Syntheses of (+)- and (–)-Methyl 8-Epinonactate and (+)- and (–)-Methyl Nonactate

In four synthetic steps, (+)- and (–)-methyl 8-epinonactate ((+)- and (–)− 4 ) have been derived from (+)- and (–)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((+)- and (–)− 9 ), respectively. The (+)- and (–)-methyl nonactate ((+)- and (–)− 3 ) were obtained from (+)- and (–)− 4 , respectively, by Mitsunobu displacement reactions. Optical resolution of (±)− 9 via chromatographic separation of the corresponding N-methyl-S-alkyl-S-phenylsulfoximides 24 and 25 yielded the starting materials (+)- and (–)− 9 , respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of polystyrene-anchored monobasic bidentate Schiff base and its complexes with bi-, tri-, tetra- and hexavalent metal ions

A new monobasic bidentate ON donor Schiff base PS–LH₂ (where PS–LH₂ = polystyrene-anchored Schiff base obtained by condensation of chloromethylated polystyrene (containing 1.17 mmol of chlorine per gram of resin cross-linked with 2% divinylbenzene), 2-hydroxy-1-naphaldehyde and 4-aminosalicylic acid has been synthesized. PS–LH₂ reacts with metal complexes to form polystyrene-anchored complexes: PS–LHM(CH₃Coo) · DMF (where M = Cu, Zn, Cd, UO₂), PS–LHZr(OH)₂(CH₃Coo) · 2DMF, PS–LHFeCl₂ · 2DMF, PS–LHM′(CH₃Coo) · 3DMF (where M′ = Mn and Ni) and PS–LHMoo₂(acac), where acacH = acetylacetone. The polystyrene-anchored complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESR and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The per cent reaction conversion of PS–LH₂ to polystyrene supported coordination compounds lies between 30–95. Shifts of the azomethine ν(C=N) and phenolic ν(C–O) stretches are indicative of ON donor behaviour of the polystyrene-anchored ligands. The complexes, PS–LHCu(CH₃Coo) · DMF, PS–LHFecl₂ · 2DMF, PS–LHMn(CH₃Coo) · 3DMF and PS–LHNi(CH₃Coo) · 3DMF are paramagnetic, while PS–LHZn(CH₃Coo) · DMF, PS–LHCd(CH₃COO) · DMF, PS–LHUo₂(CH₃Coo) · DMF, PS–LHZr(OH)₂(CH₃COO) · 2DMF and PS–LHMoO₂(acac) are diamagnetic. The copper(II) complex exhibits a square planar structure, zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes have tetrahedral structures, nickel(II), manganese(II), iron(III), dioxomolybdenum(VI) and dioxouranium(VI) complexes have octahedral structure and zirconium(IV) complex is pentagonal bipyramidal.     

Head-to-head vinyl polymers. VI. Preparation and characterization of head-to-head poly(allyl alcohol) and its esters

Head-to-head (H–H) poly(allyl alcohol) (PAA) was prepared by the LiAlH₄ reduction of H–H poly(methyl acrylate) obtained from the methylation of alternating copolymer of ethylene with maleic anhydride. H–H poly(allyl acetate) (PAAc) and H–H poly(allyl benzoate) (PABz) were further derived by means of its acylations. All of these three H–H polymers were characterized by IR, NMR, TGA, and PGC measurements. The corresponding head-to-tail (H–T) polymers were also prepared by a similar method from the conventional H–T polymer of methyl acrylate, and characterized to allow comparison with the H–H polymers. The softening temperatures of all H–H polymers were somewhat higher than those of the respective H–T polymers, probably suggesting that the H–H placements increased the stiffness of the polymers. Unlike poly(acrylic esters) reported previously, these H–H allyl polymers were found to degrade at temperatures slightly lower than the H–T polymers. On pyrolysis at 430°C, both PAAc and PABz were also observed to release predominantly acetic acid and benzoic acid, respectively, and small quantities of the corresponding allyl ester monomers. The molar ratios of acid to ester were substantially larger for H–H polymers.     

