Phytochemical analysis of non-polar solvent extracts of the Wisteria sinensis leaves

A comparative study on the phytochemical composition of the n-hexane and chloroform extracts from Wisteria sinensis leaves collected in June and October is described. Continuous extraction in Soxhlet apparatus, as well as ultrasound-assisted technique, was used for the preparation of the extracts. All the extracts were analysed by GC/MS method. As a result, α-tocopherol was identified as the main component (56%) of the extracts from October leaves, whereas, β-sitosterol was identified as the main compound (47%) in the extracts from the June leaves. Additionally, pure α-tocopherol was isolated from n-hexane extract of the October leaves using column chromatography. A total of 6.25 mg of α-tocopherol was isolated from 1 g of dried leaves. The presence of the vitamin E in extracts from W. sinensis leaves is described here for the first time.     

Extraction of cobalt by the AOT microemulsion system

The extraction of cobalt by Winsor II microemulsion system was studied. In the bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt (AOT)/n-pentanol/n-heptane/NaCl system, AOT was used as a anionic surfactant to form microemulsion in n-heptane, n-pentanol was injected in the microemulsion as a cosurfactant. Co(II) was found to be extracted into the microemulsion phase due to ion pair formation such as Co²⁺(R–SO₃ ⁻)Cl. The influence of different parameters such as the volume ratio of aqueous phase to microemulsion, surfactant concentration, pH of the feed solutions, cosurfactant concentration as well as temperature on the extraction yield (E%) were investigated. The results showed that it was possible to extract 95% of cobalt by the AOT Winsor II microemulsion.     

Polymerization initiated by ylide: Polymerization of ethyl methacrylate with the use of 4-picolinium p-chloro phenacylide as initiator

The ylide 4-picolinium, p-chloro phenacylide-initiated thermal polymerization of ethyl methacrylate (EMA) was studied. 4-Picolinium p-chloro phenacylide induces the thermal polymerization of ethyl methacrylate at 65°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) rose as the initiator concentration increased from 2 × 10^?3 to 4 × 10^?3 M and the initiating exponent was computed as 1.9. The R_p decreased as the concentration of ylide increased from 6 × 10^?2 to 1M. The greater initiator concentration also affected the molecular weight inversely. The polymerization was carried out at different temperatures and the overall activation energy was computed as 4.08 Kcal/mol. Polymerization was inhibited in the presence of hydroquinone as a radical scavenger. Kinetic studies and other data show that the overall polymerization takes place in a radical mechanism. The various kinetic parameters, such as the rate and average degree of polymerization, molecular weight, and energy of activation of the present system, were evaluated.     

9-CIS, 11-CIS-RETINAL* FROM DIRECT IRRADIATION OF ALL-TRANS-RETINAL. NEW GEOMETRIC ISOMERS OF VITAMIN A AND CAROTENOIDS 9

Abstract The irradiation mixture of all-trans-retinal in acetonitrile was shown to contain four cis,cis isomers as well as the four cis isomers reported earlier. The relatively new 9-cis, 11-cis-retinal was isolated and characterized.     

Aesculaxanthin,a New Carotenoid Isolated from Pollens of Aesculus hippocastanum

From the pollens of Aesculus hippocastanum, a new apocarotenoid was isolated as the main carotenoid and, based on the spectroscopic data, identified as (all-E,3R)-3-hydroxy-6′-apo-β-caroten-6′-al ( 4 , aesculaxanthin). In addition, (all-E)-lutein ( 3 ) and (all-E)-β-citraurin ( 5 ) were isolated. Furthermore, 6 (aesculaxanthol) was prepared by reduction of 4 with NaBH₄ and tentatively identified as natural carotenoid.     

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.     

