Etude de l'acylation de l'acétyl-3 acétoxy-8 indolizine par action de chlorures d'acide en présence de chlorure d'aluminium

Study of acylation of 3-acetyl-8-acetoxyindolizine by miscellaneous acid chlorides in the presence of aluminium chloride shows that this reaction is either limited to a transesterification (in the case of benzoyl chloride) or leads to introduction of an acyl group in position 1 with simultaneous liberation of the phenol function in position 8. When acylation takes place, acetyl chloride resulting from the cleavage of the acetoxy group competes with the acid chloride used in the reaction. Predominant acylation by the latter is observed when the reaction is performed with ethoxalyl chloride or with non branched aliphatic acid chlorides; by contrast solely acetylation takes place when pivaloyl or phenylacetyl chloride is used. These results are tentatively explained by a process related to the Fries rearrangement. The hypothesis of intramolecular transfer of an acyl group from the ester function in position 8 can be discarded by the observed results.     

Recent Investigations on Thiocyanate-Free Ruthenium(II) 2,2′-Bipyridyl Complexes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Three decades ago, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a method for harnessing the energy of the sun and for converting it into electricity. Since then, a lot of work has been devoted to create better global photovoltaic efficiencies and long term stability. Among photosensitizers for DSSCs, thiocyanate-free ruthenium(II) complexes have gained increasing interest due to their better stability compared to conventional thiocyanate-based complexes, such as benchmark dyes N719 and Z907. In this mini-review, two classes of thiocyanate-free Ru(II) complexes are presented: (a) bis-bipyridyl compounds bearing an ancillary cyclometalating bidentate ligand; (b) bipyridyl compounds bearing non-cyclometalating ancillary ligands. The coverage, mainly from 2014 up to now, is not exhaustive, but illustrates the most recent design strategies and photovoltaic properties of these two families of ruthenium(II) dyes.     

Evolution of the dynamic mechanical relaxations during the gel formation

Static and dynamic properties of a polyurethane system at different stages of the gelation process have been investigated. Shear modulus data were collected over a wide frequency range covering both the α-relaxation and the internal modes relaxations. The evolution of the relaxation spectra in relation with the structural transformation occurring during the growth process is analysed within the percolation model.     

Versatile synthesis of P-chiral (ephedrine) AMPP ligands via their borane complexes. Structural consequences in Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of methyl α-acetamidocinnamate

An efficient and versatile synthesis of aminophosphine phosphinite (AMPP) ligands derived from ephedrine, with possible stereogenic P(III)-center(s) is described, using the borane complex methodology. The reaction of oxazaphospholidine borane with an organolithium reagent, leads to the formation of the ring-opened product, which is trapped by a chlorophosphine (borane), to afford the corresponding aminophosphine phosphinite boranes in good yields. Treatment of the borane complexes with dabco, gives the corresponding aminophosphine phosphinite ligands in 70–90% yield. These ligands are used for the preparation of Rh catalysts applied to the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl α-acetamidocinnamate yielding the phenylalanine derivative with (R) 22% to (S) 99% e.e. These results show the importance of the structural modification at the P-stereogenic center(s), which could either amplify or cancel out the asymmetric induction resulting from the ephedrine backbone, for enantioselective catalysis.     

Directed Positioning of Organometallic Fragments Inside a Calix[4]arene Cavity

A hemispherical diphosphane based on a calixarene allows encapsulation of reactive M–R fragments (M=transition metal; R=H, alkyl, CO) inside the calixarene cavity. The ruthenium complex 1 has an unprecedented sandwich structure that contains a CO ligand confined between two phosphane-substituted phenyl rings. The separation between the CO segment and the two aromatic rings is only 2.75 Å!     

Preliminary Study of New Gallium-68 Radiolabeled Peptide Targeting NRP-1 to Detect Brain Metastases by Positron Emission Tomography

Due to their very poor prognosis and a fatal outcome, secondary brain tumors are one of the biggest challenges in oncology today. From the point of view of the early diagnosis of these brain micro- and macro-tumors, the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic tools constitute an obstacle. Molecular imaging, such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET), is a promising technique but remains limited in the search for cerebral localizations, given the commercially available radiotracers. Indeed, the [¹⁸F]FDG PET remains constrained by the physiological fixation of the cerebral cortex, which hinders the visualization of cerebral metastases. Tumor angiogenesis is recognized as a crucial phenomenon in the progression of malignant tumors and is correlated with overexpression of the neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) receptor. Here, we describe the synthesis and the photophysical properties of the new gallium-68 radiolabeled peptide to target NRP-1. The KDKPPR peptide was coupled with gallium-68 anchored into a bifunctional NODAGA chelating agent, as well as Cy5 for fluorescence detection. The Cy5 absorbance spectra did not change, whereas the molar extinction coefficient (ε) decreased drastically. An enhancement of the fluorescence quantum yield (φ_F) could be observed due to the better water solubility of Cy5. [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NODAGA-K(Cy5)DKPPR was radiosynthesized efficiently, presented hydrophilic properties (log D = −1.86), and had high in vitro stability (>120 min). The molecular affinity and the cytotoxicity of this new chelated radiotracer were evaluated in vitro on endothelial cells (HUVEC) and MDA-MB-231 cancer cells (hormone-independent and triple-negative line) and in vivo on a brain model of metastasis in a nude rat using the MDA-MB-231 cell line. No in vitro toxicity has been observed. The in vivo preliminary experiments showed promising results, with a high contrast between the healthy brain and metastatic foci for [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-NODAGA-K(Cy5)DKPPR.     

Side chain liquid crystalline polymers: Electric field effects and nonlinear properties

Side chain liquid crystalline polymers offer unique advantages as a new class of organic materials with potential for nonlinear optical response. Synthesis of a number of cyanobiphenyl-based side chain polymers was carried out employing the concept of having the cyanobiphenyl species serve concomitantly as both the linear optical chromophore and the mesogenic moiety in the polymer. The thermal behavior of these polymers was studied by DSC, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Thin polymeric films were spin coated and electric field poling measurements were carried out as a function of temperature. The second harmonic (SH) coefficients d₃₃ and d₃₁ were measured by Maker fringe analysis and compared with the values predicted by molecular statistical models. The results showed that one can gain in net polar ordering by starting with a liquid crystalline system. The enhancement in d₃₃ when < P<₂ > = 0,6 was found to be a factor of 2,3-3,3 over the isotropic case ( P<₂ > = 0). The relaxation process was investigated. Both the presence of liquid crystal character in the material and the temperature at which the films were stored below Tg appeared important in determining the thermal stability of the SH coefficients.