Glycerol-salt Mediated Stacking of Nucleic Acids in CZE

Nucleic acid samples with high concentrations of salt could be stacked and well separated during capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) by adding glycerol into the samples and using a Tris-Borate-EDTA (TBE) buffer (pH 8.3) as the separation medium. The so-called glycerol-salt mediated stacking was found applicable to different types of nucleic acids. Three nucleic acids: a 16s rRNA (1,542 nt), a double stranded DNA (1.6 k bp), and a single stranded DNA (30 nt), were tested as demos in the experiments. When the sample matrix contained 50 mM KCl and 50% (w/v) glycerol, the 16s rRNA sample could be stacked as high as 30 times compared with the sample without KCl. All the nucleic acids could be stacked effectively when high concentrations of glycerol (>50%) and salt (more than 50 mM) were present in the sample matrix, while the dsDNA could be stacked with high concentrations of glycerol (>50%) alone. Cen Qi and Hongping Wei contributed equally to this work.     

A combined study by XRD, FTIR, TG and HRTEM on the structure of delaminated Fe-intercalated/pillared clay

Fe-PILC samples were synthesized by the reaction between Na(+)- and/or Ca(2+)-montmorillonite (Mt) and base-hydrolyzed solutions of Fe(III) nitrate. Different from the known usual microporous pillared structure, a meso-microporous delaminated structure containing intercalated or pillared fragments was found in the respective resulting Fe-intercalated or -pillared clays. XRD patterns of Na(+)-Mt-based Fe-intercalated/pillared clays show one large d-spacing above 6.4 nm corresponding to the mesoporous delaminated part, whereas another d-spacing of ca. 1.5 nm was indicative of the microporous pillared part. Fe-intercalated/pillared clays based on Ca(2+)-Mt lead to similar results, but with a d-spacing less than 6 nm and a second low intense d-spacing less than 1.5 nm. In the delaminated Fe-intercalated clays, NO(-)(3) anions were retained even after thorough washing process. They play as counterions to neutralize the positive-charged iron aggregates in the delaminated structure, and can be exchanged by heteropolyanions as [PW(12)O(40)](3-). The delaminated Fe-pillared clays show good thermal stability at 500 degrees C and exhibit at this temperature dramatically higher specific surface area and porosity than the starting montmorillonites. However, calcination at a higher temperature leads to the formation of nanocrystalline hematite. Air-drying after ethanol extraction (EAD) method has an advantage over air-drying (AD) method in preserving the delaminated structure.     

Geometrically Compelled Silicon(II)/Silicon(IV) Donor–Acceptor Interaction Enables the Enamination of Nitriles

Discovering new bonding scenarios and subsequently exploring the reactivity contribute substantially to advance the main group element chemistry. Herein, we report on the isolation and characterization of an intriguing class of the hydrido-benzosiloles 2 – 4 . These compounds exhibit a side arm of the amidinatosilylenyl group, featuring unidirectional silicon(II)/silicon(IV) donor-acceptor interaction on account of the geometric constraint. Furthermore, the reactions involving 2 – 4 with nitriles yield the tricyclic compounds that edge-fused of the Si-heteroimidazolidine-CN₂Si₂, silole-C₄Si, and phenyl-C₆-rings ( 5 – 13 ). These compounds are manifesting a unique reaction that the silicon(II)/silicon(IV) interaction enables the enamination of the α-H-bearing nitriles. The reaction mechanism involved in H-shift under oxidative addition at silylene followed by hydrosilylation of a ketenimine intermediate was revealed by density function theory (DFT) calculations.     

High-speed counter-current chromatography assisted preparative isolation of phenolic compounds from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju

Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju is rich in phenolic compounds with various benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardiovascular protection. In this study, 12 phenolic compounds, including five flavonoid glycosides and seven quinic acid derivatives, were successfully separated from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju by high-speed counter-current chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Ethyl acetate-n-butanol–acetonitrile–water–acetic acid (5:0.5:2.5:5:0.25, v/v/v/v/v) was selected as solvent system to separate six fractions from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium cv. Fubaiju, and 20% aqueous acetonitrile (containing 0.1% formic acid) was chosen to be the elution solvent in preparative high-performance liquid chromatography for purifying the fractions above. Luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside ( 1 ), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucuronide ( 2 ), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucoside ( 3 ), luteolin-7-O-β-D-rutinoside ( 4 ), diosmetin-7-O-β-D-glucoside ( 5 ), chlorogenic acid ( 6 ), 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid ( 7 ), 1,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid ( 8 ), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid ( 9 ), 3,4-dicaffeoyl-epi-quinic acid ( 10 ), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid ( 11 ), and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid ( 12 ) were isolated with purities all above 95%, respectively. In addition, all isolates were evaluated for their protective effects on H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage in adult retinal pigment epithelial cells.     

