<Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium purpurogenum</Emphasis> produces a highly stable endo-β-(1,4)-galactanase

The polysaccharides of galactose present in the pectin of the plant cell wall are degraded by endo-β-1,4-galactanases. The filamentous fungus Penicillium purpurogenum, which grows on a number of natural carbon sources, among them sugar beet pulp which contains pectin, has a gene (ppgal1) coding an endo-β-1,4-galactanase (PpGAL1). This enzyme was expressed heterologously in Pichia pastoris. It has a molecular mass of 38 kDa, a pH optimum of 4–4.5, and an optimal temperature of 60 °C. It is 100 % stable for up to 24 h at pH 4–4.5 and 40 °C. These stability properties, which exceed those from other endo-β-1,4-galactanases reported to date, make it particularly suitable for industrial processes requiring acidic conditions and temperatures up to 40 °C. PpGAL1 is, therefore, a potentially effective tool in the food industry and in other biotechnological applications.     

Properties and <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-glycosylation of recombinant endoglucanase II from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium verruculosum</Emphasis>

Cellulases are the main components of enzyme complexes used in biotransformation processes of plant raw materials into valuable commercial products. Endoglucanase II (EG II) from the Penicillium verruculosum fungus was cloned into Penicillium canescens. The homogeneous recombinant EGII form is isolated and its properties are studied in comparison with the native enzyme. The N-glycosylation sites and the structure of the N-linked glycans are been determined using mass spectrometry. The biochemical and catalytic properties, as well as the N-glycosylation type of the obtained recombinant EGII form, appear to be close to the native enzyme. At the two potential N-glycosylation sites (N42 and N194) of both forms of the enzyme, N-linked high mannose glycans (or their enzymatic “trimming” products) according to the general formula (Man)_1–9(GlcNAc)₂ are detected. No glycosylation is found at the third potential site (N19).     

Comparative characterization of xylanases XylA and XylE from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Penicillium canescens</Emphasis> fungi

Two xylanases (XylA and XylE) of glycoside hydrolase family 10 are isolated from an enzyme preparation produced by Penicillium canescens fungi. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of glucuronoxylan and arabinoxylan by the purified enzymes and the effect of proteinaceous (XIP-like) inhibitors from rye on the viscometric activity of the xylanases are studied. XylA provides a more complete conversion of glucuronoxylan than XylE, while XylE is more effective in the arabinoxylan hydrolysis. Unlike XylA, XylE is resistant to the proteinaceous inhibitors from rye—this property is rarely found in the enzymes of family 10. Thus, XylE is a promising enzyme for use as a cereal feed additive, while XylA may potentially be used for the biobleaching of cellulose from hardwoods, which contain glucuronoxylan as one of the major components.     

Cloning and expression of two genes coding endo-β-1,4-glucanases from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Trichoderma asperellum</Emphasis> PQ34 in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pichia pastoris</Emphasis>

Two genes coding endo-β-1,4-glucanases were cloned from Trichoderma asperellum PQ34 which was isolated from Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. The expression of these genes in Pichia pastoris produced two enzymes with molecular masses of approximately 46 kDa (about 42 kDa of enzymes and 4 kDa of signal peptide). The effects of induction time and temperature, inducer concentration, and culture medium on the endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity were investigated. The results showed that the highest total activities of two endo-β-1,4-glucanases were approximately 4.7 × 10^?8 kat (from Glu1-TA gene) and 7.3 × 10^?8 kat (from Glu2-TA gene) occurred after 4 days of induction using 25 mL L^?1 methanol at 30?C when the yeast cells were cultured in a YPL medium.     

Purification and Characterisation of a Thermostable β-Xylosidase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus niger</Emphasis> van Tieghem of Potential Application in Lignocellulosic Bioethanol Production

A locally isolated strain of Aspergillus niger van Tieghem was found to produce thermostable β-xylosidase activity. The enzyme was purified by cation and anion exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Maximum activity was observed at 70–75 °C and pH 4.5. The enzyme was found to be thermostable retaining 91 and 87% of its original activity after incubation for 72 h at 60 and 65 °C, respectively, with 52% residual activity detected after 18 h at 70 °C. Available data indicates that the purified β-xylosidase is more thermostable over industrially relevant prolonged periods at high temperature than those reported from other A. niger strains. Maximum activity was observed on p-nitrophenyl-β-d-xylopyranoside and the enzyme also hydrolysed p-nitrophenyl β-d-glucopyranoside and p-nitrophenyl α-l-arabinofuranoside. The purified enzyme acted synergistically with A. niger endo-1,4-β-xylanase in the hydrolysis of beechwood xylan at 65 °C. During hydrolysis of pretreated straw lignocellulose at 70 °C using a commercial lignocellulosic enzyme cocktail, inclusion of the purified enzyme resulted in a 19-fold increase in the amount of xylose produced after 6 h. The results observed indicate potential suitability for industrial application in the production of lignocellulosic bioethanol where thermostable β-xylosidase activity is of growing interest to maximise the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-β-Nitroxyethyl derivatives of 1,1’-[methylenebis(oxy)]bis(triaz-1-ene 2-oxides)

