The use of emulsions for the determination of methylmercury and inorganic mercury in fish-eggs oil by cold vapor generation in a flow injection system with atomic absorption spectrometric detection

An on-line time based injection system used in conjunction with cold vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry and microwave-aided oxidation with potassium persulfate has been developed for the determination of the different mercury species in fish-eggs oil samples. A three-phase surfactant-oil-water emulsion produced an advantageous flow when a peristaltic pump was used to introduce the highly viscous sample into the system. The optimum proportion of the oil-water mixture ratio was 2:3 v/v with a Tween 20 surfactant concentration in the emulsion of 0.008% v/v. Inorganic mercury was determined after reduction with sodium borohydride while total mercury was determined after an oxidation step with persulfate prior to the reduction step to elemental mercury with the same reducing agent. The difference between total and inorganic mercury determined the organomercury content in samples. A linear calibration graph was obtained in the range 0.1-20 micrograms l-1 of Hg2+ by injecting 0.7 ml of samples. The detection limits based on 3 sigma of the blank signals were 0.11 and 0.12 microgram l-1 for total and inorganic mercury, respectively. The relative standard deviation of ten independent measurements were 2.8 and 2.2% for 10 micrograms l-1 and 8.8 and 9.0% for 0.1 microgram l-1 amounts of total and inorganic mercury, respectively. The recoveries of 0.3, 0.6 and 8 micrograms l-1 of inorganic and organic mercury added to fish-eggs oil samples ranged from 93.0 to 94.8% and from 100 to 106%, respectively. Good agreement with those values obtained for total mercury content in real samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was also obtained, differences between mean values were < 7%. With the proposed procedure, 22 proteropterous catfish-eggs oil samples from the northwestern coast of Venezuela were measured; while the organic mercury lay in the range 2.0 and 3.3 micrograms l-1, inorganic mercury was not detected.     

Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural α-amino acid derivatives through photoredox catalysis

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids. The developed protocol allows the use of ubiquitous carboxylic acids as radical precursors without prior derivatization. The protocol utilizes near-stoichiometric amounts of the imine and the acid radical precursor in combination with a catalytic amount of an organic acridinium-based photocatalyst. Alternative mechanisms for the developed transformation are discussed and corroborated by experimental and computational studies.

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids.     

Modelling and mutation studies on the histamine H1-receptor agonist binding site reveal different binding modes for H1-agonists: Asp116 (TM3) has a constitutive role in receptor stimulation

Summary A modelling study has been carried out, investigating the binding of histamine (Hist), 2-methylhistamine (2-MeHist) and 2-phenylhistamine (2-PhHist) at two postulated agonistic binding sites on transmembrane domain 5 (TM5) of the histamine H₁-receptor. For this purpose a conformational analysis study was performed on three particular residues of TM5, i.e., Lys²⁰⁰, Thr²⁰³ and Asn²⁰⁷, for which a functional role in binding has been proposed. The most favourable results were obtained for the interaction between Hist and the Lys²⁰⁰/Asn²⁰⁷ pair. Therefore, Lys²⁰⁰ was subsequently mutated and converted to an alanine, resulting in a 50-fold decrease of H₁-receptor stimulation by histamine. Altogether, the data suggest that the Lys²⁰⁰/Asn²⁰⁷ pair is important for activation of the H₁-receptor by histamine. In contrast, analogues of 2-PhHist seem to belong to a distinct subclass of histamine agonists and an alternative mode of binding is proposed in which the 2-phenyl ring binds to the same receptor location as one of the aromatic rings of classical histamine H₁-antagonists. Subsequently, the binding modes of the agonists Hist, 2-MeHist and 2-PhHist and the H₁-antagonist cyproheptadine were evaluated in three different seven--helical models of the H₁-receptor built in homology with bacteriorhodopsin, but using three different alignments. Our findings suggest that the position of the carboxylate group of Asp¹¹⁶ (TM3) within the receptor pocket depends on whether an agonist or an antagonist binds to the protein; a conformational change of this aspartate residue upon agonist binding is expected to play an essential role in receptor stimulation.Abbreviations 2-MeHist 2-methylhistamine - 2-PEA 2-pyridyl-ethylamine - 2-PhHist 2-phenylhistamine - CHO Chinese hamster ovary - E_int interaction energy - E_str strain energy - GES global energy structure - gpH₁R guinea pig H₁-receptor - GPCR G-protein coupled receptor - Hist histamine - N proximal nitrogen - N tele nitrogen - TM transmembrane domain - WT wild type     

