Trace metal concentrations in single specimens of the intestinal broad flatworm (Diphyllobothrium latum), compared to their fish host (Oncorhynchus mykiss) measured by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The aim of this study was to investigate (1) whether intestine endoparasites (Diphyllobothrium latum) accumulate trace elements related to its body size and (2) whether parasites bioconcentrate more trace elements than their host. Freshwater fish (rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) were sampled in the deep, oligotrophic and uncontaminated Lake Riñihue in Southern Chile. The element concentration of different organs (intestine, muscle, liver) and of the intestine endoparasites were analyzed using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that the mass fraction for Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, and Pb decreased significantly with the body size (dry weight) of the endoparasite. Only Zn did not reveal such a relationship. Small parasites accumulated up to 80 times more Fe, Ni, Mn, Pb, and Cu than large parasites. Compared to the fish organs, small parasites accumulated in maximum 35 to 307 times more Mn, 5 to 255 times more Fe, 98 to 220 times more Ni, 3 to 175 times more Cu, and 0.4 to 12 times more Zn than the fish. Lead was only found in the endoparasite, but not in the fish organs. We conclude that (1) D. latum is a good indicator for trace element accumulation in fishes and that (2) small endoparasites are more sensitive as bioindicators because they showed higher bioconcentrations of trace metals than larger parasites.     

Fungi mediated production and practical purification of (R)-(−)-3-quinuclidinol

A fungal system belonging to Mucoraceae family (Mucor piriformis) was explored for the asymmetric reduction of a prochiral ketone, 3-quinuclidinone (I) in an efficient manner to produce an important pharmaceutical precursor (R)-(−)-3-quinuclidinol (II) with ∼96% enantiomeric excess. The efficiency of the process was improved by developing a cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120) which assisted the purification of water soluble metabolite II from fermentation media.     

A practical enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-(S)-stepholidine

A convergent enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-(S)-stepholidine, a drug candidate for the treatment of schizophrenia and/or drug abuse, was described, which represented the first example of successful auxiliary-assisted Bischler–Napieralski cyclization of amide bearing bromine atom at 2-position of the C ring, followed by an introduction of the aryl methyl ester via Br–Li exchange. (−)-(S)-Stepholidine was synthesized in 6 steps, with 52% overall yield and >99% ee. The reported synthesis is practically free from chromatographic separation.     

Syntheses and X-ray structures of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of N,N′-dibenzyl-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane and application to nitroaldol reaction

Chiral Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with N,N′-dibenzyl-(R,R)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane ligands were synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures of these complexes reveal that Cu complex has the distorted square-planar geometry and the Zn one has the nearly tetrahedral pattern. The coordination of metals to the chiral diamine ligand leads to a 5-membered metallaheterocycle of (S,S)-configuration of nitrogen atoms. Their asymmetric catalytic activities to nitroaldol reaction of benzaldehyde and nitromethane were examined. The difference of the geometry around metals leads to the opposite preferential configuration of alcohol products using these chiral complexes as asymmetric catalysts in the presence of triethylamine or diisopropylethylamine.     

N,N′-Diisopropyl- and N,N′-dicyclohexylthiourea cadmium(II) complexes as precursors for the synthesis of CdS nanoparticles

Crystals of the cadmium(II) complexes of N,N-diisopropylthiourea and N,N-dicyclohexylthiourea were obtained and their X-ray single crystal structures determined. These complexes are air-stable, easy to prepare and inexpensive and decompose cleanly to give good quality crystalline CdS. The nanoparticles of CdS thus obtained showed quantum confinement effects in their optical spectra, with close to band-edge emission in luminescence experiments. The broad diffraction patterns observed are typical of nanodimensional particles. The variation of concentration of precursor-to-HDA ratio change the isolated materials from spheres to rod-shaped. TEM images showed agglomerates of needle-like plate of particles.     

A single crystal X-ray and HRTEM study of new series of compounds DyCux (x=4.5, 4 and 3.5)

A series of monoclinic compounds DyCu_x (x=4.5,4 and 3.5) is described. It is constructed from structural blocks AB₅ (cubic AuBe₅ structure type) and AB₂ (cubic MgCu₂ structure type) by stacking nAB₅+AB₂ and giving the compositions A₂B₇,AB₄,A₄B₁₇,A₅B₂₂,A₆B₂₇,…,AB₅. The resulting monoclinic superstructures can be derived from the cubic AuBe₅ type by introducing planar defects parallel to {hhh} that lead to a nearly orthogonal ≈(n+2)×(n+2)×(n+2−0.5) supercells. The present series is analogous to the monoclinic-hexagonal-trigonal-orthorhombic series A_n+1B_5n+2 obtained by the stacking (n-1)AB₅+A₂B₇ where AB₅ is of the hexagonal CaCu₅ structure type and A₂B₇ is of the monoclinic Zr₂Ni₇ structure type.     

