An N‐Heterocyclic Silylene‐Stabilized Digermanium(0) Complex

The synthesis of an N‐heterocyclic silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex is described. The reaction of the amidinate‐stabilized silicon(II) amide [LSiN(SiMe₃)₂] ( 1 ; L=PhC(NtBu)₂) with GeCl₂?dioxane in toluene afforded the Si^II–Ge^II adduct [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→GeCl₂] ( 2 ). Reaction of the adduct with two equivalents of KC₈ in toluene at room temperature afforded the N‐heterocyclic carbene silylene‐stabilized digermanium(0) complex [L{(Me₃Si)₂N}Si→ Ge?Ge←Si{N(SiMe₃)₂}L] ( 3 ). X‐ray crystallography and theoretical studies show conclusively that the N‐heterocyclic silylenes stabilize the singlet digermanium(0) moiety by a weak synergic donor–acceptor interaction.     

Some identities associated with mock theta functions $$\omega (q)$$ ω ( q ) and $$\nu (q)$$ ν ( q )

The Ramanujan Journal - Recently, Andrews, Dixit, and Yee defined two partition functions $$p_{\omega }(n)$$ and $$p_{\nu }(n)$$ that are related with Ramanujan’s mock theta functions...     

The α‐effect exhibited in gas‐phase SN2@N and SN2@C reactions

In order to explore the existence of α‐effect in gas‐phase S_N2@N reactions, and to compare its similarity and difference with its counterpart in S_N2@C reactions, we have carried out a theoretical study on the reactivity of six α‐oxy‐Nus (FO^?, ClO^?, BrO^?, HOO^?, HSO^?, H₂NO^?) in the S_N2 reactions toward NR₂Cl (R = H, Me) and RCl (R = Me, i‐Pr) using the G2(+)_M theory. An enhanced reactivity induced by the α‐atom is found in all examined systems. The magnitude of the α‐effect in the reactions of NR₂Cl (R = H, Me) is generally smaller than that in the corresponding S_N2 reaction, but their variation trend with the identity of α‐atom is very similar. The origin of the α‐effect of the S_N2@N reactions is discussed in terms of activation strain analysis and thermodynamic analysis, indicating that the α‐effect in the S_N2@N reactions largely arises from transition state stabilization, and the “hyper‐reactivity” of these α‐Nus is also accompanied by an enhanced thermodynamic stability of products from the n_(N) → σ*_(O?Y) negative hyperconjugation. Meanwhile, it is found that the reactivity of oxy‐Nus in the S_N2 reactions toward NMe₂Cl is lower than toward i‐PrCl, which is different from previous experiments, that is, the S_N2 reactions of NH₂Cl is more facile than MeCl. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Zwitterionic Base‐Stabilized Digermadistannacyclobutadiene and Tetragermacyclobutadiene

The syntheses of a zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene and tetragermacyclobutadiene supported by amidinates and low‐valent germanium amidinate substituents are described. The reaction of the amidinate Ge^I dimer, [LGe:]₂ ( 1 , L=PhC(NtBu)₂), with two equivalents of the amidinate tin(II) chloride, [LSnCl] ( 2 ), and KC₈ in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized digermadistannacyclobutadiene, [L₂Ge₂Sn₂L′₂] ( 3 ; L′=LGe:), and the bis(amidinate) tin(II) compound, [L₂Sn:] ( 4 ). Compound 3 can also be prepared by the reaction of 1 with [L^ArSnCl] ( 5 , L^Ar=tBuC(NAr)₂, Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) in THF at room temperature. Moreover, the reaction of 1 with the “onio‐substituent transfer” reagent [4‐NMe₂‐C₅H₄NSiMe₃]OTf ( 8 ) in THF and 4‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) at room temperature afforded a mixture of the zwitterionic base‐stabilized tetragermacyclobutadiene, [L₄Ge₆] ( 9 ), the amidinium triflate, [PhC(NHtBu)₂]OTf ( 10 ), and Me₃SiSiMe₃ ( 11 ). X‐ray structural data and theoretical studies show conclusively that compounds 3 and 9 have a planar and rhombic charge‐separated structure. They are also nonaromatic.     

