Electron impact mass spectrometric investigation of pyrrole mono-, di- and tri-carboxylic acids

The electron impact-induced fragmentation processes of pyrrole-2-, -3-, -2,3-, -3,4-, -2,5- and -2,3,4-carboxylic acids were investigated with the aid of metastable ion, collisional and deuterium labelling experiments. The general behaviour of these compounds is discussed in detail, together with the reasonable structures of the more relevant fragment ions.     

Characterization of O2 (1Δg)-derived oxidation products of tryptophan: A combination of tandem mass spectrometry analyses and isotopic labeling studies

The fragmentation mechanisms of singlet oxygen [O(2) ((1)Delta(g))]-derived oxidation products of tryptophan (W) were analyzed using collision-induced dissociation coupled with (18)O-isotopic labeling experiments and accurate mass measurements. The five identified oxidized products, namely two isomeric alcohols (trans and cis WOH), two isomeric hydroperoxides (trans and cis WOOH), and N-formylkynurenine (FMK), were shown to share some common fragment ions and losses of small neutral molecules. Conversely, each oxidation product has its own fragmentation mechanism and intermediates, which were confirmed by (18)O-labeling studies. Isomeric WOH lost mainly H(2)O + CO, while WOOH showed preferential elimination of C(2)H(5)NO(3) by two distinct mechanisms. Differences in the spatial arrangement of the two isomeric WOHs led to differences in the intensities of the fragment ions. The same behavior was also found for trans and cis WOOH. FMK was shown to dissociate by a diverse range of mechanisms, with the loss of ammonia the most favored route. MS/MS analyses, (18)O-labeling, and H(2)(18)O experiments demonstrated the ability of FMK to exchange its oxygen atoms with water. Moreover, this approach also revealed that the carbonyl group has more pronounced oxygen exchange ability compared with the formyl group. The understanding of fragmentation mechanisms involved in O(2) ((1)Delta(g))-mediated oxidation of W provides a useful step toward the structural characterization of oxidized peptides and proteins.     

Indium(III) chloride catalyzed one step synthesis of some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives

In the presence of catalytic amount of indium(III) chloride (10 mol %), 2,2′-dihydroxybiphenyl and bis(2-hydroxyphenyl)methane react quickly, without using any solvent, with ketones or β-keto esters possessing at least one hydrogen atom in α to the ketone-carbonyl group, to afford some new dibenzo(d,f)(1,3)dioxepines and some 12H-dibenzo(d,g)(1,3)dioxocin derivatives, respectively.     

Electrochemical sensor for the detection and presumptive identification of quinolone and tetracycline residues in milk

A novel application of an electrochemical biosensor is here employed as analytical method for the detection and presumptive identification of antimicrobial drug residues in milk. The measurement was based on carbon dioxide production rate in relation to inhibition of microbial grow (Escherichia coli ATCC 11303). In this pilot study quinolone and tetracycline residues have been taken into consideration because use of these last in livestock production has been identified as area of particular concern. The experimental approach and analytical method developed appear adequate for the purpose, and compared to older screening methods as, for example, the microbial inhibition assays and immunoassays, offers the advantages of (i) very short analysis time (about 120 min); (ii) smaller sample amount (approximately 0.5 mL); (iii) no sample treatment (iv) good precision; and (v) the possibility of following, in a continuous manner, the inhibition process. Moreover, sensitivity of electrochemical biosensor system is resulted very high considering that for all quinolones and tetracyclines investigated it has been possible detect a residue concentration below or equal to 25 μg L⁻¹. Under this point of view, it must be considered that the maximum residue limits fixed by UE for quinolones and tetracyclines in milk are, at present, all higher of this concentration.     

Isomeric alkyl cation/arene complexes in the gas phase

The kinetics and the stereochemistry of the protonation-induced unimolecular isomerization of (S)-(+)-1-D(1)-3-(p-tolyl)butane have been investigated in the gas phase in the 100-160 degrees C range. The process leads to the almost exclusive formation of the relevant meta isomer with complete racemization and partial 1,2-H shift in the migrating sec-butyl group. These results, together with the relevant activation parameters, point to the occurrence of low-energy, tightly bound isomeric sec-butyl cation/toluene complexes of defined structure and stability along the isomerization coordinate. The existence and the eta(1)-type structure of these low-energy intermediate species are confirmed by ab initio calculations on closely related systems at the MP2(full)/6-311++G**//HF/6-31+G** level of theory. Their role in the relevant energy surface clearly emerges from the comparison of the present results with those concerning sec-butylation of toluene carried out under comparable experimental conditions.     

