Injury-Triggered Blueing Reactions of Psilocybe “Magic” Mushrooms

Upon injury, psychotropic psilocybin-producing mushrooms instantly develop an intense blue color, the chemical basis and mode of formation of which has remained elusive. We report two enzymes from Psilocybe cubensis that carry out a two-step cascade to prepare psilocybin for oxidative oligomerization that leads to blue products. The phosphatase PsiP removes the 4-O-phosphate group to yield psilocin, while PsiL oxidizes its 4-hydroxy group. The PsiL reaction was monitored by in situ ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, which indicated that oxidative coupling of psilocyl residues occurs primarily via C-5. MS and IR spectroscopy indicated the formation of a heterogeneous mixture of preferentially psilocyl 3- to 13-mers and suggest multiple oligomerization routes, depending on oxidative power and substrate concentration. The results also imply that phosphate ester of psilocybin serves a reversible protective function.     

Synthesis of Glucose‐Containing Polyaniline by the Oxidative Polymerization of N‐Glucosylaniline

Summary: The oxidative polymerization of N‐glucosylaniline was carried out using ammonium persulfate as the oxidant in phosphate buffer. The structure of the isolated polymer was determined by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and UV‐vis spectroscopy to be the polyaniline having glucose residues attached to the general polyaniline unit. Participation of the ortho‐position of the aromatic ring in the polymerization was also confirmed by the analyses.

The oxidative polymerization of N‐glucosylaniline.     

Mechanism Studies of the Conversion of 13C‐Labeled n‐Butane on Zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 by Using 13C Magic Angle Spinning NMR Spectroscopy and GC–MS Analysis

By using ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy (MAS=magic angle spinning), the conversion of selectively ¹³C‐labeled n‐butane on zeolite H‐ZSM‐5 at 430–470 K has been demonstrated to proceed through two pathways: 1) scrambling of the selective ¹³C‐label in the n‐butane molecule, and 2) oligomerization–cracking and conjunct polymerization. The latter processes (2) produce isobutane and propane simultaneously with alkyl‐substituted cyclopentenyl cations and condensed aromatic compounds. In situ ¹³C MAS NMR and complementary ex situ GC–MS data provided evidence for a monomolecular mechanism of the ¹³C‐label scrambling, whereas both isobutane and propane are formed through intermolecular pathways. According to ¹³C MAS NMR kinetic measurements, both pathways proceed with nearly the same activation energies (E_a=75 kJ mol^?1 for the scrambling and 71 kJ mol^?1 for isobutane and propane formation). This can be rationalized by considering the intermolecular hydride transfer between a primarily initiated carbenium ion and n‐butane as being the rate‐determining stage of the n‐butane conversion on zeolite H‐ZSM‐5.     

Laccase‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Low‐Molecular‐Weight Lignin‐Like Oligomers and their Application as UV‐Blocking Materials

The laccase‐catalyzed oxidative polymerization of monomeric and dimeric lignin model compounds was carried out with oxygen as the oxidant in aqueous medium. The oligomers were characterized by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI‐TOF MS) analysis. Oxidative polymerization led to the formation of oligomeric species with a number‐average molecular weight (M_n) that ranged from 700 to 2300 Da with a low polydispersity index. Spectroscopic analysis provided insight into the possible modes of linkages present in the oligomers, and the oligomerization is likely to proceed through the formation of C?C linkages between phenolic aromatic rings. The oligomers were found to show good UV light absorption characteristics with high molar extinction coefficient (5000–38 000 m ^?1 cm^?1) in the UV spectral region. The oligomers were blended independently with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) by using solution blending to evaluate the compatibility and UV protection ability of the oligomers. The UV/Vis transmittance spectra of the oligomer‐embedded PVC films indicated that these lignin‐like oligomers possessed a notable ability to block UV light. In particular, oligomers obtained from vanillyl alcohol and the dimeric lignin model were found to show good photostability in accelerated UV weathering experiments. The UV‐blocking characteristics and photostability were finally compared with the commercial low‐molecular‐weight UV stabilizer 2,4‐dihydroxybenzophenone.     

