Disappearance of dislodgable residues of methomyl from leaves and vegetables in Tamilnadu (India)

The dislodgable residues of methomyl from leaves and vegetables were determined by a single-step methanol extraction followed by reversed-phase HPLC. The residues on the bhendi vegetables and leaves were several times higher than on the brinjal vegetables and leaves. The pesticide, however, dissipates rapidly under the South Indian climatic conditions resulting in undetectable residues within three days of spraying.     

An unusual reductive cyclization

Li-NH₃ reduction of 1α-Ethynyl-1β-hydroxy-6-oxo-8a-methyl-1,2,3,4,6,7,8,8a octahydronaphthalene 5 furnishes, in addition to reported products, the tricyclic compound $\text{8}$.     

Ferroelectric domain phenomena and microdomain engineering in BaMgF4 single crystal

Ferroelectric domain phenomena and periodic domain patterning of orthorhombic as-grown BaMgF₄ single crystal were investigated in the present study. An isolated ferroelectric domain shows a hexagonal form and exhibits a high domain-wall anisotropy. Periodic domain patterning was demonstrated on the polar surface by a periodic macropoling technique. In-plane polarization switching-induced microdomain patterning was tailored by the lateral component of the inhomogeneous electric field through a biased atomic force microscope tip. Such in-plane domain switching behavior exhibits potential promise for periodic domain engineered phonon devices. PACS 77.80.Dj; 77.80.Fm; 07.79.Lh     

Thermal decomposition kinetics of sodium metaperiodate

Aged and fresh samples of sodium metaperiodate are subjected to thermal decomposition studies in air by TG, DTG and DTA techniques. The kinetic parameters for their decomposition have been evaluated by weighted least squares method using equations of Coats-Redfern, Horowitz-Metzger and Freeman-Carroll. The results indicate that, within the limits of experimental error, ageing did not change the E^* values considerably.

---

, . , -, - -. , , , E^*.

     

'Double asymmetric induction' as a novel tool for high stereocontrol in Baylis-Hillman reaction

The strategy of double asymmetric induction was utilized in Baylis-Hillman reaction for the first time by the coupling of chiral aldehydes with chiral acrylate (1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-alpha-D-glucofuranose-3-acrylate) to obtain corresponding adducts with high syn diastereoselectivities (de >90%) in moderate to good yields.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a uranyl(VI) complex possessing unsupported unidentate thiolate ligands

The synthesis and structural characterization of the first example of a uranyl(VI) complex possessing unsupported unidentate thiolate ligands, UO2(S-2,6-Cl2C6H3)2L2 (2b, L=N,N-diisobutylisopropylamide), are reported. Isolation of 2b as a stable mononuclear complex is provided by the alkyl substituents of the organic amide ligands, which offer enhanced solubility, electron-releasing properties, and steric protection to help saturate the uranyl(VI) coordination sphere.     

Kinetic Studies on Star Polymerization of Styrene,MA and MMA Using New Three and Four Arm Chain Transfer Agents (CTAs): The Role of R-Group Structure Present in the CTA on RAFT Polymerization

Polystyrene, poly(methylacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) four and three-arm stars were synthesized by Reversible Addition Fragmentation chain-Transfer (RAFT) polymerization by using two new dithioester-derived chain transfer agents [CTA or R-S-(C = S)Z]), CTA-1 and CTA-2. CTA-1 is a four arm CTA while CTA-2 is a three-arm CTA. These were easily synthesized from commercially available reagents and were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, IR and mass spectrometry. It is demonstrated that the two new CTAs enable the growth of arms away from the core (i.e., core first approach). An attempt has been made to study the effect of the structure of the R-group, which is present as the core in the CTA, on the polymerization, by analyzing the detailed kinetics. This study suggests that CTA-2, with a benzylic R group, enables the controlled star polymerization of styrene while CTA-1, with a R group similar in structure to the propagating radical derived from the polymerization of methyl acrylate (MA), enables the controlled polymerization of MA although to a lesser extent. This study also reveals that the temperature of free radical initiated RAFT (star) polymerization should be chosen in such a way that it is a compromise between reasonable rate of homolysis of the initiator and the CTA (R-group).     

Catalytic applications of hydrotalcite-like materials and their derived forms

Hydrotalcite-like (HT-like) materials have been studied extensively in the last three decades. Although these materials initially perceived as potential anion exchangers, unrelenting efforts have also been attempted to use them as catalytic materials or as catalytic supports. There are varied ways by which one can use them for catalysis viz.; 1. Use them in as-synthesized form 2. Use them after calcining where the structural integrity of layered lattice is lost 3. Use the interlayer as functional spaces with moieties of catalytic interest 4. Use them after destruction or delamination and restructuring and 5. Use them as support or matrix. In this review, we are reporting the catalytic applications of HT-like materials and their derived forms carried out in our research group for the last 15 years in these various ways, covering reactions such as nitrous oxide decomposition, selective oxidation of organic compounds of industrial relevance and base-catalyzed isomerization of chemicals of perfumery interest. Although this review primarily focuses on our work, wherever applicable, related or relevant works from other groups are also presented to bestow comprehensiveness.