Simple entry into isonucleosides: synthesis of 6-amino-9-[(3S,4S,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl]purine

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of isonucleoside 7 is described. The preparation of 1,4-anhydroxylitol 4, a key intermediate, is described by intramolecular cyclization of (2S,3R,4R)-3,5-dibenzyloxypentan-1,2,4-triol 3 using diethyl carbonate and NaH.     

Helical water chains in aquapores of organic hexahost: remarkable halogen-substitution effect on the handedness of water helix

Water helices surrounding the nano-channels of trichlorophloroglucinol and tribromophloroglucinol have different handedness, PMPMPM and PPPMMM (P = right-handed, M = left-handed), depending on halogenhalogen interactions between the host molecules.     

Synthesis and characterization of Boc-protected 4-amino- and 5-amino-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters

Syntheses of Boc-protected 4-amino- and 5-amino-pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid methyl esters have been achieved and the structures of these compounds have been fully characterized by detailed NMR studies.     

Regioselective synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via three-component coupling of secondary alcohols, TMSN3 and alkynes

1,4-Disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles are obtained in excellent yields via a three-component coupling of secondary alcohols, alkynes and trimethylsilyl azide (TMSN₃). This one-pot reaction occurs through in situ generation of an azide from the alcohol and TMSN₃, followed by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the terminal alkyne to afford the corresponding disubstituted triazoles.     

A simple and green procedure for the conjugate addition of thiols to conjugated alkenes employing polyethylene glycol (PEG) as an efficient recyclable medium

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is found to be an inexpensive, nontoxic, environmentally friendly reaction medium for the conjugate addition of thiols to conjugated alkenes to afford the corresponding adducts in excellent yields under mild and neutral conditions. Products of undesirable side reactions resulting from polymerization are not observed. The use of PEG avoids the use of either acid or base catalysts for this conversion and moreover PEG can be recovered and reused.     

Electroorganic synthesis of benzathine

Benzathine is prepared in good yields from cyanobenzene by a combination of electrochemical hydrogenation and Kolbe electrolysis using nickel and platinum electrodes in the presence of methanolic sodium methoxide in an undivided cell.     

Optimization of alkaline protease production by Bacillus sp. using taguchi methodology

Optimization of alkaline protease production parameters by Bacillus sp. was investigated using Taguchi methodology. The pH of the medium was observed to be the most significant factor among all selected optimization parameters at an individual level. The combinatorial influence of least significant factors, inoculum level and salt solution concentration (at the individual level), resulted in an interacting severity index of 76%, suggesting their interactive role in the regulation of protease production in this microbial species. Protease production could be improved more than 100% with Taguchi’s optimized conditions of the medium composition by this microorganism.     

A low-cost lead-acid battery with high specific-energy

Lightweight grids for lead-acid battery grids have been prepared from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer followed by coating with lead. Subsequently, the grids have been electrochemically coated with a conductive and corrosion-resistant layer of polyaniline. These grids are about 75% lighter than those employed in conventional lead-acid batteries. Commercial-grade 6V/3.5Ah (C₂₀-rate) lead-acid batteries have been assembled and characterized employing positive and negative plates constituting these grids. The specific energy of such a lead-acid battery is about 50 Wh/kg. The batteries can withstand fast charge-discharge duty cycles. Dedicated to Prof J Gopalakrishnan on his 62nd birthday.     

Electrochemical supercapacitors based on novel hybrid materials made of carbon nanotubes and polyoxometalates

We have characterized symmetric solid-state supercapacitors in swagelok cells using film electrodes made of novel hybrid materials based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNT) and phosphomolybdate polyanion (Cs-PMo12) with PVA as binder. These hybrid materials were carried out by Cs-PMo12 adhesion onto previously functionalized CNT, in order to disperse both components at a molecular level and use Cs-PMo12 as energy density enhancer in supercapacitor cells. Our results show high capacitance values (up to 285 F/g at I = 200 mA/g) due to the contribution of Cs-PMo12, which was revealed on the higher energy density values compared to pure CNT electrodes. Additionally, good stability was observed during 500 charge–discharge cycles for most hybrid electrodes. These preliminary results show a new approach to enhance energy density of double layer supercapacitor cells through the introduction of Cs-PMo12, whereas from a material science point of view these materials are innovative, and open the way to search for diverse applications aside from supercapacitors (sensors, catalysts, photovoltaic cells, etc.).     

l-Proline catalyzed selective synthesis of 2-aryl-1-arylmethyl-1H-benzimidazoles

l-Proline (10 mol %) was found to be a versatile organocatalyst for the selective synthesis of 2-aryl-1-arylmethyl-1H-benzimidazoles from a wide range of substituted o-phenylenediamines and aldehydes in moderate to excellent isolated yields (32-95%) under mild conditions using chloroform as a solvent at ambient temperature.