Per J. R. Sjöberg

Synthesis of aryl ketones by palladium(II)-catalyzed decarboxylative addition of benzoic acids to nitriles

Synthesis of aryl ketones by palladium(II)-catalyzed decarboxylative addition of benzoic acids to nitriles

Microwave-promoted palladium(II)-catalyzed C-P bond formation by using arylboronic acids or aryltrifluoroborates.

The first Pd(II)-catalyzed P arylation has been performed by using palladium acetate, the rigid bidentate ligand dmphen (dmphen=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline), and without the addition of base or acid. Couplings of arylboronic acids or aryl trifluoroborates with H-phosphonate dialkyl esters were conducted in 30 min with controlled microwave (MW) heating under non-inert conditions. Aryl phosphites were also synthesized at room temperature with atmospheric air as the sole reoxidant. The arylated phosphonates were isolated in 44-90 % yields. The excellent chemoselectivity of the method was illustrated in the synthesis of a Mycobacterium tuberculosis glutamine synthetase (MTB-GS) inhibitor. Online ESIMS was used to detect cationic palladium species in ongoing reactions directly, and a catalytic cycle has been proposed based on these results.

Characterisation of anthocyanins in red cabbage using high resolution liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry.

The aim of this work was to analyse and tentatively identify anthocyanin species in red cabbage using HPLC/DAD-ESI/Qtrap MS. The extraction was realized by using a pressurized liquid technique and the separation of the pigments was achieved by a high resolution liquid chromatography system with a 1.8μm particles C-18 column. Photodiode array detection was employed to determine the UV/Vis spectral characteristic of the pigments. Electrospray ionization-linear ion trap mass spectrometry allowed the specific determination of the fragmentation patterns of the anthocyanins, by performing different ion scan modes. Twenty four anthocyanins were separated and identified, all having cyanidin as aglycon, represented as mono- and/or di-glycoside, and acylated, or not, with aromatic and aliphatic acids. Nine anthocyanins were identified for the first time in red cabbage.

Shock-sensitivity relationships for nitramines and nitroaliphatics

Abstract For groups of nitramines and nitroaliphatics, taken separately it is shown that shock, sensitivity is related to the strengths of all of NNO2 and/or CNO2 bonds in the molecule, taken in conjunction with its overall size. The reciprocals of the bond lengths are used measures of bond strengths, while molecular weight is taken as the indicator of molecular size. Linear correlation coefficients of 0.94 and 0.98 are obtained, respectively, for nitramines and nitroaliphatics of a variety of structural types. These results are indicative of the importance of the NNO2 and CNO2 bonds in the shock-induced decomposition of nitramines and nitroaliphatics.

Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry for the investigation of photoproduct formation in the sunscreen absorber 2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate

The photoproducts formed on ultraviolet irradiation of the sunscreen absorber trans-2-ethylhexyl-p-methoxycinnamate, were separated and characterised using a new combined technique, capillary supercritical fluid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry. Using this technique the commercially available trans-isomer was found to photoisomerise on irradiation at wavelengths greater than 300 nm. Photodimers were also separated and identified, and indicate that the sunscreen absorber can undergo [2+2] cycloaddition reactions with itself.

Pressurized Hot Water Extraction of anthocyanins from red onion: A study on extraction and degradation rates

Pressurized Hot Water Extraction (PHWE) is a quick, efficient and environmentally friendly technique for extractions. However, when using PHWE to extract thermally unstable analytes, extraction and degradation effects occur at the same time, and thereby compete. At first, the extraction effect dominates, but degradation effects soon take over. In this paper, extraction and degradation rates of anthocyanins from red onion were studied with experiments in a static batch reactor at 110 degrees C. A total extraction curve was calculated with data from the actual extraction and degradation curves, showing that more anthocyanins, 21-36% depending on the species, could be extracted if no degradation occurred, but then longer extraction times would be required than those needed to reach the peak level in the apparent extraction curves. The results give information about the different kinetic processes competing during an extraction procedure.

