Application of a single model to study the adsorption kinetics of prednisolone on six carbonaceous materials

The knowledge of the adsorption processes of nonelectrolytes from liquid solution on solid materials involves the study of their kinetic and equilibrium aspects as well as the understanding of their thermodynamic functions. However, in most published papers adsorption isotherms are analyzed by using the Giles classification and other proposed equations which are either empirical or based on kinetic or thermodynamic criteria. Our opinion is that both the kinetic and the equilibrium studies must be complementary and that, in general, equations describing the adsorption isotherms come from the kinetic laws governing the different partial processes which determine the global process. These kinetic laws may be derived from single models. In this paper a single model is proposed, which makes it possible to establish a kinetic law satisfactorily fitting a great number of C (concentration) vs t (time) isotherms. This model has been applied to study the adsorption process of prednisolone by six carbonaceous materials from ethanol solution, the specific adsorption rate, and the activation thermodynamic functions being calculated. The results obtained have also been used to analyze the influence of the intraparticle diffusion on the kinetics of the process.     

Zeolite-mediated photochemical charge separation using a surface-entrapped ruthenium-polypyridyl complex

Employing the strategy of quaternization of the 2,2' N atoms of the conjugated bipyridine ligand 1,4-bis[2-(4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyrid-4-yl)ethenyl]benzene (L), a polypyridyl complex of ruthenium(II) was tethered on the surface of zeolite Y. Electrochemical and spectroscopic properties of the complex suggest that, upon visible photoexcitation of the MLCT band, the electron is localized on the conjugated ligand rather than the bipyridines. Electron transfer from the surface complex to bipyridinium ions (methyl viologen) within the zeolite was observed. Visible light photolysis of the ruthenium-zeolite solid ion-exchanged with diquat and suspended in a propyl viologen sulfonate solution led to permanent formation of the blue propyl viologen sulfonate radical ion in solution. The model that is proposed involves intrazeolitic charge transfer to ion-exchanged diquat followed by interfacial (zeolite to solution) electron transfer to propyl viologen sulfonate in solution. Because of the slow intramolecular back-electron-transfer reaction and the forward electron propagation via the ion-exchanged diquat, Ru(III) is formed. This Ru(III) complex formed on the zeolite is proposed to react rapidly with water in the presence of light, followed by reaction with the propyl viologen sulfonate, to form pyridones and regeneration of Ru(II), which then continues the photochemical process.     

Templating and selection in the formation of macrocycles containing [[P(micro-NtBu)(2)](micro-NH)](n) frameworks: observation of halide ion coordination

Amination of [ClP(micro-NtBu)](2) (1) using NH(3) in THF gives the cyclophospha(III)zane dimer [H(2)NP(micro-NtBu)](2) (2), in good yield. (31)P NMR spectroscopic studies of the reaction of 1 with 2 in THF/Et(3)N show that almost quantitative formation of the cyclic tetramer [[P(micro-NtBu)](2)(micro-NH)](4) (3) occurs. The remarkable selectivity of this reaction can (in part) be attributed to pre-organisation of 1 and 2, which prefer cis arrangements in the solid state and solution. The macrocycle 3 can be isolated in yields of 58-67 % using various reaction scales. The isolation of the major by-product of the reaction (ca. 0.5-1 % of samples of 3), the pentameric, host-guest complex [[P(micro-NtBu)(2)](2)(micro-NH)](5)(HCl).2 THF] (4.2 THF), gives a strong indication of the mechanism involved. In situ (31)P NMR spectroscopic studies support a stepwise condensation mechanism in which Cl(-) ions play an important role in templating and selection of 3 and 4. Amplification of the pentameric arrangement occurs in the presence of excess LiX (X=Cl, Br, I). In addition, the cyclisation reaction is solvent- and anion-dependent. The X-ray structures of 2 and 4.2 THF are reported.     

Analysis of gadobenate dimeglumine by capillary zone electrophoresis coupled with electrospray-mass spectrometry

Highly reliable and accurate analytical methods are needed for the determination of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents in complex matrices of clinical interest. We demonstrate the reliability of capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) coupled with electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for the analysis of MultiHance (gadobenate dimeglumine), a gadolinium-based MRI agent. A sheath liquid interface connected the CE system with an electrospray mass spectrometer equipped with an ion-trap analyzer. CZE with ultraviolet (CZE-UV) and with mass detection (CZE-MS) were compared by analyzing gadobenate dimeglumine and the free ligand diluted in water and in biological fluids (i.e., human serum and urine). The optimization of some relevant CZE-MS parameters was accomplished, like CE buffer composition, sheath liquid composition and flow, and type and length of the separation capillary. CZE-UV was highly influenced by the biological sample components, which hindered a reliable quantification of both gadobenate and free ligand in serum and urine. In CZE-MS, on the other hand, the electrophoretic runs turned out to be independent of the clinical matrices, due to the informative potential and to the selectivity of MS detection.     

