Automated,Accelerated Nanoscale Synthesis of Iminopyrrolidines

Miniaturization and acceleration of synthetic chemistry is an emerging area in pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and materials research and development. Herein, we describe the synthesis of iminopyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid derivatives using chiral glutamine, oxo components, and isocyanide building blocks in an unprecedented Ugi-3-component reaction. We used I-DOT, a positive-pressure-based low-volume and non-contact dispensing technology to prepare more than 1000 different derivatives in a fully automated fashion. In general, the reaction is stereoselective, proceeds in good yields, and tolerates a wide variety of functional groups. We exemplify a pipeline of fast and efficient nanomole-scale scouting to millimole-scale synthesis for the discovery of a useful novel reaction with great scope.     

Conformational and electronic study of dopamine interacting with the D2 dopamine receptor

We report an exhaustive conformational and electronic study on dopamine (DA) interacting with the D₂ dopamine receptor (D₂DR). For the first time, the complete surface of the conformational potential energy of the complex DA/D₂DR is reported. Such a surface was obtained through the use of QM/MM calculations. A detailed study of the molecular interactions that stabilize and destabilize the different molecular complexes was carried out using two techniques: Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules computations and nuclear magnetic shielding constants calculations. A comparative study of the behavior of DA in the gas phase, aqueous solution, and in the active site of D₂DR has allowed us to evaluate the degree of deformation suffered by the ligand and, therefore, analyze how rustic are the lock-key model and the induced fit theory in this case. Our results allow us to propose one of the conformations obtained as the “biologically relevant” conformation of DA when it is interacting with the D₂DR.     

Measuring the Stability of Supramolecular Complexes in the Proximity of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The decoration of SWNTs with supramolecular motifs is a common strategy for their subsequent noncovalent functionalization. However, due to the lack of a standard methodology, there are no quantitative measurements showing the extent to which the supramolecular equilibria are affected by one of the host-guest couple being anchored to the SWNT. Here, we use a method we initially developed to quantify association of small organic molecules to the walls of SWNTs to compare association constants of two host-guest systems, a Hamilton receptor-cyanuric acid derivative and a crown ether-ammonium couple, in solution and when the host is covalently attached to the SWNTs. Our data show that association does occur, but the stability of the complexes is significantly affected, as reflected in a sizable reduction in their association constant, when compared to solution.     

Raman Optical Activity (ROA) as a New Tool to Elucidate the Helical Structure of Poly(phenylacetylene)s

Poly(phenylacetylene)s are a family of helical polymers constituted by conjugated double bonds. Raman spectra of these polymers show a structural fingerprint of the polyene backbone which, in combination with its helical orientation, makes them good candidates to be studied by Raman optical activity (ROA). Four different well‐known poly(phenylacetylene)s adopting different scaffolds and ten different helical senses have been prepared. Raman and ROA spectra were recorded and allowed to establish ROA‐spectrum/helical‐sense relationships: a left/right‐handed orientation of the polyene backbone (M_helix/P_helix) produces a triplet of positive/negative ROA bands. Raman and ROA spectra of each polymer exhibited the same profile, and the sign of the ROA spectrum was opposite to the lowest‐energy electronic circular dichroism (ECD) band, indicating a resonance effect. Resonance ROA appears then as an indicator of the helical sense of poly(phenylacetylene)s, especially for those with an extra Cotton band in the ECD spectrum, where a wrong helical sense is assigned based on ECD, while ROA alerts of this misassignment.     

Molecular Characteristics and Antioxidant Activity of Spruce (Picea abies) Hemicelluloses Isolated by Catalytic Oxidative Delignification

