonated oxazolone form. This reaction is rationalized in terms of the three-dimensional structure of the B _n ions and it is proposed that the neutral eliminated is an α-lactam.     

Photoactive liquid crystalline polymers: A comprehensive study of linear and hyperbranched polymers synthesized by A2B2, A2B3, A3B2, and A3B3 approaches

A series of linear and hyperbranched polyester epoxies, with varied structural parameters such as kinked structure and different dendritic architectures, were synthesized by A₂ + B₂, A₂ + B₃, A₃ + B₂, and A₃ + B₃ approaches. The structures of synthesized monomers and polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. The effect of varied structural parameters on phase behavior and photoresponsive properties was investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter, thermal optical polarized microscope, UV–visible spectroscopy, photoviscosity, and refractive index studies. The transition temperatures of hyperbranched polymers were higher than that of the corresponding linear analogues. All the polymers showed nematic phase (nematic droplets) over a broad temperature range. The effect of kinked structural unit on photoresponsive property is less in both linear and hyperbranched architectures. Although the effect of architectural nature is highly considerable within the hyperbranched architectures, the polymer (HPE–33) synthesized by A₃ + B₃ approach showed highest rate of photocrosslinking, followed by HPE–I 32; HPE–T 32, and HPE–23, which were synthesized by A₃ + B₂ and A₂ + B₃ approaches, respectively. The findings in photoresponsive properties were further supported by molecular modeling studies. Substantial variation of refractive index (0.015–0.024) indicates that these polymers could be used for optical recording. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Structural correlations in BaO–PbO–B2O3 glasses as inferred from FTIR spectra

Infrared spectra of xBaO·(30-x)PbO·70B₂O₃, xBaO·(40-x)PbO·60B₂O₃ and xBaO·(50-x)PbO·50B₂O₃ glasses have been quantitatively analyzed. The fraction of four coordinated boron atoms varies linearly, for each group, between the values of the corresponding binary borate glasses. The data could be used to calculate and follow the composition dependence of the concentration of structural units in all glasses. The results show a linear increase in the ratio of PbO forming BO₄ units to the total content of PbO, with increasing B₂O₃ in binary PbO–B₂O₃ glasses. Similar behavior has been observed for the ratio of BaO forming BO₄ units to the total content of BaO in binary BaO–B₂O₃ glasses. The ratio of PbO forming PbO₄ units to the total PbO content, and that of BaO forming asymmetric BO₃ units to the total BaO content, shows a reversed dependence. The linear change in fraction of four coordinated boron atoms and in density and molar volume suggests that the studied glasses can be treated as mixtures of binary PbO–B₂O₃ and BaO–B₂O₃ matrices.     

Determination of B-group vitamins in Turkish honey using ultra-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization coupled to tandem mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method with electrospray ionization (UPLC–ESI–MS/MS) for analysis of B-group vitamins in honey has been presented. Aim of this study is the characterization of different types of Turkish honeys according to B-group vitamins. Vitamins were determined in 17 different types of Turkish honey samples by UPLC–ESI–MS/MS. Heather honey samples were distinguished among the studied honeys with the richest vitamin content with 286.10?mg/kg, and it is followed by sunflower honey and thyme honey with the total vitamin contents of 206.01 and 163.27?mg/kg, respectively. The presence of vitamin B₁ (thiamine), vitamin B₂ (riboflavin), vitamin B₃ (nicotinamide, B₃N and nicotinic acid, B₃H), vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine), and vitamin B₉ (folic acid) was detected in all the honey samples analyzed. Moreover, vitamin B₅ (pantothenic acid) was observed in most of them. Vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin) and vitamin B₇ (biotine) were not detected in the studied honey samples. Turkish honey samples showed efficacious vitamin content for the consumers.     

