Untersuchungen von Polymeren im Massenspektrometer. II. Abbaureaktionen von Poly-β-alaninen

The degradation reactions of poly-β-alanines by direct pyrolysis in the mass spectrometer was investigated. The thermal degradation step and the fragmentation step in the ion source could be differentiated. In the pyrolytical step the amidnitrogen-β-carbon linkage is cleaved preferentially, yielding oligomeric β-alanines with unsaturated and amid endgroups. These oligomers were ionized at the heteroatoms followed by αN-, αO-, βO- and keten-fragmentation.     

Gold‐Catalyzed Efficient Formation of α,β‐Unsaturated Ketones from Propargylic Acetates

An efficient gold‐catalyzed method for the preparation of α,β‐unsaturated ketones from propargylic acetates has been developed. Under mild reaction conditions, β‐monosubstituted enones were formed mostly with excellent E‐selectivity. β,β‐Disubstituted enones can be prepared from propargylic acetates derived from ketones. The high efficiency and mild nature of this reaction render it a viable alternative for the synthesis of α,β‐unsaturated ketones.     

Untersuchungen von Polymeren im Massenspektrometer. I. Fragmentierungsreaktionen von oligomeren β-Alaninen

The degradation of poly-β-alanines under mild pyrolytical conditions yields oligomeric amids. Dimeric, trimeric and tetrameric β-lactames were used to study the fragmentation reactions of those degradation products. After ionisation at one of the hetero atoms αN-, keten-, αO- and βO-cleavage (with MC LAFFERTY -rearrangement) were found as main fragmentation reactions.     

Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of α4β2 Nicotinic Ligands with a 3‐Fluoropyrrolidine Nucleus

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play an important role in many central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. The α₄β₂ subtype has emerged as an important target for the early diagnosis and amelioration of Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Herein we report a new class of α₄β₂ receptor ligands characterized by a basic pyrrolidine nucleus, the basicity of which was properly decreased through the insertion of a fluorine atom at the 3‐position, and a pyridine ring carrying at the 3‐position substituents known to positively affect affinity and selectivity toward the α₄β₂ subtype. Derivatives 3‐(((2S,4R)‐4‐fluoropyrrolidin‐2‐yl)methoxy)‐5‐(phenylethynyl)pyridine ( 11 ) and 3‐((4‐fluorophenyl)ethynyl)‐5‐(((2S,4R)‐4‐fluoropyrrolidin‐2‐yl)methoxy)pyridine ( 12 ) were found to be the most promising ligands identified in this study, showing good affinity and selectivity for the α₄β₂ subtype and physicochemical properties predictive of a relevant central nervous system penetration.     

Synthesis and Polymerization of p-Vinyl-β-Phenylethylamine

p-Vinyl benzyl chloride was converted to p-vinyl benzyl cyanide which was reduced to p-vinyl-β-phenyl-ethylamine with lithium aluminium hydride. The amine gave an insoluble polymer on heating with azo initiator, but soluble polymer was obtained on polymerizing p-vinyl-β-phenylethylamine hydrochloride in aqueous solution by bisulfite/persulfate initiator. Preliminary pharmacological tests carried out on poly-p-vinyl-β-phenylethylamine hydrochloride and its monomer, showed that the polymer was much more toxic, it showed a tranquilizer/sedative action compared to the monomer which showed excitor symptoms.     

Radiation-induced copolymerization of α,β,β-trifluoroacrylonitrile with α-olefin

Homopolymerization and copolymerization of α,β,β-trifluoroacrylonitrile (FAN) with γ-olefins were carried out in bulk by γ-ray irradiation at 25°C. FAN gives very small quantities of brown and greasy low molecular weight polymer. Cyano groups in FAN polymer were found to be readily hydrolyzed to acid amide groups in the atmosphere. FAN was found to copolymerize with ethylene, propylene, and isobutylene via a radical mechanism to form equimolar copolymers in a wide range of monomer compositions. The polymerization rate increases linearly with FAN fraction in the monomer mixture. These copolymers are also hydrolyzed in the atmosphere, and the hydrolysis proceeds with more difficulty for the copolymer with higher α-olefin. The reactivity ratios r₁ (FAN) and r₂ (α-olefin) were determined to be 0.01 and 0.12 for the FAN/ethylene copolymerization and 0.01 and 0.07 for the FAN/propylene copolymerization. These results confirm that an alternating copolymerization takes place in the FAN/α-olefin system.     

