Métallation et alkylation des thioimidoesters: application en synthèse

Alkylation of delocalized anions resulting from metallation of N-phenyl thioimidoesters (precursors of dithioesters and thiolesters) takes place on nitrogen with “saturated” thioimidoesters (alkane thiomidates). On the contrary, unsaturated thiomidoesters (α or β-ethylenic, α-arylated) are regioselectively alkylated on the α carbon atom by alkyl or allylic halides. The possibilities for synthesis offered by successive uses of the reactivities of thioimidoester and dithioester functions (allowing in particular two electrophilic additions on two vicinal carbons) are illustrated by the syntheses of terpenic compounds lavandulal (and lavandulol) and ar-curcumene.     

The reactant state for substrate-activated turnover of acetylthiocholine by butyrylcholinesterase is a tetrahedral intermediate

Secondary beta-deuterium kinetic isotope effects have been measured as a function of substrate concentration for recombinant human butyrylcholinesterase-catalyzed hydrolysis of acetyl-L3-thiocholine (L = 1H or 2H). The isotope effect on V/K is inverse, D3V/K = 0.93 +/- 0.03, which is consistent with conversion of the sp2 hybridized carbonyl carbon of the scissile ester bond of the E + A reactant state to a quasi-tetrahedral structure in the acylation transition state. In contrast, the isotope effect on Vmax under conditions of substrate activation is markedly normal, D3(betaVmax) = 1.29 +/- 0.06, an observation that is consistent with accumulation of a tetrahedral intermediate as the reactant state for catalytic turnover. Generally, tetrahedral intermediates for nonenzymatic ester hydrolyses are high-energy steady-state intermediates. Apparently, butyrylcholinesterase displays an unusual ability to stabilize such intermediates. Hence, the catalytic power of cholinesterases can largely be understood in terms of their ability to stabilize tetrahedral intermediates in the multistep reaction mechanism.     

Biocompatible polymers for antibody support on gold surfaces

The elimination or minimization of non-specific protein adsorption from serum is critical for the use of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors for in vitro and in vivo analysis of complex biological solutions. The ultimate goals in this application are to minimize non-specific adsorption of protein and to maximize analyte signal. A reduction of the non-specific protein adsorption from serum of up to 73% compared to carboxymethylated-dextran 500 kDa (CM-dextran) was achieved following a survey of eight biocompatible polymers and 10 molecular weights of CM-dextran. These coatings minimize non-specific adsorption on the sensor while also serving as immobilization matrices for antibody fixation to the probes. Polymers including polysaccharides: CM-dextrans, CM-hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid, and alginic acid were investigated. Humic acid, polylactic acid, polyacrylic acid, orthopyridyldisuldfide–polyethyleneglycol–N-hydroxysuccinimide (OPSS–PEG–NHS), and a synthesized polymer; polymethacrylic-acid-co-vinyl-acetate (PMAVA) were also used. The non-specific protein adsorption reduction was measured over a 14 day period at 0 °C for each polymer. Calibration curves using some of these polymers were constructed to show the performance and low detection limit possibilities of these new antibody supports. For many of the polymers, this is the first demonstration of employment as an antibody support for an optical or surface active sensor. CM-dextran is the polymer offering the largest signal for the antigen detection. However, the biocompatible polymers demonstrate a greater stability to non-specific binding in serum. These biocompatible polymers offer different alternatives for CM-dextran.     

Construction and analytical applications of a liquid-state iodide-selective electrode with a metal complex as exchanging site

Summary A new type of liquid-membrane iodide-selective electrode based on a 0.001M solution of tris(l,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II) iodide in 1,2-dichlorobenzene is described. The electrode has Nernstian behaviour down to 7×1O^–6M iodide. It has good selectivity towards halide (k _{I, Cl}=5.3×10^–6 andk _{I, Br}=1.6×10^–4) and other inorganic ions, and a linear response to iodide at pH-values from 3 to 9. It can be used either in direct iodide analyses or in potentiometric titrations. Titration of halide mixtures or of pseudohalides is also possible. The method has been used for determining the free formaldehyde present in dispersing agents.

