Cadmium(II)–Triazole Framework as a Luminescent Probe for Ca2+ and Cyano Complexes

A bidentate ligand, 1‐{4‐[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenoxy]phenyl}‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole (TPPT), has been designed and synthesized. By using TPPT as a building block for self‐assembly with Cd(NO₃)₂ ? 4 H₂O and CdCl₂ ? 10.5 H₂O, novel 1D double‐chain {[Cd(TPPT)(NO₃)₂] ? 3 H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and 2D (4,4) layer [Cd(TPPT)Cl₂(H₂O)]_n ( 2 ) have been constructed. When 1 was employed as a precursor and exposed to DMF or N,N′‐dimethylacetamide (DMAC), the crystals of 1 dissolved and reassembled into two types of brown block‐shaped crystals of 1D double chains: {[Cd(TPPT)₂(NO₃)₂] ? DMF}_n ( 1 a ) and {[Cd(TPPT)₂(NO₃)₂] ? DMAC}_n ( 1 b ). The anion‐exchange reactions of complex 2 have also been investigated. After gently stirring crystals of 2 in CHCl₃/C₂H₅OH/H₂O containing NaBr, NaI ? 2 H₂O, or NaOAc ? 3 H₂O, the crystals retained their crystalline appearances. A remarkable single crystal to single crystal transformation was observed and 1D double chains of {[Cd(TPPT)Br₂] ? C₂H₅OH}_n ( 2 a ) and {[Cd(TPPT)₂I₂] ? CHCl₃}_n ( 2 b ), and 1D single chains of [Cd(TPPT)(H₂O)₂(CH₃COO)₂]_n ( 2 c ), can be obtained. Luminescent properties indicate that 1 shows excellent selectivity for Ca²⁺ and cyano complexes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a luminescent probe for Ca²⁺ based on triazole derivatives.     

Non‐coordinating‐Anion‐Directed Reversal of Activation Site: Selective C−H Bond Activation of N‐Aryl Rings

An Rh‐catalyzed selective C?H bond activation of diaryl‐substituted anilides is described. In an attempt to achieve C?H activation of C‐aryl rings, we unexpectedly obtained an N‐aryl ring product under non‐coordinating anion conditions, whereas the C‐aryl ring product was obtained in the absence of a non‐coordinating anion. This methodology has proved to be an excellent means of tuning and adjusting selective C?H bond activation of C‐aryl and N‐aryl rings. The approach has been rationalized by mechanistic studies and theoretical calculations. In addition, it has been found and verified that the catalytic activity of the rhodium catalyst is obviously improved by non‐coordinating anions, which provides an efficient strategy for obtaining a highly chemoselective catalyst. Mechanistic experiments also unequivocally ruled out the possibility of a so‐called “silver effect” in this transformation involving silver.     

Ultrafast Preparation of Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots for Efficient Humidity Sensing

Black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) have been prepared by a high turbulent shear rate generated from a household kitchen blender. A layer‐by‐layer disintegration mechanism of bulk BP crystals is suggested. As‐synthesized BPQDs have shown excellent humidity sensing and photothermal converting properties. Importantly, this work not only explores potential applications for the BPQDs but also provides a successful paradigm for preparing the QDs of other layered materials.     

Palladium‐Initiated Radical Cascade Stereoselective Iodofluoroalkylation/Cycloisomerization of Ene‐vinylidenecyclopropanes

A novel and convenient palladium‐initiated radical cascade stereoselective iodofluoroalkylation/cycloisomerization of ene‐vinylidenecyclopropanes with fluoroalkyl iodides has been developed. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions with high atom economy and stereoselectivity, thereby allowing an efficient access to a variety of difluoromethylated or perfluoroalkylated pyrrolidines tethered with an alkyl iodide. Two plausible radical pathways for the transformation have been proposed on the basis of the results of control experiments and previous reports, which in one case it was thought that palladium(0) was an initiator rather than a catalyst.     

