Highly Regioselective Arylation of sp3 C−H Bonds Catalyzed by Palladium Acetate

A new palladium-catalyzed arylation process based on C-H activation has been developed. The utilization of pyridine-containing directing groups allows the beta-arylation of carboxylic acid derivatives and gamma-arylation of amine derivatives. Both primary and secondary sp3 C-H bonds, as well as sp2 C-H bonds, are reactive.

A review of the substrates used in microbial fuel cells (MFCs) for sustainable energy production

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have gained a lot of attention in recent years as a mode of converting organic waste including low-strength wastewaters and lignocellulosic biomass into electricity. Microbial production of electricity may become an important form of bioenergy in future because MFCs offer the possibility of extracting electric current from a wide range of soluble or dissolved complex organic wastes and renewable biomass. A large number of substrates have been explored as feed. The major substrates that have been tried include various kinds of artificial and real wastewaters and lignocellulosic biomass. Though the current and power yields are relatively low at present, it is expected that with improvements in technology and knowledge about these unique systems, the amount of electric current (and electric power) which can be extracted from these systems will increase tremendously providing a sustainable way of directly converting lignocellulosic biomass or wastewaters to useful energy. This article reviews the various substrates that have been explored in MFCs so far, their resulting performance, limitations as well as future potential substrates.

Computational study of the mechanism of cyclometalation by palladium acetate

Various mechanisms for the cyclometalation of dimethylbenzylamine by palladium acetate have been studied by DFT calculations. Contrary to previous suggestions, the rate-limiting step is the electrophilic attack of the palladium on an ortho arene C-H bond to form an agostic complex rather than a Wheland intermediate. The cyclometalated product is then formed by intramolecular deprotonation by acetate via a six-membered transition state; this step has almost no activation barrier.

Electrospinning of chitosan dissolved in concentrated acetic acid solution

Chitosan nanofibers were electrospun from aqueous chitosan solution using concentrated acetic acid solution as a solvent. A uniform nanofibrous mat of average fiber diameter of 130 nm was obtained from the following optimum condition: 7% chitosan solution in aqueous 90% acetic acid solution was successfully electrospun in the electric field of 4 kV/cm. The aqueous acetic acid concentration higher than 30% was prerequisite for chitosan nanofiber formation, because more concentrated acetic acid in water progressively decreased surface tension of the chitosan solution and concomitantly increased charge density of jet without significant effect on solution viscosity. However, acetic acid solution more than 90% did not dissolve enough chitosan to make spinnable viscous concentration. Only chitosan of a molecular weight of 106,000 g/mol produced bead-free chitosan nanofibers, while low- or high-molecular-weight chitosans of 30,000 and 398,000 g/mol did not. Average fiber diameters and size distribution decreased with increasing electric field and more bead defects appeared at 5 kV/cm or more.

A unifying mechanism for all high-temperature Heck reactions. The role of palladium colloids and anionic species

The Heck reaction has been the subject of intense investigation in the past decade. Many new types of catalysts have been developed in addition to the existing palladium/phosphine complexes. Prominent among these are palladacycles, pincers, several types of heterogeneous palladium catalysts, colloids and ligand-free palladium, usually in the form of Pd(OAc)2. Most of the newer types function only at higher temperatures, typically between 120 and 160 degrees C. It has been shown that irrespective of the catalyst precursor, none of these catalysts are stable at these high temperatures. They all have a tendency to form soluble palladium(0) colloids or nanoparticles, certainly with less reactive substrates such as aryl bromides or chlorides. The Heck reaction takes place by attack of the arylating agent on the palladium atoms in the outer rim of the nanoparticles. This leads to formation of monomeric or dimeric anionic palladium complexes that undergo the usual steps of the Heck mechanism as described by Amatore and Jutand.

A priori evaluation of aqueous polarization effects through Monte Carlo QM-MM simulations

A Monte Carlo quantum mechanical-molecular mechanical (QM-MM) simulation method was used to determine the contributions of the solvent polarization effect to the total interaction energies between solute and solvent for amino acid side chains and nucleotide bases in aqueous solution. In the present AM1-TIP3P approach, the solute molecule is characterized by valence electrons and nucleus cores with Hartree-Fock theory incorporating explicit solvent effects into the total Hamiltonian, while the solvent is approximated by the three-point charge TIP3P model. The polarization energy contributes 10 to 20 percent of the total electrostatic energy in these systems. The performance of the hybrid AM1-TIP3P model was further validated by consideration of bimolecular complexes with water and by computation of the free energies of solvation of organic molecules using statistical perturbation theory. Excellent agreement with ab initio 6-31G(d) results and experimental solvation free energies was obtained.

