High‐efficiency sample preparation approach to determine acrylamide levels in high‐fat foods

An improved sample preparation method was developed to enhance acrylamide recovery in high‐fat foods. Prior to concentration, distilled deionized water was added to protect acrylamide from degradation, resulting in a higher acrylamide recovery rate from fried potato chips. A Chrome‐Matrix C₁₈ column (2.6 μm, 2.1 × 100 mm) was used for the first time to analyze acrylamide levels using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, displaying good separation of acrylamide from interference. A solid‐phase extraction procedure was avoided, and an average recovery of >89.00% was achieved from different food matrices for three different acrylamide spiking levels. Good reproducibility was observed, with an intraday relative standard deviation of 0.04–2.38%, and an interday relative standard deviation of 2.34–3.26%. Thus, combining the improved sample preparation method for acrylamide analysis with the separation on a Chrome‐Matrix C₁₈ column (2.6 μm, 2.1 × 100 mm) using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry is highly useful for analyzing acrylamide levels in complex food matrices.     

Effects of gamma-irradiation and air annealing on Yb-doped Y3Al5O12 single crystal

The effects of gamma-irradiation on the air-annealed 10at.% Yb:Y(3)Al(5)O(12) (YAG) and air annealing on the gamma-irradiated 10at.% Yb:YAG have been studied by the difference absorption spectra before and after treatment. The gamma-irradiation and air annealing led to opposite changes of the absorption properties of the Yb:YAG crystal. After air annealing, the gamma-irradiation induced centers were totally removed and the concentration of Fe(3+) and Yb(3+) were lightly increased. For the first time, the gamma-irradiation induced valence changes between Yb(3+) and Yb(2+) ions in Yb:YAG crystals have been observed.     

Ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzed efficient synthesis of unsymmetrical diorganyl selenides via cleavage of dibenzyl and diphenyl diselenides in the presence of zinc

[equation: see text] An efficient one-pot route to unsymmetrical diorganyl selenides has been developed by ruthenium(III) chloride catalyzed reactions of dibenzyl or diphenyl diselenides with alkyl halides in the presence of zinc. Organic iodides, bromides, and activated chlorides underwent the reactions efficiently. Unreactive organic chlorides also underwent the same type of selenation with sodium bromide as the additive.     

木瓜蛋白酶催化的不对称杂环酮 Aldol反应研究

采用木瓜蛋白酶多功能性催化不对称杂环酮与芳香醛之间的Aldol反应。通过对溶剂、含水量、投料比、酶载量以及反应温度等条件的筛选,发现木瓜蛋白酶在该反应体系中展示了较好的催化活性和底物适应性。在最佳条件下,获得了最高37%的产率和78%的ee值。本文报道的木瓜蛋白酶在有机溶剂中具有类似天然醛缩酶的催化功能。     

How rigid are conjugated non-ladder and ladder polymers?

Persistence length is commonly used to quantitatively describe the chain rigidity of macromolecules, which represents an important structural parameter governing many physical properties of polymers. Although the mathematical models and experimental measurements on the chain rigidity of conventional single stranded polymers have been well explored and documented, those of the more rigid yet highly intriguing multiple stranded polymers, especially conjugated ladder polymers, are yet not well established. This article introduces the fundamental concepts on macromolecular chain rigidity, as well as the corresponding experimental methods, models, and simulations. Subsequently, representative examples of works done on the chain rigidity of nonladder conjugated polymers and conjugated ladder polymers are reviewed. Last but not least, it provides outlooks on the challenges with respect to the less-investigated chain rigidity of conjugated ladder polymers, including new models to describe and predict chain conformation, synthetic control on structural defects, and insights into the correlation of rigidity and applications.     

