Dimeric Manganese-Catalyzed Hydroalkenylation of Alkynes with a Versatile Silicon-Based Directing Group

Herein, we present a manganese-catalyzed, branched-selective hydroalkenylation of terminal alkynes, under mild conditions through facile installation of a versatile silanol as a removable directing group. With an alkenyl boronic acid as the coupling partner, this reaction produces stereodefined (E,E)-1,3-dienes with high regio-, chemo- and stereoselectivity. The protocol features mild reaction conditions such as room temperature and an air atmosphere, while maintaining excellent functional group compatibility. The resulting 1,3-dienesilanol products serve as versatile building blocks, as the removal of the silanol group allows for the synthesis of both branched terminal 1,3-dienes for downstream coupling reactions, as well as stereoselective construction of linear (E,E)-1,3-dienes and (E,E,E)- or (E,E,Z)-1,3,5-trienes. In addition, a Diels–Alder cycloaddition can smoothly and selectively deliver silicon-containing pentasubstituted cyclohexene derivatives. Mechanistic investigations, in conjunction with DFT calculations, suggest a bimetallic synergistic activation model to account for the observed enhanced catalytic efficiency and good regioselectivity.     

Ultrafast Spectroscopy of Hydroxy‐Substituted Azobenzenes in Water

Ultrafast UV/Vis pump/probe experiments on ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐hydroxy‐substituted azobenzenes (HO‐ABs), as well as for sulfasalazine, an AB‐based drug, were performed in aqueous solution. For meta‐HO‐AB, AB‐like isomerisation behaviour can be observed, whereas, for ortho‐HO‐AB, fast proton transfer occurs, resulting in an excited keto species. For para‐HO‐AB, considerable keto/enol tautomerism proceeds in the ground state, so after excitation the trans‐keto species isomerises into the cis form. Aided by TD‐DFT calculations, insight is provided into different deactivation pathways for HO‐AB, and reveals the role of hydroxy groups in the photochemistry of ABs, as well as their acetylation regarding sulfasalazine. Hydroxy groups are position‐specific substituents for AB, which allow tuning of the timescale of thermal relaxation, as well as the amount and contribution of the keto species to photochemical processes.     

Theory of Fast Capillary Gas Chromatography – Part 3: Column Performance vs. Gas Flow Rate

At the high pressure drop required for the fast analysis of complex mixtures, the equations for the column plate height, H, and plate duration, Q, as functions of the carrier gas velocity, u, differ substantially from the equations for the same quantities expressed via the carrier gas flow rate, F. While u as an independent pneumatic variable is more convenient for the theoretical studies, F is a more convenient as a control parameter in practical applications. Equations for H vs. u and for Q vs. u from Parts 1 and 2 are transformed here into expressions for H vs. F and Q vs. F. An efficiency-optimized flow rate (EOF) and a speed-optimized flow rate (SOF) are found. Expressions for these two quantities are considerably simpler than their velocity-based counterparts. In particular, SOF does not depend on column length, film thickness, and pressure drop.     

Energy-adjusted pseudopotentials for the rare earth elements

Nonrelativistic and quasirelativistic energy-adjusted pseudopotentials and optimized (7s6p5d)/[5s4p3d]-GTO valence basis sets for use in molecular calculations for fixed f-subconfigurations of the rare earth elements, La through Lu, have been generated. Atomic excitation and ionization energies from numerical HF, as well as SCF pseudopotential calculations using the derived basis sets, differ by less than 0.1 eV from numerical HF all-electron results. Corresponding values obtained from CI(SD), CEPA-1, as well as density functional calculations using the quasirelativistic pseudopotentials, are in reasonable agreement with experimental data.     

Dipole moments of some substituted benzaldehydes. Conformational preference of substituents ortho to the aldehyde group

The dipole moments of a number of substituted benzaldehydes are measured in benzene solution. The angle which the dipole axis of the CHO group makes with the axis of rotation of the group is determined. The observed moments of the ortho-substituted benzaldehydes are compared with the moments calculated for free rotation as well as fors-trans ands-cis orientations of the -CHO group.o-Fluorobenzaldehyde exists mostly in thes-trans conformation.o-Chloro-,o-bromo-ando-nitro-benzaldehydcs also exist in thes-trans conformation; their observed dipole moments are even lower than the values calculated fors-trans forms, indicating mutual induction of the ortho substituents. Though 2,5-dichlorobenzaldehyde is expected to have the same dipole moment as benzaldehyde, the observed moment is significantly lower due to mutual induction of the ortho substituents. 2,5-Dimethylbcnzaldehyde has, however, almost the same moment as benzaldehyde. The dipole moment ofo-methoxybcnzaldchyde is considerably higher than the values calculated for boths-cis ands-trans conformations. An explanation is given for this.o-Hydroxybenzaldehyde exists exclusively in thes-cis form due to internal H-bonding.     

Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of three Tunisian Cistus: Cistus monspeliensisCistus villosus and Cistus libanotis☆

The chemical composition of three rockrose Cistus species, Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus libanotis and Cistus villosus, collected in Tunisia, was studied by HPTLC, focusing on the terpenes and phenols constituents. Diterpenes of Cistus are important as the main constituents of the leaf sticky aromatic resin, known as labdanum, which are highly appreciated in perfumery. Polyphenols in the methanolic extracts of each species were identified, quantified as total and as flavonoids and tannins, and tested for antioxidant activity. Diterpenes were evident in C. libanotis and C. monspeliensis, whereas they were practically absent in C. villosus; C. libanotis had higher phenolic amount, whereas antioxidant activities were important, but different according to the following tests: DPPH radical scavenging, conversion of the Fe^3+/ferricyanide complex and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. The reported data confirm the validity of utilisation of Cistus sp. in marketed herbal products, as well as the relevant presence of diterpenes in species actually not used for labdanum production.     

Density matrix averaged atomic natural orbital (ANO) basis sets for correlated molecular wave functions

Summary Generally contracted basis sets for first row atoms have been constructed using the Atomic Natural Orbital (ANO) approach, with modifications for allowing symmetry breaking and state averaging. The ANOs are constructed by averaging over several atomic states, positive and negative ions, and atoms in an external electric field. The contracted basis sets give virtually identical results as the corresponding uncontracted sets for the atomic properties, which they have been designed to reproduce. The design objective has been to describe the ionization potential, the electron affinity, and the polarizability as accurately as possible. The result is a set of well-balanced basis sets for molecular calculations. The starting primitive sets are 8s4p3d for hydrogen, 9s4p3d for helium, and 14s9p4d3f for the heavier first row atoms.     

Usefulness of Some Plant Flowers as Natural Acid‐Base Indicators

Environmental protection must require the use of natural products instead of chemicals to minimize pollution. Thus, this investigation studies the use of some plant flowers as naturally occurring acid‐base indicators. We utilized plant flowers of Celosiacristate Linn, Bombax ceiba L., Poincianaregia and Hibiscus subdariffa. These flowers contain anthocyanine pigments whose colour depends on pH; there fore they are used as pH indicators. The acid‐base equilibria of these pigments were investigated using spectro photometric and potentiometric methods. The pk values are 9.6 for Celosiacristate Linn, 5.7 for Bombax ceiba L., 8.6 for Poincianaregia and 2.8 & 7.3 for Hibiscus subdariffa. Experimentation of these indicators on different concentrations of acid‐base titrations in the presence of variable concentrations exhibited similar results as for synthetic indicators.     

The temperature and concentration dependence of helical pitch in the mixtures of antiferroelectric compounds with the opposite helical twist sense

The temperature dependence of helical pitch for members of an homologous series of orthoconic antiferroelectric compounds (3FmHPhF) and their bicomponent mixtures (m = 3 and 5 as well as m = 3 and 7) has been measured by the method of selective light reflection. The compounds have the same chiral centre but they have different temperature dependence of the helical pitch as well as the helical twisting sense in SmC*_A phase: right for member m = 3, left for m = 7, and both right and left for m = 5. For this last homologue, the change of twisting sense is connected with the appearance of the unwound structure. Concentration dependence on helical pitch was investigated in the mixtures. It was demonstrated that it is possible to obtain mixtures with desirable high pitch and also with totally unwound structure.     

Optimization of Gaussian basis sets for Dirac-Hartree-Fock calculations

We investigate the optimization of Gaussian basis sets for relativistic calculations within the framework of the restricted Dirac-Hartree-Fock (DHF) method for atoms. We compare results for Rn of nonrelativistic and relativistic basis set optimizations with a finite nuclear-size. Optimization of separate sets for each spin-orbit component shows that the basis set demands for the lower j component are greater than for the higher j component. In particular, the p _1/2 set requires almost as many functions as the s _1/2 set. This implies that for the development of basis sets for heavy atoms, the symmetry type for which a given number of functions is selected should be based on j, not on l, as has been the case in most molecular calculations performed to date.     

