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The second school in medicinal chemistry was held from July 3 to July 6, 2023, at St. Petersburg State University as part of the All-Russian conference with international participation "Ideas and Legacy of A.E. Favorsky in Organic Chemistry" with the support of the St. Petersburg branch of the Mendeleev Russian Chemical Society. Leading experts in the field of medicinal chemistry, young scientists, and students from various institutes and universities of Russia took part in the work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serhiy Mykolayovych Reformatskyi, [Ukrainian: Рeφopмaтcьκий, Cepгiй Mиκoлaйoвич; Russian: Sergei Nikolaevich Reformatskii, РeΦopмaтcκий, Cepгeй Hиκoлaeвич (1860‐1934)] was a product of Zaitsev's laboratory in Kazan Imperial University in Russia and one of the founding fathers of organic chemistry in Ukraine. He discovered his eponymous reaction while a graduate student in Kazan under Zaitsev, studying the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols. He modified this reaction by replacing the olefinic π bond of an allyl halide with a carbonyl group. In the prototype reaction, he treated ethyl haloacetates with zinc and aldehydes or ketones. The reaction gave the corresponding β‐hydroxyesters and remains an important synthetic method. Work on the reaction over the ensuing century and a quarter has led to the discovery of analogous reactions using a wide range of metals, and even permitting the use of water as a solvent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncontrollable growth of CO2 concentration in the Earth atmosphere is a cause of ever-accelerating global warming. The warming up of the atmosphere and the increase in the partial pressure of CO2 induce multiple negative catastrophic phenomena on a global scale. On the other hand, carbon dioxide provides a unique and practically inexhaustible source of synthetic carbon (C1 synthon). Well-funded comprehensive studies of the processes of CO2 transformation into chemically important products, such as carboxylic acids, linear organic carbonates, urea and its derivatives, methanol, dimethyl ether, industrial gases (CO, methane), higher hydrocarbons, and products of fine organic synthesis, have been carried out in various countries for more than recent 20 years to mitigate CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. In Russia, this problem has remained virtually unnoticed. Therefore, in this review the authors set the task to draw the attention of chemists to the possibilities of using CO2 in synthesis and to the achievements that have been made in this area, particularly in the synthesis of hydroxybenzoic acids, methanol, and formic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Victor von Richter (1841-1891) was one of the important chemists of the second half of the 19th century. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize readers with the important events in the life of Richter and his writing activities, in particular with his chemistry textbooks for higher education, well-known in different countries. In addition, his research activities is briefly described, and especially the chemical reactions named after him. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2018 the term Novichok (HoSYhok) became publically known following an attempted murder of a former Russian spy in Salisbury, UK. Novichok is the name of a group of nerve agents secretly produced by Russia in the later stages of the Cold War. These compounds were never declared under the Chemical Weapons Convention and very little is known about the actual identity and characteristics of these compounds. Structures of some of the Novichoks have been reported by a former Russian chemist, Vil Mirzayanov, previously working at the Russian State Scientific Research Institute of Organic Chemistry and Technology (GOSNIIOKhT). It was in this context claimed that at least two compounds of the Novichok family, known as Novichok-5 and Novichok-7 were 5-8 times more potent than the hitherto most toxic nerve agent, VX. The present study elucidates, applying a series of QSAR models toxicity, skin permeation, pharmacokinetic aspects as well as the environmental fate of a series of Novichoks. Virtually the results from the different studies related to human health point in the same direction, i. e., the Novichoks are significantly less toxic than VX and the skin permeation much lower and less efficient than observed for VX. Hence, the claim by Mirzayanov could not be substantiated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of different antibodies and extraction methods results in a wide range of steroid metabolite concentrations obtained during noninvasive hormones monitoring. It makes regional comparisons of steroid concentration very difficult. We compared three methods for extraction of glucocorticoids metabolites in tiger feces to examine correct stress level in Bengal and Amur tigers in India and Russia respectively. The results obtained with three different extraction methods correlate with each other positively and significantly. The highest concentration of fecal glucocorticoids metabolites (FGCM) was found after the extraction of wet feces samples with 90% methanol. The level of FGCM was significantly higher in Bengal tigers in India than in Amur tigers in Russian Far East. The reasons might be related to tigers’ density or anthropogenic pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypospadias is the most common congenital anomaly of the penis, but its causes are mainly unknown. Of the risk factors identified, the most plausible are hormonal and genetic. The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hypospadias in Northwest Russia based on registry data. Methods: The study population included male infants registered in the Murmansk County Birth Registry between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2011 (n = 25 475). These infants were followed-up for 