Synthesis,characterization and controlled release behaviour of adducts from chloroacetylated cellulose and α-naphthylacetic acid

Celluloses partially functionalized with chloroacetate groups were obtained by reaction of cellulose with chloroacetyl chloride using pyridine as catalyst and the dimethylacetamide/LiCl system as solvent. ¹³C NMR spectra at 75.4 MHz of partially modified cellulose with chloroacetate groups were studied in order to evaluate the selectivity of the reaction of cellulose with chloroacetyl chloride in the homogeneous phase. Analysis of the spectra of ring carbons in the anhydroglucose units shows that the reactivity of the individual hydroxyl groups decreases in the order C-6>C-3>C-2. The coupling of α-naphthylacetic acid to cellulose functionalized with chloroacetate groups was carried out by reaction with their potassium salts or directly in the presence of 1.8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]-7-undecene. High degrees of modification were obtained by both methods. However, the esterification reaction is somewhat more efficient in the case of the potassium salt. The kinetic results were consistent with a second-order reaction. The hydrolysis in the heterogeneous phase of cellulose–α-naphthylacetic acid adducts showed that the release of the bioactive compound is dependent on the hydrophilic character of the adduct as well as on the pH value of the medium.     

Synthesis and properties of α-methylacrylic acid high-carbon mixed esteras diesel pour point depressant

以α-甲基丙烯酸和马来酸酐为原料,经酯化反应合成了α-甲基丙烯酸高碳混合酯及马来酸酐高碳混合酯,确定了酯化反应条件。采用甲苯作溶剂,通过溶液聚合法合成了α-甲基丙烯酸高碳混合酯-马来酸酐高碳混合酯-乙酸乙烯酯-苯乙烯四元共聚物的柴油降凝剂,确定了最佳反应条件：单体配比1∶2∶3∶1,引发剂（偶氮二异丁腈）用量0.8%,反应温度为85 ℃,反应时间为6 h。考察了该降凝剂对锦州石化公司二套加氢柴油的降凝助滤效果,确定0.07%为降凝剂的最佳添加量。     

Phase diagram of α-sulfonate methyl esters derived from palm stearin/alcohol/water systems

Phase diagrams of α-sulfonate methyl ester derived from palm stearin (α-SMEPS)/alcohol/water systems were mapped at 30±0.1°C. Two main regions—an isotropic and a lamellar liquid crystalline—were the focal points in this system. An increase in alcohol chain length decreased the isotropic region and increased the lamellar liquid crystal region. In the isotropic region, self-assembly of α-SMEPS at different alcohol chain lengths was determined by using conductivity and viscosity measurements. The phase boundaries of micelle to bicontinuous structure and bicontinuous structure to inverse micelle transitions in the isotropic regions are proposed from these analytical methods. The increase in alcohol chain length shifted the micelle ⇆ bicontinuous structure to the water-rich corner, and the bicontinuous structure ⇆ inverse micelle transition moved toward the alcohol-rich corner.     

Novel heterogeneous zinc triflate catalysts for the rearrangement of α-pinene oxide

New solid acid catalysts based on silica‐supported zinc triflate have been prepared for use in the rearrangement of α-pinene oxide to campholenic aldehyde. These catalysts exhibit considerable activity and can be recycled without loss of selectivity towards the aldehyde. The selectivity towards the aldehyde can be increased to 80% (at 50% conversion) when the reaction is performed at 25°C using hexagonal mesoporous silica (HMS₂₄) as the catalyst support. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Enhancement of α-ketoisovalerate production by relieving the product inhibition of l-amino acid deaminase from Proteus mirabilis

l-Amino acid deaminase (LAAD) is a key enzyme in the deamination of l-valine (l-val) to produce α-ketoisovalerate (KIV). However, the product inhibition of LAAD is a major hindrance to industrial KIV production. In the present study, a combination strategy of modification of flexible loop regions around the product binding site and the avoidance of dramatic change of main-chain dynamics was reported to reduce the product inhibition. The four mutant PM-LAAD^M4 (PM-LAAD^{S98A/T105A/S106A/L341A}) achieved a 6.2-fold higher catalytic efficiency and an almost 6.7-fold reduction in product inhibition than the wild-type enzyme. Docking experiments suggested that weakened interactions between the product and enzyme, and the flexibility of the “lid” structure relieved LAAD product inhibition. Finally, the whole-cell biocatalyst PM-LAAD^M4 has been applied to KIV production, the titer and conversion rate of KIV from l-val were 98.5 g·L⁻¹ and 99.2% at a 3-L scale, respectively. These results demonstrate that the newly engineered catalyst can significantly reduce the product inhibition, that making KIV a prospective product by bioconversion method, and also provide the understanding of the mechanism of the relieved product inhibition of PM-LAAD.     

