Fluorescence of New o‐Carborane Compounds with Different Fluorophores: Can it be Tuned?

Two sets of o‐carborane derivatives incorporating fluorene and anthracene fragments as fluorophore groups have been successfully synthesized and characterized, and their photophysical properties studied. The first set, comprising fluorene‐containing carboranes 6 – 9 , was prepared by catalyzed hydrosilylation reactions of ethynylfluorene with appropriate carboranylsilanes. The compound 1‐[(9,9‐dioctyl‐fluorene‐2‐yl)ethynyl]carborane ( 11 ) was synthesized by the reaction of 9,9‐dioctyl‐2‐ethynylfluorene and decaborane (B₁₀H₁₄). Furthermore, reactions of the lithium salt of 11 with 1 equivalent of 4‐(chloromethyl)styrene or 9‐(chloromethyl)anthracene yielded compounds 12 and 13 . Members of the second set of derivatives, comprising anthracene‐containing carboranes, were synthesized by reactions of monolithium or dilithium salts of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁, 1‐Ph‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁, and 1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₂ with 1 or 2 equivalents of 9‐(chloromethyl)anthracene, respectively, to produce compounds 14 – 16 . In addition, 2 equivalents of the monolithium salts of 1‐Me‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (Me‐o‐carborane) and 1‐Ph‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (Ph‐o‐carborane) were reacted with 9,10‐bis(chloromethyl)anthracene to produce compounds 17 and 18 , respectively. Fluorene derivatives 6 – 9 exhibit moderate fluorescence quantum yields (32–44 %), whereas 11 – 13 , in which the fluorophore is bonded to the C_cluster (C_c), show very low emission intensity (6 %) or complete fluorescence quenching. The anthracenyl derivatives containing the Me‐o‐carborane moiety exhibit notably high fluorescence emissions, with ?_F=82 and 94 %, whereas their Ph‐o‐carborane analogues are not fluorescent at all. For these compounds, we have observed a correlation between the C_c?C_c bond length and the fluorescence intensity in CH₂Cl₂ solution, comparable to that observed for previously reported styrene‐containing carboranes. Thus, our hypothesis is that for systems of this type the fluorescence may be tuned and even predicted by changing the substituent on the adjacent C_c.     

On-line double isotope dilution laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the quantitative analysis of solid materials

We report on the determination of trace elements in solid samples by the combination of on-line double isotope dilution and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The proposed method requires the sequential analysis of the sample and a certified natural abundance standard by on-line IDMS using the same isotopically-enriched spike solution. In this way, the mass fraction of the analyte in the sample can be directly referred to the certified standard so the previous characterization of the spike solution is not required. To validate the procedure, Sr, Rb and Pb were determined in certified reference materials with different matrices, including silicate glasses (SRM 610, 612 and 614) and powdered samples (PACS-2, SRM 2710a, SRM 1944, SRM 2702 and SRM 2780). The analysis of powdered samples was carried out both by the preparation of pressed pellets and by lithium borate fusion. Experimental results for the analysis of powdered samples were in agreement with the certified values for all materials. Relative standard deviations in the range of 6–21% for pressed pellets and 3–21% for fused solids were obtained from n = 3 independent measurements. Minimal sample preparation, data treatment and consumption of the isotopically-enriched isotopes are the main advantages of the method over previously reported approaches.     

Magnetobiosensors Based on Viral Protein p19 for MicroRNA Determination in Cancer Cells and Tissues

MicroRNAs (miRs) have emerged as important clinical biomarkers with both diagnostic and prognostic value for relevant diseases, such as cancer. MiRs pose unique challenges for detection and are currently detected by northern blotting, real‐time PCR, and microarray techniques. These expensive, complicated, and time‐consuming techniques are not feasible for on‐site miR determination. In this study, amperometric magnetobiosensors involving RNA‐binding viral protein p19 as a selective biorecognition element were developed for miR quantification. The p19‐based magnetosensors were able to detect 0.4 fmol of a synthetic target and endogenous miR‐21 (selected as a model for its role in a wide variety of cancers) in only 2 h in total RNA extracted from cancer cells and human breast‐tumor specimens without PCR amplification and sample preprocessing. These results open up formidable perspectives for the diagnosis and prognosis of human cancers and for drug‐discovery programs.     

Analytical potential of a laser ablation–glow discharge–optical emission spectrometry system for the analysis of conducting and insulating materials

The analytical capabilities of a glow discharge (GD) as a secondary source for excitation/ionization of the material provided by laser ablation (LA) have been compared to conventional laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). In LA–GD both sources can be independently adjusted to optimize the sampling process and then its subsequent excitation. This could involve a number of analytical performance advantages, such as reduced matrix dependence, greater precision and sensitivity than those encountered in LIBS. For such purpose, an ablation chamber design including two electrodes to generate the GD discharge has been built and assayed. A comparison between LIBS and LA–GD–OES has been carried out, both, under reduced argon and helium atmospheres. Different sets of samples (conducting reference materials, glass and fluorine pellets) have been used to evaluate the novel coupled technique. The LA–GD coupled system has shown to provide lower detection limits. In addition, best linear correlations between intensities and concentrations and lower matrix effects have also been found using the coupled system. Moreover, special advantages of the LA–GD–OES have also been demonstrated for the analysis of fluorine.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Rearrangement of 2‐Oxoazepane α,α‐Amino Acids into 2′‐Oxopiperidine β2,3,3‐Amino Acids: An Example of Intramolecular Catalysis