Spruce (Picea abies) wood hemicelluloses have been obtained by the noncatalytic and catalytic oxidative delignification in the acetic acid-water-hydrogen peroxide medium in a processing time of 3–4 h and temperatures of 90–100 °C. In the catalytic process, the H₂SO₄, MnSO₄, TiO₂, and (NH₄)₆Mo₇O₂₄ catalysts have been used. A polysaccharide yield of up to 11.7 wt% has been found. The hemicellulose composition and structure have been studied by a complex of physicochemical methods, including gas and gel permeation chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The galactose:mannose:glucose:arabinose:xylose monomeric units in a ratio of 5:3:2:1:1 have been identified in the hemicelluloses by gas chromatography. Using gel permeation chromatography, the weight average molar mass M_w of hemicelluloses has been found to attain 47,654 g/mol in noncatalytic delignification and up to 42,793 g/mol in catalytic delignification. Based on the same technique, a method for determining the α and k parameters of the Mark–Kuhn–Houwink equation for hemicelluloses has been developed; it has been established that these parameters change between 0.33–1.01 and 1.57–472.17, respectively, depending on the catalyst concentration and process temperature and time. Moreover, the FTIR spectra of the hemicellulose samples contain all the bands characteristic of heteropolysaccharides, specifically, 1069 cm⁻¹ (C–O–C and C–O–H), 1738 cm⁻¹ (ester C=O), 1375 cm⁻¹ (–C–CH₃), 1243 cm⁻¹ (–C–O–), etc. It has been determined by the thermogravimetric analysis that the hemicelluloses isolated from spruce wood are resistant to heating to temperatures of up to ~100 °C and, upon further heating, start destructing at an increasing rate. The antioxidant activity of the hemicelluloses has been examined using the compounds simulating the 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl free radicals.     

Comparison of a Rapid Light-Induced and Forced Test to Study the Oxidative Stability of White Wines

The oxidation processes of white wines can occur during storage and commercialization due to several factors, and these can negatively affect the color, aroma, and quality of the wine. Wineries should have faster and simpler methods that provide valuable information on oxidation stability of wines and allow fast decision-making procedures, able to trigger suitable technological interventions. Using a portable prototype instrument for light irradiations at different wavelengths and times was considered and evaluated on sensorial, spectrophotometric, and colorimetric parameters of white wines. The sensorial analysis revealed that white and light blue were the most significant, after only 1 h of irradiation. The experimental results showed that hydrogen peroxide could enhance the effect of light treatment, allowing a contemporary evaluation of the oxidation stability of wine against light and chemical stresses. As expected, a good correlation (R² > 0.89) between optical density at 420 nm and b* parameter was highlighted. The synergic effect of light and H₂O₂ was also studied on the hydrolyzable and condensed tannins’ additions to white wine. The proposed methodology could be used to evaluate the oxidative stability of white wines, but also to evaluate the effect of some oenological adjuvants on wine stability.     

Mechanically Interlocked Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Extensive research has been devoted to the chemical manipulation of carbon nanotubes. The attachment of molecular fragments through covalent‐bond formation produces kinetically stable products, but implies the saturation of some of the C? C double bonds of the nanotubes. Supramolecular modification maintains the structure of the SWNTs but yields labile species. Herein, we present a strategy for the synthesis of mechanically interlocked derivatives of SWNTs (MINTs). In the key rotaxane‐forming step, we employed macrocycle precursors equipped with two π‐extended tetrathiafulvalene SWNT recognition units and terminated with bisalkenes that were closed around the nanotubes through ring‐closing metathesis (RCM). The mechanically interlocked nature of the derivatives was probed by analytical, spectroscopic, and microscopic techniques, as well as by appropriate control experiments. Individual macrocycles were observed by HR STEM to circumscribe the nanotubes.     

Investigation of anthropic effects connected with metal ions concentration, organic matter and grain size in Bormida river sediments

An investigation on the sediment composition and grain size was carried out along the Bormida river (Piedmont, Northern Italy). The samples were taken both in the riverbed and on its banks. Multivariate statistical exploratory methods permitted to identify possible sources of primary pollution. In particular, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that there are probably at least three anthropogenic main causes of pollution, one connected with Cr, Ni and Sn, the second with cadmium and the last one with mercury. Some correlations were found between heavy metal ion concentrations and organic matter and/or the sediment grain size. Differences between the samples collected in the riverbed and on the banks were identified and the relationships between the principal components and the distance of the samples from the riverbed and from the hot spot represented by the ACNA industrial site were also analyzed.