Synthetic Matching of Complex Monoterpene Indole Alkaloid Chemical Space

Monoterpene indole alkaloids (MIAs) are endowed with high structural and spatial complexity and characterized by diverse biological activities. Given this complexity-activity combination in MIAs, rapid and efficient access to chemical matter related to and with complexity similar to these alkaloids would be highly desirable, since such compound classes might display novel bioactivity. We describe the design and synthesis of a pseudo-natural product (pseudo-NP) collection obtained by the unprecedented combination of MIA fragments through complexity-generating transformations, resulting in arrangements not currently accessible by biosynthetic pathways. Cheminformatic analyses revealed that both the pseudo-NPs and the MIAs reside in a unique and common area of chemical space with high spatial complexity-density that is only sparsely populated by other natural products and drugs. Investigation of bioactivity guided by morphological profiling identified pseudo-NPs that inhibit DNA synthesis and modulate tubulin. These results demonstrate that the pseudo-NP collection occupies similar biologically relevant chemical space that Nature has endowed MIAs with.     

Thermal fragmentation of the guanidinato aluminum amide precursor [Me2NC(NPr)2]Al(NMe2)2: An investigation of reactive species by matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectrometry

The gas-phase thermolysis of the guanidinato aluminum amide precursor [Me₂NC(NⁱPr)₂]Al(NMe₂)₂ (1) in the oven temperature range of ambient temperatures to 600 °C has been investigated with matrix-isolation FTIR spectroscopy and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (argon as carrier gas). Precursor 1 fragments above 300 °C to form iPrCNCiPr (2) and monomeric Al(NMe₂)₃ (3m). Independent thermolysis series with 2 and the aluminum amide dimer 3d, [Al(NMe₂)₃]₂, were conducted and been used to interpret the results of the fragmentation of precursor 1. Compound 3m was present in the thermolysis range of 350–450 °C and has been identified for the first time. Through a comparison of measured FTIR spectra with the calculated spectrum of 3m (D₃ point group symmetry; B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory) all expected IR bands were found and could be assigned to normal modes. At thermolysis temperatures of ?500 °C signals indicative for H₂CNCH₃ (4) were found, showing that 3m fragments further at higher temperature. The thermolysis product 2 (iPrCNCiPr) withstands the higher thermolysis temperatures. From our study one can conclude that precursor 1 cleanly delivers the monomeric aluminum alane 3m, which then acts as the reactive material forming species.     

Decontamination of chemical warfare agents using perchloroethylene–Marlowet IHF–H2O-based microemulsions: wetting and extraction properties on realistic surfaces

At the present time, considerable efforts are being made to develop new media for the decontamination of a variety of toxic compounds. In the present contribution, new microemulsions with promising properties are presented. Moreover, the decontamination of surfaces, with an emphasis on varnished metal surfaces of exterior and interior equipment, is investigated using these microemulsions. Studies of the phase behavior of the system water–perchloroethylene–IHF–2-propanol are reported and the microemulsion phases are recognized. The wetting behavior on contaminated surfaces and the extraction capabilities with respect to contaminants are essential for an efficient decontamination. Hence, suitable microemulsions are identified on the basis of these properties. The decontamination efficiency of these microemulsions is first estimated on the basis of the ability to wet typical chemical nonresistant varnished steel sheets, which are authentic model systems for real surfaces. Afterwards, promising microemulsions and, as reference, different solvents are tested with respect to their capability to solubilize sulfur-mustard agent, again using realistic surfaces contaminated with this chemical warfare agent. Several microemulsions are found, which have the desired properties.     

Direct-flow microfiltration of aquasols: II. On the role of colloidal natural organic matter

Natural organic matter (NOM) has been considered a major contributor to the fouling of microfiltration (MF) and ultrafiltration (UF) membranes employed in water treatment. However, the fouling potential of NOM has often been assessed in terms of its size or chemical composition. The colloid’s chemical properties have often been ignored. In this study, a chemical attachment-based (CAB) model established previously was used in conjunction with a variety of analytical techniques to investigate the existence of three major components of an aquatic NOM and their role in the fouling of a polyvinylidene fluoride MF membrane. The results suggest that colloidal NOM relevant to membrane fouling has a broader size distribution and variations in chemical properties than proposed previously. For the model aquatic NOM used in this research, fouling was primarily contributed by both non-humic and humic colloidal fractions. The non-humic colloids were larger in size and probably adhered to the membrane regardless of the solution chemistry, while humic colloids had variable size and stickiness depending on solution chemistry. The fouling caused by organic colloids was mostly hydraulically irreversible, as a consequence of favorable surface interactions. The CAB model provided a useful way to understand the role of organic colloids in membrane fouling.     

Preparation of high performance nanocomposite elastomer: effect of reaction conditions on in situ silica generation of high content in natural rubber

Effect of amines on an in situ silica generation in natural rubber was investigated, and n-hexylamine, n-heptylamine and n-octylamine were found to increase the in situ silica content. The nanometer sized silica particles up to ca. 80 parts per hundred rubber by weight were generated in situ in the rubber matrix via a sol–gel reaction of tetraethoxysilane. Additionally, dispersion of the silica in the rubbery matrix was more homogeneous than that of commercial silica dispersed by a conventional mechanical mixing. In this in situ silica generation, the polarity and solubility in water of amine were influential factors for controlling the in situ silica content in the rubbery matrix. The obtained high in situ silica filled natural rubber was useful to prepare high performance nanocomposite elastomers.     

