Loop-quantum-gravity vertex amplitude

Spin foam models are hoped to provide the dynamics of loop-quantum gravity. However, the most popular of these, the Barrett-Crane model, does not have the good boundary state space and there are indications that it fails to yield good low-energy n-point functions. We present an alternative dynamics that can be derived as a quantization of a Regge discretization of Euclidean general relativity, where second class constraints are imposed weakly. Its state space matches the SO(3) loop gravity one and it yields an SO(4)-covariant vertex amplitude for Euclidean loop gravity.     

Nickel-Catalyzed 1,2-Diarylation of Alkenyl Carboxylates: A Gateway to 1,2,3-Trifunctionalized Building Blocks

A nickel-catalyzed conjunctive cross-coupling of alkenyl carboxylic acids, aryl iodides, and aryl/alkenyl boronic esters is reported. The reaction delivers the desired 1,2-diarylated and 1,2-arylalkenylated products with excellent regiocontrol. To demonstrate the synthetic utility of the method, a representative product is prepared on gram scale and then diversified to eight 1,2,3-trifunctionalized building blocks using two-electron and one-electron logic. Using this method, three routes toward bioactive molecules are improved in terms of yield and/or step count. This method represents the first example of catalytic 1,2-diarylation of an alkene directed by a native carboxylate group.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed 1,2‐Diarylation of Alkenyl Carboxylates: A Gateway to 1,2,3‐Trifunctionalized Building Blocks

A nickel‐catalyzed conjunctive cross‐coupling of alkenyl carboxylic acids, aryl iodides, and aryl/alkenyl boronic esters is reported. The reaction delivers the desired 1,2‐diarylated and 1,2‐arylalkenylated products with excellent regiocontrol. To demonstrate the synthetic utility of the method, a representative product is prepared on gram scale and then diversified to eight 1,2,3‐trifunctionalized building blocks using two‐electron and one‐electron logic. Using this method, three routes toward bioactive molecules are improved in terms of yield and/or step count. This method represents the first example of catalytic 1,2‐diarylation of an alkene directed by a native carboxylate group.     

Model selection for forecasting

This paper presents empirical comparisons of forecast accuracy resulting from variety of model selection procedures. Models of monthly sales of residential electricity are estimated, and used to forecast three years into the future for twenty states in the U.S. Models are selected by a variety of complexity criteria and by upward and downward F-tests at various significance levels. Forecast accuracy was measured by one-step and multistep conditional root-mean-square forecast errors. Overall the selection criteria which most heavily penalized overparametrized models performed best: the Schwarz criterion and 1% size sequential F-testing.     

Synthesis and characterization of copper(II) complexes incorporating pyrazolyl-derived N,S-donor bidentate ligands

The novel bidentate N,S-donor anionic ligands [PhNCSIndz]^?, [PhNCSImz]^?, [PhNCSPz^Me3]^?, and [EtNCSPz]^?, where Indz?=?indazole, Imz?=?imidazole, Pz^Me3?=?3,4,5-trimethylpyrazole, and Pz?=?pyrazole, were synthesized and used to prepare Cu(II) complexes of general formula [Cu(N^S)₂]. The ligands were synthesized via direct addition of phenylisothiocyanate or ethylisothiocyanate into THF suspensions of the corresponding sodium-pyrazolate salts. All of the synthesized compounds, including the ligands and the complexes, were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods, and crystal structures of [Cu(EtNCSPz)₂] and [Cu(PhNCSPz^Me2)₂] were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis, showing a trans-square planar geometry for [Cu(EtNCSPz)₂] and a distorted tetrahedral geometry for [Cu(PhNCSPz^Me2)₂].     

Eine neue volumetrische Methode zur Bestimmung des Kobalts

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Catalytic,Enantioselective α‐Alkylation of Azlactones with Nonconjugated Alkenes by Directed Nucleopalladation

A palladium(II)‐catalyzed enantioselective α‐alkylation of azlactones with nonconjugated alkenes is described. The reaction employs a chiral BINOL‐derived phosphoric acid as the source of stereoinduction, and a cleavable bidentate directing group appended to the alkene to control the regioselectivity and stabilize the nucleopalladated alkylpalladium(II) intermediate in the catalytic cycle. A wide range of azlactones were found to be compatible under the optimal reaction conditions to afford products bearing α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino‐acid derivatives with high yields and high enantioselectivity.