Qualitative and quantitative analyses of three bioactive compounds in different parts of Forsythia suspensa by high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

A high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) analytical method was developed to simultaneously detect and quantify three main distinctive compounds (forsythiaside, rutin and forsythin) in different parts of Forsythia suspensa (F. suspensa), an herbal medicine. This was the first report on the quantification of bioactive constituents in different parts of F. suspensa by HPLC-ESI-MS analytical method. The calibration curves of the three compounds showed good linearity (R² > 0.9994). The method was reproducible with intra- and inter-day variation less than 1.35% and 2.00%, respectively. The recovery of the assay was in the range of 98.27–101.07%. The results indicated that the developed assay could be considered as a suitable quality control method for this commonly used herbal medicine.     

Environmental monitoring of phenolic pollutants in water by cloud point extraction prior to micellar electrokinetic chromatography

Many aromatic compounds can be found in the environment as a result of anthropogenic activities and some of them are highly toxic. The need to determine low concentrations of pollutants requires analytical methods with high sensitivity, selectivity, and resolution for application to soil, sediment, water, and other environmental samples. Complex sample preparation involving analyte isolation and enrichment is generally necessary before the final analysis. The present paper outlines a novel, simple, low-cost, and environmentally friendly method for the simultaneous determination of p-nitrophenol (PNP), p-aminophenol (PAP), and hydroquinone (HQ) by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography after preconcentration by cloud point extraction. Enrichment factors of 180 to 200 were achieved. The limits of detection of the analytes for the preconcentration of 50-ml sample volume were 0.10 μg L⁻¹ for PNP, 0.20 μg L⁻¹ for PAP, and 0.16 μg L⁻¹ for HQ. The optimized procedure was applied to the determination of phenolic pollutants in natural waters from San Luis, Argentina. Figure Schematic representation of the cloud point extraction process.     

Synthesis and biological activity of (Z) and (E) isomers of 3-(3,4-diaryl-1,2,4-triazole-5-yl)prop-2-enoic acid

Abstract  (Z)-3-(3,4-diaryl-1,2,4-triazole-5-yl)prop-2-enoic acid derivatives were obtained in the course of the reaction of N ³-substituted amidrazones with maleic anhydride, and isomerized into the (E) isomers by heating under reflux in acetic acid solution. The molecular structure of the compounds obtained was confirmed by IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and by X-ray crystallography for (2E)-3-(4,5-diphenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)prop-2-enoic acid. The antiviral and immunomodulating activity of several of the compounds was examined. Graphical abstract        

Novel Isolates for Biological Detoxification of Lignocellulosic Hydrolysate

In this paper, two new strians, Issatchenkia occidentalis (Lj-3, CCTCC M 2006097) and Issatchenkia orienalis (S-7, CCTCC M 2006098), isolated from different environments on solid media, were used in the detoxification process of the hemicellulosic hydrolysate of sugarcane bagasse. High-pressure liquid chromatography elution curve of UV-absorption compounds represented by acetic acid, furfural, and guaiacol (toxic compounds found in the hemicellulosic hydrolysate) showed that several chromatographic peaks were evidently diminished for the case of detoxified hydrolysate with isolate strains compared to the high peaks resulted for no detoxified hydrolysate. It was clear that these inhibitors were degraded by the two new isolates during their cultivation process. Fermentation results for the biodetoxified hydrolysate showed an increase in xylitol productivity (Q _p) by 1.97 and 1.95 times (2.03 and 2.01 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹) and in xylitol yield (Y _p) by 1.72 and 1.65 times (0.93 and 0.89 g xylitol per gram xylose) for hydrolysate treated with S-7 and Lj-3, respectively, in comparison with no detoxified hydrolysate (1.03 g l⁻¹ h⁻¹ and 0.54 g xylitol per gram xylose). This present work demonstrated the importance of Issatchenkia yeast in providing an effective biological detoxification approach to remove inhibitors and improve hydrolysate fermentability, leading to a high xylitol productivity and yield.     

Development and characterization of an amperometric sensor for triclosan detection based on electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer

A novel amperometric sensor based on electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for triclosan detection is reported. The sensor was prepared by electropolymerizing o-phenylenediamine (o-PD) on a glassy carbon electrode in the presence of template triclosan. The template can be quickly removed by NaOH solution. After incubating in acetate buffer for 15 min, the sensor response sensitively to triclosan over a linear range of 2.0 × 10^{− 7} to 3.0 × 10^{− 6} mol/L and a detection limit as low as 8.0 × 10^{− 8} mol/L is obtained. This sensor provides an efficient way for eliminating interferences from compounds with similar structures to that of triclosan.     

