Biosynthetic studies of marine lipids 12.: Biosynthesis in marine sponges of sterois possessing the δ5,7-nucleus typical of fungi and the 24-alkyl side chain characteristic of plants

The biosynthesis of sterols with structural patterns common to plant and yeast sterols was studied by incorporation of eleven radiolabeled sterol precursors and mevalonate. The capability of sponges to convert Δ⁵- into Δ^5,7-sterols, which was as efficient as the conversion of Δ⁷- into Δ^5,7-sterols, was demonstrated by double labelling experiments. By examining epimeric pairs, stereospecific conversion of codisterol and clerosterol into the corresponding 7-dehydrosterols was established. 24β-24-Alkyl sterols with homo-conjugated 22,25-diene side chains are proposed as actual intermediates in the formation of Δ²²-24β-alkylsterols. An alternative pathway via oxidation at C-22 or C-23 with subsequent dehydration of an intermediate 22(R or S)- or C-23(R or S)-hydroxysterol is probably not operative due to lack of incorporation of any of the tritium labeled alcohols. These biosynthetic features, though unexpected for animals, nevertheless are attributed to the sponge because of the absence of symbiotic fungi and algae as shown by electron microscopy.     

Sterols from the Stems of Momordica charantia

A new sterol, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐dien‐7‐one ( 1 ), together with eight known sterols, 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 2 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8,22‐diene‐3β,7β‐diol ( 3 ), 5α,6α‐epoxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐8(14),22‐diene‐3β,7α‐diol ( 4 ), 3β‐hydroxy‐(22E,24R)‐ergosta‐5,8,22‐trien‐7‐one ( 5 ), ergosterol peroxide ( 6 ), clerosterol ( 7 ), decortinol ( 8 ), and decortinone ( 9 ), were isolated from the stems of Momordica charantia. Their structures were elucidated by mean of extensive spectroscopic methods, including ¹H, ¹³C, 2D‐NMR and HR‐EI‐MS, as well as comparison with the literature data. Compounds 1 , 4 , 5 , 8 , and 91 were not cytotoxic against the SK‐Hep 1 cell line.     

Fatty acid,tocopherol, and sterol content of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Teucrium</Emphasis> species from Tunisia

In the present study analyses concerning the composition of vitamin E, sterols, triglycerides, and fatty acids of three Teucrium species (Teucrium alopecurus, T. nabli, and T. polium) seed oil were performed. Linoleic, linolenic, and palmitic were the major fatty acids. The oil was characterized by a high amount of phytosterol, wherein clerosterol, sitosterol, and stigmasterol are the main constituents. The amount of tocopherol is nearly 550 mg/kg of oil, with α-tocopherol as the major isomer. Information concerning the composition of Teucrium seed oil is very important for evaluating the therapeutic effect of this oil. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 261–264, May–June, 2009.     

Intercombination lines of Mg I-, Al I- and Si I-like ions in the beam foil spectra of Ti,Fe, Ni and Cu

In delayed spectra of foil-excited beams of Ti, Fe, Ni and Cu ions lines have been observed which are identified with intercombination transitions 3s ^{2 1} S ₀ — 3s 3p ³ P ₁ ⁰ , 3s ² 3p ² P ⁰ — 3s 3p ^{2 4} P and 3s ² 3p ^{2 3} P — 3s 3p ^{3 5} S ₂ ⁰ in magnesiumlike, aluminiumlike and siliconlike spectra, resp. Wavelengths and decay properties have been determined. The results are compared to recent theoretical predictions.     

Hyperfine structure and isotope shift of some even parity levels in the YbI spectrum

Using laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy the hyperfine structure of the even parity levels 4f ¹⁴6s6d ³ D ₁, 4f ¹⁴ 6s8s ³ S ₁ and 4f ¹³ 5d6s6p (7/2, 5/2)J=1,2,3 as well as of the odd parity level 4f ¹⁴ 6s6p ³ P ₂ in neutral ytterbium has been investigated. The isotope shift of the transitions 4f ¹⁴6s6p ³ P ₀ → 4f ¹⁴ 6s6p ³ D ₁ and 4f ¹⁴ 6s6p ³ P ₂ → 4f ¹⁴ 6s8s ³ S ₁, 4f ¹³ 5d6s6p (7/2, 5/2)J=1,2,3 could be measured with high accuracy. The results for the 4f ¹⁴ 6s6p ³ D ₁ level show a considerable influence of second order effects of the hyperfine interaction. The isotope shifts of the 4f ¹⁴ 6s8s ³ S ₁ and 4f ¹³ 5d6s6p (7/2, 5/2)J=1 levels indicate a possible configuration mixing for these levels.     

