Fluorescence detection of adenosine-5′-triphosphate and alkaline phosphatase based on the generation of CdS quantum dots

We have developed an analytical method to detect adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) based on the generation of CdS quantum dots (QDs). We demonstrated that Cd²⁺ cation reacts with S²⁻ anion to generate fluorescent CdS QDs in the presence of some certain amount of ATP. With increase in the ATP concentration, the fluorescence intensity of CdS QDs was also enhanced. ATP can be converted into adenosine by the dephosphorylation of ALP, so that the generation of CdS QDs would be inhibited in the presence of ALP. Therefore, this novel analysis system could be applied to assay ATP and ALP based on the growth of fluorescent CdS QDs.     

Synthesis of Novel Tricyclic 1,5‐Benzothiazepine Derivatives Bearing Quinoline Moiety via [2 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction

A series of new tricyclic 1,5‐benzothiazepine derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of 1,5‐benzothiazepine containing 2‐phenoxy‐quinoline with chloracetyl chloride and phenoxyacetyl chloride. The structures of the target compounds were confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR MS, and elemental analysis.     

Silica Sulfuric Acid‐Catalyzed Five‐component Efficient Synthesis of Five‐Substituted Tetrahydropyridines

A highly atom‐economic one‐pot synthesis of five‐substituted tetrahydropyridines via a five‐component condensation of two equivalents of aromatic aldehyde, two equivalents of aromatic aniline, and one equivalent of β‐keto ester catalyzed by silica sulfuric acid is reported. In this reaction, up to five new bonds and one new ring were formed in one pot with water as the only one by‐product.     

Facile synthesis of platinum nanoparticle-containing porous carbons,and their application to amperometric glucose biosensing

This study describes the facile synthesis of platinum nanoparticle-containing porous carbons (Pt/C) by carbonization of freeze-dried agarose gels containing potassium tetrachloroplatinate under a nitrogen atmosphere at 800 °C. By adjusting the ratio between agarose and platinate in the freeze-dried gels, the Pt content in the final Pt/C products could be systematically varied from 0–10 wt.%. Transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nitrogen physisorption measurements revealed that the Pt/C materials obtained by this method possess high surface areas (350–500 m² g⁻¹), narrow Pt nanoparticle size distributions (6 ± 3 nm) and nanocrystalline graphite –like carbon character. By immobilization of glucose oxidase on the surface of a 4 wt.% Pt/C electrocatalyst prepared by this route, a very sensitive amperometric glucose biosensor was obtained (response time <2 min, sensitivity 1.9 mA M⁻¹; and a linear response with glucose concentration up to 10 mM). The simplicity and versatility of the described synthetic method suggests its application to the preparation of carbon supported noble metal catalysts including palladium/C and gold/C.

This study describes the facile synthesis of platinum nanoparticle-containing porous carbons (Pt/C) by carbonization of freeze-dried agarose gels containing potassium tetrachloroplatinate. The Pt/C materials exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activities, as demonstrated by their successful integration into amperometric glucose biosensor

     

On the PdCl2-catalyzed synthesis of allylic azides and allylic sulfonamides from homoallylic alcohols

According to experimental and literature data, the one-pot formation of allylic azides or sulfonamides from catalytic amounts of PdCl₂, homoallylic alcohols and TMSN₃ or TsNH₂ occurs through CC migration followed by regioselective nucleophilic addition on the Pd^II-activated CC bond and β-OH elimination.     

Solid-phase synthesis of an apoptosis-inducing tetrapeptide mimicking the Smac protein

An approach for the solid-phase synthesis of apoptosis-inducing Smac peptidomimetics is presented. Using a Rink linker strategy, tetrapeptides mimicking the N-4-terminal residue of the Smac protein [(N-Me)AVPF sequence] were synthesized on PEGA resin in excellent purities and yields. Following two synthetic routes, a known tetrapeptide, incorporating a substituted proline, previously shown to exhibit excellent biological activity in vitro as well as low toxicity, was synthesized effectively on a solid support.     

