Syntheses, structural characterization and photophysical properties of 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole rhenium(I) complexes

Novel chelators, i.e., 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole derivatives, were synthesized by means of Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition and used to prepare luminescent Re(I) complexes [ReCl(CO)(3)(Bn-pyta)], [ReCl(CO)(3)(AcGlc-pyta)] and [ReCl(CO)(3)(Glc-pyta)] (Bn-pyta = 1-benzyl-4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole, AcGlc-pyta = 2-(4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)ethyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-d-glucopyranoside, Glc-pyta = 2-(4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)ethyl beta-d-glucopyranoside). X-Ray crystallography of Bn-pyta and Glc-pyta indicated an azocompound-like structure while the 1,2,4-triazole isomer has an azine character. [ReCl(CO)(3)(Bn-pyta)] crystallized in the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/n. Bn-pyta ligand coordinates with the nitrogen atoms of the 2-pyridyl group and the 3-position of 1,2,3-triazole ring, which is a very similar coordinating fashion to that of the 2,2'-bipyridine derivative. The glucoconjugated Re(I) complexes [ReCl(CO)(3)(AcGlc-pyta)] and [ReCl(CO)(3)(Glc-pyta)] hardly crystallized, and were analyzed by applying extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. The EXAFS analyses suggested that the glucoconjugation at the 1-position of the 1,2,3-triazole makes no influence to the coordinating fashion of 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole. [ReCl(CO)(3)(Bn-pyta)] showed a blue-shifted maximum absorption (333 nm, 3.97 x 10(3) M(-1) cm(-1)) compared with [ReCl(CO)(3)(bpy)] (371 nm, 3.35 x 10(3) M(-1) cm(-1)). These absorptions were clearly assigned to be the mixed metal-ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (MLLCT) on the basis of time-dependent density functional theory calculation. The luminescence spectrum of [ReCl(CO)(3)(Bn-pyta)] also showed this blue-shifted feature when compared with that of [ReCl(CO)(3)(bpy)]. The luminescence lifetime of [ReCl(CO)(3)(Bn-pyta)] was determined to be 8.90 mus in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran at 77 K, which is longer than that of [ReCl(CO)(3)(bpy)] (3.17 micros). The blue-shifted electronic absorption and elongated luminescence lifetime of [ReCl(CO)(3)(Bn-pyta)] suggested that 4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazole functions as an electron-rich bidentate chelator.     

Optical resolution of (+/-)-1,2-Bis(2-methylphenyl)ethylene-1,2-diamine as a chiral framework for 2-iminoimidazolidine with 2-methylphenyl pendant and the guanidine-catalyzed asymmetric michael reaction of tert-butyl diphenyliminoacetate and ethyl acrylate

(+/-)-1,2-Bis(2-methylphenyl)ethylene-1,2-diamine, prepared from benzil and ammonium acetate, was optically resolved as a chiral framework for 2-(1-benzyl-2-hydroxyethyl)imino-1,3-dimethylimidazolidine with 2-methylphenyl pendants at the 4,5-positions. Catalysis ability of the 1,3-dimethyl-4,5-bis(2-methylphenyl)imidazolidine and the related 1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-diphenylimidazolidine was examined in the asymmetric Michael reaction of t-butyl diphenyliminoacetate and ethyl acrylate.     

Determination of diazepam and its metabolites in human urine by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry using a hydrophilic polymer column

Diazepam and its major metabolites, nordazepam, temazepam and oxazepam, in human urine samples, were analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC)/tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) using a hydrophilic polymer column (MSpak GF-310 4B), which enables direct injection of crude biological samples. Matrix compounds in urine were eluted first from the column, while the target compounds were retained on the polymer stationary phase. The analytes retained on the column were then eluted into an acetonitrile-rich mobile phase using a gradient separation technique. All compounds showed base-peak ions due to [M+H]+ ions on LC/MS with positive ion electrospray ionization, and product ions were produced from each [M+H]+ ion by LC/MS/MS. Quantification was performed by selected reaction monitoring. All compounds spiked into urine showed method recoveries of 50.1-82.0%. The regression equations for all compounds showed excellent linearity in the range of 0.5-500 ng/mL of urine. The limits of detection and quantification for each compound were 0.1 and 0.5 ng/mL of urine, respectively. The intra- and inter-day coefficients of variation for all compounds in urine were not greater than 9.6%. The data obtained from actual determination of diazepam and its three metabolites, oxazepam, nordazepam and temazepam, in human urine after oral administration of diazepam, are also presented.     

