Comparison of enantiomer separation on two chiral stationary phases derived from (+)-18-crown-6-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid of the same chiral selector

Liquid chromatographic comparisons for enantiomer resolution of α-amino acids and chiral primary amino compounds were made using chiral stationary phases (CSPs) prepared by covalently bonding (+)-(18-crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid (18-C-6-TA) of the same chiral selector. The resolution of all α-amino acids on CSP 1 developed in our group was found to be better than that on CSP 2 reported by Machida et al. All α-amino acids examined in this study were well enantioseparated on CSP 1 (α=1.22–2.47), while four analytes were not resolved or all the other analytes were poorly resolved on CSP 2 than on CSP 1. However, in resolving the primary amino compounds without a carbonyl group, CSP 1 was comparable with CSP 2. Although (+)-18-C-6-TA of the same chiral selector was used to prepare CSP 1 and CSP 2, this study showed that different connecting methods for the CSPs might influence their ability to resolve the analytes depending on their structures related to the chiral recognition mechanism.     

Application of Cyclodextrins to the Extraction of Antioxidant Compounds from Olive Oil

Olive oil contains powerful antioxidant compounds which impart stability, contribute to various properties of it, and are valuable from the nutritional point of view. Their extraction with as mild conditions as possible led to its investigation using cyclodextrins as a tool. The inclusion ability of α-, β-, and γ-CD was estimated, and it has been demonstrated that the small cavity of α-CD as well as the wide one of γ-CD could enclose less effectively the antioxidant compounds of olive oil than the intermediate in shape cavity of β-CD. The highest yields of antioxidant compounds were achieved when olive oil was mixed with a 2%aqueous solution of β-CD and the resulting precipitate was treated with ethyl alcohol.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 18–21, January–February, 2005.     

Isotachophoretic determination of stability constants of Ho and Y complexes with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid and 1,4,7,10-tetraazadodecane-N,N′,N″,N-tetraacetic acid

The method of capillary isotachophoresis with conductivity detection was applied for the determination of the physico-chemical characteristics (conditional stability constants log β′) of holmium and yttrium complexes with DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) and DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazadodecane-N,N′,N″,N-tetraacetic acid). The log β′ determination is based on the linear relation between the stability constants of lanthanide–DTPA (lanthanide–DOTA) complexes and the reduction of the zone of the complex owing to the bleeding phenomena (liberating free metal ion). The stability constants calculated using this relationship are comparable with the literary data obtained by other methods for both holmium (log β′_Ho–DTPA=21.9, log β′_Ho–DOTA=24.5) and yttrium complexes (log β′_Y–DTPA=21.2, log β′_Y–DOTA=24.4). Capillary isotachophoresis was applied for the determination of the optimum composition of the reaction mixture (metal:ligand ratio) as well.     

Arjunolic Acid Derivative Glycoside from the Stems of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hedera colchica</Emphasis>

Five triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the stems of Hedera colchica K. Koch (Araliaceae). Two of them are new natural substances. HCS-A (1): 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside, 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-arjunolic acid. HCSt-B (2):3-O-β-D-xylopyranoside, 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-hederagenin. A derivative of arjunolic acid is described for the first time in the Araliaceae family. The chemical structures of isolated compounds were established on the basis of chemical and 1D and 2D NMR experiments.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 39–41, January–February, 2005.     

Thermal behaviour of anhydrous, dihydrate and (2/1) ethanol forms of 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol

The melting points of anhydrous 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol, 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol dihydrate and a new compound, 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol-ethanol (2/1) were determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The melting onset values were 169.2 (3), 104.3 (18) and 158.7 (9), respectively, and the melting peak values were 171.4 (5), 107.9 (15) and 160.1 (6), respectively. 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol dihydrate and 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol-ethanol (2/1) decompose to anhydrous form when heated at slow heating rates.According to TG-FTIR measurements, 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol-ethanol (2/1) lost its ethanol in the 110–190°C range, and 1-O-α- -glucopyranosyl- -mannitol dihydrate lost its crystal water in the 60–210°C range. After removal of ethanol and crystal water, both decomposed in air totally as carbohydrates usually do, forming lower hydrocarbons with OH-groups, CO₂ and H₂O.     