Synthetic procedures towards new N-β-hydroxyethyl- and N-β-bromoethylated 1,1’-[methyl enebis(oxy)]bis(triaz-1-ene 2-oxides) were developed. N-β-Nitroxyethyl[methylenebis(oxy)]- bis(triaz-1-ene 2-oxides) were first synthesized by nitration of N-β-hydroxyethyl derivatives and nucleophilic substitution of the bromine atom of N-β-bromoethyl derivatives. The first representative of a new class of energetic compounds, namely, (1-nitroxymethoxy)triaz-1-ene 2-oxide, was synthesized.     

Condensation of aldehydes and ketones

The alkaline condensation of β-aceto-and β-propionaphthalenes with furfural has given, respectively, 2-(α-furfuryl)-1, 3-di(β-naphthoyl)-propane and 3-(α-furyl)-2,4-di(β-naphthoyl)pentane; both δ-diketones have also been obtained by the Michael condensation. Under more severe conditions, two molecules of furfural condense with three molecules of β-acetonaphthalene to form 2, 4-di(α-furyl)-1, 3, 5-tri(β-naphthoyl)pentane. Under similar conditions, benzaldehyde exhibits only a feeble capacity for triketone condensation with β-acetonaphthalene. The condensation of β-propionaphthalene with furfural has given the new compound furylidenepropionaphthalene. It has been shown that both under the conditions of the improved Chichibabin pyridine synthesis and under the conditions of the Leuckhardt reaction, 3-(α-furyl)-1, 3-di(β-naphthoyl)propane gives 4-(α-furyl)-2, 6-di(β-naphthyl)pyridine.     

Chemistry of Acyl(imidoyl)ketenes: IX. Synthesis and Thermolysis of 3-Aroyl-8-chloro-1,2-dihydro-4<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-pyrrolo[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones

Reactions of 3-Z-aroylmethylene-6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-ones with oxalyl chloride afford 3-aroyl-8-chloro-1,2-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones and Z-3-(2-aryl-2-chlorovinyl)-6-chloro-2H-1,4-benzoxazine-2-ones. Aroyl(imidoyl)ketenes generated by decarbonylation of pyrrolobenzoxazinetriones undergo dimerization through [4+2]-cycloaddition to form 4-aroyl-3-aroyloxy-2-(2-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3-yl)-1H, 5H-pyrido[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,5-diones.     

Cycloascauloside b from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Astragalus caucasicus</Emphasis>

The structure of a new cycloartane glycoside isolated from leaves of Astragalus caucasicus Pall. (Leguminosae) was elucidated using chemical transformations and spectral data. Cycloascauloside B is 20R, 25-epoxy-24S-cycloartan-3β,6α,16β,24-tetraol 3-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1å2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside.     

DMT [(−)-(2<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,3<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutane-1,4-diol], a highly efficient host compound for nitroaromatic guests: selectivity,X-ray and thermal analyses

In this work, we reveal that the compound (?)-(2R,3R)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutane-1,4-diol (DMT) is a highly efficient host material for nitroaromatics o-nitrotoluene (o-NT), m-nitrotoluene (m-NT), p-nitrotoluene (p-NT) and nitrobenzene (NB). Each of these guests was included with a 2:1 host:guest ratio. The host displayed selectivity for p-NT and NB when these guests were mixed in equimolar proportions with any one of the other guest solvents, and the host recrystallized from this binary mixture. A selectivity order for the host in these conditions was thus noted to be NB?≈?p-NT?>?o-NT?>?m-NT. Furthermore, guests were also mixed in non-equimolar proportions and the host behaviour analysed, the results of which were in accordance with observations from the equimolar studies. Additionally, an equimolar quaternary experiment of all four guests provided a somewhat adjusted host selectivity order [p-NT (39.9%)?>?NB (30.2%)?>?m-NT (17.1%)?>?o-NT (12.8%)]. Single crystal diffraction analyses of all four complexes showed the crystals to share the same host packing, and comparable host–guest interactions were observed in each. However, thermal analyses, both DSC and TG, showed that the preferred guests p-NT and NB formed complexes with increased relative thermal stabilities, and this observation correlated with the selective behaviour of the host in competition experiments.     