Why, on Interaction of Urea-Based Receptors with Fluoride, Beautiful Colors Develop

[reaction: see text] Urea-based receptors, containing electron-withdrawing chromogenic substituents, in a DMSO solution, in the presence of varying excess of fluoride, do not form H-bond complexes, but undergo stepwise deprotonation of the two N-H fragments, an event which is signaled by the development of vivid colors. Double deprotonation is also observed in the presence of hydroxide. Less basic anions (CH3COO-, H2PO4-) induce deprotonation of only one N-H.

Comparison of disinfection byproduct formation from chlorine and alternative disinfectants

Seven diverse natural waters were collected and treated in the laboratory under five oxidation scenarios (chlorine, chloramine, both with and without preozonation, and chlorine dioxide). The impact of these disinfectants on the formation of disinfection byproducts was investigated. Results showed that preozonation decreased the formation of trihalomethanes (THMs), haloacetic acids (HAAs) and total organic halogen (TOX) for most waters during postchlorination. A net increase in THMs, HAAs and TOX was observed for a water of low humic content. Either decreases or increases were observed in dihaloacetic acids and unknown TOX (UTOX) as a result of preozonation when used with chloramination. Chloramines and chlorine dioxide produced a higher percentage of UTOX than free chlorine. They also formed more iodoform and total organic iodine (TOI) than free chlorine in the presence of iodide. Free chlorine produced a much higher level of total organic chlorine (TOCl) and bromine (TOBr) than chloramines and chlorine dioxide in the presence of bromide.

A New Copper Acetate-Bis(oxazoline)-Catalyzed, Enantioselective Henry Reaction

A highly enantioselective, nitroaldol reaction catalyzed by a chiral Cu(II) bis(oxazoline) complex has been developed. The reaction scope includes both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes (15 examples) affording products in good yields and enantioselectivities (87-94% ee). An X-ray structure of the catalyst has been provided along with a rationalization of the sense of asymmetric induction.

Ratiometric Displacement Approach to Cu(II) Sensing by Fluorescence

A chelation-enhanced fluorescence method for the detection of paramagnetic copper(II) ions is developed. Two dyes with unequal metal ion binding constants are used, each giving strong fluorescence enhancement in the presence of a diamagnetic reporter ion such as cadmium(II). Upon presentation of copper(II) to a 1:1:1 mixture of the two dyes and cadmium(II), the Cd(II) is displaced from one dye to the other, resulting in quenching of one dye by the Cu(II) and enhancement of the weaker binding dye by complexation of the Cd(II). Although several criteria must be met, this method holds promise for analysis of a wide range of analytes.

Bleach gel: a simple agarose gel for analyzing RNA quality

RNA-based applications requiring high-quality, non-degraded RNA are a foundational element of many research studies. As such, it is paramount that the integrity of experimental RNA is validated prior to cDNA synthesis or other downstream applications. In the absence of expensive equipment such as microfluidic electrophoretic devices, and as an alternative to the costly and time-consuming standard formaldehyde gel, RNA quality can be quickly analyzed by adding small amounts of commercial bleach to TAE buffer-based agarose gels prior to electrophoresis. In the presence of low concentrations of bleach, the secondary structure of RNA is denatured and potential contaminating RNases are destroyed. Because of this, the 'bleach gel' is a functional approach that addresses the need for an inexpensive and safe way to evaluate RNA integrity and will improve the ability of researchers to rapidly analyze RNA quality.

Bacterial protection of beetle-fungus mutualism

Host-microbe symbioses play a critical role in the evolution of biological diversity and complexity. In a notably intricate system, southern pine beetles use symbiotic fungi to help overcome host-tree defenses and to provide nutrition for their larvae. We show that this beetle-fungal mutualism is chemically mediated by a bacterially produced polyunsaturated peroxide. The molecule's selective toxicity toward the beetle's fungal antagonist, combined with the prevalence and localization of its bacterial source, indicates an insect-microbe association that is both mutualistic and coevolved. This unexpected finding in a well-studied system indicates that mutualistic associations between insects and antibiotic-producing bacteria are more common than currently recognized and that identifying their small-molecule mediators can provide a powerful search strategy for therapeutically useful antimicrobial compounds.