Material characterization for electroconvection

We report a set of material characterizations on the nematic mixture Mischung V. With these measurements, as well as previously known results, Mischung V becomes the second nematic liquid crystal possessing a complete set of known physical parameters relevant for electroconvection, enabling quantitative comparison with theoretical predictions to be made. Additionally, we have identified a stable dopant which induces in Mischung V the electrical conductivity necessary for observing the conduction regime of electroconvection. Mischung V is thus validated as a suitable substitute for materials that have traditionally been chosen for these types of experiments. However, Mischung V does not present the same experimental difficulties as traditional materials.     

New pharmacological insights of Galactia glaucescens

Galactia glaucescens leaves are popularly used against snakebites in Brazil. The hydroethanolic extract from aerial parts of G. glaucescens (HEGg) was assayed against the neurotoxicity and myotoxicity induced by Bothrops jararacussu venom. A traditional myographic technique was applied for neurotoxicity and the resulting muscles were treated routinely by light microscopy analysis for myotoxicity. Additionally, the antimicrobial potential of HEGg was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, as well as Rutin was isolated for the first time in this specie using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods and its antiophidian property was assessed. HEGg totally prevents the neurotoxicity and myotoxicity effects caused by B. jararacussu, but did not show any antimicrobial effect. Concluding, HEGg and Rutin were able to counteract the toxic effects of the venom and confirmed the antiophidian potential, but not antimicrobial, of G. glaucescens as an alternative for neutralization of B. jararacussu venom.     

Density matrix averaged atomic natural orbital (ANO) basis sets for correlated molecular wave functions

Generally contracted basis sets for the first row transition metal atoms Sc-Zn have been constructed using the atomic natural orbital (ANO) approach, with modifications for allowing symmetry breaking and state averaging. The ANOs are constructed by averaging over the three electronic configurationsd ⁿ ,d ^n–1 s, andd ^n–2 s ² for the neutral atom as well as the ground state for the cation and the ground state atom in an external electric field. The primitive sets are 21s15p10d6f4g. Contraction to 6s5p4d3f2g yields results that are virtually identical to those obtained with the corresponding uncontracted basis sets for the atomic properties, which they have been designed to reproduce. Slightly larger deviations are obtained with the 5s4p3d2f1g for the polarizability, while energetic properties still have only small errors. The design objective has been to describe the ionization potential, the polarizability and the valence spectrum as accurately as possible. The result is a set of well-balanced basis sets for molecular calculations, which can be used together with basis sets of the same quality for the first and second row atoms.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-substituted vinylgembisphosphonates against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei

Abstract

A series of 2-substituted vinylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate esters and their acids were synthesized and tested in vitro for activity against Plasmodium falciparum and Trypanosoma brucei. For each compound, % parasite viability in treated wells was calculated relative to untreated controls for both P. falciparum and T. brucei. Fifty percentage inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was also determined for the compounds. Chloroquine and pentamidine were used as positive control drug standards for activity against P. falciparum and T. brucei, respectively. The esters had better antiparasitic activity compared to their corresponding acids. Some of the compounds reduced % parasite viability to as low as 24.3% for P. falciparum and down to 0.602% for T. brucei. Tetraethyl-2-(o-tolyl)-ethene-1,1-bisphosphonate (3b) recorded the best IC₅₀ against T. brucei which was 0.0345?µmol/mL.     

Evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of Polygonum cognatum Meisn. and phytochemical analysis of effective extracts

Polygonum cognatum Meisn. (Polygonaceae) is used both as food and as a folk medicine to treat diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the extracts, along with isolated compounds, from P. cognatum aerial parts on diabetes. In vitro studies were conducted using an α-glucosidase inhibitory assay, while in vivo antidiabetic studies were carried out on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Effective extracts were subjected to isolation studies, and structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts had the highest effect in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. They also decreased aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and malondialdehyde levels, while increasing glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity in rats. From the active extracts, 11 phenolic compounds were isolated and characterized. Among the isolated compounds, quercetin was found to be the most active according to α-glucosidase inhibitory activity studies. This study provided scientific evidence for the traditional use of P. cognatum as a folk medicine for treating diabetes. The findings suggest that the ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts, as well as quercetin, have the potential for development as antidiabetic agents.     