Kinetic Resolution of Racemic Allylic Alcohols by Catalytic Asymmetric Substitution of the OH Group with Monosubstituted Hydrazines

A new strategy has been established for the kinetic resolution of racemic allylic alcohols through a palladium/sulfonyl‐hydrazide‐catalyzed asymmetric OH‐substitution under mild conditions. In the presence of 1 mol % [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂, 4 mol % (S)‐SegPhos, and 10 mol % 2,5‐dichlorobenzenesulfonyl hydrazide, a range of racemic allylic alcohols were smoothly resolved with selectivity factors of more than 400 through an asymmetric allylic alkylation of monosubstituted hydrazines under air at room temperature. Importantly, this kinetic resolution process provided various allylic alcohols and allylic hydrazine derivatives with high enantiopurity.     

Development and validation of a UPLC‐MS/MS method for the determination of cucurbitacin B in rat plasma and application to a pharmacokinetic study

Cucurbitacin B (CuB), one of the most abundant forms of cucurbitacins, is a promising natural anticancer drug candidate. Although the anticancer activity of CuB has been well demonstrated, information regarding the pharmacokinetics is limited. A rapid, selective and sensitive UPLC‐MS/MS for CuB was developed and validated using hemslecin A (HeA) as internal standard (IS). Plasma samples were pre‐treated by liquid–liquid extraction with dichloromethane. Separation was achieved on a reversed‐phase C₁₈ column (50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) at 35°C using isocratic elution with water–methanol (25:75, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. The analytes were monitored by a triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer with positive electrospray ionization mode. The calibration curve was linear (r > 0.995) in a concentration range of 0.3–100 ng/mL with a limit of quantification of 0.3 ng/mL. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were validated by percentage relative error and relative standard deviation, respectively, which were both lower than the limit of 15%. This assay was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of CuB in Wistar rats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

LC–MS/MS determination and interaction of the main components from the traditional Chinese drug pair Danshen–Sanqi based on rat intestinal absorption

The Chinese drug pair Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)–Sanqi (Panax ginseng) has been widely used for centuries treating various cardiovascular disorders, among which salvianlic acid B (SAB), ginsenoside Rg₁ (GRg₁), ginsenoside Rb₁ (GRb₁) and notoginsenoside R₁ (NGR₁) were identified as the major components. The present study focused on the interaction between these components based on investigating their intestinal absorption using the Ussing chamber technique. The concentrations of SAB, GRg₁, GRb1 and NGR₁ in the intestinal perfusate were determined by LC–MS/MS method, followed by Q (accumulative quantity) and P_app (apparent permeability). The results showed that all these four main components displayed very low permeabilities, which implied their poor absorption in the rat intestine. The intestinal absorption level of SAB displayed regioselectivity: duodenum < jejunum < ileum. However, there was no significant difference in the absorption of GRg₁ and GRb₁ in the different segments. The Q and P_app values of the four main components were obviously increased in jejunum when co‐administrating Danshen extract with Sanqi extract. In conclusion, compatibility of Danshen and Sanqi could remarkably improve the intestinal absorption level of the main components in the pair. To some extent, this might explain the nature of the compatibility mechanisms of composite formulae in TCMs.     

Low Temperature Diesel Particulate Filter Regeneration by Atmospheric Air Non-thermal Plasma Injection System

An experimental study of the regeneration of diesel particulate filter (DPF) was conducted through the use of a self-designed Non-thermal plasma (NTP) injection system with an experimental temperature of 20–300 °C, with atmospheric air being used as the gas source. The results revealed that the PM could be broken down into CO and CO₂ by NTP, through a discharge reaction of the NTP reactor. As the temperature increases, the mass of C₁ (mass of C in CO) showed an overall declining trend. Interestingly, the mass of C₂ (mass of C in CO₂) and C₁₂ (the sum of C₁ and C₂) both showed an initial increase, followed by a decrease. The peak mass of C₁₂ appears at 150 °C, and both axial and radial temperature gradients are less than the limit of DPF temperature gradient at this temperature. In conclusion, DPF can be regenerated by the NTP technology at a lower temperature, which can aid in the avoidance of thermal damage of DPF. The technology boasts a great advantage in adopting atmospheric air as its gas source, which can not only reduce costs, but also is convenient.