Atoms-in-molecules analysis of extended hypervalent five-center, six-electron (5c-6e) C(2)Z(2)O interactions at the 1,8,9-positions of anthraquinone and 9-methoxyanthracene systems

To clarify the nature of five-center, six-electron (5c-6e) C(2)Z(2)O interactions, atoms-in-molecules (AIM) analysis has been applied to an anthraquinone, 1,8-(MeZ)(2)ATQ (1 (Z=Se), 2 (Z=S), and 3 (Z=O)), and a 9-methoxyanthracene system, 9-MeO-1,8-(MeZ)(2)ATC (4 (Z=Se), 5 (Z=S), and 6 (Z=O)), as well as 1-(MeZ)ATQ (7 (Z=Se), 8 (Z=S), and 9 (Z=O)) and 9-MeO-1-(MeZ)ATC (10 (Z=Se), 11 (Z=S), and 12 (Z=O)). The total electronic energy density (H(b)(r(c))) at the bond critical points (BCPs), an appropriate index for weak interactions, has been examined for 5c-6e C(2)Z(2)O and 3c-4e CZO interactions of the n(p)(O)sigma*(Z--C) type in 1-12. Some hydrogen-bonded adducts were also re-examined for convenience of comparison. The total electronic energy densities varied in the following order: OO (3: H(b)(r(c))=0.0028 au)=OO (6: 0.0028 au)>OO (9: 0.0025 au)> or =NNHF (0.0024 au)> or =OO (12: 0.0023 au)>H(2)OHOH (0.0015 au)>SO (8: 0.0013 au)=SO (2: 0.0013 au)> or =SO (11: 0.0012 au)=SO (5: 0.0012 au)>HFHF (0.0008 au)=SeO (10: 0.0008 au)=SeO (4: 0.0008 au)> or =SeO (1: 0.0007 au)> or =SeO (7: 0.0006 au)>HCNHF (-0.0013 au). H(b)(r(c)) values for SO were predicted to be smaller than the hydrogen bond of H(2)OHOH and H(b)(r(c)) values for SeO are very close to or slightly smaller than that for HFHF in both the ATQ and 9-MeOATC systems. In the case of Z=Se and S, H(b)(r(c)) values for 5c-6e C(2)Z(2)O interactions are essentially equal to those for 3c-4e CZO if Z is the same. The results demonstrate that two n(p)(O)sigma*(Z--C) 3c-4e interactions effectively connect through the central n(p)(O) orbital to form the extended hypervalent 5c-6e system of the sigma*(C--Z)n(p)(O)sigma*(Z--C) type for Z=Se and S in both systems. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealed that n(s)(O) also contributes to some extent. The electron charge densities at the BCPs, NBO analysis, and the total energies calculated for 1-12, together with the structural changes in the PhSe derivatives, support the above discussion.     

Fast density matrix-based partitioning of the energy over the atoms in a molecule consistent with the Hirshfeld-I partitioning of the electron density

For the Hirshfeld-I atom in the molecule (AIM) model, associated single-atom energies and interaction energies at the Hartree-Fock level are efficiently determined in one-electron Hilbert space. In contrast to most other approaches, the energy terms are fully consistent with the partitioning of the underlying one-electron density matrix (1DM). Starting from the Hirshfeld-I AIM model for the electron density, the molecular 1DM is partitioned with a previously introduced double-atom scheme (Vanfleteren et al., J Chem Phys 2010, 132, 164111). Single-atom density matrices are constructed from the atomic and bond contributions of the double-atom scheme. As the Hartree-Fock energy can be expressed solely in terms of the 1DM, the partitioning of the latter over the AIM naturally leads to a corresponding partitioning of the Hartree-Fock energy. When the size of the molecule or the molecular basis set does not grow too large, the method shows considerable computational advantages compared with other approaches that require cumbersome numerical integration of the molecular energy integrals weighted by atomic weight functions.     

