Pore assembled multilayers of charged polypeptides in microporous membranes for ion separation

In this study, highly permeable ion-selective membranes are prepared via immobilization of polyelectrolyte multilayer networks within the inner pore structure of a microporous (pore size = 0.2 microm) support. Electrostatic layer-by-layer assembly is achieved through alternate adsorption of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes under convective flow conditions. To initiate pore assembly, the first layer consists of covalently bound charged polypeptides (poly(L-glutamic acid) (PLGA) or poly(L-lysine) (PLL)) establishing a charged support for subsequent adsorption. Nonstoichiometric immobilization of charged multilayers within a confined pore geometry leads to an enhanced volume density of ionizable groups in the membrane phase. This overall increase in the effective charge density allows for Donnan exclusion of ionic species (especially divalent co-ions) using microporous materials characterized by permeability values that exceed conventional membrane processes. Multilayer assemblies are fabricated using both PLGA/PLL and synthetic polyelectrolytes (poly(styrenesulfonate)/poly(allylamine)) in an attempt to compare the level of adsorption and separation properties of the resulting materials. The role of salt concentration in the carrier solvent on overall polyelectrolyte adsorption was examined to determine its effect on both solute (Cl-, SO4(2-), As(V)) and water transport. Constriction of the pore size induced by multilayer propagation was monitored through permeability measurements and dextran rejection studies at each stage of the deposition process.     

ESI‐MS/MS of expanded porphyrins: a look into their structure and aromaticity

Electrospray mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry was used to investigate the gas‐phase properties of protonated expanded porphyrins, in order to correlate those with their structure and conformation. We have selected five expanded meso‐pentafluorophenyl porphyrins, respectively, a pair of oxidized/reduced fused pentaphyrins (22 and 24 π electrons), a pair of oxidized/reduced regular hexaphyrins (26 and 28 π electrons) and a regular doubly N‐fused hexaphyrin (28 π electrons). The gas‐phase behavior of the protonated species of oxidized and reduced expanded porphyrins is different. The oxidized species (aromatic Hückel systems) fragment more extensively, mainly by the loss of two HF molecules. The reduced species (Möbius aromatic or Möbius‐like aromatic systems) fragment less than their oxidized counterparts because of their increased flexibility. The protonated regular doubly fused hexaphyrin (non‐aromatic Hückel system) shows the least fragmentation even at higher collision energies. In general, cyclization through losses of HF molecules decreases from the aromatic Hückel systems to Möbius aromatic or Möbius‐like aromatic systems to non‐aromatic Hückel systems and is related to an increase in conformational distortion. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Monomeric, dimeric and polymeric [Cp2MoH2] complexes with Ag---S bonds

The reaction of [Cp₂MoH₂] and AgBF₄ with the dithio ligands Na(S₂CPh) and K(S₂COⁱPr) afforded the complexes [(Cp₂MoH₂AgS₂CPh)₂] (1) and [(Cp₂MoH₂AgS₂COⁱPr)₂] (2). Using the monothio ligands Na(SC(O)Ph), K(SC(O)CH₃) and Na(S(NHPh)C=C(CN)₂) the complexes [(Cp₂MoH₂AgSC(O)Ph)₂] (3), [((Cp₂MoH₂)₂(AgSC(O)CH₃)₃)_n] (4) and [(Cp₂MoH₂)₂AgS(NHPh)C=C(CN)₂] (6) were formed. The reaction of thiobenzamide and [(Cp₂MoH₂)₂AgCl] gave the complex [(Cp₂MoH₂Ag(Cl)S(NH₂)CPh)₂] (5). Complexes 1 and 2 have a dimeric structure with the two dithio ligands bridging the two silver atoms. Complex 3 is also a dimer, however, the monothio ligands are coordinated with their single sulphur atoms to the silver atoms. In the polymer 4 the thioacetate ligand has the same bonding mode as in 3. The three-dimensional structure of 4 is built-up of parallel strings. In the dimer 5 the thiobenzamide ligands bind with the sulphur atom to a silver atom each. Complex 6 has a monomeric structure in which the silver atom is coordinated to two [Cp₂MoH₂] ligands and to the sulphur atom of the S(NHPh)C=C(CN)₂ ligand. Compounds 1–6 were characterised analytically and spectroscopically and the structures were determined by single crystal X-ray analyses.     

Development of food reference materials for nutritional analysis

Summary The development of five reference materials for major nutritional properties, whole milk powder, pork muscle, wheat and rye flour, and haricots verts beans is described. Homogeneity and stability of these materials proved to be adequate. A preliminary intercomparison of methods showed that results for total fat and total dietary fibre were method dependent. Evaluation of methods used for available carbohydrates revealed poor solubilisation and hydrolysis of starch in some laboratories. This intercomparison has given valuable information for the final certification of these materials.