(2E)-4,4-Dimethoxy-2-butenal in the Synthesis of Conjugated Dienes and Dienals

Using (2E)-4,4-dimethoxy-2-butenal as starting compound, methods were developed for synthesis of (2E,4E)- and (2E,4Z)-dimethoxyalkadienes. Deacetalization of the latter gives with high yield the corresponding dienals which are naturally occurring compounds and also synthons for preparation of conjugated dienes as key compounds for building up other natural products.     

Starch?Sulfuric Acid (SSA) as Catalyst for a One‐Pot Synthesis of 1,5‐Diaryl‐1H‐pyrazoles

Protocols with starch? sulfuric acid (SSA) as reusable catalyst for the synthesis of aryl‐1H‐pyrazoles are described. SSA acted as an efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst for the regioselective condensation of Baylis? Hillman adducts 1 with phenylhydrazine hydrochloride leading to the new 1,5‐diaryl‐1H‐pyrazole 2a – 2e in excellent yields (Scheme and Table 1).     

Lipase-catalyzed synthesis of (S)-naproxen ester prodrug by transesterification in organic solvents

A lipase-catalyzed enantioselective transesterification process was developed for the synthesis of (S)-naproxen 2-N-morpholinoethyl ester prodrug from racemic 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl naproxen ester in organic solvents. By selecting isooctane and 37°C as the best solvent and temperature, the apparent fits of the initial conversion rates for transesterification and hydrolysis side reaction suggest a ping-pong Bi-Bi enzymatic mechanism with the alcohol as a competitive enzyme inhibitor. Improvements in the initial conversion rate and the productivity for the desired (S)-ester product were obtained after comparing with the result of an enantioselective esterification process. Studies of water content in isooctane and alcohol containing various N,N-dialkylamino groups on the enzyme activity and enantioselectivity, as well as the recovery of (S)-ester product by using extraction, were also reported.     

Magnetic Ordering in the Solid Solution CePt1–xPdxAl (x = 0.1–0.8)

In order to investigate the magnetic properties of the solid solution CePt_1–xPd_xAl the individual compounds were synthesized from the elements using an arc furnace. From x = 0–0.8 the solid solution crystallizes in the orthorhombic TiNiSi‐type structure (Pnma, no. 62; a = 721–722, b = 448–453 and c = 778–779 pm) and for x = 0.9 both the TiNiSi‐ as well as the hexagonal ZrNiAl‐type structures were observed. The solid solution exhibits an interesting magnetic behavior as for small values of x ferromagnetic ordering can be found. At higher palladium content this changes towards an antiferromagnetic ordering. Furthermore the solid solution exhibits a spin‐reorientation (meta‐magnetic step) for x = 0.2–0.7.     

Development and validation of HPLC method for simultaneous estimation of piperine and guggulsterones in compound Unani formulation (tablets) and a nanoreservoir system

An attempt has been made to develop and validate a simultaneous HPLC method for novel approach of drug release via oil‐in‐water (o/w) nanoemulsion formulation and Habb‐e‐Khardal Unani tablet containing piperine and guggul sterones E and Z as main ingredients. Nanoemulsion was prepared by titration method using sefsol‐218 as an oily phase, cremophor‐EL as a surfactant, transcutol as a co‐surfactant and distilled water as an aqueous phase. The formulation was optimized on the basis of thermodynamic stability and dispersibilty test. The nanoformulation was evaluated for particle size, surface morphology, electrical conductivity and viscosity determination. The in vitro dissolution was carried out by dialysis bag method. Drugs were quantified using an HPLC method developed in‐house with a C₁₈ column as stationary phase and acetonitrile and water as mobile phase at λ_max of 240 nm. The optimized formulation showed higher drug release, lower droplet size and less viscosity as compared with the conventional Habb‐e‐Khardal Unani tablet. The present study illustrated the potential of nanoemulsion dosage form in improving biopharmaceutic performance of piperine and guggul sterone. The HPLC method was also found to be quite sufficient for the routine quality control of formulations containing piperine and guggul sterone E and Z as ingredients and also for in vitro drug release studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.