The influences of solid-phase organic constituents on the partition of aliphatic and aromatic organic contaminants

The influence of natural organic matter (NOM) constituents on contaminant distribution coefficients was evaluated by determining the Koc values of aromatic and aliphatic organic compounds (solutes) with clays modified with both aromatic- and aliphatic-rich organic constituents. The studied compounds consisted of naphthalene, phenanthrene, n-pentane, and 2,3,4-trimethylmethane; the solid samples comprised two clays with little organic content, kaolinite and Ca-montmorillonite. Two aliphatic surfactants and three aromatic dyes, sorbed to the clays, served as reference NOM constituents. For solutes of comparable water solubilities, the organic-carbon normalized distribution coefficients (Koc) of the aliphatic solutes between sorbed aliphatic organic matter and aqueous solution slightly exceed those of the aromatic solutes. By contrast, the aromatic solutes exhibited higher Koc values than did the aliphatic compounds with sorbed aromatic-rich organic matter. The difference in Koc values could be attributed to either comparable solubility parameters or the difference in the chemical structure between nonionic organic solutes and specific components of the simulated NOM. The much higher Koc values observed for the aromatic solutes indicate that the NOM composition is a major factor determining the NOC environmental distribution.     

Two Novel Oxamidato-bridged Tetranuclear Complexes M[Cu(PMoxd)]3(ClO4)2 (M=Mn, Ni, Cu(PMoxd)=N,N′-bis(pyridyl-methyl)-oxamidatocopper(II)): Syntheses, Spectra, Magnetic and Electrochemical Properties

Two novel oxamidato-bridged Mn[Cu(PMoxd)]₃(ClO₄)₂ (1) Ni[Cu(PMoxd)]₃(ClO₄)₂ (2) tetranuclear complexes were prepared and characterized by i.r., e.p.r., electronic spectra, cyclic voltammograms, and magnetic properties. The magnetic analysis was carried out by means of the theoretical expression of the magnetic susceptibility deduced from the spin Hamiltonian H=−2JS_M(S_Cu1+ S_Cu2 + S_Cu3) (M=Mn, Ni), leading to J=−20.4 cm⁻¹; −121.1 cm⁻¹ for complexes (1) and (2) respectively. Magnetic measurements indicate that the overall magnetic behavior of the tetranuclear species are antiferromagnetic.     

Tuning the Hybridization of Local Exciton and Charge-Transfer States in Highly Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Decreasing the energy loss is one of the most feasible ways to improve the efficiencies of organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. Recent studies have suggested that non-radiative energy loss ( ) is the dominant factor that hinders further improvements in state-of-the-art OPV cells. However, there is no rational molecular design strategy for OPV materials with suppressed . Herein, taking molecular surface electrostatic potential (ESP) as a quantitative parameter, we establish a general relationship between chemical structure and intermolecular interactions. The results reveal that increasing the ESP difference between donor and acceptor will enhance the intermolecular interaction. In the OPV cells, the enhanced intermolecular interaction will increase the charge-transfer (CT) state ratio in its hybridization with the local exciton state to facilitate charge generation, but simultaneously result in a larger . These results suggest that finely tuning the ESP of OPV materials is a feasible method to further improve the efficiencies of OPV cells.     

Two New Triterpene Lactones from the Stems of Kadsura polysperma

Two new triterpene lactones, polysperlactones A ( 2 ) and B ( 3 ), were isolated from the stems of Kadsura polysperma, together with the known compounds heteroclitalactone D ( 1 ) and schisanlactone E ( 4 ). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including 2D‐NMR and HR‐MS techniques. The configuration of 1 was confirmed by X‐ray analysis. Compounds 2 and 3 are members of a rare class of 3,4‐secolanostane metabolites with ring‐expanded or cyclized structures, respectively.     

Lanthanide complexes of [alpha-2-P2W17O61]10-: solid state and solution studies

We have isolated the 1:1 Ln:[alpha-2-P2W17O61]10- complexes for a series of lanthanides. The single-crystal X-ray structure of the Eu3+ analogue reveals two identical [Eu(H2O)3(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]7- moieties connected through two Eu-O-W bonds, one from each polyoxometalate unit. An inversion center relates the two polyoxometalate units. The Eu(III) ion is substituted for a [WO]4+ unit in the "cap" region of the tungsten-oxygen framework of the parent Wells-Dawson ion. The point group of the dimeric molecule is Ci. The extended structure is composed of the [Eu(H2O)3(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]214- anions linked together by surface-bound potassium cations. The space group is P, a = 12.7214(5) A, b = 14.7402(7) A, c = 22.6724(9) A, alpha = 71.550(3), beta = 84.019(3)degrees, gamma = 74.383(3), V = 3883.2(3) A3, Z = 1. The solution studies, including 183W NMR spectroscopy and luminescence lifetime measurements, show that the molecules dissociate in solution to form monomeric [Ln(H2O)4(alpha-2-P2W17O61)]7- species.     

Polymeric thiols as enzyme activators of serum creatine phosphokinase

Several hydrophilic polymeric thiols were prepared from aminoactivated polymeric supports by reaction with N-acetylhomocysteinethiolactone. Supports include agaroses, cellulose, Glycophase™ controlled-pore glass, and Matrex™ acrylic beads. Thiol content in these polymers was 3–72 μmol SH/g dry polymer. Several were effective solid-phase activators of the sulfhydryl-dependent enzyme creatine phosphokinase at concentrations comparable to that of monomeric thiol required for enzyme activation. The kinetic activation curves for the polymeric and the monomeric (thioglucose) activators were similar, suggesting unhindered interaction of the enzyme with the polymeric activator.     

