Evaluation of chiral purity for a substituted imidazole p38 MAP kinase inhibitor and its intermediates using a single chiral capillary electrophoresis method

The chiral separation of a substituted imidazole p38 MAP kinase inhibitor and its intermediates was investigated using capillary electrophoresis (CE) with various sulfated cyclodextrins. After initial screens, a single CE chiral method with a randomly sulfated beta-CD was selected for the evaluation of chiral purity for all three compounds. Operational parameters, such as the concentration of the chiral selectors, background electrolyte (or mobile phase) pH, organic modifiers, and temperature were varied in order to achieve an optimized method. The optimal method was validated in terms of linearity, sensitivity, precision, ruggedness, and specificity.     

Nitrosyliron(III) porphyrinates: porphyrin core conformation and FeNO geometry. Any correlation?

The synthesis, structural, and spectroscopic characterization of (nitrosyl)iron(III) porphyrinate complexes designed to have strongly nonplanar porphyrin core conformations is reported. The species have a nitrogen-donor axial ligand trans to the nitrosyl ligand and display planar as well as highly nonplanar porphyrin core conformations. The systems were designed to test the idea, expressly discussed for the heme protein nitrophorin (Roberts, et al. Biochemistry 2001, 40, 11327), that porphyrin core distortions could lead to an unexpected, bent geometry for the FeNO group. For [Fe(OETPP)(1-MeIm)(NO)]ClO(4).C(6)H(5)Cl (H(2)OETPP = octaethyltetraphenylporphyrin), the porphyrin core is found to be severely saddled. However, this distortion has little or no effect on the geometric parameters of the coordination group: Fe-N(p) = 1.990(9) A, Fe-N(NO) = 1.650(2) A, Fe-N(L) = 1.983(2) A, and Fe-N-O = 177.0(3) degrees. For the complex [Fe(OEP)(2-MeHIm)(NO)]ClO(4).0.5CH(2)Cl(2) (H(2)OEP = octaethylporphyrin), there are two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The cation denoted [Fe(OEP)(2-MeHIm)(NO)](+)(pla) has a close-to-planar porphyrin core. For this cation, Fe-N(p) = 2.014(8) A, Fe-N(NO) = 1.649(2) A, Fe-N(L) = 2.053(2) A, and Fe-N-O = 175.6(2) degrees. The second cation, [Fe(OEP)(2-MeHIm)(NO)](+)(ruf), has a ruffled core: Fe-N(p) = 2.003(7) A, Fe-N(NO) = 1.648(2) A, Fe-N(L) = 2.032(2) A, and Fe-N-O = 177.4(2) degrees. Thus, there is no effect on the coordination group geometry caused by either type of nonplanar core deformation; it is unlikely that a protein engendered core deformation would cause FeNO bending either. The solid-state nitrosyl stretching frequencies of 1917 cm(-)(1) for [Fe(OEP)(2-MeHIm)(NO)]ClO(4) and 1871 cm(-)(1) for [Fe(OETPP)(1-MeIm)(NO)]ClO(4) are well within the range seen for linear Fe-N-O groups. M?ssbauer data for [Fe(OEP)(2-MeHIm)(NO)]ClO(4) confirm that the ground state is diamagnetic. In addition, the quadrupole splitting value of 1.88 mm/s and isomer shift (0.05 mm/s) at 4.2 K are similar to other (nitrosyl)iron(III) porphyrin complexes with linear Fe-N-O groups. Crystal data: [Fe(OETPP)(1-MeIm)(NO)]ClO(4).C(6)H(5)Cl, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c, Z = 4, with a = 12.9829(6) A, b = 36.305(2) A, c = 14.0126(6) A, beta = 108.087(1) degrees; [Fe(OEP)(2-MeHIm)(NO)]ClO(4).0.5CH(2)Cl(2), triclinic, space group Ponemacr;, Z = 4, with a = 14.062(2) A, b = 16.175(3) A, c = 19.948(3) A, alpha = 69.427(3) degrees, beta = 71.504(3) degrees, gamma = 89.054(3) degrees.     

Treatment of uncorrected measurement bias in uncertainty estimation for chemical measurements

Consistent treatment of measurement bias, including the question of whether or not to correct for bias, is essential for the comparability of measurement results. The case for correcting for bias is discussed, and it is shown that instances in which bias is known or suspected, but in which a specific correction cannot be justified, are comparatively common. The ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement does not provide well for this situation. It is concluded that there is a need for guidance on handling cases of uncorrected bias. Several different published approaches to the treatment of uncorrected bias and its uncertainty are critically reviewed with regard to coverage probability and simplicity of execution. On the basis of current studies, and taking into account testing laboratory needs for a simple and consistent approach with a symmetric uncertainty interval, we conclude that for most cases with large degrees of freedom, linear addition of a bias term adjusted for exact coverage ("U(e)") as described by Synek is to be preferred. This approach does, however, become more complex if degrees of freedom are low. For modest bias and low degrees of freedom, summation of bias, bias uncertainty and observed value uncertainty in quadrature ("RSSu") provides a similar interval and is simpler to adapt to reduced degrees of freedom, at the cost of a more restricted range of application if accurate coverage is desired.     

