E-Beam—a new transfer system for isolator technology

In every aseptic filling application, the sterile transfer of goods into the aseptic area is a challenge, and there are many different ways to do it.

With isolator technology a higher sterility assurance level (SAL) is achieved. This SAL is only as good as the weakest segment in the chain of manufacturing. The transfer of goods into and out of the isolator is one of these critical segments.

Today different techniques, some already well established, others still very new, are available on the market like: dry heat tunnel, autoclave, pulsed light, rapid transfer systems (RTP), H₂O₂ tunnel, UV light, etc. all these systems are either not applicable for continuous transfer, only good for heat-compatible materials like glass, or do not guarantee a 6 log spore reduction.

E-Beam opens new perspectives in this field. With E-beam technology it is possible to transfer heat-sensitive (plastic), pre-sterilised materials at high speed, continuously into an aseptic area.

E-Beam unifies three different technologies, that result in a very efficient and high-speed decontamination machine designed for the pharmaceutical industry. First, there is the electron beam that decontaminates the goods and an accurate shielding that protects the surrounding from this beam. Second, there is the conveyor system that guarantees the output and the correct exposure time underneath the beam. And third, there is the isolator interface to provide correct differential pressure and clean air inside the tunnel as well as the decontamination of the tunnel with H₂O₂ prior to production.

The E-beam is a low-energy electron beam, capable of decontaminating any kind of surface. It penetrates only a few micrometers into the material and therefore does not deform the packaging media.

Currently, machines are being built to transfer pre-sterilised syringes, packed in plastic tubs with a Tyvek cover into an aseptic filling isolator with the following data: decontamination efficiency of 10⁶ (6 log spore reduction), decontamination speed of 6 tubs (600 syringes) per minute.

This is just one of many applications for this new technology.     

Comparison of direct infusion and on-line liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for the analysis of nucleic acids

The applicability of ion-pair reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (IP-RP-HPLC/ESI-MS) and direct infusion/ESI-MS to the characterization of nucleic acid mixtures was evaluated by the analysis of the reaction products obtained from solid-phase synthesis of a 39-mer oligonucleotide. IP-RP-HPLC/ESI-MS was performed using 200 microm i.d. capillary columns packed with octadecylated, micropellicular poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) particles and applying gradients of acetonitrile in 50 mM triethylammonium bicarbonate (TEAB). Three different solvent systems were utilized for direct infusion/ESI-MS with removal of metal cations by on-line cation exchange: (1) 10 mM triethylamine (TEA) in 50% aqueous acetonitrile, (2) 2.2 mM TEA, 400 mM hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) in 20% aqueous methanol and (3) 50 mM TEAB in 10% aqueous acetonitrile. Owing to its separation capability, the highest selectivity and specificity were achieved with IP-RP-HPLC/ESI-MS, which, apart form the 39-mer target sequence, allowed the identification of two isobutyryl-protected target sequences and a 10-mer and 20-mer failure sequence. Direct infusion/ESI-MS with TEA-acetonitrile or TEA-HFIP-methanol as solvent revealed signals for the 39-mer in the m/z range 700-1600. The presence of derivatives containing one, two, three and four isobutyryl groups indicated that the hydrolysis of the protecting groups after solid-phase synthesis was not complete. Failure sequences could not be identified by direct infusion/ESI-MS under conditions favoring multiple charging of the analytes owing to the high chemical background and coincidental overlapping of m/z signals. However, efficient charge state reduction upon addition of carbonic acid to the electrosprayed solvent shifted the signals of the 39-mer and derivatives to m/z values >2400 and allowed the detection of seven different failure sequences, ranging from the 8-mer to the 23-mer, in the mixture.     

Novel Access to Furan-3-thiols and Derivatives,Impact Meat-Flavor Compounds

A versatile process for the preparation of a number of 3-thio-substituted furans 1–4 is described. These products have very low odor thresholds and are thus potent flavor compounds. Fur-3-yl thiocyanates 10a , b as well as other S-containing analogues ( 2b , 7a , b , and 8 ) were prepared by a Michael-type addition of thiocyanic acid, thioacetic acid, alakanethiols, and sodium thiosulfate to alkynones 6 or 15 , followed by cyclization (Schemes 3 and 4). The thiocyanates 10a, b were converted to mixed disulfides 3 , symmetric disulfides 4 , thioethers 2 , and thiols 1 , using ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ nucleophiles or reducing agents, respectively (Scheme 6).     

