Spectroelectrochemical Sensing Based on Multimode Selectivity Simultaneously Achievable in a Single Device. 19. Preparation and Characterization of Films of Quaternized Poly(4‐vinylpyridine)‐silica

Quaternized poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (QPVP) has been incorporated as an anion exchanger into sol‐gel derived silica films for use in a spectroelectrochemical sensor. The preparation, characteristics and performance of these films are described. The films, which are spin‐coated onto the surface of a planar optically transparent electrode, are optically transparent and uniform. Scanning electron microscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry have been used to examine film structure, thickness and optical properties. These films have been shown both spectroscopically and electrochemically to preconcentrate ferrocyanide, a model analyte for the sensor. The films can be regenerated for multiple measurements by exposure to 1 M KNO₃. The effects of polymer molecular weight and storage conditions on film performance are described. The overall response of this film is comparable to the poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride)‐silica films previously used for this sensor.     

Identification and quantification of alkene-based drilling fluids in crude oils by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with flame ionization detection

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC x GC-FID) was used to measure alkene-based drilling fluids in crude oils. Compared to one-dimensional gas chromatography, GC x GC-FID is more robust for detecting alkenes due to the increased resolution afforded by second dimension separations. Using GC x GC-FID to analyze four oil samples from one reservoir contaminated with the same drilling fluid, C(15), C(16), C(17), C(18) and C(20) alkenes were identified. The drilling fluid that contaminated these samples also differed from another commercially obtained fluid, which only contained C(16) and C(18) alkenes. These results should motivate the petroleum industry to consider GC x GC-FID for measuring drilling fluids.     

Near infrared spectroscopic imaging assessment of cartilage composition: Validation with mid infrared imaging spectroscopy

Disease or injury to articular cartilage results in loss of extracellular matrix components which can lead to the development of osteoarthritis (OA). To better understand the process of disease development, there is a need for evaluation of changes in cartilage composition without the requirement of extensive sample preparation. Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a chemical investigative technique based on molecular vibrations that is increasingly used as an assessment tool for studying cartilage composition. However, the assignment of specific molecular vibrations to absorbance bands in the NIR spectrum of cartilage, which arise from overtones and combinations of primary absorbances in the mid infrared (MIR) spectral region, has been challenging. In contrast, MIR spectroscopic assessment of cartilage is well-established, with many studies validating the assignment of specific bands present in MIR spectra to specific molecular vibrations. In the current study, NIR imaging spectroscopic data were obtained for compositional analysis of tissues that served as an in vitro model of OA. MIR spectroscopic data obtained from the identical tissue regions were used as the gold-standard for collagen and proteoglycan (PG) content. MIR spectroscopy in transmittance mode typically requires a much shorter pathlength through the sample (≤10 microns thick) compared to NIR spectroscopy (millimeters). Thus, this study first addressed the linearity of small absorbance bands in the MIR region with increasing tissue thickness, suitable for obtaining a signal in both the MIR and NIR regions. It was found that the linearity of specific, small MIR absorbance bands attributable to the collagen and PG components of cartilage (at 1336 and 856 cm⁻¹, respectively) are maintained through a thickness of 60 μm, which was also suitable for NIR data collection. MIR and NIR spectral data were then collected from 60 μm thick samples of cartilage degraded with chondroitinase ABC as a model of OA. Partial least squares (PLS) regression using NIR spectra as input predicted the MIR-determined compositional parameters of PG/collagen within 6% of actual values. These results indicate that NIR spectral data can be used to assess molecular changes that occur with cartilage degradation, and further, the data provide a foundation for future clinical studies where NIR fiber optic probes can be used to assess the progression of cartilage degradation.     

Structural constraints in the design of silver sulfonate coordination networks: three new polysulfonate open frameworks

Three new silver sulfonate metal-organic frameworks are presented along with a design strategy for future generations. [[Ag6(mesitylenetrisulfonate)2(H2O)5].2H2O]infinity (1), [Ag4(durenetetrasulfonate)(H2O)2](infinity) (2), and [[Ag4(1,3,5,7-tetrakis(4,4'-sulfophenyl)adamantane)(H2O)2].1.3H2O]infinity (3) represent a series of open-framework silver sulfonate solids where the organic linker plays a key role in determining the overall structure. Compound 1 forms a pillared layered structure, while compounds 2 and 3 form 3-D nets derived from cross-linking of 1-D columns of silver sulfonates. All three solids incorporate water molecules, which can be removed to yield a solid stable to in excess of 300 degrees C. Powder X-ray diffraction studies and vapor sorption experiments show, for 1 and 2, that the solids retain their structure when guests are removed and, for all three, that water vapor is resorbed stoichiometrically by the solids. An idealized silver sulfonate framework is proposed, and upon comparison to the reported structures, guidelines are proposed for structural constraints in the design of future generations of 1-D and possibly 0-D aggregate structures.     

Analysis of the bond‐valence method for calculating 29Si and 31P magnetic shielding in covalent network solids

²⁹Si and ³¹P magnetic‐shielding tensors in covalent network solids have been evaluated using periodic and cluster‐based calculations. The cluster‐based computational methodology employs pseudoatoms to reduce the net charge (resulting from missing co‐ordination on the terminal atoms) through valence modification of terminal atoms using bond‐valence theory (VMTA/BV). The magnetic‐shielding tensors computed with the VMTA/BV method are compared to magnetic‐shielding tensors determined with the periodic GIPAW approach. The cluster‐based all‐electron calculations agree with experiment better than the GIPAW calculations, particularly for predicting absolute magnetic shielding and for predicting chemical shifts. The performance of the DFT functionals CA‐PZ, PW91, PBE, rPBE, PBEsol, WC, and PBE0 are assessed for the prediction of ²⁹Si and ³¹P magnetic‐shielding constants. Calculations using the hybrid functional PBE0, in combination with the VMTA/BV approach, result in excellent agreement with experiment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of PI3K inhibitor GDC-0077 via a stereocontrolled N-arylation of α-amino acids

An efficient synthesis of PI3K inhibitor GDC-0077, featuring two consecutive Cu-catalyzed CN coupling reactions, is reported. The described synthetic route involves a chemoselective Ullmann-type coupling of a chiral difluoromethyl-substituted oxazolidinone, a Cu-catalyzed N-arylation of l-alanine with high stereochemical integrity, and a high-yielding final amide bond formation step to produce GDC-0077 in >99.5 area % HPLC purity.     

Isolated Diatomic Ni‐Fe Metal–Nitrogen Sites for Synergistic Electroreduction of CO2

Polynary single‐atom structures can combine the advantages of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts while providing synergistic functions based on different molecules and their interfaces. However, the fabrication and identification of such an active‐site prototype remain elusive. Here we report isolated diatomic Ni‐Fe sites anchored on nitrogenated carbon as an efficient electrocatalyst for CO₂ reduction. The catalyst exhibits high selectivity with CO Faradaic efficiency above 90 % over a wide potential range from ?0.5 to ?0.9 V (98 % at ?0.7 V), and robust durability, retaining 99 % of its initial selectivity after 30 hours of electrolysis. Density functional theory studies reveal that the neighboring Ni‐Fe centers not only function in synergy to decrease the reaction barrier for the formation of COOH* and desorption of CO, but also undergo distinct structural evolution into a CO‐adsorbed moiety upon CO₂ uptake.