Photoswitchable “Turn‐on” Fluorescence Diarylethenes: Substituent Effects on Photochemical Properties and Electrochromism

A series of “turn‐on” fluorescence diarylethenes derived from 2,3‐bis(2‐methylbenzo[b]thiophen‐3‐yl)‐5,6‐dihydro‐4H‐thieno[2,3‐b]thiopyran‐4‐one ( 1 ) with alkyl and acetyl substituents were synthesized. The photochemical and photophysical properties of these derivatives, including the photoreaction of crystalline 1 , were thoroughly investigated to reveal substituent effects on their properties. The results indicated that alkyl substituents did not significantly affect the absorption and emission spectra of the diarylethenes. However, large absorption and emission wavelength shifts were observed for the diarylethene with an acetyl substituent due to extension of π–π conjugation. Significantly, all of the fluorescent ring‐closed forms of the compounds isomerized to their ring‐open forms in the presence of Cu²⁺ in the dark. EPR results provide clear evidence for the formation of the compound 1 radical cation intermediate that might be generated in the reaction between c‐ 1 and Cu²⁺. DFT calculations found that the ground‐state activation energy for ring‐opening of 1^.+ was approximately 9.2 kcal mol^?1 lower than that of 1 without Cu²⁺, such that a Cu²⁺‐catalyzed oxidative cycloreversion reaction at room temperature might be possible.     

Syntheses,Structure, Electrochemistry,and Optical Properties of 1,3‐Diethyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1‐H‐1,3,2‐pyrido‐[4,5‐b]‐diazaboroles

Reaction of 2,5‐bis(dibromoboryl)thiophene ( 4 ) or 1,4‐bis(dibromoboryl)benzene ( 6 ) with two equivalents of N,N′‐dilithiated 2,3‐diaminopyridine ( 3 ) led to the generation of the pyridodiazaboroles 5 and 7 in which the two diazaborole rings are linked by 2,5‐thiophen‐diyl or 1,4‐phenylene units via the boron atom. The novel compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopy (¹H‐, ¹¹B‐, ¹³C‐NMR, MS, and UV‐VIS). The molecular structure of 5 was elucidated by X‐ray diffraction. Cyclovoltammograms of 5 and 7 show two irreversible oxidation waves at 0.76 and 0.73 V, respectively vs Fc/Fc⁺. The novel compounds display intense blue luminescence with Stokes shifts of 76 and 74 nm and relative quantum yields of 39 and 43 % vs Coumarin 120 (Φ = 50 %).     

Supramolecular Complexation in Biological Media: NMR Study on Inclusion of an Anionic Tetraarylporphyrin into a Per‐O‐Methylated β‐Cyclodextrin Cavity in Serum,Blood, and Urine

The supramolecular complexation of 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(4‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (TPPS) with heptakis(2,3,6‐tri‐O‐methyl)‐β‐cyclodextrin (TMCD) has been known to be highly specific in aqueous media. In this study, we have used NMR spectroscopy to reveal that this supramolecular system also works even in biologically crowded media such as serum, blood, and urine. A ¹³C‐labeled heptakis(2,3,6‐tri‐O‐methyl‐¹³C)‐β‐cyclodextrin (¹³C‐TMCD) was synthesized and studied using one‐dimensional (1D) HMQC spectroscopy in serum and blood. The 1D HMQC spectrum of ¹³C‐TMCD showed clear signals due to the 2‐, 3‐, and 6‐O¹³CH₃ groups, whose chemical shifts changed upon addition of TPPS due to quantitative formation of the ¹³C‐TMCD/TPPS=2/1 inclusion complex in such biological media. The ¹H NMR signals of non‐isotope‐labeled TPPS included by ¹³C‐TMCD were detected using the ¹³C‐filtered ROESY technique. A pharmacokinetic study of ¹³C‐TMCD and its complex with TPPS was carried out in mice using the 1D HMQC method. The results indicated that (1) 1D HMQC is an effective technique for monitoring the inclusion phenomena of ¹³C‐labeled cyclodextrin in biological media and (2) the intermolecular interaction between ¹³C‐TMCD and TPPS is highly selective even in contaminated media like blood, serum, and urine.     

