Synthesis of gramicidin S and its analogues via an on-resin macrolactamization assisted by a predisposed conformation of the linear precursors

A simple and efficient preparation of gramicidin S and its analogues is described. It involves solid-phase peptide synthesis and on-resin macrolactamization without side chain protection, affording cyclic products in high yield and high purity. The high specificity of the cyclization reaction was shown to originate in the formation of a pre-organized conformation of the linear biosynthetic precursor of gramicidin S. This facile method will provide convenient access to the analogues of the natural product for functional optimization to counter microbial resistance.     

Equilibrium studies of the sorption of Cu(II) ions onto chitosan

Chitosan is a polymer that can be obtained from the shells of seafood such as prawns, crabs, and lobsters. Chitosan has free amino groups, which can attract metal ions, and has been used as an adsorbent for the removal of metal ions from effluents. In this research, the sorption of copper ions from solution onto chitosan at two pHs has been investigated. DSC, TGA, surface area, SEM, and NMR studies have been used to report the pure physical states of chitosan and the chitosan-copper complex. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson equations. Correlation coefficients were determined for each isotherm analysis. Error functions have been used to determine the alternative single component parameters by nonlinear regression due to the inherent bias in using the correlation coefficient resulting from linearization. The error function method provided the best parameters for the isotherm equations in this system and is demonstrated for error comparison purposes.     

PREPARATION OF POLY（METHYL METHACRYLATE）/LAYERED DOUBLE HYDROXIDES NANOCOMPOSITES via in situ SOLUTION POLYMERIZATION

An exfoliated layered double hydroxides/poly(methyl methacrylate)(LDHs/PMMA)nanocomposite was prepared by in situ solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA)in the presence of 4-vinylbenzenesulfonate intercalated LDHs(MgAl-VBS LDHs).MgAl-VBS LDHs was prepared by the ion exchange method,and the structure and composition of the MgA1-VBS LDHs were determined by X-ray diffraction(XRD),infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis.XRD and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)were employed to examine the structure of LDHs/PMMA nanocomposite.It was indicated that the LDHs layers were well exfoliated and dispersed in the PMMA matrix.The grafting of PMMA onto LDHs was confirmed by the extraction result and the weight fraction of grafted PMMA increased as the weight fraction of LDHs in the nanocomposites increased.     

The kinetics of hydrogen peroxide initiated polymerisation of methacrylamide

A kinetic study of the aqueous polymerisation of methacrylamide initiated by hydrogen peroxide has shown that the polymerisation proceeds in two stages. The rate of polymerisation up to about 16% conversion is represented by the equation

Within this period, the hydrogen peroxide is completely consumed and a hydroperoxide of methacrylamide is formed. Subsequently this hydroperoxide initiates polymerisation.     

Effect of drug-loading methods on drug load, encapsulation efficiency and release properties of alginate/poly-L-arginine/chitosan ternary complex microcapsules

The drug-loaded alginate/poly-L-arginine/chitosan ternary complex microcapsules were prepared by mixing method, absorption method and the combined method of mixing and absorption, respectively. The effect of drug-loading methods on drug load, the encapsulation efficiency and the release properties of the complex microcapsules were investigated. The results showed that the absorption process is a dominating factor to greatly increase the drug load of Hb into microcapsules. Upon loading Hb into microcapsules by combined method of mixing and absorption, the drug load (19.9%) is up to the maximum value, and the encapsulation efficiency is 93.8%. Moreover, the drug release is a zero-order kinetics process for the ternary complex microcapsules made by mixing. For the complex microcapsules made by absorption, the drug release is a first-order kinetics. However, for the complex microcapsules made by combining the mixing and the absorption, the drug release obeys a first-order kinetics during the first eighteen hours, changing afterwards to a zero-order kinetics process. Effect of drug-loading methods on drug load and encapsulation efficiency of alginate/poly-L-arginine/chitosan ternary complex microcapsules.     

Systematic optimization of micellar electrokinetic chromatographic separation of flavonoids

Summary A simple and rapid systematic optimization scheme was described for the micellar electrokinetic chromatographic separation of a group of flavonoids. The scheme employed an interpretative optimization approach to predict the optimum conditions for the separation of a group of flavonoids by micellar electrokinetic chromatography. By performing a set of nine pre-planned experiments conducted over the maximum working range for the system, global optimum separation conditions could be determined. To validate the optimization procedure, additional experiments were performed using the optimum experimental conditions derived from the optimization scheme. The results showed that satisfactory separation of all the peaks could be obtained. In addition, the application of the method in micropreparative micellar electrokinetic chromatography of the flavonoids was demonstrated.     

Simple alkenes as substitutes for organometallic reagents: nickel-catalyzed, intermolecular coupling of aldehydes, silyl triflates, and alpha olefins

A nickel-catalyzed method for the three-component coupling of alkenes (ethylene and alpha olefins), aldehydes, and silyl triflates is described, and this process represents the first catalytic method for coupling aldehydes and alkenes to give allylic alcohol derivatives. Conceptually, the alkene functions as a replacement for an alkenylmetal reagent.     

In-situ derivatisation of degradation products of chemical warfare agents in water by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis

A new analytical procedure was developed for the extraction of degradation products of chemical warfare agents from water and for in-situ derivatisation prior to analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). With this new procedure, degradation products of the chemical warfare agents can be analysed and identified without going through laborious sample preparation. Parameters such as fiber selection, pH, salt content, derivatisation temperature, extraction and derivatisation periods, and sequence of adsorption/derivatisation were experimented with, to optimise the efficiency of this method. The detection limit is in the ppb to sub-ppb range with GC-MS in the full scan mode. Based on six injections of the devised procedure, a relative standard deviation from 10-35% can be achieved, depending on the compound. This method was demonstrated during the 4th International Interlaboratory Proficiency Test organised by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to be comparable to existing recommended operating procedures for verification of degradation products of chemical warfare agents.     

不依赖于统计模型的手性毛细管电泳分离多指标同时优化

考虑到手性毛细管电泳分离机理的复杂性，提出了不依赖于统计模型的二进制编码遗传算法多目标优化策略。根据实验参数的多少及其重要性，采用均匀设计安排完成初步实验。并用Derringer功效函数作为多指标同时优化的评价指标，以取得较高的分离度和较快分离速度；通过对实验参数给予编码，转化为二进制字符串，根据得到的总功效函数值大小进行遗传算法操作，产生新的一组实验条件。重复上述过程直到得到最佳分离条件为止。此方法成功地应用于华法令对映体的毛细管电泳分离条件优化。     

ToF-SIMS analysis of surface-anchored organometallic clusters

ToF-SIMS analysis of the organometallic cluster Os₃(μ-H)(CO)₁₀(μ-SCH₂CH₂SH) chemically attached onto a silver or gold surface, and of the cluster fragment Os₃(μ-H)(CO)₁₀(μ-OSi) on a silica surface, allows for identification of the surface organometallic species, and also gives information on its reactivity.