Two polymorphs of 20‐desmethyl‐β‐carotene

Two polymorphs of 20‐desmethyl‐β‐carotene (systematic name: 20‐nor‐β,β‐carotene), C₃₉H₅₄, in monoclinic and triclinic space groups, were formed in the same vial by recrystallization from pyridine and water. Each polymorph crystallizes with the complete molecule as the asymmetric unit, and the two polymorphs show differing patterns of disorder. The β end rings of both polymorphs have the 6‐s‐cis conformation, and are twisted out of the plane of the polyene chain by angles of −53.2 (8) and 47.3 (8)° for the monoclinic polymorph, and −43.6 (3) and 56.1 (3)° for the triclinic polymorph. The cyclohexene end groups are in the half‐chair conformation, but the triclinic polymorph shows disorder of one ring. Overlay of the molecules shows that they differ in the degree of nonplanarity of the polyene chains and the angles of twist of the end rings. The packing arrangements of the two polymorphs are quite different, with the monoclinic polymorph showing short intermolecular contacts of the disordered methyl groups with adjacent polyene chain atoms, and the triclinic polymorph showing π–π stacking interactions of the almost parallel polyene chains. The determination of the crystal structures of the two title polymorphs of 20‐desmethyl‐β‐carotene allows information to be gained regarding the structural effects on the polyene chain, as well as on the end groups, versus that of the parent compound β‐carotene. The absence of the methyl group is known to have an impact on various functions of the title compound.     

catena‐Poly[[bis[5‐(4‐pyridyl‐κN)‐2‐(2‐pyridylmethylsulfanyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole]cadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐thiocyanato‐κ2N:S;κ2S:N]

The title compound, [Cd(NCS)₂(C₁₃H₁₀N₄OS)₂]_n, contains SCN⁻ anions acting as end‐to‐end bridging ligands which utilize both S and N atoms to link cadmium(II) centers into one‐dimensional double chains. The multidentate 5‐(4‐pyridyl)‐2‐(2‐pyridylmethylsulfanyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ligands behave as monodentate terminal ligands, binding metal centers only through the N atoms of the 4‐pyridyl groups. Two types of eight‐membered rings are formed by two SCN⁻ anions bridging Cd^II centers, viz. planar and chair conformation, which are alternately disposed along the same chain. Finally, chains define a two‐dimensional array through two different interchain π–π stacking interactions.     

Star‐shaped and photocrosslinked poly(1,5‐dioxepan‐2‐one): Synthesis and characterization

New star‐shaped and photocrosslinked poly(1,5‐dioxepan‐2‐one) (PDXO) has been synthesized through ring‐opening polymerization initiated by SnOct₂/pentaerythritol. The star‐shaped PDXO was end‐functionalized by acrolyol chloride to form acrylate end groups. The end‐functionalized PDXO was photocrosslinked initiated by 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenylacetophenone. The gel content ranged from 80 to 99%, indicating a high degree of crosslinking. The thermal properties of the star‐shaped PDXO and the photocrosslinked PDXO were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. The glass‐transition temperature was determined to approximately ?32 °C for the crosslinked PDXO. The viscosity numbers were determined for star‐shaped PDXO, with reference to linear homologues. The star‐shaped PDXO had lower viscosity numbers than the linear counterparts. The crosslinked PDXO showed a rather hydrophilic surface as compared with other resorbable polyesters. The advancing contact angle was 64 ± 2, and the receding angle was 57 ± 4. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2049–2054, 2002     

Enzyme‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of 3(S)‐isopropylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione

The enzymatic ring‐opening polymerization of a 6‐membered cyclic depsipeptide, 3(S)‐isopropylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione in the bulk, was investigated by using lipases as catalysts at 100 and 130°C. Unchanged monomer was recovered in the absence of the enzyme or using an inactivated enzyme, indicating that the present polymerization proceeds through enzymatic catalysis. Poly(3‐isopropylmorpholine‐2,5‐dione) has a carboxylic acid group at one end and a hydroxy group at the other end.     

