Polypeptide multilayer films: role of molecular structure and charge

The role of molecular structure, charge, and hydrophobicity in polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer assembly (LbL) of thin films has been studied using the model polypeptides poly-L-glutamatic acid (PLGA) and poly-L-lysine (PLL), quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). The adsorption behavior of PLGA and PLL has been compared with the structure of these molecules in aqueous solution under the same conditions. The data show that the deposition of polypeptide per adsorption step scales with average secondary structure content, whether alpha helix or beta sheet. This is contrary to the expectation based on the view that hydrogen bonds are crucial to polypeptide film assembly, because secondary structure formation in a polypeptide reduces its intermolecular hydrogen-bonding potential. The data also show that polypeptide adsorption scales with ionic strength and chain length. Taken together, the results increase knowledge of polypeptide-based LbL thin film fabrication and will help to provide a firmer foundation for the use of natural or designed polypeptides in LbL.     

PtCl2-mediated cycloisomerization of unsaturated propargylic carboxylates

The PtCl₂-mediated cycloisomerization of unsaturated propargylic carboxylates yields differently functionalized bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane enol esters from moderate to good yield, in a very diastereoselective manner. We have prepared and submitted to PtCl₂-catalyzed cycloisomerization a series of differently substituted hept-1-en-6-ynes with different O-acyl (acetyl, trichloroacetyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyl, etc.) protecting groups at propargylic positions, investigating also the effect of the geometry at the double bond, as well as the effect of the number of substituents at the alkene moiety. As a result, we have found that the O-acetyl migrating group is the best one in terms of simplicity and chemical yields. In this reaction we have isolated mixtures of compounds formed by minor 1-acetoxy-allenes and major bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane derivatives. Major products are the result of a sequential process involving steps of cycloisomerization plus cyclopropanation, followed by acyl migration. The basic methanolysis (K₂CO₃, MeOH) of these intermediates gave mixtures of cis and trans-caran-2-ones. This two-step protocol (cycloisomerization plus basic methanolysis) for the syntheses of α,β-unsaturated cyclopropyl ketones constitutes a synthetic alternative to the usual unfriendly, intramolecular cyclopropanation of unsaturated α-diazocarbonyl derivatives. The formation of these bicyclo[4.1.0]heptane derivatives is a simple, but efficient entry into the skeleton of the ‘carane’ family of natural products.     

One-pot synthesis of multicomponent pyrazole-4-carbonitrile derivatives under solvent-free condition by using engineered polyvinyl alcohol catalyst

Heterocyclic chemistry has fascinated the researchers owing to its wide range of applications in various chemical fields. With this perspective, herein we present an environmentally benign procedure for the synthesis of pyrazole and its derivatives through multicomponent reaction by using SPVA as a heterogeneous acid catalyst. The synthesis protocol of SPVA catalyst includes functionalization of polyvinyl alcohol by sulfonic acid groups. The synthesized SPVA catalyst was then subjected to several characterization techniques to confirm its formation and study its physicochemical properties. The SPVA catalyst was then tested for its activity toward a multicomponent reaction of aromatic aldehyde, malononitrile and phenyl hydrazine. The SPVA catalyst with sufficient acidic sites displayed appreciable catalytic performance yielding 89% of the desired pyrazole product under ambient reaction conditions. The SPVA catalyst showed recyclability up to the sixth cycle without considerable loss in its activity. Furthermore, we made an effort to demonstrate the plausible mechanistic pathway for the SPVA-catalyzed pyrazole synthesis reaction. Interestingly, the present synthetic approach could effectively produce pyrazole products with high yields in the absence of base and solvent and in short reaction time making it a green and sustainable process.

Graphic abstract

     

Exact solutions of MHD second Stokes flow of generalized Burgers fluid

This work concerns with the exact solutions of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) flow of generalized Burgers fluid describing the second Stokes problem. The modified Darcy law is taken into account. The related velocity distribution and shear stress are expressed as a combination of steady-state and transient solutions computed by means of integral transformations. The effects of various parameters on the flow field are investigated. The MHD flow results in reduction of velocity distribution and associated thickness of the boundary layer.     

X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of germanium after extraction with polyurethane foam

Germanium is extracted onto polyurethane foam as molybdogermanate, and determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry in the dried foam. The extraction is effective between pH 0.5 and 3.7 and as little as 7 μg of germanium can be detected in 100 ml of aqueous solution.     

Synthetic approaches toward the reserpine

Reserpine is an indole alkaloid, antipsychotic, and antihypertensive drug that has been used for the control of high blood pressure and for the relief of psychotic symptoms. It was first isolated in 1952 from the dried root of Rauwolfia serpentina whose molecular structure was established in 1953 and natural configuration was published in 1955. The first total synthesis of reserpine was reported by Woodward in 1958. This review article updates current multistep synthetic approaches toward the reserpine natural product and its analogues.     

Catalyst free synthesis of mono- and disubstituted pyrimidines from O-acyl oximes

Transition-metal or iodine catalyzed transformations of O-acyl oximes to various N-heterocycles are well established. Herein, we report a catalyst free, oxime carboxylate based, three-component condensation method to access mono- and disubstituted pyrimidines. A broad range of substituted pyrimidines were prepared in moderate to excellent yields. Control experiments reveal that in situ generated formamidine is the key intermediate.     

Synthetic approaches toward piperidine related structures: A review

Abstract

The current review covers explosive development of various synthetic approaches for piperidine scaffold and its analogues in the last few decades. The piperidine ring system is a key motif in many natural alkaloids and synthetic organic compounds. Further, piperidine moiety has gained significant consideration in drug discovery due to its wide range of therapeutic applications.     

Novel Synthesis of 2-(2-(3-Hydroxy-5-oxo-4-phenylthiophen-2(5H)-ylidene)-2-phenylacetamido)propanoic Acid Analogues and Their Anti-Inflammatory Properties

This article describes the reaction of 3,6-diphenyl-thieno[3,2-b]furan-2,5-dione 1 with different amino acids 2a–j in glacial acetic acid which afforded the 2-(2-(3-hydroxy-5-oxo-4-phenylthiophen-2(5H)-ylidene)-2-phenylacetamido)propanoic acid analogues 3a–j and also describes the reaction of 3,6-diphenyl-thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-2,5-dione 4 with different amino acids 5a–e in acidic medium to give 2-(2-(3-mercapto-5-oxo-4-phenylthiophen-2(5H)-ylidene)-2-phenylacetamido)propanoic acid analogues 6a–e. All the compounds have been screened for their anti-inflammatory activity against the carrageenan induced rat paw edema in albino rats. In the primary screening, some of the compounds exhibited appreciable activity.

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