Syntheses and conformational analyses of some 3-amino-2,5-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine derivatives: X-ray crystal structure of 35–3-[[(1,1-dimethylethoxy)carbonyl]amino]-2,5-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine

The constrained dipeptide mimic 1 was synthesized from 2 in three steps with 65% overall yield. Analyses of the ¹H nmr data of a number of 3-amino-2,5-dioxo-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-1-benzazepine derivatives led to the conclusion that these compounds adopt a similar conformation and that this ring system is rigid. X-ray crystallography was used to define the structure of 3 , and computer-aided energy minimization of 6 gave a preferred conformation similar to that observed in the crystal of 3 .     

In vivo microdialysis/liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry for the on-line monitoring of melatonin in rat

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) has been coupled to in vivo microdialysis for on-line monitoring of melatonin in a freely moving rat for a period of 15 hours. A microdialysis probe was surgically implanted into the jugular vein of the rat, and deionized water was used as the perfusion medium at a flow rate of 1.0 microL/min. Microdialysis samples were collected in an on-line injector with sample injection every 30 minutes. Melatonin was dosed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection and then monitored by microdialysis/LC/MS/MS. The whole experiment, including the microdialysis sampling and sample injection into the LC/MS system, was fully automated. Metabolites of melatonin were identified off-line by LC/MSn experiments. Two metabolites were identified as 6-hydroxymelatonin and cyclic 2-hydroxymelatonin, consistent with ones found previously in the literature.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance study of the molecular structure of 1,3-benzodioxole and 1,3-indandione partially oriented in nematic solvents

The molecular structures of 1,3-benzodioxole and 1,3-indandione partially oriented in nematic solvents have been studied by NMR. Results for 1,3-indandione agree well with a planar model. The structural parameters are similar to those obtained by X-ray studies. No keto-enol tautomerism is observed. An anomalous structural result is obtained for 1,3-benzodioxole if the molecule is assumed to be planar. Dipolar couplings agree well with puckered model. The puckering angle is found to be about 15.5° ± 2°, similar to the values observed for TTF, TSeF and 2,5-dihydrofuran.     

A NMR study of tetrathiofulvalene and tetracyanoquinodimethane: relative proton geometries and order parameters using nematic solvents; carbon-proton spin spin coupling constants for TTF

From proton magnetic resonance spectra of TTF and TCNQ partially oriented in nematic liquid crystal solvents the ratio of length to width of the proton rectangle is 3.124 ± 0.03 for TTF and 1.765 ± 0.024 for TCNQ. Values of J_CH obtained for TTF dissolved in d₆-acetone, are J_CH = 187.9 ± 0.3 Hz, J_CCH = 6.7 ±0.1 Hz and J_CSCH = 9.0 ±0.2 Hz.     

The synthesis and reactivity of the heptanuclear dianion [Os7(CO)20]2− including the synthesis and structural characterizations of the compounds [Os7(CO)20(AuPEt)3 2] and [Os8(CO)20(η6-C6H6]

Reduction of the heptaosmium cluster [Os₇(CO)₂₁] With [Et₄N][NH₄) gives the cluster dianion [Os₇(CO)₂₀]^2–,1, in high yield. The reaction of the dianion with [AuPR ₃Cl] (R=Et or Ph) in the presence of TlPF₆ forms [Os₇((CO)₂₀(AuPR ₃)₂] [R=Et (2a);R = Ph(2b)] in 80% yield, while the corresponding reaction with (Os(C₆H₆)(CH₃CN)₃]²⁺ gives [Os₈(CO)₂₀ ( ⁶-C₆H₆)] (3) in reasonable yield (ca. 30%). The dianion,1, and the clusters2 and3 have been fully characterized by bout spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The crystal structure of the [Ph₄P]⁺ salt of1 shows that the metals in the anion adopt a capped octahedral geometry, with all twenty carbonyl ligands in terminal sites. The metal core geometry in2a is best described as a tricapped octahedron, and is based on the structure of the dianion1 with two adjacent octahedral faces capped by the Au atoms of the two AuPEt₃ groups. In a similar fashion, the geometry of3 is related to that of1 with the addition of an Os(C₆H₆) unit capped to a triangular face, to give a bicapped octahedral framework.     

Self-assembly of meso-tetrakis(4-N-ethylpyridiniurmyl) porphyrin and tetracarboxyl-phenyl calix[4]arene

Novel dimeric capsules are generated from the noncovalent assembly of 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis(4-N-ethylpyridiniurmyl)prophyrin (TEPyP) and tetracarboxyl-phenyl calix[4]arene. The self-assembly system was investigated based on UV-Vis absorption and fluorescent spectra. The factors affecting the interaction process including pH and concentration were examined in detail. The association constants between TEPyP and calix[4]arene were determined by the nonlinear least squares fit. The results showed that the basic medium is favourable to the interaction and electrostatic interaction was determinate in the processes of self-assembly process. The related mechanism was discussed.     

Controlled growth of well-aligned ZnO nanorod array using a novel solution method

A simple method of synthesizing nanomaterials and the ability to control the size and position of them are crucial for fabricating nanodevices. In this work, we developed a novel ammonia aqueous solution method for growing well-aligned ZnO nanorod arrays on a silicon substrate. For ZnO nanorod growth, a thin zinc metal seed layer was deposited on a silicon substrate by thermal evaporation. Uniform ZnO nanorods were grown on the zinc-coated silicon substrate in aqueous solution containing zinc nitrate and ammonia water. The growth temperature was as low as 60-90 degrees C and a 4-in. wafer size scale up was possible. The morphology of a zinc metal seed layer, pH, growth temperature, and concentration of zinc salt in aqueous solution were important parameters to determine growth characteristics such as average diameters and lengths of ZnO nanorods. We could demonstrate the discrete controlled growth of ZnO nanorods using sequential, tailored growth steps. By combining our novel solution method and general photolithography, we selectively grew ZnO nanorod arrays on a patterned silicon substrate. Our concepts on controlled ZnO nanorod growth using a simple solution method would be applicable for various nanodevice fabrications.     

Determination of L-tryptophan-serum albumin binding by high-performance liquid chromatography

Summary Two high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques were developed for the determination of binding constants in the interaction of serum albumin with L-tryptophan: internal calibration and external calibration. The results obtained were compared with those obtained by the classical method of equilibrium dialysis and by gel filtration. While all the methods are equally reliable, the internal and external calibration techniques seem to be superior in their simplicity, speed and convenience.