Absorptiometric and spectrofluorimetric study of the inclusion complexes of 2-naphthyloxyacetic acid and 1-naphthylacetic acid with ?-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution

Synthesis and polarity-sensitive fluorescent properties of a novel water-soluble polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)

We report the successful synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a novel, water soluble anthanthrene-based derivative, 6,12-bis(TEG)anthanthrene 3. The presence of the two long ethylene glycol side chains gives this large, six-membered polycyclic aromatic compound a high aqueous solubility. It exhibits UV–vis absorption properties similar to those of anthanthrene itself, indicating that the side chains do not have a significant effect on the electronic structure of the central chromophore. The compound exhibits strong, polarity-sensitive fluorescence in aqueous solution in the blue–green region of the spectrum, with a fluorescence quantum yield of 0.13 and a polarity sensitivity factor (PSF) of 2.0. The utility of this new fluorescent molecule as a probe of supramolecular complexation was demonstrated by its inclusion into the molecular host hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in aqueous solution. Strictly 1:1 inclusion was observed, with a moderately strong binding constant K of 650 M−1. This new fluorescence probe has significant potential applications in fluorescence-based studies of aqueous biochemical and supramolecular systems.

Lysozyme-dalargin self-organization at the aqueous-air and liquid-liquid interfaces

An experimental study of protein-peptide binding was performed by means of radiochemical and spectroscopic methods. Lysozyme and dalargin were chosen due to their biological and physiological importance. By means of tensiometry and radiochemical assays, it was found that dalargin possesses rather high surface activity at the aqueous-air and aqueous-p-xylene interfaces to be substituted by protein. Dalargin forms a hydrophobic complex with lysozyme in which the secondary structure of lysozyme is preserved. When lysozyme forms a mixed adsorption layer with dalargin at the aqueous-air surface, the peptide prevents protein from concentrating in the subsurface monolayer. In the presence of p-xylene protein in the interface, reorganization occurs quickly, so there is no lag in the interfacial tension time dependence. The interfacial tension in this case is controlled by protein and/or protein-peptide complexes. An increase in the enzymatic activity of lysozyme in the presence of dalargin was confirmed by a docking model that suggests the formation of hydrogen bonds between dalargin and amino acid residues in the active site.

Broad-spectrum pesticide screening by multiple cholinesterases and thiocholine sensors assembled high-throughput optical array system

Accurate screening of organophosphorus and carbamates pesticides from the complex real sample is crucial for water quality analysis and food safety control. Herein, a simple, low-cost and accurate pesticides screening method based on a high-throughput optical array system assembled by multiple cholinesterases (ChE) and thiocholine (TCh) sensors is described. The detection mechanism is that the inhibition of ChE activity by pesticides reduces the TCh produced by the hydrolysis of butyryl/acetylthiocholine iodide, thus changing the fluorescence intensity of TCh sensor. The diverse response of ChEs to pesticides and different affinity of sensors to TCh ensure the high-throughput and distinguishable signal output, which allow the establishment of high discrete pesticide database with intra-cluster agglomeration and inter-cluster dispersion. By using the database, the screening of unknown real contaminated samples were successfully operated, and the screened pesticide species and concentrations were consistent with high-performance liquid chromatography. This screening strategy demonstrates the feasibility of replacing existing complex mass spectrometry-based screening strategy with simple optical analysis, providing a new idea for the development of simple accurate screening technologies for widespread organic pollutants including pesticides.

β-Cyclodextrin Encapsulation of Synthetic AHLs: Drug Delivery Implications and Quorum-Quenching Exploits

Many bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, regulate phenotypic switching in a population density-dependent manner through a phenomenon known as quorum sensing (QS). For Gram-negative bacteria, QS relies on the synthesis, transmission, and perception of low-molecular-weight signal molecules that are predominantly N-acyl-l-homoserine lactones (AHLs). Efforts to disrupt AHL-mediated QS have largely focused on the development of synthetic AHL analogues (SAHLAs) that are structurally similar to native AHLs. However, like AHLs, these molecules tend to be hydrophobic and are poorly soluble under aqueous conditions. Water-soluble macrocycles, such as cyclodextrins (CDs), that encapsulate hydrophobic guests have long been used by both the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries to overcome the solubility issues associated with hydrophobic compounds of interest. Conveniently, CDs have also demonstrated anti-AHL-mediated QS effects. Here, using fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR spectrometry, and mass spectrometry, we evaluate the affinity of SAHLAs, as well as their hydrolysis products, for β-CD inclusion. We also evaluated the ability of these complexes to inhibit wild-type P. aeruginosa virulence in a Caenorhabditis elegans host infection study, for the first time. Our efforts confirm the potential of β-CDs for the improved delivery of SAHLAs at the host/microbial interface, expanding the utility of this approach as a strategy for probing and controlling QS.

