Enantioselective catalytic epoxidation of nonfunctionalized prochiral olefins by dissymmetric chiral Schiff base complexes of Mn(III) and Ru(III) metal ions II

A series of new dissymmetric chiral Schiff base complexes has been obtained by a systematic condensation of (1S,2S)(+)-diaminocyclohexane and 3-acetyl-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2-pyrone with salicylaldehyde, 5-chloro-, 5-methoxy-and 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde and by subsequent metallation with manganese and ruthenium. The characterization of the complexes 1–8 was accomplished by physico chemical studies viz. microanalysis, IR-, UV/VIS-, and CD spectral studies, optical rotation, molar conductance measurements and cyclic voltammetry. Enantioselective epoxidation of non functionalised olefins, viz. cis-stilbene, trans-3-nonene and trans-4-octene with iodosyl benzene as oxidant was demonstrated in the presence of catalytic amounts of chiral Mn(III) and Ru(III) dissymmetric Schiff base complexes. Good optical yields of epoxides were obtained for the catalyst 4 with the substrates trans-3-nonene and cis-stilbene.     

Template synthesis and spectroscopic studies of highly conjugated tetraiminetetraamide macrocyclic complexes from 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione dihydrazone

A new class of tetraiminetetraamide macrocyclic (Ph4[20]tetraene, N8O4, and Ph6[20]tetraene, N8O4) complexes have been prepared through the metal ion controlled reaction of 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-dione dihydrazone (DPEDDH) with succinic acid [ML1X2] or phthalic acid [ML2X2] [M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn; X=Cl or NO3]. The structures of the complexes have been elucidated on the basis of i.r, 1H-n.m.r, e.p.r. and electronic spectral data and conductance, as well as magnetic, properties. An octahedral geometry is assigned for all the complexes, involving coordination of the all-imine nitrogens.     

A new flavonol glycoside from the aerial parts of Astragalus vulneraria

A new flavonol glycoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)]-beta-D-galactopyranoside, and the known diglycoside, isorhamnetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-galactopyranoside were isolated from the aerial parts of Astragalus vulneraria. Characterization of the two compounds was done by spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, and FAB-MS).     

Potentiometric and visual titrations with bromamine-B

Bromamine-B is proposed as an oxidimetric titrant for potentiometric and visual end-point titrations of arsenic(II), hexacyanoferrate(II), antimony(III), hydroquinone, semicarbazide hydrochloride, isonicotinic acid hydrazide, hydrazine sulphate, ascorbic acid, phenylhydrazine hydrochloride and metol. Quinoline Yellow, naphthidine, dimethylnaphthidinedisulphonic acid, o-dianisidine, diphenylbenzidine, Variamine Blue, alpha-naphthoflavone, Amaranth, Methyl Orange and Methyl Red are proposed as indicators in macro and micro titrations of the reductants with bromamine-B. The transition potentials of Quinoline Yellow, naphthidine, dimethylnaphthidinedisulphonic acid, and o-dianisidine in the titration of ascorbic acid are reported. Arsenic(III) and hexacyanoferrate(II) are suggested for the standardization of bromamine-B solutions.     

Terpenoids of the oleoresin ofPinus kochiana

The chemical composition of the oleoresin of Koch's pine growing in the Caucasus has been studied. It has been shown that, with respect to the composition of the monoterpenes and the resin acids, the oleoresin of this species does not differ from oleoresins of the subgenusDiploxylon studied previously. Predominating among the sesquiterpenes is germacrene D, which has not previously been found in the resins of the conifers of the USSR. The diterpenoids are represented by tricyclic compounds (pimarinol, isopimarinol, and methyl 15-hydroxydehydroabietate and the hydrocarbons corresponding to them).     

Size Reduction of Bulk Alumina for Mass Production of Fluorescent Nanoalumina by Fungus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Humicola</Emphasis> sp.

In recent years, nanomaterials have made their way into hundreds of biomedical, life-sciences and technological applications. One such nanomaterial of extreme importance is nanoalumina (Al₂O₃ nanoparticles). This nanomaterial is an epitome of diversity with applications exhibited in the fields of catalysis, cosmetics, theranostics, energy generation, biosensors, drug-delivery, tumor-regression, etc. However, problems persist in terms of biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, reproducibility and mass-production of nanoalumina by the presently existent physical, chemical and biological methodologies. Herein, we for the first time are presenting a top-down biofabrication method by which size reduction of commercial bulk alumina/aluminum oxide (5 µm) into nanoalumina (5–25 nm) is carried out by a thermophilic fungus Humicola sp. within 96 h of reaction at just 50 °C. The so-formed nanoalumina is highly stable, water dispersible, fluorescent and natural protein capped; characterization engaged standard techniques. These nanoparticles exhibit anti-bacterial properties against Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis strain and may serve as broad spectrum bactericidal agents. We believe that our novel top-down approach may be extensively used in the facile, inexpensive, eco-friendly and reliable fabrication of abundant quantities of nanomaterials of different chemical compositions, sizes and shapes with better control and predictability over the properties as derived from their substrates. The mechanistic aspect of said protocol is underway.     

Determination of enzyme kinetic parameters of cyclic CMP-specific phosphodiesterase by quantitative fast atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry

The determination of cytidine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate-specific phosphodiesterase activity by means of fast-atom bombardment (FAB) mass Spectrometry with mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrum scanning is described. Initial efforts to determine the activity of the enzyme by this method were unsuccessful owing to the obfuscation of sample-related peaks by peaks emanating from the incubation buffer and cation adducts; dilution of buffer and a desalting procedure overcame these difficulties. In the resulting positive-ion FAB mass spectra, characteristic peaks of the enzyme substrate and product could be readily identified and the protonated molecular ions selected for MIKE scanning. By spiking enzyme incubates with known amounts of substrate and product, and measuring peak heights in the MIKE spectra of both spiked and unspiked samples, the substrate/product ratio at the end of a series of phosphodiesterase incubations was determined. From the data obtained, the K_m and V_max of the phosphodiesterase were calculated as 6.08 mM and 11 μmol min^?1 mg^?1, respectively, showing good agreement with the analogous values of 8.06 mM and 5.8 μmol^?1 min^?1 mg^?1 obtained by radioactive assay.