Two new sesquiterpene lactones from the leaves of Laurus nobilis

As a part of our ongoing interest in new bioactive compounds from natural sources, we studied Laurus nobilis (Lauraceae). This plant is widespread in the Mediterranean area and is used for medicinal and economic purposes. Chromatographic separations on active extracts led to the isolation of two new sesquiterpene lactones, 5a,9-dimethyl-3-methylene-3,3a,4,5,5a,6,7,8-octahydro-1-oxacyclopenta[c]azulen-2-one (1) and 3beta-chlorodehydrocostuslactone (2). The structures of the new compounds were identified by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, as well as high resolution mass spectrometry. The cytotoxic activity was also evaluated against three different tumor cell lines of human origin.     

X-ray illumination induced Fe(II) spin crossover in the Prussian blue analogue cesium iron hexacyanochromate

The effect of X-ray illumination on the structural properties of the mixed valence Prussian blue analogue CsFe(II)[Cr(III)(CN)6] has been studied by time-dependent high-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction. Abrupt isosymmetric phase transitions, accompanied by dramatic volume collapse, were found in the temperature range 245-265 K, induced by sudden Fe(II) spin transitions from the high spin (HS) (4t(2g)2e(g), S = 2) to the low spin (LS) (6t(2g)0e(g), S = 0) configuration. Absorption of X-ray photons generates photoexcited Fe(II)(LS) domains whose size rapidly grows with time until the percolation threshold is reached and the structure collapse is triggered. The persistent character of the optically excited spin crossover states derives from the strong electron-phonon coupling, associated with the large lattice relaxations, which accompany the internal spin rearrangements. It is thus possible to use X-ray light in a controllable and efficient way to induce photoswitching between the ground and hidden or inaccessible excited states in suitably selected multistable materials in the bulk.     

Synthesis of indoles by intermolecular cyclization of unfunctionalized nitroarenes and alkynes, catalyzed by palladium-phenanthroline complexes

Palladium-phenanthroline complexes efficiently catalyze the reaction of nitroarenes with arylalkynes and CO to give 3-arylindoles by an ortho-C-H functionalization of the nitroarene ring. Both electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents are tolerated on the nitroarene, except for bromide and activated chloride. Nitroarenes bearing electron-withdrawing substituents react faster, but the selectivity of the reaction depends on both polar and radical stabilization effects. Among those tested, only arylalkynes afforded indoles under the investigated conditions. The reaction mechanism was partly investigated. The kinetics is first order in nitroarene concentration and the rate-determining step of the cycle is the initial nitroarene reduction. No primary isotope effect is observed on either rate or selectivity, implying that the cyclization step is fast.     

Structure‐Directing Agents for the Synthesis of TiO2‐Based Drug‐Delivery Systems

A series of titanium oxides was prepared by using a surfactant‐template method (STM) and used as a carrier for the sustained release of ibuprofen, which was chosen as a model drug. This STM provides an efficient route to TiO₂ matrices with both high surface area (when compared with those that were obtained by using traditional synthetic approaches) and well‐defined mesoporous textures. Some parameters of the synthetic procedure were varied: pH value, surfactant, and thermal treatment. The physicochemical nature of the surface carriers were investigated by means of N₂‐physisorption measurements and FTIR spectroscopy. The effect of the amount of drug on the release kinetics was also investigated. The drug delivery was evaluated in vitro in four different physiological solutions (that simulated the gastrointestinal tract) to analyze the behavior of the TiO₂‐based systems if they were to be formulated as oral DDSs. Our optimized approach is a good alternative to the classical methods that are used to prepare efficient TiO₂‐based drug‐delivery systems.