Coexistence of multiple conformations in cysteamine monolayers on Au(111)

The structural organization, catalytic function, and electronic properties of cysteamine monolayers on Au(111) have been addressed comprehensively by voltammetry, in situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) in anaerobic environment, and a priori molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and STM image simulation. Two sets of voltammetric signals are observed. One peak at -(0.65-0.70) V (SCE) is caused by reductive desorption of cysteamine. The other signal, at -(0.25-0.40) V consists of a peak doublet. The pH dependence of the latter suggests that the origin is catalytic dihydrogen evolution. The doublet feature is indicative of two distinct cysteamine configurations. Cysteamine monolayer formation from initial nucleation to a highly ordered phase has been successfully observed in real time using oxygen-free in situ STM. Random cellular patterns, disordered adlayer formation accompanied by high step edge mobility, and ultimately a highly ordered (square root 3 x 4) R30 degrees lattice are observed sequentially. Pits are formed due to enclosure of the mobile edges during the adsorption process. In the highly ordered cysteamine layer, each unit has two spots with apparent 0.6 A height difference in STM images. The coverage 5.7 +/- 0.1 x 10(-10) mol cm(-2) determined by voltammetry supports that the spots represent two individual cysteamine molecules. A priori MD and density functional simulations hold other clues to the image interpretation and indicate that the NH(3)(+) groups dominate the tunneling contrast. A wide range of interface structures, showing variations in the sulfur binding site and orientation, gauche and trans conformers, and especially hydrogen-bonding interactions, are examined, from which it is concluded that the adsorbate structure is controlled by interactions with the solvent rather than with the substrate.     

Monitoring on-chip Pictet-Spengler reactions by integrated analytical separation and label-free time-resolved fluorescence

High-throughput screening for optimal reaction conditions and the search for efficient catalysts is of eminent importance in the development of chemical processes and for expanding the spectrum of synthetic methodologies in chemistry. In this context we report a novel approach for a microfluidic chemical laboratory integrating organic synthesis, separation and time-resolved fluorescence detection on a single microchip. The feasibility of our integrated laboratory is demonstrated by monitoring the formation of tetrahydroisoquinoline derivatives by Pictet-Spengler condensation. After on-chip reaction the products and residual starting material were separated enantioselectively on the same chip. On-chip deep UV laser-induced fluorescence detection with time-correlated single photon counting was applied for compound assignment. The system was utilized to screen reaction conditions and various substrates for Pictet-Spengler reactions on-chip. Finally, the microlab was successfully applied to investigate enantioselective reactions using BINOL-based phosphoric acids as organocatalysts.     

Triplet state excitation of alkali molecules on helium droplets: experiments and theory

In this paper, we discuss the electronic structure of alkali dimer molecules in 3Pig states on the surface of a helium droplet. The perturbation due to the droplet will in general not satisfy rotational symmetry around the internuclear axis of the diatom and thus, in addition to a broadening and blue shift, will cause a splitting of electronic levels that are degenerate in the free molecules. We propose a model based on general symmetry arguments and on a small number of physically reasonable parameters. We demonstrate that such a model accounts for the essential features of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of the (1)3Pig-a3Sigma+ transition of Rb2 and K2. Furthermore the MCD spectra, analyzed according to the approach of Langford and Williamson [J. Phys. Chem. A 1998, 102, 2415], allow a determination of the populations of Zeeman sublevels in the ground state and thus a measurement of the surface temperature of the droplet. The latter agrees with the accepted temperature, 0.37 K, measured in the interior of a droplet.     

Fluorescence Analysis in Microarray Technology

Fluorescence has been the preferred choice for data quantification in biomedical microarray formats since their earliest days. As much as the formats have grown and evolved over the years, the methods in optical analysis have become ever more sophisticated and complex in order to produce more and better output. This review will provide an insight into the most common methods and the state-of-the-art of all areas in microarray fluorescence analysis. Starting with an overview on microarray formats with a focus on their demands on the readout, the most common and useful organic fluorescent stains are discussed before proceeding on to other approaches; the use of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots), polymer and silica nanoparticles and fluorescent proteins. Ways to enhance the intrinsically low signal on biochips have become increasingly important as they offer a sound approach towards the detection of low concentration sample content. The three main categories are presented: amplification using DNA, enzymes, and dendrimers. As much diversity as on the microarrays themselves can be found at the detection device. Standard optical microarray detectors, and non-standard methods using fluorescence anisotropy, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and their advantages and disadvantages are discussed.     

Estimation of stability constants of copper(II) chelates with triamines and their mixed complexes with amino acids by using topological indices and the overlapping spheres method

Our two original approaches, the first based on the topological (connectivity) index ³χ^v and the second based on the model of overlapping spheres (OS), were applied for the estimation of stability constants of copper(II) complexes (CuL) with ethylenediamines (N = 14) and diethylenetriamines (N = 8), and mixed complexes (CuLA) of amino acids and diethylenetriamines (N = 18). The stability constants of the ethylenediamine complexes were predicted “indirectly” from calibration models developed on diethylenetriamines and vice versa, and also by a more direct method using the leave-one-out procedure of cross validation (cv). By averaging all the estimates, stability constants were reproduced with a rms error of 0.56 and 0.43 log K units for diethylenetriamines and ethylenediamines, respectively.     

Ultrasound as a Promising Tool for the Green Extraction of Specialized Metabolites from Some Culinary Spices

Spices are a popular food of plant origin, rich in various phytochemicals and recognized for their numerous properties. The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, as well as the content of specialized metabolites, of aqueous extracts of three spice species––garlic (Allium sativum L.), ginger (Zingiber officinalle L.) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)––prepared by green extraction methods. Ultrasound treatment increased the chromaticity parameter b value of turmeric and ginger extracts, thus indicating a higher yellow color predominantly due to curcuminoids characteristic of these species. Ultrasound-assisted extraction significantly increased the content of total soluble solids, phenolic compounds, total carotenoids and vitamin C. The temperature of the system was also an important factor, with the highest (70 °C) conditions in ultrasound-assisted extraction having a positive effect on thermolabile compounds (vitamin C, phenolics, total carotenoids). For example, turmeric extract treated with ultrasound at 70 °C had up to a 67% higher vitamin C content and a 69.4% higher total carotenoid content compared to samples treated conventionally at the same temperature, while ginger extracts had up to 40% higher total phenols. All different concentrations of spice extracts were not sufficient for complete inhibition of pathogenic bacterial strains of Salmonella, L. monocytogenes and S. aureus; however, only garlic extracts had an effect on slowing down the growth and number of L. monocytogenes colonies. Spice extracts obtained by ultrasonic treatment contained a significantly higher level of bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, suggesting that the extracts obtained have significant nutritional potential and thus a significant possibility for phytotherapeutic uses.     

Clinical investigations of catecholaminergic systems using liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Catecholamine levels in body fluids are reliable biochemical markers of several types of tumors, cardiovascular diseases and hereditary and metabolic disorders. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (RPLC-EC) is now the method of choice for catecholamine analysis.