An approach to pancratistatins via ring-closing metathesis: efficient synthesis of novel 1-aryl-1-deoxyconduritols F. cv

Structurally novel cyclitols, 1-aryl-1-deoxyconduritols F, were efficiently prepared from d-xylose, utilizing RCM as a key step. Various aromatic residues were incorporated in the cyclitol skeleton with total stereochemical control, utilizing a diastereoselective aryl cuprate addition to a gamma-alkoxy enoate. The synthetic route establishes a firm foundation for a practical synthesis of the antitumor alkaloid pancratistatin and its aryl analogues. [structure: see text]     

The adsorption of triethylenediamine on Al(2)O(3)-I: a vibrational spectroscopic and desorption kinetic study of surface bonding

The adsorption of triethylenediamine (TEDA) at 300 K is observed to occur via hydrogen bonding to isolated Al-OH groups on the surface of partially dehydroxylated high area gamma-Al(2)O(3) powder. This form of bonding results in +0.3 to +0.4% blue shifts in the CH(2) scissor modes at 1455 cm(-1) and a -0.4% red shift in the CN skeletal mode at 1060 cm(-1), compared to the gas-phase frequencies. Other modes are red shifted less than 0.1%. The isolated OH modes are red shifted by -200 to -1000 cm(-1) due to the strong hydrogen bonding association of Al-OH groups with an N atom in TEDA. Thermal desorption of adsorbed TEDA from the surface occurs in the range 300-700 K. Mass spectral and infrared studies indicate that the decomposition of TEDA occurs on Al(2)O(3) above 725 K, and that C-H bonds are broken, forming adsorbed species with N-H bonds which are stable to 1000 K or above. In contrast to adsorption at 300 K, adsorption of TEDA at 85 K results in the formation of a condensed ice of TEDA, which covers the outer surface of the porous Al(2)O(3) and which does not interact with Al-OH groups inside the porous powder due to immobility.     

Structural, textural, and electronic properties of a nanosized mesoporous ZnxTi1-xO2-) solid solution prepared by a supercritical drying route

Mesoporous nanosized TiO2 and Zn(x)Ti(1-x)O(2-x) solid solution having a Zn content below 10 mol % with a particles size between 13 and 17 nm are prepared by a template-free sol-gel method followed by high-temperature supercritical drying in 2-propanol. The structural, textural, and electronic properties of the obtained nanomaterials are methodically investigated by using XRD, SEM, TEM, ED, HREM, EDX, ICP-OES, N(2) adsorption-desorption, Raman spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy. It is shown that the proposed synthesis technique leads to the formation of a Zn(x)Ti(1-x)O(2-x) solid solution based on the anatase crystal structure rather than a two-phase sample. High-resolution electron microscopy and electron diffraction indicate that the distribution of zinc atoms over the anatase structure does not lead to a considerable deformation of the crystal structure.     

Femtosecond excitation energy transport in triarylamine dendrimers

The search for a model that can be used to describe the optical excitation migration in dendrimers has attracted great attention. In most cases in a dendrimer the conjugation is disrupted at the branching point; however, the excitation is delocalized. The strength of interactions among neighboring chromophores plays a key role in determining the energy migration mechanism. Conversely, having many identical chromophores held tightly together in an ordered macromolecular architecture will allow for many dipoles to be accessible for optical excitation. Therefore, the relative orientation of dipoles will be important in determining the mechanism of energy migration. Here we report the synthesis and photo-physical investigation of triarylamine-based dendrimers. Two important synthetic steps were utilized in the synthesis. First, we employed diphenylmethyl protective groups on the amines to assist in deprotective hydrogenolysis of the larger structures. Second, highly active catalysts for formation of both di- and triarylamines that are based on a 1:1 ratio of P(t-Bu)3 and Pd(dba)2 improved reaction yields of the C-N bond formation and decreased reaction times The energy migration processes in the dendrimers were investigated utilizing ultrafast time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy measurements. The fluorescence anisotropy of all three dendrimers decayed to a residual value within approximately 100 fs. This fluorescence anisotropy decay showed a general trend in decreasing with increasing dendrimer generation. The residual anisotropy value also showed a gradual decrease with an increase in the dendrimer generation. This fast energy depolarization is discussed through a coherent excitonic mechanism among dipoles oriented in different directions. We believe that the formation of coherent domains leads to fast energy migration extending over a large part of the dendrimer.     

Interaction between indigo and adsorbed protein as a major factor causing backstaining during cellulase treatment of cotton fabrics

A model microassay system was developed to measure indigo backstaining on cotton fabrics in the presence of enzymes on a small laboratory scale. Backstaining indexes for 11 cellulase samples were measured, and the enzymes were ranked from lower to higher backstaining. Two multienzyme cellulase preparations were separated into fractions using chromatofocusing on a Mono P column. Adsorption ability and backstaining properties of purified enzyme fractions were studied. Evidence was obtained that protein adsorption on cotton fabrics is a crucial parameter causing backstaining (both for crude cellulase samples and purified enzyme components).     

Evaluation of cellulase preparations for hydrolysis of hardwood substrates

Seven cellulase preparations from Penicillium and Trichoderma spp. were evaluated for their ability to hydrolyze the cellulose fraction of hardwoods (yellow poplar and red maple) pretreated by organosolv extraction, as well as model cellulosic substrates such as filter paper. There was no significant correlation among hydrolytic performance on pretreated hardwood, based on glucose release, and filter paper activity. However, performance on pretreated hardwood showed significant correlations to the levels of endogenous β-glucosidase and xylanase activities in the cellulase preparation. Accordingly, differences in performance were reduced or eliminated following supplementation with a crude β-glucosidase preparation containing both activities. These results complement a previous investigation using softwoods pretreated by either organosolv extraction or steam explosion. Cellulase preparations that performed best on hardwood also showed superior performance on the softwood substrates.     

Polymeric Structure and Solid ~(31)P, ~(113)Cd NMR Spectra of Cadmium(II) Dialkyldithiophosphate (Alkyl = n-butyl and i-butyl)

Owing to the particular affinity toward metal ion and changeable dentation, dialkyldithiophosphates are commonly used ligands in preparation of the transition metal complexes with variable structures1. For instances relevant to this work, the IIB metal complexes defined crystallographically so far have provided the examples as follows2-12 (Scheme 1). Scheme 1 The frameworks of IIB metal complexes of dialkyldithiophosphate MMMMMMMMMM a b c d …     

Detection of explosives on solid surfaces by thermal desorption and ambient ion/molecule reactions

A simple, fast and direct method is presented for detecting traces of solid explosives on cotton swabs or in particulate samples: ions are transferred into a mass spectrometer after thermal desorption and corona discharge chemical ionization in ambient air; specificity is enhanced using ambient ion/molecule reactions or by conventional tandem mass spectrometry.