Ru-catalyzed enantioselective preparation of methyl (R)-o-chloromandelate and its application in the synthesis of (S)-Clopidogrel

The preparation of methyl (R)-o-chloromandelate via Ru-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation and transfer hydrogenation was investigated. With Ru-(R,R)-2,4,6-triisopropyl C₆H₂SO₂-DPEN as the catalyst and HCOOH-Et₃N azeotrope as the hydrogen donor, up to 92% ee was obtained in an optional condition. The synthesis of (S)-Clopidogrel was also studied.     

Crystal structures of RPt3−xSi1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction

The crystal structures of ternary compounds RPt_3−xSi_1−y(R=Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb) have been elucidated from X-ray single crystal CCD data. All compounds are isotypic and crystallize in the tetragonal space group P4/mbm. The general formula RPt_3−xSi_1−y arises from defects: x≈0.20, y≈0.14. The crystal structure of RPt_3−xSi_1−y can be considered as a packing of four types of building blocks which derive from the CePt₃B-type unit cell by various degrees of distortion and Pt, Si-defects.     

A simple and efficient total synthesis of (±)-danshexinkun A, a bioactive diterpenoid from Salvia miltiorrhiza

An efficient 12-step route for the synthesis of the diterpenoid quinone (±)-danshexinkun A in 23% overall yield from the corresponding highly substituted stilbene using a photocyclization strategy is described.     

Crystalline O,O′-di-sec-butyl and O,O′-diethyl dithiophosphate platinum(II) complexes: Synthesis, C and P CP/MAS NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction studies and thermal behaviour

Crystalline bis(O,O′-di-sec-butyldithiophosphato)platinum(II) was prepared and studied by means of ¹³C, ³¹P CP/MAS NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The unit cell of the platinum(II) compound is comprised of one centrosymmetric mononuclear molecule [Pt{S₂P(O-sec-C₄H₉)₂}₂], in which the dithiophosphate groups display structural equivalence in both ³¹P NMR and XRD data. A pair of the dithiophosphate ligands exhibit the same S,S′-bidentate chelating structural function and form two planar four-membered chelate rings, [PtS₂P], in this molecule. The planar configuration of the [PtS₄] chromophore in structure 1 is governed by the dsp²-hybrid state of platinum(II). The structural states of the dithiophosphate groups in two different samples of complex 1 (one crystallised from ethanol and the other one precipitated from an aqueous solution) are all characterised by almost rhombic ³¹P chemical shift tensors. The observed essential dispersion of the ³¹P NMR chemical shift is caused by a coexistence of six optical isomers of molecule 1. The thermal behaviour of this compound was studied by means of simultaneous thermal analysis (a combination of TG and DSC) under an argon atmosphere. The thermal behaviour shows that the mass of 1 is lost in three steps, involving successive thermal decompositions of the organic and inorganic parts of this compound with platinum(II) dithio-meta-phosphate and reduced metallic platinum as the intermediate and the final products, respectively.     

Identification and quantification of 13 components in Angelica sinensis (Danggui) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry coupled with pressurized liquid extraction

Angelica sinensis (Danggui in Chinese), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is also used as a health food product for women's care in Europe and America. Therefore, the demand for Danggui is enormous throughout the world. Due to the shortage of Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas are commonly used as the substitutes of Danggui in the market of southeast Asia. However, the three common Angelica roots showed variation in their genetic and chemical composition. Up to date, it is thought that ferulic acid, ligustilide and other phthalides such as butylidenephthalide are the biologically active components of Danggui. In this paper, the contents of 13 compounds including ferulic acid, Z-ligustilide, E-ligustilide, Z-butylidenephthalide, E-butylidenephthalide, 3-butylphthalide, 3-butylidene-4-hydroxyphthalide, senkyunolide A, 6,7-epoxyligustilide, senkyunolide F, senkyunolide H, senkyunolide I, and 6,7-dihydroxyligustilide were determined or estimated by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with pressurized liquid extraction (PLE). The results showed that GC-MS coupled with PLE offered a simple, rapid and high sensitive method to analysis of components in Angelica root. And the contents of investigated compounds in Angelica sinensis, Angelica acutiloba and Angelica gigas, which are used as Danggui in China, Japan and Korea, respectively, were highly variant. It is thought that interaction of multiple chemical compounds contributes to the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines. However, the overall clinical efficacy of these different Danggui has not been determined. Therefore, comparison of chemical components and pharmacological activities of different Angelica root is helpful to elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic effects of Danggui.     

