Texture changes inside smectic-C droplets in azobenzene Langmuir monolayers

Preparation of Langmuir monolayers of a mixture of trans- and cis-isomers of an azobenzene derivative, 4-[4-[(4-octylphenyl)azo]phenoxy]butanoic acid, results in the segregation of birefringent trans-isomer domains embedded in an isotropic medium of cis-isomers. Brewster angle microscopy observations allow us to identify different textures inside the domains depending on surface pressure, temperature, and domain size. The evolution of the monolayer in the dark, from initial droplets formed after spreading to a stable stripe texture, is described. The dynamics of domain coalescence and some morphological transitions induced by temperature and surface pressure changes are also discussed. A simple theoretical model is included to supplement some of these experimental observations.     

Solid-phase synthesis of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(Ser1), d-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin

An optimized solid-phase strategy for the preparation of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(L-Ser1), D-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin is reported. The strategy is based on the use of a mild orthogonal protection scheme and the incorporation of the nonproteinogenic amino acid (Z)-Dhb into the peptide chain as the dipeptide Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-(Z)-Dhb-OH. The didehydrodipeptide was synthesized by a water-soluble carbodiimide-induced beta-elimination of a protected dipeptide containing a residue of Thr with its free hydroxy side chain unprotected.     

In vivo application of intestinal pH measurement using 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF) fluorescence imaging

Measurement of gastrointestinal intramucosal pH (pHim) has been recognized as an important factor in the detection of hypoxia-induced dysfunctions. However, current pH measurement techniques are limited in terms of time and spatial resolutions. A major advance in accurate pH measurement was the development of the ratiometric fluorescent indicator dye, 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein (BCECF). This study aimed to set up and validate a fluorescence imaging technique to measure in vivo the intramucosal pH (pHim) of the intestine. The intestine was inserted into an optical chamber placed under a microscope. Animals were injected intravenously with the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye BCECF. Fluorescence was visualized by illuminating the intestine alternately at 490 and 470 nm. The emitted fluorescence was directed to an intensified camera. The ratio of emitted fluorescence at excitation wavelengths of 490 and 470 nm was measured, corrected and converted to pHim by constructing a calibration curve. The pHim controls were performed with a pH microelectrode and were correlated with venous blood gas sampling. Results show that pHim is determined with an accuracy of +/- 0.07 pH units and a response time of 1 min. In conclusion pHim mapping of rat intestine can be obtained by fluorescence imaging using BCECF. This technology could be easily adapted for endoscopic pH measurements.     

Estudios sobre ácidos hidroxámicos

Résumé On propose un procédé de microdosage des groupements méthoxyles dans les pectines, qui repose sur la libération de ces groupements par saponification de l'hydroxylamine alcoolique dans un appareil, sur leur transformation en formiates de méthyle et sur leur distillation. Le formiate de méthyle forme ainsi l'acide formhydroxamique que l'on dose par colorimétrie à l'état de chélate avec le fer-III.On réalise l'hydrolyse de la pectine à 100° C en tube scellé. On fait réagir avec l'acide formique en excès, une partie aliquote de l'hydrolysat dans le micro-appareil de distillation déjà décrit. Le procédé convient pour 1 à 3 mg de pectine et la durée des opérations est de deux heures et demies. Sa spécificité est satisfaisante bien que le groupe éthoxyle puisse gêner. Son action est d'ailleurs peu vraisemblable, puisqu'il ne fait pas partie de la molécule de pectine. Les résultats du procédé sont en générale un peu plus bas que ceux des méthodes volumétriques servant à ce dosage. On a étudié la reproductibilité pour les esters méthyliques et l'on a mis en évidence une erreur par défaut de 2 à 4%. Les plus petites quantités de groupes méthoxyles que l'on puisse doser sont de 20g. Le procédé recommandé est une application particulière de méthodes applicables de façon générale au dosage des esters méthyliques dans les substances organiques. Ce sera l'objet d'une autre communication de cette série.

