Characterization of chemical constituents in Zhi–Zi–Da–Huang decoction by ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

A sensitive and reliable ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method was established to separate and identify the chemical constituents of Zhi–Zi–Da–Huang decoction, a classic traditional Chinese medicine formula. The chromatographic separation was achieved on a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS C₁₈ column (75  × 3.0 mm, 2.2 μm) using a gradient elution program. The detection was performed on a Waters Xevo G2 Q‐TOF mass spectrometer equipped with electrospray ionization source in both positive and negative modes. With the optimized conditions, a total of 82 compounds were identified or tentatively characterized. Of the 82 compounds, 21 compounds were identified by comparing the retention time and MS data with reference standards, the rest were characterized by analyzing MS data and retrieving the reference literature. In addition, 31 compounds were identified from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, ten compounds were identified from Rheum palmatum L., 33 compounds were identified from Citrus aurantium L., and eight compounds were identified from Sojae Semen Praeparatum. Results indicated that iridoids, anthraquinones, flavonoids, isoflavonoids, coumarins, glycosides of crocetin, monoterpenoids, and organic acids were major constituents in Zhi–Zi–Da–Huang decoction. It is concluded that the developed ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method with high sensitivity and resolution is suitable for identifying and characterizing the chemical constituents of Zhi–Zi–Da–Huang decoction, and the analysis provides a helpful chemical basis for further research on Zhi–Zi–Da–Huang decoction.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Molecular Recognition of S6‐ and (SO2)6‐Corona[6](het)arenes: Control of Macrocyclic Conformation and Properties by the Oxidation State of the Bridging Heteroatoms

We report herein the synthesis, structure, and molecular recognition of S₆‐ and (SO₂)₆‐corona[6](het)arenes, and demonstrate a unique and efficient strategy of regulating macrocyclic conformation and properties by adjusting the oxidation state of the heteroatom linkages. The one‐pot nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction of 1,4‐benzenedithiol derivatives, biphenyl‐4,4′‐dithiol and 9,9‐dipropyl‐9H‐fluorene‐2,7‐dithiol with 3,6‐dichlorotetrazine afforded S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]tetrazines. These compounds underwent inverse‐electron‐demand Diels–Alder reaction with enamines and norbornadiene to produce S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines. Facile oxidation of sulfide linkages yielded (SO₂)₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines. All corona[6](het)arenes adopted generally hexagonal macrocyclic ring structures; however, their electronic properties and conformation could be fine‐tuned by altering the oxidation state of the sulfur linkages. Whereas (SO₂)₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines were electron‐deficient, S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines acted as electron‐rich macrocyclic hosts that recognized various organic cations in both aqueous and organic solutions.     

Spectroscopical UV–Vis implications of an intramolecular η2–Mg coordination in bacteriochlorophyll–a from the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex

Chlorophylls and their related compounds prominently feature a Mg²⁺ ion in the center of a porphyrine, with an intermolecular fifth coordination usually observed to place the ion out of the macrocyclic plane. Herein, we assess the role of a potential intramolecular η²–(C = C)Mg interaction and compare it to the intermolecular coordination from the Hystidine groupt to Mg²⁺ for Bacterichlorophyll–a (Bchl–a), the main photosynthetic pigment in the Fenna–Matthews–Olson complex present in green and purple bacteria. The influence of this fifth coordination on the UV‐Vis spectroscopy (CAM‐B3LYP/cc‐pVDZ), and the concomitant change in geometry around Mg in Bchl–a from planar to pyramidal is assessed by the quantum theory of atoms in molecules based non–covalent interactions scheme and through energetic analysis via natural bond orbital population methods at the M06‐2X/cc‐pVDZ and compared to the reference multi–hapto compound, magnesocene, Cp₂Mg.     

Direct Access to Multifunctionalized Norcamphor Scaffolds by Asymmetric Organocatalytic Diels–Alder Reactions

A general organocatalytic cross‐dienamine activation strategy to produce chiral multifunctionalized norcamphor compounds having a large diversity in substitution pattern is presented. The strategy is based on a Diels–Alder reaction of an amino‐activated cyclopentenone reacting with most common classes of electron‐deficient olefins, such as nitro‐, ester‐, amide‐, and cyano‐substituted olefins, chalcones, conjugated malononitriles, CF₃‐substituted enones, and fumarates. The corresponding norcamphor derivatives are formed in good yield, excellent enantioselectivities, and with complete diastereoselectivity. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that quaternary stereocenters and spiro norcamphor compounds can be formed with high stereoselectivity. The present development provides a simple, direct, and efficient approach for the preparation of important norcamphor scaffolds.     

