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An efficient and Brønsted acid-free route to synthesize monoterpene ethers was developed using SnBr2 as inexpensive and commercially affordable catalyst. This process consists of the synthesis of ${\alpha }$-terpinyl alkyl ethers in SnBr2-catalyzed reactions of ${\beta }$-pinene with alkyl alcohols. The catalytic activity of various tin(II) salts was assessed and compared to that of other homogeneous Lewis and Brønsted acids, in etherification reactions of ${\beta }$-pinene with methyl alcohol. SnBr2 was the most active and selective catalyst toward ${\alpha }$-terpinyl methyl ether. Tin(II) bromide is a water tolerant Lewis acid, which emerges as an efficient, simple, and cheap catalyst. The influence of the main reaction parameters was investigated, including SnBr2 concentration, temperature and reaction time. Different alcohols and monoterpenes were also studied. The impact of the substrate nature on the reaction selectivity was assessed.

Abstract Background The genus Bothrops is widespread throughout Central and South America and is the principal cause of snakebite in these regions. Transcriptomic and proteomic studies have examined the venom composition of several species in this genus, but many others remain to be studied. In this work, we used a transcriptomic approach to examine the venom gland genes of Bothrops alternatus, a clinically important species found in southeastern and southern Brazil, Uruguay, northern Argentina and eastern Paraguay. Results A cDNA library of 5,350 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) was produced and assembled into 838 contigs and 4512 singletons. BLAST searches of relevant databases showed 30% hits and 70% no-hits, with toxin-related transcripts accounting for 23% and 78% of the total transcripts and hits, respectively. Gene ontology analysis identified non-toxin genes related to general metabolism, transcription and translation, processing and sorting, (polypeptide) degradation, structural functions and cell regulation. The major groups of toxin transcripts identified were metalloproteinases (81%), bradykinin-potentiating peptides/C-type natriuretic peptides (8.8%), phospholipases A2 (5.6%), serine proteinases (1.9%) and C-type lectins (1.5%). Metalloproteinases were almost exclusively type PIII proteins, with few type PII and no type PI proteins. Phospholipases A2 were essentially acidic; no basic PLA2 were detected. Minor toxin transcripts were related to L-amino acid oxidase, cysteine-rich secretory proteins, dipeptidylpeptidase IV, hyaluronidase, three-finger toxins and ohanin. Two non-toxic proteins, thioredoxin and double-specificity phosphatase Dusp6, showed high sequence identity to similar proteins from other snakes. In addition to the above features, single-nucleotide polymorphisms, microsatellites, transposable elements and inverted repeats that could contribute to toxin diversity were observed. Conclusions Bothrops alternatus venom gland contains the major toxin classes described for other Bothrops venoms based on trancriptomic and proteomic studies. The predominance of type PIII metalloproteinases agrees with the well-known hemorrhagic activity of this venom, whereas the lower content of serine proteases and C-type lectins could contribute to less marked coagulopathy following envenoming by this species. The lack of basic PLA2 agrees with the lower myotoxicity of this venom compared to other Bothrops species with these toxins. Together, these results contribute to our understanding of the physiopathology of envenoming by this species.

Abstract Background To date, oil-rich plants are the main source of biodiesel products. Because concerns have been voiced about the impact of oil-crop cultivation on the price of food commodities, the interest in oil plants not used for food production and amenable to cultivation on non-agricultural land has soared. As a non-food, drought-resistant and oil-rich crop, Jatropha curcas L. fulfils many of the requirements for biofuel production. Results We have generated 13,249 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from developing and germinating Jatropha seeds. This strategy allowed us to detect most known genes related to lipid synthesis and degradation. We have also identified ESTs coding for proteins that may be involved in the toxicity of Jatropha seeds. Another unexpected finding is the high number of ESTs containing transposable element-related sequences in the developing seed library (800) when contrasted with those found in the germinating seed library (80). Conclusions The sequences generated in this work represent a considerable increase in the number of sequences deposited in public databases. These results can be used to produce genetically improved varieties of Jatropha with increased oil yields, different oil compositions and better agronomic characteristics.

In this work, we have assessed the activity of various Keggin heteropolyacid (HPA) salts in a new one-pot synthesis route of valuable products, which were obtained from the oxidation of terpenic alcohols (i.e., aldehyde, epoxide, and diepoxide), using a green oxidant (i.e., hydrogen peroxide) at mild conditions (i.e., room temperature). Lacunar Keggin HPA sodium salts were the goal catalysts investigated in this reaction. Starting from the HPAs (H3PW12O40, H3PMo12O40, and H4SiW12O40), we synthesized lacunar sodium salts (Na7PW11O39, Na7PW11O39 and Na8SiW11O39) and a saturated salt (Na3PW12O40). All of them were investigated in oxidation reactions in a homogeneous phase with nerol as a model molecule. Na7PW11O39 was the most active and selective towards the oxidation products. All the catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, TG/DSC, BET, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses and potentiometric titration. The main reaction parameters were assessed. Geraniol, α-terpineol, β-citronellol and borneol were also successfully oxidized. Special attention was dedicated to correlating the composition and properties of the catalysts with their activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and Brønsted acid-free route to synthesize monoterpene ethers was developed using SnBr2 as inexpensive and commercially affordable catalyst. This process consists of the synthesis of α-terpinyl alkyl ethers in SnBr2-catalyzed reactions of β-pinene with alkyl alcohols. The catalytic activity of various tin(II) salts was assessed and compared to that of other homogeneous Lewis and Brønsted acids, in etherification reactions of β-pinene with methyl alcohol. SnBr2 was the most active and selective catalyst toward α-terpinyl methyl ether. Tin(II) bromide is a water tolerant Lewis acid, which emerges as an efficient, simple, and cheap catalyst. The influence of the main reaction parameters was investigated, including SnBr2 concentration, temperature and reaction time. Different alcohols and monoterpenes were also studied. The impact of the substrate nature on the reaction selectivity was assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to synthesize cellulose acetate from sorghum bagasse, a promising raw material for the production of chemical inputs, both from a photosynthetic point of view and the maturation speed compared with that of sugarcane. The bagasse was treated with hydrogen peroxide, and then cellulose was isolated using sodium chlorite, acetic acid, and sodium hydroxide. The cellulose was subjected to an acetylation reaction, from which cellulose triacetate was obtained. By means of statistical analysis, it was observed that the conditions that generated the highest solubilization of lignin (62%) and higher yield from cellulose extraction (39.5%) were 60 °C, a 6% peroxide concentration, and 4 h. Cellulose acetate was obtained with a degree of substitution of 3.66 at 25 °C and 24 h. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry analyses confirmed that the obtained cellulose presented specific characteristics of this material. Also, the reaction of acetylation was confirmed through these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we report a selective and straightforward process to synthesize glycerol carbonate from urea and glycerol using a simple but commercially unavailable catalyst (Sn(OH)2). This catalyst was generated in situ from the reaction of Sn(ii) halides and urea during the glycerol carbonatation process. Effects of main reaction parameters (i.e., temperature, molar ratio of urea to glycerol, catalyst concentration) were investigated. Different tin halides were assessed as catalytic precursors, with SnCl2 being the most efficient. We found that Sn(OH)2-catalyzed glycerol carbonation reactions with urea achieved high conversion and selectivity (ca. 87 and 85%, respectively). The samples of Sn(OH)2 generated in situ or previously synthesized were equally active and selective catalysts toward glycerol carbonate were successfully reutilized without loss activity. This is a very attractive route based on two inexpensive and readily available feedstocks in a chemical cycle that, overall, results in the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide and, concomitantly, adds value to glycerol, a biodiesel byproduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]