Kirpal S. Bisht

Bio: Kirpal S. Bisht is an academic researcher from University of South Florida. The author has contributed to research in topics: Lipase & Candida antarctica. The author has an hindex of 26, co-authored 137 publications receiving 3360 citations. Previous affiliations of Kirpal S. Bisht include University of Massachusetts Lowell & University of Massachusetts Boston.

Isethionate in certain red algae

Abstract: Isethionic acid (2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid) was isolated as salts from a methanolic extract ofHypnea musciformis collected in the Indian Ocean and identified by comparison (nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and mass spectrometry) with an authentic sample. The compound has not previously been reported from plants. Investigations of 13 other species of red algae showed that only some samples of species of the families Gigartinaceae, Hypnaceae and Solieriaceae (all of order Gigartinales) contained isethionates.

The combinatorial synthesis of bicyclic privileged structures or privileged substructures

Abstract: Privileged substructures are of potentially great importance in medicinal chemistry. These scaffolds are characterized by their ability to promiscuously bind to a multitude of receptors through a variety of favorable characteristics. This may include presentation of their substituents in a spatially defined manner and perhaps also the ability to directly bind to the receptor itself, as well as exhibiting promising characteristics to aid bioavailability of the overall molecule. It is believed that some privileged substructures achieve this through the mimicry of common protein surface elements that are responsible for binding, such as β- and gamma;-turns. As a result, these structures represent a promising means by which new lead compounds may be identified.

Synthesis of polycaprolactone: a review

Abstract: Polycaprolactone (PCL) is an important polymer due to its mechanical properties, miscibility with a large range of other polymers and biodegradability. Two main pathways to produce polycaprolactone have been described in the literature: the polycondensation of a hydroxycarboxylic acid: 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, and the ring-opening polymerisation (ROP) of a lactone: e-caprolactone (e-CL). This critical review summarises the different conditions which have been described to synthesise PCL, and gives a broad overview of the different catalytic systems that were used (enzymatic, organic and metal catalyst systems). A surprising variety of catalytic systems have been studied, touching on virtually every section of the periodic table. A detailed list of reaction conditions and catalysts/initiators is given and reaction mechanisms are presented where known. Emphasis is put on the ROP pathway due to its prevalence in the literature and the superior polymer that is obtained. In addition, ineffective systems that have been tried to catalyse the production of PCL are included in the electronic supplementary information for completeness (141 references).