O2 和 CO 在 Co2B2/TiO2 和 Co2B2Pt/TiO2 表面吸附的密度泛函研究

 采用密度泛函理论探讨了 TiO2 表面负载 Co2B2 和 Co2B2Pt 合金簇可能的负载构型. 结果表明, Co2B2 和 Co2B2Pt 合金簇倾向于以两个 Co 的形式负载在两个氧上. 态密度分析发现, 负载后, Co2B2 合金簇中部分 Co 原子和 B 原子成键加强, Co2B2Pt 合金簇中 Pt 原子和 B 原子成键也加强, 形成新的轨道. CO 和 O2 在 Co2B2/TiO2 和 Co2B2Pt/TiO2 表面吸附的结果表明, Co2B2Pt/TiO2 催化氧化 CO 性能的提高是由于 Pt 原子提高了 Co2B2 合金簇吸附 CO 和 O2 的能力.     

Preparation of Ni3B2O6 nanosheet-based flowerlike architecture by a precursor method and its electrochemical properties in lithium-ion battery

A novel flower-like nickel borate of Ni₃B₂O₆ nanostructure was prepared through a hydrothermal treatment and sequential thermal decomposition of precursor without employing any template or surfactant. All the samples were characterized by XRD, IR, XPS, TG–DTA, nitrogen adsorption, SEM and TEM. The flower-like Ni₃B₂O₆ nanostructure was self-assembled by nanosheets with the thickness of about 40 nm. The electrochemical properties in lithium-ion battery of flower-like Ni₃B₂O₆ nanostructure were studied by the cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic cycling test, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which showed it had a high initial discharge capacity and a good reversibility.     

Undecaborates M2[B11H11]: Facile Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Reactions

closo-Undecaborates were synthesized by the deprotonation of B₁₁H₁₃(SMe₂) with LitBu in thp or K[BHEt₃] in thf, [Li(thp)₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] and K₂[B₁₁H₁₁] being obtained in 83 and 93% yield, respectively. K₂[B₁₁H₁₁] can be transformed into A₂[B₁₁H₁₁] with the corresponding ammonium chlorides in aqueous solution (A = [NMe₃Ph], [NBzlEt₃], [N(PPh₃)₂]). The crystal structure analysis of [Li(thp)₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] (space group P2₁/c) reveals a rather distorted octadecahedron for the [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– anion, whereas the corresponding octadecahedron in [NBzlEt₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] (space group P2₁2₁2₁) exhibits a structure close to C_2v symmetry, expected for the free anion. The protonation of [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– at low temperature gives [B₁₁H₁₂]^–, whose structure could be elucidated by NMR methods; it is formed, apparently, by the opening of the B1–B4 edge of [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– in the course of its known degenerate skeletal rearrangement, followed by the protonation of the B2–B4 edge. The reaction of [B₁₁H₁₂]^– with a second molecule of the acid HX (X = CF₃COO) gives nido-[B₁₁H₁₃X]^–. The addition of BH₃ to [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– yields closo-[B₁₂H₁₂]^2– under loss of H₂. Two [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– units are fused by the aid of FeCl₃, with the known anion [B₂₂H₂₂]^2– as the product, whose ¹¹B-NMR signals could completely be assigned on the basis of C_s symmetry. The compound [NBzlEt₃][N(PPh₃)₂][B₂₂H₂₂] crystallizes in the space group Pna2₁.     

