Novel Synthesis and Properties of Smart Core-Shell Microgels

A new method has been developed to prepare smart microgels that consist of well-defined temperature-sensitive cores with pH-sensitive shells. The microgels were obtained directly from aqueous graft copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide from water-soluble polymers containing amino groups such as poly(ethyleneimine) and chitosan. The gel diameters ranged from 300 to 400 nm with narrow size distribution. The unique core-shell nanostructures exhibited tuneable responses to pH and temperature.     

Tradition- and science-based quality control of Chinese medicines--introducing the Phyto-True system

The current QC practice of quantifying presumed active chemicals or arbitrarily selected chemical markers is of doubtful value in assessing multicomponent complex traditional Chinese medicines (CMs) and often leads to an inconsistent or irreproducible research and clinical outcome. Consequently, the first and most important step in the QC of CMs (or other botanical medicines) whose exact active chemical components are unknown is to use analytical techniques that can comprehensively define the totality of the components/attributes making up their identity and quality. One of the most versatile techniques is HPTLC. Using HPTLC, along with other simple techniques such as FTIR spectroscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy combined with complementary gene expression profiling, we have been able to correctly identify CM materials, detect adulterants, and differentiate closely related materials and botanical species. Our research has resulted in the introduction of the concept and specimens of Phyto-True Reference Material (PTRM), aka Representative Botanical Reference/Research Material (RBRM), now commercially available, and a novel patent-pending technology (Phyto-True system) that can serve as a starting point for the meaningful QC of traditional CMs so far not possible for these complex materials. Examples will be highlighted to demonstrate this new concept.     

Direct synthesis of chiral tertiary diphosphines via Pd(II)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrophosphination of dienones

A highly diastereo- and enantioselective Pd(II)-catalyzed hydrophosphination of dienones with Ph(2)PH involving formation of double C*-P bonds has been developed, providing a series of chiral tertiary diphosphines (chiral PCP pincer ligands) in high yields. A catalytic cycle for the reaction was proposed.     

Ruthenium carbene complexes containing bidentate and tridentate PO ligands

Treatment of [Ru(CHR)Cl₂(PCy₃)₂] (Cy = cyclohexyl) with Tl[N(Pr₂ⁱPO)₂] and AgL_OEt (L_OEt⁻ = [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]⁻) afforded the Ru carbene complexes [Ru(CHPh)(PCy₃)Cl{N(Pr₂ⁱPO)₂}] (1) and [L_OEtRu(CHR)(PCy₃)Cl] (2), respectively. Chloride abstraction of complex 2 with TlPF₆ in MeCN afforded [L_OEtRu(CHPh)(PCy₃)(MeCN)][PF₆] (3). Complexes 1 and 2 are capable of catalyzing ring-closing metathesis of diethyl 1,2-diallylmalonate. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been determined.     

Removal and recovery of copper (II) ions by bacterial biosorption

Studies were conducted toinvestigate the removal and recovery of copper (II) ions from aqueous solutions by Micrococcus sp., which was isolated from a local activated sludge process. The equilibrium of copper biosorption followed the Langmuir isotherm model very well with a maximum biosorption capacity (q_max) of 36.5 mg of Cu²⁺/gofdry cell at pH 5.0 and 52.1 mg of Cu²⁺/g of dry cell at pH 6.0. Cells harvested at exponential growth phase and stationary phase showed similar biosorption characteristics for copper, Copper uptake by cells was negligible at pH 2.0 and then increased rapidly with increasing pH un til 6.0. In multim etal systems, Micrococcus sp. exhibited a preferential biosorption order: Cu−Pb>Ni−Zn. There is virtually no interference with copper uptake by Micrococcus sp. from solutions bearing high concentrations of Cl⁻, SO ₄ ²⁻ , and NO3/− (0–500 mg/L). Sulfuric acid (0.05 M) was the most efficient desorption medium, recovering >90% of the initial copper sorbed. The copper capacity of Micrococcus sp. remained unchanged after five successive sorption and desorption cycles. Immobilization of Micrococcus sp. in 2% calcium alginate and 10% polyacrylamide gel beads increased copper uptake by 61%. Biomass of Micrococcus sp. may be applicable to the development of potentially cost-effective biosorbent for removing and recovering copper from effluents.