Fabrication of <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-1,4-polyisoprene nanofibers by electrospinning and its crystallization behavior and mechanism

Trans-1,4-polyisoprene (TPI) nanofibers have been fabricated successfully through electrospinning technology. Through the control of electrospinning parameters, highly crystallized TPI fresh fibers composed mainly by β phase were produced. Morphology and diameter of TPI nanofibers can be controlled by adjusting the electrospinning conditions. The in situ observations of FTIR spectra revealed that the crystallinity of the TPI fibers decreased with aging. While for TPI nanofibers aging at 45 °C for 24 h, a decrease in crystallinity as well as β to α transformation was observed with aging and these changings happened in the first 50 h during aging. The mechanism for β-TPI formation during electrospinning process and the reduced crystallinity with aging were proposed.     

Synthesis of new heterocycles by oxidation of functionalized cyclic derivatives of bis(2-chlorovinyl) sulfide and selenide

Oxidation of 4-substituted 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]thiomorpholine with hydrogen peroxide in a mixture of chloroform with acetic acid afforded the corresponding 4-R-2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-thiomorpholine 1-oxide. The results of oxidation of bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-dichalcogenanes under analogous conditions depended on the chalcogen nature and its position in the ring. The reaction of 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-dithiane gave 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-dithiane-1,1,4,4-tetraone, whereas 3,5-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-thiaselenane-1,1-dione was unexpectedly obtained from 3,5-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-thiaselenane. 2,6-Bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-thiaselenane and 2,6-bis[(E)-chloromethylidene]-1,4-diselenane decomposed under the oxidation conditions.     

Oxidative trifluoroacetamidation of (1<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>,3<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene and 1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbuta-1,3-diene

Reactions of trifluoroacetamide with (1E,3E)-1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene and 1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbuta-1,3-diene in the oxidative system t-BuOCl–NaI have been studied. The reaction with (1E,3E)-1,4-diphenylbuta-1,3-diene afforded three products, N,N′-(phenylmethylene)bis(trifluoroacetamide), 3-chloro-4-iodo- 2,5-diphenyl-1-(trifluoroacetyl)pyrrolidine, and trifluoro-N-[(3E)-2-hydroxy-1,4-diphenylbut-3-en-1-yl]acetamide, with a high overall yield. 1,1,4,4-Tetraphenylbuta-1,3-diene failed to react with trifluoroacetamide.     

Preparation,characterization of new Co(II) and Cu(II) phthalocyanines and their catalytic performances in aerobic oxidation of substituted phenols

The host–guest inclusion complex of meta-cresol (m-cresol, liquid at room temperature, guest molecule) is synthesized with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD, host molecule). The inclusion complex is characterized by various techniques like nuclear magnetic resonance, powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and spectroscopic (steady state as well as time-resolved) techniques. To the best of our knowledge, no literature data is available on the photophysical properties (especially fluorescence upon photoexcitation) of m-cresol in liquid media till date. Our spectroscopic studies exhibit some interesting photophysical properties of m-cresol and its inclusion complex with β-CD in different liquid media. The present work is important in view of the various potential applications of m-cresol in science, technology and medicine.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Biological Activity of Products of Reactions of 3,4-Dioxohexane-1,6-dioic Acid Esters with 2-Aminophenol

Bioactive derivatives of 1,4-benzoxazine have been prepared via reactions of 3,4-dioxohexane-1,6- dioic (ketipic) acid esters with 2-aminophenol. (2'Z)-2,2'-(2-Hydroxy-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-yl-3-ilidene)diacetic acid esters or (2Z)-[2-oxo-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-ylidene]acetic acid esters can be formed depending on the conditions. The structures of the products of dialkyl ketipate esters reactions with 2-aminophenol were determined by means of X-ray diffraction. It has been demonstrated that the prepared compounds exhibit antimycotic activity against test cultures of plant pathogenic fungi (Fusauium sp., Alternarium sp., and Bipolaris soraciniana).     

