Simple and rapid determination of hydrogen peroxide using phosphine-based fluorescent reagents with sodium tungstate dihydrate.

A simple batch method for the fluorometric determination of hydrogen peroxide using phosphine-based fluorescent reagents has been developed. A rapid, mild and selective derivatization reaction was achieved by adding sodium tungstate dihydrate to the reaction mixture of hydrogen peroxide and a phosphine-based fluorescent reagent. When 4-diphenylphosphino-7-methylthio-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole was used as a reagent, the derivatization reaction was completed after 2 min at room temperature. The calibration curve was linear between 12.5 and 500 ng hydrogen peroxide in a 10 microL sample solution. This method is accurate and has potential for on-line applications.     

Separation of fulvic acid from soil extracts based on ion-pair formation with a cationic surfactant.

A novel method for separating fulvic acid (FA) from soil extracts is proposed. The FA, defined as the acid-soluble fraction of an alkaline extract of soil, was separated based on the precipitation of an ion-pair with a cationic surfactant, such as domiphen bromide. The precipitate was dissolved in aqueous HCl to produce H+ -type FA and a surfactant chloride (SUR-Cl). SUR-Cl, in the aqueous solution, was removed by extraction with CHCl3. After the aqueous phase was passed through a cation-exchanger (H+ -type), H+ -type FA (FA-SUR) was obtained as a powder by lyophylization. The chemical characteristics of FA-SUR were compared with an FA sample separated according to the method of the International Humic Substances Society using a DAX-8 resin (FA-DAX). The oxygen content, O/C atomic ratio and total acidity of the FA-SUR were significantly larger than the corresponding values for FA-DAX. The solid-state CPMS 13C NMR spectra indicated that the higher oxygen content of the FA-SUR could be due to alcoholic hydroxyl groups and polysaccharides as well as carboxylic groups. These results show that FA-SUR is more polar and hydrophilic than FA-DAX.     

Novel synthesis of macrocycles with 1,1′-binaphthalene-2,2′-diol using intramolecular oxidative coupling

A new series of BINOL-based macrocycles with two phenolic protons have been synthesized via oxidative coupling reaction using CuCl(OH)-TMEDA.     

Syntheses and characterizations of three-dimensional channel-like polymeric lanthanide complexes constructed by 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid

The hydrothermal reaction of YbCl(3) small middle dot6H(2)O with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride resulted in [[Yb((b)btec)(1/4)((d)btec)(3/6)(H(2)O)(2)](4).6H(2)O](n)() (1) (H(4)btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid), and the solvothermal reaction of Er(NO(3))(3) small middle dot6H(2)O or TbCl(3).6H(2)O with 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic dianhydride in H(2)O/acetic acid gave rise to [[Er(2)((c)btec)(2/4)((e)btec)(2/4)((f)btec)(2/4)(H(2)O)(4)].4H(2)O](n)() (2) and [[Tb(H(2)btec)(2/4)((f)btec)(3/6)(H(2)O)].2H(2)O](n)() (3), respectively. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group C2/m with a = 20.8119(5) A, b = 17.6174(1) A, c = 5.7252(2) A, beta = 92.324(1) degrees, and Z = 1. 1 possesses a three-dimensional framework consisting of eight-coordinate ytterbium centers and two kinds of channels along the c axis. Complex 2 crystallizes in triclinic space group P with a = 9.6739(5) A, b = 11.0039(5) A, c = 11.5523 A, alpha = 104.8330(10) degrees, beta = 91.0000(10) degrees, gamma = 114.2570(10) degrees, and Z = 2. 2 has a three-dimensional framework comprising both eight- and nine-coordinate erbium centers and channels along the a axis. Complex 3 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 10.7246(12) A, b = 7.1693(9) A, c = 17.158(2) A, beta = 97.109(2) degrees, and Z = 4. 3 shows a three-dimensional framework containing nine-coordinate terbium centers and channels along the b axis. Uncoordinated water molecules occupy the channels in the three complexes. TGA and XRPD were determined for the three complexes, and the results illustrate that the framework of 1 is retained upon removal of uncoordinated and coordinated water molecules.     