Undecahalo‐closo‐undecaborates [B11Hal11]2–

The closo‐undecaborate A₂[B₁₁H₁₁] (A = NBzlEt₃) can be halogenated with excess N‐chlorosuccine imide, bromine or iodine, respectively, to give the perhalo‐closo‐undecaborates A₂[B₁₁Hal₁₁] (Hal = Cl, Br, I). The chlorination in the 11 : 1 ratio of the reagents yields A₂[B₁₁HCl₁₀], whose subsequent iodination makes A₂[B₁₁Cl₁₀I] available. The three type [B₁₁Hal₁₁]^2– anions show only one and the two type [B₁₁Cl₁₀X]^2– anions (X = H, I) only two ¹¹B NMR peaks in the ratio 10 : 1, thus exhibiting the same degenerate rearrangement of the octadecahedral B₁₁ skeleton as is well‐known for [B₁₁H₁₁]^2–. The crystal structure analysis of A₂[B₁₁Br₁₁] and A₂[B₁₁I₁₁] reveals a rigid octadecahedral skeleton in the solid state, up to 330 K, whose B–B bond lengths deviate more or less from the idealized C_2v gas phase structure, but are in good accordance with the distances of A₂[B₁₁H₁₁]. Electrochemical experiments elucidate the mechanism of the known oxidation of [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– to give [B₂₂H₂₂]^2–: A first one‐electron transfer is followed by the dimerization of the [B₁₁H₁₁]^– monoanion, whereas neutral B₁₁H₁₁, a presumably most reactive species, does not play a role as an intermediate. The electrochemical oxidation of [B₁₁Hal₁₁]^2– anions also starts with a one‐electron transfer, which is perfectly reversible only in the case of Hal = Br. There is no electrochemical indication for the formation of [B₂₂Hal₂₂]^2–. The neutral species B₁₁Hal₁₁ should be a short‐lived, very reactive species.     

B7Be6B7: A Boron-Beryllium Sandwich Complex

Planar boron clusters have often been regarded as “π-analogous” to aromatic arenes because of their similar delocalized π-bonding. However, unlike arenes such as C₅H₅⁻ and C₆H₆, boron clusters have not previously shown the ability to form sandwich complexes. In this study, we present the first sandwich complex involving beryllium and boron, B₇Be₆B₇. The global minimum of this combination adopts a unique architecture having a D_6h geometry, featuring an unprecedented monocyclic Be₆ ring sandwiched between two quasi-planar B₇ motifs. The thermochemical and kinetic stability of B₇Be₆B₇ can be attributed to strong electrostatic and covalent interactions between the fragments. Chemical bonding analysis shows that B₇Be₆B₇ can be considered as a [B₇]³⁻[Be₆]⁶⁺[B₇]³⁻ complex. Moreover, there is a significant electron delocalization within this cluster, supported by the local diatropic contributions of the B₇ and Be₆ fragments.     

Y16I19C8B4 – ein Yttriumboridcarbidhalogenid mit B2C4-Einheiten

Y₁₆I₁₉C₈B₄ – a Yttrium Boride Carbide Halide Containing B₂C₄ Units The new compound Y₁₆I₁₉C₈B₄ was prepared from Y, YI₃, C and B at 1050–1150 °C. The structure of a twinned crystal was determined by means of X-ray diffraction (space group P 1¯, a = 12.311(2) Å, b = 13.996(3) Å, c = 19.695(3) Å, α = 74.96(2)°, β = 89.51(2)°, γ = 67.03(2)°, Z = 2). Y₁₆I₁₉C₈B₄ is a semiconductor and contains nearly planar B₂C₄ units which are located in cages built up by 12 yttrium atoms. Assuming (B₂C₄)^12–, these units can be regarded as isoelectronic with B₂F₄. The yttrium cages are connected via faces to form rods, which are surrounded by iodine atoms. Bridging iodine atoms connect the rods so that layers are formed. The characteristic twinning observed can be understood from the geometry of the crystal structure.     

Structure and stability of B+13 clusters

The structures and energies of B⁺₁₃, observed experimentally to be an unusually abundant species among cationic boron clusters, have been studied systematically with B3LYP/6–31G* density functional theory. The most thermodynamically stable B⁺₁₂ and B⁺₁₃ clusters are confirmed to have planar or quasiplanar rather than globular structures. However, the computed dissociation energies of the 3-dimensional B⁺₁₃ clusters are much closer to the experimental values than those of the planar or quasiplanar structures. Hence, planar and 3-dimensional B⁺₁₃ may both exist. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 203–214, 1998     

