Synthesis and application of a novel solid-phase microextraction adsorbent: Hollow fiber supported carbon nanotube reinforced sol–gel for determination of phenobarbital

A novel solid-phase microextraction technique using a hollow fiber-supported sol–gel combined with multi-walled carbon nanotubes was employed in the determination of phenobarbital in wastewater. In this new technique, a silica-based, organic–inorganic polymer containing functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was prepared with sol–gel technology via the reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) with an acidic catalyst (HCl). This sol was injected into a polypropylene hollow fiber segment for in situ gelation. This device operated in direct immersion sampling mode. The experimental setup is simple and affordable, and the device is disposable, so there is no risk of cross-contamination or carry-over. Parameters affecting extraction such as pH of the aqueous solution, ageing and extraction times, aqueous sample volume, agitation speed and carbon nanotube amount were optimized. Linearity was observed over a range of 0.50–5000 ng mL⁻¹, with an estimation coefficient (r²) higher than 0.982. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.32 ng mL⁻¹ (n = 5), and repeatability (RSD% = 2.9) was from the average of three levels of analyte concentrations (1, 1000 and 4500 ng mL⁻¹) with three replicates for each within a single day. Finally, a pre-concentration factor of 2100 was obtained for phenobarbital.     

Ultrasound assisted syntheses of a nano-structured two-dimensional mixed-ligand cadmium(II) coordination polymer and direct thermolyses for the preparation of cadmium(II) oxide nanoparticles

A nano-sized mixed-ligand Cd(II) coordination polymer, {[Cd(bpa)(4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n (1); bpa = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane and 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, has been synthesized by a sonochemical method and characterized by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Compound 1 grows in one dimension by two different bridging ligands, 4,4′-bipy and bpa. The thermal stability of compound 1 in the bulk form and nano-sized was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The crystallinity of this compound was studied by X-ray powder diffraction and compared with an XRD simulation of the single crystal data. CdO nanoparticles were obtained by direct calcination at 500 °C and decomposition in oleic acid at 200 °C of the nano-sized compound 1. The obtained cadmium(II) oxide nano-particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

One‐Step Synthesis of Aromatic Terminal Alkynes from Their Corresponding Ketones under Microwave Irradiation

One‐step microwave‐assisted synthesis of phenylacetylenes 2a–j from the corresponding ketones 1a–j in the presence of a new reagent, PCl₅–pyridine, is described. The reaction is carried out under a simple operational and experimental procedure, avoiding the use of the complicated and harsh multistep reaction.     

SPIN LABELED CYSTEINES AS SENSORS FOR PROTEIN-LIPID INTERACTION AND CONFORMATION IN RHODOPSIN

In stoichiometric amounts, the spin label N-tempoyl-(p-chloromercuribenzamide) reacts rapidly with one cysteine residue in membrane-bound bovine rhodopsin. This residue is distinct from the two reactive cysteines previously used as attachment sites for spectroscopic labels, and is on the external surface of the protein near the cytoplasmic membrane/aqueous interface. The spin-labeled side chain has revealed a light-induced conformational change in membrane-bound rhodopsin that is apparently not associated with protein aggregation. The changes are reversible upon the addition of 11-cis retinal, and the magnitude of the change is dependent on the identity of the phospholipid in the surrounding bilayer. Alteration of lipid composition has a much larger effect on bleached rhodopsin than rhodopsin itself, indicating that the former is more readily deformable in response to changes in bilayer properties. This is consistent with the loss of 11-cis retinal binding energy in opsin compared to rhodopsin. These results provide direct structural evidence that the conformation of a membrane protein can be modulated by the lipid properties.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Izomerization of N-Alkoxycarbonyl-5-aroxytetrazoles

The kinetics and mechanism of the N²-N¹-isomerization of 2-methoxycarbonyl-5-(p-X-phenoxy)- tetrazoles (X = H, CH₃, NHCOCH₃, Cl, Br, NO₂) were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy in a DMSO-d ₆-CDCl₃ mixture (25:75). The rate of isomerization of the N²-isomer into N¹-isomer fit the first-order equation (after three half-conversion periods). The isomerization is accompanied by hydrolysis and decarboxylation. The Hammett plot of ln(k _X k _H) for the isomerization showed a good correlation with ^- values (^- = 1.33, r = 0.965). A poor correlation with values was obtained. The kinetic data, the effect of solvent polarity, the substituent effects, and the results of AM1 quantum-chemical calculations suggest an ionic mechanism of the isomerization in polar solvents and a concerted mechanism in nonpolar solvents.     

