Polarization fluoroimmunoassays for the specific determination of amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine with the abbott TDx-analyzer

Two polarization fluoroimmunoassays for the screening of amphetamine and methamphetamine in urine were adapted for use with the Abbott TD_x-Analyzer running in the automatic mode. The detection limits of amphetamine and methamphetamine in 10 μl of urine were 0.03 and 0.05 mg l^?1, respectively. These assays were specific for the determination of amphetamine (cross-reactivity with methamphetamine 1%) or for the determination of methamphetamine (cross-reactivity with amphetamine 2.5%). No significant cross-reaction was observed with other drugs of abuse (ephedrine, morphine and butabarbital).     

A novel direct synthesis of (2,2-difluorovinyl)benzenes from aromatic aldehydes

A novel catalytic approach to (2,2-difluorovinyl)benzenes has been developed. It was found that hydrazones of aromatic aldehydes generated in situ could be converted to the corresponding (2,2-difluorovinyl)benzenes by catalytic olefination reaction (COR) with dibromodifluoromethane in the presence of CuCl.     

Thermodynamics of the decomposition processes of donor-acceptor complexes MX3 x en x MX3 and MX3 x en.

The structural and thermodynamic properties of the donor-acceptor (DA) complexes of Group 13 metal halides (MX3) with ethylenediamine and their decomposition products have been studied theoretically at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ(d,p) level of theory. Gas-phase dissociation into various components and HX elimination reactions are considered. Both processes are endothermic but favored by entropy. Complexes of 2:1 composition are predicted to be stable in the gas phase up to 640-1000 K. It is found that complexation with the second acceptor molecule lowers the HX elimination enthalpy; in turn, HX elimination increases DA bonding with a second MX3 molecule. Exceptionally high values of the dissociation enthalpies (310-390 kJ mol(-1)) and HX elimination reactions (360-420 kJ mol(-1)) of the amido compounds MX2NHC2H4NH2 and MX2NHC2H4NHMX2 make them important intermediates in the decomposition processes. Dissociation reactions of the complexes are more favorable than HX elimination reactions; however, the subsequent oligomerization and cyclization processes of coordinationally unsaturated amido and imido compounds may facilitate HX elimination. Since HI elimination reactions are predicted to be the least endothermic, and aluminum-containing compounds have the strongest M-N dissociation enthalpies, it is expected that compounds based on aluminum iodide are promising objects for experimental studies.     

Reaction of α-halogen substituted β-ethoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones with 2-aminopyridine: new route to trifluoroacetyl-containing heterocycles

The reaction of α-halosubstituted β-ethoxyvinyl trifluoromethyl ketones with 2-aminopyridine gives 3-trifluoroacetyl imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and 3-halo-1,1,1-trifluoro-4-(2-pyridinylamino)-3-buten-2-ones. The product ratio depends on the nature of the α-halogen atom and the solvent.     

Fluorescence polarization immunoassays for pesticides

Fluorescence polarization immunoassay methods for the detection of pesticides and their metabolites or degradation products are reviewed. Advantages and limitations for application to pesticide detection in environmental and food samples are discussed. The influence of the structure of fluorescent-labeled tracers and the affinity and specificity of antibodies on analytical performance is examined. The methods are simple, readily automated, and rapid (total time for assay of a water sample is about 1 min) with sensitivity of 1 - 10 ng/ml pesticide in 0.01 - 0.1 ml sample.     

Biosensors based on enzyme field-effect transistors for determination of some substrates and inhibitors

This paper is a review of the authors' publications concerning the development of biosensors based on enzyme field-effect transistors (ENFETs) for direct substrates or inhibitors analysis. Such biosensors were designed by using immobilised enzymes and ion-selective field-effect transistors (ISFETs). Highly specific, sensitive, simple, fast and cheap determination of different substances renders them as promising tools in medicine, biotechnology, environmental control, agriculture and the food industry.The biosensors based on ENFETs and direct enzyme analysis for determination of concentrations of different substrates (glucose, urea, penicillin, formaldehyde, creatinine, etc.) have been developed and their laboratory prototypes were fabricated. Improvement of the analytical characteristics of such biosensors may be achieved by using a differential mode of measurement, working solutions with different buffer concentrations and specific agents, negatively or positively charged additional membranes, or genetically modified enzymes. These approaches allow one to decrease the effect of the buffer capacity influence on the sensor response in an aim to increase the sensitivity of the biosensors and to extend their dynamic ranges.Biosensors for the determination of concentrations of different toxic substances (organophosphorous pesticides, heavy metal ions, hypochlorite, glycoalkaloids, etc.) were designed on the basis of reversible and/or irreversible enzyme inhibition effect(s). The conception of an enzymatic multibiosensor for the determination of different toxic substances based on the enzyme inhibition effect is also described.We will discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of biosensors based on the ENFETs developed and also demonstrate their practical application.     

Samarium(II) iodide mediated radical/polar crossover reactions of cyclobutenes. An efficient approach to the BCD ring system of the penitrems

[reaction: see text] Radical/polar crossover reactions of derivatives of 1-(2-cyclobutenyl)-2-(2-iodoaryl)ethanones with acetone promoted by samarium diiodide and HMPA provide 1-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2,2a,4,8b-tetrahydro-1H-cyclobuta[a]naphthalen-3-one derivatives in about 50% isolated yield. This reaction shows promise for construction of the BCD ring fragment of the penitrems.     

Vibrational structure of endohedral fullerene Sc3N@C78 (D3h'): evidence for a strong coupling between the Sc3N cluster and C78 cage.

The vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) is studied by FTIR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and DFT-based quantum chemical calculations. Remarkably good agreement between experimental and calculated spectra is achieved and a full assignment of the Sc(3)N-based vibrational modes is given. Significant differences in the vibrational structure of the endohedral cluster fullerene Sc(3)N@C(78) and the empty, charged C(78) (6-): 5 (D(3h)') are rationalized by the strong coupling between the Sc(3)N cluster and the fullerene cage. This coupling has its origin in a significant overlap of the Sc(3)N and C(78) molecular orbitals, and causes atomic-charge and bond-length redistributions compared to the neutral C(78) and the C(78) (6-) anion. An ionic model is not sufficient to describe the electronic, geometric and vibrational structure of the Sc(3)N@C(78) nitride cluster fullerene.     

An efficient approach to isoindolo[2,1-b][2]benzazepines via intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition of maleic anhydride to 4-α-furyl-4-N-benzylaminobut-1-enes

Acylation of 4-α-furyl-4-N-benzylaminobut-1-enes with maleic anhydride gave 4-oxo-3-aza-10-oxatricyclo[5.2.1.0^1,5]dec-8-ene-6-carboxylic acid via amide formation followed by intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of furan (IMDAF). The cycloaddition proceeded under mild reaction conditions (25 °C) and provided only the exo-adduct in quantitative yield. Treatment of this compound with PPA gave isoindolo[2,1-b][2]benzazepine derivatives via ring opening, aromatization and intramolecular electrophilic alkylation. In order to extend the scope of the reaction sequence, 7-oxo-5,11b,12,13-tetrahydro-7H-isoindolo[2,1-b][2]benzazepine-8-carboxylic acids were further transformed into useful synthetic intermediates.