Direct synthesis of aqueous quantum dots through 4,4'-bipyridine-based twin ligand strategy

We report a new class of derivatized 4,4'-bipyridinium ligands for use in synthesizing highly fluorescent, extremely stable, water-soluble CdSe and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) for bioconjugation. We employed an evaporation-condensation technique, also known as solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD), followed by a digestive ripening procedure. This method has been used to synthesize both metal nanoparticles and semiconductors in the gram scale with several stabilizing ligands in various solvents. The SMAD technique comprised evaporation condensation and stabilization of CdSe or CdTe in tetrahydrofuran. The as-prepared product was then digestively ripened in both water and dimethyl formamide, leading to narrowing of the particle size distributions. The ligands were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution (S(N)2) reactions using 4,4'-bipyridine as a nucleophile. Confocal microscopy images revealed the orange color of the nanocrystalline QDs with diameters of ~5 nm. The size has been confirmed by using transmission electron microscopy. As a part of our strategy, 85% of the 4,4'-bipyridinium salt was synthesized as propionic acid derivative and used to both stabilize the QDs in water and label basic amino acids and different biomarkers utilizing the carboxylic acid functional group. Fifteen percent of the 4,4'-bipyridinium salt was synthesized as N-propyl maleimide and used as a second ligand to label any protein containing the amino acid cysteine by means of a 1,4-Michael addition.     

Evaluation of a purge-and-trap injection system for capillary gas chromatography-microwave induced plasma-atomic emission spectrometry for the determination of volatile selenium compounds in water

A method is presented for the selective determination of the volatile selenium species dimethylselenide and dimethyldiselenide, using a commercially available purge-and-trap injection system coupled to capillary gas chromatography-microwave induced plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. The efficiency of the purging step was evaluated and the parameters affecting the purge and trap processes were optimized. The method was applied to the determination of volatile selenium compounds in lake water. Relative detection limits of 2ng/l for dimethylselenide and dimethyldiselenide, corresponding to an absolute detection limit of 10 pg, were achieved.     

Synthesis and properties of a newly obtained sorbent based on silica gel coated with a polyaniline film as the stationary phase for non-suppressed ion chromatography

The new sorbent for non-suppressed ion chromatography based on silica gel coated with a film of polyaniline (PANI) was obtained in a process of in situ polymerization of aniline by oxidation with ammonium peroxydisulfate. Raman analyses performed using a Thermo Scientific DXR confocal Raman Microscope equipped with the Omnic 8 software from Thermo Fisher Scientific have proved a uniform distribution of PANI on the surface of chromatographic beads and in the pores of the particle.     

Strategy for the synthesis of polymeric supports with hydrazone linkers for solid-phase alkylation of ketones and aldehydes

A new approach to polymeric supports useful for the immobilization of aldehydes and ketones via hydrazone linkers is reported. The new strategy gives supports with better properties and is effective for the synthesis of all supports previously used for the alkylation of ketones anchored as hydrazones. In contrast to other approaches, the new strategy also provided a polymer with an economical C2 spacer linker. The supports were used for immobilization of ketones 3-pentanone, acetone, N-benzylpiperidone, and aldehydes hexanal and 3-phenylpropanal in the form of their hydrazones. The polymer-supported hydrazones were subjected to alpha-alkylation (LDA/RX) followed by acidic, reductive, or oxidative cleavage/workup procedures to provide alpha-alkylated aldehydes or ketones as well as corresponding primary amines, alcohols, nitriles or acids.     

Integrated microfluidic device for the separation and electrochemical detection of catechol estrogen-derived DNA adducts

Catechol estrogen-derived DNA adducts are formed as a result of the reaction of catechol estrogen metabolites (e.g., catechol estrogen quinones) with DNA to form depurinating adducts. Developing a new methodology for the detection of various DNA adducts is essential for medical diagnostics, and to this end, we demonstrate the applicability of on-chip capillary electrophoresis with an integrated electrochemical system for the separation and amperometric detection of various catechol estrogen-derived DNA adducts. A hybrid PDMS/glass microchip with in-channel amperometric detection interfaced with in situ palladium decoupler is utilized and presented. The influence of buffer additives along with the effect of the separation voltage on the resolving power of the microchip is discussed. Calibration plots were constructed in the range 0.4–10 μM with r ² ≥ 0.999, and detection limits in the attomole range are reported. These results suggest that on-chip analysis is applicable for analyzing various DNA adducts as potential biomarkers for future medical diagnostics.     

