Novel techniques for plasma diagnostics: Electron paramagnetic resonance and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

Diagnostic techniques for low-pressure, cold plasmas have mostly been limited to emission and mass spectrometry. Herein, the techniques of gas-phase electron paramagnetic resonance and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy are briefly reviewed. Particular attention is paid to their attributes which make them good candidates for plasma diagnostic tools. It is found that gas-phase electron paramagnetic resonance can be used to determine and monitor the absolute concentration of a number of important plasma species, e.g., free radicals and atoms. Laser-induced fluorescence can also monitor, with even more sensitivity, but perhaps not so well absolutely, the concentrations of many plasma species, e.g., free radicals, metastable excited states, and molecular ions.     

ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF THREE SPECIES OF Achillea FROM KAZAKHSTAN

The chemical composition of essential oils ofAchillea millefoliumL.,A. NobilisL. from Kazakhstan flora andA. GrandifloraBieb introduced in culture at the Karaganda Botanic garden were determined by GC/MS. The main component in the essential oil ofA. MillefoliumL. andA. NobilisL. was found to be camphor, while it was -pinene for A. grandiflora.     

Synthesis of bis(polyfluoroalkyl)-1,3,5-triketones

A preparative procedure was developed for the synthesis of polyfluoroalkyl-1,3,5-triketones by condensation of acetone or fluorinated methyl -diketones with methyl perfluorocarboxylates in the presence of LiH. In the case of CF₃ substituents, the formation of triketone was accompanied by the formation of its cyclic hydrate, viz., of dihydroxytetrahydropyranone.     

Donor-acceptor interaction of p,p′-dimethoxystilbene with α,β-dinitrostilbene

A study was carried out on the interactions of the Z and E forms of the indicated stilbenes in all four possible combinations. Charge transfer complexes are formed and only Z-p,p-dimethoxystilbene converts to its E form.A. N. Nesmeyanov Institute of Organometallic Compounds, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117813 Moscow. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 210–211, January, 1992.     

High pressure approach to the synthesis of cryptands and related compounds

Some fundamentals concerning the high-pressure technique in organic chemistry and recent progress in high-pressure synthesis of cryptands and related compounds are described. A brief discussion is given of several examples illustrating various approaches to high-pressure syntheses of simple and chiral cryptands. Emphasis is placed on double-quaternization reactions carried out under high pressure.This review is based on a lecture presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Inclusion Phenomena/Third International Symposium on Cyclodextrins, Lancaster, U.K., 20–25 July 1986.     

Conformational and Database Study on the Intramolecular CH...π Aromatic Bond and Its Possible Influence on the Stereochemistry of Polypeptide Chains

The presence of intramolecular CH... aromatic bonds in organic molecules has been analyzed by means of CSD searches. In particular, molecules containing aromatic and methyl groups have been examined as a function of the length of the chain separating the interacting groups. The type of bonds in the chain and its geometry have also been taken into account. The maximum number of CH... interactions have been found for five-membered chains joining the aromatic and methyl moieties. In addition, this interaction seems favored when the chain contains two sp ² hybridized atoms. The interactions involving polypeptides have been carefully examined. Interest has focused on compounds containing both aromatic and methylic residues, i.e., a combination of phenylalanine (phe), tyrosine (tyr), and tryptophan (trp) with alanine (ala), valine (val), leucine (leu), and isoleucine (ile). The maximum number of CH... interactions have been found when five atoms constituted the chain, i.e., in the sequences phe–ala and ala–phe.     

Inclusion of α-phenyl-N-p-methylphenyl Nitrone in β- Cyclodextrin: Formation of 1G : 1H and 1G : 2H Complexes and the Remarkably Fast 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of the 1G : 2H Complex with Olefins in the Solid State

The nitrone is found to be included in the -cyclodextrin cavity in two different stoichiometries viz., 1G : 1H and 1G : 2H – the existence of which is proved by physical methods. The 1G : 2H complex of the nitrone serves as a good potent dipolarophile in the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions with olefins resulting in rate acceleration and regioselection.     

