Columnar phases from semi-discoid molecules. Phase induction via hydrogen bonding and charge transfer interactions

Abstract

To investigate the non-linear optical properties of nitrophenylhydrazones, a series of 4-nitro- and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazones of substituted aromatic aldehydes were synthesized. It was found that many of the dinitrophenythydrazone derivatives are liquid-crystalline and X-ray investigations show that the mesophase corresponds to a hexagonal columnar structure. To explain this unusual behaviour it is necessary to assume that a mesogenic structure is formed by intramolecular hydrogen bonding of the dinitrophenylhydrazones. Charge transfer induced antiparallel alignment of these moleculer dipoles leads to discoid structures, forming the columnar phases.     

Synthesis, characterisation and cytotoxicity of polyoxometalate/carboxymethyl chitosan nanocomposites

Chitosan and its derivates continue to attract considerable research interest as effective drug carriers with good biocompatibility and high cellular uptake rates. We used these versatile features to tap the considerable biomedical potential of polyoxometalates (POMs) through their encapsulation into a carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) matrix. The nanocapsules were prepared by ionic gelification with Ca(2+); their size distribution ranges from 60 to 150 nm. Because [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(PW(9)O(34))(2)](10-) is well known for its manifold properties, such as antiviral activity, it was selected as a model POM. The resulting composites were characterised with a wide range of analytical methods, which pointed to quantitative encapsulation of intact POMs within the CMC matrix. We studied the biocompatibility of the POM/CMC nanocomposites on HeLa cells through MTT and proliferation assays. Even after prolonged incubation times at high concentrations, the composites did not display cytotoxicity, thereby drastically reducing the side effects of the pristine POMs. This opens up new avenues for designing novel inorganic drug prototypes from bioactive POMs.     

A Microgel Construction Kit for Bioorthogonal Encapsulation and pH‐Controlled Release of Living Cells

pH‐Cleavable cell‐laden microgels with excellent long‐term viabilities were fabricated by combining bioorthogonal strain‐promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition (SPAAC) and droplet‐based microfluidics. Poly(ethylene glycol)dicyclooctyne and dendritic poly(glycerol azide) served as bioinert hydrogel precursors. Azide conjugation was performed using different substituted acid‐labile benzacetal linkers that allowed precise control of the microgel degradation kinetics in the interesting pH range between 4.5 and 7.4. By this means, a pH‐controlled release of the encapsulated cells was achieved upon demand with no effect on cell viability and spreading. As a result, the microgel particles can be used for temporary cell encapsulation, allowing the cells to be studied and manipulated during the encapsulation and then be isolated and harvested by decomposition of the microgel scaffolds.     

PERI-INTERACTIONS IN NAPHTHALENES, 21. SUBSTITUENT EFFECTS IN (8-DIMETHYLAMINO-NAPHTH-1-YL)- AND [2-DIMETHYLAMINO-METHYL)PHENYL] - PHOSPHINES ON THE 31P-NMR SIGNAL POSITIONS

Abstract

Contrary to claims in the literature, the ³¹P NMR signal positions of ortho-dimethylaminomethyl-substituted triarylphosphines do not provide evidence for hypercoordination at phosphorus; the observed highfield shifts relative to triphenylphosphine are rather due to the ortho-effect. In (8-dimethylamino-naphth-1-yl)phosphines, the signal positions similar to that of triphenylphosphine are the result of the highfield ortho-effect and a lowfield peri-substituent effect of about the same magnitude whose nature remains to be explored.     

Strukturuntersuchungen an Derivaten des Nickelkomplexes Ni(ONO) (ONO2− = Dianion einer dreizähnigen Schiffschen Base)

Structure Studies on Derivatives of the Nickel Complex Ni(ONO) (ONO^2? = Dianion of a Tridentate Schiff Base) The thermodynamically stable form of the solvent free, formally tri-coordinate complex Ni(ONO) (ONO^2? = dianion of N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-ethoxycarbonyl-3-ox(o-butene(1) amine(1)) as well as the mono adducts Ni(ONO)X with X = ammonia and X = diphenyl thiourea (DPT) have been characterized by X-ray structure analysis. In all cases the central atom is coordinated in a square-planar fashion, only for the adduct Ni(ONO)(DPT) a pyramidal distortion is observed which is due to the formation of hydrogen bonds. The solvent free form is a dimer [Ni(ONO)]₂, and represents one of the few examples of dinuclear nickel complexes with a planar [NO₃] coordination. The phenolic O-atoms act as bridging ligands. Due to their reduced π-donor strength the bond lengths Ni? O trans to the bridges are significantly shortened. In contrast to the analogous complex with an aliphatic bridge, “NiEIA”, both halves of the dimeric molecules are coplanar with a Ni? Ni distance of 3.29 Å.     

Automatic analysis of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification products (exemplified by a commercial kit for prenatal aneuploidy detection)

For use in routine prenatal diagnostics, we developed software and methods for automatic aneuploidy detection based on a commercial multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) kit. Software and methods ensure a reliable, objective, and fast workflow, and may be applied to other types of MLPA kits. Following CE of MLPA amplification products, the software automatically identified the peak area for each probe, normalized it in relation to the neighboring peak areas of the test sample, computed the ratio relative to a reference created from normal samples, and compensated the ratio for a side effect of the normalization procedure that scaled all chromosomally normal DNA peak areas slightly up or down depending on the kind of aneuploidy present. For the chromosomes 13, 18, 21, X, and Y, probe reliability weighted mean ratio values and corresponding SDs were calculated, and the significance for being outside a reference interval around ratio 1.0 was tested. p < or = 1% suggested aneuploidy and 1 < p < or = 5% suggested potential aneuploidy. Individual peaks, where the normalized area was situated more than 4 SD from the corresponding reference, suggested possible partial deletion or gain. Sample quality was automatically assessed. Control probes were not required. Having used the software and methods for two years, we conclude that a reliable, objective, and fast workflow is obtained.