Amarusine A,a new dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane derivative with a butyrolactone ring from Pleioblastus amarus

Amarusine A (1), a new polyketide derivative possessing an unusual dioxaspiro[4.4]nonane derivative with a butyrolactone ring, was isolated from the leaves of Pleioblastus amarus. The structure and absolute stereochemistry of compound 1 were rigorously determined using UV, IR, HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR techniques and by comparing experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. Amarusine A (1) exhibits a good antioxidant activity for scavenging the DPPH radical. A possible biosynthetic pathway was postulated.     

Genetic profile characterization and population study of 21 autosomal STR in Chinese Kazak ethnic minority group

Short tandem repeat loci have been recognized as useful tools in the routine forensic application and in recent decades, more and more new short tandem repeat (STR) loci have been constantly discovered, studied, and applied in forensic caseworks. In this study, we investigated the genetic polymorphisms of 21 STR loci in the Kazak ethnic minority as well as the genetic relationships between the Kazak ethnic minority and other populations. Allelic frequencies of 21 STR loci were obtained from 114 unrelated healthy Kazak individuals in the Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uigur Autonomous Region of China. We observed a total of 159 alleles in the group with the allelic diversity values ranging from 0.0044 to 0.5088. The highest polymorphism was found at D19S433 locus and the lowest was found at D1S1627. Statistical analysis of the generated data indicated no deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibriums at all 21 STR loci. In order to estimate the population differentiation, allelic frequencies of all STR loci of the Kazak were compared with those of other neighboring populations using analysis of molecular variance method. Statistically significant differences were found between the studied population and other populations at 2–7 STR loci. A neighbor‐joining tree was constructed based on allelic frequencies of the 21 STR loci and phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Kazak has a close genetic relationship with the Uigur ethnic group. The present results may provide useful information for forensic sciences and population genetics studies, and can also increase our understanding of the genetic background of this group. The present findings showed that all the 21 STR loci are highly genetically polymorphic in the Kazak group, which provided valuable population genetic data for the genetic information study, forensic human individual identification, and paternity tests.     

PPh3‐Catalyzed Ring‐Expansion Reactions of Sulfamate‐Derived Cyclic Imines with Acetylenedicarboxylates

The PPh₃‐catalyzed ring‐expansion reaction of sulfamate‐derived cyclic imines with acetylenedicarboxylates has been developed. The reaction works quite efficiently under very mild conditions to afford benzo[g][1,2,3]oxathiazocine‐4,5‐dicarboxylate 2,2‐dioxide derivatives in high yields.     

Fluorocarbon and Hydrocarbon N‐Heterocyclic (C5–C7) Imidazole‐Based Liquid Crystals

By using three synthetic protocols, a series of fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon N‐heterocyclic imidazole‐based liquid crystals (LCs) and related imidazolium‐based ionic liquid crystals (ILCs) have been prepared. The ring size of the N‐heterocycle and the length of the N‐terminal chain (on the imidazolium unit in the ILCs) were modified, and the influence of these structural parameters on liquid‐crystal phases was investigated by means of polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). These new ILCs exhibit a disordered smectic phase (SmA), good thermal stabilities, a broad smectic phase range, a high dipole moment, relatively low melting points, but high clearing points and strong emission fluorescence relative to imidazole‐based LCs. These encouraging results have led us to believe these fluorocarbon and hydrocarbon N‐heterocyclic imidazole‐based LCs and related imidazolium‐based ILCs could be used as new liquid‐crystalline materials.     

Synthesis and bioevaluation of radioiodated nitroimidazole-based hypoxia imaging agents containing different charged substituents

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - In this work, a series of radiolabeled 2-nitroimidazole-based iodotriazoles containing positively charged, negatively charged, or neutral...     

Vacuum Ultraviolet Free-Electron Laser Photoionization Mass Spectrometry of Alpha-pinene Ozonolysis

\begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-pinene is the most abundant monoterpene that represents an important family of volatile organic compounds. Molecular identification of key transient compounds during the \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-pinene ozonolysis has been proven to be a challenging experimental target because of a large number of intermediates and products involved. Here we exploit the recently developed hybrid instruments that integrate aerosol mass spectrometry with a vacuum ultraviolet free-electron laser to study the \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-pinene ozonolysis. The experiments of \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-pinene ozonolysis are performed in an indoor smog chamber, with reactor having a volume of 2 m\begin{document}$^3$\end{document} which is made of fluorinated ethylene propylene film. Distinct mass spectral peaks provide direct experimental signatures of previously unseen compounds produced from the reaction of \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-pinene with O\begin{document}$_3$\end{document}. With the aid of quantum chemical calculations, plausible mechanisms for the formation of these new compounds are proposed. These findings provide crucial information on fundamental understanding of the initial steps of \begin{document}$\alpha$\end{document}-pinene oxidation and the subsequent processes of new particle formation.     

Redox targeting of energy materials

The redox-mediated electrochemical–chemical process, when it involves the redox-targeting reaction with energy materials, has shown intriguing potential for various energy-related applications. This review starts with a brief discussion on the evolution of redox-targeting reactions for high-energy redox-flow batteries and the critical future studies for large-scale energy storage. Then, with spatially decoupled water electrolysis as an example, the merits of redox-targeting reaction by liberating the catalyst from electrode surface are highlighted, followed by an introduction of redox targeting–based thermal-to-electrical conversion. We have also featured various redox-targeting processes in other fields of study, such as electrochromic window, redox catalysis, and spent battery material recycling. Overall, this review attempts to demonstrate the incredible versatility and prospects of redox-targeting process for energy-related applications.     

Amorphous Carbon Film with Self-modified Carbon Nanoparticles Synthesized by Low Temperature Carbonization of Phenolic Resin for Simultaneous Sensing of Dopamine and Uric Acid

A self-modified film electrode consisting of homogeneous snowflake-shaped nanoparticles on the amorphous carbon substrate (HNAC) was prepared by low temperature carbonization of phenolic resin. Such a unique structure was beneficial to enhance the electroanalysis signal responds. Simultaneous detection of DA and UA was performed on the HNAC using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) at pH 8 phosphate buffer. The well-defined oxidation peak potential separation reached 260 mV between DA and UA. Meanwhile, the detection limit of HNAC were 0.401 μM (DA) and 2.800 μM (UA).