Synthesis and structural characterisation of a novel tris-methylene bridged compound (NO) 4Fe2 Se(μ-CH2)3

The tris-methylene bridged compound (NO)₄Fe₂Se(μ-CH₂)₃ has been isolated. It has been characterised by IR and ¹H, ¹³C, and ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy. Its structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The structure consists of a heavy atom triangle consisting of one Se and two Fe atoms. The Fe-Fe and the two Fe-Se edges are bridged by methylene groups.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (R)-phenylephrine hydrochloride

An efficient method for the synthesis of enantiomerically pure (R)-phenylephrine hydrochloride 1 is described using a Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation as the key step.     

Methods for the preparation of mercury and osmium samples suitable for ion microprobe measurements

Using radiotracer solutions of Hg (²⁰³Hg) and Os (¹⁸⁵Os), techniques have been developed for sampling these elements presumably suitable for ion probe measurements. Mercury has been electrodeposited on the cross-sectional area (5 mm²) of an electrochemically pure Cu wire giving a recovery 25 to 30% at the tip. Similar efficiency is found for Hg distillate solutions. Osmium has been collected in a Ni–NiS bead after loading its thiourea complex solution on filter paper. The recovery in the bead is 80–90%. These methods should be of help for isotopic study of these elements by ion microprobe. The suitability of these samples for measurements remains unconfirmed.     

Analyses of carcinogenic aromatic amines released from harmful azo colorants by Streptomyces SP. SS07

Extracellular fluid protein (ECFP) of Streptomyces species SS07 has been used to reduce water soluble azo dyes and the carcinogenic amines released have been compared with that from chemical reduction. The effect of temperature, pH and contact time on the recovery of amines using ECFP was studied. The ECFP releases carcinogenic amines at a pH of 9.2 and a temperature of 37 degrees C for a contact period of 24 h. The reduction products were analyzed with HPLC and their structures confirmed by LC-MS and GC-MS. It was observed that both the ECFP and chemical reduction methods released similar type of amine products. In the case of dye samples, compared to chemical reduction, 5-20% increase in the release of carcinogenic amines by ECFP was observed. The percentage of amine products released by chemical reduction was higher for leather garment samples compared to ECFP treatment.     

Interaction of azide ion with hemin and cytochrome c immobilized on Au and Ag nanoparticles

This paper presents a set of investigations on the binding of a metabolic inhibitor, azide with prosthetic heme group of biomolecules, hemin chloride (Hem) and cytochrome c (Cyt c) immobilized on Au and Ag nanoparticles. A variety of spectroscopic tools have been used to understand the chemistry occurring on the nanoparticle surface. While the nature of binding of the model system, hemin has been investigated by UV-visible, fluorescence, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies, the azide binding has been studied in detail by MALDI-TOF MS. Hemin binding on the nanoparticle surface occurs through the carboxylic acid groups. The hemin-N(3) adduct on the nanoparticle surface has been detected by mass spectrometry and its fragments have been studied by post source decay analysis. The chemistry of hemin on the nanoparticle surface has been compared with that of the protein, Cyt c. Azide binding of Cyt c requires thermal activation due to reduced accessibility of the heme center, unlike in the case of hemin. The binding chemistry is similar for free Cyt c and Cyt c bound to the nanoparticles.     

Ciprofloxacin-protected gold nanoparticles

The antibacterial drug ciprofloxacin (cfH) has been used to protect gold nanoparticles of two different mean diameters, 4 and 20 nm. The protection is complete with about 65 and 585 cfH molecules covering 4 and 15 nm particles, respectively. The nature of binding has been investigated by several analytical techniques. The nitrogen atom of the NH moiety of piperazine group binds on the gold surface, as revealed by voltammetric and spectroscopic studies. The cfH-adsorbed particles are stable in the dry state as well as at room temperature, and as a result, redispersion is possible. The rate of release of the drug molecule from the nanoparticles is more in the basic medium than in pure water, and the kinetics depend on the size of the particle; faster desorption is seen in smaller particles. The bound cfH is fluorescent, and this property could be used in biological investigations. This study shows that metal nanoparticles could be useful carriers for cfH and fluoroquinolone molecules. Most of the bound molecules could be released over an extended period of time.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of some α‐hydroxy acids by 2,2′‐bipyridinium chlorochromate

