Comparison of three stationary phases in the separation of polyphenyls by liquid chromatography.

We present herein new analytical protocols for the separation and structural elucidation of polyphenyls. Three commercially available chromatographic stationary phases are compared in the separation of these non-polar, unfunctionalized, positional isomers. Baseline separation of nine terphenyl and quaterphenyl isomers is achieved in under ten minutes using a rapid gradient elution HPLC method. Complete separation of these, and a further five polyphenyls, is demonstrated. We finally present a linear correlation between solvent accessible surface area and the retention times of these closely related compounds.

Observation of the de Vries behavior in SmA* phase of a liquid crystal using polarised Raman scattering and infrared spectroscopy.

Two approaches exist in the literature for describing the orientational distribution function (ODF) of the molecular directors in SmA* phase of liquid crystals, though several models are recently proposed in the literature for explaining the de Vries behaviour. These ODFs correspond to either the conventional unimodal arrangements of molecular directors arising from the mean field theory that leads to the broad or sugar-loaf like distribution or to the "diffuse-cone-shaped" type distribution proposed by de Vries. The hypothesis by de Vries provides for a realistic explanation as to how at a molecular level, a first-order SmA* to SmC* transition can occur where the uniform molecular director azimuthal distributions condense to values lying within a narrow range of angles; finally these condense to a single value while at the same time ensuring a little or no concomitant shrinkage in the layer spacing. The azimuthal distribution of the in-layer directors is probed using IR and polarized Raman spectroscopic techniques. The latter allows us to obtain the ODF and the various order parameters for the uniaxial and the biaxial phases. Based on the results of these measurements, we conclude that the "cone-shaped" (or volcano-shaped) de Vries type of distribution can most preferably describe SmA* where "a first-order phase transition from SmA* to SmC*" and a low layer shrinkage can both be easily explained.

Chiral smectic-A and smectic-C phases with de Vries characteristics.

Infrared and dielectric spectroscopic techniques are used to investigate the characteristics of two chiral smectics, namely, 1,1,3,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane 1-[4^{'}-(undecyl-1-oxy)-4-biphenyl(S,S)-2-chloro-3-methylpentanoate] (MSi_{3}MR_{11}) and tricarbosilane-hexyloxy-benzoic acid (S)-4'-(1-methyl-hexyloxy)-3'-nitro-biphenyl-4-yl ester (W599). The orientational features and the field dependencies of the apparent tilt angle and the dichroic ratio for homogeneous planar-aligned samples were calculated from the absorbance profiles obtained at different temperatures especially in the smectic-A* phase of these liquid crystals. The dichroic ratios of the C-C phenyl ring stretching vibrations were considered for the determination of the tilt angle at different temperatures and different voltages. The low values of the order parameter obtained with and without an electric field applied across the cell in the Sm-A^{*} phase for both smectics are consistent with the de Vries concept. The generalized Langevin-Debye model introduced in the literature for explaining the electro-optical response has been applied to the results from infrared spectroscopy. The results show that the dipole moment of the tilt-correlated domain diverges as the transition temperature from Sm-A^{*} to Sm-C^{*} is approached. The Debye-Langevin model is found to be extremely effective in confirming some of the conclusions of the de Vries chiral smectics and gives additional results on the order parameter and the dichroic ratio as a function of the field across the cell. Dielectric spectroscopy finds large dipolar fluctuations in the Sm-A^{*} phase for both compounds and again these confirm their de Vries behavior.

Phase behavior and characterization of heptamethyltrisiloxane-based de Vries smectic liquid crystal by electro-optics, x rays, and dielectric spectroscopy.

