Formation of nitrogen‐containing heterocycles using di(imidazole‐1‐yl)methanimine

A mild and efficient synthesis of five‐ and six‐membered nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds, in which di(imidazole‐1‐yl)methanimine serves as a one‐carbon source, is reported.     

Preparation of USY zeolite VOx supported catalysts from V(AcAc)3 and NH4VO3. Catalytic properties for the dehydrogenation of n-butane in oxygen-free atmosphere

The preparation of different samples of vanadia supported on ultrastable zeolite (VO(x)/USY) is discussed. The samples were prepared in order to obtain highly dispersed V-species, avoiding the formation of crystalline vanadia and the destruction of the zeolite framework. Two methods were employed for preparing VO(x)/USY samples: an organic route using V(AcAc)3 and an inorganic route using NH4VO3. The characterization of the samples was performed with XRD, TPR, NH3-TPD, and N2 isotherms. From these results it is concluded that when VO(x) is supported on the surface of USY from acidic aqueous solution of ammonium metavanadate, the destruction of the zeolite framework is accomplished. For higher pH values in the impregnating solution, undesired V2O5 is formed on the USY surface. On the other hand, VO(x)/USY prepared from the organic precursor shows no destruction of the USY structure. In addition, highly dispersed VO(x) are formed, though for relatively high V loadings (6%) an obstruction of the zeolite windows takes place. The samples are tested as catalysts for gas phase dehydrogenation of n-butane to olefins. The catalysts prepared from NH4VO3 are almost inactive for the reaction. On the other hand, both samples prepared from V(AcAc)3 present initial conversion levels in the 8-12% range. However, the selectivity depends on the V loading, the catalysts with 6% loading being the most selective (75%). The catalytic patterns of the samples (activity and selectivity) are in agreement with the physicochemical features of the VO(x)/USY surface.     

On the nature of the transition state in catechol O-methyltransferase. A complementary study based on molecular dynamics and potential energy surface explorations

The way in which enzymes influence the rate of chemical processes is still a question of debate. The protein promotes the catalysis of biochemical processes by lowering the free energy barrier in comparison with the reference uncatalyzed reaction in solution. In this article we are reporting static and dynamic aspects of the enzyme catalysis in a bimolecular reaction, namely a methyl transfer from S-adenosylmethionine to the hydroxylate oxygen of a substituted catechol catalyzed by catechol O-methyltransferase. From QM/MM optimizations, we will first analyze the participation of the environment on the transition vector. The study of molecular dynamics trajectories will allow us to estimate the transmission coefficient from a previously localized transition state as the maximum in the potential of mean force profile. The analysis of the reactive and nonreactive trajectories in the enzyme environment and in solution will also allow studying the geometrical and electronic changes, with special attention to the chemical system movements and the coupling with the environment. The main result, coming from both analyses, is the approximation of the magnesium cation to the nucleophilic and the hydroxyl group of the catecholate as a result of a general movement of the protein, stabilizing in this way the transition state. Consequently, the free energy barrier of the enzyme reaction is dramatically decreased with respect to the reaction in solution.     

Correlations between Van der Waals' volume and retention index general equation applicable to different homologous series

Summary Correlations between retention index (R_I) and Van der Waals' volume (V_W) in homologous series of n-alcohols, n-aldehydes and esters are studied on the stationary phases Carbowax 1540 and squalane. Influence of functional groups is quantified and a method for obtaining one general equation, valid for an indeterminate number of homologous series, is proposed.     

Reactions of thiosemicarbazones derived from beta-keto amides and beta-keto esters with Zn(II) and Cd(II) acetates: influence of metal, substitution, reagent ratio and temperature on metal-induced cyclization

Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) acetates were reacted in methanol under various experimental conditions with thiosemicarbazones derived from beta-keto amides or beta-keto esters (HTSC). Some of these reactions afforded thiosemicarbazonate complexes [M(TSC)2] with IR and NMR spectra compatible with N,S-coordination, but most gave complexes [ML2], where HL is a substituted 2,5-dihydro-5-oxo-1H-pyrazole-1-carbothioamide resulting from cyclization of the HTSC. Some of these pyrazolonates and two of the HL ligands were studied by X-ray diffractometry, and their structures are discussed. Surprisingly, the reactions of zinc(II) acetate with HTSC in 1:1 mol ratio usually gave a third, previously unreported type of complex with a dideprotonated ligand, [Zn(L-H)], which was also formed when [ZnL2] and Zn(OAc)2 interacted at room temperature in 1:1 mol ratio. These L-H complexes are highly insoluble in all common solvents, which hinders their characterization but suggests that they are polymeric in nature.     

