A New Taraxastane‐Type Triterpene from Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia

3‐Oxotaraxer‐14‐en‐30‐al ( 1 ), a new taraxastane‐type triterpene, together with 14 known compounds, taraxerone ( 2 ), 3‐epiursolic acid ( 3 ), 2α,3β‐dihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid ( 4 ), lupeol ( 5 ), betulinic acid ( 6 ), casticin ( 7 ), artemetin ( 8 ), luteolin ( 9 ), 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid ( 10 ), docosanoic acid ( 11 ), tetracosanoic acid ( 12 ), cerotic acid ( 13 ), β‐sitosterol ( 14 ), and β‐daucosterol ( 15 ), was isolated from the leaves and twigs of Vitex trifolia var. simplicifolia . Compounds 2 – 6 were found for the first time in this plant. Their structures were established by spectroscopic analysis, including 2D‐NMR techniques. Cytotoxic activities of compounds 3 , and 5 – 10 were tested on the three cancer cell lines, PANC‐1, K562, and BxPC‐3. Results revealed that 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against PANC‐1, K562, and BxPC‐3, with IC₅₀ values of 4.67, 0.72, and 4.01 μg/ml, respectively, whereas 8 was inactive against these cancer cell lines. The structure? activity relationship of compound 7 and 8 indicated that the 3′‐OH group in polymethoxyflavonoids is essential for antitumor activity.     

A lead(II) sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with Fe3O4 nanospheres and carbon nanotubes

We have developed a highly sensitive and selective sensor for lead(II) ions. A glassy carbon electrode was modified with Fe₃O₄ nanospheres and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and this material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The electrode displays good electrochemical activity toward Pb(II) and gives anodic and cathodic peaks with potentials at ?496 mV and ?638 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl) in pH?6.0 solution. The sensor exhibits a sensitive and fairly selective response to Pb(II) ion, with a linear range between 20 pM and 1.6 nM, and a detection limit as low as 6.0 pM (at a signal-to noise ratio of 3). The sensor was successfully applied to monitor Pb(II) in spiked water samples.

Amperometric nonenzymatic determination of glucose based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with nickel(II) oxides and graphene

We have developed a stable and sensitive nonenzymatic glucose sensor by modifying a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with a composite incorporating nickel(II) oxides and reduced graphene. The oxides were generated by directly electrodepositing nickel on the GCE with a graphene modifier using a multi-potential pulse process, and then oxidizing nickel to nickel(II) oxides by potential cycling. In comparison to the conventional nickel(II) oxides-modified GCE, this new nickel(II) oxides-graphene modified GCE (NiO-GR/GCE) has an about 1.5 times larger current response toward the nonenzymatic oxidation of glucose in alkaline media. The response to glucose is linear in the 20 μM to 4.5 mM concentration range. The limit of detection is 5 μM (at a S/N of 3), and the response time is very short (<3 s). Other beneficial features include selectivity, reproducibility and stability. A comparison was performed on the determination of glucose in commercial red wines by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and revealed the promising aspects of this sensor with respect to the determination of glucose in real samples.

Efficient Synthesis of 6-(1H-1,2,4-Triazol-1-yl)-thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones via an Iminophosphorane

Ethyl 2-amino-4-methyl-5-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)thiophene-3-carboxylate 2, obtained from Gewald reaction of 1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetone 1 with ethyl cyanoacetate and sulfur, was transferred into iminophosphorane 3. Further reaction of 3 with aromatic isocyanates gave carbodiimides 4, which were treated subsequently with a secondary amine to give 6-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones 6 in good yields in the presence of a catalytic amount of sodium ethoxide.     

Mild and Efficient Procedure for Michael Addition of N-Heterocycles to α,β-Unsaturated Compounds Using Anhydrous K3PO4 as Catalyst

Imidazole, 1,2,4-triazole, indole, and benzotriazole undergo conjugate additions with α, β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in the presence of anhydrous potassium phosphate at ambient temperature to afford the corresponding Michael adducts in excellent yields.     

5′-O-TBDMS-3′-O--(1H-Imidazole-1-Thiocarbonyl)thymidine: A Novel Intermediate for the Synthesis of 2,3′-Anhydrothymidine

Thermal or base-promoted conversion of 5′-O-TBDMS-3′-O-(1H-imidazole-1-thiocarbonyl)thymidine (1) afforded 5′-O-TBDMS-2,3′-anhydro-thymidine (2), a pivotal intermediate for the transformation of the 3′-hydroxy group of 2′-deoxyribonucleosides, in high yield.     

Study on the Synthesis and Bioactivity of Novel Mahkoside A Derivatives

Abstract

A series of novel Mahkoside A derivatives was synthesized, and their in vitro cytotoxic activities were evaluated against the human cancer cell line Ec‐9706. A Preliminary structure–activity relationship study showed compounds 7 and 8 have obvious cytotoxic activities (IC₅₀: 30.0 and 12.5 µg · mL^?1, respectively).     

Synthesis of Cholesterylated Thiogalactosides for Gene Delivery

A series of cholesterylated thiogalactosides L₁ –L₆ the cell targeting ligands for gene delivery to hepatocytes, was synthesized. Related poly(ethylene glycol) chain was used as a bridge for the attachment of galactoside on one hydroxyl end, while the other hydroxyl end was linked with cholesterol. This design provided an effective entry for the synthesis of a poly(ethylene glycol) compound with the hepatocyte targeting.     

Recyclable Siloxy Serine Organocatalyst for the Direct Asymmetric Mannich Reactions in Ionic Liquids

A recyclable siloxy-L-serine organocatalyst has been developed to catalyze the asymmetric direct three-component Mannich reactions in ionic liquid hmim[PF₆], furnishing the β-amino carbonyl scaffold in high enantio- and diastereoselectivities. The direct Mannich reaction between a selection of aromatic aldehydes and ketones resulted in good yields and high enantioselectivities.