An efficient synthesis of 2-amino alcohols by silica gel catalysed opening of epoxide rings by amines

Silica gel (60-120 mesh) efficiently catalyses the opening of epoxide rings by amines at rt under solvent-free conditions providing an easy method for the synthesis of 2-amino alcohols. Aromatic and aliphatic amines react with cyclohexene oxide with exclusive formation of the trans-2-aryl/alkylaminocyclohexanols in high yields. A complementary regioselectivity is exhibited by aromatic and aliphatic amines during the reaction with styrene oxide. The epoxide ring of non-styrenoidal unsymmetrical alkene oxide undergoes selective nucleophilic attack at the sterically less hindered carbon by aniline.

Removal of phenol from aqueous solutions by adsorption

Experiments have been conducted to examine the liquid-phase adsorption of phenol from water by silica gel, HiSiv 3000, activated alumina, activated carbon, Filtrasorb-400, and HiSiv 1000. Experiments were carried out for the analysis of adsorption equilibrium capacities and kinetics. The adsorption isotherm model of the Langmuir-Freundlich type was the best to describe adsorption equilibrium data for phenol for the adsorbents studied. Results of kinetic experiments indicated that HiSiv 1000 had the highest rate of adsorption among the adsorbents studied and therefore more detailed studies were carried out with this adsorbent. The influence of particle size, temperature, and thermal regeneration on adsorption of phenol by HiSiv 1000 was evaluated. From particle size experiments it appeared that adsorption capacity of HiSiv 1000 did not change by changing the particle size, but the rate of adsorption decreased considerably by increasing the particle size. The effect of temperature on adsorption was studied by determining equilibrium isotherms for HiSiv 1000 at 25, 40, and 55 degrees C. The results showed that adsorption capacity decreased with increasing temperature. Thermal regeneration of HiSiv 1000 was performed at 360 degrees C. It was observed that adsorption capacity of HiSiv 1000 did not change after 14 regeneration cycles. Equilibrium experiments showed that the adsorption capacities of activated carbon and Filtrasorb-400 were several times higher than that of HiSiv 1000.

Spontaneous absolute asymmetric synthesis in the presence of achiral silica gel in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis

An enantiomerically enriched pyrimidyl alkanol with either S or R configurations was obtained stochastically from the reaction between pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde and diisopropylzinc in the presence of achiral silica gel in conjunction with asymmetric autocatalysis with amplification of chirality.

Impact of immobilized polysaccharide chiral stationary phases on enantiomeric separations

Immobilized polysaccharide-based chiral stationary phases (CSPs) are gaining importance in the resolution of racemic compounds due to their stable nature on working with normal solvents and those prohibited for use with coated phases (tetrahydrofuran, chloroform, dichloromethane, acetone, 1,4-dioxane, ethyl acetate, and certain other ethers). This review discusses the use of immobilized polysaccharide CSPs in the chiral resolution of various racemates by liquid chromatography. The discussion includes immobilization methodologies, enantioselectivities, efficiencies, and a comparison of chiral recognition capabilities of coated vs. immobilized CSPs. Some applications of immobilized CSPs to the chiral resolution of racemic compounds are also presented.

New insights into allosteric mechanisms from trapping unstable protein conformations in silica gels

To understand why the classical two-state allosteric model of Monod, Wyman, and Changeux explains cooperative oxygen binding by hemoglobin but does not explain changes in oxygen affinity by allosteric inhibitors, we have investigated the kinetic properties of unstable conformations transiently trapped by encapsulation in silica gels. Conformational trapping reveals that after nanosecond photodissociation of carbon monoxide a large fraction of the subunits of the T quaternary structure has kinetic properties almost identical to those of subunits of the R quaternary structure. Addition of allosteric inhibitors reduces both the fraction of R-like subunits and the oxygen affinity of the T quaternary structure. These kinetic and equilibrium results are readily explained by a recently proposed generalization of the Monod-Wyman-Changeux model in which a pre-equilibrium between two functionally different tertiary, rather than quaternary, conformations plays the central role.

Uptake of heavy metals from synthetic aqueous solutions using modified PEI-silica gels

The decontamination of synthetic Pb(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) solutions was investigated, using silica gels chemically modified with poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) as sorbents. Two families of sorbents, i.e. silica/PEI and crosslinked silica/PEI, were prepared and characterized. Then the removal of metal ions from synthetic aqueous solutions was studied by static tests. They revealed that the sorption capacities depend on the pH, the initial concentration and to some extent on the nature of the metal. The recovery of the metal cations from the saturated sorbents was possible with diluted acid, only for the crosslinked supports. In this case, the regeneration and reuse without sorption decrease, was demonstrated. The presence of other cations (as Na(+), Ca(2+)) and metals does not affect the sorption capacities.

