Characterization and optimization of heroin hapten-BSA conjugates: method development for the synthesis of reproducible hapten-based vaccines

A potential new treatment for drug addiction is immunization with vaccines that induce antibodies that can abrogate the addictive effects of the drug of abuse. One of the challenges in the development of a vaccine against drugs of abuse is the availability of an optimum procedure that gives reproducible and high yielding hapten-protein conjugates. In this study, a heroin/morphine surrogate hapten (MorHap) was coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) using maleimide-thiol chemistry. MorHap-BSA conjugates with 3, 5, 10, 15, 22, 28, and 34 haptens were obtained using different linker and hapten ratios. Using this optimized procedure, MorHap-BSA conjugates were synthesized with highly reproducible results and in high yields. The number of haptens attached to BSA was compared by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) assay, modified Ellman’s test and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Among the three methods, MALDI-TOF MS discriminated subtle differences in hapten density. The effect of hapten density on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) performance was evaluated with seven MorHap-BSA conjugates of varying hapten densities, which were used as coating antigens. The highest antibody binding was obtained with MorHap-BSA conjugates containing 3–5 haptens. This is the first report that rigorously analyzes, optimizes and characterizes the conjugation of haptens to proteins that can be used for vaccines against drugs of abuse. The effect of hapten density on the ELISA detection of antibodies against haptens demonstrates the importance of careful characterization of the hapten density by the analytical techniques described.     

Structurally Stabilized Organosilane‐Templated Thermostable Mesoporous Titania

Structurally thermostable mesoporous anatase TiO₂ (m‐TiO₂) nanoparticles, uniquely decorated with atomically dispersed SiO₂, is reported for the first time. The inorganic Si portion of the novel organosilane template, used as a mesopores‐directing agent, is found to be incorporated in the pore walls of the titania aggregates, mainly as isolated sites. This is evident by transmission electron microscopy and high‐angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy, combined with electron dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. This type of unique structure provides exceptional stability to this new material against thermal collapse of the mesoporous structure, which is reflected in its high surface area (the highest known for anatase titania), even after high‐temperature (550 °C) calcination. Control of crystallite size, pore diameter, and surface area is achieved by varying the molar ratios of the titanium precursor and the template during synthesis. These mesoporous materials retain their porosity and high surface area after template removal and further NaOH/HCl treatment to remove silica. We investigate their performance for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) with bilayer TiO₂ electrodes, which are prepared by applying a coating of m‐TiO₂ onto a commercial titania (P25) film. The high surface area of the upper mesoporous layer in the P25–m‐TiO₂ DSSC significantly increases the dye loading ability of the photoanode. The photocurrent and fill factor for the DSSC with the bilayer TiO₂ electrode are greatly improved. The large increase in photocurrent current (ca. 56 %) in the P25–m‐TiO₂ DSSC is believed to play a significant role in achieving a remarkable increase in the photovoltaic efficiency (60 %) of the device, compared to DSSCs with a monolayer of P25 as the electrode.     

Improved methods for the synthesis and isolation of imidazolium based ionic salts

Solvent-free reactions were used for the synthesis of a series of imidazolium-based ionic salts: 3,3′-[pyridine-2,6-diylbis(methylene)]bis(1-R-1H-imidazol-3-ium)chloride; (R = methyl, ethyl, butyl, isobutyl, hexyl, and benzyl). A simple and effective filtration process was used to isolate all the products in high purity and with yields ?93% within a 24 h period. The highly pure ionic compounds which are precursors to N-heterocyclic carbene ligands used in catalysis were fully characterized as gray-white hygroscopic salts.     

Ligand-induced distortion of a tetranuclear manganese butterfly complex

The reaction of the pentadentate Schiff-base ligand 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol (salproH3) with [Mn3O(O2CR)6(py)3] (R = Me, Et, But) gives the corresponding tetranuclear manganese product [Mn4O2O2CR)5(salpro)] (4Mn(III)). The syntheses, structure and magnetochemical characterization of these complexes are reported. The structure of the [Mn4(mu3-O)2]8+ is butterfly-like much more closed than in previous complexes with this core as a result of the alkoxide oxygen of the salpro ligand bridging the two wingtip Mn atoms. Variable-temperature, solid-state magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that these complexes possess S = 0 ground state spins. Fitting of the magnetic susceptibility data to the theoretical chiMT vs. T expression derived for a C2v symmetry complex, assuming an isotropic Heisenberg spin-Hamiltonian and using the Van Vleck equation, revealed that the various exchange parameters are all antiferromagnetic, and the core thus experiences spin frustration effects.     

