N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Production in Escherichia coli Lacking N-Acetylglucosamine Catabolic Machinery

N-Acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac, also referred to as sialic acid) is a nine-carbon sugar found on cell surfaces in higher animals. With key roles in inflammation, brain development, viral adhesion, and production of therapeutic glycoproteins, access to Neu5Ac is essential. We demonstrate that disruption of the N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) degradation pathway by deletion of nagA and bypassing the GlmMU pathway for uridine diphosphate-GlcNAc production by expression of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes agm1 and uap1 improves the NeuCB-based direct cell culture approach to Neu5Ac production. The Escherichia coli strain BRL04 (nanT^?, nanA^?, and nagA^?) transformed with a polycistronic inducible expression vector encoding Agm1, Uap1, NeuB, and NeuC, cultivated in a shake-flask and fed with glycerol and GlcNAc produced Neu5Ac at 3.7 g/L (87% conversion from GlcNAc). At the 2 L bioreactor scale, production reached 7.3 g/L at a reduced conversion of 52%. These promising results suggest that this production strain is capable of generating Neu5Ac via high-density cultivation; it remains to be seen if careful control of GlcNAc feeding rate can be optimized to maximize yield.     

Synthesis of some new styryl oxazolophenoxazines

Reductive acetylation of 3-aminophenoxaz-2-one (II) gave 3-acetylamino-2-acetoxy-phenoxazine (IV). Thermolysis of (IV) gave 2-methyl-5H-oxazolo(4,5-b)phenoxazine (V). The styryl derivatives (VIII) were synthesised by condensation of (V) with aromatic aldehydes. Quaternisation of (V) was carried out giving (VII). Oxidation of (V) using SeO₂ gave 2-formyl-5H-oxazolo(4,5-b)phenoxazine (VI). Fragmentation patterns of certain of the products under electron impact are suggested.     

Efficient Whole‐Cell Biocatalytic Synthesis of N‐Acetyl‐D‐neuraminic Acid

N‐Acetyl‐D ‐neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) was efficiently synthesized from lactate and a mixture of N‐acetyl‐D ‐glucosamine (GlcNAc) and N‐acetyl‐D ‐mannosamine (ManNAc) by whole cells. The biotransformation utilized Escherichia coli cells (Neu5Ac aldolase), Pseudomonas stutzeri cells (lactate oxidase components), GlcNAc/ManNAc and lactate. By this process, 18.32±0.56 g/liter Neu5Ac were obtained from 65.61±2.70 g/liter lactate as an initial substrate input. Neu5Ac (98.4±0.4 % purity, 80.87±0.79 % recovery yield) was purified by anionic exchange chromatography. Our results demonstrate that the reported Neu5Ac biosynthetic process can compare favorably with natural product extraction or chemical synthesis processes.     

Synthesis of trideuteratedO-alkyl platelet activating factor and lyso derivatives

Racemic heavy isotope analogs of 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lysoPAF) and 1-O-alkyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAF) were prepared for use as internal standards to facilitate quantitative studies based on mass spectrometry. Starting from pentadencane-1,15-diol andrac-glycerol-1,2-acetonide, a convergent synthesis of 1-O-[16′-²H₃]hexadecyl and 1-O-[18′-²H₃]octadecylrac-glycero-3-phosphocholine and their acetyl derivatives is described. Three deuterium atoms were introduced at the terminal position of the 1-O-alkyl group by displacement of thep-toluensulfonyl group from 1-O-alkyl-15′-p-toluensulfonate and 1-O-alkyl-17′-p-toluensulfonate with [²H₃]-methylmagnesium iodide. The 1-O-alkyl-17′-p-toluensulfonate was obtained by reaction of the 1-O-alkyl-15′-p-toluensulfonate with allylmagnesium bromide, followed by reductive ozonolysis and treatment withp-toluenesulfonyl chloride. The hydroxyl group at C-2 was protected by a benzyl group and removed at a late stage in the synthesis. This provided the corresponding lysoderivatives or allowed preparation of racemic PAF by subsequent acetylation of the free hydroxy group. The phosphocholine moiety was introduced at glycerol C-3 by reaction with bromoethyldichlorophosphate and trimethylamine. The synthetic compounds were analyzed by FAB/MS and GC/NICIMS. They were shown to contain less than 0.6% protium impurity.     

