A novel phosphoramidite method for automated synthesis of oligonucleotides on glass supports for biosensor development

Two protocols for functionalization of glass supports with hexaethylene glycol (HEG)-linked oligonucleotides were developed. The first method (standard amidite protocol) made use of the 2-cyanoethyl-phosphoramidite derivative of 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl-protected HEG. This was first coupled to the support by standard solid-phase phosphoramidite chemistry followed by extension with a thymidylic acid icosanucleotide. Stepwise addition of the linker phosphoramidite graduated at 1% (relative to the total sites available) perstep at 50°C resulted in an optimal yield of immobilized oligonucleotides at a density of 2.24 × 10¹⁰ strands/mm². This observed loading maximum lies well below the theoretical maximum loading owing to nonspecific adsorption of HEG on the glass and subsequent blocking of reactive sites. Surface loadings as high as 3.73 × 10¹⁰/mm² and of excellent sequence quality were achieved with a reverse amidite protocol. The support was first modified into a 2-cyanoethyl-N,N-diisopropylphosphoramidite analog followed by coupling with 4,4′-dimethoxytrityl-protected HEG. This protocol is conveniently available when using a conventional DNA synthesizer. The reverse amidite protocol allowed for control of the surface loading at values suitable for subsequent analytical applications that make use of immobilized oligonucleotides as probes for selective hybridization of sample nucleic acids of unknown sequence and concentration.     

Automated multiple-layer spotting for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry of synthetic polymers utilizing ink-jet printing technology

Recently, a new multiple-layer matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) sample spotting technique for poly(ethylene glycol), offering improved analysis possibilities, was described. In this contribution the application of ink-jet printing to automated, multiple-layer MALDI-TOFMS sample preparation of synthetic polymers is presented, allowing accurate deposition of matrix, additive and analyte solutions. The new sample preparation technique was evaluated for poly(ethylene glycol) as well as poly(methyl methacrylate) standards, and optimized settings for both synthetic polymers have been obtained.     

Effects of methyl groups on the geometry and conformational equilibrium of 1,3-dioxanes

The geometries and energies of polymethyl-1,3-dioxanes were studied by molecular mechanics calculations. Buttressing effects of the Me groups are discussed. The chair/twist conformational equilibrium of 1,3-dioxanes having two syn-axial Me groups in the chair were calculated, and a twist form (the 1,4-twist) is found to be more stable than the chair only for 9 and 14, chair and 2,5-twist form are of comparable energies for 10 and 13, and the chair is considerably favored in 11 and 12. The chair/1,4-twist energy difference of 1 was calculated to be only 16.4 kJ mol^?1. Ring inversion of 1 goes through a transition state with C-C-C-O coplanar with a calculated activation enthalpy of 28.3 kJ mol^?1.     

Die Gasmolekeln Pd2Al2Cl10 und PdAlCl5 als Begleiter von PdAl2Cl8

Gas Molecules Pd₂Al₂Cl₁₀ and PdAlCl₅ as Accompanists of PdAl₂Cl₈ Mass spectrometric observations using a double cell showed that the reaction of gaseous Al₂Cl₆ with solid PdCl₂ besides the known gaseous complex PdAl₂Cl₈ gives PdAlCl₅ and the unexpected complex Pd₂Al₂Cl₁₀. For the equilibrium (with ΔCp? ?1 cal/K) ΔH°(298) = 7.5 kcal/Mol and ΔS°(298) = 5.3 ± 2 cl have been obtained.     

Site-directed molecular assembly on templates structured with electron-beam lithography

We describe a simple method for patterning biomolecular films on surfaces with high resolution. A conventional polymeric resist is structured by electron-beam lithography. The exposed and developed patterns are then used for the directed self-assembly (SA) of a first molecule from solution. Removal of the remaining resist allows the SA of a second species. We illustrate the potential of the approach by assembling on gold (Au) substrates two alkanethiols of contrasting terminal functionality. The patterns have dimensions from the micrometer range down to 40 nm and an edge resolution of 3.5 nm.     

Reaction of early transition metal complexes with macrocycles. II. Synthesis and structure of TiCl3(H2O) · 18-crown-6, a compound with a unique bidentate bonding mode for the 18-crown-6 molecule

18-crown-6 reacts with TiCl₃ in CH₂Cl₂ to form a complex in which the crown ether functions as a tridentate ligand. Addition of moist hexane affords a molecular complex in which the crown ether functions as a bidentate ligand. A water molecule is bonded directly to the titanium atom and is further hydrogen bonded to three of the oxygen atoms of the crown. The deep blue crystals of the CH₂Cl₂ adduct belong to the monoclinic space groupP2₁/n witha=13.481(8),b=8.021(5),c=21.425(9) Å, =97.32(5)°, and _calc = 1.51 g cm^–3 forZ=4. Refinement led to a conventionalR value of 0.040 based on 873 observed reflections. The Ti–O bond distances for the crown oxygen atoms are 2.123(8) and 2.154(9) Å, while the oxygen atom of the water molecule is bonded at 2.072(8) Å. The octahedral coordination sphere of the titanium atom is completed by the three chlorine atoms at distances of 2.340(5), 2.352(4), and 2.373(4) Å. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82034 (10 pages).     