Factors influencing the formation and relative distribution of haloacetic acids and trihalomethanes in drinking water

Various water quality and treatment characteristics were evaluated under controlled chlorination conditions to determine their influences on the formation and distribution of nine haloacetic acids and four trihalomethanes in drinking water. Raw waters were sampled from five water utilities and were coagulated with alum and fractionated with XAD-8 resin. The resulting four fractions--raw and coagulated water and the hydrophobic and hydrophilic extracts--were then chlorinated at pH 6 and 8 and held at 20 degrees C for various contact times. The results show that increasing pH from 6 to 8 increased trihalomethane formation but decreased trihaloacetic acid formation, with little effect on dihaloacetic acid formation. More trihalomethanes were formed than haloacetic acids at pH 8, while the reverse was true at pH 6. Hydrophobic fractions always gave higher haloacetic acid and trihalomethane formation potentials than their corresponding hydrophilic fractions, but hydrophilic carbon also played an important role in disinfection byproduct formation for waters with low humic content. The bromine-containing species comprised a higher molar proportion of the trihalomethanes than of the haloacetic acids. The hydrophilic fractions were more reactive with bromine than their corresponding hydrophobic fractions. Coagulation generally removed more haloacetic acid precursors than trihalomethane precursors. Waters with higher specific ultraviolet absorbance values were more amenable to removal of organic material by coagulation than waters with low specific ultraviolet absorbance values. Experimental evidence suggests that haloacetic acid precursors have a higher aromatic content than trihalomethane precursors.

Synergistic Oxygen Generation and Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging by Manganese Ferrite/Ceria Co-decorated Nanoparticles for Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

Poor O₂ supply to the infiltrated immune cells in the joint synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) up-regulates hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) expression and induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, both of which exacerbate synovial inflammation. Synovial inflammation in RA can be resolved by eliminating pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and inducing anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Because hypoxia and ROS in the RA synovium play a crucial role in the induction of M1 macrophages and reduction of M2 macrophages, herein, we develop manganese ferrite and ceria nanoparticle-anchored mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MFC-MSNs) that can synergistically scavenge ROS and produce O₂ for reducing M1 macrophage levels and inducing M2 macrophages for RA treatment. MFC-MSNs exhibit a synergistic effect on O₂ generation and ROS scavenging that is attributed to the complementary reaction of ceria nanoparticles (NPs) that can scavenge intermediate hydroxyl radicals generated by manganese ferrite NPs in the process of O₂ generation during the Fenton reaction, leading to the efficient polarization of M1 to M2 macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. Intra-articular administration of MFC-MSNs to rat RA models alleviated hypoxia, inflammation, and pathological features in the joint. Furthermore, MSNs were used as a drug-delivery vehicle, releasing the anti-rheumatic drug methotrexate in a sustained manner to augment the therapeutic effect of MFC-MSNs. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of MFC-MSNs that simultaneously generate O₂ and scavenge ROS, subsequently driving inflammatory macrophages to the anti-inflammatory subtype for RA treatment.

Remote loading of doxorubicin into liposomes driven by a transmembrane phosphate gradient

This study examines a new method for the remote loading of doxorubicin into liposomes. It was shown that doxorubicin can be loaded to a level of up to 98% into large unilamellar vesicles composed of egg phosphatidylcholine/cholesterol (7/3 mol/mol) with a transmembrane phosphate gradient. The different encapsulation efficiencies which were achieved with ammonium salts (citrate 100%, phosphate 98%, sulfate 95%, acetate 77%) were significantly higher as compared to the loading via sodium salts (citrate 54%, phosphate 52%, sulfate 44%, acetate 16%). Various factors, including pH-value, buffer capacity, solubility of doxorubicin in different salt solutions and base counter-flow, which likely has an influence on drug accumulation in the intraliposomal interior are taken into account. In contrast to other methods, the newly developed remote loading method exhibits a pH-dependent drug release property which may be effective in tumor tissues. At physiological pH-value doxorubicin is retained in the liposomes, whereas drug release is achieved by lowering the pH to 5.5 (approximately 25% release at 25 degrees C or 30% at 37 degrees C within two h). The DXR release of liposomes which were loaded via a sulfate gradient showed a maximum of 3% at pH 5.5.

Pd(II)-catalyzed ortho- or meta-C-H olefination of phenol derivatives

A combination of weakly coordinating auxiliaries and ligand acceleration allows for the development of both ortho- and meta-selective C-H olefination of phenol derivatives. These reactions demonstrate the feasibility of directing C-H functionalizations when functional groups are distal to target C-H bonds. The meta-C-H functionalization of electron-rich phenol derivatives is unprecedented and orthogonal to previous electrophilic substitution of phenols in terms of regioselectivity. These methods are also applied to functionalize α-phenoxyacetic acids, a fibrate class of drug scaffolds.

A comprehensive procedure for preparation of partially methylated alditol acetates from glycoprotein carbohydrates

Various steps involved in the preparation of partially methylated alditol acetates (PMAAs) from glycoprotein-derived carbohydrates were improved to obtain the derivatives in a rapid manner with excellent yields. Carbohydrates were permethylated in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), using a fine suspension of sodium hydroxide and methyl iodide (CH3I). The fine suspension of NaOH was prepared conveniently from commercially available 50% aqueous NaOH in DMSO by sonication and washing the precipitate with DMSO. Methylation of ovalbumin and fetuin glycopeptides using the fine suspension of NaOH and CH3I was complete within 5 min, and the methylation reaction did not generate any nonsugar artifacts. Methylated carbohydrates without any purification were hydrolyzed in a mixture of volatile organic acids, which permitted rapid removal of the acids from samples by evaporation. Acetylation of partially methylated alditols with acetic anhydride for 2-4 h at ambient temperature using 4-N,N'-dimethylaminopyridine as a catalyst and the reaction was free from generating nonsugar reaction artifacts. The reaction time course for methylation, hydrolysis, and acetylation was determined to obtain optimum reaction conditions for preparation of the PMAAs. The procedure facilitated rapid identification and quantitation of PMAAs due to diminished reaction artifacts and the quality of the chromatogram depended only on the purity of starting material and the reagents used for the methylation analysis. Utility of these simple methods for rapid methylation analysis was demonstrated in the characterization of oligosaccharides isolated in small amounts using a carbohydrate analyzer.

Tubular microbial fuel cells for efficient electricity generation

A tubular, single-chambered, continuous microbial fuel cell (MFC) that generates high power outputs using a granular graphite matrix as the anode and a ferricyanide solution as the cathode is described. The maximal power outputs obtained were 90 and 66 W m(-3) net anodic compartment (NAC) (48 and 38 W m(-3) total anodic compartment (TAC)) for feed streams based on acetate and glucose, respectively, and 59 and 48 W m(-3) NAC for digester effluent and domestic wastewater, respectively. For acetate and glucose, the total Coulombic conversion efficiencies were 75 +/- 5% and 59 +/- 4%, respectively, at loading rates of 1.1 kg chemical oxygen demand m(-3) NAC volume day(-1). When wastewater was used, of the organic matter effectively removed (i.e., 22% at a loading of 2 kg organic matter m(-3) NAC day(-1)), up to 96% was converted to electricity on a Coulombic basis. The lower overall efficiency of the wastewater-treating reactors is related to the presence of nonreadily biodegradable organics and the interference of alternative electron acceptors such as sulfate present in the wastewater. To further improve MFCs, focus has to be placed on the enhanced conversion of nonrapidly biodegradable material and the better directing of the anode flow toward the electrode instead of to alternative electron acceptors. Also the use of sustainable, open-air cathodes is a critical issue for practical implementation.

Analysis of acyl fluxes through multiple pathways of triacylglycerol synthesis in developing soybean embryos

