Facile synthesis of 4″-O-alkyl-(–)-EGCG derivatives through regioselective deacetylative alkylation

Therapeutic potential of the D-ring methyl ethers of (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [(–)-EGCG] warrants extensive structure–activity relationship study of various D-ring ethers of (–)-EGCG but, for this purpose, efficient synthetic strategy needs to be developed. In this study, efficient preparation of the 4″-O-alkyl-(–)-EGCGs (4a–e) was demonstrated using KI/K₂CO₃-promoted deacetylative alkylation of peracetyl (–)-EGCG, which could be broadly utilized for the preparation of various D-ring alkyl ethers of (–)-EGCG and thereby extensive structure–activity relationship study.     

Asymmetric intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction catalyzed by a spiropyrrolidine organocatalyst: Enantioselective construction of indolizine and azepine frameworks

The asymmetric intramolecular Friedel–Crafts type Michael reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with pyrrole, catalyzed by a spiropyrrolidine (SP)-type organocatalyst, has been accomplished, which allows the construction of a series of azepine and indolizine frameworks with high to excellent enantioselectivities (up to 98% ee). Moreover, the substrate scope could be extended to generate a quaternary center in indolizine frameworks (up to 96% ee).     

Synthesis of New Ferrocenyl‐Substituted Aziridines via the Gabriel–Cromwell Reaction

Abstract

The Gabriel–Cromwell method is applied successfully in the synthesis of ferrocenyl‐substituted aziridines. Acryloyl‐ and crotonoylferrocenes are brominated first and then reacted with benzylamine, diisopropylamine, and furfurylamine in the presence of triethylamine. The aziridines are obtained in more than 90% isolated yields.     

Induced twisted-grain-boundary phases in the binary mixtures of a cholesteric and a nematic compound

Thermodynamical, optical-texture and dielectric studies have been performed to study the phase diagram of the binary system of 5-cholesten-3β-ol-octanoate and 4-n-nonyloxybenzoic acid. It is observed that low concentrations of 5-cholesten-3β-ol-octanoate (2–30?mol?%) in 4-n-nonyloxybenzoic acid induce a mean-field phase diagram derived by Renn within the framework of the chiral Chen–Lubenski model. Various optical textures of the twisted-grain-boundary (TGB) phases under different conditions of molecular anchoring have been observed. Weak transitions related to the TGB phases have been detected by temperature dependent dielectric spectroscopy.     

Poisson–Boltzmann for oppositely charged bodies: an explicit derivation

The interaction between two parallel charged plates in ionic solution is a general starting point for studying colloidal complexes. An intuitive expression of the pressure exerted on the plates is usually proposed, which includes an electrostatic plus an osmotic contribution. We present here an explicit and self-consistent derivation of this formula in the only framework of the Poisson–Boltzmann (PB) theory. We also show that, depending on external constraints, the correct thermodynamic potential can differ from the usual PB free energy. For asymmetric, oppositely charged plates, the resulting expression predicts a non-trivial equilibrium position with the plates separated by a finite distance. The depth of this energy minimum is decisive for the stability of the complex. It is therefore crucial to obtain its explicit dependence on the charge densities of the plates and on the ion concentration. Analytic expressions for the position and depth of the energy minimum were derived in 1975 by Ohshima [Colloid Polym. Sci. 253, 150 (1975)] but, surprisingly, these important results seem to have been overlooked. We retrieve these expressions in a simpler formalism, more familiar to the physics community, and give a physical interpretation of the observed behavior.     

Far-Red Dibenzo[a,j]Perylene-8,16-Dione Dyes as Fluorescent Enzyme Substrates and Tags for Biomolecules

The synthesis of fluorescent 2,10-derivatives of the title chromophore are described. The substituents contain amino-reactive N-hydroxysuccinimde ester and thiol-reactive iodoacetamide groups for attachment to biomolecules. A phosphate derivative was also prepared as an enzyme substrate.     

Minireview: Advances in Germanium Isotope Analysis by Multiple Collector–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry

The advent of multiple collector–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) has made the high-precision determination of Ge isotopes possible, which leads to the widespread application of Ge isotopes in earth, ocean, and cosmochemistry fields. This paper reviews the history of Ge isotope analysis, chemical dissolution and purification, and mass spectrometry measurements. Concentrated HNO₃ is sufficient to dissolve nearly all types of samples and HF is also involved for Si-rich samples. Low-temperature ashing prior to dissolution is an alternative way to preconcentrate Ge in organic-rich samples. For different matrices, Ge isotopes can be determined by MC-ICP-MS coupled with a traditional nebulizer system or hydride generation system after two-step separation, one step cation/anion-exchange separation, or Mg/Fe co-precipitation protocols. Ion-exchange column methods are suitable for samples with elevated matrix and Ge content such as sulfides, iron oxides, silicate rocks, and coals, whereas Mg or Fe coprecipitation methods are particularly suitable for all kinds of water. Hydride generation systems are improved over traditional nebulizer system due to the smaller sample quantity and fewer matrix-related interferences. Sample-standard bracketing, double spike, and external Ga isotope normalization are used to mass bias correction and yield consistent results. Analytical methods involving Ge-poor samples and Ge isotope analyses based on different Ge species or specific Ge compound in natural environment will be important prospects in the further study. For further applications of Ge isotopes in mineral deposits such as sulfide and iron oxide deposits, sulfides, and iron oxides reference materials should be developed in the future.     

A computational framework for the form-finding and design of tensegrity structures

A new computational framework is proposed for the form-finding and design of tensegrity structures with or without super-stability. The form-finding of tensegrities is formulated as two unconstrained minimisation problems where their objective functions are defined based on eigenvalues of a modified force density matrix. The Nelder–Mead simplex method is then used to solve the minimisation problems. Furthermore, another efficient method is suggested for the interactive form-finding and design of tensegrities with geometrical and force constraints. Examples of the form-finding of tensegrities are presented and the results obtained are compared and contrasted with those analytical results documented in the literature, to verify the accuracy and efficiency of the developed methods.