The scaled one-electron Hamiltonian model for open-shelllcao-mo-scf calculations: further corrections to thesoeh energy

The wavefunction generated by the scaled one-electron Hamiltonian (soeh) model has been modified further by including all single excitations from the space of thesoeh function. A perturbation-variation ansatz has been invoked for obtaining the corresponding energy correction (ΔE ₂). [E(soeh)+ΔE ₂] is shown to reproduceE(Roothaan) very closely. It has been demonstrated that by making ΔE ₂ stationary with respect to change in μ results. The correctedsoeh [E(soeh)+ΔE ₂] is shown to be quite useful for the calculation of geometrical parameters of open-shell systems even though it lacks the ‘upper-boundedness’ exhibited byE(soeh).     

A study of Co/Mo/Al2O3 hydrodesulphurization catalysts and related model compounds byxps and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs )

A detailed investigation of sulphided Co/Mo/Al₂O₃ catalysts, their oxide precursors and several model oxides and sulphides of cobalt and molybdenum has been carried out using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy (xanes andexafs). Octahedrally coordinated Co(II) and Mo(IV) are shown to be present in a sulphidic environment on the surfaces of these catalysts. The surface species contain an excess of sulphur, probably involving disulphide linkages. The surface compositions of the catalysts examined conform to the general formula Co¹¹ Mo _2n ^IV (2n + 3)S ₂ ²⁻ (2n -2)S²⁻.     

Analysenverfahren nach Grote und Krekeler

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Rotational isomerism and barriers to internal rotation in 3-halopropenes byscf-mo methods

Electronic structures of 3 halopropenes have been investigated through semiempiricalscf-mo calculations using valence basis sets of atomic orbitals (ao) constructed from Slater type orbitals (sto). The electronic structures of stable conformers have been predicted and the corresponding calculated dipole moments show good agreement with experimental data. The considerable differences between the dipole moments of various conformers confirm the hindrance to internal rotation about the C−C bond, i.e., the existence of a definite potential barrier to rotation. The barrier heights hindering the internal rotation in each system are also estimated.     

l-Proline: an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of new spirooxindoles

Abstract  

l-Proline was found to be a versatile organocatalyst for the synthesis of new spirooxindole derivatives in good yields under mild reaction conditions using 1-propanol as a solvent.     

Hydrogen Bonding and Solvent Effects on Complexation of Alkali Metal Cations by Lower Rim Calix[4]arene Tetra(O-[N -acetyl-D -phenylglycine methyl ester]) Derivative

Complexation of alkali metal cations with 5,11,17,23-tetra-tert-butyl-26,28,25,27-tetrakis(O-methyl-D-α-phenylglycylcarbonylmethoxy)calix[4]arene (L) was studied by means of spectrophotometric, conductometric and potentiometric titrations at 25 °C. The solvent effect on the binding ability of L was examined by using two solvents with different affinities for hydrogen bonding, viz. methanol and acetonitrile. Despite the presence of intramolecular NH···O=C hydrogen bonds in L, which need to be disrupted to allow metal ion binding, this calix[4]arene amino acid derivative was shown to be an efficient binder for smaller Li⁺ and Na⁺ cations in acetonitrile (lg K_LiL > 5, lg K_NaL = 7.66), moderately efficient for K⁺ (lg K_KL = 4.62), whereas larger Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ did not fit in its hydrophilic cavity. The complex stabilities in methanol were significantly lower (lg K_NaL = 4.45, lg K_KL = 2.48). That could be explained by different solvation of the cations and by competition between the cations and methanol molecules (via hydrogen bonds) for amide carbonyl oxygens. The influence of cation solvation on complex stability was most pronounced in the case of Li⁺ for which, contrary to the quite stable LiL⁺ complex in acetonitrile, no complexation was observed in methanol under the conditions used.     