The reactions leading to triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis in oilseeds have been well characterized. However, quantitative analyses of acyl group and glycerol backbone fluxes that comprise extraplastidic phospholipid and TAG synthesis, including acyl editing and phosphatidylcholine-diacylglycerol interconversion, are lacking. To investigate these fluxes, we rapidly labeled developing soybean (Glycine max) embryos with [(14)C]acetate and [(14)C]glycerol. Cultured intact embryos that mimic in planta growth were used. The initial kinetics of newly synthesized acyl chain and glycerol backbone incorporation into phosphatidylcholine (PC), 1,2-sn-diacylglycerol (DAG), and TAG were analyzed along with their initial labeled molecular species and positional distributions. Almost 60% of the newly synthesized fatty acids first enter glycerolipids through PC acyl editing, largely at the sn-2 position. This flux, mostly of oleate, was over three times the flux of nascent [(14)C]fatty acids incorporated into the sn-1 and sn-2 positions of DAG through glycerol-3-phosphate acylation. Furthermore, the total flux for PC acyl editing, which includes both nascent and preexisting fatty acids, was estimated to be 1.5 to 5 times the flux of fatty acid synthesis. Thus, recycled acyl groups (16:0, 18:1, 18:2, and 18:3) in the acyl-coenzyme A pool provide most of the acyl chains for de novo glycerol-3-phosphate acylation. Our results also show kinetically distinct DAG pools. DAG used for TAG synthesis is mostly derived from PC, whereas de novo synthesized DAG is mostly used for PC synthesis. In addition, two kinetically distinct sn-3 acylations of DAG were observed, providing TAG molecular species enriched in saturated or polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Physical crosslinking of collagen fibers: comparison of ultraviolet irradiation and dehydrothermal treatment

The strength, resorption rate, and biocompatibility of collagenous biomaterials are profoundly influenced by the method and extent of crosslinking. We compared the effects of two physical crosslinking methods, ultraviolet irradiation (UV) (254 nm) and dehydrothermal (DHT) treatment, on the mechanical properties and molecular integrity of collagen fibers extruded from an acidic dispersion of type I bovine dermal collagen. Collagen fibers exposed to UV irradiation for 15 min had ultimate tensile strength (54 MPa) and modulus (184 MPa) values greater than or equivalent to values for fibers crosslinked with DHT treatment for 3 or 5 days. UV irradiation is a rapid and easily controlled means of increasing the mechanical strength of collagen fibers. Characterization of collagen extracted from the crosslinked samples by dilute acetic acid and limited pepsin digestion indicate that both UV and DHT treatments cause fragmentation of at least a portion of the collagen molecules. Partial loss of the native collagen structure may influence attachment migration, and proliferation of cells on collagen fiberbased ligament analogs. These issues are currently being addressed in our laboratory.

Vitamin-loaded electrospun cellulose acetate nanofiber mats as transdermal and dermal therapeutic agents of vitamin A acid and vitamin E

The present contribution reports the use of mats of electrospun cellulose acetate (CA; acetyl content=39.8%; Mw=30,000 Da) nanofibers as carriers for delivery of the model vitamins, all-trans retinoic acid or vitamin A acid (Retin-A) and alpha-tocopherol or vitamin E (Vit-E). The amounts of Vit-E and Retin-A loaded in the base CA solution [17% w/v in 2:1 v/v acetone/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc)] were 5 and 0.5 wt% (based on the weight of CA), respectively. Cross-sectionally round and smooth fibers were obtained. The average diameters of these fibers ranged between 247 and 265 nm. The total immersion of the vitamin-loaded as-spun CA fiber mats in the acetate buffer solutions containing either 0.5 vol % Tween 80 or 0.5 vol % Tween 80 and 10 vol % methanol was used to arrive at the cumulative release of the vitamins from the fiber mat samples. The same was also conducted on the vitamin-loaded solution-cast CA films for comparison. In most cases, the vitamin-loaded as-spun fiber mats exhibited a gradual and monotonous increase in the cumulative release of the vitamins over the test periods (i.e., 24 h for Vit-E-loaded samples and 6 h for Retin-A-loaded ones), while the corresponding as-cast films exhibited a burst release of the vitamins.

Solvent injection as a new approach for manufacturing lipid nanoparticles--evaluation of the method and process parameters

Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) can be prepared by rapidly injecting a solution of solid lipids in water-miscible solvents or a water-miscible solvent mixture into water. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of this method for the preparation of LNP and the physicochemical characterization of the particles produced by this method. The results show that solvent injection is a potent and versatile approach for LNP preparation. Acetone, ethanol, isopropanol and methanol are suitable solvents in contrast to ethylacetate with which no LNP could be prepared. The obtained particle sizes (z-average) were between 80 and 300 nm depending on the preparation conditions. Up to 96.5% of the employed lipid was directly transformed into LNP. The LNP formation process seems to be diffusion controlled. Physicochemical characterization of the particles by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis reveals a distinct decrease in crystallinity of the colloidal lipid in comparison to the bulk lipid. Furthermore, DSC analysis of LNP hints at a delayed recrystallization of the colloidal lipid and the presence of two modifications. Therefore, a certain physical instability of the LNP has to be considered.