Evolution of the structural stability of large Cu,Ni, Pd,and Ag clusters with size: An analysis within the embedded atom method

A study of the structural stability of clusters made up of a single component has been carried out within the Embedded Atom Method. Perfect icosahedral and cuboctahedral Cu, Ni, Pd, and Ag clusters with up to 5083 atoms have been compared. The icosahedron is found to be the stable structure for small clusters, and a change of structure from icosahedral to cuboctahedral is found as the cluster size increases. A contraction of the interatomic distances results when the cluster size decreases.     

AlPO-Catalysed asymmetric Diels-Alder reactions of cyclopentadiene with chiral acrylates

Reactions of cyclopentadiene with several chiral acrylates are studied and compared with the same reactions catalysed by Zn(II)-exchanged K10 montmorillonite. In general, amorphous AlPO₄ is a more efficient catalyst than the clay. In particular, the reaction of cyclopentadiene with (−)-8-phenylmenthyl acrylate leads to 74% diastereomeric excess (d.e.) in methylene chloride at low temperatures. This result constitutes the highest asymmetric induction described to date for a solid-catalysed asymmetric Diels-Alder reaction. When the reactions are carried out in the absence of a solvent a noticeable decrease in selectivity is observed, probably due to an extensive competition of the non-catalysed reaction.     

Polarization of the Electrical Double Layer. Time Evolution after Application of an Electric Field

Electrophoresis is one of the electrokinetic phenomena most widely investigated, both from a fundamental point of view and as a research tool in academia and industry. However, the dependence between electrophoretic mobility and zeta potential is, in a general case, far from simple, because of the many physical processes involved. In this work, we first describe qualitatively and (in some cases) quantitatively the time behavior of the dipole moment induced in the electrical double layer by an applied electric field. Further, a simple relationship is deduced between the dipole moment and the electrophoretic mobility. Through the analysis of the time dependence of the former, it is possible to resolve the different contributions to the stationary values of the mobility. Three characteristic relaxation times are distinguished in the time evolution of the dipole moment: tau(H) (the time needed for hydrodynamic flows to be established), tau(MW) (time for ionic electromigration to develop), and tau(VD) (after this time, diffusion flows are established in the system, and the double layer polarization is complete). This means that different mechanisms are operating on the double layer for different times after the application of the field, and that computing the mobility at such different times is equivalent to calculating the steady-state electrophoretic mobility under different approximations. A comparison is shown between estimated and computed mobility values as functions of time and of zeta potential, confirming the validity of the asymptotic calculations. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Sample stacking with matrix removal for the determination of paraquat, diquat and difenzoquat in water by capillary electrophoresis

Conditions for the simultaneous determination of paraquat, diquat and difenzoquat by capillary zone electrophoresis using a stacking technique in a chemically modified capillary have been established. To apply the stacking method with sample matrix removal for the analysis of cations, an anodic electroosmotic flow is mandatory. For quats, 50 mM acetic acid-ammonium acetate (pH 4.0) with 5% (v/v) methanol as electrophoretic buffer and the addition of 0.8 mM cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as wall capillary organic modifier was proposed. Field polarity reversal time was optimised for several sample matrices. Detection was carried out at 220 and 255 nm. Detection limits, based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, were lower than 15 microg l(-1) for standards in Milli-Q water and two to ten times higher for drinking water samples. Run-to-run and day-to-day reproducibility have been established. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the three herbicides in spiked drinking water.     

Derivative spectrophotometric resolution of mixtures of the food colourants Tartrazine, Amaranth and Curcumin in a micellar medium

A study of the absorption spectra of the food colourants Tartrazine (E-102), Amaranth (E-123) and Curcumin (E-100) in various organic solvents and pH media, have been carried out. In addition, the spectral behaviour in aqueous micellar systems of anionic, cationic and non-ionic surfactants, as well as beta-cyclodextrin, was investigated. Analytical methods are proposed for the determination of the three dyes in mixtures without any prior separation step, by the application of the derivative technique to the normal absorption spectra, based on the use of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in 0.1 M NaOH, over the concentration range 2-50 mug ml(-1). The methods are applied for determining the three dyes in commercial food products.