Irreversible Antagonists for the Adenosine A2B Receptor

Blockade of the adenosine A_2B receptor (A_2BAR) represents a potential novel strategy for the immunotherapy of cancer. In the present study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized irreversible A_2BAR antagonists based on an 8-p-sulfophenylxanthine scaffold. Irreversible binding was confirmed in radioligand binding and bioluminescence resonance energy transfer(BRET)-based Gα₁₅ protein activation assays by performing ligand wash-out and kinetic experiments. p-(1-Propylxanthin-8-yl)benzene sulfonyl fluoride (6a, PSB-21500) was the most potent and selective irreversible A_2BAR antagonist of the present series with an apparent K_i value of 10.6 nM at the human A_2BAR and >38-fold selectivity versus the other AR subtypes. The corresponding 3-cyclopropyl-substituted xanthine derivative 6c (PSB-21502) was similarly potent, but was non-selective versus A₁- and A_2AARs. Attachment of a reactive sulfonyl fluoride group to an elongated xanthine 8-substituent (12, K_i 7.37 nM) resulted in a potent, selective, reversibly binding antagonist. Based on previous docking studies, the lysine residue K269^7.32 was proposed to react with the covalent antagonists. However, the mutant K269L behaved similarly to the wildtype A_2BAR, indicating that 6a and related irreversible A_2BAR antagonists do not interact with K269^7.32. The new irreversible A_2BAR antagonists will be useful tools and have the potential to be further developed as therapeutic drugs.     

Kinetics of decomposition of different acid calcium phosphates

The kinetics of thermal decomposition of Ca(H₂PO₄)₂·H₂O under non-isothermal conditions was studied. The TG/DTG curves were obtained at five heating rates: 5, 7, 10, 12 and 20 K min^–1. The kinetic analysis was performed by means of three methods: Friedman, Budrugeac–Segal and NPK by Sempere and Nomen. An important dependence of the activation energy vs. the conversion degree was observed and also a compensation effect. The decomposition consists of water loss and is due to the elimination of crystallization water and an intermolecular condensation, respectively.     

Simultaneous Spectrophotometric Determination of Group B Vitamins Using Parallel Factor Analysis: PARAFAC

In this work, a simple and rapid analytical procedure was applied for simultaneous determination of folic acid (vitamin B₀), thiamin (vitamin B₁), riboflavin (vitamin B₂) and pyridoxal (vitamin B₆) based on the absorbance data in the pH range 2.0‐12.0 at 25 °C using parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). The effect of the pH as the most important factor on the sensitivity of the determination was studied. The spectral data were recorded in 400‐650 nm intervals and a 2‐12 pH range for all four vitamins. The calibration set was constructed in the concentration ranges of 4‐22, 1‐20, 6‐26, and 4‐20 μg mL^?;1 for B₆,B₂,B₁ and B₀, respectively. The root mean squares errors of prediction for the prediction set, (RMSEP), are 0.65, 0.63, 1.13 and 0.34 for B₀,B₁,B₂ and B₆, respectively. The recovery percent for the validation set are in the range of 90.6 to 107.0%. The effect of the experimental conditions and diverse species were discussed. The optimum values of these factors were searched according to the relative standard deviation of the prediction set of mixtures solutions.     

Simultaneous determination of aflatoxin B1, B2, G1, and G2 in corn powder,edible oil,peanut butter,and soy sauce by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry utilizing turbulent flow chromatography

A novel fully automated method based on dual column switching using turbulent flow chromatography followed by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of aflatoxin B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ in corn powder, edible oil, peanut butter, and soy sauce samples. After ultrasound‐assisted extraction, samples were directly injected to the chromatographic system and the analytes were concentrated into the clean‐up loading column. Through purge switching, the analytes were transferred to the analytical column for subsequent detection by mass spectrometry. Different types of TurboFlow^TM columns, transfer flow rate, transfer time were optimized. The limits of detection and quantification of this method ranged between 0.2–2.0 and 0.5–4.0 μg/kg for aflatoxins in different matrixes, respectively. Recoveries of aflatoxins were in range of 83–108.1% for all samples, matrix effects were in range of 34.1–104.7%. The developed method has been successfully applied in the analysis of aflatoxin B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂ in real samples.     

