On Deciding between Space Groups Pnam and Pna21 for the Crystal Structure of Zr3N4

The crystal structure of Zr₃N₄ is shown to crystallize in the centrosymmetric space group Pnam rather than in the noncentrosymmetric space group Pna2₁.     

A new heterocyclic structure. The 6H-[1,3]benzoxathiepino[5,4-d]pyrimidine 5,5-dioxide

The novel benzoxathiepinopyrimidines 6a-d were synthesized by ring transformations of 3-chloromethylsulfonylchromone ( 2 ) with amidines 3a-d .     

Studies in polyphenol chemistry and bioactivity. 4.(1) Synthesis of trimeric,tetrameric, pentameric,and higher oligomeric epicatechin-derived procyanidins having all-4beta,8-interflavan connectivity and their inhibition of cancer cell growth through cell cycle arrest

We report an improved synthesis of bis(5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-benzyl)epicatechin 4beta,8-dimer (3) from 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-benzylepicatechin (1) and 5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-benzyl-4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)epicatechin (2) by replacing the previously employed Lewis acid, titanium tetrachloride, with the clay mineral Bentonite K-10. Under the same conditions, the benzyl-protected all-4beta,8-trimer, -tetramer, and -pentamer were obtained regioselectively from their lower homologues, albeit in rapidly decreasing yields. Reaction of 2 with an organoaluminum thiolate generated from 2-mercaptobenzothiazole and trimethylaluminum followed by acetylation produced 3-O-acetyl-4-[(2-benzothiazolyl)thio]-5,7,3',4'-tetra-O-benzylepicatechin (12). Medium-sized protected oligomers with 4beta,8-interflavan linkages are obtained in improved yields by using this compound as the electrophile and silver tetrafluoroborate as activator and are isolated by reversed-phase HPLC. Their deprotection by ester saponification followed by hydrogenolysis yielded the free procyanidins, which were characterized as their peracetates. The synthetic procyanidins are identical by normal-phase HPLC with fractions isolated from cocoa. The principle of chain extension by two members was demonstrated using a dimeric electrophile obtained by self-condensation of compound 12. Both the synthetic and natural pentamer 32 inhibit the growth of several breast cancer cell lines. Using the MDA MB 231 line, it was established that this outcome is based on the induction of cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Subsequent cell death is more likely necrotic rather than apoptotic. Control experiments demonstrate that the polyphenol itself, rather than hydrogen peroxide potentially formed by its autoxidation, is the causative agent.     

Ab initio excited-state dynamics of the photoactive yellow protein chromophore

The photoisomerization mechanism of the neutral form of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP) chromophore is investigated using ab initio quantum chemistry and first-principles nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (ab initio multiple spawning or AIMS). We identify the nature of the two lowest-lying excited states, characterize the short-time behavior of molecules excited directly to S2, and explain the origin of the experimentally observed wavelength-dependent photoisomerization quantum yield.     

Zur Struktur der Tetrahydro-4-phenylspiro([1]benzopyran-2,4′(1′H)-pyrimidin)-2′(3′H)-one bzw.-thione über Heterocyclen, 49. Mitt

The structures of tetrahydro-4-phenylspiro([1]benzopyran-2,4(1H)-pyrimidin)-2(3H)-ones and-thiones4 a, b resp., are proved by synthesis. 3-(2-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-3-phenylpropionic acid11 b is prepared from 3,4-dihydro-6,8-dimethyl-4-phenylcoumarin10. The lithium salt of11 b reacts with isobutenyl-lithium to 1-(2-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-5-methyl-1-phenyl-4-hexen-3-on12 a. 12 a is transferred with urea in acid medium and NH₄CNS resp. in a mixture of dihydro-6-[2-(2-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-phenyläthyl]-4,4-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone and-thione13 a, b and tetrahydro-6-[2-(2-methoxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)-2-phenyläthyliden]-4,4-dimethyl-2(1H)-pyrimidinone and-thione14 a, b resp.14 b leads to13 a, b with H₂O₂. Heating of13 a, 14 a and14 b resp. with pyridin-HCl leads to the spiro compounds4 a, b.