Fast characterization of foodstuff by headspace mass spectrometry (HS-MS)

The field of the rapid characterization of products by HS-MS is reviewed. The general principle of HS-MS systems consists of introducing volatile components present in the HS of a sample without prior chromatographic separation into the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer. The spectrum resulting from simultaneous ionization and fragmentation of the mixture of molecules introduced constitutes a “fingerprint” that is characteristic of the product being analyzed. Exploitation of this spectral information allows one determine the composition of the sample.     

A new preparation of samarium dibromide and its use in stoichiometric and catalytic pinacol coupling reactions

A new convenient preparation of samarium dibromide in THF is reported. Pinacol coupling reactions using SmBr₂ in catalytic amounts together with mischmetall as a coreductant have been performed with a variety of carbonyl compounds.     

Retrodienic reactions XVI - flash thermolytic generation of reactive functional allenes

Butadienal 1, propadienol 2 and propadienamine 3 are synthesized by flash vacuum thermolysis of their anthracenic Diels-Alder adducts and characterized at low temperature.     

Apurinic DNA reactivity: Modelisation of apurinic DNA breakage with phenylhydrazine and formation of a pyrazole adduct

We have elucidated the exact mechanism of apurinic oligodeoxynucleotide d(Tp[AP]pT) cleavage by phenylhydrazine and shown that the final isolated product is in fact a 3-substituted derivative of 1-phenyl-pyrazole.     

Structure of absintholide a new guaianolide dimer of Artemisia absinthium L.

Absintholide $\text{1}$ is a new guaianolide dimer whose structure and stereochemistry has been elucidated on the basis of high resolution n.m.r.     

Synthesis of new allenic prostanoids

New allenic prostanoids 5c, d, 7,9c, and 15b have been prepared by total synthesis. In each case a cuprate-propargylic acetate reaction was used as the key step.     

Improved procedure for the preparation of deoxynucleoside phosphoramidites: Arylphosphoramidites as new convenient intermediates for oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis

A simplified procedure for the preparation of deoxynucleoside methyl- and arylphosphoramidites is described. Both types of phosphoramidites can be conveniently activated by N-methylaniline trifluoracetate for their use in oligodeoxynucleotide synthesis.