Determination of cadmium and lead species and phytochelatins in pea (Pisum sativum) by HPLC-ICP-MS and HPLC-ESI-MS

An analytical approach based on hyphenated techniques was used for studying the speciation of cadmium and lead in Pisum sativum. Proper preservation conditions were employed to avoid the oxidation of -SH groups and corresponding decomposition of metal-binding complexes. SEC column was washed with 5 mM beta-mercaptoethanol and then samples were analysed using ICP-MS as a detector. Results showed that cadmium is the inhibitor of lead uptake. HPLC-ESI-MSⁿ assays revealed fragmentation pathways of phytochelatins.     

Generation of 5,6-dimethylene-2(1H)-pyridinones from [3,4-b] sulfolene pyridinones and application in Diels-Alder reactions

2(1H)-Pyrazinones were converted into various [3,4-b] sulfolene pyridinones 19-21, serving as precursors for thermolytic conversion into the corresponding 5,6-dimethylene 2(1H)-pyridinone ortho-quinodimethanes. These were trapped in situ by reaction with various dienophiles. Tethering of precursor 19 with a dienophilic side chain attached to the 7-position of the [3,4-b] sulfolene pyridinone also enabled intramolecular cycloaddition when no rearrangement by 1,5-H-shift was viable.     

X-ray and neutron powder diffraction studies of Ba(NdxY2−x)CuO5

Ba(R,R′)₂CuO₅ (R,R′=lanthanides and Y) plays an important role as a flux-pinning agent in enhancing the superconducting properties of the Ba₂(R,R′)Cu₃O_6+x (R,R′=lanthanides and Y) coated conductors. Using X-ray diffraction and neutron diffraction, we found that the Ba(Nd_xY_2−x)CuO₅ solid solution adopts two structure types. In the Nd-rich region (1.8?x?2.0), the materials are of brown color (commonly referred to as the ‘brown phase’), and the structure is tetragonal with space group I4/mbm (no. 127). In the Y-rich region (0.0?x?1.4), the materials are green (commonly referred to as the ‘green phase’) and the structure is orthorhombic with space group Pnma (no. 62). A two-phase region (1.4<x<1.8) exists between the orthorhombic and tetragonal phases. The crystal chemistry and crystallography of the orthorhombic ‘green phase’ series, Ba(Nd_xY_2−x)CuO₅ (isostructural to BaY₂CuO₅), are discussed in this paper.     

Synthesis and characterization of metal substituted AlxCr1−x(acetylacetonate)3 single-source precursors for their application to MOCVD of thin films

A detailed study, involving the synthesis of a single-source precursor containing two metal ions sharing the same crystallographic site, has been undertaken to elucidate the use of such a single-source precursor in a CVD process for growing thin films of oxides comprising these two metals, ensuring a uniform composition and distribution of metal ions. The substituted complexes Cr_1−xAl_x(acac)₃, where acac = acetylacetonate, have been prepared by a co-synthesis method, and characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, TGA/DTA measurements, and single crystal X-ray diffraction at low temperature. All the studied compositions crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with Z = 4 in the unit cell. It was observed that the ratio (Al:Cr) of the site occupancy for the metal ions, obtained from single crystal refinement, is in agreement with the results obtained from complexometric titrations. All the solid state structures have the metal in an octahedral environment forming six-membered chelate rings. M–O acac bond lengths and disorder in the terminal carbon have been studied in detail for these substituted metal–organic complexes. One composition among these was chosen to evaluate their suitability as a single-source precursor in a LPMOCVD process (low-pressure metal–organic chemical vapour deposition) for the deposition of a substituted binary metal oxide thin film. The resulting thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy.     

