Photochemistry of the alkaloids eudistomin N (6-bromo-nor-harmane) and eudistomin O (8-bromo-nor-harmane) and other bromo-beta-carbolines

The UV-absorption, fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the alkaloids eudistomin N (6-bromo-nor-harmane) and eudistomin O (8-bromo-nor-harmane) were described. In order to perform a comparative analysis, we also studied other bromo-beta-carbolines and the corresponding non-substituted-carboline. Thus, 6-bromo-, 8-bromo-, 6,8-dibromo-, 3,6-dibromo- and 3,6,8-tribromo-derivatives of nor-harmane, harmane and harmine were studied. These studies were performed in EtOH and in EtOH + 1% perchloric acid solutions (pa). Furthermore, fluorescence quantum yields (phi(f)) in acetonitrile and acetonitrile + 1% perchloric acid solutions at 298 K were measured. The HOMO and LUMO energy, the positions (lambda(max)) and oscillator strength (f) of the (1)S(1) <--(1)S(0) band for all the neutral and protonated beta-carbolines studied was calculated and compared with the experimental data. The pK(a) values in aqueous solution for eudistomin N and O (6-bromo- and 8-bromo-nor-harmane), for 6-bromo-, 8-bromo- and 6,8-dibromo-harmane, and for 6-bromo- and 8-bromo-harmine were spectrophotometrically measured (pK((a)(H(2)O))) . The change of the acid-base character of these compounds on going from the ground state (pK(a)) to the first electronic excited singlet state (pK(a)(*)) as DeltapK(a) = pK(a)(*)-pK(a) = 0.625 Deltanu /T, in ethanol solution at 298 K were calculated (DeltapK(a(EtOH))). Proton affinities (PA) for all the compounds studied defined as minus the enthalpy change of the reaction M+H(+)--> MH(+) (gas state) were calculated. Basicity relative to pyridine (DeltaH(rPy)) defined as the enthalpy change of the isodesmic reaction MH(+) + Py--> M + PyH(+) (gas state) was also calculated. The effect of bromine as substituent on the properties of the beta-carboline moiety in nor-harmane, harmane and harmine is discussed.     

Optimization of the Conditions for the Cr (III) Adsorption on Activated Carbon

In order to understand the patterns of the adsorption equilibrium of Cr (III) on activated carbon, the adsorption process was studied by two different ways: classical batch experiments on commercial Norit and Merck activated carbons and their oxidized forms in a wide range of pHs; and extended time-based tests at the same pH values on the same adsorbents. This approach allowed us to understand the role of texture, chemical carbon surface functionality and experimental conditions (initial pH of the solution, contact time and adsorbate/adsorbent ratio) on the effectiveness of Cr (III) removal. The adsorption process of Cr (III) at (24 ± 1^∘C) on Merck and Norit activated carbons and their oxidized forms were studied at pH values between 1.5 and 5 (either adjusted or buffered). Chromium concentration was fixed at 200 ppm. The carbon loading ranged from 1.2 to 20 g/l. The carbon/Cr (III) solution contact time was varied from 0.5–1 month to 5 months, to ensure that the saturation of the carbon level was reached. According to the data obtained, the presence of carboxylic groups on carbon surface seems to enhance Cr (III) uptake at initial pH of the solution in the range between 2 and 4. Depending on the nature of the adsorbent surface chemistry, the contact time to reach equilibrium may range from 3 to 5 months. There is an optimum carbon loading which limits the Cr (III) uptake/removal at given pH value. In order to understand the adsorption process, an ion exchange, surface complex and surface precipitation were considered. This paper was presented in the 5th Brazilian Meeting on Adsorption, held at Natal, Brazil, 18-21 July, 2004.     

Methanol electrooxidation on platinum mesh electrodes bonded to solid polymer electrolytes

Methanol electrooxidation on smooth platinum electrodes bonded to solid polymer electrolytes was studied in water and acid solution by voltammetric measurements with different scanning rates. An enhancement of the oxidation rates was observed in these systems as compared to identical platinum electrodes in contact with liquid electrolytes. This electrocatalytic effect strongly depends on the measuring conditions and on the electrode potential. The reasons for the catalytic effects at different potentials are discussed. Received: 8 January 1997 / Accepted: 1 December 1997     

A comparison of ring-chain tautomerism in heterocycles derived from 2-aminobenzenesulfonamide and anthranilamide

A number of anthranilamide and 2-aminobenzenesulfonamide derivatives with aromatic aldehydes and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds were synthesized. Substituted benzaldehyde derivatives of neither aminoamides showed tautomerism in solutions. Reaction products of 2-aminobenzenesulfonamide with p-substituted benzoylacetic aldehydes and p-substituted benzoylacetones undergo ring-chain tautomerism with a good linear correlation between the ring-chain equilibrium constants (log K, where K=[ring]/[chain]) and the Hammett-Brown σ⁺ parameters of the aromatic substituents. The equilibrium constant was measured for the reaction products of 2-aminobenzenesulfonamide with unsubstituted benzoylacetaldehyde at several temperatures which enabled the enthalpy and entropy of this reaction to be evaluated.     

