Additional cytotoxic substances isolated from the sponge-derived Gymnascella dankaliensis

A continuous investigation of secondary metabolites produced by the sponge-derived fungus, Gymnascella dankaliensis, has yielded a new polyketide tyrosine derivative, dankastatin C (3) and the known steroid, demethylincisterol A₃ (4), which was originally found from a Homaxinella marine sponge. The stereostructure of the new compound has been determined based on the analysis of 1D and 2D NMR data. Dankastatin C (3) showed potent cell growth inhibitory activity against the murine P388 cell line.     

Further applications of endocyclic enamine-enone annulations : The total syntheses of rac-Sceletium alkaloid A4 and 3'-demethoxy sceletium alkaloid A4

The total synthesis of rac-sceletium alkaloid A₄1a and of its 3'-demethoxy analogue 1b via the annulation of endocyclic enamines 4a–b is presented. The Michael acceptor 5a is a useful synthon for the two-step synthesis of 2,3-disubstituted pyridines from Δ²-pyrrolines.     

A concise and divergent approach to radicamine B and hyacinthacine A3 based on a step-economic transformation

Based on our recently developed step-economic methodology of reductive alkylation of lactams/amides, we have developed a two-step synthesis of azasugar radicamine B (2a) and a four-step synthesis of azasugar hyacinthacine A₃ (5) from the common chiral building block 12. Hantzsch ester (HEH) was used as a milder hydride donor in the one-pot stereoselective reductive alkylation of lactam 12. The Wacker oxidation of fully substituted pyrrolidine derivative 2,5-trans-17 led to the synthesis of hyacinthacine A₃ (5). Compound 2,5-trans-17 could also serve as a plausible key intermediate for the synthesis of broussonetine sub-class of azasugars.     

Effect of nanoparticles agglomeration on electrical properties of La1−xAxMnO3 (A = Sr,Ba) nanopowder and ceramic solid solutions

Peculiar features of the sol–gel synthesis of substituted manganites La_1−xA_xMnO₃ (A = Sr, Ba) have been investigated. Variation of the gel pH during synthesis was shown to affect the aggregation of particles and their crystal structure. Electrical properties of nanopowder and ceramic La_1−xA_xMnO₃ solid solutions were studied. Additional heat treatment was revealed to affect not only the resistivity, but also the character of its temperature dependence. It was shown that under the synthesis and heat treatment conditions used in the work, the La_1−xBa_xMnO₃ solid solutions with x = 0.15 have the lowest conductivity at 1200 K, which allows using them as thick-film cathodes.     

Photoactive liquid crystalline polymers: A comprehensive study of linear and hyperbranched polymers synthesized by A2B2, A2B3, A3B2, and A3B3 approaches

A series of linear and hyperbranched polyester epoxies, with varied structural parameters such as kinked structure and different dendritic architectures, were synthesized by A₂ + B₂, A₂ + B₃, A₃ + B₂, and A₃ + B₃ approaches. The structures of synthesized monomers and polymers were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic techniques. The effect of varied structural parameters on phase behavior and photoresponsive properties was investigated by using differential scanning calorimeter, thermal optical polarized microscope, UV–visible spectroscopy, photoviscosity, and refractive index studies. The transition temperatures of hyperbranched polymers were higher than that of the corresponding linear analogues. All the polymers showed nematic phase (nematic droplets) over a broad temperature range. The effect of kinked structural unit on photoresponsive property is less in both linear and hyperbranched architectures. Although the effect of architectural nature is highly considerable within the hyperbranched architectures, the polymer (HPE–33) synthesized by A₃ + B₃ approach showed highest rate of photocrosslinking, followed by HPE–I 32; HPE–T 32, and HPE–23, which were synthesized by A₃ + B₂ and A₂ + B₃ approaches, respectively. The findings in photoresponsive properties were further supported by molecular modeling studies. Substantial variation of refractive index (0.015–0.024) indicates that these polymers could be used for optical recording. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