M?glichkeiten und Grenzen der Identifizierung von Stoffen aus ihrem Verhalten bei der isothermen Eluierungsgaschromatographie

Zusammenfassung Es wird vorgeschlagen, für die Identifizierung von Stoffen Verteilungskoeffizienten zu verwenden und diese mit Hilfe der GLC in einem einfachen Verfahren, das auch die Kontrolle der Meßbedingungen erlaubt, zu bestmimen. Dieser Vorschlag kombiniert ein relatives Meßverfahren mit der Bestimmung absoluter Größen. Der Meßgenauigkeit, die für die Identifizierung von entscheidender Bedeutung ist, wurde besondere Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet und dabei herausgestellt, daß sie im allgemeinen durch die Trennleistung der Säule begrenzt wird. Für die Auswertung der Ergebnisse bei der Verwendung von Säulen mit verschiedenen stationären Phasen wurde ein Verfahren erprobt, bei dem die an den verschiedenen Säulen gemessenen Verteilungskoeffizienten miteinander kombiniert werden. Es wurde eine Tabelle der Verteilungskoeffizienten von etwa 80 Kohlenwasserstoffen bei 50,0° C mit Squalan und Dinonylphthalat als stationären Flüssigkeiten angefertigt. An Hand dieser Tabelle wurde die Identifizierung der C₅–C₇-Kohlenwasserstoffe eines Crackproduktes durchgeführt.

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Summary It is recommended to use partition coefficients for the identification of compounds and to determine these by a simple gas-chromatographic procedure, which allows the control of the measuring conditions.This recommendation combines a relative method of measurement with the determination of absolute quantities. The accuracy of the measurement, which is decisive for the identification, was investigated and it was found that the accuracy in most cases will be limited by the resolving power of the column. For the evaluation of the results obtained with columns with different stationary phases a method was tested in which the partition coefficients measured on two different columns were combined. A table of partition coefficients of 80 hydrocarbons at 50,0° C on squalane and dinonylphthalate as stationary phases was compiled. On the basis of this table the identification of the C₅-C₇ hydrocarbons in a crack product was carried out.

     

Sensitive determination of the phosphodiesterase III/IV inhibitor zardaverine in human serum by direct sample injection, automated precolumn clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the determination of the phosphodiesterase III/IV inhibitor zardaverine in serum by using fully automated clean-up of large-volume serum samples on a semi-preparative-scale precolumn followed by chromatography on two analytical columns operated with two different solvent systems. The switching of the analytical columns provides the necessary specificity and sufficient sensitivity for UV detection is obtained by the sample volume. The method was shown to give nearly quantitative recovery, allowing the use of external standard quantification. Good precision and linearity within the concentration range 1-50 ng/ml could be demonstrated. The method is suitable for routine measurements in support of kinetic studies of zardaverine in man.     

Thermische Zersetzung von Blei(II)-Acetat

Zusammenfassung Die Zersetzung von Pb(CH₃COO)₃ · 3 H₃O wurde im Bereich von Raumtemperatur bis 450° unter N₃ mittels TG, DTA verfolgt und die Produkte wurden analytisch charakterisiert. PbO ist das hauptsächliche feste Endprodukt, neben dem im wesentlichen nur Pb entsteht. Als feste Zwischenprodukte wurden neben Pb(CH₃COO)₃ die basischen Acetate Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · PbO und Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · 2 PbO gefunden und durch Röntgenpulveraufnahmen identifiziert; diese basischen Acetate wurden durch isotherme Zersetzung bei 240 bzw. 305° dargestellt. Unter den durch GC und MS erfaßten und quantitativ bestimmten flüchtigen Zersetzungsprodukten sind CO₂ und Aceton Hauptbestandteile. Verschiedene Bildungsweisen der übrigen Produkte, CH₃COOH, (CH₃CO)₂O, Acetylaceton und des Zwischenproduktes Keten werden aufgezeigt.

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The decomposition of Pb(CH₃COO)₃ · 3 H₂O under N₂ has been studied by TG and DTA between room temperature and 450° and the products have been characterized analytically. PbO is the main solid product, besides which essentially only Pb is produced. As solid intermediates, aside from Pb(CH₃COO)₃ the basic acetates Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · PbO and Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · 2 PbO have been found and identified via their X-ray powder diagrams; these basic acetates have been prepared by isothermal decomposition at 240 and 305°, respectively. Among the volatile decomposition products analyzed by GC and MS and determined quantitatively, CO₂ and acetone are the main products. Different routes for the formation of the other products, CH₃COOH, (CH₃CO)₂O, acetylacetone and the intermediate ketene are shown.

