The liquid-crystalline properties of bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy]2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]alkanamino] complexes of Cu(II), Pd(II) and Ni(II). A general view

The thermotropic liquid-crystalline phase behaviour of a homologous set of bis[N-[[4-[4-(alkoxy)benzoyloxy]2-hydroxyphenyl]methylene]alkanamino] copper(II) complexes is examined. New data are reported and taken into account in addition to those previously reported in this Journal. The influence of alkoxy and alkanamine groups on the nature and stability of the mesophase is underlined. As a general trend, with some notable exception, smectic (C type) mesomorphism is favoured by longer alkoxy and alkanamine chains. Data concerning some Pd(II) and Ni(II) homologous complexes are also reported. The mesophase stability (nematic phase) is higher for palladium and nickel complexes than for the copper containing homologues.     

Asymptotic stability of semigroups associated with linear weak dissipative systems with memory

We study the asymptotic behavior of the solutions of a class of linear dissipative integral differential equations. We show in the abstract setting a necessary and sufficient condition to get an exponential decay of the solution. In the case of the lack of exponential decay, we find the polynomial rate of decay of the solution. Some examples are given.     

A highly active fungal β-glucosidase

A highly active thermostable β-glucosidase was purified to homogeneity from a strain ofTrichoderma sp. The enzyme was an extracellular glycoprotein and showed hydrolytic activity toward several β-glucosides. Cellobiose was found to be the substrate of choice for this enzyme. This finding could suggest future technological applications of the purified protein.     

Crystal and molecular structure of thiamine monochloride

The crystal and molecular structure of thiamine monochloride (C₁₂H₁₇N₄OSCl) was determined by X-ray diffraction and refined to a finalR value of 0.042. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space groupP2₁/a, with cell constantsa=18.929(4),b=11.663(2),c=6.376(2) Å and=96.72(8)°. The thiamine molecule is anhydrous and unprotonated, and the torsion angles at the methylene carbon show that it possesses anF conformation. The dihedral angle value of 84.16(6)° between thiazolium and pyrimidine rings is in the normal range found for the thiamine withF conformation, protonated or not, hydrated or not. Thiamine therefore has the same conformation notwithstanding protonation or hydration, with the rings similarly oriented in all the crystal structures containing thiamine.     

Simple evaluation of Franck–Condon factors and non‐Condon effects in the Morse potential

The calculation of Franck–Condon factors between different 1‐D Morse potential eigenstates using a formula derived from the Wigner function is discussed. Our numerical calculations using a simple program written in Mathematica are compared with other calculations. We show that our results have a similar accuracy as those calculations performed with more sophisticated methods. We discuss the extension of our method to include non‐Condon effects in the calculation. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 88: 280–295, 2002     

STUDIES ON THE UV PHOTODESTRUCTION OF PURINE FREE BASE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS AT 77 and 298K

Abstract— The photodestruction of purine free base used as a model for the purine bases in DNA has been studied in order to better understand the effect of UV light on these molecules. Photodestruction yields have been determined in glassy aqueous solutions at 77 K and at room temperature at different pH's. The yield decreases in the order of 0.04, 0.01, 0.001 in 8 M NaOH, 8 M NaCIO₄ and 6 M H₃PO₄, respectively, while at room temperature the highest destruction yield is 0.005 for the unbuffered neutral solution. These yields have been determined by measuring the initial decrease in the purine absorption maximum as a function of irradiation time. During the illumination stable photoproducts, as well as reactive intermediates, such as trapped electrons, radical anions and cations, are formed and have been characterized from their absorption spectra. The addition of triplet quenchers and an electron scavenger resulted in a decrease in the yield, implying the participation of the purine triplet state and a radical anion in the reactions leading to the photodestruction of purine.     

Intramolecular silyl migration in the singlet oxygenation of 2-methyl-5-trimethylsilylfuran

Tetraphenylporphyrin-sensitized photooxygenation of 2-methyl-5-trimethylsilylfuran ($\text{4}$) affords quantitatively trimethylsilyl 2-oxo-4-pentenoate ($\text{5}$), presumably via intramolecular Baeyer-Villiger rearrangement of the intermediary dioxirane ($\text{3a}$).     

INTERMEDIATES IN THE ROOM TEMPERATURE FLASH PHOTOLYSIS AND LOW TEMPERATURE PHOTOLYSIS OF PURINE SOLUTIONS

The flash photolysis of purine in acetonitrile and in water at different pH was studied. The transients produced on flash excitation of degassed aqueous solutions have been identified as the triplet excited state, the hydrated electron, a purine radical cation and radical anion on the basis of quenching experiments and comparison to transients observed in low temperature photolysis.     

Boron trifluoride-methanol complex—mild and powerful reagent for deprotection of labile acetylated amines

A set of amino-group possessing cyanine dyes is obtained from their N-acetyl derivatives via deprotection with boron trifluoride-methanol complex in good yields.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of cularine alkaloids via enium ions and an easy entry to isoquinolines by aza-Wittig electrocyclic ring closure

In preliminary communications, we reported the diastereoselective synthesis of cularine and sarcocapnine via the intramolecular ring closure of nitrenium and oxenium ions, a new highly diastereoselective reductive methylation with (+)-8-phenylmenthyl chloroacetate followed by reduction with sodium borohydride, and a facile entry to the isoquinoline precursors by aza-Wittig electrocyclic ring closure. We now report the full details of the syntheses of (+)-O-demethylcularine, (+)-cularine, (+)-sarcocapnidine, (+)-sarcocapnine, and (+)-crassifoline and describe different methods of synthesis of their precursors.