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The application of electrospray ionization (ESI) ion mobility (IM) spectrometry on the detection end of a high-performance liquid chromatograph has been a subject of study for some time. So far, this method has been limited to low flow rates or has required splitting of the liquid flow. This work presents a novel concept of an ESI source facilitating the stable operation of the spectrometer at flow rates between 10 mu L min(-1) and 1500 mu L min(-1) without flow splitting, advancing the T-cylinder design developed by Kurnin and co-workers. Flow rates eight times faster than previously reported were achieved because of a more efficient dispersion of the liquid at increased electrospray voltages combined with nebulization by a sheath gas. Imaging revealed the spray operation to be in a rotationally symmetric multijet-mode. The novel ESI-IM spectrometer tolerates high water contents (<= 90%) and electrolyte concentrations up to 10 mM, meeting another condition required of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detectors. Limits of detection of 50 nM for promazine in the positive mode and 1 mu M for 1,3-dinitrobenzene in the negative mode were established. Three mixtures of reduced complexity (five surfactants, four neuroleptics, and two isomers) were separated in the millisecond regime in stand-alone operation of the spectrometer. Separations of two more complex mixtures (five neuroleptics and 13 pesticides) demonstrate the application of the spectrometer as an HPLC detector. The examples illustrate the advantages of the spectrometer over the established diode array detector, in terms of additional IM separation of substances not fully separated in the retention time domain as well as identification of substances based on their characteristic IMs.
Poly(N-propargyl glycine) (PNPG) can be readily prepared by ring-opening polymerization of N-propargyl glycine N-carboxyanhydride (NCA) and modified using various addition reactions such as copper catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition of azide, radical (photo-)addition of thiol, nucleophilic addition of ethylene oxide, and thermal induced cross-linking. It is demonstrated that PNPG can serve as a modular platform to produce a bibliography of novel functional polypeptoid or pseudopeptide materials, including polypeptoid ionic liquids and graft copolymers.
Unlike their ortho counterparts, meta- and para-acetamidoanilines can be converted into the corresponding acetamidoarenediazonium salts. These offer various opportunities for multiple Pd-catalyzed arene functionalization reactions, such as Matsuda-Heck-, Suzuki-Miyaura- or Fujiwara-Moritani couplings.
L-selectin is a protein with potential importance for numerous diseases and clinical disorders. In this paper, we present a new aptamer-based luminescent assay developed to detect L-selectin. The sensing system working principle is based on Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) from a donor terbium complex (TbC) to an acceptor cyanine dye (Cy5). In the present approach, the biotinylated aptamer is combined with Cy5-labelled streptavidin (Cy5-Strep) to yield an aptamer-based acceptor construct (Apta-Cy5-Strep), while L-selectin is conjugated using luminescent TbC. Upon aptamer binding to the TbC-labelled L-selectin (L-selectin-TbC), permanent donor-acceptor proximity is established which allows for radiationless energy transfer to occur. However, when unlabelled L-selectin is added, it competes with the L-selectin-TbC and the FRET signal decreases as the L-selectin concentration increases. FRET from the TbC to Cy5 was observed with time-gated time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy. A significant change in the corrected luminescence signal was observed in the dynamic range of 10 -500 ng/mL L-selectin, the concentration range relevant for accelerated cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease, with a limit of detection (LOD) equal to 10 ng/mL. The aptasensor-based assay is homogeneous and can be realized within one hour. Therefore, this method has the potential to become an alternative to tedious heterogeneous analytical methods, e.g. based on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Fluid force microscopy combines the positional accuracy and force sensitivity of an atomic
force microscope (AFM) with nanofluidics via a microchanneled cantilever. However, adequate
loading and cleaning procedures for such AFM micropipettes are required for various
application situations. Here, a new frontloading procedure is described for an AFM micropipette
functioning as a force- and pressure-controlled microscale liquid dispenser. This frontloading
procedure seems especially attractive when using target substances featuring high
costs or low available amounts. Here, the AFM micropipette could be filled from the tip side
with liquid from a previously applied droplet with a volume of only a few μL using a short
low-pressure pulse. The liquid-loaded AFM micropipettes could be then applied for experiments
in air or liquid environments. AFM micropipette frontloading was evaluated with the
well-known organic fluorescent dye rhodamine 6G and the AlexaFluor647-labeled antibody
goat anti-rat IgG as an example of a larger biological compound. After micropipette usage,
specific cleaning procedures were tested. Furthermore, a storage method is described, at
which the AFM micropipettes could be stored for a few hours up to several days without drying
out or clogging of the microchannel. In summary, the rapid, versatile and cost-efficient
frontloading and cleaning procedure for the repeated usage of a single AFM micropipette is
beneficial for various application situations from specific surface modifications through to
local manipulation of living cells, and provides a simplified and faster handling for already
known experiments with fluid force microscopy.
