Two new dimmeric xanthanolides isolated from Xanthium mogolium Kitag plant

Two xanthanolide-type dimmers, namely Mogolide D (4) and Mogolide E (5) are isolated from the aerial parts of Xanthium mogolium Kitag plant collected from Heilongjiang province, China. The dimmers’ relative structures are elucidated on the basis of HRESIMS, IR spectrum and NMR spectroscopy. The absolute configurations of them are assigned with ECD spectra. The biosynthetic pathway of the two dimmers is also proposed. Besides, Mogolide D (4) and Mogolide E (5) are tested against MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line with IC₅₀ 8.46 μM and 19.20 μM, respectively.     

Dicitrinones E and F,citrinin dimers from the marine derived fungus Penicillium citrinum HDN-152-088

Two new citrinin dimers named dicitrinones E and F (1 and 2), together with one biogenetically related known citrinin monomer (3), were isolated from the marine derived fungus Penicillium citrinum HDN-152-088. All structures including the absolute configurations were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive spectroscopic data, and assisted by ECD calculations. Among them, compounds 1 and 2 belong to the class of citrinin dimers with a rare carbon-bridged C-7/C-7′ linkage. Compound 1 displayed antioxidant activity with IC₅₀ value of 23.73 μM.     

Pistacia integerrima gall extract mediated green synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their biological activities

This paper reports a rapid, facile and one-pot synthesis of environmentally safe gold nanoparticles capped and stabilized with galls extract of Pistacia integerrima. The aqueous gold ions when exposed to P. integerrima galls extract were rapidly reduced as evident from abrupt color change to ruby red, suggesting the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) which were further characterized by UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their stability was evaluated against varying pH and different volumes of sodium chloride (NaCl) as well as at a range of temperature (20–80 °C). Au-NPs were tested for enzyme inhibition, antibacterial, antifungal, antinociceptive, muscle relaxant and sedative activities. The UV–Vis spectra of the gold nanoparticles gave surface plasmon resonance at 540 nm while the SEM analysis revealed the particle size in the range of 20–200 nm. FTIR spectra confirmed the involvement of amines, amide groups and alcohols in capping and reduction of gold nanoparticles. Au-NPs showed remarkable stability in different NaCl and pH solutions as well as at elevated temperature. Au-NPs have good antifungal activity and possessed antinociceptive and muscle relaxant properties as observed from their zone of inhibition and significant attenuation of acetic acid induced writhing and reduction of time spent on the rota rod respectively. These results concluded that the gall extract of P. integerrima is a very good bioreductant for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles that have potential for various biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.     

Transition-metal-free,visible-light-mediated regioselective C–H trifluoromethylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines

A transition-metal-free, visible-light-induced trifluoromethylation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines has been developed at mild conditions by employing cheap and commercially available anthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (AQN-2-CO₂H) as the photo-organocatalyst, and Langlois reagent as the trifluoromethylating reagent. A series of 3-(trifluoromethyl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine derivatives with broad functionalities could be conveniently and efficiently obtained by direct regioselective functionalization.     

Design,synthesis and SAR study of novel sulfonylurea derivatives containing arylpyrimidine moieties as potential anti-phytopathogenic fungal agents

Acetohydroxyacid synthase(AHAS) was considered as a promising target for antifungal agents.Herein,three series of novel sulfonylureas(SUs) 9-11 containing aromatic-substituted pyrimidines were designed and synthesized according to pharmacophore-combination and bioisosterism strategy.The in vitro fungicidal activities against ten phytopathogenic fungi indicated that most of the title compounds exhibited broad-spectrum and excellent fungicidal activities.Based on the preliminary fungicidal activities,a CoMFA model was constructed and the 3 D-QSAR analysis indicated that either a bulky group around the 5-position of the pyrimidine ring or electropositive group around the 2-position of the benzene ring would be favour to fungicidal activities.In order to study interaction mechanism,10 k was automatically docked into yeast AHAS and it further indicated that bearing bulky groups-aryl at the pyrimidine ring was critical to enhance antifungal activities.It revealed that the antifungal activity of derivatives 9-11 probably results from the inhibition of fungal AHAS.Thus,the present results strongly showed that SUs should be considered as lead compounds or model molecules to develop novel antiphyt o pathogenic fungal agents.     