Synthesis of ω‐anthracenyl‐functionalized soluble polyphenylene: effect of the end‐group on optical and electrical properties

ω‐Anthracenyl‐functionalized soluble polyphenylene (AN‐SPP) with a well‐controlled polymer chain was synthesized. The optical and electrical properties were strongly affected by the anthracenyl end‐group. The UV absorption and photoluminescence emission were enhanced and shifted toward the longer wavelength region in comparison to that of soluble polyphenylene. The optical band gap energies of the main chain and the anthracenyl end‐group were 3.15 and 3.89 eV, respectively. The highest occupied molecular orbital/lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy levels of the main chain and the anthracenyl end‐group of AN‐SPP were ?4.98/?1.81 eV and ?7.25/?3.36 eV, respectively. The current–voltage characteristics of AN‐SPP were controllable by the presence of the anthracenyl end‐group. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Azo‐group labelled polyesters by end‐capping with 2‐oxazoline derivatives – photochemical properties

Two azobenzene containing 2‐oxazolines were used for labeling of a polyester with carboxylic end groups by the end‐capping method. The modification was performed under the conditions of either reactive processing or in a solution. Photochemical activity of the prepared polymers, as well as that of the modifiers was studied. The polymers prepared represent new photosensitive materials that undergo photochemical trans‐cis isomerizations and reverse cis‐trans reactions.     

Preparation and properties of molecular‐weight‐controlled polyimides derived from 1,4‐bis(4′‐amino‐2′‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene and 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride

A series of molecular‐weight‐controlled fluorinated aromatic polyimides were synthesized through the polycondensation of a fluorinated aromatic diamine, 1,4‐bis(4′‐amino‐2′‐trifluoromethylphenoxy)benzene, with 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride in the presence of phthalic anhydride as the molecular‐weight‐controlling and end‐capping agent. Experimental results demonstrated that the resulting polyimides could melt at temperatures of 250–300 °C to give high flowing molten fluids, which were suitable for melt molding to give strong and flexible polyimide sheets. Moreover, the aromatic polyimides also showed good solubility both in polar aprotic solvents and in common solvents. Polyimide solutions with solid concentrations higher than 25 wt % could be prepared with relatively low viscosity and were stable in storage at the ambient temperature. High‐quality polyimide films could be prepared via the casting of the polyimide solutions onto glass plates, followed by baking at a relatively low temperature. The molten behaviors and organosolubility of the molecular‐weight‐controlled aromatic polyimides depended significantly on the polymer molecular weights. Both the melt‐molded polyimide sheets and the solution‐cast polymer films exhibited outstanding combined mechanical and thermal properties. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1997–2006, 2006     

Synthesis of aromatic oxazolyl‐ and carboxyl‐functionalized polymers: Atom transfer radical polymerization of styrene initiated by 2‐[(4‐bromomethyl)phenyl]‐4,5‐dihydro‐4,4‐dimethyloxazole

The synthesis of a new compound, 2‐[(4‐bromomethyl)phenyl]‐4,5‐dihydro‐4,4‐dimethyloxazole ( 1 ), and its utility in the synthesis of oxazoline‐functionalized polystyrene by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) methods are described. Aromatic oxazolyl‐functionalized polymers were prepared by the ATRP of styrene, initiated by ( 1 ) in the presence of copper(I) bromide/2,2′‐bipyridyl catalyst system, to afford the corresponding α‐oxazolyl‐functionalized polystyrene ( 2 ). The polymerization proceeded via a controlled free radical polymerization process to produce the corresponding α‐oxazolyl‐functionalized polymers with predictable number‐average molecular weights, narrow molecular weight distributions in high‐initiator efficiency reactions. Post‐ATRP chain end modification of α‐oxazolyl‐functionalized polystyrene ( 2 ) to form the corresponding α‐carboxyl‐functionalized polystyrene ( 3 ) was achieved by successive acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis and saponification reactions. The polymerization processes were monitored by gas chromatography analyses. The unimolecular‐functionalized initiator and functionalized polymers were characterized by thin layer chromatography, spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography, and nonaqueous titration analysis. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011.     

