Synthesis and Characterization of nido-[1,1,2,2-(CO)(4)-1,2-(PPh(3))(2)-1,2-FeIrB(2)H(5)]: A Heterobimetallaborane Analogue of nido-[B(4)H(7)](-)

The synthesis and characterization of nido-[1,1,2,2-(CO)(4)-1,2-(PPh(3))(2)-1,2-FeIrB(2)H(5)] (1) is reported. 1 is formed in low yield as a degradation product from the reaction between [{&mgr;-Fe(CO)(4)}B(6)H(9)](-) and trans-Ir(CO)Cl(PPh(3))(2) in THF and is characterized from NMR, IR, and analytical data and by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 12.8622(12), b = 14.3313(12), c = 23.579(3) ?, beta = 97.12(2) degrees, Z = 4, V = 4257.0(8) ?(3), R(1) = 4.83%, and wR(2)()(F(2)) = 12.43%. The heterobimetallaborane structure may be viewed as a derivative of the binary boron hydride nido-[B(4)H(7)](-) and is related to the known homobimetallatetraborane analogues [Fe(2)(CO)(6)B(2)H(6)] and [Co(2)(CO)(6)B(2)H(4)]. 1 exhibits proton fluxionality in its (1)H NMR spectrum, which is related to that found in the latter two compounds.     

Evaluation of pigments from methanolic extract of Tagetes erecta and Beta vulgaris as antioxidant and antibacterial agent

The Total Phenolic Content (TPC), antioxidant and antibacterial activities of methanolic extract of Marigold flower (MF) (Tagetes erecta) and Beet root (BR) (Beta vulgaris) were examined. The present work reveals that MF contained greater amount of TPC (42.5 mg/g GAE) as compared to BR (39.4 mg/g GAE). Methanolic extract of MF exhibited excellent DPPH free radical scavenging power (IC₅₀ 0.0716 mg/mL) and reducing power at 1 mg/mL concentration. Similar results have been obtained in FTC and TBA method. The results of antibacterial test indicated that the methanolic extract of MF and BR is significantly effective against both type of Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae) and Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) bacterial strains. Therefore, the present study suggests that the Marigold and BR are promising source of herbal medicinal products with noteworthy antioxidant and antibacterial activity.     

Dynamic kinetic resolution of 2-methyl-2-nitrocyclohexanol: Combining the intramolecular nitroaldol (Henry) reaction & lipase-catalysed resolution

Efforts to combine the intramolecular nitroaldol reaction with lipase-catalysed resolution of the resulting nitroaldol adduct in a one-pot dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) are described. Significant challenges were encountered in the combination of the two systems. trans-2-Methyl-2-nitrocyclohexyl acetate (±)-3b was isolated in excellent enantiopurity (>98% ee) via a sequential DKR sequence where the lipase-mediated resolution and base-mediated interconversion of 2-methyl-2-nitrocyclohexanol 2 were effected alternately, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach initially. Further work showed, for the first time, evidence that a DKR-type system is possible for 2. Reaction engineering allowed the design of a sequential one-pot reaction system which furnished the products with excellent enantioselectivity, and good diastereoselectivity.     

CO oxidation over ceria supported Au22 nanoclusters: Shape effect of the support

CO oxidation over ceria-supported Au₂₂ nanoclusters shows strong dependence on the support shape: the lattice oxygen in CeO₂ rods is more reactive than in the cubes and thus make rods a superior support for Au nanoclusters in catalyzing low temperature CO oxidation.     

A Quintuple [6]Helicene with a Corannulene Core as a C5‐Symmetric Propeller‐Shaped π‐System

The synthesis and structural analysis of a quintuple [6]helicene with a corannulene core is reported. The compound was synthesized from corannulene in three steps including a five‐fold intramolecular direct arylation. X‐ray crystallographic analysis revealed a C₅‐symmetric propeller‐shaped structure and one‐dimensional alignment in the solid state. The enantiomers of the quintuple [6]helicene were successfully separated by HPLC, and the chirality of the two fractions was identified by CD spectroscopy. A kinetic study yielded a racemization barrier of 34.2 kcal mol^?1, which is slightly lower than that of pristine [6]helicene. DFT calculations indicate a rapid bowl‐to‐bowl inversion of the corannulene moiety and a step‐by‐step chiral inversion pathway for the five [6]helicene moieties.     

