Photodegradation of a 1,3,4-thiadiazole-urea herbicide. Isolation,characterization, X-ray crystal structure and synthesis of photoproducts

The photodegradation of 1,3-dimethyl-1-(2-(3-fluorobenzylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-5-yl)urea as a thin film and in solution is described. The two photoproducts from thin-film photolysis were characterized by spectral and synthetic methods. The X-ray crystal structure of one of the photoproducts is also reported. The rearrangements were shown to involve an S-to-N benzyl migration, followed by a sulfur-oxygen substitution.     

Asymmetry of electron transmission through monolayers of helical polyalanine adsorbed on gold surfaces

Polyalanine derivatives containing cysteamine linker R-(Ala)14NH-(CH2)2-SH, where R is ferrocenecarbonyl or hydrogen, were synthesized and then used to form self-assembled monolayers on gold. The tilt angles and the packing density of the molecules within monolayer assemblies were determined by FTIR spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy, respectively. Electrochemical properties of monolayer-modified electrodes were studied using cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Measurements of electron-transfer rates using electrochemical techniques and scanning tunneling spectroscopy revealed asymmetry dependent on the applied voltage. It is suggested that the observed electron-transfer behavior is connected with the electric field generated by the molecular dipole of the polyalanine helix.     

Synthesis,characterisation and ferric ion complexation studies of chelating probes for oxidative stress

The ferric ion binding characteristics of a novel chelating probe for detecting reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are reported. The probe comprises a polyaminocarboxylic acid chelator (EDTA) conjugated with aromatic amino acids. The probe (i) complexes redox-active and non-redox active metal ions and (ii) differentiates between different reactive oxygen/nitrogen species based upon the reaction products with same. The ferric ion binding characteristics were measured using species distribution and electronic absorption spectroscopic investigations. Over the physiological pH range a favoured one to one complex exists.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-(1-->4)-D-xylooligosides: new substrates for beta-D-xylanase assays

Transglycosylation catalyzed by a beta-D-xylosidase from Aspergillus sp. was used to synthesize a set of 4-methylumbelliferyl (MU) beta-1-->4-D-xylooligosides having the common structure [beta-D-Xyl-(1-->4)]2-5-beta-D-Xyl-MU. MU xylobioside synthesized chemically by the condensation of protected MU beta-D-xylopyranoside with ethyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-xylopyranoside was used as a substrate for transglycosylation with the beta-D-xylosidase from Aspergillus sp. to produce higher MU xylooligosides. The structures of oligosaccharides obtained were established by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. MU beta-D-xylooligosides synthesized were tested as fluorogenic substrates for the GH-10 family beta-D-xylanase from Aspergillus orizae and the GH-11 family beta-D-xylanase I from Trichoderma reesei. Both xylanases released the aglycone from MU xylobioside and the corresponding trioside. With substrates having d.p. 4 and 5, the enzymes manifested endolytic activities, splitting off MU, MUX, and MUX2 primarily.     

Conformational equilibria and photoinduced tautomerization in 2-(2′-pyridyl)pyrrole

Depending on the polarity and protic abilities of the solvent, 2-(2′-pyridyl)pyrrole can exist in either syn or anti rotameric forms. In nonpolar solvents, intramolecular excited state single proton transfer is observed, manifested by the appearance of low-energy tautomeric emission. The solvent-assisted excited state double proton transfer reaction is also detected. DFT calculations confirm low barriers for both single and double proton transfer processes in the lowest excited singlet state and show different character of the tautomerization in both cases: in the intramolecular reaction, mutual approach of two nitrogen atoms plays an important role.     

Synthesis of fused purinoquinazolines. Three new heterocyclic ring systems

The Ullmann reaction of 8-aminotheophylline or 8-aminocaffeine with 2-chlorobenzoic acid and of 8-bromotheophylline with ethyl-2-aminobenzoate afforded derivatives of three new heterocyclic systems: purino[7,8-α]quinazoline-5,9,11(6H,8H,10H)-trione, purino[8,9-b]quinazoline-2,4,11(1H,3H,5H)-trione and purino[8,7-b]quinazoline-2,4,6(1H,3H,11H)-trione, respectively.     

Structure—activity relationships for <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> oxime reactivation of chlorpyrifos-inhibited acetylcholinesterase

Organophosphorus pesticides parathion, chlorpyrifos, and malathion inhibit the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE; EC 3.1.1.7) via phosphorylation of its active site. AChE reactivators and anticholinergics are compounds used as antidotes in the case of intoxication by these AChE inhibitors. In this work, chlorpyrifos, a representative member of this pesticide family, was used to inhibit the AChE activity of rat brain. The effect of twenty-one structurally different AChE reactivators was tested in vitro and subsequently, the relationship between their chemical structure and biological activity was outlined.     

Study of the winter and summer changes of the air composition in the church of Szalowa, Poland, related to conservation

The St. Michael Archangel’s Church in Szalowa, Poland, was selected for closer investigation with respect to the indoor/outdoor air exchange and its influence on the air quality and work arts preservation. Chemical composition, size and abundance of particulate matter and concentration of gases NO₂, SO₂, O₃ inside and outside the church were determined. To study seasonal variation of the weather condition (temperature, inversion level, wind direction) and the influence of seasonal sources of the air pollution (like heating of the nearby houses), samples were collected in winter and summer time. It was stated that suspended particulate matter inside the wooden church has in general an outdoor source. Several groups of particles were distinguished such as the organic ones, soil dust, nitrates and sulphates. In case of organic and soil dust particles, the concentration inside was higher than outside. From the results, in comparison to literature data, one can conclude that accumulation of particulate suspended matter in the church is more intense than in other types of buildings. Gaseous pollutants were detected but their concentration was negligible.     

Improved quantification limits in chiral capillary electrochromatography by peak compression effects

The peak compression effect has been applied to improve quantification limits in chiral capillary electrochromatography (CEC). A stationary phase based on the chiral selector vancomycin (Chirobiotic V) was used for separations of the enantiomers of mianserin. By adding solvents with a low dielectric constant, e.g. 2-propanol or tetrahydrofuran, to the sample solution, peak compression could be induced. The plate numbers for the minor enantiomer increased from approximately 100,000 to 1.4-1.6 million plates/m, when the composition of the mobile phase was adjusted so that the analyte eluted within either one of two system zones originating from the sample solution. A 10-fold improvement in the quantification limit for the minor enantiomer was obtained compared to elution under non-focused conditions.     

Creatinine biosensor based on ammonium ion selective electrode and its application in flow-injection analysis

A new, highly sensitive, fast responding and stable potentiometric biosensor for creatinine determination is developed. The biosensor is based on an ammonium ion-selective electrode. Creatinine deiminase (EC 3.5.4.21) is chemically immobilized on the surface of the polymeric ion-sensitive membrane in the form of monomolecular layer using a simple, one-step carbodiimide covalent attachment method. The resulting enzyme electrodes are useful for measurement under flow injection analysis (FIA) conditions. The biosensors exhibit excellent operational and storage stability. The enzyme electrodes retain over 70% of initial sensitivity after ten weeks of work under FIA conditions. The storage stability at 4 °C is longer than half a year without loss of sensitivity. Under optimized conditions near 30 samples per hour can be analyzed and the determination range (0.02-20.0 mmol l⁻¹) fully covers creatinine concentrations important from clinical and biomedical point of view. The simple biosensor/FIA system has been successfully used for determination of creatinine in urine, serum and posthemodialysate samples.