Asymmetric ABC-triblock copolymer membranes induce a directed insertion of membrane proteins

Asymmetric molecules and materials provide an important basis for the organization and function of biological systems. It is well known that, for example, the inner and outer leaflets of biological membranes are strictly asymmetric with respect to lipid composition and distribution. This plays a crucial role for many membrane-related processes like carrier-mediated transport or insertion and orientation of integral membrane proteins. Most artificial membrane systems are, however, symmetric with respect to their midplane and membrane proteins are incorporated with random orientation. Here we describe a new approach to induce a directed insertion of membrane proteins into asymmetric membranes formed by amphiphilic ABC triblock copolymers with two chemically different water-soluble blocks A and C. In a comparative study we have reconstituted His-tag labeled Aquaporin 0 in lipid, ABA block copolymer, and ABC block copolymer vesicles. Immunolabeling, colorimetric, and fluorescence studies clearly show that a preferential orientation of the protein is only observed in the asymmetric ABC triblock copolymer membranes.     

La reaction de wittig-horner en milieu heterogene VI1. Selectivite de la reaction sur des composes bifonctionnels

Heterogenous media of low basicity (K₂CO₃ or KHCO ₃), liquid-liquid or solid-liquid allow the Wittig-Horner reaction of fragile and unprotected aldehydes (hydroxyaldehydes, nitroaldehyde and ketoaldehydes) with excellent yields. The reaction is applied to the synthesis of Royal Jelly acid and Queen Substance of Honey bee.     

Application of hyphenated techniques to the chromatographic authentication of flavors in food products and perfumes

This work presents two techniques for testing for the adulteration of flavors. One uses multidimensional gas chromatography on cyclodextrin derivatives to separate chiral compounds, the other uses isotope ratio mass spectrometry coupled with gas chromatography to determine stable isotope ratios. Applications to fruits and plants for the food and perfume industry are introduced.     

Synthèse de 2-pyrimidinylphénols et de 2-pyrazolylphénols

New pyrimidynylphenols 9a-e and pyrazolylphenols 10a-e substituted with an aminomethl moiety are described. These compounds were prepared in good yields by use of guanidine corbonate and hydrazine hydrate on the aminomethylchromones 8a-e . Aminomethylchromones were readily obtained via the Mannich reaction on chromone 5 . Optimized yields of chromone 5 and 3-aminomethylchromones 8a-e are reported.     

Novel approach for metallic surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization using electrografted initiators based on aryl diazonium salts

This paper reports on the preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA), and polystyrene (PS) brushes at the surface of conducting materials that were modified by the electrochemical reduction of a brominated aryl diazonium salt BF4-, +N2-C6H4-CH(CH3)-Br (D1). The grafted organic species -C6H4-CH(CH3)-Br was found to be very effective in initiating atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of vinyl monomers. This novel approach combining diazonium salts and ATRP allowed PMMA, PBA, and PS brushes to be grown from the surface of iron electrodes. The polymer films were characterized in terms of their chemical structure by infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy studies indicated that the polymer brushes are densely packed. Contact angle measurements of water drops on PS and PMMA brushes were 88.1 +/- 2.0 and 70.3 +/- 2.1 degrees, respectively, which is consistent with the published wettability data for the corresponding polymer sheets.     

Studies in the spectrophotometric determination of silicon in materials decomposed by hydrofluoric acid: Loss of silicon by decomposition with hydrofluoric acid

Hydrofluoric acid can be used to dissolve silicon-containing materials without loss of silicon by evaporation. Silicon (present as fluosilicic acid) can then be determined spectrophotometrically as the yellow α-silicomolybdic acid. The loss of silicon from solutions evaporated at room temperature and higher temperatures is also determined.     

Hélicènes pontés: Ethano-3,15- et oxa-2-propano-3,15-[7]hélicène. Synthèse,spectrographie 1H-RMN. et étude par diffraction aux rayons X

Bridged helicenes: 3,15-ethano- and 3,15-(2-oxapropano)-[7]helicene The title compounds ( 35 and 33 , see Scheme 4) have been synthesized from a common intermediate: 3,15-dimethoxycarbonyl-[7]helicene ( 26 ). The conformation of the bridged [7]helicenes (X-ray diffraction) and their ¹H-NMR. spectra have been compared to the conformation and ¹H-NMR. spectra of [7]helicene and 3,15-dimethyl-[7]helicene ( 10 ).     

Interfacial reactivity of monolayer-protected clusters studied by scanning electrochemical microscopy

Solutions of monodisperse monolayer-protected clusters (MPCs) of gold can be used as multivalent redox mediators in electrochemical experiments due to their quantized double-layer charging properties. We demonstrate their use in scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) experiments wherein the species of interest (up to 2-electron reduction or 4-electron oxidation from the native charge-state of the MPCs) is generated at the tip electrode, providing a simple means to adjust the driving force of the electron transfer (ET). Approach curves to perfectly insulating (Teflon) and conducting (Pt) substrates are obtained. Subsequently, heterogeneous ET between MPCs in 1,2-dichloroethane and an aqueous redox couple (Ce(IV), Fe(CN)63-/4-, Ru(NH3)63+, and Ru(CN)64-) is probed with both feedback and potentiometric mode of SECM operation. Depending on the charge-state of the MPCs, they can accept/donate charge heterogeneously at the liquid-liquid interface. However, this reaction is very slow in contrast to ET involving MPCs at the metal-electrolyte interface.     

2,2′-Bifurylidene-5,5′-diones,Coumarins, 3a, 7a-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones,and 5H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-ones from propyne and carbon monoxide

The [Co₂ (CO)₈]-catalyzed reaction between propyne and CO in acetone at 110° and 170 bar was re-investigated. There are five major products: (E)-3,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bifurylidene-5,5′-dione ( 4 ), 3,5,8-trimethylcoumarin ( 8 ), 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,7,7a-tetramethyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 9 ), 2,6-dimethyl-5H-furo [3,2, -b]- pyran-5-one ( 11 ), and 2,7-dimethyl-5H-furo 3,2-b-pyran-5-one ( 12 ); of these, only one, 4 . had previously been recognized. In parallel experiments were obtained 2,6-dipentyl-5 H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-one ( 13 ), 2,7-dipentyl–5H-furo[3,2-b]pyran-5-one ( 14 ), 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,7,7a-tetrapentyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 15 ). And 3a, 7a-dihydro-2,4,6,7a-tetrapentyl-1H-inden-1-one ( 16 ) from hept-1-yne, and two further types of products from two atypical 1-alkynes: 3,6,9-tri(tert-butyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.4]nona-3,6,8-trien-2-one ( 20 ) from (tert-butyl)acetylene and the exo-dimer 21 of 2,5-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopenta-2,4-dien-1-one ( 22 ) from (trimethylsilyl)acetylene. Compounds 11,12 , and 20 were identified by X-ray analysis.     

Polycarbonate carbon nanofiber composites

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) composites have the potential for creating inexpensive, semiconducting polymers. These composites require a homogeneous dispersion within the polymer. Many groups have focused on high shear methods such as twin screw extrusion. Although high shear methods produce a homogeneous dispersion, the aspect ratio of the nanofibers is reduced by the mechanical force. In this report, we present results for low shear composite formation via in situ polymerization of cyclic oligomeric carbonates. The composites were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis, electrical conductivity, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The composites exhibit minimal aggregation of the carbon nanofibers even at high weight percents. The polycarbonate/CNF composites exhibit an electrical conductivity percolation threshold of 6.3 wt% which is higher compared with similar CNF composites. The composites also show an increase in thermal stability of 40 °C as the CNF loading increases from 0 to 9 wt%.