Quantitative immunoassay for determining polyaromatic hydrocarbons in electrical insulating oils

The development and application of a combined sample extraction and immunoassay protocol for the quantification of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in transformer oils is reported. Tests were performed on 12 different used transformer oils from three major manufacturers. The removal of matrix interferents was achieved by loading oil fractions onto silica solid phase extraction cartridges and eluting with non-polar solvent prior to evaporation and reconstitution in a more polar medium. Extracts were immunoassayed using two commercially available PAH test kits either having broad specificity towards priority PAHs or enhanced binding specificity toward more carcinogenic PAHs. The total and carcinogenic PAH test kits yielded PAH levels in the oil extracts 5.86-fold and 126-fold lower than the industry-standard IP346 method. The latter method, widely used by the industry, since it correlates with biological carcinogenicity tests, grossly over-estimates PAH levels in oils since it is a non-specific gravimetric solvent extraction approach. The assay was found to be unaffected by the extract sample matrix and was capable of determining PAHs at the nanogram per millilitre level. The assay protocol was simple, low-cost and rapid (<2 h) and equally amenable to operation at remote sites or high-throughput sample screening. The binding specificity of the total anti-PAH antibody was examined by preparing and loading an anti-PAH immunosorbent with oil, prior to solvent displacement of antibody-bound compounds and by gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry (MS) analysis.     

First-Known High-Nuclearity Copper–Nickel Carbonyl Cluster: [CuxNi35−x(CO)40]5− (with x=3 or 5) Containing an Unprecedented 35-Atom Three-Layer hcp Triangular Stacking Metal-Core Geometry

Reactions of [Ni₆(CO)₁₂]^2- (1) with CuBr₂ have given rise in small yields (10%) to the first example of a close-packed copper-nickel carbonyl cluster; its formulation as [Cu_xNi_35-x(CO)₄₀]^5- (with x=3 or 5) is based upon a low-temperature CCD X-ray crystallographic determination coupled with an elemental analysis and X-ray fluorescence measurements. This air-unstable black pentaanion (2) together with one co-crystallized bromide anion, six [NMe₄]⁺ counterions, and one solvated acetone molecule comprise the crystallographic independent part in a monoclinic unit cell of P2₁/n symmetry (with Z=4). The geometrically unprecedented 35-atom hcp M(A)₂M(B)₃Ni₃₀ polyhedron of pseudo-D_3h symmetry consists of a central 15-atom equilateral ₄M(B)₃Ni₁₂ triangle that is capped on both sides by two symmetry-related 10-atom equilateral ₃M(A)Ni₉ triangles. The 35-atom M(A)₂M(B)₃Ni₃₀ core is encapsulated by 40 COs, whose connectivities, due to an extra CO ligand on one of the three triangular sides, reduce the pseudo D_3h symmetry of the metal core to C_s. An elemental analysis via AA and X-ray fluorescence measurements resulted in Cu/Ni ratios of 3.2/31.8 and 3.7/31.3, respectively, that are consistent with the metal core being either Cu₅Ni₃₀ (i.e., M(A)=M(B)=Cu) or Cu₃Ni₃₂ (i.e., M(A)=Ni; M(B)=Cu). Several attempts to determine the actual stoichiometry of the metal core by use of electrospray FT/MS/ICR measurements were unsuccessful. The maximum metal-core diameter of 2 is ca. 0.41 nm parallel and 0.85 nm perpendicular to the principal 3-fold axis.     

Comparison of liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, ELISA, and phosphatase assay for the determination of microcystins in blue-green algae products

More than 100 samples of blue-green algae products (consisting of Aphanizomenon, Spirulina, and unidentified blue-green algae) in the form of pills, capsules, and powders were collected from retail outlets from across Canada. The samples were extracted with 75% methanol in water and centrifuged to remove solids. Aliquots of the extracts along with spiked blank sample extracts were sent to each participating laboratory and independently analyzed for microcystins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), protein phosphatase inhibition assay, and by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) after sample cleanup using C18 solid-phase extraction. The results obtained by ELISA and LC-MS/MS agreed very well over a concentration range of about 0.5-35 microg/g. The colorimetric phosphatase results generally agreed with the other 2 methods. While the 2 biochemical assays measured total microcystin content compared with a standard of microcystin LR, the LC-MS/MS method measured specific microcystins (LA, LR, RR, YR) using external standards of these for identification and quantitation. Microcystin LR was found in all positive samples by LC-MS/MS. Microcystin LA was the only other microcystin found in the samples analyzed. These 2 microcystins represent essentially all the microcystins that were present in the extracts. Otherwise, the LC-MS/MS results would have been significantly lower than the results of the biochemical assays had other unknown microcystins been present.