p-Xylene-selective metal-organic frameworks: a case of topology-directed selectivity

Para-disubstituted alkylaromatics such as p-xylene are preferentially adsorbed from an isomer mixture on three isostructural metal-organic frameworks: MIL-125(Ti) ([Ti(8)O(8)(OH)(4)(BDC)(6)]), MIL-125(Ti)-NH(2) ([Ti(8)O(8)(OH)(4)(BDC-NH(2))(6)]), and CAU-1(Al)-NH(2) ([Al(8)(OH)(4)(OCH(3))(8)(BDC-NH(2))(6)]) (BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate). Their unique structure contains octahedral cages, which can separate molecules on the basis of differences in packing and interaction with the pore walls, as well as smaller tetrahedral cages, which are capable of separating molecules by molecular sieving. These experimental data are in line with predictions by molecular simulations. Additional adsorption and microcalorimetric experiments provide insight in the complementary role of the two cage types in providing the para selectivity.     

Solvent influence on the rotational isomerism in terephthalaldehyde

Experimental and theoretical studies were carried out in order to investigate the rotational isomerism of terephthalaldehyde. The dipole moment measurements and infrared spectroscopy in Ar matrix and using various solvents were performed experimentally. In order to supplement the experimental study, both static and dynamical theoretical calculations were performed. IR spectra and potential energy distribution (PED) were calculated for both cis and trans isomers of terephthalaldehyde in gas phase using B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. Further calculations consisted of conformational analysis were performed in order to estimate the rotational barrier and relative stabilities of isomers. The DFT theory with B3LYP functional and four double-zeta and triple-zeta basis sets served as framework for this part of calculations. Semiempirical AM1 and PM3 methods were also used for gas-phase modeling. Molecular dynamics using MM3 force field was applied to study the preferences of solvent molecules’ orientation around the studied molecule. Additionally, the effect of solvent polarity on the Gibbs energy of the trans ⇌ cis equilibrium was analyzed in terms of the continuum dielectric medium models.     

Is samoquasine A indeed benzo[f]phthalazin-4(3H)-one? Unambiguous, straightforward synthesis of benzo[f]phthalazin-4(3H)-one and its regioisomer benzo[f]phthalazin-1(2H)-one

In search for the structural elucidation of samoquasine A, a natural product isolated from the seeds of Annona squamosa L., two benzo[f]phthalazinone isomers have been synthesized. The synthetic pathway followed to build up these skeletons is based on the combination of two Suzuki reactions on a pyridazinone precursor and a ring closure reaction via a condensation reaction. ¹H NMR data of the synthesized compound allowed to establish that the structure of the natural product samoquasine A is not benzo[f]phthalazin-4(3H)-one, as previously suggested.     

Synthesis of D- and L-myo-inositol 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate, regioisomers of myo-inositol 1,3,4,5 tetrakisphosphate: activity against Ins(1,4,5)P3 binding proteins

We report here the synthesis of D- and L-myo-inositol 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate 3a and 3b and the racemic modification 3ab. Racemic myo-inositol 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate 3ab was synthesised from DL-1,2,4,6-tetra-O-allyl-myo-inositol 9ab. Benzylation and de-allylation provided the tetraol 11ab, which was phosphitylated in the presence of bis(benzyloxy)diisopropylaminophosphine and 1H-tetrazole, then oxidised to give the fully protected 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate 13ab. Hydrogenolysis of 13ab and purification of product by ion exchange chromatography gave racemic myo-inositol 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate 3ab, which showed no demonstrable agonism or antagonism for Ca2+ release at 200 microM in permeabilised hepatocytes. The chiral derivatives, D-3a and L-myo-inositol 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate 3b were synthesised from 5-O-benzyl-1,4,6-tri-O-p-methoxybenzyl-myo-inositol 19ab, which was resolved using R-(-)-O-acetylmandelic acid providing two diastereoisomers 21 and 22 which were separated and deacylated to give the corresponding enantiomers. Further transformations gave the corresponding chiral 1,2,4,6-tetraols which were phosphitylated, oxidised, deprotected and purified as for the racemic mixture. The enantiomeric tetrakisphosphates 3a and 3b were evaluated for inhibition of the metabolic enzymes inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate 5-phosphatase and 3-kinase in comparison with the enantiomers of another synthetic regioisomer D- and L-myo-inositol 1,2,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Both D- and L-myo-inositol 1,2,4,6-tetrakisphosphate inhibit 5-phosphatase with an IC50 value of 3.8 microM and 14 microM, repectively. However, both enantiomers were poorly recognised by the 3-kinase enzyme, with IC50 values greater than 100 microM. The enantiomers of the 1,2,4,5-tetrakisphosphate showed the same relative pattern of activity towards the two enzymes but were more potent against 5-phosphatase (0.47 microM and 3 microM respectively).     

Feminine after cricothyroid approximation?

A number of studies have evaluated the effectiveness of a cricothyroid approximation (CA) in creating a more female voice in male-to-female transsexuals (MFTs) from an acoustic perspective. An increase in pitch is of little value, however, unless it accurately indicates listeners' perceptions of gender. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the effectiveness of a CA in feminizing the voice from a perceptual perspective. Video recordings of nine MFTs, nine nontranssexual males (NTMs), and nine nontranssexual females (NTFs) were presented twice to the panel of judges in a randomized order: first auditory only (only hearing a subject's speech) and subsequently audiovisual (hearing and seeing a subject's speech). The panel of judges, 42 students (21 female, 21 male) from different disciplines, rated the participants' voices on a 100-mm visual analog scale with "very male" and "very female" as left and right extremes, respectively. The group of MFT obtained scores that were situated in between those of the NTM and the NTF, both for the auditory only and the audiovisual mode of presentation. Perception of femaleness significantly correlated with average fundamental frequency for both modes of presentation. It can be concluded that a CA approximation is a viable option to raise the voice pitch in MFTs but that this surgery alone may not be sufficient to create a voice that is perceived as a totally female.