The primary objective of this study was to find out if changes in chemistry could be used to quantify Pinus radiata compression wood severity or degree of compression wood development. Basic chemical composition and the lignin structure was assessed for a range of different compression wood samples sourced from juvenile wood, mature wood, earlywood, latewood, branches, knots, 2-year and 1-year old Pinus radiata. Fluorescence microscopy was used as the reference method to assess the degree of compression wood development. Lignin structure of compression wood was studied by thioacidolysis, size exclusion chromatography, and thioacidolysis/31P NMR spectroscopy. Variation in the basic chemical composition and lignin structure with compression wood severity was ascertained. Results showed that, as the severity of compression wood changed, progressively from normal through mild to severe, all chemical parameters commonly associated with compression wood changed concurrently. With increasing severity lignin and galactose levels increased while glucose and mannose levels decreased. Lignin structural changes were also associated with changing severity of compression wood. Levels of p-hydroxyphenyl (H) releasable β-ethers increased and guaiacyl (G) releasable β-ethers decreased. Similarly, levels of uncondensed p-hydroxyphenyl units increased, while uncondensed guaiacyl units decreased. Similar proportions of condensed guaiacyl units were present in compression wood and normal wood. Similar trends in chemical composition were observed between the compression wood and related opposite wood in branches, knots and young wood of Pinus radiata. A number of chemical parameters changed linearly with compression wood severity. They were: the amount of lignin and galactose, the galactose/glucose ratio and p-hydroxyphenyl content in lignin. Parameters based on the p-hydroxyphenyl unit content in lignin, the H/G releasable β-ether ratio, releasable p-hydroxyphenyl β-ether units and uncondensed p-hydroxyphenyl C9 units are most suitable indicators of compression wood severity as they spanned a larger range relative to the normal wood levels and were not influenced by the morphological origin of wood samples. Chemical methods for quantifying compression wood severity should focus on the detection and measurement of these parameters. Galactan present in Pinus radiata compression wood was isolated and characterised. Structural investigation by methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy revealed that this galactan was largely composed of (1→4)-linked β-D-galactopyranose residues. No evidence was found to indicate the presence of any branches. Characterisation of lignin in cell wall fractions of Pinus radiata normal wood revealed that middle lamella lignin has a higher lignin content, a lower amount of releasable β-ethers and a more condensed lignin than the secondary wall lignin. Levels of releasable p-hydroxyphenyl units were not higher in middle lamella lignin. A new method based on thioacidolysis and 31P quantitative NMR spectroscopy for estimation of the degree of lignin condensation of the phenolic and etherified C9 units in in situ wood lignin is described. Using this method it was found that phenolic C9 units in in situ lignin were considerably less condensed than etherified C9 units in both compression wood and normal wood.

N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) retinamide (4-HPR) is a derivative of all-trans-retinoic acid that induces apoptosis in cancer cell lines and is being tested in clinical trials as a relatively non-toxic anti-cancer agent. 4-HPR induces de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis and production of ceramide has been suggested to contribute to the growth arrest and apoptosis. To characterize the types of ceramides that might be involved, we used liquid chromatography, electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC ESI-MS/MS) to analyze the sphingolipids, and found that 4-HPR increased total sphingolipid amounts, but unexpectedly, ceramides (i.e., N-acylsphingosines) changed very little, and in some cases decreased. Instead, dihydroceramides (i.e., N-acylsphinganines) increased as much as 10-fold, both as the free species and as the backbones of dihydrosphingomyelins and dihydrohexosylceramides. To determine if 4-HPR inhibits dihydroceramide desaturase, we synthesized NBD-dihydroceramide and treated Hek293 cells with 4-HPR and analyzed the metabolites by HPLC. These analyses showed that NBD-dihydroceramide was taken up by the cells and converted to NBD-ceramides and more complex NBD-sphingolipids in control cells, however, within one hour of treatment with 10 ~{ and L~}M 