Photophysical Properties of Donor-Acceptor Stenhouse Adducts and Their Inclusion Complexes with Cyclodextrins and Cucurbit[7]uril

Donor-acceptor Stenhouse adducts (DASAs) are a novel class of solvatochromic photoswitches with increasing importance in photochemistry. Known for their reversibility between open triene and closed cyclized states, these push-pull molecules are applicable in a suite of light-controlled applications. Recent works have sought to understand the DASA photoswitching mechanism and reactive state, as DASAs are vulnerable to irreversible "dark switching" in polar protic solvents. Despite the utility of fluorescence spectroscopy for providing information regarding the electronic structure of organic compounds and gaining mechanistic insight, there have been few studies of DASA fluorescence. Herein, we characterize various photophysical properties of two common DASAs based on Meldrum's acid and dimethylbarbituric acid by fluorescence spectroscopy. This approach is applied in tandem with complexation by cyclodextrins and cucurbiturils to reveal the zwitterionic charge separation of these photoswitches in aqueous solution and the protective nature of supramolecular complexation against degradative dark switching. DASA-M, for example, was found to form a weak host-guest inclusion complex with (2-hydroxypropyl)-γ-cyclodextrin, with a binding constant K = 60 M-1, but a very strong inclusion complex with cucurbit[7]uril, with K = 27,000 M-1. This complexation within the host cavity was found to increase the half-life of both DASAs in aqueous solution, indicating the significant and potentially useful stabilization of these DASAs by host encapsulation.

Selective Sensing of Phosphorylated Peptides and Monitoring Kinase and Phosphatase Activity with a Supramolecular Tandem Assay

Simple tuning of a host:guest pair allows selective sensing of different peptide modifications, exploiting orthogonal recognition mechanisms. Excellent selectivity for either lysine trimethylations or alcohol phosphorylations is possible by simply varying the fluorophore guest. The phosphorylation sensor can be modulated by the presence of small (μM) concentrations of metal ions, allowing array-based sensing. Phosphorylation at serine, threonine, and tyrosine can be selectively sensed via discriminant analysis. The phosphopeptide sensing is effective in the presence of small-molecule phosphates such as ATP, which in turn enables the sensor to be employed in continuous optical assays of both serine kinase and tyrosine phosphatase activity. The activity of multiple different kinases can be monitored, and the sensor is capable of detecting the phosphorylation of peptides containing multiple different modifications, including lysine methylations and acetylation. A single deep cavitand can be used as a "one size fits all" sensor that can selectively detect multiple different modifications to oligopeptides, as well as monitoring the function of their post-translational modification writer and eraser enzymes in complex systems.

How zinc ions shift and enhance the nucleotide's fluorescence spectra

Zinc–nucleotide complexes in alkaline solutions exhibit strong fluorescence enhancement and red shift, thus enabling an optical discrimination between the nucleotides.

Inclusion of fluorophores in cyclodextrins: a closer look at the fluorometric determination of association constants by linear and nonlinear fitting procedures

The author discusses methods for the fluorometric determination of affinity constants by linear and nonlinear fitting methods. This is outlined in particular for the interaction between cyclodextrins and several anesthetic drugs including benzocaine. Special emphasis is given to the limitations of certain fits, and the impact of such studies on enzyme-substrate interactions are demonstrated. Both the experimental part and methods of analysis are well suited for students in an advanced lab.

Selective Heavy Element Sensing with a Simple Host-Guest Fluorescent Array

A simple three component array of host-fluorophore complexes is capable of sensitive and selective discrimination of heavy metal ions, including lanthanide and actinide salts in aqueous solution. Instead of applying optical sensors that only use "single-mode" detection, i.e., coordination of the metal to a specific ligand and monitoring the change in emission of an appended fluorophore, we exploit a series of host-fluorophore complexes that are affected by the presence of small amounts of metal ions in aqueous solution in different ways. Variable host-metal and host-guest-metal interactions lead to both turn-on and turn-off fluorescence sensing mechanisms, enhancing the discriminatory properties of the array. The limit of detection for certain metals is as low as 70 nM, and highly similar metals such as lanthanides and actinides can be easily distinguished at low micromolar concentrations in complex salt mixtures.