The α and β domains of human metallothionein-3 co-operatively protect against Aβ1-42-Cu2+ cytotoxicity

Cytotoxicity of A β with redox active metals in neuronal cells has been implicated in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease （AD）.Zn₇MT-3 protects cell against Aβ-Cu²⁺ toxicity.The roles of single domain proteins（α/β） andα-βdomain-domain interaction of Zn₇MT-3 in its anti-Aβ_1-42-Cu²⁺ toxicity activity were investigated herein.Aβ_1-42 and four mutants of human MT3 （α/βdomain,β（MT3）-α（MTl） and A31-34） were prepared and characterized.Aβ_1-42-Cu²⁺ induced hydroxyl radical and ROS production with/without Zn-MTs were measured by fluorescence spectroscopy and DCFH-DA in living cells,respectively.These results indicate that the two domains form a co-operative unit and each of them is indispensable in conducting its bioactivity.     

Molecular constants for the ã 3A2 state of formaldehyde

The 0⁺–0 and 1⁺–0 bands of the ā ³A₂X? ¹A₁ transition of formaldehyde have been reinvestigated using higher resolving power than was available in the earlier work of Raynes. The rotational analyses have been considerably extended, and improved molecular constants for the ā ³A₂ state have been obtained with the aid of a new triplet—singlet computer programme.^sSR branches of the K′ = 7K″ = 5 and K′ = 5K″ = 3 subbands have been observed in the 0⁺–0 band using 7m atm of absorbing gas. These results provide the first example of the observation of ΔK = ±2 transitions in triplet—singlet bands of a polyatomic molecule. The “perpendicular” transition moment is found to be about 10% of the “parallel” transition moment.     

A new approach to binary tree-based heuristics

The goals and limitations of some clustering methods are briefly reviewed. In order to avoid the usual methods which are very demanding on computer time and space, a new scheme is proposed for updating (generation) of, and retrieval from, large data bases organized as binary trees. The method is based on calculation of three distances at any given vertex l on the level n, A(l,n) instead of two. The respective distances d₁(X,A_l), d₂(X,A_r), d₃(A_lA_r) are calculated between the input vector X and the left and right descendant of the vertex A(l,n), A_l and A_r, respectively. The advantage of the method compared to the standard clustering methods or formation of hierarchal trees is that the required memory or computational time is reduced from N² to approximately N log N (N is the number of clustering objects).     

A study of atom-atom and atom-molecule interactions in the resonance extraction of sodium atoms

The formation of Na(n²L) and Na₂(A¹?_u⁺, B¹Π_u) in sodium vapour(≈10¹⁴–10¹⁵ cm^?3) irradiated by a cw dye laser tuned to the D lines has been studied. The density of excited atoms was determined by measurements of the realtive absorption of 3²P-3²D transitions. These, together with measurements of Na and Na₂ fluorescence intensities, yield rate constants for formation of Na(n²L) and Na₂(A¹?_u⁺, B¹Π_u). The experimental evidence indicates a negligible role for the photorecombination process Na(3²P) + Na(3²S) in populating A¹?_u⁺ and B¹Π_u molecular states. A new stepwise process is proposed to account for excitation to the molecular diffuse band (420–450 nm).     

First total synthesis of (+)-hyacinthacine A2

The first synthesis of (+)-hyacinthacine A₂ has been achieved in six steps from 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-d-arabinofuranose in an overall yield of 11%. The structure of this natural product was thus unambiguously established as (1R,2R,3R,7aR)-1,2-dihydroxy-3-hydroxymethylpyrrolizidine.     

Synthesis of (R)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-carboxaldehyde: application to the synthesis of potent adenosine A2A and A3 receptor agonist

Synthesis of potent adenosine A_2A and A₃ receptor agonist from the modification of adenosine-5′-N-ethylcarboxamide (NECA) has been reported. Diastereoisomer possessing an (R)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyranyl (DHP) moiety exhibited the highest affinity at the A_2A and A₃ receptors. The key steps involve the synthesis of (R)-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-carboxaldehyde (7), which was obtained through the enzyme-catalyzed kinetic resolution of (±)-2-acetoxymethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (5).     

