Enantioselective sorption of some chiral carboxylic acids by various cyclodextrin-grafted iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

A new enantioselective sorption approach to chiral carboxylic acid molecules such as (R)-(?)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine (R)-(?)DNBPG, (S)-(+)-N-(3,5-dinitrobenzoyl)phenylglycine (S)-(+)DNBPG, (R)-(+)-N-(1-phenylethyl)phthalamic acid (R)-(+)PEPA and (S)-(?)-N-(1-phenylethyl)phthalamic acid (S)-(?)PEPA regarding their complexation with three diversely functionalized β-cyclodextrin grafted iron oxide nanoparticles in the aqueous phase, was developed. The sorption efficiencies of these carboxylic acids were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an Ace 5 C18 column. The effects of temperatures on the sorption were also investigated. The results showed that the ether functionalized derivative of β-cyclodextrin Al-CD-MNPs has a specific affinity for (R)-(?)DNBPG at 30 °C and pH 7.0. The amine functionalized derivative of β-cyclodextrin Am-CD-MNPs has a greater affinity towards not only (S)-(?)DNBPG, but also (R)-(+)PEPA compared with their other isomers, which are the (R)-isomer of DNBPG and the (S)-isomer of PEPA at 30 °C and pH 7.0. In addition, although amide functionalized derivatives of β-cyclodextrin (Amd-CD-MNPs) have an affinity towards both isomers of some chiral carboxylic acids; no selective affinity was observed at 30 °C and pH 7.0.     

Spray‐processable thiazolothiazole‐based copolymers with altered donor groups and their electrochromic properties

Two novel thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole containing donor–acceptor type alternating copolymers, poly[2‐(5‐(2‐decyl‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl)‐5‐(thiophen‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole] (BTzTh) and poly[2‐(5‐(2‐decyl‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐4‐yl)furan‐2‐yl)‐5‐(furan‐2‐yl)thiazolo[5,4‐d]thiazole] (BTzFr) were synthesized by Stille coupling polymerization and their electrochemical and electrochromic properties were explored. Electrochemical activities of the spray‐casted polymer films were determined by cyclic voltammetry. To evaluate the effect of thiophene and furan moieties on the optical properties of the copolymers, spectroelectrochemistry studies were performed. To examine the switching abilities, copolymer films were subjected to a double potential step chronoamperometry in their local maximum absorptions. Both thiazolothiazole‐containing copolymers showed multichromic properties with low band‐gap values 1.7 and 1.9 eV for BTzTh and BTzFr, respectively. The decent electrochromical properties together with solution processability make them important candidates for electrochromic applications. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3901–3906     

Determination of lead by hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HG-ICP-MS): On-line generation of plumbane using potassium hexacyanomanganate(III)

A hydride generation (HG) procedure has been described for determination of Pb by ICP-MS using potassium hexacyanomanganate(III), K₃Mn(CN)₆, as an additive to facilitate the generation of plumbane (PbH₄). Potassium hexacyanomanganate(III) was prepared in acidic medium as it was unstable in water. The stability of hexacyanomanganate(III) was examined in dilute solutions of HCl, HNO₃ and H₂SO₄. The solutions prepared in 1% v/v H₂SO₄ were found to be stable for over a period of 24 h. The least suitable medium was 1% v/v HNO₃. For generation of plumbane, acidic hexacyanomanganate(III) and sample solutions were mixed on-line along a 5-cm long tygon tubing (1.14 mm i.d.) and then reacted with 2% m/v sodium borohydride (NaBH₄). A concentration of 0.5% m/v K₃Mn(CN)₆ facilitated the generation of PbH₄ remarkably. In comparison to H₂SO₄, HCl provided broader working range for which optimum concentration was 1% v/v. No significant interferences were noted from transition metals and hydride forming elements, up to 0.5 μg mL⁻¹ levels, except Cu which depressed the signals severely. The depressive effects in the presence of 0.1 μg mL⁻¹ Cu were alleviated by increasing the concentration of K₃Mn(CN)₆ to 2% m/v. Under these conditions, the sensitivity was enhanced by a factor of at least 42 to 48. The detection limit (3 s) was 0.008 μg L⁻¹ for ²⁰⁸Pb isotope. Average signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) ranged between 18 and 20 for 1.0 μg mL⁻¹ Pb solution. The accuracy of the method was verified by analysis of several certified reference materials, including Nearshore seawater (CASS-4), Bone ash (SRM 1400), and Mussel tissue (SRM 2976). The procedure was also successfully applied to the determination of Pb in coastal seawater samples by ICP-MS.     

