Rapid and simple method for determination of Nepsilon-(carboxymethyl)lysine and Nepsilon-(carboxyethyl)lysine in urine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A new procedure was developed to determine in urine the concentrations of N(epsilon)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and N(epsilon)-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL), the major products of oxidative modification of glycated proteins, to assess levels of oxidative stress in physiological systems. The urine samples were acetonitrile-deproteinized, then derivatized by ethylchloroformate, and N(O,S)-ethoxycarbonyl ethyl esters of amino acids were analysed by isotope dilution gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Recovery averaged 89%. Linearity was excellent (r = 0.998-0.999) in the 0.5-25 micromol/L range for CML and CEL. The limit of detection of this assay was 0.1 micromol/L (corresponding to 0.20 pmol of CML or CEL on column). Intra-day and inter-day precisions were likewise excellent, with relative standard deviations <4.63 and <6.15%, respectively. Accuracy of CML and CEL determination (15 micromol/L) was 2.9 and 5.9% of the estimated theoretical value. The time from obtaining the urine sample to determination of the concentration from the chromatographic peak was 80 min or less. This method is sensitive, reproducible, accurate, relatively cheap and very simple. It can be useful for laboratories involved in the diagnosis and monitoring of age-related chronic diseases.     

Synthesis of the methanesulfonates of α-(4-chlorophenyl)-α-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)emenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol and α-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-α-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol,alpha styryl carbinol antifungal agents

The methanesulfonates of (α-(4-chlorophenyl)-α-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol and α-[1-(2-chlorophenyl)ethenyl]-α-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol ( 1a, b ) are orally effective α-styryl carbinol derivatives developed for the treatment and prevention of systemic fungal infections. Practical new processes amenable for the large-scale production of these compounds are described. Of note is the selection of dichlorostyrene as a convenient precursor of the styryl portion, modification of a sensitive Grignard addition into a realistic preparative reaction and the use of 1,2,4-triazole simultaneously as a base transfer agent and nucleophile.     

Oxazoline chemistry. Part 12: A metal-mediated synthesis of DMU-212; X-ray diffraction studies of an important anti-cancer agent

An improved synthesis of the anti-cancer agent DMU-212 (trans-3,4,5,4′-tetramethoxystilbene) is described. The methodology involves the use of a Pd-oxazoline catalyst as a mediator of a regio-selective (Heck) C-C bond formation reaction. A simple isolation step is then used to obtain the title material. The compound has been further characterised in the solid-state by X-ray diffraction methods.     

Evaluation of heats of transition in scanning calorimetry

A procedure for the evaluation of heats of transition in scanning calorimetry has been developed. A formula for evaluation of the energy of fusion of a compound at its melting point is derived that takes into account the baseline shift that is attributable to the heat capacity change on melting. Several other calorimeter parameters of importance are discussed. These include heat exchange between calorimeter vessel and jacket, the time constant of the instrument, the scanning rate, and the heater placement.     

Exactly alternating silarylene–siloxane polymers. II. The condensation polymerization of arylenedisilanols and bisureidosilanes

A new method for the preparation of exactly alternating silarylene–siloxane polymers by the low temperature step-growth condensation polymerization reaction of arylenedisilanols and bisurei-dosilanes in chlorobenzene was investigated. To obtain high molecular weight products ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were used to monitor the polymerization reaction. By using these procedures 12 different polymers were prepared from 1,4-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)-benzene, 4,4′-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)phenyl ether, bis(1,1-tetramethylene-3-phenylureido)-dimethylsilane, and bis(1,1-tetramethylene-3-phenylureido)-methylvinylsilane monomers. The polymers were obtained in high yields, purities, and molecular weights.     

Semiclassical study of collision-induced predissociation: Comparison of the Landau-Zener model with the method of analytic continuation

Semiclassical calculations are carried out by two methods for the problem of collision-induced predissociation of electronically excited I₂. The first method is that of surface-hopping with the Landau-Zener model. The second method is similar to surface-hopping, except that analytic continuation of the adiabatic potential energy surfaces replaces the Landau-Zener model. Results of the calculations by the two methods compare favorably with each other and with experiment. The possible advantages of the second method are discussed.Camille and Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar, Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow.     

Mesostructured gamma-Al(2)O(3) with a lathlike framework morphology

A novel three-step assembly pathway is reported for the formation of a mesostructured alumina with framework pore walls made of crystalline, lathlike gamma-Al(2)O(3) nanoparticles. In the initial supramolecular assembly step of the pathway a mesostructured alumina with a wormhole framework morphology and amorphous pore walls is assembled through the hydrolysis of Al(13) oligocations and hydrated aluminum cations in the presence of a nonionic diblock or triblock poly(ethylene oxide) surfactant as the structure-directing porogen. The walls of the initial mesostructure are then transformed in a second hydrolysis step at a higher temperature to a surfactant-boehmite mesophase, denoted MSU-S/B, with a lathlike framework made of boehmite nanoparticles. A final thermal reaction step topochemically converts the intermediate boehmitic mesophase to a mesostructure with crystalline gamma-Al(2)O(3) pore walls, denoted MSU-gamma, with retention of the lathlike framework morphology. The boehmitic MSU-S/B intermediates formed from the chloride salts of aluminum incorporate chloride anions into the mesostructure. Chloride ion incorporation tends to disorder the nanoparticle assembly process, leading to a broadening of the slit-shaped framework pores in the final MSU-gamma phases and to the introduction of intra- and interparticle textural mesopores. However, the well-ordered MSU-gamma phases made from aluminum nitrate as the preferred aluminum reagent exhibit narrow framework pore size distributions and average pore sizes that are independent of the surfactant size and packing parameter, in accord with a lathlike framework assembled from nanoparticles of regular size and connectivity. The high surface areas ( approximately 300-350 m(2)/g) and pore volumes ( approximately 0.45-0.75 cm(3)/g) provided by these mesostructured forms of gamma-Al(2)O(3) should be useful in materials and catalytic applications where the availability of surface Lewis acid sites and the dispersion of supported metal centers govern reactivity.