Electrospray-Ionization Mass Spectrometry: Detection of a radical cation present in solution: New results on the chemistry of (tetrahydropteridinone)-metal complexes

This paper marks the first reported detection of radical cations by Electrospray-Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) measurements have proven that the detected radical cation existed already in solution and has not been generated by the electrospray ionization technique. However, we observed that the radical cation can be generated by changes in the ionization conditions. A molar mixture of 2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-methylpterin-4(4H)-one dihydrochloride ( = 5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-N(5)-methylpterin-2 HCl, N(5)-MTHP-2 HCl), and tris(pentane-2,4-dionato)iron(III) in MeCN at pH 2–3 leads to the formation of a [bis(pentane-2,4-dionato)(2-amino-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5-methylpteridin-4 (4H)-one)]iron complex ( = [bis(pentane-2,4-dionato) (5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-N(5)-methylpteridin)]iron complex) which can be detected by ESI-MS. The results suggest that this complex might be an Fe^II radical cation, which could possibly be a suitable model complex for the active center of the phenylalanine hydroxylase. In the same solution, the stable radical cation of N(5)-MTHP is identified by ESI-MS and ESR.     

Cycloaddition reactions of 2,3-didehydrothiophene generated by flow vacuum thermolysis of thiophene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride

Flow vacuum thermolysis (FVT) of thiophene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride ($\text{2}$) in the presence of 2,3-dimethylbutadiene ($\text{6}$) gives, in addition to 5,6-dimethylthianaphthene ($\text{9}$). small quantities of a dihydrodimethylthianaphthene ($\text{12}$) and another dimethylthianaphthene ($\text{13}$) which is probably also formed by dehydrogenation of $\text{12}$ with chloranil. The partial structures of these minor products are consistent with their being formed by a [2+2]-cycloaddition between $\text{6}$ and an intermediate aryne, 2,3-didehydrothiophene ($\text{1}$), followed by a rearrangement of the resulting adduct $\text{11}$ and dehydrogenation. FVT of $\text{2}$ in the presence of 2,5- ($\text{17b}$) or 3,4-dimethylthiophene ($\text{17c}$) also gave a mixture of the dimethylthianaphthenes ($\text{18}$$\text{22}$, $\text{23}$) which can be rationalized as arising by a [4+2]- and two [2+2]-cycloadditions of the aryne $\text{1}$ to the thiophenes $\text{17}$ with subsequent desulfurization. The lack of equilibration of the products $\text{18}$, $\text{22}$ and $\text{23}$, was demonstrated and their origin as a function of the structure and reactivity of the aryne $\text{1}$ discussed.     

Synthesis of Oncinotin-11-one,a Macrocyclic Polyamine Alkaloid from Oncinotis tenuiloba

This paper presents a short synthesis of oncinotin-11-one ( 11 ), a minor alkaloid of Oncinotis tenuiloba (Apocynaceae). Based on a disconnection approach, the spermidine portion of the key intermediate 6 was constructed consecutively by simple N-alkylations starting from ethyl piperidine-2-carboxylate ( 1 ). Treatment of 6 with in situ lithiated 2-[(10-bromodecyl)oxy]tetrahydropyran resulted in the formation of the keto moiety under simultanous deprotection of the lactam N-atom to give the amino ketone 7 in 71% yield. Cleavage of the tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl(Thp) portion and Jones oxidation of the resulting alcohol 8 gave the amino acid 9 which was cyclized. Final N-debenzylation of 10 provided the natural alkaloid 11 . Only two protective groups were needed in this synthesis. The reaction of N-alkyl-lactams with organometallic reagents is discussed.     

On the symmetric travelling salesman problem I: Inequalities

We investigate several classes of inequalities for the symmetric travelling salesman problem with respect to their facet-defining properties for the associated polytope. A new class of inequalities called comb inequalities is derived and their number shown to grow much faster with the number of cities than the exponentially growing number of subtour-elimination constraints. The dimension of the travelling salesman polytope is calculated and several inequalities are shown to define facets of the polytope. In part II (On the travelling salesman problem II: Lifting theorems and facets) we prove that all subtour-elimination and all comb inequalities define facets of the symmetric travelling salesman polytope.     

Anthelmintics in bovine milk and muscle: interlaboratory studies among EU National Reference Laboratories

The paper describes in detail how to evaluate interlaboratory studies for the measurement of authorised and non-permitted veterinary drugs. Examples of different kinds of evaluation will be presented including the results of two interlaboratory studies for anthelmintics in bovine milk and muscle. As compared to an interlaboratory study 2008, a clear development regarding the proficiency of the laboratories of the European Residue Control System could be noted in 2009. As a result of this development, the percentage of false-negative and false-positive results had decreased considerably. The described improvements in the analysis of the included anthelmintics were also reflected in the overall assessment. While in 2008 ten (38.5?%) out of 26 NRLs fulfilled the proficiency criteria of the interlaboratory study, this number had increased to fourteen (53.8?%) by 2009. In some cases, the correct quantification needed to be improved.     

Synthesis and Hydrolysis of Phosphate Ester Derivatives of 3(5)-Methylpyrazole and 3-Amino-1,2,4-Triazole

Ester derivatives of N-phosphorylated 3(5)-methylpyrazole and 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, respectively, have been synthesized. The results of hydrolysis studies are described.