Semisynthesis of new D-seco-C-nor-taxane derivatives containing a polyfunctionalized furanosyl or cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl C-ring

The synthesis of new D-seco-C-nor-taxane derivatives in which the D-ring has been deleted and the C-ring has been transformed into a new pentatomic ring, i.e., the polyfunctionalized tetrahydrofuranosyl and cyclopentenyl or cyclopentyl ring, was performed starting from baccatin III derivatives. The synthetic strategy adopted took advantage of the oxetane ring opening and disconnection of the C4-C5 bond, followed by an intramolecular condensation. The formation of furanosyl or cyclopentyl rings is strictly dependent on the presence of unprotected or protected oxygen at C-7 in the starting material. The reactions proceeded with good diastereoselectivity with control of the stereochemistry of one or two stereocenters.     

Acrolein and Copper as Competitive Effectors of α-Synuclein

Mounting evidence supports the role of amyloidogenesis, oxidative stress, and metal dyshomeostasis in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. Parkinson's Disease is characterized by α-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation and aggregation in brain regions, also promoted by Cu²⁺. αSyn is modified by reactive carbonyl species, including acrolein (ACR). Notwithstanding these findings, the interplay between ACR, copper, and αSyn has never been investigated. Therefore, we explored more thoroughly the effects of ACR on αSyn using an approach based on LC-MS/MS analysis. We also evaluated the influence of Cu²⁺ on the protein carbonylation and how the ACR modification impacts the Cu²⁺ binding and the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Finally, we investigated the effects of ACR and Cu²⁺ ions on the αSyn aggregation by dynamic light scattering and fluorescence assays. Cu²⁺ regioselectively inhibits the modification of His50 by ACR, the carbonylation lowers the affinity of His50 for Cu²⁺ and ACR inhibits αSyn aggregation both in the presence and in the absence of Cu²⁺.     

Coordination properties of 6-deoxy-6-[1-(2-amino) ethylamino]-β-cyclodextrin and the ability of its copper(II) complex to recognize and separate amino acid enantiomeric pairs

The functionalized cyclodextrin 6-deoxy-6-[1-(2-amino)ethylamino]--cyclodextrin was synthesized, and an NMR, EPR, pH-metric, and calorimetric investigation was carried out in aqueous solution in order to ascertain its behaviour towards protonation and copper(II) complex formation. The thermodynamic parameters of the ternary complex formation with alanine, phenylalanine and tryptophan enantiomeric pairs were also determined (25° C andI=0.1 mol dm^–3). No thermodynamic enantioselectivity was observed in these systems, while a chiral, though poor, discrimination was observed in LEC: c.d. spectra also show enantiomeric stereoselectivity. The results of the present investigation, compared with previously reported results, suggest the occurence of acis-complex trans-complex equilibrium in such systems.     

Noncovalent interaction-driven stereoselectivity of copper(II) complexes with cyclodextrin derivatives of L- and D-carnosine

L-Carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine, LCar) is the most widely and abundantly distributed copper(II)-coordinating endogenous dipeptide. Though its physiological role has not been completely understood yet, many functions have been proposed for this compound. LCar might be crucial in the potential reduction or prevention of several pathologies in which the metal ions are thought to be involved. The potential therapeutic applications of LCar are drastically limited because of hydrolysis by specific dipeptidases (carnosinases). D-Carnosine (DCar), the enantiomer of the naturally occurring dipeptide, shows the same properties as those of LCar, but it is not hydrolyzed by carnosinases. Chemical modification of LCar has been proposed as a promising strategy to reduce its enzymatic hydrolysis; conjugation of a carbohydrate moiety may also improve site-specific transport to different tissues, which would enhance the peptide bioavailability. On this basis, we have functionalized DCar with β-cyclodextrin (CDDCar) and characterized the compound via NMR. The copper(II) binding properties of the new DCar derivative were investigated by spectroscopic techniques (UV-vis, circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance) and potentiometric measurements. The results surprisingly revealed a pronounced difference from the analogous LCar derivative (CDLCar), especially concerning the dimeric species. The spectroscopic data show that this stereoselectivity is driven by noncovalent interactions, namely, hydrogen bonds, CH-π interactions, and steric and hydrophobic effects of the cyclodextrin cavity.