Preparation and properties ofgem-dichlorocyclopropane derivatives of long-chain fatty esters

Methyl oleate (18∶1) and linoleate (18∶2) were readily transformed to the correspondinggem-dichlorocyclopropane derivatives in high yield, using triethylbenzylammonium chloride as the phase-transfer catalyst in the presence of aqueous NaOH and CHCl₃. Reaction of dichlorocarbene with methyl 12-hydroxystearate furnished methyl 12-chlorostearate (49%) and 12-O-formylstearate (19%). The hydroxy group in methyl ricinoleate was protected (O-tetrahydropyran-2′-yl) prior to dichlorocyclopropanation of the ethylenic bond. Removal of the protecting group allowed the hydroxy group to be converted to a chloride,O-acetyl, azido orO-formyl function. Treatment of methyl ricinoleate with thionyl chloride, followed by the reaction with dichlorocarbene gave the corresponding 12-chloro-dichlorocyclopropane derivative. The dichlorocyclopropane derivative of oleic acid was transformed to a C₁₉ allenic fatty acid when treated witht-butyl lithium. However, the remaining dichlorocyclopropane derivatives, containing an additional functional group in the alkyl chain, failed to yield the corresponding allenic derivatives. All derivatives were characterized by a combination of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques, including infrared,¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Nano-CuFe2O4@SO3H Catalyzed Efficient One-Pot Cyclo-Dehydration of Dimedone and Synthesis of Chromeno[4,3-b]chromenes

Chlorosulfonic acid immobilized on CuFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (nano-CuFe₂O₄@SO₃H) was evaluated as a recoverable catalyst for the one-pot cyclo-dehydration of dimedone and synthesis of chromeno[4,3-b]chromene derivatives by reaction of arylaldehydes, dimedone or 1,3-cyclohexanedione, with 3-hydroxycoumarine or 4-hydroxycoumarine in good to excellent yield. Also, 2,2′-Arylmethylene bis(3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-cyclohexene-1-one) was synthesized by the reaction of aromatic aldehyde and dimedone using nano-CuFe₂O₄ in ethanol at room temperature. The catalyst could be recycled several times without significant loss of its catalytic activity. Clean methodologies, easy work-up procedure, high yield and simple preparation of the catalyst are some advantages of this procedure.     

Development of New and Selective Trypanosoma cruzi trans‐Sialidase Inhibitors from Sulfonamide Chalcones and Their Derivatives

A series of sulfonamide‐containing hydroxylated chalcone ( 4 – 7 ) and quinolinone ( 8 , 9 ) derivatives was synthesised and tested for inhibition of the trans‐sialidase from Trypanosoma cruzi (TcTS). IC₅₀ values for these inhibitors ranged from 0.6 to 7.3 μM , with the dihydroxylated (catechol) derivatives being the tightest binders. Full kinetic analyses of inhibition were performed for these catechol derivatives, both for the transglycosylation reaction in the presence of lactose and for the hydrolysis reaction in its absence. Competitive inhibition was seen in each case with K_i values for 5 , 7 and 9 of 2.0, 2.2 and 0.2 μM , respectively, in the absence of lactose, and 4.6, 3.7 and 0.4 μM in its presence. None of the compounds tested showed any significant inhibition of the human sialidase Neu2, at concentrations up to 200 μM .     

Lipase-catalyzed monoesterification of 1-O-hexadecylglycerol in organic solvents

A simple method is presented to esterify 1-O-hexadecyl-rac-glycerol using lipases in different organic solvents. The following fatty acids were used: C_14∶0, C_16∶0, C_18∶0, C_18∶1, and C_18∶2. Monoesterification was achieved by using a limiting amount of the fatty acid. Both the 1-O-hexadecyl-3-O-acylglycerol and the 2-O-acylglycerol were obtained in a total yield of 75% and a ratio of 7∶1 in dichloromethane after 3 d. Chromatographic data for the monoesters, useful for the identification of the natural products, are given (gas-liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, reverse-phase thin-layer chromatography). The structure was confirmed by a chemical synthesis of 1-O-hexadecyl-2-O-hexadecanoylglycerol. The 3-O-glyceride was also formed by acyl migration, as the minor component. The monoesters were separated by column chromatography and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra.     