Hyperfine structure of the resonance lines of53Cr and lifetimes of some excited states of the Cr I spectrum

The hyperfine structure of the⁵³Cr resonance linesa ⁷ S ₃ ?z ⁷ P _2,3,4 has been investigated by means of laser saturation spectroscopy. By comparison of the experimental signal curves with theoretically computed spectra the hitherto unknown sign of the magnetic hyperfine coupling constant in thea ⁷ S ₃ ground state of⁵³Cr could be determined unambigiously to be negative. Further the signs of the hfs coupling constants in thez ⁷ P states — so far only evaluated by theoretical reasoning — could be confirmed. Additionally the lifetimes of the statesz ⁷ P,z ⁵ P,f ⁷ D,z ⁵ F,e ⁷ D ₅ andy ⁵ P ₃ in the Cr I spectrum have been determined from the fluorescence decay after pulsed laser excitation.     

The polarizability of a pair of hydrogen atoms at long range

The coefficients of R^?6 and R^?9 in the long-range expansion of the parallel and perpendicular components of the polarizability of a pair of hydrogen atoms at a separation R have been calculated. The results are A⁽⁶⁾₆ = 2558.59. A⁽⁶⁾_⊥ = 1268.25, A⁽⁸⁾₆ = 90639.5 and A⁽⁸⁾_⊥ = 22010.3 au. The values of A⁽⁶⁾₆ and A⁽⁶⁾₆ and A⁽⁶⁾_| are somewhat larger than previous theoretical estimates and much larger than the classical values of 729 and 182.25 au. The terms in R^?8 arise from distortion associated with the dispersion forces and from the field of the quadrupole moment induced by the field-gradient at each atom.     

On the line intensity ratios of prominent Si II,Si III,and Si IV multiplets

Line intensities of singly, doubly and triply ionized silicon (Si II, Si III, and Si IV, respectively) belonging to the prominent higher multiplets, are of interest in laboratory and astrophysical plasma diagnostics. We measured these line intensities in the emission spectra of pulsed helium discharge. The Si II line intensity ratios in the 3s3p²²D–3s²4p²P^o, 3s²3d²D–3s²4f²F^o, and 3s²4p²P^o–3s²4d²D transitions, the Si III line intensity ratios in the 3s3d³D–3s4p³P^o, 3s4p³P^o–3s4d³D, 3s4p³P^o–3s5s³S, 3s4s³S–3s4p³P^o, and 3s4f³F^o–3s5g³G transitions, and the Si IV line intensity ratios in the 4p²P^o–4d²D and 4p²P^o–5s²S transitions were obtained in a helium plasma at an electron temperature of about 17,000 ± 2000 K. Line shapes were recorded using a spectrograph and an ICCD camera as a highly-sensitive detection system. The silicon atoms were evaporated from a Pyrex discharge tube designed for the purpose. They represent impurities in the optically thin helium plasma at the silicon ionic wavelengths investigated. The line intensity ratios obtained were compared with those available in the literature, and with values calculated on the basis of available transition probabilities. The experimental data corresponded well with line intensity ratios calculated using the transition probabilities obtained from a Multi Configuration Hartree–Fock approximation for Si III and Si IV spectra. We recommend corrections of some Si II transition probabilities.     

The photophysics of trans-stilbene

The fluorescence lifetime of trans-stilbene in dilute methylcyclohexane/iso-hexane solution has been measured and the mean S₁ radiative (k_F), radiationless (k_I) and cis-isomerization (k_C) rate parameters have been determined from ?90 to 60°C. S_i consists of a fluorescent trans (¹B_u^*) state (k_F⁰ = 6.0 × 10⁸ s^?1) which undergoes reversible thermal-activated rotational internal conversion (ΔH = 1.75 kcal mole^?1, ΔS = 10.6 cal deg^?1 mole^?1) to a non-fluorescent perp (¹A_g^*) state. p(¹A_g^*) lies 610 cm^?1 above t (¹B_u^*) with an intermediate S₁ potential maximum. p(¹A_g^*) undergoes internal conversion(k_I.^∞ = 5.8 × 10⁸ s^?1) to p (¹A_g) leading to cis-isomerization. This is the main isomerization channel over the whole temperature range.     

