Design of the cold atom PHARAO space clock and initial test results

In this paper we describe the cold atom clock PHARAO, designed for microgravity operation. All elements of the PHARAO engineering model have been manufactured and delivered to CNES, the French space agency. We present the clock design, its main characteristics, and initial science operation. PHARAO is one of the main components of the Atomic Clock Ensemble in Space payload that is scheduled to fly on board the International Space Station in 2010. PACS 07.87.+v; 06.30.Ft; 95.55.Sh; 32.80.Pj     

Structures de l'odyendane et l'odyendene deux nouveaux quassinoides d'odyendea gabonensis (pierre) engl. Simaroubacees.

From the trunk bark of Odyendea gabonensis (Pierre) Engl. Simaroubaceae, two-new quassinoids have been isolated : Odyendane and Odyendene. Their structures were established from spectral data and X-Ray diffraction analysis.     

Optimization of St John's Wort flavonoid separation by reversed phase liquid chromatography on a silica-based monolithic column

Summary An optimization procedure for the separation of flavonoids from St John's Wort by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on monolithic stationary phase is described. Three-component mobile phase systems are studied using experimental design methodology. The starting experimental domain is a triangle, each vertex of which is a pure component. From preliminary isocratic experiments, truncations in the domain are performed leading to a quadrilateral shape working domain with no symmetry. To cope with both separation and analysis time, desirability functions are used. Optimal conditions are finally given by binary systems and the four flavonoids are separated in less than seven minutes.     

Molecular Recognition in Anion Coordination Chemistry. Structure,Binding Constants and Receptor-Substrate Complementarity of a Series of Anion Cryptates of a Macrobicyclic Receptor Molecule

The crystal structures of four anion cryptates [X^? ? BT -6H⁺] formed by the protonated macrobicyclic receptor BT -6H⁺ with F^?, Cl^?, Br^? and N have been determined. They provide a homogeneous series of anion coordination patterns with the same ligand. The small F^?-ion is tetracoordinated, while Cl^? and Br^? are bound in an octahedron of H-bonds. The non-complementarity between these spherical anions and the ellipsoïdal cavity of BT -6H⁺ is reflected in ligand distortions. Structural complementarity is achieved for the linear triatomic substrate N, which is bound by two pyramidal arrays of three H-bonds, each interacting with a terminal N-atom of N. The formation constants of the complexes formed by BT -6H⁺ with a variety of anions (halides, N, NO, carboxylates, SO, HPO, AMP^2?, ADP^3?, ATP^4?, P₂O) have been determined. Very strong complexations are found, as well as marked electrostatic and structural effects on stability and selectivity; in particular the binding of F^?, Cl^?, Br^?, and N may be analyzed in terms of the crystal structure data. The cryptand BT -6H⁺ is a molecular receptor containing an ellipsoïdal recognition site for linear triatomic substrates of size compatible with the size of the molecular cacity. Further developments of various aspects of anion coordination chemistry are considered.     

Glycosyl-nucleoside fluorinated amphiphiles as components of nanostructured hydrogels

The synthesis of two novel glycosyl-nucleoside fluorinated amphiphiles (GNFs) derived from the 2H,2H,3H,3H-perfluoro-undecanoyl hydrophobic chain is described. The GNF amphiphiles, which feature either β-d-glucopyranosyl or β-d-lactopyranosyl moieties linked to a thymine base via a 1,2,3 triazole linker, were prepared using a ‘double click’ chemistry route. Surface tension measurements, gelation properties, and TEM studies show that GNFs spontaneously assemble into supramolecular structures. Similarly to their hydrocarbon analogues (GNLs), the GNFs have unique gelation properties in water. A minimum hydrogelation concentration of 0.1% (w/w), was determined in the case of the β-d-glucopyranosyl derivative. Cell viability studies indicate that fluorocarbon GNF 5 was not toxic for human cells (Huh7), whereas hydrocarbon analogue GNL is toxic above 100 μm.     

Total Synthesis of (+)‐Rubriflordilactone A

Two enantioselective total syntheses of the nortriterpenoid natural product rubriflordilactone A are described, which use palladium‐ or cobalt‐catalyzed cyclizations to form the CDE rings, and converge on a late‐stage synthetic intermediate. These key processes are set up through the convergent coupling of a common diyne component with appropriate AB‐ring aldehydes, a strategy that sets the stage for the synthetic exploration of other members of this family of natural products.     

Readily available amino acid building blocks for the synthesis of phosphole-containing peptides

Nucleophilic substitution of a phospholide anion onto protected 3-iodoalanine leads to the formation of an amino acid with an appended phosphole in excellent yield. Manipulation of the protecting groups, leads to building blocks suitable for the synthesis of phosphole-containing polypeptides.