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Résumé On a suivi, par TG et ATD sous N₂, dans l'intervalle de températures allant de l'ambiante jusqu'à 450°, la décomposition de Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · 3 H₂O dont on a caractérisé les produits par des méthodes analytiques. PbO est le principal produit final solide, en dehors duquel il ne se forme essentiellement que du Pb. Comme produits intermédiaires solides, on a trouvé, à part Pb(CH₃COO)₂, les acétates basiques Pb(CH₃COO)₃. PbO et Pb(CH₃COO)₂ · · 2 PbO qui ont été identifiés par analyse de poudres aux rayons X. Ces acétates basiques se sont formés, par décomposition isotherme, respectivement à 240 et à 305°. Parmi les produits de décomposition volatils décelés par GC et MS et dosés par des méthodes quantitatives, CO₃ et l'acétone sont les composants principaux. On montre les différents modes de formation des autres produits, comme CH₃COOH, (CH₃CO)₃O, l'acétylacétone et le cétène formé transitoirement.

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Pb(CH₃COO)₂. 3₂O 450°. . PbO , , . , Pb(CH₃COO)₂, Pb(CH₃COO)₂. PbO Pb(CH₃COO)₂. 2PbO, . , , 240 305°. , -, CO₂ . , CH₃COOH, (CH₃CO)₂O, .

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Dem Fonds der Chemischen Industrie danken wir für finanzielle Unterstützung.     

Triorganoantimon- und Triorganobismutderivate von Carbonsäuren fünfgliedriger Heterocyclen Kristall- und Molekülstruktur von (C6H5)3Sb(O2C-2-C4H3S)2

Inhaltsübersicht. Triorganoantimon- und Triorganobismutdicarboxylate R₃M[O₂C(CH₂)ⁿ-2-C₄H₃X]₂ (M = Sb, R = CH₃, C₆H₁₁, C₆H₅, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄; M = Bi, R = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃C₆H₄; n = 0, X = O, S, NH, NCH₃. M = Sb, R = CH₃, C₆H₅; M = Bi, R = C₆H₅; n = 1, X = O, S. M = Sb, R = C₆H₁₁, n = 1, X = S; R = 4-FC₆H₄, n = 0, X = O, S, NCH₃; R = 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂, n = 0, X = O, S, NH) wurden durch Reaktionen von R₃Sb(OH)₂ (R = CH₃, C₆H₁₁, 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂), R₃SbO (R = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄, 4-FC₆H₄) bzw. R₃BiCO₃ mit den entsprechenden fünfgliedrigen heterocyclischen Carbonsäuren 2-C₄H₃X(CH₂)_nCOOH dargestellt. Auf der Basis schwingungsspektroskopischer Daten wird für alle Verbindungen eine trigonal bipyramidale Umgebung vom M (zwei O-Atome von einzähnigen Carboxylatliganden in den apikalen, drei C-Atome von R in den äquatorialen Positionen) vorgeschlagen, ferner eine schwache Wechselwirkung zwischen O(=C) jeder Carboxylatgruppe und M. Die Kristallstrukturbestimmung von (C₆H₅)₃Sb(O₂C–2-C₄H₃S)₃ stützt diesen Vorschlag. Die Verbindung kristallisiert triklin [Raumgruppe P$1; a = 891,8(14), b = 1058,2(12), c = 1435,6(9) pm, α = 68,53(8), β = 85,47(9), γ = 85,99(11)°; Z = 2; d(ber.) = 1,607 Mg m^–3; V(Zelle) = 1255,6 ų; Strukturbestimmung anhand von 3947 unabhängigen Reflexen (F_o > 3σ(F²_o)), R(ungewichtet) = 0,037]. Sb bindet drei C₆H₅-Gruppen in der äquatorialen Ebene [mittlerer Abstand Sb–C: 211,1(5)pm] und zwei einzähnige Carboxylatliganden in den apikalen Positionen einer verzerrten trigonalen Bipyramide [mittlerer Abstand Sb–O: 212,0(4) pm]. Aus den relativ kurzen Sb – O(=C)-Abständen [274,4(4) und 294,9(4) pm] und aus der Aufweitung des dem O(=C)-Atom nächsten äquatorialen C–Sb–C-Winkels auf 145,9(2)° [andere C-Sb-C-Winkel: 104,4(2), 109,5(2)°] wird auf schwache Sb–O(=C)-Koordination geschlossen. Schließlich wird eine Korrelation zwischen dem (+, –)I-Effekt des Organoliganden R an M (M = Sb, Bi) und der Stärke der M–O(=C)-Koordination in den Dicarboxylaten R₃M[O₂C(CH₂)_n–2-C₄H₃X]₂ vorgeschlagen. Triorganoanümony and Triorganobismuth Derivatives of Carbonic Acids of Five-membered Heterocycles. Crystal and Molecular Structure of (C₆H₅)₃Sb(O₂C–2-C₄H₃S)₂ Triorganoantimony- and triorganobismuth dicarboxylates R₃M[O₂C(CH₂)_n–2-C₄H₃X]₂ (M = Sb, R = CH₃, C₆H₁₁, C₆H₅, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄; M = Bi, R = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃C₆H₄; n = 0, X = O, S, NH, NCH₃. M = Sb, R = CH₃, C₆H₅; M = Bi, R = C₆H₅; n = 1, X = O, S. M = Sb, R = C₆H₁₁, n = 1, X = S; R = 4-FC₆H₄, n = 0, X = O, S, NCH₃; R = 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂, n = 0, X = O, S, NH) have been prepared by reaction of R₃Sb(OH)₂ (R = CH₃, C₆H₁₁; 2,4,6-(CH₃)₃C₆H₂), R₃SbO (R = C₆H₅, 4-CH₃OC₆H₄, 4-FC₆H₄) or R₃BiCO₃ with the appropriate five-membered heterocyclic carboxylic acid. From vibrational data for all compounds a trigonal bipyramidal environment around M (two O atoms of unidendate carboxylate ligands in apical, three C atoms (of R) in equatorial positions) is proposed and also an additional weak interaction of O(=C) of each carboxylate group and M. The crystal structure determination of Ph₃Sb(O₂C–2-C₄H₃S)₂ gives additional prove to this proposal. It crystallizes triclinic [space group P$1; a = 891.8(14), b = 1058.2(12), c = 1435.6(9) pm, α = 68.53(8), β = 85.47(9), γ = 85.99(11)°; Z = 2; d(calc.) = 1.607 Mg m^–3; V_cell = 1255.6 ų; structure determination from 3 947 independent reflexions (F_o > 3σ(F²_o)), R(unweighted) = 0.037]. Sb is bonding to three C₆H₅ groups in the equatorial plane [mean distance Sb–C: 211.1(5) pm] and two unidentate carboxylate ligands in the apical positions of a distorted trigonal bipyramid [mean distance Sb–O: 212.0(4) pm]. From the relatively short Sb–O(=C) distances [274.4(4) and 294.9(4) pm] and from the enlarged value of the equatorial C–Sb–C angle next to the O(=C) atom [145.9(2)°; other C–Sb–C angles: 104.4(2), 109.5(2)°] additional weak Sb–O(=C) coordination is inferred. Finally a correlation between the (+, –) I-effect of the organic ligands It at M and the strength of the M–O = C interaction is suggested.     

