Inclusion of Two PhP(O)(OH) 2 Guest Molecules into the Cavity of Macrocyclic Cavidand Cucurbit[8]uril

A new inclusion compound which is a supramolecular adduct of cucurbit[8]uril with two guest molecules of phenylphosphonic acid, PhP(O)(OH)₂, included into the cavity as ``two guests in host'' is reported. The guests match both size and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity requirements. Two phenyl groups of molecules of PhP(O)(OH)₂ are directed toward the center of the large hydrophobic cavity whereas the PO(OH)₂ groups are outward-looking and bound with each hydrophilic portal of cucurbit[8]uril by a short hydrogen bond.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Magnetic Properties of New Dinuclear Copper(II) Complexes with N,N′‐Disubstituted Dithiooxamides derived from α‐Amino Acids

Four new dinuclear copper(II) complexes have been synthesized and have the general formula [Cu₂(L)(H₂O)₂], where L = GLYDTO [N,N′‐bis(carboxymethyl)dithiooxamide], ALADTO [N,N′‐bis(carboxyethyl)dithiooxamide], VALDTO [N,N′‐bis(1‐carboxy‐2‐methylpropyl)dithiooxamide] and LEUDTO [N,N′‐bis(1‐carboxy‐3‐methylbutyl)dithiooxamide]. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis as well as by IR, electronic and EPR spectroscopy. These techniques provided evidence for the presence of the CuNO₂S chromophore. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on all the complexes in the range 4–300 K show the existence of a dominant antiferromagnetic interaction with ?J values greater than 300 cm^?1. Thermal decomposition behaviour of the complexes was studied by thermogravimetry.     

Palladium complexes of phosphinamine ligands in the intramolecular asymmetric Heck reaction

The synthesis of two novel cyclisation substrates for the asymmetric intramolecular Heck reaction is reported. Their cyclisation, in addition to a known substrate for cis-decalin formation, were tested with palladium complexes of BINAP and heterobidentate oxazoline-containing ligands. In general BINAP provides a more active catalyst system for the range of substrates tested although excellent enantioselectivities of up to 85% were obtained with the P,N ligands studied. A trend was noted whereby the t-leucine-derived oxazoline ligands were more reactive and enantioselective than the valine-derived analogues. Similarly, the diphenylphosphinoferrocenyloxazoline ligands were more reactive and selective than the corresponding diphenylphosphinophenyloxazoline ligands.     

Recent Advances in Electropolymerized Conducting Polymers in Amperometric Biosensors

Conducting electroactive polymers (CPs) are materials discovered just over 20 years ago which have aroused considerable interest on account of their electronic conducting properties and unique chemical and biochemical properties. Consequently, they have numerous (bio)analytical and technological applications. CPs are easily synthesized and deposited onto the conductive surface of a given substrate from monomer solutions by electrochemical polymerization with precise electrochemical control of their formation rate and thickness. Coating electrodes with CPs under mild conditions opens up enormous possibilities for the immobilization of biomolecules and bioaffinity or biorecognizing reagents, the improvement of their electrocatalytic properties, rapid electron transfer and direct communication to produce a range of analytical signals and new analytical applications. Co-immobilization of other molecules (enzymatic co-factors or charge-transfer mediators) by entrapment within electropolymerized films or by covalent binding on these films permits straightforward fabrication of reagentless biosensors. The characteristics of CPs and their uses, mainly in amperometric biosensors, are reviewed. The most recent applications and lines of research related to CP films are summarized in the different sections of the paper, and probable future trends are discussed.     

Low power upconversion using MLCT sensitizers

Selective low energy excitation of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition in [Ru(dmb)(3)](2+)(dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) in the presence of anthracene or 9,10-diphenylanthracene yields easily visualized upconverted singlet fluorescence resulting from triplet-triplet annihilation at low excitation power.     

Synthesis of homoceramides, novel ceramide analogues, and their lack of effect on the growth of hippocampal neurons

The synthesis of a new series of D-erythro-homoceramide analogues is described. Several synthetic approaches were investigated. Homoceramides can be successfully synthesized from L-homoserine as chiral building block and a protected Weinreb-amide as a key intermediate. The synthesis of short-chain analogues with a heptyl side chain, as well as with a phenyl residue in the sphingoid part (instead of the naturally occurring tridecyl side chain), was effected. The homoceramides 15-17 and 24 were investigated for their potential to reverse the inhibitory effect of fumonisin B(1) on axonal growth. Unfortunately, none of the tested compounds showed any biological activity due to their lack of metabolism to glucosylhomoceramide.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted pyrrolidines via addition to N-acyliminium ions

An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of trans-2,3-disubstituted pyrrolidines is described. The intermolecular alkylation of racemic N-acyliminium ions generated in situ from the corresponding 3-substituted lactams proceeds stereoselectively and in high yield.     

Catalytic DNA-and RNA-hydrolyzing antibodies from milk of healthy human mothers

Various catalytically active antibodies (Abs), or abzymes, have been detected recently in the sera of patients with autoimmune pathologies, in whom their presence is probably associated with autoimmunization. Normal humans are generally not considered to have abzymes, since no obvious immunizing factors are present. Here is shown by different methods that IgG from the milk of normal females possesses both DNase and RNase activities. The activities were also present in the IgG F(ab′)₂ and Fab fragments. Affinity modification of IgG by the chemically reactive derivative of an oligonucleotide led to preferential modification of the L chain of IgG. After separation of the subunits by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis in a gel containing DNA, an in-gel assay showed DNase activity in the L chain. The L chain separated by affinity chromatography on DNA-cellulose was catalytically active. These findings speak in favor of the generation of cat alytic Abs by the immune system of healthy mothers. It is known that the treatment of adults with DNases and RNases offers protection from viral and bacterial diseases. Since breast milk protects the infants from infec tions until the immune system is developed, this raises the possibility that catalytic Abs like nucleases, may possess a protective role.     

Stéréosélectivité et régiosélectivité de la réduction des cyclopropènes-2,3 et méthylène-2 cyclopropanes fonctionalisés en position 1

Reduction of 2 cyclopropenyl esters and alcohols with lithium aluminium hydride is selective; at low temperatures (0°) the double bond is not reduced, but at higher temperatures (65°) the reduction is complete and only the cyclopropylmethanol is obtained. The reduction of the double bond is regioselective (the most stable carbanion is formed) and stereospecific (the hydride attack on the double bond occurs cis to the functional group). This stereospecificity can be explained through the initial formation of an alkoxylaluminium hydride followed by an intramolecular reduction of the double bond. Similar results have been obtained in the reduction of functionalised methylenecyclopropanes.     

On the Hilbert Evolution Algebras of a Graph

Evolution algebras are a special class of nonassociative algebras exhibiting connections with various fields of mathematics. Hilbert evolution algebras generalize the concept in the framework of Hilbert spaces. This allows us to deal with a wide class of infinite-dimensional spaces. We study Hilbert evolution algebras associated to a graph. Inspired by the definitions of evolution algebras we define the Hilbert evolution algebra that is associated to a given graph and the Hilbert evolution algebra that is associated to the symmetric random walk on a graph. For a given graph, we provide the conditions for these structures to be or not to be isomorphic. Our definitions and results extend to the graphs with infinitely many vertices. We also develop a similar theory for the evolution algebras associated to finite graphs.