Josée Boudreau

Ambiphilic molecules for trapping reactive intermediates: interrupted Nazarov reaction of allenyl vinyl ketones with Me2PCH2AlMe2

The addition of the ambiphilic molecule Me(2)AlCH(2)PMe(2) (1) to the allenyl vinyl ketone 2 gave a trapped Nazarov reaction product. Under kinetic control, the addition of the phosphine was on the methylated carbon, contrary to expected steric and electronic considerations. Computational data pointed to hydrogen bonding between the phosphine and the methyl group guiding the regiochemistry of this reaction. This product rearranged to provide the expected, regioisomeric Nazarov product. With additional 1 this compound yielded a Michael-addition product via a retro-Nazarov process.

Characterization of Shrimp Oil from Pandalus borealis by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) oil, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, was recovered from the cooking water of shrimp processing facilities. The oil contains significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids in triglyceride form, along with substantial long-chain monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). It also features natural isomeric forms of astaxanthin, a nutritional carotenoid, which gives the oil a brilliant red color. As part of our efforts in developing value added products from waste streams of the seafood processing industry, we present in this paper a comprehensive characterization of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) and astaxanthin esters that predominate in the shrimp oil by using HPLC-HRMS and MS/MS, as well as 13C-NMR. This approach, in combination with FAME analysis, offers direct characterization of fatty acid molecules in their intact forms, including the distribution of regioisomers in TAGs. The information is important for the standardization and quality control, as well as for differentiation of composition features of shrimp oil, which could be sold as an ingredient in health supplements and functional foods.