Microwave Michaelis–Becker synthesis of diethyl phosphonates,tetraethyl diphosphonates,and their total or partial dealkylation

Diethyl phosphonates and tetraethyl alkyldiphosphonates were efficiently and rapidly prepared via the Michaelis–Becker reaction, under microwave irradiation. These compounds were then hydrolyzed to phosphonic and diphosphonic acids or selectively monodealkylated to give monoesters of phosphonic acids and symmetrical diethyl esters of diphosphonic acids. These reactions were also achieved rapidly in satisfactory yields with microwave methodology. This methodology was applied with success to the functionalization of a polymer resin. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 20:369–377, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20561     

Adapting (4,4) Networks through Substituent Effects and Conformationally Flexible 3,2’:6’,3”-Terpyridines

Coordination networks formed between Co(NCS)₂ and 4’-substituted-[1,1’-biphenyl]-4-yl-3,2’:6’,3”-terpyridines in which the 4’-group is Me (1), H (2), F (3), Cl (4) or Br (5) are reported. [Co(1)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.5nCHCl₃, [Co(2)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.3nCHCl₃, [Co(3)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4nCHCl₃, [Co(4)₂(NCS)₂]_n, and [Co(5)₂(NCS)₂]_n·nCHCl₃ are 2D-networks directed by 4-connecting cobalt nodes. Changes in the conformation of the 3,2’:6’,3”-tpy unit coupled with the different peripheral substituents lead to three structure types. In [Co(1)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.5nCHCl₃, [Co(2)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4.3nCHCl₃, [Co(3)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4nCHCl₃, cone-like arrangements of [1,1’-biphenyl]-4-yl units pack through pyridine…arene π-stacking, whereas Cl…π interactions are dominant in the packing in [Co(4)₂(NCS)₂]_n. The introduction of the Br substituent in ligand 5 switches off both face-to-face π-stacking and halogen…π-interactions, and the packing interactions are more subtly controlled. Assemblies with organic linkers 1–3 are structurally similar and the lattice accommodates CHCl₃ molecules in distinct cavities; thermogravimetric analysis confirmed that half the solvent in [Co(3)₂(NCS)₂]_n·4nCHCl₃ can be reversibly removed.     

Synthesis, characterization, and photophysical properties of a free base and a biszinc(II) complex of 1,3-bisporphyrincalix[4]arene: evidence for "tunable intramolecular open and closed conformations"

The bismacrocycle 5,17-bis[5-(2,8,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrinyl)]-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene (4) was synthesized in three steps from the corresponding bisaldehyde 5,17-diformyl-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxycalix[4]arene. The biszinc(II) complex (5) was prepared as well, and the photophysical properties were measured using 2-MeTHF as solvent at 298 and 77 K. While computer modeling for 5 predicts that both pinched cone conformers, closed (porphyrins near each other) and open (porphyrins away from each other), may exist in the "gas phase", the experimental data indicate clearly that no zinc porphyrin...zinc porphyrin interactions are present in solution at 298 K, favoring the open conformer, where the two macrocycles are placed away from each other. On the other hand, clear evidence for a closed conformer is observed at 77 K. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments show that 5 is fluxional between 298 and 183 K, while 4 keeps the open conformation for the whole temperature range. This behavior is unprecedented for calix[4]areneporphyrin compounds, and the relative porphyrin ring rigidity is postulated to explain this difference.     

Benzoindolizine derivatives of N-acylphenothiazine. Synthesis and characterization

A variety of unsaturated or partly and differentially saturated benzoindolizine derivatives of N-acylphenothiazine 1-3 has been efficiently synthesized by cyclocondensation of acetylenic or olefinic dipolarophiles with azomethineylide 4 derived from N-acetylisoquinolinium salt 5 flanking a phenothiazine unit.     

