Rapid Screening and Identification of Polar Constituents from Brazilian Arnica Lychnophora sp. by LC-UV/DAD-ESI-MS and LC-UV/DAD-ESI-MS/MS Analysis

This paper describes an analytical method for the rapid screening and identification of the phenolic constituents present in the polar extracts of different Lychnophora spp. using LC-UV/DAD-ESI-MS and LC-UV/DAD-ESI-MS/MS. Compounds were identified based on UV, retention time, MS experiments and MS/MS of precursor ion or standard. On-line phytochemical investigation of Lychnophora spp. allowed for the identification of flavonoids, chlorogenic acid derivatives and lactones. Some of the observed compounds were for the first time identified in Lychnophora species in a fast analytical procedure. The data obtained here may be helpful to the investigation of polar constituents from other Lychnophora species.     

Separation and Identification of Carotenoids in Flowers of Chelidonium majus L. and Inflorescences of Solidago canadensis L.

The current research project aimed at the carotenoid analysis of total extracts of the inflorescences of Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.), and the flowers of greater celandine (Chelidonium majus L.). The plant extracts were separated and analyzed by column liquid chromatography (CLC) and LC. Carotenoids were identified on the basis of their UV–Vis spectroscopic properties in different solvents, chemical reactions [5,6-epoxide → 5,8-epoxide (furanoid oxide rearrangement), (E/Z)-isomerization] and by co-chromatography with authentic reference samples. The parallel use of CLC and LC allowed the identification of numerous minor carotenoids in all extracts and fractions.     

Phylogenetic Analysis and Biological Evaluation of Marine Endophytic Fungi Derived from Red Sea Sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hyrtios erectus</Emphasis>

Forty-four endophytic fungal isolates obtained from marine sponge, Hyrtios erectus, were evaluated and screened for their hydrolase activities. Most of the isolates were found to be prolific producers of hydrolytic enzymes. Only 11 isolates exhibited maximum cellular contents of lipids, rhamnolipids, and protein in the fungal isolates under the isolation numbers MERVA5, MERVA22, MERVA25, MERVA29, MERVA32, MERVA34, MERV36, MERVA39, MERVA42, MERVA43, and MERVA44. These isolate extracts exhibit the highest reducing activities against carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes including α-amylase, α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase, and tyrosinase. Consequently, based on morphological and cultural criteria, as well as sequence information and phylogenetic analysis, these isolates could be identified and designated as Penicillium brevicombactum MERVA5, Arthrinium arundinis MERVA22, Diaporthe rudis MERVA25, Aspergillus versicolor MERVA29, Auxarthron alboluteum MERVA32, Dothiorella sarmentorum MERVA34, Lophiostoma sp. MERVA36, Fusarium oxysporum MERVA39, Penicillium chrysogenum MERVA42, Penicillium polonicum MERVA43, and Trichoderma harzianum MERVA44. The endophytic fungal species, D. rudis MERVA25, P. polonicum MERVA43, Lophiostoma sp. MERVA36, A. alboluteum MERVA32, T. harzianum MERVA44, F. oxysporum MERVA39, A. versicolor MERVA29, and P. chrysogenum MERVA42 extracts, showed significant hepatitis C virus (HCV) inhibition. Moreover, D. sarmentorum MERVA34, P. polonicum MERVA43, and T. harzianum MERVA44 extracts have the highest antitumor activity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2).     

Composition of essential oils of four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hedychium</Emphasis>species from Vietnam

Background

Vietnam is a country blessed with many medicinal plants widely used as food and for medicinal purposes, and they contain a host of active substances that contribute to health. However, the analysis of chemical constituents of these plant species has not been subject of literature discussion.

