Synthesis and reactivity of 6‐methyl‐4H‐furo[3,2c]pyran‐3,4‐dione

An efficient synthesis of 3‐bromoacetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one by bromination of dehydroacetic acid in glacial acetic acid is described. Novel 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐3‐(2‐substituted‐thiazol‐4‐yl)‐2H‐pyran‐2‐ones have been prepared from the reaction of 3‐bromoacetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one with thioamides, thiourea, and diphenylthiocarbazone. The condensation reaction of 6‐methyl‐4H‐furo[3,2c]pyran‐3,4‐dione, obtained from the reaction of 3‐bromoacetyl‐4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one with aliphatic amines, with benzaldehydes and acetophenones led to novel 2‐arylidene‐6‐methyl‐2H‐furo[3,2‐c]pyran‐3,4‐diones and 6‐(2‐arylprop‐1‐enyl)‐2H‐furo[3,2‐c]pyran‐3,4‐diones. The structure of all compounds was established by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, and mass spectra. J. Heterocyclic Chem., 2011.     

An experimental NMR and computational study of 4-quinolones and related compounds

Abstract  

We report the synthesis and structural study of eight compounds, either quinolin-4(1H)-ones or quinolines. Tautomerism as well as (E) → (Z) and rotational isomerism were studied both experimentally (¹H and ¹³C NMR) and theoretically [B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)].     

The effect of cryopreservation process on morphology and fertilising ability of Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) spermatozoa

Changes in the morphology and fertilising ability of Japanese quail spermatozoa were studied after semen dilution, equilibration and freezing-thawing process in order to determine the optimal diluent, cryoprotectant and the freezing-thawing method. Subsequent stages of quail semen cryopreservation caused significant decline in spermatozoa morphology and their ability to fertilise the ovum. Semen dilution with Lake's extender alone reduced the number of morphologically normal spermatozoa and decreased their fertilising ability. Dimethylacetamide (DMA) was the least detrimental but equilibration of quail spermatozoa with this cryoprotectant caused further decline in the number of morphologically normal cells. However, despite these changes, after artificial insemination with semen equilibrated with DMA 25.8 percent of fertile eggs were obtained. Further loss in the number of normal spermatozoa was observed following the freezing-thawing process. Of the two investigated freezing-thawing methods, the rapid rate (60 C/min) appeared less detrimental to spermatozoa morphology and their ability to fertilize the ovum than the "slow" rate. Also the number of sperm holes appearing in the inner perivitelline layer and the number of spermatozoa trapped in the outer perivitelline layer of the ovum was higher after the rapid than the 'slow' freezing-thawing procedure. Nevertheless, both rates did not yield any fertile eggs.     

Studies of Benzothiazole and Benzoselenazole Squaraines as Fluorescent Probes for Albumins Detection

Series of squaraine benzothiazole and benzoselenazole dyes were studied as possible fluorescent probes for the detection of proteins, particularly albumins. It was shown that majority of the studied squaraines give significant fluorescent response on the human serum albumin (HSA) and bovine serum albumin presence. For squaraine dyes with N-hexyl pendent groups (P-1, P-2, P-3, P-5) about 100−540-fold fluorescence intensity increase upon albumins addition was observed. At the same time in presence of other proteins, namely insulin, avidin from hen egg white, immunoglobulin G (IgG), carbonic anhydrase fluorescence enhancement values were considerably lower —up to 43 times in IgG presence. It was noted that generally, squaraines with long N-hexyl pendent groups demonstrate higher emission increase values upon proteins addition comparing with their analogues with short N-ethyl tails. It was shown that fluorescence intensity enhancement for benzothiazole squaraine dye P-3, relates linearly to the HSA concentration over the wide range—from 0.2 to 500 μg/ml. Together with noticeable selectivity of this dye to albumins, existence of wide dynamic range gives possibility to propose P-3 dye as probe for HSA quantification.     

