A virtual instrumentation based protocol for the automated implementation of the inner field compensation method

One influential parameter which mediates interactions between many types of molecules and biological membranes stems from the lumped contributions of the transmembrane potential, dipole potential and the difference in the surface potentials on both sides of a membrane. With relevance to cell physiology, such electrical features of a biomembrane are prone to undergoing changes as a result of interactions with the aqueous surrounding. Among the most useful tools devoted to exploring changes of electrical parameters of a lipid membrane induced by certain extracellular ions, lipid composition, and embedded membrane peptides and proteins, are spectroscopic imaging and the inner field compensation (IFC) method. In this work we layout the principles of a fully computerized version of the IFC method, which makes it more readily available to users. As a direct application, we deployed this improved version of the IFC method to time-resolve changes induced by alamethicin monomers upon membrane dipole potential, following their aggregation within an artificial lipid membrane. Intriguingly, even prior crossing the membrane core, the membrane-bound alamethicin monomers are shown to significantly increase the dipole potential of the monolayer they reside in. Such data further emphasize the yet less-explored interplay between membrane-based protein and peptides, and the membrane dipole potential.     

Colloidal nano-MOFs nucleate and stabilize ultra-small quantum dots of lead bromide perovskites

The development of synthetic routes to access stable, ultra-small (i.e. <5 nm) lead halide perovskite (LHP) quantum dots (QDs) is of fundamental and technological interest. The considerable challenges include the high solubility of the ionic LHPs in polar solvents and aggregation to form larger particles. Here, we demonstrate a simple and effective host–guest strategy for preparing ultra-small lead bromide perovskite QDs through the use of nano-sized MOFs that function as nucleating and host sites. Cr₃O(OH)(H₂O)₂(terephthalate)₃ (Cr-MIL-101), made of large mesopore-sized pseudo-spherical cages, allows fast and efficient diffusion of perovskite precursors within its pores, and promotes the formation of stable, ∼3 nm-wide lead bromide perovskite QDs. CsPbBr₃, MAPbBr₃ (MA⁺ = methylammonium), and (FA)PbBr₃ (FA⁺ = formamidinium) QDs exhibit significantly blue-shifted emission maxima at 440 nm, 446 nm, and 450 nm, respectively, as expected for strongly confined perovskite QDs. Optical characterization and composite modelling confirm that the APbBr₃ (A = Cs, MA, FA) QDs owe their stability within the MIL-101 nanocrystals to both short- and long-range interfacial interactions with the MOF pore walls.

We demonstrate a simple and effective host–guest strategy for preparing ultra-small lead bromide perovskite QDs through the use of nano-sized MOFs that function as nucleating and host sites.     

Reverse micellar aggregates: effect on ketone reduction. 2. Surfactant role

Kinetics of the reduction of 3-chloroacetophenone (CAF) with sodium borohydride (NaBH(4)) were followed by UV-vis spectroscopy at 27.0 degrees C in different reverse micellar media, toluene/BHDC/water and toluene/AOT/water, and compared with results in an isooctane/AOT/water reverse micellar system. AOT is sodium 1,4-bis-2-ethylhexylsulfosuccinate, and BHDC is benzyl-n-hexadecyl dimethylammonium chloride. The kinetic profiles were investigated as a function of variables such as surfactant and NaBH(4) concentration and the amount of water dispersed in the reverse micelles, W(0) = [H(2)O]/[surfactant]. In all cases, the first-order rate constant, k(obs), increases with the concentration of surfactant as a consequence of incorporating the substrate into the interface of the reverse micelles where the reaction takes place. The reaction is faster at the cationic interface than at the anionic one probably because the negative ion BH(4)(-) is part of the cationic interface. The effect of the external solvent on the reaction shows that reduction is favored in the isooctane/AOT/water reverse micellar system than that with an aromatic solvent. This is probably due to BH(4)(-) being more in the water pool of the toluene/AOT/water reverse micellar system. The kinetic profile upon water addition depends largely on the type of interface. In the BHDC system, k(obs) increases with W(0) in the whole range studied while in AOT the kinetic profile has a maximum at W(0) approximately 5, probably reflecting the fact that BH(4)(-) is part of the cationic interface while, in the anionic one, there is a strong interaction between water and the polar headgroup of AOT below W(0) = 5 and, above that, BH(4)(-) is repelled from the interface once the water pool has formed. Application of a kinetic model based on the pseudophase formalism, which considers the distribution of the ketone between the continuous medium and the interface and assumes that reaction takes place only at the interface, has enabled us to estimate rate constants at the interface of the reverse micellar systems. At W(0) < 10, it was considered that NaBH(4) is wholly at the interface and, at W(0) >/= 10, where there are free water molecules, also the partitioning between the interface and the water pool was taken into account. The results were used to evaluate CAF and NaBH(4) distribution constants between the different pseudophases as well as the second-order reaction rate constant of the reduction reaction in the micellar interface.     