Synthesis of β-Si3N4 particles from α-Si3N4 particles

This report describes an investigation of the synthesis of β-Si₃N₄ particles from α-Si₃N₄ particles. The β fraction of Si₃N₄ particles was found to depend on temperature, heating time, and the type of crucibles in which the Si₃N₄ particles were heated. When Si₃N₄ particles were heated in a crucible made of carbon, most α-Si₃N₄ particles converted to β-Si₃N₄ after heating at 2000°C for 90 min in an atmosphere of N₂ of 9 kgf/cm². The morphology of the resulting β-Si₃N₄ particles appeared as a whisker shape. When Si₃N₄ particles were heated in a crucible made of boron nitride, most α-Si₃N₄ particles converted to β-Si₃N₄ after heating at 2000°C for 480min in an atmosphere of N₂ of 9kgf/cm². The resulting morphology was equiaxed. It is suspected that the transformation occurs via the gas phase and is affected by the partial pressure of oxygen in the atmosphere.     

Solvent extraction and separation of rare earths from chloride media using α-aminophosphonic acid extractant HEHAMP

Solvent extraction and separation of rare earths (REs: La ~ Lu, plus Y and Sc) by a novel synthesized extractant, (2-ethylhexylamino)methyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethylhexyl ester (HEHAMP, abbreviated as H₂A₂), were investigated in chloride medium. The favorable separation factors (SFs) between adjacent heavy REs suggested that HEHAMP has a better separation performance than P507. The extracted complex of trivalent REs was determined to be REClH₂A₄ by the slope analysis method. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS) of Lu were calculated as 7.47 kJ mol^?1, ?6.05 kJ mol^?1, and 45.4 J mol^?1 K^?1 at 298.15 K, respectively, which indicate that the extraction reaction of Lu is an endothermic process. The loading capacity of 30% (v/v) HEHAMP toward Lu(III), Yb(III), and Y(III) was about 15.17 g Lu₂O₃/L, 14.46 g Yb₂O₃/L, and 12.64 g Y₂O₃/L, respectively. HCl is the most efficient stripping acid, and 92% of the loaded Yb(III) can be stripped by one-stage stripping with 2 mol/L HCl.     

Identification of the pathway of α-oxidation of cerebronic acid in peroxisomes

Cerebronic acid (2-hydroxytetracosanoic acid), an α-hydroxy very long-chain fatty acid (VLCFA) and a component of cerebrosides and sulfatides, is unique to nervous tissues. Studies were carried out to identify the pathway and the subcellular site involved in the oxidation of cerebronic acid. The results from these studies revealed that cerebronic acid was catabolized by α-oxidation to CO₂ and tricosanoic acid (23:0). Studies with subcellular fractions indicated that cerebronic acid was α-oxidized in fractions having particulate bound catalase and enzyme systems for the β-oxidation of VLCFA (e.g., lignoceric acid), suggesting peroxisomes as the subcellular organelle responsible for α-oxidation of cerebronic acid. Etomoxir, an inhibitor of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, had no effect on cerebronic acid α-oxidation. Further, cerebronic acid oxidation was found to be dependent on the presence of NAD⁺ but not FAD, NADPH, ATP, Mg²⁺, or CoASH. Intraorganellar localization studies indicated that the enzyme system for the α-oxidation of cerebronic acid was associated with the peroxisomal limiting membranes. Studies on cultured fibroblasts from normal subjects and patients with peroxisomal disorders indicated an impairment of α-oxidation of cerebronic acid in cell lines that lack peroxisomes [e.g., Zellweger syndrome (ZS)]. On the other hand, α-oxidation of cerebronic acid was found to be normal in cell lines from X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy, adult Refsum disease, and rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata. Our results clearly demonstrate that α-oxidation of α-hydroxy VLCFA (cerebronic acid) is a peroxisomal function and that this oxidation is impaired in ZS. Furthermore, this α-oxidation enzyme system is distinct from the one for the α-oxidation of β-carbon branched-chain fatty acids (e.g., phytanic acid).     