Synthesis of novel termetallic isopropoxides

Novel termetallic isopropoxides are reported which may be represented by the general formulae: [(PrⁱO)₃M(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Be(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Al(OPrⁱ)₂], [(PrⁱO)₂M(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Be(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Al(OPrⁱ)₂]₂ [where M = Ti(IV), Zr(IV) and Hf(IV)] and [(PrⁱO)₄M(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Be(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Al(OPrⁱ)₂] [where M = Nb(V) and Ta(V)]. Attempts to synthesize derivatives with the general formula, [(PrⁱO)₇M₂(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Be(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Al(OPrⁱ)₂] [where M = Ti(IV), Zr(IV) or Hf(IV)], were unsuccessful and in all such cases a mixture of M(OPrⁱ)₄ and [(PrⁱO)₃M(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Be(μ-OPrⁱ)₂Al(OPrⁱ)₂] was obtained. All these derivatives are soluble in common organic solvents and with the exception of titanium(IV) derivatives, they can be volatilised without noticeable disproportionation. These products have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weights, IR, ¹H NMR and (in representative cases) mass spectral studies also.     

Excess molar quantities of (a halogenated n-alkane + an n-alkane) A comparative study of mixtures containing either 1-chlorobutane or 1,4-dichlorobutane

Excess molar volumes V_m^E at 298.15 K were obtained, as a function of mole fraction x, for series I: {x1-C₄H₉Cl + (1 ? x)n-C_lH_{2l + 2}}, and II: {x1,4-C₄H₈Cl₂ + (1 ? x)n-C_lH_{2l + 2}}, for l = 7, 10, and 14. 10, and 14. The instrument used was a vibrating-tube densimeter. For the same mixtures at the same temperature, a Picker flow calorimeter was used to measure excess molar heat capacities C_{p, m}^E at constant pressure. V_m^E is positive for all mixtures in series I: at x = 0.5, V_m^E/(cm³ · mol^?1) is 0.277 for l = 7, 0.388 for l = 10, and 0.411 for l = 14. For series II, V_m^E of {x1,4-C₄H₈Cl₂ + (1 ? x)n-C₇H₁₆} is small and S-shaped, the maximum being situated at x_max = 0.178 with V_m^E(x_max)/(cm³ · mvl^?1) = 0.095, and the minimum is at x_min = 0.772 with V_m^E(x_min)/(cm³ · mol^?1) = ?0.087. The excess volumes of the other mixtures are all positive and fairly large: at x = 0.5, V_m^E/(cm³ · mol^?1) is 0.458 for l = 10, and 0.771 for l = 14. The C_{p, m}^Es of series I are all negative and |C_{p, m}^E| increases with increasing l: at x = 0.5, C_{p, m}^E/(J · K^?1 · mol^?1) is ?0.56 for l = 7, ?1.39 for l = 10, and ?3.12 for l = 14. Two minima are observed for C_{p, m}^E of {x1,4-C₄H₈Cl₂ + (1 ? x)n-C₇H₁₆}. The more prominent minimum is situated at x′_min = 0.184 with C_{p, m}^E(x′_min)/(J · K^?1 · mol^?1) = ?0.62, and the less prominent at x″_min = 0.703 with C_{p, m}^E(x″_min)/(J · K^?1 · mol^?1) = ?0.29. Each of the remaining two mixtures (l = 10 and 14) has a pronounced minimum at low mole fraction (x_min = 0.222 and 0.312, respectively) and a broad shoulder around x = 0.7.     

Analysis of the stability of finite subspaces in density functional theory

We have studied photodissociation of the A state of the H₂S⁺ ion using the quantum-chemical CAS methods, and the 1² A″ (X ² B ₁) and 1⁴ A″ states are involved in photodissociation of the 1² A′ (A ² A ₁) state (the electronic states in dissociation were studied in the C _s symmetry). The CASPT2 S-loss dissociation potential energy curve (PEC) calculations indicate that the 1² A″ and 1² A′ states correlate with the second limit [H₂ + S⁺(² D)] while the 1⁴ A″ state correlates with the first limit [H₂ + S⁺(⁴S)] and that there are a transition state and a local minimum along the 1² A′ PEC and the repulsive 1⁴ A″ PEC crosses the 1² A″ and 1² A′ PECs. The CASPT2 H-loss dissociation PEC calculations indicate that the 1² A″ and 1⁴ A″ states correlate with the first limit [HS⁺(X ³Σ^?) + H] while the 1² A′ state correlates with the second limit [HS⁺(a ¹Δ) + H] and that the repulsive 1⁴ A″ PEC crosses the 1² A′ PEC. For the crossing doublet and quartet states in pairs, we performed CASSCF minimum energy crossing point (MECP) calculations, and the CASSCF spin-orbit couplings and CASPT2 energies at the MECP geometries were calculated. We examined the two previously proposed mechanisms (mechanisms I and II) for dissociation of the A state to the S⁺ ion, based on our calculation results. We suggest processes for dissociation of the A state to the S⁺ ion (processes I and II, based on mechanisms I and II, respectively) and to the SH⁺ ion (process III) and conclude that photodissociation of the A state mainly leads to the S⁺ ion via the most energetically favorable process II: A ² A ₁ (1² A′) (2.38 eV) → barrier at the linearity (2.96 eV) → X ² B ₁ (1² A″) (0.0 eV) → the 1² A″/1⁴ A″ MECP (3.50 eV, large spin-orbit coupling) → H₂ $ (X^{ 1} \Upsigma_{\text{g}}^{ + } ) $  + S⁺(⁴S) (2.92 eV) (the CASPT2 relative energy values to X ² B ₁ are given in parentheses and the largest value is 3.50 eV at the MECP).     

