Platinum(IV)-mediated nitrile-sulfimide coupling: a route to heterodiazadienes

Pt(IV)-mediated addition of the sulfimide Ph2S = NH and the mixed sulfide/sulfimides o- and p-[PhS(=NH)](PhS)-C6H4 by the S=NH group to the metal-bound nitriles in the platinum(IV) complexes [PtCl4(RCN)2] proceeds smoothly at room temperature in CH2Cl2 and results in the formation of the heterodiazadiene compounds [PtCl4[NH=C(R)N=SR'Ph]2] (R' = Ph, R = Me, Et, CH2Ph, Ph; R' = o- and p-(PhS)C6H4; R = Et). While trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R = Et, CH2Ph, Ph) reacting with Ph2S=NH leads exclusively to trans-[PtCl4[NH=C(R)N=SPh2]2], cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)2] leads to cis/trans mixtures of [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)N=SPh2]2] and the latter have been separated by column chromatography. Theoretical calculations at both HF/HF and MP2//HF levels for the cis and trans isomers of [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)N=SMe2]2] indicate a higher stability for the latter. Compounds trans-[PtCl4[E-NH=C(R)N=SPh2]2] (R = Me, Et) and cis-[PtCl4[E-NH=C(Me)N=SPh2][Z-NH=C(Me)N=SPh2]] have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complexes [PtCl4[NH=C(R)N=SPh2]2] undergo hydrolysis when treated with HCl in nondried CH2Cl2 to achieve the amidines [PtCl4[NH=C(NH2)R]2] the compound with R = Et has been structurally characterized) and Ph2SO. The heterodiazadiene ligands, formed upon Pt(IV)-mediated RCN/sulfimide coupling, can be liberated from their platinum(IV) complexes [PtCl4[NH=C(R)N=SR'Ph]2] by reaction with Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2 (dppe) giving free NH=C(R)=SR'Ph and the dppe oxides, which constitutes a novel route for such rare types of heterodiazadienes whose number has also been extended. The hybrid sulfide/sulfimide species o- and p-[PhS(=NH)](PhS)C6H4 also react with the Pt(II) nitrile complex [PtCl2(MeCN)2] but the coupling--in contrast to the Pt(IV) species--gives the chelates [PtCl2[M-I=C(Me)N=S(Ph)C6H4SPh]]. The X-ray crystal structure of [PtCl2[M-I=C(Me)N=S(Ph)C6H4SPh-o]] reveals the bond parameters within the metallacycle and shows an unusual close interaction of the sulfide sulfur atom with the platinum.     

Screening of acetogenin-producing plants in Brazilian flora

The acetogenins are strongly bioactive natural compounds present in the bark, roots, leaves, and seeds of manyAnnonaceae plants. They are modified fatty acids and their cytotoxicities have been determined for different biological models including the in vitro growth inhibition of several human cancer cell lines. Very low acetogenin yield (< 0.1 g%) has been found previously in native phytobiomass, and we have now investigated the nonpredatory exploitation of the seeds as acetogenin sources characterizing the seed triacylglycerols (dominant fraction; > 90% of the whole lipid extracts) as potential valuable by-products.     

The first examples of metal-mediated addition of a phosphorus imine to nitriles; the preparation and X-ray crystal structures of [PtCl4{NH=C(Et)N=PPh3}2] and [PtCl2(EtCN){NH=C(Et)N[double bond, length as m-dash]PPh3}

Imino(triphenyl)phosphorane, Ph3P=NH (1), reacts with nitrile complexes of Pt(IV) to generate hydrolytically sensitive [PtCl4{NH=C(R)N=PPh3}2](R=Me 2a, Et 2b, Ph 2c), and with the Pt(II) complex [PtCl2(EtCN)2] to give [PtCl2(EtCN){NH=C(Et)N=PPh3}](3) and [PtCl2{NH=C(Et)N=PPh3}2](4); X-ray crystallography performed upon (2b) and (3) confirms the presence of an imine/nitrile addition ligand bound by the terminal nitrogen.     

Amidines derived from Pt(IV)-mediated nitrile-amino alcohol coupling and their Zn(II)-catalyzed conversion into oxazolines

