Computational homogenization is demonstrated as a potential analysis tool that can be used directly to predict the property structure relationships of many existing classes of composites. Based on finite element simulations, using the Zebulon structures calculation code, the present study is devoted to computation and estimation the effective behavior of the nonlinear composite materials with randomly identical elastic perfectly plastic parallel cylindrical fibers distribution in linear elastic matrix phase. The parameters of effective behavior of the composite will be expressed. These parameters are the effective elastic tangent modulus, effective plastic tangent modulus and effective yield stress. The proposed method can be readily applied to compute the parameters of effective behavior composite, using a new proposed analytical expression based on the volume fraction and effective Young’s modulus of each component. A good agreement between expression and simulation results is observed. Several examples are shown.

Transprotection of acetals to bis(methoxyphenyl)methyl (BMPM) ethers can be efficiently achieved in the presence of copper dibromide as catalyst in acetonitrile at room temperature. Acetals are conveniently and selectively converted to the corresponding mono-protected diol with bis(methoxyphenyl)methyl isopropyl ether (BMPMOiPr) as the reagent. This new practical reagent allows the BMPM transfer to 1,3-dioxolanes or 1,3-dioxanes under copper catalysis. The reaction conditions are also very mild and tolerant to various functional groups, including other protecting groups.

Three new spirostane-type glycosides (1-3) were isolated from the whole plant of Allium flavum. Their structures were elucidated mainly by 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis and mass spectrometry as (20S,25R)-2α-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3β-yl O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (1), (20S,25R)-2α-hydroxyspirost-5-en-3β-yl O-β-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-β-D-galactopyranoside (2), and (20S,25R)-spirost-5-en-3β-yl O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→4)-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (3). The three saponins were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a human cancer cell line (colorectal SW480).