Electroanalysis of Pyridoxine at Copper Nanoparticles Modified Polycrystalline Gold Electrode

Pyridoxine is analyzed using square wave voltammetry (SWV) at copper nanoparticles (nano‐Cu) modified poly‐crystalline gold electrode (nano‐Cu/Au). Nano‐Cu/Au is fabricated by a potential scan electrodeosition technique. Nano‐Cu/Au electrode has been characterized morphologically and electrochemically. The analysis of pyridoxine at nano‐Cu/Au electrode is achieved utilizing the quenching of copper voltammetric response due to the complexation with pyridoxine forming an electroinactive complex. Pyridoxine selectively forms complex with copper ions (modifier), but not with Au (underlying substrate) as supported by UV/Vis spectrophotometry. Using SWV the calibration curve for pyridoxine analysis was obtained in the concentration range of 0.3–2.7 µM with high correlation coefficient. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the determination of pyridoxine in two dosage forms.     

Catalyst Deactivation during α-Pinene Isomerization. Fe-Mn-Promoted Sulfated Zirconium Oxide

This works studies the deactivation of zirconium oxide, promoted by iron and manganese catalysts (SZFM), during the -pinene isomerization. Experiments were done in liquid phase by using a batch reactor, and the solid crystalline structure was studied by XRD while the acidity by FTIR. The deactivated catalyst exhibited coke deposits and lost its Brönsted acidity, though it still kept its crystalline structure. The nature of the coke deposit formed was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as by Temperature Programmed Oxidation (TPO). Regeneration was done in air flow, where the temperature required to restore Brönsted acidity and to totally eliminate the coke deposits was of about 873 K.     

An example of node-based postassembly elaboration of a hydrogen-sorbing, metal-organic framework material

A robust, noncatenated, and permanently microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) material has been synthesized by combining a new nonplanar ligand, 4,4',4',4'-benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayltetrabenzoic acid, with a zinc(II) source under solvothermal conditions. The new material features cavities that are readily modified via activation and functionalization of framework nodes (as opposed to struts). A preliminary investigation of the "empty cavity" version of the material and six cavity-modified versions reveals that modification can substantially modulate the MOF's internal surface area, pore volume, and ability to sorb molecular hydrogen.     

Metal-Free Phosphorus-Directed Borylation of C(sp2)−H Bonds

Spectacular progress has recently been achieved in transition metal-catalyzed C?H borylation of phosphines as well as directed electrophilic C?H borylation. As shown here, P-directed electrophilic borylation provides a new, straightforward, and efficient access to phosphine–boranes. It operates under metal-free conditions and leverages simple, readily available substrates. It is applicable to a broad range of backbones (naphthyl, biphenyl, N-phenylpyrrole, binaphthyl, benzyl, naphthylmethyl) and gives facile access to various substitution patterns at boron (by varying the boron electrophile or post-derivatizing the borane moiety). NMR monitoring supports the involvement of P-stabilized borenium cations as key intermediates. DFT calculations reveal the existence and stabilizing effect of π-arene/boron interactions in the (biphenyl)(i-Pr)₂P→BBr₂⁺ species.     

In Vitro Alpha-Amylase and Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity and In Vivo Antidiabetic Activity of Withania frutescens L. Foliar Extract

Withania frutescens L. is a wild perennial woody plant used by the local population for diverse therapeutic purposes. This work aims to study for the first time the potential inhibitory effect of this plant hydroethanolic extract on α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities using in vitro methods and its antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic activities using alloxan-induced diabetic mice as a model for experimental diabetes. Two doses were selected for the in vivo study (200 and 400 mg/kg) and glibenclamide, a well-known antidiabetic drug (positive control) in a subacute study (28 days) where the antihyperglycemic activity was also assessed over a period of 12 h on diabetic mice. The continuous treatment of diabetic mice with the extract of Withania frutescens for 4 weeks succeeded to slowly manage their high fasting blood glucose levels (after two weeks), while the antihyperglycemic test result revealed that the extract of this plant did not control hyperglycemia in the short term. No toxicity signs or death were noted for the groups treated with the plant extract, and it shows a protective effect on the liver and kidney. The in vitro assays demonstrated that the inhibition of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase might be one of the mechanisms of action exhibited by the extract of this plant to control and prevent postprandial hyperglycemia. This work indicates that W. frutescens have an important long term antidiabetic effect that can be well established to treat diabetes.     

