Fluorinated Musk Fragrances: The CF2 Group as a Conformational Bias Influencing the Odour of Civetone and (R)‐Muscone

The difluoromethylene (CF₂) group has a strong tendency to adopt corner over edge locations in aliphatic macrocycles. In this study, the CF₂ group has been introduced into musk relevant macrocyclic ketones. Nine civetone and five muscone analogues have been prepared by synthesis for structure and odour comparisons. X‐ray studies indeed show that the CF₂ groups influence ring structure and they give some insight into the preferred ring conformations, triggering a musk odour as determined in a professional perfumery environment. The historical conformational model of Bersuker and co‐workers for musk fragrance generally holds, and structures that become distorted from this consensus, by the particular placement of the CF₂ groups, lose their musk fragrance and become less pleasant.     

Hybrid hydrogels based on cross-linked polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol as electrically controlled artificial muscles

A procedure was developed for preparing hybrid hydrogel specimens of preset configuration from cross-linked polyacrylic acid and polyvinyl alcohol. The specimens exhibit higher mechanical characteristics compared to hydrogels of cross-linked polyacrylic acid. Hydrogel specimens fabricated in the form of elastic rings demonstrate an electromechanical response, contraction on passing electric current through their cross section. This effect is more pronounced for the specimens swollen in a sodium sulfate solution than for those swollen in distilled water. The results obtained show that the hydrogels can be used as a linearly operating mechanical force generator (artificial muscle).     

International Congress on the Heterocyclic Chemistry “KOST-2015” dedicated to the 100-year anniversary of the birth of Professor Aleksei Nikolaevich Kost

Russian Chemical Bulletin -