Double pulse quasi-collinear high harmonic generation scheme as a tool for X-ray laser plasma gain probing

We calculate the field distribution based on the vector diffraction theory for a superposition of spirally phase shifted radially polarized beams. Twisted longitudinally polarized field is found in the focal region. The total intensity as well as the polarization components rotates around the beam axis near the focus. Calculation of the Poynting vector at the focal plane shows that the electromagnetic energy is redistributed between different polarization components. Nonzero value of transverse components of the Poynting vector implies the transverse flow of the energy in the focal region.     

Reassigning the stereochemistry of bioactive cepharanthine using calculated versus experimental chiroptical spectroscopies

The absolute configuration of cepharanthine (1), a strongly bioactive bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid exhibiting 12 specific bioactivities without any reported negative side-effects, has been reassigned from (1R,1′S) to (1R,1′R) using quantum theory. The absolute configurations (ACs) of 13 other analogues of 1 were also systematically reassigned. Six quaternary salts were prepared from 1 and one exhibited strong anti-bacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with MIC 0.31?μM, while Ciprofloxacin, the positive control medicine was 3.88?μM. This work established the critical importance of correlating chiroptical experimental spectra with their quantum mechanically predicted spectra for accurate stereogenic center assignments.     

Cationic polymerizations of substituted 2-methylene-1,3-dioxocyclic acetals, 2-methylene-1,3-dithiolane and copolymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dithiolane with 4-(t-butyl)-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane1

Carbon black-supported sulfuric acid or BF₃·Et₂O-initiated polymerizations of 2-methylene-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3-dioxolane (1), 2-methylene-4-phenyl-1,3-dioxolane (2), and 2-methylene-4-isopropyl-5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane (3) were performed. 1,2-Vinyl addition homopolymers of 1–3 were produced using carbon black-supported H₂SO₄ initiation at temperatures from 0°C to 60°C whereas both ring-opened and 1,2-vinyl structural units were present in the polymers using BF₃·Et₂O as an initiator. Cationic polymerizations of 2-methylene-1,3-dithiolane (4) and copolymerization of 4 with 2-methylene-4-(t-butyl)-1,3-dioxolane (5) were initiated with either carbon black-sulfuric acid or BF₃·Et₂O. Insoluble 1,2-vinyl addition homopolymers of 4 were obtained upon initiation with the supported acid or BF₃·Et₂O. A soluble copolymer of 2-methylene-1,3-dithiolane (4) and 4-(t-butyl)-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane (5) was obtained upon BF₃·Et₂O initiation. This copolymer is composed of three structural units: a ring-opened dithioester unit, a 1,2-vinyl-polymerized 1,3-dithiolane unit, and a 1,2-vinyl polymerized 4-(t-butyl)-1,3-dioxolane unit. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 2823–2840, 1999     

BF3·OEt2-initiated polymerization of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepanes

BF₃·OEt₂-initiated polymerizations of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane gave polymers composed of both ring-retained and ring-opened structures. The ring-opening content increased with an increase in polymerization temperature. Poly(4,7-dimethyl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane) propagated slower during BF₃·OEt₂-initiated polymerization and had a lower ring-opened content than poly(2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane). The type of acid initiator used also affected the amount of ring opening observed. Stronger acids gave less ring opening. Attempted BF₃·OEt₂-initiated copolymerizations of these seven-membered ring cyclic ketene acetals with isobutyl vinyl ether at room temperature resulted in formation of the two homopolymers. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 36: 873–881, 1998     