4-HPR, the production of NBD-ceramide was blocked. In vitro assays of the desaturase using NBD-dihydroceramide also showed rapid and complete inhibition by 4-HPR. Interestingly, when Hek cells were treated with 4-HPR for one hour then the medium was changed, the recovery of dihydroceramide desaturase activity was very slow (i.e., t1/2 > 66 h); therefore, either 4-HPR is difficult to remove from cells or the inhibition is essentially irreversible. These findings establish that 4-HPR not only induces de novo sphingolipid biosynthesis but also inhibits dihydroceramide desaturase, resulting in production of abnormally high proportions of sphingolipids with dihydroceramide as the backbone. This raises the possibility that some of the effects of 4-HPR on cell behavior may be due to the presence of these abnormal species.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a síntese e a caracterização de cinco novas iminas derivadas de compostos do tipo 2-(2`-hidroxifenil)benzazóis, fluorescentes devido a um mecanismo de transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (ESIPT). Estas iminas foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho (IV) e por espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (1H-RMN) e apresentaram deslocamentos de Stokes compatíveis com compostos que sofrem o mecanismo de ESIPT. Os produtos apresentaram sensível variação do máximo de emissão de fluorescência devido à reação de protonação em meio ácido, o que permite seu uso como sensores ópticos de pH. Ensaios demonstraram que as iminas sintetizadas são sensíveis à presença de Ni2+ devido à reação de complexação com o metal, causando uma alteração do máximo de emissão de fluorescência. / The present work presents the synthesis and characterization of five new imines derived from 2-(2`-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole derivatives, fluorescent due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. These imines were characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) and by hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and presented Stokes shifts compatible with ESIPT compounds. These products presented a considerable shift of the maximum fluorescence emission due to the protonation reaction in acid medium, which allows their use as pH optical sensors. Tests showed that the synthesized imines are sensitive to Ni2+ due to the complexation reaction with the metal, causing a shift of the maximum fluorescence emission.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a síntese e a caracterização de compostos do tipo 2-(2’- hidroxifenil)benzazóis derivados da 1,3,5-triazina, fluorescentes devido a um mecanismo de transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (TPIEE). Foram preparados quatro novos corantes diclorotriazinil-(hidroxifenil)benzazólicos, que apresentam emissão de fluorescência na região azul-verde do espectro visível e deslocamentos de Stokes compatíveis com substâncias que sofrem o fenômeno da TPIEE. Estas substâncias foram caracterizadas por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (IR, RMN e HR-MS), enquanto que as análises fotofísicas (absorção no ultravioleta-visível e emissão de fluorescência) foram realizadas em solução e no estado sólido. Os ensaios preliminares realizados indicam a possibilidade de emprego desses corantes como sondas fluorescentes de material celulósico. / The synthesis and characterization of new 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)benzazoles derivatives from 1,3,5-triazine, fluorescent due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, were presented in this work. The four new dichlorotriazinylbenzazole derivatives synthesized present fluorescence emission in the blue-green region of the spectra and Stokes shift compatible with ESIPT compounds. The characterization of the new fluorescent reactive dyes by means of spectroscopic (IR, RMN, UV-Vis and fluorescence) and spectrometric (HRMS) techniques, and the study of the possibilities to dye cellulose fibers were carried out. Fluorescent cellulose fibers were prepared using the dyes and a methodology used in the industry and show no color change when observed in the visible light (white cellulose) and a blue-green fluorescence when irradiated with UV light.