Synthesis of 3-oxalinolenic acid and β-oxidation-resistant 3-oxa-oxylipins

3-Oxalinolenic acid (3-oxa-9(Z), 12(Z), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid or (6(Z), 9(Z), 12(Z)-pentadecatrienyloxy)acetic acid) was synthesized from 5(Z), 8(Z), 11(Z), 14(Z), 17(Z)-eicosapentaenoic acid by a sequence involving the C15 aldehyde 3(Z), 6(Z), 9(Z), 12(Z)-pentadecatetraenal as a key intermediate. Conversion of the aldehyde by isomerization and two steps of reduction afforded 6(Z), 9(Z), 12(Z)-pentadecatrienol, which was coupled to bromoacetate to afford after purification by HPLC >99%-pure 3-oxalinolenic acid in 10–15% overall yield. 3-Oxalinolenic acid was efficiently oxygenated by soybean lipoxygenase-1 into 3-oxa-13(S)-hydroperoxy-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid, and this hydroperoxide could be further converted chemically into 3-oxa-13(S)-hydroxy-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid and 3-oxa-13-oxo-9(Z), 11(E), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid. The 3-oxa-hydroperoxide also served as the substrate for the plant enzymes allene oxide synthase, divinyl ether synthase, and hydroperoxide lyase to produce 3-oxa-12-oxo-10, 15(Z)-phytodienoic acid and other 3-oxa-oxylipins that were characterized by MS, 3-Oxalinolenic acid was not oxygenated by 9-lipoxygenase from tomato but was converted at a slow rate into 3-oxa-9(S)-hydroperoxy-10(E), 12(Z), 15(Z)-octadecatrienoic acid by recombinant maize 9-lipoxygenase. Recombinant α-dioxygenase-1 from Arabidopsis thaliana catalyzed the conversion of 3-oxalinolenic acid into a 2-hydroperoxide, which underwent spontaneous degradation into a mixture of 6,9,12-pentadecatrienol and 6,9,12-pentadecatrienyl formate. A novel α-dioxygenase from the moss Physcomitrella patens was cloned and expressed and was found to display the same activity with 3-oxalinolenic acid as Arabidopsis thaliana α-dioxygenase-1. Lipoxygenase-generated 3-oxa-oxylipins are resistant toward β-oxidation and have the potential for displaying enhanced biological activity in situations where activity is limited by metabolic degradation.     

Synthesis of (S)-α-amino oleic acid

An efficient synthesis of (S)-α-amino oleic acid was developed. The fully protected FA derivative was obtained in four steps starting from methyl (2S)-2-[bis(tert-butoxycar-bonyl)amino]-5-oxopentanoate. These steps are (i) olefination of the starting aldehyde with the appropriate phosphonate anion, (ii) hydrogenation of the double bonds, (iii) controlled reduction of ω-ethyl ester to an aldehyde in the presence of α-methyl ester, and (iv) a Wittig reaction of the latter aldehyde with the suitable ylide. Free α-amino oleic acid was prepared after deprotection of the amino group followed by saponification in a total yield of 24%. N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-protected amino oleic acid and the corresponding amino alcohol were prepared in high yield. The structures of the products have been established by various spectroscopic techniques.     

Effects of dietary α-linolenic acid on the conversion and oxidation of13C-α-linolenic acid

The effects of a diet rich in α-linolenic acid vs. one rich in oleic acid on the oxidation of uniformly labeled¹³C-α-linolenic acid and its conversion into longer-chain polyunsaturates (LCP) were investigatedin vivo in healthy human subjects. Volunteers received a diet rich in oleic acid (n=5) or a diet rich in α-linolenic acid (n=7; 8.3 g/d) for 6 wk before and during the study. After 6 wk, subjects were given 45 mg of¹³C-α-linolenic acid dissolved in olive oil. Blood samples were collected att=0, 5, 11, 24, 96, and 336 h. Breath was sampled and CO₂ production was measured each hour for the first 12 h. The mean (±SEM) maximal absolute amount of¹³C-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in plasma total lipids was 0.04 ±0.01 mg in the α-linolenic acid group, which was significantly lower (P=0.01) than the amount of 0.12±0.03 mg¹³C-EPA in the oleic acid group. Amounts of¹³C-docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) and¹³C-docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) tended to be lower as well. The mean proportion of labeled α-linolenic acid (ALA) recovered as¹³CO₂ in breath after 12 h was 20.4% in the ALA and 15.7% in the oleic acid group, which was not significantly different (P=0.12). The cumulative recovery of¹³C from¹³C-ALA in breath during the first 12 h was negatively correlated with the maximal amounts of plasma¹³C-EPA (r=−0.58,P=0.047) and¹³C-DPA (r=−0.63,P=0.027), but not of¹³C-DHA (r=−0.49,P=0.108). In conclusion, conversion of¹³C-ALA into its LCP may be decreased on diets rich in ALA, while oxidation of¹³C-ALA is negatively correlated with its conversion into LCP. In a few pilot samples, low¹³C enrichments of n−3 LCP were observed in a diet rich in EPA/DHA as compared to oleic acid.     

