Molecular simulation of the hydration Gibbs energy of barbiturates

In the present work, molecular dynamics calculations of the Gibbs energy of hydration of 10 different substituted barbiturates in SPC/E water were performed using thermodynamic integration. Given that experimental determination of the Gibbs hydration energy for this class of compounds is currently unfeasible, computer simulations appear as the only alternative for the estimation of this important quantity. Several simulation parameters are discussed and optimized based on calculations for barbituric acid. It is concluded that accounting for electrostatic interactions with the Reaction-Field method can be up to two times faster than with Particle-Mesh-Ewald method, without loss of accuracy. Different number of solvent molecules and simulation lengths were also tested. Lennard-Jones and electrostatic contributions were scaled down to zero in an independent way. It is shown that the electrostatic contribution is dominant (representing approximately 90% of the total Gibbs energy of hydration) and that barbiturate intra-molecular interactions cannot be neglected. The importance of the electrostatic contribution is attributed to the formation of hydrogen bonds between the barbiturates and water, which play an important role in the solvation process. The influence of the different substituents and their contribution to the Gibbs energy of hydration was assessed. Finally, the Lennard-Jones contributions and the total hydration Gibbs energy can both be correlated against molecular weight or partition coefficient data for mono- and di-substituted barbiturates.     

Parametric global optimisation for bilevel programming

We propose a global optimisation approach for the solution of various classes of bilevel programming problems (BLPP) based on recently developed parametric programming algorithms. We first describe how we can recast and solve the inner (follower’s) problem of the bilevel formulation as a multi-parametric programming problem, with parameters being the (unknown) variables of the outer (leader’s) problem. By inserting the obtained rational reaction sets in the upper level problem the overall problem is transformed into a set of independent quadratic, linear or mixed integer linear programming problems, which can be solved to global optimality. In particular, we solve bilevel quadratic and bilevel mixed integer linear problems, with or without right-hand-side uncertainty. A number of examples are presented to illustrate the steps and details of the proposed global optimisation strategy.     

The evolutionary ecology of technological innovations

Technological evolution has been compared to biological evolution by many authors over the last two centuries. As a parallel experiment of innovation involving economic, historical, and social components, artifacts define a universe of evolving properties that displays episodes of diversification and extinction. Here, we critically review previous work comparing the two types of evolution. Like biological evolution, technological evolution is driven by descent with variation and selection, and includes tinkering, convergence, and contingency. At the same time, there are essential differences that make the two types of evolution quite distinct. Major distinctions are illustrated by current specific examples, including the evolution of cornets and the historical dynamics of information technologies. Due to their fast and rich development, the later provide a unique opportunity to study technological evolution at all scales with unprecedented resolution. Despite the presence of patterns suggesting convergent trends between man‐made systems end biological ones, they provide examples of planned design that have no equivalent with natural evolution.     

On the structure of F-indistinguishability operators

Some properties concerning the structure of F-indistinguishability operators are analyzed. It is shown that any of such operators is generated by a family of fuzzy subsets. This result, since it gives the way to construct F-indistinguishabilities, facilitates new applications of fuzzy relations. The links between F-indistinguishability operators and a kind of generalized metrics in the unit interval - which are also explored - are used to define the canonical generators of an F-indistinguishability operator, that is, the fuzzy partition associated with the operator.     

Synthesis and catalytic applications of new chiral ferrocenyl P,O ligands

A new method to synthesize both enantiomers of 2-diphenylphosphino-ferrocenecarboxaldehyde with the phosphine group protected as a thiophosphine group was developed. These aldehydes react with 1,2 or 1,3 diols to give, in good yields, new chiral phosphine-acetals. For unsymmetrical (R)-1,3-butanediol, the new asymmetrical acetalic carbon is asymmetric and its configuration was completely controlled by the chirality of the diol. These new P,O ligands were tested in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of 1,3-diphenylprop-2-enylacetate. Good yields and enantioselectivities up to 77% were observed. The catalytic performances of two diastereoisomeric ligands with opposite configurations in planar chirality only proved to be significantly different, showing a strong influence of both planar and central chiralities.     

Novel catalytic effects in ester aminolysis in chlorobenzene

The mechanism of glyme catalyzed ester aminolysis in chlorobenzene should be modified by including a new reaction pathway that shows a first-order dependence on the concentration of the phase transfer catalyst and a second-order dependence on butylamine.