Ammeline–melamine–formaldehyde resins. Preparation and properties

Ammeline–melamine–formaldehyde resins (AMF Resins) containing 5–100 mol % of ammeline, were synthesized by polymerization of the preformed sodium salt of ammeline, melamine, and formaldehyde in basic medium by three methods. These resins, when cured, constitute a new class of thermosets. The rate of hydroxymethylation of the amino groups of the ammeline salt with formaldehyde was somewhat larger then that of the amino groups on melamine. At higher pH values ammeline insolubility was not a problem. The AMF resin composition was approximately equal to the mol ratio of the components originally charged. Both ammeline and melamine were consumed over the entire reaction period. Thus, it is possible to make approximately uniform random ammeline-melamine-formaldehyde resins (AMF) with any mol ratio of ammeline salt to melamine. By controlling the pH of the solution from which the resins were isolated, the (SINGLE BOND) O⁻ Na⁺/(SINGLE BOND) OH ratio could be varied. Resin melting points varied widely with the mol fraction of ammeline and the (SINGLE BOND) O⁻ Na⁺/(SINGLE BOND) OH ratio. AMF resin solubilities, shelf lives, cloud points, and water tolerance depended upon the method of preparation, pH, and other factors. The sodium salt of ammeline was hydroxymethylated in water more readily than ammeline. More highly methylolated ammeline species were readily formed in solution but upon precipitation only bis-N-hydroxymethylammeline was isolated. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Nickel-catalyzed C(sp2)-H selenation of imidazo[1,2-α]pyridines with arylboronic acids or alkyl reagents using selenium powder

A novel and efficient Ni-catalyzed aryl- and alkyl-selenation of imidazo[1,2-α]pyridines employing selenium powder has been developed for the first time. The significant advantages of this protocol are that it is an inexpensive nickel catalyst and exhibits broad functional-group compatibility and good reaction yields.     

Polymerization of α-methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone

α-Methylene-N-methylpyrrolidone (α-MMP) was synthesized and homopolymerized by bulk and solution methods. The poly(α-MMP) is readily soluble in water, methanol, methylene chloride, and dipolar aprotic solvents at room temperature. Thermogravimetric analysis of poly(α-MMP) showed a 10% weight loss at 330°C in air. The kinetics of α-MMP homopolymerization and copolymerization were investigated in acetonitrile, using azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The rate of polymerization R_p could be expresed by R_p = k[AIBN]^0.49[α-MMP]^1.3. The overall activation energy was calculated to be 84.1 kj/mol. The relative reactivity ratios of α-MMP (M₂) copolymerization with methyl methacrylate (r₁ = 0.59, r₂ = 0.26) in acetonitrile were obtained. Applying the Q-e scheme led to Q = 2.18 and e = 1.77. These Q and e values are larger than those for acrylamide derivatives.     

Radical-Initiated homopolymerization and copolymerization of methylthiomethyl methacrylate

Methylthiomethyl methacrylate (MtMA) was synthesized and homopolymerized in solution. The poly(MtMA) is readily soluble in benzene, acetone, tetrahydrofuran, and methylene chloride at room temperature. The values of K and a in the Mark–Houwink equation, [η] = KM^a, were found to be K = 2.88 × 10^–5 and a = 0.75 when M = M_w. The glass transition temperature of poly(MtMA) was observed to be 72°C by thermomechanical analysis. Intramolecular anhydride formation occurred when poly(MtMA) was heated to 250–300°C. The kinetics of MtMA homopolymerization was investigated in benzene, using azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The rate of polymerization R_p was expressed by R_p = k[AIBN]^0.5[MtMA]^1.05 and the overall activation energy was calculated to be 75.7 kJ/mol. The relative reactivity ratios of MtMA in styrene copolymerizations (r₁ = 0.33, r₂ = 0.55) were obtained. Applying the Q-e scheme led to Q = 1.07 and e = 0.51 for MtMA.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of nefazodone and its metabolites in human plasma using laboratory robotics.

A quantitative analytical method, using high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection, has been established for the determination of nefazodone (NEF) and its metabolites, m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP),p-hydroxynefazodone (PHN), and hydroxynefazodone (HO-NEF), in human plasma. The fully automated, robotic procedure consisted of addition of internal standard (aprindine), extraction with butyl chloride, followed by phase separation, organic phase evaporation, reconstitution of the residue, and injection onto the chromatographic system. The limits of detection for NEF, mCPP, PHN, and HO-NEF were 5, 1, 10, and 5 ng/ml, respectively, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 4. The method had a linear range of 10-1000 ng/ml for NEF and HO-NEF, 20-2000 ng/ml for PHN, and 2.5-250 ng/ml for mCPP. Correlation coefficients of 0.996 or greater were obtained during validation and study sample analysis.