Distribution and translocation of photoreceptor Gbetagamma-phosducin system in medaka retina

Unlike other vertebrates, teleosts have rod- and cone-specific phosducins (PD-R and PD-C) in the retina. To evaluate the teleost Gbetagamma-PD systems, we isolated cDNAs encoding medaka Gbeta1 and GbetaC, which selectively expressed rods and cones. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the strong reactivity of GbetaC but not PD-C was detected in cone outer segments. In rod outer segments (ROS), PD-R reactivity was stronger in light-adapted retina than in dark-adapted retina. Western blot analyses of fractions torn from the cryosections showed that the PD-R concentration was low in dark-adapted ROS. It is suggested that PD-R is translocated to ROS and effectively downregulates the phototransduction cascade in light-adapted rods.     

Modular synthesis of unsymmetrical [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene molecular semiconductors for organic transistors

A modular approach to underexplored, unsymmetrical [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT) scaffolds delivers a library of BTBT materials from readily available coupling partners by combining a transition-metal free Pummerer CH–CH-type cross-coupling and a Newman–Kwart reaction. This effective approach to unsymmetrical BTBT materials has allowed their properties to be studied. In particular, tuning the functional groups on the BTBT scaffold allows the solid-state assembly and molecular orbital energy levels to be modulated. Investigation of the charge transport properties of BTBT-containing small-molecule:polymer blends revealed the importance of molecular ordering during phase segregation and matching the highest occupied molecular orbital energy level with that of the semiconducting polymer binder, polyindacenodithiophene-benzothiadiazole (PIDTBT). The hole mobilities extracted from transistors fabricated using blends of PIDTBT with phenyl or methoxy functionalized unsymmetrical BTBTs were double those measured for devices fabricated using pristine PIDTBT. This study underscores the value of the synthetic methodology in providing a platform from which to study structure–property relationships in an underrepresented family of unsymmetrical BTBT molecular semiconductors.

A modular approach to underexplored, unsymmetrical [1]benzothieno[3,2-b][1]benzothiophene (BTBT) scaffolds, combining a transition-metal free Pummerer CH–CH-type cross-coupling and a Newman–Kwart reaction, delivers a library of BTBT materials.     

Alteration of soda silicate glasses by organic pollutants in museums: Mechanisms and kinetics

The role of the organic pollutants formic acid, acetic acid and formaldehyde in the alteration of unstable soda silicate glasses is examined through SIMS depth profiling of replica glass aged in polluted and non-polluted atmospheres under ambient conditions. The effect of different controlled atmospheres is compared to the polluted atmosphere encountered in museum storage. The results show that formic acid rather than formaldehyde is responsible for the increased alteration in the National Museums of Scotland glass collection. Formic acid caused sodium formate crystals to form at the glass surface and increased the leaching of alkali. Acid pollutants increased both the alteration depth and the amount of sodium extracted from the altered layer, which fell to a concentration ～1 at.%, compared to 4–5 at.% in the non-acidic atmospheres. The research highlights the gap existing between alteration models obtained from controlled laboratory experiments, predicting an eventual slowing down of the alteration, and the reaction process taking place in real environments (as found in museums), where the environmental fluctuations maintain a roughly linear progression of the alteration. The storage of unstable glasses in wooden cabinets or showcases emitting organic pollutants must be avoided and glasses should be kept in stable environmental conditions.     

Column selection for liquid chromatographic estimation of the k'w hydrophobicity parameter

Newer reversed-phase column technologies that incorporate polar groups either by an endcapping procedure or by embedding them into the stationary phase ligand have been receiving much attention in the literature for their robustness when highly aqueous conditions are used. We investigated their ability to accurately determine the chromatographic hydrophobicity value log k'w. The non-linear deviations of retention data as mobile phase conditions approach zero percent modifier are a large source of error when extrapolating to log k'w values using the linear solvent strength model. Here, we compare a conventional reversed-phase stationary phase with others that have incorporated either polar embedded or polar endcapped phases, along with a hybrid-based particle derivatized with a polar embedded ligand. Our results show that polar endcapped phases perform very similarly to the conventional phase and do not show any improved ability for determining log k'w, but polar embedded phases have reduced curvature in the data, and therefore result in less error in extrapolation. We also investigated the solubility parameter model and the [ET(30)] model for their extrapolation efficiency, and have concluded that the [ET(30)] model shows the least error when extrapolating the data.     

