Dye-sensitized solar cells with carboxylate-derivatized {Cu(I)L(2)} complexes are surprisingly efficient and offer a long-term alternative approach to ruthenium-functionalized systems.

Synthetic approaches to 6,6'-disubstituted-2,2'-bipyridine ligands bearing carboxylic acid substituents at the 4,4' or 5,5'-positions are described. Copper(I) complexes with these ligands have been prepared for use in copper-based dye-sensitized solar cells. The single-crystal structures of 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (H(2)4), [H(3)6][CF3CO2].2CF3CO2H (H(2)6 = 6,6'-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid) and 4[Cu(H(2)2)(H2)].3H2O (H(2)2 = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine-5,5'-dicarboxylic acid) are described, as well as those of the intermediates (1E,5E)-1,6-di(2-furyl)hexa-1,5-diene-3,4-dione and 4,4'-di(2-furyl)-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine (3), and the copper(I) complex [Cu(3)(2)][PF6]. The roles that classical and non-classical hydrogen bonding and pi-stacking interactions play in determining the solid-state packing in these structures are discussed. Preliminary studies of DSCs with these complexes are reported.

The range of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) including phenethylamines, cathinones, piperazines, tryptamines, etc. is continuously growing. Therefore, fast and reliable screening methods for these compounds are essential and needed. The use of dried blood spots (DBS) for a fast straightforward approach helps to simplify and shorten sample preparation significantly. DBS were produced from 10 µl of whole blood and extracted offline with 500 µl methanol followed by evaporation and reconstitution in mobile phase. Reversed-phase chromatographic separation and mass spectrometric detection (RP-LC-MS/MS) was achieved within a run time of 10 min. The screening method was validated by evaluating the following parameters: limit of detection (LOD), matrix effect, selectivity and specificity, extraction efficiency, and short-term and long-term stability. Furthermore, the method was applied to authentic samples and results were compared with those obtained with a validated whole blood method used for routine analysis of NPS. LOD was between 1 and 10 ng/ml. No interference from matrix compounds was observed. The method was proven to be specific and selective for the analytes, although with limitations for 3-FMC/flephedrone and MDDMA/MDEA. Mean extraction efficiency was 84.6 %. All substances were stable in DBS for at least a week when cooled. Cooling was essential for the stability of cathinones. Prepared samples were stable for at least 3 days. Comparison to the validated whole blood method yielded similar results. DBS were shown to be useful in developing a rapid screening method for NPS with simplified sample preparation.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is considered as specific biomarker of alcohol consumption. Due to accumulation after repeated drinking, PEth is suitable to monitor long-term drinking behavior. To examine the applicability of PEth in "driving under the influence of alcohol" cases, 142 blood samples with blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) ranging from 0.0-3.12‰ were analyzed for the presence of PEth homologues 16:0/18:1 (889 ± 878 ng/mL; range

A novel method is presented for the unambiguous identification and quantification of 56 NPS in blood and urine samples in clinical and forensic cases, e.g., intoxications or driving under the influence of drugs.