Stereoselective Synthesis of 2-Ethylidene-3-aminonitriles

2-(l-acetoxyethyl) acrylonitrile 1 can be stereoselectively converted into 2-ethylidene -3-aminonitriles 4 in good yields in the presence of primary or secondary arnines in THF at room temperature.     

Structural and Physicochemical Studies of [4-ClC6H4CH2NH3]4Li2P6O18·4H2O

The crystal structure of a new organic cation cyclohexaphosphate, [4-ClC ₆ H ₄ CH ₂ NH ₃ ] ₄ Li ₂ P ₆ O ₁₈ .4H ₂ O, is reported. It crystallizes in the triclinic system (space group P-1) with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 9.628(8), b = 12.801(9), c = 19.528(6) Å, α = 78.60(4)°, β = 83.00(5)°, β = 89.98(4)°, Z = 2, and V = 2341(3)Å ³ . The structure has been solved using direct methods and refined by least-squares analysis [R ₁ = 0.043, wR ₂ = 0.108]. The structure can be described as infinite anionic layers with composition of [Li ₂ (P ₆ O ₁₈ )(H ₂ O) ₄ ] ^{4 ?} and parallel to the ac plane. The organic groups are located in the accessible voids. The molecules are stabilized by O─H…O and N─H…O types of intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the unit cell in addition to Van der Waals forces.     

Determination of Chromium (VI) in Airborne Particulate Matter by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is a well-established carcinogen associated with lung, nasal, and sinus cancer. Cr(VI) threshold limit values in workroom air have been recently lowered. Consequently, the currently available analytical methods are insufficiently sensitive or high cost. In this paper, a simple, cost-effective, sensitive, and reproducible method using solid-phase extraction with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of hexavalent chromium in airborne samples is reported. The method validation included selectivity, linearity, accuracy, and precision. Interferences from other ions likely to be present in airborne samples, including trivalent chromium, were tested and selectivity was demonstrated. The detection and quantification limits were, respectively, as low as 0.1 and 0.4?µg?L^?1. The linearity ranged from 0.5 to 50.0?µg?L^?1, with a regression coefficients exceeding 0.998. The extraction recovery exceeded 98%. The developed method was successfully compared with a reference spectrophotometric method. The performances achieved were similar to ion chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography approaches. The novel method was tested on airborne samples collected from the workplace. The method’s performance suggests that it may be an alternative to high-cost techniques for monitoring occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium.     

Stereoselective Synthesis of Some Dialkyl (E)-2-Bromomethylene Glutarates

Reaction of 2-bromo-2-bromomethyl glutaric acid esters with tetraalkylammonium fluoride in HMPA, conveniently provides the corresponding dialkyl (E)-2-bromomethylene derivatives in good yields.     

Selected Reactions of Diethyl (E)‐1‐(bromomethyl)‐2‐cyanovinylphosphonate with Secondary and Tertiary Amines

An easy regio‐ and stereoselective synthesis of new nitrogenous molecules 2a–e was successfully realized via an effective coupling reaction of diethyl (E)‐1‐(bromomethyl)‐2‐cyanovinylphosphonate 1 with various secondary amines in methanol. Hence, the use of less and more bulky secondary amines gives rise, respectively, to the successive (S_N2′) substitution–isomerization and (S_N2) substitution derivatives 2a–c and 2d–e . Moreover, the addition of tertiary amines to 1 in the same reaction conditions, leads exclusively to the rearranged vinyl ether 3 in good yields.     

Study of allelopathic effects of Eucalyptus erythrocorys L. crude extracts against germination and seedling growth of weeds and wheat

Allelopathic materials inside a tree can produce positive or negative change in the survival, growth, reproduction and behaviour of other organisms if they escape into the environment. To assess these effects, this work was carried out to evaluate the allelopathic impact of Eucalyptus erythrocorys L. on seed germination and seedling growth of two weeds: Sinapis arvensis L. and Phalaris canariensis L.; on one cultivated crop: Triticum durum L. Aqueous; and on ethanolic leaf extracts of E. erythrocorys L. The study was effected using four concentrations (10, 20, 25 and 30 μL/mL) while distilled water was used as a control. The results showed that the E. erythrocorys L. crude extracts had an inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth of both studied weeds and wheat. The inhibition rate was increased by the increase in extract concentration. Only ethanolic extracts of E. erythrocorys L. induced a significant inhibition of seed germination of durum wheat. The effect of E. erythrocorys L. crude extracts was more severe on weeds than on durum wheat. These results indicate that the seedling growth, especially radicle elongation, was the more sensitive indicator to evaluate the effects of extracts than was the seed germination.     

A short large scale synthesis of (±) sarkomycin esters

(±) Sarkomycin ethyl ester has been prepared in four steps from ethyl acrylate.     

Laser micro-machining of small objects for high-energy laser experiments

Targets for high-energy laser experiments are polymer or metal objects of small dimensions. These objects need high-precision processes (typical sizes of a few hundred micrometers with micrometer accuracy). In this paper, some targets for high-energy laser experiments obtained by picosecond Q-switched Nd:YAG laser and KrF excimer laser micro-machining are presented. All of the targets use an original process. Activities include cutting, drilling, and marking elements. A summary of targets made using laser processes will be presented.