Electrosorption of sodium cellulose sulfates with different substitution patterns

Various types of sodium cellulose sulfate (SCS), dissolved in a 1M LiCl solution, were investigated by alternating current (AC)polarography. The SCS samples differed in the degree of substitution (DS), thedistribution of substituents within the anhydroglucose unit (AGU), and alongthechain, due to the method of synthesis. The goal was to study theelectrosorptionbehavior, characterized by the shape of the desorption wave in the polarogram,as a function of the chemical structure of the SCS samples. The shape of thedesorption wave reflects domains of different substitution. A superimpositionofparameters like DS and pattern of substitution on the electrosorption behaviorwas observed. The AC polarography method described can be used as a tool todistinguish between an even or uneven distribution of substituents along thecellulose chain.     

Competitive Complexation of Lanthanide Cations by Xylitol and Nitrate Anion in Aqueous Solution: A Microcalorimetric Investigation

The apparent equilibrium constants and enthalpies of complexation of Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺, Eu³⁺, and Gd³⁺ by xylitol in aqueous solutions containing NaNO₃ at an ionic strength of 2.0 mol-kg^–1 have been determined by microcalorimetry at 25°C. Since nitrate anion weakly complexes the lanthanide cations, these values are analyzed in terms of competition between xylitol and NO ₃ ^- The method leads to the apparent equilibrium constants and enthalpies of complexation of the lanthanide cations by NO ₃ ^- at this particular ionic strength. Despite the difficulties encountered in characterizing rather weak associations, the results are, whenever comparison is possible, in good agreement with those obtained by direct microcalorimetry. The advantage of this competition method is that it can be used when the enthalpic effects are too weak and insufficiently concentration dependent for direct microcalorimetric determination. In the present case, it allows us to thermodynamically characterize the formation of SmNO ₃ ²⁺ and EuNO ₃ ²⁺ , processes we have not been able to study directly.     

Study of Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of odorant-binding protein/amphiphile for odorant biosensors

To make ultrathin films for the fabrication of artificial olfactory systems, odorant biosensors, we have investigated mixed Langmuir and Langmuir-Blodgett films of odorant-binding protein/amphiphile. Under optimized experimental conditions (phosphate buffer solution, pH 7.5, OBP-1F concentration of 4 mg L(-1), target pressure 35 mN m(-1)), the mixed monolayer at the air/water interface is very stable and has been efficiently transferred onto gold supports, which were previously functionalized by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with 1-octadecanethiol (ODT). Atomic force microscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize mixed Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films before and after contact with a specific odorant molecule, isoamyl acetate. AFM phase images show a higher contrast after contact with the odorant molecule due to the new structure of the OBP-1F/ODA LB film. Non-Faradaic electrochemical spectroscopy (EIS) is used to quantify the effect of the odorant based on the electrical properties of the OBP-1F/ODA LB film, as its resistance strongly decreases from 1.18 MOmega (before contact) to 25 kOmega (after contact).     

GC-MS and GC-MS-MS analysis of a complex essential oil

Summary The alcoholic portion of avetiver oil (Bourbon), the gas chromatogram of which shows more than 100 components, was analyzed by combined GC-MS with different ionization methods. This enabled us to identify major components. The specificity of the method was improved by using combined gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in the collision-activated-dissociation mode.     

Biosensors based on enzyme field-effect transistors for determination of some substrates and inhibitors

This paper is a review of the authors' publications concerning the development of biosensors based on enzyme field-effect transistors (ENFETs) for direct substrates or inhibitors analysis. Such biosensors were designed by using immobilised enzymes and ion-selective field-effect transistors (ISFETs). Highly specific, sensitive, simple, fast and cheap determination of different substances renders them as promising tools in medicine, biotechnology, environmental control, agriculture and the food industry.The biosensors based on ENFETs and direct enzyme analysis for determination of concentrations of different substrates (glucose, urea, penicillin, formaldehyde, creatinine, etc.) have been developed and their laboratory prototypes were fabricated. Improvement of the analytical characteristics of such biosensors may be achieved by using a differential mode of measurement, working solutions with different buffer concentrations and specific agents, negatively or positively charged additional membranes, or genetically modified enzymes. These approaches allow one to decrease the effect of the buffer capacity influence on the sensor response in an aim to increase the sensitivity of the biosensors and to extend their dynamic ranges.Biosensors for the determination of concentrations of different toxic substances (organophosphorous pesticides, heavy metal ions, hypochlorite, glycoalkaloids, etc.) were designed on the basis of reversible and/or irreversible enzyme inhibition effect(s). The conception of an enzymatic multibiosensor for the determination of different toxic substances based on the enzyme inhibition effect is also described.We will discuss the respective advantages and disadvantages of biosensors based on the ENFETs developed and also demonstrate their practical application.     

A novel solid support for the synthesis of 3-aminoalkylated oligonucleotides

A novel improved controlled pore glass (CPG) support based on the 2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-nitrobenzoyl (HMNB) protecting group was developed for the synthesis of 3^′-aminoalkylated oligonucleotides. The release of oligonucleotides with free 3^′-amino groups from the support is complete within 2 h at 55 °C in concentrated ammonia.     

Rh(II)-Catalyzed Isomerizations of Cyclopropenes Evidence for Rh(II)-Complexed Vinylcarbene Intermediates

The thermocatalytic rearrangements of cyclopropenes 1-4 have been investigated in the presence of Rh(IT) perfiuorobutyrate. 1, 2, 3-Triphenylcyclopropene ( 1a ) undergoes rearrangement lo diphenylindene 5a or, with alkoxycyclopropene derivatives, to α, β-unsaturated ketone 6. Furan formation occurs with 2, 3-diphenylcyclo-propenecarboxylate 2, but the diethyl counterpart 3 rearranges to dienoate 8. 2-Alkylcyclopropenecarboxylates 4 afforded (E)-methylidenecyclopentane derivatives 9 as the only isolable product in yields of ca. 35 %. A mechanism involving regio- and stereospecific cyclopropene ring opening to a Rh-complexed vinylcarbene and insertion of the latter into the C? H bond to give 9 is proposed. An analogous mechanism should account for the rearrangement products of 1 to 3 .     

Comparison of low-energy CAD spectra of sulphonium,ammonium and phosphonium cations,propene elimination from allyl-substituted oniums

The low-energy collision-activated dissociation of symmetrical n-butyl-substituted and of allyl-substituted onium cations has been recorded using fast atom bombardment ionization and a tandem mass spectrometry quadrupole mass spectrometer. Structure of the fragments and decomposition pathways have been ascertained using a multi-quadrupole MS/MS/MS triple analyser instrument. Whereas most sulphonium cations exhibit only heterolytic cleavages, fragmentation of ammonium and phosphonium is mainly homolytic. Allylic sulphonium, and to a lesser extent allylic ammonium, easily undergo propene elimination. This reaction, which does not occur in 1-propenyl oniums, might involve a McLafferty type rearrangement.     

Plant drug analysis by planar chromatography

Optimal performance laminar chromatography and automated multiple development chromatography are relatively recent techniques of planar chromatography that can be applied with success in plant material analysis. Therefore, these methods are used to study plant extracts and constituents belonging to different chemical classes of secondary metabolism: heterocyclic oxygen compounds (coumarins, flavonoids, and anthocyanins), alkaloids and quaternary ammonium salts, cannabinoids, essential oils, ginsenosides, and cardiac heterosides. Generally, the results obtained with these methods are good, and in most cases they compare with those of thin-layer chromatography.