Construction of 1H-indazoles from ortho-aminobenzoximes by the Mitsunobu reaction

Recently, there has been an upsurge in the occurrence of the indazole motif in drug discovery. Accordingly, newer, milder and more efficient routes towards their synthesis have emerged in the literature. We recently reported the Mitsunobu-triggered cyclodehydration of salicylaldoximes to transient 1,2-benzisoxazoles, and salicylhydroxamic acids to their corresponding 3-hydroxybenzisoxazoles. We hypothesized subjecting ortho-aminobenzoximes to Mitsunobu conditions will likewise induce a cyclodehydration to deliver the corresponding 1H-indazoles. Indeed, secondary anilines afforded the predicted N¹-substituted 1H-indazoles, and primary anilines, after activation with a Boc group, furnished the N¹-Boc 1H-indazoles in good to excellent yields. This work further expands the chemical repertoire of the Mitsunobu reaction, representing its unprecedented use in the construction of the 1H-indazole nucleus.     

Encapsulated ultrafine and highly dispersed molybdenum dioxide nanoparticles in hollow mesoporous silica spheres as an efficient epoxidation catalyst for alkenes

A facile post-synthetic strategy was developed to functionalize the preformed hollow mesoporous silica spheres by encapsulating the molybdenum dioxide (MoO₂) nanoparticles inside the interior cavity. Hollow mesoporous silica spheres were prepared and employed as carriers, and the encapsulation of MoO₂ nanoparticles was achieved through a one-pot hydrothermal protocol. After characterization, the encapsulated MoO₂ nanoparticles were certified to be ultrafine and highly dispersed, which greatly promoted the catalytic activity. The as-prepared catalysts were utilized in epoxidation of alkenes and exhibited as a promising catalyst in this reaction. After reacting for 10 h, the optimal catalyst MoO₂@SiO₂-1 achieved a conversion above 95% and selectivity above 95%, respectively. Moreover, the catalysts also exhibited good reusability, conversion of 78% and selectivity of 89% (reaction time 4 h) were still obtained after recycling for 5 times. Meanwhile, the employed facial and efficient hydrothermal approach could be expanded to other molybdenum modified heterogeneous catalysts in various applications.     

Synthesis of (+)-goniopypyrone and (+)-goniotriol using Pd-catalyzed carbonylation

Syntheses of (+)-goniopypyrone and (+)-goniotriol isolated from Goniothalamus giganteus were achieved. The key steps involve Pd-catalyzed carbonylation for lactone ring formation and diastereoselective reduction of ynone using the (R)-CBS catalyst and borane dimethyl sulfide complex.     

Three new dibromopyrrole alkaloids from the South China Sea sponge Agelas nemoechinata

Three new dibromopyrrole alkaloids, 9-N-methylcylindradine A (1), 1-N-methylugibohlin (2), nemoechine H (3), together with one known dibromopyrrole alkaloid N-methyldibromoisophakellin (4) were isolated from the South China Sea sponge Agelas nemoechinata. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic methods including HRESIMS and NMR, and the absolute configuration of compound 1 was further confirmed by comparison of optical rotation. Compound 3 exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity against K562 and L-02 with IC₅₀ values of 6.1 μM and 12.3 μM, respectively.     

