Structures of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. V. The beta'(1)-2, beta'-3 and beta(2)-3 polymorphs of 1,3-dilauroyl-2-oleoylglycerol (LaOLa) from synchrotron and laboratory powder diffraction data.

The crystal structures of the beta'(1)-2, the beta'-3 and the beta(2)-3 polymorphs of 1,3-dilauroyl-2-oleoylglycerol have been solved from powder diffraction data. The packing of the beta(2)-3 polymorph is similar to that of other cis mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. Both the beta' polymorphs are crystallized in a novel type of packing in which one of the saturated lauroyl chains is packed side-by-side with part of the unsaturated oleoyl chain.

Prioritizing care during the acute phase: the prominent role of basic psychosocial life support.

The issue of basic psychosocial life support during and after disasters is important. People who are affected by disasters can experience severe distress and may need psychosocial support. However, there still are many questions about service design and effectiveness of psychosocial support. During the process of the Targeted Agenda Program, "Prioritizing Care during the Acute Phase: The Prominent Role of Basic Psychosocial Life Support", a team of experts reached consensus on some important issues concerning psychosocial first aid, civil participation, and risk communication. The experts come from many different backgrounds, which supports the notion that psychosocial care deserves special attention within disaster relief programs involving all disciplines and all responsibilities.

The development of powder profile refinement at the Reactor Centre Netherlands at Petten.

With thousands of references to `Rietveld refinement' it is forgotten that the method did not suddenly appear in a flash of inspiration of a single person, but was the result of the work of three individuals working in the 1960s at the Reactor Centre Netherlands at Petten, Loopstra, van Laar and Rietveld. This paper outlines the origins of `profile refinement', as it was called at Petten, and also looks at why it took so long for the scientific community to recognize its importance. With the recent passing of Hugo Rietveld, the death of Bert Loopstra in 1998 and before other pioneers also disappear, it is important to set down a first-hand account.

Crystal structure of carnidazole form II from synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction: structural comparison with form I, the hydrated form and the low energy conformations in vacuo.

The crystal structure of carnidazole form II, O-methyl [2-(2-methyl-5-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-yl)ethyl]thiocarbamate, has been determined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction in combination with simulated annealing and whole profile pattern matching, and refined by the Rietveld method. For structure solution, 12 degrees of freedom were defined: one motion group and six torsions. Form II crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, Z=4, with unit cell parameters after Rietveld refinement: a=13.915(4), b=8.095(2), c=10.649(3) A, beta=110.83(1) degrees, and V=1121.1(5) A3. The two polymorphic forms, as well as the hydrate, crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n having four molecules in the cell. In form II, the molecules are held together by forming two infinite zig-zag chains via hydrogen bonds of the type N--H...N, the same pattern as in form I. A conformational study of carnidazole, at semiempirical PM3 level, was performed using stochastic approaches based on modification of the flexible torsion angles. The values of the torsion angles for the molecules of the two polymorphic forms and the hydrate of carnidazole are compared to those obtained from the conformational search. Form I and form II are enantiotropic polymorphic pairs this agrees with the fact that the two forms are conformational polymorphs.

Structural analysis of a melaminium polyphosphate from X-ray powder diffraction and solid-state NMR data.

The crystal structure of the environmentally friendly flame retardant melaminium polyphosphate (MPoly) (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazinium x PO(3))(n)was determined by a direct-space global optimization technique from X-ray powder diffraction data. Solid-state NMR was used to corroborate the proposed hydrogen-bonding model and to determine the average degree of polymerization (n > 100). An analysis of the crystal structure of MPoly reveals aspects of molecular geometry and packing that are characteristic for melamine-containing compounds and polyphosphate salts. A comparison of MPoly with the crystal structures of its precursors melaminium orthophosphate (MP) and melaminium dihydrogenpyrophosphate (MPy) provides insight in the mechanism of the endothermic dehydration processes that takes place in the reaction path MP --> MPy --> MPoly. Solid-state NMR characterization of various samples of the same batch showed inhomogeneities in the MPoly composition. Various quantities of orthophosphates were found, which cannot be assigned to be MP.

Novel selective phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitors. 4. Resolution, absolute configuration, and PDE4 inhibitory activity of cis-tetra- and cis-hexahydrophthalazinones.

