EFFECTS OF QUENCHING AGENTS ON THE PHOTODYNAMICALLY-INDUCED CHEMOTACTIC RESPONSE OF THE COLORLESS FLAGELLATE Polytomella magna

Abstract In the presence of the photosensitizer riboflavin at high fluence rates a photoproduct, most probably H₂O₂, is formed which causes negative phototaxis in the colorless flagellate Polytomella magna . The aim of this study was to find out whether H₂O₂ is produced in a type I or II reaction. As has been shown, ¹O₂ quenchers either do not influence the photodynamic action of riboflavin (furfuryl ethanol, DPBF, l -histidine, crocetin) or show slight quenching effects only at very high concentrations ≧ 10⁻² M (DABCO, DMF, imidazole). D₂O is toxic to P. magna even in 1:1 and 1:2 mixtures with H₂O. On the other hand, the quenching effect of 1,4-benzoquinone, highly indicative for the type I pathway, is more than two orders of magnitude stronger than the one of the above mentioned ¹O₂ quenchers. The results suggest that H₂O₂ is produced in a type I reaction. Superoxide does not seem to be involved since superoxide dismutase does not diminish the photodynamic effect of riboflavin.     

Novel stereoselective control over cis vs trans opening of benzo[c]phenanthrene 3,4-diol 1,2-epoxides by the exocyclic N(2)-amino group of deoxyguanosine in the presence of hexafluoropropan-2-ol

We describe a novel and efficient synthesis (62-84% yields) of the eight possible, diastereomerically pure, cis and trans, R and S O(6)-allyl-protected N(2)-dGuo phosphoramidite building blocks derived through cis and trans opening of (+/-)-3alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-1beta,2beta-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene [BcPh DE-1 (1)] and (+/-)-3alpha,4beta-dihydroxy-1alpha,2alpha-epoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[c]phenanthrene [BcPh DE-2 (2)] by hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFP)-mediated addition of O(6)-allyl-3',5'-di-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2'-deoxyguanosine (3) at C-1 of the epoxides. Simply changing the relative amount of HFP used in the reaction mixture can achieve a wide ratio of cis/trans addition products. Thus, the observed cis/trans adduct ratio for the reaction of DE-1 (1) in the presence of 5 equiv of 3 varied from 17/83 to 91/9 over the range of 5-532 equiv of HFP. The corresponding ratios for DE-2 (2) varied from 2/98 to 61/39 under the same set of conditions. When 1 or 2 was fused with a 20-fold excess of 3 at 140 degrees C in the absence of solvent HFP, almost exclusive trans addition (>95%) was observed for the both DEs. Through the use of varying amounts of HFP in the reaction mixture as described above, each of the eight possible phosphoramidite oligonucleotide building blocks (DE-1/DE-2, cis/trans, R/S) of the BcPh DE N(2)-dGuo adducts can be prepared in an efficient fashion. To rationalize the varying cis-to-trans ratio, we propose that the addition of 3 to 1 or 2 in the absence of solvent or in the presence of small amounts of HFP proceeds primarily via an S(N)2 mechanism to produce mainly trans-opened adducts. In contrast, increasing amounts of HFP promote increased participation of an S(N)1 mechanism involving a relatively stable carbocation with two possible conformations. One of these conformations reacts with 3 to give mostly trans adduct, while the other conformation reacts with 3 to give mostly cis adduct.     

Chelating resin-impregnated paper chromatography, applications to trace element collection of ferrous and ferric ions, and determination by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry

An ion-exchange approach to the preparation of chelating resin is demonstrated whereby a typical sulfonated chelating agent, 7-iodo-8-hydroxy quinoline-5-sulfonic acid, is immobilized as counterions on a piperazinium polyelectrolyte matrix. The resulting chelate forming resin has been used to effect the selective separation of ferrous as well as ferric ion from a known mixture containing other trace elements without any complication of the leaching of either chelating ligand or resin from the stationary support. The chelating resin-impregnated paper chromatographic technique followed with differential pulse anodic stripping analysis is described for the preconcentration, separation, and recovery of divalent and trivalent ions of iron from the various heavy metals in aqueous phases. The combination of chelation and paper chromatography involves a differential migration procedure which provides a technique for the separation of analyte ions quantitatively without any interference from the complex matrices.     

Synthesis of benzofuro[3,2-b] quinolin-6(11H) one and derivatives

A new and efficient synthesis of benzof'uro[3,2-b]quinolin-6(11H) one ( 3 ) is reported, by treatment of 2- {[(phenoxy)acetyl]amino} benzoic acid ( 6a ) with polyphosphoric acid. An intermediate in the conversion of 3 to 6a , namely, 2-(3-benzofuranylamino)benzoic acid ( 7 ), was defined. An improved method for the synthesis of 6a is also described, which was used to prepare analogs ( 6b-n ) of 6a . In addition, an 11-alkoxy derivative ( 8 ) and 11-dialkylamino derivatives ( 10 and 11 ) of benzofuro [3,2-b]quinoline were prepared from 3 .     