The adsorption of acidic gaseous pollutants on metal and nonmetallic surface studied by first-principles calculation: A review

The acidic gases such as SO₂, NO_x, H₂S and CO₂ are typical harmful pollutants and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which are also the main sources of PM_2.5. The most widely used method of treating these gas molecules is to capture them with different adsorption materials, i.e., metal and nonmetallic materials such as MnO₂, MoS₂ and carbon-based materials. And doping transition metal atoms in adsorption materials are beneficial to the gas adsorption process. The first-principles calculation is a powerful tool for studying the adsorption properties of contaminant molecules on different materials at the molecular and atomic levels to understand surface adsorption reactions, adsorption reactivity, and structure-activity relationships which can provide theoretical guidance for laboratory researches and industrial applications. This review introduces the adsorption models and surface properties of these gas molecules on metal and nonmetallic surfaces by first-principles calculation in recent years. The purpose of this review is to provide the theoretical guidance for experimental research and industrial application, and to inspire scientists to benefit from first-principles calculation for applying similar methods in future work.     

Reductive immobilization and long-term remobilization of radioactive pertechnetate using bio-macromolecules stabilized zero valent iron nanoparticles

Reductive immobilization of radioactive pertechnetate (⁹⁹TcO₄^?) in simulated groundwater was studied by prepared carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and starch stabilized zero valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), and long-term remobilization of reduced Tc was also evaluated under anoxic and oxic conditions. The stabilized nZVI can effectively reduce soluble ⁹⁹Tc(VII) to insoluble ⁹⁹Tc(IV), and they can be easily delivered into a contaminated groundwater zone and facilitate in situ remediation. In this study, CMC-stabilized nZVI showed higher reactivity than that using starch as the stabilizer. Batch experiments indicated that more than 99% of ⁹⁹Tc(VII) (C₀ = 12 mg/mL) was reduced and removed from groundwater by CMC-stabilized nZVI with a CMC content of 0.2% (w/w) at a broad pH of 5–8. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses further confirmed that ⁹⁹Tc(VII)O₄^? transformed into ⁹⁹Tc(IV)O₂ (s). The presence of bicarbonate exhibited insignificant effect on Tc immobilization, while humic acid (HA) inhibited reaction mainly due to retardation on electron transfer and formation of Tc(IV)-HA complexes. More interesting, the immobilized Tc(IV) remained insoluble even after 120 d under anoxic condition, while only ～21% was remobilized when exposed to air. Therefore, bio-macromolecules stabilized nZVI nanoparticles could be a viable alternative for in situ remediation of radioactive contamination in groundwater.     

Diastereoselective sulfa-Michael reactions controlled by a biomass-derived chiral auxiliary

A family of chiral auxiliaries derived from the lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis product levoglucosenone (LGO) has been screened in the sulfa-Michael reaction. When promoted by inorganic bases with potassium counterions, the auxiliary with geminal benzyl substituents showed diastereoselectivity up to 90:10 for a broad range of α,β-unsaturated esters.     

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence molecules and their new applications aside from OLEDs

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) organic molecules feature with long-lived delayed fluorescence, because they can undergo not only efficient intersystem crossing (ISC), but also efficient reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) at room temperature. As a new type of luminescent molecules, they have exhibited successful applications in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Aside from OLEDs, they are also found to have potential applications in time-resolved luminescence imaging based on long-lived fluorescence property. Meanwhile, due to their excited triplet characteristic originated from efficient ISC, they were found to be applied in triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC), photodynamic therapy (PDT) and organic photocatalytic synthesis. This review briefly summarizes the characteristics and excellent photophysical properties of TADF organic compounds, then covers their applications to date aside from OLEDs based on their highly efficient ISC ability and RISC ability at room temperature.     

Unexpected intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization of ureidoacetamide: A novel route towards the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubsituted oxazoles

A variety of N, 2-diaryl-2-ureidoacetamide prepared from the condensation of N-aryl-α-aminoamide with potassium cyanate (KOCN) undergo efficient Hendrickson’s reagent-mediated nucleophilic cyclization to afford 2,5-diamine-4-aryloxazoles. The two-step synthesis provides seven target products in yields of 61–78% under mild conditions. This reaction involves an unusual pathway in which the electrophilic amide carbonyl carbon is activated by Hendrickson’s reagent and attacked by a nucleophilic ureido oxygen in a 5-exo-trig O-cycloisomerization.     

