Microbial transformation of prednisone

The microbial transformation of prednisone (17alpha,21-dihydroxy-pregna-1,4-diene-3,11,20-trione) (1) by Cunninghamella elegans afforded two metabolites, 17alpha,21-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregn-1-ene-3,11,20-trione (2) and 17alpha,20S,21-trihydroxy-5alpha-pregn-1-ene-3,11-dione (3), while the fermentation of 1 with Fusarium lini, Rhizopus stolonifer and Curvularia lunata afforded a metabolite 1,4-pregnadiene-17alpha,20S,21-triol-3,11-dione (4). Compound 3 was found to be a new metabolite. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. Compound 3 showed inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase enzyme.     

Sensitive and selective ion exchange test for microgram detection and spectrophotometric determination of picric acid

The microgram detection and determination of picric acid with sodium hypochlorite solution is based on its oxidation in alkaline solution and chlorination with excess of chlorine present in hypochlorite solution. A characteristic orange color is obtained, which can be used as a specific test. The sensitivity of the picric acid was enhanced by performing the resin spot test. This color reaction was applied for the determination of picric acid spectrophotometrically.     

Determination of Br,Rb, Cs,Sc and Na in various plant leaves located in an urban park by neutron activation analysis

In order to determine the effect of airborne emission of trace elements, e.g. Br, Rb Cs, Sc and Na on roadside ecosystem, concentrations were determined in different species of plants from an urban park at Lahore. For monitoring purpose attention was paid to the leaves ofSapindus mukorossis, Alstonia scholaris andDiospyros embryopteris. Different varieties of tissues were found to have different concentration of trace elements when compared among themselves. The concentration of trace element deposition was compared with the values reported in literature. Significant pollution was observed.     

Reactions of [(Cp)2Ti(NCS)2] as a potential metalloligand; synthesis and physico-chemical investigations of novel heterobimetallic complexes

Summary Bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV) diisothiocyanate [(Cp)₂-Ti(NCS)₂] reacts with MCl₂ (M = Cu, Pd or Pt), [CuCl(PPh₃)₃], [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and [RuCl₂(DMSO)₄] (DMSO = dimethylsulphoxide) giving solid compounds of stochiometry [(Cp)₂Ti(-NCS)₂MCl₂] (M = Cu, Pd or Pt), [(Cp)₂Ti(-NCS)₂CuCl(PPh₃)], [(Cp)₂Ti(-NCS)₂-RuCl(PPh₃)₂]Cl and [(Cp)₂Ti(-NCS)₂RuCl₂(DMSO)2]. These products have been characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Synthesis of natural pulvinic acids based on a ‘[3+2] cyclization-Suzuki cross-coupling’ strategy

A number of pulvinic acid natural products were prepared based on Suzuki cross coupling reactions of α-hydroxy-γ-alkylidenebutenolides which are readily available by cyclization of 1,3-bis-silyl enol ethers with oxalyl chloride. The formal total synthesis of pulvinic acid, atromentic acid, gomphidic acid and of 4-hydroxypulvinic acid, 4′-hydroxypulvinic acid and iso-gomphidic acid are reported. In addition, total syntheses of pinastric acid, xerocomic acid and variegatic acid were accomplished.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of 4-(4'-(chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine) derivatives

A new series of 4-(4'-chlorophenyl)-4-hydroxypiperidine derivatives (2-5), substituted at nitrogen, were synthesized and tested as potential analgesic compounds as well as evaluated for their effect on hypotensive activity. Results showed that all the derivatives exhibit significant analgesic activity in male Wistar rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg of body weight after intramuscular injection, when tested by thermal stimuli (tail flick test). Pethidine was used as reference drug. Compounds 2, 3 and 5 produced reduction in blood pressure in normotensive rat.     

Nitrate ion transport across TBP-kerosene oil supported liquid membranes coupled with uranyl ions

The role of nitrate ions in uranyl ions transport across TBP-kerosene oil supported liquid membranes (SLM) at varied concentrations of HNO₃ and NaNO₃ has been studied. It has been found that nitrate ions move faster compared to uranyl ions at the uranium feed solution concentrations studied. The nitrate to uranyl ions flux ratio vary from 355 to 2636 under different chemical conditions. At low uranium concentration the nitrate ions transport as HNO₃ · TBP, in addition to as UO₂(NO₃)₂ · 2TBP type complex species. The flux of nitrate ions is of the order of 12.10 · 10^–3 mol · m^–2 · s^–1 compared to that of uranium ions (4.56 · 10^–6 mol · m^–2 · s^–1). The permeability coefficient of the membrane for nitrate ions varies with chemical composition of the feed solution and is in the order of 2.5 · 10^–10 m^–2 · s^–1. The data is useful to estimate the nitrate ions required to move a given amount of uranyl ions across such an SLM and in simple solvent extraction.     

Reactivity of [M2(μ‐Cl)2(cod)2] (M=Ir,Rh) and [Ru(Cl)2(cod)(CH3CN)2] with Na[H2B(bt)2]: Formation of Agostic versus Borate Complexes

Treatment of [M₂(μ‐Cl)₂(cod)₂] (M=Ir and Rh) with Na[H₂B(bt)₂] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene and bt=2‐mercaptobenzothiazolyl) at low temperature led to the formation of dimetallaheterocycles [(Mcod)₂(bt)₂], 1 and 2 ( 1 : M=Ir and 2 : M=Rh) and a borate complex [Rh(cod){κ²‐S,S′‐H₂B(bt)₂}], 3 . Compounds 1 and 2 are structurally characterized metal analogues of 1,5‐cyclooctadiene. Metal–metal bond distances of 3.6195(9) Å in 1 and 3.6749(9) Å in 2 are too long to consider as bonding. In an attempt to generate the Ru analogue of 1 and 2 , that is [(Rucod)₂(bt)₂], we have carried out the reaction of [Ru(Cl)₂(cod)(CH₃CN)₂] with Na[H₂B(bt)₂]. Interestingly, the reaction yielded agostic complexes [Ru(cod)L{κ³‐H,S,S′‐H₂B(bt)₂}], 4 and 5 ( 4 : L=Cl; 5 : L=C₇H₄NS₂). One of the key differences between 4 and 5 is the presence of different ancillary ligands at the metal center. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of 1 and 2 shows that there is four lone pairs of electrons on each metal center with a significant amount of d character. Furthermore, the electronic structures and the bonding of these complexes have been established on the ground of quantum‐chemical calculations. All of the new compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis.     

Color Bricks: Building Highly Organized and Strongly Absorbing Multicomponent Arrays of Terpyridyl Perylenes on Metal Oxide Surfaces

Terpyridine‐substituted perylenes containing cyclic anhydrides in the peri position were synthesized. The anhydride group served as an anchor for assembly of the terpyridyl‐crowned chromophores as monomolecular layers on metal oxide surfaces. Further coordination with Zn²⁺ ions allowed for layer‐by‐layer formation of supramolecular assemblies of perylene imides on the solid substrates. With properly selected anchor and linker molecules it was possible to build high quality structures of greater than ten successive layers by a simple and straightforward procedure. The prepared films were stable and had a broad spectral coverage and high absorbance. To demonstrate their potential use, the synthesized dyes were employed in solid‐state dye‐sensitized solar cells, and electron injection from the perylene antennas to titanium dioxide was observed.