Supramolecular hydrogen‐bonding patterns in the organic–inorganic hybrid compound bis(4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidinium) tetrathiocyanatozinc(II)–4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidine–water (1/2/2)

Zinc thiocyanate complexes have been found to be biologically active compounds. Zinc is also an essential element for the normal function of most organisms and is the main constituent in a number of metalloenzyme proteins. Pyrimidine and aminopyrimidine derivatives are biologically very important as they are components of nucleic acids. Thiocyanate ions can bridge metal ions by employing both their N and S atoms for coordination. They can play an important role in assembling different coordination structures and yield an interesting variety of one‐, two‐ and three‐dimensional polymeric metal–thiocyanate supramolecular frameworks. The structure of a new zinc thiocyanate–aminopyrimidine organic–inorganic compound, (C₆H₉ClN₃)₂[Zn(NCS)₄]·2C₆H₈ClN₃·2H₂O, is reported. The asymmetric unit consist of half a tetrathiocyanatozinc(II) dianion, an uncoordinated 4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidinium cation, a 4‐amino‐5‐chloro‐2,6‐dimethylpyrimidine molecule and a water molecule. The Zn^II atom adopts a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry and is coordinated by four N atoms from the thiocyanate anions. The Zn^II atom is located on a special position (twofold axis of symmetry). The pyrimidinium cation and the pyrimidine molecule are not coordinated to the Zn^II atom, but are hydrogen bonded to the uncoordinated water molecules and the metal‐coordinated thiocyanate ligands. The pyrimidine molecules and pyrimidinium cations also form base‐pair‐like structures with an R₂²(8) ring motif via N—H…N hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure is further stabilized by intermolecular N—H…O, O—H…S, N—H…S and O—H…N hydrogen bonds, by intramolecular N—H…Cl and C—H…Cl hydrogen bonds, and also by π–π stacking interactions.     

Porous Zirconium–Phytic Acid Hybrid: a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley Reductions

The utilization of compounds from natural sources to prepare functional materials is of great importance. Herein, we describe for the first time the preparation of organic–inorganic hybrid catalysts by using natural phytic acid as building block. Zirconium phosphonate (Zr‐PhyA) was synthesized by reaction of phytic acid and ZrCl₄ and was obtained as a mesoporous material with pore sizes centered around 8.5 nm. Zr‐PhyA was used to catalyze the mild and selective Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reduction of various carbonyl compounds, e.g., of levulinic acid and its esters into γ‐valerolactone. Further studies indicated that both Zr and phosphate groups contribute significantly to the excellent performance of Zr‐PhyA.     

Expeditious synthesis of diverse spiro fused quinoxaline derivatives using magnetically separable core–shell CoFe2O4@SiO2‐SO3H nanocatalyst under ultrasonication

A magnetically separable core–shell CoFe₂O₄@SiO₂‐SO₃H nanocatalyst has been successfully exploited as a heterogeneous acid catalyst in the synthesis of diversely substituted biologically important spiro fused pyrrolo/indolo[1,2‐a]quinoxaline derivatives through the condensation of N‐(2‐aminophenyl)pyrroles/indoles and various cyclic conjugated 1,2‐diones in ethanol under ultrasonic irradiation. Room temperature synthesis, short reaction time, wide substrate scope, good to excellent yield of products and use of a magnetically separable and recyclable nanocatalyst make this method attractive and practicable.     

Synthesis and Molecular Recognition of Water‐Soluble S6‐Corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines

We report the efficient and scalable synthesis and molecular‐recognition properties of novel and water‐soluble S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines. The synthesis comprises a one‐pot nucleophilic aromatic substitution reaction between diesters of 2,5‐dimercaptoterephthalate and 3,6‐dichlorotetrazine followed by the inverse electron‐demand Diels–Alder reaction of the tetrazine moieties with an enamine and exhaustive saponification of esters. The resulting S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines, which adopt a 1,3,5‐alternate conformation in the crystalline state, are able to selectively form stable 1:1 complexes with dicationic guest species in water with association constants ranging from (1.10±0.06)×10³ M ^?1 to (1.18±0.06)×10⁵ M ^?1. The easy availability, large cavity size, strong and selective binding power render the water‐soluble S₆‐corona[3]arene[3]pyridazines useful macrocyclic hosts in various disciplines of supramolecular chemistry.     