Results

In this study, the chemical compositions of essential oils of four Hedychium species, obtained by hydrodistillation, were determined by means of gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. Individually, α-pinene (52.5%) and β-pinene (31.8%) were present in the leaf oil of Hedychium stenopetalum Lodd., while linalool (45.2%), (E)-nerolidol (8.7%) and α-pinene (5.0%) were identified in the root. The leaf of Hedychium coronarium J. König was characterized by α-pinene (20.0%), linalool (15.8%), 1,8-cineole (10.7%), α-pinene (10.1%) and α-terpineol (8.6%); while α-pinene (23.6%), α-humulene (17.1%) and β-caryophyllene (13.0%) were identified in the root. Hedychium flavum Roxb., gave oil whose major compounds were α-pinene (22.5%), α-humulene (15.7%) and β-caryophyllene (10.4%) in the leaf; α-humulene (18.9%), β-caryophyllene (11.8%) and α-pinene (11.2%) in the stem, as well as α-pinene (21.8%), linalool (17.5%) and 1,8-cineole (13.5%) in the root. The main constituents of Hedychium ellipticum Buch.-Ham. ex Smith were (E)-nerolidol (15.9%), α-pinene (11.8%) and bornyl acetate (9.2%) in the leaf with 1,8-cineole (40.8%), α-pinene (18.3%) and α-pinene (11.0%) occurring in the root.

Conclusions

Ubiquitous monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were identified as characteristic markers for Hedychium species. This work is of great importance for the evaluation of Hedychium essential oils grown in Vietnam.

     

Structural and thermal characterization of copper(II) complexes with phenyl-2-pyridylketoxime and deposition of thin films by spin coating

Four copper(II) oxime complexes, [Cu(HPPK)(PPK)X] (HPPK = phenyl-2-pyridylketoxime and X = CI^? (I), CF₃COO^? (II), C₃F₇COO^? (III), and [Cu(PPK)₂]₂ (IV)), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy (IR), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD analysis revealed that I–III contain copper(II) coordinated by four nitrogen atoms from two oxime molecules in the basal plane and one monodentate anion X in the apical position of a distorted square pyramid. Complex IV is dimeric and it is formed by two Cu(PPK)₂ units. Bridges between these units are formed by the two oxygen atoms of the deprotonated oxime groups. Thermal stability of I–IV was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) in air and in nitrogen atmosphere, respectively. Evolved gaseous decomposition products were characterized by IR. I–IV decompose via multistep processes. Fluorocarbons and CO₂ were observed to be the most abundant gaseous species evolved. Preliminary ammonolysis experiments were performed to examine the possibility of using II and IV as precursors for the synthesis of copper nitride. Moreover, solutions of IV were spin-coated onto silicon substrates. Surface structure and morphology of the resulting films were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and layers with island-like distribution of material were observed.     

An efficient method for selective oxidation of (oxime)Pt(II) to (oxime)Pt(IV) species using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dichlorotosylamide

The oxidation of (oxime)Pt^II species using the electrophilic chlorine-based oxidant N,N-dichlorotosylamide (4-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂NCl₂) was studied. The reactions of trans-[PtCl₂(oxime)₂] (where oxime = acetoxime, cyclopentanone oxime, or acetaldoxime) with this oxidant led to trans-[PtCl₄(oxime)₂] products. The oxidation of trans-[Pt(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂] at room temperature gave trans-[PtCl₂(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂], whereas the same reaction upon heating was accompanied by electrophilic substitution of the benzene rings.     

HPLC Determination of Flavonoids in Hairy-Root Cultures of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scutellaria baicalensis</Emphasis> Georgi

A simple and sensitive liquid chromatographic method has been established for determination of the main flavonoid components of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Lamiaceae) roots and hairy-root cultures. Wogon, the dried root of the plant, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treatment of bronchitis, hepatitis, tumors, and inflammatory diseases. Lyophilized hairy roots were extracted with methanol. The crude extracts were purified by SPE on Supelco LC-8 cartridges. HPLC separations were performed on a Eurospher 100-C₈ reversed-phase column. The mobile phase was a gradient prepared from mixtures of acetonitrile and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Peaks were identified by addition of standards and/or by diode-array detection. Baicalein 7-O-glucuronide (baicalin), wogonin 7-O-glucuronide (wogonoside), baicalein, wogonin, and acteoside were determined by the external standard method at 280 nm. We found that the aglycon (baicalein and wogonin) content of the transformed roots was consistently higher than that of the intact root from Siberia.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Acylbenzonitriles: Synthesis and Heterocyclization under Acid Hydrolysis of the Cyano Group