Characterization of the raw essential oil eugenol extracted from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Syzygium</Emphasis> <Emphasis Type="Italic">aromaticum</Emphasis> L.

Eugenol is the main volatile compound extracted oil from clove bud, Syzygium aromaticum L., and used in traditional medicine, as a bactericide, fungicide, anesthetic, and others. Its extraction was performed using hydrodistillation which is the most common extraction technique. Its components and thermal behavior were evaluated using gas chromatography (GC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), which provide a better characterization of these natural compounds. This extracted product was compared to the standard eugenol results. The GC results suggested ~90% eugenol was found in the total extracted oil, and some of its boiling characteristics were 270.1 °C for peak temperature and 244.1 J g⁻¹ for the enthalpy variation. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

The Synthesis of Novel Methotrexate-like Compounds

Summary. Methotrexate (MTX) is a folate antagonist used in treatment of several chronic inflammatory and neoplastic conditions. In this study, new MTX-like compounds that may-be potential anticancer agents were synthesized and their structures were determined by IR, UV, GC-MS, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectra. Also, in this study, a series structurally related to MTX or folate analogous compounds were evaluated whether they have inhibitory properties on the dihydrofolate reductase activity (DHFR).     

Convenient synthesis and NMR spectral studies of variously substituted <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylpiperidin-4-one-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-benzyloximes

Abstract  A series of variously substituted N-methylpiperidin-4-one-O-benzyloximes were synthesized by three different methods. Among them, the direct conversion of 2,6-diarylpiperidin-4-ones into the corresponding oxime ethers (method A) was proved to be better than the other two methods in the sense of good yield, convenience, easy work-up and quick reaction time. All the synthesized compounds are characterized by IR, Mass and NMR (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C COSY and HMBC) spectral studies. The conformational preference of the synthesized oxime ethers with/without alkyl and aryl substituents at C-3/C-5 and C-2/C-6 is discussed using the spectral data. The observed chemical shifts and coupling constants suggest that the synthesized oxime ethers adopt chair conformation with equatorial orientation of all the substituents, whereas 1-methyl-3-isopropyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-one-O-benzyloxime also exists in boat conformation. Based on the NMR data, the effects of oximination on ring carbons and their associated protons and alkyl substituents are discussed. In addition, the effect of NMe group on the 2,6-diarylpiperidin-4-one-O-benzyloximes was also studied. Graphical abstract        

Evolution of Brassica rapa var. rapa L. volatile composition by HS-SPME and GC/IT-MS

Brassica rapa var. rapa L. (turnip) is highly appreciated and consumed by human. In this work, the volatile profile of B. rapa var. rapa was studied during the maturation process. The volatiles of seeds, sprouts with 6 and 9 days, and adult plant were determined using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with gas chromatography/ion trap-mass spectrometry (GC/IT-MS).Several constituents, including alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, norisoprenoids, nitrogen and sulphur compounds were characterized, totalizing 64 compounds. Isothiocyanates are the main volatiles in all matrices, being 3-butenyl isothiocyanate the major compound. Qualitative and quantitative differences were found among the analysed materials. Nitrogen and sulphur compounds decreased during the maturation process, while terpenes, aldehydes, norisoprenoids and ester compounds were present in higher amounts during germination, especially in sprouts with 9 days of development.     

Synthesis of 2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis> Stereomeric Emetamines <Emphasis Type="Italic">via Reissert</Emphasis> Compounds

Summary. Alkylation of Reissert compounds with certain benzoquinolizinone derivatives followed by hydrolytic cleavage afforded the core of the title compounds in a two step sequence. Finally, the lactam intermediates were reduced with DIBAH giving the target compounds, the structural and stereochemical assignments of which were achieved by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Part of PhD thesis, LMU München, D     

Theoretical calculations of95Mo-NMR chemical shifts for compounds [MoO4−n S n ]2−

Summary Theoretical calculation of⁹⁵Mo-NMR chemical shifts for [MoO_4–n S _n ]^2– (n=0–4) compounds is reported here for the first time on the basis of Fenske-Hall method and Sum-Over-State (SOS) perturbation theory. A systematic decrease in shielding of⁹⁵Mo nuclei with increase of number of sulfur in [MoO_4–n S _n ]^2–, which is observed experimentally, can be reasonably explained by our calculation. A good linear relationship between chemical shifts of calculation and experiment is obtained. The electronic structure and bonding in these compounds are also discussed.Supported by Nature Science Foundation of China     

Topological investigations of the molecular species and molecular interactions that characterize pyrrolidin-2-one + lower alkanol mixtures