Physical and Chemical Properties of Dissolved Electrons (Excess Electrons)

Electrons produced in a gaseous, liquid, or solid solvent are called dissolved electrons or excess electrons. These excess electrons can exist as quasi-free particles of high mobility in a delocalized state, comparable with electrons in a metal; or as bound particles of low mobility they can be localized within narrow limits—in a solvent cavity formed by repulsive forces. Localized electrons can also be solvated like normal ions. Characteristically, such solvated electrons exhibit broad and extensive absorption spectra in the visible to near infrared spectral range. The localized and delocalized states of the excess electrons can be in equilibrium with each other, such that a continuous transition of the properties between the limiting extremes can be observed. The reactions of the excess electrons with suitable acceptors (substrates) are initiated by an attachment-detachment equilibrium A + e^? ? A^? which is followed by further chemical rearrangements. The rate constants of these reactions vary by more than 15 powers of ten depending on the substrates and the solvents. Most of the properties of excess electrons in solution can be interpreted by means of a model which is easily understandable but quantitatively evaluated only with considerable effort.     

Synthesis and functional studies of THF-gramicidin hybrid ion channels

THF-gramicidin hybrids 2-4 with the L-THF amino acid 1 in positions 11 and 12 and compounds 5-8 with the D-THF amino acid ent-1 in positions 10 and 11 were synthesized and their ion channel properties were studied by single-channel-current analysis. The replacement of positions 11 and 12 by the L-THF amino acid 1 gave a strongly reduced channel performance. In contrast, replacement of positions 10 and 11 by the D-THF amino acid ent-1 gave rise to new and interesting channel properties. For the permeability ratios, the ion selectivity shifts from Eisenman I towards Eisenman III selectivity and the channels display ms-dynamics. Most remarkable is the asymmetric compound 8, which inserts selectively into a DPhPC membrane and displays voltage-directed gating dynamics.     

Polarizing a hydrophobic cavity for the efficient binding of organic guests: the case of calix[6]tren, a highly efficient and versatile receptor for neutral or cationic species

The host-guest properties of calix[6]tren 1 have been evaluated. The receptor is based on a calix[6]arene that is covalently capped at the narrow rim by a tren unit. As a result, the system presents a concave hydrophobic cavity with, at its bottom, a grid-like nitrogenous core. Despite its well-defined cavity and opening to the outside at the large rim, 1 did not behave as a good receptor for neutral molecules in chloroform. However, it exhibited efficient endo-complexation of ammonium guests. By contrast, the per-protonated host, 1.4H(+), behaved as a remarkable receptor for small organic molecules. The complexation is driven by a strong charge-dipole interaction and hydrogen bonds between the polar guest and the tetracationic cap of the calixarene. Finally, coordination of Zn(2+) to the tren core led to the asymmetrization of calixarene cavity and to the strong but selective endo-binding of neutral ligands. This study emphasizes the efficiency of a receptor presenting a concave hydrophobic cavity that is polarized at its bottom. The resulting combination of charge-dipole, hydrogen bonding, CH-pi, and van der Waals interactions highly stabilizes the supramolecular architectures. Also, importantly, the tren cap allows the tuning of the polarization, offering either a basic (1), a highly charged and acidic (1.4H(+)), or a coordination (1.Zn(2+)) site. As a result, the system proved to be highly versatile, tunable, and interconvertible in solution by simple addition of protons, bases, or metal ions.     

Study of ion chromatographic behavior of inorganic and organic antimony species by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) detection

An on-line method for the analysis of Sb(III), Sb(V) and trimethylstiboxide (TMSbO) is presented. The separation is performed using ion chromatography (IC) on a strong anion-exchange column with phthalic acid plus 2% acteone at pH 5 as mobile phase. The chromatographic system is coupled to an ICP-MS as detector. The influence of different complexing agents on the chromatographic behavior of the antimony species is studied. Rather stable complexes of Sb(III) seem to be formed with citrate and tartrate under the experimental conditions. TMSbO forms a dianionic species with citrate in contrast to the otherwise monoanionic complex. Received: 31 Juli 1997 / Revised: 8 December 1997 / Accepted: 11 December 1997