Vertical and nonvertical participation by sulfur,selenium, and tellurium

The mechanism of stabilization of positive charge on carbon by sulfur, selenium, or tellurium at the beta-position has been investigated kinetically, by measurement of rate enhancements, and structurally, by variation of the bond strength to the leaving group. Stabilization can occur either nonvertically with formation of a bridged intermediate or vertically through hyperconjugation within an open carbocation. We observed large rate enhancements (10(5) for S, 10(6) for Se) in 97% aqueous trifluoroethanol with trifluoroacetate as the leaving group. These enhancements are consistent with either mechanism. Product structures also are consistent with either mechanism. Nine crystal structures revealed that the bond to the leaving group (C-O) is lengthened by the presence of S or Se at the beta-position, in proportion to the basicity of the leaving group. This lengthening is not accompanied by angle distortions expected for the bridging mechanism. The crystallographic data support vertical (hyperconjugative) character along the reaction coordinate, more so for selenium than sulfur.     

Computer-aided design of chiral ligands. Part III. A novel ligand for asymmetric allylation designed using computational techniques

[reaction: see text] Computer-aided design protocols to identify new chiral ligands for reactions proceeding through well-defined transition states are outlined. Ligand families are discovered via computational screening of large structural databases such as the Cambridge Structural Database. Using this method, a novel cis-decalin ligand has been identified as a chiral auxiliary for the allylboration of aldehydes. Synthesis, resolution, and evaluation revealed that this new auxiliary provided the aldehyde facial approach upon which the design was predicated.     

Cu(II) complexes with heterocyclic substituted thiosemicarbazones: the case of 5-formyluracil. Synthesis,characterization, x-ray structures,DNA interaction studies,and biological activity

Two new 5-formyluracil thiosemicarbazone (H(3)ut) derivatives, Me-H(3)ut (1) and Me(2)-H(3)ut (2), were synthesized by reacting thiosemicarbazides, mono- and dimethylated on the aminic nitrogen, with 5-formyluracil and were subsequently characterized. These ligands, treated with copper chloride and nitrate, afforded three complexes: [Cu(Me-H(3)ut)Cl(2)].H(2)O (3), [Cu(Me(2)-H(3)ut)Cl(2)].H(2)O (4), and [Cu(Me-H(3)ut)(NO(3))(OH(2))(2)]NO(3) (5). The crystal structures of these complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 3 and 4, a similar pentacoordination is present; the copper atom is surrounded by the ligand SNO donor atoms and by two chloride ions. The structure of 5 consists of [Cu(Me-H(3)ut)(NO(3))(OH(2))(2)](+) cations and nitrate anions. The copper coordination (4 + 2) involves the SNO ligand atoms and a water oxygen in the basal plane; the apical positions are occupied by a second water oxygen and by an oxygen of a monodentate nitrate group. Two biochemical techniques, namely DNA titration in the UV-vis region and thermal denaturation, have been employed to probe the details of DNA binding of these compounds. Analysis of the results suggests that our compounds are able to interact with DNA by electrostatic and groove binding but not by intercalation. The compounds have been also tested in vitro on human leukemic cell line U937, but they are not able to inhibit significantly cell proliferation.     

Natural-based plasticizers and biopolymer films: A review

In recent years, much attention has been focused on research to replace petroleum-based commodity plastics, in a cost-effective manner, with biodegradable materials offering competitive mechanical properties. Biopolymers have been considered as the most promising materials for this purpose. However, they generally present poor mechanical properties regarding processability and end-use application, since the fragility and brittleness exhibited during thermoformation can limit their potential for application. In order to overcome this problem, plasticizers are added to provide the necessary workability to biopolymers. This class of products became more visible when biodegradable additives and plasticizers also became the focus of material scientists. The use of natural and/or biodegradable plasticizers, with low toxicity and good compatibility with several plastics, resins, rubber and elastomers in substitution of conventional plasticizers, such as phthalates and other synthetic conventional plasticizers attracted the market along with the increasing worldwide trend towards use of biopolymers. Here we discuss the main results and developments in natural plasticizer/synthetic and biopolymer-based films during the last decades.     

Formulating fluticasone propionate in novel PEG-containing nanostructured lipid carriers (PEG-NLC)

The aim of this study was to develop nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for topical delivery of fluticasone propionate (FP) with the aim to further improve the safety profile and decrease the adverse-side effects commonly reported in topical corticotherapy. NLC are colloidal drug-carriers consisting of a blend of a solid lipid and a small amount of liquid lipid since these carriers have proved to be effective in epidermal targeting in particular of glucocorticoids. NLC consisting of glyceryl palmito-stearate, and PEG-containing medium chain triglycerides mixture, stabilised by polysorbate 80 and soybean phosphatidylcholine were prepared. A mean particle size between 380 and 408 nm and entrapment efficacy of 95% were obtained for FP-loaded NLC. The crystallinity and polymorphic phase behaviour of FP-free and FP-loaded NLC were examined by differential scanning calorimetry and wide angle X-ray diffraction. Results revealed a low-crystalline structure and confirmed the incorporation of FP into the particles. The suitability of PEG-containing liquid lipids to form the lipid matrix of NLC was also confirmed.     

An alternative approach toward 2-aryl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]-quinolin-3-ones by a multistep synthesis

A series of 2-aryl-2H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones derivatives 6 and 7 was conveniently prepared. A multistep synthesis was carried out starting from dichloro- and bromoanilines (1a-b) and diethyl 2-(ethoxymethylene)malonate using a slightly modified Gould-Jacobs reaction. In this work we present a novel chlorination strategy to prepare quinoline derivatives 4 in excellent yields as key intermediates in the synthesis of the target compounds. Several reaction conditions were evaluated to optimize the formation of pyrazoloquinolinone nucleus. Differences in chemical behavior of both chloroquinolinones 4a-b with aryl and benzyl-hydrazines are also discussed.     

Preparation of the Ca–diclofenac complex in solid state

Two ONNO type naphtaldehyde derivative Schiff base compounds were reduced and two symmetric phenol-amine ligands containing naphthalene groups were obtained; bis-N,N′[(2-hydroxy-1-naphtyl) methyl]-1,3-propanediamine (NAFL^H) and bis-N,N′[(2-hydroxy-1-naphtyl) methyl]-2,2′-dimetyhyl-1,3-propanediamine (NAFLDM^H). Homotrinuclear Ni(II) complexes of these ligands were prepared. The solid-state molecular structures of representative nickel complex of NAFLDM^H were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The terminal Ni(II) ions were found to be situated in between the donor atoms of the organic ligand. The central Ni(II) ion was observed to be bonded via two different μ-bridges. The phenolic oxygens and carboxylate ion were seen to form two different μ-bridges. TG analysis proved that the compounds have different thermal characteristics than those cited in literature. The complexes showed extreme exothermic degradation reactions in inert atmosphere. The complexes are ruptured with a two stepped exothermic reaction which appears huge heat over 300 °C. The heat appeared in O₂ atmosphere is observed to be higher than the heat appeared in inert atmosphere. Revealed heat is observed to be higher than the conventional explosive materials.