Copper coordination chemistry of the patellamides - cyanobactins in the ascidian- symbiosis.

, an obligate symbiont of certain ascidians (sea squirts found in tropical areas), produces various cyclic pseudo-octapeptides in large quantities. These secondary metabolites have attracted the attention of medicinal chemists and, due to their four azol(in)e and four amide donor groups, coordination chemists have become interested in these molecules. The structures of the metal-free macrocycles and their dinuclear copper(II) complexes are known, and solution equilibria, spectroscopic properties and a range of biologically relevant reactions have been studied in detail.

Pathological characterization of lung fibrosis in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with fluoro-edenite fibres by intrapleural injection.

Background: An increased incidence of pleural mesotheliomas in Biancavilla (Italy) was attributed to the environmental exposure to fluoro-edenite (FE). Results from the Ramazzini Institute (RI) in vivo long-term study confirmed the evidence that exposure to FE fibres is correlated with an increase of malignant pleural mesotheliomas in Sprague-Dawley rats. Recently asbestosis-like features were substantiated in Biancavilla residents without known occupational exposures.

Syntheses of Variants of π(σ) Aromatic Modified N-Methyl N-Confused Porphyrinoids with Adaptive Properties.

Retrosynthetically designed and syntheses of three unprecedented core modified N-confused porphyrinoids exhibiting vis-NIR absorption with tunable aromaticity is reported. Controlled modification of types of oxidants (chloranil vs. DDQ) has led to the isolation of 18π-aromatic porphyrinoid 7 (upon chloranil oxidation) while DDQ oxidation has led to 18 e σ-aromatic porphyrinoids 8 and 9.

Copper(II)-Catalyzed Amination of Aryl Chlorides in Aqueous Ammonia.

Anilines are ubiquitous in bio-active compounds and their synthesis can be achieved via metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions involving aryl halides. We describe an unusual, yet simple, Cu-catalyzed system for the amination of aryl chlorides in pure aqueous ammonia with 2.5 mol % catalyst loading under non-inert conditions.

[Health risks due to the presence of asbestos in cosmetic talcs. An Italian story].

The presence of asbestos in cosmetic talc has been reported in the United States since the 1970s. The present article first retraces the Italian case, then focuses on technical features as well as the relevant laws, rules, and regulations, ending with a precautionary evidence-based approach. Research was mainly aimed at retrieving official Italian Health Authority papers on the tests carried out several decades ago, to identify the presence of any asbestos in talc of products for sale.