Ethylenic compounds reactivity: bromination—XLI: Relative reactivities of R1CMeCH2 and R1CHCMe2 series as a criterion for distinguishing between bridged and acyclic transition states. Degree of symmetry of the bromonium ion-like transition state

Reactivities of homogeneous series of ethylenic compounds R¹CHCH₂1, trans R¹CHCHMe 2, R¹MeCCH₂3 and R¹CHCMe₂4 have been measured in methanol at 25°C (R¹ Me, Et, n-Pr, -CH₂C₆H₅-CH₂OCOCH₃, -CH₂Cl). The criterion developed to decide between a bridged and a carbonium ion-like transition state is based on an internal comparison of the series and avoids resorting to external structural scales. Even in the case of alkenes 3 and 4 which are very dissymmetric with respect to polarity, the sensitivity to polar effects remains constant and the transition state behaves like a symmetric entity; only a slight secondary effect, attributed to hyperconjugation, is detectable.     

Synthesis, characterization, catalytic, electrochemical and thermal properties of tetradentate Schiff base complexes

In this study, the Schiff base ligands H₂L¹–H₂L³ and their Cu^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Fe^III Ru^III and VO^IV complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and analytical techniques. All the complexes are mononuclear. Keto-enol tautomeric forms of the ligands have been investigated in polar and apolar solvents. The ligands favor the keto-form in the C₇H₈ and C₆H₁₄. The C–C coupling reaction of the 2,6-di-t-butylphenol has been investigated by the Co^II and Cu^II complexes. Thermal properties of the complexes have been assessed using thermal techniques and similar properties were found. In the Fe^III and Ru^III complexes, firstly, the coordinated water molecule is lost from the complex; in the second step, the chloride ion leaves the molecule in the 300–350 °C temperature range. Finally, the complexes decompose to the appropriate metal oxide at the higher temperature ranges. The electrochemical properties of the complexes have been studied in the two different solvents (DMF and CH₃CN).     

On the structure and activity of a Pt/C catalyst subjected to repeated deactivation and regeneration cycles

Electron microscopic studies reveal that repeated air/hydrogen regeneration cycles cause irreversible structural changes of a Pt/C catalyst involving sintering and migration of the platinum over the support. This is reflected by a serious decrease of the catalytic activity. With hydrogen treatment only, these effects are less significant.

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, / Pt/C, . . .

     

Culture conditions dictate protease and tannase production in submerged and solid-state cultures of Aspergillus niger Aa-20

Undesirable protease production by Aspergillus niger Aa-20 in submerged culture and solid-state culture was evaluated using different concentrations of tannic acid as sole carbon source in a model system designed for tannase production. Protease production was found to be dependent on the culture system used (submerged culture or solid-state culture) and on the initial tannic acid concentration. Expression of protease activity in submerged culture was higher (up to 10 times) than activity obtained in solid-state culture, using identical culture medium composition. In submerged culture, the lowest final protease activity (0.13 IU) was obtained with the highest tannic acid concentration, while in solid-state culture protease activity was not affected by changes in initial substrate concentration. Absence of detectable proteolytic activity in solid-state culture is related to high production of tannase enzyme. Hence, the use of solid-state culture for fungal enzyme production may allow for higher and more stable enzyme titers present in culture extracts.     

Interaction of tetraphenyl-porphyrin derivatives with DPPC-liposomes: an EPR study

The effect of the symmetry and polarity of the porphyrin molecules on their membrane localization and interaction with membrane lipids were investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). For this purpose, two glycoconjugated tetraphenyl porphyrin derivatives were selected, respectively, symmetrically and asymmetrically substituted. Small unilamellar liposomes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and spin labeled stearic acids were prepared. The spin probe was located at the 5th or 7th or 12th or 16th position of the hydrocarbon chain in order to monitor various regions of the lipid bilayer. EPR spectra of porphyrin-free and porphyrin-bound liposomes were recorded at various temperatures below and above the phase transition temperature of DPPC. The effect on membrane fluidity proved to be stronger with the asymmetrical porphyrin derivative than with the symmetrical one. The rigidity increased when the spin label was near lipid head groups. The difference observed between control and porphyrin-treated samples when measured below the main lipid transition temperature disappeared at higher temperature. When the spin label was near the end of the hydrophobic tails, the symmetrical porphyrin derivative caused increase in fluidity, while the asymmetrical one slightly decreased it. To explain this phenomenon we propose that the asymmetrical derivative exerts a stronger ordering effect caused by its fluorophenyl group located at the level of the lipid heads, which is attenuated to the hydrophobic tails. The perturbing effect of the symmetric derivative could not lead to similar extent of ordering at the head groups and looses the hydrocarbon chains deeper in the membrane.     

Cyclic sulfonium salts with S ... O interactions 2. Molecular structures with six-membered rings

1-[2-(N-methylcarbamoyl)phenyl]-3H-2,1-naphto-(1,8-d,e)-oxathiin-1-ium chloride (2), 1-[2-(N-methylcarbamoyl)-phenyl]-2-methyl-3-oxo-3H-1, 2-naphto-(1,8-d,e)-thiazin-1-ium chloride (3), 1-[8-(N-methylcarbamoyl)naphtyl]-2-methyl-3-oxo-3H-1, 2-naphto-(1,8-d,e)-thiazin-1-ium chloride (4) and 1-(8-carboxylatonaphtyl)-2-methyl-3-oxo-3H-1,2-naphto-(1,8-d,e)-thiazin-1-ium dipolar ion (5) cyclic sulfonium salts were prepared and their chemical properties investigated (spirosulfurane-formation, hydrolysis). The molecular structures obtained from x-ray diffraction can be described with a considerably distorted trigonal bipyramidal arrangement of the ligands about the sulfonium center, with O/N—S ... O=apical angles of 173.9, 164.9, 156.6, and 159.0°, as well as with S—O/N apical bond lengths of 1.648, 1.671, 1.664, and 1.682 Å. The structures exhibit relatively short S ... O close contacts with interatomic distances of 2.253, 2.448, 2.795, and 2.619 Å.     

Synthesis of novel tryptamine and β-carboline derivatives via palladium-catalyzed reaction of bromotryptamine with organic boronic acids

New tryptamine 5, 7 and β-carboline derivatives 3 were preparated by palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction of 5-bromotryptamine 1 with aryl boronic acids. Dedicated to Professor András Lipták on his 70^th birthday.     

Regioselectivity of Birch reductive alkylation of biaryls

[reaction: see text] The regioselectivity of the Birch reductive alkylation of polysubstituted biaryls has been investigated. Results indicate that regioselectivity is affected by the electronic nature of substituents on both aromatic rings. The electron-rich 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl moiety is selectively reduced and then alkylated, while phenols and aniline are not dearomatized under these conditions. Biaryls possessing a phenol moiety are alkylated on the second ring, providing that the acidic proton has been removed prior to the Li/NH3 reduction.