Copper-assisted oxidation of catechols into quinone derivatives

Catechols are ubiquitous substances often acting as antioxidants, thus of importance in a variety of biological processes. The Fenton and Haber–Weiss processes are thought to transform these molecules into aggressive reactive oxygen species (ROS), a source of oxidative stress and possibly inducing degenerative diseases. Here, using model conditions (ultrahigh vacuum and single crystals), we unveil another process capable of converting catechols into ROSs, namely an intramolecular redox reaction catalysed by a Cu surface. We focus on a tri-catechol, the hexahydroxytriphenylene molecule, and show that this antioxidant is thereby transformed into a semiquinone, as an intermediate product, and then into an even stronger oxidant, a quinone, as final product. We argue that the transformations occur via two intramolecular redox reactions: since the Cu surface cannot oxidise the molecules, the starting catechol and the semiquinone forms each are, at the same time, self-oxidised and self-reduced. Thanks to these reactions, the quinone and semiquinone are able to interact with the substrate by readily accepting electrons donated by the substrate. Our combined experimental surface science and ab initio analysis highlights the key role played by metal nanoparticles in the development of degenerative diseases.

An antioxidant catechol transforms following intramolecular redox reactions into highly reactive oxygen species, a semiquinone and a quinone, on copper.     

Validation of UV spectrophotometric and nonaqueous titration methods for the determination of carvedilol in pharmaceutical formulations

Ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric and nonaqueous volumetric methods are described for the determination of carvedilol in pharmaceutical formulations. Linearity, precision, and accuracy were evaluated according to the validation guidelines of the International Conference on Harmonization and the United States Pharmacopeia for both methods. The UV spectrophotometric procedure was performed in ethanol at 244 nm. Good linearity was obtained between 2 and 7 microg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9999. The intra- and interday precision values were <2% for all samples analyzed. The accuracy, determined from recovery studies, was between 97.5 and 102.2%. The other procedure was based on the volumetric quantitation of carvedilol in a nonaqueous medium with 0.01 M perchloric acid and 1% violet crystal as the indicator. The validation of the volumetric method yielded good results that included linearity (r of > 0.999), precision (relative standard deviations of <2% for intra- and interday precision), and accuracy (96.4-102.4%). The methods were applied to tablets and compounded capsules. Statistical analysis by analysis of variance showed no significant difference between the results obtained by the proposed methods.     

Branched tetrahydrofuran α,α-disubstituted-δ-sugar amino acid scaffolds from branched sugar lactones: a new family of foldamers?

Efficient S_N2 ring closure of open chain trihydroxytriflates—in which the leaving group is on a primary carbon adjacent to a quaternary centre—provides access to tetrahydrofurans with branched carbon chains from branched carbohydrate lactones; the first examples of a new class of branched chain tetrahydrofuran α,α-disubstituted-δ-sugar amino acid scaffolds are described.     

2′‐De­oxy‐5‐propynyl­cytidine: a nucleoside forming two solid‐state conformations

The title compound, 4‐amino‐1‐(2‐deoxy‐β‐d ‐erythropentofuranosyl)‐5‐(prop‐1‐ynyl)pyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one, C₁₂H₁₅N₃O₄, shows two conformations in the crystalline state which differ mainly in the glycosylic bond torsion angle and the sugar pucker. Both mol­ecules exhibit an anti glycosylic bond conformation, with torsion angles χ = −135.0 (2) and −156.4 (2)° for mol­ecules 1 and 2, respectively. The sugar moieties show a twisted C2′‐endo sugar pucker (S‐type), with P = 173.3 and 192.5° for mol­ecules 1 and 2, respectively. The crystal structure is characterized by a three‐dimensional network that is stabilized by several inter­molecular hydrogen bonds between the two conformers.     

Environmental accounting for the lagoon of Venice and the case of fishing

This paper presents the application of the eMergy evaluation, introduced by H.T. Odum as an efficient methodology of environmental accounting. The results of this analysis are a part of a wider sustainability assessment for the Province of Venice realized in 2003. Within a territorial sustainability analysis, it is necessary to implement an environmental accounting method, which is able: to precisely consider the boundaries of the investigated system (spatial scale); to arbitrarily separate the life of the investigated system into periods (temporal scale); to account for both economic and natural support to a given territorial system in order to implement a sustainable management of resources; to assess all the items supporting the system on the basis of a physical unit that is objective (while the traditional economic evaluation method is based on individual preferences, hence it is subjective). The Province of Venice is a very complex system due, on one hand, to the heavy and consolidated presence of industrial activity since the beginning of the 20th century and, on the other hand, to the principal natural ecosystem which characterizes it: the lagoon, the largest wetland in the Mediterranean Sea. The role of the lagoon, as a provider of resources and services is represented by the analysis of two aspects: the lagoon as an ecosystem on the basis of the evaluation of all flows that cyclically support its biotic activity and the lagoon as a productive system on the basis of the contribution of both natural and "economic" inputs that support human activity. In particular, the case of clam fishing will be presented to put on evidence the importance of natural inputs that are systematically neglected by the traditional accounting methodologies.     

Recognition of amides by new rigid Calix

The synthesis of new hosts specifically designed for the recognition of amides, characterized by two binding regions: a rigid calix[4]arene cavity and a sidearm, inserted at its rim, able to form strong hydrogen bonds, is described. The binding abilities of the new receptors toward amides of general structure R(1)CONR(2)R(3) have been investigated in CDCl(3) solution by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. When the additional binding site is the N-phenylureido group spaced by a methylene unit from the apolar cavity, binding constants up to 756 M(-)(1) were measured. Neither the two separate potential binding sites, nor the model host, where the calix[4]arene skeleton is flexible show detectable binding ability toward the series of guests examined. The rigidity of the calix[4]arene apolar cavity is the key control element in determining the efficiency of these molecular recognition processes. The presence of NH groups in the guest controls the efficiency and selectivity of binding.     

Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations and cone angles of phosphine ligands

Molecular mechanics (MM2) calculations were performed on 54 conformations of 18 phosphines (PH₃; PH_3−nR_n, where n = 1,…3, and R = Me and Et, n = 1 or 2 and R =ⁱPr, and n = 1 and R =^tBu, PMe₂Et, PMeEt₂, and PPhMe₂, and PPh₂R where R = Me, Et, ⁱPr, ^tBu and Ph). The results are compared to those previously obtained from MINDO/3 and MNDO calculations, and to experimental data. Single conformer cone angles and weighted average cone angles were calculated from MM2 optimized geometries employing Tolman's general definition, and they are compared to Tolman's values, MINDO/3 results, and T.L. Brown's E_R values. Of the cone angle definitions used, the weighted average values are suggested as the best single representation of phosphine ligand sizes. The steric parameters (cone angle and E_R values) alone, and in conjunction with electronic parameters, are correlated with experimental data.     

Meeting Report: Ten Years of Atomic and Molecular Science at Elettra

On the 31^st of May and the 1^st of June, 2007, a workshop to celebrate 10 years of atomic and molecular science was held at Elettra. The occasion marked the 10^th anniversary since the first beamtime was officially allocated to a user at the Gas Phase beamline, namely George King of Manchester University. As a satisfied user, King was not only present, but had beamtime during the workshop.