Evidence for Triplet Sensitization in the Visible‐Light‐Induced [2+2] Photocycloaddition of Eniminium Ions

Εniminium ions were prepared from the corresponding α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds (enones and enals), and were found to be promoted to their respective triplet states by energy transfer. The photoexcited intermediates underwent intra‐ or intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition in good yields (50–78 %) upon irradiation at λ=433 nm or λ=457 nm. Iridium or ruthenium complexes with a sufficiently high triplet energy were identified as efficient catalysts (2.5 mol % catalyst loading) for the reaction. The intermolecular [2+2] photocycloaddition of an eniminium ion derived from a chiral secondary amine proceeded with high enantioselectivity (88 % ee).     

Capture of nerve agents and mustard gas analogues by hydrophobic robust MOF-5 type metal-organic frameworks

In this communication, a series of observations and data analyses coherently confirms the suitability of the novel metal-organic framework (MOF) [Zn(4)(μ(4)-O)(μ(4)-4-carboxy-3,5-dimethyl-4-carboxy-pyrazolato)(3)] (1) in the capture of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It is worthy of attention that 1, whose crystal structure resembles that of MOF-5, exhibits remarkable thermal, mechanical, and chemical stability, as required if practical applications are sought. In addition, it selectively captures harmful VOCs (including models of Sarin and mustard gas, which are chemical warfare agents), even in competition with ambient moisture (i.e., under conditions mimicking operative ones). The results can be rationalized on the basis of Henry constant and adsorption heat values for the different essayed adsorbates as well as H(2)O/VOC partition coefficients as obtained from variable-temperature reverse gas chromatography experiments. To further strengthen the importance of 1, its performance in the capture of harmful VOCs has been compared with those of well-known materials, namely, a MOF with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites, [Cu(3)(btc)(2)] and the molecular sieve active carbon Carboxen. The results of this comparison show that coordinatively unsaturated metal sites (preferential guest-binding sites) are ineffective for the capture of VOCs in the presence of ambient moisture. Consequently, we propose that the driving force of the VOC-MOF recognition process is mainly dictated by pore size and surface hydrophobicity.     

Chiral sum frequency generation spectroscopy for characterizing protein secondary structures at interfaces

In situ and real-time characterization of protein secondary structures at interfaces is important in biological and bioengineering sciences, yet remains technically challenging. In this study, we used chiral sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy to establish a set of vibrational optical markers for characterizing protein secondary structures at interfaces. We discovered that the N-H stretches along the peptide backbones of α-helices can be detected in chiral SFG spectra. We further observed that the chiral vibrational signatures of the N-H stretch together with the peptide amide I are unique to α-helix, β-sheet, and random coil at interfaces. Using these chiral vibrational signatures, we studied the aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), which is implicated in type II diabetes. We observed in situ and in real time the misfolding of hIAPP from random coils to α-helices and then β-sheets upon interaction with a lipid-water interface. Our findings show that chiral SFG spectroscopy is a powerful tool to follow changes in protein conformations at interfaces and identify interfacial protein secondary structures that elude conventional techniques.     

Characterization of Commercial Polyvinylbutyrals

Several analyses have been carried out to thoroughly characterize five commercial polyvinyl butyral films supplied by various manufacturers. Model compounds (PVB and plasticizers) having the highest purity available were also used as reference. FT-IR and ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy were used to ascertain the structure of the investigated ter-polymer, as well that of the incorporated additives (mainly the plasticizer). The ratio between these components was also determined. The chemical compositions of these PVBs were similar, and two different plasticizers were identified. The glass transition temperature (T _g ) was deduced from dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) and found to be very similar for all the investigated films. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) was also used to study the molecular weight distribution. The analyses were performed using several detectors, and they revealed that PVBs presented similar distributions with molecular weights ranging from 250,000 to 300,000 g/mol.     

