Biological activities of α-pinene and β-pinene enantiomers

The antimicrobial activities of the isomers and enantiomers of pinene were evaluated against bacterial and fungal cells. The agar diffusion test showed that only the positive enantiomers of the α- and β-isomers of pinene were active. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) of these monoterpenes were also determined, confirming that the positive enantiomers exhibited microbicidal activity against all fungi and bacteria tested with MICs ranging from 117 to 4,150 μg/mL. However, no antimicrobial activity was detected with the negative enantiomers up to 20 mg/mL. Time-kill curves showed that (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene were highly toxic to Candida albicans, killing 100% of inoculum within 60 min. By contrast, the bactericidal effect occurred after 6 h in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In combination with commercial antimicrobials, ciprofloxacin plus (+)-α-pinene or (+)-β-pinene presented synergistic activity against MRSA whereas an indifferent effect against all fungi was detected when amphotericin B was combined with the positive enantiomers of pinene. The potential of (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene to inhibit phospholipase and esterase activities was also evaluated, and the best inhibition results were obtained with Cryptococcus neoformans. C. albicans biofilm formation was prevented with the MIC concentration of (+)-α-pinene and twice the MIC value of (+)-β-pinene. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the positive enantiomers of pinene to murine macrophages was evaluated, and 250 μg/mL of (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene reduced the cell viability to 66.8% and 57.7%, respectively.     

Reactions of 3-carene, limonene, and α-pinene nitrosochlorides with imidazole, benzotriazole, and indole

The reactions of terpene nitrosochlorides derived from 3-carene, ??-pinene, and limonene, with simplest azaheterocycles (imidazole, benzotriazole, and indole) were studied. On the base of these transformations, preparative procedures to access chiral oximes bearing azaheterocyclic moieties in the ??-position to the oxime fragment, namely, ??-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)-, ??-(1H-benzo-[d][1,2,3]triazol-1-yl)-, and ??-(1H-indol-3-yl)-substituted terpenic oximes, were developed. Transformations of the studied monoterpene nitrosochlorides into ??-substituted oximes proceeded stereoselectively to give in the moderate yields (30?C60%) the only stereoisomer arising from the attack of the heterocyclic anion from the less hindered side of the intermediate nitroso olefin generated in situ from nitrosochloride.     

Hydration of α-pinene catalyzed by acid clays

The hydration reaction of α-pinene in the presence of natural clays treated with monochloroacetic acid as catalyst to obtain oxygenated compounds was studied. Catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, programmed thermal desorption of adsorbed pyridine, and infrared spectroscopic analysis of adsorbed pyridine to determine Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. Catalytic tests revealed that treatment of the natural clay with the acid improved the catalytic activity and the selectivity toward oxygenated products by increasing the acidity of the catalyst. The selectivity toward oxygenated compounds increased with the augment of the α-pinene conversion because of greater contact between water molecules with the remaining α-pinene molecules. The natural clay without treatment produced compounds resulting from α-pinene isomerization, whereas the treated clays produced alcohols and other products in addition to isomerization compounds. After a certain time, the α-terpineol was isomerized into cineols. Studies of the reusability of the JAL catalyst were performed (clay treated with monochloroacetic acid). As the number of reuses increased, the percent conversion decreased; however, the selectivity toward oxygenated compounds increased.      

Synthesis and pesticidal activity of aminoesters of (+)-α-pinene

Optically active (\t-)-(1R,2R,3R) aminoesters of isopinocampheol (2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-ol) were synthesized from (+)-α-pinene. The antifidant, juvenoidal, growth-regulating, and herbicidal activities of the newly synthesized compounds were studied. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 359–362, July–August, 2008.     

Activation parameters of supercritical and gas-phase β-pinene thermal isomerization

