Weakly-Activated Phenol Derivatives as New Green Electrophilic Partners in Suzuki-Miyaura and Related C-C Couplings.

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the development of greener alternatives to traditional reagents used in carbon-carbon coupling reactions, particularly in response to environmental concerns. The commonly used aryl halides, despite being highly reactive in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling (SMC), pose significant environmental risks. As a result, research has shifted towards exploring the use of phenols, which are widely accessible and environmentally benign.

Liver cancer antiproliferative activity of a new nor-cucurbitacin from Mareya micrantha Müll. Arg.

Mareya micrantha Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) is a plant used in the Ivorian traditional medicinal system for various medical properties such as laxative, oxytocic, intestinal infectious diseases, malaria, etc.

Nor-cucurbitacins from the leaves of Mareya micrantha (Benth.) Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae).

Mareya micrantha, an Ivoirian medicinal plant, was investigated for its chemical constituents and antioxidant properties. This study carried out on the hydroethanolic extract of the leaves led to three new nor-cucurbitacins named: 29-nor-1,2,3,4,5,10-dehydro-3,15α,20β-trihydroxy-16α-acetyl-11,22-dioxo-cucurbita-23-ene 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), 29-nor-2β,20β,25-trihydroxy-16α-acetyl-3,11,22-trioxo-cucurbita-4,23-diene (2) and 29-nor-2β,15α,20β-trihydroxy-16α-acetyl-3,11,22-trioxo-cucurbita-4,23-diene 2-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3). The structures were established on the basis of spectral data (NMR, UV, MS and IR).

Synthesis of new cellulose ethers using Suzuki-Miyaura reactions.

Cellulose ethers are functionalized biopolymers that are industrially produced through drastic conditions employing gaseous reactants with a high risk of industrial accident. The cellulose ethers that are commercially available generally bear short carbon-chains. In this work, an alternative method using non-gaseous chemicals is proposed.

Response surface methodology to optimise Accelerated Solvent Extraction of steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaves.

Following the approval of steviol glycosides as a food additive in Europe in December 2011, large-scale stevia cultivation will have to be developed within the EU. Thus there is a need to increase the efficiency of stevia evaluation through germplasm enhancement and agronomic improvement programs. To address the need for faster and reproducible sample throughput, conditions for automated extraction of dried stevia leaves using Accelerated Solvent Extraction were optimised.

Highly valuable microalgae: biochemical and topological aspects.

The past decade has seen a surge in the interest in microalgae culture for biodiesel production and other applications as renewable biofuels as an alternative to petroleum transport fuels. The development of new technologies for the culture of these photosynthetic microorganisms and improved knowledge of their biochemical composition has spurred innovation in the field of high-value biomolecules. These developments are only economically viable if all the microalgae fractions are valorized in a biorefinery strategy.

Surface modification of cellulose fibers: towards wood composites by biomimetics.

A biomimetic approach was taken for studying the adsorption of a model copolymer (pullulan abietate, DS 0.027), representing the lignin-carbohydrate complex, to a model surface for cellulose fibers (Langmuir-Blodgett thin films of regenerated cellulose). Adsorption results were assayed using surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy (SPR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM).