Quantum modified Regge–Teitelboim cosmology

In this paper we study the late evolution of Relic Gravitational Waves in coupled dark energy models, where dark energy interacts with cold dark matter. Relic Gravitational Waves are second tensorial order perturbations of the Lemaitre–Friedman–Robertson–Walker metric and experiment an evolution ruled by the scale factor of the metric. We find that the amplitude of Relic Gravitational Waves is smaller in coupled dark energy models than in models with non interacting dark energy. We also find that the amplitude of the waves predicted by the models with coupling term proportional to the dark energy density is smaller than those of the models with coupling term proportional to dark matter density.     

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of highly functionalized polysubstituted pyrrolidines

The organocatalytic conjugate addition of different aldehydes to beta-nitroacrolein dimethyl acetal, generating the corresponding highly functionalized nitroaldehydes in high yields and with high stereoselectivities, has been studied in detail. These transformations have been achieved by using both readily available starting materials in a 1:1 ratio as well as commercially available catalysts at a 10 mol % catalyst loading. Furthermore, a very short and efficient protocol has been devised for the preparation of highly enantioenriched pyrrolidines containing two or three contiguous stereocenters starting from the obtained Michael adducts. 3,4-Disubstituted pyrrolidines have been obtained in a single step by Zn-mediated chemoselective reduction of the nitro group followed by intramolecular reductive amination, and trisubstituted homoproline derivatives have been prepared by means of an olefination reaction and a cascade process involving chemoselective reduction of the nitro group followed by a fully diastereoselective intramolecular aza- Michael reaction.     

An amine-catalyzed enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes: applications and mechanistic implications

The catalytic enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by α,α-diphenylprolinol has been studied in detail. In particular, the reaction has been extended to the use of 2-alkenylidene aminomalonates generated in situ as azomethine ylide precursors. These reactions lead to the formation of pyrrolidines containing a 5-alkenyl side chain with potential for chemical manipulation. Moreover, a detailed and concise computational study has been carried out to understand the exact nature of the mechanism of this reaction and especially the consequences derived from the incorporation of the chiral secondary amine catalyst on the reaction pathway.     

Organocatalytic enantioselective synthesis of 2,3-dihydropyridazines

We have developed an efficient procedure for the easy and straightforward preparation of functionalized dihydropyridazines as highly enantiopure materials by reaction of pyruvaldehyde 2-tosyl hydrazone with a variety of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes using a chiral secondary amine as catalyst. The overall process consists of a cascade reaction involving an initial aza-Michael reaction, in which the stereocentre is installed, followed by an intramolecular aldol reaction/dehydration step.     

An Amine‐Catalyzed Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides and α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes: Applications and Mechanistic Implications

The catalytic enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition between azomethine ylides and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes catalyzed by α,α‐diphenylprolinol has been studied in detail. In particular, the reaction has been extended to the use of 2‐alkenylidene aminomalonates generated in situ as azomethine ylide precursors. These reactions lead to the formation of pyrrolidines containing a 5‐alkenyl side chain with potential for chemical manipulation. Moreover, a detailed and concise computational study has been carried out to understand the exact nature of the mechanism of this reaction and especially the consequences derived from the incorporation of the chiral secondary amine catalyst on the reaction pathway.     

Stereoselective addition of the titanium enolate of N-acetyl (4S)-isopropyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione to five-membered N-acyl iminium ions

[reaction: see text] Addition of the chlorotitanium enolate of N-acetyl 4-isopropyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione to five-membered, N-substituted N-acyl iminium ions furnished the corresponding Mannich-type addition products with good diastereoselectivity and in good yields. The synthetic utility of the addition product 8 was demonstrated in a chemospecific anti-aldol reaction with cinnamaldehyde. By using this strategy, we constructed three contiguous chiral centers with high stereocontrol employing the same chiral auxiliary. X-Ray crystallographic analysis of addition product 2 and aldol product 14 revealed their absolute stereochemistry.     

MgZnAl hydrotalcite-like compounds preparation by a green method: effect of zinc content

A series of MgZnAl hydrotalcite-like compounds with different zinc content (1–25 mass % of nominal zinc content) were prepared by a simple and environmentally-friendly method. The solids were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric (TG), nitrogen adsorption-desorption at ?196°C (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and CO₂ temperature-programmed desorption (CO₂-TPD). Transesterification of castor oil with methanol was selected as a probe reaction to stress the effect of zinc incorporation. From the XRD analysis of fresh samples it was demonstrated that the incorporation of zinc is feasible in the nominal range of 1–10 mass % while in the samples with higher zinc content, zinc nitrate and ZnO as secondary crystalline phases were observed. Furthermore, the analysis of samples calcined at 450°C indicated the coexistence of the ZnO and MgO crystalline phases. From the EDS and TG characterizations, the zinc percentage and thermal decomposition of the samples were determined. It was revealed that the samples exhibited the characteristic platy-like habit of hydrotalcite-like compounds. The BET analysis confirmed that the calcined samples presented an increment in their specific surface area values compared with the pristine ones. It was established that the amount of basic sites diminished with the zinc incorporation, which also affected the conversion degree of the transesterification reaction.     

Organocatalytic asymmetric "anti-Michael" reaction of beta-ketoesters

The first organocatalytic "anti-Michael" reaction of cyclic-beta-ketoesters to unsaturated double bonds is described in a highly asymmetric version leading to the synthesis of alpha,alpha'-disubstituted branched double bonds as optically active Baylis-Hillman-like adducts.     

5-Mercaptotetrazoles as synthetic equivalents of nitrogen-containing functional groups. The case of the organocatalytic enantioselective aza-Michael reaction

5-Mercaptotetrazoles have been identified as useful and versatile Michael donors in enantioselective amine-catalyzed aza-Michael reactions with α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, showing excellent behavior as N-nucleophiles instead of their usual trend to react as S-nucleophiles. In addition several unprecedented chemical modifications on the tetrazolothione moiety have been carried out leading to the enantioselective preparation of different compounds incorporating nitrogen-containing functionalities such as oxazinimines, formamidines, ureas and isoureas.