Sol-gel derived carrier for the controlled release of proteins

Sol-gel derived porous silica carriers for the controlled release of proteins were synthesized using a room temperature process. The materials are intended to serve as both substrates for bone growth as well as to allow incorporated proteins such as growth factors to diffuse out and stimulate cell function and tissue healing. The data document that the in vitro release of trypsin inhibitor, a model protein of size similar to growth factors with documented effect in bone, was dose and time dependent during immersion up to nine weeks. The release pattern included an initially slow release, with further release occurring at a rate which is proportionate to the square root of time, an indicative of a diffusion-driven process.

Preparation and use of chemically modified MCM-41 and silica gel as selective adsorbents for Hg(II) ions

Adsorbents for Hg(II) ion extraction were prepared using amorphous silica gel and ordered MCM-41. Grafting with 2-(3-(2-aminoethylthio)propylthio)ethanamine was used to functionalize the silica. The functionalized adsorbents were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction, 13C MAS NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The adsorption properties of the modified silica gel and MCM-41 were compared using batch method. The effect of pH, stirring time, ionic strength and foreign ions were studied. The extraction of Hg(II) ions occurred rapidly with the modified MCM-41 and the optimal pH range for the extraction by the modified materials was pH 4-7. Foreign ions, especially Cl- had some effect on the extraction efficiency of the modified silica gel and the modified MCM-41. The adsorption behavior of both adsorbents could be described by a Langmuir model at 298 K, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the modified silica gel and MCM-41 at pH 3 was 0.79 and 0.70 mmol g(-1), respectively. The modified MCM-41 showed a larger Langmuir constant than that of the modified silica gel, indicating a better ability for Hg(II) ion adsorption. The results indicate that the structure of the materials affects the adsorption behavior. These materials show a potential for the application as effective and selective adsorbents for Hg(II) removal from water.

Identification of trace volatile compounds in freshly distilled Calvados and Cognac using preparative separations coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using both electron impact and chemical ionization detection modes led to the determination of the volatile composition of two samples of freshly distilled Cognac and two samples of freshly distilled Calvados. A total of 169 volatile compounds were directly identified in dichloromethane extracts obtained by liquid-liquid extraction. Trace compounds present in both spirits were characterized with the help of preparative separations. In a first step, groups of compounds were separated by preparative GC, and the fractions were analyzed on a polar stationary phase by GC-MS. In a second step, silica gel fractionation was used to separate them by polarity. In this study, 331 compounds, of which 162 can be considered as trace compounds, were characterized in both freshly distilled Cognac and Calvados. Of these, 39 are common to both spirits; 30 are specific to Cognac with numerous hexenyl esters and norisoprenoidic derivatives, whereas 93 are specific to Calvados with compounds such as unsaturated alcohols, phenolic derivatives, and unsaturated aldehydes.

In vitro evaluation of sol-gel processed spray dried silica gel microspheres as carrier in controlled drug delivery

The objective of this study was to evaluate sol-gel-derived spray dried silica gel microspheres as carrier material for dexmedetomidine HCl and toremifene citrate. The drug was dissolved in sol-gel processed silica sol before spray drying with Büchi laboratory scale equipment. Microspheres with a low specific surface area were spherical by shape with a smooth surface without pores on the external surface. The particle size distribution was quite narrow. The in vitro release of toremifene citrate and dexmedetomidine HCl showed a dose-dependent burst followed by a slower release phase, that was proportional to the drug concentration in the concentration range between 3.9 and 15.4 wt.%. The release period for toremifene citrate was approximately 10 days and for dexmedetomidine HCl between 7 and 50 days depending on drug concentration. Spray drying is a promising way to produce spherical silica gel particles with a narrow particle size range for controlled delivery of toremifene citrate and dexmedetomidine HCl.

