A new aurone and two rare metabolites from the leaves of Diospyros melanoxylon

A new aurone, 4,6-dihydroxy-2-[alpha,alpha-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hydroxy]methylene-3(2H)-benzofuranone (2) and two rare metabolites viz. selin-4(15)-en-1beta,11-diol (5) and 5,7-dihydroxy-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-l' --> 6'glucopyranoside-2-{4-hydroxyphenyl}-4H-benzopyran-4-one (6) in addition to the known protocatechuic acid methyl ester (1), quercitin (3) and gallic acid (4) were isolated from the methanol extract of Diospyros melanoxylon leaves. The structures were elucidated by a combination of chemical and spectroscopic analysis. Interestingly, compound 2 was found to exist in both E- and Z-isomeric forms in a 15:85 ratio. The present isolation of compounds 2 and 5 assumes taxonomic significance as aurones and sesquiterpenes have not yet been reported from the Diospyros genus, consisting of more than 350 identified species.     

Galanthamine analogs: 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2,-e,f][1]benzazepine and 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][3]benzazepine

The known cholinesterase inhibitory capability of the Amarylidaceae alkaloid galanthamine prompted preparation of analogs in which the position of the nitrogen within the azepine ring is altered. The analogs 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][1]benzazepine and 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][3]benzazepine were prepared in 19 and 2.5%, respectively, following Kametani and Shimizu approaches, respectively. The aniline derivative 6H-benzofuro[3a,3,2-e,f][1]benzazepine failed to undergo most of the reactions typical for galanthamine. Thus, it neither oxidized to the analogous narwedine, nor epimerized to the analogous epigalanthamine, nor reduced to the lycoramine analog, under the conditions used for galanthamine.     

Room temperature ionic liquids promoted three-component coupling reactions: a facile synthesis of cis-isoquinolonic acids

Room temperature ionic liquids are found to catalyze efficiently the three component-coupling reactions of aldehydes, amines and homophthalic anhydride under mild and convenient conditions to afford the corresponding cis-isoquinolonic acids in excellent yields with high cis-selectivity.     

The first X‐ray structure of a hexa­ammine­cobalt(III) salt with two different complex chloro­cadmium anions: synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of [Co(NH3)6]4[CdCl6][CdCl4(SCN)(H2O)]2Cl2·2H2O

In the title complex salt, tetra­kis[hexa­ammine­cobalt(III)] hexa­chloro­cadmate(II) bis­[aqua­tetra­chloro­thio­cyanato­cad­mate(II)] dichloride dihydrate, the discrete ions, i.e. [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺, Cl⁻, [CdCl₆]⁴⁻ (located on an inversion centre) and [CdCl₄(SCN)(H₂O)]³⁻, together with cocrystallized water mol­ecules, are assembled by means of a network of hydrogen‐bonding inter­actions. This is the first X‐ray structure determination of a hexa­amminecobalt(III) salt with two different complex chloro­cadmium anions.     

Cervical Precancer Detection Using a Multivariate Statistical Algorithm Based on Laser-Induced Fluorescence Spectra at Multiple Excitation Wavelengths

Abstract— A portable fluorimeter was developed and utilized to acquire fluorescence spectra from 381 cervical sites in 95 patients at 337, 380 and 460 nm excitation immediately prior to colposcopy. A multivariate statistical algorithm was used to extract clinically useful information from tissue spectra acquired in vivo. Two full-parameter algorithms were developed using tissue fluorescence emission spectra at all three excitation wavelengths (161 excitation-emission wavelength pairs) for cervical precancer (squamous intraepithelial lesion [SIL]) detection: a screening algorithm that discriminates between SIL and non-SIL with a sensitivity of 82 ± 1.4% and specificity of 68 ± 0.0%, and a diagnostic algorithm that differentiates high-grade SIL from non-high-grade SIL with a sensitivity and specificity of 79 ± 2% and 78 ± 6%, respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis was also employed to reduce the number of fluorescence excitation-emission wavelength pairs needed to redevelop algorithms that demonstrate a minimum decrease in classification accuracy. Two reduced-parameter algorithms that employ fluorescence intensities at only 15 excitation-emission wavelength pairs were developed: the screening algorithm differentiates SIL from non-SIL with a sensitivity of 84 ± 1.5% and specificity of 65 ± 2% and the diagnostic algorithm discriminates high-grade SIL from non-high-grade SIL with a sensitivity and specificity of 78 ± 0.7% and 74 ± 2%, respectively. Both the full-parameter and reduced-parameter screening algorithms discriminate between SIL and non-SIL with a similar specificity (±5%) and a substantially improved sensitivity relative to Pap smear screening. A comparison of the full-parameter and reduced-parameter diagnostic algorithms to colposcopy in expert hands indicates that all three have a very similar sensitivity and specificity for differentiating high-grade SIL from non-high-grade SIL.     