Recently, we reported that 4-catechol-substituted cis-(+/-)-4a,5,6,7,8,8a-hexa- and cis-(+/-)-4a,5,8,8a-tetrahydro-2H-phthalazin-1-ones show potent inhibition of phosphodiesterase (PDE4) activity, while the corresponding trans racemic mixtures exhibit only weak to moderate activity. To determine the absolute configuration and PDE4 inhibitory activity of the individual cis-enantiomers, several optically active phthalazinones have been synthesized. The enantiomers of the various gamma-keto acids, used as starting materials, were resolved in a classical way by the formation of diastereomeric salts, and each was converted to optically active phthalazinone in an enantioselective manner. The absolute configuration of the (+)-enantiomer of cis-hexahydrophthalazinone (+)-12 was determined by X-ray crystallography. The carbon atoms at the 4a and 8a positions were found to have the S- and R-configuration, respectively. In the present series of hexa- and tetrahydrophthalazinones, stereoselectivity for PDE4 inhibition is observed; the cis-(+)-enantiomers of the phthalazinones display high inhibitory activity, whereas their (-)-counterparts exhibit only weak to moderate activity. It is likely that all cis-(+)-phthalazinones have a (4aS,8aR)-configuration and vice versa for the cis-(-)-analogues. In the current series, the N-adamantan-2-yl analogue (+)-14 shows the most potent inhibition of PDE4 (pIC(50) = 9.3); the corresponding (-)-enantiomer is 250-fold less active. In addition, the N-substituted tetrahydrophthalazinones under study were investigated for their in vivo antiinflammatory activities by examining the suppression of arachidonic acid (AA) induced mouse ear edema formation. In this assay analogues (+)-14 and (+)-15 were found to be potent antiinflammatory agents showing about 50% inhibition at 30 micromol/kg po.

Structures of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. III. The beta-2 polymorphs of trans-mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols and related fully saturated triacylglycerols.

The beta-2 crystal structures of a series of saturated and trans-mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols (TAGs) have been solved from high-resolution powder synchrotron diffraction data. The series comprises symmetric as well as asymmetric even-numbered TAGs and the trans-mono-unsaturated ones all have a single elaidoyl chain. The structures have been solved with the direct-space parallel-tempering program FOX and refined with the Rietveld program GSAS. The beta-2 structures all crystallized in the space group P\bar 1 with the same molecular conformation. Within the resolution of the data no significant difference in packing or conformation is observed between trans-mono-unsaturated TAGs and saturated (stearoyl or palmitoyl) chain-containing analogues, in spite of the lower melting points of the former. An analysis of the position of the stepped methyl end-plane in the various subgroups of TAGs confirms most but not all suppositions found in the literature.

Structures of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. IV. The highest melting beta'-2 polymorphs of trans-mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols and related saturated TAGs and their polymorphic stability.

The beta'(1)-2 crystal structures of a series of mixed-chain saturated and trans-mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols containing palmitoyl, stearoyl and elaidoyl acyl chains have been solved from high-resolution powder diffraction data, from synchrotron as well as laboratory X-ray sources. The structures crystallized in the space group I2 with two independent molecules forming a dimer in the asymmetric unit, and packed in double-chain length layers. Unlike the corresponding beta-2 structures the solved beta'(1)-2 structures have different molecular conformations for the symmetric and the asymmetric mixed triacylglycerols, both with the sn-2 chain in a leg position of the chair-shaped conformation. A transformation to the beta-2 structure with the sn-2 chain in the back position is complicated and unlikely to take place in the solid state. A novel beta'-2 polymorph of PSS has been crystallized and its structure has been solved. The melting point (239 K) of this so-called beta'(0)-2 polymorph is 2 K above that of the beta'(1)-2 polymorph and almost equal to that of the beta-2 polymorph of PSS. The difference in packing of the beta'(0)-2 versus beta'(1)-2 structure explains the slow beta'(1)-2 to beta'(0)-2 phase transition. The transition is strikingly similar to the beta(2)-3 to beta(1)-3 transition in cis-mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols.

High-spin- and low-spin-state structures of [Fe(chloroethyltetrazole)6](ClO4)2 from synchrotron powder diffraction data.

The spin-crossover complex [Fe(teec)(6)](ClO(4))(2) (teec = chloroethyltetrazole) exhibits a 50 % incomplete spin crossover in the temperature range 300-30 K. Time-resolved synchrotron powder diffraction experiments have been carried out to elucidate its structural behavior. We report crystal structure models of this material at 300 K (high spin) and 90 K (low spin), as solved from synchrotron powder diffraction data by using Genetic Algorithm and Parallel Tempering techniques and refined with Rietveld refinement. During short synchrotron powder diffraction experiments (five minutes duration) two distinguishable lattices were observed the quantities of which vary with temperature. The implication of this phenomenon, that is interpreted as a structural phase transition associated with the high-to-low spin crossover, and the structural characteristics of the high-spin and low-spin models are discussed in relation to other compounds showing a similar type of spin-crossover behavior.

Structures of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. I. The beta1 polymorph.