Zinc(II) and Mercury(II) Complexes of Pyrazole‐Based NNN‐Type Ligands: Syntheses,X‐ray Structures,Thermal Analyses and DFT Studies

Monomeric zinc(II) and mercury(II) complexes containing tripodal nitrogen donor ligand 2,6‐bis(3,4,5‐trimethyl‐N‐pyrazolyl)pyridine (btmpp) were synthesized, and characterized by elemental and spectroscopic (IR, UV/Vis) analyses, TG‐DTA and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. X‐ray analyses of the complexes [Zn(btmpp)Cl₂] ( 2 ) and [Hg(btmpp)(SCN)₂] ( 3 ) showed that both structures crystallize in space group P2₁/c with a = 7.9722(6), b = 18.3084(13), c = 13.3117(9) Å and Z = 4 for 2 and a = 8.7830(3), b = 21.1489(7), c = 12.0682(4) Å and Z = 4 for 3 . Both monomeric units contain pentacoordinate metal ions in distorted square‐pyramidal arrangement. The structures of complexes 2 and 3 were also computed with DFT methods at B3LYP/LanL2DZ level and are in good agreement with the experimental values obtained from X‐ray analysis. The NPa charge distributions, HOMO–LUMO gaps, and dipole moments for 1 , 2 , and 3 were also reported. Natural bond orbital analyses were performed to reveal local charges and charge transfers in 1 , 2 , and 3 .     

Broad band metamaterial absorber based on wheel resonators with lumped elements for microwave energy harvesting

A new metamaterial absorber structure is designed and characterized both numerically and experimentally for microwave energy harvesting applications. The proposed structure includes four wheel resonators with different dimensions, from which the overall response of the structure can then be obtained by summing all the overlapping frequency responses corresponding to each dimension. The essential operation frequency range of the wheels is selected in such a way that the energy used in wireless communications and found within the environment that we live is absorbed. The dimensions are obtained using parametric study and genetic algorithm to realize wideband absorption response. When the simulation and measurement results are taken into account, it is observed that the metamaterial absorber based harvester has potential to absorb and convert microwave energy with an absorption ratio lying within the range of 80 and 99% for the frequency band of 3–5.9 and 7.3–8 GHz. The conversion efficiency of the structure as a harvester is found to be greater than 0.8 in the interval of 2–5 GHz. Furthermore, the incident angle and polarization dependence of the wheel resonator based metamaterial absorber and harvester is also investigated and it is observed that the structure has both polarization and incident angle independent frequency response with good absorption characteristics in the entire working frequency band. Hence, the suggested design having good absorption, polarization and angle independent characteristics with wide bandwidth is a potential candidate for future energy harvester using wireless communication frequency band.     