Temperature Effect on Drying and Swelling of Kappa Carrageenan Gels: A Steady State Fluorescence Study

Summary: A novel technique based on in situ steady state fluorescence (SSF) measurements is introduced for studying drying and swelling of κ- carrageenan (kappa carrageenan) gels at various temperatures. κ- carrageenan gels were completely dried and then swelled in water vapor. Pyranine was embedded in κ- carrageenan and used as a fluorescence probe. Scattered light intensities, I_sc and fluorescence intensities, I were monitored during the drying and swelling of κ- carrageenan gels. It was observed that the fluorescence intensity decreased linearly as drying time was increased. A simple model consisting of Case II diffusion was used to quantify the drying processes of the κ- carrageenan gels. This moving boundary model provided packing constant, k₀. During swelling, fluorescence intensity increased exponentially as time is increased. The increase in I, was modeled using Li-Tanaka equation from which swelling time constants, τ_c and cooperative diffusion coefficients, D_c were determined. It was observed that swelling time constants, τ_c decreased and diffusion coefficients, D_c increased as the swelling temperature was increased. Activation energies for drying and swelling were also obtained and found to be 53.9 and 47.2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively.     

N-chlorination of nylon fabric and polyurea-6

In this article the preparation of N-chloro Nylon fabric, with Nylon-66 as weft and Nylon-6 as warp is described. The N-chlorination of this fabric was achieved by using tertiary butyl hypochlorite in carbon tetrachloride as the chlorinating agent. The percentage of N-chlorinated amide groups in the fabric obtained was 30.6. Methods of preparation of N-chloro polyurea-6 are also reported. The N-chlorination of these compounds was acheived in a heterogenious medium. N-chloro polyurea-6 was prepared by reacting it with tert-butyl hypochlorite. In Polyuera-6 the percentage of N-chlorination was equal to 100. The 100% N-chlorinated polyurea-6 did not give? NH? bands at 3.05 and 6.50 μ in the infrared spectra.     

Über Pterinchemie 76. Mitteilung [1] Eine einfache Synthese von Leucovorin

A Convenient Synthesis of Leucovorin The synthesis of leucovorin, a 5-formyl-(6R or S)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydropteroyl-L -glutamic acid (II) is described. The L -folic acid was first reduced to (6R, S)-tetrahy-dro-L -folic acid (I); formylation with methyl-formate in DMSO gave directly leucovorin (as a diastereomeric mixture) in good yields. To demonstrate, that the formylation occurred regiospecifically at N (5) and not at N (10), N (10)-nitroso-(6 R, S)-tetrahydro-L -folic acid was formylated under the same conditions. Reductive elimination of the N (10)-nitrosogroup gave the identical leucovorin as in the previous case. The synthetic leucovorin was biologically as active as the natural product with Streptococcus faecalis ATCC 8043 and Pediococcus cerevisiae ATCC 8081.     

Synthesis of a nano‐sized chiral imprinted polymer and its use as an (S)‐atenolol carrier in the bulk liquid membrane

In this work, nanosized chiral imprinted polymers containing (S)‐atenolol ((S)‐ATN) selective sites were synthesized by using suspension polymerization in silicon oil. (S)‐ATN, methacrylic acid, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate were used as enantiomerically pure template, functional monomer, and cross‐linker, respectively. The prepared chiral imprinted polymers were used as the carrier elements in a bulk liquid membrane (BLM). (S)‐ATN transport capability of the chiral imprinted polymers was compared with that of the nonimprinted polymer. It was shown that chiral imprinted polymers could transport (S)‐ATN through the BLM more effectively than (R)‐ATN, whereas no difference in the facilitated transport was observed between (R)‐ATN and (S)‐ATN when using nonimprinted polymer particles as the carrier element in the BLM. A kinetic model was proposed for the transportation of (S)‐ATN through the chiral imprinted polymers based BLM. It was found that the extraction of ATN from the source to the membrane controls the chiral separation process. It was also found that the pH of source and receiving phases as well as the racemic ATN concentration in source phase had very crucial effect on the chiral separation efficiency.     

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.     

Recyclable Ruthenium Catalyst for Distal meta-C−H Activation

We disclose the unprecedented hybrid-ruthenium catalysis for distal meta-C−H activation. The hybrid-ruthenium catalyst was recyclable, as was proven by various heterogeneity tests, and fully characterized with various microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, highlighting the physical and chemical stability. Thereby, the hybrid-ruthenium catalysis proved broadly applicable for meta-C−H alkylations of among others purine-based nucleosides and natural product conjugates. Additionally, its versatility was further reflected by meta-C−H activations through visible-light irradiation, as well as para-selective C−H activations.     

