Chemistry and biology of the acylneuraminic acids

Acylneuraminic acids occupy an outstanding position both sterically and with respect to biological functions in gangliosides and in many glycoprotein molecules. Acylneuraminic acids are N-acylated and partly O-acylated derivatives of neuraminic acid, a polyhydroxyamino keto acid that has the properties of a carbohydrate and is therefore capable of forming a glycoside linkage. The present report provides a survey of our knowledge of the chemistry and biology of the acylneuraminic acids, which occur widely in particular in the animal kingdom.     

Synthèse du mèthyl-1 diformyl-2,3 pyrrole,de la méthyl-1 pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyridazine et de la méthyl-1 oxo-6 (6h)cycloheptatrieno[b] pyrrole

This communication describes the synthesis of l-methyl-2,3-diformylpyrrole. This new compound is used to prepare a new heterocycle, l-methylcyclohepta[b]pyrrol-6-one and thus allows a new synthesis of l-methylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine.     

Laccase-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation: oxidative dimerization of salicylic esters by air in aqueous solution

The laccase catalyzed oxidative dimerization of salicylic esters, a rare example of a laccase-catalyzed carbon-carbon bond formation, was studied. This reaction allows the use of air as stoichiometric oxidant and proceeds in aqueous solution. The preparative scope and the mechanism of the method, which provides a new and convenient access to functionalized biaryls under mild conditions, were investigated.     

Newly designed flow field-flow fractionation channel for macromolecules and particles in the submicrometer and micrometer range

The flow field-flow fractionation (FIFFF) technique is a promising method for separating and analysing particles and large size macromolecules from a few nanometers to approximately 50 μm. A new fractionation channel is described featuring well defined flow conditions even for low channel heights with convenient assembling and operations features. The application of the new flow field-flow fractionation channel is proved by the analysis of pigments and other small particles of technical interest in the submicrometer range. The experimental results including multimodal size distributions are presented and discussed.     

4-Methylumbelliferyl 5-Acetamido-3,4,5-trideoxy-α-D-manno-2-nonulopyranosidonic Acid: Synthesis and Resistance to Bacterial Sialidases

The synthesis of 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D -glycoside 13 of N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid and its behaviour towards bacterial sialidases is described. N-Acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid ( 1 ) was transformed into its methyl ester 2 and then acetylated to give the anomeric pentaacetates 3 and 4 of methyl 4-deoxyneuraminate and the enolacetate 5 (Scheme). A mixture 3/4 was treated with HCl/AcCl to give the glycosyl chloride, which was directly converted into the 4-methylumbelliferyl α-D -glycoside 9 of methyl 7-O,8-O,9-O,N-tetraacetylneuraminate and into the 2,3-dehydrosialic acid 11 . The ketoside 9 was de-O-acetylated to 12 with NaOMe in MeOH. Saponification (NaOH) of the methyl ester 12 followed by acidification gave the free 13 , which was also converted into the sodium salt 14 by passage through Dowex 50 (Na⁺). The 4-deoxy α-D -glycoside 13 is not hydrolyzed at significant rates by Vibrio cholerae and Arthrobacter ureafaciens sialidase. Neither the free N-acetyl-4-deoxyneuraminic acid ( 1 ), nor the α-D -glycoside 13 inhibit the activity of these sialidases.     

Thermisch stimulierte Lumineszenzerscheinungen. I Einfluß der Vorbehandlung von Kupferstaub und das Phänomen „Kontaktgedächtnis”︁

Thermally Stimulated Luminescence Phenomena. I. Influence of Pretreatment of Copper Dust and the Phenomenon “Contact Memory” The thermally stimulated luminescence of so-called “copper dust” is strongly influenced by its pretreatment. Samples which have been cooled prior to measurement show lower energies and those which have been mechanically treated, irradiated or heated, show higher thermoluminescence energies than samples which have been stored normally. After removal of the samples from the metallic carrier and subsequent heating of the latter, the thermoluminescence energies are proportional to those found for the sample measured immediately before. This phenomenon is considered as “contact memory”. All results are interpreted according to the concept of the hierarchic order.     

The luminescence efficiency of YAG: Ce phosphors

The luminescence intensity of Yttrium aluminium garnet activated by the Ce³⁺ (YAGCe³⁺) under cathode-ray excitation depends on the preparation method and content of some dopants. Samples containing Fe, Pt, Ir or some colour centre, respectively, show relatively low luminescence. The maximum luminescence intensity was obtained with the Czochralski method grown single crystals in 98% Ar+2% H₂ atmosphere which were sensitized by oxygen annealing followed by treatment at 1500 °C in molybdenum container using a wet hydrogen atmosphere.