H2/CO2 separations in multicomponent metal-adeninate MOFs with multiple chemically distinct pore environments

Metal–organic frameworks constructed from multiple (≥3) components often exhibit dramatically increased structural complexity compared to their 2 component (1 metal, 1 linker) counterparts, such as multiple chemically unique pore environments and a plurality of diverse molecular diffusion pathways. This inherent complexity can be advantageous for gas separation applications. Here, we report two isoreticular multicomponent MOFs, bMOF-200 (4 components; Cu, Zn, adeninate, pyrazolate) and bMOF-201 (3 components; Zn, adeninate, pyrazolate). We describe their structures, which contain 3 unique interconnected pore environments, and we use Kohn–Sham density functional theory (DFT) along with the climbing image nudged elastic band (CI-NEB) method to predict potential H₂/CO₂ separation ability of bMOF-200. We examine the H₂/CO₂ separation performance using both column breakthrough and membrane permeation studies. bMOF-200 membranes exhibit a H₂/CO₂ separation factor of 7.9. The pore space of bMOF-201 is significantly different than bMOF-200, and one molecular diffusion pathway is occluded by coordinating charge-balancing formate and acetate anions. A consequence of this structural difference is reduced permeability to both H₂ and CO₂ and a significantly improved H₂/CO₂ separation factor of 22.2 compared to bMOF-200, which makes bMOF-201 membranes competitive with some of the best performing MOF membranes in terms of H₂/CO₂ separations.

Tailorable multicomponent MOFs and MOF membranes for efficient H₂/CO₂ separation.     

Acyclic stereoselection. 21. Synthesis of an ionophore synthon having four asymmetric carbons by sequential aldol addition,claisen rearrangement and hydroboration

Allylic alcohol 7, obtained by a synthesis involving stereoselective aldol addition to an unsaturated aldehyde, is transformed by the Ireland variant of the Claisen rearrangement into unsaturated acid 9. Subsequent elaboration of this material gives homoallylic alcohols 13 and 14, which are hydroborated to obtain primarily 3 and 4. It is shown that the hydroboration is intermolecular, rather than intramolecular.     

Singlet oxygen luminescence dosimetry (SOLD) for photodynamic therapy: current status, challenges and future prospects

As photodynamic therapy (PDT) continues to develop and find new clinical indications, robust individualized dosimetry is warranted to achieve effective treatments. We posit that the most direct PDT dosimetry is achieved by monitoring singlet oxygen (1O2), the major cytotoxic species generated photochemically during PDT. Its detection and quantification during PDT have been long-term goals for PDT dosimetry and the development of techniques for this, based on detection of its near-infrared luminescence emission (1270 nm), is at a noteworthy stage of development. We begin by discussing the theory behind singlet-oxygen luminescence dosimetry (SOLD) and the seminal contributions that have brought SOLD to its current status. Subsequently, technology developments that could potentially improve SOLD are discussed, together with future areas of research, as well as the potential limitations of this method. We conclude by examining the major thrusts for future SOLD applications: as a tool for quantitative photobiological studies, a point of reference to evaluate other PDT dosimetry techniques, the optimal means to evaluate new photosensitizers and delivery methods and, potentially, a direct and robust clinical dosimetry system.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of plasma oxybutynin using a deuterated internal standard

A gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method is described for the quantitative analysis of plasma oxybutynin. Deuterated oxybutynin served as the internal standard and its synthesis is described. Chromatographic separation on a methylsilicone capillary column avoided the thermal decomposition observed using a packed column. Electron-impact ionization and selected-ion monitoring of the alpha-cleavage fragments of drug and internal standard permitted quantitation of oxybutynin down to 0.25 ng/ml of plasma. At the 2 ng/ml level the accuracy and precision are 4 and 10%, respectively, and improved at higher drug concentrations. Application of the method to the pharmacokinetics of oral oxybutynin in man demonstrated rapid absorption and elimination of the drug.     

