SPE and LC–ESI–MS for Quantitative Analysis of Mitiglinide in Human Plasma in a Bioequivalence Study

Liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization mass spectrometry has been used for rapid, selective, and sensitive quantitative analysis of mitiglinide in human plasma. Sample pretreatment involved solid-phase extraction from plasma with gliclazide as internal standard. Separation was performed on a C₁₈ column (150 × 2.0 mm) with 71:29 (v/v) acetonitrile–water (containing 0.1% formic acid and 0.2 mmol L^?1 ammonium acetate) as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.2 mL min^?1. The method was validated then successfully applied to a clinical bioequivalence study of mitiglinide in 20 healthy volunteers after oral administration.     

Synthesis and Tunable Reactivity of N‐Heterocyclic Germylene

Modifying the β‐diketimine ligand LH 1 (LH=[ArN?C(Me)? CH?C(Me)? NHAr], Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) through replacement of the proton in 3‐position by a benzyl group (Bz) leads to the new ^BzLH ligand 2, which could be isolated in 77 % yield. According to ¹H NMR spectroscopy, 2 is a mixture of the bis(imino) form [(ArN?C(Me)]₂CH(Bz) 2a and its tautomer [ArN?C(Me)? C(Bz)?C(Me)NHAr] 2b. Nevertheless, lithiation of the mixture of 2a and 2b affords solely the N‐lithiated β‐diketiminate [ArN?C(Me)? C(Bz)?C(Me)? NLiAr], ^BzLLi 3. The latter reacts readily with GeCl_2?dioxane to form the chlorogermylene ^BzLGeCl 4, which serves as a precursor for a new zwitterionic germylene by dehydrochlorination with LiN(SiMe₃)₂. This reaction leads to the zwitterionic germylene ^BzL′Ge: 5 (^BzL′=ArNC(?CH₂)C(Bz)?C(Me)NAr) which could be isolated in 83 % yield. The benzyl group has a distinct influence on the reactivity of zwitterionic 5 in comparison to its benzyl‐free analogue, as shown by the reaction of 5 with phenylacetylene, which yields solely the 1,4‐addition product 6, that is, the alkynyl germylene ^BzLGeCCPh. Compounds 2–8 have been fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses.     

High‐TC Ferromagnetic Semiconductor‐Like Behavior and Unusual Electrical Properties in Compounds with a 2×2×2 Superstructure of the Half‐Heusler Phase

Heusler phases, including the full‐ and half‐Heusler families, represent an outstanding class of multifunctional materials on account of their great tunability in compositions, valence electron counts (VEC), and properties. Here we demonstrate a systematic design of a series of new compounds with a 2×2×2 superstructure of the half‐Heusler unit cell in X–Y–Z (X=Fe, Ru, Co, Rh, Ir; Y=Zn, Mn; Z=Sn, Sb) systems. Their structures were solved by using both powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, and also directly observed by using high‐angle annular dark‐field imaging in a scanning transmission electron microscope (HAADF‐STEM). The VEC values of these new compounds span a wide and continuous range comparable to those for the full‐ and half‐Heusler families, thereby implying tunability in compositions and physical properties in the superstructure. In fact, we observed abnormal electrical properties and a ferromagnetic semiconductor‐like behavior with a high and tunable Curie temperature in these superstructures.     

Carbon‐Decorated Single‐Crystalline Ni2P Nanotubes Derived from Ni Nanowire Templates: A High‐Performance Material for Li‐Ion Batteries

Single‐crystalline Ni₂P nanotubes (NTs) were facilely synthesized by using a Ni nanowire template. The mechanism for the formation of the tubular structures was related to the nanoscale Kirkendall effect. These NTs exhibited a core/shell structure with an amorphous carbon layer that was grown in situ by employing oleylamine as a capping agent. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements indicated that these Ni₂P/C NTs exhibited superior high‐rate capability and good cycling stability. There was still about 310 mAh g^?1 retained after 100 cycles at a rate of 5 C. Importantly, the tubular nanostructures and the single‐crystalline nature of the Ni₂P NTs were also preserved after prolonged cycling at a relatively high rate. These improvements were attributed to the stable nanotubular structure of Ni₂P and the carbon shell, which enhanced the conductivity of Ni₂P, suppressed the aggregation of active particles, and increased the electrode stability during cycling.     

