Intramolecular Ketone-Olefin Radical Cyclization with Low-Valent Titanium Reagent: Synthesis of Benzopyrans

A novel protocol for intramolecular ketyl-olefin radical cyclization with low-valent titanium reagent is outlined. It allows the formation of the benzopyran nucleus from ortho-allyloxy propiophenones as the sole product in moderate yields via intramolecular radical cyclization.     

Identification and quantification of anthocyanins,flavonoids, and phenolic acids in flowers of Rhododendron arboreum and evaluation of their antioxidant potential

The current study aimed to investigate the anthocyanins, non-anthocyanins (flavonoids and phenolic acids), and free radicals scavenging potential in the flowers of Rhododendron arboreum using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with ion mobility quadrupole time of flight tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 25 constituents including nine anthocyanins, six phenolic acids, and ten flavonoids were identified in the flower extract. The major anthocyanins identified were cyanidin-3-O-β-galactoside ( 1 ), cyanidin-3-O-α-arabinoside ( 4 ), and cyanidin-3-O-rhamnoside ( 8 ), while quercetin glycosides were the main identified flavonoids in R. arboreum flowers. Additionally, ultra high performance liquid chromatography methods were developed and validated for the quantification of nine compounds (anthocyanins, flavonoid glycosides, and phenolic acids); five of them were quantified using internal standards. The extracts were analyzed for total phenolics (123.6 mg GAE/g), anthocyanin content (1.76% w/w), and evaluated for antioxidant properties against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (IC₅₀: 102.06 and 96.92 μg/mL) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (112.25 and 45.59 μM TE/g) assays. The profiling of R. arboreum for anthocyanins is reported for the first time. The findings suggest that the flowers are a promising source of bioactive constituents and could be used as functional food, antioxidants, and nutraceuticals.     

Observation of a donor exciton band in silicon

Far-infrared transmission measurements on P-doped Si at donor concentrations below the metal-insulator transition show absorption bands from donor pairs. We identify the lowest energy band as charge transfer excitations from a donor to its neigbhor, forming excitons (D⁺D^-) in the Mott-Hubbard gap. The results suggest that charge transfer states in complexes dominate the low-energy optical excitations as the insulator approaches the Mott density.     

Block copolymer containing poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and poly(4‐vinylpyridine): Synthesis and its interaction with CdSe quantum dots for hybrid organic applications

Poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer was synthesized by RAFT polymerization of 4‐vinyl pyridine using a trithiocarbonate‐terminated poly(3‐hexylthiophene) macro‐RAFT agent. The optoelectronic properties and the morphology of the block copolymer blends with CdSe quantum dots were investigated. UV‐vis and fluorescence experiments were performed to prove the charge transfer between CdSe and poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐b‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Enhancement of OFET performance of semiconducting polymers containing benzodithiophene upon surface treatment with organic silanes

Poly{4,8‐bis(4‐decylphenylethynyl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene} ( P1 ) homopolymer and poly{4,8‐bis(4‐decylphenylethynyl)benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene ‐alt‐thiophene} ( P2 ) alternating copolymer have been synthesized by Stille coupling polymerization. The field‐effect mobilities of both polymers were measured on both untreated and silane‐treated OFET devices. Various silanes were selected to allow an incremental increase in the hydrophobicity of the silicon dioxide dielectric. A direct correlation was observed between the hydrophobicity of the silicon dioxide dielectric surface and the enhancement of the field‐effect mobilities. The highest mobilities for both polymers were measured on the OFET devices treated with heptadecafluoro‐1,1,2,2‐tetrahydro‐decyl‐1‐trimethoxysilane (FS) which generated the most hydrophobic surface. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in C8 isomer aromatic feed: analysis by GC, GC/MS, and GC/FTIR techniques

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), apart from their carcinogenic and mutagenic nature, create many problems in the petrochemical industry due to their tendency toward carbonization. Compounds in C8 aromatic isomer feed are analyzed by means of sample concentration, followed by separation of individual compounds by gas chromatography on a stainless steel OV-101 phase capillary column and identification by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Various compounds belonging to different classes (mainly monocyclic, dicyclic, and tricyclic aromatics), oxygenated aromatics, and aliphatic saturates are quantified in the concentrated hydrocarbon residue of C8 isomer feed. Both unsubstituted and alkyl substituted ring type compounds are present. Concentrations obtained for PAH compounds in the C8 isomer feed range from 0.2 to 0.42 micrograms/mL.     

Direct amplitude detection of Zernike modes by computer-generated holographic wavefront sensor: Modeling and simulation

A fast holographic wavefront sensor is proposed using a computer-generated hologram (CGH). This CGH is a multiplexed hologram of different Zernike mode–amplitude combinations, and is designed in such a manner as to get the corresponding spots on the detector according to the presence and strength of a particular aberration. Interference between the aberrated wavefront (with a single mode–amplitude combination) and the Fourier transform of an image with single bright pixel (defined as dot image) is numerically calculated for one hologram. Different mode–amplitude combination and corresponding different positions of bright pixels (dots) are taken to compute various holograms and then all the holograms are multiplexed to get the final hologram. When the aberrated wavefront with a particular mode–amplitude combination is incident onto the multiplexed hologram, the corresponding dot is generated in the Fourier plane. A lens performs the Fourier transform in optical domain and provides the instant detection of amplitude of the respective Zernike mode. The main advantage of the scheme is to avoid the need of any computations, which makes it really fast. The simulation results are presented with the cross-talk analysis for few Zernike terms.     

Application of possibility theory to investment decisions

Carlson and Fuller (2001, Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 122, 315–326) introduced the concept of possibilistic mean, variance and covariance of fuzzy numbers. In this paper, we extend some of these results to a nonlinear type of fuzzy numbers called adaptive fuzzy numbers (see Bodjanova (2005, Information Science, 172, 73–89) for detail). We then discuss the application of these results to decision making problems in which the parameters may involve uncertainty and vagueness. As an application, we develop expression for fuzzy net present value (FNPV) of future cash flows involving adaptive fuzzy numbers by using their possibilistic moments. An illustrative numerical example is given to illustrate the results.