Diterpene glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana

Three novel diterpene glycosides were isolated for the first time from the commercial extract of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana, along with several known steviol glycosides, namely stevioside, rebaudiosides A-F, rubusoside and dulcoside A. The new compounds were identified as 13-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-15-en-19-oic acid, 13-[(2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy]-16β-hydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid and 13-methyl-16-oxo-17-nor-ent-kauran-19-oic acid-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester on the basis of extensive 2D NMR and MS spectroscopic data as well as chemical studies.     

A monopole mass filter with a hyperbolic V-shaped electrode

In this article we compare the classical monopole mass filter of von Zahn and the monopole mass filter with a hyperbolic V-shaped electrode. The experimental results and those of computer simulation for both mass spectrometers are presented. We show that the replacement of a conventional 90 degrees V-shaped electrode by an electrode with a hyperbolic profile substantially improves the peak shape of any given mass, and increases the mass resolution by a factor of 3-4 and the abundance sensitivity by a factor of 100. The potential of high analytical performance combined with electroforming techniques for electrode manufacture indicate future practical uses of such instruments. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A three body approach to study the structural properties of 2-n halo nuclei and the search for Efimov states

The discovery of neutron rich isotopes of the lightest elements on the neutron drip line exhibiting a halo structure has opened up new vistas in research activities. The novel structural features associated with the halo phenomena have been the subject for extensive theoretical and experimental investigations in recent times. In this talk, I propose to present a broad overview of the recent developments in this field, bringing out the striking features which show that a large number oflight nuclei near the neutron drip line are characterized by a clear separation between a ‘normal’ core nucleus and a loosely bound low density veil of neutrons. Specifically, the two neutron halos offer a natural premises, from a theoretical standpoint, to employ three body techniques for studying their detailed structural properties. A considerable part of the talk will be devoted to report and highlight the results on a number of light halo nuclei such as ¹¹Li, ¹¹Be, ¹⁹B and ²²C on which we have been carrying out investigations employing a simple but realistic three body model. These three body systems which have been termed as ‘Borromean’ (i.e while three body systems are bound, the corresponding binary subsystems on the other hand are unbound) are characterized by large spacial extension and very low separation energy of the neutron. They are, therefore, ideally suited for exploring the possibility of the existence of Efimov states in two neutron halo nuclei. We have recently carried out the three body analyses to predict the possibility of the occurrence of such states on which experimental work at various laboratories is underway.     

Determination of arsenic in refractory metals by radio-chemical charged-particle activation analysis

Arsenic is determined in tantalum and tungsten matrices via ⁷⁵As(p, n)⁷⁵Se and ⁷⁵As(d, 2n)⁷⁵Se reactions. Two ion-exchange procedures, with Dowex-1 columns, are described for the separation of the indicator radionuclides. Data on thick target yields for the ⁷⁵As(p, n)⁷⁵Se reaction are given. With 13-MeV proton or 15-MeV deuteron irradiation for 2 h at a current of 5 μA, the detection limit for arsenic is at the 10 μg kg^-1 level.     

Fluorine determination in different types of ivory by PIGE technique

Fluorine was determined by particle induced gamma-ray emission (PIGE) technique with 2.3 MeV protons in elephant, mammoth, aquatic (walrus, pot whale, narwhal, hippopotamus) and archaeological ivory, with concentration varying between 55 ppm and 2.3 %. The characteristic variation of F concentration with species shows that it has the potential to serve as a marker in identifying different types of ivory. Additionally, Na concentration was also reported in all the analysed samples.     

Cucurbitane Glycosides from Siraitia grosvenorii

Systematic phytochemical studies of the extract of Luo Han Go (Siraitia grosvenorii) furnished six known cucurbitane glycosides, namely, mogrosides IVa, mogrosides V and VI, isomogroside V, 11-oxomogroside V, and siamenoside I. The structures of all the isolated compounds were characterized on the basis of extensive spectral and chemical studies. Though the partial NMR spectral data has been reported for some of the isolated compounds previously, the complete ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral assignments of all the isolated compounds are reported herewith for the first time based on COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and NOESY spectroscopic data.     

Shape resonances in slow electron scattering by aromatic molecules. I. Anthraquinone derivatives

A series of anthraquinone (C(14)O(2)H(8)) derivatives has been studied by means of electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (ECNI-MS), photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), and AM1 quantum chemical calculations. Mean lifetimes of molecular negative ions M(-.) (MNI) have been measured. The mechanism of long-lived MNI formation in the epithermal energy region of incident electrons has been investigated. A simple model of a molecule (a spherical potential well with the repulsive centrifugal term) has been applied for the analysis of the energy dependence of cross sections at the first stage of the electron capture process. It has been shown that a temporary resonance of MNI at the energy approximately 0.5 eV corresponds to a shape resonance with lifetime 1-2.10(-13) s in the f-partial wave (l = 3) of the incident electron. The next resonant state of MNI at the energy approximately 1.7 eV has been associated with the electron excited Feshbach resonance (whose parent state is a triplet npi* transition). In all cases the initial electron state of the MNI relaxes into the ground state by means of a radiationless transition, and the final state of the MNI is a nuclear excited resonance with a lifetime measurable on the mass spectrometry timescale. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

New pentacyclic polyketide dimeric peroxides from a Taiwanese marine sponge Petrosia elastica

Two novel pentacyclic polyketide dimers, dihalenaquinolides A (1) and B (2), have been isolated from the marine sponge Petrosia elastica collected in Nan-wan, Taiwan. The structures 1 and 2 were established on the basis of extensive spectral analysis.     

Catalytic asymmetric syntheses of tyrosine surrogates

Amino acid esters 5-11 as tyrosine mimics have been synthesized in excellent enantioselectivity (up to 99.6% ee) and in good overall chemical yields. The key step in the sequence was the Burk's [Rh(COD)(2R,5R)-Et-DuPhos]BF4-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of enamides with a variety of reactive functional groups.