2-Nitrodiphenylamine as a versatile high-potential reversible oxidation-reduction indicator

The use of 2-nitrodiphenylamine as a reversible indicator has been investigated in the titration of iron(II) with cerium(IV) sulphate, potassium dichromate and sodium vanadate in sulphuric acid media. Accurate results can be obtained with cerium(IV) sulphate in 0.5–5.0 M acid, with potassium dichromate in 5.0–7.0 M acid, and with sodium vanadate in 5.0–7.5 M acid. With cerium(IV) sulphate the titrations are preferably conducted in 2.0 M sulphuric acid or in a 1.0 M. sulphuric acid-1.0 M pechloric acid medium. Tungstic acid, acetic acid, arsenic(III) and manganese(II) do not interfere. In titrations of iron(II) with dichromate and vanadate, the colour changes at the end-point are much more vivid with 2-nitrodiphenylamine than with ferroin.     

New sphingolipids and a sterol from a lobophytum species of the Indian ocean

Chemical investigation of a soft coral species of the genus Lobophytum has resulted in the isolation of three new sphingolipids--(2S,3S,4R)-2-nonadecanoylamino-octadecane-1,3,4-triol (1), (2S,3R,4E,8E)-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxyheptadecanoylamino]-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (2), 1-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-(2S,3R,4E,8E)-2-[(2'R)-2'-hydroxynonadecanoylamino]-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene-1,3-diol (3) and a sterol--(24S)-ergost-5-en-3beta,7beta-diol (4) along with the known sphingolipid--(2S,3R,4E,8E)-2-hexadecanoylamino-4,8-octadecadien-1,3-diol (5) which showed cytotoxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).     

Titrimetric determination of arsenic(III) with potassium dichromate, using redox indicators

Experimental conditions have been established for the accurate direct titrimetric determination of arsenic(III) with potassium dichromate, using ferroin and N-pnenylanthranilic acid as redox indicators. Interferences have been considered.     

Total syntheses of epothilones B and d

A convergent, total synthesis of epothilones B (2) and D (4) is described. The key steps are Normant coupling to establish the desired (Z)-stereochemistry at C12-C13, Wadsworth-Emmons olefination of methyl ketone 28 with the phosphonate ester 8, diastereoselective aldol condensation of aldehyde 5 with the enolate of keto acid derivatives to form the C6-C7 bond, selective deprotection of acid 52, and macrolactonization.     

A convergent approach towards the synthesis of the 2-alkyl-substituted tetrahydroquinoline alkaloid (−)-cuspareine

A convergent approach towards the synthesis of the 2-alkyl-substituted tetrahydroquinoline alkaloid (?)-cuspareine via enantiospecific construction of the (R)-benzyl 2-formyl-3,4-dihydroquinoline-1(2H)-carboxylate. We have achieved an efficient enantiospecific synthesis of (?)-cuspareine starting from known key starting materials. The reactions employed for individual transformations are simple and high yielding, and the strategy could potentially be easily extended.     

An Efficient Synthesis of Coumestans-A Probable Biogenetic Approach

A probable biogenetic type synthesis of coumestans by coupling in-situ generated o-quinones by mushroom tyrosinase oxidation of catechol and 4-hydroxy coumarins is reported.     

Gold Decorated Graphene by Laser Ablation for Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Methanol and Ethanol

A well‐known limitation in the fabrication of metal‐graphene composite has been the use of surfactants that strongly adsorb on the surface and reduce the performance of the catalyst. We demonstrate here a novel one‐pot synthesis of gold nanoparticles by laser ablation of gold strip and in‐situ decoration on graphene substrate. Not only the impregnation of nanoparticles was linker free, but also the synthesis by itself was surfactant‐free. The composite materials were well characterized morphologically and functionally using electron microscopy, X‐ray and electron diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Zeta potential, electrochemical measurements and UV‐Visible spectroscopic techniques. This linker‐free gold‐graphene based composite has been employed for catalytic applications pertaining to electrooxidation. We have explored the use of this composite as a binder‐free electrode in electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol and ethanol in alkaline medium. Additionally, the onset potential for ethanol oxidation was found to be more negative, ?100 mV, an indication of its promising application in direct ethanol fuel cells.     

Thermal performance of a carbon fiber composite material heat sink in an FC-72 thermosyphon

This study analyzes the use of a carbon fiber epoxy heat sink for evaporator surface enhancement in a FC-72 thermosyphon. The pin-fin heat sink features 945 small-cross-section (1.27 mm by 0.965 mm) fins fabricated with an integral base plate. These fins have a high thermal conductivity (500 W/m K) along the length of the fin. The influence of heat load, thermosyphon fill volume, and condenser operating temperature on the overall thermal performance is examined. The results of this experiment provide significant insight into the possible implementation and potential benefits of carbon-fiber heat sink technology in two-phase flow leading to significant improvements in thermal management strategies for advanced electronics.     

Synthesis of a New Class of Sulfonamido Bis Heterocycles—Pyrrolyl/Pyrazolyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles, 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles,and 1,2,4‐Triazoles

A new class of sulfonamido bis heterocycles—pyrrolyl/pyrazolyl‐oxadiazoles, thiadiazoles, and triazoles—were prepared from arylaminosulfonylacetic acid hydrazide and E‐aroylethenesulfonylacetic acid adopting simple and versatile synthetic methodologies.