Molar excess volumes, V^E, molar excess enthalpies, H^E, and speeds of sound data, u, of pyrrolidin-2-one (i) + ethanol or propan-1-ol or propan-2-ol or butan-1-ol (j) binary mixtures have been determined over entire composition range at 308.15 K. The observed speeds of sound data have been utilized to predict excess isentropic compressibilities, of the investigated binary mixtures. The observed excess thermodynamic properties V^E, H^E and have been analyzed in terms of Graph theory. The analysis of V^E data by the Graph theory suggests that pyrrolidin-2-one exists mainly as a mixture of cyclic and open dimer; ethanol as a mixture of dimer and trimer; butan-1-ol and propan-2-ol as mixture of monomer and dimer and propan-1-ol as a dimer in the pure state, and their mixtures contain 1:1 molecular complex. The IR studies lend additional credence to the nature and extent of interactions for the proposed molecular entities in the mixtures. Also, it has been observed that V^E, H^E and values predicted by the Graph theory compare well to with their corresponding experimental values.     

Fabrication and properties of xBiFeO3-(1 − x)Bi4Ti3O12 system by sol–gel process

The thin films of mixture of xBiFeO₃-(1 − x)Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ (x = 0.4, 0.5, and 0.6) system were prepared by a sol–gel process. The thicknesses of the thin films were 540, 500, and 570 nm, respectively. The crystal structure of all thin films annealed at 650 °C was analyzed by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the thin films at x = 0.4 and 0.5 mainly consisted of a Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ phase while Bi₅Ti₃FeO₁₅ was the major phase of the thin film at x = 0.6. The thin film (x = 0.6) showed better ferroelectric properties in remnant polarization and polarization fatigue than those observed in the thin films (x = 0.4 and 0.5). The values of remnant polarization 2P _r and coercive field 2E c of the thin film at x = 0.6 were 36 μC/cm² and 192 kV/cm at an applied electric field of 260 kV/cm, respectively. There was almost no polarization fatigue up to 10¹⁰ switching cycles. Also weak ferromagnetism was observed in the thin film at x = 0.6.     

A kinetic method for <Emphasis Type="Italic">para</Emphasis>-nitrophenol determination based on its inhibitory effect on the catalatic reaction of catalase

The inhibitory effect of para-nitrophenol on the catalytic reaction of catalase was investigated. Michaelis-Menten kinetic parameters were determined from Lineweaver-Burk plots obtained in the absence or in the presence of the inhibitor. The inhibitor pattern, revealed by the Lineweaver-Burk plots, suggested a fully mixed inhibition mechanism. Spectrophotometric monitoring of the indicator reaction: in conjunction with initial rate measurements was employed for the kinetic determination of the inhibitor. Calibration plots of initial rate vs. para-nitrophenol concentration were linear in the concentration range 0.9·10⁻⁵–2.5·10⁻⁵ mol/L and the detection limit was 3·10⁻⁶ mol/L (417 μg/L) para-nitrophenol. Interferences from other phenolic compounds like orto-cresole, meta-and orto-nitrophenol were observed.     

Allylic lithiation of methylenecyclobutanes

Methylenecyclobutanes undergo a lithiation reaction in the presence of n-BuLi or n-BuLi/KO^tBu from −78 °C to room temperature or to 40 °C in THF within 3 h and then quenching with a variety of electrophiles to give the corresponding addition products (alcohols) in moderate to good yields within 2 h. The alcohols can be easily oxidized to the ketones, which can be transformed to the substituted cyclopentenes in the presence of AlCl₃ within short reaction time.     

Preparation, characterization and the standard enthalpy of formation of La0.95MnO3+δ and Sm0.95MnO3+δ

Among the perovskites, the rare earth manganites find application in several electrochemical devices because of their enhanced thermodynamic stability. In this paper, we present the results obtained on the preparation and characterization of La_0.95MnO_3+δ and Sm_0.95MnO_3+δ which were prepared by the solid state and sol–gel methods. XRD characterization of the manganites indicated that the crystal structure depends on the method of preparation and heat treatments. The ratio of Mn³⁺ to Mn⁴⁺ in these samples also depended on the method of preparation and heat treatments, as indicated by thermogravimetric (TG) and temperature programmed reduction (TPR) studies in Ar + 5% H₂ atmosphere. The standard molar enthalpy of formation, which is a measure of the thermodynamic stability of these compounds were determined using an isoperibol calorimeter.     

