Unusual mesomorphic behaviour of new bent‐core mesogens derived from 4‐cyanoresorcinol

New five‐ring bent‐core mesogens derived from 4‐cyanoresorcinol as the central core have been synthesized. The mesophases were assigned by polarizing microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and electro‐optical measurements. It was found that the mesophase behaviour clearly depends on the direction of the carboxyl linking groups between the aromatic rings. If the outer and inner ester linking groups of a wing are in the same direction then nematic phases and, for long chain members, SmC and SmCP_A phases are observed. If the outer and inner linking groups are in opposing directions a dimorphism, SmA–SmAP_A, is observed and the clearing temperatures are increased by about 55?K. It is remarkable that in the SmCP_A phases of the first series, polar switching preferably takes place through a collective rotation of the molecules around their long axes which is accompanied by the inversion of the chirality of the smectic layers.     

X‐ray diffraction from the uniaxial and biaxial nematic phases of bent‐core mesogens

X‐ray diffraction patterns for the uniaxial and biaxial nematic phases exhibited by rigid bent‐core mesogens were calculated using a simple model for the molecular form factor and a modified Lorentzian structure factor. The X‐ray diffraction patterns depend strongly on the extent of the alignment of the molecular axes as well as the orientation of molecular planes. The X‐ray diffraction can be unequivocally used to identify the biaxial nematic phase, study the uniaxial–biaxial phase transition, and estimate the order parameters of the nematic phase.     

Non‐symmetric bent‐core mesogens with one terminal vinyl group

Two series of non‐symmetric banana‐shaped compounds, both with one alkyl and one alkenyl terminal tail, have been synthesized and studied. Both series were compared with the corresponding series with two saturated terminal alkyl tails. All the compounds have a bent central 1,3‐phenylene bis(4‐benzoyloxy)benzoate core; their mesophases were characterized by polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction and switching current response experiments. In all four series one of the terminal tails is varied from OC₈H₁₇ to OC₁₆H₃₃. The other terminal tails are OC₁₁H₂₃, O(CH₂)₉CH?=?CH₂, OC₁₀H₂₁ and O(CH₂)₈CH?=?CH₂. The short‐tailed compounds show monotropic or enantiotropic B₁ phases and the long‐tailed compounds the B₂ phase. The introduction of one terminal vinyl group slightly lowers the transition temperatures. The introduction of a second terminal vinyl group further suppresses the liquid crystalline properties. All compounds with B₂ phases have layer spacings that suggest a tilt of ～45° of the bent molecules in the layers, and their switching behaviour is antiferroelectric.     

New five‐ring symmetrical bent‐core mesogens exhibiting the fascinating B7 phase

Three new homologous series of symmetrical five‐ring bent‐core compounds have been synthesized and investigated for their mesomorphic properties. The laterally unsubstituted parent compounds exhibit a metastable SmCP_A phase. However, the two series of compounds containing a strongly polar cyano or nitro group at the angular position of the central phenyl unit show the fascinating classical B₇ phase. The mesophases have been characterized using standard techniques.     

A new class of bent‐shaped mesogens exhibiting unusual mesophase behaviour

Examples of a new class of bent‐core compounds are presented, the central fragment of which consists of a benzoyl derivative of a secondary cyclic amine. The mesophase behaviour has been studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and electro‐optical measurements. It was found that the five‐ring compounds form smectic CP or B₁ phases which are typical for bent‐core mesogens. The six‐ring compounds exhibit, in some cases, only conventional non‐polar smectic phases; in other cases non‐polar smectic phases as well as banana phases are seen. Of particular interest is the occurrence of a switchable uniaxial semectic A‐like phase with an antiferroelectric structure.     

The SmCPA phase in five‐ring bent‐core compounds derived from 5‐methoxyisophthalic acid

The synthesis and mesophase characterization of a homologous series of five‐ring bent‐core compounds derived from 5‐methoxyisophthalic acid are described. Most of the compounds exhibit a polar antiferroelectric smectic C phase. Replacement of the terminal n‐alkoxy chains by n‐alkyl carboxylate groups, not only destabilizes the formation of mesophases but induces a calamitic mesophase. However, extension of the arms of the bent‐core molecule by a phenyl moiety stabilizes the switchable phase. The mesophases were investigated using a combination of polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction and electro‐optical methods.     

Characterization of a core fragment of the rhesus monkey TRIM5α protein

Background  

Like all tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins, the retroviral restriction factor TRIM5α consists of RING, B-box 2 and coiled-coil domains, with a C-terminal B30.2(SPRY) domain. Although structures have been determined for some individual TRIM domains, the structure of an intact TRIM protein is unknown.     

