<Superscript>90</Superscript>Y-DOTA-Lanreotide: A potential agent for targeted therapy

Several human tumors such as neuroendocrine tumors, medullary thyroid carcinoma, etc., express somatostatin receptors which specifically bind somatostatin and its analogues such as lanreotide, octreotide, etc. In order to prepare a therapeutic agent for targeting such tumors, attempts were made to prepare ⁹⁰Y-DOTA-Lanreotide. Lanreotide could be successfully conjugated with the macrocyclic chelating agent DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraaza cyclododecane tetracetic acid) which forms stable complexes with ⁹⁰Y. ⁹⁰Y-DOTA-Lanreotide could be prepared in >98% radiochemical purity and remained stable for 72 hours at room temperature. The tracer showed specific binding to A431 cells. Biodistribution studies in C57BL6 mice bearing melanoma showed ∼1.3% uptake pergram of tumor at 24-hour p.i.     

Spectrophotometric study of the supramolecular complexes of [60]- and [70]Fullerenes with biscalix[6]arene and crown[4]calix[6]arene

[60]- and [70]Fullerenes have been shown to form 1:1 supramolecular complexes with bis[2-(5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-tert-butyl-37,38,39,40,41-pentahydroxycalix[6]arenyl-oxy ethyl ether) (1) and 5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa-tert-butyl-37,38,40,41-tetra hydroxyl-39,42-(crown-4)calix[6]arene (2) in CHCl3 medium by electronic absorption spectroscopy. Formation constants (K) of the complexes of [60]- and [70]fullerenes with 1 and 2 have been determined at room temperature from which free energy of formation values of the complexes have been estimated. The very high formation constant value of [60]fullerene/1 complex (5900 dm3 mol-1) in indicative of formation of inclusion complex. Moreover, PM3 calculations reveal that intermolecular interaction between [60]fullerene and 1 proceeds through quite deep energy molecular orbital.     

Spectroscopic study of association of a hemicyanine dye in mixed aqueous binary solvents

Electronic absorption and steady state emission properties of a hemicyanine dye [4-[4-(dimethylamino)styryl]-1-docosylpyridinium bromide], have been studied in several pure solvents and two mixed binary solvents (water+ethanol and water+acetonitrile). In pure solvents the band-width of the absorption spectrum correlates well with the Stoke's shift. In mixed aqueous solvents two different molecular forms of the solute, viz. the monomer and the dimer of the solute exists in equilibrium. Thermodynamic parameters (e.g. the Delta G degrees and Delta H degrees ) characterizing the equilibrium have been determined. While the value of Delta G degrees changes very slightly with the composition of the binary mixture, the value of Delta H degrees has been observed to depend significantly with solvent composition.     

Multiresidue analysis of multiclass plant growth regulators in grapes by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

A selective and rapid multiresidue analysis method is presented for simultaneous estimation of 12 plant growth regulators (PGRs), namely, auxins (indol-3-acetic acid, indol-3-butyric acid, and naphthyl acetic acid), cytokinins (kinetin, zeatin, and 6-benzyladenine), gibberellic acid (GA3), abscisic acid, and synthetic compounds, namely, forchlorfenuron, paclobutrazole, isoprothiolane, and 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D) in bud sprouts and grape berries at the development stages of 2-3 and 6-8 mm diameters, which are the critical phases when exogenous application of PGRs may be necessary to achieve desired grape quality and yield. The sample preparation method involved extraction of plant material with acidified methanol (50%) by homogenization for 2 min at 15000 rpm. The pH of the extract was enhanced up to 6 by adding ammonium acetate, followed by homogenization and centrifugation. The supernatant extract was cleaned by SPE on an Oasis HLB cartridge (200 mg, 6 cc). The final extract was measured directly by LC/MS/MS with electrospray ionization in positive mode, except for 2,4-D, GA3, and abscisic acid extracts, which required analysis in negative mode. Quantification by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was supported with full-scan mass spectrometric confirmation using "information-dependent acquisition" triggered with MRM to "enhanced product ionization" mode of the hybrid quadrupole-ion trap mass analyzer. The LOQ of the test analytes varied between 1 and 10 ng/g with associated recoveries of 80-120% and precision RSD <25% (n = 8). Significant matrix-induced signal suppression was recorded when the responses for pre- and postextraction spikes of analytes were compared; this could be resolved by using matrix-matched calibration standards. The method could successfully be applied in analyzing incurred residue samples and would, therefore, be useful in precisely deciding the necessity and dose of exogenous applications of PGRs on the basis of measured endogenous levels.     