Novel Cyclopropane Fatty Acids from the Phospholipids of the Caribbean Sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudospongosorites suberitoides</Emphasis>

The cyclopropane fatty acids 17-methyl-trans-4,5-methyleneoctadecanoic acid, 18-methyl-trans-4,5-methylenenonadecanoic acid, and 17-methyl-trans-4,5-methylenenonadecanoic acid were characterized for the first time in nature in the phospholipids (mainly PE, PG and PS) of the hermit-crab sponge Pseudospongosorites suberitoides. Pyrrolidine derivatization was the key in identifying the position of the cyclopropyl and methyl groups in the acyl chains and ¹H NMR was used to determine the trans stereochemistry of the cyclopropane ring. The phospholipids from the sponge also contained an interesting series of iso-anteiso Δ^5,9 fatty acids with chain-lengths between 17 and 21 carbons, with the fatty acids (5Z,9Z)-18-methyl-5,9-nonadecadienoic acid and the (5Z,9Z)-17-methyl-5,9-nonadecadienoic acid being described for the first time in sponges. The anteiso α-methoxylated fatty acid 2-methoxy-12-methyltetradecanoic acid was also identified for the first time in nature in the phospholipids of this interesting marine sponge. The novel cyclopropyl fatty acids could have originated from the phospholipids of a cyanobacterium living in symbiosis with the sponge.     

Chemo-enzymatic synthesis of amino acid-based surfactants

The application of lipases to the synthesis of amino acid-based surfactants was investigated. Low yields (2–9%) were obtained in the acylation of free amino acids, such as l-serine and l-lysine, as well as their ethyl esters and amides with fatty acids, owing in part to low miscibility of the reactants. When the N-carbobenzyloxy (Cbz)-l-amino acids were used in an effort to improve miscibility of the amino acid derivatives with the acyl donor, a dramatic improvement was observed for N-Cbz-l-serine (92% yield) but not for N _α-Cbz- or N _ζ-Cbz-l-lysine (7 and 2% yield, respectively). As an alternative, and efficient synthesis of N _ζ-acyl-l-lysines was developed, based on the regiospecific chemical acylation of copper(II) lysinate. In pursuit of a general route to amino acid-fatty acid surfactants, the utility of a polyol linker was investigated. Thus, the glycerol ester of N _α′ N _ζ-di-Cbz-l-lysine was prepared and evaluated as a substrate for acylation. As expected, this and other glycer-1-yl esters of N-protected amino acids were excellent substrates for lipase-catalyzed acylation. Their reaction with myristic acid in the presence of Novozyme resulted in the regioselective acylation of the primary hydroxyl group of the glycerol moiety to afford the corresponding 1-O-(N-Cbz-l-aminoacyl)-3-O-myris-toylglycerols with conversions of 50–90%. These were readily deprotected to give a range of 1-O-(aminoacyl)-3-O-myristoyl-glycerols with overall yields of 27–71%.     

Preparation and properties of new surfactants containingd-glucosamine as the building block

