Phenols in whisky

Summary Twelve volatile phenols were identified in whisky by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Of these phenols 2,4-dimethylphenol was found for the first time in the aroma of whisky. The content of phenol, o-, m-, and p-cresol, guaiacol, p-ethylphenol, p-ethylguaiacol and eugenol in whiskies originating from different countries was determined by gas chromatography as their 2,4-dinitrophenyl ethers using electron capture detection. The results show that Scotch whiskies differ from others in the content of o-, m-, and p-cresol. The odour threshold values of phenols studied were determined in a 10% (v/v) ethanol-water mixture and in some cases also in the whiskies. Cresols have been found to make contribution to the aroma of Scotch whisky.Presented at the 14th International Symposium on Chromatography London, September, 1982     

Advanced solvent signal suppression for the acquisition of 1D and 2D NMR spectra of Scotch Whisky

A simple and robust solvent suppression technique that enables acquisition of high‐quality 1D ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra of alcoholic beverages on cryoprobe instruments was developed and applied to acquire NMR spectra of Scotch Whisky. The method uses 3 channels to suppress signals of water and ethanol, including those of ¹³C satellites of ethanol. It is executed in automation allowing high throughput investigations of alcoholic beverages. On the basis of the well‐established 1D nuclear Overhauser spectroscopy (NOESY) solvent suppression technique, this method suppresses the solvent at the beginning of the pulse sequence, producing pure phase signals minimally affected by the relaxation. The developed solvent suppression procedure was integrated into several homocorrelated and heterocorrelated 2D NMR experiments, including 2D correlation spectroscopy (COSY), 2D total correlation spectroscopy (TOCSY), 2D band‐selective TOCSY, 2D J‐resolved spectroscopy, 2D ¹H, ¹³C heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation spectroscopy (HSQC), 2D ¹H, ¹³C HSQC‐TOCSY, and 2D ¹H, ¹³C heteronuclear multiple‐bond correlation spectroscopy (HMBC). A 1D chemical‐shift‐selective TOCSY experiments was also modified. The wealth of information obtained by these experiments will assist in NMR structure elucidation of Scotch Whisky congeners and generally the composition of alcoholic beverages at the molecular level.     

Detection of counterfeit Scotch whisky samples using mid-infrared spectrometry with an attenuated total reflectance probe incorporating polycrystalline silver halide fibres

Two methods of analysis were developed to permit detection of counterfeit Scotch whisky samples using a novel attenuated total reflectance (ATR) diamond-tipped immersion probe for mid-infrared (MIR) spectrometry. The first method allowed determination of the ethanol concentration (35–45% (v/v)) in situ without dilution of the samples; the results obtained compared well with the supplied concentrations (average relative error of 1.2% and 0.8% for univariate and multivariate partial least squares (PLS) calibration, respectively). The second method involved analysis of dried residues of the whisky samples and caramel solutions on the diamond ATR crystal; principal component analysis (PCA) of the spectra was used to classify the samples and investigate the colorant added. Seventeen test whisky samples were successfully categorised as either authentic or counterfeit in a blind study when both MIR methods were used.     

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry fingerprinting of whisky: immediate proof of origin and authenticity

Authentic samples of whisky produced in Scotland and USA and counterfeit whisky samples commercialized in Brazil have been directly submitted to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) analysis in both the negative and positive ion modes to assess the potential of this technique for simple and rapid quality control and proof of authenticity of whisky samples. ESI in the negative ion mode yields the most characteristic whisky fingerprinting mass spectra in just a few seconds by direct infusion of the samples, detecting the most polar or acidic components of each sample in their deprotonated anionic forms. No pre-treatment of the sample, such as extraction or derivatization or even dilution, is required. The analysis of the ESI(-)-MS data both by simple visual inspection but more particularly by chemometric data treatment enables separation of the whisky samples into three unequivocally distinct groups: Scotch, American and counterfeit whisky, whereas single malt and blended Scotch whiskies are also distinguished to some extent. As indicated by ESI-MS/MS analysis, the diagnostic anions are simple sugars, disaccharides and phenolic compounds. Direct infusion ESI-MS therefore provides immediate chemical fingerprinting of whisky samples for type, origin and quality control, as demonstrated herein for American, Scottish and counterfeit samples, whereas ESI-MS/MS analysis of diagnostic ions adds a second dimension of fingerprinting characterization when improved selectivity is desired.     