Enantiopure β‐amino acids represent interesting scaffolds for peptidomimetics, foldamers and bioactive compounds. However, the synthesis of highly substituted analogues is still a major challenge. Herein, we describe the spontaneous rearrangement of 4‐carboxy‐2‐oxoazepane α,α‐amino acids to lead to 2′‐oxopiperidine‐containing β^2,3,3‐amino acids, upon basic or acid hydrolysis of the 2‐oxoazepane α,α‐amino acid ester. Under acidic conditions, a totally stereoselective synthetic route has been developed. The reordering process involved the spontaneous breakdown of an amide bond, which typically requires strong conditions, and the formation of a new bond leading to the six‐membered heterocycle. A quantum mechanical study was carried out to obtain insight into the remarkable ease of this rearrangement, which occurs at room temperature, either in solution or upon storage of the 4‐carboxylic acid substituted 2‐oxoazepane derivatives. This theoretical study suggests that the rearrangement process occurs through a concerted mechanism, in which the energy of the transition states can be lowered by the participation of a catalytic water molecule. Interestingly, it also suggested a role for the carboxylic acid at position 4 of the 2‐oxoazepane ring, which facilitates this rearrangement, participating directly in the intramolecular catalysis.     

Solubility and Crystallizability: Facile Access to Functionalized π‐Conjugated Compounds with Chlorendylimide Protecting Groups

Functional π‐conjugated molecules are relevant for the preparation of new organic electronic materials with improved performance. However, their synthesis is often rendered difficult by their inherently low solubility, and the permanent attachment of solubilizing groups may change the properties of the material. Here, we introduced the chlorendylimidyl moiety as a new temporary protecting group for the straightforward large‐scale synthesis of protected quarter‐, sexi‐, octathiophene, and perylene bisimide diamine and dicarboxylic acid derivatives. The obtained chlorendylimides and chlorendylimidyl active esters were highly soluble in organic solvents, and optical spectroscopy confirmed the low tendency of the compounds to aggregate in solution. At the same time, they could be conveniently purified by recrystallization or precipitation. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures obtained for most compounds showed supramolecular motifs highlighting the role of the rigid, polychlorinated chlorendyl moieties in their crystallization. The obtained protected diamine and dicarboxylic acid derivatives were easily deprotected and converted into various amide‐substituted oligothiophenes and perylene bisimides that are of interest as new functional materials for organic electronic thin film or nanowire devices.     

Catalytic behavior of supported Pd catalysts in the selective hydrogenation of campholenic aldehyde to naturanol

Selective catalytic reduction of campholenic aldehyde to naturanol was investigated over Sn-and Fe-doped SiO₂, and Fe₂O₃-supported Pd catalysts. On Pd/SiO₂ and Pd-Sn/SiO₂ only saturated campholenic aldehyde is formed. Addition of Fe increases the C=O hydrogenation rate producing the corresponding unsaturated alcohol with a good selectivity. Also Fe₂O₃-supported catalysts were found to be more selective towards carbonyl hydrogenation. Addition of tin to Pd/Fe₂O₃ contributes to a further selectivity enhancement towards naturanol.     

Carbonyl and nitrosyl diruthenium compounds: Crystal structure of [Ru2(O2CMe)(DPhF)3(CO)]BF4 · CH2Cl2 and its isomorphous nitrosyl analogue

The reaction of [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(H₂O)]BF₄ (DPhF = N,N′-diphenylformamidinate) with CO gas leads to [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(CO)]BF₄ (1), that is the first isolated carbonyl complex containing the Ru₂⁵⁺ unit. The nitrosyl analogue [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(NO)]BF₄ (2) is prepared by reaction of Ru₂Cl(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃ with NOBF₄. However, the attempts to obtain the cyanide derivative by reaction of Ru₂Cl(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃ or [Ru₂(O₂CMe)(DPhF)₃(H₂O)]BF₄ with NaCN were unsuccessful. The structure of compounds 1 · CH₂Cl₂ and 2 · CH₂Cl₂ are described. Both compounds are isomorphous. The magnetic measurements at variable temperature demonstrate that 1 is paramagnetic with one unpaired electron in all range of temperature, in contrast to the three unpaired electrons usually present in Ru₂⁵⁺ complexes. The analogous nitrosyl compound 2 is diamagnetic.     

Adsorption and stability of streptavidin on cluster-assembled nanostructured TiOx films

The study of the adsorption of proteins on nanostructured surfaces is of fundamental importance to understand and control cell-surface interactions and, notably, cell adhesion and proliferation; it can also play a strategic role in the design and fabrication of nanostructured devices for postgenomic and proteomic applications. We have recently demonstrated that cluster-assembled nanostructured TiO x films produced by supersonic cluster beam deposition possess excellent biocompatibility and that these films can be functionalized with streptavidin, allowing the immobilization of biotinylated retroviral particles and the realization of living-cell microarrays for phenotype screening. Here we present a multitechnique investigation of the adsorption mechanisms of streptavidin on cluster-assembled TiO x films. We show that this nanostructured surface provides an optimal balance between adsorption efficacy and protein functionality. By using low-resolution protein arrays, we demonstrate that a layer of adsorbed streptavidin can be stably maintained on a cluster-assembled TiO x surface under cell culture conditions and that streptavidin retains its biological activity in the adsorbed layer. The adsorption mechanisms are investigated by atomic force microscopy in force spectroscopy mode and by valence-band photoemission spectroscopy, highlighting the potential role of the interaction of the exposed carboxyl groups on streptavidin with the titanium atoms of the nanostructured surface.