Nanoclusteration of DNA with dendronized polymer in terms of free energy

A thermodynamic cycle for the nanoclusteration between DNA and dendronized polymer is proposed and electrostatic free energies of a series of DNA- dendronized polymer nanoclusteration processes are calculated. The free energies for assembling fixed charges and mobile ions, and the bending energies of the DNA chain wrapped around the dendronized polymer are taken into consideration. The free energies of nanoclusteration are calculated for a number of nanoclusters with different conformations at constant temperature and constant ionic strength. The effects of temperature and ionic strength on the free energy of nanoclusteration and stability of their conformations are also investigated.     

Hydropathic influences on the quantification of equine heart cytochrome c using relative ion abundance measurements by electrospray ionization fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry.

The number of publications documenting the utility of electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR-MS) for the analysis of biological molecules has increased in geometric proportion spanning diverse areas of research. Currently, we are investigating the capabilities of ESI-FTICR to quantify relative molecular ion abundances of biopolymers, an area which has not been explored rigorously. We present here the results of an investigation of a two-component system utilizing equine heart cytochrome c (EH) as the analyte and bovine heart cytochrome c (BH) as a constant concentration internal standard. As these compounds are relatively large ( approximately 12 kDa), they will become multiply charged during the electrospray process. Using appropriate solution and instrument conditions, the 7(+) and 8(+) charge states were enhanced for both cytochrome c species. We report that using the average of the ion abundances for the two charge states observed for each species, the linear curve (intensity ratio vs concentration ratio) had a dynamic range of 0.045-2.348 microM (1.7 orders of magnitude). Linear least-squares regression analysis (LLSRA) of these averaged ion abundances (i.e. [(EH + 7H(+))(7+)/(BH + 7H(+))(7+) + (EH + 8H(+))(8+)/(BH + 8H(+))(8+)]/2) yielded the equation y = 1.005x + 0.027. The slope of the line with its calculated precision, reported as one standard deviation, is 1.005 +/- 0.0150, which is statistically ideal (i.e. equal to unity). However, LLSRA of the ion abundances of the two individual charge states were significantly different (i.e. the slope of the (EH + 7H(+))(7+)/(BH + 7H(+))(7+) peak intensity ratio vs molar ratio data was 0.885 +/- 0.0183 and the slope of the (EH + 8H(+))(8+)/(BH + 8H(+))(8+) data was 1.125 +/- 0.0308). We attribute this difference to the variation in primary amino acid sequence for the two cytochrome c species. Both have 104 amino acids, but there are three residue substitutions between EH and BH; one of the substitutions confers an additional basic site to EH. While this extra basic residue may imply an additional charging site, the low charge states observed under the solution conditions employed indicate that most (>66%) basic sites are not protonated. However, the extra basic site also renders EH slightly more hydrophilic. These results present significant considerations when choosing internal standards for the quantification of large proteins by ESI-FTICR-MS and demonstrate that relative molecular ion signals in FTICR can be used to quantify macromolecular species in the nanomolar regime.     

The effects of mechanical properties of DNA on the thermodynamic stability of the DNA-dendronized polymer nanocluster

The effects of the mechanical properties of DNA, such as bending, twisting, and bending-twisting interactions on the thermodynamic stability of DNA-dendronized polymer nanoclusters with different conformations in terms of free energy are investigated. The effect of temperature on the free energy is also studied and the values of enthalpy and entropy of the solution of the nanocluster are predicted. The obtained thermodynamic quantities help us to have a better understanding about the mechanical properties of DNA and the stability of the nanocluster in gene therapy.     

Efficient diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of α,β-disubstituted γ-phosphono sulfonates

The first asymmetric synthesis of α,β-disubstituted γ-phosphono sulfonates is reported. The key step is the Michael addition of a lithiated enantiopure sulfonate bearing an inexpensive chiral sugar auxiliary to α,β-unsaturated phosphonates in good diastereoselectivities. After chromatographic purification, the cleavage of the chiral sugar auxiliary proceeds without any epimerization or racemization to form the corresponding isopropyl sulfonate in very good overall yield (75%) and excellent diastereomeric and enantiomeric excess (de, ee ? 95%).     

Synthesis of Novel Polycyclic Indole‐Annulated Thiopyranocoumarin Derivatives via Domino Knoevenagel–Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction in Aqueous Media

An efficient synthesis of polycyclic indole derivatives is achieved via domino Knoevenagel–hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction of O‐acrylated salicylaldehyde derivatives with dihydroindole‐2‐thiones in H₂O as solvent. The products are formed in good‐to‐excellent yields with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity.