Synthesis of dipyrrolo[2,3-a:1′,2′,3′-fg]acridin-12(1H)-ones

Acylation reactions of 4,6-dimethoxyindoles with glyoxyloyl chlorides were achieved by the use of graphite powder in 1,2-dichloroethane at reflux. The products were monoketones as a result of decarbonylation, rather than the expected 1,2-diketones. Treatment of these monoketones with base led to their cyclisation and elimination of methanol to afford the novel dipyrrolo[2.3-a:1′,2′,3′-fg]acridin-12(1H)-ones.     

Phase transition induced by lithium insertion in αI- and αII-VOPO4

Lithium insertion in α_I-VOPO₄ and α_II-VOPO₄, either by chemical or electrochemical route, leads to the same new compound: α_I-LiVOPO₄ (space group P4/nmm). The structure, resolved by neutron and synchrotron diffraction, is made up of planes of corner-connected PO₄ and VO₅ polyhedra, whereas lithium atoms are located between the layers. The reversal of the short vanadyl bond that corresponds to the insertion-induced α_II-α_I transition finds an explanation in terms of lattice energy. It favors the migration of lithium ions in the (0 0 1) interlayer planes, a key parameter for the electrochemical performance as electrode material in Li-ion batteries.     

Local crystal chemistry, induced strain and short range order in the cubic pyrochlore (Bi1.5−αZn0.5−β)(Zn0.5−γNb1.5−δ)O(7−1.5α−β−γ−2.5δ) (BZN)

Clear evidence (in the form of structured diffuse scattering) is found for short range ordering of metal ions and associated induced structural relaxation in two members of the cubic BZN pyrochlore (Bi_1.5−αZn_0.5−β)(Zn_0.5−γNb_1.5−δ)O_{(7−1.5α−β−γ−2.5δ)} solid solution. An average neutron powder diffraction structure refinement is carried out for one of these. Electron probe micro-analysis suggests that the primary mechanism for non-stoichiometry in cubic BZN is the removal of ZnO from the nominally fully occupied (Bi_1.5Zn_0.5)(Zn_0.5Nb_1.5)O₇ end-member. A detailed bond valence sum analysis of a recently reported average crystal structure is used to suggest possible local cation ordering schemes along with the induced displacive relaxation that is likely to accompany such local cation ordering. The observed diffuse distribution is qualitatively interpreted via Monte Carlo modelling.     

An access to α, β-unsaturated ketones via dual cooperative catalysis

A dual cooperative organocatalytic approach for the synthesis of α, β-unsaturated ketones is described. This one pot transformation is realized via a domino Knoevenagel-Michael-retro Michael reaction sequence. Various aliphatic ketones reacted smoothly with aromatic as well as aliphatic aldehydes in presence catalytic amount of Meldrum’s acid and bifunctional amine. The highlights of this protocol are the easy availability of catalysts, high selectivity, and functional group tolerance. The reaction proved to highly E-selective with no side products emanating from self-condensation, unlike the base-mediated reactions.     

Redox system for perfluoroalkylation of arenes and α-methylstyrene derivatives using titanium oxide as photocatalyst

Photoirradiation of titanium oxide (TiO₂) excites the electrons from the valence band to the conduction band, leaving holes in the valence band. Using these holes and electrons, it is possible to perform one-electron oxidations and reductions. We developed a method for the photocatalytic perfluoroalkylation of aromatic rings such as benzene and its derivatives, naphthalene and benzofuran with perfluoroalkyl iodide by the combination of reduction and oxidation reactions with TiO₂. Perfluoroalkyl iodide was reduced to a perfluoroalkyl radical by the excited electrons in the conduction band of TiO₂, and the resulting radical reacted with an aromatic ring to form an arenium radical that was successively oxidized to a cation by the holes in the valence band of TiO₂. Similarly, the photocatalytic reaction of α-methylstyrene with perfluoroalkyl iodide afforded perfluoroalkylated α-methylstyrene, in which the perfluoroalkyl group is on a methyl carbon.     

Raman characterization of α- and β-LiFe5O8 prepared through a solid-state reaction pathway

Lithium ferrite, a mixed-inverse spinel of type A_xB_y[A_1−xB_1−y]O₄ was produced through solid state synthesis by calcining a Li₂CO₃/Fe₂O₃ mixture at 900 °C. The presence of both the ordered α-phase and disordered β-phase of LiFe₅O₈ was confirmed by XRD analysis, while formation of the latter was achieved by air quenching from high temperature. Laser Raman analysis was performed on both the α-LiFe₅O₈ and β-LiFe₅O₈ powders in order to achieve a reference set of Raman shifts for the spinel. The strongest, characteristic Raman peaks were determined to be 493, 382, 358, 300, and 263 cm⁻¹ for both phases while smaller peaks at 202 and 236 cm⁻¹ present in the α-phase were diminishing in intensity when the β-phase was present, thus providing unique identifiers for the presence of the disordered ferrite structure. SEM images taken of the synthesized LiFe₅O₈ powders showed particle sizes of less than 300 nm and an even particle size distribution.     