Latex‐state NMR spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of epoxidized deproteinized natural rubber

Method of quantitative analysis through latex‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy was established for in situ determination of epoxy group content of epoxidized natural rubber in latex stage. The epoxidized natural rubber latex was prepared by epoxidation of deproteinized natural rubber with freshly prepared peracetic acid in latex stage. The resulting epoxidized deproteinized natural rubber (EDPNR) latex was characterized through latex‐state ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Chemical shift values of signals of latex‐state ¹³C NMR spectrum for EDPNR were similar to those of solution‐state ¹³C NMR spectrum for EDPNR. Resolution of latex‐state ¹³C NMR spectrum was gradually improved as temperature for the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement increased to 70°C. Signal‐to‐noise ratio of latex‐state ¹³C NMR measurement was similar to that of solution‐state ¹³C NMR measurement at temperature above 50°C. The epoxy group content determined through latex‐state NMR spectroscopy was proved to be the same as that determined through solution‐state NMR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New 3‐(3‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4‐ alkyl‐3,4‐dihydrobenzo[e][1,3]oxazepine‐1,5‐dione Compounds

A series of 3‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4‐alkyl‐3,4‐dihydrobenzo[e][1,3]oxazepine‐1,5‐dione compounds with general formula C_nH_2n+1CNO(CO)₂C₆H₄(C₆H₄OH) in which n are even parity numbers from 2 to 18. The structure determinations on these compounds were performed by FT‐IR spectroscopy which indicated that the terminal alkyl chain attached to the oxazepine ring was fully extended. Conformational analysis in DMSO at ambient temperature was carried out for the first time via high resolution ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Fluorescent oligo(N‐phenylmaleimide)s via aerobic radical telomerization initiated by benzylic hydrocarbons: Catalytic effect of CoII/N‐hydroxyphthalimide pair

Radical oligomerization of N‐phenylmaleimide (NPMI) was performed in benzylic hydrocarbons as the solvent. The thermally induced oligomerization occurred only above 130 °C, with the initiation attributed to autoxidation of benzylic hydrocarbons as well as formation and dissociation of charge‐transfer complexes between benzylic hydrocarbons and maleimides. The end‐group analysis on oligo(N‐ethylmaleimide) prepared under similar conditions confirmed that the chain transfer to benzylic hydrocarbons was the primary fashion in forming oligomeric chains, and radical telomerization underlaid the oligomerization with benzylic hydrocarbons as both the solvent, the initiator and the telogen. Co^II/N‐hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) pairs could catalyze the telomerization at 110 °C. In such a catalytic process, Co^II‐based oxidative complexes oxidized benzylic hydrocarbons and NHPI into benzylic radicals and phthalimide N‐oxyl (PINO), and benzylic hydrocarbons underwent hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) to PINO. Oligo(NPMI)s were formed via HAT with benzylic hydrocarbons and NHPI. These oligo(NPMI)s exhibited fluorescent properties with excitation at 270–350 nm and 400–550 nm and emission at 530–750 nm. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 3846–3857     

Investigation of enzymatic C–P bond formation using multiple quantum HCP nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

The biochemical mechanism for the formation of the C–P–C bond sequence found in l ‐phosphinothricin, a natural product with antibiotic and herbicidal activity, remains unclear. To obtain further insight into the catalytic mechanism of PhpK, the P‐methyltransferase responsible for the formation of the second C–P bond in l ‐phosphinothricin, we utilized a combination of stable isotopes and two‐dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Exploiting the newly emerged Bruker QCI probe (Bruker Corp.), we specifically designed and ran a ¹³C‐³¹P multiple quantum ¹H‐¹³C‐³¹P (HCP) experiment in ¹H‐³¹P two‐dimensional mode directly on a PhpK‐catalyzed reaction mixture using ¹³CH₃‐labeled methylcobalamin as the methyl group donor. This method is particularly advantageous because minimal sample purification is needed to maximize product visualization. The observed 3:1:1:3 multiplet specifically and unequivocally illustrates direct bond formation between ¹³CH₃ and ³¹P. Related nuclear magnetic resonance experiments based upon these principles may be designed for the study of enzymatic and/or synthetic chemical reaction mechanisms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Styrene‐ethylene co‐oligomerization with bis‐(diphenylphosphino)‐amine/chromium catalysts and the use of the co‐oligomerization products in copolymerization reactions with metallocenes

