An extension of the fenchel theorem

We give an extension of the Fenchel-Borsuk result by introducing the total absolute torsion-curvature KT() for regular curves whose tangent indicatrix is a piecewise regular curve (-closed curves). We prove that KT() is low bounded by 2 and we give a geometric characterization for the -closed curves whose KT() is minimal.     

Mesophasic properties of low molecular weight analogues of nematogenic polycarbonates

The mesophasic behaviour of the following compounds has been investigated by DSC, X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy methods: CH₃(CH₂)₄-CO-R-A _n -R-CO-(CH₂)₄-CH₃,n=9 14, 16 CH₃(CH₂)₄-CO-R-B _n -R-CO-(CH₂)₄-CH₃,n=2, 3A _n=-CO-O-(CH₂)_n–4-O-CO-,B _n =-CO-(OCH₂CH₂) _n -O-CO-,R=-O-Ø-C(CH₃)=N-N=(CH₃)C-Ø-O-,Ø=-C₆H₄ They have been assumed to be low molecular weight models of homologous nematogenic polymers.All the examined compounds exhibit nematic mesomorphism. On complete analogy with the corresponding polymers, the thermodynamic data relative to the nematic-isotropic phase transition show a very reduced, if any, odd-even fluctuation. These data are compared with those obtained for very similar compounds, both polymeric and non-polymeric, containing ester linkages between the rigid and flexible groups, to provide evidence of the reliability of the dimeric compounds as models of the polymeric homologues.

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Zusammenfassung Das mesophasische Verhalten der folgenden Verbindungen wurde mittels DSC, Röntgendiffraktion und optischer Mikroskopie untersucht: CH₃(CH₂)₄-CO-R-A _n -R-CO-(CH₂)₄-CH₃;n=914, 16 CH₃(CH₂)₄-CO-R-B _n -R-CO-(CH₂)₄-CH₃;n=2, 3A _n =-CO-O-(CH₂)_n-4-O-CO-;B _n =-CO-(OCH₂CH₂)_n-O-CO-;R=-O-C₆H₄-C(CH₃)=N-N=(CH₃)C-C₆H₄-O-. Die Verbindungen wurden als Modelle homologer nematogener Polymere mit niedrigem Molekulargewicht angesehen. Alle untersuchten Verbindungen zeigen einen nematischen Mesomorphismus. Analog zu den entsprechenden Polymeren zeigen die sich auf den nematisch-isotropen Phasenübergang beziehenden thermodynamischen Daten eine, wenn überhaupt, sehr reduzierte ungerade-gerade Fluktuation. Diese Daten werden mit denen verglichen, die für sehr ähnliche, sowohl polymère als auch nicht-polymere Verbindungen mit Esterbindungen zwischen den starren und flexiblen Gruppen erhalten wurden, um Beweise für die Zuverlässigkeit der auf dimeren Verbindungen aufbauenden Modelle für polymère Homologe zu erhalten.

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, : CH₃(CH₂)₄-CO-R-A _n -R-CO-(CH₂)₄-CH₃ n=914,16 CH₃(CH₂)₄-CO-R-B _n -R-CO-(CH₂)₄-CH₃ n=2, 3A _n =-CO-O-(CH₂) _n–4-O-CO-;B _n =-CO-(OCH₂CN₂) _n -O-COR =-O--C(CH₃)=N-N=(CH₃)C--O- =C₆H₄ , . . — , , , - . , , ,

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The financial assistance of the Ministero Pubblica Istruzione is acknowledged.     

Application of liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry to the analysis of polyphenolic compounds from an infusion of Byrsonima crassa Niedenzu

A fast and reliable method, based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-ITMS), was developed to investigate the infusion prepared from the leaves of Byrsonima crassa Niedenzu (Malpighiaceae), a native plant used in Brazil against gastric disorders. The use of on-line reverse-phase HPLC/ESI-ITMS allowed separation of three major classes of compounds and identification of over 20 very polar compounds characterized as galloylquinic acids, proanthocyanidins, and flavonoid glycosides, as well as the dimeric flavonoid amentoflavone and minor amounts of galloyl hexose and galloyl saccharose. This approach provided data that will allow establishment of a method for a future standardization of the infusion.     

Effect of the gelation process on the production of alginate microbeads by microfluidic chip technology

The present paper reports the production of Ba-alginate microspheres by microfluidic chip technology. The general production strategy is based on the formation of an alginate multiphase flow by a 'Y' junction squeezing mechanism. Special emphasis is given to the relationship existing between the gelation process and the final morphological characteristics of the produced microbeads. A series of different gelation strategies, namely: 'external gelation', 'internal gelation' and 'partial gelation' were compared in terms of size, size distribution and morphology of the produced microbeads.     

