Elucidating the Thermal Decomposition of Dimethyl Methylphosphonate by Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Photoionization: Pathways to the PO Radical,a Key Species in Flame‐Retardant Mechanisms

The production of phosphoryl species (PO, PO₂, HOPO) is believed to be of great importance for efficient flame‐retardant action in the gas phase. We present a detailed investigation of the thermal decomposition of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) probed by vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron radiation and imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence (iPEPICO) spectroscopy. This technique provides a snapshot of the thermolysis process and direct evidence of how the reactive phosphoryl species are generated during heat exposure. One of the key findings of this work is that only PO is formed in high concentration upon DMMP decomposition, whereas PO₂ is absent. It can be concluded that the formation of PO₂ needs an oxidative environment, which is typically the case in a real flame. Based on the identification of products such as methanol, formaldehyde, and PO, as well as the intermediates O?P?CH₃, H₂C?P?OH, and H₂C?P(?O)H, supported by quantum chemical calculations, we were able to describe the predominant pathways that lead to active phosphoryl species during the thermal decomposition of DMMP.     

An expeditious total synthesis of (±)-jamtine using condensation between imine and acid anhydride

A totally convergent and very short (three steps) synthesis of (±)-jamtine was described. The key step of this sequence was the condensation of 6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline and tetrahydrophthalic anhydride under microwave activation which occurred in good yield and high diastereomeric selectivity.     

PDMS-based microfluidics for proteomic analysis

A microfluidic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microdevice was realized, combining on-line protein electrophoretic separation, selection, and digestion of a protein of interest for identification by mass spectrometry. The system includes eight integrated valves and one micropump dedicated to control the flow operations. Myoglobin was successfully isolated from bovine serum albumin (BSA), then selected using integrated valves and digested in a rotary micromixer. Proteolytic peptides were recovered from the micromixer for protein identification. Total analysis from sample injection to protein identification is performed under 30 minutes, with samples of tens of nanolitres. The paper shows that PDMS technology can be successfully used for integrating complex preparation protocols of proteic samples prior to MS analysis.     

Novel Copolymers of 4-Fluorostyrene. 8. Some Ring-Trisubstituted 2-Phenyl-1,1-dicyanoethylenes

Novel copolymers of trisubstituted ethylene monomers, ring-substituted 2-phenyl-1,1-dicyanoethylenes, RC₆H₂CH=C(CN)₂ (where R is 2,4-(CH₃O)₂-3-CH₃, 2,3,4-(CH₃O)₃, 2,4,5-(CH₃O)₃, 2,4,6-(CH₃O)₃, 3,4,5-(CH₃O)₃, 6-Br-3,4-(CH₃O)₂), 2,3,5-Cl₃, 2,3,6-Cl₃ and 4-fluorostyrene were prepared at equimolar monomer feed composition by solution copolymerization in the presence of a radical initiator (ABCN) at 70°C. The composition of the copolymers was calculated from nitrogen analysis, and the structures were analyzed by IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR. The order of relative reactivity (1/r ₁) for the monomers is 3,4,5-(CH₃O)₃(10.6) > 2,4,6-(CH₃O)₃(9.3) > 2,4,5-(CH₃O)₃ (5.4) > 2,3,4-(CH₃O)₃ (4.4) > 6-Br-3,4-(CH₃O)₂ (3.2) > 2,3,5-Cl₃ (1.5) > 2,3,6-Cl₃ (1.0) > 2,4-(CH₃O)₂-3-CH₃ (0.7). High T _g of the copolymers, in comparison with that of poly(4-fluorostyrene) indicates a substantial decrease in chain mobility of the copolymer due to the high dipolar character of the trisubstituted ethylene monomer unit. Decomposition of the copolymers in nitrogen occurred in two steps, first in the 200–400°C range with residue, which then decomposed in the 400–800°C range.     

Diphosphanes derived from phobane and phosphatrioxa-adamantane: similarities, differences and anomalies