Electronic spectra of the linear magnesium-containing carbon chains MgC2nH (n = 1–5): A CASPT2 study

Complete active space self-consistent-field (CASSCF) approach has been used for the geometry optimization of the X²Σ⁺ and A²Π electronic states for the linear magnesium-containing carbon chains MgC_2nH (n = 1–5). Multireference second-order perturbation theory (CASPT2) has been used to calculate the vertical excitation energies from the ground to selected seven excited states, as well as the potential energy curves of two ²Σ⁺ and two ²Π electronic states. The studies indicate that the vertical excitation energies of the A²Π ← X²Σ⁺ transition for MgC_2nH (n = 1–5) are 2.837, 2.793, 2.767, 2.714, and 2.669 eV, respectively, showing remarkable linear size dependence. Compared with the previous TD-DFT and RCCSD(T) results, our estimates for MgC_2nH (n = 1–3) are in the best agreement with the available observed data of 2.83, 2.78, and 2.74 eV, respectively. In addition, the dissociation energies in MgC_2nH (n = 1–5) are also been evaluated.     

Voltammetry of immobilized cytochrome c on novel binary self-assembled monolayers of thioctic acid and thioctic amide modified gold electrodes

Horse heart cytochrome c (cyt c) was adsorbed on the binary self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) composed of thioctic acid (T-COOH) and thioctic amide (T-NH₂) at gold electrodes via electrostatic interaction. The cyt c adsorbed on the modified gold electrode exhibited well-defined reversible electrochemical behavior in 10 mM phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The surface concentration (Γ) of electroactive species, cyt c, on the binary SAMs was higher than that in single-component SAMs of T-COOH, and reached a maximum value of 9.2 × 10⁻¹² mol cm⁻² when the ratio of T-COOH to T-NH₂ in adsorption solution was of 3:2, and the formal potential (E^0′=(E_pa+E_pc)/2) of cyt c was −0.032 V (vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M NaCl)) in a 10 mM PBS. The interaction between cyt c and the binary SAMs made the E^0′ shift negatively when compared with that of cyt c in solution (+0.258 V vs. NHE, i.e., +0.058 V vs. Ag|AgCl (3 M NaCl)). The fractional coverage of bound cyt c was a 0.64 theoretical monolayer. The standard electron transfer rate constant of cyt c immobilized on the binary SAMs was also higher than that on single-component SAMs of T-COOH, and the maximum value of 15.8 ± 0.6 s⁻¹ was obtained when the ratio of T-COOH to T-NH₂ in adsorption solution was at 3:2. The results suggest that the electrode modified with the binary SAMs functions better than the electrode modified with single-component SAMs of T-COOH.     

Synthesis and NMR spectra of the hydroxyundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate [B12H11OH]2− and its acylated derivatives

Tetrabutylammonium hydroxyundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate was obtained in high yield via [B₁₂H₁₁NMP]^–(NMP =N-methylpyrrolidone) by the modified method. [B_i2H₁₁OH]^2– is easily acylated by aromatic acyl chlorides to give novel compounds [B₁₂H₁₁OCOAr]^2– in high yields. All the compounds were characterized by standard and special NMR methods.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 722–725, March, 1996.     

H NMR Dynamic study of thermal Z/E isomerization of 5-substituted 2-alkylidene-4-oxothiazolidine derivatives: Barriers to rotation about CC bond

The rotational barriers between the configurational isomers of two structurally related push–pull 4-oxothiazolidines, differing in the number of exocyclic CC bonds, have been determined by dynamic ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The equilibrium mixture of (5-ethoxycarbonylmethyl-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)-1-phenylethanone (1a) in CDCl₃ at room temperature to 333 K consists of the E- and Z-isomers which are separated by an energy barrier ΔG^# 98.5 kJ/mol (at 298 K). The variable-temperature ¹H NMR data for the isomerization of ethyl (5-ethoxycarbonylmethylidene-4-oxothiazolidin-2-ylidene)ethanoate (2b) in DMSO-d₆, possessing the two exocyclic CC bonds at the C(2)- and C(5)-positions, indicate that the rotational barrier ΔG^# separating the (2E,5Z)-2b and (2Z,5Z)-2b isomers is 100.2 kJ/mol (at 298 K). In a polar solvent-dependent equilibrium the major (2Z,5Z)-form (>90%) is stabilized by the intermolecular resonance-assisted hydrogen bonding and strong 1,5-type S · · · O interactions within the SCCCO entity. The ¹³C NMR Δδ_C(2)C(2′) values, ranging from 58 to 69 ppm in 1a–d and 49-58 ppm in 2a–d, correlate with the degree of the push-pull character of the exocyclic C(2)C(2′) bond, which increases with the electron withdrawing ability of the substituents at the vinylic C(2′) position in the following order: COPh COEt > CONHPh > CONHCH₂CH₂Ph. The decrease of the Δδ_C(2)C(2′) values in 2a–d has been discussed for the first time in terms of an estimation of the electron donor capacity of the S fragment on the polarization of the CC bonds.