Aculeoside I, a novel 18,19-seco-ursane saponin isolated from Ilex aculeolata

A novel 18,19-seco-ursane saponin, aculeoside I (1), in addition to four known saponins were isolated from the leaves of Ilex aculeolata Nakai and identified by using spectroscopic and chemical methods. The structure of the new saponin was established as 3,19-dihydroxyl-16,21-epoxy-18,19-seco-13(18)-urs-ene-28-oic-acid-19-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside.     

Influence of the water molecule on cation-pi interaction: ab initio second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) calculations

The influence of introducing water molecules into a cation-pi complex on the interaction between the cation and the pi system was investigated using the MP2/6-311++G method to explore how a cation-pi complex changes in terms of both its geometry and its binding strength during the hydration. The calculation on the methylammonium-benzene complex showed that the cation-pi interaction is weakened by introducing H(2)O molecules into the system. For example, the optimized interaction distance between the cation and the benzene becomes longer and longer, the transferred charge between them becomes less and less, and the cation-pi binding strength becomes weaker and weaker as the water molecule is introduced one by one. Furthermore, the introduction of the third water molecule leads to a dramatic change in both the complex geometry and the binding energy, resulting in the destruction of the cation-pi interaction. The decomposition on the binding energy shows that the influence is mostly brought out through the electrostatic and induction interactions. This study also demonstrated that the basis set superposition error, thermal energy, and zero-point vibrational energy are significant and needed to be corrected for accurately predicting the binding strength in a hydrated cation-pi complex at the MP2/6-311++G level. Therefore, the results are helpful to better understand the role of water molecules in some biological processes involving cation-pi interactions.     

An example of applications of the elementary catastrophe theory in Hamiltonian systems

The convection in atmosphere discussed in ref. [1] is rigorously treated by considering the variation of environmental temperature with the height. This represents an example of applications of the elementary catastrophe theory in Hamiltonian systems.     

Heck-reaction on alpha-C-p-bromophenyl delta2-glycopyranodise: an easy access to functionalized C-aryl glycoside

Palladium-catalyzed Heck condensation of C-p-bromophenyl delta2-glycopyranoside with methyl vinyl ketone, methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, or N-acetyldehydroalanine methyl ester occurred in quite good yields (60-82%).     

Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence Based on Tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) Ruthenium(II) with Hydroxyl Carboxylic Acid

Upon the electrochemical oxidation of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)²⁺₃] and hydroxyl carboxylic acids, for instance, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, and -gluconic acid, bright electrochemiluminescences (ECLs) were observed. Different luminescent reactions were presented depending on the applied potential. The light emission was mainly caused by the reaction between alkoxide radical ion and Ru(bpy)³⁺₃below the potential +1.80 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The luminescence intensity obviously increased because of the more complex reaction process. The luminescence wavelength of 608 nm, which could be found either at higher potential than +1.80 V or in the potential range from +1.30 to +1.80 V, confirmed that ECL was caused by Ru(bpy)²⁺₃*. The factors which affect the determination and HPLC separation of the four acids were also investigated.     

Mössbauer Spectroscopic Studies of Ferrocenylaldimines and their TCNQ Complexes

A series of ferrocenylaldimines (Fc-CH=N-R) has been prepared by Schiff base condensation of formylferrocene with polyacenylamines RNH₂ where R = naphthyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl, anthracenyl, and pyrenyl groups. This step was followed by oxidation with TCNQ to give [Fc-CH = N-R][TCNQ]² salts. The electronic state of iron in these compounds was investigated by means of⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and formulation of vinyl-containing polyacids for improved light-cured glass-ionomer cements

Vinyl-containing poly(acrylic acid-co-itaconic acid) copolymers were synthesized and used to formulate light-curable cements containing reactive glass fillers (Fuji II LC). The conditions for light curing were studied and optimized. Effects of molecular weight (MW), grafting ratio, comonomer, liquid composition, powder/liquid (P/L) ratio, glass powder and aging were evaluated. The results show that the vinyl-containing glass-ionomer cements (GICs) prepared in this study exhibit higher compressive strength (CS, 225.6 MPa), diametral tensile strength (DTS, 28.4 MPa) and much higher flexural strength (FS, 116.4 MPa), as compared to commercial Fuji II LC GIC (186.6 in CS, 19.1 in DTS and 57.1 in FS). The optimal light-exposure time was found to be around 10 min, and concentrations of CQ and DC were 0.5% (by weight) and 1.0%, respectively. Effects of MW, grafting ratio, P/L ratio and content of polymer in the liquid formulation were significant. The highest strengths were found for the optimal formulations where the MW was 15,000 (weight average), grafting ratio 25 mol%, P/L ratio 2.7 and liquid composition 50:20:30. During aging, the cement showed an increase of strength over the first week and then no change for a month. SEM analysis suggests that more integrated microstructures and smaller glass particles can lead to higher FS and higher polymer content in GICs leads to tough fracture surface and plastic deformation.