LC polyimides. XXXVI. Poly(ester imide)s derived from N,N′‐Bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic diimide and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids

A new mesogenic monomer was prepared from biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride and 4‐aminophenol followed by the acylation of OH groups with propionic anhydride. This diphenol propionate was polycondensed by transesterification with decane‐1,10‐dicarboxylic acid, dodecane‐1,12‐dicarboxylic acid, and eicosane‐1,20‐dicarboxylic acid or with equimolar mixtures of two dicarboxylic acids. The resulting poly(ester imide)s were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR spectra, inherent viscosities, DSC measurements, optical microscopy, and X‐ray measurements with synchrotron radiation at variable temperatures. An enantiotropic smectic A phase in the molten state and a crystalline smectic E (or H) phase in the solid state were found in all cases. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3019–3027, 2000     

Expression patterns of antioxidant proteins in brains of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease

Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and Western blot analysis, we were able to identify and quantify six antioxidant proteins, peroxiredoxin (Prx) I, Prx II, Prx III, 1-Cys Prx, putative peroxisomal antioxidant enzyme (PLP), and mitochondrial Mn superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) in two individual brain regions, cerebellum and frontal cortex of patients with sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob (sCJD). Among six antioxidant proteins, 1-Cys Prx showed significant increase (P > 0.05) in sCJD frontal cortex whereas Prx I was decreased (P > 0.01). In cerebellum, levels of all antioxidant proteins studied were comparable to those of controls. Our findings provide evidence for the link between aberrant expression of antioxidant proteins, 1-Cys Prx and Prx I and CJD neuropathogenesis and we discuss the neuropathological meaning of these dysregulated antioxidant proteins in sCJD brain.     

An experimental value for the B(1u) C-H stretch mode in benzene

We here present experimental infrared spectra on two (C(6)H(6))(C(6)D(6)) benzene dimer isomers in the gas phase. The spectra show that the two benzene molecules in the dimer are symmetrically inequivalent and have distinct IR signatures. One of the two molecules is in a site of low symmetry, which leads to the IR activation of fundamental modes that are IR forbidden by symmetry in the monomer. In the spectra, all four fundamental C-H stretch modes of benzene are observed. Modes in the dimer are shifted up to 3 cm(-1) to the red, compared to the modes that are known for the monomer. For the nu(13) B(1u) C-H stretch fundamental mode of benzene, a first experimental value of 3015(+2) (-5) cm(-1) is determined, in excellent agreement with anharmonic frequency calculations presented here.     

Polymers of Carbonic Acid, 31. Cyclic Polycarbonates by Hydrolytic Polycondensation of Bisphenol‐A Bischloroformate

The hydrolytic polycondensation of bisphenol‐A bischloroformate in NaOH/CH₂Cl₂ was studied using triethylamine as the catalyst. Reaction conditions were optimized towards high molar masses. The isolated polycarbonates were characterized by means of SEC and MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry. The fraction of cyclic polycarbonates strongly increased with higher molecular weights and in the best sample only cycles were detectable (up to 50 000 Da). The largest cycles can compete with cyclic DNS of microorganisms.     

A Synthetic Adenylation‐Domain‐Based tRNA‐Aminoacylation Catalyst

The incorporation of non‐proteinogenic amino acids represents a major challenge for the creation of functionalized proteins. The ribosomal pathway is limited to the 20–22 proteinogenic amino acids while nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) are able to select from hundreds of different monomers. Introduced herein is a fusion‐protein‐based design for synthetic tRNA‐aminoacylation catalysts based on combining NRPS adenylation domains and a small eukaryotic tRNA‐binding domain (Arc1p‐C). Using rational design, guided by structural insights and molecular modeling, the adenylation domain PheA was fused with Arc1p‐C using flexible linkers and achieved tRNA‐aminoacylation with both proteinogenic and non‐proteinogenic amino acids. The resulting aminoacyl‐tRNAs were functionally validated and the catalysts showed broad substrate specificity towards the acceptor tRNA. Our strategy shows how functional tRNA‐aminoacylation catalysts can be created for bridging the ribosomal and nonribosomal worlds. This opens up new avenues for the aminoacylation of tRNAs with functional non‐proteinogenic amino acids.     

Vibrational spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations on tribromoacetate and tribromoacetic acid in aqueous solution

Aqueous solutions of sodium tribromoacetate (NaCBr3CO2) and its corresponding acid (CBr3COOH) have been studied using Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The spectra of the species in solution were assigned according to symmetry Cs. Characteristic bands of CBr3CO2-(aq) and the tribromoacetic acid, CBr3COOH(aq), are discussed. For the hydrated anion, the CO2 group, the symmetric CO2 stretching mode at 1332 cm(-1) and the asymmetric stretching mode at 1651 cm(-1) are characteristic while the CO mode at 1730 cm(-1) is characteristic for the spectra of the acid. The stretching mode, νC-C at 912cm(-1) for CBr3CO2-(aq) is 10 cm(-1) lower in the anion compared with that of the acid. These characteristic modes are compared to those in acetate, CH3CO2-(aq). Coupling of the modes are fairly extensive and therefore DFT calculations have been carried out in order to compare the measured spectra with the calculated ones. The geometrical parameters such as bond length and bond angles of the tribromoacetate, and tribromoacetic acid have been obtained and may be compared with the ones published for other acetates and their conjugated acids. CBr3COOH(aq) is a moderately strong acid and the pKa value derived from quantitative Raman measurements is equal to -0.23 at 23°C. The deuterated acid CBr3COOD in heavy water has been measured as well and the assignments were given.     

