A logic‐mathematical point of view of the truth: Reality,perception, and language

In this article, the authors propose a theory of the truth value of propositions from a logic‐mathematical point of view. The work that the authors present is an attempt to address this question from an epistemological, linguistic, and logical‐mathematical point of view. What is it to exist and how do we define existence? The main objective of this work is an approach to the first of these questions. We leave a more thorough treatment of the problem of existence for future works. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 20: 58–67, 2015     

Mass spectrometry of heterocyclic compounds—II: Electron-impact induced fragmentation of 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole

The electron-impact induced fragmentation of 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole has been investigated by labelling experiments, defocused metastable ion detections and high resolution mass measurements. The main fragmentation process suggests heterocyclic cleavage at the 1 to 5 and 3 to 4 bonds confirming our previous interpretation. The structure of the major fragment ion [C₇H₅NO]⁺· has been interpreted as being represented by the isomeric benzonitrile oxide and phenylisocyanate structures, the latter isomerising irreversibly from the former. The benzonitrile oxide structure is consistent with [C₇H₅NO]⁺· formation by cleavage of the 1 to 5 and 3 to 4 bonds.     

Applying the Retro‐Enantio Approach To Obtain a Peptide Capable of Overcoming the Blood–Brain Barrier

The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is a formidable physical and enzymatic barrier that tightly controls the passage of molecules from the blood to the brain. In fact, less than 2 % of all potential neurotherapeutics are able to cross it. Here, by applying the retro‐enantio approach to a peptide that targets the transferrin receptor, a full protease‐resistant peptide with the capacity to act as a BBB shuttle was obtained and thus enabled the transport of a variety of cargos into the central nervous system.     

Glycerol Valorization towards a Benzoxazine Derivative through a Milling and Microwave Sequential Strategy

Glycerol and aminophenol intermolecular condensation has been investigated through a milling and microwave-assisted sequential strategy, towards the synthesis of a benzoxaxine derivative. Mechanochemical activation prior to the microwave-assisted process could improve the probability of contact between the reagents, and greatly favors the higher conversion of aminophenol. At the same time, following a mechanochemical–microwave sequential approach could tune the selectivity towards the formation of a benzoxazine derivative, which could find application in a wide range of biomedical areas.     

β-Cyclodextrin and 5-Methoxytryptammonium Ion Host-Guest Association in vacuo: Simulation of Non-Covalent Inclusion by Molecular Dynamics

The structure of gaseous charged host-guest adducts ofcyclodextrins (CDs) generated by mass spectrometry (MS) still requires to be addressed correctly,as these adducts could be true inclusion complexes or non-specific proton bound heterodimers(PBHs). The present theoretical study of inclusion complex vs. PBH of 5-methoxytryptammonium ion(5-MTA⁺) with -CD in vacuo by energy minimisation and moleculardynamics proved that the most stable forms of -CD/5-MTA⁺ non-covalent associationare inclusion complexes. PBHs evolved to genuine inclusion complexes with two differenthost-guest arrangements during MD runs.     

Multiphase heterogeneous catalytic enantioselective hydrogenation of acetophenone over cinchona-modified Pt/C

The multiphase heterogeneous enantioselective hydrogenation of acetophenone in the presence of cinchona-modified Pt/C was investigated. The system demonstrated the feasibility of this reaction on non-activated ketones. The reaction proceeded selectively, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, towards the formation of 1-phenylethanol, with up to 20% ee (enantiomeric excess) of either enantiomer depending on the modifier used. A mode of action of the modifier is proposed to account for the mechanism. A comparison with other systems indicates that the investigated system likely acts by a different mechanism, and that it is quite specific for acetophenone.     

Cooperative nucleophilic-electrophilic organocatalysis by ionic liquids

The anionic and the cationic partners of ionic liquids may act cooperatively and independently as nucleophilic and electrophilic catalysts. This ambiphilic propensity was demonstrated by kinetically discriminating the contributions of the anion (nucleophilic catalyst) and of the cation (electrophilic catalyst) to the solvent-free Baylis-Hillman dimerization of cyclohexenone catalysed by ionic liquids.