Bioactive constituents from Chinese natural medicines. XIV. New glycosides of beta-carboline-type alkaloid, neolignan, and phenylpropanoid from Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata and their antiallergic activities

A new beta-carboline-type alkaloidal glycoside, glucodichotomine B, four new neolignan glycosides, dichotomosides A, B, C, and D, and a new phenylpropanoid glycoside, dichotomoside E, were isolated from a Chinese natural medicine, the roots of Stellaria dichotoma L. var. lanceolata. The structures of the new glycosides were determined on the basis of chemical and physicochemical evidence. Among them, dichotomoside D inhibited the release of beta-hexosaminidase (IC(50)=64 microM) as well as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-4 (IC(50)=16, 34 microM) in RBL-2H3 cells. These findings suggest that dichotomoside D is more effective against the late-phase reactions in type I allergy than in the immediate phase.     

Deuterium relaxation time ofα-d-tryptophan included in cyclodextrin host molecules

Deuterium relaxation times ofd- andl--d-tryptophan included in -cyclodextrin derivatives were directly measured by deuterium NMR spectroscopy. The results showed that the molecular motion of the tryptophan molecule was strongly restricted even in the cavity of unmodified -cyclodextrin and the additional recognition groupings — ammonium and carboxylate — on -cyclodextrin did not affect the molecular motion of tryptophan, though the association constants were significantly enhanced.Deceased on March 22, 1987.     

Voltammetry at partially covered electrodes: Part I. Chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry at model electrodes

Equations for chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry at partially covered electrodes have been derived using a model of hexagonal array of cylidrical spaces terminated, at the electrode surface, by concentric active and inactive regions. The boundary value problem was shown to be analogous to that for a charge transfer preceded by a chemical reaction. Experiments with the reduction of ferricyanide on gold model electrodes partially covered with photoresist layer showed excellent agreement with the theory. Application of the equations to estimation of coverage and size of active sites distributed on a electrode surface is discussed.     

Two-carbon ring expansion of cyclobutanone skeletons by nickel-catalyzed intermolecular alkyne insertion

The reaction of cyclobutanone with an alkyne in the presence of a nickel(0) catalyst formally achieves intermolecular alkyne insertion between the carbonyl carbon and the α-carbon of a cyclobutanone, providing a six-membered carbocyclic skeleton.     

Guest shape-responsive fitting of porous coordination polymer with shrinkable framework

In situ synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction patterns of porous coordination polymers [[Cu(2)(pzdc)(2)(bpy)].G] have been measured (pzdc = pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylate, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) (where G = H(2)O for CPL-2 superset H(2)()O, G = benzene for CPL-2 superset benzene, and G = void for the apohost). The structures of apohost and CPL-2 superset benzene were determined from Rietveld analysis. Adsorption of benzene in the channels induced a remarkable contraction in the crystal (b axis; 6.8%, volume; 4.9%), although the channels were occupied by the benzene molecules. This crystal transformation provides a new pore structure that is well suited for benzene molecules, and we denote it as a "shape-responsive fitting" transformation. This type of pore gives rise to a new guideline: frameworks can be composed of flexible motifs that are linked via strong bond and/or stiff motifs that are connected via weaker bonds.     

Synthesis of polymers by use of divalent metal salts of monohydroxyethyl phthalate: Metal-containing isocyanurate-type crosslinked polyurethanes

Divalent metal salts (I) of monohydroxyethyl phthalate have catalytic activity for polymerization of isocyanate groups. The synthesis of novel metal-containing isocyanurate-type crosslinked polyurethanes were investigated by the crosslinking reaction of I in DMF with diisocyanates or urethane prepolymers, that is, diisocyanate adducts of polyethylene glycol. 2,4-Toluene diisocyanate and diphenylmethane diisocyanate were used as diisocyanates, and DMF was the solvent. The crosslinking reactions were followed by determining the gelation time. Gelation time decreased with increasing temperature. The Ca salt was more effective than the Mg salt in the crosslinking reaction. The yields of resulting metal-containing three-dimensional polymers decreased with increasing metal content in the feed. The Ca salt was more easily introduced into the network polymers than the Mg salt was. Decomposition temperatures decreased on introducing metals into the network polymers. Some physical properties of the metal-containing network polymers are also discussed.     

Determination of electrochemical kinetic parameters by square-wave polarography: Polarographic reduction of Zn(II) in 1 M KCl,KBr, and KNCS solutions

A new method of determining electrochemical kinetic parameters by square-wave polarography was presented, in which the faradaic current at θ/2, θ being the half-period of superimposed square-wave voltage, was used for the analysis. The method gave the following kinetic parameters for the electrode reaction, Zn(II) + 2e(Hg), in aqueous solutions at 25° C: k_c^θ=0.0052 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.36 in 1 M KCl, k_c^θ=0.011 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.30 in 1 M KBr, and k_c^θ=0.020 cm s^?1 and α_c=0.52 in 1 M KNCS. Induced adsorption of Zn(II) on the dropping mercury electrode was suggested in solutions containing thiocyanate ions.     

Synthesis of the new chiral tridentate ligand bis(pyrid-2-ylethyl) menthylphosphine and its use in the palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylations

We describe the synthesis of a new asymmetric P,N,N′-tridentate ligand (bis(pyrid-2-ylethyl) menthylphosphine, BPEMP), containing two pyridyl rings and (1S,2R,5S)-menthylphosphino group. The ligand is obtained in five steps from natural abundant l-menthol. The coordination behavior of the ligand toward cationic (allylic)Pd(II) moiety and its first application in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation are presented. Crystallographic and spectroscopic analyses reveal that [(η³-allylic)Pd(BPEMP)]⁺ complex forms only one isomer in the solid state as well as in solution.     

Development of direct fluorination technology for application to materials for lithium battery

Direct fluorination of 1,3-dioxolan-2-one with elemental fluorine was successfully carried out to provide 4-fluoro-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, which was expected as an additive for lithium ion secondary battery. 4-Fluoro-1,3-dioxolan-2-one was also further fluorinated with elemental fluorine to give three isomers of difluoro derivatives by the same methodology. Another topic is the preparation of trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride, an intermediate of lithium battery electrolyte, by the reaction of methanesulfonyl fluoride with elemental fluorine. The use of perfluoro-2-methylpentane as a solvent gave satisfactory selectivity of trifluoromethanesulfonyl fluoride.     

Molecular structures of endo[4+2]π and exo[6+4]π cycloadducts via cycloaddition reaction of n-ethoxycarbonylazepine with 2,5-dimethoxycarbonyl-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienone

The cycloaddition reaction of N-ethoxycarbonyl-1H-azepine with 2,5-dimethoxycarbonyl-3,4-diphenylcyclopentadienone gave anti-endo [4+2]π and exo [6+4]π cycloadducts. These structures were fully identified by X-ray crystallographic techniques. Mechanism for their cycloaddition reactions are also discussed.