Dibromo[5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐methoxyphenyl)porphyrinato‐κ4N]platinum(IV) chloroform acetonitrile solvate

In the title compound, [PtBr₂(C₄₈H₃₆N₄O₄)]·0.896CHCl₃·0.569CH₃CN, the centrosymmetric metal complex is octahedral, with the porphyrin ring essentially planar and the Br atoms occupying axial positions. The two independent methoxy­phenyl substituents are tilted at angles of 89.0 and 67.0° with respect to the porphyrin plane. The Pt—N distances are 2.035 (4) and 2.036 (4) Å and the Pt—Br distance is 2.4666 (6) Å. Chloro­form and aceto­nitrile solvent mol­ecules, exhibiting substantial disorder, occupy positions between the porphyrin mol­ecules. This is the first crystal and molecular structure of a Pt^IV–porphyrin complex to be reported.     

Encapsulation of hydride by molecular main group metal clusters: manipulating the source and coordination sphere of the interstitial ion

The sequential treatment of Lewis acids with N,N'-bidentate ligands and thereafter with ButLi has afforded a series of hydride-encapsulating alkali metal polyhedra. While the use of Me3Al in conjunction with Ph(2-C5H4N)NH gives Ph(2-C5H4N)NAlMe2 and this reacts with MeLi in thf to yield the simple 'ate complex Ph(2-C5H4N)NAlMe3Li.thf, the employment of an organolithium substrate capable of beta-hydride elimination redirects the reaction significantly. Whereas the use of ButLi has previously yielded a main group interstitial hydride in which H- exhibits micro6-coordination, it is shown here that variability in the coordination sphere of the encapsulated hydride may be induced by manipulation of the organic ligand. Reaction of (c-C6H11)(2-C5H4N)NH with Me3Al/ButLi yields [{(c-C6H11)(2-C5H4N)N}6HLi8]+[(But2AlMe2)2Li]-, which is best viewed as incorporating only linear di-coordination of the hydride ion. The guanidine 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine (hppH) in conjunction with Me2Zn/ButLi yields the micro8-hydride [(hpp)6HLi8]+[But3Zn]-.0.5PhMe. Formation of the micro8-hydride [(hpp)6HLi8]+[ButBEt3]- is revealed by employment of the system Et3B/ButLi. A new and potentially versatile route to interstitial hydrides of this class is revealed by synthesis of the mixed borohydride-lithium hydride species [(hpp)6HLi8]+[Et3BH]- and [(hpp)6HLi8]+[(Et3B)2H]- through the direct combination of hppLi with Et3BHLi.     

Linear voltage profiles and flow homogeneity in pressurized planar electrochromatography

Planar electrochromatography (PEC) is an emerging technique for thin-layer chromatography (TLC) where electroosmosis is the driving force for the solvent, not capillary action. This allows for much faster and constant flow rates in turn yielding increased zone capacities and efficiencies. Instrumental designs have changed greatly over the last few years solving many of the initial instrumentation challenges. We have previously shown that low applied pressure (or no applied pressure) PEC instruments do not give linear voltage drops across the separation path length of a TLC plate, which in turn results in non-stable electroosmotic flow (EOF). By the use of our unique reader electrode grid we have the ability to monitor the potential at eight discrete positions throughout the 10-cm separation path length. We now show that high-pressure PEC instruments, most commonly referred to as pressurized planar electrochromatography (PPEC) do show a linear voltage drop and constant EOF. We compare plate equilibration times of PPEC and low-pressure PEC, use of increased field strengths, as well as sample application designs. In addition, we discuss the use of rhodamine B as a visual marker for reproducible migration and calculation of theoretical plates.