Bending behavior of a bi-morph piezoelectric curved beam

A simple and concise mathematical model describing the deformation and the electrical behavior of a bi-morph piezoelectric curved sensor subjected to pure bending is developed. In particular, the influence of the couple moment on the electrical potential generated in the sensor is investigated and the results are presented in graphical form. (© 2014 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Spectroscopic Properties of Hexa(4-Bromo-2-Formyl-Phenoxy)Cyclotriphosphazene and Hexa(4-Chloro-2-Formyl-Phenoxy)Cyclotriphosphazene and Fully Substituted Cyclotriphosphazene Derivatives Bearing a Schiff Base at Room Temperature

Abstract

Hexa(4-bromo-2-formyl-phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (2) and hexa(4-chloro-2- formyl-phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (3) were obtained from the reactions of hexachloro- cyclotriphosphazene (1) with 5-bromosalicylaldehyde and 5-chlorosalicylaldehyde in the presence of (C₂H₅)₃N and K₂CO₃ at room temperature, respectively. The new two organocyclotriphosphazenes bearing formyl groups were reacted with 4-cyano aniline, 2-phenyl aniline, 4-aceto aniline, 5-chloro-2-hydroxy aniline, 2-hydroxy aniline, 4-hydroxy aniline, 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl amine, 4-carboxy aniline, 4-carbomoyl aniline, 2-mercapto aniline, and 5-amino isoquonoline to prepare cyclotriphosphazene derivatives containing a Schiff base at room temperature. However, fully phenoxy-substituted cyclotriphosphazenes containing a Schiff base were isolated from the reactions of the compound 2 and 3 with 5-chloro-2-hydroxy aniline, 2-hydroxy aniline, 4-hydroxy aniline, and 2-(4-morpholino)ethyl amine. The structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) spectroscopy. According to the results of the analysis, all synthesized compounds were found to be fully substituted organocyclotriphosphazenes, such as hexa[4-bromo-2-(5-chloro-2-hydroxy-pheyliminomethyl)phenoxy]cyclotriphosphaze (2a). All cyclotriphosphazene derivatives synthesized gave fluorescence emission peaks in range between 300 nm and 410 nm.     

Synthesis and Characterization of N-(2,2-Diphenylacetyl)- N′-Substituted Thiourea Derivatives: The Crystal Structure of N-(2,2-Diphenylacetyl)-N′-(4-chloro phenyl)-thiourea

A series of new N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-N ′-substituted thiourea derivatives (1–9) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. N-(2,2-diphenylacetyl)-N ′-(4-chlorophenyl)-thiourea was also characterized by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 and a = 9.6551(19) Å, b = 20.060(4) Å, c = 9.894(2) Å, β = 104.29(3)°. The molecular conformation of the compound is stabilized by an intramolecular (N1-H1···O1) hydrogen bond that forms a pseudo-six-membered ring.     

Purification and Characterization of Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) from Swiss Black,Holstein, and Montofon Bovines

Paraoxonase 1 (PON1: EC 3.1.8.1) is a calcium-dependent enzyme associated with high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and has a protective effect against oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) in mammals. PON1 is the best-studied member of a family of enzymes called serum paraoxonases, or PONs, identified in mammals and other vertebrates as well as in invertebrates. PONs exhibit a range of important activities, including drug metabolism and detoxification of organophosphates such as nerve agents. This study reports, for the first time, purification and biochemical characterization of serum PON1 from different bovine breeds namely Swiss Black, Holstein, and Montofon. Bovine serum PON1s were purified using ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by Sepharose-4B-l-tyrosine-1-naphthylamine hydrophobic interaction chromatography. SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the purified enzymes indicates a single band with an apparent MW of 43 kDa. The purified enzymes had a specific activity of 10.78, 27.00, and 22.38 U/mg for Swiss Black, Holstein, and Montofon bovines, respectively. The overall purification rates of our method were 262.47-, 2,476.90-, and 538.06-fold for Swiss Black, Holstein, and Montofon bovines, respectively. Furthermore, using phenyl acetate as a substrate, we determined the K _M and V _max values of the purified enzymes, as 0.80 mM, 1428.5 U/ml for Swiss Black; 0.40 mM, 714.3 U/ml for Holstein; and 0.50 mM, 1,111.1 U/ml for Montofon bovine. The present study has revealed that there is no substantial difference in PON1 activities among the studied bovine breeds.