Electron-poor N-substituted imide-fused corannulenes

N-Substituted imide-fused corannulenes can be generated from the corresponding tetramethylfluoranthenes. Syntheses, crystal structure and electronic properties are reported. The solid state structure of the pentafluorophenyl derivative shows nearly perfect π-stacking in a convex-concave fashion and is expected to possess useful electronic properties.     

The interfaces of Au(111) and Au(100) in a hexaalkyl-substituted guanidinium ionic liquid: an electrochemical and in situ STM study

Five hexaalkylguanidinium-based ionic liquids have been synthesised, and based on their cyclic voltammograms the most suited one, N,N-dibutyl-N',N'-diethyl-N',N'-dimethylguanidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, has been chosen for electrochemical studies. The surface interaction of this room-temperature ionic liquid with single crystalline gold surfaces (Au(100) and Au(111)) has been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and in situ scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM). The interfacial capacitance was found to be very low; STM measurements revealed the hex-reconstruction and herringbone reconstruction for Au(100) and for Au(111), respectively, at negative potentials; that is, at these potentials no hints for ad-structures of the cation could be found.     

Phosphino imidazoles and imidazolium salts for Suzuki C-C coupling reactions

The consecutive syntheses of imidazoles 1-(4-X-C(6)H(4))-4,5-R(2)-(c)C(3)HN(2) (3a, X = Br, R = H; 3b, X = I, R = Me; 3c, X = H, R = Me; 5, X = Fc, R = H; 7, X = C≡CFc, R = H; 9, X = C(6)H(5), R = Me; Fc = Fe(η(5)-C(5)H(4))(η(5)-C(5)H(5))), phosphino imidazoles 1-(4-X-C(6)H(4))-2-PR'(2)-4,5-R(2)-(c)C(3)N(2) (11a-k; X = Br, I, Fc, FcC≡C, Ph; R = H, Me; R' = Ph, (c)C(6)H(11), (c)C(4)H(3)O), imidazolium salts [1-(4-X-C(6)H(4))-3-R'-4,5-R(2)-(c)C(3)HN(2)]I (16a; X = Br, R = H, R' = n-Bu; 16b, X = Br, R = H, R' = n-C(8)H(17); 16c, X = I, R = Me, R' = n-C(8)H(17), 16d, X = H, R = Me, R' = n-C(8)H(17)) and phosphino imidazolium salts [1-C(6)H(5)-2-PR'(2)-3-n-C(8)H(17)-4,5-Me(2)-(c)C(3)N(2)]PF(6) (17a, R' = C(6)H(5); 17b, R' = (c)C(6)H(11)) or [1-(4-P(C(6)H(5))(2)-C(6)H(4))-3-n-C(8)H(17)-4,5-Me(2)-(c)C(3)HN(2)]PF(6), (20) and their selenium derivatives 1-(4-X-C(6)H(4))-2-P([double bond, length as m-dash]Se)R'(2)-4,5-R(2)-(c)C(3)N(2) (11a-Se-f-Se; X = Br, I; R = H, Me; R' = C(6)H(5), (c)C(6)H(11), (c)C(4)H(3)O) are reported. The structures of 11a-Se and [(1-(4-Br-C(6)H(4))-(c)C(3)H(2)N(2)-3-n-Bu)(2)PdI(2)] (19) in the solid state were determined. Cyclovoltammetric measurements were performed with the ferrocenyl-containing molecules 5 and 7 showing reversible redox events at E(0) = 0.108 V (ΔE(p) = 0.114 V) (5) and E(0) = 0.183 V (ΔE(p) = 0.102 V) (7) indicating that 7 is more difficult to oxidise. Imidazole oxidation does not occur up to 1.3 V in dichloromethane using [(n-Bu)(4)N][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] as supporting electrolyte, whereas an irreversible reduction is observed between -1.2 - -1.5 V. The phosphino imidazoles 11a-k and the imidazolium salts 17a,b and 20, respectively, were applied in the Suzuki C-C cross-coupling of 2-bromo toluene with phenylboronic acid applying [Pd(OAc)(2)] as palladium source. Depending on the electronic character of 11a-k, 17a,b and 20 the catalytic performance of the in situ generated catalytic active species can be predicted. As assumed, more electron-rich phosphines with their higher donor capability show higher activity and productivity. Additionally, 11e was applied in the coupling of 4-chloro toluene with phenylboronic acid showing an excellent catalytic performance when compared to catalysts used by Fu, Beller and Buchwald. Furthermore, 11e is eligible for the synthesis of sterically hindered biaryls under mild reaction conditions. C-C Coupling reactions with the phosphino imidazolium salts 17b and 20 in ionic liquids [BMIM][PF(6)] and [BDMIM][BF(4)] were performed, showing less activity than in common organic solvents.     

