6‐Deoxy­jacareubin

The natural compound 5,10‐di­hydroxy‐2,2‐di­methylpyrano­[3,2‐b]­xanthen‐6(2H)‐one (6‐deoxy­jacareubin), C₁₈H₁₄O₅, was isolated from leaves of Vismia latifolia (Guttiferae family). The compound has four six‐membered rings. The mol­ecule has two planar benzeno­id and one planar pyran­oid ring, plus a pyran­oid ring in a distorted chair conformation. The crystal is stabilized by one intra‐ and one intermolecular hydrogen bond.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions of 3-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, and 4-cyanophenyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonates with alicyclic amines

The reactions of 3-methoxyphenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, and 4-cyanophenyl 4-nitrophenyl thionocarbonates (1, 2, and 3, respectively) with a series of secondary alicyclic amines are studied kinetically in 44 wt % ethanol-water at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). Pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are obtained for all reactions (amine excess was used). The reactions of compound 1 with piperidine, piperazine, and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine and of compounds 2 and 3 with these amines and morpholine exhibit linear k(obsd) versus amine concentration plots with slopes (k1) independent of pH. In contrast, the plots are nonlinear upward for the reactions of substrate 1 with morpholine, 1-formylpiperazine, and piperazinium ion and of substrates 2 and 3 with the two latter amines. For all these reactions, a reaction scheme is proposed with a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T+/-), which can be deprotonated by an amine to yield an anionic intermediate (T-). When the nonlinear plots are fit through an equation derived from the scheme, rate and equilibrium microcoefficients are obtained. The Br?nsted-type plots for k1 are linear with slopes of beta1 = 0.22, 0.20, and 0.24 for the aminolysis of 1, 2, and 3, respectively, indicating that the formation of T+/- (k1 step) is rate-determining. The k1 values for these reactions follow the sequence 3 > 2 > 1, which can be explained by the sequence of the electron-withdrawing effects from the substituents on the nonleaving group of the substrates.     

NbCl5 a multifunctional reagent for the synthesis of new halogenated aminoquinoline compounds through innovative one-pot reaction and the acidochromism effect

This paper describes an original one-pot way to synthesize nine new halogenated aminoquinoline derivatives using reactions conducted by niobium pentachloride. Subsequently, we describe an efficient and selective reduction reaction of nitroquinolines using niobium pentachloride and zinc, producing important compounds in the organic synthesis.The results showed that it is an important tool to synthesize these compounds, besides being time- and resources-saving and generating good yields. A quick study of acidochromism was performed.     

Antioxidant and Protective Effects of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Schinus terebinthifolius</Emphasis> Raddi Against Doxorubicin-Induced Toxicity

Doxorubicin is an anticancer drug whose toxic effects on non-cancer cells are associated with increased oxidative stress. This study investigated the chemical composition, antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi leaves (MESL) as well as effects against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in human erythrocytes, K562 human erythroleukemia cells, and mouse hearts. The chemical composition indicated the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, and ascorbic acid. MESL showed antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals and inhibiting hemolysis and lipid peroxidation in human erythrocytes incubated with an oxidizing agent, and was able to increase the enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in human erythrocytes, without influencing the activity of enzyme catalase. The increase of oxidative hemolysis and malondialdehyde levels in erythrocytes incubated with doxorubicin was reduced by treatment with MESL. The cytotoxic activity of doxorubicin in erythroleukemia cells treated with MESL was unmodified. Additionally, the extract protected mice against the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. In conclusion, the MESL exhibits antioxidant activity, reducing doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress without changing the anticancer action of the drug, and protects against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Hence, these findings suggest that these effects are via anti-oxidative by inhibiting free radicals, decreased oxidative stress, and increased antioxidant enzyme activity.     

Fluorine-Containing Drugs Approved by the FDA in 2018

Over the last two decades, fluorine substitution has become one of the essential structural traits in modern pharmaceuticals. Thus, about half of the most successful drugs (blockbuster drugs) contain fluorine atoms. In this review, we profile 17 fluorine-containing drugs approved by the food and drug administration (FDA) in 2018. The newly approved pharmaceuticals feature several types of aromatic F and CF₃, as well as aliphatic (CF₂) substitution, offering advances in the treatment of various diseases, including cancer, HIV, malarial and smallpox infections.     

