Terpyridine-fused polyaromatic hydrocarbons generated via cyclodehydrogenation and used as ligands in Ru(II) complexes

A series of novel fused 4'-substituted 2,2'?:?6',2'-terpyridine ligands and their ruthenium(II) complexes were prepared. The unusual 4'-substituents comprised 2,3,4,5-pentaphenylbenzene and its tert-butyl derivative (1 and 2) and the products from oxidative cyclodehydrogenation, i.e. polyaromatic fragments consisting of ten or thirteen fused benzene rings (3 and 4). The syntheses of all the ligands are discussed in terms of the demands and limitations of the Scholl reaction. The optical properties of the ligands, along with the single-crystal X-ray structures of 1 and 2, are presented. The latter show that the pentaphenylbenzene and terpyridine appendages of 1 and 2 are perpendicular in the solid state. Despite the inclusion of the large organic chromophore the absorption and emission properties of the Ru(II) bis-terpy complexes (of ligands 1, 2 and 3) were found to be comparable to those of [Ru(terpy)(2)](2+). They are non-emissive at room temperature but emit at 77 K with excited state lifetimes of 11-12 μs.     

Ultrasonic Extraction–Ozonation Sequential Sample Treatment for the Determination of Arsenic in Environmental Certified Reference Materials by Hydride Generation–Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

Abstract

A sample pretreatment method based on ultrasound‐assisted extraction followed by ozonation is developed for sensitive determination of total As in biological and environmental certified reference materials and an unknown plant sample (Acacia dealbata) by flow injection and continuous‐flow hydride generation–atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The method is meant to minimize the use of corrosive and oxidizing acids for sample decomposition and common errors in trace analysis. Problems derived from introduction of sonicated extracts in continuous flow and flow injection manifolds in combination with an atomic fluorescence detector, such as excessive foaming and flame instability, are addressed. The following certified reference materials (CRMs) were employed for method assessment: BCR CRM 482 lichen; BCR CRM 60 and 61 aquatic plants; BCR CRM 279 sea lettuce; NIST 1633b fly ash; BCR 320 river sediment; RTC CRM 024‐050 soil. Effect of variables such as extraction time, ultrasound amplitude, concentration of extractant acid, sample mass, drying mode, and particle size was investigated. Leaves of Acacia dealbata were also employed for method development. Limits of detection ranged from 0.03 to 0.15 µg/g As depending on the sample. Between‐batch precision values ranged from 2% to 11%. Sample throughput was 40 hr^?1 with flow injection.     

Modeling the binding of peptides on carbon nanotubes and their use as protein and DNA carriers

An in-depth study of a novel functionalization of carbon nanotubes for their application as protein and DNA carriers is presented. First, the optimum conditions for the dispersion of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) with amphiphilic polypeptides were obtained, and the SWCNT–polypeptide complexes were characterized by different techniques (UV–Vis-NIR, CD, and AFM). Based on the properties of the SWCNT–polypeptide complexes, a model that characterizes the adsorption of natural proteins onto SWCNT was described for the first time. This model predicts the adsorption of natural proteins on SWCNTs based on the protein structure and composition, and therefore, allows the design of methods for the preparation of SWCNT–protein complexes. Besides, the use of cationic-designed amphiphilic polypeptides to disperse SWCNTs is applied for subsequent and efficient binding of DNA to carbon nanotubes by a bilayer approach. Therefore, in this article, we develop procedures for the use of SWCNTs as protein and DNA carriers. The systems were delivered into cells showing that the efficiency of delivery is affected by the charge of the complexes, which has important implications in the use of SWCNT as platforms for protein and DNA binding and subsequent use as delivery systems.     

Analytical evaluation of a cup-horn sonoreactor used for ultrasound-assisted extraction of trace metals from troublesome matrices

In this work, a sample preparation method based on ultrasound-assisted extraction of trace metals from a variety of biological and environmental matrices using a cup-horn sonoreactor is described. Diluted acids (HNO₃, HCl and HF) and oxidants (H₂O₂) were tried for extraction, the extracts being directly analyzed by electrothermal-atomic absorption spectrometry. The cup-horn sonoreactor combines the advantages of probe and bath sonicators, allowing a variety of conditions to be used for metal extraction from troublesome matrices. This system facilitates the use of HF to destroy the silicate lattice, application of simultaneous treatments of up to six samples and short treatment times. Quantitative metal recoveries are achieved from different matrices (animal and vegetal tissues, soil, sediment, fly ash, sewage sludge) under a set of extraction conditions ranging from the use of 3 min sonication time and 3% volume/volume HNO₃ for some animal tissues to 40 min sonication time along with 5% volume/volume HNO₃ + 20% volume/volume HF for sediment. Vegetal matter required the use of 5% volume/volume HNO₃ + 5% volume/volume HF for extraction of some elements.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Pentasubstituted Cyclohexanes by a Michael Addition Followed by a Tandem Inter–Intra Double Henry Reaction

Michael, Henry, and Henry : A new one‐pot reaction of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes and β‐dicarbonyls, which involves a Michael reaction catalyzed by diarylprolinol ethers and an inter–intramolecular Henry tandem reaction catalyzed by TBAF (see scheme), has been developed. The reaction proceeds in high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivity for a wide range of unsaturated aldehydes and β‐dicarbonyl reagents.

