A density functional theory study of the structure and vibrational spectra of beta-carotene, capsanthin, and capsorubin

A theoretical study of the structure and the vibrational spectra of the beta-carotene molecule and its derivatives capsanthin and capsorubin is carried out. We first investigate systematically the theoretical method which provides the best results for beta-carotene by performing ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G(d), SVWN/6-31G(d), PBE0/6-31G(d), BLYP/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-31G(d), B3LYP/6-31G(d,p), B3LYP/6-311G(d), and B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) levels and by using previous theoretical results available in the literature obtained at the AM1 and BPW91/6-31G(d) levels. The influence of both the level of calculation and the size of the basis set used in the geometry optimization and in the determination of the IR and Raman spectra of this molecule is thus analyzed. It is confirmed that the hybrid functional B3LYP with the basis 6-31G(d) is the method that gives the best results as a whole. By use of this level of calculation, we next optimize the molecular geometries of related molecules of capsanthin and capsorubin, which to the best of our knowledge have only been studied at the semiempirical AM1 level. In addition we calculate the IR and Raman spectra of these molecules at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory. The results obtained for capsanthin show on the one hand that the double bond of the beta-ionone ring is outside the polyene chain plane, due to the repulsion between the hydrogen atoms of the ring methyl groups and the hydrogen atoms of the polyene chain, and on the other hand that the carbonyl double bond in the other headgroup is very close to planarity with the polyene chain, since in this case such a repulsion does not exist. For the molecule of capsorubin the two carbonyl groups also take the same coplanar orientation relative to the polyene chain. The IR and Raman spectra theoretically computed for these two molecules are finally compared with their experimental spectra and the vibrational normal modes of the main signals are interpreted.     

Vulnerable Derivatives and Good Deal Bounds: A Structural Model

Abstract

We price vulnerable derivatives – i.e. derivatives where the counterparty may default. These are basically the derivatives traded on the over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Default is modelled in a structural framework. The technique employed for pricing is good deal bounds (GDBs). The method imposes a new restriction in the arbitrage free model by setting upper bounds on the Sharpe ratios (SRs) of the assets. The potential prices that are eliminated represent unreasonably good deals. The constraint on the SR translates into a constraint on the stochastic discount factor. Thus, tight pricing bounds can be obtained. We provide a link between the objective probability measure and the range of potential risk-neutral measures, which has an intuitive economic meaning. We also provide tight pricing bounds for European calls and show how to extend the call formula to pricing other financial products in a consistent way. Finally, we numerically analyse the behaviour of the good deal pricing bounds.     

Inducing gas flow and swirl in tubes using ionic wind from corona discharges

Air induction and rotation about the axis of a vertical tube is generated by an assembly of corona discharges between pinpoints and earthed electrodes, which induces a swirling ionic wind. The mechanism is elucidated and the geometrical configuration of the electric field lines of force is optimised by studying the deposition of charged particles on the earth electrodes, by numerical modelling of a simplified geometry and ultimately by maximising the measured tangential velocities. Upward convective flows of up to a litre per second are provided by an additional ionic wind pump at the base of the tube. With assemblies of up to three layers of six points each, tangential velocities of up to 3.3 m/s (≈900 rpm) are attained at the periphery, as recorded by small Pitot tubes. The concept, developed particularly for microgravity environments, appears suitable for adding a substantial centrifugal contribution to the operation of electrostatic precipitators and as a basis for further progress on electrical field-controlled burners.     

Synthesis of four novel pendant armed macrocyclic ligands and their interaction with lanthanide(III) cations

The ability of La³⁺ ions to form stable complexes with four novel pendant-armed N_xO_y-macrocycles derived from 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine, L¹, L², L³, and L⁴, has been studied. The corresponding (unsubstituted) parent ligands were prepared by the reaction between 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine and three different amines: 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)propane (L¹), diethylenetriamine (L²), and 3,6-dioxa-1,8-octanediamine (L³ and L⁴). This was followed for the parent ligands of L¹, L³, and L⁴ by in situ reduction with sodium borohydride. The pendant-armed ligands were then synthesized by the alkylation of the free-NH groups with p-(L¹ and L³) and o-nitrobenzyl bromide (L⁴), and 2-chloromethylpyridine chlorohydrate (L²). A series of Ln(III) complexes were prepared for the four ligands by the direct synthesis between the corresponding macrocycle and Ln(III) hydrated nitrates and perchlorates. The number of complexes obtained from the pendant-armed macrocycles is lower than that of the (unsubstituted) parent ones, suggesting that the introduction of pendant arms in the macrocyclic skeletons increases the selectivity of the ligands. More complexes were synthesized when using nitrate as the counterion, showing the important role of the counterion in the complexation reaction. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

The dimerization and photochemical rearrangement of pentacyclo-[5.4.0.0.0.0]undecane-8-thione

Pentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecan-8-one 1 is readily sulfurated into pentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane-8-thione 2 with Lawesson’s reagent in dry THF. Upon standing at ambient temperature the thione 2 formed the corresponding thio-dimer 3 within 10 days. When the thio-dimer 3 was exposed to oxygen and ultraviolet light an unexpected photochemical oxidation and rearrangement took place to form the stable disulfenate 5.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Dinuclear Calcium Complexes with Oxa‐Aza Macrocyclic Ligands