Nonlinear viscoelasticity of polystyrene solutions. III. Stress development at the start of steady shear flow and an experimental check of some constitutive models

The development of the shear stress at the start of shear flow at constant rate of shear κ was measured for polystyrene solutions in diethyl phthalate with a cone-and-plate rheometer. Ranges of molecular weight M and concentration c were 3.10 × 10⁶?7.62 × 10⁶ and 0.112?0.329 g/cm³, respectively. The shear stress as a function of time t exhibited a marked maximum at large κ when either M or c was relatively low. When M and c were high, the maximum was broad and low. In a few extreme cases no maximum was observed in the range of κ studied. The constitutive model of Bernstein, Kearsley, and Zapas could describe approximately the shear stresses at a sudden start and on cessation of steady shear flow with a memory function evaluated from the strain-dependent relaxation modulus. The strain dependence of the memory function for solutions of low M or c was approximately expressed as exp{?α|s|} where α is a constant (ca. 0.37) and |s| is the absolute value of shear strain. When M and c were high, the strain dependence was found to be more diffuse and to require several terms if approximated by exponential functions of |s|. The Lodge model based on a strain-rate dependent relaxation spectrum was not able to describe the strain-dependent relaxation modulus as well as the interrelation between shear stresses at a sudden start and a cessation of steady shear flow.     

Neighboring effect of thiol group in acyl transfer reaction on a polymer with a lipoic acid structure

Reductive S-monoacylation of lipoamide with some carboxylic acids and tri-n-butylphosphine was carried out in acetonitrile to obtain the corresponding S-monoacylated compounds in excellent yield. This method was applied to the preparation of S-monoacylated dihydrolipoyl polymer with a neighboring thiol group. The acyl transfer from the polymer to cyclohexylamine was enhanced as much as 64 times by adding silver perchlorate.     

Syntheses and reactions of functional polymers. XLVI. Preparation and reactions of N-benzyloxyisomaleimide–styrene copolymer

Polymerization of N-benzyloxymaleimide(I) was attempted to obtain a polymer with the N-hydroxysuccinimide unit in the chain. In the light of infrared and NMR data the compound reported by Ames as N-benzyloxymaleimide is N-benzyloxyisomaleimide (III). Homopolymerization of III did not give polymer. Copolymerization of III with styrene was carried out in dioxane at 70°C. A strong alternation tendency like that of maleimides was observed. Monomer reactivity ratios and Q-e values were determined. Copolymer having the isoimide structure showed infrared absorptions at 1815 and 1675 cm^?1 in the carbonyl region. The copolymer was isomerized to N-benzyloxymaleimide type copolymer and debenzylated to N-hydroxymaleimide type copolymer. An insoluble copolymer was prepared by using divinylbenzene as a crosslinking agent and was converted to N-acetoxymaleimide type copolymer, which was used as an insoluble acetylating agent.     

Tensile properties and partial alignment of polyacetylene, (CH)x,films

The tensile properties of both cis- and trans-polyacetylene, (CH)_x, were investigated in order to determine the variables that influence that ultimate extension ratio (l/l₀) of polyacetylene films. It was found that when cis-films of polyacetylene were extended in an inert (argon) atmosphere, ultimate extension ratios as high as 3.3 were obtained and with subsequent isomerization at 160–200°C under stress, a final l/l₀, of about 4 was obtained. The extension ratio is extremely sensitive to exposure to oxygen and decreases markedly after periods as short as 1 min. It appears as though crosslinking may occur in the polymer when it is exposed to air and this produces brittleness in the specimen. When (CH)_x was isomerized from cis to trans, it became brittle, even in the absence of air.     

