Constituents of seed of Malva verticillata. VII. Structural features and reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity of MVS-I, the major neutral polysaccharide.

The structural features of MVS-I, the major neutral polysaccharide isolated from the seeds of Malva verticillata L., were elucidated by controlled Smith degradation, methylation analysis, partial acid hydrolysis and enzymic degradation studies. It has a backbone chain composed of beta-1,3-linked D-glucose and D-galactose residues having branches composed of alpha-1,5-linked L-arabinosyl beta-1,4-linked D-galactose and of beta-1,4-linked D-galactosyl beta-1,3-linked D-glucose residues at position 6 of a part of D-galactose units as side chains. MVS-I showed remarkable reticuloendothelial system-potentiating activity in a carbon clearance test.     

Framework engineering by anions and porous functionalities of Cu(II)/4,4'-bpy coordination polymers

A combination of framework-builder (Cu(II) ion and 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy) ligand) and framework-regulator (AF(6) type anions; A = Si, Ge, and P) provides a series of novel porous coordination polymers. The highly porous coordination polymers ([Cu(AF(6))(4,4'-bpy)(2)].8H(2)O)(n)(A = Si (1a.8H(2)O), Ge (2a.8H(2)O)) afford robust 3-dimensional (3-D), microporous networks (3-D Regular Grid) by using AF(6)(2-) anions. The channel size of these complexes is ca. 8 x 8 A(2) along the c-axis and 6 x 2 A(2) along the a- or b-axes. When compounds 1a.8H(2)O or 2a.8H(2)O were immersed in water, a conversion of 3-D networks (1a.8H(2)O or 2a.8H(2)O) to interpenetrated networks ([Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].AF(6))(n)(A = Si (1b) and Ge (2b)) (2-D Interpenetration) took place. This 2-D interpenetrated network 1b shows unique dynamic anion-exchange properties, which accompany drastic structural conversions. When a PF(6)(-) monoanion instead of AF(6)(2)(-) dianions was used as the framework-regulator with another co-counteranion (coexistent anions), porous coordination polymers with various types of frameworks, ([Cu(2)(4,4'-bpy)(5)(H(2)O)(4)].anions.2H(2)O.4EtOH)(n)(anions = 4PF(6)(-) (3.2H(2)O.4EtOH), 2PF(6)(-) + 2ClO(4)(-) (4.2H(2)O.4EtOH)) (2-D Double-Layer), ([Cu(2)(PF(6))(NO(3))(4,4'-bpy)(4)].2PF(6).2H(2)O)(n)(5.2PF(6).2H(2)O) (3-D Undulated Grid), ([Cu(PF(6))(4,4'-bpy)(2)(MeCN)].PF(6).2MeCN)(n)(6.2MeCN) (2-D Grid), and ([Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].PF(6).BF(4))(n) (7) (2-D Grid), were obtained, where the three modes of PF(6)(-) anions are observed. 5.2PF(6).2H(2)O has rare PF(6)(-) bridges. The PF(6)(-) and NO(3)(-) monoanions alternately link to the Cu(II) centers in the undulated 2-D sheets of [Cu(4,4'-bpy)(2)](n)() to form a 3-D porous network. The free PF(6)(-) anions are included in the channels. 6.2MeCN affords both free and terminal-bridged PF(6)(-) anions. 3.2H(2)O.4EtOH, 4.2H(2)O.4EtOH, and 7 bear free PF(6)(-) anions. All of the anions in 3.2H(2)O.4EtOH and 4.2H(2)O.4EtOH are freely located in the channels constructed from a host network. Interestingly, these Cu(II) frameworks are rationally controlled by counteranions and selectively converted to other frameworks.     

Regio- and chemoselective direct generation of functionalized aromatic aluminum compounds using aluminum ate base

A regio- and chemoselective direct method for generation of functionalized aromatic aluminum compounds through deprotonative directed ortho-alumination using triisobutyl(tetramethylpiperidino)aluminate (iBu3Al(TMP)Li), prepared by mixing of triisobutylaluminum (iBu3Al) and lithium tetramethylpiperidide (LTMP) in THF, has been developed. Deprotonative alumination of various functionalized benzenes with the use of iBu3Al(TMP)Li proved effective for the direct generation of various ortho-functionalized aluminum aromatic and heteroaromatic derivatives, particularly those with electrophilic functional groups such as cyano, amide, and halogen. Direct alumination, followed by electrophilic trapping (with I2), provided a convenient preparative method for 1,2- or 1,2,3-multisubstituted aromatic compounds. The functionalized aromatic aluminate intermediate also was found to undergo copper- and palladium-catalyzed C-C bond-forming reactions very efficiently and highly regio- and chemoselectively.     

Detection of 210 kDa receptor protein for a leaf-movement factor by using novel photoaffinity probes

Circadian rhythmic plant leaf-movement, called nyctinasty, is controlled by a time-course change in the internal concentration of the leaf-movement factor in the plant body. We revealed that specific binding proteins (210 and 180 kDa) for the leaf-movement factor, potassium lespedezate (1), are contained in the plasma membrane of the plant motor cell by using novel synthetic photoaffinity probes. These proteins are localized on the motor cell in the plant body, and would be potential receptors for the leaf-movement factor to control the leaf-movement. Our study is a rare successful result of the detection of membrane receptors by using a synthetic photoaffinity probe designed on a biologically active natural product. And these results also advance a guideline for probe design towards successful photoaffinity labeling.     

