Facile fabrication of AgCl@polypyrrole-chitosan core-shell nanoparticles and polymeric hollow nanospheres

A one-step sequential method for preparing AgCl@polypyrrole-chitosan core-shell nanoparticles and subsequently the formation of polypyrrole-chitosan hollow nanospheres is reported. The formation of the core and the shell is performed in one reaction medium almost simultaneously. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show the presence of core-shell nanoparticles and hollow nanospheres. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) studies reveal that AgCl was formed first followed by polypyrrole. X-ray diffration (XRD) and UV-vis studies show that AgCl was present in the core-shell nanoparticles and could be removed completely from the core.     

Quality assessment of Cortex Phellodendri by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

A simple method based on liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS) was developed for the quality assessment of Cortex Phellodendri (CP), which was mainly derived from two species of Phellodendron chinense Schneid and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. Total 41 compounds, including 14 phenols, 24 alkaloids and three liminoidal triterpenes were identified or tentatively characterized from the 75% methanol extract of CP samples by online ESI‐MSⁿ fragmentation and UV spectra analysis. Among them, two phenols and six alkaloids were simultaneously quantified using HPLC‐DAD method. The validated HPLC‐DAD method showed a good linearity, precision, repeatability and accuracy for the quantification of eight marker compounds. Furthermore, the plausible fragmentation pathway of the representative compounds were proposed in the present study. The differences of the chemical constituents content and the comprehensive HPLC profiles between the two CP species using LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS method are reported for the first time, indicating that the CP drugs from different resources should be used separately in the clinic. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

H-shaped oligothiophenes with low band gaps and amphoteric redox properties

H-shaped bridged oligothiophenes HT-1 and HT-2 were synthesized by two different approaches. Different from normal oligothiophenes, HT-1 and HT-2 showed low band gaps and amphoteric redox behaviors due to intramolecular charge transfer, which is further supported by time-dependent DFT calculations.     

Dual functional polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings for implants: permanent microbicidal base with controlled release of therapeutic agents

Here we present a new bifunctional layer-by-layer (LbL) construct made by combining a permanent microbicidal polyelectrolyte multilayered (PEM) base film with a hydrolytically degradable PEM top film that offers controlled and localized delivery of therapeutics. Two degradable film architectures are presented: (1) bolus release of an antibiotic (gentamicin) to eradicate initial infection at the implant site, or (2) sustained delivery of an anti-inflammatory drug (diclofenac) to cope with inflammation at the site of implantation due to tissue injury. Each degradable film was built on top of a permanent base film that imparts the implantable device surface with microbicidal functionality that prevents the formation of biofilms. Controlled-delivery of gentamicin was demonstrated over hours and that of diclofenac over days. Both drugs retained their efficacy upon release. The permanent microbicidal base film was biocompatible with A549 epithelial cancer cells and MC3T3-E1 osteoprogenitor cells, while also preventing bacteria attachment from turbid media for the entire duration of the two weeks studied. The microbicidal base film retains its functionality after the biodegradable films have completely degraded. The versatility of these PEM films and their ability to prevent biofilm formation make them attractive as coatings for implantable devices.     

Detection, characterization, and quantification of resveratrol glycosides in transgenic arabidopsis over-expressing a sorghum stilbene synthase gene by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Transgenic Arabidopsis plants were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to investigate the glycosylation patterns of resveratrol derived from expression of a sorghum stilbene synthase gene. In negative ionization mode, the different resveratrol derivatives fragmented to yield the diagnostic deprotonated resveratrol ion at m/z 227.2. The use of precursor ion scanning led to the identification of precursor ions for different resveratrol glycosides through rapid differentiation from other phytochemical constituents. Structural information was generated simultaneously from the low-collision-energy product ion spectra using hybrid linear ion-trap mass spectrometry. Three additional resveratrol-related metabolites - a resveratrol diglucoside (M1) and trans- and cis-resveratrol acetylhexosides (M2 and M3) - were detected in the crude plant extracts. The identities of M1, M2, and M3 were confirmed by accurate mass analysis on a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer as well as beta-glucosidase digestion or UV-induced isomerization. Quantitative analyses by LC/MS in multiple reaction monitoring mode revealed that resveratrol diglucoside and cis-resveratrol acetyhexoside accumulated up to 2.79 and 10.38 microg/g, respectively, while trans-resveratrol acetylhexoside was barely detectable. This study demonstrated the power of the hybrid linear ion-trap technology for simultaneous profiling and structural characterization of stilbene-related metabolites, which would be useful to understand how resveratrol is modified in sorghum and other plants.     