Characterization of the monovalent ion position and hydrogen-bond network in guanine quartets by DFT calculations of NMR parameters

Conformational stability of G-quartets found in telomeric DNA quadruplex structures requires the coordination of monovalent ions. Here, an extensive Hartree-Fock and density functional theory analysis of the energetically favored position of Li+, Na+, and K+ ions is presented. The calculations show that at quartet-quartet distances observed in DNA quadruplex structures (3.3 A), the Li+ and Na+ ions favor positions of 0.55 and 0.95 A outside the plane of the G-quartet, respectively. The larger K+ ion prefers a central position between successive G-quartets. The energy barrier separating the minima in the quartet-ion-quartet model are much smaller for the Li+ and Na+ ions compared with the K+ ion; this suggests that K+ ions will not move as freely through the central channel of the DNA quadruplex. Spin-spin coupling constants and isotropic chemical shifts in G-quartets extracted from crystal structures of K+- and Na+-coordinated DNA quadruplexes were calculated with B3LYP/6-311G(d). The results show that the sizes of the trans-hydrogen-bond couplings are influenced primarily by the hydrogen bond geometry and only slightly by the presence of the ion. The calculations show that the R(N2N7) distance of the N2-H2...N7 hydrogen bond is characterized by strong correlations to both the chemical shifts of the donor group atoms and the (h2)J(N2N7) couplings. In contrast, weaker correlations between the (h3)J(N1C6') couplings and single geometric factors related to the N1-H1...O6=C6 hydrogen bond are observed. As such, deriving geometric information on the hydrogen bond through the use of trans-hydrogen-bond couplings and chemical shifts is more complex for the N1-H1...O6=C6 hydrogen bond than for the N2-H2...N7 moiety. The computed trans-hydrogen-bond couplings are shown to correlate with the experimentally determined couplings. However, the experimental values do not show such strong geometric dependencies.     

Long-range fluorine-proton coupling in 1,2,4-triazole derivatives

Several 1,2,4-triazole derivatives containing a 2-fluorophenyl substituent at either the 3- or 5-position and a methyl group at the 4-position were synthesized. These derivatives exhibit long-range ¹⁹F-¹H and ¹⁹F-¹³C through-space coupling in their ¹H and ¹³C nmr spectra between the fluorine and the 4-methyl group. The close spatial proximity of these nuclei was confirmed by X-ray analysis and by fluorine irradiated proton observe ({¹⁹F}-¹H) NOE difference spectroscopy.