The syntheses of dinuclear calcium perchlorate and/or nitrate complexes by template and direct methods, employing macrocyclic ligands with 18, 20, 22, and 26 membered rings are reported. The presence of pendant arms provide with coordinative NxOy donor atoms in the smaller macrocycles, the high number of donor atoms between 7 and 10, and the dinuclear composition obtained in all the systems examined, point out that in the formed solid complexes both Ca²⁺ ions could be located inside of the macrocycle cavities. Transmetallation reaction of a lanthanide(III) complex, [L⁵Sm](ClO₄)₃·9H₂O, with Ca(ClO₄)₂·xH₂O leads the formation of the new dinuclear orange [L⁵Ca₂](ClO₄)₄·3H₂O complex, manifesting the versatility of this macrocyclic cavity. All complexes have been characterized by microanalysis, IR, UV‐vis, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry, FAAS spectroscopy, and conductivity measurements.     

Lanthanide(III) Complexes with Pyridine Head Macrocyclic Ligands

The ability of lanthanide(III) ions to form stable complexeswith three different macrocyclic ligands, L¹ , L² and L³ , has been investigated.The Schiff base macrocycle L¹ and its corresponding reduced ligand L² arederived from 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine and diethylentriamine;the reduced ligand L³ is derived from 2,6-diformylpyridine and N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)methylamine. Lanthanide nitrate complexes of L¹ and L² have beenprepared by direct reaction between each ligand and the appropriate hydrated lanthanidenitrate; attempts to obtain the corresponding perchlorate complexes have been unsuccessful.All nitrate complexes of L¹ give the expected [1:1, Ln:L¹ ] stoichiometry; however, complexes obtained with L² show a [2:1, Ln:L² ] stoichiometry. Finally, complexation reactions with L³ have been carried out in order to investigatethe coordination capability of this small and flexible ligand towards the Ln(III) ions.     

Characterization of acylated flavonoid-O-glycosides and methoxylated flavonoids from Tagetes maxima by liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

Liquid chromatography coupled to negative electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) employing a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used in the structural determination of acylated flavonoid-O-glycosides and methoxylated flavonoids occurring in Tagetes maxima. The compounds were identified by experiments in full scan mode (MS), and tandem mass experiments (MS/MS) of precursor ion scan, product ion scan, and neutral loss scan modes. In order to characterize the aglycones of the flavonoid glycosides, in-source fragmentation of the deprotonated molecule [M-H]- followed by product ion scan of the resulting aglycone [A-H]- were performed. This combined approach allowed the identification of 51 phenolic compounds, including flavonoid-O-glycosides acylated with galloyl, protocatechuoyl, coumaroyl or caffeoyl groups, methoxylated flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acid and phenolic acid derivatives, none of them previously reported in Tagetes maxima.     

De Novo Design of Selective Quadruplex–Duplex Junction Ligands and Structural Characterisation of Their Binding Mode: Targeting the G4 Hot-Spot

Targeting the interface between DNA quadruplex and duplex regions by small molecules holds significant promise in both therapeutics and nanotechnology. Herein, a new pharmacophore is reported, which selectively binds with high affinity to quadruplex–duplex junctions, while presenting a poorer affinity for G-quadruplex or duplex DNA alone. Ligands complying with the reported pharmacophore exhibit a significant affinity and selectivity for quadruplex–duplex junctions, including the one observed in the HIV-1 LTR-III sequence. The structure of the complex between a quadruplex–duplex junction with a ligand of this family has been determined by NMR methods. According to these data, the remarkable selectivity of this structural motif for quadruplex–duplex junctions is achieved through an unprecedented interaction mode so far unexploited in medicinal and biological chemistry: the insertion of a benzylic ammonium moiety into the centre of the partially exposed G-tetrad at the interface with the duplex. Further decoration of the described scaffolds with additional fragments opens up the road to the development of selective ligands for G-quadruplex-forming regions of the genome.     

Exploring the use of conformationally locked aminoglycosides as a new strategy to overcome bacterial resistance

The emergence of bacterial resistance to the major classes of antibiotics has become a serious problem over recent years. For aminoglycosides, the major biochemical mechanism for bacterial resistance is the enzymatic modification of the drug. Interestingly, in several cases, the oligosaccharide conformation recognized by the ribosomic RNA and the enzymes responsible for the antibiotic inactivation is remarkably different. This observation suggests a possible structure-based chemical strategy to overcome bacterial resistance; in principle, it should be possible to design a conformationally locked oligosaccharide that still retains antibiotic activity but that is not susceptible to enzymatic inactivation. To explore the scope and limitations of this strategy, we have synthesized several aminoglycoside derivatives locked in the ribosome-bound "bioactive" conformation. The effect of the structural preorganization on RNA binding, together with its influence on the aminoglycoside inactivation by several enzymes involved in bacterial resistance, has been studied. Our results indicate that the conformational constraint has a modest effect on their interaction with ribosomal RNA. In contrast, it may display a large impact on their enzymatic inactivation. Thus, the work presented herein provides a key example of how the conformational differences exhibited by these ligands within the binding pockets of the ribosome and of those enzymes involved in bacterial resistance can, in favorable cases, be exploited for designing new antibiotic derivatives with improved activity in resistant strains.