Three types of new surfactants were prepared by usingN-acetyl-d-glucosamine as a starting material. The first type of surfactant, sodium methyl 4,6-O-alkylidene-2-(carboxyl-atomethylamino)-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranoside, was prepared successively by the following treatments: methyl glucosidation ofN-acetyl-d-glucosamine, transacetalization with an appropriate aldehyde dimethyl acetal, deacetylation, and finally reaction of the resulting methyl-4,6-O-alkylidene-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranoside (2-amino precursor) with bromoacetic acid. The reaction of this 2-amino precursor with methyl iodide yielded the second type of surfactant, methyl 4,6-O-alkylidene-2-deoxy-2-(trimethylammonio)-d-glucopyranoside iodide, in excellent yield. The last type of compound, sodium methyl 2-acetamide-4,6-O-alkylidene-3-O-[1-(carboxylato)-ethyl]-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranoside, was synthesized by the reaction of methyl 2-acetamide-4,6-O-alkylidene-2-deoxy-d-glucopyranoside with 2-chloropropionic acid. Concerning the two carboxylate types of surfactants, the compounds containing a C₉ or C₁₁ hydrophobic chain in the alkylidene part showed higher water solubility than the corresponding compounds containing a C₇ hydrophobic chain. Both the micelle-forming property and the ability to lower the surface tension of these carboxylate types of compounds increased with an increase in the length of the hydrophobic chain in the alkylidene part. These compounds can be applied to new acid-decomposable types of cleavable surfactants because they contain an acetal group. The acetal bond of the ammonium type of compound was cleaved more slowly than that of the corresponding carboxylate types of surfactants in 2% aqueous HCI solution. The biodegradabilities of these compounds were also determined.     

Lyso platelet activating factor (LysoPAF) and its enantiomer. Total synthesis and carbon-13 NMR spectroscopy

Described is a reaction sequence for the total synthesis of lyso platelet activating factor (lysoPAF; 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine) and its enantiomer. The procedure is versatile and yields optically pure isomers of defined chain length. The synthesis is equally suited for the preparation of lysoPAF analogues and its enantiomers with unsaturation in the long aliphatic chain. First,rac-1(3)-O-alkylglycerol is prepared by alkylation ofrac-isopropylideneglycerol with alkyl methanesulfonate followed by acid-catalyzed removal of the ketal group. The primary hydroxy group of alkylglycerol is then protected by tritylation, the secondary hydroxy group is acylated, and the protective trityl group is removed under mild acidic conditions with boric acid on silicic acid, essentially without acyl migration. Condensation of the diradylglycerol with bromoethyl dichlorophosphate in diethyl ether, hydrolysis of the resulting chloride, and nucleophilic displacement of the bromine with trimethylamine givesrac-1-O-alkyl-2-acylglycero-3-phosphocholine in good overall yield. The racemic alkylacylglycerophosphocholine is finally treated with snake venom phospholipase A₂ (Ophiophagus hannah) which affords 1-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (lysoPAF) of natural configuration in optically pure form. The “unnatural” 3-O-alkyl-2-O-acyl-sn-glycerol-1-phosphocholine enantiomer, which is not susceptible to phospholipase A₂ cleavage, gives 3-O-alkyl-sn-glycero-1-phosphocholine upon deacylation with methanolic sodium hydroxide. Homogeneity and structure of the intermediates and final products were ascertained by carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy on monomeric solutions.     

Lactational changes in the fatty acid composition of human milk gangliosides

The objectives of this work were to study the FA composition of milk gangliosides, as well as to gain further insight into the characterization of human milk gangliosides. The potential capacity of human milk gangliosides to adhere to human enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC-strains) was also studied. Human milk gangliosides were isolated and identified by high-performance TLC or immunoassay. The latter also was used to assay bacterial adhesion. The FA composition of gangliosides was studied by GC. The presence of O-acetyl GD3 (Neu5,9Ac₂α2–8 NeuAcα2–3Galβ1–4GlcCer) and trace amounts of GM1 [Galβ1–3GalNAcβ1,−3(NeuAcα2–3)Galβ1–4GlcCer] in human milk was confirmed. Medium-chain FA were almost absent in colostrum, whereas in the subsequent stages they rose to 20%. The levels of long-chain FA decreased after colostrum. With respect to the degree of saturation, gangliosides from colostrum were richer in monounsaturated FA than gangliosides synthesized during the rest of the lactation period, opposite to the pattern for PUFA. A human-ETEC colonization factor antigen II-expressing strain showed binding capacity to human milk GM3 (NeuAcα2–3Galβ1–4GlcCer). New data on human milk gangliosides have been gathered. A thorough knowledge of their composition is needed since they may have important biological implications in regard to newborns' defense against infection. The ganglioside nomenclature of Svennerholm (34) is followed.     