Enantioselective iridium-catalyzed carbonyl allylation from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level via transfer hydrogenative coupling of allyl acetate: departure from chirally modified allyl metal reagents in carbonyl addition

Under the conditions of transfer hydrogenation employing an iridium catalyst generated in situ from [Ir(cod)Cl]2, chiral phosphine ligand (R)-BINAP or (R)-Cl,MeO-BIPHEP, and m-nitrobenzoic acid, allyl acetate couples to allylic alcohols 1a-c, aliphatic alcohols 1d-l, and benzylic alcohols 1m-u to furnish products of carbonyl allylation 3a-u with exceptional levels of asymmetric induction. The very same set of optically enriched carbonyl allylation products 3a-u are accessible from enals 2a-c, aliphatic aldehydes 2d-l, and aryl aldehydes 2m-u, using iridium catalysts ligated by (-)-TMBTP or (R)-Cl,MeO-BIPHEP under identical conditions, but employing isopropanol as a hydrogen donor. A catalytically active cyclometallated complex V, which arises upon ortho-C-H insertion of iridium onto m-nitrobenzoic acid, was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results of isotopic labeling are consistent with intervention of symmetric iridium pi-allyl intermediates or rapid interconversion of sigma-allyl haptomers through the agency of a symmetric pi-allyl. Competition experiments demonstrate rapid and reversible hydrogenation-dehydrogenation of the carbonyl partner in advance of C-C coupling. However, the coupling products, which are homoallylic alcohols, experience very little erosion of optical purity by way of redox equilibration under the coupling conditions, although isopropanol, a secondary alcohol, may serve as terminal reductant. A plausible catalytic mechanism accounting for these observations is proposed, along with a stereochemical model that accounts for the observed sense of absolute stereoinduction. This protocol for asymmetric carbonyl allylation transcends the barriers imposed by oxidation level and the use of preformed allyl metal reagents.

Ultrahigh resolution drug design I: details of interactions in human aldose reductase-inhibitor complex at 0.66 A

The first subatomic resolution structure of a 36 kDa protein [aldose reductase (AR)] is presented. AR was cocrystallized at pH 5.0 with its cofactor NADP+ and inhibitor IDD 594, a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of diabetic complications. X-ray diffraction data were collected up to 0.62 A resolution and treated up to 0.66 A resolution. Anisotropic refinement followed by a blocked matrix inversion produced low standard deviations (<0.005 A). The model was very well ordered overall (CA atoms' mean B factor is 5.5 A2). The model and the electron-density maps revealed fine features, such as H-atoms, bond densities, and significant deviations from standard stereochemistry. Other features, such as networks of hydrogen bonds (H bonds), a large number of multiple conformations, and solvent structure were also better defined. Most of the atoms in the active site region were extremely well ordered (mean B approximately 3 A2), leading to the identification of the protonation states of the residues involved in catalysis. The electrostatic interactions of the inhibitor's charged carboxylate head with the catalytic residues and the charged coenzyme NADP+ explained the inhibitor's noncompetitive character. Furthermore, a short contact involving the IDD 594 bromine atom explained the selectivity profile of the inhibitor, important feature to avoid toxic effects. The presented structure and the details revealed are instrumental for better understanding of the inhibition mechanism of AR by IDD 594, and hence, for the rational drug design of future inhibitors. This work demonstrates the capabilities of subatomic resolution experiments and stimulates further developments of methods allowing the use of the full potential of these experiments.

Antioxidant activity of hydroxytyrosol acetate compared with that of other olive oil polyphenols

Hydroxytyrosol acetate was synthesized, and the antioxidant activity of this olive oil component was assessed in comparison with that of other olive oil components, namely hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, 3,4-DHPEA-EA, and alpha-tocopherol in bulk oil and oil-in-water emulsions. The activity of the compounds was also assessed by scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. Hydroxytyrosol acetate had a weaker DPPH radical scavenging activity than hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, or 3,4-DHPEA-EA but it had a radical scavenging activity similar to that of alpha-tocopherol. In oil, the antioxidant activity of hydroxytyrosol acetate was much higher than that of alpha-tocopherol or oleuropein, but in an emulsion 3,4-DHPEA-EA and alpha-tocopherol were more effective as antioxidants than hydroxytyrosol acetate. The antioxidant activity of hydroxytyrosol acetate was rather similar to that of hydroxytyrosol in oil and emulsions despite the difference in DPPH radical scavenging activity.