Photoannelation Reactions of 3‐(Alk‐1‐ynyl)cyclohept‐2‐en‐1‐ones

Irradiation (350 nm) of the newly synthesized 3‐(alk‐1‐ynyl)cyclohept‐2‐en‐1‐ones 1 and 2 leads to the selective formation of tricyclic head‐to‐head dimers. In the presence of 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene, the (monocyclic) enone 1 affords trans‐fused 7‐alkynyl‐bicyclo[5.2.0]nonan‐2‐ones as major photoproducts, whereas photocycloaddition of benzocyclohept‐5‐en‐7‐one 2 to the same diene gives preferentially the eight‐membered cyclic allene 16 via ‘end‐to‐end’ cyclization of the intermediate allyl‐propargyl biradical 22 . On contact with acid, cycloocta‐1,2,5‐triene 16 isomerizes to cycloocta‐1,3,5‐triene 18 .     

Ring‐Opening and polymerization of 1‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5‐pentamethylcyclotrisiloxane

1‐[2′‐(Heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5‐pentamethylcyclotetrasiloxane ( II ) was prepared from 1‐[2′‐(methyldichlorosilyl)ethyl]‐1,3,3,5,5,7,7‐heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxane ( I ) and tetramethyldisiloxane‐1,3‐diol. Acid‐catalyzed ring‐opening of II in the presence of tetramethyldisiloxane gave 1,9‐dihydrido‐5‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]nonamethylpentasiloxane ( III ) and 1,9‐dihydrido‐3‐[2′‐(heptaphenylcyclotetrasiloxanyl)ethyl]nonamethylpentasiloxane ( IV ). Both acid‐ and base‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization of II gives highly viscous, transparent polymers. The structures of I – IV and polymers were determined by UV, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. In addition, molecular weights obtained by GPC and NMR end group analysis were confirmed with mass spectrometry. On the basis of ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy, the polymers appear to result exclusively from ring‐opening of the cyclotrisiloxane ring. No evidence for ring‐opening of the cyclotetrasiloxane ring was observed. Polymer properties were determined by DSC and TGA. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 137–146, 2006     

9α‐Fluoro‐16α‐methyl‐3,11‐dioxoandrosta‐1,4‐diene‐17β‐carboxyl­ic acid: catemeric hydrogen bonding and acetic acid solvation in a steroidal keto acid related to dexamethasone

The title keto acid crystallizes as a solvate, C₂₁H₂₅FO₄·C₂H₄O₂, with two mol­ecules each of steroid and acetic acid per asymmetric unit. The former are approximately parallel, with opposite end‐to‐end orientation, and form translational carboxyl‐to‐ketone hydrogen‐bonding catemers [O⋯O = 2.679 (6) and 2.650 (5) Å, and O—H⋯O = 165 and 162°] that involve the 3‐ketone group and follow the a axis. The acetic acid mol­ecules are paired by hydrogen bonding, and neither they nor the F atom nor the 11‐ketone group play any overt role in the hydrogen‐bonding scheme of the steroid. Intermolecular C—H⋯O=C close contacts involving three different neighboring mol­ecules exist to the 11‐ketone group, the steroidal carboxyl group and one of the acetic acid molecules.     

Hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers from derivatives of α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactam: A bio‐based material

Hydrogen‐bonded supramolecular polymers were prepared from the derivatives of α‐amino‐ε‐caprolactam (ACL), obtained from a renewable resource. Several self‐complimentary bis‐ or tetra‐caprolactam monomers were synthesized by varying the number of carbons of the spacer between the hydrogen‐bonding end groups. Physical properties of these hydrogen‐bonded polymers were clearly demonstrated by differential scanning colorimetry, solid‐state NMR, and X‐ray powder diffraction analyses. The supramolecular behavior was also supported by fiber formation from the melt for several of these compounds, and stable glassy materials were prepared from the physical mixtures of two different biscaprolactams. The self‐association ability of ACL was also used by incorporating ACL at the chain ends of low‐molecular weight Jeffamine (M_n = 900 g/mol) using urea and amide linkages. The transformation of this liquid oligomer at room temperature into a self‐standing, transparent film clearly showed the improvement in mechanical properties obtained by the introduction of terminal hydrogen‐bonding groups. Finally, the use of monomers with a functionality of four gave rise to network formation either alone or combination with bifunctional monomers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

