A simple and sensitive HPLC-fluorescence method for quantification of MDMA and MDA in blood with 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB-Cl) as a label

A sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection to determine 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphethamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphethamine (MDA) in human and rat whole blood or plasma samples was developed by using 4-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)benzoyl chloride (DIB-Cl) as a label. MDMA and MDA in a small amount of blood sample (ca 100 microL) were extracted by liquid-liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, and were derivatized with DIB-Cl under mild conditions (10 min at room temperature). A good separation of DIB-derivatives could be achieved within 45 min using a commercially available ODS column with an isocratic eluent of 10 mM citric acid-20 mM Na(2)HPO(4) aqueous buffer (pH 4.0)-CH(3)CN-CH(3)OH (50:45:5, v/v/v %). The calibration curves prepared with 1-methyl-3-phenylpropylamine (MPPA) as an internal standard showed good linearity (r = 0.999) with 0.36-0.83 ng/mL detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3. MDMA and MDA in rat whole blood could be monitored for 6 h after a single administration of MDMA (2.2 mg/kg, i.p.). The pharmacokinetic parameters for MDMA and MDA obtained by triplicate measurements were 426 +/- 23 and 39 +/- 6 ng/mL (C(max)), 20 +/- 5 and 100 +/- 10 min (T(max)), respectively.     

Development of a stable isotope dilution UPLC‐MS/MS method for quantification of dexmedetomidine in a small amount of human plasma

Dexmedetomidine (Dex) is a selective central α2‐agonist with anesthetic properties and has been used in clinical practice for sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU) after operations. In this study, an analytical assay for the determination of Dex in a small amount of plasma was developed for the application to pediatric ICU trials. The quantification of Dex was constructed using the original stable isotope Dex‐d₃ for electrospray ionization‐tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS) in the selected reaction monitoring mode. A rapid ultra‐performance liquid chromatography technique was adopted using ESI‐MS/MS with a runtime of 3 min. Efficacious concentration levels (50 pg/mL to 5 ng/mL) could be evaluated using a very small amount of plasma (10 μL) from patients. The lower limit of the quantification was 5 pg/mL in the plasma (100 µL). For sample preparation, a solid‐phase extraction was used along with the OASIS‐HLB cartridge type. Recovery values ranged from 98.8 to 100.3% for the intra‐ [relative standard deviation (RSD), 0.9–1.3%] and inter‐ (RSD, 0.9–1.5%) day assays. A stable test had recovery values that ranged from 97.8 to 99.7% with an RSD of 1.0–1.9% for the process/wet extract, bench‐top, freeze–thaw and long‐term tests. This method was used to measure the Dex levels in plasma from pediatric ICU patients. In the clinical ICU trial, the small amount of blood (approximate plasma volume, 200 μL) remaining from blood gas analysis was reused and targeted for the clinical analysis of Dex in plasma. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Copper-mediated C-H bond arylation of arenes with arylboronic acids

A new copper-mediated cross-coupling of arenes and arylboronic acids is described. Under the influence of Cu(OCOCF 3) 2, the C-H bond arylation of electron-rich arenes with arylboronic acids takes place to afford a range of biaryls in good yields. The reaction is selective for cross-coupling; no homocoupling product arising from arenes or arylboronic acids is detected. Multiple C-H bond arylation is possible with indoles and pyrroles furnishing interesting extended pi-systems.     

A simple HPLC-fluorescence detection of nitric oxide in cultivated plant cells by in situ derivatization with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene.

An HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of nitric oxide (NO) in cultivated plant cells (Agave pacifica, Agavaceae) was developed. NO was derivatized in situ with 2,3-diaminonaphthalene (DAN) as a labeling reagent and converted to 1(H)-naphthotriazole. The maximum peak height of the derivative was observed by incubation for 3 h at 25 degrees C with 0.2 mM DAN. Excess reagent in cells was removed by washing 3 times with 5 ml of water. The calibration curve for authentic standard of DAN-NO spiked to cultivated plant cells showed a good linearity (r = 0.995) in the range of 5.0 to 50 pmol/g cell. The detection limit at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 was 3.4 pmol/g cells. The proposed method was successfully applied to the monitoring of NO concentration with cell growth. The effect of thermal treatment on the concentration of NO in plant cells was also examined. The concentration of NO in cells treated at 5 degrees C for 1 h was significantly higher than that treated at 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C for 1 h (n = 3, p < 0.05).     

Analysis of red phosphorus in resins using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Although red phosphorus is used as a flame retardant for polymer materials, no analysis methods for it in resins has been established. Analysis methods for red phosphorus in resins were investigated using pyrolysis-gas chromatograpy/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) by paying attention to the fact that it has a sublimation property. We found that the mass spectrum of red phosphorus shows a series of ions at m/z=62, 93 and 124, and a fragment pattern indicating that red phosphorus (P4=124, P=31) was pyrolytically decomposed. The coefficient of the correlation between the content of red phosphorus in the resin and the peak intensity in Py-GC/MS was 0.9781. The relative standard deviations of this analysis method was 6.29% (n=5). Py-GC/MS was applicable not only to qualitative analysis but also to the quantitative analysis of red phosphorus.     

Noncovalent Modification of Cycloparaphenylene by Catenane Formation Using an Active Metal Template Strategy**

The active metal template (AMT) strategy is a powerful tool for the formation of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) such as rotaxanes and catenanes, allowing the synthesis of a variety of MIMs, including π-conjugated and multicomponent macrocycles. Cycloparaphenylene (CPP) is an emerging molecule characterized by its cyclic π-conjugated structure and unique properties. Therefore, diverse modifications of CPPs are necessary for its wide application. However, most CPP modifications require early stage functionalization and the direct modification of CPPs is very limited. Herein, we report the synthesis of a catenane consisting of [9]CPP and a 2,2′-bipyridine macrocycle as a new CPP analogue that contains a reliable synthetic scaffold enabling diverse and concise post-modification. Following the AMT strategy, the [9]CPP-bipyridine catenane was successfully synthesized through Ni-mediated aryl-aryl coupling. Catalytic C−H borylation/cross-coupling and metal complexation of the bipyridine macrocycle moiety, an effective post-functionalization method, were also demonstrated with the [9]CPP-bipyridine catenane. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed that the [9]CPP-bipyridine catenane forms a tridentated complex with an Ag ion inside the CPP ring. This interaction significantly enhances the phosphorescence lifetime through improved intermolecular interactions.     

Direct C-H arylation of (hetero)arenes with aryl iodides via rhodium catalysis

A new method for the catalytic C-H arylation of heteroarenes and arenes that manifests high activity paired with reasonably broad scope was developed. Under the catalytic influence of RhCl(CO){P[OCH(CF3)2]3}2 and Ag2CO3, the direct C-H arylation of heteroarenes/arenes with aryl/heteroaryl iodides took place to afford a range of biaryls in good to excellent yields with high regioselectivity. Thiophenes, furans, pyrroles, indoles, and alkoxybenzenes are applicable in this arylation protocol.     

Functionalization of a simple dithienylethene via palladium-catalyzed regioselective direct arylation

The direct arylation on the thienyl groups of a diarylethene with various aryl iodides efficiently provided arylated dithienylethenes under palladium catalysis. Unsymmetrically substituted dithienylethenes were also synthesized by this protocol. This procedure allows a rapid access to a variety of aryl-substituted dithienylethenes from a single substrate of a simple dithienylethene.