PRIMARY PHOTOCHEMICAL PROCESSES OF CATIONIC ACRIDINE ORANGE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION STUDIED BY FLASH PHOTOLYSIS

Abstract— A transformation system in Escherichia coli was employed to verify the extent of the lesions caused by ultraviolet (UV) and ionizing radiations. DNA inactivated at 280 nm could be reactivated to some extent by exposing the transforming DNA solutions at 240 nm. This reactivation has been tested using more than one strain of E. coli as recipient. Transforming DNA inactivated by ionizing radiations (⁹⁰Sr beta rays and ⁶⁰Co gamma rays) was not reactivable. Low doses of beta rays, however, reactivated the DNA inactivated by 280 nm UV to a slight but significant extent.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Both Enantiomers of a Isoproterenol Analogue and of Di-O-pivaloylepinephrine

An asymmetric synthesis of the analogue 4a of isoproterenol and of di-o-pyvaloylepinephrine 3 which provides both enantiomers in optically pure state is reported. The key step of the method is the highly diastereo-selective reduction (using DIBAL or DIBAL/ZnCl₂) of a β-ketosulfoxide 7 which leads, as desired, to the (S)- or the (R)-configuration at C(1) (Schemes 4 and 5).     

Engyodontochones,Antibiotic Polyketides from the Marine Fungus Engyodontium album Strain LF069

Six new ( 2 , 4 – 8 ) and two known polyketides with a basic structure of an anthraquinone‐xanthone were isolated from mycelia and culture broth of the fungus Engyodontium album strain LF069. The structures and relative configurations of these compounds were established by spectroscopic means, and their absolute configurations were defined mainly by comparison of quantum chemical TDDFT calculated and experimental ECD spectra. Compounds 2 and 4 – 8 were given the trivial names engyodontochone A ( 2 ) and B–F ( 4 – 8 ). Compounds 5 – 8 represent the first example of a 23,28 seco‐beticolin carbon skeleton. The relative and absolute configurations of two known substances JBIR‐97/98 ( 1 ) and JBIR‐99 ( 3 ) were determined for the first time. All isolated compounds were subjected to bioactivity assays. Compounds 1 – 4 exhibited inhibitory activity against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that was 10‐fold stronger than chloramphenicol.     

Enriched 13C NMR of a metallated α-sulphinyl ester; temperature effect

Lithium and magnesium enolates of an α-sulphinyl ester 83% ¹³C enriched at C-1 and C-2 are studied by ¹³C NMR at different temperatures. It is shown that two metaliated species are present in the case of lithium which exchange at ?60°C, ΔG≠ ?60° = 37.8 KJ mol^?1 (9.05 Kcal mol^?1) and that there is no rapid exchange between the non-metallated ester and the metallated species (on the NMR time scale). In the case of magnesium, two or three metallated species are formed, according to the temperature which do not exchange up to 0 °C.     

1H and 13C NMR studies of two monosubstituted [2.2]paracyclophanes

250 MHz ¹H NMR of two monosubstituted [2.2]paracyclophanes shows that whether the substituent is an electron releasing group, OMe, or a withdrawing group, CO₂Me, the transannular effect is deshielding. 62.86 MHz ¹³C NMR shows that among the six transannular effects, only one has a sign which changes with the nature of the substituent (–4.6 ppm for OMe but +3.3 ppm for CO₂Me).     

Reduction of β-ketosulfoxides : a highly efficient asymmetric synthesis of both enantiomers of methyl carbinols from the corresponding esters

It is shown that reductions of β-ketosulfoxides of identical chirality (R) at sulfur, lead to reduction products of opposite stereochemistry according to the reducing agent used. The high enantiomeric excesses obtained (80 to 100%) provide a general route to both enantiomers of methylcarbinols from the corresponding esters.     

Solid state and solution 43Ca NMR of calcium peroxides involved in the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide by calcium hydroxide

In order to get some insight into the mechanism of the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by calcium hydroxide, 43Ca NMR spectra of enriched samples of calcium peroxides and of their precursors have been studied in both solution and solid state. This study demonstrates that no well-defined peroxidized calcium species are formed in solution, showing that the catalytic role of calcium is likely restricted to the solid state. Most of the calcium compounds that could be involved in the catalytic process have been investigated with solid state NMR. The shift and quadrupolar parameters of Ca(OH)2, CaO2.8H2O and CaO2.2H2O2 are reported for the first time. These parameters are different enough to allow the quantitative analysis of a complex mixture of these compounds by NMR.     

Enantiopure aryl-[1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl] methanols and their use for heterogeneous hydrogenation of ethyl pyruvate

Both enantiomers of two new chiral modifiers (naphthyl- and anthryl-[1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-pyridinyl] methanols, 4H and 5H) are obtained for the first time from inexpensive d-mannitol in 10 easy steps. Until now erythro-4H is the only synthetic chiral modifier available under both enantiomeric forms, which provide enantioselectivities almost as high as those obtained with natural cinchonidine, for which only one enantiomer is available. It is shown that the anthryl group may be less efficient than the naphthyl (the e.e.% drops from 75% with erythro-4H to 46% with erythro-5H) and that N-methyl substitution (trisubstituted nitrogen as in cinchonidine) leads also to a drop in the e.e.% (from 75% with 4H to 39% with 4Me).