Dipropargyl ethers possessing nitramine units

The syntheses and characterization of novel propargyl ethers of N-(hydroxymethyl)nitramines that contain from one to four nitramine units are reported. All nitramine-functionalized ethers were well characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as well as CHN analysis, and the X-ray crystal structures of two of them are described. For ethers bearing two or three nitramine units, the standard molar enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K were determined from the experimental standard molar energies of combustion in oxygen measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry     

CH-alkylation of furan derivatives under photoinduced Pd catalysis

A new method for selective C(5)–H alkylation of 2-substituted furans with tertiary and secondary alkyl bromides under photoinduced by visible light (∼460 nm) palladium catalysis has been developed. The method is relied on the use of available Pd(PPh₃)₄ catalyst under mild conditions (30 ± 5 °C, K₂CO₃ as base), tolerates to various functional groups in furanic substrates and provides from good to excellent yields of alkylated products.     

Photocatalytic reduction of fluoroalkyl-substituted alcohols activated by pentafluoropyridine

A new method for deoxygenation of fluoroalkyl-substituted alcohols involves derivatization of the hydroxy group with pentafluoropyridine followed by photoredox catalyzed reduction of the obtained hetaryl ethers using γ-terpinene as a source of hydrogen. The initial alcohols can be easily obtained by nucleophilic fluoroalkylation of the corresponding aldehydes.     

Metadynamics simulations of R–NHC reductive elimination in intermediate palladium complexes of cross-coupling and Mizoroki–Heck reactions

Exploring the free energy surface of the R–NHC coupling reaction in the key intermediates of the Mizoroki–Heck and cross-coupling catalytic cycles has been conducted by the methods of biased and unbiased molecular dynamics. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out both in vacuum and in a polar solvent, with the following main observations on the influence of the media: (1) the solvent prevents the dissociation of the solvate ligand, so the R–NHC coupling proceeds in a four-coordination complex (rather than in a three-coordination one, as in the case of a gas-phase reaction); (2) in the condensed phase, the potential barrier of the reaction is significantly higher compared to the same process in vacuum (17.7 vs. 21.8 kcal mol^-1); (3) polar solvent stabilizes the R–NHC coupling product. The reaction in a polar medium is exergonic (ΔG = −3.9 kcal mol^-1), in contrast to the in vacuum modeling, where the process is endergonic (ΔG = 0.4 kcal mol^-1).     

Multi-compartment containers from a mixture of natural and synthetic lipids

Small anionic liposomes were electrostatically adsorbed on the surface of larger cationic liposomes thus forming multi- compartment complexes composed exclusively of natural and synthetic lipids. The complexes contained two dozen anionic liposomes per a single cationic liposome and showed low cytotoxicity and ability to enzyme-induced bio-degradation. The liposomal multi-compartment complexes demonstrate great application potential as containers for drug encapsulation and delivery.     

A simple synthesis of natural spinazarins and their analogues

A short simple synthesis of spinazarins (2,3-dihydroxy-naphthazarins or 2,3,5,8-tetrahydroxy-1,4-naphtho-quinones) from available 2,3-dichloronaphthazarin derivatives involves replacement of chlorine atoms with azido groups followed by their acidic hydrolysis. The procedure can be used for the preparative synthesis of natural biologically active spinazarins and their analogues.     

Mobility of Li+, Na+, and Cs+ cations in Nafion membrane,as studied by NMR techniques

The local mobility and diffusion of Li⁺, Na⁺, and Cs⁺ cations in Nafion 117 membrane were explored by ⁷Li, ²³Na, and ¹³³Cs spin relaxation and pulsed field gradient NMR techniques. It was shown that the macroscopic mass transfer of cations is controlled by ion motion near sulfonate groups. Lithium and sodium cations, whose hydrated energy is higher than the water hydrogen bond energy, are moving together with water molecules, but cesium cations possessing a low hydrated energy are jumping directly between the neighboring sulfonate groups.     

Cationic amphiphiles based on diethanolamine esters with amino acids in the polar block

A series of new cationic amphiphiles based on diethanolamine esters with Gly, βAla, GABA, Lys, Orn amino acid residues in the hydrophilic block were prepared. The sample containing the Lys residue showed the best activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. For model membranes comprising combinations of DOPC, DOPG and DOPE phospholipids, the sample can electrostatically bind to the surface of a bacterial cell and destroy it by formation of through defects.     

Synthesis of arsonium salts and betaines based on triphenylarsine and ω-bromoalkanoic acids

The reactions between Ph₃As and ω-bromoalkanoic acids with the length of polymethylene fragment n = 5, 7, 9 afford quaternary arsonium salts. Their treatment with alkali gives biologically active arsenobetaines. Solvent-free reactions of Ph₃P or Ph₃As with 2,3-dibromopropionic acid lead to the corresponding arsonium and phosphonium salts bearing (CH₂)₂COOH substituent.