Synthesis and structural characterization of integrally oxidized, metal-free phthalocyanine compounds: [H(2)(pc)][IBr(2)] and [H(2)(pc)](2)[IBr(2)]Br.C(10)H(7)Br

The first integrally oxidized metal-free phthalocyanine compounds have been synthesized by chemical oxidation. Phthalocyanine (H(2)(pc), pc = phthalocyaninato) was oxidized with IBr to afford the compounds [H(2)(pc)][IBr(2)] (1) and [H(2)(pc)](2)[IBr(2)]BrAC(10)H(7)Br (2), whose structures were determined by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods: [H(2)(pc)][IBr(2)], P2(1)/c, a = 8.0272(9) A, b = 21.258(2) A, c = 18.1439(2) A, beta = 113.975(2) degrees, V = 2828.8(5) A(3), T = 153 K, Z = 4; [H(2)(pc)](2)[IBr(2)]Br.C(10)H(7)Br, P, a = 8.4724(6) A, b = 13.5794(10) A, c = 13.8403(10) A, alpha = 90.854(1) degrees, beta = 103.417(1) degrees, gamma = 97.049(1)E degrees, V = 1535.61(19) A(3), T = 153 K, Z = 1. The extended structure of [H(2)(pc)][IBr(2)] comprises slipped columns of pc rings stacked along the a axis in adjacent columns at approximately 70 degrees to one another. IBr(2-) ions occupy the interstitial columns. The extended structure of [H(2)(pc)](2)[IBr(2)]Br.C(10)H(7)Br comprises slant stacks of pc rings along the crystallographic a axis with IBr(2-) ions, Br(-) ions, and disordered 1-bromonaphthalene molecules in the adjacent, parallel columns. The overall reaction for the formation of 1 is 2H(2)(pc) + 4IBr --> 2[H(2)(pc)][IBr(2)] + I(2), and the overall reaction for the formation of 2 (not including solvent) is 2H(2)(pc) + 3IBr --> [H(2)(pc)](2)Br[IBr(2)] + I(2).     

Canonical connections with an algebraic curvature tensor field on naturally reductive spaces

We study Ambrose-Singer connections with an algebraic curvature tensor on simply connected manifolds carrying a homogeneous Riemannian structure of class ₃ in the classification given by F. Tricerri and L. Vanhecke.This work was partially supported by MURST.     

Kinetic limits of the HPP cellular automaton

We study the Boltzmann-Grad limit in various versions of the two-dimensional HPP cellular automaton. In the completely deterministic case we prove convergence to an evolution that is not of kinetic type, a well-known phenomenon after Uchyiama's paper on the Broadwell gas, whereas the limiting equation becomes of kinetic type in the model with random collisions. The main part of the paper concerns the case where the collisions are deterministic and the randomness comes from inserting, between any two successive HPP updatings, ^- stirring updatings, <1 being any fixed positive number and a parameter which tends to 0. The initial measure is a product measure with average occupation numbers of the order of (low-density limit) and varying on distances of the order of ^–1. The limit as 0 of the system evolved for times of the order of ^-1- corresponds to the Boltzmann-Grad limit. We prove propagation of chaos and that the renormalized average occupation numbers (i.e., divided by) converge to the solution of the Broadwell equation. Convergence is proven at all times for which the solution of the Broadwell equation is bounded.     

The reaction Yb+O2 → YbO + O in a crossed molecular beam experiment

Dissociation energy (D_o = 4.29 ± 0.05 eV), threshold energy (E = 0.83 ± 0.05 eV) and forward scattering at a collision-al energy E_c = 1.1 cV have been found by crossing beam of Yb atoms with a supersonic seeded beam of He + O₂ at collisional energies up to E_c = 1.4 eV.     

A New Complex of Europium(II) with edta – Structure and Spectroscopy

A new complex of europium(II) with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was obtained by electrochemical reduction. The compound is composed of polymeric chains, guanidinium cations and water molecules. The Eu²⁺ cation is eight‐coordinate (two nitrogen atoms and six carboxylate oxygen atoms), and contrary to europium(III) complexes with edta, does not contain water molecules in the first coordination sphere. Relationships between the coordination mode and IR as well as UV–Vis spectra are discussed.     