Determination of phenformin hydrochloride employing a sensitive fluorescent probe

A complexation of non-fluorescent phenformin hydrochloride (PFH) with cucurbit [7]uril (CB [7]) in aqueous solution was investigated using the fluorescent probe of palmatine (PAL) coupled with CB [7]. The fluorescent probe of CB [7]-PAL exhibited strong fluorescence in aqueous solution, which was quenched gradually with the increase of PFH. This effect is observed because when PFH was added to the host-guest system of CB [7]-PAL, PFH and PAL competed to occupy the CB [7] cavity. Portions of the PAL molecule were expelled from the CB [7] cavity owing to the introduction of PFH. Based on the significant quenching of the supramolecular complex fluorescence intensity, a fluorescence method of high sensitivity and selectivity was developed to determine PFH with good precision and accuracy for the first time. The linear range of the method was 0.005-1.9 μg mL(-1) with a detection limit of 0.003 μg mL(-1). In this work, association constants (K) of PFH with CB [7] were also determined. KCB [7]-PFH=(2.52±0.05)×10(5) L mol(-1). The ability of PFH to bind with CB [7] is stronger than that of PAL. The results of a density functional theory calculation authenticated that the moiety of PFH was embedded in the hydrophobic cavity of CB [7] tightly, and the nitrogen atom is located in the vicinity of a carbonyl-laced portal in the energy-minimized structure. The molecular modelling of the interaction between PFH and CB [7] was also confirmed by (1)H NMR spectra (Bruker 600 MHz).

Cucurbit [7] Uril Host–Guest Complexation of Nereistoxin Investigated by Competitive Binding of Palmatine Fluorescent Probe

The inclusion complex formation of nereistoxin (NTX) with cucurbit[7] uril (CB[7]) in aqueous solution was investigated by competitive binding of palmatine (PAL) fluorescent probe. The CB[7]–PAL complex exhibited high fluorescence in aqueous solution, which was quenched in the presence of NTX. This is due to the extrusion of PAL from the CB[7] cavity into the aqueous phase by NTX. The association constants ( K) for the inclusion complexation of the host and guest were determined. The encapsulation of NTX and PAL as they compete for occupancy of the CB[7] cavity was studied using absorption, spectrofluorimetry, 1H NMR, and molecular modelling calculations.

Loading of chromenones on superparamagnetic iron oxide-modified dextran core–shell nanoparticles: openness to bind to β-cyclodextrin and DNA

Chromenones are loaded on SPIONs. They are available for binding to β-cyclodextrin and to DNA.

Simultaneous determination of plant growth regulators 1-naphthylacetic acid and 2-naphthoxyacetic acid in fruit and vegetable samples by room temperature phosphorescence

INTRODUCTION

1-Naphthylacetic and 2-naphthoxyacetic acids belong to the synthetic branch of auxins. Auxins have attracted considerable interest as a subject of study by virtue of their biological and physiological significance. Their broad use as plant growth regulators has raised the need for simple, rapid, sensitive and selective analytical methods for their determination in real samples.

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this work was to develop an analytical method for the simultaneous determination of 1-naphthylacetic acid and 2-naphthoxyacetic acid in commercial technical formulations, tomato and various fruit types (apple, strawberry, orange and plum) by room temperature phosphorescence.

METHODOLOGY

Filtrated solutions of aqueous slurries from ecological fruit and tomato samples are acidified and then extracted with dichloromethane. Once the solvent is evaporated, the dried residue is dissolved in sodium dodecyl sulphate (a micellar agent), and supplied with thallium (I) nitrate as an external heavy atom source and sodium sulphite as deoxygenation agent to enhance the ensuing phosphorescence.

RESULTS

The broad-band overlapping spectra for the two analytes were resolved by first- and second-derivative phosphorescence spectrometry. Zero-crossing measurements at 488.5 nm in the first-derivative spectrum and 469.5 nm in the second derivative spectrum exhibited a linear dependence on the 2-naphthoxyacetic acid and 1-naphthylacetic acid concentration, respectively. The detection limits as determined in accordance with the error propagation theory were 11.5 ng/mL for 1-naphthylacetic acid and 15.6 ng/mL for 2-naphthoxyacetic acid.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method affords the determination of 1-naphthylacetic acid and 2-naphthoxyacetic acid in real samples with near-quantitative recoveries from agricultural products.

