Amperometric acetylcholine and choline sensors with immobilized enzymes

Acetylcholine and choline sensors are prepared by immbilizing enzymes on nylon net attached to a hydrogen peroxide snsor. Choline oxidase is used for the choline sensor; acetylcholinesterase choline oxidase are used for acetylcholine. The platinum/silver electrode pair is polarized at +0.6 V. The assembly is protected with an acetate cellulose membrane to enhance selectivity. The ranges measured are 1–10 μmol l^?1 in 0.1–1 ml of sample. The response times are 1–2 min.     

A synthetic divalent cholera toxin glycocalix[4]arene ligand having higher affinity than natural GM1 oligosaccharide

A high-affinity ligand of cholera toxin, the divalent glycocalix[4]arene 1, was obtained by exploiting a combination of structure-based design of glycomimetic monovalent ligands and affinity enhancements by multivalent presentation through a calix[4]arene scaffold. It exhibits a slightly higher affinity for the toxin than its natural ligand, the GM1 oligosaccharide.     

Détermination de l'énergie de conjugaison des acides naphtoǐques

The present paper deals with the experimental and theoretical determination of energies of conjugation of organic molecules.A computation process has been applied, first to simple molecules comprising an hydrocarbon (styrene), an oxygen function (benzaldehyde) and a nitrogen function (aniline). The results are compared with those obtained from the literature.The application of this computation process to naphthoic acids permits the determination of energies of conjugation and isomerization of these molecules.     

Le problème de la réduction des intégrales électroniques dans la méthode L.C.A.O. améliorée

Résumé L'auteur reprend les principes de la méthode L.C.A.O. améliorée en vue d'une justification plus complète des procédés employés. La théorie des perturbations permet d'une façon simple de tenir compte de la corrélation entre les électrons grâce à l'introduction d'une fonction universelle de la distance entre deux électrons. Le problème est ainsi ramené de l'échelle moléculaire à l'échelle atomique. On montre que la corrélation entre les électrons entraîne la réduction des intégrales atomiques. Le problème de la réduction des intégrales coulombiennes est traité en détail. La possibilité de négliger les autres intégrales biélectroniques est ensuite examiné. Enfin est étudié le problème de la réduction des intégrales de coeur.

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The principles of the improved LCAO theory are investigated to give a better justification for its methods. Perturbation theory allows a simple account for electronic correlation, when a universal function of interelectronic distance is introduced. The problem is hereby reduced from molecular to atomic scale. The reduction of electronic energy integrals by correlation is shown, especially for Coulomb integrals. The possibility of neglecting the other bielectronic integrals is examined. Finally the problem of core integral reduction is studied.

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Zusammenfassung Die Grundlagen der verbesserten LCAO-Methode werden untersucht, um dieses Verfahren besser zu rechtfertigen. Mit einer allgemeinen Funktion des Abstandes je zweier Elektronen und der Störungstheorie läßt sich die Elektronenkorrelation auf einfache Weise berücksichtigen. Damit wird das Problem vom molekularen auf den atomaren Maßstab zurückgeführt. Die Elektronenkorrelation bringt eine Reduktion der Elektronenenergieintegrale mit sich; die Coulombintegrale werden im einzelnen behandelt. Anschließend wird die Möglichkeit untersucht, die übrigen Zweielektronenintegrale zu vernachlässigen. Schließlich wird die Reduktion der Rumpfintegrale behandelt.

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Nous tenons à remercier très vivement le Docteur Chr. K. Jørgensen (Cyanamid European Research Institut, Genève) pour les intéressants échanges de vue que nous avons eu sur les divers problèmes évoqués dans cet article ainsi que le Docteur G. Berthier (Institut de Biochimie théorique, Paris) et Monsieur H. v. Hirschhausen.     