Experimental investigation of the difference in B-term dominated band broadening between fully porous and porous-shell particles for liquid chromatography using the Effective Medium Theory

The difference in B-term diffusion between fully porous and porous-shell particles is investigated using the physically sound diffusion equations originating from the Effective Medium Theory (EMT). Experimental data of the B-term diffusion obtained via peak parking measurements on six different commercial particle types have been analyzed (3 porous and 3 non porous). All particles were investigated using the same experimental design and test analytes, over a very broad range of retention factor values. First, the B-term reducing effect of the solid core (inducing an additional obstruction compared to fully porous particles) has been quantified using the Hashin-Shtrikman expression, showing that the presence of a solid core can account for a reduction of about 11% when the core diameter makes up 63% of the total particle diameter (Halo and Poroshell-particles) and a reduction of 16% when the core diameter makes up 73% (Kinetex). Remaining differences can be attributed to differences in the microscopic structure of the meso-porous material (meso-pore diameter, internal porosity or relative void volume). The much lower B-term diffusion of Halo and Kinetex particles compared to the fully porous Acquity particles (some 20-40% difference, of which about 10-15% can be attributed to the presence of the solid core) can hence largely be attributed to the much smaller internal porosity and the smaller pore size of the meso-porous material making up the shell of these particles.     

First fluorescence spectroscopic investigation of Am(III) complexation with an organic carboxylic ligand, pyromellitic acid

For the first time Am(III) complexation with a small organic ligand could be identified and characterized with time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) at room temperature and trace metal concentration. With pyromellitic acid (1,2,4,5-benzene-tetracarboxylic acid, BTC) as ligand spectroscopic characteristics for the Am-BTC complex system were determined at pH 5.0, an ionic strength of 0.1 M (NaClO4) and room temperature. The fluorescence lifetimes were determined to be 23.2±2.2 ns for Am3+(aq) and 27.2±1.2 ns for the Am-BTC 1:1 complex; the emission maximum for the 5D1-(7)F1 transition is 691 nm for both species. The complex stability constant for the Am-BTC 1:1 complex was calculated to be logβ110=5.42±0.16.     

Influence of pressure and temperature on the physico-chemical properties of mobile phase mixtures commonly used in high-performance liquid chromatography

To fulfil the increasing demand for faster and more complex separations, modern HPLC separations are performed at ever higher pressures and temperatures. Under these operating conditions, it is no longer possible to safely assume the mobile phase fluid properties to be invariable of the governing pressures and temperatures, without this resulting in significantly deficient results. A detailed insight in the influence of pressure and temperature on the physico-chemical properties of the most commonly used liquid mobile phases: water-methanol and water-acetonitrile mixtures, therefore becomes very timely. Viscosity, isothermal compressibility and density were measured for pressures up to 1000 bar and temperatures up to 100 degrees C for the entire range of water-methanol and water-acetonitrile mixtures. The paper reports on two different viscosity values: apparent and real viscosities. The apparent viscosities represent the apparent flow resistance under high pressure referred to by the flow rates measured at atmospheric pressure. They are of great practical use, because the flow rates at atmospheric pressure are commonly stable and more easily measurable in a chromatographic setup. The real viscosities are those complying with the physical definition of viscosity and they are important from a fundamental point of view. By measuring the isothermal compressibility, the actual volumetric flow rates at elevated pressures and temperatures can be calculated. The viscosities corresponding to these flow rates are the real viscosities of the solvent under the given elevated pressure and temperature. The measurements agree very well with existing literature data, which mainly focus on pure water, methanol and acetonitrile and are only available for a limited range of temperatures and pressures. As a consequence, the physico-chemical properties reported on in this paper provide a significant extension to the range of data available, hereby providing useful data to practical as well as theoretical chromatographers investigating the limits of modern day HPLC.     

Effect of ionic liquid on dielectric, mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polychloroprene rubber composites

This paper focuses on the influence of ionic liquid on carbon nanotube based elastomeric composites. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are modified using an ionic liquid at room temperature, 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulphonyl) imide (BMI) and modified MWCNTs exhibit physical (cation–π/π–π) interaction with BMI. The polychloroprene rubber (CR) composites are prepared using unmodified and BMI modified MWCNTs. The presence of BMI not only increases the alternating current (AC) electrical conductivity and polarisability of the composites but also improves the state of dispersion of the tubes as observed from dielectric spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy respectively. In addition to the hydrodynamic reinforcement, the formation of improved filler–filler networks is reflected in the dynamic storage modulus (E′) for modified MWCNTs/CR composites in amplitude sweep measurement upon increasing the proportion of BMI. Hardness and mechanical properties are also studied for the composites as a function of BMI.