A piezoelectric method for monitoring formaldehyde induced crosslink formation between poly-lysine and poly-deoxyguanosine

To date, no experimental technique has been used to monitor DNA-protein crosslink formation in real-time. Real-time data is important for understanding the underlying chemical mechanisms associated with this reaction process. Here, the novel adaptation of existing piezoelectric quartz crystal (PQC) or quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technology was used to monitor, in real-time, the formation of a crosslink bond induced by formaldehyde between lysine and guanine. Previous results showed complexes of lysine and guanine constitute a major portion of the DNA-protein crosslinks formed. Thus, poly-lysine(5) and poly-deoxyguanosine(11) were used as a model system to develop this detection method. Poly-lysine(5) was immobilized on QCM electrode surfaces by covalent attachment through polyethylenimine (PEI). Immobilization was confirmed by the decrease in dry QCM frequency; data consistency suggested uniform coatings were produced. The QCM sensor was configured within a thermostatic environmental chamber. The system was calibrated and baseline responses to variations in the analyte solution matrix were identified. QCMs with immobilized poly-lysine(5) were placed in contact with formaldehyde and poly-deoxyguanosine(11), and crosslink formation was monitored in real-time. Crosslink formation was verified through evaluation of controls. Control assays indicated some of the frequency signal was as aresult of non-specific association. Further assays were conducted after saturation of non-specific binding. This real-time data represents a significant advancement in the state of knowledge of the crosslinking process and provides the experimental foundation for further QCM crosslink investigations.     

Hydrolytic reactions of the phosphorodithioate analogue of uridylyl(3',5')uridine: kinetics and mechanisms for the cleavage, desulfurization, and isomerization of the internucleosidic linkage

The hydrolytic reactions of the phosphorodithioate analogue of uridylyl(3',5')uridine [3',5'-Up(s)2U] were followed by HPLC over a wide pH range at 363.2 K. Under acidic and neutral conditions, three reactions compete: (i) desulfurization to a mixture of the (Rp)- and (Sp)-diastereomers of the corresponding 3',5'- and 2',5'-phosphoromonothioates [3',5'- and 2',5'-Up(s)U], which are subsequently desulfurized to a mixture of uridylyl(3',5')- and -(2',5')uridine [3',5'- and 2',5'-UpU], (ii) isomerization to 2',5'-Up(s)2U, and (iii) cleavage to uridine, in all likelihood via a 2',3'-cyclic phosphorodithioate (2',3'-cUMPS2). Under alkaline conditions (pH > 8), only a hydroxide ion catalyzed hydrolysis to uridine via 2',3'-cUMPS2 takes place. At pH 3-7, all three reactions are pH-independent, the desulfurization being approximately 1 order of magnitude faster than the cleavage and isomerization. At pH < 3, all the reactions are hydronium ion catalyzed. On going to very acidic solutions, the cleavage gradually takes over the desulfurization and isomerization. Accordingly, the cleavage overwhelmingly predominates at pH < 0. The overall hydrolytic stability of 3',5'-Up(s)2U is comparable to that of (Sp)- and (Rp)-3',5'-Up(s)U (and to that of 3',5'-UpU, except at pH < 2). The rate of the hydroxide ion catalyzed hydrolysis of 3',5'-Up(s)2U is 37% and 53% of that of (Sp)- and (Rp)-3',5'-Up(s)U, respectively. The reactions, however, differ with the respect of the product accumulation. While the phosphoromonothioates produce a mixture of 2'- and 3'-thiophosphates as stable products, 3',5'-Up(s)2U is hydrolyzed to uridine without accumulation of the corresponding dithiophosphates. At pH < 3, where the hydrolysis is hydronium ion catalyzed, the kinetic thio-effect of the second thio substitution is small: under very acidic conditions (Ho -0.69), (Sp)-3',5'-Up(s)U reacts 1.6 times as fast as 3',5'-Up(s)2U, but the reactivity difference decreases on going to less acidic solutions. In summary, the hydrolytic stability of 3',5'-Up(s)2U closely resembles that of the corresponding phosphoromonothioate. While replacing one of the nonbridging phosphate oxygens of 3',5'-UpU with sulfur stabilizes the phosphodiester bond under acidic conditions by more than 1 order of magnitude, the replacement of the remaining nonbridging oxygen has only a minor influence on the overall hydrolytic stability.     

The synthesis of α,α-difluoroaldehydes and ketones via claisen rearrangements

The Claisen rearrangements of reactants containing two fluorine atoms in either the allyl or vinyl fragment are described.