Spectroscopic optical second-harmonic generation from semiconductor interfaces

Optical Second-Harmonic Generation (SHG) from semiconductor interfaces has been widely studied, but it is only recently, with the advent of commercial, tuneable, pulsed laser sources that the spectroscopic aspect of SHG has begun to be more widely exploited. Here, results from porous Si and Si(100)-Sb are reported, which illustrate the potential of spectroscopic SHG as a probe of semiconductor interfaces.Paper presented at the 129th Heraeus Seminar on Surface Studies by Nonlinear Laser Spectroscopies, Kassel, Germany, May 30 to June 1, 1994     

A practical synthesis of 2′-aminoacylamino-2′-deoxyadenosines

A practical and efficient synthesis of 2′-aminoacylamino-2′-deoxyadenosine derivatives is reported. EDCI/HOBt-mediated coupling of a 3′,5′-diprotected 2′-amino-2′-deoxyadenosine derivative to various N-Cbz-l-amino acid derivatives followed by global deprotection affords analytically pure 2′-aminoacylamino-2′-deoxyadenosine derivatives without the necessity for preparative HPLC purification. These compounds are non-hydrolysable isosteres of 2′-aminoacyladenosines, which are of use in X-ray studies for the elucidation of the editing mechanism of various tRNA synthetases.     

Investigation of steric and electronic effects in the copper-catalysed asymmetric oxidation of sulfides

Steric and electronic effects in the copper-catalysed asymmetric oxidation of aryl benzyl, aryl alkyl and alkyl benzyl sulfides have been investigated. The presence of an aryl group directly attached to the sulfur is essential to afford sulfoxides with high enantioselectivities, with up to 97% ee for 2-naphthyl benzyl sulfoxide, the highest enantioselectivity achieved to date for copper-catalysed asymmetric sulfoxidation. In contrast, the benzyl substituent can be replaced by sterically comparable groups with no effect on enantioselectivity. Copper-mediated oxidation of substituted aryl benzyl sulfides display modest steric and electronic effects resulting in comparable or lower enantioselectivities to those obtained with the unsubstituted benzyl phenyl sulfide.     

The Mediated Detection of Hydrogen Sulfide in Room Temperature Ionic Liquids

The detection of H₂S was studied using several mediators in room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) at a microelectrode. Each mediator was characterised voltammetrically, and H₂S was added to observe if any mediation took place. A successful mediator was 3,5‐tert‐butyl‐obenzoquinone. Cyclic voltammetry was carried out in [C₂mim][NTf2]. A reductive wave was observed and attributed to the two‐electron reduction of the mediator. No oxidative signal was observed. H₂S was flowed through the system. Cyclic voltammograms showed a decrease in the reductive wave of the mediator and the onset of an oxidative signal due to the reaction between the mediator and H₂S to form an adduct. This reaction is reversible and on purging the system with N₂, the original reductive signal of the mediator was recovered.     

Correlated theoretical, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic studies of a non-covalent molecularly imprinted polymerisation system

The correlation of the recognition properties of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with the recognition events in pre-polymerisation mixtures is of central importance to our understanding of the molecular imprinting technique. Using the NSAID naproxen as a model template, we have applied parallel theoretical (molecular dynamics) and practical ((1)H-NMR, X-ray crystallography, HPLC, radioligand binding) methods to examine the nature of template-functional monomer complexation. An effective imprint is achieved, despite the presence of only one site on the template which provides for the formation of effective electrostatic interactions with the functional monomer used, 4-vinylpyridine. This is attributed to the creation of a well-defined receptor site for the acidic terminus of the molecule and complementary van der Waals interactions, as described in preliminary simulations of the pre-polymerisation system, and as confirmed for the resultant MIP by HPLC data. Qualitative agreement is also observed between simulation and proton NMR data examining monomer self-association in the presence and absence of the template. On the basis of the data obtained, the role of a cross-linker appears to be more significant for this system than previously anticipated.     

Bearing capacity of forest access roads built on peat soils

Significance of the thickness of peat substratum on the bearing capacity of forest access roads laid on peat soils in Ireland is evaluated. Bearing capacity of an experimental pavement was assessed on the basis of its surface deflection measured using a Benkelman beam. The mean deflections for winter, spring and summer seasons were 2.7, 5.1 and 5.4 mm, respectively, and the lower value for winter was attributed to the frozen pavement and lower soil moisture conditions. Pavement response in winter was a function of the interaction term of linear components of thickness of pavement layers and the peat substratum (R²=0.67), while in spring (R²=0.70) and summer (R²=0.72), it also included a moderating quadratic term of thickness of the peat substratum. Deflection generally increased with thickness of pavement and the peat substratum, and effect of pavement thickness was pronounced under peat layer greater than 1000 mm which was attributed to inherent weakness of the pavements over such areas. It is suggested that thickness of the peat substratum may be a basis for developing specifications for timber haulage vehicles, or routeing of such traffic for minimal environmental impact.     

N2′-acetyl-6-diacetoxymethylpterin

Treatment of folic acid with bromine in 48% hydrobromic acid gives the hydrobromide salt of 6-formylpterin ( 1 ), and acetylation of 1 with recovered acetic anhydride leads to N^2′-acetyl-6-diacetoxymethylpterin ( 3 ).     

Alpha-oximono-esters as precursors to heterocycles--generation of oxazinone N-oxides and cycloaddition to alkene dipolarophiles

Preparation of a series of terminally and internally substituted delta-alkenyl and delta-alkynyl esters 6, 7 and 9, potential precursors to oxazin-2-one nitrones, has been attempted. Condensation between pyruvic or benzoylformic acid and the appropriate alcohol proceeded smoothly in some cases whilst allylic transposition was a major feature in other cases--most especially during reactions with alpha-vinylbenzyl alcohol. Oximation of pyruvic acid derivatives furnished E-oxime isomers whilst benzoylformic acid derivatives afforded mixed geometrical isomers. The E-oxime of 4a1 carrying an internal Me group undergoes facile thermal cyclisation affording nitrones 1c and 1d in good yield. Oximes E-5a,b with a terminal methyl substituent on the alkene moiety furnish nitrone only under the influence of an external electrophile [PhSeBr/AgBF4]. A terminal Ph substituent on 5c,d prohibits formation of the cyclic dipole irrespective of reaction conditions, and whilst 5d reacts to afford a bicyclic isoxazolofuranone 13 by an IOOC reaction (intramolecular oxime olefin cyclisation) 5c remains thermally inert. Finally delta-alkynyl oximes 9c,d also failed to cyclise. The regio- and stereochemical characteristics of the cycloadditions between the new dipoles and electron poor olefinic dipolarophiles have been investigated. The conditions needed for reaction were rather forcing since the dipoles are somewhat stabilised by the adjacent alkoxycarbonyl group. All reactions proceeded regiospecifically to give adducts with 5-substituted isoxazolidine rings whilst diastereoselectivity varied with the choice of dipolarophile and the steric demands of the nitrone substituents. The phenylselenyl dipole 10a could not be trapped by any dipolarophiles bar dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate.