Dynamic thermodynamic resolution of lithiated N-Boc-N′-alkylpiperazines

Deprotonation of N-Boc-N′-alkylpiperazines with sec-BuLi in Et₂O-TMEDA gave the 2-lithio derivatives which were resolved in the presence of a chiral ligand. The best ligands for the asymmetric substitution were diamino-alkoxides that promoted a dynamic thermodynamic resolution (DTR) of the organolithium at −30 °C. Electrophilic quench gave enantiomerically enriched 2-substituted piperazines. Of a selection of piperazines, the N′-t-butyl derivative gave the best results, with the product N-Boc-N′-t-butyl-2-substituted piperazines being formed with enantiomer ratios up to 81:19.     

Solid-phase synthesis of imidazo[4,5-b]pyridin-2-ones and related urea derivatives by cyclative cleavage of a carbamate linkage

A solid-phase synthesis of substituted cyclic urea derivatives as potential heterocyclic library scaffolds is described. 2-Amino-3-nitropyridine is attached to Wang resin via a carbamate linkage. Reduction of the nitro group was achieved with SnCl(2).2H(2)O. Reductive alkylation with a range of substituted benzaldehydes followed by cyclative cleavage afforded a small library of 3-substituted imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-2-ones in 33-45% yield and 59-88% purity. Subsequently, this methodology was applied to the synthesis of 3-substituted imidazo[4,5-f]quinolin-2-ones.     

Simplified method for the Re-Os dating of molybdenite using acid digestion and isotope dilution ICP-MS

An analytical method was developed for Os-Re dating of molybdenite. The method is based on determination of Os and Re concentrations in molybdenite by isotope dilution inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ID-ICP-MS). Sample digestion and sample/spike equilibration were achieved by a two-stage autoclave-based procedure using a mixture of nitric and sulphuric acids. Os was separated from the sample digest by modified single-stage distillation of osmium tetraoxide (OsO₄) using elevated temperature and on-line addition of hydrogen peroxide. OsO₄(g) was trapped in a mixture of 0.05% thiourea in 0.05 M sodium hydroxide. An anion-exchange column was used to separate Re from excess Mo in the solution remaining after distillation. Os and Re isotope ratio measurements were performed by single-collector, double focusing inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with on-line mass-bias correction. Typical instrumental precision was in the range 0.02-0.2% relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) depending on the analyte concentrations. Notorious Os memory effects in the ICP-MS introduction system were eliminated using 5% ammonia solution, both as matrix for final dilution of the trap mixture as well as for washing between the samples. The reproducibility of the entire analytical procedure was accessed by replicate dating of two molybdenite standards and three molybdenite separates, and was found to be in the range 0.87-1.52% R.S.D. Though accuracy of the method is limited by difficulties in evaluating exact concentration of Os in spike solution, ages obtained in the course of these work agrees well with previously published data.     

Detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in milk,honey and meat samples using an optical biosensor

Immuno-biosensor inhibition assays for the detection of streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin residues in whole cows' milk, honey, pig kidney and pig muscle are reported. The antibody showed high cross-reactivity with dihydrostreptomycin in various foodstuffs (buffer 103%, milk 96%, honey 84%, kidney extract 129% and muscle extract 98%). There was no significant cross-reaction with other aminoglycosides or commonly used antibiotics. A streptomycin derivative was used to prepare a stable, reusable sensor chip surface. The assay allowed the direct analysis of bovine whole milk (fat content approximately 3.5%). Honey samples required dilution with buffer, while kidney and muscle samples from pigs were homogenized in an aqueous extraction buffer and clarified by centrifugation. The limit of detection for each assay was determined from known streptomycin-free samples (n = 20; mean - (3 x standard deviation)) and the results were as follows: milk 30 microg kg(-1), honey 15 microg kg(-1), kidney 50 microg kg(-1) and muscle 70 microg kg(-1). Repeatability (or relative standard deviation) between runs were calculated (n = 3) at the respective Community maximum residue limits (MRL) and 0.5 x MRL with the exception of honey since no European MRL exists at present. Results were determined as 4.3% (200 microg kg(-1)) and 2.8% (100 microg kg(-1)) in milk, 13.3% (40 microg kg(-1)) and 9.5% (20 microg kg(-1)) in honey, 7.1% (1000 microg kg(-1)) and 7.6% (500 microg kg(-1)) in kidney and 7.1% (500 microg kg(-1)) and 11% (250 microg kg(-1)) in muscle.     

The thermodynamics of mixing C6 and C7 compounds with a bicyclic compound at infinite dilution

The activity coefficients at infinite dilution have been measured at 25°C for cyclohexane, cyclohexene, 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, benzene, n-hexane, 1-hexene, 1-hexyne, n-heptane, 1-heptene and 1-heptyne in decahydronaphthalene, bicyclohexyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene and cyclohexylbenzene. These results, together with previously determined H _m ^E and V _m ^E have been used to calculate the partial molar excess thermodynamic properties of mixing at infinite dilution.     

