High-load, soluble oligomeric carbodiimide: synthesis and application in coupling reactions

A facile preparation of a high-load, soluble oligomeric alkyl cyclohexylcarbodiimide (OACC) reagent via ROM polymerization from commercially available starting materials is described. This reagent is exploited as a coupling reagent for esterification, amidation, and dehydration of carboxylic acids (aliphatic and aromatic) with an assortment of alcohols (aliphatic primary, secondary, and benzylic), thiols, phenols, and amines (aliphatic primary, secondary, benzylic, and aromatic/anilines), respectively. Following the coupling event, precipitation with an appropriate solvent (Et(2)O, MeOH, or EtOAc), followed by filtration through a SPE provides the products in good to excellent yield and purity.     

Capillary liquid chromatography with MS3 for the determination of enkephalins in microdialysis samples from the striatum of anesthetized and freely-moving rats

In vivo microdialysis sampling was coupled to capillary liquid chromatography (LC)/electrospray ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) to monitor [Met]enkephalin and [Leu]enkephalin in the striatum of anesthetized and freely-moving rats. The LC system utilized a high-pressure pump to load 2.5 microl samples and desalt the 25 microm i.d. by 2 cm long column in 12 min. Samples were eluted with a separate pump at approximately 100 nl min(-1). A rapid gradient effectively separated the endogenous neuropeptides in 4 min. A comparison was made for operating the mass spectrometer in the MS2 and MS3 modes for detection of the peptides. In standard solutions, the detection limits were similar at 1-2 pM (2-4 amol injected); however, the reproducibility was improved with MS3 as the relative standard deviation was <5% compared with 20% for MS2 for 60 pM samples. For dialysate solutions, reconstructed ion chromatograms and tandem mass spectra had much higher signal-to-noise ratios in the MS3 mode, resulting in more confident detection at in vivo concentrations. The method was successfully used to monitor the peptides under basal conditions and with stimulation of peptide secretion by infusion of elevated K+ concentration.     

Development of a multicriteria assessment model for ranking biomass feedstock collection and transportation systems

This study details multicriteria assessment methodology that integrates economic, social, environmental, and technical factors in order to rank alternatives for biomass collection and transportation systems. Ranking of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×10⁶ dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×10⁶ dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems. A proposed collection option using loafer/stacker was shown to be the best option followed by ensiling and baling. Ranking of biomass transport systems is based on cost of biomass transport, emissions during transport, traffic congestion, and maturity of different technologies. At a capacity of 4×10⁶ dry t/yr, rail transport was shown to be the best option, followed by truck transport and pipeline transport, respectively. These rankings depend highly on assumed maturity of technologies and scale of utilization. These may change if technologies such as loafing or ensiling (wet storage) methods are proved to be infeasible for large-scale collection systems.     

Amino acid analysis by micellar electrokinetic chromatography with laser-induced fluorescence detection: application to nanolitre-volume biological samples from Arabidopsis thaliana and Myzus persicae

Amino acids were derivatised with 4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzo-2,1,3-oxadiazol (NBD-F), separated by micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC), and detected by argon-ion (488 nm) laser-induced fluorescence. The optimised MEKC background electrolyte conditions were: 40 mM sodium cholate, 5 mM beta-cyclodextrin in 20 mM aqueous borate buffer, pH 9.1, with 7% v/v acetonitrile. Using these conditions, 19 amino acids were separated within 17 min. The limits of detection were in the range of 7.6-42.2 pmol/mL and limits of quantitation from 0.05-0.14 nmol/mL. The method was systematically validated for injection volume error, migration time variation, calibration linearity, accuracy, precision, and recovery. Nanolitre volume samples of phloem sap of individual sieve element cells from the plant Arabidopsis thaliana and honeydew from the aphid Myzus persicae were directly analysed with this method. Quantitative amino acid concentrations in these two biological matrices were profiled for the first time. This method is particularly important because it allows the complete profile of the amino acids obtained from individual phloem elements, allowing cell to cell and plant to plant variation to be quantified, which to date has not been possible with Arabidopsis thaliana.     