Gene-Z: a device for point of care genetic testing using a smartphone

By 2012, point of care (POC) testing will constitute roughly one third of the $59 billion in vitro diagnostics market. The ability to carry out multiplexed genetic testing and wireless connectivity are emerging as key attributes of future POC devices. In this study, an inexpensive, user-friendly and compact device (termed Gene-Z) is presented for rapid quantitative detection of multiple genetic markers with high sensitivity and specificity. Using a disposable valve-less polymer microfluidic chip containing four arrays of 15 reaction wells each with dehydrated primers for isothermal amplification, the Gene-Z enables simultaneous analysis of four samples, each for multiple genetic markers in parallel, requiring only a single pipetting step per sample for dispensing. To drastically reduce the cost and size of the real-time detector necessary for quantification, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was performed with a high concentration of SYTO-81, a non-inhibiting fluorescent DNA binding dye. The Gene-Z is operated using an iPod Touch, which also receives data and carries out automated analysis and reporting via a WiFi interface. This study presents data pertaining to performance of the device including sensitivity and reproducibility using genomic DNA from Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Overall, the Gene-Z represents a significant step toward truly inexpensive and compact tools for POC genetic testing.     

Quadruple domino organocatalysis: an asymmetric aza-michael/michael/michael/aldol reaction sequence leading to tetracyclic indole structures with six stereocenters

Quadruple domino/Wittig-one pot: An organocatalytic, asymmetric, three-component quadruple cascade, which leads to tetracyclic double-annulated indole derivatives, is described. The domino products were further derivatized by aldehyde olefination under one-pot conditions to obtain complex isoindolo[2,?1-a]indole derivatives bearing six stereogenic centers in a highly stereoselective fashion.     

Ferrocenes with perfluorinated side chains and ferrocenophanes with fluorinated handles

Trifluorovinyl groups are introduced onto the cyclopentadienyl ligands of ferrocene at the 1-, 1,1'-, and 1,2-positions by Negishi-type and Stille-type coupling reactions of trifluorovinylzinc chloride and tri-n-butyltrifluorovinyl stannane with several iodoferrocenes. Modification of the trifluorovinyl group by nucleophilic substitution and [2+2] cycloaddition make them versatile building blocks for synthetic transformations. 1,1'-Bis(trifluorovinyl) ferrocene reacts upon contact with silica or oxidizing agents and in the presence of a suitable nucleophile through a redox autocatalytic mechanism to afford ferrocenophanes with fluorinated handles. C(F)(H) and C(F)(OMe) moieties in α-positions allowed further modifications to be performed by nucleophilic substitution of the fluorine atoms. A series of ferrocenes with fluorinated side chains and ferrocenophanes with fluorinated handles were isolated and characterized. Several molecular structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The influence of the fluorine substituents on the redox properties of the iron center were studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Asymmetric Michael addition of N-boc-protected oxindoles to nitroalkenes catalyzed by a chiral secondary amine

New mission for prolinol ethers: A secondary-amine-catalyzed Michael addition of N-Boc-protected oxindoles to nitroalkenes through a Br?nsted base activation mode has been developed, furnishing the products in excellent yields (88-98?%), diastereoselectivities (d.r.=98:2->99:1) and high to excellent enantioselectivities (82->99?%?ee; see scheme).