Crystallization of binary carboxylic acids characterized with streaming potential measurement

The streaming potential of supersaturated solution of binary carboxylic acids, which have even carbon atoms, was determined to characterize crystallization under different temperatures. The value of the streaming potential was related to the type and solubility of the acids and the starting temperature of crystallization, and was easily influenced by the pressure difference of the liquid or the rate of temperature decline. When the temperature was declined to the point where a crystal nucleus appeared, the streaming potential reached the minimum. Thereafter, as the temperature was sequentially lowered, some minicrystals grew, and the streaming potential presented an ascendant tendency. The higher the starting temperature of the acids saturated solution, the higher is the temperature corresponding to the streaming potential minimum. The less the carbon atoms in the acids and the greater the solubility of the acids are, the higher is the temperature of the streaming potential minimum. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Use of solid-phase microextraction-capillary-gas chromatography (SPME-CGC) for the varietal characterization of wines by means of chemometrical methods

The extraction of wine aroma compounds was studied by direct-SPME (DI/SPME), headspace-SPME (HS/SPME) and multiple-headspace-extraction-SPME (MHE/SPME). The aromagrams obtained by HS/SPME-CGC were evaluated with chemometrical methods for the varietal classification of wines. Received: 25 July 1997 / Revised: 24 September 1997 / Accepted: 7 October 1997     

A Formal Total Synthesis of (+)-Methyl Trachyloban-18-oate and (+)-Methyl 16-Oxo-17-norkauran-18-oate: Regio- and Diastereoselective Preparation of Methyl (13S)-13-Hydroxyisoatisiren-18-oate from (−)-Abietic Acid

A novel preparation of methyl (13S)-13-hydroxyisoatisiren-18-oate ( 4 ), a key-intermediate in a synthesis of (+)-methyl trachyloban-18-oate ((+)- 1 ), from (?)-abietic acid, is described. Since (?)- 1 has been previously converted into (?)-methyl 16-oxo-17-norkauran-18-oate ((?)- 16 ), our preparation of 4 constitutes also a formal total synthesis, from (?)-abietic acid, of (+)- 16 . Key steps in this approach were the allene photoaddition to podocarp-8(14)-en-13-one ( 5 ) and the conversion of the endo-toluene-4-sulfonate 11 into the exo-benzoate 12b .     

Investigation of the formation process of MCs+-molecular ions during sputtering

In secondary ion mass spectrometry, the detection of MCs+ clusters (with M an element of the specimen) under a Cs bombardment is frequently used for the quantification of major elements. Despite some very good results obtained by this method, some problems still remain. In order to gain some more insight into these problems, the formation mechanism of the MCs+ clusters is investigated using a Monte Carlo model. It is shown that the majority of the constituent particles of the formed clusters are initially first or second neighbor atoms at the surface and that the velocity distribution of the MCs+ clusters becomes broader and peaked at higher velocities with increasing surface binding energy of the M atom. In addition, it is demonstrated that the interaction potential between the M and Cs+ particle has no influence on the velocity distribution of the MCs+ clusters. On the other hand, the cluster formation probability, defined as the probability that a sputtered M and Cs+ particle will form a MCs+ cluster, is extremely sensitive to this interaction potential. It is also shown that the cluster formation probability decreases with increasing surface binding energy. Finally, a good correspondence is obtained between the calculated and experimental velocity distributions of MCs+ clusters sputtered from different monoatomic materials. As a consequence, the Monte Carlo model and the discussed results can be validated.     