Acetalization of glycerol using mesoporous MoO3/SiO2 solid acid catalyst

Acetalization of glycerol with various aldehydes has been carried out using mesoporous MoO₃/SiO₂ as a solid acid catalyst. A series of MoO₃/SiO₂ catalysts with varying MoO₃ loadings (1–20 mol%) were prepared by sol–gel technique using ethyl silicate-40 and ammonium heptamolybdate as silica and molybdenum source respectively. The sol–gel derived samples were calcined at 500 °C and characterized using various physicochemical characterization techniques. The XRD of the calcined samples showed the formation of amorphous phase up to 10 mol% MoO₃ loading and at higher loading of crystalline α-MoO₃ on amorphous silica support. TEM analyses of the materials showed the uniform distribution of MoO₃ nanoparticles on amorphous silica support. Raman spectroscopy showed the formation of silicomolybdic acid at low Mo loading and a mixture of α-MoO₃ and polymolybdate species at high Mo loadings. Moreover the Raman spectra of intermediate loading samples also suggest the presence of β-MoO₃. Acetalization of glycerol with benzaldehyde was carried out using series of MoO₃/SiO₂ catalysts with varying MoO₃ loadings (1–20 mol%). Among the series, MoO₃/SiO₂ with 20 mol% MoO₃ loadings was found to be the most active catalyst in acetalization under mild conditions. Maximum conversion of benzaldehyde (72%) was obtained in 8 h at 100 °C with 60% selectivity for the six-membered acetal using 20% MoO₃/SiO₂. Interestingly with substituted benzaldehydes under same reaction conditions the conversion of aldehydes decreased with increase in selectivity for six-membered acetals. These results indicate the potential of this catalyst for the acetalization of glycerol for an environmentally benign process.     

Effect of a hydroxyl group in an anthracene-labelled pyridine amide receptor in molecular recognition of α-keto and hydroxy monocarboxylic acids

To ascertain the role of a hydroxyl group in carboxylic acid recognition, anthracene-labelled pyridine amide sensor 1 was designed and synthesized. The sensor functions as an ‘off–on’ fluorescence switch for α-keto and hydroxy acids. The binding properties were studied using ¹H NMR, fluorescence and UV–vis spectroscopic methods. Sensor 1 is selective for pyruvic acid.     

Knoevenagel condensation of α,βunsaturated aromatic aldehydes with barbituric acid under non-catalytic and solvent-free conditions

An efficient route for the synthesis of 5-(arylpropenylidine)-2,4,6-pyrimidinetrione 3 from an appropriateα,β-unsaturated aromatic aldehydes 1 and barbituric acid 2 under both non-catalytic and solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions was described.In this way,a range of biologically important compounds 3 was obtained in good to excellent yields (86-98%) in a very short reaction time (30-80s).     

Vibronic interactions in {6} and {18}hetero(A,B)annulenes

The vibronic (vibrational–electronic) interactions and the Jahn–Teller effects in the monoanions and trianions of {6}hetero(B,N), (C,N), and (B,O)annulenes and {18}hetero(B,N), (C,N), and (B,O)annulenes are discussed. All the heteroannulenes have threefold axis of symmetry and the twofold degenerate lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMOs), and the E^′ or E vibrational modes can cause Jahn–Teller distortions in their monoanions and trianions. State vibronic coupling constants of the monoanions and trianions and orbital vibronic coupling constants concerning the LUMOs are calculated for each Jahn–Teller active vibrational mode at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. Vibrational modes near 1500 cm⁻¹ of the {6}hetero(A,B)annulenes and low-frequency modes (<500 cm⁻¹) of the {18}hetero(A,B)annulenes give large coupling constants, and therefore, these modes are essential in the Jahn–Teller distortions and the vibronic interactions. The coupling constants are qualitatively analyzed by looking at the nuclear motions of the Jahn–Teller active modes and the shapes of the LUMOs on the basis of one-electron approximation.     

Catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid imidazolides and amides by lanthanide–BINOL complexes

Highly enantioselective catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid imidazolides and simple amides was developed. In the presence of 5–10 mol% of lanthanide–BINOL complexes, the reaction proceeded smoothly with high substrate generality. In particular, in the cases of α,β-unsaturated amides, there was nearly perfect enantioselectivity (>99% ee). The corresponding epoxides were successfully transformed into many types of useful chiral compounds such as α,β-epoxy esters, α,β-epoxy amides, α,β-epoxy aldehydes, α,β-epoxy β-keto ester, and α- and β-hydroxy carbonyl compounds. B3LYP density functional studies were performed to predict substrate reactivity.     