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Summary A micromethod is given for determining methoxyl groups in pectins. It is based of the liberation of these groups by saponification, conversion into methyl formate, and distillation of the latter into a receiver containing alcoholic hydroxylamine. The methyl formate reacts to give formhydroxamic acid, which is determined colorimetrically as iron(III) chelate.The hydrolysis of the pectin is conducted at 100° C in a sealed tube. An aliquot part of the hydrolysate is brought into reaction with excess formic acid in a microdistillation apparatus that was described previously. The procedure is suitable for 1 to 3 mg pectin and requires 21/2 hours for all partial operations. The specificity is satisfactory, even though ethoxyl may interfere. However, this latter is not likely to be encountered since ethoxyl has not been shown to be a constituent of the pectin molecule. The results given by the procedure are in general inferior to those of volumetric methods. The reproducibility was tested on methyl esters and showed a minus error of 2 to 4%. The smallest amount of methoxyl which can be determined in this way is 20g. The method proposed here is a special application of a method which can be applied in general to the determination of methyl esters in organic substances, which will be the subject of a later paper in this series.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird ein Mikroverfahren zur Bestimmung der Methoxylgruppen in Pektinen angegeben, das auf der Freisetzung dieser Gruppen durch Verseifung, deren Umwandlung in Methylformiat und dessen Destillation in eine Vorlage von alkoholischem Hydroxylamin beruht. Das Methylformiat bildet damit Formhydroxamsäure, die als Eisen(III)-chelat kolorimetrisch bestimmt wird.Die Hydrolyse des Pektins wird bei 100° C in einem verschlossenen Rohr ausgeführt. Einen aliquoten Teil des Hydrolysates läßt man in einem schon früher beschriebenen Mikrodestillationsapparat mit überschüssiger Ameisensäure reagieren. Das Verfahren eignet sich für 1 bis 3 mg Pektin und erfordert für alle Teiloperationen 2^1/2 Stunden. Seine Spezifität ist befriedigend, obwohl Äthoxyl stören kann. Dessen Einwirkung ist jedoch wenig wahrscheinlich, da es nicht als Bestandteil des Pektinmoleküls nachgewiesen ist. Die Ergebnisse des Verfahrens sind im allgemeinen niedriger als die Resultate volumetrischer Methoden. Die Reproduzierbarkeit wurde an Methylestern überprüftund zeigte einen Minusfehler von 2 bis 4%. Die Mindestmenge bestimmbares Methoxyl beträgt 20g. Das vorgeschlagene Verfahren ist eine spezielle Anwendung einer allgemein für die Bestimmung von Methylestern in organischen Substanzen anwendbaren Methode, die Gegenstand einer weiteren Mitteilung dieser Serie sein wird.

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Resumen Se indica una microtécnica de valoración de metoxilos en pectinas, basada en la liberación del radical metilo éster por saponificación; en su conversion en formiato de metilo y en su simultanea destilación y recepción en hidroxilamina alcalinizada. El formiato de metilo se transforma así en ácido formohidroxámico, cuya determinación fotocolorimétrica se realiza como quelato férrico.Estas operaciones requieren efectuar la hidrólisis de la pectina en tubo cerrado y a 100° C, y en tomar una alícuota del hidrolizado, que se pasa con un exceso de ácido fórmico al aparato de microdestilación, detallado en comunicaciones anteriores. El método permite operar con 1 a 3 mg de pectina y todas las operaciones insumen unas dos y media horas. La técnica presenta condiciones satisfactorias de especificidad, pudiendo interferir los radicales etoxilos, cosa poco probable, pues no son reconocidos como componente de la molécula de pectina. Los resultados obtenidos, comparados con los del método titrimétrico, son por lo general inferiores a éste y su reproducibilidad, verificada con ésteres metílicos, tiene errores por defecto de un 2 a 4%. La cantidad mínima de metoxilo valorado alcanza a 20g. La técnica que se indica, es una aplicacion particular de otra de carácter general, aplicable a la valoración de ésteres metílicos en sustancias orgánicas, que será motivo de otra futura comunicación de esta serie.

     

Uranium analysis in urine by inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry

Urine uranium concentrations are the best biological indicator for identifying exposure to depleted uranium (DU). Internal exposure to DU causes an increased amount of urine uranium and a decreased ratio of ²³⁵U/²³⁸U in urine samples, resulting in measurements that vary between 0.00725 and 0.002 (i.e., natural and depleted uraniums ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratios, respectively). A method based on inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometry (ICP-DRC-MS) was utilized to identify DU in urine by measuring the quantity of total U and the ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratio. The quantitative analysis was achieved using ²³³U as an internal standard. The analysis was performed both with and without the reaction gas oxygen. The reaction gas converted ionized ²³⁵U⁺ and ²³⁸U⁺ into ²³⁵UO₂⁺ (m/z=267) and ²³⁸UO₂⁺ (m/z=270). This conversion was determined to be over 90% efficient. A polyatomic interference at m/z 234.8 was successfully removed from the ²³⁵U signal under either DRC operating conditions (with or without oxygen as a reaction gas). The method was validated with 15 urine samples of known uranium compositions. The method detection limit for quantification was determined to be 0.1 pg U mL^–1 urine and an average coefficient of variation (CV) of 1–2% within the sample measurements. The method detection limit for determining ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratio was 3.0 pg U mL^–1 urine. An additional 21 patient samples were analyzed with no information about medical history. The measured ²³⁵U/²³⁸U ratio within the urine samples correctly identified the presence or absence of internal DU exposure in all 21 patients.The opinions and assertions expressed herein are those of the authors and are not to be construed as official or as representing the views of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, the Department of the Army, or the Department of Defense     

ITQ-15: the first ultralarge pore zeolite with a bi-directional pore system formed by intersecting 14- and 12-ring channels, and its catalytic implications

The pore topology of ITQ-15 zeolite consists of an ultra-large 14-ring channel that is intersected perpendicularly by a 12-ring pore; acid sites have been introduced in its framework and this unique structure shows advantages over unidirectional ultralarge pore zeolites for diffusing and reacting large molecules.     