Enantioselective α-chlorination of β-keto esters and amides catalyzed by chiral imidodiphosphoric acids

Chiral imidodiphosphoric acids were employed as catalysts for the enantioselective α-chlorination of β-keto esters and amides using NCS as the chlorine source, providing a series of optically active products with good to high enantioselectivities (74–95% ee) and excellent yields (92–99%). This represents the first report of the Brønsted acid catalyzed enantioselective α-chlorination of cyclic β-keto derivatives.     

The defect chemistry of La1−ΔMnO3+δ

The effects of oxygen reduction treatments on the magnetic properties of La-deficient manganites, La_1−ΔMnO_3+δ and Sr- and Ca-doped manganites, La_1−xM_xMnO_3+δ (M: Sr, Ca) have been investigated to confirm the contrasting oxygen reduction effects on the magnetization properties. It is found that oxygen reduction treatments in reduced oxygen pressures of 10³- for La_1−ΔMnO_3+δ result in a continuous change in the magnetization but the reduction treatments for La_1−xM_xMnO_3+δ result in a negligible change under the same reduction conditions. To interpret the contrasting behavior of the La-deficient manganites, several possible models have been discussed. Among the models, the most probable model is that vacancies generated by the La deficiency Δ are partially replaced by Δ₂(=Δ−Δ₁?Δ₁) Mn ions to give both La and Mn site vacancies according to the formula La_1−ΔV_ΔMnO_3+δ→{La_1−ΔMn_Δ2V_Δ1}{Mn_1−Δ2V_Δ2}O_3+δ. Details of thermodynamic basis of this model have been presented.     

Ab-initio structure determination of β-La2WO6

The structure of the low-temperature form of β-La₂WO₆ has been determined from laboratory X-ray, neutron time-of-flight and electron diffraction data. This tungstate crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group (no. 19) P2₁2₁2₁, with Z=8, a=7.5196(1) Å, b=10.3476(1) Å, c=12.7944(2) Å, and a measured density 7.37(1) g cm⁻³. The structure consists of tungsten [WO₆] octahedra and tetrahedral [OLa₄]. Tungsten polyhedra are connected such that [W₂O₁₁]¹⁰⁻ units are formed.     

Refinement of α-CsB9O14 crystal structure

The structure of α-CsB₉O₁₄ was re-examined because the first determination corresponded to a poor reliability factor (12.9%). Single crystals were obtained by heating, melting and slow cooling a stoichiometric mixture (1:4) of β-Cs[B₅O₆(OH)₄]·2H₂O and H₃BO₃. This compound crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group P222₁ (and not P4₁22) with the following parameters: a=8.732(2)Å, b=8.767(3)Å, c=15.736(4)Å, V=1204.6(6)ų, Z=4; after taking into consideration twinning, the structure was refined from 3188 reflections until R₁=0.0304. It consists of two infinite, interleaved three-dimensional boron-oxygen frameworks of the Fundamental Building Blocks formed by two B₃O₆ and one B₃O₇ groups; its shorthand notation is 9:∞³[(3:2Δ+T)+2(3:3Δ)] (Δ, triangle BO₃ and T, tetrahedron BO₄). Knowledge of the correct space group and the structure of α-CsB₉O₁₄ may help in the study of its physical properties, especially the non-linear optical ones.     

Synthesis of rac-2′-(trimethylsilyl)isovaline: A novel silicon-containing α,α-dialkylated α-amino acid

An efficient, convenient, and reliable multi-step synthesis of rac-2′-(trimethylsilyl)isovaline (rac-3) that uses inexpensive reagents in all steps has been developed, starting from diethyl malonate (overall yield 28%). Compound rac-3 is the first α-ethylated α,α-dialkylated silicon-containing α-amino acid.     

