Adaptive approach for nonlinear sensitivity analysis of reaction kinetics

We present a unified approach for linear and nonlinear sensitivity analysis for models of reaction kinetics that are stated in terms of systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The approach is based on the reformulation of the ODE problem as a density transport problem described by a Fokker-Planck equation. The resulting multidimensional partial differential equation is herein solved by extending the TRAIL algorithm originally introduced by Horenko and Weiser in the context of molecular dynamics (J. Comp. Chem. 2003, 24, 1921) and discussed it in comparison with Monte Carlo techniques. The extended TRAIL approach is fully adaptive and easily allows to study the influence of nonlinear dynamical effects. We illustrate the scheme in application to an enzyme-substrate model problem for sensitivity analysis w.r.t. to initial concentrations and parameter values.     

Structure and catalytic activity of organopalladium(II) complexes based on 4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one derivatives

The paper describes preparation of a chiral bidentate ligand - 2-(2-bromophenyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one, and a tridentate ligand - 2-bromo-1,3-bis(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-on-2-yl)benzene, whose oxidative addition reaction with Pd(0) giving neutral organopalladium(II) complexes has been studied. The structure of these complexes was studied by means of NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. After transformation of the neutral organopalladium(II) complexes into the corresponding ionic species the latter were studied as enantioselctive catalysts for asymmetric Friedel-Crafts alkylation and Michael addition.     

Elaboration of ZnO Thin Films with Preferential Orientation by a Soft Chemistry Route

Microcrystalline ZnO films presenting well-defined and tunable orientation were obtained by spin coating of alcoholic sols by two different approaches, based on controlled hydrolysis-condensation of Zn-ethanolamine complexes. As-deposited films are formed by amorphous zinc oxide-acetate submicronic particles, which are transformed into oriented ZnO after thermal treatment. The orientation of ZnO depends on the synthesis method, and the solvent. While in ethanol and [Zn] = 0.05 mol·L^–1, films consist of rectangular platelets oriented with the (100) planes parallel to the substrate (a//n), the orientation of the particles changes to (c//n) for systems in 2-methoxyethanol (2-ME) and [Zn] = 0.75 mol·L^–1. A study of chemical factors that influence the orientation (precursor, solvent, MEA/Zn ratio, concentration, coating parameters, heat treatment) is presented.     

Rheological Behavior of Poly(vinylpyrrolidone)/Fullerene C60 Complexes in Aqueous Medium

Aqueous solutions of complexes formed between poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), as a matrix polymer, and fullerene C₆₀ were investigated. The effect of the external hydrodynamic field on the supermolecular assemblies formed by the complexes was analyzed. Despite the low content in the complexes (1.5 mass%), fullerene significantly modified the viscosity of aqueous PVP. Thus, the dynamic viscosity of the PVP/C₆₀ complexes grew faster than that of the pure PVP upon increasing the PVP/C₆₀ concentration. The difference in viscosities is especially pronounced for semidilute solutions. As a possible explanation, it is assumed that fullerenes act as crosslinks, in addition to the physical entanglements of the PVP macromolecules, which appear in the vicinity of the crossover concentration. Shear flow corresponding to the high shear rates destroyed fullerene‐induced intermolecular crosslinks in PVP/C₆₀ solutions.     

Copper(II) complexes derived from substituted 2,2′-bis-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one) ligands: Synthesis,structure and catalytic activity

New chiral N,N-bidentate 2,2′-bis-(4-isopropyl-4-methyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one) ligands have been prepared and characterised by their ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra and/or optical rotation. The ligands prepared were then tested for their ability to form complexes with copper(II) salts. It was found that the most stable complex is formed from the 2,2′-bis-(4-isopropyl-1,4-dimethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-5-one) ligand and copper(II) chloride. The structure of this complex was determined by means of quantum-chemical computations at the B3LYP or UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. According to the computations, the geometry of the copper atom most resembles a tetrahedral arrangement, which was also confirmed by means of X-ray structural analysis. It was found that the structure of this copper(II) complex does not allow the copper atom to coordinate to additional ligands; therefore, it is catalytically inactive in the asymmetric Henry reaction.     

