Magnetic Resonance Spectra and Statistical Geometry

Methods of statistical geometry are introduced which allow one to estimate, on the basis of computable criteria, the conditions under which maximally informative data may be collected. We note the important role of constraints which introduce curvature into parameter space and discuss the appropriate mathematical tools for treating curvature effects. Channel capacity, a term from communication theory, is suggested as a useful figure of merit for estimating the information content of spectra in the presence of noise. The tools introduced here are applied to the case of a model nitroxide system as a concrete example, but we stress that the methods described here are of general utility.     

Quantification of Quetiapine in Human Plasma by LC–MS–MS

A rapid liquid chromatographic method with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric detection has been developed and validated for quantification of quetiapine in heparinized human plasma. Plasma samples, without a drying and reconstitution step, were extracted by solid-phase extraction and eluted with acetonitrile. The analyte and zolpidem tartrate (internal standard, IS) were chromatographed on a C₁₈ column; the mobile phase was 85:15 (v/v) acetonitrile–5 mM ammonium formate, pH adjusted to 4.5 with formic acid, at a flow rate of 0.5 mL min⁻¹. The retention times of quetiapine and the IS were 1.25 and 1.05 min, respectively, and the run time was 1.8 min per sample. Selected reaction monitoring of MH⁺ at m/z 384.12 and 308.11 resulted in stable fragment ions with m/z 253.02 and 235.09 for quetiapine and the IS, respectively. Response was a linear function of concentration in the range 1.0–240.0 ng mL⁻¹, with r ≥ 0.9994. Recovery of quetiapine and the IS ranged from 74.82 to 85.57%. The assay has excellent characteristics and has been successfully used for analysis of quetiapine in healthy human subjects in a bioequivalence study.

     

From clusters to fibers: parameters for discontinuous para-hexaphenylene thin film growth

All relevant steps of discontinuous thin film growth of para-hexaphenylene on muscovite mica (0 0 1) from wetting layer over small and large clusters to nanofibers are observed and investigated in detail by a combined polarized fluorescence and atomic force microscopy study. From a variation of film thickness and surface temperature, we determine effective activation energies for cluster growth of 0.17 eV, for nanofiber length growth of 0.46 eV, for width growth of 0.19 eV, and for height growth of 0.07 eV. The corresponding exponential prefactors for the nanofiber growth are 1 x 10(9), 6 x 10(4), and 3 x 10(2) nm. Polarized fluorescence studies reveal that nanofibers grow along the grooves of the mica surface and that they do not change direction if they cross an even number of mica surface steps, while they change direction by 120 degrees for an odd number of steps. These results are taken as an input for a model of the unidirectional growth process on mica. Absolute parameters allowing one to grow nanofibers of predetermined morphology via organic molecular beam epitaxy are also given.     

Chloro/bromotrimethylsilane-Cu(NO3)2·3H2O: Safe and efficient reagent system for the decarboxylative ipso-nitration and dibromination of cinnamic acids

Further synthetic potential of halotrimethylsilane-nitrate salt mixture is revealed. A mixture of TMSX-Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O system is found to be an efficient reagent system for both the decarboxylative nitration (ipso-nitration) when X = Cl, and dibromination of cinnamic acids, with X = Br, under mild conditions. The reactions are safe and simple, affording the corresponding products (E)-β-nitrostyrenes, and anti-2,3-dibromo-3-phenylpropanoic acids in high yields with high selectivity in a relatively short time. Use of hazardous and toxic nitrating systems such as acetyl nitrate and brominating agents such as molecular bromine can be avoided.     

Determination of diclofenac from paediatric urine samples by stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE)-HPLC-UV technique

A novel stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) method coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and UV detection for the extraction of diclofenac (DIC) from paediatric urine samples has been developed and validated. Selectivity and sensitivity being the prime objectives of the bioanalytical method for clinical samples, an optimised SBSE protocol was developed that selectively extracted DIC from various concurrently administered drugs. The validated assay was found to be linear (r = 0.9999) over a concentration range of 100-2000 ng mL⁻¹. SBSE showed consistent recoveries (∼70%) of DIC across the validated linearity range. Overall, the method exhibited excellent accuracy and precision across all QC concentrations, tested over three days. Calculated LOD and LOQ were found to be 12.03 ng mL⁻¹ and 36.37 ng mL⁻¹, respectively, however, for the experimental purposes, 100 ng mL⁻¹ was considered as the validated LOQ (accuracy and precision at this LQC was <20%). Further, studies on various attributes of the stir bar/SBSE, showed no significant inter- and intra-stir bar variability for DIC extraction. There was no carryover effect with re-use of conditioned stir bars and for the first time, a systematic investigation on the effect of ageing of stir bars on their extraction efficiency was carried out. Results showed that, for the present study, stir bars which were used 150 times were still functional based on in-house acceptance criteria and extraction efficiency. The validated method was successfully applied to the analysis of DIC in paediatric clinical trial samples.     

Effect of Alkali Pretreatment on the Structural Properties and Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Corn Cob

An effective alkali pretreatment which affects the structural properties of cellulose (corn cob) has been studied. The pretreatment of corn cob was carried out with different combinations of alkali at varying temperatures. The most effective pretreatment of corn cob was achieved with 1?% alkali at 50?°C in 4?h. The crystallinity index (CrI) and specific surface area (SSA) of untreated corn cob was 39?% and 0.52?m²/g wherein after alkali pretreatment CrI decreased to 15?% and SSA increased to 3.32?m²/g. The fungal organism was identified as Penicillium pinophilum on the basis of ITS sequence. At 5?% substrate concentration using a complete cellulase from Penicillium pinophilum the hydrolysis of untreated corn cob with 5, 10 and 20 FPU/g enzyme loadings were 11?%, 13?% and 16?%, whereas after alkali treatment the hydrolysis increased to 78?%, 90?% and 100?%, respectively. Further hydrolytic potential of commercial cellulases viz. Accellerase? 1,000, Palkofeel-30 and Palkocel-40 were investigated under similar conditions.     

ipso-Bromination/iodination of arylboronic acids: Poly(4-vinylpyridine)-Br2/I2 complexes as safe and efficient reagents

Poly(4-vinyl pyridine) supported bromine/iodine complexes were prepared and probed for ipso-bromination/iodination of arylboronic acids. These solid complexes with catalytic amount of additive are found to be safe and efficient reagent system for the ipso-bromination/iodination. The reaction occurs under mild conditions and tolerates various functional groups resulting in products with high selectivity and yields.