The in vitro Pulmonary Deposition of a Budesonide γ-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex

The interest in dry powder inhalers (DPIs) has recently increasedbecause the problems associated with the propellants used in pressurized metered-dose inhalers (PMDIs) will be avoided. Cyclodextrins (CDs) may be used as excipients in inhalation powders;e.g., in order to increase the solubility, stability and absorption of an inhaled drug. In thepresent study, the effect of complexation of budesonide with -CD on its pulmonary deposition wasstudied in vitro. In the presence of -CD, the aqueous solubility of budesonidefollowed B_S-type phase-solubility behaviour. A precipitationcomplexation method was used to prepare the solid budenoside/-CD complexes. The pulmonary in vitrodeposition of budenoside was evaluated after inhalation of plain budesonide and budenoside/-CDcomplexes (lactose carrier used in both formulations) by using the ``Andersen' cascadeimpactor. The novel Taifun® was used as the DPI. The respirable fractionsof the emitted budesonide dose (initially and after the storage in 40 °C, RH 75%) werecomparable for both plain budesonide and budesonide/-CD complexes. The present studyindicates that a drug/CD-complex can be used in inhalation powderswithout lowering the pulmonary deposition of the drug.     

Effects of 2-Hydroxypropyl-b-cyclodextrin on Polymorphic Transition of Chlorpropamide in Various Conditions: Temperature, Humidity and Moulding Pressure

The amorphous complex of 2-hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin (HP--CyD) with an oral hypoglycemic agent, chlorpropamide (CPM), in a molar ratio of 1:1 was prepared by the spray-drying method. The effects of storage (temperature and humidity) and moulding pressure on the polymorphic transition of CPM in HP--CyD matrix were investigated, in comparison with those of the CPM polymorphs, Form A (stable form) and Form C (metastable form). The formation of an amorphous complex of CPM with HP--CyD was confirmed by powder X-ray diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry. During storage at various temperature and humidity conditions, the metastable Form C of CPM converted to the stable Form A, where the conversion proceeded according to the Jander equation with an activation energy of 51 kJ/mol (25–60–°C) and a reaction-order of 1.55 with respect to water content (relative humidity (RH) 20–75%). No polymorphic transition of Form A crystals was observed under the experimental conditions. In the case of the amorphous HP--CyD complex, Form C crystals were slowly produced, but the further conversion of the resulting Form C to Form A was markedly suppressed in HP--CyD matrix. Upon compression (2000kg/cm²), Forms A and C were converted to amorphous CPM in a major portion and Forms C and A, respectively, in a minor portion. The polymorphic transition behavior was clearly reflected in the dissolution rate of CPM, i.e., (1) the dissolution rate was in the order of HP--CyD complex (Form C) Form A, and (2) the dissolution rate of Forms A and C after the compression increased because of the conversion to amorphous state, while the complex maintained the fast dissolving property even after the compression. The results indicated that HP--CyD is useful not only for converting crystalline CPM to an amorphous substance, but also for maintaining the metastable form with fast dissolution rate, Form C, over a long period.     

Aromatische Spirane, 23. Mitt.: Darstellung von unsymmetrisch substituierten Dimethyl-2,2′-Spirobiindan-1,1′-dionen

Summary Both spirodiketones7 and8 were obtained as a mixture (56:44) by treatment of dicarbonic acid5 with polyphosphoric acid (PPA).5 was accessible from dimethylester3, synthesized byretro-Claisen reaction between1 and2. In the same way,30 was obtainedvia 27. The preparation of the pure spiro compounds7 and8, resp., was achieved by aldol reaction between9 and10 or9 and16, resp. Short treatment of the resulting compounds11 and17 with diazomethane yielded the methylbenzoates12 and18. Prolonged reaction (several hours) gave the pyrazole compounds14 and19, resp., which were also obtained (several days) from phthalides14 and20. The latter were formed from the benzylidene compounds11 and17, resp., by heating.11 and17 (after hydrogenation to15a and21a) were cyclized either withPPA or thermically to the spiro compounds7 and8. The main product20 was cyclized thermically to8 after reduction with zinc to a mixture of21a and8 (20:75).