Adsorption and recovery issues of recombinant monoclonal antibodies in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography†

The poor recovery of large biomolecules is a well‐known issue in reversed‐phase liquid chromatography. Several papers have reported this problem, but the reasons behind this behavior are not yet fully understood. In the present study, state‐of‐the‐art reversed‐phase wide‐pore stationary phases were used to evaluate the adsorption of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. These biomolecules possess molar mass of approximately 150 000 g/mol and isoelectric points between 6.6 and 9.3. Two types of stationary phases were tested, the Phenomenex Aeris Widepore (silica based), with 3.6 μm superficially porous particles, and the Waters Acquity BEH300 (ethylene‐bridged hybrid), with 1.7 μm fully porous particles. A systematic investigation was carried out using 11 immunoglobulin G1, G2, and G4 antibodies, namely, panitumumab, natalizumab, cetuximab, bevacizumab, trastuzumab, rituximab, palivizumab, belimumab, adalimumab, denosumab, and ofatumumab. All are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency in various therapeutic indications and are considered as reference antibodies. Several test proteins, such as human serum albumin, transferrin, apoferritin, ovalbumin, and others, possessing a molar mass between 42 000 and 443 000 g/mol were also evaluated to draw reliable conclusions. The purpose of this study was to find a correlation between the adsorption of monoclonal antibodies and their physicochemical properties. Therefore, the impact of isoelectric point, molar mass, protein glycosylation, and hydrophobicity was investigated. The adsorption of intact antibodies on the stationary phase was significantly higher than that of proteins of similar size, isoelectric point, or hydrophobicity. The present study also demonstrates the unique behavior of monoclonal antibodies, contributing some unwanted and unpredictable strong secondary interactions.     

Chebyshev approximation of the null function by an affine combination of complex exponential functions

We describe the theoretical solution of an approximation problem that uses a finite weighted sum of complex exponential functions. The problem arises in an optimization model for the design of a telescope array occurring within optical interferometry for direct imaging in astronomy. The problem is to find the optimal weights and the optimal positions of a regularly spaced array of aligned telescopes, so that the resulting interference function approximates the zero function on a given interval. The solution is given by means of Chebyshev polynomials.     

Solvent-Enhanced Conformational Flexibility of Cyclic Tetrapeptides

Solvent and temperature can affect the structural properties of cyclic peptides by controlling their flexibility. Here, we investigate two cyclic peptides, featuring beta turns. Using temperature-dependent NMR and FT-IR, we observed a pronounced temperature effect on the conformation of the cyclic peptide D-1 in CHCl₃ but a much smaller effect in CH₃CN. Almost no effect was observed for its diastereomer L-1 within a similar temperature range and using the same solvents. With the aid of Replica Exchange Molecular Dynamics simulations and Quantum Mechanics/Molecular Mechanics calculations, we were able to explain this behavior based on the increased flexibility of D-1 (in CHCl₃) in terms of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The largest temperature dependence is observed for D - 1 in CHCl₃, while the temperature effect is less pronounced for L-1 in CHCl₃ and for both peptides in CH₃CN. This work provides new insights into the role of the environment and temperature on the conformations of cyclic peptides.     

Sensitive biomonitoring of phthalate metabolites in human urine using packed capillary column switching liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion-trap mass spectrometry

A rapid and sensitive method for the determination of the phthalate monoesters monoethyl phthalate (MEP), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) and monoethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP), in human urine, using packed capillary column liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray quadrupole-ion trap mass spectrometry (ESI-QITMSⁿ) has been developed. Sample volumes of 200 L of deconjugated and diluted urine were loaded onto a precolumn of 30 mm×0.32 mm I.D. packed with Hypercarb 5 m particles, using a sample carrier consisting of acetonitrile/water (15/85, v/v, adjusted to pH 2 using HCl) with a flow rate of 20 L/min. Backflushed elution onto a 100 mm×0.32 mm I.D. analytical column packed with 5 m Hypercarb particles was conducted using a tetrahydrofuran/water gradient where both solvents contained 10 mM ammonium acetate, at a flow rate of 4 L/min. Determination of the monophthalates was achieved within 8 min. Ionization was performed in the negative mode and the analytes were observed as [M-H]^– at m/z=193.1, 221.1, 255.1 and 277.0 for MEP, MBP, MBzP and MEHP, respectively. Quantification was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode monitoring the fragments at m/z=121.1, 177.0, 183.0 and 233.0 for MEP, MBP, MBzP and MEHP, respectively. The method was validated over the concentration range 2.5–125 ng/mL in pretreated urine samples, corresponding to 25–1250 ng/mL untreated urine, yielding correlation coefficients in the range 0.996–0.999. The within-assay (n=6) and between-assay (n=6) repeatabilities were in the range 4.0–18% and 4.8–15% RSD, respectively. The mass limits of detection were in the range 32–70 pg, corresponding to concentration limits of detection of 1.6–3.5 ng/mL of untreated urine.