Constraints on nucleon decay via invisible modes from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory

Data from the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory have been used to constrain the lifetime for nucleon decay to "invisible" modes, such as n-->3nu. The analysis was based on a search for gamma rays from the deexcitation of the residual nucleus that would result from the disappearance of either a proton or neutron from 16O. A limit of tau(inv)>2 x 10(29) yr is obtained at 90% confidence for either neutron- or proton-decay modes. This is about an order of magnitude more stringent than previous constraints on invisible proton-decay modes and 400 times more stringent than similar neutron modes.     

One-Step Synthesis of the 1-Azaspiro[5.5]undecane Skeleton Characteristic of Histrionicotoxin Alkaloids from Linear Substrates via Hg(OTf)2-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization

Histrionicotoxin (HTX) alkaloids isolated from the poison arrow frogs possess a unique structure characterized by a 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane skeleton common to the HTX family. The unique molecular architecture of HTXs and the interest as potential target drugs have prompted synthetic chemists to promote the total synthesis so far. However, all of the synthetic strategies to access the 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane framework of HTXs take a multistep approach from linear starting materials due to stepwise construction of either six-membered carbo- or azacycle. Herein, we report the direct one-step construction of the 1-azaspiro[5.5]undecane skeleton from linear amino ynone substrates bearing an N-methoxycarbonyl group utilizing our mercuric triflate (Hg(OTf)₂)-catalyzed cycloisomerization reaction. The utility of this novel methodology was demonstrated by the total and formal syntheses of HTX-235A and HTX-283A, respectively, from the azaspirocycle.     

Pulsed laser photolysis vacuum UV laser-induced fluorescence kinetic study of the gas-phase reactions of Cl(2P3/2) atoms with C3-C6 ketones

The gas-phase reactions of Cl atoms with acetone, butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 3-hexanone, and cyclopentanone at 295 +/- 2 K were studied using pulsed laser photolysis vacuum UV laser-induced fluorescence (PLP-LIF) techniques. Cl(2P(3/2)) atoms were produced by photolysis of Cl2 at 351 nm and monitored by LIF spectroscopy at 134.72 nm (3p(5) 2P(3/2)-3p(4)4s 2P(3/2) transition). Rate coefficients for reactions of Cl atoms with acetone, butanone, 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 2-hexanone, 3-hexanone, and cyclopentanone are (2.30 +/- 0.12) x 10(-12), (4.08 +/- 0.21) x 10(-11), (1.23 +/- 0.13) x 10(-10), (8.87 +/- 0.92) x 10(-11), (2.08 +/- 0.32) x 10(-10), (1.43 +/- 0.19) x 10(-10) and (1.16 +/- 0.12) x 10(-10) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1), respectively. The results for acetone and butanone are consistent with previous studies. The results for 2-pentanone, 3-pentanone, 2-hexanone, and 3-hexanone are approximately a factor of 2-3 higher than those from previous absolute rate studies. Likely explanations for these discrepancies are discussed. Tropospheric lifetimes of ketones with respect to reaction with Cl atoms are estimated and discussed.     

The Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Tulbaghia,Allium, Crinum and Cyrtanthus: ‘Talented’ Taxa from the Amaryllidaceae

Amaryllidaceae is a significant source of bioactive phytochemicals with a strong propensity to develop new drugs. The genera Allium, Tulbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum biosynthesize novel alkaloids and other phytochemicals with traditional and pharmacological uses. Amaryllidaceae biomolecules exhibit multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects. Traditionally, natural products from Amaryllidaceae are utilized to treat non-communicable and infectious human diseases. Galanthamine, a drug from this family, is clinically relevant in treating the neurocognitive disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, which underscores the importance of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Although Amaryllidaceae provide a plethora of biologically active compounds, there is tardiness in their development into clinically pliable medicines. Other genera, including Cyrtanthus and Tulbaghia, have received little attention as potential sources of promising drug candidates. Given the reciprocal relationship of the increasing burden of human diseases and limited availability of medicinal therapies, more rapid drug discovery and development are desirable. To expedite clinically relevant drug development, we present here evidence on bioactive compounds from the genera Allium, Tulgbaghia, Cyrtanthus and Crinum and describe their traditional and pharmacological applications.     

Ionic liquid pillar[5]arene: its ionic conductivity and solvent-free complexation with a guest

A room-temperature ionic liquid containing macrocyclic compound pillar[5]arene in its core was synthesized. The ionic liquid showed high thermal stability, moderate ionic conductivity and solvent-free complexation ability with the guest tetracyanoethylene.     

Interactions Between the Cationic Surfactants Bearing Different Polar Head Groups: Interfacial,Conductivity, NMR,and Fluorescence Studies

Interfacial tension (γ), conductivity (κ), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and fluorescence measurements have been carried out to study the mixed interfacial and micellar behavior of cationic surfactants cetyltributylphosphonium bromide (CTBB) and the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). From the γ versus log C _s plots, the values of critical micellar concentration (cmc) and various interfacial parameters were computed. From κ measurements, the equivalent conductivities of the monomers (Λ _mon), the micelles (Λ _mic) states and the degree of counterion dissociation (δ) have been evaluated. The cmc values have been analyzed in the context of the pseudophase separation model and regular solution theory. The interaction parameters, β^m and β^σ, in the mixed micelle as well as in the mixed monolayer, respectively, also have been computed. The self‐diffusion coefficients for the micelles have been evaluated by using NMR spectroscopy. From the fluorescence quenching method, the mean micellar aggregation number (N _agg) of the pure and mixed micelles has been obtained from the slope of the ratio of fluorescence intensities in the absence and in the presence of quencher (ln (I _1,0/I ₁) versus [Q] plots. It was found that the incorporation of CTBB into the mixed micelle decreases the N _agg. The microviscosity of the fluorescence probe Rhodamine (RB) was monitored by using fluorescence polarization measurements. The values of fluorescence anisotropies (r) indicate that the penetration of CTBB monomer into CTAB micelles produced less rigid mixed micelles.     

Synthesis of (±)-penlanfuran

The title compound was efficiently synthesized from 3-furoic acid and 3-bromoanisole via the Birch reduction.     

Design and evaluation of imidazolium cation-based ionic liquids having double-armed anions for selective cation conduction

A series of triple ionic compounds consisting of double armed anions and one cation were prepared as lithium cation conductive matrices. As anions, lithium borates derived from lithium-9-borabicyclo[3,3,1]nonane hydride were introduced. The sterically hindered borate anion structures prevented the crystallization of triple ionic compounds. Introduction of ethylene oxide chains attached to the borate anions led to lower glass transition temperature, and also improved ionic conductivity. A lithium transference number of 0.73 was observed in spite of the presence of ethylene oxide chains.