The influence of the host–guest interaction on the oxidation of natural flavonoid dyes

The influence of the molecular cavity protection on degradation processes of bioorganic compounds quercetin and luteolin used as the original dyes in old tapestries was studied. The degradation processes were studied by electrochemical methods in aqueous media. The products of the exhaustive electrolysis were separated and identified by GC-MS analysis. Cyclic voltammetry characteristics indicate that the inclusion complex is formed. The inclusion affects the redox potentials of both oxidation waves related to the different dissociation forms of the flavonoid molecule. It was shown that decomposition products formed by the oxidation of quercetin are stabilized in the cavity of β-cyclodextrin, including the main oxidation product 2(3′,4′-dihydroxybenzoyl)-2,4,6-trihydroxybenzofuran-3(2H)-one. The formation of the 1:1 inclusion complex of luteolin with β-cyclodextrin is supported by the enhancement of fluorescence intensity. In the case of quercetin, a decrease of fluorescence intensity occurs when 1:1 inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin is formed.

Control of the fluorescence of dye-antibody conjugates by (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin in fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry

When proteins are conjugated to fluorescent organic dyes, fluorescence emission of the dye molecules is usually decreased, sometimes up to 50-70%. This quenching phenomenon has been acknowledged for decades, but as yet, there are no simple, practical methods to control the fluorescence of dyes conjugated to proteins, especially for dyes conjugated to immunoglobulins. Here, we report that the addition of (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) to dye-antibody conjugates can increase fluorescence up to 2.5-fold in cell imaging and flow analysis. This method may be an effective way to increase the sensitivity of detection of fluorescent organic labels used in immunology, histochemistry, and cell biology.

Interactions of cytidine with N2-functionalized guanosines and cytidine – cytidine exchange involving a GC pair — NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic study

Two N2-functionalized guanosines by diphenylaminobiphenyl and di(2-pyridyl)aminobiphenyl have been found to act as the effective probes for G–C interactions in organic media. Because of the highly emissive nature of the N2-functionalized guanosines in the visible region, the GC base pair formation event accompanied by distinct fluorescence quenching can be readily monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy. NMR and fluorescence results confirm that the N2-arylguanosines form H-bonded pairs with cytidine, selectively. An unusual exchange pathway between non-bound cytidine and bound cytidine, in the GC pair, has been identified and extensively studied by NMR methods.

Kaempferol complexation in cyclodextrins at basic pH

The complexation of kaempferol with cyclodextrins (CDs) (beta-, G(2)-beta-, and HP-beta-CDs) in basic medium was studied, and the complexation constants (K(c)) were calculated by using enzymatic, solubility, and fluorometric methods. This is the first time that a decrease in fluorescence has been observed as result of the analyte complexation by CDs. The highest K(c) value for kaempferol complexation was obtained for HP-beta-CDs. To establish the validity of the fluorometric method for determining the K(c) between kaempferol and CDs, the same parameters were also determined by enzymatic and solubility methods. The enzymatic method was carried out by using horseradish peroxidase as oxidative enzyme, and the K(c) values obtained were similar to those obtained by using the solubility method. However, the fluorometric method underestimated the K(c) value by about 1.2-fold with respect to the other methods used. In all cases HP-beta-CDs showed the highest K(c) value, indicating that they are more efficient in the formation of inclusion complexes with kaempferol.

Fluorescence-based comparative binding studies of the supramolecular host properties of PAMAM dendrimers using anilinonaphthalene sulfonates: unusual host-dependent fluorescence titration behavior

This work describes the fluorescence enhancement of the anilinonaphthalene sulfonate probes 1,8-ANS, 2,6-ANS, and 2,6-TNS via complexation with PAMAM dendrimer hosts of Generation 4, 5 and 6. The use of this set of three very closely related probes allows for comparative binding studies, with specific pairs of probes differing only in shape (1,8-ANS and 2,6-ANS), or in the presence of a methyl substituent (2,6-TNS vs. 2,6-ANS). The fluorescence of all three probes was significantly enhanced upon binding with PAMAM dendrimers, however in all cases except one, a very unusual spike was consistently observed in the host fluorescence titration plots (fluorescence enhancement vs. host concentration) at low dendrimer concentration. This unprecedented fluorescence titration curve shape makes fitting the data to a simple model such as 1:1 or 2:1 host: guest complexation very difficult; thus only qualitative comparisons of the relative binding of the three guests could be made based on host titrations. In the case of G4 and G5 dendrimers, the order of binding strength was qualitatively determined to be 1,8-ANS<2,6-ANS indicating that the more streamlined 2,6-substituted probes are a better match for the dendrimer cavity shape than the bulkier 1,8-substituted probe. This order of binding strength was also indicated by double fluorometric titration experiments, involving both host and guest titrations. Further double fluorometric titration experiments on 2,6-ANS in G4 dendrimer revealed a host concentration-dependent change in the nature of the host: guest complexation, with multiple guests complexed per host molecule at very low host concentrations, but less than one guest per host at higher concentrations.

