Cross-reactive arrays based on three-way junctions

We report herein a novel system for the parallel processing of molecular recognition events utilizing arrays of oligonucleotide-based fluorescent sensors to characterize hydrophobic molecules in solution. The binding domains of the sensors were based on three-way junctions that utilize double helical stems as framework regions to reliably fold regardless of variations in or around the binding domain. A reporting domain was introduced by the specific substitution of a single phosphodiester group with a phosphorothioate, followed by selective functionalization with a fluorophore. The sensors were organized into cross-reactive arrays to yield characteristic fingerprints for samples containing hydrophobic molecules. The fingerprints can be used to characterize steroids in solution, including complex biologically important fluids. Arrays have the potential for clinical applications such as the detection of gross errors in steroidogenesis.     

Electrochemical behaviour of rosmanol 9-ethyl ether,a diterpene lactone antioxidant isolated from sage

The electrochemical behaviour and mechanism of the redox process of the natural antioxidant rosmanol 9-ethyl ether, isolated fromSaliva officinalis L., were studied. The cyclic voltammograms of rosmanol 9-ethyl ether (R9EE), at characteristic pH values, and the electrochemical parameters for all investigated pH values were measured. Three characteristic pH regions, each with different behaviour of R9EE, were identified. In regions of pH < 4 and pH > 5 only one anodic peak appeared, whereas in the solutions of pH 4–5 two anodic peaks could be noted. The overall oxidation mechanism at pH < 4 is an e.H.e.H. oxidation mechanism, which as a final product gives a quinonic molecule. The influence of pH on the second oxidation peak potential tends towards zero in accordance with the preceding dissociation of the one of phenolic groups, thus suggesting an e.e.H. mechanism at pH > 5. This means that at the pH values expected in plant cells, R9EE has an unexpected structure, making this substance a potent antioxidant. Electrochemical and spectrophotometric measurements enabled us to establish an extremely low pK _a value (4.35) for R9EE.     

Ene-type reaction of trisubstituted monoterpene alkenes with methyl sulfite and thionyl chloride

Trisubstituted methylalkenes react with methyl sulfite at 25°C in the presence of BF₃ · Et₂O in the ene-type fashion to give the corresponding methallyl sulfinates. Such compounds can also be prepared under considerably milder conditions by the Et₂AlCl-catalyzed reaction of thionyl chloride with mono- and dienes followed by methanolysis of intermediate alkyl sulfinyl chlorides. These reactions represent a new method for terminal functionalization of linear isoprenoids.Deceased Nov.1, 1992.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 105–107, January, 1993.     

Synthesis and structure of tricyclic furanosesquiterpenoids related to pallescensin A

Electrophilic cyclization of (cyclo)farnesanes containing anexo-methylene group in the a-isoprenoid unit smoothly gives regio- and stereoisomeric octalins subsequently transformed to tricyclic furanosesquiterpenoids related to metabolites of some marine organisms.Deceased.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 156–163, January, 1994.The authors are grateful to the representative of the Bruker company in Moscow, Uve Eichhof, who allowed us to use an AMX-400 spectrometer.     

Development and Evaluation of a Kinetic‐Spectrophotometric Method for Determination of Arginine

A kinetic method for the determination of micro quantities of amino acid arginine (Arg) is described in this paper. The catalytic activity of cobalt in the reaction of oxidation of purpurin (1,2,4‐trihydroxy‐antraquinone, PP) by hydrogen peroxide in alkaline buffer solution decreases in the presence of micro quantities of arginine, because of the formation of the complex. Operating conditions for the successful determination of arginine were optimized. The optimized conditions yielded a theoretical detection limit of 1.45 μg mL^?1. Kinetic equations are proposed for the investigated process. The interference effects of certain foreign ions and amino acids upon the reaction rate were studied and removed in order to assess the selectivity of the method. The developed procedure was successfully applied to the determination of arginine in various pharmaceutical samples. The typical feature of this procedure is that determination can be carried out at room temperature and in a short analysis time. The newly developed method is simple, inexpensive and efficient for use in the analysis of a large number of samples.     

Complex compounds of tetracycline with WO 4 2− and MoO 4 2− ions. Investigation by pH-metric and conductometric methods

By using pH-metric and conductometric methods it has been found that tetracycline (H₃TC) forms with WO ₄ ^2– and MoO ₄ ^2– ions the following complex compounds: [WO₃HTC]^2–, [WO₃(H₂TC)₂]^2– and [MoO₃(H₂TC)₂]^2–. Stability constants log/gb ₁ ^k =7.86 and log ₁ ^k =7.80 for [WO₃HTC]^2– and [MoO₃HTC]^2–, respectively, have been calculated from pH-metric measurements.     

Macrocyclic vs acyclic derivatives of chiral bis(oxazolines); ligand distortion and enantioselectivity of Pd(II) complexes in catalytic allylic alkylation

Pd(II) complexes of acyclic (1,2;4,5) and macrocyclic (3,6-10) derivatives of 1,5-bis(oxazolines), are tested in the enantioselective allylic alkylation of racemic 1,3-diphenyl-3-acetoxyprop-2-ene (14) by dimethylmalonate anion to allyl malonate derivative 15. Conformation in solution of representative allyl Pd(II) complexes 12 and 13 is studied by 2D NMR and CD spectroscopy. 2D NMR data reveal loss of C₂ symmetry of the ligands in Pd(II)allyl-bis(oxazoline) complexes. CD spectra indicate distortion of the bidentate ligand in the complex and a conformationally forced larger twist between two chromophores in the macrocyclic complex. Only moderate variation of enantioselectivity with the length and ring size of the ligand is observed, and a rationale offered.