Boryl (Hetero)aryne Precursors as Versatile Arylation Reagents: Synthesis through CH Activation and Orthogonal Reactivity

(Pinacolato)boryl ortho‐silyl(hetero)aryl triflates are presented as a new class of building blocks for arylation. They demonstrate unique versatility by delivering boronate or (hetero)aryne reactivity chemoselectively in a broad range of transformations. This approach enables the unprecedented postfunctionalization of fluoride‐activated (hetero)aryne precursors, for example, as substrates in transition‐metal catalysis, and offers valuable new possibilities for aryl boronate postfunctionalization without the use of specialized protecting groups.     

Cycloaliphatic-aromatic polyimides based on diamines with azobenzene unit

A new family of functionalized semiaromatic polyimides has been developed. Cycloaliphatic-aromatic polyimides, derived from the polycondensation of 1,2,3,4-cyclopentanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CPDA) with various diamines bearing azobenzene group, have been prepared and characterized. Molecular structural characterization for the resulting polymers has been achieved by ¹³C NMR, ¹H NMR, FTIR and UV-visible spectroscopies. Light-induced optical anisotropy, in novel azobenzene functionalized polyimides, has been studied by holographic polarization grating recording performed at 514.5 nm line of Ar⁺ laser. Two-wave mixing technique has been employed to inscribe the gratings in these polymers. Formation of gratings has been investigated with two s-s and s-p polarized writing beams. The kinetics of grating recording observed within the studied polymers is discussed in relation to their structure.     

Synthesis and Structures of Metallated N‐Heterocyclic Derivatives

The synthesis and structures of five new compounds are reported. [Mg(6‐Oq)₂(phen)₂] ( 1 ), [Na(phen)₃][(6‐HOq)(6‐Oq)] ( 2 ), 1/∞[Cu(3‐Opy)(3‐HOpy)₂(PPh₃)]_∞ ( 3 ), 1/∞[Cu₂{μ‐(6‐Oq)}(PPh₃)₂]_∞ ( 4 ) and [Cu₂(pht)₂(μ‐dppm)₂] ( 5 ) (6‐HOq = 6‐hydroxyquinoline; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline, 3‐HOpy = 3‐hydroxypyridine; Hpht = phthalimide; dppm = bis‐(diphenylphosphino)methane) were prepared by deprotonation of N‐heterocyclic aromatic compounds with metal alkoxides. 1 – 5 represent useful starting materials for investigating the supramolecular cordination chemistry of organic anhydrides.     

Study of the liquid chromatography retention of some fibrate-type antihyperlipidemic drugs on C18 and CN columns: application for quantitation in pharmaceutical formulations

The 6 antihyperlipidemic agents-bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, clofibrate, clofibric acid, fenofibrate, and gemfibrozil-were separated on octadecyl (C18) and cyano (CN) chemically bonded columns using mobile phases containing phosphate buffer and different amounts of acetonitrile, dioxane, propan-2-ol, methanol, and tetrahydrofuran. Relationships between log k values and mobile phase composition have been examined for these systems. Analysis was performed on a Waters LC system with Merck LichroCART C18 and CN 125 mm columns using a flow rate of 1 mL/min and 227 nm detection. More than one-half of the results fitted Snyder-Soczewinski equations with r >0.995. Separation of all drugs was achieved on the C18 column with a mobile phase containing 45% propan-2-ol in phosphate buffer (pH = 2.145) and on a CN column with 20% acetonitrile in the same buffer. The best mobile phase, containing 45% propan-2-ol, was used to quantitate bezafibrate, ciprofibrate, fenofibrate, and gemfibrozil in pharmaceutical formulations. The active substances were extracted with methanol. The calibration curve was constructed in the 0.1-0.8 mg/mL range for all drugs and provided satisfactory linearity (Lack-of-Fit test and Mandel's test). The recovery function was sufficiently linear in all cases, with an insignificant intercept and slope very close to 1. Accuracy was tested by quantitating 3 fortified samples (50, 100, and 150%), which gave results without significant differences. None of the excipients interfered in the analysis. The recovery was 99.85% for bezafibrate, 99.02% for ciprofibrate, 99.53% for fenofibrate, and 99.92% for gemfibrozil, with relative standard deviation values of 0.63, 1.61, 1.84, and 0.88%, respectively.     