Ethylene‐styrene (or 4‐methylstyrene) co‐oligomerization using various bis(diphenylphoshino)amine ligands in combination with chromium is discussed. GC analysis of the reaction mixture shows that various phenyl‐hexene and phenyl‐octene isomers are formed either through cotrimerization or cotetramerization. It seems that the more bulky ligands display lower selectivity to co‐oligomerization and favor ethylene homo‐oligomerization. Subsequent copolymerization of the oligomerization reaction mixture using a metallocene polymerization catalyst results in a copolymer with a branched structure as indicated by Crystaf and ¹³C NMR analysis. Assignments of the ¹³C NMR spectrum are proposed from an APT NMR experiment combined with calculated NMR chemical shift data using additivity rules. An indication of the ability of the different co‐oligomerization products to copolymerize into the polyethylene chain could be established from these assignments. Unreacted styrene and the more bulky isomers, 3‐phenyl‐1‐hexene and 3‐phenyl‐1‐octene, are not readily incorporated while branches resulting from the other isomers present in the co‐oligomerization reaction mixture are detected in the NMR spectrum. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. JPolym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 1488–1501, 2008     

Reactivity study on morpholine‐1‐carbothioic acid (2‐phenyl‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ylidene) amide

Regioselective reactions of morpholine‐1‐carbothioic acid (2‐phenyl‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ylidene) amide ( 1 ) with electrophiles and nucleophiles were studied. The compound ( 1 ) reacts with alkyl halides in basic medium to afford S‐substituted isothiourea derivatives, with amines to give 1,1‐disubstituted‐3‐(2‐phenyl‐3H‐quinazolin‐4‐ylidene) thioureas and l‐substituted‐3‐(2‐phenyl‐quinazolin‐4‐yl) thioureas via transami‐nation reaction. The reaction of ( 1 ) with amines in the presence of H₂O₂ provided N⁴‐disubstituted‐N'⁴‐(2‐phenylquinazolin‐4‐yl)morpholin‐4‐carboximidamide via oxidative desulfurization. Estimation of reactivity sites on ( 1 ) was supported using the ab initio (HF/6‐31G**) quantum chemistry calculations. The ir, ¹H nmr, ¹³C nmr, mass spectroscopy and x‐ray identified the isolated products.     

Synthesis of Substituted 2‐Amino‐1,3‐oxazoles via Copper‐Catalyzed Oxidative Cyclization of Enamines and N,N‐Dialkyl Formamides

A facile synthesis of 2‐amino‐1,3‐oxazoles via Cu^I‐catalyzed oxidative cyclization of enamines and N ,N ‐dialkyl formamides has been developed. The reaction proceeds through an oxidative C−N bond formation, followed by an intramolecular C(sp²)−H bond functionalization/C−O cyclization in one pot. This protocol provides direct access to useful 2‐amino‐1,3‐oxazoles and features protecting‐group‐free nitrogen sources, readily available starting materials, a broad substrate scope and mild reaction conditions.     

Surface analysis of plasma‐treated polydimethylsiloxane by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface voltage decay

Surface states of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) treated by plasma were investigated by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and surface voltage decay. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a silica‐like (SiO_x, x = 3–4) oxidative surface layer. This layer increased in thickness with increasing exposure duration of plasma. Plasma exposure lowers the surface resistivity from 1.78 × 10¹⁴ to 1.09 × 10¹³ Ω □^?1 with increasing plasma treatment time. By measuring the decay time constant of surface voltage, the calculated surface resistivity was compared with the value measured directly by a voltage–current method; good agreement between the two methods was obtained. It was observed that plasma treatment led to a decrease in the thermal activation energy of the surface conduction from 31.0 kJ mol^?1 for an untreated specimen to 21.8 kJ mol^?1 for a plasma‐treated specimen for 1 h. Our results allow the examination of effects of plasma on the electrical properties of PDMS. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Thermally amendable tailor‐made functional polymer by RAFT polymerization and “click reaction”

This investigation reports the preparation and characterization of thermally amendable functional polymer bearing furfuryl functionality via reversible‐addition fragmentation and chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization and Diels‐Alder (DA) reaction. In this case, furfuryl methacrylate (FMA) was polymerized using 4‐cyano‐4‐[(dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonyl)sulfanyl] pentanoic acid as RAFT reagent and 4,4′‐azobis(4‐cyanovaleric acid) as thermal initiator. ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that furfuryl group in poly(furfuryl methacrylate) (PFMA) was not affected during RAFT polymerization and the tailor‐made polymer had RAFT end group. The DA reaction was successfully carried out between the reactive furfuryl functionality of PFMA and different bismaleimides. The thermoreversible property of these DA polymers was characterized by FT‐IR and DSC analysis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3365–3374     