Design and Synthesis of Aviram–Ratner‐Type Dyads and Rectification Studies in Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) Films

The design and synthesis of Aviram–Ratner‐type molecular rectifiers, featuring an anilino‐substituted extended tetracyanoquinodimethane (exTCNQ) acceptor, covalently linked by the σ‐spacer bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (BCO) to a tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) donor moiety, are described. The rigid BCO spacer keeps the TTF donor and exTCNQ acceptor moieties apart, as demonstrated by X‐ray analysis. The photophysical properties of the TTF‐BCO‐exTCNQ dyads were investigated by UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy, electrochemical studies, and theoretical calculations. Langmuir–Blodgett films were prepared and used in the fabrication and electrical studies of junction devices. One dyad showed the asymmetric current–voltage (I–V) curve characteristic for rectification, unlike control compounds containing the TTF unit but not the exTCNQ moiety or comprising the exTCNQ acceptor moiety but lacking the donor TTF part, which both gave symmetric I–V curves. The direction of the observed rectification indicated that the preferred electron current flows from the exTCNQ acceptor to the TTF donor.     

Conformational Dependence of Through‐Space Tellurium–Tellurium Spin–Spin Coupling in Peri‐Substituted Bis(Tellurides)

Three related series of peri‐substituted bis(tellurides) bearing naphthalene, acenaphthene and acenaphthylene backbones (Nap/Acenap/Aceyl(TeY)₂ (Nap=naphthalene‐1,8‐diyl N ; Acenap=acenaphthene‐5,6‐diyl A ; Aceyl=acenaphthylene‐5,6‐diyl Ay ; Y=Ph 1 ; Fp 2 ; Tol 3 ; An‐p­ 4 ; An‐o­ 5 ; Tp 6 ; Mes 7 ; Tip 8 ) have been synthesised and their solid‐state structures determined by X‐ray crystallography. Molecular conformations were classified as a function of the two C9‐C‐Te‐C(Y) dihedral angles (θ); in the solid all members adopt AB or CCt configurations, with larger Te(aryl) moieties exclusively imposing the CCt variant. Exceptionally large J(¹²⁵Te,¹²⁵Te) spin–spin coupling constants between 3289–3848 Hz were obtained for compounds substituted by bulky Te(aryl) groups, implying these species are locked in a CCt‐type conformation. In contrast, compounds incorporating smaller Te(aryl) moieties are predicted to be rather dynamic in solution and afford much smaller J values (2050–2676 Hz), characteristic of greater populations of AB conformers with lower couplings. This conformational dependence of through‐space coupling is supported by DFT calculations.     

A Mono‐Cobalt Substituted Wells–Dawson Phosphotungstate with an Antenna Ligand

A mono‐cobalt substituted Wells–Dawson polyoxometalate with an antenna ligand linked to the Co^II atom, was prepared by reaction of the mono‐vacant Wells–Dawson precursor [P₂W₁₇O₆₁]^10– with a imidazole‐cobalt complex by using the bench method. It was isolated as the imidazole salt: (HIm)₇H[P₂W₁₇O₆₁Co(Im)] · 4H₂O ( 1 ) (Im = imidazole). Compound 1 was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, TG analysis, cyclic voltammetry and single‐crystal/powder X‐ray diffraction. This is the first example of the 3d transition metal mono‐substituted Wells–Dawson polyoxometalate with an antenna ligand.     

From Homoconjugated Push–Pull Chromophores to Donor–Acceptor‐Substituted Spiro Systems by Thermal Rearrangement

Series of homoconjugated push–pull chromophores and donor–acceptor (D–A)‐functionalized spiro compounds were synthesized, in which the electron‐donating strength of the anilino donor groups was systematically varied. The structural and optoelectronic properties of the compounds were investigated by X‐ray analysis, UV/Vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and computational analysis. The homoconjugated push–pull chromophores with a central bicyclo[4.2.0]octane scaffold were obtained in high yield by [2+2] cycloaddition of 2,3‐dichloro‐5,6‐dicyano‐p‐benzoquinone (DDQ) to N,N‐dialkylanilino‐ or N,N‐diarylanilino‐substituted activated alkynes. The spirocyclic compounds were formed by thermal rearrangement of the homoconjugated adducts. They also can be prepared in a one‐pot reaction starting from DDQ and anilino‐substituted alkynes. Spiro products with N,N‐diphenylanilino and N,N‐diisopropylanilino groups were isolated in high yields whereas compounds with pyrrolidino, didodecylamino, and dimethylamino substituents gave poor yields, with formation of insoluble side products. It was shown by in situ trapping experiments with TCNE that cycloreversion is possible during the thermal rearrangement, thereby liberating DDQ. In the low‐yielding transformations, DDQ oxidizes the anilino species present, presumably via an intermediate iminium ion pathway. Such a pathway is not available for the N,N‐diphenylanilino derivative and, in the case of the N,N‐diisopropylanilino derivative, would generate a strained iminium ion (A1,3 strain). The mechanism of the thermal rearrangement was investigated by EPR spectroscopy, which provides good evidence for a proposed biradical pathway starting with the homolytic cleavage of the most strained (CN)C?C(CN) bond between the fused four‐ and six‐membered rings in the homoconjugated adducts.     

