A formal computation of the splitting for the Klein–Gordon operator

We study the semi-classical Klein–Gordon operator in the one dimensional case, for a double-well potential. We obtain a formal computation of the splitting in cases that were not yet studied. To cite this article: E. Servat, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 338 (2004).     

Regioselective supramolecular catalysis. Exploiting multiple binding motifs in propanediurea molecular clips

Molecular clips derived from 2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-3,7-dione promote increased regioselectivity in the SO₂Cl₂-mediated electrophilic aromatic chlorination of ortho-cresol leading to para/ortho ratios (R_p/o) <25; approximately six times larger than in the absence of the clip. Specific recognition events involving hydrogen-bond, π-π and dative covalent interactions are implicated.     

Enantioseparation of chiral N-imidazole derivatives by electrokinetic chromatography using highly sulfated cyclodextrins: mechanism of enantioselective recognition

Baseline separation of ten new substituted [1-(imidazo-1-yl)-1-phenylmethyl)] benzothiazolinone and benzoxazolinone derivatives, with one chiral center, was achieved by CD-EKC using highly sulfated CDs (alpha, beta, gamma highly S-CDs) as chiral selectors. The influence of the type and concentration of the chiral selectors on the enantioseparations was investigated. The highly S-CDs exhibit a very high enantioselectivity power since they allow excellent enantiomeric resolutions compared to those obtained with the neutral CDs. The enantiomers were resolved with analysis times inferior to 2.5 min and resolution factors R(s) of 3.73, 3.90, 1.40, and 4.35 for compounds 1, 2, 3, and 5, respectively, using 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 containing either highly S-alpha-CD, highly S-beta-CD, and highly S-gamma-CD (3 or 4% w/v) at 298 K, with an applied field of 0.30 kV/cm. The determination of the enantiomer migration order for the various analytes and the study of the analyte structure-enantioseparation relationships display the high contribution of the interactions between the analytes phenyl ring and the CDs to the enantiorecognition process. The thermodynamic study of the analyte-CD affinities permits us to improve our knowledge about the enantioseparation mechanism.     

Settling of paraffin crystals in cooled middle distillate fuels

The mechanism of action of additives that control the sedimentation of paraffin crystals after their crystallization in model diesel oil has been studied by means of a new experimental approach. The chemical analysis of the crystals and detailed measurements of the sedimentation phenomenon give new insights into this complex process. Thus, the wax antisettling additives used for preventing wax crystal sedimentation adsorb at the surfaces of wax particles and provide them with enhanced colloidal stability. The settling rate is not related to the size of the crystals or the viscosity of the liquid medium, but to the ability of the additives to prevent the aggregation of wax crystals. The reported methodology makes it possible to investigate the fundamental mechanisms, but also to evaluate structure-activity relationships of the various additives used in the petroleum industry.     

Enantiomeric analysis of baclofen analogs by capillary zone electrophoresis, using highly sulfated cyclodextrins: Inclusion ionization constant pKa determination

Using cyclodextrin-capillary zone electrophoresis (CD-CZE), baseline separation of baclofen phaclofen, saclofen, and hydroxy-saclofen, potent gamma-aminobutyric acid(B) (GABA(B)) agonist or antagonists was achieved. A method for the enantioresolution of those analogs of GABA was developed using anionic cyclodextrins (highly sulfated CD or highly S-CD) as chiral selectors and capillaries dynamically coated with polyethylene oxide (PEO). With charged CDs we observed good resolutions due to the large electrophoretic mobility of these chiral selectors opposite to the mobility of the solutes. The highly S-alpha-CD and S-beta-CD were found to be complementary and the most effective complexing agent, allowing good enantiomeric resolution in short runtimes. The complete resolution was obtained using 25 mM phosphate buffer at pH 2.5 containing 3% w/v of highly S-alpha-CD or S-beta-CD at 25 degrees C with an applied field of 0.30 kV/cm. The apparent binding constants of the inclusion complexes were evaluated and the migration order was determined. A comparison was possible to investigate the importance of the anionic group of the molecules in the separations. The pK(a) values were determined for all four compounds in order to explain relative electrophoretic migration of the solutes.     

