High performance liquid chromatographic determination of n-butyl glycidyl ether

A novel high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) technique for the determination of n-butyl glycidyl ether (n-BGE) at concentrations down to 1 ppb (1 μg/liter) has been developed. This HPLC procedure is simple, highly sensitive, and rapid within the limits described.     

The eighth virial coefficient of four- and five-dimensional hard hyperspheres

The eighth virial coefficient for hard hyperspheres is calculated by Monte Carlo techniques. It is found that B8/B(7)2=0.000 274+/-0.000 014 and -0.000 115+/-0.000 012 in four and five dimensions, respectively. The results are in good agreement with the findings of Clisby and McCoy (e-print arXiv:cond-mat0410511), and confirm that B8 is negative in five dimensions.     

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (TBECH) and 1,2,5,6-tetrabromocyclooctane (TBCO)

Although the two flame retardants 1,2-dibromo-4-(1,2-dibromoethyl)cyclohexane (TBECH) and 1,2,5,6-tetrabromocyclooctane (TBCO) have been widely used, a selective instrumental method of analysis for these compounds has not been developed to date. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility to utilize liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) for the separation and analysis of α- and β-TBCO and α-, β-, γ-, and δ-TBECH. Acetone was initially used in a tetrahedron solvent system for LC optimization. A simple isocratic elution allowed near-baseline separation of these compounds. Different ionization approaches and mechanisms were investigated. The mass spectrometric transition of [M + O(2)](-) => Br(-) (459.8 => 78.9) was a selective detection method for the target analytes. Good instrument detection limits (5 pg for γ-/δ-TBECH, 125 pg for α-/β-TBECH, and 30 pg for α-/β-TBCO with 2.0 μL injection) were obtained. Excellent linearity up to 50 ng/μL (R(2) >0.999) was also achieved. This method has been applied to environmental samples (surface water) for screening purposes with recoveries ranging from 76-92% (CV%: 5-8%). This method shows significant improvement over previous methods.     

Morphology engineering and etching of graphene domain by low-pressure chemical vapor deposition

Controlled growth of single-crystal high-quality ‘track-and-field ground’ shaped graphene domains and the morphological evolution from hexagonal to hexagram graphene domain even square and circular graphene domain has been achieved by low-pressure CVD on solid copper substrate, thereby demonstrating that the shape of the graphene grains can potentially be precisely tuned by optimizing growth parameters. The etching reaction of graphene has also been studied, and results show that a low flow rate of hydrogen (99.999%) is favorable to form hexagonal structure for the etching reaction of graphene due to the exist of oxygen or oxidizing impurities in hydrogen gas commonly used. Controlled growth and etching reaction of graphene determine the final shape of graphene domains and all these efforts contribute to the study of size and morphology and the growth mechanism of graphene domains.     

Beyond p-Hexaphenylenes: Synthesis of Unsubstituted p-Nonaphenylene by a Precursor Protocol

The synthesis of unsubstituted oligo-para-phenylenes ( OPP ) exceeding para-hexaphenylene—in the literature often referred to as p-sexiphenyl—has long remained elusive due to their insolubility. We report the first preparation of unsubstituted para-nonaphenylenes ( 9PP s) by extending our precursor route to poly-para-phenylenes ( PPP ) to a discrete oligomer. Two geometric isomers of methoxylated syn- and anti-cyclohexadienylenes were synthesized, from which 9PP was obtained via thermal aromatization in thin films. 9PP was characterized via optical, infrared and solid-state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as atomic force microscopy and mass spectrometry, and compared to polymeric analogues. Due to the lack of substitution, para-nonaphenylene, irrespective of the precursor isomer employed, displays pronounced aggregation in the solid state. Intermolecular excitonic coupling leads to formation of H-type aggregates, red-shifting emission of the films to greenish. 9PP allows to study the structure–property relationship of para-phenylene oligomers and polymers, especially since the optical properties of PPP depend on the molecular shape of the precursor.     

“Golden” Cascade Cyclization to Benzo[c]-Phenanthridines

Herein, we describe a gold-catalyzed cascade cyclization of Boc-protected benzylamines bearing two tethered alkyne moieties in a domino reaction initiated by a 6-endo-dig cyclization. The reaction was screened intensively, and the scope was explored, resulting in nine new Boc-protected dihydrobenzo[c]phenanthridines with yields of up to 98 %; even a π-extension and two bidirectional approaches were successful. Furthermore, thermal cleavage of the Boc group and subsequent oxidation gave substituted benzo[c]phenanthridines in up to quantitative yields. Two bidirectional approaches under the optimized conditions were successful, and the resulting π-extended molecules were tested as organic semiconductors in organic thin-film transistors.     

