Quantification of the neurotransmitters melatonin and N-acetyl-serotonin in human serum by supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

The aim of this study was developing a supercritical fluid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS) method and an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) method, for the analysis of N-acetyl-serotonin (NAS) and melatonin (Mel) in human serum, and to compare the performance of these methods. Deuterated isotopologues of the neurotransmitters were synthesized and evaluated for suitability as internal standards in sample preparation. Liquid-liquid extraction was selected as sample preparation procedure. With chloroform, the best extraction solvent tested, an extraction yield of 48 ± 2% for N-acetyl-serotonin and 101 ± 10% for melatonin was achieved. SFC separation was accomplished within 3 min on a BEH stationary phase, employing isocratic elution with 90% carbon dioxide and 0.1% formic acid as well as 0.05% ammonium formate in methanol. For the 4 min UHPLC gradient separation with 0.1% formic acid in water and methanol, respectively, a Kinetex XB-C18 was used as stationary phase. Both chromatographic techniques were optimized regarding mobile phase composition, additives to the mobile phase and column temperature. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) analysis was used for quantification of the metabolites. Both methods were validated regarding retention time stability, LOD, LOQ, repeatability and reproducibility of quantification, process efficiency, extraction recovery and matrix effects. LOD and LOQ were 0.017 and 0.05 pg μL⁻¹ for NAS and 0.006 and 0.018 pg μL⁻¹ for Mel in SFC-MS/MS compared to 0.028 and 0.1 pg μL⁻¹ for NAS and 0.006 and 0.017 pg μL⁻¹ for Mel in UHPLC-MS/MS.     

Comparison of model predictions with measured proton-induced production of nickel and iridium isotopes

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Calculations were performed to support method development for simultaneous production of Ni and Ir isotopes. The work scope included development...     

Self-Reguiating Poiycondensations. II. A Study of the Order Present in Polyamide-Hydrazides Derived from Terephthaloyl Chloride and p-Aminobenzhydrazide

The problem of chemical order of polyamide-hydrazides prepared from terephthaloyl chloride with an unsymmetrical monomer, p-aminobenzhydrazide, is discussed. An NMR method for identifying the molecular structure of species formed in the early stages of poly condensation has enabled the course of a polymerization to be followed during this time and the final degree of order to be predicted qualitatively. These studies have provided a demonstration that the structure of these polymers can be controlled to a significant degree by appropriate variations in experimental conditions. But even under the most adverse conditions usually employed, poly amide-hydrazides are found to be at least “partially ordered” copolymers. The techniques developed for this study may find application in the study of other polymer forming reactions with monomers having two functional groups with dissimilar reactivities.     

Chemical composition,antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts from the leaves of Smilax brasiliensis Sprengel (Smilacaceae)

The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of petroleum ether and methanol extracts, fatty acids and methyl esters from leaves of Smilax brasiliensis were evaluated, and the composition of the extracts was determined. Palmitic, linoleic and linolenic acids were major components of the extracts. For antioxidant activity, all samples exhibited IC₅₀ values lower than BHT (2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol). The extracts, fatty acids and methyl esters from S. brasiliensis presented no toxicity to larvae of the brine shrimp, Artemia salina. Among the purified substances, only methyl linolenate showed toxicity (LD₅₀ = 21.47 μg/mL). This study showed, for the first time, the composition of petroleum ether and methanol extracts from S. brasiliensis leaves, as well as the antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts, fatty acids and methyl esters.     

A Simple Strategy to Improve the Accuracy of the Injection Step in Batch Injection Analysis Systems with Amperometric Detection

In this study, we describe for the first time the application of an internal standard method to compensate for random errors associated with the injection procedure in batch injection analysis (BIA) systems with multiple pulse amperometric detection. A sequence of potential pulses was selected in such a way that the internal standard (IS) compound was detected individually at one potential pulse and both the IS and analyte, were detected at another potential pulse. The current ratio (I_IS+analyte/I_IS) was used in the construction of the calibration curve and then to compensate for random errors. The use of disposable syringes or manual pipettes in BIA systems increases the robustness of the method and dispenses with skilled operators.     

Synthesis of Anhydronectriachrysone,an Extensively Conjugated γ-Pyrone

The synthesis of anhydronectriachrysone (2) through the DIBAH reduction of toralactone (3), followed by dehydration of the corresponding lactol (4) is reported (38% yield).     

Rapid Conventional and Microwave-Assisted Decarboxylation of L-Histidine and Other Amino Acids via Organocatalysis with R-Carvone Under Superheated Conditions

This article reports a new methodology taking advantage of superheated chemistry via either microwave or conventional heating for the facile decarboxylation of alpha amino acids using the recoverable organocatalyst, R-carvone. The decarboxylation of amino acids is an important synthetic route to biologically active amines, and traditional methods of amino acid decarboxylation are time consuming (taking up to several days in the case of L-histidine), are narrow in scope, and make use of toxic catalysts. Decarboxylations of amino acids including L-histidine occur in just minutes while replacing toxic catalysts with green catalyst, spearmint oil. Yields are comparable to or exceed previous methods and purification of product ammonium chloride salts is aided by an isomerization reaction of residual catalyst to phenolic carvacrol. The method has been shown to be effective for the decarboxylations of a range of natural, synthetic, and protected amino acids.     

Investigation of steric and electronic effects in the copper-catalysed asymmetric oxidation of sulfides

Steric and electronic effects in the copper-catalysed asymmetric oxidation of aryl benzyl, aryl alkyl and alkyl benzyl sulfides have been investigated. The presence of an aryl group directly attached to the sulfur is essential to afford sulfoxides with high enantioselectivities, with up to 97% ee for 2-naphthyl benzyl sulfoxide, the highest enantioselectivity achieved to date for copper-catalysed asymmetric sulfoxidation. In contrast, the benzyl substituent can be replaced by sterically comparable groups with no effect on enantioselectivity. Copper-mediated oxidation of substituted aryl benzyl sulfides display modest steric and electronic effects resulting in comparable or lower enantioselectivities to those obtained with the unsubstituted benzyl phenyl sulfide.