Rich pseudopolymorphic behavior of the tetranuclear [Ni4(dpyatriz)2(NO3)8] complex

Reaction of nickel(II) nitrate with the dpyatriz ligand, namely 2,4,6-tris(bis(pyridin-2-yl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine, in acetonitrile produces a tetranuclear NiII coordination compound, [Ni4(dpyatriz)2(NO3)8(CH3CN)2(H2O)2].2CH3CN (1), the crystal structure of which has been determined by X-ray diffraction using a synchrotron source. 1 has been characterized by IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Its solid-state structure exhibits remarkable anion...pi interactions between coordinated nitrate ions and the triazine rings. In addition, a thorough X-ray powder diffraction study has revealed a number of pseudopolymorphic phases (2-5), resulting from various degrees of hydration/solvation of the [Ni4(dpyatriz)2] core. The interconversion scheme among the different phases has been determined using controlled heating, and the basic structural features of the different pseudopolymorphs have been assessed through ab initio powder diffraction methods.     

Towards new ligands of nuclear receptors. Discovery of malaitasterol A, an unique bis-secosterol from marine sponge Theonella swinhoei

Malaitasterol A, an unprecedented bis-secosterol, was isolated from a Solomon collection of Theonella swinhoei. The structure was elucidated on the basis of a combination of comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry and DFT (13)C chemical shift calculations. The biological characterization of malaitasterol A provided evidence that this compound is a potent agonist of pregnane-X-receptor and its putative binding mode to PXR has been obtained through docking calculations.     

Solomonamides A and B, new anti-inflammatory peptides from Theonella swinhoei

Two unprecedented cyclic peptides, solomonamides A and B, were isolated from the marine sponge Theonella swinhoei. The structures were elucidated on the basis of comprehensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry. A combined approach, involving Marfey's method, QM J based analysis, and DFT J/(13)C calculations, was used for establishing the absolute configuration of the entire molecule. Solomonamide A showed in vivo anti-inflammatory activity.     

Application Relevant Characterization of Aqueous Silica Nanodispersions

This work describes the application relevant characterization of eight commercially available silica powders dependent on dispersing procedure using different instruments: photon correlation spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption, and particle charge detector. The particle size of silica was found to be different in dispersion from that of all types of fumed silica, where, after proper dispersion, the measured average particle size is similar and much higher than the primary particle size. The different properties of these two silica types will be discussed.     

Resveratrol in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles

This article investigates the possibility of producing solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) as protective vehicle of resveratrol, an antioxidant characterized by a fast trans-cis isomerization. SLN aqueous dispersions were produced by hot melt homogenization technique and characterized. It was found that the presence of tetradecyl-γ-cyclodextrin in SLN formulation induced an improvement of nanoparticle characteristics. Moreover, a significant reduction in resveratrol photodegradation was noted when the molecule was entrapped in SLN which became more pronounced in the presence of tetradecyl-γ-cyclodextrin. A notable in vitro porcine skin accumulation and an increased antioxidative efficacy were observed by entrapping resveratrol in nanoparticles.     

Steric and Electronic Effects on the Configurational Stability of Residual Chiral Phosphorus‐Centered Three‐Bladed Propellers: Tris‐aryl Phosphanes

A series of tris‐aryl phosphanes, structurally designed to exist as residual enantiomers or diastereoisomers, bearing substituents differing in size and electronic properties on the aryl rings, were synthesized and characterized. Their electronic properties were evaluated on the basis of their electrochemical oxidation potential determined by voltammetry. The configurational stability of residual phosphanes, evaluated by dynamic HPLC on a chiral stationary phase or/and by dynamic ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, was found to be rather modest (barriers of about 18–20 kcal mol^?1), much lower than that shown by the corresponding phosphane oxides (barriers of about 25–29 kcal mol^?1). For the first time, the residual antipodes of a tris‐aryl phosphane were isolated in enantiopure state and the absolute configuration assigned to them by single‐crystal anomalous X‐ray diffraction analysis. In this case, the racemization barrier could be calculated also by CD signal decay kinetics. A detailed computational investigation was carried out to clarify the helix reversal mechanism. Calculations indicated that the low configurational stability of tris‐aryl phosphanes can be attributed to an unexpectedly easy phosphorus pyramidal inversion which, depending upon the substituents present on the blades, can occur even on the most stable of the four conformers constituting a single residual stereoisomer.     

A Novel Series of 3,4‐Disubstituted Dihydropyrazoles: Synthesis and Evaluation for MAO Enzyme Inhibition

In this study, the authors have designed and synthesized a novel series of 3‐acyl‐4‐aryl‐4,5‐dihydropyrazoles, with the aim to obtain new potential scaffolds for the inhibition of both isoforms of monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme. The synthetic pathway to these compounds includes as a key step the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction of diazomethane with a chalcone. All the compounds were fully characterized by means of spectroscopic and analytical data and showed specific inhibition against MAO A.     

Transformation of 5-Oxo Substituted Fused Pyran-2-ones. Lactam Versus Hydrazone Formation

6, 7-Dihydrocyclopenta[b]pyran-2, 5-dione 1 was converted with hydrazines to fused pyridine-2(1H)-ones of type a. In contrast, 2H-1-benzopyran-2, 5-diones 2–4 gave under the same reaction conditions 5-hydrazonobenzopyrans of type b. Calculated heats of formation matched experimental findings.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil from Thapsia garganica L. (Apiaceae) grown wild in Sicily and its antimicrobial activity

In this study, the chemical composition of the essential oil from flowers and leaves of Thapsia garganica L. collected in Sicily was evaluated by GC and GC–MS. The main components of T. garganica flower oil (T.f.) were chamazulene (58.3%), humulene oxide II (9.0%), tricosane (8.2%) and pentacosane (8.2%). Also the oil from leaves (T.l.) was characterised by high content of chamazulene (49.2%). Other abundant metabolites were 1,4-dimethylazulene (18.5%), (E)-phytol (6.3%) and neophytadiene (5.1%). The comparison with other studied oils of genus Thapsia is discussed. Antimicrobial activity against several micro-organisms, including some ones infesting historical art craft, was also determined.