Chiral Chromium Salen@rGO as Multipurpose and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst

The first immobilization of a pyrene-tagged chromium salen complex through π-π noncovalent interactions on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is described. A very robust supported catalytic system is obtained to promote asymmetric catalysis in repeated cycles, without loss of activity or enantioselectivity. This specific behavior was demonstrated in two different catalytic reactions (up to ten reuses) promoted by chromium salen complexes, the cyclohexene oxide ring-opening reaction and the hetero-Diels-Alder cycloaddition between various aldehydes and Danishefsky's diene. Furthermore, the chiral chromium salen@rGO has been found to be compatible with a multi-substrate type use, in which the structure of the substrate involved is modified each time the catalyst is reused.     

The Chemical Dehydrochlorination of Polyvinyl Chloride. A New Method for Polyenic Sequences Evaluation

Abstract

The chemical dehydrochlorination of polyvinyl chloride was studied in solution in tetrahydrofuran. The dehydrochlorinated products were characterized by their chlorine contents and by UV/visible spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of dehydrochlorinated PVC consist of a series of absorption maxima between 200 and 600 nm due to the formation of conjugated polyenic sequences. In this article we describe a new method for polyenic sequences evaluation based on deconvolution of the experimental spectrum. A comparison with the former technique usually employed is presented.     

Synthesis of Carbapenems Containing Peptidoglycan Mimetics and Inhibition of the Cross-Linking Activity of a Transpeptidase of l,d Specificity

The carbapenem class of β-lactams has been optimized against Gram-negative bacteria producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases by introducing substituents at position C2. Carbapenems are currently investigated for the treatment of tuberculosis as these drugs are potent covalent inhibitors of l,d -transpeptidases involved in mycobacterial cell wall assembly. The optimization of carbapenems for inactivation of these unusual targets is sought herein by exploiting the nucleophilicity of the C8 hydroxyl group to introduce chemical diversity. As β-lactams are structure analogs of peptidoglycan precursors, the substituents were chosen to increase similarity between the drug and the substrate. Fourteen peptido-carbapenems were efficiently synthesized. They were more effective than the reference drug, meropenem, owing to the positive impact of a phenethylthio substituent introduced at position C2 but the peptidomimetics added at position C8 did not further improve the activity. Thus, position C8 can be modified to modulate the pharmacokinetic properties of highly efficient carbapenems.     

Gas‐phase interactions of organotin compounds with glycine

Gas‐phase interactions of organotins with glycine have been studied by combining mass spectrometry experiments and quantum calculations. Positive‐ion electrospray spectra show that the interaction of di‐ and tri‐organotins with glycine results in the formation of [(R)₂Sn(Gly)‐H]⁺and [(R)₃Sn(Gly)]⁺ ions, respectively. Di‐organotin complexes appear much more reactive than those involving tri‐organotins. (MS/MS) spectra of the [(R)₃Sn(Gly)]⁺ ions are indeed simple and only show elimination of intact glycine, generating the [(R)₃Sn]⁺ carbocation. On the other hand, MS/MS spectra of [(R)₂Sn(Gly)‐H]⁺complexes are characterized by numerous fragmentation processes. Six of them, associated with elimination of H₂O, CO, H₂O + CO and formation of [(R)₂SnOH]⁺ (?57 u),[(R)₂SnNH₂]⁺( ?58 u) and [(R)₂SnH]⁺ (?73 u), are systematically observed. Use of labeled glycines notably concludes that the hydrogen atoms eliminated in water and H₂O + CO are labile hydrogens. A similar conclusion can be made for hydrogens of [(R₂)SnOH]⁺and [(R₂)SnNH₂]⁺ions. Interestingly, formation [(R)₂SnH]⁺ ions is characterized by a migration of one the α hydrogen of glycine onto the metallic center. Finally, several dissociation routes are observed and are characteristic of a given organic substituent. Calculations indicated that the interaction between organotins and glycine is mostly electrostatic. For [(R)₂Sn(Gly)‐H]⁺complexes, a preferable bidentate interaction of the type η²‐O,NH2 is observed, similar to that encountered for other metal ions. [(R)₃Sn]⁺ ions strongly stabilize the zwitterionic form of glycine, which is practically degenerate with respect to neutral glycine. In addition, the interconversion between both forms is almost barrierless. Suitable mechanisms are proposed in order to account for the most relevant fragmentation processes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.