Amperometric Glucose Determination by Means of Glucose Oxidase Immobilized on a Cellulose Acetate Film: Dependence on the Immobilization Procedures

Glucose microelectrodes were prepared by immobilizing glucose oxidase onto a cellulose acetate film coating a platinum wire. Hexamethylenediamine (HMDA) and Glutaraldehyde (GA) were employed as spacer and coupling agent, respectively. Sensitivities and linear response ranges were studied as a function of the relative amounts of HMDA and GA. The best sensitivity was found when HMDA and GA were 5% and 2.5% in aqueous solutions, respectively. Taking as a reference the functioning of this biosensor, the roles of HMDA and GA percentages appear to be opposed when the extension of the linear response range is considered. Indeed, an increase of one unit in HMDA percentage (from 5 to 6 %) induces an increase in the extension of the linear response range equal to that obtained with a decrease of one unit of GA percentage (from 2.5 to 1.5%).     

Metallocene derivatives as active supports of zirconium‐based catalysts for ethene polymerization

Cyclopentadienyl magnesium chloride (MgClCp) and its functionalized derivatives represent original and interesting supporting materials to heterogenize metallocene catalysts for olefin polymerizations. The synthesis of MgClCp, its functionalization, and the preparation of a catalytic system in which the ZrCl₂(Flu)⁺ moiety is joined on the support through a cyclopentadienyl ligand are reported. This catalyst was tested in ethene polymerization, and both the catalytic activity and properties of the produced polymer were measured. Its performance was compared with that shown by the catalyst ZrCl₂CpFlu employed under the same conditions for both unsupported and conventional supports, such as MgCl₂. The results showed a remarkable improvement in terms of the activity and polymer properties with these heterogenized catalysts. Moreover, this system showed stability toward leaching processes and was characterized by good morphological control of the growing polymer. Finally, catalysts in which [HB(3,5‐Me₂pyrazolyl)₃]ZrCl and [HB(3,5‐Me₂pyrazolyl)₃]ZrClOtBu⁺ moieties were bonded to a functionalized MgClCp^? support were also synthesized and tested. The results showed that the proposed supports could be usefully used to heterogenize tailored metallocene homogeneous catalysts. In fact, new catalysts were prepared that combined the peculiar advantages of both heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts and overcame the disadvantages of the latter, such as a lack of morphology and reactor fouling. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 4243–4248, 2001     

Quinoline and ferrocene conjugates: Synthesis,computational study and biological evaluations

Novel O‐alkylated quinoline and N‐alkylated 4‐quinolone derivatives attached to the ferrocene moiety through 4,1‐ ( 7a–d , 8a–d and 12a–d ) and 1,4‐disubstituted ( 9a , 9b , 10a and 10b ) 1,2,3‐triazole moiety were synthesized. The observed regioselectivity of O‐ vs. N‐alkylation was explored by the use of NMR and computational techniques. Among the N‐alkylated derivatives, the quinolone‐ferrocene conjugate 9a displayed marked activities against chronic myeloid leukemia in blast crisis (K562) and Burkitt lymphoma (Raji). The 6‐chloroquinolone‐ferrocene conjugate 12c , with selective inhibitory activity on Raji cells and no cytostatic effect on normal MDCK1 cells was highlighted as the most promising anticancer organometallic complex in a group of O‐alkylated quinolines.     

AChE biosensor based on zinc oxide sol-gel for the detection of pesticides

Zinc oxide has been used as a matrix for immobilization of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and detection of the pesticide paraoxon. The immobilized enzyme retained its enzymatic activity up to three months when stored in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.4) at 4 °C. An amperometric biosensor for the detection of paraoxon was designed. The biosensor detected paraoxon in the range 0.035-1.38 ppm and can be used to detect other AChE inhibiting organophosphate pesticides.     

Determination of macro- and micronutrients in plant leaves by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry combining instrumental and sample preparation strategies

A method for determination of B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, P, S and Zn in plant tissues by high-resolution continuum source flame atomic absorption spectrometry (HR-CS FAAS) is proposed. This method is based on special features of HR-CS-AAS, such as side pixel registration, wavelength integrated absorbance, and molecular absorption bands, for determining macro- and micronutrients in foliar analysis without requiring several different strategies for sample preparation and adjustment of the analytes concentration ranges. Plant samples were analyzed and results for certified materials were in agreement at a 95% confidence level (paired t-test) with reference values. Recoveries of analytes added to plant digests varied within the 82–112% interval. Relative standard deviations (n = 12) were lower than or equal to 5.7% for all analytes in all concentration ranges.     

Stereoelectronic and inductive effects on 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of some cis-1,3-disubstituted cyclohexanes

This work presents the substituent effects on the 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts in the cis-isomer of 3-Y-cyclohexanols (Y = Cl, Br, I, CH3, N(CH3)2 and OCH3) and 3-Y-1-methoxycyclohexanes (Y = F, Cl, Br, I, CH3, N(CH3)2 and OCH3). It was observed that the H-3 chemical shift, due to the substituent alpha-effect, increases with the increase of substituent electronegativity when Y is from the second row of the periodic table of elements, (CH3 *sigma(C3--H3a) interaction energy. This interaction energy, for the halogenated compounds, decreases with an increase in size of the halogen, and this is a possible reason for the largest measured chemical shift for H-3 of the iodo-derivatives. The beta-effect of the analyzed compounds showed that the chemical shift of hydrogens at C-2 and C-4 increases with the decrease of n(Y) --> *sigma(C2-C3) and n(Y) --> *sigma(C3-C4) interaction energies, respectively, showing a behavior similar to H-3. The alpha-effect on 13C chemical shifts correlates well with substituent electronegativity, while the beta-effect is inversely related to electronegativity in halogenated compounds. NBO analysis indicated that the substituent inductive effect is the predominant effect on 13C NMR chemical shift changes for the alpha-carbon. It was also observed that C-2 and C-4 chemical shifts for compounds with N(CH3)2, OCH3 and F are more shielded in comparison to the compounds having a halogen, most probably because of the larger interaction of the lone pair of more electronegative atoms (n(N) > n(O) > n(F)) with *sigma(C2-C3), *sigma(C3-C4) and *sigma(C3-H3a) in comparison with the same type of interaction with the lone pair of the other halogens.