Zinc(II) complexes with novel 1,3-thiazine/pyrazole derivative ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and effect of coordination on the phagocytic activity of human neutrophils

The new ligands 2-(1-pyrazolil)-1,3-thiazine (PzTz), 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolil)-1,3-thiazine (DMPzTz) and 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1-pyrazolil)-1,3-thiazine (DPhPzTz) and the complexes [ZnCl₂(H₂O)(PzTz)] (1), [ZnCl₂(DMPzTz)] (2) and [ZnCl₂(DPhPzTz)] (3) have been isolated and then characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Besides, the crystal structure of ligands PzTz and DPhPzTz and complexes 1-3 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, the geometry around the Zn(II) atom can be considered a highly distorted trigonal bipyramid, with the metallic atom bonded to two chlorine atoms, one water molecule and one bidentate PzTz ligand. In 2 and 3, the environment around the metal ion can be described as a distorted tetrahedron with the zinc atom coordinated to one bidentate organic ligand molecule and two chloro ligands. In addition, the phagocytic function of human neutrophils treated with complexes 1-3, their organic ligands and ZnCl₂ has been evaluated. The activity of cells enhanced in samples treated with 1, 2 and 3 with respect to the ones to which the inorganic salt, PzTz, DMPzTz or DPhPzTz were added.     

Forensic isotope ratio mass spectrometry of packaging tapes

Pressure sensitive adhesive tape (brown parcel tape) is employed in a great many criminal activities such as the restraint of individuals during robbery and offences against the person, the enclosure of explosive devices and the packaging and concealment of controlled drugs. Packaging materials are ubiquitous in modern society and are produced in such vast quantities that it is increasingly difficult to distinguish between different products or to link materials to a common source. This study demonstrates the potential of stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry to characterise parcel tapes based on a number of properties. The carbon isotopic signature, derived from the substrate polymer, associated additives and adhesive is highly characteristic of a particular tape and allows samples from different sources to be readily distinguished. Further discrimination may be achieved by the incorporation of deuterium and oxygen isotopic data and by analysis of the isolated backing polymer. Recovery of intact tape from simulated forensic samples proved straightforward and the isotopic signature of the tape did not appear to be affected by adverse storage conditions.     

Isotopic characterisation of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (ecstasy)

Combined delta2H, delta13C and delta15N isotopic analysis of MDA and MDMA extracted from seized "ecstasy" tablets provides an isotopic "fingerprint" of the active ingredient allowing individual tablets to be linked to a common batch. Correlating these data with 2H NMR analysis of the extracts has the potential to study both the natural precursor materials and synthetic pathways used in the preparation of MDA and N-substituted homologues.