Small‐Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS) Study of Magneto‐Vesicles

Small‐angle neutron scattering from magneto‐vesicles (MVs) prepared by extrusion was studied. Contrast variation allowed the determination of structure and sizes of the vesicles and the encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles, respectively. The results from MVs synthesized with a 0.3% volume fraction of citrate‐coated magnetic nanoparticles are compared to those of similarly prepared vesicles of the neutral lipid 1,2‐Dioleoyl‐sn‐Glycero‐3‐Phosphocholine (DOPC) (without magnetic particles), and magnetic particles not encapsulated in vesicles. It is observed that the bilayers of the as‐prepared MVs, and the encapsulated nanoparticles retain their structural properties, highlighting the suitability of the MVs for applications.     

Development of Phosphatidylethanolamine Liposomes That Efficiently Retain Encapsulated Vinorelbine Bitartrate

A hydrophilic and temperature-induced degradation drug, vinorelbine bitartrate (VB)-loaded phosphatidylethanolamin sterically stabilized liposomes (PSLs) were prepared by the thin film hydration method. Liposomes were made of phosphatidylethanolamine: cholesteryl: oleic acid (PE: CHOL: OA, 6:4:3 mass/mass). The mean particle size of the PSLs ranged from 600 to 650 nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) images displayed that the shape of the PSLs was multilamellar vesicles with smooth surface. The highest entrapment efficiency (EE) and drug loading capacity (DL) could reach up to 81.2 and 16.6%, respectively. The studies of drug release showed that the drug release could last for much more than 48 hours. The PSLs was evaluated by comparing the rate of release of encapsulated VB in different phosphate buffer solution (PBS).     

A Method for Determination of Low Levels of Exposure to 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T

A method has been developed for the determination of trace quantities of 2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T), 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), and 2,4,5-trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) in human and rat urine. The method involves acid hydrolysis of the phenolic conjugates, extraction of the free phenols and acids, ethylation with diazoethane, silica-gel column chromatography clean-up of the derivatized urine extract, and gas chromatographic determination using the electron-capture detector. The average recoveries of 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, 2,4-DCP, and 2,4,5-TCP from rat urine spiked with known amounts of the herbicides and their phenols were 94%, 98%, 92%, and 90%, respectively. The limits of detection for 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, DCP, and TCP in rat urine were: 0.05, 0.01, 0.10, and 0.01 ppm, respectively. The method was used to analyze urine of rats given various levels of 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T by gavage. Results showed that levels of exposure of 3.75 mcg/kg for 2,4-D and 5.0 mcg/kg for 2,4,5-T in rats can be detected in urine within 24 hr from exposure. Urine samples from occupationally exposed people were analyzed and found to contain 0.2 to 1.0 ppm 2,4-D and 0.05 to 3.6 ppm 2,4,5-T.     

An environmentally benign synthesis of isoxazolines and isoxazoles mediated by potassium chloride in water

An effective and environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of isoxazolines and isoxazoles has been developed by a cycloaddition of nitrile oxides with alkenes or alkynes in water. In this approach, potassium chloride is first oxidized into chlorine in water by the environmentally friendly oxidant Oxone®, then aldoximes are oxidized into nitrile oxides by the in situ generated hypochlorous acid, finally a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between nitrile oxides and alkenes or alkynes occurs to provide the corresponding isoxazolines and isoxazoles in good yields.     

Reaction with SO3 in Ionic Liquids: The Example of K2(S2O7)­(H2SO4)

The ionic liquid 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hydrogensulfate, [bmim]HSO₄, turned out to be resistant even to strong oxidizers like SO₃. Thus, it should be a suitable solvent for the preparation of polysulfates at low temperatures. As a proof of principle we here present the synthesis and crystal structure of K₂(S₂O₇)(H₂SO₄), which has been obtained from the reaction of K₂SO₄ and SO₃ in [bmim]HSO₄. In the crystal structure of K₂(S₂O₇)(H₂SO₄) (orthorhombic, Pbca, Z = 8, a = 810.64(2) pm, b = 1047.90(2) pm, c = 2328.86(6) pm, V = 1978.30(8) ų) two crystallographically unique potassium cations are coordinated by a different number of monodentate and bidentate‐chelating disulfate anions as well as by sulfuric acid molecules. The crystal structure consists of alternating layers of [K₂(S₂O₇)] slabs and H₂SO₄ molecules. Hydrogen bonds between hydrogen atoms of sulfuric acid molecules and oxygen atoms of the neighboring disulfate anions are observed.     

Catalyst free,base free microwave irradiated synthesis of aryl nitrites from potassium aryltrifluoroborates and bismuth nitrate

A mixture of bismuth nitrate pentahydrate and potassium aryltrifluoroborate in toluene under microwave heating at 120 °C for 20 min provides an interesting and mild reaction protocol for the synthesis of aryl nitrite. The conversion to aryl nitrites from aryltrifluoroborates without transition metal catalyst and base in high yields is remarkable.     

Catalyzation of 1,4-additions of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated substrates using nickel(I) complexes

Nickel(I) complexes were generated in situ from Ni (PPh₃)₂Cl₂ using activated iron and the complexes combined with N,N′-bis(4-fluorobenzylidene) ethane-1,2-diamine (BFBED) were then used as a catalyst for the 1,4-addition reaction of arylboronic acids to α,β-unsaturated substrates. The reaction proceeded to completion and did not require the addition of a base but the addition of potassium iodide is crucial to this cross-coupling reaction. Moreover, experimental observations suggested a possible Ni(I)–Ni(III) catalytic cycle mechanism.     

Stable Encapsulation of Acrylate Esters in Networked Molecular Capsules

Reactive acrylate esters were encapsulated in the cavity of networked molecular capsules in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal fashion. Owing to the encapsulation effect, acrylates inside the capsules do not undergo polymerization upon irradiation with UV light or heating, while the guest molecules can be quantitatively extracted by treatment with toluene.     

Comparison of Loading Efficiency between Hyperbranched Polymers and Cross‐Linked Nanogels at Various Branching Densities

The effect of branching point structures and densities is studied between azido‐containing hyperbranched polymers and cross‐linked nanogels on their loading efficiency of alkynyl‐containing dendron molecules. Hyperbranched polymers that contained “T”‐shaped branching linkage from which three chains radiated out and cross‐linked nanogels that contained “X”‐shaped branching linkage with four radiating chains are synthesized in microemulsion using either atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) or conventional radical polymerization (RP) technique. Both polymers have similar density of azido groups in the structure and exhibit similar hydrodynamic diameter in latexes before purification. Subsequent copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions between these polymers and alkynyl‐containing dendrons in various sizes (G1–G3) demonstrate an order of dendron loading efficiencies (i.e., final conversion of alkynyl‐containing dendron) as hyperbranched polymers > nanogels synthesized by ATRP > nanogels synthesized by RP. Decreasing the branching density or using smaller dendron molecules increases the click efficiency of both polymers. When G2 dendrons with a molecular weight of 627 Da are used to click with the hyperbranched polymers composed of 100% inimer, a maximum loading efficiency of G2 in the loaded hyperbranched polymer is 58% of G2 by weight. These results represent the first comparison between hyperbranched polymers and cross‐linked nanogels to explore the effect of branching structures on their loading efficiencies.