The homodiphosphanes CgP-PCg (1) and PhobP-PPhob (2) and the heterodiphosphanes CgP-PPhob (3), CgP-PPh(2) (4a), CgP-P(o-Tol)(2) (4b), CgP-PCy(2) (4c), CgP-P(t)Bu(2) (4d), PhobP-PPh(2) (5a), PhobP-P(o-Tol)(2) (5b), PhobP-PCy(2) (5c), PhobP-P(t)Bu(2) (5d) where CgP = 6-phospha-2,4,8-trioxa-1,3,5,7-tetramethyladamant-9-yl and PhobP = 9-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-yl have been prepared from CgP(BH(3))Li or PhobP(BH(3))Li and the appropriate halophosphine. The formation of 1 is remarkably diastereoselective, with the major isomer (97% of the product) assigned to rac-1. Restricted rotation about the P-P bond of the bulky meso-1 is detected by variable temperature (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Diphosphane 3 reacts with BH(3) to give a mixture of CgP(BH(3))-PPhob and CgP-PPhob(BH(3)) which was unexpected in view of the predicted much greater electron-richness of the PhobP site. Each of the diphosphanes was treated with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) in order to determine their propensity for diphosphination. The homodiphosphanes 1 and 2 did not react with DMAD. The CgP-containing heterodiphosphanes 4a-d all added to DMAD to generate the corresponding cis alkenes CgPCH(CO(2)Me)=CH(CO(2)Me)PR(2) (6a-d) which have been used in situ to form chelate complexes of the type [MCl(2)(diphos)] (7a-d) where M = Pd or Pt. The PhobP-containing heterodiphosphanes 3 and 5a-d react anomalously with DMAD and do not give the products of diphosphination. The X-ray crystal structures of the diphosphanes 2, 3, 4a, and 5a, the monoxide and dioxide of diphosphane 1, and the platinum chelate complex 7c have been determined and their structures are discussed.     

Theranostic Layer-by-Layer Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Tumor Detection and Gene Silencing

Layer-by-layer nanoparticles (NPs) are modular drug delivery vehicles that incorporate multiple functional materials through sequential deposition of polyelectrolytes onto charged nanoparticle cores. Herein, we combined the multicomponent features and tumor targeting capabilities of layer-by-layer assembly with functional biosensing peptides to create a new class of nanotheranostics. These NPs encapsulate a high weight percentage of siRNA while also carrying a synthetic biosensing peptide on the surface that is cleaved into a urinary reporter upon exposure to specific proteases overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, this biosensor reports back on a molecular signature characteristic to metastatic tumors and associated with poor prognosis, MMP9 protease overexpression. This nanotheranostic mediates noninvasive urinary-based diagnostics in mouse models of three different cancers with simultaneous gene silencing in flank and metastatic mouse models of ovarian cancer.     

Expanding the organic toolbox: a guide to integrating biocatalysis in synthesis

This critical review presents an introduction to biocatalysis for synthetic chemists. Advances in biocatalysis of the past 5 years illustrate the breadth of applications for these powerful and selective catalysts in conducting key reaction steps. Asymmetric synthesis of value-added targets and other reaction types are covered, with an emphasis on pharmaceutical intermediates and bulk chemicals. Resources of interest for the non-initiated are provided, including specialized websites and service providers to facilitate identification of suitable biocatalysts, as well as references to recent volumes and reviews for more detailed biocatalytic procedures. Challenges related to the application of biocatalysts are discussed, including how 'green' a biocatalytic reaction may be, and trends in biocatalyst improvement through enzyme engineering are presented (152 references).     

Detection of DNA damage in yolk-sac larvae of the Japanese Medaka, Oryzias latipes, by the comet assay

This study was set up to determine the suitability of the early life stage (ELS) alkaline comet assay for the detection of DNA strand breaks induced by genotoxicants in whole organism. This assay was performed on cells of medaka 2 days posthatch (dph). An efficient procedure for cell dissociation using enzymatic and mechanical digestion was developed. This protocol ensures 80% viability of cells and low DNA damage background. Cells from 2 dph medaka larvae were exposed in vitro to model genotoxicants, hydrogen peroxide, cadmium, and fluoranthene, followed by comet assay analysis. Results show a significant increase in the percentage of DNA damage of dissociated cells by all the tested compounds when compared to controls. The assay was also performed in vivo on medaka larvae (2 dph) exposed for 24 h to waterborne cadmium or fluoranthene. Significant induction of DNA damage levels were observed following larvae exposure to cadmium and fluoranthene at concentrations of 0.1 and 50 μM, respectively. This study demonstrates that cells of embryo life stage medaka respond to known DNA damaging agents and that the ELS comet assay may be a useful biomarker to detect DNA strand breakage in whole body of pluricellular organism induced by a range of agents. This technique may provide a sensitive, nonspecific endpoint of genotoxicity as part of ELS toxicity test.     

Theranostic Layer‐by‐Layer Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Tumor Detection and Gene Silencing

Layer‐by‐layer nanoparticles (NPs) are modular drug delivery vehicles that incorporate multiple functional materials through sequential deposition of polyelectrolytes onto charged nanoparticle cores. Herein, we combined the multicomponent features and tumor targeting capabilities of layer‐by‐layer assembly with functional biosensing peptides to create a new class of nanotheranostics. These NPs encapsulate a high weight percentage of siRNA while also carrying a synthetic biosensing peptide on the surface that is cleaved into a urinary reporter upon exposure to specific proteases overexpressed in the tumor microenvironment. Importantly, this biosensor reports back on a molecular signature characteristic to metastatic tumors and associated with poor prognosis, MMP9 protease overexpression. This nanotheranostic mediates noninvasive urinary‐based diagnostics in mouse models of three different cancers with simultaneous gene silencing in flank and metastatic mouse models of ovarian cancer.