Ionothermal Synthesis of Imide‐Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are an extensively studied class of porous materials, which distinguish themselves from other porous polymers in their crystallinity and high degree of modularity, enabling a wide range of applications. COFs are most commonly synthesized solvothermally, which is often a time‐consuming process and restricted to well‐soluble precursor molecules. Synthesis of polyimide‐linked COFs (PI‐COFs) is further complicated by the poor reversibility of the ring‐closing reaction under solvothermal conditions. Herein, we report the ionothermal synthesis of crystalline and porous PI‐COFs in zinc chloride and eutectic salt mixtures. This synthesis does not require soluble precursors and the reaction time is significantly reduced as compared to standard solvothermal synthesis methods. In addition to applying the synthesis to previously reported imide COFs, a new perylene‐based COF was also synthesized, which could not be obtained by the classical solvothermal route. In situ high‐temperature XRPD analysis hints to the formation of precursor–salt adducts as crystalline intermediates, which then react with each other to form the COF.     

Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate with the use of bromine as photoinitiator

Low concentrations of bromine (0.008–0.06M) were used to initiate photopolymerization of MMA in bulk and in diluted (near bulk) systems, the diluents or solvents used being benzene, toluene, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, and methanol. Polymerization in bulk follows usual free-radical kinetics. Inert solvents (benzene, toluene) as well as the other solvents used enhance the rate of polymerization MMA even when used in the range of catalytic concentrations (0.04–0.4M). An initiation mechanism involving solvent molecules appears to be predominant in diluted systems.     

The clemmensen reduction of α,β-unsaturated ketones

The deoxygenation of the α,β-unsaturated ketones (1) and (5) under the Clemmensen condition yielded the olefins (2) and (6) along with their respective dimers (3+4) and (8+9). The α , β-unsaturated ketone (13) under similar treatment yielded the olefin (14) in satisfactory yield but the dimer could not be characterized. The deoxygenation of the α,β-unsaturated ketones (10) and (16) under similar con- ditions afforded the olefins (12) and (15) respectively in satisfactory yield along with the rearranged olefins (11) and (17) respectively. Epox-idation of the olefin (17) followed by heating with p-toluenesulfonic acid yielded the ketone (18).     

Performance enhancement of phosphoric acid fuel cell using phosphosilicate gel based electrolyte

Replacement of phosphoric acid electrolyte by phosphosilicate gel based electrolytes is proposed for performance enhancement of phosphoric acid fuel cell(PAFC).Phosphosilicate gel in paste form and in powder form is synthesized from tetraethoxysilane and orthophosphoric acid using sol-gel method for two different P/Si ratio of 5 and 1.5 respectively.Replacement of phosphoric acid electrolyte by phosphosilicate gel paste enhances the peak power generation of the fuel cell by 133% at 120 ℃ cell temperature;increases the voltage generation in the ohmic regime and extends the maximum possible load current.Polyinyl alcohol(PVA) is used to bind the phosphosilicate gel powder and to form the hybrid crosslinked gel polymer electrolyte membrane.Soaking the membrane with phosphoric acid solution,instead of that with water improves the proton conductivity of the membrane,enhances the voltage and power generation by the fuel cell and extends the maximum possible operating temperature.At lower operating temperature of 70 ℃,peak power produced by phosphosilicate gel polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell(PGMFC) is increased by 40% compared to that generated by phosphoric acid fuel cell(PAFC).However,the performance of composite membrane diminishes as the cell temperature increases.Thus phosphosilicate gel in paste form is found to be a good alternative of phosphoric acid electrolyte at medium operating temperature range while phosphosilicate gel-PVA composite offers performance enhancement at low operating temperatures.