Deracemisation and stereoinversion of alpha-amino acids using D-amino acid oxidase and hydride reducing agents

The deracemisation and stereoinversion of both cyclic and acyclic DL-alpha-amino acids, using porcine kidney D-amino acid oxidase (DAAO) and a hydride reducing agent (NaCNBH3-NaBH4), has been investigated.     

Reactions of the iso-butyl radical during 1,1′-azoisobutane pyrolysis

Quantitative analysis of the products formed in 1,1′-azoisobutane pyrolyses in the temperature range of 553°–602°K has shown that the major reactions of the iso-butyl radical are Analysis of initial rate data gave log₁₀k₄/(k_c)^1/2(cm^?3/2.mol ^1/2.sec^?1/2) = 7.54±0.44 ? (136.5 + 4.8) kJ/mol/2.303RT, the Arrhenius parameters obtained being in good agreement with thermodynamic data for reaction (4). Measured values of k_a/(k_c)^1/2 where k_a is the rate constant of the reaction iC₄H₉ + AIB → iC₄H₁₀ +. AIB were consistent with published parameters determined by photolysis of 1,1′-azoisobutane. Combination of photolysis and pyrolysis data gave log₁₀ k_a/(k_c)^1/2(cm^3/2.mol^?1/22.sec^?1/2) = 3.68 ± 0.15 ? (27.2 ± 1.2) kJ/mol/2.303RT. The crosscombination ratio for methyl and iso-butyl radicals has been found to be 0.25, indicating that the geometric mean rule does not hold for methyl and iso-butyl radicals.     

Interaction of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) with a gamma-linked, bis-beta-diketone ligand to yield an unusual coordination motif

Discrete cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of type ML (where L is a bis(2,4-pentanedionate) derivative incorporating a -SCH2CH2S- bridge between the gamma-carbons of respective beta-diketone units) have been synthesised and represent the first examples in which a gamma-substituted, thioether-containing beta-diketone ligand coordinates via a sulfur and oxygen donor in preference to the classical coordination mode involving both beta-diketonate oxygens.     

Cryopreservation of the australian species Macropidia fuliginosa (Haemodoraceae) by vitrification

Somatic embryos were used to develop a cryopreservation protocol for Macropidia fuliginosa, a commercially-important species endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. Somatic embryos were allowed to develop from embryogenic callus for three weeks on an kinetin medium prior to processing. These were transferred and cultured on a agar solidified basal medium supplemented with 0 to 0.6 M sorbitol for 2 d prior to incubation in Plant Vitrification Solution Two (PVS2). Following this, embryos were then washed in 1 M sucrose solution (treated controls) or cooled in liquid nitrogen (LN). Cooled embryos were then warmed and washed in sucrose solution. Highest survival for cooled treatments (67.3%) was achieved by preculture with 0.4 M sorbitol, then incubation in PVS2. Further experimentation varying pre-culture duration (2 or 3 d) and incubation on either glycerol (0.8 M) or sorbitol (0.4 M) indicated that very high survival (90.6%) of embryos was achievable by adopting a 2 d preculture period on 0.8 M glycerol. The phenotype and growth rates of plants obtained using this protocol were similar to those of parent plants. This optimised procedure was then applied to tissue culture-derived shoot apices of the same clone also resulting in a high survival rate (84.4%).     

Anion sensing 'venus flytrap' hosts: a modular approach

A series of podands based on three hydrogen bonding 'arms' have been prepared and their affinities for simple inorganic anions measured.     

Synthesis of periphery-functionalized dendritic molecules using polylithiated dendrimers as starting material

A general method for the functionalization of Si-Cl terminated carbosilane dendritic molecules via organolithium or organomagnesium reagents is described. Quantitative exchange of the bromine atoms of 4-bromophenyl-functionalized dendrimers affords polylithiated species that are valuable starting materials for further functionalization, e.g., into pyridyl alcohols. The latter were successfully applied as catalyst precursors in a ruthenium-mediated ring-closure metathesis reaction.