Trans-2-Diethylphosphoryloxy-1,3-Pentadiene in The Lewis acid Catalyzed Diels-Alder Reaction

Under stannic chloride catalysis, trans-2-diethylphosphoryloxy-1,3-pentadiene (1) undergoes Diels-Alder reaction regio- and stereoselectively with a variety of α,β-unsaturated ketones at low temperature.     

Novel Method for the Synthesis of 6,12‐Dihydro‐2‐Methylindolo[2,3‐ b]Carbazol‐6‐Ones

A novel method for the synthesis of 6,12‐dihydro‐2‐methylindolo[2,3‐b]carbazol‐6‐ones was developed from 1‐oxo‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazol‐1‐one through methyl 6‐methyl‐2‐(1‐oxo‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazol‐2‐yl)oxoacetate in good yields. This method provides an alternative path for the synthesis of this product using 2‐hydroxy methylene‐2,3,4,9‐tetrahydro‐1H‐carbazol‐1‐one.     

Synthesis of 6/7-Halotetralones

The title compounds were prepared from halobromobenzenes via a palladium catalysed coupling followed by cyclisation.     

The fluorine-NHC gauche effect: a structural and computational study

Herein, we report the synthesis and X-ray structural analysis of a collection of fluorinated metal N-heterocyclic carbenes (Ag, Au, Pd, Rh, Ir) and their precursor salts. The common structural feature of these species is a flanking fluoroethyl group, which is either freely rotating or embedded within a bicyclic framework. Solid state analysis confirmed a gauche conformational preference in all cases with the fluorine adopting a syn clinal arrangement (?_[NCCF]～60°) with respect to the triazolium nitrogen at the vicinal position of the NHC. A density functional theory analysis was employed to quantify these effects and evaluate the influence of electronic modulation of the carbenic carbon [(CN⁺); neutral carbene (C:); metal-bound carbene (CM)], on the relative gauche/anti preference, thus highlighting the potential of this conformational phenomenon as a useful molecular design strategy for controlling the topology of organometallic complexes.     

Microwave-assisted methods for the synthesis of pentacyclo[5.4.0.0.0.0]undecylamines

Efficient methodologies for the preparation of pentacyclo[5.4.0.0^2,6.0^3,10.0^5,9]undecane (PCU) amine derivatives are described via microwave-assisted synthesis. The obtained results revealed that microwave-assisted synthetic procedures under controlled conditions (power, temperature and time) are very convenient, high yielding, efficient and low-cost methods for the preparation of PCU amine derivatives. The new methods show several advantages including operational simplicity, good performance, significant reduction in reaction time, less by-product formation and easier purification.     

Cs3UP2S8, a Coordination Polymer Containing the Unprecedented [U=S]2+ Sulfidouranium(2+) Moiety

Although terminal chalcogeno ligands are well known for the group 5 and 6 transition metals, they are highly unusual for the oxophilic group 4 metals and unknown so far for the lanthanides or actinides. Cs₃UP₂S₈, is the first actinide compound containing a terminal M=S group. It was synthesized by reacting uranium metal, Cs₂S, S, and P₂S₅ in a 4:1:8:3 ratio at 700 °C in an eutectic LiCl/CsCl mixture. The crystal structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques. Cs₃UP₂S₈ crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R$\bar{3}$ [a = 15.5217(8) Å; c = 35.132(2) Å, V = 8305.0(8) ų, Z = 18]. The crystal structure is based on a tetrahedral network type, wherein the uranium atoms are coordinated by a unusual sulfido moiety and thiophosphate groups in a pseudo‐tetrahedral fashion. The U=S distance of 2.635(3) Å observed in the sulfide moiety is approx. 0.2 Å shorter than the average U–S single bond length, indicating a double‐bond type character.     

DOT2: Macromolecular docking with improved biophysical models

Computational docking is a useful tool for predicting macromolecular complexes, which are often difficult to determine experimentally. Here, we present the DOT2 software suite, an updated version of the DOT intermolecular docking program. DOT2 provides straightforward, automated construction of improved biophysical models based on molecular coordinates, offering checkpoints that guide the user to include critical features. DOT has been updated to run more quickly, allow flexibility in grid size and spacing, and generate an infinitive complete list of favorable candidate configurations. Output can be filtered by experimental data and rescored by the sum of electrostatic and atomic desolvation energies. We show that this rescoring method improves the ranking of correct complexes for a wide range of macromolecular interactions and demonstrate that biologically relevant models are essential for biologically relevant results. The flexibility and versatility of DOT2 accommodate realistic models of complex biological systems, improving the likelihood of a successful docking outcome. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Influence of Interfacial Tension on Seeded Calcium Carbonate Scale Precipitation: Effect of Adsorbed Asphaltenes

Clay particles with adsorbed asphaltenes, which are commonly found in produced water, have been used as seed particles during precipitation of calcium carbonate in order to determine whether such particles may influence the kinetics of precipitation. The results show that the presence of the adsorbed asphaltenes accelerates the precipitation, and there is also a significant difference between different types of adsorbed asphaltenes. The adsorption of asphaltenes at the seed surface leads to a significant increase in the interfacial tension between the seed surface and the aqueous solution, and calcium carbonate therefore precipitates at the seed surface in order to reduce this high interfacial tension.