Development of a multicriteria assessment model for ranking biomass feedstock collection and transportation systems

This study details multicriteria assessment methodology that integrates economic, social, environmental, and technical factors in order to rank alternatives for biomass collection and transportation systems. Ranking of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×10⁶ dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems is based on cost of delivered biomass, quality of biomass supplied, emissions during collection, energy input to the chain operations, and maturity of supply system technologies. The assessment methodology is used to evaluate alternatives for collecting 1.8×10⁶ dry t/yr based on assumptions made on performance of various assemblies of biomass collection systems. A proposed collection option using loafer/stacker was shown to be the best option followed by ensiling and baling. Ranking of biomass transport systems is based on cost of biomass transport, emissions during transport, traffic congestion, and maturity of different technologies. At a capacity of 4×10⁶ dry t/yr, rail transport was shown to be the best option, followed by truck transport and pipeline transport, respectively. These rankings depend highly on assumed maturity of technologies and scale of utilization. These may change if technologies such as loafing or ensiling (wet storage) methods are proved to be infeasible for large-scale collection systems.     

Ionic discotic liquid crystals: synthesis and characterization of pyridinium bromides containing a triphenylene core

Five novel pyridinium salts tethered with hexaalkoxytriphenylene molecules were synthesized by the quaternization of pyridine with ω-bromo-substituted triphenylene derivatives. Their chemical structures were determined by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, UV spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The thermotropic liquid crystalline properties of these salts were investigated by polarizing optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. These triphenylene-based pyridinium salts with bromide as counterion were found to be mesomorphic over a wide temperature range.     

Efficient and simple colorimetric fluoride ion sensor based on receptors having urea and thiourea binding sites

[structure: see text] Novel colorimetric receptors for selective fluoride ion sensing containing anthraquinone as chromogenic signaling subunit and urea (N,N' '-(9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-1,2-anthracenediyl)bis[N'-phenyl])/thiourea (N,N' '-(9,10-dihydro-9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxo-1,2-antrhacenediyl)bis[N-phenyl]) binding sites have been reported. These receptors have shown no affinity for other halide ions (Cl-, Br-, and I- ions). Well-defined color change in the visible region of the spectrum was observed upon addition of fluoride ion in DMSO/CH3CN solution of the receptors 1 and 2.     

Mechanistic study of osmium(VIII) promoted oxidation of crotonic acid by aqueous alkaline solution of potassium bromate

Kinetics and mechanism of the Os(VIII) catalysed oxidation of crotonic acid (CA) by KBrO₃ in alkaline medium have been investigated. Zero order dependence in [KBrO₃] was observed, while first order with respect to CA in its lower concentration range tends to zero order at its higher concentration range. The order in [Os(VIII)] was found to be unity and a positive effect of [OH⁻] was observed. Variation of the ionic strength (μ) and dielectric constant of the medium and addition of Hg(OAc)₂ (used as Br⁻ scavenger) had an insignificant effect on the rate of reaction. Thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated and reported. A suitable mechanism consistent with the observed kinetic results has been suggested and the related rate law deduced.     

New diorganotin(IV) derivatives of 7-hydroxycoumarin (umbelliferone) and their adducts with 1,10-phenanthroline

New diorganotin(IV) derivatives of the general formula R2Sn(Umb)2 (where R = n-Bu, n-Oct and Ph; Umb = umbelliferone anion) have been synthesized either by the reaction of R2SnO with umbelliferone under azeotropic removal of water or by the reaction of R2SnCl2 with sodium salt of umbelliferone. Further, the adducts of the general formula R2Sn(Umb)2.phen (where R = n-Bu and n-Oct; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have also been synthesized by the interaction of R2Sn(Umb)2 with 1,10-phenanthroline. The bonding and coordination behavior in these derivatives are discussed on the basis of IR and 119Sn M?ssbauer spectroscopic studies in solid state. Their coordination behavior in solution is discussed by the multinuclear (1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR spectral studies. The M?ssbauer and IR studies indicate that umbelliferone acts as a monoanionic bidentate ligand in R2Sn(Umb)2 coordinating through O(7) and O(1). A distorted octahedral geometry around tin has been proposed for R2Sn(Umb)2 as well as for R2Sn(Umb)2.phen in solid state. The newly synthesized derivatives have been tested for their anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular activities. The average LD50 value >1000 mg kg(-1) of these compounds indicates their safety margin.