Synthesis of 4‐substituted styrene compounds via palladium catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura reaction using bidentate Schiff base ligands

Air‐stable symmetric Schiff base have been synthesized and proved to be efficient ligands for Suzuki–Miyaura reaction between aryl bromides and arylboronic acids using PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ as palladium source under aerobic conditions. The coupling reaction proceeded smoothly using N,N‐bis(anthracen‐9‐ylmethylene)benzene‐1,2‐diamine (L₇) as ligand to provide 4‐substituted styrene compounds in good yields. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GaCl3‐Mediated Reactions of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with Aromatic Aldehydes

A new strategy for cascade assembly of substituted indenes and polycyclic lactones based on reactions of donor–acceptor cyclopropanes and styrylmalonates with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of GaCl₃ has been developed. The use of GaCl₃ makes it possible to principally change the direction of the reaction known in this series of substrates and to perform the process in a multicomponent version. Generation of formal 1,2‐zwitterionic intermediates owing to complexation of dicarboxylate groups with GaCl₃ is the driving force of the reactions discovered. This method makes it possible to assemble indenylmalonates or indano[1′,2′:2,3]indano[2,1‐b]furan‐2‐ones in one synthetic stage from readily available starting compounds with high regio‐ and diastereoselectivity. A mechanism of the reactions has been suggested using the ¹⁸O label in benzaldehyde.     

Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties of Hexahydroxylated 10‐O‐R‐Substituted Anthracenes via a New Modification of the Friedel–Crafts Reaction Using O‐Protected ortho‐Acetal Diarylmethanols

A new modification of the Friedel–Crafts type intramolecular cyclization involving O‐protected ortho‐acetal diarylmethanols as a new type of reactant, was carried out for the first time in a medium containing a large amount of water at room temperature and enabled synthesis of a series of electron‐rich, hexahydroxylated 10‐O‐R‐substituted anthracenes, where R is an alkyl (Me, nBu, n‐C₁₆H₃₃) or arylalkyl group (CH₂Ph, CH₂‐2‐Napht, CH₂C₆H₄CH₂OAr) and also evaluation of their electronic and optoelectronic properties in solution, crystal, and solid thin film. In this transformation, a central 10‐O‐R‐substituted benzene ring was formed, fused to rings originating from two independent aromatic aldehydes. The reaction proceeded via two identified mechanisms involving acetal and/or free aldehyde groups. The acid sensitive acetal and dibenzyl alkoxy functions have never been used together in the intramolecular Friedel–Crafts type cyclization. The new compounds revealed deep blue fluorescence and quantum yields in solution around 0.3. The electrical properties investigated for thin films obtained by vacuum deposition on glass were 10‐O‐R‐substituent dependent and showed much faster transient current decay in the case of the 10‐O‐CH₂Ph derivative than for the material with a 10‐O‐Me substituent (the lifetime of charge carriers was 25 times shorter in this case). The AFM images of thin films, Stokes shifts, and X‐ray analysis of π‐stacking interactions in crystals of the new materials have been also obtained.     

Umsetzungen der Dielementverbindungen R2E–ER2 [E = Ga,In; R = CH(SiMe3)2] mit Lithium‐phenylethinid – Bildung von Addukten unter Erhalt der E–E‐Bindungen

Reactions of the Dielement Compounds R₂E–ER₂ [E = Ga, In; R = CH(SiMe₃)₂] with Lithium Phenylethynide – Formation of Adducts by Retention of the E–E Bonds Lithium phenylethynide reacted with the dielement compounds tetrakis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]digallane(4) ( 2 ) and diindane(4) ( 3 ) as a Lewis‐base and gave by the addition of one ethynido ligand to one of the Lewis‐acidic central atoms the anionic adducts 4 and 5 with intact Ga–Ga and In–In single bonds. Thus, compounds were formed, in which tricoordinated, coordinatively unsaturated Ga or In atoms are neighbored to tetracoordinated, coordinatively saturated ones. The E–E bonds [255.83 pm in 4 (Ga–Ga) and 285.24 pm in 5 (In–In)] are only slightly lengthened compared to those of the starting compounds 2 and 3 . A dynamic behavior with a fast change of the position of the ethynido ligand was observed for both compounds in solution at room temperature.     