Polymerization of α-methylstyrene by n-butyllithium in tetrahydrofuran

The kinetics of polymerization of α-methylstyrene by n-BuLi (labeled with C¹⁴ and unlabeled) has been studied in tetrahydrofuran at ?78°C. The catalyst n-BuLi was used as a complex of n-BuLi in THF and a hexane solution of n-BuLi. Contrary to expectations, the relative polymerization rate and the catalyst consumption were higher when a hexane solution of n-BuLi was used. Experimental molecular weights of the polymers greatly exceeded those calculated for the case of complete catalyst consumption. The polymers exhibited low polydispersity, and when a hexane solution of n-BuLi was used, the molecular weight distribution was bimodal. The rate of initiation for the case of polymerization α-methylstyrene with a hexane solution of n-BuLi as a catalyst was much higher than in the polymerization of α-methylstyrene with the use of the complex of n-BuLi in THF as in situ catalyst. Experimental data confirm the preferable interaction of α-methylstyrene with associated n-BuLi in the presence of THF. The complex which was formed as a result of such interaction is an active centers of polymerization.     

Synthesis of chiral hydroxythiolanes as potential catalysts for asymmetric organozinc additions to carbonyl compounds

Optically active 3‐hydroxythiolane was stereospecifically synthesized from L ‐aspartic acid and oxidized to give both diastereomeric S‐oxides, which were chromatographically separated and their configuration was determined. Starting from natural (+)‐(R,R)‐tartaric acid, C₂‐symmetric trans‐(R,R)‐3,4‐dihydroxythiolane was stereospecifically synthesized for the first time. Some of its monofunctionalized derivatives as well as its S‐oxide were also obtained and characterized. meso‐cis‐3,4‐Dihydroxythiolane was obtained in a similar way from meso‐tartaric acid and subjected to desymmetrization either by a lipase‐promoted acetylation or hydrolysis of the corresponding O,O'‐diacetyl derivative, to give a chiral monoacetate with ee up to 36%. After its oxidation two diastereomeric sulfoxides were obtained which were separated by chromatography. The crystalline one was subjected to X‐ray analysis and its absolute configuration was determined as 1S, 3S, 4R. All the optically active products were checked as potential catalysts for asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. However, they proved to have a very low catalytic activity: yields of the products were in the range 10–90% but ee only up to 10%. A conclusion was drawn that in this type of reaction neither is the hydroxy sulfide (sulfoxide) moiety capable of properly binding diethylzinc, nor does the sulfinyl group exert its normal stereoinduction. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 16:93–222, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20076     

Protein-like copolymers: Computer simulation

The model ofAB copolymers with a “protein-like” primary sequence was developed. This type of copolymers was obtained in a computer experiment. First, the conformation of a collapsed dense homopolymer globule was generated and then, based on this conformation, the primaryAB sequence was determied by denoting the monomeric units located near the surface of the globule as unitsA and those constituting the core of the globule as unitsB. After that, the primary structure of the chain was fixed, and different interaction potentials for theA andB units were introduced. Drawing an analogy of this model to aqueous solutions of globular proteins,A units were interpreted as hydrophilic, andB units were regarded as hydrophobic. By means of Monte Carlo simulation using the bond fluctuation model, the coli—globule transition in “protein-like”AB copolymer, induced by an increase in the attraction between the hydrophobicB units, was studied. The coil—globule transition in a copolymer with the “protein-like” primary sequence occurs at a higher temperature and has higher rate and is sharper than that in a random copolymer with the sameA/B composition and in a random block copolymer with the sameA/B composition and the same “degree of blockiness”. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 884–889, May, 1998.     

Cycloadditions of N-Aryl-C-(trifluoromethyl)nitrilimines with dimethyl fumarate and maleate

The cycloadditions of N-aryl-C-(trifluoromethyi)nitrilimines 1 , generated in situ from various precursors, with dimethyl fumarate and maleate are described. N-Aryltrifluoroacetohydrazonoyl bromides 2 reacted with fumarate in the presence of triethylamine to give the trans-4,5-dimethoxycarbonylpyrazolines 4 whereas the reactions with maleate afforded the 4,5 -dimethoxycarbonylpyrazoles 5 as well as 4. In the reactions with the chloride 6 under the more drastic conditions, both fumarate and maleate gave the pyrazole 5a. From thermolysis of the oxadiazaphosphole 8 , the trans-pyrazoline 4a was formed in both cases of fumarate and maleate. The preparation of the cis-pyrazoline 9 was attempted from 8 and maleic anhydride but 9 was found to be so unstable as to be epimerized under the mild conditions.