Solid‐phase purification and extraction for the determination of trace neonicotinoid pesticides in tea infusion

An analytical protocol that includes solid‐phase purification and extraction is successfully developed for the determination of trace neonicotinoid pesticides in tea infusion. The method consists of a purification on amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 followed by a solid‐phase extraction based on graphene oxide before ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Parameters that significantly affected the extraction of the neonicotinoids onto graphene oxide, such as the amount of adsorbent, extraction time, pH, elution solvent, etc. were optimized. The amino‐functionalized mesoporous silica SBA‐15 has been proved to be an efficient adsorbent for removal of polyphenols especially catechins from tea infusion. Graphene oxide exhibits a very rapid adsorption rate (within 10 min) and high adsorption capacities for neonicotinoids at low initial concentration (0.01–0.5 mg/L). The analysis method gave a good determination coefficient (r² > 0.99) for each pesticide and high recoveries in the range of 72.2–95.0%. Powder X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV‐vis spectroscopy were utilized to identify the structure and morphology of graphene oxide. The adsorption driving force of neonicotinoids on graphene oxide mainly depends on π–π electron donor–acceptor interaction and electrostatic interaction.     

Solvation and solvatochromism in CO2-expanded liquids. 3. The dynamics of nonspecific preferential solvation

Subpicosecond time-resolved fluorescence of trans-4-dimethylamino-4'-cyanostilbene (DCS) is used to measure solvation dynamics in the gas-expanded liquid (GXL) system CH(3)CN + CO(2) at 25 degrees C along the liquid-vapor coexistence curve. These measurements are supplemented by measurements of the steady-state solvatochromism of DCS and of its rotation and isomerization times. Molecular dynamics computer simulations and a semiempirical spectral model that reproduces the observed solvatochromism in this system are used to interpret the experimental results. Simulations indicate that at compositions of x(CO2) > 0.5, the cybotactic region surrounding DCS is enriched in CH(3)CN molecules, and the extent of this enrichment is greater in S(1) than that in S(0). Solvation dynamics are dominated by the CH(3)CN component. These dynamics are biphasic, consisting of a subpicosecond inertial component, followed by a slower picosecond component, related to the redistribution of CH(3)CN molecules between the cybotactic region and the bulk solvent.     

Mekongenines A and B, two new alkaloids from Bousigonia mekongensis

Mekongenine A (1) possessing an unprecedented structure constituted from the union of a rare 2,7-seco eburnamine half and an aspidospermine alkaloid, together with a new bisindole alkaloid, mekongenine B (2), consisting of an eburnamine-aspidospermine type skeleton, was isolated from Bousigonia mekongensis. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods and those of 2 were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by comparison of quantum chemical TDDFT calculated and experimental ECD spectra. Mekongenines A (1) and B (2) exhibited cell growth inhibitory activities against various human cancer cell lines.     

New Borate‐citrate: Synthesis,Structure, and Properties of Sr[B(C6H5O7)2](H2O)4·3H2O

Single crystals of Sr[B(C₆H₅O₇)₂](H₂O)₄ · 3H₂O, a new borate‐citrate material, were grown with sizes up to 8 × 6 × 2 mm by slow evaporation of water at room temperature. The structure of Sr[B(C₆H₅O₇)₂](H₂O)₄ · 3H₂O was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, with a = 11.363(3) Å, b = 18.829(4) Å, c = 11.976(3) Å, β = 110.736(3)°, and Z = 4. The SrO₈ dodecahedra, BO₄ tetrahedra and citrate groups are linked together to form chains. The compound was characterized by IR and UV/Vis/NIR transmittance spectroscopy as well as thermal analysis.     

Synthesis, characterization, and hydrolysis of aluminum(III) compounds bearing the C6F5-substituted beta-diketiminate HC[(CMe)(NC6F5)]2 (L) ligand

A series of Al(III) compounds containing the C6F5-substituted beta-diketiminate ligands LAlMeCl (2), LAlMe2 (3), LAlMeI (4), and LAlBr2 (5) (L = HC[(CMe)(NC6F5)]2) were synthesized and characterized. The hydrolysis of 2 and 4 in the presence of 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene as the hydrogen halide acceptor both lead to (LAlMe)2(mu-O) (6), a methylalumoxane derivative, which is the first hydrolysis product with the general formula of (RAlMe)(n)O. A comparison of the hydrolysis products of 2 and 4 with that of L'AlMeCl (L' = HC[(CMe)(NAr)]2, Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) shows that with the C6F5-substituted beta-diketiminate ligand, it was not possible to generate LAlMe(OH). This is obviously due to the stronger Br?nsted acidity of the proton and the smaller size of the C6F5 group in this compound compared to that of the corresponding 2,6-iPr2C6H3 derivative.