Acid-catalyzed transannular cyclization of 3aH-cyclopentene[8]annulene-1,4-(5H,9aH)-diones and some proposed mechanisms

Bicyclic 3aH-cyclopentene[8]annulene-1,4-(5H,9aH)-diones underwent three types of acid-induced transannular reactions, Michael cyclization, [3 + 2] cycloaddition, and Friedel-Crafts ipso-alkylation, depending on the cyclopentenone ring substituent (Me or Ph) and the position of [8]annulenone substituent as well as the nature of acids (BF3, MeSO3H, CF3SO3H). The Me-substituent permitted the Michael reaction for all acids used to give tricyclic diones by the activation of cyclopentenone carbonyl group. However, the Ph-substituent inhibited the Michael reaction for BF3 and MeSO3H but allowed the [3 + 2] cycloaddition and Friedel-Crafts reaction for CF3SO3H depending on the position of annulenone substituent. These CF3SO3H reactions exhibited the following novel rearrangements, affording 2-naphthalenone and 7-acenaphthylene derivatives, respectively. The factors that control the reaction mode of these transannular cyclizations were discussed in view of the constraint twist-boat conformation of [8]annulenone ring as well as the ring substituent effects on the intramolecular cyclization. In addition, these [8]annulenone rings were found to easily undergo the intramolecular [2 + 2] photocyclization to provide the tetracyclic cage compounds which exhibited the facile cycloreversion under the influence of acid.     

A New Anion-Trapping Radical Host, [(Cu-dppe)3{hat-(CN)6}]2+

Anions PF ₆ ⁻ and CF ₃ SO ₃ ⁻ are trapped by the new radical host [(Cu-dppe)₃{hat-(CN)₆}]²⁺, which was synthesized in a one-pot reaction from a copper(I ) source, hat-(CN)₆, and dppe in acetone. The trapped salts have been characterized both in solution and in the solid state (see picture: A⁻: PF₆⁻, CF₃SO₃⁻). hat-(CN)₆=hexaazatriphenylene hexacarbonitrile; dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane.     

Self-oscillating swelling and deswelling of polymer gels

Novel gel systems demonstrating rhythmically pulsatile mechanical motion similar to that of a heartbeat were developed. Self-oscillations of swelling and deswelling for the polymer hydrogels were realized by coupling pH and temperature sensitive hydrogels with a non-linear chemical reaction in the external solution media. The novel gel dynamics exhibiting cyclic and rhythmical oscillations may establish a new concept for functional materials that work under dynamic oscillating states.     

Determination of estrogens and their conjugates in water using solid-phase extraction followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

An analytical procedure for the determination of steroid estrogens and their conjugates was developed and applied to aqueous environmental samples. The analytes of 15 compounds were solid-phase extracted and fractionated into two fractions: one containing unconjugated (free) steroids and the other containing conjugates (sulfates and glucuronides). Identification and quantification were carried out using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The recoveries for each compound ranged from 57 to 116% and reproducibilities represented as RSD ranged from 2.9 to 17%. Some of the sulfates and free compounds were detected in environmental samples, whereas most of the conjugates were below the detection limits.     

Stability of human insulin in solutions containing sodium bisulfite.

The stabilities of human insulin (HI) in aqueous solutions were investigated in the pH range of 4.0-7.0 in the presence (1.0-3.0 x 10(-3) M) and absence of sodium bisulfite (SBS) both in the dark and under scattered light (1000 lux) using high performance liquid chromatography. Increasing concentrations of SBS tended to degrade HI. In the presence of SBS, with an increase in the pH value, the stability of HI decreased in the pH range of 4.0-7.0. There was a partial difference in the stability of HI in the presence of SBS in the dark and that under scattered light. HI was stabilized by glucose in the presence of SBS in the dark, and the stability of HI was revealed to depend on the concentration of free SBS. The reason for this phenomenon was postulated to be the formation of bisulfite-glucose adduct.     

Generation of orbitals that control molecular reactivity: projected reactive orbital approach

A method that generalizes the notion of frontier orbital (FO) theory is introduced. The method is based on the projected reactive orbitals (PROs). Although PROs have been shown to describe local reactivity better than FOs in high-symmetry systems, the PRO method needs an arbitrary choice of a reference atomic orbital (AO), causing ambiguity of the method and poor applicability to low-symmetry molecules. To overcome these difficulties, we examined three different kinds of methods for uniquely determining the reference AO, one of which (Method 1) was reported by other authors (Kurita, Y.; Takayama, C. J. Phys. Chem. A 1997, 101, 5593-5595). We specifically applied the methods to the prediction of basicities of heteroaromatic amines. The study showed that the newly developed reactivity-index maximization method (Method 3) yields the most reasonable PRO.