Synthesis of methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside-based azacrown ethers and their application in enantioselective reactions

New chiral monoaza-15-crown-5 compounds anellated to methyl-4,6-O-(1-naphthyl)methylene-α-d-glucopyranoside (2a–2b), to methyl-4,6-O-isopropylidene-α-d-glucopyranoside (3a–3b) and to methyl-α-d-glucopyranoside (4a–4b) have been synthesized. Several representatives of these crown ethers showed significant asymmetric induction as chiral phase transfer catalysts, among them 2a proved to be the most efficient one inducing 90% ee in the Michael addition of 2-nitropropane to chalcone, 48% ee in the Darzens condensation of phenacyl-chloride with benzaldehyde and 89% ee in the epoxidation of chalcone with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The catalytic results were compared with those obtained earlier with macrocycles 1a–1b incorporating a 4,6-O- benzylidene protecting moiety. It occurred that the enantioselectivity is influenced to a great extent by the substituents on the C(4) and C(6) atoms of the monosaccharide. Lower enantioselectivities were obtained in the reactions of the chalcone analogues in the presence of catalyst 2a than in the case of the proper chalcone.     

Anticancer Properties of Highly Purified l-Asparaginase from Withania somnifera L. against Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Withania somnifera L. has been traditionally used as a sedative and hypnotic. The present study was carried out for the purification, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxicity of l-asparaginase from W. somnifera L. l-Asparaginase was purified from the fruits of W. somnifera L. up to 95% through chromatography. The purified l-asparaginase was characterized by size exclusion chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), and 2D PAGE. The antitumor and growth inhibition effect of the l-asparaginase was assessed using [3-(4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] (MTT) colorimetric dye reduction method. The purified enzyme is a homodimer, with a molecular mass of 72 ± 0.5 kDa, and the pI value of the enzyme was around 5.1. This is the first report of the plant containing l-asparaginase with antitumor activity. Data obtained from the MTT assay showed a LD₅₀ value of 1.45 ± 0.05 IU/ml. W. somnifera L. proved to be an effective and a novel source of l-asparaginase. Furthermore, it shows a lot of similarity with bacterial l-asparaginases EC-2.     

Optimization of l -(+)-lactic acid production using pelletized filamentous Rhizopus oryzae NRRL 395

Lactic acid is used as a food additive for flavor and preservation and a precursor in the development of poly-lactic acid, a product used to make biodegradable plastics and textiles. Rhizopus oryzae NRRL 395 is known to be a strain that produces optically pure l-(+)-lactic acid. The morphology of Rhizopus cultures is complex, forming filamentous, clumps, and pellet mycelia. Different morphology growth has significant effects on lactic acid production. In bioreactors, the filamentous or clump mycelia increase the viscosity of the medium, wrap around impellers, and block the nutrient transportation, leading to a decrease in production efficiency and bioreactor performance. Growing fungi in pellet form can significantly improve these problems. In this study, factors that affect lactic acid production in pelletized flask cultures using R. oryzae NRRL 395 were investigated in detail. Completely randomized designs were used to determine the influence of culture temperature, time, concentration of glucose, and inoculum size. Lactic acid fermentation using clump and pellet morphologies were performed in a 5 L fermentor at the optimal values obtained from flask culture. Finally, fed-batch culture was used to enhance the lactate concentration in broth. The final lactate concentration of fed-batch culture reached 92 g/L. The data presented in the article can provide useful information on optimizing lactic acid production using alternative source materials.     

Konduktometrische Bestimmung des Thalliumi -Ions mit Alkalipseudohalogeniden

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Amino Acid Derivatives, V [1]: Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of α-Amino Acid Esters Bearing an α-d -Mannofuranoside Side Chain

d-Mannose was treated with dry acetone in the presence of conc. H₂SO₄ to afford 2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-mannofuranoside. Treating the latter with ethyl chloroacetate gave carboethoxymethyl 2,3:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-mannofuranoside, which was hydrolyzed with N₂H₄ · H₂O to afford the acid hydrazide derivative. Treating of the acid hydrazide with acylated amino acides, via the azide-coupling method afforded the corresponding O-glycopeptides. Reaction of the glycopeptide methyl esters with N₂H₄ · H₂O afforded the corresponding hydrazides, which were coupled with the amino acid methyl esters to afford the dipeptides. Deprotection was carried out by using 70% AcOH. The prepared O-glycopeptides were tested for antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus and showed moderate activities.     