1H, 13C, 17O NMR and quantum‐chemical study of the stereochemistry of the sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives of 3‐arylidene‐1‐thioflavan‐4‐one epoxides

The oxidation of the trans,cis‐( 2 ) and trans,trans‐epoxides ( 3 ) of differently substituted (Z)‐3‐arylidene‐1‐thioflavan‐4‐ones ( 1 ) with dimethyldioxirane (DMD) yielded the appropriate sulfoxides ( 4, 5 ) and sulfones ( 6, 7 ). The structures were elucidated by the extensive application of one‐ and two‐dimensional ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁷O NMR spectroscopy. The conformational analysis was achieved by the application of ³J(C,H) coupling constants, NOESY responses and ab initio calculations. The preferred ground‐state conformers (twisted envelope‐A, twisted envelope‐B for 6 and twisted envelope‐A, envelope‐B for 7 ) were obtained as global minima of the theoretical ab initio MO study and also the examination of the ¹⁷O and ¹³C chemical shifts, calculated for the global minima structures of the sulfone isomers by the GIAO method. Analogous results, obtained for the sulfoxide isomers ( 4, 5 ), not only led to the preferred conformers but also gave evidence for the trans arrangement of the 2‐Ph group and the oxygen atom of the S?O group. Chemical shift differences between the isomers, sulfoxides and sulfones were corroborated by ab initio calculations of the anisotropic effects of the oxirane ring and the S?O and SO₂ groups. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of Novel 6‐Mercapto‐12‐phenethyl‐quinazolino[3,4‐a]quinazolinones

Novel 6‐mercapto‐12‐phenethyl‐quinazolino[3,4‐a]quinazolinone derivatives were synthesized through a user‐friendly five‐step reaction starting from isatoic anhydride. All products were characterized by IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy, and chemical analysis. All of them were evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activity against two cell lines namely MOLT‐4 (human lymphoblastic leukemia) and MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma).     

Pd‐Catalyzed Ring Assembly by Vinylation and Intramolecular Heck Coupling: A Versatile Strategy Towards Functionalized Azadibenzocyclooctynes

A new modular approach based on Pd‐catalyzed C? C bond formation is presented for the assembly of a benzannulated azocine scaffold, the key intermediate in the synthesis of functionalized azadibenzocyclooctynes (aza‐DIBOs). The intramolecular ring‐closing Heck coupling was investigated by variation of the C? X bond. The reaction rate is limited by the initial oxidative addition step and the regiochemistry strongly depends on the auxiliary phosphine. Under optimized conditions, the 8‐endo regioisomer was obtained in 71 % yield over two steps (with no protecting group chemistry) or in one pot, inclusive of C? N bond formation. The practical generation of the octyne triple bond of a prototypical N‐benzoyl aza‐DIBO, without the need for chromatographic purification, is also described. The structural features, including those of the ring‐strained cyclic octyne, were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The high reactivity of the N‐benzoyl aza‐DIBO synthesized is demonstrated in a strain‐promoted azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction with an alkyl azide (k=0.38 M ^?1 s^?1).     

Color‐Discriminating Retinal Configurations of Sensory Rhodopsin I by Photo‐Irradiation Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy

SRI (sensory rhodopsin I) can discriminate multiple colors for the attractant and repellent phototaxis. Studies aimed at revealing the color‐dependent mechanism show that SRI is a challenging system not only in photobiology but also in photochemistry. During the photoreaction of SRI, an M‐intermediate (attractant) transforms into a P‐intermediate (repellent) by absorbing blue light. Consequently, SRI then cycles back to the G‐state. The photoreactions were monitored with the ¹³C NMR signals of [20‐¹³C]retnal‐SrSRI using in situ photo‐irradiation solid‐state NMR spectroscopy. The M‐intermediate was trapped at ?40 °C by illumination at 520 nm. It was transformed into the P‐intermediate by subsequent illumination at 365 nm. These results reveal that the G‐state could be directly transformed to the P‐intermediate by illumination at 365 nm. Thus, the stationary trapped M‐ and P‐intermediates are responsible for positive and negative phototaxis, respectively.