Fluid force microscopy combines the positional accuracy and force sensitivity of an atomic force microscope (AFM) with nanofluidics via a microchanneled cantilever. However, adequate loading and cleaning procedures for such AFM micropipettes are required for various application situations. Here, a new frontloading procedure is described for an AFM micropipette functioning as a force-and pressure-controlled microscale liquid dispenser. This frontloading procedure seems especially attractive when using target substances featuring high costs or low available amounts. Here, the AFM micropipette could be filled from the tip side with liquid from a previously applied droplet with a volume of only a few mu L using a short low-pressure pulse. The liquid-loaded AFM micropipettes could be then applied for experiments in air or liquid environments. AFM micropipette frontloading was evaluated with the well-known organic fluorescent dye rhodamine 6G and the AlexaFluor647-labeled antibody goat anti-rat IgG as an example of a larger biological compound. After micropipette usage, specific cleaning procedures were tested. Furthermore, a storage method is described, at which the AFM micropipettes could be stored for a few hours up to several days without drying out or clogging of the microchannel. In summary, the rapid, versatile and cost-efficient frontloading and cleaning procedure for the repeated usage of a single AFM micropipette is beneficial for various application situations from specific surface modifications through to local manipulation of living cells, and provides a simplified and faster handling for already known experiments with fluid force microscopy.
A multi-reference study of the byproduct formation for a ring-closed dithienylethene photoswitch
(2015)
Photodriven molecular switches are sometimes hindered in their performance by forming byproducts which act as dead ends in sequences of switching cycles, leading to rapid fatigue effects. Understanding the reaction pathways to unwanted byproducts is a prerequisite for preventing them. This article presents a study of the photochemical reaction pathways for byproduct formation in the photochromic switch 1,2-bis-(3-thienyl)-ethene. Specifically, using single-and multi-reference methods the post-deexcitation reaction towards the byproduct in the electronic ground state S-0 when starting from the S-1-S-0 conical intersection (CoIn), is considered in detail. We find an unusual low-energy pathway, which offers the possibility for the formation of a dyotropic byproduct. Several high-energy pathways can be excluded with high probability.
A multi-reference study of the byproduct formation for a ring-closed dithienylethene photoswitch
(2015)
Photodriven molecular switches are sometimes hindered in their performance by forming byproducts which act as dead ends in sequences of switching cycles, leading to rapid fatigue effects. Understanding the reaction pathways to unwanted byproducts is a prerequisite for preventing them. This article presents a study of the photochemical reaction pathways for byproduct formation in the photochromic switch 1,2-bis-(3-thienyl)-ethene. Specifically, using single- and multi-reference methods the post-deexcitation reaction towards the byproduct in the electronic ground state S0 when starting from the S1–S0 conical intersection (CoIn), is considered in detail. We find an unusual low-energy pathway, which offers the possibility for the formation of a dyotropic byproduct. Several high-energy pathways can be excluded with high probability.