NbCl5 Promoted the Efficient Synthesis of Phthalein Derivatives: Optical Characterization and Solvatochromic Effect

Organic dyes derived from phthaleins have a large number of industrial applications and can be synthesized using a Lewis acid by Friedel–Crafts acylation, followed by an addition reaction to the carbonyl compound. This work aims to investigate the use of NbCl₅ as a catalyst for the acylation reaction. The behavior of the phthalein derivatives in several solvents and when subjected to different pH conditions was studied. These compounds showed a color‐changing effect depending on the pH and solvent, making them useful for applications as indicators. The phthaleins change their conformations depending on the condition of the medium. Photophysical studies of these compounds were carried out through their UV–Vis absorption spectra. Here, we show the umbrella‐like conformation change of phthalein derivatives that depend on the solvent and the pH of the medium.     

Chitosan-modified TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> as photocatalyst for ethanol reforming under visible light

This work reports the reforming of bio-ethanol on chitosan–TiO₂ hybrid photocatalysts at ambient temperature. The influence of chitosan composition on the photocatalytic performance of chitosan–TiO₂ hybrid was studied. The hybrids were characterized by CHN elemental analysis, nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms, thermogravimetric analysis, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the preparation variables used for the incorporation of chitosan on TiO₂ promoted changes in the morphology, superficial area, crystal size and porosity of the photocatalyst, affecting the band gap of this semiconductor and consequently the reactivity of the chitosan–TiO₂ hybrids. The catalysts were evaluated for hydrogen production from ethanol under visible light. It was demonstrated that the calcination temperature of 623 K and a chitosan content of 20% were the most appropriate preparation conditions and the resulting product displays a pore size of 1.9 nm, crystal size of 11.3 nm, BET area of 178 m² g^?1 and band gap of 2.92 eV. The calcination temperature of 623 K and incorporation of 20% of chitosan obtained the same results in the conversion rate of hydrogen in comparison to the pure TiO₂ P25.     

Absolute configuration assignment of caffeic acid ester derivatives from Tithonia diversifolia by vibrational circular dichroism: the pitfalls of deuteration

Recently, it was observed that infrared (IR) and vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) calculations including deuterated hydroxyl groups in phenolic and saccharide moieties improved significantly the agreement with experimental data obtained in methanol-d₄. In the present study, the relative and absolute configurations of three methanol-soluble caffeic acid ester derivatives 1–3, isolated from Tithonia diversifolia, were established by a combined use of experimental and calculated ¹³C NMR chemical shifts, as well as electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and VCD spectroscopies. Interestingly, the attempt to reproduce the deuteration pattern arising from possible isotopic exchange in methanol-d₄ solution led to nearly mirror image calculated VCD spectra for 1 when compared to the non-deuterated molecule with the same absolute configuration. This latter fact can potentially lead to absolute configuration misassignments. A closer inspection of the vibrational chiroptical properties of 1 revealed that the deuteration status of the tertiary hydroxyl group at C-2 is critical for the correct reproduction of experimental VCD data in protic solvents. Therefore, in the case of stereochemical analysis of polar chiral natural product molecules, a combination of VCD and ECD is recommended.     

Optimization of lignin recovery from sugarcane bagasse using ionic liquid aided pretreatment

Ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]oAc) was employed for the pretreatment of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and extraction of lignin, a potentially valuable by-product of the biofuel industry. Response surface methodology based on central composite design was exploited and thereby an empirical model, exhibiting a coefficient of determination, R², of 0.9890, was established to optimize lignin recovery. In particular, a maximum lignin yield, equal to 90.1%, was calculated at the optimal pretreatment conditions, namely time: 120 min, temperature: 140 °C, and ionic liquid to bagasse ratio equal to 20:1 (wt/wt). The presence of guaiacyl and syringyl rings in lignin was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR); whereas UV–Vis spectrophotometry showed that both p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid were contained in the lignin. Thermal analysis indicated a maximum decomposition rate of 2%/°C at 265 °C while Gel permeation chromatography analysis revealed that the molecular weight (M_w) of recovered lignin was equal to 1769 g/mol. Comparison of FTIR spectra of pretreated and untreated bagasse showed a negligible presence of lignin in the pretreated samples. Maximum delignification of bagasse after pretreatment was thus ensured. Thermal stability of the ionic liquid towards recyclability was proven by thermogravimetric analysis. The present study established adequate performance of neat and recycled ([EMIM]oAc) with regard to lignin recovery from SCB.