Mechanistic study on the oxidation of l-phenylalanine by copper(III) in aqueous alkaline medium: a kinetic approach

Abstract  

Oxidation of the amino acid l-phenylalanine by diperiodatocuprate(III) in alkaline medium at constant ionic strength of 0.25 mol dm⁻³ was studied spectrophotometrically at different temperatures (298–313 K). The reaction between diperiodatocuprate(III) and l-phenylalanine in alkaline medium exhibits 1:2 stoichiometry. Intervention of free radicals was observed in the reaction. Based on the observed orders and experimental evidence, a mechanism involving monoperiodatocuprate(III) as the reactive oxidant species has been proposed, proceeding through the formation of a complex and reaction of the intermediate of l-phenylalanine with monoperiodatocuprate(III) to give the products. The products were identified by spot test, infrared (IR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism were calculated. The activation parameters with respect to the slow step of the mechanism were computed and are discussed. The thermodynamic quantities were determined for different equilibrium steps. The isokinetic temperature was also calculated and found to be 331 K.     

Study on polymeric micelles of poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymer and its mixtures with poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate) homopolymer in ethanol

Poly(γ-benzyl l-glutamate)-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) (PBLG-graft-PEG) copolymer was synthesized by the ester exchange reaction of the PBLG homopolymer with PEG. NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm the composition of the PBLG-graft-PEG copolymer. FTIR spectroscopy was used to characterize the chain conformation of polypeptide segments in the PBLG-graft-PEG copolymer in solid state. The self-assembly behavior of PBLG-graft-PEG and its mixtures with PBLG in ethanol were investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and viscometry. Experimental results showed that the PBLG-graft-PEG copolymer can self-assemble to form polymeric micelles with a core-shell structure of a thin shuttle-like shape. The introduction of the PBLG homopolymer into the mixed system not only decreases the critical micelle concentration (CMC) but also changes the morphology of the micelles from their shuttle-like shape to cylindrical shape. The effects of test temperature on the critical micelle concentration of PBLG-graft-PEG were also studied.     

Amino Acid Derivatives, IV [1]: Synthesis and Antiviral Evaluation of New α-Amino Acid Esters Bearing Methyl β-d -Ribofuranoside Side Chain

Methyl 2,3-O-isopropylidene-β-d-ribofuranoside was synthesized and oxidized with HIO₄ to afford the corresponding carboxylic acid. The latter was coupled with the appropriate acylated amino acids in the presence of HOBt and DDC as coupling reagents to give the corresponding amides. The methyl acetate derivative was hydrolyzed with 2 N KOH/MeOH to the corresponding carboxylic acid, which was coupled with l-glycine methyl ester to furnish the amide. Deprotection was carried out with 70% AcOH at reflux temperature. The prepared glycopeptides were tested for antiviral activity against Herpes Simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) and hepatitis-A virus (HAV). The plaque reduction infectivity assay was used to determine virus count reduction as a result of treatment with tested compounds.     

Improved synthesis of d,l-fluorocitric acid

We propose a decagram synthesis of commercially unavailable fluorocitric acid. The synthesis begins with benzyl fluoroacetate, which is converted to dibenzyl 2-fluoro-3-oxosuccinate, followed by condensation with malonic acid or its monobenzyl ester and subsequent hydrogenolysis.     

Unexpected transformation of methyl 3,6-anhydro-2,7-dideoxy-7-iodo-4,5-O-isopropylidene-D -allo-heptonate in the dehydroiodination reaction with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene

The reaction of methyl 3,6-anhydro-2,7-dideoxy-7-iodo-4,5-O-isopropylidene-D-allo-heptonate with 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene affords methyl 3,6-anhydro-2,7-dideoxy-4,5-O-isopropylidene-D-ribo-hept-6-enonate, which undergoes the previously unknown rearrangement into a 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole derivative. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2610–2613, November, 2005.     

Stereoselective Michael Addition of Carbonyl Compounds to ( E )-β-Nitrostyrene Catalysed by N -Toluensulfonyl-l -proline Amide in Ionic Liquids

Summary. N-Toluensulfonyl-l-prolin amide was tested as catalyst in the enantioselective Michael addition of carbonyl compounds to (E)-β-nitrostyrene in nine ionic liquids under different reaction conditions. The reaction rates and enantioselectivities were strongly dependent on the ionic liquids. Change of enantioselectivity was observed too and it is attributed to both the cation and the anion of ionic liquid. The best yields (up to 98%) and enantioselectivity (70% ee) of product were obtained in a basic ionic liquid [bmim]BF₄ at room temperature.