On the unperturbed dimensions of polyisoprene chains

The characteristic ratio C_∞ = 〈r²〉 _o/nl² and its temperature coefficient dlnC_∞/dT for synthetic polyisoprenes with high cis 1,4 and trans 1,4 contents have been determined by various experimental methods, involving viscometric determinations. The θ-solvent dioxane at 31.2°C and benzene at temperatures in the range 25–45°C have been used with the cis isomer. Thermodynamic quantities required for the analysis in benzene, such as the reduced residual chemical potential χ and its temperature coefficient d_χ/dT, have been taken from the rigorous work of Eichinger and Flory, in which the equation-of-state theory was introduced. A large error has been found in the determination of the temperature coefficient in benzene, arising from the small values for ($\text{1}\text{2}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{\chi }}$) and d_χ/dT. Selected θ-mixtures, toluene/n-propanol at various temperatures, have been employed with trans polyisoprene. Experimental values have been compared with those obtained from theoretical calculations carried out by authors since Mark in 1964. Reasonable agreement was found, especially for the trans isomer.     

Determination of configuration-dependent spin-orbit interaction constants by atomic spectroscopy

A new approach to the evaluation of spin-orbit interaction (SOI) constants is presented. The SOI constants ξ_p and ξ_d of 4p and 3d electrons have been evaluated by employing the available atomic spectral data for the first transition row atoms and ions possessing the electron configuration K(2)L(8)3s²3p⁶3d^α4s^β4p^γ.     

Substituent dependence of the d-d transition band in the electronic absorption spectra of arylferrocenes and the corresponding arylferricenium salts

The electronic absorption spectra of 22 arylferrocenes and their arylferricenium salts with pentacyanopropenide (PCNP) were recorded. The attemptedHammett correlation of _max of the d-d transition bands of arylferrocenes revealed that this band is substituent dependent only for strong electron-withdrawing substituents. Excellent correlation of _max of the d-d transition bands with ⁺ constants was found in the case of arylferricenium cations. Good correlations of _max was also found with theE _1/2 oxidation potentials measured by cyclic voltametry.

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Substituentenabhängigkeit des d-d-Überganges in den Elektronenabsorptions-Spektren von Arylferrocenen und entsprechenden Arylferricenium-Salzen

Zusammenfassung Elektronenabsorptions-Spektren von 22 Arylferrocenen und ihren Arylferricenium-Pentacyanopropenid-Salzen wurden gemessen. VersuchteHammett-Korrelationen des längstwelligen d-d-Überganges (_max) zeigten, daß diese Bande nur von stark elektronenanziehende Substituenten abhängig ist. Im Fall der Arylferricenium-Kationen wurde eine ausgezeichnete Korrelation zwischen _max der d-d-Bande und den ⁺-Konstanten festgestellt. Eine gute Korrelation der _max-Werte wurde auch mit denE _1/2 Oxidationspotentialen gefunden, die durch cyclische Voltametrie meßbar sind.

     

Analysis of conformational equilibria in aplidine using selective excitation 2D NMR spectroscopy and molecular mechanics/dynamics calculations