(–)‐2‐(1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8aα‐Decahydro‐4aβ,8α‐dimethyl‐7‐oxo‐2β‐naphthyl)propionic acid: catemeric hydrogen bonding in a bicyclic sesquiterpenoid ζ‐keto acid

In the title compound, C₁₅H₂₄O₃, derived from a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid, the asymmetric unit consists of two mol­ecules differing by 167.4 (8)° in the rotational conformation of the carboxyl group. Each molecule aggregates separately with its own type as carboxyl‐to‐ketone hydrogen‐bonding catemers [O⋯O = 2.715 (6) and 2.772 (6) Å, and O—H⋯O = 169 and 168°]. This generates two crystallographically independent single‐strand hydrogen‐bonding helices passing through the cell in the b direction, with opposite end‐to‐end orientations. One intermolecular C—H⋯O=C close contact exists for the carboxyl group of one of the mol­ecules. The structure is isostructural with that of a closely related unsaturated keto acid reported previously.     

(+)‐2‐(1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7‐Octa­hydro‐4a,8‐di­methyl‐7‐oxo‐2‐naphthyl)­propionic acid: catemeric hydrogen bonding in a bicyclic sesquiterpenoid keto acid

The title compound, C₁₅H₂₂O₃, derived from a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid, has two mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit, differing principally in the rotational conformation of the carboxyl group. Each species aggregates separately as a carboxyl‐to‐ketone hydrogen‐bonding catemer [O?O = 2.752 (4) and 2.682 (4) Å, and O—H?O = 161 (4) and 168 (4)°], producing two crystallographically independent single‐strand hydrogen‐bonding helices, with opposite end‐to‐end orientations, passing through the cell in the b direction. Three intermolecular C—H?O=C close contacts exist for the ketone.     

Association of hydrophobically α,ω‐end‐capped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) in water

The α,ω‐end‐capped poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (C_n‐POXZ‐C_n) have been synthesized by a one‐pot process using cationic ring‐opening polymerization with an appropriate initiator and terminating agent. The polymers bearing different alkyl groups C₁₂ and C₁₈ have molecular weight in the range of 2.4 × 10³ to 14 × 10³ with a small polydispersity index. The solution behavior of the free chains has been analyzed in a nonselective solvent, dichloromethane, by small‐angle neutron scattering and dynamic light scattering. These amphiphilic polymers associate in water to form flower‐like micellar structures. Critical micelle concentrations, investigated by fluorescence technique, are in the range of 0.03–0.5 g L^?1 and are dependent on the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance. The structural properties of the aggregates have also been investigated by viscometry. Intrinsic viscosities of these polymers are in the same range as that of the precursors poly(2‐methyl‐2‐oxazoline) (POXZ) and mono‐functionalized polymers. Large viscosity increase corresponding to intermicellar bridging was observed in the vicinity of the micelle overlap concentration. Addition of hydroxypropyl β‐cyclodextrin (HβCD) has dissociated the aggregates and the intrinsic viscosities of the HβCD‐end‐capped chains have become comparable with the ones of POXZ precursor chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2477–2485, 2010     

Fluorescence Quenching‐based Assay for Measuring Golgi endo‐α‐Mannosidase

Golgi endo‐α‐mannosidase (G‐EM) catalyzes an alternative deglucosylation process for N‐glycans and plays important roles in the post‐endoplasmic reticulum (ER) quality control pathway. To understand the post‐ER quality control mechanism, we synthesized a tetrasaccharide probe for the detection of the hydrolytic activity of G‐EM based on a fluorescence quenching assay. The probe was labeled with an N‐methylanthraniloyl group as a reporter dye at the non‐reducing end and a 2,4‐dinitrophenyl group as a quencher at the reducing end. This probe is hydrolyzed to disaccharide derivatives by G‐EM, resulting in increased fluorescence intensity. Thus, the fluorescence signal is directly proportional to the amount of disaccharide derivative present, allowing the G‐EM activity to be evaluated easily and quantitatively.     