Trithia- and dithiaselenapentalenes from benzylidene-1,2-dithioles and heterocumulenes

Deprotonation of the 5-aryl-3-benzyl-1λ⁴,2-dithiol-1-ylium iodides ( 6a–6d ) obtained by reaction of the 1-aryl-4-phenylbutan-1,3-diones ( 5a–5d ) with hydrogen sulfide and iodine in ethanol gave the stable 5-aryl-3-benzylidene-3H-1,2-dithioles ( 3a–3d ), respectively. The dithioles ( 3a–3d ) underwent thermal cycloaddition reactions with isoselenocyanates and isothiocyanates to give the 2-(substituted amino)-5-aryl-3-phenyl-6,6aλ⁴-dithia-1-selenapentalenes ( 7a–7h ) andthe 2-(substituted amino)-5-aryl-3-phenyl-1,6,6aλ⁴-trithiapentalenes ( 8a–8l ), respectively. The dithioles( 3a–3d ) reacted with isocyanates to give the N-substi-tuted-2-phenyl-2-(5-aryl-3H-1,2-dithiol-3-ylidene) acetamides ( 11a–11h ). © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 8 : 233–244, 1997.     

Synthesis and characterization of biodegradable block copolymers of ϵ-caprolactone and D,L-lactide initiated by potassium poly(ethylene glycol)ate

Poly(D ,L -lactide)–poly(ϵ-caprolactone)–poly(ethylene glycol)–poly(ϵ-caprolactone)–poly(D ,L -lactide) block copolymer (PLA–PCL–PEG–PCL–PLA) was prepared by copolymerization of ϵ-caprolactone (ϵ-CL) and D ,L -lactide (D ,L -LA) initiated by potassium poly(ethylene glycol)ate in THF at 25°C. The copolymers with different composition were synthesized by adjusting the mole ratio of reaction mixture. The resulted copolymers were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR, DSC, and GPC. Efforts to prepare copolymers with the corresponding structure of PCL–PLA–PEG–PLA–PCL and D ,L -lactide/ϵ-caprolactone random copolymers were not successful. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(alkylthio‐p‐phenylenevinylene): Synthesis and electroluminescent and photovoltaic properties

Two alkylthio‐substituted poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) (AT–PPV) derivatives, poly(2‐octylthio‐p‐phenylenevinylene) (OT–PPV) and poly[5‐methoxy‐2‐(2′‐ethyl‐hexylthio)‐p‐phenylenevinylene] (MEHT–PPV), were synthesized by a Heck coupling reaction for the investigation of the effect of alkylthio groups on the optoelectronic properties of poly(p‐phenylenevinylene) derivatives. The absorption peaks of OT–PPV and MEHT–PPV solutions were located at 431 and 438 nm, respectively. As for solid films, an OT–PPV film showed an absorption maximum wavelength at 444 nm, 13 nm redshifted in comparison with its solution value, whereas an MEHT–PPV film displayed the same absorption peak position as its dilute solution; this indicated that there was no interchain interaction in the MEHT–PPV film. Polymeric light‐emitting diodes (PLEDs) and polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on OT–PPV and MEHT–PPV were fabricated and characterized. Very narrow bandwidths of the electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the two AT–PPVs were found, with the full width at half‐maximum of the emission being 40 and 47 nm for OT–PPV and MEHT–PPV, respectively. The maximum EL efficiency of the single‐layer PLED based on MEHT–PPV with Al as a cathode reached 1.49 cd/A. The PSC based on a blend of OT–PPV and [6,6]‐phenyl‐C₆₁ butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) showed the power conversion efficiency of 1.4% under the illumination of AM1.5 (80 mW/cm²). © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1279–1290, 2006     

A study of polyesters synthesized from an arylsilane and its carbon analog

Bis(4,4′-benzoyl chloride) dimethylsilane (SiCO) and 2,2-bis(4,4′-benzoyl chloride) propane (CCO) were synthesized and polymerized with butanediol, resorcinol, or hydroquinone. The polymers of SiCO–hydroquinone (SiCO–Hyd) and SiCO–resorcinol (SiCO–Res) possess glass transition temperatures 25°C lower than their carbon analogs but the less aromatic SiCO–butanediol (SiCO–BDO) and CCO–butanediol (CCO–BDO) polymers have similar glass transitions. Silicon containing polymers are superior to their carbon counterparts in thermal stability. Furthermore, polyarylates of excellent thermal stability and solubility were synthesized from SiCO/terephthaloyl chloride and hydroquinone. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mineral content and physical properties of local and imported honeys in Saudi Arabia