High-performance thin-layer chromatography/mass spectrometry for rapid analysis of neutral glycosphingolipids

Direct coupling of high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) was shown to be a reliable and reproducible method to obtain structural information and fundamental properties of glycosphingolipids (GSLs). We report a protocol for the preparation of neutral GSL extracts from mouse tissues and demonstrate the applicability of HPTLC/MS to these preparations. The protocol consists of lipid extraction and ion exchange chromatography followed by a mild alkaline treatment and a reversed-phase cartridge extraction. Possible structures for each GSL are proposed based on HPTLC/MS analyses. This fast and simple method can be used to screen neutral GSL extracts obtained from tissues and cells without isolation and purification into individual GSLs.     

Minimum standards of clinical practice for physical therapists working in intensive care units in Japan

Objective: Early mobilization and rehabilitation has become common and expectations for physical therapists working in intensive care units have increased in Japan. The objective of this study was to establish consensus-based minimum clinical practice standards for physical therapists working in intensive care units in Japan. It also aimed to make an international comparison of minimum clinical practice standards in this area. Methods: In total, 54 experienced physical therapists gave informed consent and participated in this study. A modified Delphi method with questionnaires was used over three rounds. Participants rated 272 items as “essential/unknown/non-essential”. Consensus was considered to be reached on items that over 70% of physical therapists rated as “essential” to clinical practice in the intensive care unit. Results: Of the 272 items in the first round, 188 were deemed essential. In round 2, 11 of the 62 items that failed to reach consensus in round 1 were additionally deemed essential. No item was added to the “essential” consensus in round 3. In total, 199 items were therefore deemed essential as a minimum standard of clinical practice. Participants agreed that 42 items were not essential and failed to reach agreement on 31 others. Identified 199 items were different from those in the UK and Australia due to national laws, cultural and historical backgrounds. Conclusions: This is the first study to develop a consensus-based minimum clinical practice standard for physical therapists working in intensive care units in Japan.     

Substituent impact of B,Si, or P main group elements on the photophysical properties of phenyleneethynylenes

The synthesis and photophysical properties of a series of phenyleneethynylenes containing a main group element moiety of B, Si, or P on the side chain as a simple model are reported. The HOMO‐LUMO energy levels are significantly altered due to a rise of the HOMO level (P) or a lowering of the LUMO level (B and PO) compared with the parent phenyleneethynylene, which is also supported by density functional theory calculations. In addition, the optical properties of boron‐ and phosphorus‐containing π systems are dramatically changed by the coordination of fluoride ion and oxidation, respectively.     

Experimental infrared spectroscopic measurement of light extinction for agglomerate dust grains

Optical properties of aggregate dust grains hold a key to understand many astrophysical problems. Scattering and absorption features are strongly influenced by morphological aspects of grains (particle size, shape, and agglomeration). We have experimentally investigated the morphological effects on the extinction band in the infrared region for amorphous silica (SiO₂) particles which are of 0.5, 1.0, and in diameter. Deviations of the peak position of this band have been detected depending on environment (air or KBr), particle size, and manufacturer of the samples. We found that the peak position difference of silica particles with a diameter of 0.5 and was in wavelength whereas the effect of different environments were approximately . In addition, the measured band profiles were compared with calculations for five cluster shapes applying three different theoretical approaches (Mie, T-matrix, and DDA). The calculated extinction efficiencies beyond the peaks rose as the particle size and the particle numbers in the clusters increased. The same rise compared to the Mie calculation was observed in the experimental spectra, which was, therefore, interpreted as a result of the clustering of the particles.     

Stereoselective total synthesis of muconin

An antitumor acetogenin, muconin, was synthesized through a coupling reaction of a THF-THP segment and a terminal butenolide. The key reactions include successive ether-ring formation reaction under acidic and basic conditions or one-pot double cyclization promoted by TBAF and stereoselective reduction of acyclic ketones adjacent to the 2,6-cis THP with Zn(BH₄)₂.