ToF-SIMS analysis of a fluorocarbon-grafted PET with a gold cluster ion source

Cluster ions have been recognized as a superb primary species in time of flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) compared with monatomic primary ions, as they significantly enhance the secondary ion yields from bulk samples. Self-assembled monolayers provide an important system for studying the fundamental mechanism involved in the yield enhancement.We used a gold cluster ion source to analyze a new type of self-assembled monolayer: a fluorocarbon-grafted polyethylene terephthalate. In addition to the structure details, which helped to understand the grafting mechanism, ToF-SIMS analysis revealed that fluorocarbon secondary ion yield enhancements by cluster ions were due to the enhanced sputter efficiency. A larger information depth may also be expected from the enhancement. Both mathematical definitions of damage cross-section and disappearance cross-section were revisited under a new context. Another cross-section parameter, sputter cross-section, was introduced to differentiate the beam induced sputter process from damage process.     

Thiazole orange-peptide conjugates: sensitivity of DNA binding to chemical structure

[structure: see text] Derivatives of the highly fluorescent and DNA-binding dye thiazole orange (TO) are described that feature appended peptides. Functionalization of TO can be achieved at either of the endocyclic nitrogens, and the photophysical properties and DNA-binding modes are sensitive to the position of the tethered peptide. A series of TO-peptide conjugates are described, demonstrating the utility of a solid-phase synthesis approach to their preparation and illustrating how the photophysical and DNA-binding properties of the compounds are influenced by chemical structure.     

A diruthenium-substituted polyoxometalate as an electrocatalyst for oxygen generation

Transition metal heteropolyanions have been used to catalyze a variety of organic oxidations but have not previously been used for O2 generation, despite sharing some structural similarities with dioxoruthenium water-oxidation catalysts. In this study, we report that the di-Ru-substituted polyoxometalate (POM) [Ru2Zn2(H2O)2(ZnW9O34)2]14- can be used to catalyze the electrochemical generation of O2. By comparing the behavior of this compound to that observed using a mono-Ru-substituted POM catalyst, we show that adjacent Ru sites are necessary to observe O2 generation. These observations suggest a reaction pathway involving two Ru-bound oxygen species combining to form O2 and are consistent with the accepted mechanism of electrochemical oxygen evolution. Finally, analysis of the observed electrode kinetics yields a Tafel slope of roughly 120 mV, which is similar to values reported previously for perovskite anodes.     

Toward a microchip-based solid-phase extraction method for isolation of nucleic acids

A silica-based solid-phase extraction system suitable for incorporation into a microchip platform (nu-total analytical system; nu-TAS) would find utility in a variety of genetic analysis protocols, including DNA sequencing. The extraction procedure utilized is based on adsorption of the DNA onto bare silica. The procedure involves three steps: (i) DNA adsorption in the presence of a chaotropic salt, (ii) removal of contaminants with an alcohol/water solution, and (iii) elution of the adsorbed DNA in a small volume of buffer suitable for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Multiple approaches for incorporation of this protocol into a microchip were examined with regard to extraction efficiency, reproducibility, stability, and the potential to provide PCR-amplifiable DNA. These included packing microchannels with silica beads only, generating a continuous silica network via sol-gel chemistry, and combinations of these. The optimal approach was found to involve immobilizing silica beads packed into the channel using a sol-gel network. This method allowed for successful extraction and elution of nanogram quantities of DNA in less than 25 min, with the DNA obtained in the elution buffer fraction. Evaluation of the eluted DNA indicated that it was of suitable quality for subsequent amplification by PCR.     

Unsymmetrical selenides from selenocyanates and methyl grignard

The addition of methyl Grignard to diethyl acetamido(cyanoselenobenzyl)malonates 3 and 4 at ?78° followed by hydrolysis yields the 3-(4-and 3-methylselenophenyl)alanines 1 and 2.