Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Used as MRI Contrast Agents: A Parametric Study

Colloidal iron oxides play an important role as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. The superparamagnetic particles actually used are constituted by solid cores (diameter of 5-15 nm), generally coated by a thick polysaccharidic layer (hydrodynamic radii of 30-100 nm), and formulated by direct coprecipitation of iron salts in the presence of polymeric material. To better control the synthesis, we attempted to formulate new stable uncoated superparamagnetic nanoparticles. Colloids were generated by coprecipitation of an aqueous solution of iron salts and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAOH) solution. The influence of parameters such as media composition, iron media, injection fluxes, Fe and TMAOH concentrations, temperature, and oxygen on size, magnetic and magnetic resonance relaxometric properties, and colloidal stability of particles were evaluated. We have determined the relative importance of these parameters as well as the optimal conditions for obtaining uncoated stable particles with an average size of 5 nm and interesting relaxivities. The interpretation of the observed limits takes into account diffusibilities of reactants and product, feeding rates of reactants, and surface properties of nanoparticles. A model of synthesis, related to spontaneous emulsification of suspensions, is proposed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.     

Dynamic collision-induced dissociation (DCID) in a quadrupole ion trap using a two-frequency excitation waveform: II. Effects of frequency spacing and scan rate

Dynamic CID of selected precursor ions is achieved by the application of a two-frequency excitation waveform to the end-cap electrodes during the mass instability scan of a quadrupole ion trap (QIT) mass spectrometer. This new method permits a shorter scanning time when compared with conventional on-resonance CID. When the excitation waveform consists of two closely-spaced frequencies, the relative phase-relationship of the two frequencies plays a critical role in the fragmentation dynamics. However, at wider frequency spacings (>10 kHz), these phase effects are diminished, while maintaining the efficacy of closely-spaced excitation frequencies. The fragmentation efficiencies and energetics of n-butylbenzene and tetra-alanine are studied under different experimental conditions and the results are compared at various scan rate parameters between 0.1 and 1.0 ms/Th. Although faster scan rates reduce the analysis time, the maximum observed fragmentation efficiencies rarely exceed 30%, compared with values in excess of 50% achieved at slower scan rates. The internal energies calculated from the simulations of n-butylbenzene at fast scan rates are approximately 4 eV for most experimental conditions, while at slow scan rates, internal energies above 5.5 eV are observed for a wide range of conditions. Extensive ITSIM simulations support the observation that slowing the scan rate has a similar effect on fragmentation as widening the frequency spacing between the two excitation frequencies. Both approaches generally enhance CID efficiencies and make fragmentation less dependent upon the relative phase angle between the excitation waveform and the ion motion.     

Ligand effects in bimetallic high oxidation state palladium systems

Ligand effects in bimetallic high oxidation state systems containing a X-Pd-Pd-Y framework have been explored with density functional theory (DFT). The ligand X has a strong effect on the dissociation reaction of Y to form [X-Pd-Pd](+) + Y(-). In the model system examined where Y is a weak σ-donor ligand and a good leaving group, we find that dissociation of Y is facilitated by greater σ-donor character of X relative to Y. We find that there is a linear correlation of the Pd-Y and Pd-Pd bond lengths with Pd-Y bond dissociation energy, and with the σ-donating ability of X. These results can be explained by the observation that the Pd d(z(2)) population in the PdY fragment increases as the donor ability of X increases. In these systems, the Pd(III)-Pd(III) arrangement is favored when X is a weak σ-donor ligand, while the Pd(IV)-Pd(II) arrangement is favored when X is a strong σ-donor ligand. Finally, we demonstrate that ligand exchange to form a bimetallic cationic species in which each Pd is six-coordinate should be feasible in a high polarity solvent.     

Stereoselective gamma-lactam synthesis via palladium-catalysed intramolecular allylation

A novel route to the synthesis of 3-(tolylsulfonyl)-4,5-cis-disubstituted gamma-lactams using a diastereoselective palladium-catalysed intramolecular allylation of amino acid-derived allylic carbonates has been developed.     

α-Amidoboronate esters by amide-directed alkane CH borylation

α-Amidoboronic acids have received significant attention in recent years following the development of Bortezomib as an FDA-approved treatment of multiple myeloma and mantle cell lymphoma. More versatile methods to access α-amidoboronic acids continue to be developed. A direct method to access the precursors, α-amidoboronate esters, by iridium-catalyzed CH borylation of amides was developed using a readily available ligand/catalyst combination. Although the scope is limited, good yields of α-amidoboronate esters are achieved in high selectivity. Conversion of the boronate esters to the corresponding α-amidoboronic acids was also demonstrated.