Simultaneous determination of midazolam and its three hydroxy metabolites in human plasma by electron-capture gas chromatography without derivatization

Electron-capture gas chromatography was carried out to determine midazolam and its three hydroxy metabolites (1-hydroxymethylmidazolam, 4-hydroxymidazolam and 1-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxymidazolam) in human plasma. The assay involves extraction from plasma, buffered to pH 9.3, into cyclohexane-dichloromethane (6:4) and analysis by gas chromatography. The use of an HP-17 cross-linked, capillary column makes derivatization unnecessary. The sensitivity of the method was 2-3 ng/ml for midazolam, 1-hydroxymethylmidazolam and 4-hydroxymidazolam, and 20 ng/ml for 1-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxymidazolam. The extraction recovery of midazolam, 1-hydroxymethylmidazolam, 4-hydroxymidazolam and 1-hydroxymethyl-4-hydroxymidazolam was 99.3 +/- 2.4, 67.0 +/- 4.6, 92.7 +/- 4.7 and 28.7 +/- 6.3%, respectively. This gas chromatographic assay was used to assess the concentration-time profiles of midazolam and its metabolites in human plasma after rectal and intravenous administration of midazolam.     

Tautomeric conjugate acids of 2-aminopyrroles: effect of substituents, solvation and cosolute

The tautomeric preferences of the conjugated acids of 2-aminopyrrole derivatives have been examined both in the gas phase and in aqueous solution by using a combination of quantum mechanical, self-consistent reaction field and Monte Carlo–free-energy perturbation methods. The results show that the nature of substituents, the solvent and the presence of cosolute are relevant factors in modulating the relative stability between the tautomeric conjugate acids protonated at the heterocyclic ring and at the exocyclic amino nitrogen. Thus, attachment of electron-withdrawing groups to the ring, solvation in polar solvents, and the presence of negatively charged cosolutes tend to favor protonation at the exocyclic amino nitrogen. Nevertheless, none of these factors alone suffice to change the tautomeric preference for the ring-protonated forms. The results point out that the concerted occurrence of the three factors is necessary to shift the tautomeric preference towards the conjugated species protonated at the exocyclic nitrogen.Contribution to the Jacopo Tomasi Honorary Issue     

High-speed microwave-promoted hetero-Diels-Alder reactions of 2(1H)-pyrazinones in ionic liquid doped solvents

Inter- and intramolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reactions in a series of functionalized 2(1H)-pyrazinones were investigated under controlled microwave irradiation. The cycloaddition reactions were efficiently performed in sealed tubes, utilizing either a combination of 1,2-dichloroethane and a thermally stable ionic liquid, or 1,2-dichlorobenzene as reaction medium. In all cases, a significant rate-enhancement using microwave flash heating as compared to thermal heating was observed.     

k0-measurements and related nuclear data compilation for (n, γ) reactor neutron activation analysis

Recommended k₀-factors and related nuclear data for use in (n, γ) activation analysis are given for 72 isotopes. In addition the basic nuclear constants and experimental parameters needed in the k₀ standardization method are reviewed. For convenient data reduction, computer programs were developed.     

Ab initio study of the binding of Trichostatin A (TSA) in the active site of histone deacetylase like protein (HDLP)

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have recently attracted considerable interest because of their therapeutic potential for the treatment of cell proliferative diseases. An X-ray structure of a very potent inhibitor, Trichostatin A (TSA), bound to HDLP (an HDAC analogue isolated from Aquifex aeolicus), is available. From this structure, an active site model (322 atoms), relevant for the binding of TSA and structural analogues, has been derived, and TSA has been minimized in this active site at HF 3-21G* level. The resulting conformation is in excellent accordance with the X-ray structure, and indicates a deprotonation of the hydroxamic acid in TSA by His 131. Also, a water molecule was minimized in the active site. In addition to a similar deprotonation, in accordance with a possible catalytic mechanism of HDAC as proposed by Finnin et al. (M. S. Finnin, J. R. Donigian, A. Cohen, V. M. Richon, R. A. Rifkind and P. A. Marks, Nature, 1999, 401, 188-193), a displacement of the resulting OH- ion in the active site was observed. Based on these results, the difference in energy of binding between TSA and water was calculated. The resulting value is realistic in respect to experimental binding affinities. Furthermore, the mechanism of action of the His 131-Asp 166 charge relay system was investigated. Although the Asp residue in this motif is known to substantially increase the basicity of the His residue, no proton transfer from His 131 to Asp 166 was observed on binding of TSA or water. However, in the empty protonated active site, this proton transfer does occur.