A new approach for the synthesis of fused pyrroles. The synthesis of acyl substituted pyrrolo[1,2-x]azines

N-Acetonyl- and N-phenacyl quaternary salts of α-methyl substituted heterocycles 16, 17, 21, 23 and 26 were converted with DMFDMA into the corresponding 3-acylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyridine 18 , 7-benzoylpyrrolo-[1,2-c]pyrimidine 22 , and 6-benzoylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine derivatives 24 and 27 . A concurrent reaction produced methyl and phenyl substituted pyrrolo[1,2-x]azines 19, 20, 25 and 28 .     

Defect formation on surfaces bombarded by energetic multiply charged proteins: Implications for the conformation of gas-phase electrosprayed ions

Indirect information on the conformation of highly charged molecular ions may be obtained by monitoring their collisional cross sections and the course of simple gas-phase reactions such as hydrogen-deuterium exchange. In this work, another indirect but more visually oriented approach is explored: electrosprayed protein ions are accelerated toward a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surface and the resulting single-ion defects are imaged by scanning force and tunneling microscopy. All protein impacts generated shallow hillocks: the shapes depended on the identity and charge state of the incident protein. Lysozyme and myoglobin, both compact, globular proteins in the native state, produced compact, almost circular hillocks. However, hillocks generated by myoglobin that had been denatured in the solution phase were elongated, and the elongation was positively correlated with the charge state of the ion. It appears that structural information about gas-phase multiply charged proteins can be derived from imprints generated by energetic protein impacts on surfaces.     

Negatively charged hyperbranched polyether-based polyelectrolytes

The preparation of carboxylated hyperbranched polyglycerols of narrow polydispersity was achieved by modification (78–90%) of the hydroxyl end groups via Michael addition of acrylonitrile, followed by hydrolysis. High conversion could only be achieved for low molecular weight starting materials (520 and 1,030 g mol⁻¹). The solution properties of the resulting materials were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS), showing the formation of large aggregates with size depending on the pH value. After deposition on a negatively charged mica surface, the structures observed by atomic force microscope (AFM) show the coexistence of aggregates and single macromolecules. Most interesting, in the case of the lower molecular weight sample (PG 520 g mol⁻¹), extended and ordered terrace structures were formed, which are unprecedented for hyperbranched polymers and are of interest for surface modification in general.     

LETTUCE SEED GERMINATION: EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURE AND OF REPEATED FAR-RED TREATMENT IN RELATION TO PHYTOCHROME

Abstract— At 37°C the active form of phytochrome in lettuce seed cannot function to promote subsequent germination. This effect of high temperature is distinct from thermal acceleration of dark reversion from the active form of phytochrome to the inactive form, and may be due to reversible denaturation of phytochrome.
Repeated brief irradiations with far-red light inhibit subsequent germination in the whole seed, whereas a similar irradiation regime results in a strong enhancement of the development of growth potential (ability to expand against an externally-imposed osmotic restraint) in the excised axial portion of the seed. A possible explanation for these two opposing results, in volving two different pigment systems with effective loci in different parts of the seed, is suggested.     

Umsetzung von Metall- und Metalloidverbindungen mit mehrfunktionellen Molekülen,XIX. Synthese von Amidoborazinen

Reaction of Metal and Metalloid Compounds with Polyfunctional Molecules. XIX. Synthesis of Amidoborazines By reaction of 2-chloro-1,3,4,5,6-pentamethylborazin with silylated carbonic acid amides and thioamides resp. the corresponding amidoborazines are obtained. By reaction of lithiated hexamethyldisilazane with 2-chloro-1,3,4,5,6-pentamethylborazine, the 2-hexamethyldisilazanyl-1,3,4,5,6-pentamethylborazine is formed. ¹H, ¹¹B, and ¹⁹F n.m.r. spectra, mass spectra and characteristic i.r. group frequencies are reported.     

