ZIF-8 degrades in cell media,serum, and some—but not all—common laboratory buffers

ABSTRACT

Drug delivery using metal-organic frameworks (MOF) has elicited interest in their biocompatibility; however, few studies have been conducted on their stability in common buffers, cell media, and blood proteins. In particular, the use of ZIF-8, a MOF interconnected by Zn and methylimidazole, has been frequently employed. In this study, we tested single crystals of ZIF-8 with common laboratory buffers, cell media, and serum, and noted several issues. Buffers containing phosphate and bicarbonate alter the appearance and composition of ZIF-8; however, these buffers do not appear to cause cargo to leak out even when the ZIF-8 itself is displaced by phosphates. On the other hand, serum dissolves ZIF-8, causing premature cargo release. Our results show that ZIF-8 undergoes surface chemistry changes that may affect the interpretation of cellular uptake and cargo release data. On the other hand, it provides a rational explanation as to how ZIF-8 neatly dissolves in vivo.     

The Aldol Reaction of Allenolates with Aldehydes in the Presence of Magnesium Diiodide (MgI2) as Catalyst

Stereoselective synthesis of (Z)‐α‐(hydroxyalkyl)‐β‐iodoacrylates (=(2Z)‐2‐(hydroxyalkyl)‐3‐iodoprop‐2‐enoates) was achieved in a one‐pot coupling reaction from methyl prop‐2‐ynoate, Me₃SiI, and an alkanal under mild conditions with MgI₂ as catalyst (→ 1 – 9 ; see Table and Scheme 1). Baylis‐Hillman β‐iodo adducts were generated in excellent yields with high (Z)‐selectivity. The conversion of methyl prop‐2‐ynoate to an active methyl 3‐iodo‐1‐[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]allenolate intermediate in situ followed by carbonyl addition is proposed as the reaction sequence (Schemes 1 and 2).     

Tasumatrols P – T,Five New Taxoids from Taxus sumatrana

The phytochemical investigation of the more polar fractions from the leaves and twigs of Taxus sumatrana (Taxaceae) afforded five new taxane diterpene esters, tasumatrols P–T ( 1 – 5 ) possessing an 11(15→1),11(10→9)‐diabeotaxane skeleton. Compounds 1, 4 , and 5 contain an α‐hydroxy group at C(14), while 3 has no OH group at either C(13) or C(14). Compound 2 is a natural 4,5‐acetonide derivative, while 4 has an unusual spiro‐connected 2‐hydroxy‐2‐phenyl‐1,3‐dioxolane ring. Ten known taxoids, were also isolated in the course of the chromatographic fractionation. Five additional new O‐acetyl derivatives 3a, 4a, 4b, 5a , and 5b were prepared from the taxanes 3 – 5 . The structures of all new compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic analyses. Compound 1 showed mild cytotoxic activity against human Hela and Daoy tumor cells.     

Precise and accurate determination of the stoichiometry of CuInS2 semiconductor material by electrochemical methods

Summary CuInS₂ is one of the important I–III–VI₂ ternary compounds which has in recent years received increasing interest in semiconductor science. In this study an electrochemical method has been developed based on a limited amount of available sample (0.5–10mg) for the precise and accurate determination of CuInS₂ composition. After decomposition of the sample in concentrated HNO₃ under pressure, copper and indium were sequentially determined by constant potential coulometry, and sulfur (as sulfate) by amperometric titration. Various experimental parameters which ensure high precision and accuracy of the results were carefully evaluated and calibrated. The overall errors for the determination of copper, indium and sulfur in a 10 mg sample were found to be +0.10%, –0.12% and +0.16%, respectively, which fullfills the requirement for accurate stoichiometric assessment.

---

Reproduzierbare und genaue Bestimmung der Stöchiometrie von CuInS₂-Halbleitermaterial mit Hilfe elektrochemischer Verfahren

---

Presented at the 10th International Symposium on Microchemical Techniques, August 25–29, 1986, Antwerp, Belgium     

Mathematical Correction for Polyatomic Isobaric Spectral Interferences in Determination of Lanthanides by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

The determination of lanthanides by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP‐MS) is complicated by several spectral overlaps from M⁺, MO⁺ or MOH⁺ ions formed in the ICP. Especially, it is essential to avoid the spectral interferences from lighter lanthanide and Ba polyatomic ions on middle or heavier lanthanides. To tackle this problem, we have developed a mathematical correction method, which reduces all the spectral overlaps from oxide species of Pr, Nd, Ce and Sm over Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho, and Gd, Tb over Yb and Lu. It can also successfully correct the oxide and hydroxide interference of Ba over Eu. The effectiveness of the proposed the mathematical correction scheme is demonstrated for the USGS Standard Rock samples AGV‐1 and G‐2. The results show that the experimental data obtained by applying the mathematical correction scheme for lanthanides is in good agreement with the reported values, using pneumatic and ultrasonic nebulisation methods, for their ICP‐MS analysis.     