2 years using the Murmansk Regional Congenital Defects Registry to identify cases of hypospadias not diagnosed at birth. We used logistic regression analysis to examine the contributions of hypospadias risk factors. Results: Out of 25 475 male infants born during the study period, 148 had isolated hypospadias. The overall prevalence rate was 54.2 (95% CI 53.6–54.8) per 10 000 male infants. Those born to mothers with preeclampsia (OR = 1.65; 95% CI 1.03–2.66) or infant birthweight < 2500 g (OR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.18–3.60) exhibited increased risk for hypospadias. Maternal age, smoking during pregnancy, folic acid intake during pregnancy or hepatitis B surface antigen positivity did not associate with increased risk of hypospadias. Conclusions: Combining data from a birth registry with those from a congenital defects registry provided optimal information about the prevalence of hypospadias and its association with low infant birthweight and preeclampsia. These factors have in common changes in hormone levels during pregnancy, which in turn may have contributed to hypospadias development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a survey of literature concerning both life and scientific activity of Nikolai Nikolaevich Zinin. Special attention is paid to his epoch-making discovery made by him in 1842 and his chemical works published in 1839-1880. This survey is supplemented with: 1) names of the authors of Zinin's biographies, biographical notes, and references to him, 2) information about Zinin's works bibliography, 3) description of the selected facts of his life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review is devoted to the scientific achievements of the departments of organic chemistry in higher schools of Russia within the past decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review describes the history of development of organic chemistry in higher schools of Russia over a period of 170 years, since the emergence of organic chemistry in our country till now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article aims to identify valuable-semantic reference points in historical and pedagogical experience of professional defectology education establishing and development that define the strategy of training quality and content of modern higher defectology education. The leading methods of the research were: theoretical analysis of historical-pedagogical, psychology-pedagogical literature, and archival materials; comparative-contrastive analysis of legislative, regulatory and legal documents; application of statistical data to assess processes in the sphere of higher defectology education in Russia; historical and logical method. The article provides theoretical-methodological and scientificpedagogical prerequisites that determined the establishing and development of defectology education in Russia during the covered period; criteria defining higher defectology education in Russia are proposed; stages of defectology education development in Russia in the the XXth and the first decade of the XXIst centuries are revealed; prospects of defectology education development focused on interdisciplinarity of knowledge(chemistry, organic chemistry, biology & analytical chemistry) and student-centrality in the conditions of transition to a level system of vocational training are featured. Materials of the research can be used by teachers of higher education schools to analyze fundamental issues of higher defectology education: development and perfect tasks, methods and techniques aimed to train speech pathologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until the 1860s, science in Russia was principally conducted in Latin, French, and German. In the years leading up to and following the creation of the Russian Chemical Society in 1868, Russian chemists – treated in this article as both a representative sample of Russian scientists and also practitioners of the flagship science of the period – debated both the merits of developing a nomenclature that would enable Russian to “hold” modern inorganic and organic chemistry, and the practicability of doing so. The article explores debates over whether Russian syntax could be adapted to represent chemical compounds according to emerging western conventions or in a sui generis manner, as well as the struggles of Russian scientists to use French and German to communicate with their foreign counterparts, arguing that the details of these debates highlight both the fruitfulness and the limits of using “standardization” as a framework for linguistic codification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until the 1860s, science in Russia was principally conducted in Latin, French, and German. In the years leading up to and following the creation of the Russian Chemical Society in 1868, Russian chemists – treated in this article as both a representative sample of Russian scientists and also practitioners of the flagship science of the period – debated both the merits of developing a nomenclature that would enable Russian to “hold” modern inorganic and organic chemistry, and the practicability of doing so. The article explores debates over whether Russian syntax could be adapted to represent chemical compounds according to emerging western conventions or in a sui generis manner, as well as the struggles of Russian scientists to use French and German to communicate with their foreign counterparts, arguing that the details of these debates highlight both the fruitfulness and the limits of using “standardization” as a framework for linguistic codification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unprovoked Russian invasion has created considerable challenges for Ukrainian science. In this article, we discuss actions needed to support and rebuild Ukrainian science and educational systems. The proposed actions take into account past Ukrainian scientific achievements including developments in organic chemistry.