Effect of ethylene-co-vinyl acetate-glycidylmethacrylate and cellulose microfibers on the thermal,rheological and biodegradation properties of poly(lactic acid) based systems

The properties and biodegradation behavior of blends of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ethylene-vinyl acetate-glycidylmethacrylate copolymer (EVA-GMA), and their composites with cellulose microfibers (CF) were investigated. The blends and composites were obtained by melt mixing and the morphology, phase behavior, thermal and rheological properties of PLA/EVA-GMA blends and PLA/EVA-GMA/CF composite films were investigated as a function of the composition. The disintegrability in composting conditions was examined by means of morphological, thermal and chemical analyses to gain insights into the post-use degradation processes. The results indicated a good compatibility of the two polymers in the blends with copolymer content up to 30 wt.%, while at higher EVA-GMA content a phase separation was observed. In the composites, the presence of EVA-GMA contributes to improve the interfacial adhesion between cellulose fibers and PLA, due to interactions of the epoxy groups of GMA with hydroxyls of CF. The addition of cellulose microfibers in PLA/EVA-GMA system modifies the rheological behavior, since complex viscosity increased in presence of fibers and decreased with an increase in frequency. Disintegration tests showed that the addition of EVA-GMA influence the PLA disintegration process, and after 21 days in composting conditions, blends and composites showed faster degradation rate in comparison with neat PLA due to the different morphologies induced by the presence of EVA-GMA and CF phases able to allow a faster water diffusion and an efficient PLA degradation process.     

2,2'-二硫代二苯甲酸、2,2'-二羧苯基硫醚及氮杂环配体的锌和钴配合物的合成、晶体结构与性质

使用2,2''-二硫代二苯甲酸和1H-咪唑[4,5-f][1,10]菲咯啉（ip）、硝酸锌在水热条件下发生的原位反应合成了1个锌配合物,即[Zn（C₁₄H₈O₄S）（ip）（H₂O）]（1）（C₁₄H₈O₄S=2,2''-二羧苯基硫醚）;然后又利用2,2''-二硫代二苯甲酸和咪唑（im）、硝酸钴在水溶液中合成了1个钴配合物,即{[Co（C₁₄H₈O₄S₂）（im）₂]·H₂O}_n（2）（C₁₄H₈O₄S₂=2,2''-二硫代二苯甲酸根）,并对它们分别进行了元素分析、红外光谱、热稳定性、荧光光谱、X射线粉末衍射和X射线单晶衍射的表征。结果表明：配合物1由2,2''-二羧苯基硫醚配体连接形成了一个双核的化合物,且锌原子是五配位的三角双锥结构。配合物2由二硫代二苯甲酸配体桥联形成了一个一维链状结构,且钴原子是六配位的八面体结构。     

Continuous Detection of pH‐responsive Drug Delivery System in Cells in situ by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) were coated by pH‐responsive polymer chitosan‐poly (methacrylic acid) (CS‐PMAA). This nano drug delivery system showed good application prospects and the polymer‐coated microspheres were promising site‐specific anticancer drug delivery carriers in biomedical field. A continuous detection of pH‐responsive drug delivery system in cells in situ, utilizing MSN/CS‐PMAA composite microspheres, was proposed. Two kinds of different cell lines, tumor cell line (Hela) and normal somatic cells (293T), were used to investigate the behaviours of the drug loaded system in the cells. Conclusions could be drawn from the fluorescent images obtained by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), modified drug‐loaded microspheres (MSN/CS‐PMAA) were ingested into cells more easily, the uptake of DOX@FITC‐MSN/CS‐PMAA by HeLa/293T cells were performed at pH 7.4/pH 6.8, DOX was released during the ingestion process, fluorescence intensity decreased with time because of efflux transport and photo‐bleaching. Fluoresence detection by flow cytometry was performed as comparison. The continuous fluorescent observation in situ could be widely used in the pH‐responsive releasing process of drug delivery system in the cells.     