New data on enthalpy and entropy contributions to the energy barrier of β-pinene thermal isomerization were obtained. The rate of β-pinene conversion is higher in supercritical EtOH (P = 120 atm) than in the gas phase (P ≤ 1 atm, without solvent, or for inert carrier gas N₂) at equal temperatures. The highest activation energy E _Σ of total β-pinene conversion is also observed in reactions in the supercritical (sc) condition. Activation parameters ΔH _Σ ^# , ΔS _Σ ^# , and ΔG _Σ ^# depend strongly on the reaction pressure. Thus, at P ≤ 1 atm (gas-phase reaction) the values of ΔS _Σ ^# are negative, while at sc conditions at P = 120 atm is positive. The linear dependences lnk _Σ0 ? E _Σ and ΔS _Σ ^# ? ΔS _Σ ^# indicate an isokinetic relation (IKR) and enthalpy-entropy compensation effect (EEC). The isokinetic temperature was calculated (T _iso = 605.5 ± 22.7 K). It was shown that elevation of temperature reduces the value of ΔG _Σ ^# (T) upon sc thermolysis only, whereas in all gas-phase reactions ΔG _Σ ^# (T) increases. At equal reaction temperatures, the greatest values of K _eq ^# (T) proved to be typical for thermolysis in sc-EtOH. We hypothesize that the rate of total β-pinene conversion increases dramatically due to a considerable shift in equilibrium toward higher concentrations of activated complex y _TS ^# . A detailed analysis of activation parameters shows that the IKR and EEC coincide, evidence of a common mechanism of β-pinene conversion observed under different reaction conditions, including thermolysis in sc-EtOH.     

P, ρ, and T measurements of the (limonene + β-pinene) mixtures

The density, ρ, and two derived properties, isothermal compressibility, κ_T, and the coefficient of cubic expansion, α_P, were obtained for the mixtures of 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethenyl)-cyclohexene, known as limonene, and (1S,5S)-6,6-dimethyl-2-methylenebibyclo[3.1.1]heptane, known as β-pinene, for nine different compositions and the pure components at five pressures from 20 MPa to 40 MPa and six temperatures from 283.15 K to 358.15 K. The experimental uncertainty for ρ, κ_T, and α_P were respectively ±0.5 kg · m⁻³, ±14 TPa⁻¹, and ±0.005k K⁻¹, with k = 2 for all of them. Density behaviour with temperature and pressure was as expected. The values of α_P and κ_T increase with temperature and decrease with increasing pressure. Two different equations of state, conventional SAFT and PC-SAFT, were applied to predict the densities of the mixture. The best predictions were achieved with PC-SAFT.     

Influence of catalyst pretreatment on α-pinene isomerization over natural clays

The kinetics of -pinene isomerization over natural clays and the influence of catalyst pretreatment with different amounts of sulfuric acid have been investigated in a batch reactor at atmospheric pressure. Contrary to catalytic activity, selectivity was seen to be independent of pretreatment.     

The thermolysis of α-pinene and verbenone epoxides in supercritical solvents

Thermal transformations of α-pinene and verbenone epoxides were studied in supercritical solvents with complex compositions, including CO₂, lower alcohols (ethanol and isopropanol), and water, over the temperature and pressure ranges 387–575 K and 135–215 atm. The main product from α-pinene epoxide in a supercritical solvent containing water was campholenic aldehyde and pinocamphone; the total content of these products in the reaction mixture was 80%. Suggestions concerning the mechanism of the thermal isomerization of α-pinene epoxide depending on the acidity of supercritical solvents were made. The direction of verbenone epoxide transformations was independent of the presence of water in the mixture. The main identified products were ketoalcohols with para-menthane and camphane frameworks.     

Determination of the Chemical Structure of Poly-β (-)-pinene by NMR Spectroscopy

This paper is dedicated to the memory of our friend and colleague Annalaura Segre.

The chemical structure of a series of β (-)-pinene polymers (PBP) obtained by radiation-induced polymerization, free radical initiation, cationic polymerization over a Friedel-Craft catalyst and by coordinative polymerization over a Ziegler-Natta catalyst has been fully elucidated by ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. 2D NMR techniques have been applied in order to assign all the NMR resonances to the structures of the PBP investigated. The NMR spectra show that the most regular PBP structure is obtained by radiation-induced polymerization followed by the free radical initiated polymerization. The most defective structure has been observed in the case of PBP prepared by cationic mechanism over a Friedel-Crafts catalyst. The discussion accounts for different types of defects and cross-links present in the PBPs investigated whose fundamental structure is based on the p-menthene repeating unit.

NMR self-diffusion measurements have been performed to evaluate the molecular weight of all the PBP investigated. The highest molecular weight (2600 Dalton) was found in the case of PBP prepared by Ziegler-Natta catalyst, while the lowest molecular weight was found in the case of PBP prepared by radiation-induced polymerization (about 1000 Dalton).     

Liquid-phase oxidation of α-pinene with oxygen catalyzed by carbon-supported platinum metals

The liquid-phase oxidation of α-pinene with oxygen at 70–90°C is studied in the presence of Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh, and Ir supported on carbon. The conversion of α-pinene and the selectivity of formation of the main reaction products, namely, verbenol (1), verbenone (2), and α-pinene oxide (3), depends on the nature of the metal, on its oxidation state and extent of dispersion, and on the admixtures introduced into the system. In the presence of the Pt catalysts and promoting admixtures of tetrahexylammonium chloride (Hex₄NCl), the selectivity of formation of the most valuable oxidation products (1 + 2) reaches 50% at an α-pinene conversion of 20–30%. The fraction of resinlike oxidation products decreases in the presence of the catalysts. The results obtained are discussed in the framework of the radical mechanism of α-pinene oxidation.     