Partitioning of atmospheric carbon dioxide over Central Europe: insights from combined measurements of CO 2 mixing ratios and their carbon isotope composition

Regular measurements of atmospheric CO ₂ mixing ratios and their carbon isotope composition (¹³C/¹²C and ¹⁴C/¹²C ratios) performed between 2005 and 2009 at two sites of contrasting characteristics (Krakow and the remote mountain site Kasprowy Wierch) located in southern Poland were used to derive fossil fuel-related and biogenic contributions to the total CO ₂ load measured at both sites. Carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere, not coming from fossil fuel and biogenic sources, was considered ‘background’ CO ₂. In Krakow, the average contribution of fossil fuel CO ₂ was approximately 3.4%. The biogenic component was of the same magnitude. Both components revealed a distinct seasonality, with the fossil fuel component reaching maximum values during winter months and the biogenic component shifted in phase by approximately 6 months. The partitioning of the local CO ₂ budget for the Kasprowy Wierch site revealed large differences in the derived components: the fossil fuel component was approximately five times lower than that derived for Krakow, whereas the biogenic component was negative in summer, pointing to the importance of photosynthetic sink associated with extensive forests in the neighbourhood of the station. While the presented study has demonstrated the strength of combined measurements of CO ₂ mixing ratios and their carbon isotope signature as efficient tools for elucidating the partitioning of local atmospheric CO ₂ loads, it also showed the important role of the land cover and the presence of the soil in the footprint of the measurement location, which control the net biogenic surface CO ₂ fluxes.     

Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry Measures the Conformational Landscape of p27 and its Domains and how this is Modulated upon Interaction with Cdk2/cyclin A

Intrinsically disordered proteins have been reported to undergo disorder‐to‐order transitions upon binding to their partners in the cell. The extent of the ordering upon binding and the lack of order prior to binding is difficult to visualize with classical structure determination methods. Binding of p27 to the Cdk2/cyclin A complex is accompanied by partial folding of p27 in the KID domain, with the retention of dynamic behavior for function, particularly in the C‐terminal half of the protein. Herein, native ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM‐MS) is employed to measure the intrinsic dynamic properties of p27, both in isolation and within the trimeric complex with Cdk2/cyclin A. The trimeric Cdk2/cyclin A/p27‐KID complex possesses significant structural heterogeneity compared to Cdk2/cyclin A. These findings support the formation of a fuzzy complex in which both the N‐ and C‐termini of p27 interact with Cdk2/cyclin A in multiple, closely associated states.     

Orthogonal Halogen‐Bonding‐Driven 3D Supramolecular Assembly of Right‐Handed Synthetic Helical Peptides

Peptide‐mediated self‐assembly is a prevalent method for creating highly ordered supramolecular architectures. Herein, we report the first example of orthogonal C?X???X?C/C?X???π halogen bonding and hydrogen bonding driven crystalline architectures based on synthetic helical peptides bearing hybrids of l ‐sulfono‐γ‐AApeptides and natural amino acids. The combination of halogen bonding, intra‐/intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and intermolecular hydrophobic interactions enabled novel 3D supramolecular assembly. The orthogonal halogen bonding in the supramolecular architecture exerts a novel mechanism for the self‐assembly of synthetic peptide foldamers and gives new insights into molecular recognition, supramolecular design, and rational design of biomimetic structures.     

Morphological characterization of the antennal sensilla of the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), with reference to their probable functions

The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Psyllidae), is one of the most significant economic pests of citrus worldwide. This insect vectors three phloem-restricted bacteria in the genus Candidatus Liberibacter that cause huanglongbing (citrus greening), the most severe disease limiting citrus production worldwide. We examined the external morphology of the antennal sensilla of male and female D. citri using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and determined the putative functions of the identified sensilla using transmission electron microscopic (TEM) techniques. The filiform antennae of D. citri were of the conventional type comprised of a basal scape, pedicel and a long, thread-like flagellum, which is composed of eight flagellomeres. Eleven morphologically unique sensillar types were found and described on the antennae of male and female D. citri. Of those identified, the two apical setae, multiporous types I and II sensilla trichoidea, and the antennal rhinaria were porous and may be involved in perception of host- and mate-related volatile chemicals. However, the aporous types I, II and III sensilla trichoidea may have mechanosensory functions and the chaetica sensilla, cavity sensilla and unidentified uniporous sensilla may be involved in proprioception, thermo-hygroreception and cold detection, respectively. The shape, external morphology and array of sensilla on the antennae of male and female D. citri were similar. The only major difference observed was in the morphology of the short apical setae, whose tips were recessed inward in females but not so in males. The results are discussed in relation to plausible roles of the identified sensilla in mate and host location by this species.