Microbial Transformation of Sesquiterpenes, (−)‐Ambrox® and (+)‐Sclareolide

The microbial transformation of (?)‐Ambrox^® ( 1 ), a perfumery sesquiterpene, by a number of fungi, by means of standard two‐stage‐fermentation technique, afforded ambrox‐1α‐ol ( 2 ), ambrox‐1α,11α‐diol ( 3 ), ambrox‐1α,6α‐diol ( 4 ), ambrox‐1α,6α,11α‐triol ( 5 ), ambrox‐3‐one ( 6 ), ambrox‐3β‐ol ( 7 ), ambrox‐3β,6β‐diol ( 8 ), 13,14,15,16‐tetranorlabdane‐3,8,12‐triol ( 9 ), and sclareolide ( 10 ) (Schemes 1 and 2). Further incubation of compound 10 with Cunninghamella elegans afforded 3‐oxosclareolide ( 11 ), 3β‐hydroxysclareolide ( 12 ), 2α‐hydroxysclareolide ( 13 ), 2α,3β‐dihydroxysclareolide ( 14 ), 1α,3β‐dihydroxysclareolide ( 15 ), and 3β‐hydroxy‐8‐episclareolide ( 16 ) (Scheme 3). Metabolites 2 – 5, 12, 13 , and 16 were found to be new compounds. The major transformations include a reaction path involving hydroxylation, ether‐bond cleavage and inversion of configuration. Metabolites 11 – 16 of sclareolide showed significant phytotoxicity (Table 1). The structures of the metabolites were characterized on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.     

Microbial transformation of prednisone

The microbial transformation of prednisone (17alpha,21-dihydroxy-pregna-1,4-diene-3,11,20-trione) (1) by Cunninghamella elegans afforded two metabolites, 17alpha,21-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregn-1-ene-3,11,20-trione (2) and 17alpha,20S,21-trihydroxy-5alpha-pregn-1-ene-3,11-dione (3), while the fermentation of 1 with Fusarium lini, Rhizopus stolonifer and Curvularia lunata afforded a metabolite 1,4-pregnadiene-17alpha,20S,21-triol-3,11-dione (4). Compound 3 was found to be a new metabolite. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. Compound 3 showed inhibitory activity against lipoxygenase enzyme.     

Acid-catalyzed formation of hexahomooxacalix[3]arenes

The role of acid catalysis in oxacalix[3]arene synthesis has been investigated. A range of acids were used to optimize the yield of tert-butyloxacalix[3]arene, the most efficient being p-toluenesulfonic acid, which, with local symmetry complementary with that of the lower rim of the calixarene, provides a templating effect.     

Relative magnitudes of singlet and triplet state dipole moments: the lowest nπ* excited states of p-methylbenzaldehyde and p-chlorobenzaldehyde

The molecular dipole moment changes upon ¹nπ* and ³nπ* excitation of p-methylbenzaldehyde and p-chlorobenzaldehyde isolated in p-dimethoxybenzene host crystals have been determined from measurements of the Stark splittings in phosphorescence excitation and phosphorescence spectra. Within the experimental uncertainty, the changes are identical for the corresponding triplet and singlet states. This result contrasts with similar determinations for formaldehyde, benzophenone, and 4,4′-dichlorobenzophenone and with predictions based on simple molecular orbital and electron correlation arguments. The result is considered to be a consequence of a relatively large mixing of ³nμ* and ³μμ* states.     

Triiron and Triruthenium Carbonyl Clusters Bearing Bridging Long Chain Diphosphine and Capping Chalcogenido Ligands

Treatment of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with dpphSe₂ (dpph = 1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane) in refluxing toluene in the presence of Me₃NO afforded two new compounds, Ru₃(CO)₇(-CO)(₃-Se)(-dpph) (1) and Ru₃(CO)₇(₃-Se)₂(-dpph) (2). A similar reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with dpppeSe₂ (dpppe = 1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane) gave exclusively Ru₃(CO)₇(₃-Se)₂(-dpppe) (3). Treatment of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with dpphS₂ and dpppeS₂ at 110°C in the presence of Me₃NO afforded Ru₃(CO)₇(₃-S)₂(-dpph) (4) and Ru₃(CO)₇(₃-S)₂(-dpppe) (5), respectively. Reactions of Fe₃(CO)₁₂ with dpphSe₂ and dpppeSe₂, under identical conditions, afforded Fe₃(CO)₇(₃-Se)₂(-dpph) (6) and Fe₃(CO)₇(₃-Se)₂(-dpppe) (7), respectively. Compounds 1–7 were characterized spectroscopically and the molecular structures of compounds 1–4 were determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The core of 1 contains an equilateral triangle of ruthenium atoms with one capping selenium, one bridging dpph, one doubly bridging carbonyl and seven terminal carbonyl ligands. Complexes 2–4 have a square-pyramidal structure with two metal and two chalcogenide atoms alternating in the basal plane and the third metal atom at the apex of the pyramid, and belong to the family of well-known nido clusters with seven skeletal electron pairs.     

