Posted on 13. January, 2014.

The inhibition of glucosidases is one of the most effective therapeutic approaches to treat diseases such as diabetes, cancers, viral infections and Gaucher’s disease. A practical synthesis of neoponkoranol and its related sulfonium salt as potent α‑glucosidase inhibitors has been developed in which the coupling reaction was optimised by using isopropylidene as an effective protecting group. The coupling yields were dramatically improved in this study from 37% to 87%.

Posted on 13. January, 2014.

The Journal of Chemical Research is a monthly journal which has a broad international authorship and publishes research papers and reviews in all branches of experimental chemistry. Established in 1977 as a joint venture by the British, French and German chemical societies it maintains the high standards set by the founding societies.

Posted on 20. December, 2013.

Science Reviews 2000 are delighted to announce the publication of a new book, UCL Chemistry Department 1828–1974 by Professor Alwyn Davies and Professor Peter Garratt.

“Alwyn Davies and Peter Garratt have succeeded brilliantly in capturing the dynamics of a successful department and the careers of its many colourful characters” – Sir Malcolm Grant, Provost and President, UCL.

Posted on 20. December, 2013.

Speciation study of essential metal ion complexes with amino acids is useful to understand the role played by the active site cavities in biological molecules and the bonding behaviour of protein residues with the metal ion. Chemical speciation of a molecule is governed by its structure and solvent effects. Hence, in recent years, researchers have shown interest in the study of metal ions interaction with various ligands

Posted on 20. December, 2013.

Interactions between wild birds and ectoparasites have received extensive attention by ecologists because the distribution and dynamics of parasites may drive population processes of their hosts by influencing survival and productivity. Areas of interest include the influence of host morphology and behaviour on ectoparasite numbers and distribution, and their vertical or horizontal transmission. Many studies reported that close proximity of individuals facilitates host infestation with colonial birds harbouring a large number and a great diversity of ectoparasites. Thus, chewing lice usually are transferred by direct contact and, less frequently, by louse flies.

Posted on 20. December, 2013.

One of the exciting discoveries in the field of heterogeneous catalysis in the last decade has been the surprisingly high activity of gold-based catalysts towards several reactions of industrial and environmental importance. Gold, formerly considered as an uninteresting material for catalysis because of its unreactive character, was found in the form of nanoparticles, to be an extremely efficient catalyst for a number of important reactions such as CO oxidation, methanol decomposition, and the hydrogenation of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

Posted on 20. December, 2013.

Malaria and leishmaniasis are protozoan diseases with a high mortality rate affecting millions of people every year. Globally, an estimated 3.3 billion people were at risk of malaria in 2011, and estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO) have indicated that approximately 80% of cases and 90% of deaths occur in Africa, with children less than five years of age and pregnant women most severely affected. The Plasmodium falciparum parasite is responsible for most fatal cases of malaria. Leishmaniasis threatens about 350 million people in 98 countries or territories around the world, about 2 million estimated new cases occurring each year, and 12 million people are believed to be currently infected. The synthesis of 12 novel related-labdane-related natural products with antiparasitic activity is reported.