Iron(II) vacataporphyrins: a variable annulene conformation inside a regular porphyrin frame

5,10,15,20-Tetraaryl-21-vacataporphyrin (1), an annulene-porphyrin hybrid containing a butadiene fragment in the macrocycle perimeter, gives paramagnetic iron(II) complexes 2. The porphyrin 1 is devoid of one donor atom of the coordination core; hence, metal ion is bound in the macrocyclic cavity by only three pyrrolic nitrogen atoms. The coordination sphere in 2-X (where X = Cl, Br, I) is completed by a halide anion. The butadiene fragment flexibility and constraints of coordination lead to two stereoisomers with the chain oriented inward (2-i-X) or outward (2-o-X) of the macrocyclic center. Axial halide subtraction (AgBF(4) addition) leads to two new forms differing in the butadiene chain configuration. The (1)H NMR spectra of all complexes show characteristics typical for high-spin iron(II) complexes of porphyrinoids. The dependence of the relaxation times T(1) versus Fe(II)···H distances (estimated by MM+ models) for three of the isomers is in accordance with the in, out, and/or zigzag geometries. The 2-o-X complex is more reactive than 2-i-X and reacts at room temperature with dioxygen to form the iron(II) 21-oxaporphyrin complex, conserving the iron(II) oxidation state. After the addition of imidazole or excess of methanol to a mixture of 2-o-X and 2-i-X, single five-coordinate complexes with out annulene configuration and two axial ligands are formed.     

Enantioseparation of Novel Amino Analogs of Indole Phytoalexins on Macrocyclic Glycopeptide-Based Chiral Stationary Phase

Direct chiral separation of the enantiomers of spirobrassinin, 1-methoxyspirobrassinin and ten novel cis- and trans-diastereoisomers of 2-amino analogs of indole phytoalexin 1-methoxyspirobrassinol methyl ether on macrocyclic glycopeptide-based chiral stationary phase (CSP) with teicoplanin (Chirobiotic T) was studied. Normal phase eluents containing n-hexane with modifiers ethanol and 2-propanol were used. The effects of mobile phase composition, structure of the analytes and temperature were investigated. Chiral resolution on teicoplanin CSP was achieved only in the case of trans-diastereoisomers. The van’t Hoff plots were found to show linear behavior in all cases. It was found that studied normal phase enantioseparations were enthalpy driven. The elution order of the enantiomers was determined in some cases.

     

Pressurized planar electrochromatography

Theoretical backgrounds, development, examples of separations, constructional details and principle of action of devices of pressurized planar electrochromatography (PPEC) are presented. Development of the mode is described in respect of operating variables (composition of the mobile phase, pressure exerted on adsorbent layer, mobile phase flow velocity, temperature of separating system, etc.) influencing separation efficiency (kinetic performance, repeatability, separation time). Advantages of PPEC such as high kinetic performance, short separation time and different separation selectivities, especially relative to conventional thin-layer chromatography, are described. Examples of two-dimensional separations are demonstrated to show high separation potential of the mode when combined with conventional thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The PPEC mode is in infancy stage of development, so its challenges are presented as well.     

High density silver nanoparticle monolayers produced by colloid self-assembly on polyelectrolyte supporting layers

A stable silver nanoparticle suspension was synthesized via the reduction of silver nitrate using sodium borohydride and sodium citrate. The particle's shape and size distribution were measured by various methods. The electrophoretic mobility measurements revealed that the zeta potential of particles was highly negative, increasing slightly with the ionic strength, from -52 mV for I=10(-5) M to -35 mV for I=3×10(-2) M (for pH=5.5). The zeta potential of mica modified by the adsorption of cationic polyelectrolytes: PEI and PAH was also determined using the streaming potential measurements. The modified mica sheets were used as substrates for particle monolayers formed via colloid self assembly. The kinetics of this process, proceeding under diffusion-controlled transport conditions, was quantitatively evaluated by a direct enumeration of particles using the AFM and SEM techniques. Both the kinetics of particle deposition and the maximum surface concentration were determined. From the slope of the initial deposition rates, the equivalent diameter of particles was determined to be 16 nm, in agreement with previous measurements. Based on this finding, an efficient method of determining particle size in suspension was proposed. It was also demonstrated that for higher ionic strengths, the maximum coverage of particle monolayers on PAH modified mica exceeded 0.39. The kinetic data were quantitatively interpreted in terms of the random sequential adsorption (RSA) model using the effective hard particle concept.     

Fluorescence Spectroscopy as Tool for Bone Development Monitoring in Newborn Rats

Autofluorescence of the mandible and femur bones taken from newborn rats (7-, 14- and 28-day old) was studied. Endogenous fluorophores were excited with 231 nm, 291 nm, 340 nm and 360 nm wavelengths. Modifications in content and microenvironment of both noncolagenous and collagenous constituents of bone tissue as well as metabolic coenzymes during the bone formation with age were reflected in fluorescence emission spectra. The increase of emission from peptide bonds and tryptophan residues was noted with rat age while for collagen and metabolic coenzymes at the first 2 weeks only. After maternal administration of indinavir the changes in fluorescence intensity and shifts in position of peak maximum were found. The distinct drop of emission from peptide bonds and tryptophan residues in studied bones was detected. In the case of collagen and metabolic coenzymes the red shift of peak maximum was revealed. Fluorescence spectroscopy could be used to follow bone development in newborn rats and effect of maternal indinavir administration on offspring.     