Preparation and characterization of modified 3-aminopropylsilyl silica phases with 1,8-naphthalic anhydrides in HPLC

Modified 3-aminopropylsilyl silica stationary phases with 1,8-naphthalic anhydrides [3-(1,8-naphthalimido)propyl (NAIP), 3-(4-amino-1,8-naphthalimido)propyl (4A-NAIP), 3-(3-nitro-1,8-naphthalimido)propyl (3N-NAIP), and 3-(4-nitro-1,8-naphthalimido)propyl modified silyl silica gel (4N-NAIP)] are prepared in a single reaction. Chromatographic properties of these phases are characterized using various solutes including monosubstituted benzenes, alkyl benzenes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in high-performance liquid chromatography. Even though the retention in these NAIPs is mainly based on the reversed-phase mode, 3N- and 4N-NAIP show a remarkable recognition toward aromatic hydrocarbons, which is attributed to their strong pi-pi interaction. Furthermore, the recognition ability is according to the molecular planarity and non-linearity of PAHs. Subsequently, 3N- and 4N-NAIP has a distinct selectivity from octadecyl silica and, therefore, will be a valuable alternative for a separation or a solid-phase extraction of aromatic compounds.     

An ultrasensitive method for the determination of thiouracil and phenylthiouracil using capillary zone electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection

This paper reports the development of a method based on capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection for the simultaneous determination of thiouracil (TU) and phenylthiouracil (PhTU) with high sensitivity (nanomolar range, i.e., attomoles detected). After derivatization with 5-iodoacetamidofluorescein, the analytes were separated by capillary zone electrophoresis using 20 mM phosphate buffer (pH 10.0) and quantified by fluorescence detection. The linearity range, precision, recovery, and detection limits were determined, and the method was shown to be applicable for the determination of TU and PhTU in spiked feed samples and urine.     

Selective, controllable, and reversible aggregation of polystyrene latex microspheres via DNA hybridization

The directed three-dimensional self-assembly of microstructures and nanostructures through the selective hybridization of DNA is the focus of great interest toward the fabrication of new materials. Single-stranded DNA is covalently attached to polystyrene latex microspheres. Single-stranded DNA can function as a sequence-selective Velcro by only bonding to another strand of DNA that has a complementary sequence. The attachment of the DNA increases the charge stabilization of the microspheres and allows controllable aggregation of microspheres by hybridization of complementary DNA sequences. In a mixture of microspheres derivatized with different sequences of DNA, microspheres with complementary DNA form aggregates, while microspheres with noncomplementary sequences remain suspended. The process is reversible by heating, with a characteristic "aggregate dissociation temperature" that is predictably dependent on salt concentration, and the evolution of aggregate dissociation with temperature is observed with optical microscopy.     

Total spontaneous resolution of chiral covalent networks from stereochemically labile metal complexes

Stereochemically labile copper and zinc complexes with the N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine ligand (dmeda) have been shown to be promising precursors for the total spontaneous resolution of chiral covalent networks. (N,N')-[Cu(NO3)2(dmeda)]infinity crystallises as a conglomerate and yields either enantiopure (R,R)-1 or enantiopure (S,S)-1. A mixed-valence copper(I/II) complex, [{Cu(II)Br2(dmeda)}3(Cu(I)Br)2]infinity (2), which crystallises as a pair of interpenetrating chiral (10,3)-a nets, is formed from CuBr, CuBr2 and dmeda. One net contains ligands with solely (R,R) configuration and exhibits helices with (P) configuration while the other has solely (S,S)-dmeda ligands and gives rise to a net in which the helices have (M) configuration. The whole crystalline arrangement is racemic, because the interpenetrating chiral nets are of opposite handedness. With zinc chloride (R,S)-[ZnCl(dmeda)2]2[ZnCl4] (3) is obtained, which is a network structure, although not chiral. Total spontaneous resolution of stereochemically labile metal complexes formed from achiral or racemic building blocks is suggested as a viable route for the preparation of covalent chiral networks. Once the absolute structure of the compound has been determined by X-ray crystallography, a quantitative determination of the enantiomeric excess of the bulk product can be undertaken by means of solid-state CD spectroscopy.     

Nonspecific interactions of a carboxylate-substituted PPE with proteins. A cautionary tale for biosensor applications

Two carboxylate-substituted, fluorescent (Phi = 0.08), water-soluble poly(p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPE) and a water-soluble model compound were exposed to a series of proteins and bovine serum. While the anionic PPEs do not have any specific binding sites, they form stable complexes with histone, lysozyme, myoglobin, and hemoglobin. The complex formation was evidenced by fluorescence quenching. Bovine serum albumin does not quench the fluorescence of the PPEs but enhances it, probably due to its surfactant character. These results imply that the use of charged conjugated polymers as biosensors, while an attractive proposition, has to take into account strong nonspecific interactions between conjugated polymers and the host of proteins that is found in cells and complex biological fluids.     

Binding of polyanions by biogenic amines. II. Formation and stability of protonated putrescine and cadaverine complexes with carboxylic ligands

The formation and stability of protonated diamines-carboxylic ligand complexes was studied potentiometrically (H(+)-glass electrode). Species formed are ALH(r) (A=cadaverine, putrescine, L=acetate, malate, tartrate, malonate, citrate, 1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate, 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate and glutamate; r=1...m+1, where m is the maximum degree of protonation of the carboxylic ligand), and their stability is a function of charges involved in the formation reaction. For the equilibrium H(i)A(i+)+H(j)L((j-z))=ALH((i+j-z))(i+j) the following linear relationships can be written: logK(1j)=-0.25+0.75 |j-z|, logK(2j)=0.50+0.90 |j-z| (by also considering some ethylenediamine and 1,2-diaminopropane complexes). Medium effects were considered. Comparison was made with analogous inorganic polyanion complexes. The simplest relationships -DeltaG(0)=6.5+/-0.3 and -DeltaG(0)=7.9+/-0.6 kJ mol(-1)n(-1) (n=number of possible salt bridges) were found for carboxylic and inorganic anions, respectively.