The properties of the metal complex hydrides

The essential features (geometries of the minima and of the saddle points, energy barriers) of the potential energy surface of the four hydrides YXH₄ mentioned in the title have been determined with two basis sets, of minimal and DZ quality respectively. The importance of the different extent of the deformation of the XH₄ group in the different structures of the four hydrides is brought out and discussed. The aspects of charge distribution and bonding are examined drawing on population analysis, comparison of the electrostatic molecular potentials and decomposition of the interaction energy (this last referred to the Y⁺ + XH ₄ ^– YXH₄ process). The capability of XH₃ in effecting the etherolytic disruption of the Y-H bond is finally brought out.     

Macrocycle opening in crown ethers

Macrocycle opening in derivatives of benzocrown ethers under the action of amines is affected by the nature of the heteroatoms in the macrocycle, the nature of the functional group in the benzene ring of the crown ether, and the length, branching, and number of hydrocarbon radicals at the amine nitrogen atom. A distinguishing feature of this reaction is the template effect of MeNH₃ ⁺, Me₂NH₂ ⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ ions.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 687–692, March, 1996.For Part I see Ref. 1.     

Macrocycle opening in formyl derivatives of benzocrown ethers under the action of methylamine

A new method for synthesizing nitrogen-containing podands by nucleophilic regioselective cleavage of the macrocycle in formyl derivatives of benzocrown ethers by heating with methylamine and methylammonium chloride has been developed. This reaction is the first example of crown ether opening by a nitrogen-containing nucleophile.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 950–953, May, 1995.     

Spectrophotometric determination of Fe(II) in milligram solid samples

The analytical procedure of determination of Fe(II) in the presence of Fe(III) in milligram samples is proposed. A solid sample is dissolved in hydrochloric acid in argon atmosphere. Subsequently, the pH-value of the solution is fixed and Fe(III) complexed by phosphoric buffer. At the next step Fe(II) is oxidized by -molybdosilicic acid. Finally, the intensity of colouring caused by the reduced form of the acid is measured at the wavelength 770 nm. The proper treatment of the sample during oxidation, and immediately before, is decisive for the accuracy of the analysis. The method was verified by means of the analysis of synthetic magnetite. The theoretical content of Fe(II) was 24.12%, the determined one was 24.02 ± 0.10%. The method was applied to the determination of the homogeneity of an iron catalyst for ammonia synthesis.     

A new approach to the determination of the statistical segment length of wormlike polymers

The Stockmayer-Fixman-Burchard (SFB) and the Dondos-Benoit (DB) equations have been applied to determine the unperturbed dimensions parameterK of wormlike polymers. An empirical relation between the Flory's constant and the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada (MHS) exponenta has been proposed. The values found by this equation are lower than the value 2.5×10²³ used in the case of flexible polymers and this deviation is attributed to the influence of the draining effect. From theK value and the so calculated value of , we calculate the Kuhn statistical segment length of wormlike polymers. The obtained — for a great number of wormlike polymers — statistical segment lengths are almost the same as these calculated by the Yamakawa-Fujii and the Bohdanecky methods. The molecular mass regions in which the SFB, the DB, and the MHS equations are valid are explored. A criterion for the distinction between flexible and wormlike polymers is proposed based on the way of approach to the power law.     

Astragalus membranaceus ultrafine powder alleviates hyperuricemia by regulating the gut microbiome and reversing bile acid and adrenal hormone biosynthesis dysregulation

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMetabolic syndrome is closely related to the intestinal microbiota and disturbances in the host metabolome. Hyperuricemia (HUA), a manifestation of metabolic syndrome, can induce various cardiovascular diseases and gout, seriously affecting a patient’s quality of life. Astragalus membranaceus has a long history as a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine to treat kidney disease in China and East Asia.Materials and methodsWe compared the therapeutic effect of benzbromarone and two different doses Astragalus membranaceus ultrafine powder (AMUP) in rats with HUA. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer was used to analyze the AMUP metabolism in the plasma, urine, and feces. Further, 16S ribosome RNA sequencing and feces metabolomic were performed to capture the variation of the gut microbiota and metabolites changes before and after drug administration.ResultsAMUP had a notable impact on reducing blood uric acid levels while protecting the liver and kidney. Drug metabolism analysis demonstrated that effective constituent flavonoids are distributed in the blood, whereas saponins remain in the intestine. Gut microbiota analysis showed that low-dose AMUP ameliorated HUA-induced gut dysbiosis by reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria and increasing that of some beneficial bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Clostridia, Lachnospiraceae, and Muribaculaceae. In addition, HUA-induced changes in metabolite contents in bile acid and adrenal hormone biosynthesis pathways were restored after treatment with AMUP.ConclusionLow-dose AMUP exerts remarkable therapeutic effects on HUA by regulating the gut microbiome and mediating gut metabolism pathways associated with uric acid excretion.     

Electrochemical reduction of cobalt and nickel complexes with ligands stabilizing metal in low oxidation state

Electrochemical reduction of cobalt(ii) complexes containing -acceptor ligands (L = bpy, Ph₂Ppy) proceeds through three consecutive reversible steps: one-electron transfer to form a more stable Co^IL complex, transfer of two electrons at more negative potentials to form an anionic [NiL]^– complex, and reduction of the ligand to the radical anion. The stability of the cobalt complexes with different ligands decreases in the series Ph₂Ppy > Ph₃P > bpy.     

Unraveling the mystery of efficacy in Chinese medicine formula: New approaches and technologies for research on pharmacodynamic substances

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the key to unlock treasures of Chinese civilization. TCM and its compound play a beneficial role in medical activities to cure diseases, especially in major public health events such as novel coronavirus epidemics across the globe. The chemical composition in Chinese medicine formula is complex and diverse, but their effective substances resemble “mystery boxes”. Revealing their active ingredients and their mechanisms of action has become focal point and difficulty of research for herbalists. Although the existing research methods are numerous and constantly updated iteratively, there is remain a lack of prospective reviews. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive account of existing new approaches and technologies based on previous studies with an in vitro to in vivo perspective. In addition, the bottlenecks of studies on Chinese medicine formula effective substances are also revealed. Especially, we look ahead to new perspectives, technologies and applications for its future development. This work reviews based on new perspectives to open horizons for the future research. Consequently, herbal compounding pharmaceutical substances study should carry on the essence of TCM while pursuing innovations in the field.     

Aminomethylation of (ω-alkylthioalkyl)phenols

The reactions of ()-alkylthioalkyl)phenols with formaldehyde and secondary amines afforded the corresponding aminomethyl derivatives, in which the dimethylamino group may be replaced by the alkylthio group.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1504–1507, June, 1996.     

Reaction of aminoquinolines with unsaturated carboxylic acids. 2. Cyclization of N-quinolyl-β-alanines

The cyclization of N-(3-quinolyl)- and N-(6-quinolyl)--alanines was carried out to give uncondensed hexahydropyrimidine derivatives, while the cyclization of N-(5-quinolyl)- and N-(8-quinolyl)--alanines gave tetrahydrophenanthrolinone derivatives.Communication 1, see ref. [1].Kaunas Technological University, 3028 Kaunas, Lithuania, Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 653–657, May, 2000.