Standard additions: myth and reality

Standard additions is a calibration technique devised to eliminate rotational matrix effects in analytical measurement. Although the technique is presented in almost every textbook of analytical chemistry, its behaviour in practice is not well documented and is prone to attract misleading accounts. The most important limitation is that the method cannot deal with translational matrix effects, which need to be handled separately. In addition, because the method involves extrapolation from known data, the method is often regarded as less precise than external calibration (interpolation) techniques. Here, using a generalised model of an analytical system, we look at the behaviour of the method of standard additions under a range of conditions, and find that, if executed optimally, there is no noteworthy loss of precision.     

Base-induced decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides in the gas phase. Part 3. Kinetics and dynamics in HO- + CH3OOH, C2H5OOH, and tert-C4H9OOH reactions

The E(CO)2 elimination reactions of alkyl hydroperoxides proceed via abstraction of an alpha-hydrogen by a base: X(-) + R(1)R(2)HCOOH --> HX + R(1)R(2)C=O + HO(-). Efficiencies and product distributions for the reactions of the hydroxide anion with methyl, ethyl, and tert-butyl hydroperoxides are studied in the gas phase. On the basis of experiments using three isotopic analogues, HO(-) + CH3OOH, HO(-) + CD3OOH, and H(18)O(-) + CH3OOH, the overall intrinsic reaction efficiency is determined to be 80% or greater. The E(CO)2 decomposition is facile for these methylperoxide reactions, and predominates over competing proton transfer at the hydroperoxide moiety. The CH3CH2OOH reaction displays a similar E(CO)2 reactivity, whereas proton transfer and the formation of HOO(-) are the exclusive pathways observed for (CH3)3COOH, which has no alpha-hydrogen. All results are consistent with the E(CO)2 mechanism, transition state structure, and reaction energy diagrams calculated using the hybrid density functional B3LYP approach. Isotope labeling for HO(-) + CH3OOH also reveals some interaction between H2O and HO(-) within the E(CO)2 product complex [H2O...CH2=O...HO(-)]. There is little evidence, however, for the formation of the most exothermic products H2O + CH2(OH)O(-), which would arise from nucleophilic condensation of CH2=O and HO(-). The results suggest that the product dynamics are not totally statistical but are rather direct after the E(CO)2 transition state. The larger HO(-) + CH3CH2OOH system displays more statistical behavior during complex dissociation.     

Stop-consonant recognition for normal-hearing listeners and listeners with high-frequency hearing loss. I: The contribution of selected frequency regions

The purpose of this study is to specify the contribution of certain frequency regions to consonant place perception for normal-hearing listeners and listeners with high-frequency hearing loss, and to characterize the differences in stop-consonant place perception among these listeners. Stop-consonant recognition and error patterns were examined at various speech-presentation levels and under conditions of low- and high-pass filtering. Subjects included 18 normal-hearing listeners and a homogeneous group of 10 young, hearing-impaired individuals with high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. Differential filtering effects on consonant place perception were consistent with the spectral composition of acoustic cues. Differences in consonant recognition and error patterns between normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners were observed when the stimulus bandwidth included regions of threshold elevation for the hearing-impaired listeners. Thus place-perception differences among listeners are, for the most part, associated with stimulus bandwidths corresponding to regions of hearing loss.     

Ordering poly(trimethylsilyl styrene‐block‐D,L‐lactide) block copolymers in thin films by solvent annealing using a mixture of domain‐selective solvents

Controlling the morphology, domain orientation, and domain size of block copolymer (BCP) thin films is desirable for many applications in nanotechnology. These properties can be tuned during solvent annealing by varying the solvent choice and degree of swelling which affect the effective miscibility and volume fraction of the BCP domains. In this work, we demonstrate with a bulk lamellae‐forming BCP, poly(4‐trimethylsilylstyrene‐block‐D ,L ‐lactide) (PTMSS‐b‐PLA), that varying the composition of a mixture of solvent vapors containing cyclohexane (PTMSS‐selective) and acetone (PLA‐selective), enables formation of perpendicularly oriented lamellae with sub‐20‐nm pitch lines. The BCP domain periodicity was also observed to increase by 30%, compared to bulk, following solvent annealing. Furthermore, solvent annealing alone is shown to induce a transition from a disordered to an ordered BCP. We rationalize our observations by hypothesizing that the use of a combination of domain selective solvent mixtures serves to increase the effective repulsion between the blocks of the copolymer. We furnish results from self‐consistent field theory calculations to support the proposed mechanism. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. Part B: Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 36–45     

Automated Apparatus for Measuring the Frangibilityand Fragmentation of Strengthened Glass

The surface compressive stress developed during thermal or chemical strengthening in glass is balanced by tensile stress throughout the central region of the glass, known as central tension (CT). Greater CT can lead to a higher degree of frangibility and fragmentation. Three automatic methods are developed to measure the frangibility and fragmentation behavior of the strengthened glass. Method A uses free gravity drop of a stylus with magnetic braking to deliver consistent impact force. Method B adds an air bearing to provide accurate alignment of the stylus while reducing friction. Method C uses a flex hinge design to deliver impact force. After fine tuning of the apparatus, a delayed fracture rate of ~80 % can be achieved. Delayed fracture is a necessary condition for evaluating the intrinsic frangibility and fragmentation behavior of a strengthened glass sample as a result of the stored internal stress. On the other hand, in an immediate fracture event, externally applied energy exerted on the glass can affect the fragmentation pattern and the perceived frangibility. Use of a single strike, as opposed to multiple strikes, to fracture the sample will also prevent unwanted damage to the glass that could influence the final result.