Standardization of multi-nuclide mixtures by a new spectrum unfolding method

A new spectrum unfolding method has been applied to double-labeled mixtures with excellent results, while the CIEMAT/NIST method has been used for gels. The convenience of applying both methods has been demonstrated with mixtures containing more than three components.⁹⁰Sr+⁹⁰Y,⁸⁹Sr,²⁰⁴TI,⁴⁵Ca and³⁵S nuclides were combined as three, four and five components, and the different quench values and activity ratios were assayed. The discrepancies between computed and experimental activities were also obtained. Mixtures with some of their components below background have been prepared in order to test low-level activities.     

Quality assurance in research laboratories

During the last decade, it has become increasingly important that researchers demonstrate that research is conducted to the highest standards. The implementation of quality assurance for research laboratories will enable all fields of research and development to be judged impartially. There are no specific standards for research laboratories but where possible, existing standards can be adapted. This review is structured around two approaches. The first considers research to be a logical extension of testing, and it is assumed that testing standards can be applied methodically to each step in a research project. The second advocates a flexible approach, with research-specific criteria for assessing quality. The important papers published on this topic have been reviewed. The conclusions are that the general quality management approach, encompassed by the ISO 9000 series of standards with the emphasis on customer satisfaction and ‘fitness for purpose’, is suitable for implementing quality assurance in research laboratories.     

An expedient preparation of Stryker's reagent

A convenient and efficient preparation of Stryker's reagent, [Ph₃PCuH]₆, under homogeneous conditions using silanes as the reducing agent is detailed. The reaction time can be reduced to 1-2 h, and high yields of Stryker's reagent can be routinely achieved. The same method has been extended to the synthesis of [Ph₃PCuD]₆ using Ph₂SiD₂.     

1-Ethyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(pyridinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids. I. Synthesis of 3- and 4-(3-aminophenyl)pyridine intermediates

A series of substituted 3- and 4-(3-aminophenyl)pyridines has been prepared as intermediates for the synthesis of some 1-alkyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-pyridinyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids. The Hantzsch, Hauser and other pyridine syntheses were used. 4-(3-Aminophenyl)pyridine was prepared via 3-(4-pyridinyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one using the Semmler-Wolff reaction.     

Copper-mediated cross-coupling reactions of N-unsubstituted sulfoximines and aryl halides

[reaction: see text] Copper-mediated cross-coupling reactions of sulfoximines with aryl iodides and aryl bromides provide N-arylated sulfoximines in high yields. The method is complementary to the known palladium-catalyzed N-arylation and allows the preparation of N-arylated sulfoximines, which have previously been inaccessible.     

Quantum algorithm for alchemical optimization in material design

The development of tailored materials for specific applications is an active field of research in chemistry, material science and drug discovery. The number of possible molecules obtainable from a set of atomic species grow exponentially with the size of the system, limiting the efficiency of classical sampling algorithms. On the other hand, quantum computers can provide an efficient solution to the sampling of the chemical compound space for the optimization of a given molecular property. In this work, we propose a quantum algorithm for addressing the material design problem with a favourable scaling. The core of this approach is the representation of the space of candidate structures as a linear superposition of all possible atomic compositions. The corresponding ‘alchemical’ Hamiltonian drives the optimization in both the atomic and electronic spaces leading to the selection of the best fitting molecule, which optimizes a given property of the system, e.g., the interaction with an external potential as in drug design. The quantum advantage resides in the efficient calculation of the electronic structure properties together with the sampling of the exponentially large chemical compound space. We demonstrate both in simulations and with IBM Quantum hardware the efficiency of our scheme and highlight the results in a few test cases. This preliminary study can serve as a basis for the development of further material design quantum algorithms for near-term quantum computers.

‘Alchemical’ quantum algorithm for the simultaneous optimisation of chemical composition and electronic structure for material design. By exploiting quantum mechanical principles this approach will boost drug discovery in the near future.     

Copper-catalyzed hydrostannation of activated alkynes

[reactions: see text] [(Ph3P)CuH]6 effectively catalyzes the hydrostannation of activated alkynes with exclusive regioselectivity for alpha-stannation. Syn hydrostannation is observed exclusively for alkynoates. Anti or syn hydrostannation adducts are obtained as products for alkynone substrates.