Pressure-induced transformations in α- and β-Ge3N4: in situ studies by synchrotron X-ray diffraction

Metastable high-pressure transformations in germanium nitride (α- and β-Ge₃N₄ polymorphs) have been studied by energy- and angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction at high pressures in a diamond anvil cell. Between P=22 and 25 GPa, the phenacite-structured β-Ge₃N₄ phase (P6₃/m) undergoes a 7% reduction in unit-cell volume. The densification is primarily concerned with the a-axis parameter, in a plane normal to the hexagonal c-axis. Based on results of previous LDA calculations and Raman spectroscopic studies, we propose that the structural collapse is due to transformation into a new metastable polymorph (δ-Ge₃N₄) that has a unit-cell symmetry based upon P3, that is related to the low-pressure β-Ge₃N₄ phase by concerted displacements of N atoms away from special symmetry sites in the plane normal to the c-axis. No such transformation occurs for α-Ge₃N₄, due to the different stacking of linked GeN₄ layers. All three polymorphs (α-, β- and δ-Ge₃N₄) are based on tetrahedrally coordinated Ge atoms, unlike the spinel-structured γ-Ge₃N₄ phase, that contains octahedrally coordinated Ge⁴⁺. Experimentally determined bulk modulus values for α-Ge₃N₄ (K₀=165(10) GPa, K₀′=3.7(4)) and β-Ge₃N₄ (K₀=185(7) GPa, K₀′=4.4(5)) are in excellent agreement with theoretical predictions. The bulk modulus for the new δ-Ge₃N₄ polymorph is only determined above the β-δ transition pressure (P=24 GPa); K=161(20) GPa, assuming K′=4. Above 45 GPa, both α- and δ-Ge₃N₄ polymorphs become amorphous, as determined by X-ray diffraction and Raman scattering.     

Synthesis of a phosphotyrosyl analogue having χ1, χ2 and φ angles constrained to values observed for an SH2 domain-bound phosphotyrosyl residue

Src homology 2 (SH2) domains provide connectivity in protein-tyrosine kinase (PTK)-dependent signaling through their high affinity association with phosphotyrosyl (pTyr)-containing peptide sequences. Because recognition of pTyr residues is central to SH2 domain-binding affinity, design of pTyr-mimicking residues has been one component of SH2 domain signaling antagonist development. Reported herein is the synthesis of (±)-(rel-1R,2R,5S)-3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-8-O-phosphoryl-1,5-methano-3-benzazocine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester (3c) as a monomeric pTyr-mimicking analogue that constrains three torsion angles (χ₁=168°; χ₂=−85°; φ₁=−113°) to values approximating those observed for a pTyr residue bound to the Grb2 SH2 domain (χ₁=182°; χ₂=−89°; φ₁=−132°). Compound 3c differs from our previously reported analogue, (±)-(rel-1R,2R,5S)-3-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexahydro-1-methyl-1,5-methano-3-benzazocin-8-ol, in lacking a methyl substituent at the bridgehead 1-position. Molecular modeling studies had indicated that this methyl group could potentially hinder SH2 domain binding. Synthesis of the desmethyl derivative was achieved by formation of the methanobenzazocine ring system using an intramolecular electrophilic cyclization that proceeds through an activated acyliminium intermediate. Importantly, the correct relative (2R) stereochemistry at the ‘α-carboxyl’-bearing carbon is obtained through base-catalyzed equilibration of a (2S/2R) diastereomeric mixture that results from intramolecular ring closure. Comparison of Grb2 SH2 domain-binding affinity of 3c (IC₅₀=1167 μM) with conformationally flexible phosphorylated (±)-N-acetyl-tyrosine methyl ester (15; IC₅₀=1469 μM) revealed no apparent enhancement in affinity. This apparent ineffectiveness of ‘local conformational constraint’ on SH2 domain-binding affinity of the monomeric pTyr mimetic is consistent with previous reports obtained by conformationally constraining pTyr-mimicking residues that were contained within peptide platforms. Although not providing high binding affinity in its current form, the novel 1,5-methano-3-benzazocine ring system may afford a novel platform for further elaboration and development of small molecule SH2 domain signaling antagonists.     

Carbon/λ-MnO2 composites for supercapacitor electrodes

In the present work a composite of carbon with λ-MnO₂ have been synthesized by a simple two-step route. In the first step, to obtain LiMn₂O₄/carbon material, mesoporous activated carbon was impregnated with the solution of precursor metal salts and heated subsequently. As-prepared materials were acid treated which resulted in the formation of λ-MnO₂/carbon. Physical properties, structure and specific surface area of electrode materials were studied by TEM, X-ray diffraction and nitrogen sorption measurements. Voltammetry cycling, galvanostatic charge/discharge and impedance spectroscopy measurements performed in two- and three-electrode cells have been applied in order to measure electrochemical parameters. TEM images confirmed well dispersed λ-MnO₂ particles on the surface of carbon material. The carbon in the composite plays an important role as the surface area enhancing component and a support of pseudocapacitive material. Furthermore, the through-connected porosity serves as a continuous pathway for electrolyte transport. A synergetic effect of the porous carbon framework and of the redox properties of the λ-MnO₂ is at the origin of improvement of specific capacitance values which has been observed for composites after delithiation.     

