A sensitive fluorescence reagent, 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g]carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy]ethyl chloroformate, for amino acids determination in Saussurea involucrate and Artemisia capillaris Thunb using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and identification with mass spectroscopy/electrospray ionization source

Recent researches shows that amino acids (AA) are not only cell signaling molecules but are also regulators of gene expression and the protein phosphorylation cascade. More precise analysis of AA composition is reckoned to be one of the most important applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. In this paper, we develop a sample, sensitive and mild method using 2-[2-(7H-dibenzo[a,g]carbazol-7-yl)-ethoxy]ethyl chloroformate (DBCEC) as A labeling reagent for AA determination by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection (FLD) and identification with mass spectroscopy. The maximum excitation and emission wavelengths for DBCEC-AA derivatives were 300 and 395 nm, respectively. This method, in conjunction with a gradient elution, offered a baseline resolution of 20 AA on a reversed-phase Hypersil BDS C(18) column. LC separation for the derivatized AA showed good reproducibility, and all AA were found to give excellent linear responses with correlation coefficients > 0.9993. The calculated detection limits with a 25.0 fmol injection of each AA (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1) ranged from 2.62 to 22.6 fmol. This method was applied to determine the AA composition in Saussurea involucrate and Artemisia capillaris Thunb. Meanwhile, this method exhibits a powerful potential for trace analysis of AA from biomedicine, foodstuff and other complex samples.     

Theoretical study of mechanism of cycloaddition reaction between singlet dichlorosilylene carbene (Cl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si=C:) and formaldehyde

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet dichlorosilylene carbene (Cl₂Si=C:) and formaldehyde has been investigated with MP2/6-31G* method, including geometry optimization and vibrational analysis for the involved stationary points on the potential energy surface. The energies of the different conformations are calculated by Zero-point energy and CCSD (T)//MP2/6-31G* method. From the potential energy profile, it can be predicted that the reaction has two competitive dominant reaction pathways. The first dominant reaction pathway consists of two steps: (1) the two reactants (R1, R2) firstly form a four-membered ring intermediate (INT4) through a barrier-free exothermic reaction of 387.9 kJ/mol; (2) intermediate (INT4) then isomerizes to H-transfer product (P4.2) via a transition state (TS4.2) with energy barrier of 4.7 kJ/mol. The second dominant reaction pathway as follows: on the basis of intermediate (INT4) created between R1 and R2, intermediate (INT4) further reacts with formaldehyde (R2) to form the intermediate (INT5) through a barrier-free exothermic reaction of 158.3 kJ/mol. Then, intermediate (INT5) isomerizes to a silicic bis-heterocyclic product (P5) via a transition state (TS5), for which the barrier is 40.1 kJ/mol.     

Synthesis, structures, cellular uptake and apoptosis-inducing properties of highly cytotoxic ruthenium-Norharman complexes

Three novel Ru(II) complexes of the general formula [Ru(N-N)(2)(Norharman)(2)](SO(3)CF(3))(2), where N-N = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy, 1), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 2), 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (DIP, 3) and Norharman (9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole) is a naturally occurring β-carboline alkaloid, have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The cellular uptake efficiencies, in vitro cytotoxicities and apoptosis-inducing properties of these complexes have been extensively explored. Notably, 1-3 exhibit potent antiproliferative activities against a panel of human cancer cell lines with IC(50) values lower than those of cisplatin. Further studies show that 1-3 can cause cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and induce apoptosis through mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. In vitro DNA binding studies have also been conducted to provide information about the possible mechanism of action.     

Multicolor output and shape controlled synthesis of lanthanide-ion doped fluorides upconversion nanoparticles

A general and facile approach for tailoring the multicolor output and shapes of lanthanide-ion doped fluoride upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) within a given composition is presented. By adjusting the temperature and time in the thermolysis procedure, the color output and shapes of NaYF(4):20%Yb, 2%Er UCNPs can be readily manipulated. The nanoparticles were characterized through the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and upconversion luminescence spectroscopy. It is shown that the relative intensities of green emissions gradually increased with the rise of temperature and prolongation of growth time under excitation of 980 nm, which resulted in multicolor output of NaYF(4):20%Yb, 2%Er UCNPs. Simultaneously, the shapes for UCNPs can also be controlled. TEM images, estimated micro-stress by Williamson-Hall methodology and a series of control experiments and analyses reveal that crystallinity is mainly responsible for the multicolor output of UCNPs. Based on the above method, the tailoring of color output is also successfully realized in Ho(3+) and Tm(3+) ions. It is expected that this method may be used to tune the physical properties of other nanoparticles, and these multicolored UCNPs are promising for applications in multiplexed bioimaging, biodetection, display, other optical technologies, etc.     

