Parallel synthesis of PNA-peptide conjugate libraries

An optimized semi-automatic protocol for parallel synthesis of up to 96 peptide nucleic acids (PNA) or PNA-peptide conjugates using Boc-protection strategy has been developed using a robotic system. The approach is illustrated by synthesizing PNA and PNA-peptide libraries varying between 15 and 27 amino acid units. The peptides (NLS (nuclear localization signal) or Tat-peptide) were attached to N-terminus of the PNA. The method was found to be far superior to that based on the SPOT/Fmoc protocol by which PNA oligomers are synthesized on a modified cellulose membrane. On a 0.5 micromole scale the method typically yielded 2 mg product of 90% purity by HPLC/MALDI-TOF analysis. This approach is suitable for screening of a large number of PNA and/or peptide sequences for biochemical and biological studies.     

Interaction of acridine orange monohydrochloride dye with sodiumdodecylsulfate, (SDS) cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (CTAB) and p-tert-octylphenoxypolyoxy ethanol (Triton X 100) surfactants

Summary Results of spectrophotometric, conductometric and dialysis studies on the interaction of acridine orange monohydrochloride dye with sodiumdodecylsulfate (anionic), cetyltrimethylammoniumbromide (cationic) and Triton X 100 (nonionic) surfactants have been reported. The anionic surfactant, SDS has been observed to undergo both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions with the dye cation. Aggregation of the dye molecules can be destroyed when the surfactant is in large excess, whereas, excess dye can check micellization of SD S. At a ratio of AO:SDS=1:7 and above, dye embedded mixed micelles are formed. These remain in a separate phase, probably as coacervates. At lower ratios than 1:7, aggregation of dye molecules is induced, which being complexed with SDS become stabilized as colloids. The colloid and the coacervate have been observed to be thermally stable, negatively charged materials that can be broken by salts, and cations of higher valency are more effective in this regard. An 1:3 = AO:SDS colloid has beeen found to be sufficiently large like the coacervates to pass through a membrane having cut off permeability for molecular weights 12,000 and above. All the above features of AO-SDS interaction have been observed to be absent for AO-CTAB and AO-TX 100 systems, Even hydrophobic interaction has played an insignificant role in these cases. Thus, the dye cation, the cationic and the nonionic surfactants have almost retained their self physicochemical identities in solution in the presence of each other. Electrostatic interaction is thus the primary requirement for acridine orange-surfactant (anionic) system; the hydrophobic effect is secondary and may become co-operative.With 9 figures and 2 tables     

Studies on polymerization of vinyl acetate using ylide as an initiator and degradative transfer agent

Polymerization of vinyl acetate initiated by β-picolinium p-chlorophenacylide was carried out at 30, 35, and 40°C, using conventional dilatometric technique. The initiator and the monomer exponent values were 0.80 ± 0.15 and unity, respectively. The polymerization was inhibited in the presence of hydroquinone, but was favored by nonpolar solvent and polymerization temperature. The energy of activation was 90.3 KJ mol^?1. An average value of k/k_t for the present system was found to be 0.37 × 10^?2. The results are explained in terms of a radical mode of polymerization with degradative initiator transfer; the principal mode of termination, however, was bimolecular.     

Electrocatalytic activity of binary Palladium Ruthenium anode catalyst on Ni-support for ethanol alkaline fuel cells

In search for a cheaper anode catalyst for the oxidation of ethanol for development of direct alcohol fuel cells, Pd has been considered here as an interesting substitute for Pt in Pt Ru binary electrodeposite. The binary catalyst when co-deposited on nickel support has been found to increase the current density and decrease the anodic overvoltage significantly with respect to pure Pt, Pd and Ni. Its electrocatalytic capability is also comparable with that of the Pt-Ru binary electrocatalyst on Ni-support, when studied in 1 M EtOH containing 1 M NaOH solution. The effect of loading of Pd Ru electrocatalyst on Ni support has also been tested. The electrocatalytic activity of the electrodes for oxidation of ethanol has been explained by studies of cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry, steady-state polarization, and conjugated scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy. It has been found that electrode containing the higher amount of deposit are less affected by carbonaceous poisons.     