High resolution electrospray and electrospray tandem mass spectra of rotenone and its isoxazoline cycloadducts

An evaluation of the gas-phase ion chemistry of rotenone (1) by electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) is presented, aiming at providing tools for its determination in natural and biological matrices. The behaviour of its cycloadducts with benzonitrile-N-oxide (2) and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzonitrile-N-oxide (3) was also evaluated and the MS data thus obtained have provided evidence into the mechanism of formation of the key product ion at m/z 192 which can be considered a marker in the MS and MS2 spectra of rotenone and its derivatives.     

Quantitative analysis of 2-furfural and 5-methylfurfural in different Italian vinegars by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using isotope dilution

A new method was developed for the determination of 2-furfural (2-F) and 5-methylfurfural (5-MF), two products of Maillard reaction in vinegar, with head-space solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A divinylbenzene (DVB)/carboxen (CAR)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fibre was used and SPME conditions were optimised, studying ionic strength effect, temperature effect and adsorption time. Both analytes were determined by calibration established on 2-furfural-d4 (2-F-d4). The method showed good linearity in the range studied (from 16 to 0.12 mg/l), with a regression coefficient r2 of 0.9999. Inter-batch precision and accuracy were found between 14.9 and 6.0% and between -11.7 and 0.2%, respectively. Detection limit was 15 microg/l. The method is simple and accurate and it has been applied to a series of balsamic and non-balsamic vinegars.     

Molecular structures of two unexpected metal complexes obtained from additions of coordinated phosphines to acetylenes

The syntheses and structures of two new compounds are reported. The first compound, [Cr(CO)₄]₂[C₄F₂(PPh₂)₄], obtained from Cr(CO)₄(PPh₂H)₂ and CF₃CCF₃ in the presence of one equivalent of BuLi has a structure with the ligand 1,2,3,4-tetrakis(diphenylphosphino)-1,4-difluorobutadiene chelating to two Cr(CO)₄ groups via the 1,4 and 2,3 phosphine groups. A mechanism for the formation of this compound is suggested which involves sequential deprotonation of a phosphine, nucleophilic attack on the fluorocarbon, and fluoride ion elimination. The second compound, CrC₃₆H₂₈P₂O₇, arises from a similar base promoted reaction of Cr(CO)₄-(PPhH₂)₂ and PhCCCOOEt. Here the expected initial product from cyclization of these reactants acts as a nucleophile to attack a second equivalent of the acetylene. The intermediate carbanion from this reaction can undergo a ring closure by displacement of OEt^-, giving the observed product.     

Simple and efficient chemoselective mild deprotection of acetals and ketals using cerium(III) triflate

A new and chemoselective method for the cleavage of alkyl and cyclic acetals and ketals at room temperature in wet nitromethane by using catalytic cerium(III) trifluoromethane sulfonate is presented. The high yields, the observed selectivity, the very gentle reaction conditions, and the almost neutral pH make this procedure particularly attractive for multistep synthesis.