Tunable helical assemblies of L-alanine methyl ester-containing polyphenylacetylene

The self-assemblying behaviors of L-alanine methyl ester-containing polyphenylacetylene (PPA-Ala, in Chart 1 ) were investigated upon the evaporation of its solvent on mica and on air/water interfaces. The introduction of chiral amino acid attachments to the polyphenylacetylene backbone induced a helical conformation of the backbone, which was stabilized by various noncovalent interactions, especially hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bonds. The helicity of the polymer was further amplified in its higher-order self-assemblies as the formation of helical fibers on the surface of mica upon natural evaporation of its THF solution. By LB technique, the polymer chains were guided to form ordered parallel ridges and highly aligned, with their helical conformation still remaining. The reorganization of the chiral polymer chains on air/water interface was associated with the additional hydrophobic effect of PPA-Ala on an air/water interface. The polymer backbones had to adopt different arrangements to minimize their contact with water, and this adjustment led to the formation of aligned polymer ridges under proper surface pressure.     

An organocatalytic Michael-aldol cascade: formal [3+2] annulation to construct enantioenriched spirocyclic oxindole derivatives

An efficient organocatalytic Michael-aldol cascade reaction for the asymmetric synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole derivatives fused with tetrahydrothiophenes has been developed through a formal [3+2] annulation strategy.     

Synthesis of 4H-cyclopenta[c]furans via cooperative PdCl2-FeCl2 catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction involving a novel acyl rearrangement process

We have discovered a novel PdCl(2)-FeCl(2) catalyzed cascade cyclization reaction, which involves a novel acyl rearrangement process. This reaction affords a diverse set of poly-substituted 4H-cyclopenta[c]furan products. The reaction scope of this cascade process is quite broad and various internal acetylenes can be employed.     

Synthesis of a multinanoparticle-embedded core/mesoporous silica shell structure as a durable heterogeneous catalyst

A multi-nanoparticle-embedded amorphous aluminum/magnesium oxides (AAMO) core/mesoporous silica (mSiO(2)) shell structure has been successfully synthesized by calcining the presynthesized catalyst precursor-containing layered double hydroxide (LDH) core/mesoporous silica shell composite. The well-dispersed catalytic nanoparticles were fixed at the interface between AAMO core and mesoporous SiO(2) shell, i.e., at the inner pore mouths of the mesoporous SiO(2) shell, which could effectively prevent nanoparticles from growth and/or aggregation with each other and in the meantime allow efficient access of reactants to the catalytic NPs. The final core/shell composite was found to be an efficient and highly recyclable heterogeneous catalyst.     

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for the determination of nemonoxacin (TG-873870), a novel nonfluorinated quinolone, in human plasma and urine and its application to a single-dose pharmacokinetic study in healthy Chinese volunteers

Nemonoxacin (TG‐873870) is a novel C‐8‐methoxy nonfluorinated quinolone with higher activity than ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin against Gram‐positive pathogens including methicillin‐susceptible or methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae with various resistant phenotypes. A rapid, sensitive and selective liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometric (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated to determine the concentration of nemonoxacin in human plasma and urine. Protein precipitation and liquid–liquid extraction were employed for plasma and urine sample preparations, respectively, and extract was then injected into the system. Separation was performed on a C₁₈ reversed‐phase column using acetonitrile–0.1% formic acid as a mobile phase. Both analyte and internal standard (gatifloxacin) were determined using electrospray ionization and the MS data acquisition via the selected reaction monitoring in positive‐ion mode. The lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/mL and the calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 5–1000 ng/mL. The accuracy, precision, selectivity, linearity, recovery, matrix effect and stability were validated for TG‐873870 in human plasma and urine. The method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study enrolling 12 healthy Chinese volunteers administered nemonoxacin malate capsules. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Aryne [3 + 2] cycloaddition with N-sulfonylpyridinium imides and in situ generated N-sulfonylisoquinolinium imides: a potential route to pyrido[1,2-b]indazoles and indazolo[3,2-a]isoquinolines

The aryne [3 + 2] cycloaddition process with pyridinium imides breaks the aromaticity of the pyridine ring. By equipping the imide nitrogen with a sulfonyl group, the intermediate readily eliminates a sulfinate anion to restore the aromaticity, leading to the formation of pyrido[1,2-b]indazoles. The scope and limitation of this reaction are discussed. As an extension of this chemistry, N-tosylisoquinolinium imides, generated in situ from N'-(2-alkynylbenzylidene)-tosylhydrazides via an AgOTf-catalyzed 6-endo-dig electrophilic cyclization, readily undergo aryne [3 + 2] cycloaddition to afford indazolo[3,2-a]-isoquinolines in the same pot, offering a highly efficient route to these potential anticancer agents.     

Chemoselectivity Control: Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 6,7‐Dihydrobenzofuran‐4(5H)‐ones and Benzofurans from 1‐(Alkynyl)‐7‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]heptan‐2‐ones

New and chemoselective gold(I)‐catalyzed transformations of 1‐(arylethynyl)‐7‐oxabicyclo[4.1.0]‐ heptan‐2‐ones were developed. Two completely different products—6,7‐dihydrobenzofuran‐4(5H)‐ones and benzofurans—could be obtained from the same starting material. The selectivity is determined by the ligand of the gold catalyst: triphenylphosphine delivers 6,7‐dihydrobenzofuran‐4(5H)‐ones, and 1,3‐bis(diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene leads to benzofurans. Eleven examples of each case are provided. The mechanistic suggestions for the pathways to both product types are supported by isotope labeling experiments.     

Three New C19‐Diterpenoid Alkaloids from Aconitum forrestii

A further study of the alkaloid constituents of Aconitum forrestii led to the isolation of three new C₁₉‐diterpenoid alkaloids, named 14‐acetoxy‐8‐O‐methylsachaconitine ( 1 ), 14‐acetoxyscaconine ( 2 ), and 8‐O‐ethylcammaconine ( 3 ). Their structures were determined by UV, IR, and MS, 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses.     

Concurrent extraction,clean‐up,and analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers,hexabromocyclododecane isomers,and tetrabromobisphenol A in human milk and serum

A method has been developed and validated for the concurrent extraction, clean‐up, and analysis of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), α‐, β‐, and γ‐hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in human milk and serum. Milk and serum samples were extracted using accelerated solvent extraction with acetone/hexane 1:1, v/v and liquid–liquid extraction with methyl‐tert‐butyl ether/hexane 1:1, v/v, respectively. The removal of co‐extracted biogenic materials was achieved by gel permeation chromatography followed by sulfuric acid treatment. The fractionation of the PBDEs and HBCD/TBBPA was performed using a Supelco LC‐Si SPE cartridge. The detection of the PBDEs was then performed by GC–MS and that of the HBCDs and the TBBPA was performed using UPLC–MS/MS. The pretreatment procedure was optimized, and the characteristic ions and fragmentation of the analytes were studied by MS or MS/MS. A recovery test was performed using a matrix spiking test at concentrations of 0.05–10 ng/g. The recoveries ranged from 78.6–108.8% with RSDs equal to or lower than 14.04%. The LODs were 1.8–60 pg/g. The usefulness of the developed method was tested by the analysis of real human samples, and several brominated flame retardants in different samples were detected and analyzed.