Comparison of Different Sorbents for Solid-Phase Extraction of Phenoxyalkanoic Acid Herbicides

An HPLC procedure for determination of phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in water samples is proposed. The analytical column Phenomenex C18(2) Luna 5 µm and UV detection at 225 nm were applied. Baseline resolution was achieved in isocratic mode with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile/acetic acid (40/60, v/v), adjusted to pH 2.5. SPE sorbents – C₁₈ BondElut, phenyl-silica, LiChrolut SAX and polymeric sorbents – were compared for isolation and preconcentration of 6 phenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides. Higher (above 95%) and more reproducible recoveries were obtained with polymeric and phenyl-silica sorbents using pure methanol for elution. The method was tested for river water samples with the limit of detection in the range of 2–3 µg L⁻¹ (for 50 mL sample) and a reproducibility of 5% RSD.     

Simultaneous determination of gibberellic acid, indole-3-acetic acid and abscisic acid in wheat extracts by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method was developed for simultaneous determination of three representative phytohormones in plant samples: gibberellic acid (GA₃), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and abscisic acid (ABA). A solid-phase extraction (SPE) pretreatment method was used to concentrate and purify the three phytohormones of different groups from plant samples. The separation was carried out on a C₁₈ reversed-phase column, using methanol/water containing 0.2% formic acid (50:50, v/v) as the isocratic mobile phase at the flow-rate of 1.0 mL min⁻¹, and the three phytohormones were eluted within 7 min. A linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source was operated in negative ion mode. Selective reaction monitoring (SRM) was employed for quantitative measurement. The SRM transitions monitored were as 345 → 239, 301 for GA₃, 174 → 130 for IAA and 263 → 153, 219 for ABA. Good linearities were found within the ranges of 5–200 μg mL⁻¹ for IAA and 0.005–10 μg mL⁻¹ for ABA and GA₃. Their detection limits based on a signal-to-noise ratio of three were 0.005 μg mL⁻¹, 2.2 μg mL⁻¹ and 0.003 μg mL⁻¹ for GA₃, IAA and ABA, respectively. Good recoveries from 95.5% to 102.4% for the three phytohormones were obtained. The results demonstrated that the SPE-LC–MS/MS method developed is highly effective for analyzing trace amounts of the three phytohormones in plant samples.     

Thermally induced early events of ribonuclease A under reducing conditions: Evidenced by principal component analysis and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy

The thermally induced unfolding of ribonuclease A in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol has been followed by fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with two-dimensional (2D) infrared correlation spectroscopy has been employed as an attractive method for the investigation of subtle pretransitional conformational changes in the protein. Separate analyses of different stages indicated that, in stage I the change of β1(43–49) and α2(24–34) might be the main process; in stage II, β1 was further unfolded, changes of α1(3–13) and another species of β2(61–63) and β4(79–87) involved. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of the power spectra extracted from the synchronous 2D contour maps revealed that the intensity variations from pretransitional stages (below 47 °C) were 5% less than that for the main unfolding. Meanwhile, under reducing conditions the early subtle structural changes occurred in a non-cooperative manner, in contrast to what was found under non-reducing conditions.     

Dilactone Formation by Chromic Anhydride Oxidation of the Germacranolide Stizolicin

The sidechain of the germacranolide stizolicin was oxidized by CrO₃ in Py to form a lactone. The structure of the product was established as 4,5α-epoxy-7α,5,6,8β(H)-germacr-1(10),11(13)-dien-8α (3′-oxo-2′,5′-dihydrofuran-3′-carboxylyl)-12,6-olide using spectral data.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 117–118, March–April, 2005.     

Triterpene Glycosides from Kalopanax septemlobum. III. Glycosides D2, I1, and K1 from Leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowiczii Introduced in Crimea

The new caffeylated triterpene glycosides hederagenin 3-O-(6-O-caffeyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)-(1→4)-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-β-L-arabinopyranoside and its 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl and 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl esters were isolated from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowiczii introduced in Crimea. The structures of these compounds were established using chemical methods and NMR spectroscopy.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 263–267, May–June, 2005.     

Triterpene Glycosides from Kalopanax septemlobum. 1. Glycosides A, B, C, F, G1, G2, I2, H, and J from Leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. Maximowichii Introduced to Crimea

Eight known glycosides of hederagenin and the new triterpene glycoside 3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester of hederagenin were isolated by chromatographic methods from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowichii introduced to Crimea. The known 3-O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester of hederagenin was observed for the first time in Kalopanax septemlobum.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 156–159, March–April, 2005.     

