Selective and sensitive detection of organic contaminants in water samples by on-line trace enrichment–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatographic (LC) type trace enrichment is coupled online with capillary gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometric (MS) detection for the analysis of aqueous samples. A volume of 1–10 ml of an aqueous sample is preconcentrated on a trace-enrichment column packed with a polymeric stationary phase. After cleanup with HPLC-grade water the precolumn is dried with nitrogen and subsequently desorbed with ethyl acetate. A fraction of 60 μl is introduced on-line into a diphenyltetramethyldisilazane-deactivated retention gap under partially concurrent solvent evaporation conditions and using an early solvent vapor exit. The analytes are separated and detected by means of GC–MS. The potential of the LC–GC–MS system for monitoring organic pollutants in river and drinking water is studied. Target analysis is carried out with atrazine and simazine as model compounds; the detection limits achieved under full-scan and multiple ion detection conditions are 30 pg and 5 pg, respectively. Identification of unknown compounds (non-target analysis), is demonstrated using a river water sample spiked with 168 pollutants varying in polarity and volatility.     

Supramolecularly engineered phospholipids constructed by nucleobase molecular recognition: upgraded generation of phospholipids for drug delivery

Despite of great advances of phospholipids and liposomes in clinical therapy, very limited success has been achieved in the preparation of smart phospholipids and controlled-release liposomes for in vivo drug delivery and clinical trials. Here we report a supramolecular approach to synthesize novel supramolecularly engineered phospholipids based on complementary hydrogen bonding of nucleosides, which greatly reduces the need of tedious chemical synthesis, including reducing the strict requirements for multistep chemical reactions, and the purification of the intermediates and the amount of waste generated relative more traditional approaches. These upgraded phospholipids self-assemble into liposome-like bilayer structures in aqueous solution, exhibiting fast stimuli-responsive ability due to the hydrogen bonding connection. In vitro and in vivo evaluations show the resulted supramolecular liposomes from nucleoside phospholipids could effectively transport drug into tumor tissue, rapidly enter tumor cells, and controllably release their payload in response to an intracellular acidic environment, thus resulting in a much higher antitumor activity than conventional liposomes. The present supramolecularly engineered phospholipids represent an important evolution in comparison to conventional covalent-bonded phospholipid systems.     

Comparison of Electrochemical Oxidation of Flavonols and Calculated Proton Affinity and Electron Transfer Enthalpy in Water

Flavonols, a class of flavonoids, are present in flowers, fruits and vegetables. They are jointly responsible for antioxidant activity as free radical acceptors. The redox behaviour of myricetin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, fisetin, morin and kaempferol is investigated using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry. Quantum chemical calculations of proton affinities and electron transfer enthalpies were performed to identify possible reactive sites and radical species to compare them with measured oxidation potentials of the flavonols. Regarding to their chemical structure, these flavonols showed an oxidation order: myricetin > quercetin > isorhamnetin > fisetin > morin > kaempferol.     

The Potential of O‐MMT as a Reinforcing Filler for Uncured and Dynamically Cured PVC/XNBR Composites

Organic montmorillonite modified with quaternary ammonium (O‐MMT) was compounded with uncured and dynamically cured poly(vinyl chloride)/carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (PVC/XNBR) composites, using a Brabender Plasticorder at 130°C and 50 rpm rotor speed. The reinforcing efficiency of the O‐MMT was investigated in the uncured PVC/XNBR composite and the dynamically cured PVC/XNBR counterpart. Mixing and dynamic curing of the composites were monitored by typical torque‐time curves derived from a Brabender internal mixer. The torque‐time curves revealed that the dynamic curing process was successful and the incorporation of O‐MMT has no adverse effect on the processibility of the composites. It has been found that the introduction of crosslinks within the rubbery phase in the presence of the O‐MMT has further improved the tensile properties. DMA studies revealed that dynamically cured composite with O‐MMT showed higher storage modulus than the composite without O‐MMT. Furthermore, a one‐step tensile modulus vs. temperature curve and a related one peak tensile loss modulus vs. temperature curve were obtained, consequently, both are characteristics of a miscible polymers system. Further evidence on the composite miscibility was purchased by thermal scans from DSC, which showed a single glass transition temperature of PVC/XNBR composites. This claim was further supported by ATR‐IR spectra which revealed that hydrogen bonding is extensively involved in PVC/XNBR composites. This evidence unveiled the exact nature of the specific interactions responsible for miscibility and hence, enhanced mechanical properties. Furthermore, we proved in our studies the reinforcing role played by layered clay due to better dispersion, as well as improved interactions.     