The crystal structures of the beta1 polymorphs of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols have been solved from high-resolution laboratory and synchrotron powder diffraction data for five pure compounds, the 1,3-dimyristoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (beta1-MOM), 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (beta1-POP), 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (beta1-SOS), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-stearoylglycerol (beta1-POS), 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-3-arachidoylglycerol (beta1-SOA) and three mixtures: the co-crystallized 1:1 molar mixture of SOS and POP [beta1-SOS/POP (1:1)] and two cocoa butters from Bahia and Ivory Coast, both in their beta-VI (=beta1) polymorph. All eight beta1 structures crystallized in the space group (P2(1)/n) and have two short cell axes (5.44-5.46 and 8.18-8.22 A), as well as a very long b axis (112-135 A). The dominant-zone problem in the indexing of the powder patterns was solved with the special brute-force indexing routine LSQDETC from the POWSIM program. Structures were solved using the direct-space parallel-tempering method FOX and refined with GSAS. Along the b axis, alternations of inversion-centre-related ;three-packs' can be discerned. Each ;three-pack' has a central oleic zone, with oleic acyl chains of the molecules being packed together, that is sandwiched between two saturated-chain zones. The conformation of the triacylglycerol molecules is relatively ;flat' because the least-square planes through the saturated chains and those through the saturated parts of the olein chain are parallel. The solution of the beta1 structures is a step forward towards understanding the mechanism of fat-bloom formation in dark chocolate and has led to a reexamination of the beta2 structural model [see van Mechelen et al. (2006). Acta Cryst. B62, 1131-1138].

Structures of mono-unsaturated triacylglycerols. II. The beta2 polymorph.

An improved crystal structure model has been established for the beta2 polymorph of the symmetric mono-unsaturated triacylglycerol 1,3-distearoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (SOS) and the equivalent beta-V polymorph of Ivory Coast cocoa butter. In addition, the crystal structures of the beta2 polymorphs are reported for the triacylglycerols 1,3-dipalmitoyl-2-oleoylglycerol (POP) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-3-stearoylglycerol (POS), which are, together with SOS, the major components of cocoa butter, and that of 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl-3-arachidoylglycerol (SOA). The existence of beta2-POS and beta2-SOA has not been previously reported in the literature. All structures have been solved from high-resolution laboratory or synchrotron powder diffraction data with the direct-space parallel-tempering program FOX and refined with the Rietveld module of GSAS. All compounds crystallize in similar monoclinic unit cells (Cc) with very long b axes (>127 A). The oleic chains are packed together and sandwiched between saturated chain layers, forming acyl-chain three-packs. An analysis of the beta2 polymorphs and beta1 polymorphs [van Mechelen et al. (2006). Acta Cryst. B62, 1121-1130] shows that they contain the same three-packs and differ only in the symmetry relation between the three-packs. The three-pack build-up provides an explanation of the mechanism of the phase transition that causes the formation of fat bloom on dark chocolate.

Low-spin state structure of [Fe(chloroethyltetrazole)6](BF4)2 obtained from synchrotron powder diffraction data.

The complex [Fe(teec)6](BF4)2 (teec = chloroethyltetrazole) shows a two-step complete spin-crossover transition in the temperature range 300-90 K. Time-resolved synchrotron powder diffraction experiments have been carried out in this temperature range, and crystal structure models have been obtained from the powder patterns by using the parallel tempering technique. Of these models, the low-spin state structure at 90 K has been refined completely with Rietveld refinement. Its structural characteristics are discussed in relation to the high-spin state model and other spin-crossover compounds. The complex shows a remarkable anisotropic unit-cell parameter contraction that is dependent on the applied cooling rate. In addition, the possible important implications for the interpretation of spin-crossover behavior in terms of structural changes are discussed.

Structural characterization of [1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indoles by powder diffraction.

As part of a systematic structural study of potentially pharmacologically active [1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indoles, the crystal structures of nine compounds have been determined from laboratory powder diffraction data. The investigated compounds are: 2-oxo-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indole-4-oxide, C(17)H(12)N(4)O(4) (1a); 2-oxo-1-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indole-4-oxide, C(17)H(13)N(3)O(2) (1b); 2-oxo-1-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indole-4-oxide, C(19)H(17)N(3)O(3) (1c); 2-oxo-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indole-4-oxide, C(17)H(12)N(3)O(2)Cl (1d); 2-oxo-1-(4-cyanophenyl)-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indole-4-oxide, C(18)H(12)N(4)O(2) (1e); 6-methyl-2-oxo-1-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6,5-b]indole-4-oxide, C(18)H(15)N(3)O(2) (1f); 2-formyl-3-[N'-(omega-chloracetyl)-N'-(4-nitrophenyl)]aminoindole, C(17)H(12)N(3)O(4)Cl (2a); 2-formyl-3-[N'-(omega-chloracetyl)-N'-(4-nitrophenyl)]aminoindole solvate with toluene (2:1), C(17)H(12)N(3)O(4)Cl.0.5C(7)H(8) (2as); 2-formyl-3-[N'-(omega-chloracetyl)-N'-(4-cyanophenyl)]aminoindole, C(18)H(12)N(3)O(2)Cl (2e). Compounds (1a)-(1f) crystallize in non-centrosymmetric triclinic, monoclinic and orthorhombic space groups. The three-dimensional structures of (1a)-(1e) demonstrate identical intermolecular NH(indole)...O<--N hydrogen bonds, which form linear chains of connected molecules. A comparison of the crystal structures (2a), (2e) and (2as) shows that the solvent used in the re-crystallization of (2a) and (2e), which are intermediates in the synthesis of (1a) and (1e), affects the intermolecular hydrogen-bond formation and, as a result, leads to essentially different yields of the goal products.