Doping control analysis of seven bioactive peptides in horse plasma by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

In recent years, there has been an ongoing focus for both human and equine doping control laboratories on developing detection methods to control the misuse of peptide therapeutics. Immunoaffinity purification is a common extraction method to isolate peptides from biological matrices and obtain sufficient detectability in subsequent instrumental analysis. However, monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies for immunoaffinity purification may not be commercially available, and even if available, such antibodies are usually very costly. In our study, a simple mixed-mode anion exchange solid-phase extraction cartridge was employed for the extraction of seven target peptides (GHRP-1, GHRP-2, GHRP-6, ipamorelin, hexarelin, CJC-1295, and N-acetylated LKKTETQ (active ingredient of TB-500)) and their in vitro metabolites from horse plasma. The final extract was subject to ultra-high-performance liquid chromatographic separation and analysed with a hybrid high-resolution mass spectrometer. The limits of detection for all seven peptides were estimated to be less than 50 pg/mL. Method validation was performed with respect to specificity, precision, and recovery. The applicability of this multi-analyte method was demonstrated by the detection of N-acetylated LKKTETQ and its metabolite N-acetylated LK from plasma samples obtained after subcutaneous administration of TB-500 (10 mg N-acetylated LKKTETQ) to two thoroughbred geldings. This method could easily be modified to cover more bioactive peptides, such as dermorphin, β-casomorphin, and desmopressin. With the use of high-resolution mass spectrometry, the full-scan data acquired can also be re-processed retrospectively to search for peptides and their metabolites that have not been targeted at the time of analysis. To our knowledge, this is the first identification of in vitro metabolites of all the studied peptides other than TB-500 in horses.

Ionic‐liquid‐based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for high‐throughput multiple food contaminant screening

This paper describes an innovation of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction enabling multiple‐component analysis of eight high‐priority food contaminants in two chemically distinctive families: Sudan dyes and phthalate plasticizers. To provide convenient sample handling for solid and solid‐containing matrices, a modified dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction procedure used an extractant precoated frit to perform simultaneous filtration, solvent mixing, and phase dispersion in one simple step. A binary ionic liquid extractant system was carefully tuned to deliver high quality analysis based only on affordable LC with diode array detector instrumentation. The method is comprehensively validated for robust quantification with good precision (6.9–9.8% RSD) in a linear 2–1000 μg/L range. Having accomplished enrichment factors up to 451, the treatment enables sensitive detection at 0.09–1.01 μg/L levels. Analysis of six high‐risk solid condiments and sauces further verified its practical applicability within a 70–120% recovery range. Compared to other approaches, the current dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction treatment offers major advantages in terms of minimal solvent (1.5 mL) and sample (0.1 g) consumption, ultra‐high analytical throughput (6 min), and the ability to handle complex solid matrices. The idea of performing simultaneous analysis for multiple contaminants presented here fosters a more effective mode of operation in food control routines.     

Human Mesenchymal Stem‐Cell Behaviour On Direct Laser Micropatterned Electrospun Scaffolds with Hierarchical Structures

Direct laser machining and electrospinning are utilized to obtain a bi‐layered hybrid scaffold with hierarchical topographical features to mimic extracellular matrix‐like microenvironment of cells. Adult bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are cultured in vitro in these hybrid scaffolds, and cell orientation, proliferation, viability, and differentiation are evaluated. The results show that this novel hybrid scaffold not only supports cell growth like traditional scaffolds, but also elicits positive responses from the cells, like lineage commitment and alignment, which are essential features of future scaffolds.

     

A Versatile Triphenylamine/Fluoranthene‐Based Derivative as a Nondoped Green‐Emitting,Hole‐Transporting Interlayer for Electroluminescent Devices

A new triphenylamine‐bridged fluoranthene derivative, 4‐(7,10‐diphenylfluoranthen‐8‐yl)‐N‐[4‐(7,10‐diphenylfluoranthen‐8‐yl)phenyl]‐N‐phenylaniline (BDPFPA), with a high glass transition temperature of 220 °C has been synthesized and characterized. BDPFPA is a highly fluorescent and versatile material that can be used as a nondoped green emitter and as a hole transporter. BDPFPA was used in a standard trilayer device as the emitting layer, which showed a low turn‐on voltage (<3 V) and a high efficiency of 11.6 cd A^?1. The device also shows little efficiency roll‐off at high brightness. For example, the efficiency can still be maintained at 11.4 cd A^?1 (5.4 lm W^?1) at a brightness of 10 000 cd m^?2. These results are among the best reported for nondoped fluorescent green organic light‐emitting diodes. A simple bilayer device, in which BDPFPA serves as a hole‐transporting layer, has a maximum power efficiency of 3.3 lm W^?1 and the performance is nearly 40 % higher than that of an N,N′‐bis(1‐naphthyl)‐N,N′‐ diphenyl‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐4,4′‐diamine (NPB)‐based standard device.