In addition to color, ash and electrical conductivity (EC), the levels of 14 minerals were investigated in 23 varieties of honey from Saudi Arabia and six other countries. The quantities of the macrominerals obtained were as follows (in ppm): K (298.60–491.40), Mg (80.70–199.30), Ca (60.75–99.95), P (21.10–33.29), and Na (15.69–26.93). The quantities of trace minerals were as follows (in ppm): Fe (67.18–98.13), I (12.61–94.68), Mn (4.15–6.04), Zn (3.44–5.72), Li (1.15–4.26), Co (1.00–1.32), and Ni (0.15–0.67). The quantities of the heavy metals Pb and Cd were found to be 0.06–0.23 and 0.00–0.16, respectively. The values of the tested elements—color, ash and EC—varied among the tested honeys according to their botanical origin. Dark honeys, especially acacia honeys, had higher elemental content and EC values than lighter ones. Saudi and Yemeni seder honeys exhibited no distinctive characteristics in their tested parameters. The levels of heavy metals indicated that the tested honeys were safe for human consumption.     

New anionic and dianionic polydentate systems featuring ancillary phosphinosulfides as ligands in coordination chemistry and catalysis

This article provides an overview of the chemistry of monoanionic S–P–S and dianionic S–C–S ligands featuring two phosphinosulfide ligands as pendant groups. These new pincer-type structures are easily assembled from phosphinines and the bis-sulfide derivative of the bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, respectively. Monoanionic S–P–S pincer ligands easily coordinate group 10 and group 9 metal fragments through displacement reactions. Palladium(II) complexes of S–P–S ligands efficiently catalyze cross-coupling processes, allowing the formation of boronic esters and biphenyl derivatives. Rh(I) complexes of S–P–S ligands react in a regioselective way with small molecules (O₂, SO₂, CS₂, MeI) to afford the corresponding Rh(I) or Rh(III) derivatives. S–C–S dianonic ligands, which are readily obtained through a bis-metallation at the central carbon atom of Ph₂P(S)CH₂P(S)Ph₂, react with Pd(II) and Ru(II) precursors to afford new carbene complexes. Samarium and thulium alkylidene complexes of these S–C–S dianionic ligands were synthesized in a similar way. Reaction of the lanthanide derivatives with ketones or aldehydes yields olefinic derivatives through a ‘Wittig-like’ process.     

Synthesis and pyrolysis of ABC type miktoarm star copolymers with polystyrene,poly(lactic acid) and poly(ethylene glycol) arms

An ABC type miktoarm star copolymer possessing polystyrene (PS), poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) arms was synthesized by combining Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (ATRP) and Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) with two click chemistries, namely thiol–ene and copper catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). For this purpose, a core 1-(allyloxy)-3-azidopropan-2-ol with allyl and azide functionalities was synthesized in two steps. Then, clickable polymers, polystyrene with thiol functionality (PS–SH) and poly(ethylene glycol) with alkyne functionality (PEG–acetylene) were independently prepared. As the first step of the grafting onto process, PS–SH was thiol–ene clicked onto the core to yield PS–N₃–OH. The second arm was then incorporated onto the core by the Ring Opening Polymerization (ROP) of l-(?)-Lactide (LA) using as PS–N₃–OH initiator and tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate as catalyst. Finally, alkyne–PEG–acetylene was bonded to the resulting PLA–PS–N₃ using CuAAC click reaction. All intermediates, related polymers at different stages and final PS–PLA–PEG miktoarm star copolymer were characterized by ¹H NMR, FT-IR, SEC and DP-MS analyses. Direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry, (DP-MS) analyses of PS–PLA–PEG and all intermediate polymers indicated that the decomposition of PS and PEG chains occurred almost independently, following the degradation mechanisms of the corresponding homopolymers. On the other hand, during the pyrolysis of PS–PLA–PEG, elimination of H₂O during the decomposition of PEG chains at the early stages of pyrolysis caused hydrolysis of PLA chains and increased the yields of CO₂, CO and units involving unsaturation and/or crosslinked structure.     

