Rosella Spina

Synthesis of Pyrrolin-4-ones by Pt-Catalyzed Cycloisomerization in PEG under Microwaves

The unprecedented eco-friendly Pt-catalyzed 5-endo-dig cycloisomerization of readily available α-amino ynones is reported under microwave irradiation in PEG-3400 as reaction matrix. The corresponding pure pyrrolin-4-ones were obtained in excellent yields (80-98%) directly after a straightforward precipitation-filtration workup, thus avoiding any chromatographic purification. The catalytic system was recycled and the chiral purity of all the products was also investigated.

Poly(ethylene glycol) as a reaction matrix in platinum- or gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization: a mechanistic investigation.

Design for diversity: A new catalytic system based on PEG-3400 and a metal salt (Pt or Au) was designed to efficiently perform a cycloisomerization reaction under microwave irradiation, which gave diverse heterocycles in good to excellent yields, after a precipitation/filtration procedure (see scheme).

Stimulating effect of both 4’-O-methylnorbelladine feeding and temporary immersion conditions on galanthamine and lycorine production by Leucojum aestivum L. bulblets

Bulb cultures of Leucojum aestivum and L. aestivum ‘Gravety Giant’ were subcultured in medium containing the precursor 4’‐O‐methylnorbelladine (MN) at various concentrations [0 (control), 0.15 and 0.3 g/L]. The cultures were conducted in bioreactor RITA® and lasted for 15, 30, 40 and 50 days. The growth rate and the alkaloid accumulation in bulblets were studied. For this latter purpose, a purification method was developed. It comprised a highly selective solid phase extraction using on the one hand, UPTI‐CLEAN SI and SCX cartridges for plant extracts and on the other hand, 2H cartridges for culture media. Pure alkaloidal fractions were, thus, analyzed by LC‐ESI‐MS allowing the quantitative evaluation of galanthamine and lycorine from culture extracts. Precursor feeding along with temporary immersion conditions was found to significantly improve the accumulation of both galanthamine and lycorine. The maximal concentrations of galanthamine (0.81 mg/g DW) and lycorine (0.54 mg/g DW) in L. aestivum bulblets were reached, respectively, after 40 days of culture with 0.15 g/L of precursor and after 30 days of culture with 0.3 g/L of precursor. In L. aestivum ‘Gravety Giant’ bulb cultures, 0.3 g/L of precursor was the best condition for both galanthamine (0.6 mg/g DW after 50 days) and lycorine (1.13 mg/g DW after 30 days).