Crystal structures of disordered A2Mn3+M5+O6 (A=Sr,Ca; M=Sb,Nb, Ru) perovskites

Polycrystalline samples of A₂MnMO₆ (A=Sr, Ca; M=Nb, Sb, Ru) were prepared by conventional solid state synthesis and their crystal structures were determined using neutron powder diffraction data. All six compounds can be classified as distorted, disordered perovskites. The Mn³⁺/M⁵⁺ distribution is disordered in all six compounds. The strontium containing compounds, Sr₂MnMO₆ (M=Nb, Sb, Ru), undergo out of phase rotations of the octahedra about the c-axis (tilt system a⁰a⁰c⁻) leading to tetragonal I4/mcm space group symmetry. The calcium containing compounds, Ca₂MnMO₆ (M=Nb, Ru, Sb), have orthorhombic Pnma space group symmetry, as a result of a GdFeO₃-type octahedral tilting distortion (tilt system a⁻b⁺a⁻). A cooperative Jahn–Teller distortion is observed in Sr₂MnSbO₆ and Sr₂MnRuO₆, but it is much smaller than the distortion observed in LnMnO₃ (Ln=lanthanide ion) perovskites. It is possible that Jahn–Teller distortions of the MnO₆ octahedra take place on a short-range length scale in the other four compounds, but there is little or no evidence for cooperative ordering of the local distortions. These findings demonstrate a link between orbital ordering, cation ordering and octahedral tilting.     

A New Approach for the Synthesis of Miktoarm Star Polymers Through a Combination of Thiol–Epoxy “Click” Chemistry and ATRP/Ring‐Opening Polymerization Techniques

A new approach was developed for synthesis of certain A₃B₃‐type of double hydrophilic or amphiphilic miktoarm star polymers using a combination of “grafting onto” and “grafting from” methods. To achieve the synthesis of desired miktoarm star polymers, acetyl protected poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) thiols (M_n = 550 and 2000 g mol^?1) were utilized to generate A₃‐type of homoarm star polymers through an in situ protective group removal and a subsequent thiol–epoxy “click” reaction with a tris‐epoxide core viz. 1,1,1‐tris(4‐hydroxyphenyl)ethane triglycidyl ether. The secondary hydroxyl groups generated adjacent to the core upon the thiol–epoxy reaction were esterified with α‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to install atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiating sites. ATRP of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) using the three‐arm star PEG polymer fitted with ATRP initiating sites adjacent to the core afforded A₃B₃‐type of double hydrophilic (PEG)₃[poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)] (PNIPAM)₃ miktoarm star polymers. Furthermore, the generated hydroxyl groups were directly used as initiator for ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone to prepare A₃B₃‐type of amphiphilic (PEG)₃[poly(ε‐caprolactone)]₃ miktoarm star polymers. The double hydrophilic (PEG)₃(PNIPAM)₃ miktoarm star polymers showed lower critical solution temperature around 34 °C. The preliminary transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated formation of self‐assembly of (PEG)₃(PNIPAM)₃ miktoarm star polymer in aqueous solution. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 146–156     

Mischkristalle aus A4B3-Molekülen (A = P,As; B = S,Se)

Mixed Crystals from A₄B₃ Molecules (A = P, As; B = S, Se) The system P₄S₃? P₄Se₃? As₄S₃? As₄Se₃ was investigated by thermal and x-ray methods. Five regions of solid solubility with different crystal structures were found at room temperature. The range of existence can be influenced by the temperature of annealing. All these phases transform into a plastic-crystalline modification with complete solid solubility at higher temperature. A decomposition reaction of the A₄B₃ molecules was observed in the P₄Se₃/As₄Se₃/As₄S₃ part of the system. The molecules decompose into A₄B₄ molecules and an amorphous phase. The existence of all molecules of the type P_nAs_4–nS_mSe_3–m (n = 0–4, m = 0–3) and also As₄S_mSe_4–m (m = 1–3) was verified by mass spectrometric measurements. The thermochemical data of the mixed crystals are determined by the type of the constituent A₄B₃ molecules. The temperature and the entropy of the α–β transition are lower for mixed crystals, formed by substituted molecules, than for those of the same structure, consisting of pure A₄B₃ molecules.     