Ring Opening of Donor–Acceptor Cyclopropanes with the Azide Ion: A Tool for Construction of N‐Heterocycles

A general method for ring opening of various donor–acceptor cyclopropanes with the azide ion through an S_N2‐like reaction has been developed. This highly regioselective and stereospecific process proceeds through nucleophilic attack on the more‐substituted C2 atom of a cyclopropane with complete inversion of configuration at this center. Results of DFT calculations support the S_N2 mechanism and demonstrate good qualitative correlation between the relative experimental reactivity of cyclopropanes and the calculated energy barriers. The reaction provides a straightforward approach to a variety of polyfunctional azides in up to 91 % yield. The high synthetic utility of these azides and the possibilities of their involvement in diversity‐oriented synthesis were demonstrated by the developed multipath strategy of their transformations into five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered N‐heterocycles, as well as complex annulated compounds, including natural products and medicines such as (?)‐nicotine and atorvastatin.     

Selected‐Control Fabrication of Multifunctional Fluorescent–Magnetic Core–Shell and Yolk–Shell Hybrid Nanostructures

The selected‐control preparation of uniform core–shell and yolk–shell architectures, which combine the multiple functions of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) core and europium‐doped yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃:Eu) shell in a single material with tunable fluorescence and magnetic properties, has been successfully achieved by controlling the heat‐treatment conditions. Furthermore, the shell thickness and interior cavity of SPIO@Y₂O₃:Eu core–shell and yolk–shell nanostructures can be precisely tuned. Importantly, as‐prepared SPIO@Y₂O₃:Eu yolk–shell nanocapsules (NCs) modified with amino groups as cancer‐cell fluorescence imaging agents are also demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the selected‐control fabrication of uniform SPIO@Y₂O₃:Eu core–shell nanoparticles and yolk–shell NCs. The combined magnetic manipulation and optical monitoring of magnetic–fluorescent SPIO@Y₂O₃:Eu yolk–shell NCs will open up many exciting opportunities in dual imaging for targeted delivery and thermal therapy.     

Transition‐Metal‐Catalyzed Direct Addition of Aryl C–H Bonds to Unsaturated Electrophiles

The direct addition of Csp²–H bonds onto polar C=C, C=O, and C=N bonds is both synthetically and mechanistically important, because using aromatic C–H substrates in place of organometallic reagents provides a more direct and atom‐economical alternative to many important compounds without the pre‐generation of organometallic compounds from stoichiometric halides and the unavoidable generation of stoichiometric metal halide waste. In this account, we summarize our contributions to the transition‐metal‐catalyzed addition of aromatic C–H bonds to polar C=C, C=O, and C=N bonds via directing‐group‐assisted regiospecific reactions. These synthetic methods provide efficient access to benzylic alcohols, alkylbenzenes, 3‐substituted phthalides, N‐substituted phthalimides, N‐aryl benzamides, and indene derivatives from commercially available reagents. It is worth noting that valuable heterocycles such as 3‐substituted phthalides and N‐substituted phthalimides can be obtained in one step by this approach.

     

Assessment of errors in the determination of Mark–Houwink–Sakurada and Stockmayer–Fixman constants using size‐exclusion chromatography with on‐line viscometric detection: Analyses of poly(p‐substituted styrenes) in tetrahydrofuran

In this work, we present values for the Mark–Houwink–Sakurada (MHS) and Stockmayer–Fixman (SF) constants for a series of homopolymers of para‐substituted styrenes (4‐X‐styrene; X = OCH₃, OCH₂CH₃, CH₃, F, Cl, and Br) in THF at room temperature. The respective values of K (in 10⁻⁵ dL/g) and α were: 0.685 and 13.2; 0.662 and 14.1; 0.740 and 8.41; 0.781 and 5.24; 0.726 and 8.95; 0.700 and 7.79. The respective values for K_θ (in 10⁻⁴ dL/g) and K' (in 10⁻⁷ dL/g) were: 6.01 and 16.1; 6.22 and 9.07; 7.64 and 17.4; 5.59 and 23.7; 6.29 and 17.3; 4.44 and 10.3. These constants were measured using size‐exclusion chromatography with on‐line viscometry. As part of this work, we investigate the applicability of common model fitting procedures to this method of measuring MHS/SF constants and the effect of uncertainties in their estimated values on the accuracy of molecular weight analysis. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 37: 2557–2570, 1999