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a síntese e a caracterização de cinco novas iminas derivadas de compostos do tipo 2-(2`-hidroxifenil)benzazóis, fluorescentes devido a um mecanismo de transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (ESIPT). Estas iminas foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho (IV) e por espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (1H-RMN) e apresentaram deslocamentos de Stokes compatíveis com compostos que sofrem o mecanismo de ESIPT. Os produtos apresentaram sensível variação do máximo de emissão de fluorescência devido à reação de protonação em meio ácido, o que permite seu uso como sensores ópticos de pH. Ensaios demonstraram que as iminas sintetizadas são sensíveis à presença de Ni2+ devido à reação de complexação com o metal, causando uma alteração do máximo de emissão de fluorescência. / The present work presents the synthesis and characterization of five new imines derived from 2-(2`-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole derivatives, fluorescent due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. These imines were characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) and by hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and presented Stokes shifts compatible with ESIPT compounds. These products presented a considerable shift of the maximum fluorescence emission due to the protonation reaction in acid medium, which allows their use as pH optical sensors. Tests showed that the synthesized imines are sensitive to Ni2+ due to the complexation reaction with the metal, causing a shift of the maximum fluorescence emission.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a síntese e a caracterização de compostos do tipo 2-(2’- hidroxifenil)benzazóis derivados da 1,3,5-triazina, fluorescentes devido a um mecanismo de transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (TPIEE). Foram preparados quatro novos corantes diclorotriazinil-(hidroxifenil)benzazólicos, que apresentam emissão de fluorescência na região azul-verde do espectro visível e deslocamentos de Stokes compatíveis com substâncias que sofrem o fenômeno da TPIEE. Estas substâncias foram caracterizadas por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (IR, RMN e HR-MS), enquanto que as análises fotofísicas (absorção no ultravioleta-visível e emissão de fluorescência) foram realizadas em solução e no estado sólido. Os ensaios preliminares realizados indicam a possibilidade de emprego desses corantes como sondas fluorescentes de material celulósico. / The synthesis and characterization of new 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)benzazoles derivatives from 1,3,5-triazine, fluorescent due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, were presented in this work. The four new dichlorotriazinylbenzazole derivatives synthesized present fluorescence emission in the blue-green region of the spectra and Stokes shift compatible with ESIPT compounds. The characterization of the new fluorescent reactive dyes by means of spectroscopic (IR, RMN, UV-Vis and fluorescence) and spectrometric (HRMS) techniques, and the study of the possibilities to dye cellulose fibers were carried out. Fluorescent cellulose fibers were prepared using the dyes and a methodology used in the industry and show no color change when observed in the visible light (white cellulose) and a blue-green fluorescence when irradiated with UV light.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a síntese e a caracterização de cinco novas iminas derivadas de compostos do tipo 2-(2`-hidroxifenil)benzazóis, fluorescentes devido a um mecanismo de transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (ESIPT). Estas iminas foram caracterizadas por espectroscopia de absorção na região do infravermelho (IV) e por espectroscopia de ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio (1H-RMN) e apresentaram deslocamentos de Stokes compatíveis com compostos que sofrem o mecanismo de ESIPT. Os produtos apresentaram sensível variação do máximo de emissão de fluorescência devido à reação de protonação em meio ácido, o que permite seu uso como sensores ópticos de pH. Ensaios demonstraram que as iminas sintetizadas são sensíveis à presença de Ni2+ devido à reação de complexação com o metal, causando uma alteração do máximo de emissão de fluorescência. / The present work presents the synthesis and characterization of five new imines derived from 2-(2`-hydroxyphenyl)benzazole derivatives, fluorescent due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism. These imines were characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy (IR) and by hydrogen-1 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and presented Stokes shifts compatible with ESIPT compounds. These products presented a considerable shift of the maximum fluorescence emission due to the protonation reaction in acid medium, which allows their use as pH optical sensors. Tests showed that the synthesized imines are sensitive to Ni2+ due to the complexation reaction with the metal, causing a shift of the maximum fluorescence emission.

