Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of a Sc3N@C80‐Corrole Electron Donor–Acceptor Conjugate

Embedding endohdedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) into electron donor–acceptor systems is still a challenging task owing to their limited quantities and their still largely unexplored chemical properties. In this study, we have performed a 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of a corrole‐based precursor with Sc₃N@C₈₀ to regioselectively form a [5,6]‐adduct ( 1 ). The successful attachment of the corrole moiety was confirmed by mass spectrometry. In the electronic ground state, absorption spectra suggest sizeable electronic communications between the electron acceptor and the electron donor. Moreover, the addition pattern occurring at a [5,6]‐bond junction is firmly proven by NMR spectroscopy and electrochemical investigations performed with 1 . In the electronically excited state, which is probed in photophysical assays with 1 , a fast electron‐transfer yields the radical ion pair state consisting of the one‐electron‐reduced Sc₃N@C₈₀ and of the one‐electron‐oxidized corrole upon its exclusive photoexcitation. As such, our results shed new light on the practical work utilizing EMFs as building blocks in photovoltaics.     

Eco‐friendly ionic liquid assisted capillary electrophoresis and α‐acid glycoprotein‐assisted liquid chromatography for simultaneous determination of anticancer drugs in human fluids

In the current work, two eco‐friendly analytical methods based on capillary electrophoresis (CE) and reversed phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) were developed for simultaneous determination of the most commonly used anticancer drugs for Hodgkin's disease: methotrexate (MTX), vinblastine, chlorambucil and dacarbazine. A background electrolyte (BGE) of 12.5 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and 0.1 µmol/L 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium bromide (BMImBr) ionic liquid (IL) was used for CE measurements at 250 nm detection wavelength, 20 kV applied voltage and 25 °C. The rinsing protocol was significantly improved to reduce the adsorption of IL on the interior surface of capillary. Moreover, RPLC method was developed on α‐1‐acid glycoprotein (AGP) column. Mobile phase was 10 mmol/L phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 (100% v/v) and flow rate at 0.1 mL/min. As AGP is a chiral column, it was successfully separated l ‐MTX from its enantiomer impurity d ‐MTX. Good linearity of quantitative analysis was achieved with coefficients of determinations (r²) >0.995. The stability of drugs measurements was investigated with adequate recoveries up to 24 h storage time under ambient temperature. The limits of detection were <50 and 90 ng/mL by CE and RPLC, respectively. The using of short‐chain IL as an additive in BGE achieved 600‐fold sensitivity enhancement compared with conventional Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE). Therefore, for the first time, the proposed methods were successfully applied to determine simultaneously the analytes in human plasma and urine samples at clinically relevant concentrations with fast and simple pretreatments. Developed IL‐assisted CE and RPLC methods were also applied to measure MTX levels in patients’ samples over time. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamical analysis of boundary behaviors of current-controlled DC–DC buck converter

Nonlinear Dynamics - In this paper, the current-controlled DC–DC buck converter from a new perspective are studied through the switching theory of flow, and the analytical conditions of the...     

Hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots: Properties,preparation and applications

As a new type of quantum dots (QDs), hexagonal boron nitride quantum dots (BNQDs) exhibit promising potential in the applications of disease diagnosis, fluorescence imaging, biosensing, metal ion detection, and so on, because of their remarkable chemical stability, excellent biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, and outstanding photoluminescence properties. However, the large-scale fabrication of homogeneous BNQDs still remains challenging. In this article, the properties and common fabrication methods of BNQDs are summarized based on the recent research progress. Then, the corresponding yields, morphologies, and fabrication mechanisms of these as-obtained BNQDs are discussed in detail. Moreover, the applications of these as-obtained BNQDs in different fields are also discussed. This article is expected to inspire new methods and improvements to achieve large-scale fabrication of homogeneous BNQDs, which will enable their practical applications in future.