Thermal degradation of α-pinene using a Py–GC/MS

Mediterranean forest fires may be accelerated, partly due to biogenic volatile organic compounds produced by vegetation, mainly monoterpenes largely represented by α-pinene. To model the propagation of biomass combustion, it is necessary to study the flammability of the produced gas mixture, and thus, necessary to identify the emitted volatile compounds. However, thermal degradation of monoterpenes is rarely experimented above 300 °C, whereas forest fires reach higher temperatures. Thus, in this work, we experimented a 2-min pyrolysis of α-pinene at temperatures from 300 to 800 °C using a Py–GC/MS device. Less than 1% of pyrolysis products were detected at 300 and 400 °C. The pyrolysis products increased then from 14 compounds at 500 °C to 31 compounds at 800 °C. Degradation of α-pinene started with its isomerization at 500 °C. At 800 °C, alkenes detected increased as well as aromatics produced through the Diels–Alder mechanism. These results are consistent with the literature on thermal degradation of α- and β-pinene presented in our article.

     

The flash points and thermal behaviors of diesel blends with biodiesels, α-pinene,d-limonene and caffeic acid as antioxidants

The present study assessed the effects of antioxidants on the flash point and thermal behavior of diesel fuel blended with 3–10 vol% biodiesel made from spent coffee grounds oil (SCGO) or Jatropha seed oil (JSO) extracted using with n-hexane or acetone, with or without α-pinene and d-limonene (as volatile antioxidants) or caffeic acid (as a non-volatile antioxidant). Effects were evaluated by assessing flash points and by thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The flash points of the JSO and SCGO biodiesels obtained from oils extracted using n-hexane were higher than those extracted using acetone, and the addition of 10 vol% JSO or SCGO biodiesel made using acetone extraction increased the flash point by up to 2 °C. The DTA results for JSO and SCGO biodiesels also changed according to the extraction solvent. The flash points of diesel/α-pinene/d-limonene mixtures decreased as the amount of α-pinene was increased up to 10 vol%. TG peaks obtained from 10% α-pinene/d-limonene (50 vol%/50 vol%) in diesel were lowered by approximately 20 °C. The addition of 100–1000 mg kg^?1 caffeic acid to diesel lowered the flash point by 2 °C and shifted the TG peak to approximately 75 °C from the value of 66 °C for pure diesel. This effect was constant regardless of the caffeic acid content, while DTA results were largely unaffected by this additive. The results of this work confirm that both flash point and thermal behavior are dependent on the particular type of antioxidant employed.

     

The influence of water on the isomerization of α-pinene in a supercritical aqueous-alcoholic solvent

The influence of water as a cosolvent and catalyst of the isomerization of α-pinene in a supercritical aqueous-alcoholic (ethanol) solvent was studied experimentally. At T = 657 K and p = 230 atm, an increase in the concentration of water in the reaction mixture was found to increase the rate of the reaction and its selectivity with respect to the desired product, limonene. Water exhibited the properties of an acid catalyst because of its ionization. Mathematical experimental data processing was performed to evaluate and separate the contributions of the radical and ionic paths to the total rate of the reactions that occurred during the thermal isomerization of α-pinene.     

Photochemical aging of α-pinene secondary organic aerosol: effects of OH radical sources and photolysis

This study addresses photochemical aging of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) produced from α-pinene ozonolysis. The SOA is aged via hydroxyl radical (OH) reactions with first-generation vapors and UV photolysis. OH radicals are created through tetramethylethylene ozonolysis, HOOH photolysis, or HONO photolysis, sources that vary in OH concentration and the presence or absence of UV illumination. Aging strongly influences observed SOA mass concentrations, but the behavior is complex. In the dark or with high concentrations of OH, vapors are functionalized, lowering their volatility, resulting in an increase in OA by a factor of 2-3. However, with lower concentrations of OH under UV illumination SOA mass concentrations decrease over time. We attribute this decrease to evaporation driven by photolysis of the highly functionalized second-generation products. The photolysis rates are rapid, a few percent of the NO(2) photolysis frequency, and can thus be highly competitive with other aging mechanisms in the atmosphere.     