Binding properties of 2-acetylnaphthalene with hydroxypropyl cyclodextrins from fluorescence quenching experiments

The quenching of 2-acetylnaphthalene (2-AN) fluorescence by hydroxypropyl cyclodextrins (HP-CD) has been analyzed using modified Stern-Volmer plots to obtain binding constants as a function of temperature for 2-AN:HP-CD complexes. The HP-CDs were commercially available and contained 4-7 HP groups per CD molecule for alpha-CD, beta-CD, and gamma-CD. HP substitution causes a 12 to over 40% increase in binding constant (K(ave)) for 2-AN compared to that for unsubstituted CDs, although the K(ave) value is not strongly dependent on the extent of HP substitution for beta-CD. No evidence of formation of a 2:2 complex, such as that observed with 2-AN and gamma-CD, is observed with 2-AN and HP-gamma-CD. Thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH degrees and DeltaS degrees ) suggest that the increase in K(ave) with HP substitution is due to an enlarged binding site for the HP-CDs that allows greater motional freedom for 2-AN. Comparison is made to the binding of 2-methylnaphthoate (2-MN) to CDs and HP-CDs, and the larger K(ave) values for 2-MN over 2-AN are attributed to greater dispersion forces for 2-MN complex formation.

Enhancement of the fluorescence and stability of o-phthalaldehyde-derived isoindoles of amino acids using hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin

Addition of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin to o-phthalaldehyde (OPA)-amino acid-thiol reaction mixtures is shown to cause significant enhancement of the fluorescence of the isoindole product for a wide range of amino acids, with the largest effects observed in the cases of glycine and lysine. The largest enhancement observed was a factor of 2.67 in the case of the derivative of glycine. This fluorescence enhancement is the result of the formation of a 1:1 host:guest inclusion complex between the isoindole and the cyclodextrin. Relatively small association constants of 44 and 130 M(-1) were obtained for the inclusion of the derivatives of glycine and lysine, respectively. Inclusion of the isoindole derivative into hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin was also found to result in a significant stabilization of the isoindole derivatives, contrary to what has been previously reported for inclusion into beta-cyclodextrin. For example, the lifetime of the lysine derivative was found to increase from 42 to 222 min, a factor of 5.3. These results have potential applications in fluorescence-based HPLC and high-performance capillary electrophoresis amino acid analysis methods using OPA derivation. Addition of hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin to the reaction mixture results in an increase in both the fluorescence and the stability of the isoindole product, providing potentially significant improvements to the method.

Applying non-parametric statistical methods to the classical measurements of inclusion complex binding constants

A study on using non-parametric statistical methods was carried out to calculate the binding constant of an inclusion complex and to estimate its associated uncertainty. First, a correct evaluation of the stoichiometry was carried out in order to ensure an accurate determination of the binding constant. For this purpose, the modified Benesi-Hildelbrand method had been previously applied. Then, four statistical methods (three non-parametric methods: two bootstrap approaches, the jackknife method and a parametric one: Fieller's theorem) were employed in order to compute the binding constant. The results obtained from applying these methods and the combination of the methods: jackknife after bootstrap and bootstrap after jackknife were compared. The best results in terms of accuracy were obtained from the application of a bootstrap method: the resampling residuals approach. These procedures were applied to the inclusion complex 2-hydroxil-propyl-beta-cyclodextrin-2,4-dichloro-phenoxyacetic, which shows photochemically-induced fluorescence.