Ionic diffusion mastering using crystal-chemistry parameters: τ-Cu1/2Ag1/2V2O5 structure determination and comparison with refined δ-AgxV2O5 and ε-CuxV2O5 ones

τ-Ag_1/2Cu_1/2V₂O₅ compound crystallises in the monoclinic system space group C2/m with cell parameters a=11.757(4) Å, b=3.6942(5) Å, c=9.463(2) Å, and β=114.62(2)°. The structure is build up with V₄O₁₀ D4 double layer. The silver and copper ions are located in two different oxygenated tunnels. Examination of electronic density maps shows that while the silver ions are located in defined crystallographic sites, the copper ones are fully delocalised over the whole tunnel. Comparison with δ-Ag_xV₂O₅ and ε-Cu_xV₂O₅ refined structure allows to define crystal chemistry parameters governing the ionic delocalisation and give clues to predict from structural consideration the expected electrical behaviour with the aim to make possible a structural design to enhance guest species reactivity.     

A simple and easy one-step fabrication of thin BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−δ electrolyte membrane for solid oxide fuel cells

A green BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3−δ (BZCY) electrolyte layer was deposited on porous anode substrate (BZCY:NiO = 35:65, in weight ratio) by a suspension spray. In this process, the suspension was prepared by directly ball-milling the mixed BaCO₃, CeO₂, ZrO₂ and Y₂O₃ powders in ethanol for 24 h. Then the bi-layers were co-sintered at 1400 °C for 5 h in air to obtain dense and uniform electrolyte membrane in the thickness of 10 μm. With Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO_3−δ cathode, a fuel cell was assembled. It was tested from 600 °C to 700 °C using humid hydrogen as fuel and air as oxidant. The cell at 700 °C exhibited 1.02 V for open circuit voltage (OCV), 450 mW/cm² for peak output and 0.18 Ω cm² for electrode polarizations under open circuit conditions, respectively. The results indicate that it is feasible to fabricate thin electrolyte membrane for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) by this simple, cost-effective and efficient technique.     

Facile synthesis of α, β-unsaturated esters through a one-pot copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidation-Wittig reaction

An efficient one-pot synthesis of α, β-unsaturated esters through the aerobic oxidation – Wittig tandem reaction of alcohols and phosphorous ylide is developed. This new method operates under mild reaction conditions, and uses CuI/TEMPO (TEMPO = 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl) as co-catalyst and air (O₂) as the oxidant. It tolerates a wide range of functionalized benzylic alcohol and aliphatic alcohols.     

Cyclopentadienyl molybdenum dicarbonyl η-allyl complexes as catalyst precursors for olefin epoxidation. Crystal structures of Cp′Mo(CO)2(η-C3H5) (Cp′ = η-C5H4Me, η-C5Me5)

The complexes Cp′Mo(CO)₂(η³-C₃H₅) [Cp′ = η⁵-C₅H₅ (1), η⁵-C₅H₄Me (2), η⁵-C₅Me₅ (3)] have been prepared, structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction (2, 3), and tested as catalyst precursors for the epoxidation of olefins at 55 °C. Complex 1 gave a turnover frequency (TOF) of 310 mol mol_Mo⁻¹ h⁻¹ in the epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene with tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP, in decane) as oxidant, and 1,2-epoxycyclooctane was obtained quantitatively within 6 h. A similar result was obtained for complex 2, while the TOF for 3 was about one order of magnitude lower, suggesting a possible activity dependence on the ring substituents. For 1 the use of 1,2-dichloroethane as solvent increased the initial reaction rate to 361 mol mol_Mo⁻¹ h⁻¹, with no decrease in epoxide selectivity. Under these conditions the reaction rates for other olefins increased in the order 1-octene < trans-2-octene < cyclododecene < (R)-(+)-limonene < cis-cyclooctene, and, with the exception of limonene, the corresponding epoxide was the only product. For 1 the selective epoxidation of cis-cyclooctene could also be achieved in aqueous solution, using TBHP or H₂O₂ as oxidants, which gave epoxide yields of 99% and 27% at 24 h, respectively. The possibility of facilitating catalyst recycling by using ionic liquids as solvents was investigated.     

Preparation and Double-Helix Icosahedra Structure of δ-Co2Zn15

The first known example of a regular face-sharing icosahedra helix is presented in the novel crystal structure of δ-Co₂Zn₁₅, solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray and neutron powder diffraction data. The compound δ-Co₂Zn₁₅ is also the first example of an intermetallic compound crystallizing in the acentric hexagonal space group P6₂. The parameters from the single crystal refinement are a=11.292(2) Å, c=7.750(1) Å, Z=4, and R_w=0.025.