2-Cyanobenzophenones were synthesized by reaction of 2-bromobenzophenones with copper(I) cyanide in DMF, and their transformations involving acid hydrolysis of the cyano group were studied. Reactions of o-benzoylbenzonitriles with trifluoroacetic acid in the presence or in the absence of sulfuric acid afforded 3-hydroxyphthalimidines in high yields. Under analogous conditions, benzonitriles having no acyl group in the ortho position were converted to the corresponding benzamides. 2-Cyanobenzophenones reacted with sulfuric acid in the absence of trifluoroacetic acid to give only substituted anthraquinones.     

Hydrogen complexes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-vinylacetoxime with trifluoroacetic acid

According to B3LYP/6-31G** calculations, the stable antiperi-, antiperiperiplanar and antiperi-, synperiperiplanar conformers of O-vinylacetoxime (1) form with trifluoroacetic acid strong H complexes of two types: with N···H-O and O···H-O hydrogen bonds. The former are more stable. Complexation changes N-O and C-O bond lengths in molecule 1, as well as mutual orientation of its vinyl and azomethine groups. The structural effect depends on the orientation of the H bond, which, in its turn, is determined by the nature of the electron-donor center. When the nitrogen atom of oxime 1 is involved in complex formation, the H bond lies in the molecular plane, whereas the H bond involving the oxygen atom is directed in parallel with its lone electron pair.     

Synthesis of dihydrocoumarin carbamate derivatives

The condensation at room temperature in the trifluoroacetic acid of para- and meta-hydroxy-substituted methylphenylcarbamate with cinnamic acids or their esters containing electron-donor substituents in the benzene ring yielded dihydrocoumarins with a carbamate function attached to C⁶ or C⁷. Under similar conditions the methyl(2-hydroxyphenyl)carbamate, cinnamic acids or their esters containing electron-acceptor substituents or electron-donor substituents in the ortho-position of the benzene ring are not involved into the condensation.     

Trifluoroacetylation of 3-methyl-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-1,2-diazaphenalenes of the naphthalene and acenaphthene series

Acylation of 3-methyl-1H-1,2-diazaphenalenes of the naphthalene and acenaphthene series with trifluoroacetic anhydride afforded the corresponding N- and C-trifluoroacetyl derivatives and dimerization products of 3-methyl-6-methoxy-1H-1,2-diazaphenalene.     

(Iodomethyl)fluorosilanes: Synthesis and Reactions

The methods of synthesis of bifunctional (iodomethyl)fluorosilanes of general formula ICH₂SiMe_nF_3–n (n = 0, 2) have been elaborated; the structure was proved by ¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The reaction of (iodomethyl)dimethylfluorosilane with O-trimethylsilyl derivative of N,N'-dimethylhydrazide of trifluoroacetic acid gives rise to the formation of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-6-(trifluoromethyl)-3,4-dihydro-2Н-1,4,5,2-oxadiasilin-4-ium iodide with tetracoordinate silicone atom.     

Dicarboxylic acids and hydroxy fatty acids in different species of fungi

Secondary metabolites of fungi can be responsible for allergies; therefore, the identification of compounds produced by these organisms is very important. Fungi produce large amounts of secondary metabolites, which belong to groups of chemicals such as: dicarboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, esters, fatty acids, sterols, amino acids and mycotoxins. The presence of all these compounds in human proximity contributes to many diseases. Therefore, the aim of the study was a qualitative and quantitative analysis of hydroxy and dicarboxylic acids produced by fungi occurring in student hostel in Poland, in the province of Pomerania. The following species of fungi were subjected to extraction: Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus candidus, Rhizopus sp., Geotrichum candidum, and Penicillium chrysogenum. A mixture of ethyl acetate and methanol was used for the extraction. The obtained extracts were further analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). In all samples of fungi, the presence of a total of 22 acids, including 13 dicarboxylic and 9 hydroxy acids, was confirmed. Most acids (17 different acids) were identified in A. fumigatus. Only 10 acids were identified in the mycelium of G. candidum and A. niger. Acids which were identified in all samples of the mycelium were 22-hydroxydocosanoic acid, 24-hydroxytetracosanoic acid and adipic acid. The most abundant compounds were 22-hydroxydocosanoic acid in A. fumigatus, A. candidus, Rhizopus sp., G. candidum and P. chrysogenum, and succinic acid in A. niger. More experiments are needed to understand the physiological role of hydroxy and dicarboxylic acids. We hope that our results are an important contribution to further studies on the human health.     