Biosorption studies of uranium (VI) on cross-linked chitosan: isotherm,kinetic and thermodynamic aspects

The cross-linked chitosan (CS) gels synthesized by using glutaraldehyde (GLA), epichlorohydrin (EC), and ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as cross-linkers respectively were used to investigate the adsorption of U(VI) ions in an aqueous solution. The pure chitosan (PCS) and the cross-linked chitosan gels were characterized by FTIR and SEM analysis. The kinetic, thermodynamic adsorption and adsorption isotherms of U(VI) ions onto unmodified and modified cross-linked chitosan were studied in a batch adsorption experiments. The effect of pH, contact time and temperature on the adsorption capacity were also carried out. At the optimum pH, the maximum adsorbed amount of PCS, GLACS, ECCS and EGDECS were 483.05, 147.05, 344.83 and 67.56 mg/g, respectively. The uranium (VI) adsorption process of PCS and ECCS followed better with pseudo-second-order kinetic model, while GLACS and EGDECS followed pseudo-first-order kinetic model well. The results obtained from the equilibrium isotherms adsorption studied of U(VI) ions were analyzed in two adsorption models, namely, Langmuir and Freundlich isothms models, the results showed that the Langmuir isotherm had better conformity to the equilibrium data. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔHo), entropy (ΔSo), and Gibbs free energy (ΔGo) showed that the adsorption process was both spontaneous and endothermic.     

Extensive theoretical study on electronically excited states and predissociation mechanisms of sulfur monoxide including spin-orbit coupling

The potential energy curves of the 69 Ω states generated from the 24 Λ-S states of sulfur monoxide are calculated for the first time using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction method with the Davidson correction and the entirely uncontracted aug-cc-pV5Z basis set. Spin-orbit coupling is taken into account by the state interaction approach with the full Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian. Very good agreement is achieved between our computed spectroscopic properties and the available experimental data. The transition properties of the B(3)Σ(-) -X(3)Σ(-) and (4)1-X0(+) transitions are predicted, and our computed Franck-Condon factors and radiative lifetimes match the experimental results very well. The predissociation mechanisms are investigated, and various new predissociation channels are located. We present a new interpretation on the breaking-off of the rotational levels of the B(3)Σ(-) lower vibrational states observed in experiment, and propose that the predissociation is induced by the Coriolis coupling between the B(3)Σ(-) rovibrational levels and the A(3)Π state. Our calculations indicate that, at ν' = 9, the B(3)Σ(-) state predissociates via the C(3)Π state; around ν' = 14, three spin-orbit-induced predissociation pathways via (1)(5)Σ(+) , (2)(5)Π, and e(1)Π would be open; around ν' = 17, the pathways via (2)(1)Σ(+) , (2)(3)Σ(+) and (2)(5)Σ(+) would contribute. These satisfactorily explain the experimental results about the diffuseness of the B(3)Σ(-) bands. Furthermore, various predissociation pathways of the C'(3)Π state are predicted, through which the C'(3)Π state could predissociate rapidly.     

Synthesis of block polyethers with various structures and their application in dispersing single-walled carbon nanotubes

The block polyethers with different structure and composition were synthesized by anionic polymerization and used to disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The block polyethers with the structure of branch or benzene ring had better dispersion ability than the commercial Pluronic block polyethers (L64 and F127). In order to compare the parameters, dispersion limit and efficiency of polyethers for SWNTs were defined. UV?Cvis?Cnear infrared absorbance spectra showed that eight-branch polyether AE82 had much larger dispersion limit and efficiency than five-branch AE52. BPE containing benzene rings in the molecule had a slightly lower dispersion limit but larger dispersion efficiency than AE82. The defect density of SWNTs dispersed in polyether aqueous solutions was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The polyethers AE83 and BEP with the structure of poly(ethylene oxide)?Cpoly(propylene oxide) dispersed less defective SWNTs than AE82 and BPE, indicating that the variation of polyether structure and composition could influence the defect density of SWNTs besides dispersion limit and efficiency.