Synthesis, structures and reactivity of triosmium clusters containing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands

Four triosmium carbonyl clusters bearing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands of general formula [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] (1, L = pyrazine; 2, L = 2-methylpyrazine; 3, L = 2,3-dimethylpyrazine; 4, L = 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine) were synthesized by the reactions of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with the corresponding pyrazine derivatives and water in the presence of a methanolic solution of Me₃NO in moderate yields. Compounds [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] react with a series of two electron donor ligands, L′ at ambient temperature to give [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L′] (5, L′ = PPh₃; 6, L′ = P(OMe)₃; 7, L′ = ^tBuNC; 8, L′ = C₅H₅N) in good yields by the displacement of the pyrazine ligands. This implies that the pyrazine ligands in 1–4 are relatively labile. Compounds 2, 3, 4, and 8 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. All the four compounds possess two metal–metal bonds and a non-bonded separation of two osmium atoms defined by Os(1)Os(3), which are simultaneously bridged by OH and MeOCO ligands and a heterocyclic ligand is terminally coordinated to one of the two non-bonded osmium atoms.     

Triosmium clusters derived from the reactions of thioureas with dodecacarbonyltriosmium: Crystal structures of [Os3(CO)11{η 1-SC(NMe2)2}], [Os3(CO)9(μ-OH)(μ-OMeOCO){η 1-SC(NMe2)2}] and [(μ-H)Os3(CO)9{μ 3-NHC(S)NH2}]

The reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with tetramethylthiourea in the presence of a methanolic solution of Me₃NO·2H₂O at 60° yields the compounds [Os₃(CO)₁₁{η ¹-SC(NMe₂)₂}] (1) in 56% yield and [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-MeOCO){η ¹-SC(NMe₂)₂}] (2) in 10% yield in which the tetramethylthiourea ligand is coordinatedvia the sulfur atom at an equatorial position. Compound2 is a 50 e^? cluster with two metal-metal bonds and the hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands bridging the open metal-metal edge. In contrast, the analogous reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with thiourea gives the compounts [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀{μ-NHC(S)NH₂}] (3) in 8% yield and [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉{₃-NHC(S)NH₂}] (4) in 30% yield. In3, the thioureato ligand bridges two osmium atomsvia the sulfur atom, whereas in4 in addition to the sulfur bridge, one of the nitrogen atoms of thioureato moiety bonds to the remaining osmium atom. The decacarbonyl compounds 3 can also be obtained in 50% yield from the reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] with thiourea at ambient temperature. Compound3 converts to4 (65%) photochemically. Compound1 reacts with PPh₃ and acetonitrile at ambient temperature to give the simple substitution products [Os₃(CO)₁₁(PPh₃)] and [Os₃(CO)₁₁(MeCN)], respectively, while with pyridine, the oxidative addition product [(μ-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-NC₅H₄] is formed at 80°C. All the new compounds are characterized by IR,¹-H-NMR and elemental analysis together with the X-ray crystal structures of1,2 and4. Compound1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P $P\bar 1$ with unit cell parametersa = 8.626(3) Å,b = 11.639(3) Å,c = 12.568(3_ Å,α = 84.67(2)°,β = 75.36(2)°,γ = 79.49(3)°,V = 1199(1) ų, andZ = 2. Least-squares refinement of 4585 reflections gave a final agreement factor ofR = 0.0766 (R _w = 0.0823). Compound2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2_1/n with unit cell parametersa = 9.149(5) Å,b = 17.483(5) Å,c = 15.094(4) Å,β = 91.75(2)°,V = 2413(2) ų, andZ = 4. Least-squares refinement of 3632 reflections gave a final agreement factor ofR = 0.0603 (R _w = 0.0802). Compound4 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with unit cell parametersa = 13.915(7) Å,b = 14.718(6) Å,c = 17.109(6) Å,β = 100.44(3)°,V = 3446(5) ų, andZ = 8. Least-squares refinement of 2910 reflections gave a final agreement factor ofR = 0.0763 (R _w = 0.0863).     

