Automated interpretation of low-energy collision-induced dissociation spectra by SeqMS, a software aid for de novo sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry

SeqMS, a software aid for de novo sequencing by tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), which was initially developed for the automated interpretation of high-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) MS/MS spectra of peptides, has been applied to the interpretation of low-energy CID and post-source decay (PSD) spectra of peptides. Based on peptide backbone fragmented ions and their related ions, which are the dominant ions observed in the latter two techniques, the types of ions and their propensities to be observed have been optimized for efficient interpretation of the spectra. In a typical example, the modified SeqMS allowed the complete sequencing of a 31-amino acid synthetic peptide, except for the isobaric amino acids (Leu or Ile, and Lys or Gln), based on only the low-energy CID-MS/MS spectrum.     

Stereocontrolled synthesis of either (22S)- or (22R)-hydroxy-23-acetylenic steroid side chains via [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement

A unified approach to either (22$\text{S}$)- or (22$\text{R}$)-hydroxy-23-acetylenic steroid side chains is described which relies on the concept of the stereochemical transmission via the [2,3]-Wittig sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Comparison of thermal degradation products from real municipal waste plastic and model mixed plastics

The thermal degradation of real municipal waste plastic (MWP) obtained from Sapporo, Japan and model mixed plastics was carried out at 430 °C in atmospheric pressure by batch operation. The chlorinated hydrocarbons found in PE/PP/PS/PVC [poly(ethylene)/poly(propylene)/poly(styrene)/poly(vinyl chloride)] degradation liquid products were also observed in PE/PP/PS/PVC/PET (poly(ethylene terephalate)) and MWP degradation liquid products. The presence of PET in MWP produced the additional chlorinated hydrocarbons, which are similar to the chlorinated hydrocarbons observed during the PE/PP/PS/PVC/PET degradation liquid products. In addition, the presence of PET facilitated the formation of more organic chlorine content in liquid products and drastic decrease in the formation of inorganic chlorine content.     

Highly sensitive near-infrared fluorescent probes for nitric oxide and their application to isolated organs

Novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes for nitric oxide (NO) have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Their NIR fluorescence was increased in an NO concentration-dependent manner under physiological conditions, and their reaction efficiency with NO was at least 53 times higher than that of a widely used NO probe, DAF-2. They were confirmed to function in isolated intact rat kidneys. Because NIR light can penetrate deeply into tissues, these probes may have potential for in vivo NO imaging.     

Electron transfer in metal-molecule-metal junction composed of self-assembled monolayers of helical peptides carrying redox-active ferrocene units

Electronic properties of three kinds of helical peptides with or without redox-active ferrocene units were investigated by using scanning tunneling microscopy under ultrahigh vacuum. The currents through the helical peptides carrying ferrocene units at the molecular terminals became significantly larger than that through a reference peptide without any ferrocene units. On the other hand, ferrocene units in the middle of the peptide chain did not affect the current-voltage characteristics. These results indicate that the ferrocene units near the metal electrode should play an important role for efficient electron transfer between the metal and the peptide molecules, which process is one of the rate-determining steps for characterizing molecular conductance in metal-molecule-metal junction.     

Sensing capabilities of colloidal gold modified with a self-assembled monolayer of a glucose-carrying polymer chain on a glass substrate

A disulfide-carrying polymer with pendent glucose residues (poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl D-glucopyranoside)) was obtained by using a benzyl N,N-diethyldithiocarbamoyl derivative which shows the abilities of initiation, chain transfer, and termination (iniferter). The disulfide-carrying polymer was accumulated on a colloidal Au-immobilized glass substrate, and the usefulness of the polymer as a sensing element of concanavalin A (Con A) was examined by using a UV-visible spectrophotometer with the help of surface plasmon resonance. The sensor showed a concentration-dependent specific binding of Con A with a detection limit of 1.9 nM, and furthermore, it had a very high stability at high ionic strength. The polymer-coated device examined here was not only useful as a simple biosensor chip but is also expected to expand our knowledge of interfacial phenomena by introducing various functional polymers on colloidal Au.     

Nickel-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of tetrasubstituted alkene using alkylative carboxylation of disubstituted alkyne

[Reaction: see text] Syntheses of alpha-silyl-beta,beta'-dialkyl alpha,beta-unsaturated carboxylic acids were achieved from silylated alkyne, carbon dioxide, and a zinc reagent using a catalytic amount of nickel complex in the presence of an excess amount of DBU. The regioselectivity of the introduction of CO2 into disubstituted alkyne is dependent on the electronic property of the substituent R on the alkyne because the thermodynamic stability of oxanickelacycle IV or V should be affected by conjugation of the substituent R with the carboxyl group in IV or V.     

Tricalysiolides A-F, new rearranged ent-kaurane diterpenes from Tricalysia dubia

Six rearranged ent-kaurane diterpenes, tricalysiolides A-F, having the cafestol-type carbon framework were isolated from the wood of Tricalysia dubia (Rubiaceae). Their absolute structures were determined on the basis of the 2D NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and chemical methods.     

New synthetic route for photosensitive poly(benzoxazole)

A new positive working photosensitive poly(benzoxazole) (PBO) precursor based on poly(o‐hydroxyazomethine) ( 3 ) and 1‐{1,1‐bis[4‐(2‐diazo‐1‐(2H)naphthalenone‐5‐sulfonyloxy)phenyl]ethyl}‐4‐{1‐[4‐(2‐diazo‐1(2H)naphthalenone‐5‐sulfonyloxy)phenyl]methylethyl}benzene (S‐DNQ) as a photosensitive compound was developed. 3 was prepared by the condensation of 2,2‐bis(3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane with isophthalaldehyde in 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone/toluene under azeotropic conditions. The photosensitive PBO precursor containing 30 wt % S‐DNQ showed a sensitivity of 120 mJ cm^?2 and a contrast of 2.2 when it was exposed to 436‐nm light and developed with a 2.38 wt % aqueous tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution at room temperature. A fine positive image featuring 10‐μm line and space patterns was observed on the film of the photoresist exposed to 200 mJ cm^?2 ultraviolet light at 436 nm by the contact mode. The positive image was successfully converted into the PBO pattern by a thermal treatment. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3399–3405, 2002