Homopolymerization of styrenic monomers and their copolymerization with ethylene using group 4 non-metallocene catalysts

Homopolymerization of styrenic monomers (St, p-Me-St, p-tBu-St, p-tBuO-St) and their copolymerization with ethylene, with the use of [(^tBu2O₂NN′)ZrCl]₂(μ-O) ( 1 ) and (^tBu2O₂NN′)TiCl₂ ( 2 ), where ^tBu2O₂NN′ = Me₂N(CH₂)₂N(CH₂-2-O⁻-3,5-tBu₂-C₆H₂)₂, is explored in the presence of MMAO and (iBu)₃Al/Ph₃CB(C₆F₅)₄. The ethylene/styrenic monomers copolymerization with 1 /MMAO produces exclusively copolymers with high activity and good comonomer incorporation whereas the other catalytic systems yield mixtures of copolymers and homopolymers. The use of p-alkyl styrene derivatives instead of styrene raises the catalytic activity, comonomer incorporation and molecular weights of the copolymers. Complex 2 exhibits higher activity in homopolymerization of styrenic monomers than 1 irrespective of the kind of the activator employed. A clear dependence is observed for the molecular weight and catalyst activity against the kind of the styrenic monomer. The obtained polymers were atactic and only the complex 2 , when activated by MMAO, promoted the highly syndiospecific polymerization of p-Me-St and p-tBu-St. Poly(p-tBuO-St) exhibits fiber-forming properties.     

High-performance liquid chromatography and spectroscopic studies on fish oil oxidation products extracted from frozen atlantic mackerel

The formation of stable hydroxy derivatives from hydroperoxides produced during the oxidation of linoleic acid methyl ester and fish oil were studied by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The oxidation products identified were mixtures of four isomeric hydroxy derivatives: 13-hydroxy-9-cis,11-trans-octadecadienoic, 13-hydroxy-9-trans,11-trans-octadecadienoic, 9-hydroxy-10-trans,12-cis-octadecadienoic, and 9-hydroxy-10-trans,12-trans-octadecadienoic acids. The presence of hydroxy compounds was confirmed by ¹³C NMR, which gave rise to a hydroxy carbon peak at 87 ppm, and by GC-MS, which showed three peaks corresponding to isomeric mixtures of trimethylsilyl ethers of the oxidized linoleic acid methyl ester. The mass spectra scans of the three peaks showed that they represent isomers of molecular weight 382 and are consistent with the molecular formula C₂₂H₄₂O₃Si. In oil extracted from stored frozen mackerel, 13-hydroxy-9-cis,11-trans-octadecadienoic acid was more prominent compared to the model lipid systems. HPLC offered a sensitive means of detection of hydroxy compounds produced both in the initiation and latter stages of oxidation. The effect of antioxidants added to the fish mince prior to storage can also be monitored by HPLC. Thus, the monitoring of lipid oxidation hydroxy derivatives by HPLC is of practical value in the efficient processing and quality control of fish, fish oils, and other fatty foodstuffs in order to enhance the acceptability, nutritional, and safety aspects.     

Identification of cis-4,5-epoxy-2-pentenal from pyrolysis of H3PO4-treated cellulose

An important product, C₅H₆O₂, from the pyrolytic decomposition of phosphoric acid, treated cellulose was isolated and identified as cis-4,5-epoxy-2-pentenal. NMR, IR UV, and mass-spectral data of this product were analyzed and discussed. A method for the preparation of cis-4,5-epoxy-2-pentenal is presented, and a mechanism for its formation is proposed.     