Cyclodextrin-, UV-, and high pH-induced fluorescence enhancement of the pesticide azinphos-methyl: Applications to its trace analysis

Various methods for the enhancement of the fluorescence of the pesticide azinphos-methyl are reported. The addition of hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin was found to moderately enhance the fluorescence by a factor of three, presumably via inclusion of the pesticide into the cyclodextrin cavity. This complexation was found to occur with an association constant of 690 ± 140 M–1. This enhancement was found to be too low to be useful in a fluorescence-based analytical method for this pesticide. Exposure of azinphos-methyl to UV light was also found to result in enhanced fluorescence, with much larger enhancement than in the case of addition of cyclodextrins. This enhancement was presumed to occur via photolysis of azinphos-methyl to a more fluorescent photoproduct. However, the difficulty of providing a constant UV dosage prevents its useful application as a fluorescence-based analytical method. Finally, it was found that base hydrolysis of azinphos-methyl resulted in a very large fluorescence enhancement. Although this enhancement was previously reported in the literature, it was found that contrary to the published reports, the hydrolysis occurred rapidly at room temperature, with no need for carrying out the reaction at increased temperature. Fluorescence enhancements of a factor of 300 were obtained by simply adding the appropriate amount of an aqueous NaOH solution to the aqueous azinphos-methyl sample. This procedure was used as the basis of a simple fluorescence-based analytical method for azinphos-methyl in water, with excellent linear calibration curves obtained down to concentrations of 5 ppb.Key words: fluorescence spectroscopy, pesticides, azinphos-methyl, fluorescence enhancement, host–guest inclusion.

A fluorescent host-guest complex of cucurbituril in solution: a molecular Jack O'Lantern

Fluorescence enhancement of a probe molecule in solution by the container molecule cucurbituril (CB) is reported for the first time. The fluorescence of the probe 2-anilinonaphthalene-6-sulfonate (2,6-ANS) in aqueous Na2SO4 solution is found to increase by a maximum factor of 5.0 upon addition of cucurbituril. This fluorescence enhancement is the result of the formation of a host–guest inclusion complex, in which the guest 2,6-ANS is incorporated inside the cavity of the host, cucurbituril. Measurement of the enhancement as a function of cucurbituril concentration yielded a value of the equilibrium constant (K) of 52 ± 10 M–1. It is proposed that the mode of inclusion involves the phenyl group of the 2,6-ANS, because of the relatively small size of the cucurbituril cavity. It is further proposed that the observed enhancement is a result of loss of rotational mobility of the phenyl ring relative to the naphthyl fluorophore of 2,6-ANS upon inclusion of the phenyl ring. Since the name cucurbituril is derived from the Latin word for "pumpkin," this fluorescent host-guest complex is referred to as a "molecular Jack O'Lantern," with the 2,6-ANS serving as the candle.Key words: host–guest chemistry, fluorescence, cucurbituril, inclusion compounds.

Structure of the complex of beta-cyclodextrin with beta-naphthyloxyacetic acid in the solid state and in aqueous solution

The structure of the complex of beta-cyclodextrin (cyclomaltoheptaose) with beta-naphthyloxyacetic acid was studied in solid state by X-ray diffraction and in aqueous solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The complex crystallizes in the channel mode, space group C2, with a stoichiometry of 2:1; two beta-cyclodextrin molecules related by a twofold crystal axis form dimers, in the cavity of which one guest molecule is found on average. The above stoichiometry indicates one guest per beta-CD dimer statistically oriented over two positions or two guest molecules in pi-pi interactions in half of the beta-CD dimers and the rest of the beta-CD dimers empty. In addition, occupancy of 0.5 for the guest per every beta-CD dimer is in accord with the occupancy of the two disordered primary hydroxyls. These two hydroxyl groups, to which the carboxylic oxygen atoms of the guest are hydrogen bonded, point towards the interior of the beta-CD cavity. In aqueous solution, the 1H NMR spectroscopic study indicated that there is a mixture of complexes with host-guest stoichiometries both 1:1 and 2:1.

Method for the Quantitative Determination of 1-Naphthaleneacetic Acid in Spiked Canned Pineapple Samples by Micelle-Stabilized Room Temperature Phosphorescence

This paper presents a convenient method for the determination of 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) plant growth regulator in spiked canned pineapple samples by micellar-stabilized room temperature phosphorescence with sodium dodecyl sulfate as a micellar medium, thallium nitrate as an external heavy atom, and sodium sulfite as an oxygen scavenger. A multivariate optimization approach using the type of central composite blocked cube-star design was carried out. The analytical curve of NAA gives a linear dynamic range of 70-500 ng mL(-)(1) with a detection limit of 21 ng mL(-)(1) and precision of 2.37% (n = 7). A mean recovery value of 98.6% was obtained for 250 ng mL(-)(1) NAA in the pineapple samples.