Synthesis of amino acid conjugates of glycyrrhizic acid using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxyphthalimide and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide

Synthesis of amino acid conjugates of glycyrrhizic acid with the use of N-hydroxyphthalimide, N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, and tert-butyl esters of L-amino acids (valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and methionine) was performed followed by deprotection with trifluoroacetic acid. The target amino acid conjugates were isolated by column chromatography on silica gel in 40–45% yield. The structure of the prepared compounds was confirmed by IR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Tautomerism of aza cycles: II. Synthesis and structure of 5-substituted 3-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-1,2,4-triazoles and their salts. Preference of the 1H,4<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-1,2,4-triazolium tautomers

New complexing agents, potentially tautomeric 3-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole, its 5-methyl-and 5-phenyl-substituted analogs, and some their salts, were synthesized, and their structure was discussed on the basis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR, and mass spectra, X-ray diffraction data, and published data. In keeping with the rule formulated previously for N-unsubstituted 1,2,4-triazoles having dissimilar substituents, the synthesized compounds were found to exist as 3-(2-hydroxyethylsulfanyl)-5-R-1H-1,2,4-triazole tautomers (3-R_A-5-R_D-1H-1,2,4-triazoly). They are protonated at the nitrogen atom in position 4 of the triazole ring. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of these compounds in trifluoroacetic acid suggest the presence of two forms due to equilibrium between the neutral and protonated species. Analysis of the crystallographic data for the triazolium salts and published data showed preference of the 1H,4H-1,2,4-triazolium tautomer.     

Separation and Quantification of Enkephalin and Vasopressin Related Peptides in Reversed-Phase Capillary Liquid Chromatography

A method for determination of some biologically active penta- and nona-peptides under isocratic conditions in capillary liquid chromatography was developed. Separation system consisting of XTerra C18 stationary phase and mobile phase composed of a mixture of acetonitrile with 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and water with 0.1% TFA in the ratios 75/25 (v/v) and 85/15 (v/v) was suitable not only for a good resolution of enkephalin and vasopressin related peptides, respectively, but it also enabled separation of the respective biopeptides from other constituents of human urine. Calibration curves for the studied peptides were linear in the measured concentration range from 1.00 to 1.57×10^?2 mg mL^?1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were in the range of units of μg mL^?1 and tens of μg mL^?1, respectively; slightly higher values were obtained for nonapeptides. Determination of certain biologically active peptides in urine can serve in future as a tool for diagnosis of various diseases, e.g. autism.     

Rapid Characterization of Constituents in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tribulus terrestris</Emphasis> from Different Habitats by UHPLC/Q-TOF MS

A strategy for rapid identification of the chemical constituents from crude extracts of Tribulus terrestris was proposed using an informatics platform for the UHPLC/Q-TOF MS^E data analyses. This strategy mainly utilizes neutral losses, characteristic fragments, and in-house library to rapidly identify the structure of the compounds. With this strategy, rapid characterization of the chemical components of T. terrestris from Beijing, China was successfully achieved. A total of 82 steroidal saponins and nine flavonoids were identified or tentatively identified from T. terrestris. Among them, 15 new components were deduced based on retention times and characteristic MS fragmentation patterns. Furthermore, the chemical components of T. terrestris, including the other two samples from Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region, China, and Rome, Italy, were also identified with this strategy. Altogether, 141 chemical components were identified from these three samples, of which 39 components were identified or tentatively identified as new compounds, including 35 groups of isomers. It demonstrated that this strategy provided an efficient protocol for the rapid identification of chemical constituents in complex samples such as traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) by UHPLC/Q-TOF MS^E with informatics platform.