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Herstellung und analytische Anwendung einer jodid-spezifischen Elektrode mit Flüssigmembran mit einem Metallkomplex als Austauscher

Zusammenfassung Eine neue jodid-spezifische Flüssig-Membran-Elektrode auf der Basis einer 0,001 M Lösung von Tris(1,10-phenanthrolin)-Ruthenium(II)-jodid in 1,2-Dichlorbenzol wurde beschrieben. Sie zeigt Nernstsches Verhalten bis zu 7×10^–8 M Jodid, gute Selektivität gegenüber Halogeniden (k _{I, Cl}=5,3× 10^–6 undk _{I, Br}=1,6×10^–4) und anderen anorganischen Ionen und ein lineares Verhalten gegenüber Jodid bei pH 3–9. Die Elektrode läßt sich für direkte Jodidbestimmungen oder für potentiometrische Titrationen verwenden. Die Titration von Halogenidgemischen oder Pseudohalogeniden ist ebenfalls möglich. Das Verfahren wurde zur Bestimmung von freiem Formaldehyd in Dispersionsmitteln verwendet.

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Presented at the 8th International Microchemical Symposium, Graz, August 25–30, 1980.     

Microwave spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance study of the molecular geometry of 2-fluorophenylisocyanate

Analysis of the microwave spectra of the vibrational ground state of 2-fluorophenyl-isocyanate in the gaseous state shows the existence of a single planar cis conformer. Rotational spectra of the excited torsional states out of the plane and spectra of in-plane vibrations have also been studied. MINDO III type theoretical calculations corroborate the experimental results. Similarly, the configuration of 2-fluorophenylisocyanate in the liquid phase has been studied by NMR using the chemical shift reagent, Eu(fod)₃. Induced paramagnetic shifts have been measured on the ¹³C spectra, for different quantities of the reagent. The results clearly show a higher paramagnetic shift for the carbon bonded to the fluorine atom than for the other nuclei of the aromatic cycle (with the exception of the quaternary carbon), indicating the probable presence of the cis isomer.     

Early Stages of Crystallization in Gel Derived ZrO2 Precursors

Three different precursor materials giving rise to contrasted nanostructures, xerogels, aerogels and precipitates, are prepared by a sol gel route in the Zrn -propoxide—acetylacetone—water—n-propanol system. Clear homogeneous gels are made by using a proper amount of acetylacetone and water. The gels are dried either by conventional processing (xerogels) or by supercritical evacuation of alcoholic solvent (aerogels). The complexation ratio (R = [acetylacetone]/[Zr(OR)₄]) is the main parameter controlling the size of ZrO₂ primary particles. WhenR = 0 , precipitates are obtained.Xerogels, aerogels and precipitates are characterized and their textures are compared through small angle X-ray scattering measurements. The fractal structure of gels is destroyed by conventional drying and is preserved in aerogels. On the other hand precipitates are described as homogeneous agglomerates of very small primary units.The first crystallization steps are studied by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments. The contribution of crystallite size and microstrain effects are investigated by Rietveld whole pattern fitting. The crystallization of precipitate powders starts at the agglomerate scale with large crystal like distorted lattices.     

Determination of phenolic compounds by MALDI–TOF and essential oil composition by GC–MS during three development stages of Origanum majorana L.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the maturation process of sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana L.) on essential oil composition, the phenolic profile of ethanolic extract and their antioxidant capacities. The essential oil composition was studied at three stages of maturity by GC–MS. Thirty compounds were detected representing 100% of the total essential oil. p‐Menth‐1‐en‐4‐ol was the major compound (37.15–76.94%) followed by cyclohexanol‐3,3,5 trimethyl (5.41–15.99%) and α‐terpineol (0.94–11.34%). During the maturation process, an accumulation of oxygenated monoterpenes was observed. The phenolic composition was studied using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight. The analysis showed the presence of short flavonoid monomers at all stages of maturation. The antioxidant capacity of ethanolic extracts and essential oils was evaluated using the DPPH assay, iron chelating power and reducing power assay. The highest phenolic content and antioxidant capacity were found at flowering stage. These findings on essential oil composition, phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of O. majorana at three different stages of development provide more information on how these secondary metabolites are accumulated.     

New Chiral Ortho-P,S-Difunctionalized Aromatic Compounds

Abstract

A new method to prepare enantioenriched sulfinates was developed to obtain optically active ortho-methylsulfinyl(phenylphosphonates). It consists of a diastereoselective oxidation of sulfenates to sulfinates. Additionally, preliminary results concerning the synthesis of ortho-phophonylated benzylic thiol derivatives via a new P═S to P═C [1,4]-rearrangement and a first synthetic application of these compounds are also described.