A heptamethyltrisiloxane liquid crystal (LC) exhibiting I-SmA^{*}-SmC^{*} phases has been characterized by calorimetry, polarizing microscopy, x-ray diffraction, electro-optics, and dielectric spectroscopy. Observations of a large electroclinic effect, a large increase in the birefringence (Δn) with electric field, a low shrinkage in the layer thickness (∼1.75%) at 20 °C below the SmA^{*}-SmC^{*} transition, and low values of the reduction factor (∼0.40) suggest that the SmA^{*} phase in this material is of the de Vries type. The reduction factor is a measure of the layer shrinkage in the SmC^{*} phase and it should be zero for an ideal de Vries. Moreover, a decrease in the magnitude of Δn with decreasing temperature indicates the presence of the temperature-dependent tilt angle in the SmA^{*} phase. The electro-optic behavior is explained by the generalized Langevin-Debye model as given by Shen et al. [Y. Shen et al., Phys. Rev. E 88, 062504 (2013)10.1103/PhysRevE.88.062504]. The soft-mode dielectric relaxation strength shows a critical behavior when the system goes from the SmA^{*} to the SmC^{*} phase.

Design and investigation of de Vries liquid crystals based on 5-phenyl-pyrimidine and (R,R)-2,3-epoxyhexoxy backbone.

Calamitic liquid crystals based on 5-phenyl-pyrimidine derivatives have been designed, synthesized, and characterized. The 5-phenyl pyrimidine core was functionalized with a chiral (R,R)-2,3-epoxyhexoxy chain on one side and either siloxane or perfluoro terminated chains on the opposite side. The one involving a perfluorinated chain shows SmA^{*} phase over a wide temperature range of 82 °C, whereas the siloxane analog exhibits both SmA^{*} and SmC^{*} phases over a broad range of temperatures, and a weak first-order SmA^{*}-SmC^{*} transition is observed. For the siloxane analog, the reduction factor for the layer shrinkage R (relative to its thickness at the SmA^{*}-SmC^{*} transition temperature, T_{AC}) is ∼0.373, and layer shrinkage is 1.7% at a temperature of 13 °C below the T_{AC}. This compound is considered to have "de Vries smectic" characteristics with the de Vries coefficient C_{deVries} of ∼0.86 on the scale of zero (maximum-layer shrinkage) to 1 (zero-layer shrinkage). A three-parameter mean-field model is introduced for the orientational distribution function (ODF) to reproduce the electro-optic properties. This model explains the experimental results and leads to the ODF, which exhibits a crossover from the sugar-loaf to diffuse-cone ODF some 3 °C above T_{AC}.

Detection of cis-trans isomers of a synthetic peptide fragment of erythropoietin.

The synthesis of the protected fragment t-butoxycarbonyl-alanine-isoleucine-serine(benzyl)-proline (Pro)-Pro-OH derived from the hormone erythropoietin is described. The analysis of the peptide by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) yields apparently inconsistent results. Although HPLC consistently indicates the presence of only one component, TLC reveals a number of distinct species. Because satisfactory amino acid analysis and fast atom bombardment-mass spectrometry results are obtained, we think it possible that the distinct components arise from the cis-trans isomerization of the peptide bonds to the prolyl residues. An analysis using capillary electrophoresis under basic conditions identifies four components in the final product. Also, under similar conditions proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy is able to confirm the presence of cis and trans isomers. The results from this study demonstrate the usefulness of each of the four techniques in identifying the isomerism of the standard amino acid-Pro bond with respect to the peptide's ionic state.

Triazolines--XXVII. delta2-1,2,3-triazoline anticonvulsants: novel 'built-in' heterocyclic prodrugs with a unique 'dual-action' mechanism for impairing excitatory amino acid L-glutamate neurotransmission.