Synthesis of styrenes by palladium(II)-catalyzed vinylation of arylboronic acids and aryltrifluoroborates by using vinyl acetate

One Heck of a reaction: Treatment of arylboronic acids or aryltrifluoroborates with vinyl acetate by using a palladium(II) catalyst gives the corresponding styrenes (see scheme). No palladium reoxidant is needed and the vinylation is performed under non-inert conditionsReactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic boronic acids or aryltrifluoroborate salts with vinyl acetate in the presence of a palladium(II) catalyst give the corresponding styrenes in good yields. This Heck reaction proceeds with microwave heating in less than 30 min at 140 degrees C in the absence of base and tolerates a variety of substituents. No palladium reoxidant is needed and the vinylation is performed under non-inert conditions. Mass spectrometry (electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS)) was used to identify cationic palladium-containing complexes in ongoing reactions. The key intermediates that have been detected, together with experiments that used deuterated vinyl acetate, support the existence of catalytically active palladium hydride species, and that it is the arylation of ethylene, not vinyl acetate, which generates the styrene product. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed in terms of the palladium(II) intermediates mentioned above.

Extraction of Antioxidants from Spruce (Picea abies) Bark using Eco-friendly Solvents

INTRODUCTION Antioxidants are known to avert oxidation processes and they are found in trees and other plant materials. Tree bark is a major waste product from paper pulp industries; hence it is worthwhile to develop an extraction technique to extract the antioxidants. OBJECTIVE To develop a fast and environmentally sustainable extraction technique for the extraction of antioxidants from bark of spruce (Picea abies) and also to identify the extracted antioxidants that are abundant in spruce bark. METHODOLOGY A screening experiment that involved three different techniques was conducted to determine the best technique to extract antioxidants. The antioxidant capacity of the extracts was determined with DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay. Pressurised fluid extraction (PFE) turned out to be the best technique and a response surface design was therefore utilised to optimise PFE. Furthermore, NMR and HPLC-DAD-MS/MS were applied to identify the extracted antioxidants. RESULTS PFE using water and ethanol as solvent at 160 and 180°C, respectively, gave extracts of the highest antioxidant capacity. Stilbene glucosides such as isorhapontin, piceid and astringin were identified in the extracts. CONCLUSION The study has shown that PFE is a fast and environmentally sustainable technique, using water and ethanol as solvent for the extraction of antioxidants from spruce bark.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Desulfitative Synthesis of Aryl Ketones from Sodium Arylsulfinates and Nitriles: Scope, Limitations, and Mechanistic Studies

A fast and efficient protocol for the palladium(II)-catalyzed production of aryl ketones from sodium arylsulfinates and various organic nitriles under controlled microwave irradiation has been developed. The wide scope of the reaction has been demonstrated by combining 14 sodium arylsulfinates and 21 nitriles to give 55 examples of aryl ketones. One additional example illustrated that, through the choice of the nitrile reactant, benzofurans are also accessible. The reaction mechanism was investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. The desulfitative synthesis of aryl ketones from nitriles was also compared to the corresponding transformation starting from benzoic acids. Comparison of the energy profiles indicates that the free energy requirement for decarboxylation of 2,6-dimethoxybenzoic acid and especially benzoic acid is higher than the corresponding desulfitative process for generating the key aryl palladium intermediate. The palladium(II) intermediates detected by ESI-MS and the DFT calculations provide a detailed understanding of the catalytic cycle.

Simultaneous analysis of five antidepressant drugs using direct injection of biofluids in a capillary restricted-access media-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry system

Direct analysis, with minimal sample pretreatment, of antidepressant drugs, fluoxetine, imipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, and nortriptyline in biofluids was developed with a total run time of 8 min. The setup consists of two HPLC pumps, injection valve, capillary RAM-ADS-C18 pre-column and a capillary analytical C18 column connected by means of a six-port valve in backflush mode. Detection was performed with ESI-MS/MS and only 1 microm of sample was injected. Validation was adequately carried out using FLU-d(5) as internal standard. Calibration curves were constructed under a linear range of 1-250 ng mL(-1) in plasma, being the limit of quantification (LOQ), determined as 1 ng mL(-1), for all the analytes. With the described approach it was possible to reach a quantified mass sensitivity of 0.3 pg for each analyte (equivalent to 1.1-1.3 fmol), translating to a lower sample consumption (in the order of 10(3) less sample than using conventional methods).