C,C‐ and N,C‐Coupled Dimers of 2‐Aminotetraphenylporphyrins: Regiocontrolled Synthesis,Spectroscopic Properties,and Quantum‐Chemical Calculations

β,β′‐Bisporphyrins are intrinsically chiral porphyrin dimers with fascinating properties. The configurational stability at their axes can be directed by variation of the central metal atoms. Herein, we present a regioselective functionalization of the monomeric 2‐amino‐tetraphenyl‐porphyrin as a versatile substrate for dimerization by oxidative coupling. By simple variation of the reaction conditions (solvent and oxidant), the oxidation selectively gave either the axially chiral C,C‐coupled diaminobisporphyrin in high yields or, under Ullmann conditions, the twofold N,C‐linked achiral dimer, also in good yields. A generalized mechanism for the coupling reaction is proposed based on DFT calculations. The axially chiral β,β′‐coupled porphyrin dimers were isolated as racemic mixtures, but can be resolved by HPLC on a chiral phase. TDDFT and coupled‐cluster calculations were used to explain the spectroscopic properties of the aminoporphyrins and their dimers and to elucidate the absolute configurations of the C,C‐coupled bisporphyrins.     

Hydrazones and new Oximes of 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octanones and their Antiprotozoal Activities

Summary. 4-Aminobicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ones and -ols showed activity against the causative organisms of East African sleeping sickness and Malaria tropica. Several imino derivatives of the ketones were more active. Now hydrazono analogues and 3-hydroximino derivatives of the ketones and alcohols were synthesized. The structures of the obtained isomers were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy. A single phenylhydrazone exhibited quite good antitrypanosomal activity in the range of already known imino analogues.     

Ultrasonic Spectrometry of Aqueous Solutions of Alkyl Maltosides: Kinetics of Micelle Formation and Head‐Group Isomerization

At frequencies between 100 kHz and 400 MHz, ultrasonic attenuation spectra are measured at 25 °C for aqueous solutions of hexyl‐, heptyl‐, octyl‐, nonyl‐, and decyl‐β‐D ‐maltopyranoside as well as of decyl‐α‐D ‐maltopyranoside. The spectra with surfactant concentration c above the relevant critical micelle concentration (cmc) display three relaxation terms with discrete relaxation times. That with a relaxation time between 0.1 and 1.2 μs is due to exchange of monomers between micelles and the suspending phase. It is discussed in the light of the Teubner–Kahlweit–Aniansson–Wall model of the formation/decay kinetics of systems with Gaussian size distribution of micelles. The relaxation parameters are compared to those for solutions of other non‐ionic surfactants, such as alkyl monoglycosides and poly(ethylene glycol) monoalkyl ethers. At c<cmc this low‐frequency relaxation term is missing and at c≈cmc it is broadened, as is characteristic of solutions of oligomeric molecular structures rather than proper micelles. The relaxation terms with relaxation times between 6 and 15 ns and 0.7 and 2.3 ns reveal head‐group rotations around glycosidic angles and isomerization of the exocyclic hydroxymethyl group, respectively. These unimolecular reactions are also examined with a view to solutions of alkyl monoglycosides as well as of glucose and maltose.     

Bicyclic amido compounds with antiprotozoal activity

Abstract  

Aroyl derivatives of 2-aminobicyclo-octanes and 2-azabicyclo-nonanes have been synthesized and tested for their activities against the causative organisms of East African trypanosomiasis and malaria tropica. The acylation induced in general loss of antiprotozoal activity, but a single compound showed good antiplasmodial activity against a multiresistant strain of Plasmodium falciparum.     

SARs of the antiprotozoal action of 6,7-diaryl-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ols

Abstract  

Several 4-amino-6,7-diarylbicyclo[2.2.2]octan-2-ols bearing varying substituents on the aromatic rings were synthesized following a manual method for applying the Hansch approach. All new compounds were tested for their activity against the causative organisms of East African sleeping sickness and malaria tropica. Structure activity relationships are discussed.