Templated ceramic microstructures by using the breath-figure method

We describe the synthesis of two cyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt-containing poly(p-phenylene ethynylene)s (PPEs) and their use as precursors for stable ceramic surface coatings. Organometallic PPEs were shaped into hexagonally ordered assemblies by using the breath-figure method. Such breath figures can be washed away with an appropriate solvent. Upon pyrolysis at 500 degrees C under either nitrogen or air, the bubble arrays persist as ceramics and are insoluble in organic solvents or water. The formed pyrolyzed bubble arrays were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy, as well as energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). The composition of the ceramic materials is discussed based on EDX and IR data.     

Nonspecific interactions of a carboxylate-substituted PPE with proteins. A cautionary tale for biosensor applications

Two carboxylate-substituted, fluorescent (Phi = 0.08), water-soluble poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) and a water-soluble model compound were exposed to a series of proteins and bovine serum. While the anionic PPEs do not have any specific binding sites, they form stable complexes with histone, lysozyme, myoglobin, and hemoglobin. The complex formation was evidenced by fluorescence quenching. Bovine serum albumin does not quench the fluorescence of the PPEs but enhances it, probably due to its surfactant character. These results imply that the use of charged conjugated polymers as biosensors, while an attractive proposition, has to take into account strong nonspecific interactions between conjugated polymers and the host of proteins that is found in cells and complex biological fluids.     

High performance liquid chromatographic separation of dipeptide and tripeptide enantiomers using a chiral crown ether stationary phase

A chiral stationary phase (CSP) based on (-)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid was evaluated for the direct resolution of the enantiomers of dipeptides and tripeptides. The type and concentration of the acid and the methanol content were optimized with regard to retention time and resolution using Ala-Phe as model peptide. A mobile phase consisting of 10 mM sulfuric acid in 70% aqueous methanol was applied to the separation of a set of 16 structurally diverse dipeptides and tripeptides. Generally, the configuration of the amino acid at the N-terminus determined the enantiomer elution order. With a few exceptions the LL- and LD-enantiomers interacted stronger with the CSP compared to the corresponding DD- or DL-enantiomers. The experimental conditions also allowed the simultaneous separation of all four stereoisomers of Ala-Phe. Addition of ammonium sulfate generally reduced retention times and enantiomer resolution. Addition of triethylamine as modifier led to an overall increase of the retention times while the resolution did not show a general trend, increasing in the case of Ala-Ala but decreasing in the case of Ala-Phe.     

Beiträge zur Chemie des Phosphors. 111. 1,2-Dichlor-1,2-di-tert-butyldiphosphan

Contributions to the Chemistry of Phosphorus. 111. 1,2-Dichloro-1,2-di-tert-butyl-diphosphane The reaction of tri-tert-butyl-cyclotriphosphane, (t-BuP)₃, with phosphorus(V) chloride (molar ratio 1:2) leads to the title compound Cl(t-Bu)P? P(t-Bu)Cl ( 1 ), which is remarkably stable against disproportionation reactions. As the first 1,2-dichloro-1,2-diorganyldiphosphane, 1 has been isolated in a pure state and was thoroughly characterized. At room temperature, 1 exists in a mixture of the d,l and meso form (about 20:80). The mutual repulsion of the negative polarized Cl atoms and their preferred gauche arrangement to the free electron pairs of neighboured P atoms leads to a gauche-conformation of the lone electron pairs in the d,l- and to a trans-conformation in the meso-configuration.     

Zur Reaktion von Hydrazinen mit Fluorsilanen und lithiierten Aminen

Lithium salts of hydrazines react with fluorosilanes under formation of fluorosilylhydrazines and LiF. Five membered rings are obtained in the reaction of bis(fluorosilyl)-hydrazines with lithiated amines. The mass,¹H-and¹⁹F-nmr spectra of the compounds are reported.

     

Determination of telmisartan in human blood plasma: Part I: Immunoassay development

Telmisartan is an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a known drug against high blood pressure. In this report, the development of a new and rapid analytical technique, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the determination of telmisartan in human blood plasma is described. The immunoassay is based on a conversion of 4-(N-methylhydrazino)-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzooxadiazole (MNBDH) to 4-(N-methylamino)-7-nitro-2,1,3-benzooxadiazole (MNBDA), which is detected by fluorescence spectroscopy. The limit of detection was 0.1 ng/mL, the limit of quantification was 0.3 ng/mL and the working range extended from 0.3 ng/mL to 300 ng/mL.     

In situ determination of adsorption kinetics of proteins in a finite bath

A method for fast in situ measurement of adsorption kinetics based on a finite bath was developed. We modified the conventional finite bath by replacing the external loop by a dip probe which enables in situ measurement of the concentration change in the contactor. Deposition of adsorbent particles on the reflection surface of the dip probe compromised measurements. Different membranes, a polyamide, a polypropylene and a nylon membrane were tested to protect the internal reflection surface of the dip probe from fouling with adsorbent particles. The nylon membrane provided efficient protection and high mass transfer evaluated by response time experiments. Unspecific adsorption of the model protein on the membrane could also be excluded. To corroborate the measurements of the dip probe the results were compared to a conventional finite bath and to a shallow-bed. The uptake curves for human polyclonal IgG at different concentrationes (0.1-3 g/l) on rProtein A Sepharose FF and MabSelect were used as model system. The effective diffusion coefficients were determined using a pore diffusion model. These values were in good agreement for all methods.     

Pulsed titration sensors: Part 1: A breath-by-breath CO2 sensor

A novel electrochemical sensor for the determination of CO₂ in expired breath is described. The sensor works by generating from the reduction of O₂ in dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) in a generating pulse. There is a rapid titration reaction between the and any CO₂ present. In the recovery pulse the amount of unreacted is determined. The larger the concentration of CO₂ the less is found in the recovery pulse. The solubilities and diffusion coefficients of O₂ and CO₂ in DMSO have been determined using rotating disc voltammetry and rotation speed step experiments. The stoichiometry, the product, and the rate constant of the titration reaction have been determined using ring—disc voltammetry and laser Raman spectroscopy. The operation and the effect of adventitious water on the sensor are described. Results are presented which show that the sensor can indeed measure the breath-by-breath rhythm of expired CO₂ from a human subject.