Non-destructive dating of fiber-based gelatin silver prints using near-infrared spectroscopy and multivariate analysis

An innovative approach to date fiber-based gelatin silver prints using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR) and multivariate analysis is presented. NIR spectra were acquired for 152 film stills printed in the USA between 1914 and 1986, and partial least square (PLS) analysis was used to correlate the spectra with the year the photographs were printed. Principal component analysis and spectral interpretation helped clarify the underlying correlation between the print date and the composition and ageing of the photographic papers. The method was successfully validated with an independent set of 66 film stills printed in the USA, and a prediction error (root mean square error of prediction) of 6 years was achieved. The method was also tested on films stills printed in Germany and Russia, as well as amateur prints and photographs in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art. The prediction error was significantly larger, with the exception of the amateur prints, due to differences in the composition and/or properties of the papers depending on their geographical origin and purpose as confirmed by discriminant analysis.     

Type II Anion Relay Chemistry: Exploiting Bifunctional Weinreb Amide Linchpins for the One‐Pot Synthesis of Differentiated 1,3‐Diketones,Pyrans, and Spiroketals

The design, synthesis, and validation of new highly effective bifunctional linchpins for type II anion relay chemistry (ARC) has been achieved. The mechanistically novel negative‐charge migration that comprises the Brook rearrangement is now initiated by a stabilized tetrahedral intermediate, which is generated by nucleophilic addition to a Weinreb amide, rather than by a simple oxyanion that is generated from an epoxide. As a result, the linchpin preserves the carbonyl functionality in the ARC adducts, thus permitting access to functionally complex systems in a single flask without the need for further chemical manipulations. This tactic was validated with the one‐pot preparation of monoprotected 1,3‐diketones as well as pyran and spiroketal scaffolds, depending on the choice of nucleophile, electrophile, and work‐up conditions.     

Production of microfibrillated cellulose from unbleached kraft pulp of Kenaf and Scotch Pine and its effect on the properties of hardwood kraft: microfibrillated cellulose paper

This work investigated the effect of using Kenaf bast fibre kraft pulps compared to Scotch Pine kraft pulps for producing microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and its employment for improving mechanical and physical properties of handsheets made from unbleached kraft hardwood pulp. It was shown that MFC based on Kenaf fibres can be produced at higher consistencies [>5 % (w/w)] compared to when Scotch Pine is employed [≈2 % (w/w)] as raw material. The possibility of using a higher consistency when processing Kenaf is beneficial for the processing in microfluidizers. The rheological properties of the products were shown to be consistent with what is known for MFC-based systems. The studies indicate that the mechanical properties of handsheets from unbleached kraft hardwood pulp can be improved by replacing part of the unbleached kraft hardwood pulp fibres with either unbleached kraft Kenaf pulp or unbleached Scotch Pine kraft pulp. However, the same levels of improvements were obtained when using only a small amount [≈6 % (w/w)] of MFC based on Kenaf or Scotch Pine, when introduced into the system either as a dry strength additive or by coating pre-made handsheets. Finally, it was shown that the incorporation of MFC in handsheets decreases the air-permeability; this effect became amplified when the MFC was applied as a coating onto the handsheets.     

One‐Pot Mechanosynthesis with Three Levels of Molecular Self‐Assembly: Coordination Bonds,Hydrogen Bonds and Host–Guest Inclusion

