DMC: A multifunctional hybrid dynamics/Monte Carlo simulation algorithm for the evaluation of conformational space

A hybrid conformational search algorithm (DMC) is described that combines a modified form of molecular dynamics with Metropolis Monte Carlo sampling, using the COSMIC(90) force field. Trial configurations are generated by short bursts of high-temperature dynamics in which the initial kinetic energy is focused into single bond rotations or alternatively into “corner-flapping” motions in ring systems. Constant temperature and simulated annealing search protocols have been applied to the conformational analysis of several model hydrocarbons (cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane, cycloheptadecane, decane, and tetradecane), and the performance compared with conventional molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo sampling methods. Optimum Metropolis sampling temperatures have been determined and range from 1000–2000 K for acyclic molecules to 3000 K for cyclic systems. Simulated annealing runs are most successful at locating the global minimum when cooling slowing from these optimum temperatures.     

Synthesis and dispersion of Ni(OH)2 platelet-like nanoparticles in water

Synthesis of nanometric platelet-like Ni(OH)2 particles is described. The role of several experimental parameters on the particle size is investigated. A colloidal dispersion of particles is produced by adsorbing ionizable organic ligands (trisodium citrate) on the particle surface. The stability of this colloidal dispersion and the particle charge density are determined for different citrate ions concentrations.     

Inclusion complexes of trivalent lutetium cations with an acidic derivative of per(3,6-anhydro)-alpha-cyclodextrin

The cyclodextrin derivative (hexakis (2-O-carboxymethyl-3,6-anhydro)-alpha-cyclodextrin) forms mono- and bimetallic complexes with lutetium(III) in aqueous solution; the X-ray structure of the binuclear complex [Lu2(ACX)(H2O)2] is the first example of a lanthanide-cyclodextrin inclusion complex.     

Novel Access to Furan-3-thiols and Derivatives,Impact Meat-Flavor Compounds

A versatile process for the preparation of a number of 3-thio-substituted furans 1–4 is described. These products have very low odor thresholds and are thus potent flavor compounds. Fur-3-yl thiocyanates 10a , b as well as other S-containing analogues ( 2b , 7a , b , and 8 ) were prepared by a Michael-type addition of thiocyanic acid, thioacetic acid, alakanethiols, and sodium thiosulfate to alkynones 6 or 15 , followed by cyclization (Schemes 3 and 4). The thiocyanates 10a, b were converted to mixed disulfides 3 , symmetric disulfides 4 , thioethers 2 , and thiols 1 , using ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ nucleophiles or reducing agents, respectively (Scheme 6).     

Spectrophotometric determination of copper after adsorption of its 1-phenyl-4,4,6-trimethyl(1H, 4H)-pyrimidine-2-thiol complex onto microcrystalline naphthalene

A selective Spectrophotometric method has been developed for the trace determination of copper after adsorption of its 1-phenyl-4,4,6-trimethyl(1H, 4H)-pyrimidine-2-thiol (PTPT) complex onto microcrystalline naphthalene. The complex is quantitatively adsorbed on naphthalene in the pH range 7.5–11.5, separated by filtration, dissolved in dimethylformamide (DMF) and determined spectrophotometrically at 400 nm. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range 2.5–37.5 g of copper in 10 ml of DMF. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity are 1.30 × 10⁴1 · mol^–1 · cm^–1 and 0.0048g cm^–2, respectively. Ten replicate analyses of a solution containing 20.0 g of copper gave a mean absorbance of 0.410 with a relative standard deviation of 0.91 %. The interferences of various ions have been studied and the method has been validated by the determination of copper in various standard reference materials, beers, wines, human hair, goat liver and environmental samples.On leave from St. Stephen's College, Delhi 110 007, India     

A three-component coupling process based on vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS(AR))-alkylation reactions: an approach to indoprofen and derivatives.

The intermediate anion derived from the vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) of hydrogen reacts with a series of alkyl halides to generate the corresponding alpha-alkylated conventional VNS product in a one-pot process. This one-pot VNS-alkylation reaction offers a convenient route to a range alpha-substituted nitrobenzyl phosphine oxides, sulfones, and esters via a three-component coupling reaction. Reactions of alpha-chloroethyl phenyl sulfone (14) and ethyl 2-chloropropionate (16) with nitrobenzene followed by subsequent addition of an alkylating agent give a series of sulfones and esters bearing an alpha-aryl quaternary center. The VNS-alkylation protocol has been applied to the synthesis of derivatives of Indoprofen from nitrobenzene using readily available inexpensive starting materials. Indoprofen itself was prepared using the conventional VNS reaction in four steps and 24% overall yield from nitrobenzene.     

Selective, controllable, and reversible aggregation of polystyrene latex microspheres via DNA hybridization

The directed three-dimensional self-assembly of microstructures and nanostructures through the selective hybridization of DNA is the focus of great interest toward the fabrication of new materials. Single-stranded DNA is covalently attached to polystyrene latex microspheres. Single-stranded DNA can function as a sequence-selective Velcro by only bonding to another strand of DNA that has a complementary sequence. The attachment of the DNA increases the charge stabilization of the microspheres and allows controllable aggregation of microspheres by hybridization of complementary DNA sequences. In a mixture of microspheres derivatized with different sequences of DNA, microspheres with complementary DNA form aggregates, while microspheres with noncomplementary sequences remain suspended. The process is reversible by heating, with a characteristic "aggregate dissociation temperature" that is predictably dependent on salt concentration, and the evolution of aggregate dissociation with temperature is observed with optical microscopy.     

Kinetics of the dehydration of CsNd(SO4)2 4 H2O

The kinetics of the dehydration of CsNd(SO₄)₂ · 4 H₂O to CsNd(SO₄)₂ · H₂O and then to CsNd(SO₄)₂ are studied by isothermal weight change. The reactions are phase-boundary-controlled. Reaction mechanism and activation energy depend on sample weight.     

Polyaromatic amines. Part 3: Synthesis of poly(diarylamino)styrenes and related compounds

The title compounds were synthesised and characterised as part of a study into new aromatic amines for charge transporting materials. Compounds 12-16, 20-24 and 27-34 are alkene linked triarylamines, compounds 35-36 are hydrazone derivatives and compounds 38-41 are pyrrole substituted triarylamines. Each compound was characterised by cyclic voltammetry.     

A new strategy for the synthesis of optically active benzylic fluorides and corresponding five-membered heteroaromatic analogues

Benzylic fluorides, as well as five-membered heterocycles, have been obtained in high ee’s through cycloaddition reactions starting from easily accessible optically active propargylic fluorides.