A new synthetic approach to the polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols

[reaction: see text] The three-carbon alpha,alpha'-annulation of a sterically hindered cyclic beta-keto ester can be achieved by alkynylation with 3,3-diethoxypropyne, syn reduction of the alkyne with Co(2)(CO)(8) and Et(3)SiH, and an intramolecular aldol reaction. The method is potentially useful for the synthesis of nemorosone, hyperforin, and other polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols.     

Synthesis of (22R, 25R)-3β,26-Dihydroxy-5α-furostan-6-one #

The synthesis of a plant growth promoter furostanol which bears the characteristic functionality of teasterone on rings A and B is described.

     

The study of the lipophilicity of some aminoalkanol derivatives with anticonvulsant activity

A series of new (phenoxyethyl)aminoalkanol derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity. The most promising compound seemed to be (R,S)‐1N‐[(2,6‐dimethyl)phenoxyethyl]amino‐2‐butanol, which displayed anti‐MES activity (in mice, i.p.) with protective index (TD₅₀/ED₅₀) of 5.712, corresponding to that of phenytoin (6.6), carbamazepine (4.9) and valproate (1.7). The lipophilicity of compounds 1–17 exhibiting anticonvulsant activity was investigated. Their lipophilicities (R_M0) were determined using reversed‐phase thin‐layer chromatography (RP‐TLC) with a mixture of acetone and water as mobile phases. The partition coefficients of 1–17 (logP) were also calculated using two computer programs (Pallas and ALOGPS) and compared with R_M0. The relationship between anticonvulsant activity and lipophilicity of the tested substances was estimated. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lipase-catalyzed enantioselective reaction of amines with carboxylic acids under reduced pressure in non-solvent system and in ionic liquids

Lipase-catalyzed enantioselective acylation of 1-phenylethylamine and 2-phenyl-1-propylamine was performed by reacting the amines with carboxylic acids in a non-solvent system or in ionic liquids as reaction media. The reaction equilibrium was shifted toward amide synthesis by the removal of formed water under reduced pressure.     

Simultaneous quantification of morphine and cocaine in hair samples from drug addicts by GC-EI/MS

The development of analytical techniques that enable the use of hair as an alternative matrix for the analysis of drugs of abuse is useful for confirming the exposure in a larger time window (weeks to months, depending on the length of the hair shaft). In the present study a methodology aimed at the simultaneous quantification of cocaine and morphine in human hair was developed and validated. After decontamination, hair samples (20?mg) were incubated with a mixture of methanol/hydrochloric acid (2:1) at 65?°C overnight (~16?h) in order to extract the drugs of the matrix. Purification was performed by solid-phase extraction using mixed-mode extraction cartridges. After derivatization with N-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide, blank, standards and samples were analyzed by gas chromatography/electron impact-mass spectrometry (GC-EI/MS). The method proved to be selective, as there were no interferences of endogenous compounds with the same retention time as cocaine, morphine and ethylmorphine (internal standard). The regression analysis for both analytes showed linearity in the range 0.25-10.00?ng/mg with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9989 to 0.9991. The coefficients of variation oscillated between 0.83 and 14.60%. The limits of detection were 0.01 and 0.02?ng/mg, and the limits of quantification were 0.03 and 0.06?ng/mg for cocaine and morphine, respectively. The proposed GC-EI/MS method provided an accurate and simple assay with adequate precision and recovery for the quantification of cocaine and morphine in hair samples. The proof of applicability was performed in hair samples obtained from drug addicts enrolled in a Regional Detoxification Treatment Center. The importance of hair samples is highlighted, since positives results were obtained when urine immunoassay analyses were negative. Copyright ? 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Profiling of grape monoterpene glycosides (aroma precursors) by ultra‐high performance‐liquid chromatography‐high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF)

A ‘suspect screening analysis’ method for grape metabolomics by ultra‐high performance‐liquid chromatography (UHPLC) and high‐resolution quadrupole‐time of flight (QTOF) mass spectrometry was recently developed. This method was applied to study grape monoterpene glycosides, the main grape aroma precursors. Since standard compounds were not available, they were tentatively identified by overlapping various analytical approaches, in agreement with the indications recommended in mass spectrometry (MS)‐based metabolomics. Accurate mass and isotopic pattern, MS/MS fragmentation, correlation between fragments observed and putative structures and between liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry signals were studied. Seventeen monoterpene glycosides were identified without performing the hydrolytic artifacts commonly used to study these compounds which may affect sample profile. This is the first time that a detailed study of these aroma precursors has been carried out by direct LC/MS analysis. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Polyaspartamide–Polylactide Graft Copolymers with Tunable Properties for the Realization of Fluorescent Nanoparticles for Imaging