Physico-chemical and electrical properties of activated carbon cloths: Effect of inherent nature of the fabric precursor

Five different cellulose-based fabrics were used to prepare activated carbon cloths (ACCs) by phosphoric acid activation at pre-established experimental conditions, in an attempt to explore the effect of the precursor's nature on properties of the resulting ACCs. Characterization by elemental analysis, nitrogen (77 K) adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy was carried out. Electrical properties of the developed ACCs were investigated to examine the possibility of regenerating the ACCs by direct electrical heating. Thermal behavior of the raw precursor and of one of the acid-treated fabrics was also studied by thermogravimetric analysis and noticeable differences due to the precursors’ characteristics and acid impregnation were detected, respectively. The ACCs derived from a denim precursor showed BET surface area (784 m² g⁻¹) and total pore volume (0.40 cm³ g⁻¹) lower than those obtained from the four other precursors (1058–1183 m² g⁻¹, 0.55–0.67 cm³ g⁻¹), whereas carbon content and yield for the former were higher. Morphology and physical appearance of the ACCs were dependent on the raw fabric employed, with most of the samples presenting well-preserved fibres integrity. Besides, the denim-derived ACCs also showed the lowest electrical resistivity (8.10⁻³ Ωm). It was properly correlated with the elemental carbon content and total pore volume of the developed ACCs.     

Chemical surface modifications of microfibrillated cellulose

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) was prepared by disintegration of bleached softwood sulphite pulp through mechanical homogenization. The surface of the MFC was modified using different chemical treatments, using reactions both in aqueous- and organic solvents. The modified MFC was characterized with fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Epoxy functionality was introduced onto the MFC surface by oxidation with cerium (IV) followed by grafting of glycidyl methacrylate. The length of the polymer chains could be varied by regulating the amount of glycidyl methacrylate added. Positive charge was introduced to the MFC surface through grafting of hexamethylene diisocyanate, followed by reaction with the amines. Succinic and maleic acid groups could be introduced directly onto the MFC surface as a monolayer by a reaction between the corresponding anhydrides and the surface hydroxyl groups of the MFC.     

Interference-free determination of thallium in aqua regia leaches from rocks, soils and sediments by D(2)-ETAAS method using mixed palladium-citric acid-lithium chemical modifier

The mixture of palladium (chloride) with citric acid and lithium is proposed as a new chemical modifier for the elimination of interference occurred during the determination of Tl in aqua regia extracts from rocks, soils and sediments by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using instrumentation with deuterium-lamp background correction (D₂-ETAAS). Palladium was preferred to rhodium and platinum as to analyte stabilization, citric acid served as an effective reducing agent facilitating formation of Pd-Tl stable covalent bonds playing an important role in the analyte stabilization. Citric acid in addition helps to remove most of interfering chloride at low temperature. The further addition of Li increased significantly the robustness of chemical modifier against strongly interfering ZnCl₂ matrix by binding free chlorine into a more stable LiCl molecule. In the presence of the proposed chemical modifier the temperature for the final step of pyrolysis was adjustable up to 1000 °C, without any noticeable loss of volatile Tl species and the interference of the rest chloride matrix was significantly reduced. The application of the modifier to direct determination of Tl in aqua regia extracts from rocks, soils and sediments has ensured the characteristic mass and LOD value for the original sample 13 pg and 0.043 μg g⁻¹, respectively (10-μL aliquots of sample) and has enabled the use of matrix-free standard solutions for attaining accurate analysis. The accuracy was verified by the analysis of certified reference samples and by the comparison of results with those found by an inductively coupled plasma orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight mass spectrometer (ICP-oa-TOFMS) method.     

Diversity of Chemical Constituents from Saxifraga Montana H.

A thorough phytochemical investigation of the whole plant of Saxifraga montana H. afforded a new glucoside, methyl 6″‐O‐(E)‐p‐hydroxycinnamoxyl‐glucosyringate ( 1 ), and seventeen known natural products, 3‐methyl‐6‐methoxy‐3,4‐dihydroisocoumarin‐8‐O‐β‐D‐glucospyranoside ( 2 ), gallic acid ( 3 ), glucosyringic acid ( 4 ), daphnoretin ( 5 ), chamaejasmoside ( 6 ), myricetin ( 7 ), quercetin ( 8 ), quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐galactopyranoside ( 9 ), quercetin‐3‐O‐α‐L‐arabinoside ( 10 ), quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucospyranoside ( 11 ), rutin ( 12 ), quercetin‐3‐O‐β‐D‐glucopyranosyl (6‐1) glucopyranoside ( 13 ), ursolic acid ( 14 ), 5,28‐stigmastadien‐3β‐ol ( 15 ), β‐sitosterol ( 16 ), β‐daucosterin ( 17 ), 6′‐palmitoxyl‐β‐daucosterin ( 18 ). On the basis of various spectroscopic methods, especially intensive 2D‐NMR (COSY, HMQC and HMBC), FAB‐MS and HR‐ESI‐MS techniques, their structures were elucidated.     

Chemical synthesis and characterization of aniline and o-anthranilic acid copolymer

The chemical co-polymerization of aniline with o-anthranilic acid (AA) to form copolymer films has been made in aqueous hydrochloric acid medium. The copolymer films were monitored by using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. The effect of AA and its concentrations on the film formation was investigated. The results were justified by measuring the UV-Vis absorption spectra for the in situ copolymer films grown onto glass slides immersed into the polymerization media and the in situ UV-Vis absorption spectra for the copolymer in the bulk during the co-polymerization. The conductivity for the copolymer films and powder pellets at different molar ratios of aniline/AA were measured. Also, the IR spectra, X-ray diffraction and the thermal gravimetric analysis for the copolymer powder formed in the bulk in the absence and presence of AA were measured and discussed. It is found that the presence of AA affects the yield, induction period, depletion time and growth rate of the film formation. It also affects the crystallinity, and conductivity as well as the solubility of the polymer. Finally, the dopant weight fraction (w) associated with the copolymer was determined. It is almost half the value determined for the polymer in absence of AA.