Synthesis of the acid–base bifunctional hybrid catalyst via covalently anchored organomoieties on to the SBA-15: a recyclable catalyst for the one‐pot preparation of 1‐amidoalkyl‐2‐naphthols

Research on Chemical Intermediates - In this research, SBA-amino-amido-carboxylic acid (SBA-NH-NHCO-COOH) is synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of SBA propylchloride (SBA-Cl) with ethylene...     

Parallel kinetic resolution of racemic mixtures: a new strategy for the preparation of enantiopure compounds?

Kinetic resolution of racemic mixtures is a well-established methodology for the preparation of optically active compounds. However, excellent enantioselectivities are required to obtain them in enantiopure form, due to the decrease in ee when conversion values are close to 50%. To overcome this limitation, a parallel (asymmetric) reaction can remove the disfavored enantiomer. In this review, several examples of this strategy showing its wide range of applicability are described, as well as their mathematical treatment and some new applications in combinatorial chemistry.     

Asymmetric synthesis of allylic secondary alcohols: a new general approach for the preparation of α-amino acids

A new general approach for the synthesis of optically active α-amino acids has been developed. The key steps involve a ruthenium catalysed cross-coupling reaction to give a range of α,β-unsaturated ketones, which were then reduced to allylic secondary alcohols in the presence of a chiral CBS oxazaborolidine. A thermal Overman rearrangement was used to prepare a series of allylic trichloroacetimidates and these were converted under standard conditions to the target α-amino acids in good overall yields.     

A new concise stereoselective method for the preparation of a β-hydroxyfurfurylamine derivative and synthesis of 1-deoxyazasugar isomers

A new method to prepare a chiral building block, a β-hydroxyfurfurylamine derivative, is achieved and 1-deoxyazasugar isomers are synthesized.     

Electrochemical and photochemical approaches for the synthesis of the C28–C38 fragment of okadaic acid

Okadaic acid, a potent and selective inhibitor of Protein Phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A), is widely used as a probe for various biochemical processes. We describe herein two innovative methods for the synthesis of the terminal C28–C38 fragment of the natural polyether. Suárez photochemical oxidative cyclization and electrochemical oxidation of malonates to their ketals equivalents have been successfully applied for the assembly of the key spiroketal core.     

Quantum chemical studies on the conformational behaviour of substituted banana‐shaped mesogens with a central 1,3‐phenylene unit

Ab initio and DFT calculations on the HF/STO‐3G and B3LYP/6‐31G(d) level were performed on the conformational behaviour of isolated banana‐shaped molecules of 1,3‐phenylene bis[4‐(4‐n‐hexyloxyphenyliminomethyl)benzoate] systems (P‐6‐O‐PIMB). The influence of small substituents in both the central phenyl ring and the external phenyl rings on the shape, polarity and flexibility of these molecules was investigated by one‐ and two‐fold relaxed potential energy scans in a systematic way. The effect of substituents on the global polarity of banana‐shaped mesogens was analysed by the magnitude and direction of the dipole moment and its components in relation to the long axis of the molecules. Moreover, a simple model for the calculation of the bending angle was tested for banana‐shaped molecules with a central 1,3‐phenylene unit. The findings for the isolated banana‐shaped molecules are correlated with solid state X‐ray and liquid crystalline state NMR results. Banana‐shaped molecules with both hexyloxy (P‐6‐O‐PIMB) and hexyl (P‐6‐PIMB) terminal chains are included to study the effect of substituents in the external phenyl rings on the flexibility of these chains. An attempt will be made to correlate the results with experimental findings on banana‐shaped mesogens.     

On the preparation of bilirubins of the natural α series substituted with a propionic acid residue and a hydroxypropyl group

Summary The reduction of mesobiliverdin XIII propan-1,3-diyl diester with NaBH₄ affords mesobilirubin XIII propan-1,3-diyl diester. The same reduction of mesobiliverdin XIII methylen diester. The same reduction of mesobiliverdin XIII methylen diester affords 8-(2-carboxyethyl)-3,17-diethyl-12-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,7,13,17-tetramethylbiladien-ac-1,19-(21H, 24H)-dione (MBR-mc). The UV/Vis and¹H NMR spectra ofMBR-mc show that its structure in solution is similar to that of the natural bilirubins of the series.

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Zur Herstellung von Bilirubinen der natürlichen -Reihe mit Propionsäure- und Hydroxypropylsubstituenten

Zusammenfassung Reduktion von Mesobiliverdin-XIII-propan-1,3-diyl-diester mit NaBH₄ liefert Mesobilirubin-XIII-propan-1,4-diyl-diester. Die analoge Reaktion des Mesobiliverdin-XIII-methylen-diesters führt zu 8-(2-Carboxyäthyl)-3,17-diäthyl-12-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2,7,13,17-tetramethylbiladien-ac-1,19-(21H,24H)-dion (MBR-mc).MBR-mc weist in Lösung (UV/Vis und 1H-NMR Spektren) eine ähnliche Struktur auf wie die der natürlichen Bilirubine der -Serie.

