Structure characterization of hyperbranched poly(ether amide)s. I. Preparative fractionation

The focus of our investigation lies on the separation of typically broadly distributed hyperbranched poly(ether amide)s into narrow fractions of various molar masses. Their exact molar mass found via size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) with light uttering detection allows us to use these fractions for sample specific calibration in the SEC investigation of other hyperbranched samples. The analysis of the degree of branching, molar mass and viscosity behavior of the fractions gives a first indication about their molecular shape and the contribution of that shape to the overall viscosity. We determined the Mark-Houwink exponent for a hyperbranched sample using a number of narrow fractions which showed that an increase of molar mass leads to an increased molecular density.     

Far infrared spectra (500–50 cm−1) of the 2,2′-bipyridine complexes of palladium and platinum halides

Summary The far-i.r. spectra of the title complexes have been examined. Band assignments are based on the shifts induced by ligand deuteration and halide substitution. Deuteration of bipyridine causes large shifts ( >10 cm^–1) in internal ligand modes, intermediate shifts between 2 and 9 cm^–1) in metal-nitrogen stretching and bending modes and small to zero shifts in metal-halide stretching and bending vibrations. Generally, the requirements for square planarC _2v synanetry [two (M–N) and two (M–X) bands] are observed. Previous ambiguities in the assignment of the (M–N) bands have been resolved by the isotopic labelling technique employed in this study.     

Novel 3-deoxy analogs of the anti-HBV agent entecavir: synthesis of enantiomers from a single chiral epoxide

A synthesis of novel 3^′-deoxy analogs of the anti-HBV agent entecavir (BMS-200475) was devised using regioselective ring opening of suitable cyclopentene epoxides as the key step. This versatile approach afforded access to an enantiomeric pair of carbocyclic nucleosides from a single chiral intermediate.     

Infrared spectra of o-toluidine and m-toluidine complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) halides

The infrared spectra of eighteen metal complexes of empirical formula [ML₂X₂] (M = Co, Ni, Cu or Zn; L = o^? or m-toluidine; X = Cl, Br or I) have been determined over the range 4000-150 cm^?1. Assignments of the internal vibrations of the amino group are based on the band shifts induced by ¹⁵N-labelling of the nitrogen donors. Bands within the range 400–600 cm^?1 are assigned to the metal-nitrogen stretching frequency (vM-N) on the grounds of their sensitivity to ¹⁵N-labelling and metal ion substitution and their absence of sensitivity to halide substitution. Bands within the range 350–150 cm^?1 are assigned to the metal-halogen stretching frequency (vM-X) on the basis of their sensitivity to halide and metal ion substitution and their insensitivity to ¹⁵N-labelling. Structural aspects of the spectra are discussed and the present assignments are compared with those previously reported.     

Isolation and structure elucidation of a novel yellow pigment from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicata

The marine environment is a major source for many novel natural compounds. A new yellow pigment has been isolated from the marine bacterium P. tunicata and identified as a new member of the tambjamine class of compounds. The structural identification was achieved by a combination of 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopy and high resolution mass spectrometry data.     

The bioanalysis of vinorelbine and 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine in human and mouse plasma using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with heated electrospray ionization tandem mass–spectrometry

A sensitive, specific and efficient high‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay for the simultaneous determination of vinorelbine and its metabolite 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine in human and mouse plasma is presented. Heated electrospray ionization was applied followed by tandem mass spectrometry. A 50 µL plasma aliquot was protein precipitated with acetonitrile–methanol (1:1, v/v) containing the internal standard vinorelbine‐d3 and 20 µL volumes were injected onto the HPLC system. Separation was achieved on a 50 × 2.1 mm i.d. Xbridge C₁₈ column using isocratic elution with 1 mm ammonium acetate–ammonia buffer pH 10.5–acetonitrile–methanol (28:12:60, v/v/v) at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The HPLC run time was 5 min. The assay quantifies both vinorelbine and 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine from 0.1 to 100 ng/mL using sample volumes of only 50 µL. Mouse plasma samples can be quantified using calibration curves prepared in human plasma. Validation results demonstrate that vinorelbine and 4‐O‐deacetylvinorelbine can be accurately and precisely quantified in human and mouse plasma with the presented method. The assay is now in use to support (pre‐)clinical pharmacologic studies with vinorelbine in humans and mice. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of poly(ethylene oxide)-silane graft molecular weight on the colloidal properties of iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications

The size, charge, and stability of colloidal suspensions of magnetic nanoparticles with narrow size distribution and grafted with poly(ethylene glycol)-silane of different molecular weights were studied in water, biological buffers, and cell culture media. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy provided information on the chemical nature of the nanoparticle surface, indicating the particle surfaces consisted of a mixture of amine groups and grafted polymer. The results indicate that the exposure of the amine groups on the surface decreased as the molecular weight of the polymer increased. The hydrodynamic diameters correlated with PEG graft molecular weight and were in agreement with a distributed density model for the thickness of a polymer shell end-grafted to a particle core. This indicates that the particles obtained consist of single iron oxide cores coated with a polymer brush. Particle surface charge and hydrodynamic diameter were measured as a function of pH, ionic strength, and in biological buffers and cell culture media. DLVO theory was used to analyze the particle stability considering electrostatic, magnetic, steric, and van der Waals interactions. Experimental results and colloidal stability theory indicated that stability changes from electrostatically mediated for a graft molecular weight of 750 g/mol to sterically mediated at molecular weights of 1000 g/mol and above. These results indicate that a graft molecular weight above 1000 g/mol is needed to produce particles that are stable in a wide range of pH and ionic strength, and in cell culture media.