Synthesis and properties of novel crown ether-annelated 4′,5′-diaza-9′-(1,3-dithiole-2-ylidene)-fluorenes and their ruthenium(II) complexes

Two novel redox-active 1,3-dithiole (DT) ring-fused 4,5-diazafluorene ligands with crown ether moieties (L1 and L2) were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure of L1 was studied. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of these new ligands, as well as the corresponding bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes [4: Ru L1(bpy)₂ and 5: Ru L2(bpy)₂], were also been investigated.     

Application of self-assembly for replacing chromate in corrosion protection of zinc

Due to the toxic and carcinogenic properties of hexavalent chromium ion, the corrosion protection with chromating technique needs replacement. Several environmentally friendly alternative metal pretreatments have already been proposed. One of these methods is the application of self-assembling molecules to form mono- or multilayers on the metal surfaces. These layers can prevent metal dissolution due to their dense and stable structure. The objective of our studies was to protect zinc surface against corrosion, with a thin phosphonate layer. Aqueous solutions of diphosphonic acid with different alkyl chain lengths were applied with different treatment times. The layer formation, stability, and corrosion protection of these films were monitored by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and the effect of 1,5-diphosphono-pentane (DPP) on zinc was studied by polarization curves. The wetting properties were determined by static contact angle measurement. 1,5-Diphosphono-pentane forms a thin layer, with a pronounced protective ability in neutral aqueous solutions. The application of self-assembling molecules can be a promising method to replace the chromating technique on zinc surface.     

Liquid chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis for screening of patients with cystinuria, and identification of cystine stone.

Analyses of amino acids in the urine of a normal human and of patients with heterozygous and homozygous cystinuria have been carried out, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with an atmospheric pressure ionization interface system. A kidney cystine stone was also analysed by this system. Very intense quasi-molecular ions ([M + H]+) of standard cystine, arginine, lysine and ornithine were observed on mass chromatograms as base peaks. Mass chromatograms of the urine samples from a normal human and from patients with heterozygous and homozygous cystinuria were easily distinguishable. The retention times in the mass chromatogram and mass spectrum of kidney stone cystine was almost the same as that of authentic cystine.     

The Phosphinoboration Reaction

The synthesis of phosphinoboronate esters containing a single P? B bond is reported, together with preliminary reactivity studies towards a range of organic substrates. These compounds add readily to aldehydes, ketones, aldimines, and α,β‐unsaturated enones to give primarily the corresponding 1,2‐addition products containing a new P? C bond. The first examples of transition‐metal‐catalyzed phosphinoborations of C‐C multiple bonds in which P? C and B? C bonds are formed in a single step are also disclosed; allenes react by a highly regioselective 1,2‐addition whereas terminal alkynes undergo a formal 1,1‐addition.     

Quantitative determination of glyphosate in human serum by 1H NMR spectroscopy

The determination and quantification of glyphosate in serum using (1)H NMR spectroscopy is reported. This method permitted serum samples to be analysed without derivatization or any other sample pre-treatment, using 3-trimethylsilyl 2,2',3,3'-tetradeuteropropionic acid (TSP-d(4)) as a qualitative and quantitative standard. Characterization of the herbicide N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine was performed by analysing chemical shifts and coupling constant patterns. Quantification was performed by relative integration of CH(2)-P protons to the TSP-d(4) resonance peak. The method was tested for repeatability (n=5) and yielded coefficients of variation of 1% and 3%, respectively: detection and quantification limits were also determined and were 0.03 and 0.1mmol/L, respectively. The method was applied to the quantification of glyphosate in a case of acute poisoning.     

Enzymatic synthesis of a chiral chalcogran intermediate

Two lipases, Novozyme 435 (lipase B from Candida Antarctica) and Lipozyme TL IM (Thermomyces lanuginosus) were used successfully for the kinetic resolution of racemic 1-(2-furyl)-3-pentanol, the key intermediate in synthesis of the bark beetle pheromone, chalcogran. The desired S-(+)-enantiomer was prepared in enantiomeric excesses higher than 98 % and with yields of 26.3 % and 32.5 %, respectively. Methyl tert-butyl ether and vinyl acetate were found to be the best reaction media and the acetyl donor to achieve fast and effective resolution.     

Scaffold Effects on Osteogenic Differentiation of Equine Mesenchymal Stem Cells: An In Vitro Comparative Study

The in vitro viability, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of four different equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow, periosteum, muscle, and adipose tissue are compared, when they are cultured with different collagen‐based scaffolds or with fibrin glue. The results indicate that bone marrow cells are the best source of MSCs for osteogenic differentiation, and that an electrochemically aggregated collagen gives the highest cell viability and best osteogenic differentiation among the four kinds of scaffolds studied.

     

Hydrolytic and photoinduced degradation of tribenuron methyl studied by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS

The paper studies, with the help of HPLC-DAD-MS/MS technique, the hydrolytic and photoinduced degradation processes that take place in aqueous solutions of tribenuron methyl, both when preserved in the dark and when undergoing solar box irradiation under conditions that simulate sun light. The results indicate that the degradation products formed by hydrolysis alone and by photoirradiation are the same, but kinetics of the hydrolysis reaction is much slower. The degradation products are identified as 2-methoxy-4-methylamino-6-methyl-1,3,5-triazine (P1), methyl 2-aminosulfonylbenzoate (P2), and saccharin (P3) and quantified. Ecotoxicological biotests performed on 0.1 microg L(-1) photoirradiated solutions of the herbicide give a border line toxicity situation comparable to that of the precursor and indicate that the herbicide is characterized by low persistence in the environment, as required. Its degradation, however, does not lead to mineralization but to the formation of products of comparable toxicity. To evaluate the matrix effects, the photodegradation of the herbicide is also studied in the presence of rice paddy waters: the process is slower than in ultrapure water but leads to the same products. Experiments performed for comparison by irradiating ultrapure water solutions with UV lamp (254 nm) show that the degradation process is not only faster with respect to sunlight, but gives a different pathway, without in anyway leading to mineralization.