Cytotoxic Components from the Leaves of Schefflera Taiwaniana

The isolation and identification of eighteen components from the leaves of Schefflera taiwaniana are presented. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectral data as well as direct comparison with authentic samples. These compounds include two polyacetylenes, one carotenoid‐like, three sesquiterpenes, one diterpene, four triterpenes, two tocopherols, and five alkyl 4‐hydroxycinnamate mixtures. Among these, 4‐hydroxy‐trans‐cinnamic acid docosyl ester and 4‐hydroxy‐cis‐cinnamic acid tetracosyl ester are new compounds. Some of these components exhibit cytotoxic activity.     

Amperometric Glucose Biosensor Based on Glucose Oxidase Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotube–Titania–Nafion Composite Film on Platinized Glassy Carbon Electrode

A highly sensitive and selective glucose biosensor has been developed based on immobilization of glucose oxidase within mesoporous carbon nanotube–titania–Nafion composite film coated on a platinized glassy carbon electrode. Synergistic electrocatalytic activity of carbon nanotubes and electrodeposited platinum nanoparticles on electrode surface resulted in an efficient reduction of hydrogen peroxide, allowing the sensitive and selective quantitation of glucose by the direct reduction of enzymatically‐liberated hydrogen peroxide at ?0.1 V versus Ag/AgCl (3 M NaCl) without a mediator. The present biosensor responded linearly to glucose in the wide concentration range from 5.0×10^?5 to 5.0×10^?3 M with a good sensitivity of 154 mA M^?1cm^?2. Due to the mesoporous nature of CNT–titania–Nafion composite film, the present biosensor exhibited very fast response time within 2 s. In addition, the present biosensor did not show any interference from large excess of ascorbic acid and uric acid.     

Ion size dominated 1D and 2D Salen lanthanide coordination complexes and their luminescence

Lewis acid/base addition between Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb and Lu) and H₂salen [H₂salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] gives rise to an array of coordination polymeric structures. Crystal structural analysis reveals that Salen effectively functions as a bridging ligand in these compounds. The size of the lanthanide ions controls the structures of these Salen lanthanide complexes. Two representative structures with one dimensional and two dimensional topologies, viz. [Pr(H₂salen)(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)₂]_n (1) and [Ln(H₂salen)_1.5(NO₃)₃]_n [Ln = Pr (2), Nd (3), Sm (4), Eu (5), Tb (6) and Lu (7)] are reported. Luminescent spectra of complexes 4 and 5 exhibit characteristic metal-centered emission lines. However, the characteristic luminescence of the terbium(III) ion is not observed either in solution or in the solid state of complex 6.     

Synthesis and Structure of 2‐Substituted Thieno[3′,2′:5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one Derivatives

A series of new 2‐substituted 3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5,8,9‐trimethylthieno[3′,2′: 5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones 8 were synthesized via an aza‐Wittig reaction. Phosphoranylideneamino derivatives 6a or 6b reacted with 4‐chlorophenyl isocyanate to give carbodiimide derivatives 7a or 7b , respectively, which were further treated with amines or phenols to give compounds 8 in the presence of a catalytic amount of EtONa or K₂CO₃. The structure of 2‐(4‐chlorophenoxy)‐3‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5,8,9‐trimethylthieno[3′,2′: 5,6]pyrido[4,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐one ( 8j ) was comfirmed by X‐ray analysis.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of a Novel Polymeric Lead(II) Compound: [Pb2(phen)2(N3)3(ClO4)]n

A 2D lead(II) coordination polymer [Pb₂(phen)₂(N₃)₃(ClO₄)]_n,( 1 ) containing 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) and two different anions, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The single‐crystal X‐ray data show two different kinds of Pb²⁺ ions with coordination numbers of eight, Pb1 = PbN₆O₂ and Pb2 = PbN₈, with hemidirected and holodirected structures, respectively. The supramolecular features in 1 is negiotated through the weak but directional C‐H···O and C‐H···N interactions and aromatic π–π stacking interactions.     

4‐(2‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine and the 2‐(2,3‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐, 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐ and 2‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐substituted derivatives

The 1,5‐benzodiazepine ring system exhibits a puckered boat‐like conformation for all four title compounds [4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2‐phenyl‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₁H₁₈N₂O, (I), 2‐(2,3‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₃, (II), 2‐(3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₃, (III), and 2‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐4‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐2,3‐dihydro‐1H‐1,5‐benzodiazepine, C₂₃H₂₂N₂O₃, (IV)]. The stereochemical correlation of the two C₆ aromatic groups with respect to the benzodiazepine ring system is pseudo‐equatorial–equatorial for compounds (I) (the phenyl group), (II) (the 2,3‐dimethoxyphenyl group) and (III) (the 3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl group), while for (IV) (the 2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl group) the system is pseudo‐axial–equatorial. An intramolecular hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl OH group and a benzodiazepine N atom is present for all four compounds and defines a six‐membered ring, whose geometry is constant across the series. Although the molecular structures are similar, the supramolecular packing is different; compounds (I) and (IV) form chains, while (II) forms dimeric units and (III) displays a layered structure. The packing seems to depend on at least two factors: (i) the nature of the atoms defining the hydrogen bond and (ii) the number of intermolecular interactions of the types O—H...O, N—H...O, N—H...π(arene) or C—H...π(arene).