Synthetic strategies to alpha-trifluoromethyl and alpha-difluoromethyl substituted alpha-amino acids

The combination of the unique physical and chemical properties of fluorine with proteinogenic amino acids represents a new approach to the design of biologically active compounds including peptides with improved pharmacological parameters. Therefore, the development of routine synthetic methods which enable the effective and selective introduction of fluorine into the desired amino acids from readily available starting materials is of significant synthetic importance. The scope of this critical review is to summarize the most frequently employed strategies for the synthesis of alpha-difluoromethyl and alpha-trifluoromethyl substituted alpha-amino acids (114 references).     

Reactivity of a phosphinito-bridged PtI-PtI complex with nucleophiles: substitution versus addition

As a result of the strong electrophilic character of the Pt bound to O, the phosphinito-bridged PtI complex [(PHCy2)Pt(micro-PCy2){kappa2P,O-micro-P(O)Cy2}Pt(PHCy2)](Pt-Pt) (1) undergoes attack at the O-bound Pt atom by molecules such as di- and tricyclohexylphosphane, dicyclohexylphosphane oxide, and dicyclohexylphosphane sulfide. Thus, reaction of 1 with PHCy2 gives the symmetric PtI dimer [(PHCy2)Pt(micro-PCy2)]2(Pt-Pt) (2), while the hydrido-bridged complex syn-[(PHCy2){kappaP-P(O)Cy2}Pt(micro-PCy2)(micro-H)Pt(PHCy2){kappaP-P(O)Cy2}](Pt-Pt) (4) is obtained from reaction of 1 with P(O)HCy2; the thiophosphinito complex [(PHCy2)Pt(micro-PCy2){kappa2P,S-micro-P(S)Cy2}Pt(PHCy2)](Pt-Pt) (8) forms selectively in reaction of 1 with P(S)HCy2. For comparison, the reaction with PCy3 results only in ligand substitution, affording [(PCy3)Pt(micro-PCy2){kappa2P,O-micro-P(O)Cy2}Pt(PHCy2)](Pt-Pt) (5). DFT studies confirmed the remarkable electrophilicity of the oxygen-bound Pt and shed light on the nature of the metal-metal bond in Pt dimers.     

New Antifungal Terpenoid Glycosides from Alibertia edulis (Rubiaceae)

Phytochemical investigation from the stems of Alibertia edulis led to the isolation and identification of a new iridoid 6β‐hydroxy‐7‐epigardoside methyl ester ( 1 ) and a new saponin 3β‐O‐[α‐L ‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl‐(1→2)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl]‐28‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside pomolate ( 2 ), along with three known compounds, shanzhiside methyl ester ( 3 ), ixoside ( 4 ), and 3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenyl 1‐O‐β‐D ‐apiofuranosyl‐(1→6)‐O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 5 ). The structures of 1 and 2 were established on the basis of their spectroscopic data. Iridoid 1 and saponin 2 exhibited moderate inhibitory activities against Candida albicans and C. krusei in a dilution assay.     

Palladium‐Promoted Carbon Monoxide/Ethylene/Styrene Terpolymerization Reaction: Throwing Light on the Different Reactivity of the Two Alkenes

The catalytic behavior of dicationic bis‐chelated Pd^II complexes, [Pd(N? N)₂][PF₆]₂, in the CO/ethylene/styrene terpolymerization reaction is studied in detail. The bidentate N‐donor ligands were chosen among 2,2′‐bipyridine ( 1 ), 1,10‐phenanthroline ( 3 ), their symmetrically substituted derivatives 2, 4 , and 5 , and 3‐alkyl‐substituted 1,10‐phenanthrolines 6 – 10 . The effect of several parameters (like temperature, CO/ethylene pressure, styrene content, reaction time) was investigated and related to the productivity of the catalytic system, to the relative content of the two olefins in the polymeric chains, and to the molecular mass of the synthesized polyketones. The presence of 1,4‐benzoquinone was necessary to reach productivities as high as 16 kg of terpolymer (TP) per gram of Pd. ¹³C‐NMR spectroscopy was useful to characterize the distribution of the two repetitive units along the polymer chain. Terpolymers with prevailingly isolated CO/styrene units in CO/ethylene blocks as well as terpolymers with CO/styrene and CO/ethylene blocks were obtained by varying the reaction conditions. Detailed MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis was performed on the CO/ethylene/styrene terpolymers for the first time, and it allowed us to characterize the end groups of the terpolymer chains. The presence of different chain end groups was found to be related to the initial amount of the two alkenes, thus suggesting that different reactions are involved in the initiation and termination steps of the terpolymerization catalytic cycle.     

Physical Characterization of Blends Based on Liquid Crystalline Polyesters and Amorphous Polymers

In this work the effect of the inclusion of low percentages of theliquid crystal polymer PET/PHBGO on the rheological and mechanical behaviour of Polycarbonate is described.