Infrarotspektroskopische Untersuchung des Borcarbids und seiner isotypen Derivate B12O2, B12P2 und B12As2

Infrared Spectra of Boron Carbide and its Isotypic Derivatives B₁₂O₂, B₁₂P₂, and B₁₂As₂ From very finely powdered samples of B₄C [ = B₁₁C(CBC)], B₁₂O₂, B₁₂P₂, and B₁₂As₂ infrared spectra with very well shaped bands could be obtained. The spectrum of B₁₂O₂ with the smallest number of bands was assigned with the aid of a normal coordinate analysis. This gave a good basis for the interpretation of the spectra of normal and ¹⁰B-enriched B₄C and of B₁₂P₂. Both are exhibiting some bands in addition to those expected for the ideal structures, which are explained by the assumption of disordering within the C? B? C resp. P? P groups. At boron carbide this disorder seems to depend on the ratio B:C within its range of homogeneity.     

Structure and stability of B6, B,and B clusters

We investigated various isomers of B₆, B, and B clusters with ab initio [Hartree–Fock (HF), MP2)] and density functional theory (DFT) methods. Ten B₆ isomers, 6 B isomers, and 6 B isomers are determined to be local minima on their potential energy hypersurfaces by the HF, B3LYP, B3PW91, and MP2 methods. Fourteen of these structures are first reported. The most stable neutral B₆ cluster is the capped pentagonal pyramid (C_5v), in agreement with the results reported previously. Hexagon B (C_2h) isomer and fan‐shaped B (C_2v) isomer are found to be the most stable on the cationic and anionic energy hypersurfaces, respectively. Natural bond orbital analysis suggests that there are three‐centered bonds in the most stable B₆ neutral and ionic clusters. The multicentered bonds are responsible for the special stability of the lowest‐energy isomer. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 94: 269–278, 2003     

Azo functionalised achiral bent-core liquid crystals: observation of photo-induced effects in B7 and B2 mesophases

Three structural variants of azo substituted achiral bent-core compounds are reported. Here, the effect of symmetrical and non-symmetrical arms at 1,3-positions of the central phenyl ring on the mesogenic properties of the resulting bent-core azo compounds is studied. The structures of all the compounds synthesised are confirmed by the organic spectroscopic methods. The liquid crystalline properties are investigated using polarising optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction studies. It was found that the non-symmetrical molecules are more conducive to mesomorphism than the symmetrical ones. We observed B₁ (Col_r), B₂ (SmC_AP_A) and B₇ mesophases in these compounds. The B₇ mesophase was found to have a modulated layer structure. Interestingly, a reversible field-induced transition from the B₇-like structure to the racemic SmC_AP_F was also observed. We also report the photo-induced studies in the B₇ mesophase and make a comparison of these results with those obtained in a B₂ mesophase. From our studies, we observed that these effects are more profound in the case of B₇ mesophase when compared to the B₂ mesophase in such systems.     

A Kinetic Aspect of the Thermal Dehydration of Dilithium Tetraborate Trihydrate

The reaction process of the thermal dehydration of dilithium tetraborate trihydrate, Li₂B₄O₇3H₂O, was reinvestigated from a viewpoint of reaction kinetics. On the basis of the results of thermogravimetry, constant rate thermal analysis, powder X-ray diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy, it was confirmed that the reaction proceeds via three consecutive kinetic steps characterized by different activation energies. The first and second kinetic steps, accompanied by the destruction of the original crystal structure of the reactant, seem to be assigned to the surface and internal reactions, respectively. During the third kinetic step, the thermal dehydration of hydrated amorphous intermediate, produced at the second kinetic step, and crystallization of the final dehydration product, Li₂B₄O₇, are likely to take place concurrently.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.