Glass transitions of ordinary and heavy water within silica-gel nanopores

The dynamic properties of water confined within nanospaces are of interest given that such water plays important roles in geological and biological systems. The enthalpy-relaxation properties of ordinary and heavy water confined within silica-gel voids of 1.1, 6, 12, and 52 nm in average diameter were examined by adiabatic calorimetry. Most of the water was found to crystallize within the pores above about 2 nm in diameter but to remain in the liquid state down to 80 K within the pores less than about 1.6 nm in diameter. Only one glass transition was observed, at T(g) = 119, 124, and 132 K for ordinary water and T(g) = 125, 130, and 139 K for heavy water, in the 6-, 12-, and 52-nm diameter pores, respectively. On the other hand, two glass transitions were observed at T(g) = 115 and 160 K for ordinary water and T(g) = 118 and 165 K for heavy water in the 1.1-nm pores. Interfacial water molecules on the pore wall, which remain in the noncrystalline state in each case, were interpreted to be responsible for the glass transitions in the region 115-139 K, and internal water molecules, surrounded only by water molecules in the liquid state, are responsible for those at 160 or 165 K in the case of the 1.1-nm pores. It is suggested that the glass transition of bulk supercooled water takes place potentially at 160 K or above due to the development of an energetically more stable hydrogen-bonding network of water molecules at low temperatures.

In vitro release of dexmedetomidine from silica xerogel monoliths: effect of sol-gel synthesis parameters

Dexmedetomidine, an alpha 2-agonist, was incorporated as a hydrochloride salt into silica xerogel in order to evaluate the effect of sol-gel synthesis parameters: pH of the sol, water/alkoxide molar ratio, drug concentration and size of the device on the drug release rate and degradation rate of the matrix. This study showed that diffusion controlled the release of dexmedetomidine from silica xerogel prepared between pH 1 and pH 5. The drug release was, however, slowest near the zero charge of silica xerogel (pH 2-3). The burst of dexmedetomidine, a lipophilic, but in the form of hydrochloride salt water-soluble drug, was increased from the matrix prepared either below or above the isoelectric point. It follows that the optimum pH for preparing a drug delivery device for dexmedetomidine, is near the zero charge of silica xerogel, where the degradation of the matrix was also slowest. In addition to processing pH, the release rate of drugs can be controlled by changing the water/alkoxide molar ratio of the sol.

Apatite formation on silica gel in simulated body fluid: its dependence on structures of silica gels prepared in different media

It has been shown that the prerequisite for glasses and glass-ceramics to bond to living bone is the formation of a layer of biologically active bonelike apatite on their surfaces. The hydrated silica formed on the surfaces of glasses and glass-ceramics plays an important role in nucleating the apatite. In the present study, the structure of the hydrated silica responsible for the apatite nucleation was investigated in an accellular simulated body fluid with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma. Three kinds of porous silica gels were prepared by hydrolysis and polycondensation of tetraethoxysilane in pure water or in aqueous solution containing polyethylene glycol or polyacrylic acid. The silica gels prepared in aqueous solution containing polyethylene glycol or polyacrylic acid had micron-size interconnected pores, whereas the gel prepared in pure water did not. All the gels contained a large volume of nanometer-size pores, almost the same amounts of silanol groups and D2 defect, and showed a high dissolution rate of the silica. Despite this, only the gel prepared in the solution containing polyethylene glycol formed the apatite on its surface in the simulated body fluid. This indicates that only a certain type of structural unit of the silanol group is responsible for the apatite nucleation.

Evaluation of the macrocyclic antibiotic avoparcin as a new chiral selector for HPLC

Avoparcin is a macrocyclic glycopeptide antibiotic structurally related to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and ristocetin A. When attached to 5-microns spherical silica gel, the avoparcin proved to be an effective chiral stationary phase (CSP) that could be used in the reversed-phase, normal-phase, and polar-organic modes. The avoparcin CSP was complimentary to the other macrocyclic glycopeptide CSPs in that it could resolve some racemates that the others could not, and vice versa. Some important compounds resolved on the avoparcin CSP include verapamil, thyroxine, mephenytoin, and 2-imidazolidone-4-carboxylic acid. The use of this CSP and the optimization of separations on it are discussed. Avoparcin appears to be a useful addition to this family of CSPs.

Efficient recovery of CO2 from flue gas by clathrate hydrate formation in porous silica gels

Thermodynamic measurements and NMR spectroscopic analysis were used to show that it is possible to recover CO2 from flue gas by forming a mixed hydrate that removes CO2 preferentially from CO2/N2 gas mixtures using water dispersed in the pores of silica gel. Kinetic studies with 1H NMR microimaging showed that the dispersed water in the silica gel pore system reacts readily with the gas, thus obviating the need for a stirred reactor and excess water. Hydrate phase equilibria for the ternary CO2-N2-water system in silica gel pores were measured, which show that the three-phase hydrate-water-rich liquid-vapor equilibrium curves were shifted to higher pressures at a specific temperature when the concentration of CO2 in the vapor phase decreased. 13C cross-polarization NMR spectral analysis and direct measurement of the CO2 content in the hydrate phase suggested that the mixed hydrate is structure I at gas compositions of more than 10 mol % CO2, and that the CO2 molecules occupy mainly the more abundant 5(12)6(2) cages. This makes it possible to achieve concentrations of more than 96 mol % CO2 gas in the product after three cycles of hydrate formation and dissociation. 1H NMR microimaging showed that hydrate yields of better than 85%, based on the amount of water, could be obtained in 1 h when a steady state was reached, although approximately 90% of this yield was achieved after approximately 20 min of reaction time.