Electronic, spectroscopic, and ion-sensing properties of a dehydro[m]pyrido[14]- and [15]annulene isomer library

An isomeric series of dehydro[m]pyrido[n]annulenes incorporating strained 1,4-buta-1,3-diyne units have been synthesized, where m = 2, n = 14 (1a-d); m = 2, n = 15 (2a,b); and m = 3, n = 15 (3). The number of pyridine rings and annulene ring π-electrons are denoted by m and n, respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of 1b and 1c confirmed their cyclic formulation. All macrocycles were found to be luminescent chromophores with differing isomer-dependent proton and metal ion-sensory emission responses, which appear collectively as analyte-specific color patterns. Within the series studied, 1a was singular in displaying the highest luminescence quantum yield and sharing the strongest emission energy and molar absorption changes upon protonation and Hg(II) binding. Spectroscopic and electrochemical results were supported by density functional theory calculations in showing 1a, 2a, and 3 to be low bandgap materials with lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals delocalized over the 1,4-di(pyridin-4-yl)buta-1,3-diyne bridges that provide a pathway for electronic communication between the nitrogens. Overall, the investigations suggest that 1a, 2a, and 3 would be excellent ligands for the construction of novel conjugated hybrid metallosupramolecular nanostructures, polymers, and ion-sensory systems.     

Twistophane macrocyles with integrated 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine units: a new lead class of fluorescence sensors for metal ions

The new twistophane macrocycles 2 and 3 have been synthesised; these compounds are composed of a cyclically conjugated dehydrobenzoannulene framework that incorporates 6,6'-connected-2,2'-bipyridine moieties for the purpose of coordinating metal ions. The cyclophanes were characterised by spectroscopic techniques, and shown by molecular mechanics calculations to be helically twisted and chiral molecules that may exist in several possible ground state conformations. UV/vis spectroscopic studies revealed that 2, 3 and precursor 9 bind with different selectivities to particular members of the following small group of metal analytes: CuII, AgI, HgII, Tl1 and PdII. Significantly, 2, 3 and 9 signal the presence of CuII ions through fluorescence emission quenching output responses. Furthermore, cyclophane 3 exhibited a particularly sensitive protontriggered chromogenic fluorescence response. With respect to their unique structural features, high analyte selectivity coupled with their enhanced and characteristic fluorescence emission responses, these molecules are among the first examples representing a new lead class of chemosensory materials. Compounds 2, 3 and 9 and derivatives thereof may, therefore, be expected to find many future applications in the detection of metal-based environmental pollutants, biologically important trace elements and monitoring proton fluxes.     

Use of biosensors for rapid drug residue analysis without sample deconjugation or clean-up: a possible way forward.

The drug salbutamol (SBL) is a beta-agonist that may be used illegally as an animal growth promoter. SBL is also a good example of a drug which is excreted in the form of glucuronides and sulfates. Such metabolites cause complexities in analysing for the presence of drug residues. In the majority of cases a process of deconjugation and sample clean-up is required prior to analysis. This is both time consuming and causes some loss of accuracy. In this study, the urine of calves treated with SBL orally for 3 d was collected during and after medication. Samples were assayed before and after hydrolysis by two different methods, radioimmunoassay (RIA) and a newly developed biosensor immunoassay (BIA). Some samples were also analysed by GC-MS. The results clearly showed that both screening assays (RIA and BIA) found high concentrations of SBL residues throughout the study. This was especially true in the BIA method. It was also demonstrated that urine sample analysis without the need for deconjugation or clean-up could be achieved. Results obtained by GC-MS tended to be an order of magnitude lower than the corresponding screening test results. This work showed that biosensor based veterinary drug residue testing procedures can be developed which can generate results in real time without the need for time consuming sample preparation.     

The crystal structure of carbamoyl fluoride,NH<Subscript>2</Subscript>COF

Although first synthesized in 1940, the X-ray crystal structure of carbamoyl fluoride, NH₂COF, has until now remained unknown. [1] NH₂COF crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Ibam, is planar, and exhibits a short C-N bond length, 1.3168(13) Å, implying a significant degree of donation from the nitrogen lone pair. The structure features one molecule in the asymmetric unit and eight molecules in the unit cell. There are four molecules in two planar layers that are connected by a network of NH·O hydrogen bonds with N·O distances of 2.987(2) Å and 2.945(2) Å. The compound was also studied by quantum chemical calculations at both the ab initio (MP2) and density functional theory (B3LYP) level.     

The rotating bucket of sand: Experiment and theory

The surface shape of a bucket of sand rotating about its cylindrical axis is studied experimentally and theoretically. Focusing on fast time scales on which surface shape is determined by avalanches, we identify three regimes of behavior. At intermediate and high frequencies, the surface shape is always at its critical shape determined by the Coulomb yield condition. The low frequency behavior displays an unexpected subcritical region at the center of the bucket. To understand this central region, we adapt a continuum model of surface flow developed by Bouchaud et al. and Mehta et al. The model indicates that the subcritical region is due to a nonlinear instability mechanism. (c) 1999 American Institute of Physics.