A highly K+-selective two-photon fluorescent probe for the in vitro monitoring of physiological K+ levels in the range of 1-100 mM is reported. The two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) probe shows a fluorescence enhancement (FE) by a factor of about three in the presence of 160 mM K+, independently of one-photon (OP, 430 nm) or two-photon (TP, 860 nm) excitation and comparable K+-induced FEs in the presence of competitive Na+ ions. The estimated dissociation constant (K-d) values in Na+-free solutions (K-d(OP)=(28 +/- 5) mM and K-d(TP)=(36 +/- 6) mM) and in combined K+/Na+ solutions (K-d(OP)=(38 +/- 8) mM and K-d(TP)=(46 +/- 25) mM) reflecting the high K+/Na+ selectivity of the fluorescent probe. The TP absorption cross-section (sigma(2PA)) of the TPEF probe+160 mMK(+) is 26 GM at 860 nm. Therefore, the TPEF probe is a suitable tool for the in vitro determination of K+.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a powerful tool for probing the local chemical environment of atoms near surfaces. When applied to soft matter, such as polymers, XPS spectra are frequently shifted and broadened due to thermal atom motion and by interchain interactions. We present a combined quantum mechanical QM/molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of X-ray photoelectron spectra of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) using oligomer models in order to account for and quantify these effects on the XPS (C1s) signal. In our study, molecular dynamics at finite temperature were performed with a classical forcefield and by ab initio MD (AIMD) using the Car-Parrinello method. Snapshots along, the trajectories represent possible conformers and/or neighbouring environments, with different C1s ionization potentials for individual C atoms leading to broadened XPS peaks. The latter are determined by Delta-Kohn Sham calculations. We also examine the experimental practice of gauging XPS (C1s) signals of alkylic C-atoms in C-containing polymers to the C1s signal of polyethylene.
We find that (i) the experimental XPS (C1s) spectra of PVA (position and width) can be roughly represented by single-strand models, (ii) interchain interactions lead to red-shifts of the XPS peaks by about 0.6 eV, and (iii) AIMD simulations match the findings from classical MD semi-quantitatively. Further, (iv) the gauging procedure of XPS (C1s) signals to the values of PE, introduces errors of about 0.5 eV. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
The complete H-1 and C-13 NMR chemical shifts assignment for various 2-substituted and 2,2-disubstituted adamantane derivatives 1-38 in CDCl3 solution was realized on the basis of NMR experiments combined with chemical structure information and DFT-GIAO (B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p)-GIAO) calculations of chemical shifts in solution. Substituent-induced C-13 NMR chemical shifts (SCS) are discussed. C-H-ax center dot center dot center dot Y-ax contacts are a textbook prototype of steric hindrance in organic chemistry. The nature of these contacts will be further investigated in this work on basis of new adamantane derivatives, which are substituted at C-2 to provide models for 1,4-C-H-ax center dot center dot center dot Y-ax and 1,5-C-H-ax center dot center dot center dot Y-ax contacts. The B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) calculations predicted the presence of NBO hyperconjugative attractive interactions between C-H-ax and Y-ax groups along C-H-ax center dot center dot center dot Y-ax contacts. The H-1 NMR signal separation, Delta delta(gamma-CH2), reflects the strength of the H-bonded C-H-ax center dot center dot center dot Y-ax contact. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Lobelia tupa, also called devil's tobacco, is a native plant from the center-south of Chile which has been used by the native people of Chile as a hallucinogenic and anesthetic plant. A new piperidine alkaloid, called pentylsedinine, which comprises five carbons in the side chain, was isolated from the aerial part of L. tupa, along with lobeline and lobelanidine. The structure was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. While lobeline is a neutral antagonist at alpha 3 beta 2/alpha 3 beta 4 nAChR and alpha 7 nAChR, both lobelanidine and pentylsedinine act as partial agonists at nAChR