Determination of cyanide, in urine and gastric content, by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry after direct flow injection of dicyanogold

A rapid and sensitive electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric (ESI-MS-MS) procedure was developed for the determination of cyanide (CN⁻). CN⁻ in biological fluids was reacted with NaAuCl₄ to produce dicyanogold, Au(CN)₂⁻, which was extracted with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). One microliter of the extract was injected directly into an ESI-MS-MS instrument. Quantification of CN⁻ was performed by selected reaction monitoring of the product ion CN⁻ at m/z 26 that derived from precursor ion Au(CN)₂⁻ at m/z 249. CN⁻ could be measured in the quantification range of 10⁻⁷ to 5 × 10⁻⁵ M with the limit of detection at 4 × 10⁻⁸ M using 10 μL of urine within 10 min. A victim's urine and gastric content were diluted with water to 4-fold and 500-fold and measured, respectively.     

The direct synthesis of thioesters using an intermolecular radical reaction of aldehydes with dipentafluorophenyl disulfide in water

The combination of the water-soluble radical initiator, 2,2'-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane] dihydrochloride (VA-044), and surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was found to be the most suitable condition for the effective direct synthesis of useful active thioesters (pentafluorophenyl thioesters) in water.     

A novel water-soluble Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine compound that functions in biological processes through NADH regeneration

A novel Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative could function in an organic solvent-free solution, and thus it could function in biological systems. These functions can be accomplished through regeneration of the reduced form of nicotinamine adenine dinucleotide (NADH), an essential compound for living organisms. The results obtained here demonstrate the usefulness of a water-soluble Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative and its wide applicability as a chemical energy source, which drives various biological processes efficiently.     

The efficient synthesis of morphinandienone alkaloids by using a combination of hypervalent iodine(III) reagent and heteropoly acid

The non-phenolic coupling reaction of benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines (laudanosine derivatives) by using a hypervalent iodine(III) reagent is described. In general, chemical oxidation of laudanosine gives glaucine. In contrast to general chemical oxidizing reagent systems, the novel use of reagent combination of phenyliodine bis(trifluoroacetate) (PIFA), and heteropoly acid (HPA) afforded morphinandienone alkaloids in excellent yields. In order to achieve the coupling reaction with simple reaction procedure, the use of HPA supported on silica gel instead of HPA was demonstrated and sufficient yield was exerted again. The present reagent system, PIFA/HPA, was also applied to the oxidation of other non-phenolic benzyltetrahydroisoquinolines and the high yield conversion to morphinandienones was accomplished.     

Study on the Solute–Solvent Interactions Using the Solubility of Asymmetric Metal Complex, CoX2(R-py)2, as a Probe of Interaction

The solubility of some cobalt(II) chloride and bromide complexes of pyridine bases was determined in 10 inert organic solvents. The measured solubilities were analyzed using two different solvent parameters, i.e., Hildebrand's solubility parameter and Richard's E _T(30). These contributions to solubility are interpreted in terms of the asymmetric structure of the probe metal complex.     

Solubilities of rare earth lodates in aqueous and aqueous alcoholic solvent mixtures

The solubilities of thirteen iodates of rare earth metals in aqueous and aqueous alcoholic solvent mixtures at 25°C were measured. Methanol and ethanol were used as the alcoholic components, and the alcohol concentrations in solvent mixtures were between 0–40 mass percent. From the solubilities measured in this study and the published data, the recommended solubility values of eleven iodates of rare earth metals [Ln(IO₃)₃: Ln=Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm and Yb] in water at 25°C were decided by applying the guidelines of the IUPAC Solubility Data Project, and the solubilities of two iodates [Ln(IO₃)₃: Ce and Lu] are designated as tentative values. The change in solubility of lanthanide iodates in aqueous and aqueous alcoholic solvent mixtures as a function of lanthanide atomic number is discussed. The logarithm of the solubility decreases almost linearly with the reciprocal of the dielectric constant of the solvent mixture, as expected from Born's equation and its modifications.Presentation to First International Symposium on Solubility Phenomena, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, August 21–23, 1984.     

Determination of total 3α-hydroxy bile acids in serum by a bioluminescent flow-injection system using a hollow-fibre reactor

A continuous-flow bioluminescence method for measuring total 3α-hydroxy bile acids in serum is described. A bacterial luciferase and NADH:FMN oxidoreductase are covalently co-immobilized on a CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B. A permeable membrane (hollow fibre) reactor is used for the introduction of NAD⁺ and bioluminescent reagent. The reagent permeates into the flow-stream due to the existing difference in ionic strength. The continuous-flow light-emitting system, in which the column filled with the immobilized bioluminescent enzyme is placed in front of a photomultiplier tube inside a photon counter, is versatile and simple. The technique was tested by comparing results with those obtained by fluorimetry. More than 20 samples an hour can be analyzed. Normal values for total bile acids content serum ranged from 1.0 to 7.5 μM, in agreement with those obtained by the other method. Excellent reproducibility, precision, and sensitivity are achieved.     

Total Synthesis of (±)-Hirsutene via Pd-Promoted Cycloalkenylation Reaction

Beginning with trans-2-methyl-4-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid (9), a total synthesis of linear triquinane sesquiterpene (±)-hirsutene (1) has been accomplished. An acid catalyzed intramolecular conjugate addition (7→6a) and a Pd²⁺-promoted highly stereocontrolled cyclization (5→4) were utilized for the key step of the sequence. Interestingly, some synthetic intermediates exhibited cytotoxicity.     

Two new meroterpenoids, penisimplicin A and B, isolated from Penicillium simplicissimum

In the course of our research for new antifungal agents, two new meroterpenoids, penisimplicin A (1) and B (2), were isolated from Penicillium simplicissimum. The absolute structures of 1 and 2 were established by spectroscopic and chemical investigation. Penisimplicin A (1) and B (2) are rare examples of D-ring seco-meroterpenoids. Since compounds 1 and 2 showed no antifungal activities, the isolation of the compounds with antifungal activity will be attempted.