Studies on the mechanism of 1,2-dihydropyrazin-2-one ring formation from dipeptidyl chloromethyl ketone and its chemical properties: immediate deamination during catalytic hydrogenation

1,2-Dihydropyrazin-2-one derivatives, which have two aminoalkyl groups at the positions 3 and 6, were found to be efficient tools for the construction of potent, selective and long-acting opioid mimetics. During the course of preparation, we found that the catalytic hydrogenation of 3,6-bis(benzyloxycarbonylaminomethyl)-5-methyl-1,2-dihydropyrazin-2-one to remove the benzyloxycarbonyl groups resulted in a side reaction. By MS and NMR studies and by preparation of additional 1,2-dihydropyrazin-2-one derivatives, the structure of the by-product was identified as 3-aminomethyl-5,6-dimethyl-1,2-dihydropyrazin-2-one. Preparation of additional compounds substituted with deuterium provided us with sufficient information to confirm the structure of the product and to support a cyclization mechanism in its formation.     

The Selection of the Optimal Impregnation Conditions of Vegetable Matrices with Iodine

This study aimed to determine the use of selected vegetables (pumpkin, cauliflower, broccoli, carrot) as carriers of potassium iodide (KI) and potassium iodate (KIO₃) by determining changes in iodine content under various conditions of impregnation as the degree of hydration, impregnated sample temperature, and impregnation time. The influence of these conditions on iodine contents in vegetables after their fortification and storage (21 °C/230 days) was analyzed. The results showed that all selected vegetables could be efficient iodine carriers. However, the conditions of the impregnation process are crucial for fortification efficiency, particularly the degree of hydration and the temperature of the impregnated samples before drying. The results showed that the lowest iodine content was in samples fortified at 4 °C and 1:4 hydration. On the other hand, the highest reproducibility of iodine was for the following fortification conditions: temperature of −76 °C and hydration of 1:1. The studies confirmed the higher stability of iodine in KIO₃ form compared to KI. To increase recovery of the introduced iodine in the product after drying, using the conditioning step at 4 °C is not recommended. We recommend freezing vegetables immediately after the impregnation process     

Monitoring of Spirulina Flakes and Powders from Italian Companies

Microalgae and microalgae-derived compounds have great potential as supplements in the human diet and as a source of bioactive products with health benefits. Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis (Nordstedt) Gomont, or Spirulina platensis) belongs to the class of cyanobacteria and has been studied for its numerous health benefits, which include anti-inflammatory properties, among others. This work was aimed at comparing some spirulina products available on the Italian market. The commercial products here analyzed consisted of spirulina cultivated and processed with different approaches. Single-component spirulina products in powder and flake form, free of any type of excipient produced from four different companies operating in the sector, have been analyzed. The macro- and micromorphological examination, and the content of pigments, phycobiliproteins, phenols, and proteins have shown differences regarding the morphology and chemical composition, especially for those classes of particularly unstable compounds such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, suggesting a great influence of both culture conditions and processing methods.     

In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Viburnum opulus Bark and Flower Extracts on Digestion of Potato Starch and Carbohydrate Hydrolases Activity

One of the effective treatments for diabetes is to reduce and delay the absorption of glucose by inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the digestive tract. Currently, there is a great interest in natural inhibitors from various part of plants. In the present study, the phenolic compounds composition of V. opulus bark and flower, and their inhibitory effects on in vitro potato starch digestion as well as on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, have been studied. Bark and flower phenolic extracts reduced the amount of glucose released from potato starch during tree-stage simulated digestion, with IC₅₀ value equal to 87.77 µg/mL and 148.87 µg/mL, respectively. Phenolic bark extract showed 34.9% and 38.4% more potent inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase, respectively, but the activity of plant extracts was lower than that of acarbose. Chlorogenic acid (27.26% of total phenolics) and (+)-catechin (30.48% of total phenolics) were the most prominent phenolics in the flower and bark extracts, respectively. Procyanidins may be responsible for the strongest V. opulus bark inhibitory activity against α-amylase, while (+)-catechin relative to α-glucosidase. This preliminary study provides the basis of further examination of the suitability of V. opulus bark compounds as components of nutraceuticals and functional foods with antidiabetic activity.