Unusual CC Bond Isomerization of an α,β‐Unsaturated γ‐Butyrolactone Catalysed by Flavoproteins from the Old Yellow Enzyme Family

An unexpected, redox‐neutral C?C bond isomerization of a γ‐butyrolactone bearing an exo‐methylene unit to the thermodynamically more favoured endo isomer (k_cat=0.076 s^?1) catalysed by flavoproteins from the Old Yellow Enzyme family was discovered. Theoretical calculations and kinetic data support a mechanism through which the isomerization proceeds through FMN‐mediated hydride addition onto exo‐Cβ, followed by hydride abstraction from endo‐Cβ′, which is in line with the well‐established C?C bond bioreduction of OYEs. This new isomerase activity enriches the catalytic versatility of ene‐reductases.     

Ring-opening homopolymerization and copolymerization of lactones. Part 2. enzymatic degradability of poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) stereoisomers and copolymers of β-butyrolactone with ε-caprolactone and δ-valerolactone

In this study, we have prepared poly([R,S ]-β-hydroxybutyrate) (P([R,S ]-β-HB) or PHB) from [R ,S]-β-butyrolactone ([ R,S]-β-BL), using different aluminoxane catalyst systems (triethylaluminium/water, triisobutylaluminium/water, trioctylaluminium/water and tetraisobutyldialuminoxane/water). By varying the ratio of catalyst to water and using a method of fractionation of polymers, PHB with different isotactic diad fractions (i) (from 0.41 to 0.72) and crystallinities were obtained. Copolymers poly(butyrolactone-co-caprolactone) (P(BL-co-CL)) and poly(butyrolactone-co-valerolactone) (P(BL-co-VL)) have also been synthesized from the ring-opening copolymerization of [ R,S]-β-BL with either ε-caprolactone (CL) or δ-valerolactone (VL) using tetraisobutyldialuminoxane (TIBAO) catalyst. The enzymatic degradability of these polymers was studied in aerobic and anaerobic media. The objective of this work was to determine the influence of the tacticity and crystallinity of the polymers on their degree of biodegradation and on their initial degradation rate. It was shown that the degradation rate measured for bacterial PHB 100% [R] was the highest and the degree of aerobic biodegradation reached after 36 days was around 94%. A 40–50% biodegradation was obtained for synthetic PHB, highly isotactic and predominantly syndiotactic. The non-crystalline and atactic PHB synthesized from TIBAO catalyst had a very high degree of biodegradation of around 88%. This result may suggest that not only are the [R ]-BL units hydrolysed but also the [S ]-BL units. The influence of the crystallinity on the initial degradation rate was observed for the copolymers P(BL-co-CL) and P(BL-co -VL) of various feed ratios. All these copolymers synthesized from TIBAO catalyst, exhibit a high degree of biodegradation of around 85% except for copolymers containing a very high portion of unsubstituted units, CL or VL. The anaerobic biodegradation of PHB and copolymers P(BL-co -CL) is much lower than the aerobic biodegradation, as are the initial rates, even for bacterial P([R ]-HB). © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

The Structure of Cyclo-Di-β-Alanyl

The crystal structure of cyclo-di-β-alanyl (monoclinic; a = 11.85, b = 5.20, c = 10.66 Å, β = 94.83°; space group C2/c; Z = 4) has been determined by X-ray analysis, using direct methods, and refined by full-matrix least-squares calculations. The two cis-peptide groups, related by a twofold axis, are almost exactly planar, and the molecule occurs in a “flexible” chair conformation with N-CH₂CH₂-C torsion angle of 27°.     

Convenient Preparation of Chiral α,β‐Epoxy Ketones via Claisen–Schmidt Condensation‐Epoxidation Sequence

A novel Clasisen–Schmidt condensation‐epoxidation sequence of aldehydes and ketones was developed to produce a series of chiral α,β‐epoxy ketones under asymmetric phase‐transfer catalytic conditions. The organocatalytic method reported here can afford chiral α,β‐epoxy ketones under mild conditions with moderate to good yields and up to 96 % ee.     

Acetylcholine Promotes Binding of α‐Conotoxin MII at α3β2 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors

α‐Conotoxin MII (α‐CTxMII) is a 16‐residue peptide with the sequence GCCSNPVCHLEHSNLC, containing Cys2–Cys8 and Cys3–Cys16 disulfide bonds. This peptide, isolated from the venom of the marine cone snail Conus magus, is a potent and selective antagonist of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). To evaluate the impact of channel–ligand interactions on ligand‐binding affinity, homology models of the heteropentameric α₃β₂‐nAChR were constructed. The models were created in MODELLER with the aid of experimentally characterized structures of the Torpedo marmorata‐nAChR (Tm‐nAChR, PDB ID: 2BG9) and the Aplysia californica‐acetylcholine binding protein (Ac‐AChBP, PDB ID: 2BR8) as templates for the α₃‐ and β₂‐subunit isoforms derived from rat neuronal nAChR primary amino acid sequences. Molecular docking calculations were performed with AutoDock to evaluate interactions of the heteropentameric nAChR homology models with the ligands acetylcholine (ACh) and α‐CTxMII. The nAChR homology models described here bind ACh with binding energies commensurate with those of previously reported systems, and identify critical interactions that facilitate both ACh and α‐CTxMII ligand binding. The docking calculations revealed an increased binding affinity of the α₃β₂‐nAChR for α‐CTxMII with ACh bound to the receptor, and this was confirmed through two‐electrode voltage clamp experiments on oocytes from Xenopus laevis. These findings provide insights into the inhibition and mechanism of electrostatically driven antagonist properties of the α‐CTxMIIs on nAChRs.     

Synthesis of β‐cyclodextrin‐based dendrimer as a novel encapsulation agent

The aim was the fabrication of glycodendrimer encapsulation agents with high proportions of cyclodextrins (CDs) to maintain the biocompatibility properties, as well as to notably improve their ability to load various suitably sized drugs. The novel glycodendrimers contained β‐CD in both core and branches, namely β‐cyclodextrin‐based dendrimer (CD‐dendrimer) prepared through a straightforward procedure using S_N2 displacement to attach multivalent β‐CDs together. The desired CD‐dendrimer was synthesized in three steps: (i) reaction of β‐CD with p‐toluenesulfonyl chloride and/or iodine to afford C‐6 mono‐ and/or per‐β‐CD derivative; (ii) reaction of the β‐CD precursors with ethylenediamine to give C‐6 mono‐ and/or per‐amino‐β‐CD derivative; and (iii) S_N2 displacement of β‐CD electrophilic derivative with β‐CD nucleophilic derivative in dimethylsulfoxide to provide the CD‐dendrimer. Then, the encapsulation behaviour of the CD‐dendrimer was examined using naproxen and naltrexone as the guest molecules. The structure of the designed CD‐dendrimer allowed two types of possible sites for encapsulation of the guest: in cavities of the dendritic structure and in hydrophobic cavities of CDs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry     

r-5-(α-Halogenbenzyl)-3, t-4-diaryl-c-4-hydroxy-oxazolidin-2-one als Ringtautomere von α-(Arylaminocarbonyloxy)-β-halogen-dihydrochalkonen

r-5-(α-Halogenobenzyl)-3, t-4-diaryl-c-4-hydroxy-oxazolidin-2-ones as Ring Tautomers of α-(N-Arylaminocarbonyloxy)-β-halogeno-dihydrochalcones The reaction of chalcone halogenohydrins ( 1–3 ) with arylisocyanates does not stop at the stage of the α-arylaminocarbonyloxy-β-halogeno-dihydrochalcones ( 7 ), but the cyclic urethanes 4–6 are formed. Compound 7h was synthesized independently. The structure and stereochemistry of 4–6 and 7h were determined by ¹³C n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Structure and properties of a β‐nucleated polypropylene impact copolymer

The effect of a β‐nucleating agent (β‐NA) on the properties and structure of a commercial impact polypropylene copolymer (IPC) was investigated. The effect of selected β‐NAs on the impact resistance, stress and strain behaviour of the IPC is reported. In addition, the IPC was fractionated according to crystallinity by preparative temperature rising elution fractionation. Fractions with varying chemical composition and crystallinity were treated with a two‐component β‐NA to investigate the effect of the β‐NA on the various fractions. The results indicate that the efficacy of the β‐NA is dependent on the chemical composition of the polymer that crystallises, more specifically on the sequence length of crystallisable propylene units. The effect of the addition of β‐NAs on the overall morphology of the IPC was also investigated, and in particular the size and distribution of the rubbery particles in these complex reactor blends were probed. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry     

Highly Stereoselective Halocyclopropanation of α,β‐Unsaturated Amides

A convenient highly stereoselective synthesis of chloro‐ and bromocyclopropanamides from di‐ tri‐ or tetrasubstituted (E)‐ or (Z)‐α,β‐unsaturated amides with total or high stereoselectivity promoted by chromium dichloride or dibromide is described. The transformation of chlorocyclopropanamides into the corresponding ketones or amines is also reported. A mechanism to explain these transformations is proposed.     