Mitogenic activity of Tulipa gesneriana lectins on mouse and human lymphocytes.

Tulipa gesneriana lectin-erythrocyte (TGL-E) which agglutinates mouse erythrocytes showed a potent mitogenic activity on mouse spleen cells and human peripheral blood lymphocytes, however, TGL-E had only slight mitogenic activity on mouse thymus cells. Its subunit alpha with a molecular weight (MW) of about 26,000 showed a potent mitogenic activity as did that of native lectin, but subunit beta with a MW of about 14,000 showed no activity, indicating that the mitogenic activity of TGL-E originates from subunit alpha. TGL-E stimulated T cell enriched spleen cells which passed through a nylon column, but not spleen cells from a nude mouse or spleen cells treated with anti-Thy 1.2 antibody and complement. Thus, TGL-E stimulates only mouse T cells but not B cells. The other lectin in tulip bulbs, Tulipa gesneriana lectin-yeast showed no mitogenic activity on mouse spleen, thymus cells or human paripheral blood lymphocytes.     

Novel synthesis of heterocycles having a functionalized carbon center via nickel-mediated carboxylation: total synthesis of erythrocarine

Novel synthetic procedure of heterocycles was developed using nickel-mediated alkylative carboxylation, and the total synthesis of erythrocarine was achieved using this method and RCM of dienyne as the key steps. [reaction: see text]     

Near-infrared fluorescent probes: a next-generation tool for protein-labeling applications

The development of near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probes over the past few decades has changed the way that biomolecules are imaged, and thus represents one of the most rapidly progressing areas of research. Presently, NIR fluorescent probes are routinely used to visualize and understand intracellular activities. The ability to penetrate tissues deeply, reduced photodamage to living organisms, and a high signal-to-noise ratio characterize NIR fluorescent probes as efficient next-generation tools for elucidating various biological events. The coupling of self-labeling protein tags with synthetic fluorescent probes is one of the most promising research areas in chemical biology. Indeed, at present, protein-labeling techniques are not only used to monitor the dynamics and localization of proteins but also play a more diverse role in imaging applications. For instance, one of the dominant technologies employed in the visualization of protein activity and regulation is based on protein tags and their associated NIR fluorescent probes. In this mini-review, we will discuss the development of several NIR fluorescent probes used for various protein-tag systems.

This minireview describes the development of NIR chemical probes for various protein-tag systems.     

Investigation into new materials for optical devices: the miscibility and solvent effects of azobenzene derivative blends

With the increasing demand for novel devices with optical applications the search for new materials to data store and process becomes a priority. By introducing blends, tailor made properties and low cost give added advantage. Miscibility is an essential requirement for a new material, this research thus involves miscibility studies of poly(4‐(N‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl)‐N‐ethylamino)‐4′‐nitroazobenzene)₉₀‐co‐(methyl methacrylate)₁₀, (azobenzene derivative) with polymethyl‐methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinylacetate (PVAc) and polyvinylchloride (PVC) prepared in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and/or dimethylformamide (DMF) and/or dichloromethane (CH₂Cl₂). The glass transitions, solvent and varying molecular weight effect were investigated, since these all primarily influence the miscibility. THF was found to encourage miscibility at specific compositions of PVAc and PVC blends. However, with CH₂Cl₂ and DMF immiscibility is encouraged. The Fox–Flory equation was applied to the blends analyzing the PVC blends in DMF as deviations from ideality. Different molecular weights of PMMA were identified as immiscible regardless of solvent. PMMA's lower solubility in THF and CH₂Cl₂ compared to the azobenzene derivative, displayed the existence of PMMA islands. In all blends the favorable and unfavorable interactions between polymer–solvent–polymer systems are considered. Furthermore, the miscibility effect on increasing the MMA content of the azobenzene derivative was also investigated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.