Depigmenting activity and low cytotoxicity of alkoxy benzoates or alkoxy cinnamte in cultured melanocytes

To obtain effective and safe topical depigmenting agents, we synthesized hydroxybenzoates, alkoxybenzoates, and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate containing a thymol moiety and screened then for high-level inhibitory activity against melanin synthesis in cultured melanocytes. Eight compounds were tested for their depigmenting effect and cytotoxicity using a murine melanocyte cell line. We found that 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoates and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamate, synthesized by conjugating 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoic acids and 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnmic acid with thymol, showed a potent depigmenting effect and low cytotoxicity. Compound 4h, 5-methyl-2-(methylethyl)phenyl (2E)-3-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate, showed the most potent depigmenting effect (IC50=10 microM) with low cytotoxicity (IC50=200 microM).     

New azabenzoquinones by ring‐expansion reactions

Ozonolysis of the pyrrolidinediones 4 afforded the pyrrolidinetriones 5 , which in the presence of Lewis acids were converted into maleimide 6 . Analogously, ozonolysis of the pyrrolidinones 7 gave the pyrrolidinediones 8 , which were converted into the pyridinetriones 11a, b via Lewis acid catalyzed isomerization to yield the trihydroxypyridones 10 and ensuing air oxidation. In solution two tautomeric forms of the pyridinetriones 11 may exist both of which represent hydroxy‐azabenzoquinones. In two steps compounds 11 were transformed into the azaquinone derivatives 19 . Representatives of another type of azaquinones are compounds 28a, b. These were generated in two steps from the pyridones 25 . The azaquinone 28a reacted easily with acidic compounds yielding the adducts 26, 27 and 29 or with 2‐butenal forming the cycloadduct 30 .     

Determination of metoprolol enantiomers in human urine by GC-MS using (−)-α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl chloride as a chiral derivatizing agent

Summary A method for the assay of R-(+)- and S-(−)- metoprolol in human urine has been developed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method involved purification by liquid-liquid extraction and derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide to form an O-silyl ether, followed by subsequent chiral derivatization with (−)-α-methoxy-α-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl chloride to form diastereomeric amide. The reaction was rapid and the diastereomeric derivatives were well resolved. Quantitation was performed by selected-ion monitoring of fragment ions of the diastereomers in electron impact ionization mode. No racemization was found during the reaction. The detection limit was 0.5 ng·mL⁻¹. The intra-day variation ranged between 0.38 and 7.86% in relation to the measured concentration and inter-day variation was 2.26–8.06%. The method has been applied to the determination of R-(+)-and S-(−)- metoprolol in human urine from healthy volunteers dosed with racemic metoprolol tartrate.     

Synthesis and tautomeric behavior of 3-(pyrazolylhydrazonomethyl)-2-oxo-1, 2-dihydroquinoxalines. Specification of hydrazone imine and diazenyl enamine forms

3-(Pyrazolylhydrazonomethyl)-2-oxo-1, 2-dihydroquinoxalines were synthesized, and their tautomer ratios between hydrazone imine and diazenyl enamine forms were specified by pmr spectral data.     

Ozonation of hydrocarbon diene elastomers: A mechanistic study

A study of the effects of ozonation on polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and several related hydrocarbon elastomers has shown that elastomers containing di-substituted double bonds (e.g., cis-1,4-polybutadiene) give crosslinked products as well as chain scission products in nonpolar solvents, whereas those containing tri-substituted double bonds (e.g., cis-1,4-polyisoprene) give chain scission products only. Both types of elastomer, however, give only chain scission products in polar solvents. Further investigation of the ozonation of elastomers, including the effect of ozonides of monoolefins and the solvent effect has led us to postulate that the chain scission involves the attack of a second ozone molecule on the preformed ozonide, and, the crosslinking is due to the attack of the biradical carbonyl oxide on the rubber.