Spectrophotometric determination of carbamazepine and mosapride citrate in pure and pharmaceutical preparations

Simple, rapid and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were developed for the determination of carbamazepine and mosapride citrate drugs in pure and pharmaceutical dosage forms. These methods are based on ion pair and charge transfer complexation reactions. The first method is based on the reaction of the carbamazepine drug with Mo(V)–thiocyanate in hydrochloric acid medium followed by an extraction of the coloured ion-pair with 1,2-dichloroethane and the absorbance of the ion pair was measured at 470 nm. The second method is based on the formation of ion-pairs between mosapride citrate and two dyestuff reagents namely bromothymol blue (BTB) and bromocresol green (BCG) in a universal buffer of pH 4 and 3, respectively. The formed ion-pairs are extracted with chloroform and methylene chloride and measured at 412 and 416 nm for BTB and BCG reagents, respectively. The third method is based on charge transfer complex formation between mosapride citrate (electron donor) and DDQ (π-acceptor reagent) and the absorbance of the CT complexes was measured at 450 nm. All the optimum conditions are established. The calibration graphs are rectilinear in the concentration ranges 10–350 for carbamazepine using Mo(V)–thiocyanate and 4–100, 4–60 and 10–150 μg mL^?1 for mosapride citrate using BTB, BCG and DDQ reagents, respectively. The Sandell sensitivity (S), molar absorptivity, correlation coefficient, regression equations and limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) are calculated. The law values of standard deviation (0.04–0.09 for carbamazepine using Mo(V)–thiocyanate and 0.022–0.024, 0.013–0.018 and 0.013–0.020 for mosapride citrate using BTB, BCG and DDQ, respectively) and relative standard deviation (0.630–2.170 for carbamazepine using Mo(V)–thiocyanate and 0.123–1.43, 0.102–0.530 and 0.226–1.280 for mosapride citrate using BTB, BCG and DDQ, respectively) reflect the accuracy and precision of the proposed methods. The methods are applied for the assay of the two investigated drugs in pharmaceutical dosage forms. The results are in good agreement with those obtained by the official method.     

Iodine release and recovery, influence of polyiodide anions on electrical conductivity and nonlinear optical activity in an interdigitated and interpenetrated bipillared-bilayer metal-organic framework

{[Cu6(pybz)8(OH)2]·I5(–)·I7(–)}n (1), obtained hydrothermally by using iodine molecules as a versatile precursor template, consists of a cationic framework with two types of zigzag channels, which segregate I5(–) and I7(–) anions. The framework exhibits the first observed bipillared-bilayer structure featuring both interdigitation and interpenetration. 1 displays high framework stability in both acidic (HCl) and alkaline (NaOH) solutions. 1 slowly releases iodine in dry methanol to give [Cu6(pybz)8(OH)2](I–)2·3.5CH3OH (1′) and partially recovers iodine from cyclohexane to form [Cu6(pybz)8(OH)2](I–)2·xI2 (1″). Differences of up to 100 times in electrical conductivity and of 4 times in nonlinear optical activity (NLO) have been measured between 1 and 1′. This compound is one of few displaying multifunctionality, electrical conductivity, NLO, and crystal–crystal stability upon release and recovery of iodine. It is also unique in the iodine release from polyiodide anions in a metal–organic framework.     

Electrical double layer in surface-inactive electrolyte solution and adsorption of halide ions from 0.1 M solutions on liquid Cd–Ga and In–Ga alloys in gamma-butyrolactone

The double-layer characteristics of liquid renewable Cd–Ga (0.3 at % Cd) and In–Ga (14.2 at % In) electrodes in the gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) solutions of various electrolytes are studied by measuring the differential capacitance and using the method of open-circuit jet electrode. For the (Cd–Ga)/GBL and (In–Ga)/GBL interfaces, the zero-charge potentials, which are not distorted by the specific adsorption of ions, and the chemisorption potential drops of solvent are determined. It is shown that, in spite of the fact that the work function decreases as we pass from (In–Ga) to (Cd–Ga), the chemisorption potential drops of solvent on both electrodes are close. This behavior is explained by a closer approach of GBL dipoles to the surface of (Cd-Ga) electrode providing more effective overlapping of donor–acceptor levels of metal and solvent. It is shown that, in GBL, the adsorption parameters of halide ions and their surface activity series depend on the metal nature. On the (Cd–Ga) and (In–Ga) electrodes, the reversed surface activity series of halide ions is observed: on the Hg electrode in various solvents, the surface activity increases in the series Cl^– < Br^– < I^–, whereas on the (Cd–Ga) and (In–Ga) electrodes in GBL, it varies in the reverse series I^– < Br^– < Cl^–.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Comb-like Methoxy Polyethylene Glycol-grafted Polyurethanes via ‘Click’ Chemistry

