Molecular Shield for Protection of Buckwheat Plants from UV-B Radiation

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) and common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) are adapted to growing in harsh conditions of high altitudes. Ultraviolet radiation at high altitudes strongly impacts plant growth and development. Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, protecting substances are synthesized in plants. The synthesis of UV-B defense metabolites is genetically conditioned, and their quantity depends on the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation to which the plants and plant parts are exposed. These substances include flavonoids, and especially rutin. Other substances with aromatic rings of six carbon atoms have a similar function, including fagopyrin, the metabolite specific for buckwheat. Defensive substances are formed in the leaves and flowers of common and Tartary buckwheat, up to about the same concentration in both species. In comparison, the concentration of rutin in the grain of Tartary buckwheat is much higher than in common buckwheat. Flavonoids also have other functions in plants so that they can protect them from pests and diseases. After crushing the grains, rutin is exposed to contact with the molecules of rutin-degrading enzymes. In an environment with the necessary humidity, rutin is turned into bitter quercetin under the action of rutin-degrading enzymes. This bitterness has a deterrent effect against pests. Moreover, flavonoids have important functions in human nutrition to prevent several chronic diseases, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, gallstone formation, and hypertension.     

Synthesis, conformation, and stereodynamics of a salt of 2-{[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- ethyl]propylamino}-1-pyridin-3-ylethanol

[reaction: see text] A novel synthetic route was developed for 2-{[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)ethyl]propylamino}-1-pyridin-3-ylethanol (4). A dynamic process due to nitrogen inversion at the central amine nitrogen has been identified by NMR spectroscopy for the dihydrobromide salt of this compound. The conformational properties of the diastereomeric pair were determined by analysis of NOE connectivities and MO calculations.     

Chromatographic and topological dependence in tracing of the hydrophobic properties with the selected disubstituted benzenes

The performed investigations give evidence of applicability of topological indices to the qualitative estimation of the hydrophobic properties with the selected disubstituted benzene derivatives.     

Unusual dynamic behavior in the isotropic phase of banana mesogens detected by 2H NMR line width and T2 measurements

In this work the first experimental observation of a peculiar behavior in the isotropic phase of liquid crystals by means of 2H NMR is reported. In particular, two five-ring banana-shaped mesogens, the 1,3-phenylenebis{4,4'-(11-undecenyloxy)benzoyloxy}benzoate (Pbis11BB) and its 4-chloro homologue (ClPbis11BB), selectively deuterium labeled on their central rings, are the subject of our investigation. The dynamic behavior of the two liquid crystals was studied in their isotropic phases and in the nematic phase of ClPbis11BB by means of 2H NMR line width and spin-spin relaxation time (T2) analysis. The results obtained reveal that the unusual line broadening observed in the 2H NMR spectra in the isotropic phase, even far above the isotropic phase-mesophase transition, has a homogeneous nature, thus indicating the presence of reorientational motions much slower than in conventional isotropic liquid-crystalline phases.     

Slater ice rules and H-bond dynamics in KDP-type systems

We report on the first observation of the dynamics of correlated hydrogen switching among the six Slater D2PO4 configurations, induced by unpaired D3PO4 and DPO4 Takagi group diffusion in a deuteron glass Rb0.5(ND4)0.5D2PO4. The results obtained by two-dimensional (2D) 31P exchange NMR prove the validity of the Slater-Takagi ice rules and allow for the direct determination of the correlation time for the unpaired Takagi group visits to a given D2PO4 group.     

Reactivity of anomeric 1alpha- and 1beta-pentofuranosyl azide derivatives in ammonia chemical ionization

Electron impact (EI), fast atom bombardment (FAB) and ammonia chemical ionization [CI(NH3)] mass spectrometry were applied with the aim of differentiating between the anomeric 1alpha- and 1beta-azidopentofuranosyl derivatives. Calculated ammonium affinities [AA(M)] and proton affinities [PA(M)] show that beta-anomers have higher affinities for H+ and NH4+ ions than alpha-azides. Protonated molecules, obtained by CI(NH3) of azidofuranosyl derivatives, lose HN3 giving abundant furanosyl (S+) ions. Ammonia solvation of MH+ ions competes with the previous reaction producing the [SNHN2NH3]+ ion, a competitive product to the ammonium-attached [SN3NH4]+ ion. The fragmentation pathways of the stable and metastable [MNH4]+, MH+ ions, and several other important fragment ions, were determined using mass analyzed ion kinetic energy spectrometry (MIKES). The abundance of the [SN3NH4]+ and/or [SNHN2NH3]+ ions was found to correlate inversely with the exothermicity of ammonia solvation of the MH+ ion. The abundance of the fragment ions [SNHNH3]+, [SNH3]+ and SNH+ in some examples correlates with the exothermicity of the corresponding [MNH4]+ and MH+ parent ion formation. The fragment ions SNH3+ and SNHNH3+ can be formed, at least in part, in the ammonia solvation reaction of the S+ and SNH+ ions taking place within the high-pressure region of the CI ion source.     

Extraction chromatography of common anions in liquid-liquid anion exchange systems. Part. III. Monobasic aliphatic organic acids and their sodium salts as eluants

Summary The chromatographic behaviour of anions on paper strips treated with tri-n-octylamine (TOA) salts or Aliquat 336 and developed with aqueous solutions of acetic, formic, monochloroacetic or trifluoroacetic acids and their sodium salts was investigated. Liquid-liquid extraction of organic acids by 0.1 M solution of TOA in benzene as well as the anion exchange between benzene solutions of TOA salts or Aliquat 336 (in acetate form) in benzene and aqueous solutions of sodium halides was also studied. It was found that extraction increases in the following order of the acids: CH₃COOOH<HCOOH<CH₂CICOOH<CF₃COOH; the relative affinity of organic anions to the quaternary alkyl-ammonium cation also increase in a similar order. The extraction of acid in excess over the amount necessary to neutralize the amine was observed for all four acids. The R_F values of anions investigated depend markedly on the type of organic acids or their salts and their concentration in the mobile phase. Halide ions are more strongly retained on paper treated with Aliquat 336 as compared with TOA salts. The chromatographic systems investigated offer many possibilities to separate various anion mixtures.Parts and II: refs. [1, 2].     

Silica gel modified with Eriochrome Blue SE as a sorbent in trace analysis for metal ions

The sorption of 14 metal ions on silica gel impregnated with a mixture of Aliquat 336 and Eriochrome Blue SE was investigated. It was found that the sorption behaviour depends upon the species and the pH of the loading solution. Alkali metal ions were not retained under any of the investigated conditions. The retained metal ions can be eluted with dilute solutions of hydrochloric or perchloric acid without significant elution of the chelating reagent from the sorbent. The sorbent was used for the separation of metal ion mixtures by column — extraction chromatography and for additional purification of some salt solutions from trace amounts of Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu. The effectiveness of purification was confirmed by anodic stripping voltammetry.