The delta2-1,2,3-triazoline anticonvulsants (1) may be considered as representing a unique class of 'built-in' heterocyclic prodrugs where the active 'structure element' is an integral part of the ring system and can be identified only by a knowledge of their chemical reactivity and metabolism. Investigations on the metabolism and pharmacology of a lead triazoline, ADD17014 (1a), suggest that the triazolines function as 'prodrugs' and exert their anticonvulsant activity by impairing excitatory amino acid (EAA) L-glutamate (L-Glu) neurotransmission via a unique 'dual-action' mechanism. While an active beta-amino alcohol metabolite, 2a, from the parent prodrug acts as an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)/MK-801 receptor antagonist, the parent triazoline impairs the presynaptic release of L-Glu. Various pieces of theoretical reasoning and experimental evidence led to the elucidation of the dual-action mechanism. Based on the unique chemistry of the triazolines, the potential metabolic pathways and biotransformation products of 1a were predicted to be the beta-amino alcohols 2a and 2a', the alpha-amino acid 3a, the triazole 4a, the aziridine 5a, and the ketimine 6a. In vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies of 1a and potential metabolities, along with a full quantitative urinary metabolic profiling of 1a, indicated the beta-amino alcohol 2a as the active species. It was the only compound that inhibited the specific binding of [3H]MK-801 to the MK-801 site, 56% at 10 microM drug concentration, but itself had no anticonvulsant activity, suggesting 1a acted as a prodrug. Three metabolites were identified; 2a was the most predominant, with lesser amounts of 2a', and very minor amounts of aziridine 5a. Since only 5a can yield 2a', its formation indicated that the biotransformation of 1a occurred, at least in part, through 5a. No amino acid metabolite 3a was detected, which implied that no in vivo oxidation of 2a or oxidative biotransformation of 1a or 5a by hydroxylation at the methylene group occurred. While triazoline 1a significantly decreased Ca2(+)-dependent, K(+)-evoked L-Glu release (83% at 100 microM drug concentration), triazolines 1a-1c showed an augmentation of 50-63%, in the Cl- channel activity, a useful membrane action that reduces the excessive L-Glu release that occurs during epileptic seizures. The high anticonvulsant activity of 1a may be due to its unique dual-action mechanism whereby 1a and 2a together effectively impair both pre- and postsynaptic aspects of EAA neurotransmission, and has clinical potential in complex partial epilepsy which is refractory to currently available drugs.

Triazolines. XXI: Preformulation degradation kinetics and chemical stability of a novel triazoline anticonvulsant.

The effect of pH, temperature, and two buffer species (citric acid-phosphate and bicarbonate-carbonate) on the stability of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-delta 2-1,2,3-triazoline (ADD17014; 1), a novel triazoline anticonvulsant, was determined by HPLC. One of the main degradation products of 1 at pH 7.0 was isolated by TLC and identified as the aziridine derivative by MS. Investigations were carried out over a range of pH (2.2-10.7) and buffer concentration [ionic strength (mu), 0.25-4.18] at 23 degrees C. The degradation followed buffer-catalyzed, pseudo-first-order kinetics and was accelerated by a decrease in pH and an increase in temperature. The activation energy for the degradation in citric acid-phosphate buffer (pH 7.0 and constant ionic strength mu at 0.54) was 12.5 kcal/mol. General acid catalysis was observed at pH 7.0 in citric acid-phosphate buffer. The salt effect on the degradation obeyed the modified Debye-Hückel equation well; however, the observed charge product (ZAZB) value (2.69) deviated highly from the theoretical value (1.0), perhaps because of the high mu values (0.25-4.18) of the solutions used. The stability data will be useful in preformulation studies in the development of a stable, oral dosage form of 1.

Triazolines. XXIII. High-performance liquid chromatographic assay in rat blood for a novel triazoline anticonvulsant (ADD17014).

A sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for the analysis of 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-delta 2-1,2,3-triazoline (ADD17014, I), a novel anticonvulsant agent, in rat blood is described. Compound I and the internal standard (dipyridamole) were extracted into diethyl ether (5 ml) from alkalinised blood (0.25 ml of blood plus 0.75 ml of pH 10.7 buffer), with extractability nearing 100% under these conditions. The assay is based on reversed-phase HPLC (25 cm x 0.46 cm I.D. Spherisorb 5-ODS) using a mobile phase of methanol-acetonitrile-McIlvaine's citric acid-phosphate buffer (pH 8.0, 0.005 M) (30:30:40, v/v) and ultraviolet detection at 290 nm. Calibration curves were linear and reproducible (correlation coefficient greater than 0.999). Measurement of I in rat blood (250 microliters sample size) was linear in the range 0-40 microgram/ml and the coefficient of variation was less than 5%. The minimum detectable level was about 0.1 microgram/ml; however, a larger blood sample size (1-2 ml) allowed measurement of levels as low as 10 ng/ml, especially for estimation of drug levels in samples withdrawn at later time points (24 h).

Comparative pharmacokinetics of levonorgestrel and ethinyloestradiol following intravenous, oral and vaginal administration.