In this study, a series of comb-like methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG) functionalized polyurethanes (PUs) (PU–g–MPEG) were successfully prepared via ‘click’ chemistry and polyaddition reaction. The copper catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition was firstly carried out between 3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1-propargyloxybenzene (PBM) and methoxy polyethylene glycol azide (MPEG–N₃) to obtain MPEGylated diol PBM (MPEG–PBM). Then, the comb-like PUs having MPEG located on the backbones (PU–g–MPEG) were synthesized through the polyaddition of MPEGylated diol PBM and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), ¹H NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and thermo gravimetric analyses (TGA) were used to characterize these synthesized MPEG-functionalized comb-like PUs (PU–g–MPEG). Compared with PU without MPEG grafts, PU–g–MPEG show a better wettability.     

Jute stick extract assisted hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide nanoflakes and their enhanced photocatalytic and antibacterial efficacy

In this paper, we used green and hydrothermal methodology to prepare zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoflakes (NFs) with jute stick extract (J–ZnO NFs) as growth substrate. The prepared materials were characterized using different analytical techniques including ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characteristic absorption peak for ZnO NFs and J–ZnO NFs were observed from the UV–vis spectrum at 373 and 368 nm respectively. The hexagonal wurtzite crystal structure of ZnO NFs and J–ZnO NFs was confirmed by XRD analysis. FESEM and TEM analyses of synthesized J–ZnO NFs confirmed their NFs shape and collectively flower-like structure formation by the assembly of NFs of J–ZnO on cellulose of jute stick extract substrate. The FTIR analysis revealed the functional groups of jute stick extract biomolecules, mainly cellulose, are responsible for the formation of collectivel flower like J–ZnO NFs structure. The XPS analysis revealed the surface and chemical compositions (Zn, C, and O) of J–ZnO NFs. The photocatalytic performance of ZnO NFs and J–ZnO NFs samples was carried out by the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye solution under UV light irradiation. The degradation efficiency of ZnO NFs and J–ZnO NFs was obtained 79 % and 89 %, respectively, for 5 h. Notably, the degradation efficiency of the J–ZnO NFs was 98 % after 8 h of irradiation, which is very inspiring. The both NFs exhibited first-order kinetics with MB photodegradation. We also examined the possible antibacterial activity of both samples against Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathogens, which demonstrated a significant result with a 17 mm and 19 mm zone of inhibition by ZnO NFs and J–ZnO NFs respectively.     

Synthesis and Application of Low Molecular Weight PEI-Based Copolymers for siRNA Delivery with Smart Polymer Blends

Polyethylenimine (PEI) is a commonly used cationic polymer for small-interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery due to its high transfection efficiency at low commercial cost. However, high molecular weight PEI is cytotoxic and thus, its practical application is limited. In this study, different formulations of low molecular weight PEI (LMW-PEI) based copolymers polyethylenimine-g-polycaprolactone (PEI–PCL) (800 Da–40 kDa) and PEI–PCL–PEI (5–5–5 kDa) blended with or without polyethylene glycol-b-polycaprolactone (PEG–PCL) (5 kDa-4 kDa) are investigated to prepare nanoparticles via nanoprecipitation using a solvent displacement method with sizes ≈100 nm. PEG–PCL can stabilize the nanoparticles, improve their biocompatibility, and extend their circulation time in vivo. The nanoparticles composed of PEI–PCL–PEI and PEG–PCL show higher siRNA encapsulation efficiency than PEI–PCL/PEG–PCL based nanoparticles at low N/P ratios, higher cellular uptake, and a gene silencing efficiency of ≈40% as a result of the higher molecular weight PEI blocks. These results suggest that the PEI–PCL–PEI/PEG–PCL nanoparticle system could be a promising vehicle for siRNA delivery at minimal synthetic effort.     

