Palladium-catalyzed C-N bond formation: synthesis of 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles from β-bromovinyl aldehydes and arylhydrazines

Cyclic and acyclic β-bromovinyl aldehydes are cyclized with an array of arylhydrazines in toluene at 125 °C in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a phosphorus chelating ligand together with NaO^tBu to give 1-aryl-1H-pyrazoles in moderate to good yields.     

Studies in\bar p p annihilation

Evidence is presented that \(\bar p\) p annihilation proceeds via the formation of two jets, with average transverse momentum of the order of the nucleon mass. The implications of this behaviour is linked to the measured cross sections and multiplicities, and explanations for it have been sought in the underlying gluon and quark constituents of the \(\bar p\) p system. The confrontation of the suggested constituent mechanisms and experimental data lead to the concept that charm meson production may play a significant role in the \(\bar p\) p experiments at the highest available energies.     

Evaluation of gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry for the determination of organochlorine pesticides in fats and oils

A gas chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry multi-residue method for the analysis of 19 organochlorine pesticides in fats and oils has been developed. Gel permeation chromatography was employed to remove lipid material prior to GC-MS/MS analysis. Average recoveries of the pesticides spiked at 10 and 50 microg kg(-1) into fish oil, pork fat, olive oil and hydrogenated vegetable oil were typically in the range 70-110% with relative standard deviations generally less than 10%. Calculated limits of detection are between 0.1 and 2.0 microg kg(-1) and results obtained for the analysis of proficiency test materials are in good agreement with assigned values. The higher selectivity of the GC-MS/MS compared to electron capture detection and GC-MS in selective ion monitoring mode allowed unambiguous identification and confirmation of all the target pesticides at low microg kg(-1) levels in fats and oils in a single analysis.     

Transition metal(II) ions with dinegative tetradentate schiff base

Some new coordination polymers of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), obtained from the interaction of metal acetate with dipotassium salt of N,N’-di(carboxyethylidene)terephthalaldehydediimine (K₂SB) are described. The products, which have been characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic measurements, thermogravimetric analyses, electronic and infrared spectral studies, have composition, [M(SB)(H₂O)₂]_n. These colored coordination polymers are non-hygroscopic and quite stable at room temperature. On the basis of analytical data and IR studies, a 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry has been suggested to these coordination polymers. The IR studies have also revealed that ligands are coordinated to metal ion through carboxy oxygen and azomethine nitrogen. All the studies suggested tetradentate nature of the ligand with octahedral symmetry of the coordination polymers. All the coordination polymers are insoluble in acetone, ethanol, chloroform, methanol, benzene, DMF and DMSO. The thermal decomposition of the coordination polymers is studied and indicates that not only the coordinated water is lost but also that the decomposition of the ligand from the coordination polymers is necessary to interpret the successive mass loss.     

Mapping of possible prion protein self-interaction domains using peptide arrays

Background  

The common event in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases is the conversion of host-encoded protease sensitive cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into strain dependent isoforms of scrapie associated protease resistant isoform (PrP^Sc) of prion protein (PrP). These processes are determined by similarities as well as strain dependent variations in the PrP structure. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules is the most probable basis for initiation of these processes, potentially influenced by chaperone molecules, however the mechanisms behind these processes are far from understood. We previously determined that polymorphisms do not affect initial PrP^C to PrP^Sc binding but rather modulate a subsequent step in the conversion process. Determining possible sites of self-interaction could elucidate which amino acid(s) or amino acid sequences contribute to binding and further conversion into other isoforms. To this end, ovine – and bovine PrP peptide-arrays consisting of 15-mer overlapping peptides were probed with recombinant sheep PrP^C fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-PrP).     

Light-directed radial combinatorial chemistry: orthogonal safety-catch protecting groups for the synthesis of small molecule microarrays

We describe the development of photolabile protecting groups based on the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenacyl group (TMP). Orthogonal safety-catches were created by introducing an acid-activatible dimethyl ketal (AA-TMP) and an oxidatively activatible 1,3-dithiane (OA-TMP) into the photolabile TMP group. We demonstrate the application of these protecting groups in light-directed synthesis of small molecule microarrays with diversity elements radially attached to a hydroxyproline scaffold.     

One-carbon chain extension of esters to alpha-chloroketones: a safer route without diazomethane

The reaction of a variety of methyl esters with dimethylsulfoxonium methylide at 0-25 degrees C affords the chain-extended beta-keto dimethylsulfoxonium ylides. Subsequent treatment with hydrogen chloride in THF proceeds with loss of DMSO to afford the corresponding alpha-chloroketones. This sequence has been utilized to convert the methyl esters of CBZ-protected alanine and valine to the anti N-protected alpha-amino epoxides, which are important pharmaceutical intermediates. When the same protocol is applied to BOC-protected phenylalanine methyl ester, epimerization occurs so that the use of a more reactive aryl ester is required. This chemistry provides a practical route to alpha-chloroketones that avoids the use of toxic and explosive diazomethane.