A synthetic approach to bicyclo[6.2.1]undecane ring systems

A synthesis of a functionalized bicyclo[6.2.1]undecane, N-(7-hydroxymethyl-bicyclo[6.2.1]undeca-3,5,9-trien-2-yl)-4-methyl-benzenesulfonamide, is described. Starting with a [6+4] cycloaddition between cyclopentadiene and cycloheptatrienone, the final product was prepared in five steps with an overall 37% yield. The remarkable resistance to hydrolysis of an intermediate lactam was overcome by tosylating the amide and reducing with LiAlH₄.     

2,2,4,4‐Tetra‐tert‐butyl‐1,3,5,2,4‐benzotrioxadisilepine‐7‐carbaldehyde

The mol­ecule of the title compound, C₂₃H₄₀O₄Si₂, features an approximate non‐crystallographic C₂ symmetry axis. The aldehyde group is disordered over two positions with similar occupancies. The geometry of the isolated mol­ecule was studied by ab initio quantum mechanical calculations employing a mol­ecular orbital Hartree–Fock method. The calculations reproduce well the equilibrium geometry but slightly overestimate the value of the Si—O bond lengths of the trioxadisilepine ring.     

Studies on the subcellular localization of the porphycene CPO

This study was designed to provide more detailed information on the subcellular sites of binding of the porphycene, termed 9-capronyloxytetrakis (methoxyethyl) porphycene (CPO), with a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique. The proximity of CPO to two fluorescent probes was determined: nonyl acridine orange (NAO), a dye with specific affinity for the mitochondrial lipid cardiolipin, and dihexa-oxacarbocyanine iodide (DiOC6), an agent that labels the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). FRET spectra indicated energy transfer between DiOC6 and CPO but no significant transfer between NAO and CPO. These results confirm data obtained by fluorescence microscopy, suggesting a similar pattern of subcellular localization by CPO and DiOC6 but not by CPO and NAO. However, when cells containing CPO were irradiated and then loaded with NAO, FRET between the two fluorophores was observed. Hence, a relocalization of CPO can occur during irradiation. These data provide an explanation for recent studies on CPO-catalyzed photodamage to both ER and mitochondrial Bcl-2.     

A highly reactive mononuclear Zn(II) complex for phosphodiester cleavage

The activity of a Zn(II) complex of a tetradentate, tripodal ligand for catalyzing phosphodiester cleavage is enhanced 750-fold by introducing three hydrogen bond donors to the ligand. Inhibition studies show that the Zn-aqua complex is the kinetically active form and that it binds the transition state with a formal dissociation constant of 3 x 108 M-1. The effect of these ligand modifications on the transition-state affinity is comparable to the rate acceleration provided by the metal ion itself. Overall, this mononuclear complex is more active than the most reactive dinuclear Zn(II) complexes reported to date.     

Evaluation of indoor exposition to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene by passive sampling with a solid-phase microextraction device

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) sampling method is developed to evaluate indoor exposure to benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, and styrene with gas chromatography and flame ionization detection for quantitative analysis. An SPME holder with a 100-pm polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and 65-pm PDMS-divinylbenzene fiber coating is tested in different air relative humidity conditions. The method gives good resolution, shows a linear response, is repeatable, and presents high sensitivity. This method is compared with National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) active sampling.     

Occurrence and analysis of estrogens and progestogens in river sediments by liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry

In this study, an analytical procedure for the determination in sediment of the most abundant and/or physiological active estrogens (estradiol, estriol, estrone, ethynyl estradiol, and diethylstilbestrol) and progestogens (progesterone, norethindrone. and levonorgestrel) is described. The procedure includes ultrasonic extraction of the lyophilized sediment, clean-up with octadecylsilica cartridges, and analysis by liquid chromatography-diode array detection-mass spectrometry (LC-DAD-MS). MS detection is performed with an electrospray interface in the positive ion mode for determination of the progestogens and in the negative ion mode for determination of the estrogens. The method was applied to the determination of the target compounds in river sediments from the area of Catalonia. Estrogens and progestogens were found at concentrations usually in the low ng g(-1) range. Estriol and norethindrone were the compounds most frequently found whereas maximum concentrations in all sediment samples were obtained for ethynyl estradiol (22.8 ng g(-1)) and estrone (11.9 ng g(-1)). Detection limits were in the range of 0.04-1.00 ng g(-1). Preliminary conjectures with regards to the environmental behavior and impact of estrogens and progestogens in rivers are made. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first work reporting a detailed method for the analysis of estrogens and progestogens in river sediments and data on the environmental occurrence of both groups of compounds.     

Immunoaffinity chromatography for the sample pretreatment of Taxus plant and cell extracts prior to analysis of taxanes by high-performance liquid chromatography

The application of immunoaffinity chromatography for the purification of Taxus plant and cell extracts prior to the HPLC analysis is described. Polyclonal antibodies raised against 10-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB III), paclitaxel's main precursor in plant, were characterised by enzymed-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunoglobulins from selected antisera were immobilised on CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. The immunoaffinity column was used for the purification of plant and plant cell culture extracts prior to their analysis by HPLC. Immunoaffinity chromatography enabled the selective concentration of taxoids and enhanced sample clean-up.     

Molecular distillation

Molecular distillation was studied for the separation of tocopherols from soya sludge, both experimentally and by simulation, under different operating conditions, with good agreement. Evaporator temperatures varied from 100°C to 160°C and feed flow rates ranged from 0.1 to 0.8 kg/h. The process pressure was maintained at 10⁻⁶ bar, the feed temperature at 50°C, the condenser temperature at 60°C, and the stirring at 350 rpm. For each process condition, samples of both streams (distillate and residue) were collected and stored at −18°C before tocopherols analyses. Owing to the differences between molecular weights and vapor pressures of free fatty acids and tocopherols, tocopherols preferentially remained in the residue at evaporator temperatures of 100°C and 120°C, whereas for higher temperatures (140°C and 160°C) and lower feed flow rate, tocopherols tended to migrate to the distillate stream.     

Analytical process control of the Celeste R&D installation of IPEN-CNEN/SP

Celeste-1 is a lab-scale hot cell intended for R&D work in reprocessing of low burn-up spent fuel elements. The studies are concerned with head-end, first separation cycle by Purex Process using mini mixer-settlers and development of analytical techniques. The analytical monitoring for process control purposes is based on several off-line techniques, such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, potentiometric titration, -and -spectroscopy, spectrophotometry, fluorimetry, density measurement and gas chromatography. The analytical treatment takes place in a shielded working place analytical hot cell, glove boxes and hoods and some final measurements are made in the associated analytical laboratory. A pneumatic system is used for transporting analytical samples. All analytical procedures are ready and in operation.