Trace-level analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls,organochlorine pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in human plasma or serum by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry

A method to determine 8 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), 23 organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was described using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) of a small amount of plasma or serum sample and gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The appropriate selection of the extraction solvent and dispersing solvent contributes to a high extraction yield and a clean extract. To verify the developed method, the interference, linearity of the calibration curve, detection limit, precision and accuracy were evaluated. The calibration curves were linear by 2–3 orders of magnitude with correlation coefficients above 0.997 in all cases. The LODs of PCBs, OCPs and PAHs were measured in the ranges of 0.0006–0.0029, 0.001–0.029 and 0.0002–0.012 ng/mL. The intraday precision achieved by this method was 2.19–10.3% (PCBs), 1.65–14.3% (OCPs) and 0.91–12.8% (PAHs), and the intraday accuracy 1.56–7.37% (PCBs), 2.34–19.6% (OCPs) and 1.49–15.7% (PAHs). The advantage of this method is that the analysis of PCBs, OCPs, and PAHs can be performed in a single chromatographic run, and the low detection limit enables monitoring of target substances in low exposure general public samples, and the analysis procedure is relatively simple and fast.     

Composition and antioxidant activity of Thymus vulgaris volatiles: Comparison between supercritical fluid extraction and hydrodistillation

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of the volatile oil from Thymus vulgaris L. aerial flowering parts was performed under different conditions of pressure, temperature, mean particle size and CO₂ flow rate and the correspondent yield and composition were compared with those of the essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation (HD). Both the oils were analyzed by GC and GC‐MS and 52 components were identified. The main volatile components obtained were p‐cymene (10.0–42.6% for SFE and 28.9–34.8% for HD), γ‐terpinene (0.8–6.9% for SFE and 5.1–7.0% for HD), linalool (2.3–5.3% for SFE and 2.8–3.1% for HD), thymol (19.5–40.8% for SFE and 35.4–41.6% for HD), and carvacrol (1.4–3.1% for SFE and 2.6–3.1% for HD). The main difference was found to be the relative percentage of thymoquinone (not found in the essential oil) and carvacryl methyl ether (1.0–1.2% for HD versus t?0.4 for SFE) which can explain the higher antioxidant activity, assessed by Rancimat test, of the SFE volatiles when compared with HD. Thymoquinone is considered a strong antioxidant compound.     

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Water-soluble Chitin Derivatives

Diethylaminoethyl–chitin (DEAE–chitin) was synthesized by introducing DEAE groups onto the C(6)–OH in chitin. DEAE–chitin was N-deacetylated by heating in aqueous 10% sodium hydroxide containing sodium borohydride to prepare the diethylaminoethyl–chitosan (DEAE–chitosan). In addition, DEAE–chitin was quaternized with ethyl halide to produce triethylaminoethyl–chitin (TEAE–chitin). Their antibacterial activities were evaluated by using colony count against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by means of shake flask method. The antibacterial activity was found to increase in order of DEAE–chitin, DEAE–chitosan, TEAE–chitin. DEAE–chitin was hydrolyzed by enzymes to investigate the effect of molecular weight on its antibacterial activities. The antibacterial activity was dependent on the structure, particularly on the molecular weight of chitin derivatives. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Densitometry and indirect normal‐phase HPTLC–ESI–MS for separation and quantitation of drugs and their glucuronide metabolites from plasma

The present work describes novel methods using densitometry and indirect or off‐line high performance thin‐layer chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPTLC–MS) for the simultaneous detection and quantification of asenapine, propranolol and telmisartan and their phase II glucuronide metabolites. After chromatographic separation of the drugs and their metabolites the analytes were scraped, extracted in methanol and concentrated prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Different combinations of toluene and methanol–ethanol–n‐butanol–iso‐propanol were tested for analyte separation and the best results were obtained using toluene–methanol–ammonia (6.9:3.0:0.1, v/v/v) as the elution solvent. All of the drug–metabolite pairs were separated with a homologous retardation factor difference of ≥22. The conventional densitometric approach was also studied and the method performances were compared. Both of the approaches were validated following the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines, and applied to spiked human plasma samples. The major advantage of the TLC–MS approach is that it can provide much lower limits of detection (1.98–5.83 pg/band) and limit of quantitation (5.97–17.63 pg/band) with good precision (?3.0% coefficient of variation) compared with TLC–densitometry. The proposed indirect HPTLC–MS method is simple yet effective and has tremendous potential in the separation and quantitation of drugs and their metabolites from biological samples, especially for clinical studies.