One‐Step Synthesis of SnO2 and TiO2 Hollow Nanostructures with Various Shapes and Their Enhanced Lithium Storage Properties

A versatile one‐step method for the general synthesis of metal oxide hollow nanostructures is demonstrated. This method involves the controlled deposition of metal oxides on shaped α‐Fe₂O₃ crystals which are simultaneously dissolved. A variety of uniform SnO₂ hollow nanostructures, such as nanococoons, nanoboxes, hollow nanorings, and nanospheres, can be readily generated. The method is also applicable to the synthesis of shaped TiO₂ hollow nanostructures. As a demonstration of the potential applications of these hollow nanostructures, the lithium storage capability of SnO₂ hollow structures is investigated. The results show that such derived SnO₂ hollow structures exhibit stable capacity retention of 600–700 mAh g^?1 for 50 cycles at a 0.2 C rate and good rate capability at 0.5–1 C, perhaps benefiting from the unique structural characteristics.     

La15Fe77B8型储氢合金的结构和电化学性能

研究了快淬和退火态La15Fe77B8型储氢合金的组织结构和电化学性能。应用中频感应熔炼-快淬方法制备了La15Fe77B8型储氢合金,其组成为La15Fe2Ni72Mn7B2Al2。结构分析表明:快淬La15Fe2Ni72Mn7B2Al2合金为多相结构,包括LaNi5相、La3Ni13B2相和(Fe,Ni)相,快淬合金经1223 K保温3 h,然后在873 K保温3 h退火处理后,LaNi5相增加,La3Ni13B2相几乎消失,(Fe,Ni)相增加且形态变大。电化学测试表明,退火合金的最大容量(307 mAh.g-1)略小于快淬合金(309 mAh.g-1),而循环稳定性有所改善。退火合金电极的倍率放电能力(HRD)低于快淬合金,原因在于交换电流密度(I0)及氢在合金中的扩散系数(D)降低。快淬和退火合金电极在低温233 K时均能放出55%的容量。     

核壳型SAPO-34/AlPO-18分子筛的制备及生长机理

采用水热法制备了核壳型SAPO-34/AlPO-18分子筛,并运用X射线衍射、扫描电镜和超高分辨场发射扫描电镜等方法对样品进行了表征.结果表明,通过改变实验条件可有效调控壳层AlPO-18纳米晶在SAPO-34晶体表面的生长,从而得到具有不同生长区域、生长取向及紧密度的核壳型SAPO-34/AlPO-18分子筛.超高分辨场发射扫描电镜结果发现,核相SAPO-34晶体的外表面结构与壳层AlPO-18纳米晶的生长性质紧密相关,从而推测出核相晶体外表面微细结构诱导壳层分子筛生长的晶化机理.     

Accelerated Simulation Study of Space Charge Effects in Quadrupole Ion Traps Using GPU Techniques

Space charge effects play important roles in the performance of various types of mass analyzers. Simulation of space charge effects is often limited by the computation capability. In this study, we evaluate the method of using graphics processing unit (GPU) to accelerate ion trajectory simulation. Simulation using GPU has been compared with multi-core central processing unit (CPU), and an acceleration of about 390 times have been obtained using a single computer for simulation of up to 10⁵ ions in quadrupole ion traps. Characteristics of trapped ions can be investigated at detailed levels within a reasonable simulation time. Space charge effects on the trapping capacities of linear and 3D ion traps, ion cloud shapes, ion motion frequency shift, mass spectrum peak coalescence effects between two ion clouds of close m/z are studied with the ion trajectory simulation using GPU.     

A Pronounced Halogen Effect on the Organogelation Properties of Peripherally Halogen Functionalized Poly(benzyl ether) Dendrons

An interesting halogen‐substituent effect on the organogelation properties of poly(benzyl ether) dendrons is reported. A new class of poly(benzyl ether) dendrons with halo substituents decorating their periphery was synthesized and fully characterized. A systematic study on the gelation abilities, thermotropic behaviors, aggregated microstructures, and mechanical properties of self‐assembled organogels was performed to elucidate the halogen‐substituent effects on their organogelation propensity. It was found that the exact halogen substitutions on the periphery of dendrons exert a profound effect on the organogelation propensity, and dendrons G _n ‐Cl (n=2, 3) and G₂‐I proved to be highly efficient organogelators. The cooperation of multiple π–π, dispersive halogen, CH–π, and weak C?H ??? X hydrogen‐bonding interactions were found to be the key contributor to forming the self‐assembled gels. Dendritic organogels formed from G _n ‐Cl (n=2, 3) in 1,2‐dichloroethane exhibited thixotropic‐responsive properties, and such thixotropic organogels are promising materials for future research and applications.