Development of acetylcholinesterase silica sol–gel immobilized biosensor—an application towards oxydemeton methyl detection

An amperometric silica sol-gel film immobilized biosensor doped with acetylcholinesterase was fabricated in the laboratory finding application in organophosphate detection based on enzyme inhibition. The substrate used was acetylthiocholine chloride and thiocholine released from the enzymatic hydrolysis was electrochemically oxidized giving larger anodic current at 0.5-0.6 V (versus Ag/AgCl reference). The dependencies of the current response on pH, enzyme loading and thermal stability of the developed biosensor were evaluated. The analytical performance of enzyme electrode towards substrate and inhibitor was investigated. Oxydemeton methyl was taken as a model compound for the inhibition studies. Linear calibration for oxydemeton methyl was obtained in the range of 2-200 ppb under the optimized conditions following an incubation time of 20 min. Treatment of the inhibited enzyme with pyridine-2-aldehyde restored 92% of its original activity. The sensor stored at -20 degrees C had a good storage and operational stability retaining 85% of its original activity for 60 successive measurements.

Immobilization of polysaccharide derivatives onto silica gel

The 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamates of cellulose and amylose bearing a small amount of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl residues were synthesized by a simple process and efficiently immobilized onto a silica gel support by intermolecular polycondensation of the triethoxysilyl groups. The obtained chiral packing materials (CPMs) were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. The polysaccharide derivatives containing about 1-2% of the 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl residue were efficiently immobilized with a high chiral recognition. The immobilized CPMs could be used with the eluents containing chloroform and tetrahydrofuran, which cannot be used with the conventional coated-type CPMs. By using these eluents, the chiral recognitions for many racemates could be improved.

Chelating sorbents based on silica gel and their application in atomic spectrometry

This mini-review covers chelating sorbents anchored to silica gel and their analytical applications for the preconcentration, separation and determination of trace metal ions, focussing mainly on the last 20 years. The article summarizes also the experience gathered by our research group in the synthesis and characterization of new modified silica gels "via silanization", and their affinity toward selective extraction and separation of trace elements. The introduction of 1,5-bis(di-2-pyridyl)methylene thiocarbohydrazide silica gel (DPTH-gel) and methylthiosalicylate silica gel (TS-gel) chelating sorbents in trace and ultratrace analysis provide vital breakthroughs in preconcentration methods. These home-made materials allow certain analytes to be selectively extracted from complex matrices without matrix interference and good detection limits. The advantages of these new chelating sorbents in comparison with 8-hydroxyquinoline chelating sorbent immobilized on silica gel are discussed.

Hexavalent chromium removal from wastewater using aniline formaldehyde condensate coated silica gel

A resinous polymer, aniline formaldehyde condensate (AFC) coated on silica gel was used as an adsorbent in batch system for removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution by considering the effects of various parameters like reaction pH, dose of AFC coated silica gel, initial Cr(VI) concentration and aniline to formaldehyde ratio in AFC synthesis. The optimum pH for total chromium [Cr(VI) and Cr(III)] adsorption was observed as 3. Total chromium adsorption was second order and equilibrium was achieved within 90-120 min. Aniline to formaldehyde ratio of 1.6:1 during AFC synthesis was ideal for chromium removal. Total chromium adsorption followed Freundlich's isotherm with adsorption capacity of 65 mg/g at initial Cr(VI) 200mg/L. Total chromium removal was explained as combinations of electrostatic attraction of acid chromate ion by protonated AFC, reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and bond formation of Cr(III) with nitrogen atom of AFC. Almost 40-84% of adsorbed chromium was recovered during desorption by NaOH, EDTA and mineral acids. AFC coated silica gel can be effectively used for treatment of chromium containing wastewaters as an alternative.

HClO4–SiO2as a new, highly efficient, inexpensive and reusable catalyst for N-tert-butoxycarbonylation of amines

Perchloric acid adsorbed on silica-gel (HClO4-SiO2) was found to be a new, highly efficient, inexpensive and reusable catalyst for chemoselective N-tert-butoxycarbonylation of amines at room temperature and under solvent-free conditions.