Preparation of α-diazo-β-hydroxy esters using KOtBu in water and PEG

α-Diazo-β-hydroxy esters prepared by the interaction of aldehydes and acyldiazomethane in water in the presence KO^tBu as a catalyst in excellent yields. The catalyst displayed unprecedented catalytic activity in Aldol type reaction under mild liquid phase conditions at a greater rate compared to other known catalyst. The present catalyst is a potential alternative to the conventional bases.     

Synthesis of BCN ceramics from pyrrolidine–Borane complex

BCN ceramics were prepared from pyrrolidine–borane complex. Its complex was a new product and has not appeared on the market. The chemical compositions of the BCN ceramics were BC_1·5N_0·4 obtained at 1000°C in Ar, BC_0·9N_0·4 obtained at 1000°C in NH₃. Boron was a mixture of trigonal and tetragonal BN bonds. Electrical conductivity, of the BCN ceramics showed semiconductive properties. ©     

What is the role of α-linolenic acid for mammals?

This review examines the data pertaining to an important and often underrated EFA, α-linolenic acid (ALA). It examines its sources, metabolism, and biological effects in various population studies, in vitro, animal, and human intervention studies. The main role of ALA was assumed to be as a precursor to the longer-chain n-3 PUFA, EPA and DHA, and particularly for supplying DHA for neural tissue. This paper reveals that the major metabolic route of ALA metabolism is β-oxidation. Furthermore, ALA accumulates in specific sites in the body of mammals (carcass, adipose, and skin), and only a small proportion of the fed ALA is converted to DHA. There is some evidence that ALA may be involved with skin and fur function. There is continuing debate regarding whether ALA has actions of its own in relation to the cardiovascular system and neural function. Cardiovascular disease and cancer are two of the major burdens of disease in the 21st century, and emerging evidence suggests that diets containing ALA are associated with reductions in total deaths and sudden cardiac death. There may be aspects of the action and, more importantly, the metabolism of ALA that need to be elucidated, and these will help us understand the biological effects of this compound better. Additionally, we must not forget that ALA is part of the whole diet and should be seen in this context, not in isolation.     

Synthesis of β‘—SIALON Powder from Clay

The synthesis of β‘-sialon powder by carbothermic reduction of clay followed by nitridation has been carried out.The effect of charge mixture,temperature,holding time and nitrogen flow rate on synthesis was examined.The fired sample was identified by XRD and the nitrogen content of fired sample was measured.The synthesis process of sialon powder was described.     

Chemical and phase equilibria calculation of α-pinene hydration in CO2-expanded liquid

Modeling of chemical and phase equilibria of α-pinene hydration in subcritical CO₂ was carried out by calculation. A simplified scheme of the conversion includes 6 reaction routes. Thermochemical and physicochemical parameters of individual compounds (T_cr, P_cr, T_b, (298.15 K), (298.15 K), C_p (T), ω) were preliminary estimated. Phase diagrams of the model reaction mixtures were calculated, coordinates of the critical point were found, and the region of subcritical parameters T and P, where the initial mixture divides into the gas phase and CO₂-expanded liquid, was located. Dependence of the products distribution and yield of CO₂-expanded liquid on the reaction temperature and pressure was studied. The reaction equilibrium as a function of temperature and pressure was determined, and heat effects of all reactions under consideration were calculated. The drift of critical parameters versus reaction mixture composition was examined. It was shown that during the hydration and alcohols accumulation the critical pressure of reaction mixture increases continuously, the critical temperature at first elevates and then begins to decrease, and the phase diagrams starts to degenerate. If amount of alcohols becomes more than 80 mol%, the mixture has no critical point and cannot pass to a supercritical state.     

Efficient Biocatalytic Synthesis of Highly Enantiopure α-Alkylated Arylglycines and Amides

A number of racemic α-alkylarylglycine amides including 1-amino-1-carbamoyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene underwent efficient biocatalytic hydrolysis under very mild conditions to afford the corresponding (S)-α-alkylarylglycines and (R)-α-alkylarylglycine amides in excellent yields with enantiomeric excesses higher than 99.5%. Both the reaction rate and enantioselectivity of biocatalytic kinetic resolution were strongly dependent upon the nature of the substituent and the substitution pattern on the benzene ring of the substrate. In contrast, no effective biotransformation of the Strecker nitrile derived from acetophenone was observed under the catalysis of a nitrile hydratase/amidase-containing microbial Rhodococcus sp. AJ270 whole-cell catalyst. Coupled with the chemical hydrolysis of amide, this biotransformation process provided efficient syntheses of α-substituted arylglycines in both enantiomeric forms from readily available racemic amides.