Asymmetric Brønsted Base Catalyzed and Directed [3+2] Cycloaddition of 2‐Acyl Cycloheptatrienes with Azomethine Ylides

Conjugated cyclic trienes have the potential for different types of cycloaddition reactions. In the present work, we will, in a novel asymmetric cycloaddition reaction, demonstrate that the organocatalytic reaction of 2‐acyl cycloheptatrienes with azomethine ylides proceeds as a [3+2] cycloaddition, which is in contrast to the Lewis acid‐catalyzed reaction, in which a [3+6] cycloaddition takes place. In the presence of a chiral organosuperbase, 2‐acyl cycloheptatrienes react in a highly enantioselective manner in the [3+2] cycloaddition with azomethine ylides, providing the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition product in high yields and up to 99 % ee. It is also shown that the diene formed by the reaction can undergo stereoselective dihydroxylation, bromination, and cycloaddition reactions. Finally, based on experimental observations, some mechanistic considerations are discussed.     

Enzyme-linked immunosensor based on super paramagnetic nanobeads for easy and rapid detection of okadaic acid

Okadaic acid (OA), a lipophilic phycotoxin highly toxic to humans is produced by toxigenic dinoflagellates. The need to develop high performing methods for OA analysis able to improve the traditional ones is evident. In this work, competitive indirect enzyme-linked electrochemical immunosensor based on super paramagnetic nanobeads has been developed for the detection of OA. Streptavidin-coated magnetic beads were used as support to immobilize the biotinylated OA. Preliminary, colorimetric tests were performed in order to optimize different experimental parameters. Electrochemical detection was carried out by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The limit of detection (LOD) (0.38 μg L⁻¹), the mid point value (IC₅₀) (3.15 μg L⁻¹) and the time needed (60 min) for analysis of a real sample validated the developed electrochemical immunosensor as a promising tool for routine use. The matrix effect and the recovery rate were also assessed, showing an excellent percentage of recovery.     

Electron Transfer in the Cs⊂{Mn4Fe4} Cubic Switch: A Soluble Molecular Model of the MnFe Prussian‐Blue Analogues

A mixed‐valence {Mn^II₃Mn^IIIFe^II₂Fe^III₂} cyanide‐bridged molecular cube hosting a caesium cation, Cs?{Mn₄Fe₄}, was synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction. Cyclic‐voltammetry measurements show that its electronic state can be switched between five different redox states, which results in a remarkable electrochromic effect. Magnetic measurements on fresh samples point to the occurrence of a spin‐state change near room temperature, which could be ascribed to a metal‐to‐metal electron transfer converting the {Fe^II?CN?Mn^III} pair into a {Fe^III?CN?Mn^II} pair. This feature was only previously observed in the polymeric MnFe Prussian‐blue analogues (PBAs). Moreover, this novel switchable molecule proved to be soluble and stable in organic solvents, paving the way for its integration into advanced materials.     

Total Synthesis of the Four Stereoisomers of Cyclo(l-Trp-l-Arg) Raises Uncertainty of the Structures of the Natural Products and Invalidates Their Promising Antimicrobial Activities

New therapeutic options to combat the growing incidence of antimicrobial resistance are urgently needed. A 2015 publication reported the isolation and biological evaluation of two diketopiperazine natural products, cyclo(l-Trp-l-Arg) (CDP 2) and cyclo(d-Trp-d-Arg) (CDP 3), from an Achromobacter sp. bacterium, finding that the latter metabolite in particular exhibited strong antibacterial activity towards a range of wound-related microorganisms and could synergize the action of ampicillin. Intrigued by these biological activities and noting inconsistencies in the structural characterization of the natural products, we synthesized the four diastereomers of cyclo(Trp-Arg) and evaluated them for antimicrobial and antibiotic enhancement properties. The detailed comparison of spectroscopic data raises uncertainty regarding the structure of CDP 2 and disproves the structure of CDP 3. In our hands, none of the four stereoisomers of cyclo(Trp-Arg) exhibited detectable intrinsic antimicrobial properties towards a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria or fungi nor could they potentiate the action of antibiotics. These discrepancies in biological properties, compared with the activities reported in the literature, reveal that these specific cyclic dipeptides do not represent viable templates for the development of new treatments for microbial infections.     