Characterization of a-B5C:H prepared by PECVD of orthocarborane: Results of preliminary FTIR and nuclear reaction analysis studies

The electronic properties of a-Si:H vary with hydrogen passivation of dangling bond defects. It appears this effect is also operative in semiconducting amorphous hydrogenated boron carbide (a-B₅C:H). Therefore, the ability to quantify the amount of hydrogen will be key to development of the materials science of a-B₅C:H. The results of an initial investigation probing the ability to quickly correlate hydrogen concentration in a-B₅C:H films with infrared spectroscopy are reported. a-B₅C:H thin films were growth on Si (1 1 1) substrates by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) using sublimed orthocarborane and argon as the precursor gas. Nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) was performed to quantify the atomic concentration of H in the a-B₅C:H films. While the observed vibronic structure does not show stretches due to terminal C–H or bridging B–H–B, analysis of the terminal B–H stretch at ～2570 cm^?1 gives a proportionality constant of A = 2 × 10²² cm^?2. We conclude that the methods previously developed for correlating H concentration to infrared data in a-Si:H are similarly viable for a-B₅C:H films.     

Application of Levan-Rich Digestate Extract in the Production of Safe-to-Use and Functional Natural Body Wash Cosmetics

The study focused on the evaluation of the possibility of using a levan-rich digestate extract in the production of safe and functional body wash cosmetics. Model shower gels were designed and formulated on the basis of raw materials of natural origin. Prepared prototypes contained various extract concentrations (16.7; 33; 50%). A gel without extract was used as a reference. The samples were evaluated for their safety in use and functionality. The results showed that the use of high-concentration levan-rich digestate extract in a shower gel resulted in a significant reduction in the negative impact on the skin. For example, the zein value decreased by over 50% in relation to the preparation without the extract. An over 40% reduction in the emulsifying capacity of hydrophobic substances was also demonstrated, which reduces skin dryness after the washing process. However, the presence of the extract did not significantly affect the parameters related to functionality. Overall, it was indicated that levan-rich digestate extract can be successfully used as a valuable ingredient in natural cleansing cosmetics.     

The Influence of High-Intensity Ultrasonication on Properties of Cellulose Produced from the Hop Stems,the Byproduct of the Hop Cones Production

The goal of this work is to evaluate the hop stems, a byproduct of hop cones production, as a potential source of cellulose. Hop stems contain up to 29% of cellulose. The cellulose isolation was conducted through the thermochemical treatment. After high-speed blending, the cellulose was characterized by 67% of crystallinity degree obtained from X-ray diffraction and median diameter of 6.7 nm obtained from atomic force microscopy imaging. The high-intensity ultrasonication (HIUS) was applied to reach further disintegration of cellulose fibers. The longer HIUS treatment resulted in decrease in crystallinity degree even up to 60% and decrease in the fiber diameter up to 4 nm. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed that HIUS treatment led to changes in intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The stability of cellulose dispersions versus length of HIUS treatment was monitored over 14 days with back dynamic light scattering and laser Doppler electrophoresis methods. Obtained results are evidence that the hop stems are a potential source of cellulose and that it is possible to obtain stable dispersions after HIUS treatment. This was the first time that the properties of hop cellulose have been described so extensively and in detail after the use of HIUS treatment.     

Selective Preparation of Phosphorus Mononitride (P≡N) from Phosphinoazide and Reversible Oxidation to Phosphinonitrene

The interstellar candidate phosphorus mononitride PN, a metastable species, was generated through high-vacuum flash pyrolysis of (o-phenyldioxyl)phosphinoazide in cryogenic matrices. Although the PN stretching band was not directly detected because of its low infrared intensity and possible overlaps with other strong bands, o-benzoquinone, carbon monoxide, and cyclopentadienone as additional fragmentation products were clearly identified. Moreover, an elusive o-benzoquinone-PN complex formed when (o-phenyldioxyl)phosphinoazide was exposed to UV irradiation at λ=254 nm. Its recombination to (o-phenyldioxyl)-λ⁵-phosphinonitrile was observed upon irradiation with the light at λ=523 nm, which demonstrates for the first time the reactivity of PN towards an organic molecule. Energy profile computations at the B3LYP/def2-TZVP density functional theory level reveal a concerted mechanism. To provide further evidence, UV/Vis spectra of the precursor and the irradiation products were recorded and agree well with time-dependent DFT computations.