Liquid‐assisted grinding (LAG) was used to combine three levels of molecular self‐assembly into a one‐pot mechanochemical approach for the construction of metal–organic materials. The approach was applied for the construction of three adducts of cobalt(II) dibenzoylmethanate with isonicotinamide, nicotinamide and imidazole, to screen for their inclusion compounds. The one‐pot process consists of: i) The coordination‐driven binding of addends to the equatorially‐protected metal ion, resulting in “wheel‐and‐axle”‐shaped complexes; ii) self‐assembly of resulting complexes by way of hydrogen‐bonded synthons to form metal–organic inclusion hosts; iii) in situ inclusion of the grinding liquid in the resulting host. This approach provided quantitatively and within 20 min the known inclusion compounds of the bis(isonicotinamide) adduct in a single synthetic step. Changing the liquid phase in LAG was used to explore the inclusion behaviour of new wheel‐and‐axle adducts with nicotinamide and imidazole, revealing several inclusion compounds, as well as two polymorphs, of the bis(nicotinamide) host. Preliminary results suggest that one‐pot LAG is superior to solution synthesis in screening for metal–organic inclusion compounds. The difference between the methods is rationalised in terms of reactant solubility and solvent competition. In contrast to the nicotinamide adduct, the bis(imidazole) adduct did not form inclusion compounds. The difference in the inclusion properties of the two adducts is rationalised by structural information gathered by single crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction.     

100 Jahre Einkristallzucht aus der Schmelze

Cars, television, mobile phones, digital cameras, cash machines: Daily life is strongly affected by microchips produced from high purity silicon single crystals via thin wafers. Most of these single crystals are prepared by a process invented by the German‐Polish scientist Jan Czochralski in 1916 in the “Kabelwerk Oberspree (KWO)” of the “Allgemeine Elektricitätsgesellschaft (AEG)” in Berlin‐Oberschöneweide. Czochralski discovered the famous method to pull single crystals by accident: Deep in thought, he dipped his pen not into an ink pot but into a crucible with liquid tin, both standing next to one another on his desk. Quickly he pulled his pen out and observed a thin thread of tin emerging from the tip. After etching, the thread was identified as a single crystal of tin. This observation is probably one of the most important technical inventions of the first half of the 20^th century. In 1917, he left the AEG in Berlin and worked in the metal research laboratory, later belonging to the “Metallgesellschaft”, in Frankfurt/Main. Until today, wafers of high‐purity silicon are prepared by the Czochralski method. Silicon wafers with 200 mm diameter were produced in 1990, 300 mm wafers in 2001. The production of wafers with 450 mm diameter was expected for 2016. Siltronic produced in 2009 the first dislocation‐free silicon single crystal with 450 mm diameter, and other companies followed. However, until now, the 450 mm technology is not standard. This is due to a combination of very high investment costs needed to establish the 450 mm technology and very low prices of microchips.     

Applications of Allylsamarium Bromide as a Grignard Reagent and a Single‐Electron Transfer Reagent in the One‐Pot Synthesis of Dienes and Trienes

The utility of allylsamarium bromide, both as a nucleophilic reagent and a single‐electron transfer (SET) reagent in the reaction of α‐halo, γ‐halo‐α,β‐unsaturated ketones and esters with allylsamarium bromide is reported for the first time in this paper. From a synthetic point of view, a general, efficient and experimentally simple one‐pot method for the preparation of 1,4‐dienes and trienes is developed. A possible mechanism of the transformation is proposed.     

One‐Pot Synthesis of Highly Substituted 1H‐Pyrazole‐5‐carboxylates from 4‐Aryl‐2,4‐diketoesters and Arylhydrazines

A one‐pot synthesis of highly substituted 1H‐pyrazole‐5‐carboxylates 1 has been developed starting from easily available 4‐aryl‐2,4‐diketoesters 2 and arylhydrazine hydrochlorides 3 . More active 2‐carbonyl group of 2 was blocked with methoxyamine hydrochloride to give 2‐methoxy imine intermediates, which were then subjected to condensation cyclization with 3 in situ to provide the desired products 1 . In addition, the geometrical configuration of 1aa was unambiguously confirmed by single crystal X‐ray crystallography.     

Biomolecular Assemblies Combining Two Orthogonal Copper‐Mediated Ligations in a One‐Pot Reaction

The access to multifunctional biomolecular compounds involves multistep reactions usually with a complicated protection scheme and lengthy separation processes. The development of a strategy combining several orthogonal ligations is highly desirable. Herein, we introduce a new method that involves two orthogonal copper‐mediated ligations of azide with alkyne, and amine with thioacid. We established compatible conditions to carry out molecular assemblies of three different chemical components in a single one‐pot reaction. The effectiveness of the method was demonstrated in the synthesis of biomolecular compounds that are known to target tumor tissue. The simple reaction conditions suggest that this strategy of combining several orthogonal ligations could have wide potential for the chemical synthesis of complex macromolecules.     