Structure inhomogeneities of medium-range order in fluorozirconate glasses

Images of cleaved surfaces were obtained for 53ZrF₄-20BaF₂-4LaF₃-3AlF₃-20NaF (ZBLAN) glasses and fused quartz using an NTMDT atomic force microscope. It is shown that the scatter of particle size depends on the cooling rate and is 21–48.5 Å for the cleaved surface of ZBLAN glass obtained by very fast cooling and 68–172 Å for the cleaved surface of ZBLAN after slow cooling. For cleaved fused quartz, the range is 25-18 Å.     

Method and algorithm of obtaining the molecular intrinsic characteristic contours (MICCs) of organic molecules

The molecular intrinsic characteristic contour (MICC) is defined as the set of all the classical turning points of electron movement in a molecule. Studies on the MICCs of some medium organic molecules, such as dimethylether, acetone, and some homologues of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, as well as the electron density distributions on the MICCs, are shown for the first time. Results show that the MICC is an intrinsic approach to shape and size of a molecule. Unlike the van der Waals hard-sphere model, the MICC is a smooth contour, and it has a clear physical meaning. Detailed investigations on the cross-sections of MICCs have provided a kind of important information about atomic size changing in the process of forming molecules. Studies on electron density distribution on the MICC not only provide a new insight into molecular shape, but also show that the electron density distribution on the boundary surface relates closely with molecular properties and reactivities. For the homologues of alkanes, Rout(H), Dmin, and Dmax (the minimum and maximum of electron density on the MICC), all have very good linear relationships with minus of the molecular ionization potential. This work may serve as a basis for exploring a new reactivity indicator of chemical reactions and for studying molecular shape properties of large organic and biological molecules.     

HPLC Method for Determination of Rosiglitazone in Plasma

A fast and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography method for quantitative determination of rosiglitazone in human plasma has been developed. The extraction from plasma was performed using solid-phase extraction (SPE) on C4 silica (100 mg) disposable extraction cartridges (DEC). The separation of rosiglitazone and two metabolites was achieved on a Phenomenex® Synergi 4 µm MAX-RP (150 × 4.6 mm) column, protected by a guard column. The mobile phase was 0.01 M ammonium acetate, pH 7.0 - acetonitrile (65:35, v/v). (3S)-3-OH-quinidine was used as internal standard. The analytes were detected using fluorescence detection. The method was validated. The limit of quantitation was 1 ng mL⁻¹ and the detection limit was 0.25 ng mL⁻¹ for rosiglitazone in human plasma. The recovery was 90% for rosiglitazone. Linearity was observed over a range of 1-1000 ng mL⁻¹ (r²=0.9959). The intra- and inter-day precision (C.V.) did not exceed 8.7 %. Applicability of the method was demonstrated by a clinical pharmacokinetic study. A healthy volunteer received in two separate phases 4 mg and 8 mg rosiglitazone maleate as a single oral dose. Plasma concentrations were measured for 24 h in both phases.     

Glycan side chains on naturally presented MHC class II ligands

The molecular characterization of unknown naturally presented major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II glycopeptides carrying complex glycans has so far not been achieved, reflecting the different fragmentation characteristics of sugars and peptides in mass spectrometric analysis. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR-bound peptides were isolated by affinity purification, separated via high performance liquid chromatography and analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. We were able to identify two naturally processed MHC class II ligands, CD53(122-136) and CD53(121-136), carrying complex N-linked glycan side chains by a combination of in-source and collision-induced fragmentation on a quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer.     

The effect of H2S concentration on the corrosion behavior of API 5L X-70 steel

This work presents electrochemical data measured during the corrosion of API 5L X-70 pipeline steel immersed in aqueous environments containing dissolved H₂S. Three different electrolyte were used: a 3 wt% NaCl solution containing 100, 650 and 2,550 ppm of H₂S respectively. The corrosion of steel is described by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical data obtained from the steel monitoring are presented in terms of Nyquist plots. The influence of the total H₂S concentration as well as the effect of temperature on the corrosion of API 5L X-70 steel were also studied. In the presence of H₂S the R_ct values decrease as the H₂S concentration increases.