β-Thiocyanatovinylcarbonylverbindungen. III. 1H-NMR-Untersuchungen an β-Thiocyanato-vinylaldehyden

β-Thiocyanato-vinyl-carbonyl Compounds. III ¹H-NMR Investigations of β-Thiocyanato-vinylaldehydes The ¹H-NMR spectra of some alkyl- and phenylsubstituted Z/E-isomeric β-thiocyanato-vinylaldehydes are represented. The assignment for Z/E-isomers is made using the chemical shifts of the CHO-protons and paramagnetic shift experiments. The discussion of the ΔEu-values allows to determine the conformation of the CHO-group. The main products in the case of the alkyl-substituted β-thiocyanato-vinylaldehydes are the Z-isomeric compounds which fact is attributed to mechanistic and electronic effects.     

Correlation between the fracture toughness and β‐crystal fraction in a β‐nucleated propylene‐based propylene–ethylene random copolymer

Propylene‐based propylene–ethylene random copolymer (PPR) has been widely used in the production of hot‐water pipes. To further improve its toughness and thermal resistance, β‐nucleating agents (β‐NAs) are frequently incorporated. In this study, PPR containing 5.6 mol % ethylene units was modified by two kinds of β‐NAs, that is, calcium pimelate and N,N′‐dicyclohexylterephthalamide. The notched Izod impact strength of PPR increased with the addition of the β‐NAs. Drastically different toughening effects were found between the two β‐NAs. The structure of PPR with and without a β‐NA was investigated by calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and thermomechanical analysis. The results indicated that the relative fraction of β crystals (k_β) in the injection‐molded specimens was determined by the type and content of β‐NA. The relationship between k_β and the impact toughness was summarized. A critical value for k_β (0.68) was identified for the brittle–ductile transition of PPR. PPR with β‐NA having a k_β greater than 0.68 displayed a higher impact strength than the other mixtures. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 42930.     

Coagel Prepared from Aqueous Octyl β‐d‐Galactoside Solution

Structuring of semi‐crystalline networks in water systems is significant for a variety of industrial applications. In the present work, we investigated the coagel formation from aqueous octyl β‐d ‐galactoside (C₈‐β‐Gal) solutions and characterized the crystal structure and crystallite network in the prepared coagel. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) confirmed that the Krafft boundary temperature (T_K) is 32–35 °C for C₈‐β‐Gal concentrations below 30 wt% and a knee of the Krafft boundary exists around 2.5 wt% C₈‐β‐Gal concentrations. The addition of NaCl increased T_K slightly because of the salting‐out effect. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations revealed that the coagel is comprised of the three dimensional bundled semi‐crystalline network consisting of a “ribbon crystal phase” of hemihydrate crystals. Moreover, the excellent ability of C₈‐β‐Gal to form a macroscopically homogeneous coagel was demonstrated by the comparison with other representative mono‐alkylated glycoside’ systems containing octyl a‐d ‐glucoside or dodecyl β‐d ‐glucoside. Persistence of the liquid phase without liquid–liquid phase separation prior to and during the coagel formation was a key factor for the preparation. A novel coagel was obtained from a principal synthetic galactoside.     

Iron‐Catalyzed Regio‐ and Stereoselective Conjugate Addition of Aryl‐Grignard Reagents to α,β,γ,δ‐Unsaturated Sulfones and its Synthetic Application

The iron‐catalyzed δ‐addition of aryl‐Grignard reagents to α,β,γ,δ‐unsaturated sulfones proceeded in a regio‐ and stereoselective manner to give cis‐4‐aryl‐2‐alkenyl sulfones. Allylic alkylation of the resultant products was performed without isomerization of the cis‐olefin to give cis‐4‐aryl‐1,1‐dialkyl‐2‐alkenyl sulfones, which upon intramolecular Friedel–Crafts reaction with aluminum chloride gave 1,4‐dihydronaphthalenes having a quaternary carbon center.     

Separation of α‐Lactalbumin and β‐Lactoglobulin by a Convenient Liquid‐Solid Extraction System: Application to Milk Whey

A liquid‐solid extraction system based on Tween 80/phosphate was developed. Under the optimized conditions (9 wt % Tween 80, 1.6 : 1 (molar ratio) K₂HPO₄ : NaH₂PO₄, 1.25 mol/L total phosphate, pH = 7.4), α‐Lactalbumin (α‐La) and β‐Lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) were separated with recovery rates of 87.6 % (in the solid polymeric phase) and 98.2 % (in the salt aqueous phase), respectively. Under the effects of water and salt, the solid phase had the ability to form a new liquid‐solid extraction system, and 85.1 % of α‐La could be reversely extracted into the new salt aqueous phase. Following dialysis against water, proteins obtained through extraction and reverse extraction, were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and thin‐layer scanning. The method was applied successfully to separate α‐La and β‐Lg from milk whey.