Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on heterogeneous carbon materials

Abstract  An overview of the use of electrochemical sensors made from heterogeneous carbon materials (carbon paste electrodes, screen-printed carbon electrodes) in the field of food analysis is presented. Sensors for inorganic and organic analytes as well as biosensors are summarized. Graphical abstract        

Interaction of push–pull <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert-</Emphasis>enamines with phenylglyoxal

Abstract  The reaction of push–pull enamines with 1,2-biselectrophilic phenylglyoxal was investigated. Phenylglyoxal was found to react depending on the structure of the push–pull enamine, affording either a hydroxyalkylation product at the methyl group or the cyclic product via participation of the methyl group and the β-carbon of the enamine. Graphical abstract        

Inhibition of J-aggregation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">meso</Emphasis>-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin by an ionic liquid with π-conjugated character

Abstract  UV–visible spectral observations indicate that the J-aggregation of protonated meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ([H₂TSPP]²⁺) under acidic conditions is completely inhibited by the π–π counteraction between 1-butyl-pyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bpy]BF₄) and [H₂TSPP]²⁺. The studies also suggest that the intermolecular π–π force is of relative importance for the J-aggregates of [H₂TSPP]²⁺ and the intermolecular electrostatic force for the H-aggregates. Graphical Abstract        

Electrochemical production of novel products from 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone in the presence of some β-diketones

Abstract  Electrochemical oxidation of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone has been studied in the presence of β-diketones as nucleophiles in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the derivatives of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone participate in a Michael addition reaction to form the corresponding benzofuran derivatives. The electrochemical synthesis has been successfully performed at pH 7.0 and E = 0.1 V versus an Ag|AgCl|KCl (3 M) in an undivided cell in good yield and purity. Graphical Abstract        

Synthesis of benzohetero[3, 2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]pyrimidines using cyclic β-keto lactone as a building block

Abstract  A novel method for the synthesis of 3-(2-substituted ethyl)-2-methylbenzohetero[3,2-a]pyrimidines in high yield (80–85%) was achieved, which involves a dihydrofuranone intermediate, readily obtained from β-ketolactone to 2-aminobenzoheterocycles. The major advantage of the methodology is the high yield and product purity. Graphical Abstract        

Synthesis and study of the fluorescent behavior of 3-pyridinecarbonitriles

Abstract  A series of (2E)-3-(1-chloro-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-1-(4-aryl)prop-2-en-1-ones (chalcones) have been synthesized by a new synthetic route. The 3-pyridinecarbonitrile derivatives were synthesized by the Michael reaction of malononitrile (in base) and aroylacetonitriles (in acid) with chalcones in one pot. The fluorescent properties and quantum yields of these compounds were studied. Graphical Abstract        

Fusing C<Subscript>60</Subscript> units without Stone–Wales bond rotations

Abstract  Using ab-initio calculation, we have explored new chemical paths for the coalescence of C₆₀ units into higher fullerenes and novel structures. Besides the Stone–Wales paradigm used for rationalizing the fusion of fullerenes and nanotubes, we demonstrated that an alternative path exists for the fusion of two C₆₀ units. This path uses successive “π–π” additions and subsequent bond reorganizations to lead to a specific C₁₂₀ peanut-like structure. The energies of the chemical barriers, the intermediate structures, and the final product are markedly lower than their counterparts found in the chemical paths based on Stone–Wales bond rotations. The results rationalize the existence of a temperature range in which peanut-like structures are obtained during thermal treatment of peapod structures. Graphical abstract   Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Enantioselective synthesis of 1-arylethanediols by rhodium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of α-tosyloxyarylketones

Abstract  Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of α-tosyloxyarylketones mediated by a chiral rhodium complex using an azeotropic mixture of formic acid/triethylamine afforded the corresponding 1-arylethanediol monotosylates in excellent yield with high enantioselectivity. Graphical abstract        

(<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-(−)-α-Methylbenzylamine as chiral auxiliary in the synthesis of (+)-lortalamine

Abstract  (+)-Lortalamine was synthesised using (S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine as a chiral auxiliary. The stereochemistry of an intermediate compound was established on the basis of X-ray crystallography, allowing unambiguous assignment of the absolute configuration. Graphical abstract        

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]-oxazocine-3,5-dione and its derivatives

Abstract  The enzymatic cyclization of phenoxyacetylcyanomethylenetriphenylphosphorane derivatives using pre-treated baker’s yeast cells, a rapid one-pot assembly of heteromacrocyclic compounds, is described. Graphical abstract        

Structure and conductivity in CeNb<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>9-δ</Subscript>