Solid phase extraction using silica gel modified with murexide for preconcentration of uranium (VI) ions from water samples

Murexide was chemically bonded to silica gel surface immobilized 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APMS) to produce the new sorbent. A solid phase extraction method using the new sorbent has been developed to separate and concentrate trace amount of uranium (VI) from aqueous samples for the measurement by spectrophotometry method using Arsenazo III reagent. The influences of some analytical parameters on the quantitative recoveries of the analyte were investigated both in batch and column methods. Quantitative recovery of U(VI) was achieved by stripping with 0.1 mol L(-1) HCl. The maximum sorption capacity of the modified silica gel was 1.13 mmol g(-1) U(VI). A high preconcentration factor value of 400 with a lower limit of detection of 1 microg L(-1) was obtained for U(VI). The practical applicability of the developed sorbent was examined using synthetic and real samples such as sea/ground water samples.

Single molecule fluorescence burst detection of DNA fragments separated by capillary electrophoresis

A method has been developed for detecting DNA separated by capillary gel electrophoresis (CGE) using single molecule photon burst counting. A confocal fluorescence microscope was used to observe the fluorescence bursts from single molecules of DNA multiply labeled with the thiazole orange derivative T06 as they passed through the approximately 2 micrometer diameter focused laser beam. Amplified photoelectron pulses from the photomultiplier are grouped into bins of 360-450 micros in duration, and the resulting histogram is stored in a computer for analysis. Solutions of M13 DNA were first flowed through the capillary at various concentrations, and the resulting data were used to optimize the parameters for digital filtering using a low-pass Fourier filter, selecting a discriminator level for peak detection, and applying a peak-calling algorithm. Statistical analyses showed that (i) the number of M13 molecules counted versus concentration was linear with slope = 1, (ii) the average burst duration was consistent with the expected transit time of a single molecule through the laser beam, and (iii) the number of detected molecules was consistent with single molecule detection. The optimized single molecule counting method was then applied to an electrophoretic separation of M13 DNA and to a separation of pBR 322 DNA from pRL 277 DNA. Clusters of discreet fluorescence bursts were observed at the expected appearance time of each DNA band. The autocorrelation function of these data indicated transit times that were consistent with the observed electrophoretic velocity. These separations were easily detected when only 50-100 molecules of DNA per band traveled through the detection region. This new detection technology should lead to the routine analysis of DNA in capillary columns with an on-column sensitivity of approximately 100 DNA molecules/band or better.

On-site solid-phase extraction and laboratory analysis of ultra-trace synthetic musks in municipal sewage effluent using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the full-scan mode

Fragrance materials such as synthetic musks in aqueous samples, are normally determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode to provide maximum sensitivity after liquid-liquid extraction of 1-1 samples. Full-scan mass spectra are required to verify that a target analyte has been found by comparison with the mass spectra of fragrance compounds in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) mass spectral library. A 1-1 sample usually provides insufficient analyte for full scan data acquisition. This paper describes an on-site extraction method developed at the US Environmental Protection Agency (Las Vegas, NV, USA) for synthetic musks from 60 l of wastewater effluent. Such a large sample volume permits high-quality, full-scan mass spectra to be obtained for a wide array of synthetic musks. Quantification of these compounds was achieved from the full-scan data directly, without the need to acquire SIM data. The detection limits obtained with this method are an order of magnitude lower than those obtained from liquid-liquid and other solid-phase extraction methods. This method is highly reproducible, and recoveries ranged from 80 to 97% in spiked sewage treatment plant effluent. The high rate of sorbent-sample mass transfer eliminated the need for a methanolic activation step, which reduced extraction time, labor, and solvent use. More samples could be extracted in the field at lower cost. After sample extraction, the light-mass cartridges are easily transported and stored.

Analysis of anandamide, an endogenous cannabinoid substance, and of other natural N-acylethanolamines

Recent reports have suggested that N-arachidonoylethanolamine (anandamide) acts as an endogenous ligand for cannabinoid receptors in mammalian brain. Here we describe methods for the extraction, purification and analysis of anandamide and related N-fatty acyl-ethanolamines (NAEs). Liquid-phase extraction, silica gel G column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were employed for sample fractionation. Three analytical high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods for purification of NAEs were developed. Finally, analyses of NAEs by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) are described. The applications of these analytical methods to the identification of anandamide and related NAEs in cell cultures as well as of artifacts in biosynthetic studies are described.