Water-assisted self-assembly of harmonic single and triple helices in a polymeric coordination complex

A novel two-dimensional coordination polymer containing infinite, coherently pitched single and triple helical motifs is formed by the self-assembly of Cd2+, succinate, water and a bipyridyl ligand.     

Acrylamide analysis: assessment of results from six rounds of Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) proficiency testing

Six proficiency tests have now been completed in an ongoing program of the UK Food Analysis Performance Assessment Scheme (FAPAS) for the analysis of acrylamide in a range of food matrixes. Homogeneous test material samples were requested by laboratories throughout the world, with 29 to 45 submitting results for each test. Results were analyzed by appropriate statistical procedures, and z-scores were awarded for reported values. In the absence of both legislation and collaborative trial data, the target standard deviation was derived from the Horwitz equation, although it is acknowledged that there is a need to establish a "fit for purpose" target standard deviation specifically for acrylamide analysis. Participants were encouraged to use the analytical method routinely used in their own laboratory and to provide details of their procedure. Close examination of the data submitted indicates that performance is generally acceptable in terms of accuracy. There is no significant difference between results submitted by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography (GC and LC) methods, and no method dependency on the use of internal standards or sample size. However, choice of extraction solvent may be important, with indications that plain water is an acceptable extraction method. There is evidence from the most recent test that direct (underivatized) GC methodology may present problems, but more data are required and this aspect will be monitored in the continuing proficiency testing program.     

Synthesis of fused ring heterocycles from aromatic amines with hydroximoyl chlorides

Substituted 2-arylbenzimidazoles, 2-arylbenzoxazoles and 2-arylbenzothiazoles were obtained in good yield by the reaction of hydroximoyl chlorides with ortho-substituted aromatic amines. The benzo moiety of the benzimidazoles was shown by nmr to be symmetrical, indicating that the N-H group proton of the imidazole ring is exchanging with the water protons in the DMSO-d₆ solvent.     

6(5H)-phenanthridinones. II. Preparation of substituted 6(5h)-phenanthridinones from 9-oxofluorenes

A number of 6(5H)-phenanthridinones have been conveniently prepared from 9-oxofluorenes through the Schmidt reaction. It has been found that all amino and nitro 9-oxofluorenes thus far tried gave substituted 6(5H)-phenanthridinones with the amino or nitro group situated in the benzene ring attached to the nitrogen of the lactam group. UV and IR spectral data are presented for these compounds.     

CU(II) SENSITIZES pBR322 PLASMID DNA TO INACTIVATION BY UV-B(280–315 nm)

Abstract— Copper(II), in the presence of UV-B radiation(280–315 nm), can generate single-strand breaks in the sugar-phosphate backbone of pBR322 plasmid DNA. A low level of single-strand backbone breaks occurs in the presence of Cu(II) alone, but UV-B irradiation increases the rate by the more than 100-fold. Concomitant with the damage to the DNA backbone is a loss of transforming activity. Oxygen is required for generation of the single-strand breaks but not for the loss of transforming activity. A DNA glycosylase (Fpg), which participates in the repair of certain DNA nitrogenous base damage, does not repair plasmid DNA damaged by Cu(II). The hydroxyl radical scavenging compound DMSO is only somewhat effective at protecting the physical and biological properties of the DNA. These results with Cu(II) are compared to those obtained previously with pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of Fe(III) and UV-A.     

Glass and polymeric membrane electrodes for the measurement of pH in milk and cheese

While there is a considerable interest in the food industry in determining various analytes using ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), only few reports describe their use for direct measurements in food. In this study, the suitability of glass electrodes and ionophore-based solvent polymeric ISEs for the determination of pH in Process cheese, Cheddar cheese and milk was investigated. The liquid junction potential between a 3 M KCl bridge electrolyte and diluted as well as undiluted Process cheese was found to be negligible. Reference electrodes with ceramic plug and sleeve-type junctions performed well, although precautions needed to be taken to prevent plugging at the junctions. While the protein rennet casein posed no problems in pH measurements, the extraction of neutral lipophilic compounds or hydrophobic peptides into solvent polymeric membranes was evident, resulting in some loss of selectivity for monovalent cations upon exposure to cheese. However, it was found that ISEs based on tridodecylamine (R₃N) as ionophore and o-nitrophenyl octyl ether (oNPOE) as plasticizer can be used to accurately measure the pH of milk and, after desensitization of the electrodes in a cheese emulsion, of diluted Process cheese. Since pH measurements with a glass electrode showed that emulsions of cheese moderately diluted to a cheese content of 70% have the same pH as undiluted cheeses, it is possible to determine the pH in cheese with ionophore-based ISEs. R₃N membranes also performed well in undiluted milk.     

Germanium-oxygen interactions in acyl-substituted germyleneazines L2GeNNC(COX)(COY)

MNDO calculations have been carried out on the reactions of the electron-rich germylene L₂Ge [L=(H₃Si)₂N] with diazo compounds, as models for the experimentally observed reactions of L₂Ge [L=(Me₃Si)₂N]. The most stable form of the 11 adduct of L₂Ge with N₂C(COOMe)₂ is found to have a cyclic configuration resulting from a strong intramolecular interaction between the oxygen of one of the carbonyl groups and the germanium atom. Protonation of this cyclic adduct occurs at nitrogen, giving an intermediate, addition to which of nucleophiles X^– provides acyclic L₂Ge(X)NHN(COOMe)₂, as observed experimentally. Two similar cyclic adducts are formed between L₂Ge and N₂C(COCH₃)(COOCH₃), the most stable of which provides, after a proton shift, the observed 1,3,4,2-oxadiazagermine system . Adduct formation between Me₂Si=NSiMe₃ and simple Lewis bases (H₂O, NH₃, THF, H₂CO) is calculated to be strong, but the corresponding adducts of Me₂Ge=NSiMe₃ are very weak: much stronger adducts are predicted for L₂GeNNC(COOMe)₂.