Recent Advances in DNA-Based Cell Surface Engineering for Biological Applications

Due to its excellent programmability and biocompatibility, DNA molecule has unique advantages in cell surface engineering. Recent progresses provide a reliable and feasible way to engineer cell surfaces with diverse DNA molecules and DNA nanostructures. The abundant form of DNA nanostructures has greatly expanded the toolbox of DNA-based cell surface engineering and gave rise to a variety of novel and fascinating applications. In this review, we summarize recent advances in DNA-based cell surface engineering and its biological applications. We first introduce some widely used methods of immobilizing DNA molecules on cell surfaces and their application features. Then we discuss the approaches of employing DNA nanostructures and dynamic DNA nanotechnology as elements for creating functional cell surfaces. Finally, we review the extensive biological applications of DNA-based cell surface engineering and discuss the challenges and prospects of DNA-based cell surface engineering.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of Eu2O3/Ta2O5 mixed oxides on degradation of rhodamine B and 4-nitrophenol

Europium oxide/tantalum pentoxide (Eu₂O₃/Ta₂O₅) mixed oxides with different Eu₂O₃ dopings were prepared by a single-step sol–gel process via hydrolysis of tantalum pentachloride in the presence of europium nitrate. The products were in the amorphous and orthorhombic phase structures, respectively, based on the different calcination temperatures (200 and 500 °C). Composition, morphology, phase structure, Eu₂O₃-doping mode in the Ta₂O₅ matrix and optical absorption property of the products were characterized by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis/DRS). The UV-light photocatalytic activity of the products was evaluated by degradation of aqueous rhodamine B (RB) and 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). The results showed that the photocatalytic activity of as-prepared Eu₂O₃/Ta₂O₅ was higher than that of pure Ta₂O₅ regardless of their phase structures. Among the tested samples, Eu₂O₃/Ta₂O₅ with 0.49% Eu loading obtained with 200 °C exhibited the highest activity to degradation of the above two model molecules. The reasons of this enhanced photocatalytic activity were discussed.     

Aquabis(2-methyl-4-oxopyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-9-olato)cobalt (II): Crystal Structure and Spectroscopic Properties

Abstract  

The title cobalt complex, [Co(C₉H₇N₂O₂)₂H₂O]H₂O, has been synthesized by the reaction of ligand, 9-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidine-4-one (HL), and cobalt nitrate. The synthesized complex was characterized by IR, elemental analysis (C, H and N), mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography. The structure was solved in monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a = 14.4584(13), b = 6.9385(8), c = 18.045(2) ?, β = 94.8440(10), V = 1803.8(3) ?³, Z = 4, and with R _int = 0.034. The Co(II) complex, as shown by the single-crystal structure determination, existed as a mononuclear complex with distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The mental center was coordinated by two molecules from the bidentate ligand (HL) and an O atom from the coordinated water molecule. The intermolecular aromatic π–π stacking interactions generate discrete dimers. Furthermore, these discrete dimers were connected via O–H···O hydrogen bond in complex to form three-dimensional networks. At room temperature, the complex can emit blue luminescence at 430 nm in the solid state, while it about 42 nm blue-shifted in ethanol solution. Compared with free ligand, the luminescence was greatly intensified.     

Di-ionizable calix[4]arene-1,3-crown-4 ligands in 1,3-alternate,cone, and partial-cone conformations: synthesis and metal ion extractions

Di-ionizable calix[4]arene-1,3-crown-4 compounds locked in 1,3-alternate, cone, and partial-cone conformations are synthesized for evaluation in metal ion separations. The ionizable functions include carboxylic acid and N-(X)sulfonyl carboxamide groups in which the acidity is tuned by variation of the electron-withdrawing ability of X. Similar synthetic routes were employed for preparation of the cone and 1,3-alternate ligand series. A different preparative route utilizing protection and deprotection was required to obtain the partial-cone analogues. Ligand conformations were confirmed by their proton and/or carbon NMR spectra. X-ray diffraction verified an unusual 1,2-alternate conformation in the solid-state for one synthetic intermediate. Effects of ligand conformation and ionizable group variations on competitive solvent extractions of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations from aqueous solutions into chloroform were assessed. Single species solvent extractions of Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were also performed.