Studies on PNPP Hydrolysis Catalyzed by Divalent Metal Ion Macrocyclic Schiff Base Complexes in Micellar Solution

Two transitional metal ion macrocyclic Schiff base complexes, NiL and CuL were synthesized and characterized, and the metallomicelles made up of the nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes and surfactants(LSS, Brij35, CTAB), as mimic hydrolytic metalloenzyme, were used in catalytic hydrolysis of carboxylic ester (PNPP). The analysis of specific absorption spectrums of the hydrolytic reaction systems indicates that key intermediates, made up of PNPP and Ni(II) or Cu(II) complexes, have formed in the reaction processes of the PNPP catalytic hydrolysis. In this, based on the analytic result of specific absorption spectrum, the mechanism of PNPP catalytic hydrolysis has been proposed; a kinetic mathematical model, applied to the calculation of the kinetic parameter of PNPP catalytic hydrolysis has been established on the foundation of the mechanism proposed; the acid effect of reaction system, structure effect of the complexes, effect of temperature and effects of micelle on the rate of PNPP hydrolysis catalyzed by the complexes also have been discussed.     

A PdCl2–ionic liquid brush assembly: an efficient and reusable catalyst for Mizoroki–Heck reaction in neat water

An efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalytic assembly of PdCl₂ held in ionic liquid brushes has been synthesized and an environmentally‐friendly procedure was developed for coupling aryl iodides with acrylic acid. These reactions were conducted in water under aerobic conditions with water‐insoluble or even solid aryl iodides and they proceeded smoothly and cleanly without any organic co‐solvent or other additives. A 0.5 mol% (based on Pd atom) dose of the catalyst was found to be sufficient for Mizoroki–Heck reaction. The catalyst is easily recovered post reaction, via simple filtration, and reused at least eight times without a noticeable loss of activity. The protocol has the advantages of excellent yield, environmental friendliness, and catalyst recyclability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simple LC–MS Determination of Citric and Malic Acids in Fruits and Vegetables

A rapid, reliable and sensitive method has been developed to determine malic and citric acid in fruits and vegetables. The methodology is based on simple extraction with an aqueous solution of ethanol (80% v/v) and subsequent chromatographic analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Electrospray ionization in negative mode was used. The best response for citric and malic acid was provided by molecular ions [M?H]^? at m/z 191 and 133 respectively. These ions were used for quantification, whereas other fragments were used as confirmation ions. Different variables involved in the separation and detection process, such as mobile phase, gradient profile and flow rate have been optimised. Linearity, repeatability, recovery and limits of quantification were evaluated. Good linearity was obtained up to 5,000 mg kg^?1. Recovery ranged from 90.0 to 104.6%, repeatability (expressed as RSD) was <8% for tested matrices, and limits of quantification were equal or lower than 65 mg kg^?1. Finally, the method was applied to the analysis of samples of orange, tomato and pepper.     

Two New Daphniphyllum Alkaloids from Daphniphyllum calycinum

Two new daphniphyllum alkaloids named 2‐hydroxyyunnandaphnine D ( 1 ) and methyl 7‐hydroxyhomodaphniphyllate ( 2 ), together with eight known alkaloids, daphnioldhanin D, calyciphylline F, calyciphylline B, deoxycalyciphylline B, daphnicyclidin H, macropodumine C, 9,10‐epoxycalycine A, and yunnandaphnine A, were isolated from the stems and leaves of Daphniphyllum calycinum. Their structures and relative configurations were established on the basis of spectral evidence (including 2D‐NMR) and subsequently confirmed by a single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic diffraction analysis.     

Neolignans and Caffeoyl Derivatives from Selaginella moellendorffii

Ten new phenolic compounds including the six neolignans 1 – 3 and 6 – 8 and four caffeoyl derivatives, i.e., myo‐inositol 1‐caffeate ( 9 ), myo‐inositol 6‐caffeate ( 10 ), myo‐inositol 5‐caffeate ( 11 ), and paucine 3′‐β‐D ‐glucopyranoside ( 12 ) were isolated from the whole plants of Selaginella moellendorffii (caffeic acid=3‐(3,4‐dihydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐enoic acid). Their structures were established by spectroscopic and chemical methods.