Multigram Synthesis of α- and γ-((Hetera)cyclo)alkylpyridines through α-Arylation of (Hetero)aliphatic Nitriles

A systematic study on the S_nAr reaction of halogenated fluoropyridines and (hetero)aliphatic nitrile anions as an approach to the synthesis of functionalized pyridines bearing a (cyclo)alkyl or saturated heterocyclic substituent by is described. The scope of the method was demonstrated on a wide range of (hetero)aliphatic nitriles (including three- to six-membered cycloalkane derivatives and N-, O-, S-containing saturated heterocycles) and all isomeric halogenated 2-and 4-fluoropyridines. High chemo- and regioselectivity (i. e., exclusive substitution of the fluorine atom), as well as excellent scalability of the proposed reaction sequence were demonstrated (up to 450 g for the arylation step or up to 77 g of cycloalkylpyridine over two steps in a single run). The utility of the synthesized products was illustrated in the additional functional group transformations resulting in synthetically valuable pyridine-containing building blocks.     

Analysis of Amisulpride in Human Plasma by SPE and LC with Fluorescence Detection

A rapid, precise, accurate, and selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection has been validated and used for analysis of amisulpride in human plasma after a simple solid-phase extraction procedure. Compounds were separated on a CN column with 0.03?M potassium dihydrogen phosphate (pH 6.5)-acetonitrile 65:35 (v/v) as mobile phase. Fluorescence detection was performed at excitation and emission wavelengths of 274 and 370?nm, respectively. Calibration plots were linear over the concentration range 10-1,000?ng?mL(-1) in human plasma, and the lower limit of quantification was 10?ng?mL(-1). Accuracy was between 0.4 and 6.4% and precision was between 3.1 and 7.5%. Amisulpride was sufficiently stable through three freeze-thaw cycles, during storage for 6?h at room temperature, and for 2?months at -22?°C. The method is suitable for the analysis of clinical samples from pharmacokinetic studies.     

Hierarchical analysis of conformational dynamics in biomolecules: transition networks of metastable states

Molecular dynamics simulation generates large quantities of data that must be interpreted using physically meaningful analysis. A common approach is to describe the system dynamics in terms of transitions between coarse partitions of conformational space. In contrast to previous work that partitions the space according to geometric proximity, the authors examine here clustering based on kinetics, merging configurational microstates together so as to identify long-lived, i.e., dynamically metastable, states. As test systems microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of the polyalanines Ala(8) and Ala(12) are analyzed. Both systems clearly exhibit metastability, with some kinetically distinct metastable states being geometrically very similar. Using the backbone torsion rotamer pattern to define the microstates, a definition is obtained of metastable states whose lifetimes considerably exceed the memory associated with interstate dynamics, thus allowing the kinetics to be described by a Markov model. This model is shown to be valid by comparison of its predictions with the kinetics obtained directly from the molecular dynamics simulations. In contrast, clustering based on the hydrogen-bonding pattern fails to identify long-lived metastable states or a reliable Markov model. Finally, an approach is proposed to generate a hierarchical model of networks, each having a different number of metastable states. The model hierarchy yields a qualitative understanding of the multiple time and length scales in the dynamics of biomolecules.     

Development of Functional Composite Cu(II)-Polyoxometalate/PLA with Antimicrobial Properties

Novel composite self-disinfecting films of polylactic acid (PLA) filled with nanosized particles of double sodium–copper(II) paratungstate B Na₂Cu₃(CuOH)₂[W₁₂O₄₀(OH)₂]·32H₂O (POM) were developed. The solvent casting (POM/PLA film) and solvent-free melt extrusion methods (Extr. POM/PLA film) were applied for film preparation. The copper (II) ion release to water from both types of the films after 10 days at different temperatures demonstrated that the PLA matrix acts as a diffusion barrier, and the resulting concentration of released copper in water at room temperature remained low, at 0.79% for POM/PLA film and 0.51% for Extr. POM/PLA film. The POM-containing films reveals a significant inhibitory effect against E. coli ATCC 25922 in the agar diffusion test. The numbers of CFUs in washes of the films after incubation for 24 h were found to be 3.6 log CFU mL^–1 (POM/PLA film) and 4.1 log CFU mL^–1 (Extr. POM/PLA film). The films combine the antibacterial properties of POM and a bio-based polymer matrix, which makes them a prospective coating material for applications in hospital indoor environments. Excellent thermal stability of POM gives a technological advantage for industrial manufacturing to allow the processing of novel composite material in the solvent free (molten) state.