Naturally occurring antitubercular cyclic peptides

The antibiotic pipeline has failed to keep pace with the rise of multidrug resistant tuberculosis and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis pathogens. Naturally occurring peptides provide a rich source of lead compounds for developing novel pharmaceuticals with high selectivity and potency. Given the vast number of naturally-occurring bioactive cyclic peptides identified so far, the following digest highlights several cyclic peptides, discovered in the preceding decade, that exhibit promising activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

Nuciferols A and B: Novel sesquineolignans from Cocos nucifera

Two novel epimers, named nuciferols A (1) and B (2), possessing a unique 6.9′, 9.6′, 7′.8″-cyclosesquineolignan skeleton, were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the endocarp of Cocos nucifera. Their planar structure was elucidated by 1D-, 2D-NMR, HRESIMS and their absolute configuration was determined by ECD. Nuciferols A and B showed radical scavenging activity using DPPH assay, and only nuciferol B showed neuroprotective effects against t-BHP induced cell death in N2a cells.     

Hydroxyl radical formation upon dark oxidation of reduced iron minerals: Effects of iron species and environmental factors

Dark formation of hydroxyl radical upon oxidation of reduced iron minerals plays an important role in the degradation and transformation of organic and inorganic pollutants. Herein, we compared the hydroxyl radical formation from various reduced iron minerals at different redox conditions. OH production was generally observed from the oxidation of reduced iron minerals, following the order: mackinawite (FeS) > reduced nontronite (iron-bearing smectite clay) > pyrite (FeS₂) > siderite (FeCO₃). Structural Fe²⁺ and dissolved O₂ play critical roles in OH production from reduced iron minerals. OH production increases with decreasing pH, and Cl^? has little effect on this process. More importantly, dissolved organic matter significantly enhances OH production, especially under O₂ purging, highlighting the importance of this process in ambient environments. This sunlight-independent pathway in which OH forms during oxidation of reduced iron minerals is helpful for understanding the degradation and transformation of various inorganic and organic pollutants in the redox-fluctuation environments.     

A novel catalyst-free,eco-friendly,on water protocol for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidines

The first greenest methodology for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-1H-perimidines on water is described. 1,8-Diamino naphthalene was reacted with different types of aldehydes at room temperature to furnish the product in moderate to excellent yields in 30 min. A multi-gram scale reaction is also performed to ensure the scalability of the reaction.     

Oxidative dehydrogenation of n-octane over a vanadium–magnesium oxide catalyst: Influence of the gas hourly space velocity

Oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of n-octane was carried out over a vanadium–magnesium oxide catalyst in a continuous flow fixed bed reactor. The catalyst was characterized by ICP–OES, powder XRD and SEM. The catalytic tests were carried out at different gas hourly space velocities (GHSVs), viz. 4000, 6000, 8000, and 10,000 h^?1. The best selectivity for octenes was obtained at the GHSV of 8000 h^?1, while that for C8 aromatics was attained at the GHSV of 6000 h^?1 at high temperatures (500 and 550 °C). The catalytic testing at the GHSV of 10,000 h^?1 showed the lowest activity, while that at the GHSV of 4000 h^?1 consistently showed the lowest ODH selectivity. Generally, the best ODH performance was obtained by the catalytic testing at the GHSVs of 6000 and 8000 h^?1. No phasic changes were observed after the catalytic testing.     

A consecutive one-pot two-step approach to novel trifluoromethyl-substituted bis(indolyl)methane derivatives promoted by Sc(OTf)3 and p-TSA

A one-pot two-step reaction of 3-(trifluoroacetyl)coumarin and indole afforded trifluoromethyl-substituted bis(indolyl)methane compounds containing coumarin skeleton. The atomic economic and simply manipulative reaction involved premier treatment of reaction mixtures with Sc(OTf)₃, followed by p-TSA in one-pot process. The reaction proceeded to give the title compounds in high yields (up to 95% yield).