A simple and stereodivergent strategy for the synthesis of 3′-C-branched 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides exploiting (Z)-but-2-en-1,4-diol and (R)-2,3-cyclohexylideneglyceraldehyde

Barbier type additions of allylic bromide 4, derived from (Z)-but-2-en-1,4-diol 2 to (R)-2,3-cyclohexylideneglyceraldehyde 1 were performed through mediation with Zn employing Luche’s procedure and also with low valent Cu, Co, and Fe which were produced via bimetal redox strategy in THF to afford 5c,d as the major products. From these, 5a,b were prepared following an oxidation-reduction protocol. Compound 5c was exploited as a representative starting material to develop a simple and inexpensive strategy toward the synthesis of 3′-C-branched 2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides having stereodiversity at 3′- and 4′-positions.     

Use of flame atomic absorption spectrometry and the effect of water chemistry for the study of the bioaccumulation of cadmium in Menidia beryllina (cope), the tidewater silverside

In laboratory controlled experiments using Menidia beryllina, the Tidewater Silverside (fish), it was shown that the salinity of the water affects accumulation of cadmium. The concentration of cadmium was determined using a previously described flame atomic absorption spectrometric method. In general, the higher the salinity, the less cadmium is accumulated in fish. At low or no salinity, higher concentrations of cadmium are found in fish. Elimination of cadmium occurred at a faster rate in fish exposed to higher levels of salinity. It is proposed that the low bioaccumulation of cadmium in high saline waters was due to competition between the free Cd²⁺ ion, Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻ ion preventing Cd²⁺ from entering fish.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization and thermal behavior of cadmium(II) complexes of S-methyldithiocarbazate (SMDTC) and S-benzyldithiocarbazate (SBDTC): X-ray crystal structure of [Cd(SMDTC)3] · 2NO3

Two new cadmium(II) complexes of the empirical formulae [Cd(SMDTC)₃] · 2NO₃ (1) and [Cd(SBDTC)₂] · 2NO₃ (2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, UV–Vis, IR, ¹H NMR and TGA techniques. In complex 1, the six coordination sites around cadmium are occupied by three neutral SMDTC molecules with N and S donor atoms from each ligand molecule, whereas in complex 2 the cadmium center is four coordinated with two relatively larger SBDTC ligands chelating with N and S donor atoms in the neutral thione form. In the solid state, thermal gravimetric analysis shows that both complexes are relatively volatile in nature and undergo facile thermal decomposition above 120 °C to form the metal sulfide followed by stepwise loss of ligand molecules. The crystal and molecular structure of complex 1 has been established by the X-ray diffraction method. The central cadmium(II) atom has an octahedral geometry with three five-membered chelate rings formed by SMDTC ligands. The crystal structure consists of parallel layers of cations and anions. The SMDTC molecules in cations are arranged with their N donor groups directed towards the anion layer in an alternating fashion and form hydrogen bonds with the O atoms of the anion.     

Study of essential element accumulation in the leaves of a Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens after Cu treatment by imaging laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used for the quantitative imaging of Cu and other essential elements (such as K, Mg, Mn, P, S and B) in the leaves of a Cu-tolerant plant Elsholtzia splendens treated with the enriched ⁶⁵Cu isotope tracer (isotope abundance of 89.2%). The leaves (newly formed, fully grown and oldest) were scanned directly with a focused Nd:YAG laser in the laser ablation chamber. The ablated material was transported with argon as carrier gas to a quadrupole-based ICP-MS (ICP-QMS), and the ion intensities of ⁶⁵Cu⁺, ³⁹K⁺, ²⁴Mg⁺, ⁵⁵Mn⁺, ³¹P⁺, ³⁴S⁺ and ¹¹B⁺ were measured by ICP-QMS to study the accumulation of Cu and other elements of interest. Standard reference material NIST SRM 1515 Apple Leaves doped with known concentrations of analytes (from 0.1 to 2000 mg L⁻¹) was measured together with the samples by LA-ICP-MS and was used for the quantification of the analytical data. Notable accumulation of Cu in the newly formed leaves was clearly identified by imaging LA-ICP-MS. The increased isotope ratios of ⁶⁵Cu/⁶³Cu measured by LA-ICP-MS demonstrated the path of Cu uptake and accumulation via the petiole and main veins in the leaves. Cu stress-induced accumulation of K, Mg, Mn, P and S in the newly formed leaves was observed, while B was not significantly affected. In the present study, the concentrations of K, Mg, Mn, P and S were not obviously changed in the fully grown leaves after short-term treatment. Along with the treatment, a visible decrease of K and P was found in the oldest leaves, while other elements were not influenced by Cu stress.