Base‐Induced Decarboxylation of Polyunsaturated α‐Cyano Acids Derived from Malonic Acid: Synthesis of Sesquiterpene Nitriles and Aldehydes with β‐, φ‐, and ψ‐End Groups

Catalytic base‐induced decarboxylation of polyunsaturated α‐cyano‐β‐methyl acids derived from malonic acid led to the corresponding nitriles 3 (Schemes 2 and 3), 6 (Scheme 5), and 9 (Scheme 6). This decarboxylation occurred with previous deconjugation of the α,β‐alkene moiety of the α‐cyano‐β‐methyl acid, leading to an α‐cyano‐β‐methylene propanoic acid which was easily decarboxylated (see Scheme 2). β‐Methylene intermediates, in some cases, could be isolated; mechanistic pathways are proposed. The nitriles 3, 6 , and 9 were reduced to the sesquiterpene aldehydes 4 (β‐end group), 7 (φ‐end group), and 10 (ψ‐end group), respectively.     

Cycloadditions of Aryl‐Substituted 1,2,4‐Triazines with 2‐Cyclopropylidene‐1,3‐dimethylimidazolidine – Zwitterions as Discrete Intermediates

Cycloadditions of 2‐cyclopropylidene‐1,3‐dimethylimidazolidine ( 1 ), a strong, electron‐rich C‐nucleophile, with a variety of aryl‐substituted 1,2,4‐triazines occur at temperatures between ?100 and +100°, depending on the substitution pattern. At low temperatures, zwitterions, formed by nucleophilic attack of 1 on the triazines, could be detected spectroscopically and, in some cases, isolated. Two types of zwitterions were found: 1) those where the new bond was linked to C(5) of the triazine and which were formed in a reversible dead‐end equilibrium, and 2) those where the new bond was linked either to C(3) or C(6). The latter exhibited the same regiochemistry as the final cycloadducts, and might be intermediates of a two‐step Diels–Alder reaction. Energies and structural characteristics for stationary points in the reaction of monosubstituted triazines with 1 in the gas phase and in CH₂Cl₂ solution were calculated at the Becke3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p)//Becke3LYP/6‐31G(d) level of theory. Different reaction mechanisms are discussed on the basis of steric, electronic, and solvent effects.     

Synthesis of (E)‐4‐Bromo‐3‐methoxybut‐3‐en‐2‐one,the Key Fragment in the Polyhydroxylated Chain Common to Oscillariolide and Phormidolides A–C

The terminal bromomethoxydiene (BMD) moiety of the polyhydroxylated chain present in phormidolides and oscillariolides has been synthesized for first time. Several strategies for the stereoselective synthesis of the 4‐bromo‐3‐methoxybut‐3‐en‐2‐ones are described. Furthermore, a preliminary study to successfully introduce the BMD within the polyol chain and the fatty acid allowed us to corroborate the end structure of the polyol.     

Capillary electrophoresis‐based enzyme assays for β‐lactamase enzymes

Generic in‐capillary as well as offline CE‐based enzyme assays were developed for serine‐β‐lactamases and metallo‐β‐lactamases. The hydrolysis of benzylpenicillin to benzylpenicilloic acid was analyzed using 100 mM sodium phosphate solution, pH 6.0, as a background electrolyte. In‐capillary assays employed an uncoated as well as a polyethylene oxide‐coated capillary, while the offline assays employing long end and short end injection were performed in an uncoated capillary. Using procaine hydrochloride or 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid as internal standard, the respective assays were validated with regard to linearity, LOD and LOQ, repeatability, precision, and accuracy. The assays were applied to the determination of the Michaelis‐Menten parameters K_m and V_max of Bacillus cereus penicillinase as well as New Delhi metallo‐β‐lactamase 1 and Verona integrin‐encoded metallo‐β‐lactamase 2. Furthermore, the inhibition of the enzymes by irreversible and competitive inhibitors was evaluated. Comparable data were obtained with all assays. The use of a simple substrate ensured broad applicability to the various types of β‐lactamases.