Aplidine (dehydrodidemnin B), a natural product with potent antitumor activity currently in multicenter phase II clinical trials, exists in DMSO as a mixture of four slowly interconverting conformations in a ratio of 47:33:13:7. NMR spectroscopy shows that these arise as a consequence of cis/trans isomerization about the NMe-Leu(7)-Pro(8) and Pro(8)-Pyr amide bonds of the molecule's side chain. Two major conformations account for 47% and 33% of the total population, a ratio of 60:40 between the two. They correspond to the cis- and trans-isomers, respectively, about the Pro(8)-Pyr amide bond. Two minor conformers arise as a consequence of similar isomerism about the Pro(8)-Pyr amide bond, but in structures in which the NMe-Leu(7)-Pro(8) amide bond is cis rather than trans. These account for approximately 13% and 7% of the total population, corresponding to a ratio of 65:35 cis/trans, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the three-dimensional structures of all four conformational isomers are similar in the macrocycle and that all are essentially unchanged with respect to the macrocycle of didemnin B. Significant differences in the conformation of the molecule's side chain are, however, observed between major and minor pairs. Analysis of hydrogen-bonding patterns shows that each major conformer exhibits a beta-turn like structure and is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between a different carbonyl group of the pyruvyl unit of the molecule's side chain and the NH of the Thr(6) residue. The minor isomers have a cis-amide bond between the NMe-Leu(7) and Pro(8) residues that obliges the side chain to adopt an extended disposition where hydrogen bonding to the macrocycle is absent. These results suggest that the ability of the molecule's side chain to adopt a beta-turn-like conformation may not be a prerequisite for biological activity in the didemnins and that conformations having an extended side-chain may play a role in the biological activity of aplidine.     

Determination of inorganic ions in food and beverages by capillary electrophoresis

A review of the applications of electrophoresis to the determination of inorganic anions (sulphate, sulphite, phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and halides) and inorganic cations (ammonium, alkali and alkaline metals and trace elements) in food and beverages is presented.     

Comparison of the absolute calibration method with the method of standard addition for the determination of halothane in blood by gas chromatographic headspace analysis

As long-term exposure to exhaled halothane can be a cause of hepatitis and/or damage to the liver, the determination of halothane in blood is important in clinical practice. Gas chromatographic headspace analysis appears to be the most successful method. In the present study, two methods of quantitative evaluation of the analysis were compared by statistical treatment and direct comparison. The absolute calibration method was found to be unsuitable since it yields entirely unreliable results. This is due to different contents of lipoid and other components in the blood of the normal population, and this influences the vapour phase concentration of halothane and results in different values for the slopes of calibration curves for different blood samples. The standard addition method gives reliable results.     

Application of ultrasound-assisted acid leaching procedures for major and trace elements determination in edible seaweed by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

A new method using diluted reagents (nitric and hydrochloric acids and oxygen peroxide) and ultrasound energy to assist metals acid leaching with from edible seaweed was optimized. The method uses a first sonication at high temperature with hydrochloric acid as a previous stage to an ultrasound-assisted acid leaching with 7 ml of an acid solution containing nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and hydrogen peroxide at concentrations of 3.7, 3.0 and 3.0 M, respectively. Optimum conditions for the first sonication step were ultrasound energy at 17 kHz, sonication temperature at 65 °C, an acid volume of 2 ml, an hydrochloric acid concentration of 6.0 M and a sonication time of 10 min. It has been found that the first sonication stage at high temperature with hydrochloric acid is necessary to obtain quantitative recoveries for As, Ba, Fe and V. Otherwise quantitative recoveries were reached for the other elements investigated (Ca, K, Na, Mg, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn). The repeatability of the ultrasound-assisted acid leaching method was around 10% for all elements. Adequate limit of detection and limit of quantification were reached by using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) for measurements. The method resulted accurate after analysing several seaweed certified reference materials (IAEA-140/TM, NIES-03 and NIES-09). The method was finally applied to the multi-element determination in edible seaweed samples.     

Determination of Phenolic Compounds Based on Co‐Immobilization of Methylene Blue and HRP on Multi‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

This work evaluated an amperometric biosensor based on multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), chemically modified with methylene blue (Met) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), for detection of phenolic compounds. The dependences of the biosensor response due to the enzyme immobilization procedure, HRP amounts, pH and working potential were investigated. The amperometric response for catechol using the proposed biosensor showed a very wide linear response range (1 to 150 μmol L^?1), good sensitivity (50 nA cm^?2 μmol^?1 L), excellent operational stability (after 300 determinations the response remained at 97%) and very good storage stability (lifetime>3 months). Based on all these characteristics, it is possible to affirm that the material is promising for phenol detection due to its good electrochemical response and enzyme stabilization. The biosensor response for various phenolic compounds was investigated.