Quantitative detection of N(7)-(2-hydroxyethyl)guanine adducts in DNA using high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) to develop a sensitive and selective method for the quantitative measurement of N(7)-(2-hydroxyethyl)guanine (N(7)-HEG) adducts in DNA obtained from ethylene oxide-exposed biological samples. Selected reaction monitoring (SRM) was used as the detection mode while the fragmentation product ion at m/z 152 generated from the precursor protonated N(7)-HEG (m/z 196) was monitored. The detection limits for N(7)-HEG were estimated by twofold serial dilution and determined to be 4 fmol in neat standard solution and 16 fmol when a matrix effect is considered. When the mass spectrometer was operated in the selected ion monitoring mode using only the first quadrupole (without MS/MS function), the detection limits increased to 128 fmol and 1 pmol (when matrix effect is considered), respectively. A good linear correlation (R(2) = 0.999) was observed for signal intensities obtained by injecting 16 fmol--33 pmol of N(7)-HEG into the HPLC/ESI-MS/MS system. Hep G2 cells were incubated for 8 h with medium containing various concentrations of ethylene oxide (ranging from 0.05 to 5.0 mM). A dose-response relationship was established, indicating that the adduct formation increases with the exposure level. The method shows potential, although the detection limit needs to be lowered for practical applications, for use in monitoring N(7)-HEG formation in other biological systems.     

Fe(II) in different macrocycles: electronic structures and properties

A theoretical comparative study of complexes of porphyrin (P), porphyrazine (Pz), phthalocyanine (Pc), porphycene (Pn), dibenzoporphycene (DBPn), and hemiporphyrazine (HPz) with iron (Fe) has been carried out using a density functional theory (DFT) method. The difference in the core size and shape of the macrocycle has a substantial effect on the electronic structure and properties of the overall system. The ground states of FeP and FePc were identified to be the 3A2g [(d(xy))2(d(z)2)2(d(pi))2] state, followed by 3E(g) [(d(xy))2(d(z)2)1(d(pi))3]. For FePz, however, the 3E(g)-3A2g energy gap of 0.02 eV may be too small to distinguish between the ground and excited states. When the symmetry of the macrocycle is reduced from D4h to D2h, the degeneracy of the d(pi) (d(xz), d(yz)) orbitals is removed, and the ground state becomes 3B2g [(d(xy))2(d(z)2)1(d(yz))2(d(xz))1] or 3B3g [...(d(yz))1(d(xz))2] for FePn, FeDBPn, and FeHPz. The calculations also show how the change of the macrocycle can influence the axial ligand coordination of pyridine (Py) and CO to the Fe(II) complexes. Finally, the electronic structures of the mono- and dipositive and -negative ions for all the unligated and ligated iron macrocycles were elucidated, which is important for understanding the redox properties of these compounds. The differences in the observed electrochemical (oxidation and reduction) properties between metal porphycenes (MPn) and metal porphyrins (MP) can be accounted for by the calculated results (orbital energy level diagrams, ionization potentials, and electron affinities).     

Development and validation of an isotope-dilution electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry method with an on-line sample clean-up device for the quantitative analysis of the benzene exposure biomarker S-phenylmercapturic acid in human urine

An isotope-dilution electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) method with an on-line sample clean-up device, for the quantitative analysis of human urine for the benzene exposure biomarker S-phenylmercapturic acid (SPMA), was developed and validated. The sample clean-up system was constructed from an autosampler, a reversed-phase C18 trap cartridge, a two-position switching valve, and controlling computer software and hardware. The sample clean-up system was interfaced via 1/20 splitting to the ESI source of a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer using negative ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring for SPMA and the isotope-labeled internal standard. A strategy was adopted to acquire pooled blank urine matrix and quality control samples spiked with standards. Validated procedures and data on method specificity, detection limits, standard curves, precision and recovery, sample storage stability, and inter-laboratory comparison are presented. The analytical system was fully automated. No tedious manual sample clean-up procedures are required. With the selectivity and the sensitivity provided by ESI-MS/MS detection, the analytical system can be used for high-throughput and accurate determination of SPMA levels in human urine samples, as a biomarker for environmental as well as occupational benzene exposure.     

两个双核铁（Ⅲ）和三足配体的配合物的合成和晶体结构

运用三足四齿配体三（2－甲基吡啶）胺（TPA）或三（2－甲基苯丙咪唑）胺（TBA）,得到两个双核铁(III)配合物，[Fe₂L₂(μ₂-O)(μ₂-p-NH₂-C₆H₄COO)]³⁺ (L = TPA, 1 和 L = TBA, 2)。两个配合物均为单斜晶系，空间群为P2(1)/c.晶胞参数 1: a = 1.4529(4), b = 1.6622(5), c = 2.0625(6) nm, β= 100.327(5)º, V = 4.900(3) nm³, z = 4, F(000) = 2344, 分子量M_r = 1142.91, Dc = 1.549 g/cm³, R₁ = 0.0544, R₂ = 0.0962. 2: a = 1.3378(4), b = 2.1174(7), c = 2.4351(7) nm, β= 97.315(6)º, V = 6.842(4) nm³, z = 4, F (000) = 3116, 分子量M_r = 1505.08, Dc = 1.444 g/cm³, R₁ = 0.0793, R₂ = 0.1623. 在两个双核铁(III)配合物中，中心的三价铁和配体TPA或TBA上的四个氮原子和两个氧原子通过不同的桥形成一个畸变的八面体构型。