Effect of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on Various Regions of Active Electrode on Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air

For surface dielectric barrier discharge in air, we examined the effect of titanium dioxide on various regions of the active electrode on the electrical parameters of discharge, on its emission spectra, and for demonstration of the obtained results also on the concentration of ozone produced by the discharge. We used the active electrode in the form of nine interconnected parallel strips and a square counter electrode. The TiO₂ layer covered either only the strips, the region between the strips, or all active electrode. As reference discharge we used the discharge without any layer of TiO₂. We found that direct application potential has a version when the strips of the active electrode are covered with a layer of TiO_2, because the concentration of ozone produced by the discharge is the highest in all investigated cases. This finding could therefore be used for construction of more efficient ozone generators.     

One‐Electron Oxidation of [M(PtBu3)2] (M=Pd,Pt): Isolation of Monomeric [Pd(PtBu3)2]+ and Redox‐Promoted C−H Bond Cyclometalation

Oxidation of zero‐valent phosphine complexes [M(P^tBu₃)₂] (M=Pd, Pt) has been investigated in 1,2‐difluorobenzene solution using cyclic voltammetry and subsequently using the ferrocenium cation as a chemical redox agent. In the case of palladium, a mononuclear paramagnetic Pd^I derivative was readily isolated from solution and fully characterized (EPR, X‐ray crystallography). While in situ electrochemical measurements are consistent with initial one‐electron oxidation, the heavier congener undergoes C−H bond cyclometalation and ultimately affords the 14 valence‐electron Pt^II complex [Pt(κ²_PC‐P^tBu₂CMe₂CH₂)(P^tBu₃)]⁺ with concomitant formation of [Pt(P^tBu₃)₂H]⁺.     

Asymmetric total synthesis of (-)-indicol by a carbene cyclization-cycloaddition cascade strategy

The first total synthesis of a secodolastane, (-)-indicol, has been accomplished. The key reaction is a rhodium(II)-mediated carbene cyclization-cycloaddition cascade, by which the core bicyclo[5.4.0]undecane skeleton was assembled. In this one-pot reaction, a domino series of transformations resulting in the construction of three sigma bonds and three stereocenters was realized in good yield.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by potassium chlorochromate

The kinetics of the oxidation of benzyl alcohol by potassium chlorochromate, KCrClO₃, has been studied in dimethyl sulfoxide-dichloromethane medium. The reaction is catalyzed by acid. The effects of temperature and solvent composition were studied and activation parameters evaluated. Probable mechanisms are discussed.

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, KCrClO₃, . . . .

     

Comparison of RAFT‐derived poly(vinylpyrrolidone) verses poly(oligoethyleneglycol methacrylate) for the stabilization of glycosylated gold nanoparticles

Carbohydrates dictate many biological processes including infection by pathogens. Glycosylated polymers and nanomaterials which have increased affinity due to the cluster glycoside effect, are therefore useful tools to probe function, but also as prophylactic therapies or diagnostic tools. Here, the effect of polymer structure on the coating of gold nanoparticles is studied in the context of grafting density, buffer stability, and in a lectin binding assay. RAFT polymerization is used to generate poly(oligoethyleneglycol methacrylates) and poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidones) with a thiol end‐group for subsequent immobilization onto the gold. It is observed that poly(oligoethylene glycol methacrylates), despite being widely used particle coatings, lead to low grafting densities which in turn resulted in lower stability in biological buffers. A depression of the cloud point upon nanoparticle immobilization is also seen, which might compromise performance. In comparison poly(vinylpyrrolidones) resulted in stable particles with higher grafting densities due to the compact size of each monomer unit. The higher grafting density also enabled an increase in the number of carbohydrates which can be installed per nanoparticle at the chain ends, and gave increased binding in a lectin recognition assay. These results will guide the development of new nanoparticle biosensors with enhanced specificity, affinity, and stability. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 55, 1200–1208