Pulsed amperometric detection of sulfur compounds: Part II. Dependence of response on adsorption time

A mathematical model is developed for the response of PAD and is applied to data from the study of I_p as a function of t_ads for evaluation of the adsorption rate constants, and the maximum molar surface coverage for thiourea at a Pt electrode. The results are, respectively: k₁ = 4.1 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₋₁ = 1.9 s⁻¹, and Γ₀ = 1.3 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻². The calculated adsorption equilibrium constant (k₁/k₋₁) is 2.1 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, compared to 4.9 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ calculated from the plot of 1/I_p vs. 1/c^b for c^b > 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and t_ads = 8500 ms. Analytical calibration procedures are examined; linear plots of 1/I_p vs 1/c^b cannot be expected for cases of mixed transport-isotherm control of detector response.     

Identification of new lines in the beam-foil spectrum of B II–IV

Ten, six, and twenty-one new lines appearing in the beam-foil spectra of boron (30–200 nm) have been identified in B II, B III, and B IV, respectively. Energies have been determined with higher accuracy than obtained before for the 2p3s ¹ P ⁰, 2s6d ³ D, 2p3p ³ D, 2p3p ³ S, 2p3p ³ P, and 2p3p ¹ D terms in B II. First energy values are also reported for the 2s6d ¹ D and 2s7d ³ D terms in B II.     

Hyperfine structure measurements of the metastable (3d 6 4s 2)3 H 4, 5, 6 states of57Fe: Configuration interaction in the hyperfine structure of the iron atom

We report the hyperfine structure (hfs) measurement of the metastable (3d ⁶ 4s ²)a ³ H _{4, 5, 6} states of⁵⁷Fe. The kHz-precision of these experimental results together with the hyperfine structure values of (3d ⁶ 4s ²)a ⁵ D _{1, 2, 3, 4}, (3d ⁷ 4s)a ⁵ F _{2, 3, 4, 5}, and (3d ⁷ 4s)a ³ F _{2, 3, 4}, which were measured earlier, allowed to determine a very detailed set of effective radial parameters describing the hfs of these states, using a new parametrization method. This method treats one- and two-body contributions to the hfs separately. In this way configuration interaction effects in the hfs of the⁵⁷Fe atom can be studied in detail and compared with configuration interaction effects in the fine structure of the same atom.     

Theoretical study of LiK and LiK+ in adiabatic representation

The potential energy curves have been calculated for the electronic states of the molecule LiK within the range 3 to 300 a.u., of the internuclear distance R. Using an ab initio method, through a semiempirical spin-orbit pseudo-potential for the Li (1s ²) and K (1s ²2s ²2p ⁶3s ²3p ⁶) cores and core valence correlation correction added to the electrostatic Hamiltonian with Gaussian basis sets for both atoms. The core valence effects including core-polarization and core-valence correlation are taken into account by using an l-dependent core-polarization potential. The molecular orbitals have been derived from self-consistent field (SCF) calculation. The spectroscopic constants, dipole moments and vibrational levels of the lowest electronic states of the LiK molecule dissociating into K (4s, 4p, 5s, 3d, and 5p) + Li (2s, 2p, 3s, and 3p) in ^{1, 3}Σ, ^{1, 3}Π, and ^{1, 3}Δ symmetries. Adiabatic results are also reported for ²Σ, ²Π, and ²Δ electronic states of the molecular ion LiK⁺ dissociating into Li (2s, 2p, 3s, and 3p) + K⁺ and Li⁺ + K (4s, 4p, 5s, 3d, and 5p). The comparison of the present results with those available in the literature shows a very good agreement in spectroscopic constants of some lowest states of the LiK and LiK⁺ molecules, especially with the available theoretical works. The existence of numerous avoided crossing between electronic states of ²Σ and ²Π symmetries is related to the charge transfer process between the two ionic systems Li⁺K and LiK⁺.     

