Determination of ambroxol in an automated multi-pumping pulsed flow system.

A new flow methodology exploiting the multi-pumping approach was developed for the spectrophotometric determination of ambroxol hydrochloride in pharmaceutical preparations. The flow manifold was implemented by using, exclusively, multiple solenoid-actuated micro-pumps, which acted simultaneously as sample insertion, solutions propelling and reagents commutation units. Linear calibration plots were obtained over an ambroxol concentration ranging from 10 to 200 mg l(-1) (r.s.d. < 0.5%, n = 15) and a sampling rate of about 60 samples per hour (flow rate = 1.92 ml min(-1), sample volume = 80 microl).     

Biomimetic zinc funnel complexes based on calix[6]N3ArO ligands: an acid-base switch for guest binding

The coordination chemistry of Zn in an N(3)ArOH environment has been explored. The ligands are based on calix[6]arenes that present two imidazole arms and an amino phenol moiety at the narrow rim. Three different types of complexes have been characterized. One is dicationic with Zn(2+) coordinated to the three nitrogen atoms and to the oxygen of the phenol group of the calix[6]ligand. This complex is very sensitive to exogenous coordinating molecules and exists as a 5-coordinate species due to the endo-complexation of a guest. The second species is a monocationic complex for which the phenol group has been deprotonated. The resulting N(3)ArOZn complex can also bind a guest ligand albeit with a lower affinity than the dicationic complex. The third species is neutral. It can be obtained upon reaction with a base to yield a hydroxo complex or with an anion such as a chloride that coordinates the metal center from the outside of the calixarene cavity. The simultaneous binding of two anionic donors decreases the Zn Lewis acidity, allowing an impressive conformational reorganization of the system. One imidazole arm is released by the metal center. The other one undergoes self-inclusion into the pi-basic calixarene cavity because the low affinity of the metal center for neutral ligand does not allow the endo-coordination of an exogenous guest. Hence, the calix[6]N(3)ArOH-based Zn complexes act as an acid-base switch for guest binding. Several aspects of this system appear reminiscent of Zn-peptidases of the astacin and serralisin families.     

Assays for total homocysteine and other thiols by capillary electrophoresis-laser-induced fluorescence detection. I. Preanalytical condition studies

In recent papers, we presented a new analytical method for thiol quantification in serum. It is based on the use of capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence to analyze thiol 6-iodoacetamidofluoresceine (IAF) derivatives. Quantitative results of homocysteine, glutathione, cysteine-glycin, and cysteine were shown (Clin. Chem. 45 (1999) 412). A comprehensive comparison of the quantitation of homocysteine in serum, using high-performance liquid chromatography/conventional fluorescence detection and fluorescence polarization immunoassay was also used (E. Caussé et al., Electrophoresis 21 (2000) 2074). Sample preparation prior to derivatization with IAF had never been investigated. In this work we present the results of quantitation of thiols in serum and plasma with three different anticoagulants widely used: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), heparin, and sodium citrate. We show that serum and EDTA plasma gave the same results. Then serum protein precipitations by acetonitrile, acetone, sulfosalicylic acid, perchloric acid and trichloracetic acid, prior to derivatization by IAF, were also investigated. Their influence on the concentrations of the thiols were determined. Sulfosalicylic acid and acetonitrile precipitations are well adapted, whereas acetone cannot be used.     

The electrophilic reactions of pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) with hydrazine and substituted derivatives. Catalytic reduction of nitrite and theoretical prediction of eta(1)-, eta(2)-N(2)O bound intermediates

The electrophilic reactivity of the pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) ion, [Fe(CN)(5)NO](2)(-), toward hydrazine (Hz) and substituted hydrazines (MeHz, 1,1-Me(2)Hz, and 1,2-Me(2)Hz) has been studied by means of stoichiometric and kinetic experiments (pH 6-10). The reaction of Hz led to N(2)O and NH(3), with similar paths for MeHz and 1,1-Me(2)Hz, which form the corresponding amines. A parallel path has been found for MeHz, leading to N(2)O, N(2), and MeOH. The reaction of 1,2-Me(2)Hz follows a different route, characterized by azomethane formation (MeNNMe), full reduction of nitrosyl to NH(3), and intermediate detection of [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-). In the above reactions, [Fe(CN)(5)H(2)O](3)(-) was always a product, allowing the system to proceed catalytically for nitrite reduction, an issue relevant in relation to the behavior of the nitrite and nitric oxide reductase enzymes. The mechanism comprises initial reversible adduct formation through the binding of the nucleophile to the N-atom of nitrosyl. The adducts decompose through OH(-) attack giving the final products, without intermediate detection. Rate constants for the adduct-formation steps (k = 0.43 M(-)(1) s(-)(1), 25 degrees C for Hz) decrease with methylation by about an order of magnitude. Among the different systems studied, one-, two-, and multielectron reductions of bound NO(+) are analyzed comparatively, with consideration of the role of NO, HNO (nitroxyl), and hydroxylamine as bound intermediates. A DFT study (B3LYP) of the reaction profile allows one to characterize intermediates in the potential hypersurface. These are the initial adducts, as well as their decomposition products, the eta(1)- and eta(2)-linkage isomers of N(2)O.     

