Regioselective palladium-catalyzed alkylation of allylic halides with benzylic grignard reagents. Two-step synthesis of abietane terpenes and tetracyclic polyprenoid compounds

A highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed alpha-alkylation of allylic bromides 1a,c-e and chloride 1b with substituted and unsubstituted benzylic Grignard reagents is reported. The resulting all-trans polyenehomobenzene derivatives were obtained in excellent yields and regioselectivity. These products were easily converted to abietane-type diterpenes (10-12) and tetracyclic polyprenoid compounds (13, 14) through a Lewis acid-promoted cascade polyene cyclization reaction.     

Around independence and domination in metric abstract elementary classes: assuming uniqueness of limit models

We study notions of independence appropriate for a stability theory of metric abstract elementary classes (for short, MAECs). We build on previous notions used in the discrete case, and adapt definitions to the metric case. In particular, we study notions that behave well under superstability‐like assumptions. Also, under uniqueness of limit models, we study domination, orthogonality and parallelism of Galois types in MAECs.     

Organocatalytic,Asymmetric Eliminative [4+2] Cycloaddition of Allylidene Malononitriles with Enals: Rapid Entry to Cyclohexadiene‐Embedding Linear and Angular Polycycles

A direct aminocatalytic synthesis has been developed for the chemo‐, regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselective construction of densely substituted polycyclic carbaldehydes containing fused cyclohexadiene rings. The chemistry utilizes, for the first time, remotely enolizable π‐extended allylidenemalononitriles as electron‐rich 1,3‐diene precursors in a direct eliminative [4+2] cycloaddition with both aromatic and aliphatic α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The generality of the process is demonstrated by approaching 6,6‐, 5,6‐, 7,6‐, 6,6,6‐, and 6,5,6‐fused ring systems, as well as biorelevant steroid‐like 6,6,6,6,5‐ and 6,6,6,5,6‐rings. A stepwise reaction mechanism for the key [4+2] addition is proposed as a domino bis‐vinylogous Michael/Michael/retro‐Michael reaction cascade. The utility of the malononitrile moiety as traceless activating group of the dicyano nucleophilic substrates is demonstrated.     

Structural properties of PbTiO3 and PbZrxTi1−xO3: A quantum‐chemical study

We investigate the structural and electronic properties of pure and Zr‐doped PbTiO₃ crystals. The nature of atomic relaxation around the Zr impurity is studied through quantum‐chemical simulations based on the Hartree–Fock theory and a periodic large unit cell model adopted within the so‐called intermediate neglect of differential overlap approximation. The most stable defect configurations are predicted for different impurity concentrations. The results obtained are compared with those from other theoretical studies and a number of experimental measurements carried out on this technologically important perovskite‐type crystal. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2001     

Improvements in the electrochemical generation of arsine at gold electrodes as a sample introduction strategy for arsenic determination in well-water samples by atomic absorption spectrometry

The development and evaluation of a cathode consisting of a gold electrode covered by a polyaniline film, PANI/Au modified electrode, for electrochemical generation of arsine is described. The efficiency of arsine production using the new electrode was ascertained by comparison with corresponding hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy determinations of arsenic (As) in aqueous standards. The PANI/Au modified electrodes provide better sensitivity, accuracy and precision than the pure Au cathodes. The PANI/Au cathodes were prepared by controlled electrodeposition cycles of polyaniline films on top of Au electrodes. Cathodes obtained after 10 electrodeposition cycles showed the best performance, while the ones obtained after five voltammetry cycles produced films too thin and those obtained after 20 voltammetry cycles produced films too thick for the purpose of this work. Under optimised conditions, the As limit of detection in aqueous solutions, according to the (3σ) criterion, was 2.48 µg L^?1. For accuracy determination, the modified electrode was applied to quantification of As(III) in acidified aqueous solutions of the certified standard reference material, NIST SRM 1643d, and in well-water samples containing possible interfering ions. Application of the Student’s t-test showed no significant difference between the expected and obtained results of the NIST SRM standard analysis at the 95% confidence level. Values for six replicate determinations of As(III) in the well-water samples showed close agreement with values obtained by analyses using hydride generation atomic absorption. Recoveries were in the range of 95–105% at test for acceptable accuracy in the analysis of real samples.     

Limit models in metric abstract elementary classes: the categorical case

We study versions of limit models adapted to the context of metric abstract elementary classes. Under categoricity and superstability‐like assumptions, we generalize some theorems from 7 , 15 - 17 . We prove criteria for existence and uniqueness of limit models in the metric context.     

Development of secondary flows in viscoelastic curved ducts and the influence of outlet region

This paper presents numerical simulations of Newtonian and viscoelastic flows through a 180° curved duct of square cross section with a long straight outlet region. A particular attention is paid to the development of the flow in the output rectangular region after the curved part. The viscoelastic fluid is modeled using the constitutive equation proposed by Phan–Thien–Tanner (PTT). The numerical results, obtained with a finite-volume method, are shown for three different Dean numbers (125,137,150)$(125,137,150)$ and for three Deborah numbers (0.1,0.2,0.3)$(0.1,0.2,0.3)$. The necessary outlet length to impose boundary conditions is presented and discussed for these cases. Streamlines and vortex formation are shown to illustrate and analyze the evolution of the secondary flow in this region.