In situ tissue pathology from spatially encoded mass spectrometry classifiers visualized in real time through augmented reality

Integration between a hand-held mass spectrometry desorption probe based on picosecond infrared laser technology (PIRL-MS) and an optical surgical tracking system demonstrates in situ tissue pathology from point-sampled mass spectrometry data. Spatially encoded pathology classifications are displayed at the site of laser sampling as color-coded pixels in an augmented reality video feed of the surgical field of view. This is enabled by two-way communication between surgical navigation and mass spectrometry data analysis platforms through a custom-built interface. Performance of the system was evaluated using murine models of human cancers sampled in situ in the presence of body fluids with a technical pixel error of 1.0 ± 0.2 mm, suggesting a 84% or 92% (excluding one outlier) cancer type classification rate across different molecular models that distinguish cell-lines of each class of breast, brain, head and neck murine models. Further, through end-point immunohistochemical staining for DNA damage, cell death and neuronal viability, spatially encoded PIRL-MS sampling is shown to produce classifiable mass spectral data from living murine brain tissue, with levels of neuronal damage that are comparable to those induced by a surgical scalpel. This highlights the potential of spatially encoded PIRL-MS analysis for in vivo use during neurosurgical applications of cancer type determination or point-sampling in vivo tissue during tumor bed examination to assess cancer removal. The interface developed herein for the analysis and the display of spatially encoded PIRL-MS data can be adapted to other hand-held mass spectrometry analysis probes currently available.

Integration between a hand-held mass spectrometry desorption probe based on picosecond infrared laser technology (PIRL-MS) and an optical surgical tracking system demonstrates in situ tissue pathology from point-sampled mass spectrometry data.     

Density-functional generalized-gradient and hybrid calculations of electromagnetic properties using Slater basis sets

In this paper we extend our density-functional theory calculations, with generalized gradient approximation and hybrid functionals, using Slater-type orbitals (STOs), to the determination of second-order molecular properties. The key to the entire methodology involves the fitting of all STO basis function products to an auxiliary STO basis, through the minimization of electron-repulsion integrals. The selected properties are (i) dipole polarizabilities, (ii) nuclear magnetic shielding constants, and (iii) nuclear spin-spin coupling constants. In all cases the one-electron integrals involving STOs were evaluated by quadrature. The implementation for (ii) involved some complexity because we used gauge-including atomic orbitals. The presence of two-electron integrals on the right-hand side of the coupled equations meant that the fitting procedure had to be implemented. For (iii) in the hybrid case, fitting procedures were again required for the exchange contributions. For each property we studied a number of small molecules. We first obtained an estimate of the basis set limit using Gaussian-type orbitals (GTOs). We then showed how it is possible to reproduce these values using a STO basis set. For (ii) a regular TZ2P quality STO basis was adequate; for (i) the addition of one set of diffuse functions (determined by Slater's rules) gave the required accuracy; for (iii) it was necessary to add a set of 1s functions, including one very tight function, to give the desired result. In summary, we show that it is possible to predict second-order molecular properties using STO basis sets with an accuracy comparable with large GTO basis sets. We did not encounter any major difficulties with either the selection of the bases or the implementation of the procedures. Although the energy code (especially in the hybrid case) may not be competitive with a regular GTO code, for properties we find that STOs are more attractive.     

Synthesis, structure, and complexation of a large 28-mer macrocycle containing two binding sites for either anions or metal ions

The "one-pot" synthesis and characterization of a large 28-mer macrocycle (H(4)L(2)) with oxamido units capable of complexing guest ions through oxygen or nitrogen donor atoms is reported. Single-crystal structure determination of H(8)L(2)(NO(3))(4) and (Cu(2)[H(2)L(2)](H(2)O)(2))(NO(3))(2) demonstrated that the macrocycle contains two sites capable of complexing two nitrate anions or two copper(II) ions, involving a large structural reorganization in the conformation of the macrocyclic framework on coordination of the copper(II) ions when compared to the nitrate. Electrochemical and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the dinuclear Cu(II) complex and the related mononuclear and trinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from the related 14-mer macrocycle were carried out and illustrate the role of the oxamido groups in mediating metal-metal interaction and delocalization.     

Acetonitrile derivatives as carbonyl synthons. One-pot preparation of diheteroaryl ketones via a strategy of sequential SNAr substitution and oxidation

The anion of 2-aryl acetonitrile derivatives reacted with a variety of heteroaryl chlorides or bromides in an S(N)Ar manifold to afford intermediate anions which were susceptible to oxidation. The addition of sodium peroxide and aqueous NH(4)OAc solution effected oxidation to afford aryl heteroaryl ketones in good yields. Aryl acetonitrile derivatives are thus umpolung-type synthons of the corresponding aryl carbonyl functionality.     