A novel one-pot conversion of amines to homologated esters in poly(ethylene glycol)

The first deaminative homologation of amines (-CH₂NH₂) to esters (-CH₂CH₂COOEt) in one-pot is reported. The reaction proceeds through, formation of an aldehyde from an amine in the presence of Pd/C as catalyst followed by Wittig reaction and catalytic hydrogenation using poly(ethylene glycol) as the solvent in one-pot.     

Mechanism of the oxidation of cycloheptanone by chloramine-T

The oxidation kinetics of cycloheptanone by chloramine-T in alkaline media has been investigated. A mechanism involving the formation of an intermediate by the interaction between the enolic anion of cycloheptanone and chloramine-T in a slow step followed by its interaction with another molecule of chloramine-T in a fast step leading to products has been proposed. The scheme satisfactorily accords with the observed stoichiometry, negligible influence of ionic strength and a positive dielectric effect. Various rate parameters have been computed and 1.2-cycloheptanedione identified as the end product.With 2 Figures     

Structure, reactivity and aromaticity of acenes and their BN analogues: a density functional and electrostatic investigation

Density functional calculations have been carried out on a series of linearly annelated acenes and their BN analogues. Even though borazine shows aromatic and reactivity behavior parallel with that of benzene, its condensed derivatives show patterns different from those of their hydrocarbon analogues. Nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) values in acenes suggest that the aromaticity of the inner rings is more than that of benzene, whereas in BN-acenes there is no substantial change in the aromaticity of the individual rings. Molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) is employed to obtain further insights into the bonding and reactivity trends for these systems. The MESP topography patterns of acenes and BN-acenes are substantially different, with BN-acenes showing more localized pi electron features compared to those of acenes. The MESP values at the critical points (CPs) indicate overall lowering of aromaticity in these annelated systems. However, this change is gradual among the BN-acenes.     

Synthesis of phthalide derivatives using nickel-catalyzed cyclization of o-haloesters with aldehydes

The reaction of o-bromobenzoate (1 b) with benzaldehyde (2 a) in the presence of [NiBr(2)(dppe)] (dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) and zinc powder in THF (24 hours, reflux temperature), afforded 3-phenyl-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one (3 a) in an 86 % yield. Similarly, o-iodobenzoate reacts with 2 a to give 3 a, but in a lower yield (50 %). A series of substituted aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes (2 b, 4-MeC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 c, 4-MeOC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 d, 3-MeOC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 e, 2-MeOC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 f, 4-CNC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 g, 4-(Me)(3)CC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 h, 4-C(6)H(5)C(6)H(4)CHO; 2 i, 4-ClC(6)H(4)CHO; 2 j, 4-CF(3)C(6)H(4)CHO; 2 k, CH(3)(CH(2))(5)CHO; 2 l, CH(3)(CH(2))(2)CHO) also underwent cyclization with o-bromobenzoate (1 b) producing the corresponding phthalide derivatives in moderate to excellent yields and with high chemoselectivity. Like 1 b, methyl 2-bromo-4,5-dimethoxybenzoate (1 c) reacts with tolualdehyde (2 b) to give the corresponding substituted phthalide 3 m in a 71 % yield. The methodology can be further applied to the synthesis of six-membered lactones. The reaction of methyl 2-(2-bromophenyl)acetate (1 d) with benzaldehyde under similar reaction conditions afforded six-membered lactone 3 o in a 68 % yield. A possible catalytic mechanism for this cyclization is also proposed.     

Chloride, -Hydride and -Borohydride Derivatives of Difluorenyl Thallium(III)

Chloride¹), borohydrides²) and hydrides³) of dicyclopentadienyl thallium (III) and diindenyl thallium (III) have already been reported. The present communication deals with a study on the preparation and characterization of difluorenyl thallium (III) chloride, -hydride and -borohydride.     

Cu-nanoparticles: a chemoselective catalyst for the aza-Michael reactions of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines with acrylonitrile

A novel method for effecting the aza-Michael reactions of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines with acrylonitrile using Cu-nanoparticles is described. The method features the use of 10 mol % Cu (14-17 nm) nanoparticles under mild reaction conditions to afford the addition products in good to excellent yields. The Cu-nanoparticles selectively catalysed the aza-Michael reaction of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines in the presence of aromatic amino or aliphatic hydroxy groups.