Analysis of gadobenate dimeglumine by capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with electrospray-mass spectrometry

Highly reliable and accurate analytical methods are needed for the determination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in complex matrices of clinical interest. We demonstrate the reliability of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for the analysis of MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine), a gadolinium-based MRI agent. A sheath liquid interface connected the CE system with an electrospray mass spectrometer equipped with an ion-trap analyzer. CZE with ultraviolet (CZE-UV) and with mass detection (CZE-MS) were compared by analyzing gadobenate dimeglumine and the free ligand diluted in water and in biological fluids (i.e., human serum and urine). The optimization of some relevant CZE-MS parameters was accomplished, like CE buffer composition, sheath liquid composition and flow, and type and length of the separation capillary. CZE-UV was highly influenced by the biological sample components, which hindered a reliable quantification of both gadobenate and free ligand in serum and urine. In CZE-MS, on the other hand, the electrophoretic runs turned out to be independent of the clinical matrices, due to the informative potential and to the selectivity of MS detection.     

Microwaves in organic synthesis. Thermal and non-thermal microwave effects

Microwave irradiation has been successfully applied in organic chemistry. Spectacular accelerations, higher yields under milder reaction conditions and higher product purities have all been reported. Indeed, a number of authors have described success in reactions that do not occur by conventional heating and even modifications of selectivity (chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity). The effect of microwave irradiation in organic synthesis is a combination of thermal effects, arising from the heating rate, superheating or "hot spots" and the selective absorption of radiation by polar substances. Such phenomena are not usually accessible by classical heating and the existence of non-thermal effects of highly polarizing radiation--the "specific microwave effect"--is still a controversial topic. An overview of the thermal effects and the current state of non-thermal microwave effects is presented in this critical review along with a view on how these phenomena can be effectively used in organic synthesis.     

Multivariate optimization of an axially-viewed inductively coupled plasma multichannel-based emission spectrometer for the analysis of environmental samples

An experimental design procedure was applied to optimize the operating conditions of an axially-viewed inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer instruments equipped with echelle optics with cross dispersion and charge transfer device. The multivariate effect of carrier gas flow rate and r.f. power on several analytical figures was investigated and discussed. Both ultrasonic and pneumatic nebulization were used. For the final choice of the optimum, different criteria were taken into account, mainly plasma robustness, instrumental precision, analyte and background net emission, detection limits and signal-to-background ratios. It was found that the use of moderate power (1100W) and mean carrier gas flow rate (0.75 L/min) allows to obtain sufficient plasma robustness, satisfactory precision, and excellent signal-to-background ratios and limits of detection, favorable for ultratrace element determinations in environmental matrices.     

Isolation of a new member of the ecdysteroid glycoside family: 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone 22-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside

A new ecdysteroid glycoside, 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone 22-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, is isolated from the herb Silene italica ssp. nemoralis (Waldst. and Kit.) Nyman. The compound is purified with multistep chromatography, such as classical column chromatography on alumina and droplet countercurrent distribution. Also, it is expanded using twice low-pressure reversed-phase liquid column chromatography. Chromatography in four steps results in the purified 2-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone 22-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. Two other ecdysteroids have also been separated, including the formerly identified integristerone A and 24(28)-dehydromakisterone A.     

Expedient synthesis of cyclopropane alpha-amino acids by the catalytic asymmetric cyclopropanation of alkenes using iodonium ylides derived from methyl nitroacetate

A highly enantioselective (up to 97.5% ee) and diastereoselective (95:5 dr trans/cis) Cu(I)-catalyzed cyclopropanation of alkenes using phenyliodonium ylide generated in situ from iodosobenzene and methyl nitroacetate is reported. The cyclopropanation took place with high enantioselectivity for a wide range of alkenes, and the reaction was performed at room temperature. 1-Nitrocyclopropyl esters are versatile building blocks to access the corresponding cyclopropane amino esters and aminocyclopropanes in two and three steps, respectively, from commercially available products.     

Syntheses d'oxazolidines substituees par l'adamantane et de nitroxydes oxazolidines stables derives de l'adamantane

Adamantane oxazolidine derivatives have been prepared. The corresponding mono and biradicals have molecular shapes well suited to the study of the motion anisotropy in solution.