Approaching compositional limits of perovskite – type oxides and oxynitrides by synthesis of Mg0.25Ca0.65Y0.1Ti(O,N)3, Ca1–xYxZr(O,N)3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.4), and Sr1–xLaxZr(O,N)3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.4)

Partial substitution of cations and anions in perovskite-type materials is a powerful way to tune the desired properties. The systematic variation of the cations size, the partial exchange of O²⁻ for N³⁻ and their effect on the size of the optical band gap and the thermal stability was investigated here. The anionic substitution resulted in the formation of the orthorhombic perovskite-type oxynitrides Mg_0.25Ca_0.65Y_0.1Ti(O,N)₃, Ca_1-xY_xZr(O,N)₃, and Sr_1–xLa_xZr(O,N)₃. A two-step synthesis protocol was applied: i) (nano-crystalline) oxide precursors were synthesized by a Pechini method followed by ii) ammonolysis in flowing NH₃ at T = 773 K (Ti) and T = 1273 K (Zr), respectively. High-temperature synthesis of such oxide precursors by solid–state reaction generally resulted in phase separation of the different A-site cations. Changes of the crystal structures were investigated by Rietveld refinements of the powder XRD data, thermal stability by DSC/TG measurements in oxygen atmosphere, oxygen and nitrogen contents by O/N analysis using hot gas extraction technique, and optical band gaps by photoluminescence spectroscopy. By moving from Mg_0.25Ca_0.65Y_0.1Ti(O,N)₃ via Ca_1–xY_xZr(O,N)₃ to Sr_1–xLa_xZr(O,N)₃, the degree of tilting of the octahedral network is reduced, as observed by an increase in the B–X–B angles caused by the simultaneously increasing effective ionic radius of the A-site cation(s). In general, increasing substitution levels on the A-site (Y³⁺ and La³⁺) are accompanied by an enhanced replacement of O²⁻ by N³⁻. In all three systems, this anionic substitution resulted in a reduction of the optical band gap by approximately 1 eV (Ti) and up to 2.1 eV (Zr) compared to the respective oxides. For Mg_0.25Ca_0.65Y_0.1Ti(O,N)₃ an optical band gap of 2.2 eV was observed, appropriate for a solar water splitting photocatalyst. The Zr-based oxynitrides required a by a factor of 2 higher nitrogen contents to significantly reduce the optical band gap and the measured values of 2.9 eV–3.2 eV are larger compared to the Ti-based oxynitride. Bulk thermal stability was revealed up to T = 881 K. In general, the thermal stability decreased with increasing substitution levels due to an increasing deviation from the ideal anionic composition as demonstrated by O/N analysis.     

Structures of hexagonal vanadium fluoride bronzes: A high-resolution electron microscopic study

At least three and possibly four phases are shown to exist in the system A_xVF₃, where A = K, Rb, Cs, and Tl and x = 0.19–0.32. The α_I phase has the hexagonal tungsten bronze structure with a doubled c axis. For this structure there is one hexagonal tunnel containing two A sites per unit cell. Calculated electron microscope images, assuming that only one layer of A atom sites is occupied, simulate experimental images of this phase from both the [001] and [100] directions. The α_II phase is an orthorhombic superstructure containing two tunnels and four A sites per unit cell. Comparison of observed and calculated images shows one tunnel to be more fully occupied than the other. The α_IV phase has a c axis the length of six octahedra. Its existence is shown by diffraction patterns and fringe images. The existence of an α_III phase, having four hexagonal tunnels per unit cell, is suggested on the basis of diffraction patterns.     