Modular synthesis of the C9-C27 degradation product of aflastatin A via alkyne-epoxide cross-couplings

A modular approach to the synthesis of complex polyketide natural products is demonstrated for the synthesis of the C9-C27 degradation product from aflastatin A. The product of the cross-coupling of C23-C27 terminal alkyne with C17-C22 epoxide underwent functionalization of the resulting internal alkyne, which was then coupled similarly with C9-C16 epoxide. This synthesis concluded with regio- and stereoselective addition of methyl onto the internal alkyne followed by stereoselective hydroboration-oxidation.     

Simultaneous generation of different types of ion pairs upon charge-transfer excitation of a donor-acceptor complex revealed by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy

The excited-state dynamics of the methylperylene/tetracyanoethylene (MPe/TCNE) donor-acceptor complex has been investigated in various solvents using femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The transient spectra reveal the formation of two types of ion pairs: The first (IP1), constituting the major fraction of the total ion-pair population, is characterized by a broad and red-shifted absorption spectrum compared to that of the free MPe cation and by a subpicosecond lifetime, whereas the second (IP2) has a spectrum closer to that of MPe cation and a lifetime of a few picoseconds. A substantial polarization anisotropy was observed with IP1 but not with IP2, indicating a relatively well-defined structure for the former. The reaction scheme that best accounts for the observed dynamics and its solvent dependence involves the simultaneous excitation of complexes that differ by their electronic coupling. The more coupled complexes have a high absorption coefficient and thus yield IP1, which undergoes ultrafast charge recombination, whereas the less coupled complexes have a lower probability to be excited and lead to the longer-lived IP2.     

Carborane-based metal-organic frameworks as highly selective sorbents for CO(2) over methane

Separation of CO(2)/CH(4) mixtures was studied in carborane-based metal-organic framework materials with and without coordinatively unsaturated metal sites; high selectivities for CO(2) over CH(4) ( approximately 17) are obtained, especially in the material with open metal sites.     

Evidence for the existence of supercooled ethane droplets under conditions prevalent in Titan's atmosphere

Recent evidence for ethane clouds and condensation in Titan's atmosphere raise the question whether liquid ethane condensation nuclei and supercooled liquid ethane droplets exist under the prevalent conditions. We present laboratory studies on the phase behaviour of pure ethane aerosols and ethane aerosols formed in the presence of other ice nuclei under conditions relevant to Titan's atmosphere. Combining bath gas cooling with infrared spectroscopy, we find evidence for the existence of supercooled liquid ethane aerosol droplets. The observed homogeneous freezing rates imply that supercooled ethane could be a long-lived species in ethane-rich regions of Titan's atmosphere similar to supercooled water in the Earth's atmosphere.     

Polymeric amphiphile branching leads to rare nanodisc shaped planar self-assemblies

Self-assembly is fundamental to the biological function of cells and the fabrication of nanomaterials. However, the origin of the shape of various self-assemblies, such as the shape of cells, is not altogether clear. Polymeric, oligomeric, or low molecular weight amphiphiles are a rich source of nanomaterials, and controlling their self-assembly is the route to tailored nanosystems with specific functionalities. Here, we provide direct evidence that a particular molecular architecture, polymeric branching, leads to a rare form of self-assembly, the planar nanodisc. Cholesterol containing self-assemblies formed from amphiphilic linear or branched cetyl poly(ethylenimine) (Mn approximately 1000 Da) or amphiphilic cetyl poly(propylenimine) dendrimer derivatives (Mn approximately 2000 Da) show that branching, by reducing the hydrophilic headgroup area, alters the shape of the self-assemblies transforming closed 60 nm spherical bilayer vesicles to rare 50 nm x 10 nm planar bilayer discs. Increasing the hydrophilic headgroup area, by the inclusion of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) moieties into the amphiphilic headgroup, transforms the planar discs to 100 nm spherical bilayer vesicles. This study provides insight into the key role played by molecular shape on molecular self-organization into rare nanodiscs.