DFT studies on tautomeric preferences of 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinolin-2-yl)butane-2,3-dione in the gas phase and in solution

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that in vacuum such α-diketone as 1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinolin-2-yl)butane-2,3-dione is much less stable than its enolimine–enaminone ((1Z,3Z)-3-hydroxy-4-(pyridin-2-yl)-1-(quinolin-2(1H)-ylidene)but-3-en-2-one) and dienaminone tautomers ((1Z,3Z)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-4-(quinolin-2-yl)buta-1,3-diene-2,3-diol). Other its tautomers (multiple basic and acidic centers in their molecules enable multiple proton transfer to take place) are even more labile. Strength of the intramolecular hydrogen bonds and aromatic character of the (quasi)rings [proved by the Harmonic Oscillator Model of Aromaticity (HOMA) index] in their molecules were found to be responsible for the observed tautomeric preferences. Polar and basic solvent disfavors and favors the enolimine and enaminone tautomers, respectively.     

Synthesis,thermal stability and structural characterisation of iron(II) phthalocyanine complex with 4-cyanopyridine

A new complex of bis-axially coordinated iron(II) phthalocyanine by 4-cyanopyridine (4-CNpy) has been obtained in crystalline form as an adduct with two 4-CNpy molecules. The [FePc(4-CNpy)₂] · 2(4-CNpy) crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c with two molecules in the unit cell. The iron(II) coordinates four isoindole nitrogen atoms of the almost planar phthalocyaninato(2−) macroring and axially two nitrogen atoms of 4-CNpy molecules. The coordination polyhedron around the Fe(II) atom approximates to a tetragonal by-pyramid. Four equatorial Fe–N bonds are shorter (1.936(2) Å) than two axial Fe–N bonds (2.027(2) Å). The centrosymmetric FePc(4-CNpy)₂ molecules form alternating sheets parallel to the bc crystallographic plane and solvated 4-CNpy molecules that are anti-parallel oriented by their polar cyano groups are located between the sheets of FePc(4-CNpy)₂ molecules. Ligation of the intermediate-spin iron(II) phthalocyanine by 4-CNpy molecules leads to the low spin Fe(II) complex. The importance of the d(π) → π^∗(Pc) back donation is manifested in the difference between the values of C–N isoindole and C–N azamethine bond lengths of the Pc macrocycle. The thermal analysis of the crystals of [FePc(4-CN)₂] · 2(4-CNpy) shows two steps responsible for a loss of solvated (∼170 °C) and coordinated (∼235 °C) 4-CNpy molecules.     

Pilot-Scale Optimization of Supercritical CO2 Extraction of Dry Paprika Capsicum annuum: Influence of Operational Conditions and Storage on Extract Composition

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction was used to extract carotenoids from dry paprika Capsicum annuum. Studies regarding the effect of process parameters, including pressure (25–45 MPa), temperature (40–60 °C), and time (10–110 min), were carried out using response surface methodology. It was found that under optimal conditions (pressure of 45 MPa, temperature of 50 °C, and time of 74 min), the extract yield was 10.05%, and the total content of carotenoids in the extract was 4.21%, in good agreement with the predicted values (10.24% and 4.24%, respectively). Composition analysis showed that paprika extract mainly consisted of linoleic acid. There was no significant difference between the fatty acid content of the extracts obtained by SC-CO₂ extraction and n-hexane Soxhlet extraction. For functional purposes, the effect of storage conditions and time on the quality of paprika extract was also specified.     

Sticking probability for oxygen adsorption and readsorption on thin iron films

Sticking probability for oxygen adsorption on thin iron films and readsorption on surface sites liberated due to incorporation of the adsorbate adatoms below the surface during thermal treatment has been studied by means of the Wagener flow method. Sticking probability for oxygen adsorption on oxidized thin iron films has also been measured for comparison.

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Electron impact-induced fragmentation of some aminonitropyridines

The fragmentation behaviour of 18 vicinally substituted aminonitropyridines was studied under electron impact conditions. Tbe decomposition patterns were found to be strongly dependent on the position of substituents. The formation of the aza analogue of carbazole seems to affect considerably the fragmentation of 3-nitro-2-phenylaminopyridine.