Fluorescent properties of a dendritic ligand europium complex incorporated in polymethylvinylsiloxane

A dendritic europium complex, Eu(BCPD)₃Phen, has been incorporated into polymethylvinylsiloxane (PMVS). Its fluorescent properties have been investigated by fluorescence emission spectra and lifetime measurements. According to the fluorescence emission spectra, the Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω₂, Ω₄ of Eu(BCPD)₃Phen/PMVS have been calculated. The radiative decay rate A_rad, the non-radiative rates A_nrad, the lifetime τ and the luminescent quantum yield η were analyzed also.     

A reproducible method for preparation and operation of microwave excited electrodeless discharge lamps: SIMPLEX optimization of experimental factors for a cadmium lamp

By means of a SIMPLEX optimization procedure, cadmium electrodeless discharge lamps (EDLs) operated at microwave frequencies (2450 MHz) were prepared and optimized with respect to: weight of cadmium, W₁ = 680–750 μg; time interval of the EDL blank under vacuum after water removal, t₁ = 0–1000 s; pressure of argon gas (under microwave excitation) during preparation, A₁ = 1–2.5 torr; microwave power for discharge during preparation, P₁ = 90–10O W; time interval for microwave discharge during preparation, t₂ = 20–28 s; time for EDL to cool before evacuation, t₃ = 240 s; time under vacuum after cooling period, t₄ = 0–500 s; pressure of argon to fill lamp, A₂ = 6–9 torr; microwave power for operation of EDL, P₂ = 55–65 W; and operating temperature of EDL, T = 290–330°C. Under the above conditions, EDLs were prepared reproducibly (atomic fluorescence detection limits were all within a factor of 3 or less). The resulting EDLs were consistently as good as or better than the best EDLs prepared in the past by the laboratory. Throughout the SIMPLEX optimization procedure, no EDL failed; all EDLs behaved as would be predicted by the preparation procedure.     

A facile sulfonylation method enabling direct syntheses of per(2-O-sulfonyl)-β-cyclodextrins

Cs₂CO₃ was found to efficiently catalyze the reaction of β-cyclodextrin and N-tosylimidazole. Stirring β-cyclodextrin and N-tosylimidazole in 1/1.2 molar ratio in DMF in the presence of catalytic amount of Cs₂CO₃ at rt for 1.5 h afforded 2^A-mono(O-tosyl)-β-cyclodextrin in 32% yield. The 2^A,2^B-, 2^A,2^C- and 2^A,2^D-ditosylates were isolated in ca. 6-7% yields, respectively, when β-cyclodextrin and N-tosylimidazole were used in 1/2.5 molar ratio. The charge of excess (10 equiv) of N-tosylimidazole ensured a one-step direct (protection-free) synthesis of the per(2-O-tosyl)-β-cyclodextrin in 5% isolated yield. N-(m-Nitrobenzenesulfonyl)imidazole even allowed a much faster access to the corresponding persulfonate in only 1 h reaction.     

Conformational study of α-arylethylamides of (−)-camphanic acid

The absolute conformation and configuration of diastereomeric amides (4A,B–6A,B) of (1S,3R)-camphanic acid (lactone of 1-hydroxy-2,2,3-trimethylcyclopentan-1,3-dicarboxylic acid, (−)-camphanic acid 9) with α-arylethylamines 1–3 are deduced from ¹H NMR data and MM2 calculations. The α-arylethyl group in diastereomers A and B adopt nearly opposite absolute conformations, stabilized by hydrogen bonding in the syn-oriented O–C(1)–C(6)–N–H unit, and repulsive interaction between the 1′C–Me group and the amide CO group. The absolute configuration (1′S) is assigned to the 4A–6A diastereomers, and the (1′R)-configuration to the 4B–6B diastereomers; this assignment is confirmed by the preparation of 4A and 5A from enantiomerically pure (1′S)-α-arylethylamines 1 and 2, respectively. These results also enabled the assignment of pro-R (H_R) and pro-S (H_S) protons in the benzyl derivative 7.