Under pressure: predicting pressurized metered dose inhaler interactions using the atomic force microscope

Drug particulate interactions in pressurized metered dose inhalers (pMDI) may lead to a decrease in aerosolization efficiency and subsequent efficacy in patient treatment. The interactions between salbutamol sulfate (commonly used in Ventolin pMDIs) and a series of pMDI canister materials were investigated using the atomic force microscope (AFM) colloid probe technique. Approximately 4000 individual force-distance curves were determined for a drug probe and three surfaces (10 x 10 mum areas) in situ, in a model propellant. The area under each force-distance curve was integrated to obtain separation energy values. Median separation energy values followed the rank order borosilicate glass > aluminum > PTFE, suggesting PTFE to be the most suitable canister coating.     

A mass spectrometric investigation of non-covalent interactions between ruthenium complexes and DNA

Electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry was used to investigate reactions between six ruthenium compounds and three different non self-complementary duplex oligonucleotides containing 16 base pairs. Each of the compounds studied formed non-covalent complexes containing between one and five ruthenium molecules bound to DNA. Competition experiments involving duplex 16mers and pairs of ruthenium compounds were used to determine the order of relative binding affinities of the metal compounds. Other competition experiments involving ruthenium compounds, and the organic DNA binding agents daunomycin and distamycin, provided information about the sites and modes of DNA binding of the ruthenium compounds.     

Gold catalysis contra platinum catalysis in hydroarylation contra phenol synthesis

Three silylated γ-alkynylfurans were prepared and subjected to both gold and platinum catalysts. The TMS- and the TBDMS-substituted furans reacted. With AuCl₃ and the binuclear [(Ph₃PAu)₂Cl][BF₄] catalyst a hydroarylation of the alkyne was observed. Na[AuCl₄] gave phenols as the product, but these were formed only after in situ desilylation of the starting material by the gold catalyst and thus the wrong isomer dominated. Only with PtCl₂(MeCN)₂ phenols with a silyl group were formed. The TBDPS-substituted furan failed to react. Two alkynylsilanes were synthesized, but they also failed to react.     

Structure of the first parallel DNA quadruplex-drug complex

The first crystal structure of a drug (daunomycin) bound to a parallel-stranded intermolecular telomeric G4 quadruplex (d(TGGGGT)4) has been determined to high resolution. A planar assemblage of three daunomycin molecules stacks onto the 5' end of the G4 column, with the daunosamine substituents occupying three of the four quadruplex grooves. The surface area of the terminal G-quartet in this parallel DNA quadruplex, presently occupied by three daunomycins, is sufficiently large that it could easily accommodate other potential telomerase inhibitors such as substituted porphyrins or telomestatin.     

Capillary zone electrophoresis in the analysis of dyes and other compounds employed in the dye-manufacturing and dye-using industries

High resolution separation of several dyes and related intermediates, as well as other compounds employed in the dye-manufacturing and dye-using industries, has been achieved using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE).

The analysis of anionic dyes and some non-coloured anionic intermediates has been achieved using 10 mM Na₂B₄O₇−40 mM sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) buffer; high-resolution separations of water soluble anionic, neutral and cationic intermediates were also achieved using this micellar buffer. Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) has also been developed for the analysis of aqueous insoluble, electrically neutral compounds by incorporating a co-solvent, acetonitrile, into a micellar buffer. In addition, MECC has been used successfully for following all the major steps involved in the synthesis of a disperse dye.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of (−)-epipentenomycin I

A chemo-enzymatic synthesis of (−)-epipentenomycin I is reported using a lipase-catalysed kinetic resolution of the racemic pentacyclic alcohol 8. Flash vacuum pyroloysis of (−)-8 so obtained gave (−)-(4R)-4-hydroxy-5-methylene-2-cyclopentenone. Epoxidation of this compound with dimethyldioxirane followed by hydrolytic ring-opening of the resulting epoxide gave (−)-epipentenomycin I.     

Photoinduced Ru-Yb energy transfer and sensitised near-IR luminescence in a coordination polymer containing co-crystallised [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- and Yb(III) units

Co-crystallisation of the anionic cyanometallate chromophore [Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2- with Yb(III) provides coordination polymers or oligomers containing Ru-CN-Yb bridges; in [K(H2O)4][Yb(H2O)6][Ru(bipy)(CN)4]2.5H2O Ru-->Yb energy-transfer (k > 5 x 10(6) s(-1)) results in partial quenching of the Ru-based luminescence and sensitised near-IR luminescence from the Yb(III) unit.     

Magnetic, electronic, and structural characterization of nonstoichiometric iron oxides at the nanoscale

We have investigated the structural, magnetic, and electronic properties of nonstoichiometric iron oxide nanocrystals prepared by decomposition of iron(II) and iron(0) precursors in the presence of organic solvents and capping groups. The highly uniform, crystalline, and monodisperse nanocrystals that were produced enabled a full structural and compositional survey by electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The complex and metastable behavior of nonstoichiometric iron oxide (wüstite) at the nanoscale was studied by a combination of Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic characterization. Deposition from hydrocarbon solvents with subsequent self-assembly of iron oxide nanocrystals into superlattices allowed the preparation of continuous thin films suitable for electronic transport measurements.     

Theoretical study of the reaction of alkynes with furan catalyzed by AuCl3 and AuCl

A general scheme for the endo‐ and exo‐cyclization of furan reactivity with [L ‐Au^{III, I}Cl_x] with (x = 3, 1 and L ‐acetylene and vinylidene) complexes is investigated using density functional theory (DFT) code. Two conceivable mechanisms via a [4 + 2] Diels–Alder process or carbene complex are analyzed. According to the activation energy values of the gold (III and I) catalyst, the first mechanism, which implies the Diels–Alder reaction of Au^III, is thermodynamically favored and gives more evidence of the intramolecular addition of the furan with the alkynes. The second mechanism, presumably assisted by the spontaneous formation of the exo‐vinylidene complexes and intermediates of gold (III, I) by forming the carbene complex, is kinetically favored. Additionally, we compare our results with other structures with intramolecular additions that exhibit the quasi‐similarity of gold analogue structures. Differences in activation energies are observed, according to the functional used. Finally, we probe the solvent effects, which decrease the energy barrier in the path. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

原子力显微镜针尖诱导聚氧乙烯熔体结晶的研究

原子力显微镜(AFM)是研究高分子结晶行为的一种重要实验手段.在使用AFM原位观察高分子结晶时,为保证能真实地反映结晶过程,一个必须注意的问题是要避免AFM针尖的影响.与此同时,人们考察了在AFM扫描时针尖诱导高分子结晶成核的情况.若使用AFM接触模式(contactmode),扫描时容易造