A modular approach toward functionalized three-dimensional macromolecules: from synthetic concepts to practical applications

A new strategy for the preparation of functional, multiarm star polymers via nitroxide-mediated "living" radical polymerization has been explored. The generality of this approach to the synthesis of three-dimensional macromolecular architectures allows for the construction of nanoscopically defined materials from a wide range of different homo, block, and random copolymers combining both apolar and polar vinylic repeat units. Functional groups can also be included along the backbone or as peripheral/chain end groups, thereby modulating the reactivity and polarity of defined portions of the stars. This modular approach to the synthesis of three-dimensional macromolecules permits the application of these tailored materials as multifunctional hosts for hydrogen bonding, nanoparticle formation, and as scaffolds for catalytic groups. Examples of applications of the functional stars in catalysis include their use in a Heck-type coupling as well as an enantioselective addition reaction.     

Die Veresterungsgeschwindigkeiten der Nitrobenzoesäuren in Äthylenglykol und der Naphtoesäuren in Glyzerin

Zusammenfassung Es werden die monomolekuren Geschwindigkeitskonstanten der durch Chlorwasserstoff katalysierten Veresterung der Nitrobenzoesäuren in Glykol und der Naphthoesäuren in Glyzerin bei 25° gemessen und als Funktionen der Wasser- (w) und Salzsäurekonzentration (c) des Mediums durch Intrapolationsformeln dargestellt.Diese Konstanten nehmen in wasserwarmem Glyzerin und Glykol und in wasserreicherem Glyzerin proportional der Chlorwasserstoffkonzentration zu, in wasserreicherem Glykol aber rascher, was mit früheren Beobachtungen übereinstimmt. Fürc=1/6 undw=0.065 ist das Verhältnis der monomolekularen Konstanten der Benzoesäure zu jenen dero-,m- undp-Nitrobenzoesäure und der- und-Naphthoesäure in Äthylalkohol 10.0540.570.700.391.00, in Glykol 10·0380·690·79, in Glyzerin 10·0680·630·800·610·93. Die sterische Hinderung durch die Orthosubstitution ist somit hier in Glyzerin kleiner, in Glykol größer als in Äthylalkohol. Daher wird auch die Orthonitrobenzoesäure in Glyzerin rascher als in Glykol verestert, während sonst meist das umgekehrte Verhältnis besteht.Bei geringem Wassergehalt sind die Veresterungsgeschwindigkeiten in beiden Medien kleiner als in Äthylalkohol, bei größerem aber größer wegen der weitaus stärkeren verzögernden Wirkung des Wassers in letzterem.Unter den Versuchsbedingungen findet praktisch vollständige Veresterung statt, so daß die Wiederverseifung nicht zu berücksichtigen ist.Bei 183° verläuft die Selbstveresterung der Naphthoesäuren in Glyzerin ebenso wie die der bisher gemessenen Säuren nach der Gleichung für sesquimolekulare Reaktionen, deren Konstanten in Glyzerin, das etwa zwei Mole Wasser im Liter enthält, um rund 20% kleiner sind als in ursprünglich absolutem. In letzterem sind sie bei der-Naphthoesäure neunmal, bei der-Naphthoesäure elfmal kleiner als bei der Benzoesäure, woraus geschlossen wird, daß diese in Glyzerin von 183° nicht nur stärker als die-, sondern auch als die-Naphthoesäure dissoziiert sein muß, falls es sich bei der Selbstveresterung hauptsächlich um eine Wasserstoffionenkatalyse handelt.In Glyzerin und Glykol bei 25° über die Geschwindigkeit der Chlorhydrinbildung ausgeführte Versuche bestätigen den Befund von Kailan und Goitein.