Alkaloid and phenolic compounds of Galanthus caucasicus, Magnolia obovata, Cocculus laurifolius, and Veratrum lobelianum grown in Georgia

A collection of plants from the country of Georgia (Galanthus caucasicus, Magnolia obovata, Cocculus laurifolius, and Veratrum lobelianum) has been studied for their alkaloid content. Our studies led to the isolation and identification of 24 alkaloids, three of which are being identified and reported for the first time.     

Poly[3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)glyceric acid], a new biologically active polymer from Symphytum asperum Lepech. and S. caucasicum Bieb. (Boraginaceae)

Two high-molecular water-soluble preparations with high anticomplementary, antioxidant, antilipoperoxidant and antiinflammatory activities were isolated from the roots of Symphytum asperum and S. caucasicum. Their main chemical constituent was found to be poly[oxy-1-carboxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethylene], according to IR and NMR spectroscopy. The Symphytum high-molecular preparations can modulate in vitro B- chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B-CLL) cells apoptosis and cell cycle progression.     

Construction of a Metal‐Free Electron Spin System by Encapsulation of an NO Molecule Inside an Open‐Cage Fullerene C60 Derivative

A reactive radical species, nitric oxide (NO), was encapsulated in a unimolecular form inside an open‐cage fullerene derivative under high‐pressure conditions in the solid state. Surprisingly, the molecular complex showed sharp ¹H NMR signals despite the existence of the paramagnetic species inside the carbon cage. Owing to the paramagnetic shifts, the escape rate of the NO was determined experimentally. After constructing a stopper on the rim of the opening, the NO was found to stay inside the cage even at 50 °C. The ESR measurements of the powdery sample showed paramagnetic properties at low temperature. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis clearly demonstrated the existence of the encapsulated NO molecule, suggesting rapid rotation inside the cage. The ¹H NMR chemical shifts displayed a large temperature dependence owing to the paramagnetic effects.     

Conformational Planarization versus Singlet Fission: Distinct Excited‐State Dynamics of Cyclooctatetraene‐Fused Acene Dimers

A set of flapping acene dimers fused with an 8π cyclooctatetraene (COT) ring showed distinct excited‐state dynamics in solution. While the anthracene dimer showed a fast V‐shaped‐to‐planar conformational change within 10 ps in the lowest excited singlet state, reminding us of extended Baird aromaticity, the tetracene dimer and the pentacene dimer underwent intramolecular singlet fission (SF) in different manners: A fast and reversible SF with a characteristic delayed fluorescence (FL), and a fast and quantitative SF, respectively. Conformational flexibility of the fused COT linkage plays an important role in these ultrafast dynamics, demonstrating the utility of the flapping molecular series as a versatile platform for designing photofunctional systems.     

Two new 5‐deoxyflavan‐3,4‐diol glucosides from roots of Albizia chevalieri

Phytochemical investigation of the roots of Albizia chevalieri led to the isolation of two new 5‐deoxyflavan‐3,4‐diol glucosides from roots of A. chevalieri, Chevalieriflavanosides A and B. Their structures were established by 2D NMR techniques, UV, IR, CD, and mass spectrometry. Cytotoxicity of the two compounds was evaluated against acute promyelocytic leukemia HL60 cells. The antibacterial activities of 1 and 2 also were evaluated against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar diffusion test. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Two-photon actuation of crosslinked liquid-crystalline polymers utilizing energy transfer system

ABSTRACT

We prepared crosslinked azotolane liquid-crystalline polymer (LCP) films doped with a stilbene derivative (two-photon chromophore) utilizing an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) structure. The IPN films bend toward the light source upon irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses at 600 nm, which can excite the stilbene derivative by two-photon absorption. The bending speed of the IPN films increases with the square of the laser pulse intensity, which is compelling evidence for the two-photon processes.     

Preparation of biocarbon micro coils

ABSTRACT

A novel synthetic polymer-plant-precursor carbonization technique was developed. Carbon micro coils were prepared by the carbonization of plant helical vessels coated with polyaniline or poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylic acid). The helical vessels served as a helical guide, while the synthetic polymers coated on the vessel surface, which consisted of cellulose, were transformed into carbon material while retaining the helical form. The helical carbon material was prepared without the use of an organic gas or solvents through a relatively simple and convenient process. This technique involved the application of natural resources, the synthesis of a conducting polymer, and carbon science. The biocarbon micro coils thus prepared in this study were characterized by infrared absorption, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Moreover, the magnetic properties of the helical carbon were examined by electron spin resonance and a superconducting quantum interference device that proved its paramagnetic features. Additionally, the water transport function in the helical vessels was discussed.     

On-line concentration and fluorescence determination HPLC for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in seawater samples and its application to Japan Sea

An on?line concentration and fluorescence determination HPLC for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in seawater was proposed. An online concentration column packed with octadecyl polyvinyl alcohol polymer, a pump and a column switching valve were introduced in the conventional HPLC with a fluorescence detector. Only 1.0-100?mL seawater sample was introduced into the concentration column at 1.0?mL?min(-1) without any other pretreatment except filtration. Then the trapped PAHs totally flew into the separation column and eluted separately to be detected fluorogenically. The proposed method had good linearity with correlation coefficients (r) ranged from 0.951 to 0.998, and limits of detection ranged from 0.002 to 0.50?ng?L(-1) for 15 PAHs as 100?mL seawater was loaded. The sensitivity of the method was 10 to 100 times higher than those reported by other works. The proposed method was applied to the determination of PAHs in the seawater samples collected in the Japan Sea with satisfactory results and to check the present benzo[a]pyrene concentration at the beaches in Noto peninsula, Japan polluted with C-heavy oil spilled from the tanker in 1997.