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Graphical Abstract ?

     

Synthesis of Cu(II) and Mn(III) Complexes Involving Derivatives of Pyridine

Two complexes with derivatives of pyridine as ligands were synthesized and characterized. From the reaction of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde oxime with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O afforded the complex C₂₀H₃₀N₆O₁₂Cu₃ (I), and the use of 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid with anhydrous MnCl₂ · 4H₂O led to the formation of another complex C₁₂H₁₄N₂OCl₂Mn (II). They were characterized by X-ray diffraction (CIF files CCDC nos. 568718 (I) and 1568880 (II)), NMR, IR and elemental analysis. For I: terigonal, space group R\(\bar 3\)/H, a = 42.548(3), c = 10.2774(9) Å, V = 16113(2) ų, Z = 18, ρ_calcd = 1.367 Mg/m³, the final R factor was R₁ = 0.0945, 6662 for reflections were observed with I > 2σ(I), wR = 0.162 for all data. For II: triclinic, Pī, a = 5.6174(9), b = 7.7259(13), c = 9.7160(16) Å, α = 70.444(3)°, β = 88.009(3)°, γ = 89.818(3)°, V = 397.09(11) ų, Z = 1, ρ_calcd = 1.840 Mg/m³, the final R factor was R₁ = 0.0281, 4280 for reflections were observed with I > 2σ(I), wR = 0.0775 for all data.     

Reaction of 1-hydrohexafluoroisobutenyloxytrimethylsilane with fluoride ion sources. 2,2,2’,2’-Tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)divinyl ether

The reaction of 1-hydrohexafluoroisobutenyloxytrimethylsilane (2a) with cesium fluoride in diglyme leads to elimination of trimethylfluorosilane to form the 1-hydrohexafluoroisobutenolate anion (3), which is silylated with trialkylchlorosilanes at the oxygen atom. In the presence of bis(trifluoromethyl)ketene N,N,O-trimethylaminoacetal or N-(α,α-difluoroalkyl)-dialkylamines, silane 2a is transformed into 2,2,2’,2’-tetrakis(trifluoromethyl)divinyl ether. The reaction of trifluoroacetic anhydride with N-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl)diethylamine affords trifluoroacetyl fluoride in quantitative yield.     

Mitigating Complexity: Cohesion Parameters and Related Topics. I: The Hildebrand Solubility Parameter

The objective of this review in two parts is to present a compact overview of the development of the solubility parameter \(\left( {\delta_{i} } \right)\) concept: from the seminal work of van Laar in 1910, to the contributions of Scatchard, Hildebrand, Scott and Prausnitz, leading finally to the generalized multi-component (multi-dimensional) cohesion parameters, with the Hansen solubility parameter being the most prominent representative. In this first part, physico-chemical aspects concerning \(\delta_{i}\)-related models in solution chemistry and chemical engineering will be presented, and recent theoretical efforts in this field, that is, equation-of-state approaches and computer simulation methods for the estimation of solubility parameters, will be indicated. Indeed, prediction of thermodynamic properties of liquid nonelectrolyte solutions from properties of the corresponding pure constituents has come a long way since the classic studies by Hildebrand and by Scatchard leading to regular solution theory (RST), in which the solubility parameter is the property of central importance. Selected aspects of RST will be discussed, including the influence of T and of P on \(\delta_{i}\) and their reliable estimation, thereby clearing up misconceptions and pointing out pitfalls not generally recognized. Extending the dicussion to supercritical conditions, the use of solubility parameters in supercritical fluid (SCF) technologies will be indicated, focusing on practical implications of some of the unique phenomena happening in the near supercritical region, which provide the basis of SCF extraction in industries devoted to food-processing, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.