O-alkyl diolO-,S- andSe-phosphoroamidates of DL-α-tocopherol and their dimethylaminoalkyl derivatives as diester and triester models of phospholipids

Hexamethyltriamide of phosphorous acid, activated by addition of iodine at an optimal molar ratio of 1.05∶0.05, was used as a phosphorylating reagent to synthesize 1-hexadecyloxyethyl-2-O-, 1-hexadecyloxypropyl-3-O-, and 1-hexadecyloxybutyl-4-O-(DL-α-tocopheryl-6-O)-(N,N-dimethylamido)selenophosphate,-thiophosphate and-phosphate derivatives, and some of their 2-dimethyl-aminoethyl-1-O-, and 3-dimethylaminopropyl-1-O-triester analogues in a “one-pot procedure” in overall yields of 69–87%. Activation of the reaction with an equimolar mixture of imidazole and carbon disulfide at the triester formation step permits selective phosphorylation at room temperature. The compounds synthesized represent new diester and triester models containing alkyl ether diolphospholipid structures.     

Isolation of brominated long-chain fatty acids from the phospholipids of the tropical marine spongeAmphimedon terpenensis

Preliminary investigation of the phospholipid fatty acid composition of the tropical marine spongeAmphimedon terpenensis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry revealed the presence of some novel brominated fatty acids. Two new brominated fatty acids, (5E, 9Z)-6-bromo-5,9-tetracosadienoic acid (2a) and (5E, 9Z)-6-bromo-5,9-pentacosadienoic acid (3a) were subsequently isolated from a chloroform/methanol (3∶1, vol/vol) extract of the sponge and characterized as their methyl esters 2b and 3b. The known brominated fatty acid (5E, 9Z)-6-bromo-5,9-hexacosadienoic acid (4a) was also isolated. The new fatty acid methyl esters were confirmed as brominated δ5,9 acid derivatives by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. The position of the bromine substituent was determined to be C-6 by nuclear magnetic resonance techniques while the stereochemistry of the two double bonds was deduced by nuclear Overhauser enhancement difference spectroscopy. The biosynthetic implications of the co-occurrence of the three brominated acids are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivatives bearing benzodithiophene moieties

Poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivatives bearing benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene (P1) and benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene (P2) moieties were prepared via polycondensation of the corresponding disilanol monomers, that is, 2,6-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene (M1) and 2,7-bis(dimethylhydroxysilyl)benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene (M2), respectively. It was deduced that P1 is a crystalline polymer while P2 is an amorphous one from the results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Bathochromic and hyperchromic effects were observed in the absorption and fluorescence spectra when dimethylsilyl substituents were introduced on the benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene and benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene skeletons. The fluorescence quantum yields (Φ_Fs) were not improved by the introduction of dimethylsilyl groups onto the benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]dithiophene and benzo[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene skeletons, whereas the improvement in the Φ_Fs was remarkable in the case of poly(tetramethylsilarylenesiloxane) derivatives that possessed the corresponding fused benzene ring systems, i.e., poly(tetramethyl-2,6-silanthrylenesiloxane) and poly(tetramethyl-1,8-silphenanthrylenesiloxane).     

Preparation of Tri-O-alkylcellulose by the use of a nonaqueous cellulose solvent and their physical characteristics

Tri-O-methyl-, -ethyl-, -n-propyl-, -n-butyl-, -n-pentyl-, -iso-amyl-, -n-hexyl-, -n-heptyl-, -n-octyl-, -n-decyl-, and -3-phenoxypropyl-celluloses have been prepared with powdered sodium hydroxide and the corresponding alkyl iodides or bromides in one of nonaqueous cellulose solvents, SO₂-diethylamine-dimethylsulfoxide. These new tri-O-alkylcelluloses were characterized by infrared spectra, ¹³C-NMR spectra, and optical rotations. The first six tri-O-alkylcelluloses described above were obtained as white powders and most of them (tri-O-methyl-, -ethyl-, -n-propyl-, and -n-pentyl-celluloses) showed thermotropic liquid crystals due to smetic or short pitch cholesteric phases. On the other hand, the latter five derivatives were obtained as gummy solids even at room temperature, and easily showed lyotropic liquid crystals in their concentrated chloroform solutions due to choresteric phases. some of these tri-O-alkyl-celluloses (tri-O-methyl-, -ethyl-, -n-propyl-, and -n-butyl-celluloses) were characterized by differential scanning calorimetric and X-ray diffractometric analyses.