Correction: Click activated protodrugs against cancer increase the therapeutic potential of chemotherapy through local capture and activation

Correction for ‘Click activated protodrugs against cancer increase the therapeutic potential of chemotherapy through local capture and activation’ by Kui Wu et al., Chem. Sci., 2021, 12, 1259–1271, DOI: 10.1039/D0SC06099B.

The authors regret that the reference to the bond-breaking bioorthogonal chemistry, termed ‘click-to-release’ was omitted from the original article. In addition, we would like to include a reference describing the synthesis of compound 1, which is an intermediate to the protodrugs described in the original article. These references are listed below as ref. 1 and 2.The Royal Society of Chemistry apologizes for these errors and any consequent inconvenience to authors and readers.     

Differential conductance switching of planar tunnel junctions mediated by oxidation/reduction of functionally protected ferrocene

Planar tunnel junctions were fabricated by self-assembling 1,1'- ferrocenedicarboxylic acid (FDCA) onto native oxides of thermally deposited aluminum films and subsequently depositing a second aluminum film. Junctions were characterized using Reflection-Absorption Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (RAIRS) and current-voltage (I-V) spectroscopy. Before deposition of the second aluminum film, RAIRS of FDCA and ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FCA) films revealed COO(-), C=O, and Fc ring stretching modes, indicating that both types of molecules can interact strongly with the oxide and remain intact. After deposition, systems exhibited prominent COO(-) modes and weakened C=O modes, indicating further reaction with aluminum/aluminum oxide. Fc ring modes persisted in FDCA systems but disappeared in FCA systems, suggesting that the second COOH group in the FDCA molecule can act as a protecting group for the ferrocene moiety. Cyclic I-V measurements of FDCA tunnel junction systems revealed very strong ( approximately 10-fold) hysteretic differential conductance switching that was both reversible and stable. Control measurements using as prepared junctions, as well as junctions containing 1,6-hexanedioic acid, 1,9-nonanedioic acid, 1,4-dibenzoic acid, or FCA revealed only very weak ( approximately 10%) differential conductance changes. We attribute FDCA junction switching to barrier profile modifications induced by oxidation/reduction of the functionally protected ferrocene moieties.     

Kinetic study in water-ethylene glycol cationic, zwitterionic, nonionic, and anionic micellar solutions

The spontaneous hydrolysis of phenyl chloroformate was studied in water-ethylene glycol, EG, cationic, zwitterionic, nonionic, and anionic micellar solutions, the surfactants being tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide, tetradecyl-N,N-dimethyl-3-ammonio-1-propanesulfonate, tricosaoxyethylene glycol ether, and sodium dodecyl sulfate. The dependence of the observed rate constant on surfactant concentration as well as on the percentage by weight of EG, varying from 0 to 50 wt %, was investigated. Information about changes in the critical micelle concentrations, in the micellar ionization degrees (for ionic surfactants), in the aggregation numbers, and in the polarity of the interfacial region of the micelles upon changing the weight percent of EG was obtained through conductivity, surface tension, spectroscopic, and fluorescence measurements. A simple pseudophase model was adequate to rationalize the kinetic data. Micellar medium effects were explained by considering charge-charge interactions and polarity, ionic strength, and water content in the micellar interfacial region. The acceleration of the reaction produced by an increase in the amount of EG present in the mixture was explained on the basis of the substantial decrease in the equilibrium binding constant of phenyl chloroformate molecules to the micelles, resulting in the contribution of the reaction taking place in the bulk water-EG phase being more important. The weight percent of EG did not substantially influence the rate constant in the micellar pseudophase.     

Synthesis of octahydroquinolines through the Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of vinyl allenes and imines

The reaction of vinyl allenes with imines under Lewis acid catalysis has been explored. Vinyl allenes in which the allenic portion of the molecule is tri- or tetrasubstituted gave octahydroquinoline derivatives as single isomers together with a minor compound formed by an ene reaction of the imine with the allene. Compounds in which the allene is 1,3-disubstituted do not react under the conditions assayed.