Iridodials: enantiospecific synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the pheromone for the golden-eyed lacewing, Chrysopa oculata

1R,2S,5R,8R; 1R,2S,5R,8S; 1S,2S,5R,8R; and 1S,2S,5R,8S-Iridodials have been prepared in five steps from 4aS,7S,7aR and 4aS,7S,7aS-nepetalactones, major components of catnip oil. 1R,2S,5R,8R-Iridodial has been identified as a male-produced male-aggregation pheromone for Chrysopa oculata, the first pheromone of any kind identified for lacewings.     

Diamond and diamond-like carbon from a preceramic polymer

The synthesis of poly(hydridocarbyne), one of a class of carbon-based random network polymers and a structural isomer of polyacetlyene, is reported. The network backbone of this polymer is primarily composed of tetrahedrally hybridized carbon atoms, each bearing one hydride substituent and linked via three carbon-carbon single bonds into a three-dimensional random network of fused rings. This atomic-level carbon network backbone confers unusual properties on the polymer, including facile thermal decomposition to form diamond or diamond-like carbon high-quality films at atmospheric pressure, by direct deposition or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), without the use of hydrogen or any other reagent.     

A solid-phase synthetic strategy for labeled peptides: synthesis of a biotinylated derivative of the delta opioid receptor antagonist TIPP (Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH)

A general solid-phase synthetic strategy for labeled peptides was developed and used to prepare a biotinylated derivative of the delta opioid receptor antagonist TIPP (Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-OH). A monoprotected hydrophilic diamine linker was attached to an aldehyde-containing solid-phase resin by reductive amination, followed by introduction of biotin and peptide synthesis to yield Tyr-Tic-Phe-Phe-Asp-NH(CH(2)CH(2)O)(2)CH(2)CH(2)NH-biotin (2). The high delta receptor affinity and selectivity of 2 demonstrate the applicability of this design approach for labeled peptide derivatives.     

MAOS ls for the general synthesis and lead optimization of 3,6-disubstituted-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazines

General, high-yielding MAOS protocols for the expedient synthesis of functionalized 3,6-disubstituted-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazines are described amenable to an iterative analog library synthesis strategy for the lead optimization of an M1 antagonist screening hit. Optimized compounds proved to be highly selective M1 antagonists.     

Computing devices,mathematics education and mathematics: Sexton’s omnimetre in its time

Material objects can tell us much about mathematical practice. In 1899, Albert Sexton, a Philadelphia mechanical engineer, received the John Scott Medal of the Franklin Institute for his invention of the omnimetre. This inexpensive circular slide rule was one of a host of computing devices that became common in the United States around 1900. It is inscribed “NUMERI MUNDUM REGUNT”. In part because of instruments such as the omnimetre, numbers increasingly ruled the practical world of the late 19th and early 20th century. This changed not only engineering, but mathematics education and mathematical work.     

Effect of Pr-Ca substitution on the transport and magnetic behavior of LaMnO3 perovskite

The effect of simultaneous substitution of a fluctuating cation and a divalent cation in LaMnO₃ perovskite modifies the properties of the material to exhibit large valence colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effect. A good example of these properties is (La_1−2x Pr _x Ca _x )MnO₃ (LPCMO) type CMR material. In this communication it is reported that, with the increase in x (for x=0.1, 0.15, 0.2), the T _c varies between 100 and 120 K with improvisation in metal-insulator transition. Interestingly, resistance increases with x from few hundred ohms to few kilo ohms with corresponding decrease in the unit cell volume. The results of the studies using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrical resistivity, magnetoresistance and ac susceptibility measurements on LPCMO samples for understanding the structural, transport and magnetic properties are discussed in detail.     

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of the polyketide macrolactone 10-deoxymethynolide

The polyketide synthase-derived pikromycin thioesterase (Pik TE) is unique in its ability to catalyze the cyclization of 12- and 14-membered macrolactones. In this investigation, the total synthesis of the natural hexaketide chain elongation intermediate as its N-acetyl cysteamine (NAC) thioester has been achieved, and its reaction with Pik TE demonstrated the ability of Pik TE to catalyze its macrolactonization to the natural product 10-deoxymethynolide. A steady-state kinetic analysis of the hexaketide chain intermediate with Pik TE was done. A preliminary substrate specificity study with unnatural hexaketide analogues was accomplished, demonstrating the importance of total synthesis in obtaining access to advanced polyketide intermediates. The results show the sensitivity of Pik TE to minor substrate modifications, and illustrate the potential use of thioesterases as versatile macrolactonization catalysts.     

Building Blocks for High-Efficiency Organic Photovoltaics: Interplay of Molecular,Crystal, and Electronic Properties in Post-Fullerene ITIC Ensembles

Accurate single-crystal X-ray diffraction data offer a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the atomistic details of bulk heterojunction photovoltaic small-molecule acceptor structure and packing, as well as provide an essential starting point for computational electronic structure and charge transport analysis. Herein, we report diffraction-derived crystal structures and computational analyses on the n-type semiconductors which enable some of the highest efficiency organic solar cells produced to date, 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( ITIC ) and seven derivatives (including three new crystal structures: 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-propylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( ITIC-C3 ), 3,9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(3-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( m -ITIC-C6 ), and 3,9-bis(2-methylene-((3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-6,7-difluoro)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-butylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2′,3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1,2-b:5,6-b′]dithiophene ( ITIC-C4-4F ). IDTT acceptors typically pack in a face-to-face fashion with π–π distances ranging from 3.28–3.95 Å. Additionally, edge-to-face packing is observed with S⋯π interactions as short as 3.21–3.24 Å. Moreover, ITIC end group identities and side chain substituents influence the nature and strength of noncovalent interactions (e. g. H-bonding, π–π) and thus correlate with the observed packing motif, electronic structure, and charge transport properties of the crystals. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal relatively large nearest-neighbor intermolecular π-π electronic couplings (5.85–56.8 meV) and correlate the nature of the band structure with the dispersion interactions in the single crystals and core–end group polarization effects. Overall, this combined experimental and theoretical work reveals key insights into crystal engineering strategies for indacenodithienothiophene (IDTT) acceptors, as well as general design rules for high-efficiency post-fullerene small molecule acceptors.     

Surface characterizations of spin-coated films of ethylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose blends

Films of pure ethylcellulose (EC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymers and EC/HPMC blends were prepared from solutions by spin coating where isopropyl alcohol (IPA), water, and IPA/water cosolvent were used as solvents. Surface structures of the films were investigated using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and Raman mapping and spectroscopy. For the films prepared from EC/HPMC blend solutions using the IPA/water cosolvent, different domain structures such as islands or pits and phase separation between EC and HPMC were observed by optical microscopy and AFM. The nature of the polymer components on the surface of the films was identified by Raman mapping and spectroscopy. Experimental results also indicated that polymer composition, solvent, and temperature during spin coating had significant impacts on surface structures of the films.