     

Synthesis of a new class of corrosion inhibitors derived from natural fatty acid: 13‐Docosenoic acid amide derivatives for oil and gas industry

As corrosion inhibitors, a series of new amide derivatives of 13‐docosenoic acid was synthesized in yields of above 90% by reacting 13-docosenoic acid with primary and secondary aliphatic and aromatic amines. The inhibition efficiencies (%IEs) of these compounds at various concentrations for the suppression of corrosion of mild steel in 1.00 M HCl exposed for 96 h (4 days) at temperatures in the range 298–333 K were measured via gravimetric corrosion measurements. At 100 ppm, all compounds yielded satisfactory corrosion %IE in 1.00 M HCl; compounds 2 and 7 exhibited remarkable %IE of 70.0 and 74.7%, respectively. The results of gravimetric measurements further revealed that compound 7 performed excellently at 60 °C, with %IE = 96.8 at 500 ppm. Quantum chemical density functional theory (DFT) calculations helped predict that compound 7 should have more aromatic character, enabling it to serve as a donor-center for the empty d-orbital of the metal atoms, leading to higher corrosion IE. The adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on the surface of mild steel followed the Langmuir adsorption model, and the free energy of adsorption (ΔG_ads) value indicated that the inhibitors are adsorbed through a combined physisorption and chemisorption mechanism to provide effective surface coverage.     

Synthesis and liquid crystal properties of a new class of calamitic mesogens based on substituted 2,5‐diaryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives with wide mesomorphic temperature ranges

Liquid crystals based on substituted 2,5‐diaryl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives (1a–1f, 3a and 3b) and 1,3,4‐oxadiazole analogues (2a–2f, 4a and 4b) were synthesised and characterised by ¹H, ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, mass spectrometry, high‐resolution mass spectrometry techniques and elemental analyses. The X‐ray crystal structure of 1e revealed that it contains tilted lamellar arrangement of molecules in the crystalline solid. The liquid crystal properties have been investigated by polarised‐light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and in‐situ variable‐temperature X‐ray diffraction. All compounds (except 2e and 2f) exhibited thermotropic liquid crystal behaviours with various mesophases (smectic A and C, nematic N or soft crystal E phases). Notably, the 1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivatives consistently have wider mesomorphic temperature ranges than those of the respective 1,3,4‐oxadiazole analogues. The solutions of all compounds in CH₂Cl₂ individually displayed one or two absorption bands with λ _max values at 297–355 nm and emitted with λ _max values at 363–545 nm and quantum yields of 0.12–0.73. Structure–property relationships of these compounds are discussed in the contexts of their molecular structures and weak intermolecular interactions.     

A new and convenient approach for the preparation of β-cyanoethyl protected trinucleotide phosphoramidites

Herein we report a convenient approach for the preparation of fully protected trinucleotide synthons to be used for the synthesis of gene libraries. The trinucleotide synthons bear β-cyanoethyl groups at the phosphate residues, and thus can be used in standard oligonucleotide synthesis without additional steps for deprotection and work-up.     

A new synthetic route for the preparation of β-acyloxy mercaptans via the addition of thioacids to epoxides

A new synthetic route for the preparation of S-benzylated β-acyloxy mercaptans starting from the one-pot reaction of thioacids and epoxides using a silica gel/Et₃N combined catalyst is described. The thiol functionality in the crude product is then protected via benzylation and the corresponding thioethers are isolated after chromatography.     

Characterization and preparation of core–shell type nanoparticle for encapsulation of anticancer drug

The aim of this study is to prepare delivery vehicles of paclitaxel using low molecular weight water-soluble chitosan (LMWSC) and evaluate them as an anticancer drug delivery system. LMWSC was modified with methoxy polyethylene glycol (LMWSC-MPEG, ChitoPEG), and then it was conjugated with cholesterol (LMWSC-MPEG-Chol). Core–shell type LMWSC-MPEG-Chol nanoparticles (LMWSC-NPs) were prepared by the dialysis method, and the core–shell structure was confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis. To this polymer, paclitaxel was encapsulated and core–shell type nanoparticles were prepared. The release tests indicated that release of paclitaxel from the core–shell type nanoparticles and its transport across the dialysis membrane was slower than dialysis of free paclitaxel. In a cytotoxicity study using CT26 cell, the paclitaxel-encapsulated core–shell type nanoparticles (LMWSC-NPs) showed a toxicity against tumor cells similar to paclitaxel itself. The results of a tumor inhibition test with CT26 implanted upon mouse tumor models in vivo indicated that the application of a dose of 10 mg/kg of LMWSC-NPT showed a superior survival rate, and a slower tumor growth than when paclitaxel alone was administered, although the tumor growth and survival rate were not significantly changed at a dose of 2 mg/kg. The LMWSC-NPT dose above 10 mg/kg showed a superior antitumor activity.