Glycosylation of panaxadiol

Glycosylation of 3β,12β-dihydroxy-20R,25-epoxydammarane (panaxadiol) (1) under Koenigs–Knorr, Helferich, and ortho-ester reaction conditions was studied. Condensation of panaxadiol and 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosylbromide (2) in the presence of silver oxide and 4-Å molecular sieves in dichloroethane gave a mixture of acetylated panaxadiol 3- and 12-O-β-D-glucopyranosides (3:1 ratio). Reaction of diol 1 and D-glucose tert-butylorthoacetate (3) in the presence of 2,4,6-collidinium perchlorate in chlorobenzene resulted in regioselective formation of panaxadiol 12-O-β-D-glucopyranoside tetraacetate. Reaction of equimolar amounts of 1 and glycosyl donor 2 in the presence of Hg(II) cyanide in nitromethane at 90°C was accompanied by opening of the tetrahydropyran ring and gave 3β,12β,25-trihydroxydammar20(22)E-ene 12-O-β-D-glucopyranoside tetraacetate. Panaxadiol 3- and 12-O-β-D-glucopyranosides and 3β,12β,25-trihydroxydammar-20(22)E-ene 12-O-β-D-glucopyranoside tetraacetate were synthesized for the first time.     

Hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of 3-aroylpyrrolo[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>][1,4]benzoxazines with styrene. Synthesis of pyrano[4′,3′: 2,3]pyrrolo[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>][1,4]benzoxazines

The hetero-Diels–Alder reaction of 3-aroylpyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-1,2,4-triones with styrene afforded mixtures of diastereoisomeric (10R*,11aR*)- and (10S*,11aR*)-8-aryl-10-phenyl-10,11-dihydropyrano[4′,3′: 2,3]pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzoxazine-6,7,12-triones.     

Synthesis of isotactic polystyrene-block-polyethylene by the combination of sequential monomer addition and hydrogenation of 1,4-<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-polybutadiene block

Herein, we demonstrate the synthesis of a well-defined diblock copolymer consisting of isotactic polystyrene (iPS) and linear polyethylene, isotactic polystyrene-block-polyethylene (iPS-b-PE), by the combination of sequential monomer addition and hydrogenation. Isospecific living polymerization of styrene and living trans-1,4-polymerization of 1,3-butadiene were catalyzed by 1,4-dithiabutandiyl-2,2′-bis(6-cumenyl-4-methylphenoxy) titanium dichloride (complex 1) activated by triisobutyl aluminum modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) at room temperature to provide highly isotactic polystyrene (iPS) and 1,4-trans-polybutadiene (1,4-trans-PBD) with narrow molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, the iPS-b-1,4-trans-PBD was synthesized via sequential monomer addition in the presence of complex 1 and MMAO. The hydrogenation of the 1,4-trans-PBD block was promoted by RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ used as a catalyst to produce iPS-b-PE.     

Synthesis of pyranopyrazoles,benzopyrans, amino-2-chromenes and dihydropyrano[<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis>]chromenes using ionic liquid with dual Brønsted acidic and Lewis basic sites

An efficient ionic liquid with both Brønsted acidic and Lewis basic sites, namely 1,4-dimethyl-1-(4-sulphobutyl)piperazinium hydrogen sulphate (IL1), was synthesised and characterised. IL1 is a “green”, homogeneous and reusable catalyst for: i) the synthesis of pyranopyrazoles (Va-Vj)and benzopyrans (VIa-VIj and VIIa-VIIf) at ambient temperature under solvent-free conditions and ii) the synthesis of amino-2-chromenes (VIIIa-VIIIi and IXa-IXi) and dihyropyrano[c]chromenes (Xa-Xi) at 80 °C under solvent-free conditions. The reactions were rapid with excellent product yields. In addition, the double Brønsted acid, 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-bis(4-sulphobutyl)piperazinium hydrogen sulphate (IL2), was prepared to evaluate the cooperation efficiency of their Brønsted acidic and Lewis basic sites as compared with the double Brønsted acidic sites in IL1.     

Reaction of N-substituted 2,5-dialkyl-1,4-benzoquinone imines with arenesulfinic acids

Reactions of N-aroyl-, N-arylsulfonyl-, and N-(N-arylsulfonylbenzimidoyl)-2,5-dialkyl-1,4-benzoquinone imines with sodium arenesulfinates in acetic acid gave the corresponding 1,4-, 6,1-, and 1,6-addition products. Variation of the size and donor power of substituents in positions 2 and 5 of the quinoid ring almost does not affect the ratio of the addition products, which is determined mainly by the nature of substituent on the nitrogen atom.