A new method for the synthesis of carba-sugar enones (gabosines) using a mercury(II)-mediated opening of 4,5-cyclopropanated pyranosides as the key-step

The stereoselective transformation of the cyclopropyl derivative 2, stereoselectively obtained with the Simmons-Smith reaction of methyl 2,6-di-O-benzyl-α-l-threo-hex-4-enopyranoside (1), into gabosines and deoxy-carbahexoses is described. The treatment of 2 with mercuric trifluoroacetate in dry methanol gives the organomercuric chloride 3, which by demercuration with lithium aluminum hydride affords the 4-C-deoxy-4-methyl-1,5-bis-glycoside 4. The acid hydrolysis of 4 produces a mixture of the two diastereoisomeric 2-methyl-cyclohex-2-enones 6 and 7, catalytically reduced to carba-sugars 10 and 11. Structures and stereochemistry of all isolated compounds were determined by 1D and 2D NMR experiments.     

A New Strong-Acid Free Route to Produce Xanthan Gum-PANI Composite Scaffold Supporting Bioelectricity

Conductive hybrid xanthan gum (XG)–polyaniline (PANI) biocomposites forming 3D structures able to mimic electrical biological functions are synthesized by a strong-acid free medium. In situ aniline oxidative chemical polymerizations are performed in XG water dispersions to produce stable XG–PANI pseudoplastic fluids. XG–PANI composites with 3D architectures are obtained by subsequent freeze-drying processes. The morphological investigation highlights the formation of porous structures; UV–vis and Raman spectroscopy characterizations assess the chemical structure of the produced composites. I–V measurements evidence electrical conductivity of the samples, while electrochemical analyses point out their capability to respond to electric stimuli with electron and ion exchanges in physiological-like environment. Trial tests on prostate cancer cells evaluate biocompatibility of the XG–PANI composite. Obtained results demonstrate that a strong acid-free route produces an electrically conductive and electrochemically active XG–PANI polymer composite. The investigation of charge transport and transfer, as well as of biocompatibility properties of composite materials produced in aqueous environments, brings new perspective for exploitation of such materials in biomedical applications. In particular, the developed strategy can be used to realize biomaterials working as scaffolds that require electrical stimulations for inducing cell growth and communication or for biosignals monitoring and analysis.