Identification of new proteins in follicular fluid of mature human follicles

Proteins present in human follicular fluid (HFF) have been poorly characterized to date. The purpose of our study was to analyse the protein content and identify new proteins originating from fluid of mature human follicles. A total of six females from infertile couples referred for in vitro fertilization (IVF) were stimulated and 44 follicular fluid samples from mature follicles yielding an oocyte were collected 34-36 h after human chorionic gonadotropin administration. HFF samples were processed for high-resolution two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). Comparative analysis of the 2-D gels revealed up to 600 spots, of which four were selected because of variations in their expression level. Using direct sequencing procedures (Edman degradation) or matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), these four spots were identified as three new proteins: thioredoxin peroxydase 1 (TDPX1), transthyretin (TTR) and retinol-binding protein (RBP). The proteins identified here may emerge as potential candidates for specific functions during folliculogenesis and may prove useful as biomedical markers for follicle and/or oocyte maturation.     

Ursane‐Type Triterpene Saponins from Zygophyllum geslini

Four new ursane‐based triterpene glycosides, compounds 1 – 4 , as well as the known glycosides zygophylosides E, G, and H, and 3‐O‐(β‐D ‐quinovopyranosyl)quinovic acid 28‐(O‐β‐D ‐glucopyranosyl) ester, were isolated from the BuOH‐soluble fraction of the MeOH/H₂O 7 : 3 extracts of Zygophyllum geslini (roots or aerial parts). Their structures were established mainly by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR techniques, in combination with HR‐MS analysis and acid hydrolysis.     

Inhibition of unwanted proteolysis during sample preparation: evaluation of its efficiency in challenge experiments

Measures to counteract proteolysis during sample preparation are widely used; among them, protein extraction at a basic pH (Tris pH 11.0), sample boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), extraction in denaturing lysis solutions and the use of proteinase inhibitors combined with some of these approaches. Here, we tested their efficiency under stringent conditions using a high proteinase (trypsin and a mixture of pancreatic proteinases) contamination and as substrate, streptokinase, a protein highly sensitive to proteolytic degradation. Total degradation was observed in Tris pH 11.0. There was an efficient inhibition for the pancreatic proteinases after boiling in 1% SDS, 1% dithiothreitol (DTT), while trypsin inhibition was dependent on the enzyme-to-substrate ratio. A panel of 21 lysis solutions with variable concentrations of urea, thiourea and detergents was essayed for the ability to counteract proteolysis. In all solutions containing 7-9 M urea, detergents and proteinase inhibitors but not containing thiourea, there was a strong proteolysis. However, in all samples containing 2 M thiourea, proteolysis was inhibited. Moreover, inhibition was dependent on the thiourea concentration. According to these results, we are prompted to consider that the well-known benefits of incorporating thiourea into the lysis solution are a result of two factors, its efficiency in solubilizing proteins and the inhibition of the proteolysis of sensitive substrates; both contributing to the detection of a higher number of species in two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gels.     

Photosensitization of bioinspired thymine-containing polymers

Here, we report a sensitization study on a family of water-soluble photopolymers based on thymine. The goal of this study was to determine whether the presence of sensitizer molecules would promote photocrosslinking/immobilization of the polymers using low-energy irradiation (520 nm) as compared to the UV irradiation (approximately 280 nm) necessary for the standard photoinduced process to take place. With the aid of Eosin Y Spirit Soluble (EY) as a sensitizer, water-soluble polystyrene copolymers of vinylbenzylthymine-vinylbenzyltriethylammonium chloride (VBT-VBA) were immobilized after exposure to visible irradiation. By exciting the sensitizer molecule in the presence of VBT copolymers at a wavelength where absorption by the latter does not occur, the triplet state of the sensitizer is generated in high yields, and consequently, polymer photocross-linking takes place. UV-vis spectroscopy has been used to study the effect of irradiation dose, copolymer composition, and sensitizer concentration on the photoreactivity of VBT polymers. These studies demonstrate the feasibility of using Eosin Y as a sensitizer to achieve the thymine photodimer formation, resulting in immobilization of VBT-VBA-EY films on PET substrate. This provides complementary information on photoinduced immobilization of VBT-VBA films that are crucial for developing new classes of environmentally benign materials and new energy-saving methods.