Synthesis, characteristics and photoluminescent properties of novel Ir-Eu heteronuclear complexes containing 2-carboxyl-pyrimidine as a bridging ligand

Two novel iridium(III) complexes, [Ir(dfppy)(2)(pmc)] and [Ir(ppy)(2)(pmc)] (dfppy = 2-(4',6'-difluoro-phenyl)pyridine, ppy = 1-phenyl-pyridine), were designed and synthesized using 2-carboxyl-pyrimidine (Hpmc) as an ancillary ligand. Single crystals were obtained and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The tetrametallic complexes {[(C^N)(2)Ir(μ-pmc)](3)EuCl(3)} (C^N = dfppy, ppy) were synthesized using the iridium(III) complexes as "ligands". Photophysical and theoretical studies indicate that [Ir(dfppy)(2)(pmc)] is more suitable for sensitizing the emission of Eu(III) ions than [Ir(ppy)(2)(pmc)].     

Characterization of the TDP-D-ravidosamine biosynthetic pathway: one-pot enzymatic synthesis of TDP-D-ravidosamine from thymidine-5-phosphate and glucose-1-phosphate

Ravidomycin V and related compounds, e.g., FE35A-B, exhibit potent anticancer activities against various cancer cell lines in the presence of visible light. The amino sugar moieties (D-ravidosamine and its analogues, respectively) in these molecules contribute to the higher potencies of ravidomycin and analogues when compared to closely related compounds with neutral or branched sugars. Within the ravidomycin V biosynthetic gene cluster, five putative genes encoding NDP-D-ravidosamine biosynthetic enzymes were identified. Through the activities of the isolated enzymes in vitro, it is demonstrated that ravD, ravE, ravIM, ravAMT and ravNMT encode TDP-D-glucose synthase, TDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose-4,6-dehydratase, TDP-4-keto-6-deoxy-D-glucose-3,4-ketoisomerase, TDP-3-keto-6-deoxy-D-galactose-3-aminotransferase, and TDP-3-amino-3,6-dideoxy-D-galactose-N,N-dimethyl-transferase, respectively. A protocol for a one-pot enzymatic synthesis of TDP-D-ravidosamine has been developed. The results presented here now set the stage to produce TDP-D-ravidosamine routinely for glycosylation studies.     

Identification of 3,6-di-O-acetyl-1,2,4-O-orthoacetyl-α-D-glucopyranose as a direct evidence for the 4-O-acyl group participation in glycosylation

The formation of 3,6-di-O-acetyl-1,2,4-O-orthoacetyl-α-D-glucopyranose was observed in the gold(I)-catalyzed glycosidation of peracetyl glucopyranosyl ortho-hexynylbenzoate; experiments with substrates bearing deuterium labeled 2-O-acetyl or 4-O-acetyl groups indicated that the orthoacetate was derived from the 4-O-acetyl group, which provided a direct evidence for the remote participation of the 4-O-acyl group in glycosylation.     

A sustainable byproduct catalyzed domino strategy: facile synthesis of α-formyloxy and acetoxy ketones via iodination/nucleophilic substitution/hydrolyzation/oxidation sequences

The sustainable byproduct catalyzed domino strategy has been performed for the facile synthesis of α-formyloxy and acetoxy ketones via iodination/nucleophilic substitution/hydrolyzation/oxidation sequences from simple and readily available aromatic ketones/unsaturated methyl ketones.     

From discrete octahedral nanocages to 1D coordination polymer: coordination-driven a single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation via anion exchange

A discrete octahedral nano-cage has been synthesized by using a C(3)-symmetry semi-rigid pyridine-based ligand tppa. X-ray structure study reveals that the cage has a big inner cavity, flexible windows and all P=O moieties of tppa ligands are inside positions. By anion exchange the 0D nano-cages can transform to infinite chain without noticeable loss of their crystallinity.     

Lignans and other constituents from aerial parts of Haplophyllum villosum

During our phytochemical investigation of Haplophyllum villosum (Rutaceae), a perennial herb from Iran, a new 4,8-diaryl-3,7-dioxobicyclo-(3,3,0)-octane type lignan, eudesmin A (1), together with four known compounds--eudesmin (2), haplamine (3), umbelliferone (4) and scopoletin (5)--were isolated from aerial parts of the plant. The structures of the compounds were elucidated using NMR spectral analysis (1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, COSY and HMBC) as well as UV, IR and MS spectra and comparison with previously reported data.