Chemistry of the neopolyoxins,pyrimidine and imidazoline nucleoside peptide antibiotics

New chitin synthetase inhibitors, neopolyoxins A, B, and C were isolated from the culture filtrate of Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. asoensis. Their absolute structures have been established on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidence. They are structural analogs of the polyoxins. As a nucleobase, neopolyoxin C possesses uracil, while neopolyoxins A and B contain the imidazoline moiety. A ring contraction reaction of pyrimidine nucleoside into imidazoline nucleoside played a key role in the structure determination of the nucleoside moiety. A similar transformation was suggested for the biosynthesis of neopolyoxins A and B.     

Mass spectra of C-nucleosides II. An unusual fragmentation reaction of the heterocyclic moiety of pyrazomycin and some closely related compounds

The mass spectrum of pyrazomycin has been obtained and reveals a fragmentation pattern with several important peaks which are not normally found in the mass spectra of C-nucleosides. It has now been established, using model compounds, that these unusual fragment ions are a direct result of the juxtaposition of the exocyclic hydroxy and carboxamido groups of the aglycon. It appears that a facile elimination of ammonia and ethanol from o-hydroxycarboxamides and o-hydroxyethylesters, respectively, may be a general fragmentation reaction for aromatic heterocycles. A mass spectrum of the TMS derivative of pyrazomycin has also been obtained and factors which may result in exceptions to the empirical B+30 (M-103) rule for C-nucleosides are discussed.     

Loss of H2O from M + t-Butyl Complex Ions of Benzyl Alcohol in Isobutane Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry

In isobutane chemical ionization mass spectrometry benzyl alcohol exhibits ions at m/z 147 (‘M + 39’) that arise by a loss of H₂O from [M + C₄H₉]⁺, i.e. ‘M + 57’ complex ions. Electrophilic aromatic substitution of a proton at an ortho-position of neutral C₆H₅CH₂OH with [t-C₄H₉]⁺ and, alternatively, nucleophilic substitution of H₂O at the benzylic carbon in \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm C_6 H_5 CH_2}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^+ {\rm H}_2 $\end{document} with CH₂?C (CH₃)₂ are discussed as possible pathways. Evidence in favor of the latter is derived from the analysis of C₆D₅CH₂OH and C₆H₅CD₂OH for the origin of the H-atoms lost in H₂O. The inferred ion structure of m/z 147 is verified by mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE.) measurements of its collision-activated (CA.) decomposition. MIKE./CA. spectra of mass-selected m/z 147 ions, once generated by (CI(i-C₄H₁₀) from benzyl alcohol and, once, from 2-methyl-4-phenyl-2-butanol match closely and, thus, reflect identical ion structures. With reference to the simple genesis of this ion from the latter precursor, the structure in question can be concluded to be \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm C_6 H_5 CH_2 CH_2}\mathop {\rm C}\limits^+ ({\rm CH}_3)_2 $\end{document} .     

Global variations in peak bone mass as studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

In 1994, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated a 5-year Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) to determine geographical and racial differences in peak bone mineral density (BMD) in men and women aged 15-49 years. The study demonstrates that there are distinct global differences in BMD at the hip and spine in both men and women approximating to one population standard deviation between populations with the highest and lowest BMD. These differences persist following adjustments for age, sex and body size. Such information is valuable in understanding the reasons for global differences in fracture rate and predicting future trends in fracture incidence. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

SOS: A simple interactive program for ab initio oligonucleotide sequencing by mass spectrometry

Mass spectra of oligonucleotides derived from collision-induced dissociation following electrospray ionization provide an effective means of sequence determination, at the 20-mer level and below. An interactive, stand-alone computer program, Simple Oligonucleotide Sequencer (SOS) has been developed for rapid oligonucleotide sequencing from mass spectra, under user control on a residue by residue basis. Modifications can be defined in any combination for the base, sugar or backbone. Sequence ladders can be independently constructed in both the 5' --> 3' directions and 3' --> 5' directions, and graphically compared for homology and overlap. A particular advantage of this method is the ability to easily erase and rebuild alternate subsequences. The program can be used for ab initio sequencing of modified or unmodified oligonucleotides, for rapid verification of sequence, and in studies of fragmentation processes of model oligonucleotide derivatives.     

High-frequency nanostructured magnetic materials for integrated inductors

Electroplating is compatible with the deposition of relatively thick layers i.e. several μm to 10s- of μm. However eddy current losses mean that thick layers will have an inferior frequency response. We have used a low content phosphorous bath together with pulse reverse plating to generate Co-rich and Co-deficient multi-nanolayers of CoP having improved saturation magnetisation and a better frequency response. The plating parameters have been optimised in order to produce a material with low loss, and a high permeability of around 700 retained up to 103 MHz for a sample with a thickness of 1.7 μm and a resistivity of 136 μΩ cm.     

Electrochemical Oxidation of Lithium Carbonate Generates Singlet Oxygen

Solid alkali metal carbonates are universal passivation layer components of intercalation battery materials and common side products in metal‐O₂ batteries, and are believed to form and decompose reversibly in metal‐O₂/CO₂ cells. In these cathodes, Li₂CO₃ decomposes to CO₂ when exposed to potentials above 3.8 V vs. Li/Li⁺. However, O₂ evolution, as would be expected according to the decomposition reaction 2 Li₂CO₃→4 Li⁺+4 e^?+2 CO₂+O₂, is not detected. O atoms are thus unaccounted for, which was previously ascribed to unidentified parasitic reactions. Here, we show that highly reactive singlet oxygen (¹O₂) forms upon oxidizing Li₂CO₃ in an aprotic electrolyte and therefore does not evolve as O₂. These results have substantial implications for the long‐term cyclability of batteries: they underpin the importance of avoiding ¹O₂ in metal‐O₂ batteries, question the possibility of a reversible metal‐O₂/CO₂ battery based on a carbonate discharge product, and help explain the interfacial reactivity of transition‐metal cathodes with residual Li₂CO₃.     

Electron impact-induced rearrangement of trimethylsilyl groups in long chain compounds

Mass spectra of trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of long chain dicarboxylic acids, hydroxy acids, cyano acids, and terminal diols, dithiols and diamines have been examined. A number of fragmentation pathways involving rearrangement of partial or intact TMS groups between the termini or remote points in the chain have been determined, using deuterium and carbon-13 labeling, and high resolution mass spectrometry. Knowledge of the occurrence of functional group migrations of this type is essential to the correct interpretation of mass spectra of TMS derivatives, which are now in wide use in mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. These data in addition provide further evidence for the general ability of remote functional groups to interact, by winding or coiling of long chains. A number of interesting doubly-charged ions are reported, in which the charges are reported, in which the charges are located at opposite ends of long chains, and for which no singly-charged counterparts are observed.