Structure of C15-, C17- and C19-mono-acid beta-triacylglycerols.

The crystal structures of beta-1,2,3-tris(pentadecanoyl)glycerol (beta-C15C15C15), beta-1,2,3-tris(heptadecanoyl)glycerol (beta-C17C17C17) and beta-1,2,3-tris(nonadecanoyl)glycerol (beta-C19C19C19) have been determined from high-resolution X-ray powder diffraction data. Grid search and Rietveld refinement have been used to determine and refine the structures, respectively. As in beta-1,2,3-tris(tridecanoyl)glycerol (beta-C13C13C13) and the even-numbered mono-acid triacylglycerols, all three odd-numbered monoacid triacylglycerols crystallize in space group P1 with Z = 2 in an asymmetric tuning-fork conformation and have a lateral acyl chain packing resulting in a layered structure.

Lead tartrate from X-ray powder diffraction data.

The structure of lead tartrate, Pb(2+).C(4)H(4)O(6)(2-), has been solved from X-ray powder diffraction data. The cation exhibits ninefold coordination and the tartrate groups are linked through Pb.O contacts to form a three-dimensional network.

5,5-Dimethyl-2-[6-methyl-2-(methylsulfanyl)pyrimidin-4-yloxy]-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane-2-thione.

The title compound, C(11)H(17)N(2)O(3)PS(2), is a cyclic thiophosphoryl pyrimidine derivative exhibiting insecticidal properties. The crystal structure determination gives evidence for the presence of the thione isomer of the compound. The pyrimidine nucleus is planar and its substituents have small deviations from the least-squares plane. The dioxaphosphorinane ring adopts a chair conformation. The lack of classical hydrogen bonds and the weak intermolecular interactions lead to a 'loose' packing characterized by channels in the structure.

KHCoP2O7.2H2O: a novel acidic pyrophosphate.

Potassium cobalt hydrogenpyrophosphate dihydrate, KHCoP(2)O(7).2H(2)O, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma. This salt is isotypic with KHMP(2)O(7).2H(2)O (M = Mn and Zn). The structure consists of alternating layers, built from HP(2)O(7)(3-) acidic pyrophosphate groups and CoO(6) octahedra, joined by potassium ions and bridging hydrogen bonds. The Co, K and water O atoms lie on mirror planes. The pyrophosphate group consists of two symmetry-related PO(4) groups, with the bridging O atom on a mirror plane.

N,N-dimethylanilinium 3-cyano-4-(dicyanomethylene)-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-2-olate.

In the title compound, C(8)H(12)N(+).C(8)HN(4)O(2)(-), the anion and cation lie on a crystallographic mirror plane and form planar ribbons via N-H...O [N...O = 2.933 (4) A, H...O = 2.01 A and N-H...O = 170 degrees] and N-H...N [N...N = 3.016 (5) A, H...N = 2.15 A and N-H...N = 169 degrees] hydrogen bonds. The ribbons are further linked via weak C-H...O and C-H...N hydrogen bonds. In adjacent planes, anions lie opposite cations; pi-pi interactions (separation a/2 = 3.520 A) exist between the anions and the cations, and stacks are formed, running along the a axis. The cations are disordered over two interpenetrating sites, with occupancies of 0.833 (5) and 0.167 (5).

Crystal structure of the inclusion complex of beta-cyclodextrin with mefenamic acid from high-resolution synchrotron powder-diffraction data in combination with molecular-mechanics calculations.

The crystal structure of the inclusion complex of beta-cyclo-dextrin with mefenamic acid has been determined from a combination of high-resolution synchrotron powder-diffraction data and molecular-mechanics calculations. A grid search indicates two possible solutions, which are corroborated by molecular-mechanics calculations, while Rietveld-refinement results suggest the crystal structure that is more likely to be formed in the solid state. Mefenamic acid is partially included in beta-cyclodextrin with either the xylyl or the benzoic-acid moiety being inside its cavity. In both solutions mefenamic acid and beta-cyclodextrin form a monomeric complex in a herringbone packing scheme.