Solvent and additive-free selective aerobic allylic hydroxylation of β-pinene catalyzed by metalloporphyrins

Metallodeuteroporphyrins(MDPs) were employed as the catalysts for aerobic oxidation of β-pinene in absence of solvents and additives. Allylic hydroxylation products were found to be the main products from this protocol. The catalytic activity of MDPs with different metal nuclei and the influences of technological conditions on this reaction were investigated. This catalytic system has bright application prospect since only eco-friendly and readily available dioxygen were needed.     

Addition products of chlorosulfonylisocyanate to (+)-3-carene and α-pinene enantiomers

Optically active lactams were synthesized from (+)-3-carene and α-pinene enantiomers. Their properties and structures were characterized. A pathway for preparing their trifluoroacetate salts was demonstrated.     

Synthesis and properties of Cu(II) and Pd(ii) complexes with chiral bis-α-sulfanyl oxymes,the derivatives of natural monoterpene, α-pinene

Coordination compounds Cu₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄ (I), Pd₂(H₂L¹)Cl₄ (II), Cu₂(H₂L²)Cl₄ (III), and Pd₂(H₂L²) Cl₄ (IV) with chiral bis-α-sulfanyloximes, the derivatives of the monoterpenoid (−)-α-pinene, were obtained. The complexes I and III are paramagnetic (μ_eff = 2.45 and 2.67 μ_B, respectively), II and IV are diamagnetic. According to IR spectroscopy, in the compounds I–IV the nearest environment of Cu and Pd atoms includes N, S, and Cl atoms. The values of μ_eff and parameters of ESR spectra of the solid phase and solutions of I and III show a binuclear structure of the Cu(II) complexes. Parameters of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of compounds II and IV indicate the formation of binuclear Pd(II) complexes of C ₂ symmetry and the closure of fivemembered chelate rings PdNSC₂. The PdCl₂ fragments are in transoid position. H₂L¹ and H₂L² are tetradentate bridging chelating ligands.     

Acidic functionalized ionic liquids as catalyst for the isomerization of α-pinene to camphene

An acidic functionalized ionic liquids (ILs) [HSO₃-(CH₂)₃-NEt₃]Cl-ZnCl₂ was synthesized and used to catalyze the isomerization of α-pinene in a homogeneous system. The optimum conditions for isomerization were obtained as follows: n(α-pinene):n(ILs) = 9:1, reaction temperature 140 °C, and reaction time 4 h, α-pinene 0.04 mol. Under the optimal conditions, the conversion of α-pinene was 97.6 % and the selectivity for camphene could reach 64.8 %. In addition, the catalyst could be easily separated by centrifugation after the isomerization completely finished. When the ILs were repeatedly used for four times, the conversion of α-pinene and the selectivity for camphene were still excellent, indicating the superb recycle ability of the acidic functionalized ILs catalyst.     

Functionally substituted dienes based on α-pinene

Dienes containing an -pinene fragment were synthesized from myrtenal and functionally substituted phosphonates. Their structures were studied using¹NMR, IR, Raman, UV, and CD spectroscopy.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1779–1782, October, 1994.     

Cu(II) complexes with chiral ethylenediaminodioxime and propylenediaminodioxime, the derivatives of monoterpenoid α-pinene: Synthesis and structures

Copper(II) complexes with chiral ethylenediaminodioxime (H₂L¹) and propylenediaminodioxime (H₂L²), the derivatives of terpenoid α-pinene, of the composition [Cu(H₂L¹)](NO₃)₂ (I) and [Cu(H₂L²)NO₃]NO₃ (II) are synthesized and studied by X-ray diffraction method. The ionic structures of I and II consist of complex cations [Cu(H₂L¹)]²⁺ (I), [Cu(H₂L²)NO₃]⁺ (II), and outer-sphere anions NO ₃ ^? . In the cation of compound I, the Cu²⁺ ion (C.N.4) coordinates four N atoms of tetradentate cycle-forming ligand H₂L¹ with anti-configuration. The coordination surrounding of the Cu atom is a trapezoidally distorted square. In the cation of compound II, the Cu²⁺ ion (C.N.5) coordinates the O atom of monodentate nitro group in addition to four N atoms of tetradentate cycle-forming ligand H₂L². The coordination polyhedron of the Cu atom has the shape of a distorted square pyramid N₄O. Coordinated H₂L² molecule has amphi-configuration, which is responsible for the formation of hydrogen bond between the oxime groups. The complex cations and NO ₃ ^? anions in structures I and II are linked into ionic ensembles by hydrogen bonds.