Cyclic (ALN)n Compounds as Precursors to Aluminum Nitride: Synthesis and Structure of [(CH3)2AlNH2]3 and the Planar Species [(t-C4H9)2AlNH2]3

Abstract

The crystal and molecular structures of the title compounds, [(CH₃)₂AlNH₂]₃ 1 and [(t-C₄H₉)₂AlNH₂]₃ 2, have been determined in connection with their investigation as possible precursors to aluminum nitride. Both compounds have an (AlN)₃ ring-structure with distorted tetrahedral geometries for the ring Al and N atoms. The distortion from tetrahedral geometry is most pronounced for the N atoms where the endocyclic Al-N-Al bond angles average 125.3 for 1 and 134.2 for 2. The (AlN)₃ ring in 1 is in a skew-boat conformation with no unusual intra- or intermolecular contacts. Compound 2 on the other hand exhibits an unprecedented planar (AlN)₃ ring as required by a crystallographic three-fold symmetry axis. The effects of the Al and N substituents on the (AlN)₃ ring size and conformation, as well as on the endocyclic Al-N-Al bond angles, are discussed in the context of the structural results obtained for these and other (AlN)_n ring compounds.     

Detection, quantification, and identification of dermorphin in equine plasma and urine by LC–MS/MS for doping control

Dermorphin is a unique opioid peptide that is 30–40 times more potent than morphine. It was misused and went undetected in horse racing until 2011 when intelligence obtained from a few North American race tracks suggested its use. To prevent such misuse, a reliable analytical method became necessary for detection and identification of dermorphin in post-race horse samples. This paper describes the first liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method for such a purpose. Equine plasma and urine samples were pre-treated with ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid and urea prior to solid-phase extraction (SPE) on Oasis MCX cartridges. Resulting eluates were dried under vacuum and analyzed by LC–MS/MS for dermorphin. The matrix effect, SPE efficiency, intra-day and inter-day accuracy and precision, and stability of the analyte were assessed. The limit of detection was 10 pg/mL in plasma and 20 pg/mL in urine, and the limit of confirmation was 20 pg/mL in plasma and 50 pg/mL in urine. Dermorphin in plasma is stable at ambient temperature, but its diastereomer is unstable. With isotopically labeled dermorphin as an internal standard, the quantification range was 20–10,000 pg/mL in plasma and 50–20,000 pg/mL in urine. The intra-day and inter-day accuracy was from 91 % to 100 % for the low, intermediate, and high concentrations. The intra-day and inter-day coefficients of variation were less than 12 %. The method differentiates dermorphin from its diastereomer. This method is very specific for identification of dermorphin in equine plasma and urine, as assessed by BLAST search and targeted SEQUEST search, and by MS/MS spectrum library search. The method has been successfully applied to analysis of samples collected following dermorphin administration to research horses and of official post-race samples.

An Improved Procedure for the Synthesis of Prostaglandin Analogues

Hydrozirconation-iodination of a terminal acetylene followed by lithium-iodide exchange and finally dilithio cyanocuprate mediated conjugate addition to an appropriate cyclopentenone is reported as an efficient method for the synthesis of prostaglandin analogues.     

The effect of terminal chain modifications on the mesomorphic properties of 4,4′-disubstituted diphenyldiacetylenes

The typical sidewalls produced in the fabrication of protrusion electrodes are proposed to create a low voltage (4.5 V_rms) and high transmittance (93%) blue-phase liquid crystal display (BP-LCD). The tilted electrodes produce a strong horizontal electrical field that reduces the operating voltage considerably. The common problem of the ‘dead zones’ is solved by reflecting the light onto the electrodes. In order to estimate the phase retardation of the reflected light, a ray tracing simulation program for anisotropic mediums has been developed. The proposed device is more competitive than vertical field switching based BP-LCD and also, has the advantages of protruded in-plane-switching structures. These facts make this technology a potential candidate for the next generation of BP-LCDs.     

Exploiting Aggregation To Achieve Phase Separation in Macrocyclization

The aggregation properties of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) can be exploited in organic synthesis to control dilution effects. Through the use of solvent mixtures containing PEG₄₀₀/MeOH, macrocyclization by Glaser–Hay coupling can be conducted at high concentrations. The origin of the selectivity has been studied by using surface tension measurements, UV spectroscopy, and chemical tagging and demonstrates the dependence of the yield and selectivity on the aggregation of PEG₄₀₀ and its ability to preferentially solubilize organic substrates, resulting in a phase separation from the catalyst system.     

Simple Sulfinate Synthesis Enables C?H Trifluoromethylcyclopropanation

A simple method to convert readily available carboxylic acids into sulfinate salts by employing an interrupted Barton decarboxylation reaction is reported. A medicinally oriented panel of ten new sulfinate reagents was created using this method, including a key trifluoromethylcyclopropanation reagent, TFCS‐Na. The reactivity of six of these salts towards C H functionalization was field‐tested using several different classes of heterocycles.     

Evaluation of potential cationic probes for the detection of proline and betaine

Osmoregulants are the substances that help plants to tolerate environmental extremes such as salinity and drought. Proline and betaine are two of the most commonly studied osmoregulants. An indirect UV CE method has been developed for simultaneous determination of these osmoregulants. A variety of reported probes and compounds were examined as potential probes for the indirect detection of proline and betaine. Mobility and UV‐absorption properties highlighted sulfanilamide as a potential probe for indirect analysis of proline and betaine. Using 5 mM sulfanilamide at pH 2.2 with UV detection at 254 nm, proline and betaine were separated in less than 15 min. The LODs for proline and betaine were 11.6 and 28.3 μM, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied to quantification of these two osmoregulants in spinach and beetroot samples.     

Injectable,Interconnected, High‐Porosity Macroporous Biocompatible Gelatin Scaffolds Made by Surfactant‐Free Emulsion Templating

High‐porosity interconnected, thermoresponsive macroporous hydrogels are prepared from oil‐in‐water high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) stabilized by gelatin‐graft‐poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide). PolyHIPEs are obtained by gelling HIPEs utilizing the thermoresponsiveness of the copolymer components. PolyHIPEs properties can be controlled by varying the aqueous phase composition, internal phase volume ratio, and gelation temperature. PolyHIPEs respond to temperature changes experienced during cell seeding, allowing fibroblasts to spread, proliferate, and penetrate into the scaffold. Encapsulated cells survive ejection of cell‐laden hydrogels through a hypodermic needle. This system provides a new strategy for the fabrication of safe injectable biocompatible tissue engineering scaffolds.

     

Spectroscopic investigations (FTIR,UV-VIS,NMR) and DFT calculations on the molecular structure of Nω-Nitro-L-arginine

The spectroscopic properties of N_ω-nitro-l-arginine were investigated by FT-IR, UV-VIS, and ¹H NMR spectra. Geometrical parameters and energies were calculated using the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method with the 6-311G basis set. Geometrical optimization of the molecule has been performed, vibrational spectra have been calculated, and fundamental vibrations have been determined from the total energy distribution (TED) of the vibrational modes. The HOMO-LUMO analysis is carried out for various electric fields (0.0–0.025 A^?1). The HOMO-LUMO gap is decreased while increasing the electric field. The calculated quantum chemical parameters are calculated and correlated to the inhibition efficiency, A Mullliken population was also important for determining local reactivity by indicating reactive centers and identifying potential nucleophilic and electrophilic attack sites. Charge transfer occurs inside the compound based on the HOMO LUMO gap. Calculations of DFT were evaluated in their ability to predict inhibition efficiency.