Here, the synthesis and the characterization of novel amphiphilic graft copolymers with tunable properties, useful in obtaining polymeric fluorescent nanoparticles for application in imaging, are described. These copolymers are obtained by chemical conjugation of rhodamine B (RhB) moieties, polylactic acid (PLA), and O‐(2‐aminoethyl)‐O′‐methyl poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on α,β‐poly(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐d,l ‐aspartamide (PHEA). In particular, PHEA is first functionalized with RhB to obtain PHEA–RhB with a derivatization degree in RhB (DD_RhB) equal to 0.55 mol%. By varying the reaction conditions, different amounts of PLA are grafted on PHEA–RhB to obtain PHEA‐RhB‐PLA with DD_PLA equal to 1.9, 4.0, and 6.2 mol%. Then, PEG chains are grafted on PHEA‐RhB‐PLA derivatives to obtain PHEA‐RhB‐PLA‐PEG graft copolymers. The preparation of polymeric fluorescent nanoparticles with tunable properties and spherical shape is described by using PHEA‐RhB‐PLA‐PEG with DD in PLA and PEG equal to 4.0 and 4.9 mol%, by following easily scaling up processes, such as emulsion‐solvent evaporation and high pressure homogenization (HPH)‐solvent evaporation techniques.

     

Direct On‐Surface Patterning of a Crystalline Laminar Covalent Organic Framework Synthesized at Room Temperature

We report herein an efficient, fast, and simple synthesis of an imine‐based covalent organic framework (COF) at room temperature (hereafter, RT‐COF‐1 ). RT‐COF‐1 shows a layered hexagonal structure exhibiting channels, is robust, and is porous to N₂ and CO₂. The room‐temperature synthesis has enabled us to fabricate and position low‐cost micro‐ and submicropatterns of RT‐COF‐1 on several surfaces, including solid SiO₂ substrates and flexible acetate paper, by using lithographically controlled wetting and conventional ink‐jet printing.     

Amorphous Aggregation of Amyloid Beta 1‐40 Peptide in Confined Space

The amorphous aggregation of Aβ1‐40 peptide is addressed by using micromolding in capillaries. Both the morphology and the size of the aggregates are modulated by changing the contact angle of the sub‐micrometric channel walls. Upon decreasing the hydrophilicity of the channels, the aggregates change their morphology from small aligned drops to discontinuous lines, thereby keeping their amorphous structure. Aβ1‐40 fibrils are observed at high contact angles.     

Synthesis and Magnetic Properties of Novel Azamacrocyclic LnIII,CuII, FeIII,and SrII Complexes and Conformational Analysis of the Ligands

Hexaalkoxy‐substituted azamacrocyclic metal complexes 1 · MX_n [MX_n = FeCl₃, CuCl₂, SrCl₂, Ln(NO₃)₃; Ln = La, Pr, Eu, Ho, Er] with various chain lengths were prepared by a convergent approach using 1,2‐bisalkoxy‐4,5‐diamines 3 and 4‐alkoxy‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarbaldehydes 4 as key building blocks for template‐assisted cyclocondensation. Metal complexes 1 · MX_n were considered as potential metallomesogens. However, differential scanning calorimetry and optical polarizing microscopy of 1 · MX_n did not reveal any mesomorphism. The magnetic susceptibility shows deviation from Curie‐like behavior. Due to ligand field effects the effective magnetic moments are a function of the temperature. In order to obtain structural informations on the free ligand 1 , which is synthetically not accessible, theoretical calculations were carried out. For the free azamacrocycle 2a and the free hexamethoxy‐substituted azamacrocycle 1a the IR spectra were computed at the level of density functional theory. A planar and a saddle‐shaped conformation was considered. The IR spectra and especially the dependence of the C=N vibration on the structural parameters and the charge distribution are discussed.