Thermal characteristics of the combustion process of biomass and sewage sludge

The combustion of two kinds of biomass and sewage sludge was studied. The biomass fuels were wood biomass (pellets) and agriculture biomass (oat). The sewage sludge came from waste water treatment plant. The biomass and sludge percentage in blends with coal were 10 %. The studied materials were characterised in terms of their proximate and ultimate analysis and calorific value. The composition of the ash of the studied fuels was also carried out. The behaviour of studied fuels was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG, DTG and DTA). The samples were heated from an ambient temperature up to 1,000 °C at a constant three rates: 10, 40 and 100 °C min^?1 in 40 mL min^?1 air flow. TG, DTG and DTA analysis showed differences between coal, biomass fuels and sewage sludge. 10 % addition of studied fuels to the mixture with coal changed its combustion profile in the case of sewage sludge addition. The combustion characteristics of fuel mixtures showed, respectively, qualitative summarise behaviour based on single fuels. Evolved gaseous products from the decomposition of studied samples were identified. This study showed that thermogravimetric analysis connected with mass spectrometry is useful techniques to investigate the combustion and co-combustion of biomass fuels, and sewage sludge, together with coal. Non-isothermal kinetic analysis was used to evaluate the Arrhenius activation energy and the pre-exponential factor. The kinetic parameters were calculated using Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose model.     

Relative configuration,absolute configuration and absolute structure of three isomeric 8‐benzyl‐2‐[(4‐bromophenyl)(hydroxy)methyl]‐8‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐3‐ones

The title compounds, C₂₁H₂₂BrNO₂, are isomeric 8‐benzyl‐2‐[(4‐bromophenyl)(hydroxy)methyl]‐8‐azabicyclo[3.2.1]octan‐3‐ones. Compound (I), the (±)‐exo,syn‐(1RS,2SR,5SR,9SR) isomer, crystallizes in the hexagonal space group R, while compounds (II) [the (+)‐exo,anti‐(1R,2S,5S,9R) isomer] and (III) [the (±)‐exo,anti‐(1RS,2SR,5SR,9RS) isomer] crystallize in the orthorhombic space groups P2₁2₁2₁ and Pna2₁, respectively. The absolute configuration was determined for enantiomerically pure (II). For the noncentrosymmetric crystal of (III), its absolute structure was established. In the crystal structures of (I) and (II), an intramolecular hydrogen bond is formed between the hydroxy group and the heterocyclic N atom. In the crystal structure of racemic (III), hydrogen‐bonded chains of molecules are formed via intermolecular O—H...O interactions. Additionally, face‐to‐edge π–π interactions are present in the crystal structures of (I) and (II). In all three structures, the piperidinone rings adopt chair conformations and the N‐benzyl substituents occupy the equatorial positions.     

Analysis of oxidised and reduced phytochelatins in pea and lupin plants using HPLC/MSn

Plants exposed to heavy metals activate a detoxification system capable of chelating and transporting these harmful ions to vacuoles. Phytochelatins–low molecular weight oligopeptides containing thiols such as glutathione and cystein–have been reported to play a very important role in this respect. High performance liquid chromatography coupled to the electospray ion trap mass spectrometer (HPLC-ESI-IT-MS) was used for identification of phytochelatins induced by Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ in roots, stems and leaves of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus L.). This approach enabled unambiguous identification of phytochelatins in plant tissues and detection of phytochelatins and homophytochelatins in reduced as well as in oxidised form. Significant differences were detected in phytochelatin relative amounts and profiles in different parts of plants treated with heavy metals. Roots of both plant species contained mainly reduced phytochelatins, reduced and oxidised forms of these peptides were observed in stems in similar amounts, whereas only the oxidised phytochelatins were present in leaves.     

Phenolic Constituents of Lamium album L. subsp. album Flowers: Anatomical,Histochemical, and Phytochemical Study

Flos Lamii albi has a high biological activity and is widely used in herbal medicine. The aim of the study was to characterize the secretory structures present in Lamium album subsp. album corolla and the location of phenolic compounds. Additionally, we carried out qualitative phytochemical analyses of flavonoids and phenolic acids. Light, fluorescence, and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the structure of the floral organs. The main classes of phenolic compounds and their localization were determined histochemically. Phytochemical analyses were performed with high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Six types of glandular trichomes were found which contained flavonoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. The phytochemical studies demonstrated the presence of caffeic, chlorogenic, ferulic, gallic, p-coumaric, protocatechuic, syringic, gentisic, and vanillic phenolic acids as well as rutoside, isoquercetin, and quercetin flavonoids. The corolla in L. album subsp. album has antioxidant properties due to the presence of various polyphenols, as shown by the histo- and phytochemical analyses. The distribution and morphology of trichomes and the content of phenolic compounds in the corolla have taxonomic, pharmacognostic, and practical importance, facilitating the identification of the raw material.     

Distribution of sapogenins in morphological Medicago sativa L. parts: Comparison of various extraction techniques

Saponins in plant extracts were indirectly determined by estimation of the content of sapogenins. The first step of determination is extraction with high efficiency. One conventional extraction technique (maceration) and two modern ones (accelerated solvent extraction and supercritical fluid extraction) were compared. Methanol and ethanol were used as solvents or co‐solvents. The results were supported by statistical analysis. Saponins were extracted from leaves, roots, and sprouts of Medicago sativa. Acid hydrolysis, purification, and determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detector were used. The content of sapogenins was the highest in the roots. Smaller amounts of sapogenins were found in sprouts and the smallest ones in leaves. The main ingredient was medicagenic acid with mean concentration of 621.8 µg/g in roots, 456.7 µg/g in sprouts, and 471.3 µg/g in leaf extract. The highest content of sapogenins in extract was obtained after maceration with methanol; however, this method is nonselective in relation to biologically active compounds. Due to the possibility of using the obtained extracts with sapogenins in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry, the selection of extraction techniques and solvents is a very important aspect. Additionally, the chosen technique should be considered eco‐friendly and consistent with the assumptions of “green chemistry.”