Analytical strategies to confirm Scotch whisky authenticity. Part II: Mobile brand authentication

Whilst the authentication of Scotch whisky brands using laboratory based gas chromatography is well established, there is a need for authentication methods for use under field test conditions. The UV/visible absorbance spectra of specific brands of Scotch whisky were found to produce consistent absorbance ranges which allowed the development of a faster, cheaper and more mobile test method. Test samples with spectra outside the acceptable ranges for genuine reference samples were therefore deemed suspect, enabling their authenticity to be later confirmed in the laboratory by GC. This novel application allowed brand authenticity analyses to be undertaken at remote sites where gas chromatography was unavailable and has also allowed the introduction of field testing using a small portable hand held spectrophotometer.     

One‐pot synthesis of block copolymers by ring‐opening polymerization and ultraviolet light‐induced ATRP at ambient temperature

We successfully synthesized poly(l ‐lactide)‐b‐poly (methyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers at ambient temperature by combining ultraviolet light‐induced copper‐catalyzed ATRP and organo‐catalyzed ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) in one‐pot. The polymerization processes were carried out by three routes: one‐pot simultaneous ATRP and ROP, one‐pot sequential ATRP followed by ROP, and one‐pot sequential ROP followed by ATRP. The structure of the block copolymers is confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography, which suggests that the polymerization method is facile and attractive for preparing block copolymers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018 , 56, 699–704     

Ruthenium‐Catalyzed meta‐Selective C?H Bromination

The first example of a transition‐metal‐catalyzed, meta‐selective C H bromination procedure is reported. In the presence of catalytic [{Ru(p‐cymene)Cl₂}₂], tetrabutylammonium tribromide can be used to functionalize the meta C H bond of 2‐phenylpyridine derivatives, thus affording difficult to access products which are highly predisposed to further derivatization. We demonstrate this utility with one‐pot bromination/arylation and bromination/alkenylation procedures to deliver meta‐arylated and meta‐alkenylated products, respectively, in a single step.     

Enantioselective catalysis of hetero Diels-Alder reaction and diethylzinc addition using a single catalyst

[reaction: see text] Integration of two asymmetric reactions in one pot with the promotion of a single catalyst has been achieved in high efficiency and excellent stereoselectivity for hetero Diels-Alder reaction of Danishefsky's diene and diethylzinc addition to aldehydes. The strategy described in the present work demonstrated the ability of a single catalyst to promote two distinct enantioselective reactions in one pot.     

An Efficient One‐Pot Four‐Segment Condensation Method for Protein Chemical Synthesis

Successive peptide ligation using a one‐pot method can improve the efficiency of protein chemical synthesis. Although one‐pot three‐segment ligation has enjoyed widespread application, a robust method for one‐pot four‐segment ligation had to date remained undeveloped. Herein we report a new one‐pot multisegment peptide ligation method that can be used to condense up to four segments with operational simplicity and high efficiency. Its practicality is demonstrated by the one‐pot four‐segment synthesis of a plant protein, crambin, and a human chemokine, hCCL21.     

Multisite Organic–Inorganic Hybrid Catalysts for the Direct Sustainable Synthesis of GABAergic Drugs

Multisite organic–inorganic hybrid catalysts have been prepared and applied in a new general, practical, and sustainable synthetic procedure toward industrially relevant GABA derivatives. The domino sequence is composed of seven chemical transformations which are performed in two one‐pot reactions. The method produces both enantiomeric forms of the product in high enantiopurity as well as the racemate in good yields after a single column purification step. This protocol highlights major process intensification, catalyst recyclability, and low waste generation.     

One‐pot Syntheses of Some New 2,4(1H,3H)‐quinazolinedione Derivatives in the Absence of Catalyst

A facile, rapid and one‐pot procedure for the synthesis of some new 2,4(1H ,3H )‐quinazolinediones is described. The method involves the one‐pot condensation of isatoic anhydride, primary amine and carbonyl diimidazole (CDI) in the absence of organic or inorganic catalyst. It affords the corresponding product in high yield.     

A new synthesis of oxazoles

Oxazoles are prepared from the ketoximes in a single pot sequence.