Validated TLC-densitometry method for the simultaneous analysis of pyrethroid insecticides in agricultural and domestic products

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Pyrethroids are widely used for the control of pests and insects, as pyrethroids are believed to pose very little risk to human health and environment. However, exposure to the pyrethroids exceeding the label directions might adversely affect human health and environment. Hence a careful selection of environment friendly household product is required that must contain exactly the label claimed pyrethroids amount. RESULTS: A sensitive and robust TLC-densitometric method for simultaneous quantification of commonly used synthetic pyrethroids including esbiothrin, alpha-cypermethrin and cis/trans permethrin in agricultural and domestic products has been developed and validated. TLC aluminum plates, precoated with 0.2 mm thick layer of silica gel 60 F-254, were used for chromatographic process. Densitometric analysis of chromatoplates was carried out in absorbance mode at corresponding lamdamax of each pyrethroid. Equally valid common mobile phase for all pyrethroids consisted of hexane-dichloromethane-ethylacetate-formic acid (8:1.5:0.4:0.1 v/v/v/v) which provided sharp and symmetrical peaks of esbiothrin, alpha-cypermethrin, trans-permethrin and cis-permethrin, at Rf 0.31, 0.53, 0.6 and 0.65, respectively. Linear regression data for respective calibration curves showed a good linearity for all pyrethroids with r = 0.991-0.996. Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) for all pyrethroids were found in the range of 1.6-2.8 and 4.9-8.5 ng/spot, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The developed method is applicable for separating the mixture of pyrethroids and at the same time, it is also valid for separating their isomers. The method is reproducible, precise and accurate for the quantitative determination of pyrethroids in agricultural and domestic products.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Biodegradable Di‐ and Tri‐Block Copolymers Based on Ethylene Carbonate Polymer as Hydrophobic Segment

Synthesis of novel amphiphilic biodegradable block copolymers based on ethylene carbonate is reported in this study. Polyethylene glycol monomethyl ether (MeO‐PEO) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) of varying molar masses are used as macro‐initiator for ring‐opening polymerization of ethylene carbonate in the presence of sodium stannate trihydrate as a heterogeneous transesterification catalyst. Earlier elution of block copolymer from macro‐initiator in size exclusion chromatography (SEC) indicated the successful synthesis of the block copolymers. Ratios of both types of blocks are varied systematically. Liquid chromatography at critical conditions is used for the analysis of the non‐critical individual blocks, and if there are any critical segments that are not attached to the non‐critical block. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of ethylene carbonate‐based amphiphilic block copolymers. Chromatographic critical conditions of the ethylene carbonate polymer are also reported for the first time. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 1887–1893     

Preparation and characterization of conducting polyaniline layered magnetic nano composite polymer particles

Considering the application potentials of organic materials possessing both conducting and ferromagnetic functions in various electronic devices, an attempt was made to prepare conducting polyaniline (PANI) layered magnetic nano composite polymer particles. Two routes were used to modify magnetic Fe₃O₄ core particles. In one route, seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) was carried out in presence of nano‐sized Fe₃O₄ core particles. In another route, cross‐linker ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) was used in addition to MMA. The modified composite particles were named as Fe₃O₄/PMMA and Fe₃O₄/P(MMA‐EGDM), respectively. Finally, seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline was carried out in the presence of Fe₃O₄/PMMA and Fe₃O₄/P(MMA‐EGDM) composite seed particles to obtain Fe₃O₄/PMMA/PANI and Fe₃O₄/P(MMA‐EGDM)/PANI composite polymer particles. The modification of Fe₃O₄ core particles was confirmed by electron micrographs, FTIR, UV–visible spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectra, X‐ray diffraction pattern and thermogravimetric analyses. A comparative study showed that crosslinking of intermediate shell improved the magnetic susceptibility and electrical conductivity of PANI layered magnetic nano composite particles. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.