     

α-Alkoxy-β-dicarbonylverbindungen durch Acylierung von Lithiumenolaten

A series of -alkoxy--dicarbonyl compounds2 were prepared by acylation of lithium enolates in good to excellent yields by a simple one-pot procedure.

     

Gewinnung und Charakterisierung von nichtkeratinarmer Wolle — ein Modellpräparat für die Grundlagenerforschung von textilchemischen Ausrüstungsprozessen

The nonkeratinous proteins of wool can be partly or completely dissolved by controlled enzymatic digestion. A comparison between the keratose content of intact wool and that of wool which has been hydrolysed for 96 h with pronase confirms that specifically all the nonkeratinous components are dissolved out of the wool composite by pronase. The influence of microbial infection can be excluded.The residue of wool after the hydrolysis, i. e., a wool low in nonkeratinous proteins, has a higher internal volume, as measured by mercury porosimetry. The centrifugal swelling test shows that these wool samples also have increased hygroscopy.

     

On the use of pseudopotentials in molecular calculations

A series of tests was performed of the Kahn-Goddard-Melius-Topiol pseudopotentials in view of their utilization with small contracted basis sets in molecular computations. The effects of inner-shell separability and of basis set contraction are underlined. The utilizability of Topiol's valence least-squares fitted Gaussian basis sets is studied.     

The μ-and δ-opioid pharmacophore conformations of cyclic β-casomorphin analogues indicate docking of the Phe3 residue to different domains of the opioid receptors

Summary Cyclic -casomorphin analogues with a d-configured amino acid residue in position 2, such as Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-Pro-Gly-] and Tyr-c[-Xaa-Phe-d-Pro-Gly-] (Xaa=d-A₂bu, d-Orn, d-Lys) were found to bind to the -opioid receptor as well as to the -opioid receptor, whereas the corresponding l-Xaa² derivatives are nearly inactive at both. Low-energy conformers of both active and nearly inactive derivatives have been determined in a systematic conformational search or by molecular dynamics simulations using the TRIPOS force field. The obatained conformations were compared with regard to a model for -selective opiates developed by Brandt et al. [Drug Des. Discov., 10 (1993) 257]. Superpositions as well as electrostatic, lipophilic and hydrogen bonding similarities with the -opioid receptor pharmacophore conformation of t-Hpp-JOM-13 proposed by Mosberg et al. [J. Med. Chem., 37 (1994) 4371, 4384] were used to establish the probable -pharmacophoric cyclic -casomorphin conformations. These conformations were also compared with a -opioid agonist (SNC 80) and the highly potent antagonist naltrindole. These investigations led to a prediction of the -and -pharmacophore structures for the cyclic -casomorphins. Interestingly, for the inactive compounds such conformations could not be detected. The comparison between the -and -pharmacophore conformations of the cyclic -casomorphins demonstrates not only differences in spatial orientation of both aromatic groups, but also in the backbone conformations of the ring part. In particular, the differences in ² and ² (70°,-80°; 165°,55°) cause a completely different spatial arrangement of the cyclized peptide rings when all compounds are matched with regard to maximal spatial overlap of the tyrosine residue. Assuming that both the -and -pharmacophore conformations bind with the tyrosine residue in a similar orientation at the same transmembrane domain X of their receptors, the side chain of Phe³ as a second binding site has to dock with different domains.This paper is based on a presentation given at the 14th Molecular Graphics and Modelling Society Conference, held in Cairns, Australia, August 27–September 1, 1995.     