Neste trabalho é apresentado a síntese, caracterização e estudo fotofísico de novos derivados triazinil-benzazólicos fluorescentes por transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (ESIPT). Trata-se da síntese do cloreto cianúrico com diferentes 2-(2'-hidroxifenil)benzazóis, dois grupos bastante atrativos do ponto de vista sintético e tecnológico. O cloreto cianúrico devido a sua versatilidade sintética e os 2-(2'- hidroxifenil)benzazóis por apresentarem propriedades fotofísicas muito interessantes, como uma intensa emissão de fluorescência com um grande deslocamento de Stokes. Estes novos derivados foram caracterizados por RMN-¹H, IV, TGA, ponto de fusão, análise elementar e HR-MS. / The synthesis, characterization and photophysic analysis of new fluorescent triazinbenzazolic derivatives by excited state of intramolecular protonic transference (ESIPT) is presented in this study. It deals with the synthesis of the cyanuric chloride with different 2-(2'-hidroxyfenyl)benzazoles. Two very attractive groups from the synthetic and technological point of view. The cyanuric chloride due to its synthetic versatility and the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzazoles because they present very interesting photophysical properties, such as an intense fluorescence emission with a great Stoke shift. These new derivatives were characterized by RMN-¹H, IV, TGA, fusion point, elementary analysis and HR-MS.

Neste trabalho é apresentada a síntese e a caracterização de compostos do tipo 2-(2’- hidroxifenil)benzazóis derivados da 1,3,5-triazina, fluorescentes devido a um mecanismo de transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (TPIEE). Foram preparados quatro novos corantes diclorotriazinil-(hidroxifenil)benzazólicos, que apresentam emissão de fluorescência na região azul-verde do espectro visível e deslocamentos de Stokes compatíveis com substâncias que sofrem o fenômeno da TPIEE. Estas substâncias foram caracterizadas por diversas técnicas espectroscópicas (IR, RMN e HR-MS), enquanto que as análises fotofísicas (absorção no ultravioleta-visível e emissão de fluorescência) foram realizadas em solução e no estado sólido. Os ensaios preliminares realizados indicam a possibilidade de emprego desses corantes como sondas fluorescentes de material celulósico. / The synthesis and characterization of new 2-(2’-hydroxyphenyl)benzazoles derivatives from 1,3,5-triazine, fluorescent due to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanism, were presented in this work. The four new dichlorotriazinylbenzazole derivatives synthesized present fluorescence emission in the blue-green region of the spectra and Stokes shift compatible with ESIPT compounds. The characterization of the new fluorescent reactive dyes by means of spectroscopic (IR, RMN, UV-Vis and fluorescence) and spectrometric (HRMS) techniques, and the study of the possibilities to dye cellulose fibers were carried out. Fluorescent cellulose fibers were prepared using the dyes and a methodology used in the industry and show no color change when observed in the visible light (white cellulose) and a blue-green fluorescence when irradiated with UV light.

Neste trabalho é apresentado a síntese, caracterização e estudo fotofísico de novos derivados triazinil-benzazólicos fluorescentes por transferência protônica intramolecular no estado excitado (ESIPT). Trata-se da síntese do cloreto cianúrico com diferentes 2-(2'-hidroxifenil)benzazóis, dois grupos bastante atrativos do ponto de vista sintético e tecnológico. O cloreto cianúrico devido a sua versatilidade sintética e os 2-(2'- hidroxifenil)benzazóis por apresentarem propriedades fotofísicas muito interessantes, como uma intensa emissão de fluorescência com um grande deslocamento de Stokes. Estes novos derivados foram caracterizados por RMN-¹H, IV, TGA, ponto de fusão, análise elementar e HR-MS. / The synthesis, characterization and photophysic analysis of new fluorescent triazinbenzazolic derivatives by excited state of intramolecular protonic transference (ESIPT) is presented in this study. It deals with the synthesis of the cyanuric chloride with different 2-(2'-hidroxyfenyl)benzazoles. Two very attractive groups from the synthetic and technological point of view. The cyanuric chloride due to its synthetic versatility and the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzazoles because they present very interesting photophysical properties, such as an intense fluorescence emission with a great Stoke shift. These new derivatives were characterized by RMN-¹H, IV, TGA, fusion point, elementary analysis and HR-MS.