An epiisopicropodophyllin aza analogue via palladium-catalyzed pseudo-domino cyclization

A new aza analogue of epiisopicropodophyllin (the C-3 epimer of podophyllotoxin) has been synthesized exploiting two original strategic steps. Rings A/B and E are entered at an early stage via a cationic benzhydrylation process. A palladium-catalyzed pseudo-domino (Pd-PDOM) intramolecular process generates rings C/D in a single synthetic operation.     

Efficient approach to the unknown isoxazolo[3,4-d]thieno[2,3-b]pyridine system by regioselective intramolecular nitrone cycloadditions

An effective approach to the new isoxazolo[3,4-d]thieno[2,3-b]pyridine system was provided by way of an intramolecular nitrone cycloaddition. The required nitrones were built in good yields starting from thiophene-2-carboxylic acids. The same skeleton was achieved in optically active form employing chiral nitrones derived from N-α-methylbenzyl- and the N-α-hydroxymethylbenzyl-hydroxylamines. The absolute configuration of the products was assigned by X-ray analysis.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the atmosphere: monitoring, sources, sinks and fate. I: Monitoring and sources

This is the first of a series of two papers intended to review the state-of-the-art knowledge on atmospheric PAHs, concerning their monitoring, sources and transformation processes in the atmosphere. The monitoring section briefly introduces this class of compounds, mainly focusing on the 16 PAHs indicated by the US-EPA as priority pollutants. These compounds undergo partitioning between the gas phase and particulate, which has to be considered in the choice of the sampling methodology. Furthermore, sampling artifacts may arise from further phase transfers inside the sampling device. After sampling, extraction, clean up and detection/quantification procedures will follow. They are closely related since the choice of the extraction technique will heavily condition the clean-up step, and both procedures will place demands on the performance of the detection technique (usually GC-MS or HPLC). This is particularly true in the case of complex samples such as those arising from atmospheric sampling. The sources of atmospheric PAHs are then discussed with a particular focus on receptor models, which can allow the apportionment of PAH sources based on concentration data that can be routinely obtained by pollution control networks.     

A combined parahydrogen and theoretical study of H2 activation by 16-electron d8 ruthenium(0) complexes and their subsequent catalytic behaviour

The photochemical reaction of Ru(CO)(3)(L)(2), where L = PPh(3), PMe(3), PCy(3) and P(p-tolyl)(3) with parahydrogen (p-H(2)) has been studied by in-situ NMR spectroscopy and shown to result in two competing processes. The first of these involves loss of CO and results in the formation of the cis-cis-trans-L isomer of Ru(CO)(2)(L)(2)(H)(2), while in the second, a single photon induces loss of both CO and L and leads to the formation of cis-cis-cis Ru(CO)(2)(L)(2)(H)(2) and Ru(CO)(2)(L)(solvent)(H)(2) where solvent = toluene, THF and pyridine (py). In the case of L = PPh(3), cis-cis-trans-L Ru(CO)(2)(L)(2)(H)(2) is shown to be an effective hydrogenation catalyst with rate limiting phosphine dissociation proceeding at a rate of 2.2 s(-1) in pyridine at 355 K. Theoretical calculations and experimental observations show that H(2) addition to the Ru(CO)(2)(L)(2) proceeds to form cis-cis-trans-L Ru(CO)(2)(L)(2)(H)(2) as the major product via addition over the pi-accepting OC-Ru-CO axis.     

Influence of environmental factors on composition of volatile constituents and biological activity of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don (Asteraceae)

The biovariability of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) Don grown wild in Calabria and Sardinia (Italy) was reported. This species has been characterized through the detection, isolation and quantitative evaluation of chemical markers (alpha-terpinolene, trans-cariophyllene and neryl acetate) by GC and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic H. italicum extracts using DPPH and beta-carotene bleaching test showed that the Calabrian samples were more active than those from Sardinia. The antibacterial activity of all extracts evidenced the best performance on the Gram positive bacteria particularly on Micrococcus luteus. Moreover, antifungal activity of all extracts was also tested evidencing important results particularly on the phytopathogene fungus Pythium ultimum. In general, as regards the antifungal activity, the extracts from Sardinia were more active than those from Calabria. The phytochemical analysis and the biological activity data suggested a possible use of these plant matrices in alimentary, cosmetic and pharmaceutical fields.     

Microbial growth and air pollution in carbonate rock weathering. Preliminary results of a in situ experimental study

Preliminary results on limestone weathering caused by air pollution and microbial colonization are presented in this study. Outdoor exposure experimental assays were performed on Scaglia limestone samples. Samples were exposed in two areas in Perugia (Italy) that differ for degree of urban air pollution. At different times of exposure, ranging from 1 to 12 months, microbial contamination and textural modifications of sampled surfaces were evaluated by microbiological procedures, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. After one year of exposure a significant fungal colonization and the presence of weathering products (i.e. gypsum) were detected on sampled surfaces.     

Open shell organometallics: a general analysis of their electronic structure and reactivity

Transition metal organometallic compounds that contain fewer than 18-electrons and two or more unpaired electrons are generally excluded from treatises of either Werner-type coordination compounds or organometallic chemistry. However, they can be seen as the bridge filling the gap between these two traditional areas of coordination chemistry. Their magnetic and optical properties are reminiscent of the Werner-type complexes, whereas their chemical reactivity parallels that of the lower-valent organometallics. Spin state change phenomena are of paramount importance in this area. This paper provides a broad perspective of this area, with particular attention to: (i) how the ground state properties can be related to the metal and ligands nature; (ii) under which circumstances the often inappropriately invoked concept of “spin block” is meaningful; (iii) the spin acceleration concept; (iv) how the coordination sphere affects the topology of the reaction coordinate in the vicinity of spin crossing points; and (v) the effect of spin state changes on reaction selectivities.     

Rotational structures in the odd-odd nucleus80Y

High spin states have been observed for the first time in the odd-odd nucleus⁸⁰Y, by using the²⁴ Mg(⁵⁸ Ni,pn) reaction at 180 MeV. Eight rotational bands have been established, indicating a nucleus with appreciable deformation.Supported by CNPq, Brazil