New synthetic “tricks” using old reagents. A mild method for the conversion of RCONHR′ to RCONHR″

N-Alkyl-N-nitrosoamides, RCON(NO)R′, react with primary aliphatic amines (NH₂R″), in refluxing dichloromethane or at room temperature, to give RCONHR″ in 65–98% yields.     

Substituted m-phenylene bridges as strong ferromagnetic couplers for Cu(II)-bridge-Cu(II) magnetic interactions: new perspectives

Based on a combined theoretical-experimental study, we propose that substituted m-phenylene ligands (m-N-Phi-N) can act as tuneable strong ferromagnetic couplers connecting Cu(II) ions; a new complex presenting that bridge with J close to +15 cm(-1) has been suggested and synthesized.     

Electrostatics of phosphatidic acid monolayers: Insights from computer simulations

In this paper, we argue that many of the fascinating electrostatic effects that take place in amphiphilic systems are strongly related to the particular organization of the oxygen atoms within each individual molecule. In particular, we focus on two effects: charge inversion and dielectric overscreening. For that purpose, we present molecular dynamics simulations of phosphatidic acid (DMPA²⁻) in the presence of divalent counterions. Our results show that the many oxygens present in DMPA²⁻ cooperatively create strong binding sites for counterions, which in some cases lead to charge inversion. We also present an analysis of the role of interfacial water and relate our analysis to the phenomenon of dielectric overscreening. Several experimental implications are discussed in the conclusions.     

Theoretical study of alkyl-pi and aryl-pi interactions. Reconciling theory and experiment

Quantum mechanical and quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical calculations in conjunction with continuum solvation models have been used to analyze CH-pi interactions in model systems of aryl- and alkyl-aromatic interactions, as well as in a model folding system designed to study those interactions. High level calculations reproduced accurately the interaction of CH-pi interactions in both alkyl- and aryl-based model systems. Dispersion effects dominate the interaction, but the electrostatics term is also relevant for aryl CH-pi interactions. Theoretical calculations were also used to examine the influence of CH-pi interactions in determining the conformational flexibility of folding models. Finally, a critical comparison of the results obtained from high level calculations on model systems and the experimental data derived for folding models in apolar solvents was carried out, which allowed us to reconcile the apparent discrepancy found between both data.     

Linked crystallites in the conducting topmost layer of polymer bilayer films controlled by temperature: from micro- to nanocrystallites.

Temperature has great impact on the structure and size of the linked crystallites of the conducting topmost layer formed at the surface of a polycarbonate film via the reaction BEDT-TTF+IBr [BEDT-TTF=bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene]. We show that fine temperature control permits formation of a semiconducting topmost layer of alpha'-(BEDT-TTF)(2)(I(x)Br(1-x))(3) crystallites with either micro- or nanometre size, a result that opens a route to miniaturized conducting plastic materials.     

Stereochemical analysis of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its main metabolites by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is consumed as the racemate but some metabolic steps are enantioselective. In addition, chiral properties are preserved during MDMA biotransformation. A quantitative analytical methodology using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine enantioselective disposition in the body of MDMA and its main metabolites including 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxymethamphetamine (HMMA), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyamphetamine (HMA) was developed. Plasma and urine samples were collected from a male volunteer. The analysis of MDMA, MDA, and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy metabolites by GC/MS required a two-step derivatization procedure. The first step consisted of derivatization of the amine with enantiomerically pure Mosher's reagent ((R)-MTPCl). Triethylamine was used as a base to neutralize hydrochloric acid formed during the reaction allowing quantitative derivatization, which resulted in a substantial improvement in the sensitivity of the method compared with other previously described techniques. Further treatment with ammonium hydroxide was required since both amine and hydroxyl groups underwent derivatization in the reaction. Ammonium hydroxide breaks bonds formed with hydroxyl groups without affecting amine derivatives. The second derivatization step using hexamethyldisilazane was needed for metabolites containing phenol residues. This derivatization method permitted the stereochemically specific study of MDMA and its main monohydroxylated metabolites by GC/MS. A detailed study of the chemical reactions involved in the derivatization steps was indispensable to develop a straightforward, sensitive, and reproducible method for the analysis of the parent drug compound and its metabolites.     

Genetic algorithms: A robust scheme for geometry optimizations and global minimum structure problems

A Genetic Algorithm for Geometry Optimizations (GALGO) program has been developed to study the efficiency of this method of finding global minimum structures. Using a semiempirical tight-binding potential, the behavior of different genetic algorithm (GA) operators has been tested for the linear chain isomer of a C₈ cluster. An optimum set of parameters for the GA operators is proposed for this problem and afterward is used to obtain the global minimum structure of rare-gas atomic clusters of up to 13 atoms using the 12–6 Lennard-Jones interatomic pair potential. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Alkylation of nitroaromatics with tetraalkylborate ion via electrochemical oxidation

Aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction (S(N)Ar) is one of the most thoroughly studied reactions. Alkylation of nitroaromatics with Grignard reagents via chemical oxidation of the sigma(H)-complexes is the most general method to introduce an alkyl group into a nitroaromatic compound. This approach has considerable drawbacks, especially when more than one nitro group are present in the aromatic ring. In this article, we present an electrochemical approach, which offers a new very selective methodology for obtaining alkyl polynitroaromatic compounds. Different strategies based on the use of tetralkylborate anion as nucleophiles are used so as to increase efficiency and to reduce the drawbacks associated with this reaction. A wide list of dinitro- and trinitro-aromatic compounds are studied, the range of yields obtained being from fair (40%) to excellent (85%). The key to improvement in the process is the use of electrochemical techniques for the oxidation of the mixture sigma(H)-complexes/tetrabutylborate ion. The electroactive character of the nucleophile, which can be oxidized to an alkyl radical, means that the S(N)Ar of the hydrogen polar mechanism is not the only mechanism operating during the electroxidation process, since the hydrogen radical S(N)Ar mechanism is running at the same time. Electrochemical mechanistic studies allow the participation of each mechanism in the global product yield obtained to be quantified.     

Computer experiments on crystalline nylons: structural analysis of nylons with large aliphatic segments

A theoretical study based on force-field calculations has been performed to investigate the structural preferences of crystalline even nylons n with large and very large aliphatic segments. Atomistic energy calculations and Monte Carlo simulations were carried out considering the conventional and forms of nylons 10, 12, 18, 24, and 32. Results indicated that the form is the most favored for nylons 10, 12, 18, and 24. However, the structure was unstable for nylon 32, a polymer in which the density of hydrogen bonds is almost negligible. In this case, the arrangement is energetically more favored than the one.