Iron chelation properties of an extracellular siderophore exochelin MN

The coordination chemistry of an extracellular siderophore produced by Mycobacterium neoaurum, exochelin MN (ExoMN), is reported along with its pK(a) values, Fe(III) and Fe(II) chelation constants, and aqueous solution speciation as determined by spectrophotometric and potentiometric titration techniques. Exochelin MN is of particular interest as it can efficiently transport iron into pathogenic M. leprae, which is responsible for leprosy, in addition to its own parent cells. The Fe(III) coordination properties of ExoMN are important with respect to understanding the Fe(III) acquisition and uptake mechanism in pathogenic M. leprae, as the siderophores from this organism are very difficult to isolate. Exochelin MN has two hydroxamic acid groups and an unusual threo-beta-hydroxy-l-histidine available for Fe(III) chelation. The presence of threo-beta-hydroxy-l-histidine gives rise to a unique mode of Fe(III) coordination. The pK(a) values for the two hydroxamic acid moieties, the histidine imidazole ring and the alkylammonium groups on ExoMN, correspond well with the literature values for these moieties. Proton-dependent Fe(III)- and Fe(II)-ExoMN equilibrium constants were determined using a model involving sequential protonation of the Fe(III)- and Fe(II)-ExoMN complexes. These data were used to develop a model whereby deprotonation reactions on the surface of the complex in the second coordination shell result in first coordination shell isomerization. The overall formation constants were calculated: log beta(110) = 39.12 for Fe(III)-ExoMN and 16.7 for Fe(II)-ExoMN. The calculated pFe value of 31.1 is one of the highest among all siderophores and their synthetic analogues and indicates that ExoMN is thermodynamically capable of removing Fe(III) from transferrin. The E(1/2) for the Fe(III)ExoMN/Fe(II)ExoMN(-) couple was determined to be -595 mV from quasi-reversible cyclic voltammograms at pH = 10.8, and the pH-dependent E(1/2) profile was used to determine the Fe(II)-ExoMN protonation constants.     

Synthesis and X-ray structural analysis of a unique Co-crystallization complex of [NaSal]2DB24C8 and [KSal]2DB24C8

Sodium salicylate (NaSal where Sal=2-hydroxybenzoate), when mixed with dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) yields a bimetallic complex [NaSal]₂DB24C8 in most polar organic media, while potassium salicylate (KSal) under similar conditions shows a tendency to yield 11 or 21 complexes depending upon medium or synthesis. However, the presence of both NaSal and KSal together results in a unique mixed cation complex of composition NaKSal₂DB24C8. This product melts sharply (190-92°C) without decomposition, displays IR spectral characteristics comparable to those of [Na(Sal)]₂DB24C8, and is stable in aqueous media as shown by the detectable cation effect on the UV absorption bands of Sal and DB24C8. Single crystal X-ray analysis of NaK(Sal)₂DB24C8 reveals that the system represents a co-crystallization complex of individual (KSal)₂DB24C8 and (NaSal)₂DB24C8 molecules. The crystals are monoclinic,P2₁/c,a=19.976(2) Å,b=9.031(1) Å,c=25.541(5) Å,=122.065(9)°, ų,T=298 K,Z=2+2, CuK =1.5418 Å, and 2 (2.5°–100°). FinalR factor for the 3012 observed reflections (F>3) is 0.092. Both the Na₂- and K₂-molecules possess crystallographic centers of symmetry with one metal and its associated anion on each side of the crown ring. However, the conformations of the crowns are very different in the two molecules, with the K₂-crown being nearly planar and the Na₂-crown being quite puckered. Four oxygen atoms from the DB24C8 (KO, 2.680–2.908 Å) and three carboxyl oxygen atoms (KO, 2.472–2.708 Å) from separate salicylate ions coordinate with each potassium. Three oxygens from the crown (NaO, 2.536–2.65 Å) and three carboxyl oxygens (NaO, 2.31–2.563 Å) coordinate with each sodium. The salicylate ions lie on opposite sides and nearly perpendicular (77.2°, Na₂-molecule; 82.7° K₂-molecule) to each crown but coordinate to both of the metal ions within a molecule. The K⁺K⁺ and Na⁺Na⁺ distances in the respective molecules are 3.95 and 3.34 Å. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82044 (18 pages).     

ORGANIC PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS 70 PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF NEW PHOSPHORUS CONTAINING CHELATING AGENTS FOR CALCIUM AND MAGNESIUM IONS

Abstract

Dedicated to Professor Martin Schmeisser on the occasion of his 65th birthday.

Several phosphonic acids of the type H₂O₃PCH₂OCHRCO₂H, R = H, CH₃, CO₂H; [H₂O₃P(CH₂)_x]₂ Y, x = 1, 2; Y = O, S; and [o-H₂O₃P(CH₂)]₂C₆H₄ have been synthesized and their capacity to chelate with calcium has been determined.     

A Protein‐Based Encapsulation System with Calcium‐Controlled Cargo Loading and Detachment

Protein‐based encapsulation systems have a wide spectrum of applications in targeted delivery of cargo molecules and for chemical transformations in confined spaces. By engineering affinity between cargo and container proteins it has been possible to enable the efficient and specific encapsulation of target molecules. Missing in current approaches is the ability to turn off the interaction after encapsulation to enable the cargo to freely diffuse in the lumen of the container. Separation between cargo and container is desirable in drug delivery applications and in the use of capsids as catalytic nanoparticles. We describe an encapsulation system based on the hepatitis B virus capsid in which an engineered high‐affinity interaction between cargo and capsid proteins can be modulated by Ca²⁺. Cargo proteins are loaded into capsids in the presence of Ca²⁺, while ligand removal triggers unbinding inside the container. We observe that confinement leads to hindered rotation of cargo inside the capsid. Application of the designed container for catalysis was also demonstrated by encapsulation of an enzyme with β‐glucosidase activity.