Adsorption mechanism of Cu from aqueous solution by chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with α-ketoglutaric acid

In order to better understand the adsorption mechanism of chitosan-coated magnetic nanoparticles modified with α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KA-CCMNPs), the removal of Cu²⁺ by α-KA-CCMNPs from aqueous solution was investigated in a batch system at 18, 35 and 50 °C. Different experimental approaches were applied to show mechanistic aspects, such as adsorption isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics studies. Adsorption equilibrium studies showed that Cu²⁺ adsorption followed Langmuir model. The kinetics of the interactions was best described by pseudo-second-order mechanism. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) analysis predicted that the adsorption process was strongly dependent on temperature of medium, and spontaneous and endothermic process. The XPS combined with FT-IR spectra revealed that N atom of –NH– group and O atom of carboxyl group in α-KA-CCMNPs coordinated with Cu²⁺. Experimental results from this study provide data that would be required if this heavy metal adsorption system was to be “scaled up” for industrial application.     

Differential Effects of Ruminant and Industrial 18-Carbon trans-Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (trans Vaccenic and Elaidic) on the Inflammatory Responses of an Endothelial Cell Line

Endothelial dysfunction and inflammation are recognised factors in the development of atherosclerosis. Evidence suggests that intake of industrial trans fatty acids (TFAs) promotes endothelial dysfunction, while ruminant TFAs may have the opposite effect. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of elaidic acid (EA (18:1n-9t); an industrially produced TFA) and trans vaccenic acid (TVA (18:1n-7t); a natural TFA found in ruminant milk and meat) on inflammatory responses of endothelial cells (ECs). ECs (EA.hy926 cells) were cultured under standard conditions and exposed to TFAs (1 to 50 μM) for 48 h. Then, the cells were cultured for a further 6 or 24 h with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, 1 ng/mL) as an inflammatory stimulant. ECs remained viable after treatments. TFAs were incorporated into ECs in a dose-dependent manner. Preincubation with EA (50 µM) increased production of MCP-1, RANTES, and IL-8 in response to TNF-α, while preincubation with TVA (1 µM) decreased production of ICAM-1 and RANTES in response to TNF-α. Preincubation with EA (50 µM) upregulated toll-like receptor 4 and cyclooxygenase 2 gene expression in response to TNF-α. In contrast, preincubation with TVA (1 µM) downregulated TNF-α induced nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1 gene expression. Preincubation of ECs with EA (50 µM) increased THP-1 monocyte adhesion. In contrast, preincubation of ECs with TVA (1 µM) reduced THP-1 monocyte adhesion, while preincubation of ECs with TVA (50 µM) decreased the level of surface expression of ICAM-1 seen following TNF-α stimulation. The results suggest that TVA has some anti-inflammatory properties, while EA enhances the response to an inflammatory stimulus. These findings suggest differential effects induced by the TFAs tested, fitting with the idea that industrial TFAs and ruminant TFAs can have different and perhaps opposing biological actions in an inflammatory context.     

Triterpene Glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalopanax septemlobum</Emphasis>. II. Glycosides E,K, and L from Leaves of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Kalopanax septemlobum</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">maximowiczii</Emphasis> Introduced to Crimea

The known hederagenin 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→ 3)-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (sapindoside C) and its 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl and 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-O-6-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl esters, new triterpene glycosides, were isolated from leaves of Kalopanax septemlobum var. maximowiczii introduced to Crimea. The structures of these compounds were established using chemical methods and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 260–262, May–June, 2005.     

Investigation of the interactions between ginsenosides and amino acids by mass spectrometry and theoretical chemistry

In order to evaluate the essence of the interactions of ginsenosides and proteins which are composed by α-amino acids, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was employed to study the noncovalent interactions between ginsenosides (Rb₂, Rb₃, Re, Rg₁ and Rh₁) and 18 kinds of α-amino acids (Asp, Glu, Asn, Phe, Gln, Thr, Ser, Met, Trp, Val, Gly, Ile, Ala, Leu, Pro, His, Lys and Arg). The 1:1 and 2:1 noncovalent complexes of ginsenosides and amino acids were observed in the mass spectra. The dissociation constants for the noncovalent complexes were directly calculated based on peak intensities of ginsenosides and the noncovalent complexes in the mass spectra. Based on the dissociation constants, it can be concluded that the acidic and the basic amino acids, Asp, Glu, Lys and Arg, bound to ginsenosides more strongly than other amino acids. The experimental results were verified by theoretical calculations of parameters of noncovalent interaction between ginsenoside Re and Arg which served as a representative example. Two kinds of binding forms, “head–tail” (“H–T”) and “head–head” (“H–H”), were proposed to explain the interaction between ginsenosides and amino acids. And the interaction in “H–T” form was stronger than that in “H–H” form.