Inclusion of Two PhP(O)(OH) 2 Guest Molecules into the Cavity of Macrocyclic Cavidand Cucurbit[8]uril

A new inclusion compound which is a supramolecular adduct of cucurbit[8]uril with two guest molecules of phenylphosphonic acid, PhP(O)(OH)₂, included into the cavity as ``two guests in host'' is reported. The guests match both size and hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity requirements. Two phenyl groups of molecules of PhP(O)(OH)₂ are directed toward the center of the large hydrophobic cavity whereas the PO(OH)₂ groups are outward-looking and bound with each hydrophilic portal of cucurbit[8]uril by a short hydrogen bond.     

Free radical-scavenging activity of indolic compounds in aqueous and ethanolic media

Indolic compounds are a broad family of substances present in microorganisms, plants and animals. They are mainly related with tryptophan metabolism, and present particularities that depend on their respective chemical structures. The most important members of the family are the plant hormone, indole-3-acetic acid, and the animal hormone, melatonin. An important characteristic of some indolic compounds is that they may be useful as chemical preventive agents against diseases such as cancer, oxidative stress, etc. For this reason, the possible antioxidant activities (free radical-scavenging activity) of several indoles were studied. The2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid /H(2)O(2)/HRP decoloration method was applied to determine both hydrophilic (in buffered media) and lipophilic (in organic media) antioxidant properties of the indolic compounds. Also, a study of the hydrophilic antioxidant activities of indoles at different pH values (between 4.5 and 8.5) was made. Finally, their possible role as diet plant antioxidants is discussed.     

Titanium and zirconium chloro, oxo and alkyl derivatives containing silyl-cyclopentadienyl ligands. Synthesis and characterisation

The reaction of the tetramethylcyclopentadiene-silyl substituted derivative C₅Me₄(SiMe₃)(SiMe₂Cl) with MCl₄ afforded the trichloro mono-tetramethylcyclopentadienyl complexes M(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂Cl)Cl₃ [M=Ti (1), Zr (2)] with selective elimination of SiMe₃Cl. Compound 1 reacts with deoxygenated water in methylene chloride, with the evolution of HCl, to give the dinuclear titanium compound {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Cl₂}₂ (3), which was converted into the μ-oxo complex {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Cl}₂(μ-O) (4) by a further hydrolysis reaction which occurred when a solution of 3 in toluene was refluxed for a long period of time in the air. Depending on the size of the alkyl ligand, reactions of the mononuclear compound 1 with an appropriate alkylating reagent rendered the peralkylated Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂R)R₃ [R=Me (5), CH₂Ph (6)] or partially alkylated {Ti[(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂(CH₂SiMe₃)]Cl(CH₂SiMe₃)₂} (7) compounds by a salt metathesis route. Attempts to synthesise a partially methylated or benzylated complex were unsuccessful. Treatment of the dinuclear compound 3 with four equivalents of MgClMe yielded the tetramethyl derivative {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Me₂}₂ (8), while the same reaction carried out with MgCl(CH₂Ph) or Mg(CH₂Ph)₂·2THF gave the chloro-benzyl derivative {Ti[μ-(η⁵-C₅Me₄SiMe₂O-κO)]Cl(CH₂Ph)}₂ (9) as an equimolar mixture of diastereomers, regardless of the molar ratio of the alkylating reagent used. All of the new compounds were characterised by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy.     

Solid-phase reagent for molecular spectroscopic determination of heavy metal speciation in natural water

A solid-phase reagent based on 1-(4-adamantyl-2-thiasolylazo)-2-naphthol adsorbed onto silica gel was prepared for Co(II) recovery and preconcentration prior to its sorption-spectroscopic detection. The immobilized reagent was applied to the determination of free cobalt ions in natural water. The solid-phase reagent and chemiluminescent method coupled with membrane filtration, gel-permeation and ion-exchange chromatography were applied to the study of the speciation of iron and cobalt in water from the Dnieper reservoirs and lakes of Kyiv City; their predominant forms were complexes of Fe(III) and Co(II) with dissolved organic matter and fulvic acids play a main role in their complexation.     

An unexpected rearrangement of 3-unsubstituted-2-acyl substituted indole phenylhydrazones. A new method for benz[c]β-carboline synthesis

A new type of rearrangement of 3-unsubstituted-2-acyl substituted indole phenylhydrazones with formation of a quinoline ring under acid catalysed conditions was observed.     

Mass displacements in quadrupolar field analysers

The influence of different instrumental parameters on the mass displacements observed in an ion trap and a quadrupole mass filter was investigated. In ion trap measurements it was observed that isolated ions (obtained by both ‘apex’ and ‘two-step’ isolation methods) show the same mass displacements determined in the usual mass spectra; isobaric ions of different structure irradiated with supplementary a.c. fields are ejected at different a.c. voltages, and different cooling times do not affect the mass value. In the quadrupole mass filter, differences in mass were found among isobaric ions of different structure, although to a smaller extent than those observed in the ion trap. All the data obtained are in agreement with the hypothesis of ion–r.f. field interactions originating from the polarizability of the ion.