Phase equilibria in the pseudo-binary system SrO-Fe2O3

The phase relations in the pseudo-binary system SrO-Fe₂O₃ have been investigated in air up to 1150°C by means of powder X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. Sr₃Fe₂O_7−δ, SrFeO_3−δ and SrFe₁₂O₁₉ are stable phases in the entire investigated temperature region, whereas Sr₂FeO_4−δ and Sr₄Fe₃O_10−δ decompose above 930±10°C and 850±25°C, respectively. Sr₄Fe₆O_13±δ is entropy-stabilized relative to SrFeO_3−δ and SrFe₁₂O₁₉ above 775±25°C. Extended solid-solution Sr_1±xFeO_3−δ was demonstrated. On the Fe-deficient side, the extent of solid solubility appeared to decrease gradually with temperature, whereas an abrupt decrease due to formation of Sr₄Fe₆O_13±δ was observed above 775°C on the Sr-deficient side.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of oxidation by metal ions,part XII [1] oxidation of formaldehyde by alkaline osmium(VIII)

The stopped-flow measurements on the disappearance of alkaline osmium(VIII) at 402 nm indicated a first-order dependence each in [Os(VIII)] and [HCHO]. The pseudo first-order rate constant k_obs ([HCHO] ? [Os(VIII)]) decreased with increasing [OH^?]. The ionic strength, however, had no effect on k_obs. The rapid scan spectra of the reaction mixture indicated the formation of an inert complex which absorbs at 319 nm. Therefore the rate determining step is considered to involve the bimolecular collision between OsO₄(OH) and hydrated formaldehyde. The values of the rate limiting constant k and the equilibrium constant K_ha for the formation of the alkoxide ion from the reaction of hydrated formaldehyde with OH^? are evaluated. The equilibrium constant K_ha, within the experimental limits, is independent of temperature. The pK_a value, calculated from K_ha, is 13.62 ± 0.05 which is in good agreement with the pK_a value 13.27 for formaldehyde. The activation parameters, ΔH? = 40 ± 2 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS? = ?51 ± 6 JK^?1 mol^?1, for the rate limiting constant k are determined.     

Transmetalation reaction between hydrophobic silver nanoparticles and aqueous chloroaurate ions at the air-water interface

The transmetalation reaction between a sacrificial nanoparticle and more noble metal ions in solution has emerged as a novel method for creating unique hollow and bimetallic nanostructures. In this report, we investigate the possibility of carrying out the transmetalation reaction between hydrophobic silver nanoparticles assembled and constrained at the air-water interface and subphase gold ions. We observe that facile reduction of the subphase gold ions by the sacrificial silver nanoparticles occurs resulting in the formation of elongated gold nanostructures that appear to cross-link the sacrificial silver particles. This transmetalation reaction may be modulated by the insertion of an electrostatic barrier in the form of an ionizable lipid monolayer between the silver nanoparticles and the aqueous gold ions that impacts the gold nanoparticle assembly. Transmetalation reactions between nanoparticles constrained into a close-packed structure and appropriate metal ions could lead to a new strategy for metallic cross-linking of nanoparticles and generation of coatings with promising optoelectonic behavior.     

An improved procedure for the preparation of 9-β-D-Arabitiofuranosyl-2-ñuoroadenine

An improved procedure for the preparation of 9-β-D -arabinofuranosyl-2-fluoroadenitie (11) utilizing the readily available 2,4,5,6-tetraaminopyrimidine (1) is described; the overall yield based on the arabinosugar was quadrupled.     

Studies on the ion-exchange behaviour of chromium ferrocyanide

The sorption of univalent, bivalent and trivalent ions has been studied on chromium ferrocyanide gel. The studies reveal a high sorption capacity for Cs⁺, Tl⁺, Ag⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Th⁴⁺. The sorption of monovalent cations show purely ion-exchange mechanism while the uptake of bivalent and trivalent cations is non-equivalent in nature. Single elution of Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and Tl⁺ has been performed from the columns of this exchanger and the recovery is almost complete in all the cases. Cu²⁺ and Ag⁺ get completely adsorbed on the gel column and their elution is not possible probably due to the formation of some new solid phases. Depending on the K_d values of the metal ions, a large number of separations of radiochemical as well as analytical importance can be performed on the columns of this exchanger material.