The oxidation of glycolic, lactic, malic, and a few substituted mandelic acids by 2,2′‐bipyridinium chlorochromate (BPCC) in dimethylsulphoxide leads to the formation of corresponding oxoacids. The reaction is first order each in BPCC and the hydroxy acids. The reaction is catalyzed by the hydrogen ions. The hydrogen ion dependence has the form: k_obs = a + b [H⁺]. The oxidation of α‐deuteriomandelic acid exhibited a substantial primary kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_d = 5.29 at 303 K). Oxidation of p‐methylmandelic acid was studied in 19 different organic solvents. The solvent effect has been analyzed by using Kamlet's and Swain's multiparametric equations. A mechanism involving a hydride ion transfer via a chromate ester is proposed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 248–254, 2002     

Mixed chelates of some trivalent lanthanide ions containing (trans-1,2-cyclhexylenedinitrilo)tetraacetate and norleucinate

Summary Formation constants of mixed chelates with (trans-1,2-cyclohexylenedinitrilo)tetra-acetate (DCTA) as primary ligand and norleucinate (nle) as secondary ligand with metal ions La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Er(III), and Yb(III) have been determined by the modified potentiometricpH titration method of Irving-Rossotti in aqueous medium at (295±1) K and fixed ionic strength of =0.1M (NaClO₄). Formation constants of binary complexes of the metal ions with the secondary ligand have also been determined under identical conditions. The mixed chelates were found to be more stable than the binary ones. The order of stabilities in terms of metal ions is La(III)Gd(III)

Gemischte Chelate einiger dreiwertiger Lanthanidenionen mit (trans-1,2-Cyclohexylendinitril)tetraacetat und Norleucinat

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Komplexbildungskonstanten gemischter Chelate mit (trans-1,2-Cyclohexylendinitril)tetraacetat als Primärkomponente und Norleucinat als Sekundärkomponente mit den Metallionen La(III), Ce(III), Pr(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), Er(III) und Yb(III) mittels einer modifizierten potentiometrischen Titrationsmethode nach Irving-Rossotti in wäßrigem Medium bei (295±1) K und einer konstanten Ionenstärke von =0.1M (NaClO₄) bestimmt. Die Bildungskonstanten der binären Komplexe der Metallionen mit dem Sekundärliganden wurden ebenfalls unter identen Bedingungen bestimmt. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die gemischten Chelate stabiler sind als die binären. Die Stabilitätsreihenfolge bezüglich der Metallionen ist La(III)Gd(III)     

The Genus Cetraria s. str.—A Review of Its Botany,Phytochemistry, Traditional Uses and Pharmacology

The genus Cetraria s. str. (Parmeliaceae family, Cetrarioid clade) consists of 15 species of mostly erect brown or greenish yellow fruticose or subfoliose thallus. These Cetraria species have a cosmopolitan distribution, being primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere, in North America and in the Eurasia area. Phytochemical analysis has demonstrated the presence of dibenzofuran derivatives (usnic acid), depsidones (fumarprotocetraric and protocetraric acids) and fatty acids (lichesterinic and protolichesterinic acids). The species of Cetraria, and more particularly Cetraria islandica, has been widely employed in folk medicine for the treatment of digestive and respiratory diseases as decoctions, tinctures, aqueous extract, and infusions. Moreover, Cetraria islandica has had an important nutritional and cosmetic value. These traditional uses have been validated in in vitro and in vivo pharmacological studies. Additionally, new therapeutic activities are being investigated, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, cytotoxic, genotoxic and antigenotoxic. Among all Cetraria species, the most investigated by far has been Cetraria islandica, followed by Cetraria pinastri and Cetraria aculeata. The aim of the current review is to update all the knowledge about the genus Cetraria covering aspects that include taxonomy and phylogeny, morphology and distribution, ecological and environmental interest, phytochemistry, traditional uses and pharmacological properties.