The influence of cosolvent polarity on the flow properties of hydroalcoholic gels: empirical models

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cosolvent polarity on the rheological flow properties of aqueous and hydroalcoholic gels obtained from the Carbopol Ultrez 10 base and used for topical applications. Specifically, we have examined the effect of pH (range 4.0--7.0) on the consistency and flow properties of dispersed systems in water and mixtures--15 : 85% v/v of methanol : water, ethanol : water, n-propanol : water and n-butanol : water--at a constant polymer concentration of 0.3% w/w. The gels, which had decreasing polarity values in the jellifying medium, showed qualitatively similar flow behavior, characteristic of pseudoplastic systems, and all of the flow curves were adjusted to the Ostwald model. Sigmoidal dose response functions were calculated to describe the flow and consistency indexes as a function of pH. As a result, the influence of alcohol polarity on the polymer network has been assessed meaningfully using the empirical parameters obtained: maximum consistency index value (k(max)), pH value required for 50% development of polymer network (pH(50)), and asymptotic flow index value (n(min)) for the fully structured gels.     

Détermination de l'énergie de conjugaison des acides naphtoǐques

The present paper deals with the experimental and theoretical determination of energies of conjugation of organic molecules.A computation process has been applied, first to simple molecules comprising an hydrocarbon (styrene), an oxygen function (benzaldehyde) and a nitrogen function (aniline). The results are compared with those obtained from the literature.The application of this computation process to naphthoic acids permits the determination of energies of conjugation and isomerization of these molecules.     

Synthesis of gamma,delta-unsaturated and delta,epsilon-unsaturated alpha-amino acids from fragmentation of gamma- and delta-lactones

A noncoded amino acid of cyclomarin A (1) was synthesized in a racemic fashion. The method employs a six-membered ring template to control the relative stereochemistry and introduction of the functional groups. Ultimately, Pd-catalyzed fragmentation of the lactone provided gamma,delta-unsaturated and delta,epsilon-unsaturated alpha-amino acids. A Pd-catalyzed ring opening of a gamma-lactone is also reported.     

Alpha-sulfinyl carbanions as a new source of olefins

[reaction: see text] Secondary alpha-lithiosulfinyl carbanions react either intermolecularly, after transmetalation into an organocopper derivative in an S(N)2-type process with zinc carbenoid, or intramolecularly via higher-order zincate to give, through a tandem zinc homologation-beta-elimination reaction the corresponding alkenes. alpha,alpha-Disubstituted alkenes are only formed from tertiary alpha-lithiosulfinyl carbanions via the 1,2-metalate rearrangement.     

Le problème de la réduction des intégrales électroniques dans la méthode L.C.A.O. améliorée

Résumé L'auteur reprend les principes de la méthode L.C.A.O. améliorée en vue d'une justification plus complète des procédés employés. La théorie des perturbations permet d'une façon simple de tenir compte de la corrélation entre les électrons grâce à l'introduction d'une fonction universelle de la distance entre deux électrons. Le problème est ainsi ramené de l'échelle moléculaire à l'échelle atomique. On montre que la corrélation entre les électrons entraîne la réduction des intégrales atomiques. Le problème de la réduction des intégrales coulombiennes est traité en détail. La possibilité de négliger les autres intégrales biélectroniques est ensuite examiné. Enfin est étudié le problème de la réduction des intégrales de coeur.

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The principles of the improved LCAO theory are investigated to give a better justification for its methods. Perturbation theory allows a simple account for electronic correlation, when a universal function of interelectronic distance is introduced. The problem is hereby reduced from molecular to atomic scale. The reduction of electronic energy integrals by correlation is shown, especially for Coulomb integrals. The possibility of neglecting the other bielectronic integrals is examined. Finally the problem of core integral reduction is studied.

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Zusammenfassung Die Grundlagen der verbesserten LCAO-Methode werden untersucht, um dieses Verfahren besser zu rechtfertigen. Mit einer allgemeinen Funktion des Abstandes je zweier Elektronen und der Störungstheorie läßt sich die Elektronenkorrelation auf einfache Weise berücksichtigen. Damit wird das Problem vom molekularen auf den atomaren Maßstab zurückgeführt. Die Elektronenkorrelation bringt eine Reduktion der Elektronenenergieintegrale mit sich; die Coulombintegrale werden im einzelnen behandelt. Anschließend wird die Möglichkeit untersucht, die übrigen Zweielektronenintegrale zu vernachlässigen. Schließlich wird die Reduktion der Rumpfintegrale behandelt.

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Nous tenons à remercier très vivement le Docteur Chr. K. Jørgensen (Cyanamid European Research Institut, Genève) pour les intéressants échanges de vue que nous avons eu sur les divers problèmes évoqués dans cet article ainsi que le Docteur G. Berthier (Institut de Biochimie théorique, Paris) et Monsieur H. v. Hirschhausen.     

Sample preparation improvement in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons determination in olive oils by gel permeation chromatography and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The determination of 15 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in olive oil samples has been improved in order to obtain a fast methodology with a low limit of detection through the combination of liquid-liquid extraction with acetonitrile and preparative gel permeation chromatography (GPC) prior to the injection of purified extracts into a C18 column. Acetonitrile-water was used as the mobile phase with a gradient from 50 to 95%, w/w, acetonitrile in 30 min. The oven temperature was maintained at 15 degrees C, and fluorometric detection was made at a fixed excitation wavelength of 264 nm and variable, optimal emission wavelength for each analyte ranging from 352 nm for 11-H-benzo(b)fluorene to 500 nm for indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene. Recovery for all the compounds studied varied from 75 to 111%, and limit of detection values from 0.05 ng/g for benzo(k)fluoranthene to 0.48 ng/g for indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, corresponding to 0.09 ng/g benzo(a)pyrene. Results were compared with those obtained by liquid-liquid extraction followed by a cleanup on silica and a direct GPC treatment of oil samples diluted in dichloromethane, 2 other methodologies that are appropriate for quantifying PAHs in olive oils. However, the proposed method improves the determination limits, reduces the time of analysis, and provides a highly stable baseline for sample chromatograms.