Abstract  In the search of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells, a study of the structure and electrical conductivity of Mg-doped and nominally pure CeNb₃O_9-δ was undertaken. This material exhibits an orthorhombic crystal structure as determined by Rietveld refinement. Through a combined study of 4-point DC and AC impedance spectroscopy, it was determined that the material presents oxygen ion conductivity, electron conductivity and electron-hole conductivity according to the partial pressure of oxygen and temperature in agreement with a simple defect chemistry model. Finally, some experiments seem to indicate the presence of proton conduction. Graphical Abstract        

Synthesis of imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]acridones and imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]acridines as potential antibacterial agents

Abstract  New imidazo[4,5-a]acridone derivatives were synthesized from the rearrangement of 3H-imidazo[4′,5′:3,4]benzo[c]isoxazoles. New imidazo[4,5-a]acridines were obtained from the reaction of imidazo[4,5-a]acridones in boiling POCl₃. All of these compounds exhibited antimicrobial activities comparable to streptomycin as reference drug. Graphical abstract        

A diol-functionalized ionic liquid: an efficient, simple, and recoverable “capture and release” reagent for aldehydes

Abstract  A new diol-functionalized ionic liquid, 2,2-bis(1-(1-methylimidazolium)methylpropane-1,3-diol hexafluorophosphate, was synthesized and applied as a facile, efficient, and recoverable “capture and release” reagent for aldehydes. This method has the advantages of homogeneous reaction, heterogeneous separation, and recyclable uses. Graphical abstract        

A highly efficient and ecofriendly procedure for tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols in the presence of in-situ generated I2 under heterogeneous and neutral conditions

Abstract  Molecular iodine generated in situ from Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O/NaI acts as a highly efficient catalyst for tetrahydropyranylation of various alcohols and phenols with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran in almost quantitative yields. The reaction occurs rapidly in dichloromethane at room temperature, and use of toxic molecular iodine is avoided. Graphical Abstract        

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the complexation of Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> with valinomycin

Abstract  From extraction experiments in the two-phase water–nitrobenzene system and γ-activity measurements, the stability constant of the valinomycin–lithium complex in nitrobenzene saturated with water was determined. Further, the structure of the resulting complex was indicated by means of the density functional level of theory (DFT) calculations. Graphical abstract        

Synthesis of 3-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones under microwave irradiation

Abstract  A facile procedure for the synthesis of quinoxalines is being reported starting from 3-(2-bromoacetyl)coumarins or 3-(2-bromobutanoyl)coumarins and substituted o-phenylenediamines. The reactions were carried out under catalyst-free and microwave irradiation conditions producing the title compounds in moderate to excellent yields in a short time with easy workup. The structures of all new compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS data. Graphical Abstract        

One-step regioselective green synthesis of 2,3-mannoepoxy-β-cyclodextrin under aqueous conditions

Abstract  A simple method for the straightforward regioselective synthesis of 2,3-mannoepoxy-β-cyclodextrin, which is a valuable precursor for further functionalization of β-cyclodextrin, is achieved under aqueous conditions without any organic solvents at a moderate yield. Graphical abstract        

An efficient and convenient protocol for the synthesis of novel 1′H-spiro[isoindoline-1,2′-quinazoline]-3,4′(3′H)-dione derivatives

Abstract  An efficient and direct procedure for the synthesis of novel spiro[isoindoline-1,2′-quinazoline]-3,4′(3′H)-dione derivatives is described. The process employs a condensation reaction of 2-aminobenzamides and isatins in the presence of a catalytic amount of KAl(SO₄)₂.12H₂O (alum) in ethanol under reflux. Graphical Abstract        

A synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates catalyzed by KOH in an ionic liquid

Abstract  1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide was used as a green recyclable alternative to volatile organic solvents for KOH catalyzed three-component synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates from aldehydes, diethyl malonate, and alkylthiols. Graphical Abstract  A synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates catalyzed by KOH in an ionic liquid      

Micro-solid oxide fuel cells: status,challenges, and chances

Abstract  Micro-solid oxide fuel cells (micro-SOFC) are predicted to be of high energy density and are potential power sources for portable electronic devices. A micro-SOFC system consists of a fuel cell comprising a positive electrode-electrolyte-negative electrode (i.e. PEN) element, a gas-processing unit, and a thermal system where processing is based on micro-electro-mechanical-systems fabrication techniques. A possible system approach is presented. The critical properties of the thin film materials used in the PEN membrane are discussed, and the unsolved subtasks related to micro-SOFC membrane development are pointed out. Such a micro-SOFC system approach seems feasible and offers a promising alternative to state-of-the-art batteries in portable electronics. Graphical abstract  Graphical Abstract text