Internally stabilized selenocysteine derivatives: syntheses, 77Se NMR and biomimetic studies

Selenocystine ([Sec]2) and aryl-substituted selenocysteine (Sec) derivatives are synthesized, starting from commercially available amino acid l-serine. These compounds are characterized by a number of analytical techniques such as NMR (1H, 13C and 77Se) and TOF mass spectroscopy. This study reveals that the introduction of amino/imino substituents capable of interacting with selenium may stabilize the Sec derivatives. This study further suggests that the oxidation-elimination reactions in Sec derivatives could be used for the generation of biologically active selenols having internally stabilizing substituents.     

Products active on mosquitoes,IV: Synthesis and biological activity of 8-propargyloxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl/6-octenyl ethers

Summary A series of 8-proparglyoxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl and 8-propargyloxy-3,7-dimethyl-6-octenyl ethers were prepared from 8-hydroxygeranyl and 8-hydroxycitronellyl ethers, respectively. Almost all compounds showed high toxicity toCulex quinquefaciatus larvae at 1 mgl^–1 dose level.

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Gegen Mücken aktive Produkte, 4. Mitt.: Synthese und biologische Aktivität von 8-Propargyloxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl/6-octenyl-ethern

Zusammenfassung Eine Reihe von 8-Propargyloxy-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienyl- und 8-propargyloxy-3,7-dimethyl-6-octenyl-ethern wurden aus 8-Hydroxygeranyl- bzw. 8-Hydroxycitronellyl-ethern hergestellt. Fast alle Verbindungen zeigten hoch Toxizität gegenüber Larven vonCulex quinquefaciatus in einer Dosierung von 1 mgl^–1.

     

Regioselective synthesis of the bridged tricyclic core of Garcinia natural products via intramolecular aryl acrylate cycloadditions

[reaction: see text] Two different routes to the tricyclic core of Garcinia-derived natural products are described. The first approach is based on a tandem Claisen/Diels-Alder rearrangement and delivers the desired lactone 14. The second approach, employing a Wessely oxidation/Diels-Alder protocol, leads to the same caged heterocycle, albeit with modified constitution.     

Stability,Formation and Dissociation Kinetics of the Pentacoordinate Ni2+ and CO2+ Complexes with 1,5-Diazacyclooctane-N,N′-diacetic Acid

The stability constants of the Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺ complexes with 1,5-diazacyclooctane-N,N′-diacetic acid (H₂DACODA) have been determined potentiometrically in 0.5M KNO₃ at 25°. Only M(DACODA) and M(DACODA)OH^? were observed. In addition the formation and dissociation kinetics of the pentacoordinate complexes M(DACODA) has been studied in aqueous solution using a stopped-flow technique. Formation follows the rate law v_f = k_f [M²⁺] [HDACODA^?]/[H⁺], which can be interpreted as a bimolecular process either between M²⁺ and DACODA^2? (k) or between MOH⁺ and HDACODA^? (k). The second order rate constants k are much higher than those expected from water exchange and can only be explained by a strong internal conjugate base effect. In the limiting case, however, this is equivalent to the second possible explanation, which assumes MOH⁺ and HDACODA^? as reactive species. The dissociation rate is given by v_d = (k^ML + k [H⁺]) · [M(DACODA)].     

Synthesis and characterization of SPE membrane based on sulfonated FEP‐g‐acrylic acid by radiation induced graft copolymerization for PEM fuel cell

A Novel solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane containing both ? COOH and ? SO₃H group has been prepared by simultaneous method of radiation grafting of acrylic acid onto FEP followed by sulfonation. The presence of weakly acidic acrylic acid controls the swelling in water while ? SO₃H group provides conductivity due to its strongly ionic characteristic. FEP‐g‐acrylic acid and its sulfonated derivatives were characterized by their properties. While the mechanical properties decreased, other properties such as ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake and ionic conductivity increased with increase in graft content. These properties further changed on sulfonation. Acrylic acid being weakly acidic in nature, conductivity values of the grafted membrane were quite low. However, introduction of strong ? SO₃H group resulted in conductivity closer to Nafion 117. Few sulfonated membranes have been tested with respect to H₂/O₂ fuel cell performance. Short‐term fuel cell test for 100 hr gave a stable performance. These membranes are less expensive compared to Nafion. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Twin liquid crystals and segmented thermotropic polyesters containing azobenzene—effect of spacer length on LC properties

We report systematic studies on a homologous series of twin liquid crystalline (LC) molecules based on phenyl and naphthyl azobenzene ( PnP and NpnNp ) as well as segmented copolyesters based on them. The twin series had the structure azobenzene–oligooxyethylene–azobenzene, where the ethyleneoxy length was varied from 2 to 6 units. The LC properties of the twin series depended on the chemical structure of the azochromophore and also the length of the central oligooxyethylene segment. The PnP series exhibited smectic LC properties for n > three oligooxyethylene units. Conversely, NpnNp series exhibited spherulitic phases only for the shortest member – Np2Np . One non‐LC short spacer twin ( P2P ) and one LC long spacer twin ( P6P ) were incorporated as part of a main chain polyester composed of fully aliphatic segments of sebacate and di or tetraethylene glycol (DEG/TEG) units by melt polycondensation. Non‐LC P2P formed LC polymers even at low (5 mol %) incorporation in DEG‐based copolymers, whereas the LC‐ P6P could do so only at 30 mol % incorporation. The LC properties of the twin molecules as well as copolymers were studied using differential scanning calorimetry, polarized light microscopy (PLM) along with variable temperature wide angle X‐ray diffraction. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Synthesis of (−)-hygrine, (−)-norhygrine, (−)-pseudohygroline and (−)-hygroline via Nef reaction

Synthesis of tropane alkaloids (−)-hygrine, (−)-norhygrine and sedum alkaloids (−)-pseudohygroline and (−)-hygroline is described from l-proline via Henry and Nef reactions.