     

Zinc and Copper Ions Induce Aggregation of Human β-Crystallins

Cataracts are defined as the clouding of the lens due to the formation of insoluble protein aggregates. Metal ions exposure has been recognized as a risk factor in the cataract formation process. The γ and β crystallins are members of a larger family and share several structural features. Several studies have shown that copper and zinc ions induce the formation of γ-crystallins aggregates. However, the interaction of metal ions with β-crystallins, some of the most abundant crystallins in the lens, has not been explored until now. Here, we evaluate the effect of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions on the aggregation of HβA1, as a representative of the acidic form, and HβB2, as a representative of the basic β-crystallins. We used several biophysical techniques and computational methods to show that Cu(II) and Zn(II) induce aggregation following different pathways. Both metal ions destabilize the proteins and impact protein folding. Copper induced a small conformational change in HβA1, leading to high-molecular-weight light-scattering aggregates, while zinc is more aggressive towards HβB2 and induces a larger conformational change. Our work provides information on the mechanisms of metal-induced aggregation of β-crystallins.     

Comparison of the standard SM&T sequential extraction method with small-scale ultrasound-assisted single extractions for metal partitioning in sediments

A single extraction method based on the reagents employed in the SM&T (standards, measurement and testing programme) sequential extraction scheme for partitioning of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, and Pb in sediments has been developed. Small-scale extractions adapted to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric determinations (i.e. 25 mg mass in 1 mL extractant) have been used for the first time in conjunction with selective reagents using conventional operating conditions (i.e. conductive heating, magnetic stirring) or ultrasound-assisted extraction. Small-scale slurry preparations were implemented for determination of the residual/total metal content. The methodology developed enabled drastic reduction of extraction times, yielding extractable contents in accordance with those obtained by application of the conventional SM&T method, which can be regarded as a standard method. An important saving in the amount of sample and reagents is also achieved with small-scale extractions. Homogeneity of sediments at the mg level proved acceptable - precision was similar for between-batch and within-batch measurements. Method development was performed with CRM BCR 601 lake sediment for which extractable amounts of several metals are known. An application to a "real-world" sediment is also presented.     

Multi-class determination of antimicrobials in meat by pressurized liquid extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A multi-residue method using pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed for determining trace levels of 31 antimicrobials, including beta-lactams, lincosamides, macrolides, quinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, nitroimidazoles and trimethoprim. The extraction method required pre-homogeneization of the meat with EDTA-washed sand and subsequent one-static-cycle extraction for 10 min with 40 ml of water at 1500 psi and 70 degrees C. The effect of operation temperature, pressure, flush volume, and static cycles on PLE performance was studied. Average recoveries ranged from 75 to 99% with relative standard deviations <18%. The method was validated according to the European Union requirements (2002/657/EC). In addition to the quality parameters included in that decision, the limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were determined. The use of LC-MS/MS provided LODs (between 3 and 15 microg kg(-1)) and LOQs (between 10 and 50 microg kg(-1)), by far lower than half of their maximum residue limits (MRLs) (between 50 and 1200 microg kg(-1)). Confirmation of the presence of any of the studied compounds was accomplished in 1h after sample receipt. This methodology has been successfully applied to the analysis of cattle and pig tissue samples from local markets and slaughterhouses of the Valencian Community (Spain). The results showed the presence of some antimicrobials at different concentrations. Quinolones and tetracyclines were the antimicrobials most detected in cattle and pig samples, respectively. Sulfonamides were also frequently detected in both types of samples.     

A novel series of pyrazole derivatives toward biological applications: experimental and conceptual DFT characterization

Molecular Diversity - A new series of 13 pyrazole-derivative compounds with potential antifungal activity were synthetized with good yields. The series have the...     

Single Fusion Events at Polarized Liquid–Liquid Interfaces

A new electrochemical framework for tracking individual soft particles in solution and monitoring their fusion with polarized liquid–liquid interfaces is reported. The physicochemical principle lies in the interfacial transfer of an ionic probe confined in the particles dispersed in solution and that is released upon their collision and fusion with the fluid interface. As a proof-of-concept, spike-like transients of a stochastic nature are reported in the current–time response of 1,2-dichloroethane(DCE)|water(W) submilli-interfaces after injection of DCE-in-W emulsions. The sign and potential dependence of the spikes reflect the charge and lipophilicity of the ionic load of the droplets. A comparison with dynamic light scattering measurements indicates that each spike is associated with the collision of a single sub-picoliter droplet. This opens a new framework for the study of single fusion events at the micro- and nanoscale and of ion transport across biomimetic soft interfaces.