Theoretical reconstruction and elementwise analysis of photoelectron spectra for imidazolium-based ionic liquids

We have recently measured core level and valence band XPS, UPS, and MIES spectra of two room temperature ionic liquids composed of bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anions ([Tf(2)N](-)) and either 1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium ([EMIm](+)) or 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium cations ([OMIm](+)). [T. Ikari, A. Keppler, M. Reinm?ller, W. J. D. Beenken, S. Krischok, M. Marschewski, W. Maus-Friedrichs, O. H?fft and F. Endres, e-J. Surf. Sci. Nanotechnol., 2010, 8, 241.] In the present work we analyze these spectra by means of partial density of states (pDOS) as calculated from a single ion pair of the respective ionic liquid using density functional theory (DFT). Subsequently we reconstruct the XPS and UPS spectra by considering photoemission cross sections and analyze the MIES spectra by pDOS, which provides us decisive hints to the ionic liquid surface structure.     

Synthesis of 2,4-disubstituted piperidines via radical cyclization: unexpected enhancement in diastereoselectivity with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane

A novel approach to 2,4-disubstituted piperidines is reported, involving the radical cyclization of 7-substituted-6-aza-8-bromooct-2-enoates. Cyclization with tributyltin hydride affords the trans piperidines with trans/cis diastereomeric ratios ranging typically from 3:1 to 6:1. Cyclization with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane affords the same products with diastereomeric ratios of up to 99:1 in certain cases. The enhancement in diastereoselectivity results from the selective rearrangement of the minor stereoisomer through a cascade process involving radical cyclization to the piperidine radical, 1,5-radical translocation, and attack of the translocated radical onto the sulfonamide with extrusion of SO2 in a Smiles-type rearrangement. Slower trapping of the piperidine radical by tris(trimethylsilyl)silane compared to tributyltin hydride accounts for the occurrence of the rearrangement cascade in the former case.     

Spectroscopic probing of the effect of alkanols on the properties of the head group region in reverse micelles of AOT-heptane-water

The effects of addition of alkanols (ethanol, n-hexanol, and 3-ethyl-3-pentanol) on the micropolarity and microviscosity of the head group region in reverse micelles of AOT-heptane-water have been investigated by fluorescence probing methods (ANS fluorescence yield and TMADPH fluorescence anisotropy), complemented by the use of the solvatochromic probe E(T)(30) in absorption spectroscopy. For all the alkanols considered, ANS fluorescence in AOT reverse micelles (at W=3) is quenched by additive incorporation, being the effect elicited almost independent of the alkanol chain length and topology. As sensed by the E(T)(30) parameter, the micropolarity of the micelle surface increases, remains unmodified, and decreases upon addition of ethanol, 3-ethyl-3-pentanol, and hexanol, respectively. While ethanol barely modifies the fluorescence anisotropy of TMADPH, 3-ethyl-3-pentanol and n-hexanol addition strongly decrease it. The similarity of the tendencies of ANS data to TMADPH anisotropies and the differences between ANS data and E(T)(30) values would indicate that, at least for 3-ethyl-3-pentanol and n-hexanol, microviscosity, rather than micropolarity, must be considered to interpret the effect of the alkanols upon the fluorescent behavior of ANS.     

A new synthesis of flavonoids via Heck reaction

Several naturally occurring flavonoids have been synthesised following a new proposed method based on the use of the Heck reaction. The key step involves the coupling of an aryl vinyl ketone with an aryl iodide. This procedure affords the flavonoid moiety in a single step.     

Addition reaction of azido-exTTFs to C60: synthesis of fullerotriazoline and azafulleroid electroactive dyads

[structure: see text] The addition reaction of azido-exTTFs to C(60) affords electroactive fullerotriazoline and azafulleroid dyads, which behave as amphoteric redox systems. Fluorescence experiments and transient absorption spectroscopy reveal that excitation of the fullerene moiety leads to radical pair lifetimes that are 2 orders of magnitude higher than those previously reported for related fullerotriazolines.     

A New Preparation of 1,3,3‐Trimethylbicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2,6‐dione,a Never Isolated Intermediate in a Total Synthesis of (+)‐Norpatchoulenol. Formal Total Synthesis of (±)‐Iso‐Norpatchoulenol

A new preparation and the isolation and spectroscopic characterization of 1,3,3‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐2,6‐dione ( 3 ), a so far elusive key intermediate in the Liu–Ralitsch total synthesis of (+)‐norpatchoulenol ((+)‐ 1a ), is described. The preparation of 3 constitutes also a formal total synthesis of (±)‐iso‐norpatchoulenol ((±)‐ 1b ), since 3 is correlated to an intermediate in the Monti and co‐workers synthesis of (±)‐ 1b .     

Development and validation of a hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for the analysis of paroxetine in human plasma

A sensitive, simple, fast and rugged hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS/MS) method for the determination of paroxetine was developed and validated over curve range 0.050-50 ng/mL using only 0.4 mL plasma. This is the first published LC-MS/MS method and the low limit of quantitation of this method is 10-fold lower than previously published methods. A simple liquid-liquid extraction method using methyl-tert butyl ether (MTBE) as the extraction solvent was used to extract paroxetine and the internal standard (IS) fentanyl-d(5) from plasma. The extract was evaporated to dryness, reconstituted and injected onto a silica column using a low aqueous-high organic mobile phase. The chromatographic run time was 2.0 min per injection, with retention times of 1.1 and 1.2 min for paroxetine and IS, respectively. The detection was by monitoring paroxetine at m/z 330 --> 192 and IS at m/z 342 --> 188, respectively. The inter-day precision and accuracy of the quality control (QC) samples were <5.0% relative standard deviation (RSD) and <2.9% relative error (RE). This method can be used for supporting therapeutical drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic or drug-drug interaction studies.     

Antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben plant extracts

This study reported the antimicrobial activity and phenolic content of natural site and micropropagated Limonium avei (De Not.) Brullo & Erben inflorescences. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ethanolic extracts were determined according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids were detected by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-DAD) method. The samples showed a comparable antimicrobial activity, although the natural site extract possessed the lower MIC values. The best activity was detected against Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus including methicillin resistant strains (MIC and MBC values ranging from 7.81 to 62.50?μg?mL(-1) and from 500 to 2000?μg?mL(-1) respectively). In contrast, a low activity was found on Gram-negative bacteria and Candida albicans. The HPLC-DAD analysis revealed ten phenolic acids and four flavonoids with a major amount of m-coumaric acid, naringin and quercetin in the natural site extract.