Influence of the molecular weight of polystyrene on its thermodynamic properties

The thermodynamic properties of a series of polystyrene samples with different molecular weights (M _w was varied from 2.5·10³ to 6.57·10⁴) were studied by precision adiabatic vacuum, high-accuracy dynamic, and combustion calorimetry: temperature dependences of the heat capacity in a wide temperature range, thermodynamic characteristics of glass transition and glassy state under standard pressure, and energy of combustion. The thermodynamic functions C ^○ _p (T), H ^○(T) - H ^○(0), S ^○(T) - S ^○(0), and G ^○(T) - H ^○(0) of polystyrene with different molecular weights, enthalpies of combustion Δ_c H ^○, thermodynamic parameters of formation from simple substances Δ_f H ^○, Δ_f S ^○, and Δ_f G ^○ at T = 298.15 K, and parameters of their synthesis from monomers were calculated from the experimental data. The temperature dependences of the heat capacity for a region of 0–380 K, glass transition temperatures, and thermodynamic characteristics of formation and synthesis of polystyrene depending on its molecular weight were examined.     

Hyperfine structure in the configurations4f 4 6s 2 and4f 4 5d 6s of Nd I

The high resolution laser-atomic-beam technique was used to investigate the hyperfine structure in Nd I 4f ⁴6s ^{2 5} I,⁵ F,⁵ S and 4f ⁴5d6s ⁷ L,⁷ K,⁷ I,⁷ H. The metastable states were populated by an arc discharge burning in the atomic beam. The measured hyperfine constantsA andB of the levels of 4f ⁴6s ² and 4f ⁴5d6s allow a parametric analysis to be performed using the effective tensor operator formalism. The experimental radial integrals of the 4f and 5d electrons fit with those of the other lanthanides. The 4f radial integrals are in agreement with values of optimized Hartree-Fock-Slater calculations. The spectroscopic quadrupole moments of¹⁴³Nd and¹⁴⁵Nd are deduced from the 4f parameters:Q _I =?0.610(21) b and ?0.314(12) b, respectively. TheQ _I resulting from the 5d parameter are in satisfactory agreement with these values. The hyperfine anomaly due to thes electron in 4f ⁴5d 6s amounts to about 1%.     

Geometric and electronic structure of ground and excited states of groupVA diatomics. A theoretical LCGTO-MP-LSD study

LCGTO-MP-LSD calculation was performed for the ground and several low-lying excited states of homo- (N₂, P₂, As₂, and Sb₂) and hetero-nuclear (PN, AsN, AsP, AsSb, SbN, and SbP) groupVA diatomics. For all the systems the ground state is found to be¹Σ⁺. For N₂ and P₂, the¹Σ _g ⁺ ground state is followed by the³Σ _u ⁺ ,³Π _g ,³Δ _u ,¹Π _g , and¹Δ _u low-lying exited states while for As₂ the order is found to be³Σ _u ⁺ ,³Δ _u ,³Π _g ,¹Δ _u ,¹Π _g . Finally for Sb₂ the relative stability of excited states is³Σ _u ⁺ ,³Δ _u ,¹Δ _u ,³Π _g ,¹Π _g . For the hetero-nuclear diatomics the¹Σ⁺ ground state is, in the case of PN, AsN, AsP, SbN, and SbP, followed by the³Σ⁺,³Δ,³Π,¹Π and¹Δ low-lying excited states while for the AsSb diatomic an inversion of stability of the two last singlets occurs. The calculated spectroscopic parameters (Re, ωe, andDe) are in good agreement with all the available experimental results while, theTe values are overestimated by about 0.5 eV. Mulliken population analysis shows that both homo- and hetero-nuclear groupVA diatomics are essentially triple bonded systems.     

Thermodynamic excess functions of methanol + piperidine at 298.15 K

Vapour pressures of methanol + piperidine at 298.15, 308.15, and 318.15 K were measured by a static method. Excess enthalpies and densities of the same mixtures at 298.15 K were also determined with an isothermal dilution calorimeter and a pyknometer. The excess functions were evaluated from these results; the values for mole fraction x = 0.5 at 298.15 K are: G^{E = ?834.1 Jmol?1}, H^{E = ?3159.1 Jmol?1}, TS^{E = ?2325.0 Jmol?1}, V^{E = ?1.26 cm3mol?1}.