No abstract

The mechanism and the final outcome of the Knoevenagel-Doebner reaction are discussed. The condensation reaction between different hydroxy-substituted aromatic aldehydes and malonic acid is performed using piperidine as organocatalyst. The key role of the catalyst is clearly pointed out during the decarboxylation of ferulic acid, without the use of a strong decarboxylating agent, leading to a 4-vinylphenol derivative. Based on the results obtained, the studied pathway may be important in the understanding of vinylphenol production during malting and brewing of wheat and barley grains. Finally, changing the solvent of the reaction from pyridine to water in the Knoevenagel-Doebner reaction of 4-hydroxybenzaldehydes, dimerization of resulting styrene derivatives is observed. These results can be of interest also in the field of food chemistry, since cinnamic acids are frequently found in fruits and vegetables used for human consumption

No abstract

Toxic and nutritional effects of annonaceous acetogenins and their semisynthetic analogues on Spodoptera frugiperda were evaluated. Structural modification of the natural ACG, blocking the OH flanking THF with MOM, allowed us to suggest the mode of action of ACG in the membrane. Our study emphasizes the role of the flanking OH and acetyl groups of THF with the membrane hydrophilic polar head groups. They are essential structural factors in the ACG that facilitate the intermolecular interaction that dehydrates the membrane and makes it potentially toxic against Spodoptera frugiperda.

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