A simple entry into nido-C2B10 clusters: HCl promoted cleavage of the C-C bond in ortho-carboranyl diphosphines

Treatment of the diphosphines ortho-B10H10C(P(t)Bu2)C(PR2) (R = Et, Cy, Ph) with HCl gives the zwitterionic, nido-12-vertex species B10H10C(PH(t)Bu2)C(PClR2); these reactions are reversed by the addition of NEt3.     

Further structure–activity relationships study of substituted dithiolethiones as glutathione-inducing neuroprotective agents

Background

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with oxidative stress and glutathione depletion. The induction of cellular glutathione levels by exogenous molecules is a promising neuroprotective approach to limit the oxidative damage that characterizes Parkinson’s disease pathophysiology. Dithiolethiones, a class of sulfur-containing heterocyclic molecules, are known to increase cellular levels of glutathione; however, limited information is available regarding the influence of dithiolethione structure on activity. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of a further series of dithiolethiones in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line.

Results

Our structure–activity relationships data show that dithiolethione electronic properties, given as Hammett σ_p constants, influence glutathione induction activity and compound toxicity. The most active glutathione inducer identified, 6a, dose-dependently protected cells from 6-hydroxydopamine toxicity. Furthermore, the protective effects of 6a were abrogated by the inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine, confirming the importance of glutathione in the protective activities of 6a.

Conclusions

The results of this study further delineate the relationship between dithiolethione chemical structure and glutathione induction. The neuroprotective properties of analog 6a suggest a role for dithiolethiones as potential antiparkinsonian agents.

     

Rheological behavior of aqueous micellar solutions of a triblock copolymer of ethylene oxide and 1,2-butylene oxide: B10E410B10

A triblock copolymer of ethylene oxide and 1,2-butylene oxide, denoted B10E410B10, was prepared by sequential oxyanionic polymerization and characterized by 13C NMR spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. Micellization and the formation of micelle clusters in dilute aqueous solution, the latter a consequence of micelle bridging, was confirmed by dynamic light scattering, and average association numbers of the micelles were determined by static light scattering for T = 20-40 degrees C. The frequency dependence of the dynamic storage and loss moduli was investigated for solutions in the range of 5-20 wt %. Comparison with results for poly(oxyethylene) dialkyl ethers (10 wt %, T = 25 degrees C) indicated that the viscoelasticity of a copolymer with terminal B10 hydrophobic blocks was roughly equivalent to one with terminal C14 alkyl chains. The temperature dependence of the modulus was investigated for 15 wt % solutions at T = 5-40 degrees C. Superposition of the data led, via an Arrhenius plot, to an activation energy for the relaxation process of -40 kJ mol(-1). The negative value contrasts with the positive values found for poly(oxyethylene) dialkyl ethers and related HEUR copolymers with urethane-linked terminal alkyl chains. This difference is attributed to the block-length distribution in copolymer B10E410B10, whereby the activation energy of the relaxation process has a positive contribution from the disengagement of B blocks from micelles but a negative contribution from micellization. The negative value of the activation energy for solutions of B10E410B10 was confirmed by determining the temperature dependence of the zero-shear viscosity of its 15 wt % solution.     

Synthesis of the complete series of mono acetates of N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid

The short syntheses of each of the mono-acetates of N-acetyl-D-neuraminic acid are reported. These are important molecules for studying the mechanism and function of enzymes which utilise Neu5Ac as a substrate. However, until now these molecules were not available as pure compounds and instead had to be studied as mixtures. Neu4,5Ac(2) and Neu5,8Ac(2) were synthesised from a common precursor in 2 and 4 steps respectively, while Neu2,4Ac(2) and Neu5,7Ac(2) were synthesised in 3 and 4 steps respectively from another common precursor. Both precursors could be easily prepared in 3 steps from Neu5Ac itself. Importantly, no scrambling of the anomeric stereochemistry was detected throughout the course of these syntheses.     

Synthesis,characterization, and in vitro biological studies of some novel pyran fused pyrimidone derivatives

A variety of pyrano[2,3‐d]pyrimidine‐5‐one derivatives 5 , 5a , 5b , 5c , 5d , 5e , 5f , 5g , 5h , 5i , 5j , 6 , 6a , 6b , 6c , 6d , 6e , 6f , 6g , 6h , 6i , 6j have been synthesized from 6‐amino‐4‐(substituted phenyl)‐5‐cyano‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1,4‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole derivatives 4a , 4b , 4c , 4d , 4e , 4f , 4g , 4h , 4i , 4j via cyclization using formic acid and acetic acid. All the newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for antibacterial, antifungal and antitubercular activity. J. Heterocyclic Chem., (2012).     

Electric-field-dependent photoresponse of multiple quantum well modulator

By monitoring the quantum confined Stark effect using sub-picosecond laser pulses, the authors time resolve the field dependence of the photoconductive impulse response of a GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well pin modulator.<>     

Dynamic Changes in the Structure,Chemical State and Catalytic Selectivity of Cu Nanocubes during CO2 Electroreduction: Size and Support Effects

In situ and operando spectroscopic and microscopic methods were used to gain insight into the correlation between the structure, chemical state, and reactivity of size‐ and shape‐controlled ligand‐free Cu nanocubes during CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR). Dynamic changes in the morphology and composition of Cu cubes supported on carbon were monitored under potential control through electrochemical atomic force microscopy, X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Under reaction conditions, the roughening of the nanocube surface, disappearance of the (100) facets, formation of pores, loss of Cu and reduction of CuO_x species observed were found to lead to a suppression of the selectivity for multi‐carbon products (i.e. C₂H₄ and ethanol) versus CH₄. A comparison with Cu cubes supported on Cu foils revealed an enhanced morphological stability and persistence of Cu^I species under CO₂RR in the former samples. Both factors are held responsible for the higher C₂/C₁ product ratio observed for the Cu cubes/Cu as compared to Cu cubes/C. Our findings highlight the importance of the structure of the active nanocatalyst but also its interaction with the underlying substrate in CO₂RR selectivity.