Studies on the synthesis and biosynthesis of the fungal alkaloid necatorone

An alternative pathway for the biosynthesis of the fungal alkaloid necatorone has been studied using fluorine-labeled 3-(2-carboxyphenylamino)-l-tyrosine. Although no incorporation of this compound could be detected in feeding experiments with young specimens of Lactarius necator, an analogous 3-aminotyrosine derivative could be converted synthetically into the oxopyridoacridine core structure of necatorone. In experiments aimed at the synthesis of aaptamine-type alkaloids, an unprecedented cyclization of a 3-aminotyrosine-methyl propiolate adduct to a methyl isoquinoline-3-carboxylate was observed. A mechanism is proposed, in which C3 of the propiolate delivers C1 of the isoquinoline nucleus.     

Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Phosphate Ester Derivatives of 3(5)-Methylpyrazole and 3-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole

Ester derivatives of N-phosphorylated 3(5)-methylpyrazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, respectively, have been synthesized. The results of hydrolysis studies are described.     

Assemblies from metallic and semiconducting nanocrystals

Optical properties of nanomaterials such as semiconductor and metal quantum dots are important for sensors and photovoltaic applications. We report on optical, microscopic, and AFM investigations on bulk and single nanoobjects such as metal and semiconducting nanoparticles. Firstly, of special interest is the investigation of Ag metal nanoaggregates formed in zeolites. Here, the defined structure of the zeolite serves both as size directing and a stabilizing agent. The size selected Ag aggregates fluoresce in the zeolite cages even after storage under ambient conditions for almost one year. In addition, single Ag particles escape the cages and can be investigated by fluorescence microscopy also with respect to sensor applications. Secondly, with respect to photovoltaic applications, energy transfer among organic dye molecules and semiconductor quantum dots is of great importance. We report on the extension of the optical absorption of ZnSe quantum dots into the UV regime and investigate excitation energy transfer within self-assembled nanoaggregates of surface functionalized QDs and fluorescent styrylpyridine dyes.     

An Improved Method for Preparation of Carboxylic Esters Using CsF-Celite/Alkyl Halide/Ch3Cn Combination

Preparations of compound 4 and of truxene derivatives 5, 6a,b, 7, 8, 10a, b, 11, 12a,b, and 13a,b are described. These substances are potential starting materials for the synthesis of bowl shaped polyaromatic compounds containing structural elements of fullerenes.     

Stratification of the Radiation Field Inside a Photobioreactor During Microalgae Growth

Light availability is a main issue in autotrophic growth of photosynthetic microorganisms. The change of the suspended cells concentration and that of their chlorophylls content during microalgal growth alters the optical properties of the aqueous suspension. This brings about changes in the properties of the radiation field inside the reactor. In this work, we have computed the evolution in time of the local volumetric rate of absorption of photons inside a photobioreactor by means of a Monte Carlo simulation algorithm previously developed. From this study, we have computed two operational variables that are useful tools for the analysis, performance comparison, optimization and scaling up of photobioreactors: the average rate of photon absorption and the volumetric distribution function of photons absorption rates. Based on these two variables, it is possible to systematically quantify the degree of stratification of the culture medium, which is a decisive aspect that hampers the reactor efficiency regarding the energy usage for biomass production.     

Engineering a Small HOMO–LUMO Gap and Intramolecular C−H Borylation by Diborene/Anthracene Orbital Intercalation

The diborene 1 was synthesized by reduction of a mixture of 1,2-di-9-anthryl-1,2-dibromodiborane(4) ( 6 ) and trimethylphosphine with potassium graphite. The X-ray structure of 1 shows the two anthryl rings to be parallel and their π(C₁₄) systems perpendicular to the diborene π(B=B) system. This twisted conformation allows for intercalation of the relatively high-lying π(B=B) orbital and the low-lying π* orbital of the anthryl moiety with no significant conjugation, resulting in a small HOMO–LUMO gap (HLG) and ultimately a C−H borylation of the anthryl unit. The HLG of 1 was estimated to be 1.57 eV from the onset of the long wavelength band in its UV/Vis absorption spectrum (THF, λ_onset=788 nm). The oxidation of 1 with elemental selenium afforded diboraselenirane 8 in quantitative yield. By oxidative abstraction of one phosphine ligand by another equivalent of elemental selenium, the B−B and C¹−H bonds of 8 were cleaved to give the cyclic 1,9-diborylanthracene 9 .