Improvement in the Physicochemical Properties of Ketoconazole through Complexation with Cyclodextrin Derivatives

Highly-soluble cyclodextrin derivatives, such as hydroxypropyl--cyclodextrin(HP--CD) and methyl--cyclodextrin (MEB), were tested as solubilizingagents for ketoconazole, with the aim of improving the physicochemical andbiopharmaceutical properties of this lipophilic imidazole antifungal agent. Productswere prepared in four molecular ratios by physical mixing, kneading and spray-dryingmethods. The kneaded products in a ratio of 1:2 and the spray-dried products exhibitedthe highest dissolution rates. The phase solubility diagrams of ketoconazole with thesecyclodextrins at 25 °C in water and in simulated intestinal medium wereconstructed. A solubility diagram of A_L type was obtained with HP--CD, and one of A_P type with MEB. The complexes were characterized by thermal methods(DSC, TG, DTG and DTA). Multicomponent systems were prepared with tartaric acid.The effects of water-soluble polymers, e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone, on the aqueous solubility of ketoconazole were investigated. Particle size distribution, surface area, partition coefficient, heat of dissolution and wettability studies were also carried out. The formation of inclusion complexes was observed by means of thermoanalytical studies.     

The Catalysis of Vapor-Phase Beckmann Rearrangement for the Production of ε-Caprolactam

Recently, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. developed the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement process for the production of -caprolactam. In the process, cyclohexanone oxime is rearranged into -caprolactam using a zeolite as a catalyst instead of sulfuric acid. EniChem in Italy developed the ammoximation process that involves the direct production of cyclohexanone oxime without producing any ammonium sulfate. Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. has commercialized the combined process of vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement and ammoximation in 2003.In this paper, the authors focus on some aspects of the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement catalysis. A solid catalyst that is mainly composed of a high-silica MFI zeolite (Silicalite-1) has been developed for the vapor-phase Beckmann rearrangement. This catalyst does not possess acidity that can be detected by ammonia TPD. Methanol fed into the reactor with cyclohexanone oxime improves the yield of caprolactam. Methanol reacts with terminal silanols on the zeolite surface and converts them to methoxyl groups. The modification of the catalyst by methanol has an important role for the Beckmann rearrangement reaction.Nest silanols located just inside the pore mouth of the MFI zeolite are supposed to be the active sites of the catalyst. We propose that the coordination between the NOH group of cyclohexanone oxime molecule and the nest silanols through hydrogen bonding is responsible for the reaction. The reaction mechanism of Beckmann rearrangement under vapor-phase conditions is the same as in the liquid phase, namely, the alkyl group in anti-position against the hydroxyl group of the oxime migrates to the nitrogen atom's position.     

Synthese von α-Methyl-homocysteinthiolacton

Summary A facile high yield large scale methylation procedure affording2c is reported utilizing the N-[bis(methylthio)-methylen-protected derivative4a as an intermediate. The optical resolution of racemic2c is described leading to (S)-2b. In addition the thiolactone2c undergoes oxidative ring opening by bromine to the corresponding sulphonic acid5.

     

Dichloromethyl tert-butyl ketone in the Darzens reaction

The condensation of dichloromethyl tert-butyl ketone (1) with benzaldehyde, para-bromobenzaldehyde, and 2,4-dichlorobenzaldehyde under conditions for the Darzens reaction gives 1-aryl-1-chloro-4,4-dimethyl-2,3-pentanediones (2–4). In the case of nitrobenzaldehydes, the reaction products are 1-aryl-2-chloro-1,2-epoxy-4,4-dimethylpentanones (5 and 6), which isomerize to -chloroketones (7 and 8) upon prolonged storage or heating at reflux in benzene.A. E. Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Kazan Science Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, 420083 Kazan. Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 438–441, February, 1992.     

An EELS and EXELFS study of amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide

A series of thin films of amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a-SiCH) produced by RF plasma decomposition of propane and silane has been studied by electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and extended energy-loss fine structure (EXELFS) studies. The composition of the films has been determined by EELS and the nearest neighbour spacings have been determined by EXELFS. These results, along with the energy of the plasmon loss peaks, have been compared with the deposition conditions for each film. The results show that for a large gas ratio (C₃H₈/(C₃H₈+SiH₄)) the films have a high proportion of carbon and are similar to a-CH in structure, whereas those films prepared with Y = 0.4 or 0.5 have nearest neighbour spacings consistent with those for tetrahedrally bonded carbon. The films prepared with lowest Y have nearest neighbour spacings similar to those for amorphous silicon carbide. The results for a-SiCH have been compared with the results of EELS and EXELFS of CVD diamond films, amorphous carbon and amorphous silicon.