Information on the third International Conference on Heterocyclic Chemistry held at the M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia is presented. The conference was attended by several scientists from Russia, Ukraine and Belarus and chemists from the U.S. and Great Britain and featured plenary sessions, oral reports and posters. The theoretical aspects of heterocyclic chemistry were discussed and a lecture on heterocyclic pseudopericyclic reactions was given by Vasilii A. Bakulev.

The studies carried out at the Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, on the selective catalytic oxidation of organic compounds with oxygen in the presence of aqueous solutions of Mo-V-phosphoric heteropoly acids (HPAs) are reviewed. Alkylphenols are oxidized into 1,4-quinones with a selectivity of 85–99%, and C2-C4 olefins in the presence of Pd complexes are oxidized into carbonyl compounds with a selectivity of 98–99%. The bifunctional (acidic and oxidizing) properties of HPA solutions were used for the first time to synthesize anthraquinones and vitamin K3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terrestrial and aquatic dissolved organic matter (DOM) was characterized to trace the likely processes of DOM formation and stream export in a permafrost-dominated watershed in central Siberia. Stream samples were collected in spring (May-June 2003) and summer (July-August 2003) at both low flow and stormflow. Dissolved organic matter was analyzed by pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrornetry, and identified pyrolysis products were simultaneously analyzed for compound-specific isotope ratios by isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Pyrograms of terrestrial and stream DOM contained a similar series of pyrolysis products, suggesting a terrestrial origin for DOM in the small stream draining our study catchment. However, despite the overall similarity of chemical composition of stream DOM at different seasons, we also observed distinct differences in isotopic fingerprint between seasons and hydrologic phases (stormflow versus low flow). This variation appears to be due to the changing origin of stream DOM from different soil layers and the catchrnent sources following permafrost thawing during the frost-free period. In general, chemical and isotopic composition of stream DOM was similar to DOM produced in soils of colder north facing slopes (P < 0.01) with a shallow active layer. South facing slopes with deeper active layers produce little DOM that enters the stream, suggesting that DOM produced in the active layer is retained and stabilized in underlying, unfrozen mineral soils. Climate change that results in additional seasonal thawing of permafrost-dominated landscapes will decrease the amount of DOM exported to riverine systems and change its chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article highlights the 70th birthday Russian scientist Nikolaev Serafimovich. Serafimovich is famous in the field of organic and medical chemistry. The range of his interests and the subjects of his investigations include organic synthesis, stereochemistry, conformational analysis, the theory of reaction mechanisms, mathematical chemistry and computer synthesis, and investigation of the quantitative relationships between structure and biological activity of organic compounds. His career background was discussed.

Reports that the N. D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry (IOC), a large scientific center in Russia in the field of organic chemistry, organic catalysis, and the chemistry of natural and biologically active compounds, has turned 70 years old on February 23, 2004. Institute's concentration of highly qualified scientists on its staff; Major scientific results achieved by several institute; Studies in heterocyclic chemistry.