Synthesis of O-α-L-Fucopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose. The H-Blood Group Specific Trisaccharide

Abstract

Different reaction conditions were investigated for the preparation of benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside (5). Compound 5 on reaction with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide afforded the 4-O-substituted 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranosyl derivative which, on O-deacetylation, gave benzyl 2-acetamido-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-4-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (8). The trimethylsilyl (Me₃Si) derivative of 8, on treatment with pyridineacetic anhydride-acetic acid for 2 days, gave the disaccharide derivative having an O-acetyl group selectively introduced at the primary position and Me₃Si groups at the secondary positions. The latter groups were readily cleaved by treatment with aqueous acetic acid in methanol to afford benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(6-O-acetyl-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside, which on isopropylidenation gave the desired, key intermediate benzyl 2-acetamido-4-O-(6-O-acetyl-3,4-O-isopropylidene-β-D-galactopyranosyl)-3,6-di-O-benzyl-2-deoxy-β-D-glucopyranoside (12). Reaction of 12 with 2,3,4-tri-O-benzyl-α-L-fucopyranosyl bromide under catalysis by bromide ion afforded the trisaccharlde derivative from which the title trisaccharide was obtained by systematic removal of the protective groups. The structures of the final trisaccharide and of various intermediates were established by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Trifluoroethanol as a Metal-Free,Homogeneous, and Recyclable Medium for the Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of Dihydropyrimidones

Trifluoroethanol is an efficient and recyclable medium in promoting one-pot, three-component condensation reactions of β-ketoesters, aldehydes, and urea (or thiourea) to afford the corresponding dihydropyrimidones in good yields. This protocol does not require the use of an acid or base catalyst.     

The application of levulinic acid and 5-nitro-2-furylmethylene diacetate in the total synthesis of some novel biologically active (5-nitro-2-furyl)azomethines

Summary The syntheses andin vitro antibacterial and antifungal evaluation of certain (5-nitro-2-furyl)azomethines with different heterocyclic nuclei are described.

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Die Anwendung von Lävulinsäure und 5-Nitro-2-furylmethylendiacetat in der Totalsynthese einiger neuer biologisch aktiver (5-Nitro-2-furyl)azomethine

Zusammenfassung Es wird die Synthese und diein-vitro-antibakterielle und antifungale Wirksamkeit für bestimmte (5-Nitro-2-furyl)azomethine mit verschiedenen heterocyclischen Kernen beschrieben.

     

Rod–disc oligomeric liquid crystal based on 4-cyanobiphenyl and truxene core

A facile synthesis of a novel covalently linked disc–rod mesogen is reported consisting of a truxene-based core attached to which are six 4-cyanobiphenyl units via flexible alkyl spacers. The compound formed a stable Langmuir monolayer at the air–water interface. The atomic force microscope study on the Langmuir–Blodgett film of the molecule reveals a tilted orientation at air–solid interfaces.     

Five-coordinate Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes Derived from 2-pyridine-2-yl-3-(pyridine-2-carboxylideneamino)-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one. The Crystal Structure of the Cobalt(II) Complex

The synthesis of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 2-pyridine-2-yl-3(pyridine-2-carboxylideneamino)-1,2-dihydroquinazolin-4(3H)-one is described. The ligand and metal complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, spectral (u.v.–vis., i.r., 1D n.m.r., 2D hetcor and mass) and thermal studies. The cobalt(II) complex crystallizes as pink crystals in the monoclinic crystal system, space group P21/n with a = 10.066(6) Å, b = 15.929(9) Å, c = 12.624(7) Å, α = 90.00(9)°, β = 110.850 (8)°, γ = 90.00, V = 1891.5 (18) ų and Z = 4. The geometry around the cobalt atom is distorted trigonal bipyramidal with τ = 0.83 [structural parameter, τ = (β − α)/60; where α and β are the two basal angles in a five coordinate complex].