Recovery of Gallium-68 and Zinc from HNO3-Based Solution by Liquid–Liquid Extraction with Arylamino Phosphonates

The cyclotron production of gallium-68 via the ⁶⁸Zn(p,n)⁶⁸Ga nuclear reaction in liquid targets is gaining significant traction in clinics. This work describes (1) the synthesis of new arylamino phosphonates via the Kabachnik–Fields reaction, (2) their use for liquid–liquid extraction of ⁶⁸Ga from 1 M Zn(NO₃)₂/0.01 M HNO₃ in batch and continuous flow, and (3) the use of Raman spectroscopy as a process analytical technology (PAT) tool for in-line measurement of ⁶⁸Zn. The highest extraction efficiencies were obtained with the extractants functionalized with trifluoromethyl substituents and ethylene glycol ponytails, which were able to extract up to 90% of gallium-68 in batch and 80% in flow. Only ppm amounts of zinc were co-extracted. The extraction efficiency was a function of pKa and the aqueous solubility of the extractant and showed marked concentration, solvent, and temperature dependence. Raman spectroscopy was found to be a promising PAT tool for the continuous production of gallium-68.     

Michael addition of phosphorus derivatives on tetraethyl ethylidenediphosphonate

Nucleophilic phosphorus add to tetraethyl ethylidene diphosphonate in protic solvent to yield the product of the Michael reaction. This reaction appeared to be reversible at a temperature upper than 160 °C. To avoid this reverse reaction, alkylation in α position of the two phosphonate functions by activated elecrophile is reported.     

Poles of the topological zeta function associated to an ideal in dimension two

To an ideal in one can associate a topological zeta function. This is an extension of the topological zeta function associated to one polynomial. But in this case we use a principalization of the ideal instead of an embedded resolution of the curve. In this paper we will study two questions about the poles of this zeta function. First, we will give a criterion to determine whether or not a candidate pole is a pole. It turns out that we can know this immediately by looking at the intersection diagram of the principalization, together with the numerical data of the exceptional curves. Afterwards we will completely describe the set of rational numbers that can occur as poles of a topological zeta function associated to an ideal in dimension two. The same results are valid for related zeta functions, as for instance the motivic zeta function. The research was partially supported by the Fund of Scientific Research—Flanders (G.0318.06).     

N-Phosphino-amidines and -guanidines: synthesis, structure and P,N-chelate chemistry

The syntheses of the cyclic N-phosphino-amidines and -guanidines Ph2PN(Pri)C(NPri2)N(Pri) ( 1) and Ph2PN(c-Hex)C(R)N(c-Hex) [R = piperazino ( 2), morpholino ( 3), Me ( 4), and Ph ( 5)] are reported. DFT studies have identified the preferred structures for compounds 1-5 with the E-configuration being the most stable form for the N-phosphino-amidines, while the Z-conformation is preferred for the N-phosphino-guanidines something that highlights the potential of such systems to act as kappa2-P,N-chelates. The differences in donor characteristics of 2-5 have been probed through the study of their corresponding P(V) selenide derivatives ( 6-9) and their complexes with the cis-RhCl(CO) (10-12) and cis-PdCl2 (13-17) fragments. In line with the DFT studies both the amidines and guanidines are found to coordinate as kappa2-P,N-chelates, with the latter being moderately weaker donor ligands. The molecular structures of compounds 3 and 4, together with those of the Rh and Pd complexes 10 and 15, respectively, have been determined in the solid state by X-ray crystallography, the latter confirming bidentate kappa2-P,N-chelation.     

Pair Distribution Function from Liquid Jet Nanoparticle Suspension using Femtosecond X-ray Pulses

X-ray scattering data measured on femtosecond timescales at the SACLA X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facility on a suspension of HfO₂ nanoparticles in a liquid jet were used for pair distribution function (PDF) analysis. Despite a non-optimal experimental setup resulting in a modest Q_max of ~8 Å⁻¹, a promising PDF was obtained. The main features were reproduced when comparing the XFEL PDF to a PDF obtained from data measured at the PETRA III synchrotron light source. Refining structural parameters such as unit cell dimension and particle size from the XFEL PDF provided reliable values. Although the reachable Q_max limited the obtainable information, the present results indicate that good quality PDFs can be obtained on femtosecond timescales if the experimental conditions are further optimized. The study therefore encourages a new direction in ultrafast structural science where structural features of amorphous and disordered systems can be studied.