Capture-ROMP-release: application to the synthesis of amines and alkyl hydrazines

Application of a capture-ROMP-release strategy for the chromatography-free purification of Mitsunobu reaction products is described. Norbornenyl-tagged reagents are utilized for standard solution phase Mitsunobu chemistry. Post-reaction phase-switching is accomplished via in situ ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) followed by precipitation of the polymer with methanol. Release of the product from the polymer affords amines and alkyl hydrazine derivatives with good yields and purities.     

Arsenic(III) halide complexes with acyclic and macrocyclic thio- and selenoether coligands: synthesis and structural properties

The preparations of the new complexes [AsBr(3)[MeS(CH(2))(2)SMe]], [AsX(3)([9]aneS(3))] (X = Cl, Br or I; [9]aneS(3) = 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane), [AsCl(3)([14]aneS(4))] ([14]aneS(4) = 1,4,8,11-tetrathiacyclotetradecane), [AsX(3)([8]aneSe(2))] ([8]aneSe(2) = 1,5-diselenacyclooctane), [(AsX(3))(2)([16]aneSe(4))] ([16]aneSe(4) = 1,5,9,13-tetraselenacyclohexadecane), and [(AsBr(3))(2)([24]aneSe(6))] ([24]aneSe(6) = 1,5,9,13,17,21-hexaselenacyclotetracosane) are described. These are obtained from direct reaction of the appropriate AsX(3) and 1 mol equiv of the thio- or selenoether ligand in anhydrous CH(2)Cl(2) (or thf for X = I) solution. The products have been characterized by microanalysis and IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. In solution they are extensively dissociated, reflecting the weak Lewis acidity of AsX(3). Reaction of AsX(3) with MeSe(CH(2))(2)SeMe or MeC(CH(2)EMe)(3) (E = S or Se) gave only oils. Treatment of PCl(3) or PBr(3) with Me(2)S, MeE(CH(2))(2)EMe, or [9]aneS(3) failed to give solid complexes, and there was no evidence from NMR spectroscopy for any adduct formation in solution. The crystal structures of the first series of thioether and selenoether complexes of As(III) are described: [AsBr(3)[MeS(CH(2))(2)SMe]], C(4)H(10)AsBr(3)S(2), a = 10.2818(6) A, b = 7.8014(5) A, c = 14.503(1) A, beta = 102.9330(2) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4; [AsI(3)[MeS(CH(2))(2)SMe]], C(4)H(10)AsI(3)S(2), a = 9.1528(1) A, b = 11.5622(2) A, c = 12.0939(2) A, beta = 93.863(1) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)()/n, Z = 4; [AsCl(3)([9]aneS(3))], C(6)H(12)AsCl(3)S(3), a = 17.520(4) A, b = 17.520(4) A, c = 16.790(7) A, tetragonal, I4(1)cd, Z = 16; [AsCl(3)([14]aneS(4))], C(10)H(20)AsCl(3)S(4), a = 13.5942(2) A, b = 7.7007(1) A, c = 18.1270(3) A, beta = 111.1662(5) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)()/n, Z = 4; [(AsCl(3))(2)([16]aneSe(4))], C(12)H(24)As(2)Cl(6)Se(4), a = 9.764(3) A, b = 13.164(1) A, c = 10.627(2) A, beta = 114.90(1) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)()/n, Z = 2; [(AsBr(3))(2)([16]aneSe(4))], C(12)H(24)As(2)Br(6)Se(4), a = 10.1220(1) A, b = 13.4494(2) A, c = 10.5125(2) A, beta = 113.49(2) degrees, monoclinic, P2(1)()/n, Z = 2. [AsBr(3)[MeS(CH(2))(2)SMe]] and [AsI(3)[MeS(CH(2))(2)SMe]] reveal discrete mu(2)-halo As(2)X(6) dimeric structures involving distorted octahedral As(III), with the dithioether ligand chelating. [AsCl(3)([9]aneS(3))] adopts a discrete molecular distorted octahedral geometry with the thioether behaving as a weakly coordinated fac-capping ligand. [AsCl(3)([14]aneS(4))] forms an infinite sheet involving two mu(2)-chloro ligands on each As but bridging to two distinct As centers. Each macrocycle coordinates to two adjacent As centers via one S atom, giving a cis-octahedral Cl(4)S(2) donor set at As(III). The structures of [(AsCl(3))(2)([16]aneSe(4))] and [(AsBr(3))(2)([16]aneSe(4))] adopt 2-dimensional sheet structures with mu(2)-dihalo As(2)X(6) dimers cross-linked by mu(4)-tetraselenoether macrocycles, giving a disorted cis-X(4)Se(2) donor set at each As center. These species are compared with their antimony(III) and bismuth(III) analogues where appropriate.