Detecting proximities between quadrupolar nuclei by double-quantum NMR

A robust, easy to optimize, and efficient homonuclear correlation NMR experiment for half-integer quadrupolar nuclei in solids is described and has been experimentally tested on anhydrous Na2HPO4-(23Na, S= 3/2 nucleus) and as-synthesized AlPO4-14 (27Al, S= 5/2 nucleus), an aluminophosphate molecular sieve.     

Improvement in the synthesis of metallophthalocyanines using microwave irradiation

A successful application of microwave irradiation, in which phthalocyanines were synthesized under solventless conditions from 1,2-phthalonitrile or phthalic anhydride and urea in the presence of metal templates is described. It was found that in comparison with conventional heating, the microwave process is a very useful alternative for cyclotetramerization processes because of reduction of the reaction time, better yield, and easy-to-perform procedure.     

The relative susceptibility to racemization of L- and D-residues in peptide synthesis

An activated D-residue of a protected dipeptide when coupled racemizes twice as much as an activated L-residue, which is contrary to the case for couplings of acylamino acids.     

Microanalysis of Si,S and Zn in GaSb by use of direct observation of (p,p′γ) reactions

The use of direct observation of nuclear reactions (p,p′γ) is discussed. The main characteristics of this method are presented and applied to the case of the miroanalysis of Si, S and Zn in GaSb.     

Analysis of the structure of very large bacterial aggregates by small-angle multiple light scattering and confocal image analysis

This work aims at developing a more accurate measurement of the physical parameters of fractal dimension and the size distribution of large fractal aggregates by small-angle light scattering. The theory of multiple scattering has been of particular interest in the case of fractal aggregates for which Rayleigh theory is no longer valid. The introduction of multiple scattering theory into the interpretation of scattering by large bacterial aggregates has been used to calculate the fractal dimension and size distribution. The fractal dimension is calculated from the form factor F(q) at large scattering angles. At large angles the fractal dimension can also be computed by considering only the influence of the very local environment on the optical contrast around a subunit. The fractal dimensions of E. coli strains flocculated with two different cationic polymers have been computed by two techniques: static light scattering and confocal image analysis. The fractal dimensions calculated with both techniques at different flocculation times are very similar: between 1.90 and 2.19. The comparison between two completely independent techniques confirms the theoretical approach of multiple scattering of large flocs using the Mie theory. Size distributions have been calculated from light-scattering data taking into account the linear independence of the structure factor S(q) relative to each size class and using the fractal dimension measured from F(q) in the large-angle range or from confocal image analysis. The results are very different from calculations made using hard-sphere particle models. The size distribution is displaced toward the larger sizes when multiple scattering is considered. Using this new approach to the analysis of very large fractal aggregates by static light multiple scattering, the fractal dimension and size distribution can be calculated using two independent parts of the scattering curve.     

Supramolecular porphyrin-fullerene via 'two-point' binding strategy: axial-coordination and cation-crown ether complexation

A highly stable porphyrin-fullerene conjugate with defined distance and orientation, was formed using a newly developed 'two-point' binding strategy involving axial-coordination and cation-crown ether complexation; photochemical studies performed in benzonitrile revealed efficient charge separation and slow charge-recombination in the supramolecular complex.     

Thermal investigations on γ-radiation processed natural medicinal products (Ashwagandha,Amla and Hartiki)

DSC and TG studies were carried out on -radiation processed Indian natural products of medicinal importance, namely Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera), Amla (Emblica Officinalis) and Hartiki (Terminalia chebula). DSC thermoanalytical curves were recorded from 35 to 400°C in air and nitrogen atmosphere. Similarly, TG thermoanalytical curves were taken from 35 to 700°C in air and nitrogen atmosphere. Irradiated products gave significantly different thermoanalytical profiles in comparison to non-irradiated samples. The differences were observed above decomposition temperature of 200°C and were non-linear with respect to radiation dose. Partial oxidation of the products during irradiation in air could be responsible for the observed differences.     

Regioselective palladium-catalyzed phenylation of ethyl 4-oxazolecarboxylate

The efficient and regioselective palladium-catalyzed C-2 arylation of ethyl 4-oxazolecarboxylate 1 with phenyliodide is described. The different parameters (solvent, base, ligand and catalyst) for the optimal conditions of this arylation process have been screened.     

Hexaphosphapentaprismane: a new gateway to organophosphorus cage compound chemistry

Several independent synthetic routes are described leading to the formation of a novel unsaturated tetracyclic phosphorus carbon cage compound tBu4C4P6 (1), which undergoes a light-induced valence isomerization to produce the first hexaphosphapentaprismane cage tBu4C4P6 (2). A second unsaturated isomer tBu4C4P6 (9) of 1 and the bis-[W(CO)5] complex 13 of 1 are stable towards similar isomerization reactions. Another starting material for the synthesis of the hexaphosphapentaprismane cage tBu4C4P6 (2) is the trimeric mercury complex [(tBu4C4P6)Hg]3 (11), which undergoes elimination of mercury to afford the title compound 2. Single-crystal X-ray structural determinations have been carried out on compounds 1, 2, 9, 11, and 13.     

MODULATION OF 8-METHOXYPSORALEN-DNA PHOTOADDUCT FORMATION BY CELL DIFFERENTIATION, MITOGENIC STIMULATION AND PHORBOL ESTER EXPOSURE IN MURINE T LYMPHOCYTES

Abstract The effects of cell differentiation and mitogen and phorbol ester stimulation on the formation of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP)-DNA photoadducts in murine T lymphocytes were examined using ³H-8-MOP. While there were no significant differences in 8-MOP photoadduct formation among BALB/c thymocytes, splenocytes, splenic T cells and MRL/1pr lymph node cells, BALB/c bone marrow cells showed fewer photoadducts than did the lymphocytes. This suggested that proliferating progenitor cells may be resistant to 8-MOP photoadduct formation. Incubation of purified splenic T cells with lectin mitogens for 2 h or with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 2–43 h resulted in reduction of 8-MOP photoadduct formation in the DNA, whereas 64 h cultivation with these agents augmented the photoadduct formation. The reduction of photoadduct formation induced by phytohemagglutinin was restored by the further addition of a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, H-7, to the culture. Thus, it is assumed that the reduction of adduct formation evoked by mitogens and PMA is mediated in part by the activation of PKC in the cells. On the other hand, the augmentation of the adduct formation induced by the longer-period cultures with mitogens and PMA appeared to be caused by down-regulation of PKC. The present study showed that the stimulatory signals in which PKC is presumably involved affect the ability of cells to form 8-MOP-DNA photoadducts.