The reaction between the platinum(IV) complex trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)] and the amino alcohols NH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH, NH(2)CH(2)CH(Me)OH-(R)-(-), NH(2)CH(Ph)CH(2)OH-(R)-(-), NH(2)CH(Et)CH(2)OH-(R)-(-), NH(2)CH(Et)CH(2)OH-(S)-(+), and NH(2)CH(Pr(n)())CH(2)OH proceeds rapidly at room temperature in CH(2)Cl(2) to furnish the amidine complexes [PtCl(4)(HN=C(Et)NH(arcraise;)OH)(2)] (1-6) in good yield (70-80%). The related reaction between the platinum(II) complex trans-[PtCl(2)(EtCN)(2)] and monoethanolamine in a molar ratio of 1:2 in CH(2)Cl(2) results in the addition of 4 equiv of NH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH per mole of complex to give [Pt(HN=C(Et)NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)(NH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)](2+) (7). Formulation of 1-6 is based upon satisfactory C, H, N elemental analyses, electrospray mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and (1)H, (13)C((1)H), (15)N, and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies, while the structures of trans-[PtCl(4)((Z)-NH=C(Et)NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)] (1), trans-[PtCl(4)((Z)-NH=C(Et)NHCH(2)CH(Me)OH-(R)-(-))(2)] (2), and trans-[PtCl(4)((Z)-NH=C(Et)NHCH(Et)CH(2)OH-(R)-(-))(2)] (4) were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The Z-amidine configuration of the ligands is preserved in CDCl(3) solutions as confirmed by gradient-enhanced (15)N,(1)H-HMQC spectroscopy and NOE experiments. The amidines, formed upon Pt(IV)-mediated nitrile-amino alcohol coupling, were liberated from their platinum(IV) complexes 1, 3, and 4 by reaction with Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2) (dppe) giving free NH=C(Et)NHCHRCH(2)OH (R = H 8, Et 9, Ph 10), with the substituents R of different types, and dppe oxides; the P-containing species were identified by (31)P((1)H) NMR spectroscopy. NOESY spectroscopy indicates that the liberated amidines retained the same configuration relative to the C=N double bond, i.e., syn-(H,Et)-NH=C(Et)NHCHRCH(2)OH. The liberated hydroxo-functionalized amidines 8-10 were converted into oxazolines (11-13) in the presence of a catalytic amount of ZnCl(2). A similar catalytic effect has also been reached using anhydrous MSO(4) (M = Cu, Co, Cd), CdCl(2), and AlCl(3).     

Electrochemical identification of anthraquinone-based dyes in solid microsamples by square wave voltammetry using graphite/polyester composite electrodes.

An electrochemical method for identifying anthraquinone-type dyes in microsamples from works of art, based in the voltammetry of microparticles approach, is reported. Upon attachment onto graphite/polyester composite electrodes, natural pigments aloe, henna, cochineal red, madder lake, kermes, shellac, and alizarin and purpurin taken as reference materials can be identified from their square wave voltammetric profiles in MeCN (0.10 mol L(-1) Bu(4)NPF(6)) and aqueous (0.25 mol L(-1) acetic acid+0.25 mol L(-1) sodium acetate) electrolytes.     

Gamma radiation effects on physical properties of parchment documents: Assessment of Dmax

Parchments are important documents that give testimony for History; therefore these materials should be respected and preserved. Considering incremental biodeterioration problems that have to be faced daily, the Archive of the University of Coimbra (AUC) is involved in different scientific projects in order to evaluate and determine new methods for document decontamination and preservation.The aim of this study was to evaluate gamma radiation effects on the colour and texture of the AUC parchment documents. The assessment of these effects was used to estimate the maximum gamma radiation dose (D_max) that could guarantee parchment documents′ decontamination treatment, without significant alteration of their physical properties. Parchment samples were exposed to gamma radiation doses ranging from 10 to 30 kGy. The texture and colour of samples were assessed before and after the irradiation procedure, using a texture analyser and an electronic colorimeter. Hardness and springiness were determined based on texture spectra. Lightness (L?), Chroma (C), greenness vs. redness (a*) and yellowness vs. blueness (b*) values were obtained from colorimetric measures. Results indicate no significant effects of gamma radiation on the texture and colour of parchment for the studied doses.     

Physical Properties of Binary Alcohol + Ionic Liquid Mixtures at Several Temperatures and Atmospheric Pressure

In this study, densities and speeds of sound were measured over the whole composition range, at T = (298.15, 303.15 and 308.15) K and p = 0.1 MPa, for the binary systems of ethanol, or 1-propanol, or 2-propanol and 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, or 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide. The density and speed of sound data were used to calculate the corresponding excess molar volumes and excess molar isentropic compressions, which were fitted with the Redlich–Kister equation. From the obtained results, a discussion was carried out in terms of interactions and structure factors in these binary mixtures.     

Comment on ‘Ab initio study: the potential energy curves and rovibrational spectrum of low-lying excited states of HCl+ cation’ (Molecular Physics, 114:19, 2817–2823)

In a recent article, Y. Liu, X. Cheng, H. Cheng, J. Cheng and X. Song [Mol. Phys., 114:19, 2817–2823] report on the calculation of potential energy curves and the derivation of spectroscopic constants and line intensities for the lowest energy electronic states of HCl⁺. There are several shortcomings in the article; the most notable being the incorrect ordering of the ²П_3/2 and ²П_1/2 state energies, erroneous selection rules, which lead to the absence of a Q-branch in their predicted spectra, incorrect Höln–London factors, and a missing appendix.     

Mixing method influence on compatibility and polymorphism studies by DSC and statistical analysis

Most of the pharmaceutical products are formulated as solid dosage form, which may present drug–excipient interactions that lead to changes in the chemical nature of the drug, such as solubility and bioavailability and may compromise its safety and effectiveness. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a widely used method for the rapid evaluation of the drug-excipient compatibility and the stability of the mixture formed; however, there is no consensus on the preparation methods of the drug–excipient mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the mixing method on the drug–excipient compatibility studies by means of DSC analysis, using tenofovir disoproxil fumarate as a drug model. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the heat of fusion of the drug in the mixtures prepared by several mixing methods. Vortex Mixer with a Pop-Off Cup used for 3 min proved to be very satisfactory for these studies. A polymorphic transition was observed in the mixture prepared with the mortar and pestle. Therefore, this method should be avoided since it may induce errors in the interpretation of DSC results. In this way, the mixing method used to prepare a mixture for studies of interactions between the API and the excipients in a pharmaceutical formulation has a great influence on the results and it must be chosen carefully.