The plasma concentrations of levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinyloestradiol (EE2) have been measured in a random crossover study in five healthy female volunteers given a combination oral contraceptive tablet (250 micrograms LNG and 50 micrograms EE2) by the oral route and per vaginum and also receiving the same dose intravenously. The fractional bioavailability of LNG after oral administration was 1.00 +/- 0.16 (mean +/- S.D.) and after vaginal insertion 0.88 +/- 0.16. The time to peak (tmax) was significantly longer and the peak concentration (Cmax) significantly reduced following vaginal administration. The fractional bioavailability of EE2 after oral dosing was 0.62 +/- 0.11 and after vaginal insertion 0.74 +/- 0.16; tmax was prolonged, hence absorption was slower from the vagina. The reduced rate of absorption was evident in the differences seen in the area under the curve for early time periods for both steroids. However, overall bioavailability is not reduced for either steroid when a single tablet is inserted into the vagina.

The relative bioavailability of levonorgestrel and ethinylestradiol when administered in tablet and capsule form.

The relative bioavailability of levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinylestradiol (EE2) administered as a conventional tablet (150/30) or capsule has been assessed in a randomized two-period crossover study in 9 healthy volunteer women. Serum concentrations were monitored for 24h post-dosing. There was no significant difference in any of the pharmacokinetic parameters determined for either steroid. Hence the relative bioavailability is similar after tablet and capsule formulations.

PIP: 9 female volunteers, aged 18-38 years participated in this study contrasting the bioavailability of levonorgestrel (LNG) and ethinylestradiol (EE2). Each subject received a combination of LNG (150mcg) and EE2 (30mcg) in a soft gelatin capsule form and in tablet form, in random sequence on separate occasions in each of 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. Blood samples were drawn at 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 1, 1.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 24 hours, and measured by radioimmunoassay after clotting and serum. There was no significant difference in the kinetics of either steroid when data for capsule vs. tablet form were compared. LNG is almost completely bioavailable, while EE2 has a bioavailability of 50% with extensive presystemic metabolism occurring principally in the intestinal wall. However, this study demonstrates no significant improvement in the bioavailability when comparing a capsule with a tablet formulation. The capsule formulation therefore offered little potential for reducing the total steroid dose or maintaining a more constant blood level of contraceptive steroid.

Paracetamol interaction with oral contraceptive steroids: increased plasma concentrations of ethinyloestradiol.

The effect of a single dose of paracetamol (1 g) on plasma concentrations of the oral contraceptive steroids ethinyloestradiol (EE2) and levonorgestrel (LNG) has been studied in six healthy female volunteers. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC0-24) of EE2 was significantly increased following paracetamol administration by 22% (control 2221 +/- 291; following paracetamol, 2702 +/- 452 pg ml-1 h; mean +/- s.d.; P less than or equal to 0.05). The greatest effect was evident in the time period 0-3 h. There was a significant decrease in the AUC of EE2-sulphate after paracetamol (7736 +/- 3791 pg ml-1 h) compared with control (13161 +/- 4535 pg ml-1 h; P less than or equal to 0.05). Plasma concentrations of LNG were unaltered by concurrent paracetamol administration. We conclude that the administration of a single 1 g dose of paracetamol causes an increase in plasma concentrations of EE2 as a result of a reduction in the sulphation of the steroid. This interaction may be of clinical significance in women on oral contraceptive steroids who regularly take paracetamol.

PIP: The availability of the oral contraceptive steroids ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel in plasma after a single dose of 1 g paracetamol (acetaminophen) was quantitated. 6 women aged 21-24 who had been taking combined oral contraceptives for at least 3 months took a single dose of 1 g paracetamol, followed 1 hour later by a single dose of Ovran (50 mcg EE and 250 mch levonorgestrel) after an overnight fast. EE and levonorgestrel were radioimmunoassayed, and EE sulfate was determined by radioimmunoassay after incubation with sulfatase. In blood sampled over a 24 hour period, the area under the concentration curve for EE during the 1st 3 hours rose significantly after paracetamol (22%, p0.05). EE sulfate concentration was significantly lower (p0.05). There was no change in plasma concentration of levonorgestrel. The results suggest that paracetamol increases circulating EE by limiting available sulfation of the steroid.