This essay highlights a number of difficult questions faced by Russian science nowadays and discusses anticipated development of organic chemistry in the nearest years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The front cover artwork is provided by the Laboratory of Nitrogen‐Containing Compounds at the Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ZIOC RAS; Russia). The image shows a metronome which symbolizes the ability of arylazofuroxans to switch between two isomers with significantly different NO donor ability. The switching process can be easily tuned by visible light or elevated temperature. Read the full text of the Article at10.1002/cptc.2020000157. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the right-hand bank of the Volkhov River, in the natural area of tektite-like glasses (Volkhovites), fragments of shungites and slags with bunches of hairlike dark brownish enclosures were found. The filament thickness ranged from 20 to 100 μm, and separate “hairlines” were 3 cm in length. The composition of shungites and “hairlines” was found to be identical, which allowed us to consider the latter as aposhungite carbon formations. The high-carbon hairline structures associated with volkhovites are called kirishites. Kirishites are a new type of high-carbon structures that formed simultaneously with volkhovites in the case of explosion-type delivery of carbon slag and shungite fragments to the daylight surface during Holocene explosive activity. Under sharply reductive conditions, the slags partially melted, the melts were segregated, and carbonaceous-silicate and carbonaceous-ferriferous glasses formed with subsequent decompression-explosive liberation of carbon-supersaturated structures, which were extruded from shungite and slag fragments in the form of a resinoid mass. The “hairlines” were found to be zonal in structure: the central axial zones are composed of high-nitrogen hydrocarbon compounds, and peripheral regions are essentially carbonaceous with a high content of organic-mineral compounds and numerous microanomalies of petrogenic, volatile, rare, and ore elements. Infrared spectroscopy identified in kirishites proteinlike compounds, diagnosed in absorption bands (in cm−1) 600–720 (Amid V), 1200–1300 (Amid III), 1480–1590 (Amid II), 1600–1700 (Amid I), 3000–3800 (vibrations in NH2 and II groups). Gas chromatography, with the possibility of differentiation of left- and right-handed forms, revealed a broad spectrum of amino acids in kirishites, with their total content found to be the absolutely highest record for natural bitumens, an order of magnitude higher than the largest amino acid concentrations ever revealed in fibrous high-structured kerite crystals from Volyn pegmatites and in Transbaikalia phyto fulgurates. Like in phytofulgurites and fibrous kerites, in kirishites the amino acids are abiogenic, and they are predominately left-handed in configuration, contrary to the commonly accepted view about the exclusively biological nature of left-handed amino acids and their natural abiological thermofusion. Kirishites can be considered as models of prebiotic systems, predecessors of the simplest living organisms. This process could be favored by extreme conditions with rapid variations of temperature and pressure. Further study of kirishites and construction of a kirishite formation model will also be useful for development of the conception of endogenous ore-naphtobiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at the aspects of development of organic chemistry in Russia. It mentions the paper by I. P. Beletskaya and V. P. Ananikov on ways of development of organic chemistry in the country, which the author remarks should underlie a road map that would govern the actions of the state on scientific and technical policy. Also discussed are the scientific, technologic, and technical problems of organic chemistry, and the issues in manufacturers of products of fine organic synthesis.

The article features doctor of chemical sciences and professor Khusnutdin Mukhitovich Shakhidoyatov. It states that Professor Shakhidoyatov was a graduate student at the N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the USSR and devoted his investigations to the chemistry of heterocyclic compounds after successfully defending his thesis. He is a well known expert in theoretical and applied organic chemistry and has published more than 600 scientific works.

The article presents a brief snapshot of the professional career of Russian organic chemist, Professor Oleg Nikolaevich Chupakhin. It is said that June 9, 2009, is the 75th jubilee of the Full Member of the Russian Academy of Science, Doctor of Chemical Sciences. Chupakhin has founded a large scientific school that works in the field of organic, heterocyclic, and medicinal chemistry. He has authored 11 monographs, more than 500 papers and scientific communications.

The article profiles Yurii Markovich Dedkov, professor and head of the Division of General and Inorganic Chemistry of Moscow State Regional University in Russia. Dedkov began his scientific activity as a student at the Moscow State Academy of Chemical Technology. He delivered his first scientific report to a scientific conference of undergraduate and graduate students in 1956. He has made a significant contribution to the theory of the development of organic reagents for spectrophotometry.