Carotenoids and Related Compounds. Part 36.. Further syntheses of zeaxanthin and rhodoxanthin

A modification of a previously reported synthesis of zeaxanthin ( 1 ), and routes to both zeaxanthin and rhodoxanthin ( 2 ) from α-ionone, are described.     

Mechanisms of nucleophilic substitution reactions of methylated hydroxylamines with bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate. Mass spectrometric identification of key intermediates

Mono- and dimethylation of hydroxylamine on nitrogen does not significantly affect rates of initial attack of NHMeOH and NMe(2)OH on bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate (BDNPP), which is largely by oxygen phosphorylation. O-Methylation, however, blocks this reaction and NH(2)OMe then slowly reacts with BDNPP via N-attack at phosphorus and at the aryl group. With NHMeOH, the initial product of O-attack at phosphorus reacts further, either by reaction with a second NHMeOH or by a spontaneous shift of NHMe to the aryl group via a transient cyclic intermediate. There is a minor N-attack of NHMeOH on BDNPP in an S(N)2(Ar) reaction. Reactions occurring via N-attack are blocked by N-dimethylation, and reaction of NMe(2)OH with BDNPP occurs via O-attack, generating a long-lived product. Reaction mechanisms have been probed, and intermediates identified, by using both NMR and MS spectroscopy, with the novel interception of key reaction intermediates in the course of reaction by electrospray ionization mass and tandem mass spectrometry.     

The effects of chronic hypoperfusion on rat cranial bone mineral and organic matrix

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) of the brain, errors in the development of the vasculature, produce high flow arteriovenous shunts. They steal blood from surrounding brain tissue, which is chronically hypoperfused. Hypoperfusion is a condition of inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation resulting in abnormal tissue metabolism. In the present study Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigate the effects of hypoperfusion on rat cranial bone mineral and organic matrix at the molecular level. FTIR spectroscopic analysis revealed that in cranial bones of an experimental group the relative amount of carbonate and phosphate groups increased whereas that of protein (amide I) decreased. Curve-fitting analysis of the v₂ carbonate band showed that amounts of type A and type B carbonates increased slightly (p=0.423 for both) whereas, type L carbonate decreased slightly (p=0.522) in hypoperfused cranial bones. Analysis of the C–H region revealed a significant increase (p=0.037) in the lipid to protein ratio. Because the lipid content is high, hypoperfused cranial bone tissue is more prone to lipid peroxidation. Dialdehydes derived from lipid peroxidation can make cross-links with collagen and might lead to disturbances in the collagen cross-link profile. The 1660 cm^–1/1690 cm^–1 partial area ratio derived from curve-fitting analysis of the Amide I band is sensitive to the relative amount of collagen non-reducible cross-link hydroxylysyl/lysylpyridinolines (Pyr) and reducible cross-link dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL) and this ratio reflects collagen maturity. In chronic hypoperfusion a significant decrease (p=0.004) was observed in this ratio. This means there were less mature collagen cross-links. Disturbances in the collagen maturation can affect mineralization process and lead to formation of pathologic structures in cranial bones. These findings clearly demonstrate that FTIR spectroscopy can be used to extract valuable information at molecular level, leading to better understanding of the effect of hypoperfusion on rat cranial bones.     

Dynamic analysis of beams on viscoelastic foundation

This study is intended to analyze dynamic behavior of beams on Pasternak-type viscoelastic foundation subjected to time-dependent loads. The Timoshenko beam theory is adopted in the derivation of the governing equation. Ordinary differential equations in scalar form obtained in the Laplace domain are solved numerically using the complementary functions method to calculate exactly the dynamic stiffness matrix of the problem. The solutions obtained are transformed to the real space using the Durbin's numerical inverse Laplace transform method. The dynamic response of beams on viscoelastic foundation is analyzed through various examples.     

