Azulenesulfonium and azulenebis(sulfonium) salts:Formation by interrupted Pummerer reaction and subsequent derivatisation by nucleophiles

Azulenes undergo either single or dual SEAr reactions depending on the nature of the sulfur(IV) electrophile employed. These electrophiles are generated in situ from either sulfoxides or sulfides. The resultant cationic or dicationic azulene products can undergo further derivatisation by means of nucleophilic attack at the sulfonium α-carbon. In the case of cycloalkyl azulenylsulfonium salts, this leads to ring-opened azulenylsulfide products.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 665992 </p

A simple, azulene-based colorimetric probe for the detection of nitrite in water

We describe the synthesis and evaluation of an azulene-based chemodosimeter for nitrite. The probe was found to undergo two distinct color changes upon introduction of aqueous nitrite ion. A near-instant formation of a grey color provides a qualitative indication of the presence of nitrite, followed by the formation of a deep-yellow/ orange color, the endpoint from which quantitative data can be derived. The azulene probe exhibits 1:1 stoichiometry of reaction with nitrite in water, and is selective for nitrite over other anions. The azulene probe was applied to determine nitrite content in cured meat, and compared with the British Standard testing procedure (Griess test). The value obtained from the azulene-based probe agreed closely with the standard test. Our procedure only requires the preparation of one standard solution, instead of the three required for the standard Griess test.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 66599

Azulenes with aryl substituents bearing pentafluorosulfanyl groups:synthesis, spectroscopic and halochromic properties

Four regioisomeric azulenes bearing pentafluorosulfanylphenyl substituents have been prepared and characterised by various spectroscopic techniques. The absorption spectra are qualitatively similar in the visible region for all isomers, but upon protonation exhibit pronounced variation dependent on the connectivity within each molecule.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 665992 </p

Transparent conducting films made of different carbon nanotubes, processed carbon nanotubes, and graphene nanoribbons

Transparent conducting films (TCFs) are made of different single-walled (SW) or multi-walled (MW) carbon nanotubes (CNTs), some of them previously modified by chemical or physical processes. The TCFs are prepared by spray-coating of CNT surfactant dispersions over glass substrates. Among pristine CNTs, laser-grown SWCNTs lead to the lowest resistivity, even though good results can be achieved with other selected SW or MWCNTs. Ultracentrifugation of the SWCNT dispersions can be utilized for improving the characteristic SWCNT spectroscopic signals. Controlled oxidation, acid treatment, and covalent functionalization with aromatic organic groups can be applied to CNT solid powders without substantially increasing the resulting TCF resistivity. The oxidative transformation of arc-discharge MWCNTs into graphene nanoribbons relatively improves their TCF performance. The positive effects of TCF washing with water or oxidant acids are quantified for various SWCNT types. Red and green inks, enriched in metallic or semiconducting SWCNTs, are obtained by the gel-chromatographic method, all the fractions being useful for the preparation of TCFs. Thus, it is shown that different physical and chemical processes can be performed on CNTs before or after their deposition, demonstrating a great chemical versatility for CNT-TCFs.This work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry MINECO and the European Regional Development Fund under the projects TEC2010-15736, PRI-PIBAR-2011-1 and ENE2013-48816-C5-5-R, and the Government of Aragon and the European Social Fund (DGA-ESF-T66 Grupo Consolidado).Peer reviewe

Azulene–boronate esters: colorimetric indicators for fluoride in drinking water

Low cost andin situfluoride detection by non-experts is importantfor the determination of drinking water safety in developing countries.Colour reagents can provide results quickly without expensiveequipment, but colorimetric fluoride indicators are often non-specific, complex to use or do not work in water. Here we showthat azulene–boronate indicators respond selectively to fluoride atconcentrations relevant to the WHO limit of 1.5 mg L1

Azulene-based fluorescent chemosensor for adenosine diphosphate

AzuFluor® 435-DPA-Zn, an azulene fluorophore bearing two zinc(ii)-dipicolylamine receptor motifs, exhibits fluorescence enhancement in the presence of adenosine diphosphate. Selectivity for ADP over ATP, AMP and PPi results from appropriate positioning of the receptor motifs, since an isomeric sensor cannot discriminate between ADP and ATP.</p

Dolor irruptivo oncológico inducido por radioterapia: ¿es posible optimizar su tratamiento?

Introduction: In the context of radiotherapy, control of breakthrough cancer pain (BTPc) is particularly challenging. BTPc has been defined by the Spanish Society of Pain (SED), the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) and the Spanish Society for Palliative Care (SECPAL) as a sudden and transient exacerbation of pain of great intensity (VAS > 7) and short (less than 20-30 minutes), which appears on the basis of a stable persistent pain when it is reduced to a tolerable level (VAS 6 in the last 24-48 h. Controls were established at baseline and at 3, 7, 15 and 30 days. Results: There was a decrease in mean values ??on the VAS scale as the study progressed (VAS = 6 in the control 0 to VAS = 3 in the control 3) and the differences were significant (p 7) y de corta duración (inferior a 20-30 minutos), que aparece sobre la base de un dolor persistente estable cuando este se encuentra reducido a un nivel tolerable (EVA 6 en las últimas 24-48 h. Se establecieron controles en el momento basal, y a los 3, 7, 15 y 30 días. Resultados: se apreció un descenso en la media de los valores en la escala EVA según avanzó el estudio (EVA = 6 en el control 0 a EVA = 3 en el control 3), y las diferencias fueron significativas (p < 0,0001). La satisfacción con el tratamiento fue calificada como buena o excelente por el 85,3% de los pacientes y por el 92,7% de los investigadores. Conclusiones: los resultados de este estudio demuestran la eficacia del tratamiento del DIO con fentanilo sublingual en el contexto del tratamiento oncológico radioterápico, con un descenso significativo en los valores EVA frente al valor basal. La elevada satisfacción de los médicos y pacientes con este tratamiento refleja la eficacia y la comodidad del fentanilo sublingual en el control del DIO