Synthesis of pyrene end‐capped A6 dendrimer and star polymer with phosphazene core via “click chemistry”

Novel hexa‐armed and pyrene (Pyr) end‐capped phosphazene dendrimer [N₃P₃‐(Pyr)₆] and star polymer with poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) arms [N₃P₃‐(PCL‐Pyr)₆] were prepared via two series of reactions. In these series, core‐first approach was used starting from a hexa‐hydroxy functional phosphazene derivative (N₃P₃‐(OH)₆). It was used as an initiator in the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone to prepare a hexa‐armed PCL star polymer (N₃P₃‐(PCL‐OH)₆). Hydroxyl functionalities of N₃P₃‐(OH)₆ and N₃P₃‐(PCL‐OH)₆ were then successfully converted into bromide and azide, in turn. Further end‐group modifications of azide functional dendrimer precursor (N₃P₃‐(N₃)₆) and star polymer (N₃P₃‐(PCL‐N₃)₆) were achieved quantitatively via the Cu(I) catalyzed click reaction between azide functional groups and 1‐ethynyl pyrene in the final step. Moreover, the pyrene end‐capped phosphazene dendrimer and star polymer were used in noncovalent functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of a novel macroinimer based on thiophene and poly(ε‐caprolactone) and its use in electrochromic device application

Synthesis of a novel macroinimer comprising poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and thiophene (Th) and its use in electrochromic device (ECD) application have been reported. First, a novel Th monomer ( 5 ) with miktofuntional initiator groups (primary hydroxyl and tertiary bromide at the third position of the thiophene ring) was synthesized in a four‐step reaction sequence. Density functional theory‐predicted bond lengths, angles, and vibrations of 5 were in good agreement with available experimental vibrational spectra. Subsequently, ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) was carried out in bulk using 5 as the initiator and tin(II) 2‐ethylhexanoate (Sn(Oct)₂) as the catalyst at 115 °C, which led to α‐thiophene end‐capped PCL macroinimer (PCL‐Th). Furthermore, PCL‐Th macroinimer was used in electrochemical copolymerization with pyrrole (Py) and Th. PCL‐Th/PTh copolymer film synthesized on indium tin oxide‐coated glass slide showed electrochromic behavior. Optical analyses of the PCL‐Th/PTh copolymer film indicated that the copolymer film was suitable to be used as an anodically coloring material for ECD applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Practical Method for Analysis of Immiscible Displacement in Laboratory Core Tests

Abstract. An accurate analytical interpretation method to determine the Leverett function (f_w)and its derivative (f_w) from immiscible displacement data in core plugs is presented. Linear equations are developed to describe the displacement processes occurring before and after breakthrough. A quadratic function is introduced to represent the saturation distribution along the cores. The relationships derived in this study can be used for analysis of core tests involving constant injection rates and constant pressure differences. The applicability, practicality, and accuracy of the new analytical method are verified by means of the experimental data obtained in the present study and by those reported in the literature.     

Synthesis and characterisations of Au-nanoparticle-doped TiO2 and CdO thin films

In the present study, pure and gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and cadmium oxide (CdO) thin film were prepared by the sol–gel method, and the effect of Au NP doping on the optical, structural and morphological properties of these thin films was investigated. The prepared thin films were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ultraviolet–visible–near infrared (UV–Vis–NIR) spectra. While the optical band increases from 3.62 to 3.73 for TiO₂ thin films, it decreases from 2.20 to 1.55 for CdO thin films with increasing Au doping concentration. Analysis of XRD indicates that the intensities of peaks of the crystalline phase have increased with the increasing Au NP concentrations in all thin films. SEM images demonstrate that the surface morphologies of the samples were affected by the incorporation of Au NPs. Consequently, the most significant results of the present study are that the Au NPs can be used to modify the optical, structural and morphological properties of TiO₂ and CdO thin films.     

Highly Efficient Method Towards In Situ Immobilization of Invertase Using Cryogelation

A novel method was developed for the immobilization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae invertase within supermacroporous polyacrylamide cryogel and was used to produce invert sugar. First, the cross-linking of invertase with soluble polyglutaraldehyde (PGA) was carried out prior to immobilization in order to increase the bulkiness of invertase and thus preventing the leakage of the cross-linked enzyme after immobilization by entrapment. And then, in situ immobilization of PGA cross-linked invertase within cryogel synthesis was achieved by free radical polymerization in semi-frozen state. The method resulted in 100 % immobilization and 74 % activity yields. The immobilized invertase retained all the initial activity for 30 days and 30 batch reactions. Immobilization had no effect on optimum temperature and it was 60 °C for both free and immobilized enzyme. However, optimum pH was affected upon immobilization. Optimum pH values for free and immobilized enzyme were 4.5 and 5.0, respectively. The immobilized enzyme was more stable than the free enzyme at high pH and temperatures. The kinetic parameters for free and immobilized invertase were also determined. The newly developed method is simple yet effective and could be used for the immobilization of some other enzymes and microorganisms.