Reactivity of cyano-substituted fluorenes in reaction with the tempo radical

The rate constants for the reaction of the TEMPO radical with fluorene, 2-cyanofluorene, and 9-cyanofluorene were determined by ESR. A comparison was made of the reactivity of the hydrocarbons in reaction with the TEMPO radical and the peroxyl radical. The quantum-chemical characteristics of the radicals and particles taking part in the reactions and also the characteristics of the transition states in the reactions of the TEMPO radical and cumenylperoxyl radical with fluorene were obtained by the PM3 method. __________ Translated from Teoreticheskaya i éksperimental’naya Khimiya, Vol. 42, No. 1, pp. 19–22, January–February, 2006.     

Composition of petroleum asphaltenes derived from ruthenium-catalyzed oxidation

Ruthenium ion-catalyzed oxidation of methanonaphthene oil (Krapivinskoye oilfield) revealed that its high molecular asphaltenes contain aromatic–aliphatic bridges and non- covalently bound (occluded) compounds. Covalently bound fragments are represented by C₅–C₁₈ n-alkanes, aromatic biphenyl-type structures, and naphthalenes located in the peripheral part of asphaltene molecules. Typical biological markers, i.e. terpanes, steranes, and n-alkanes have been identified among the occluded compounds.     

Porous chitosan–MnO2 nanohybrid: a green and biodegradable heterogeneous catalyst for aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes and alcohols

A porous chitosan–manganese dioxide (PC–MnO₂) nanohybrid was synthesized using an in situ reduction method, in which potassium permanganate solution and nanoporous chitosan acted as precursor and reducing agent. The chemical and structural properties of PC–MnO₂ were characterized using scanning and transmission electron microscopies, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Highly dispersed MnO₂ nanoparticles in a matrix of porous chitosan showed high catalytic activity for selective aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes and alcohols without using any bases or expensive oxidants. Short reaction time, ease of product separation by filtration and recyclability of the catalyst make it environmentally and economically favoured for the synthesis of versatile aldehydes and ketones. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Highly selective aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes catalyzed by cobalt‐based nanocatalyst in aqueous solution

The catalytic aerobic oxidation of alkylarenes catalyzed by cobalt supported on a highly crystalline γ‐Al₂O₃ support (Co/Al₂O₃ nanocatalyst) is reported. The catalyst was prepared by a co‐precipitation method and characterized using scanning and high‐resolution transmission electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and surface area measurements. A wide range of alkylarenes were converted to corresponding ketones. The catalyst can be recovered by simple filtration is recyclable for up to six consecutive runs.     

Catalytic Direct‐Type Addition Reactions of Alkylarenes with Imines and Alkenes

Catalytic addition reactions of very weakly acidic nonactivated alkylarenes such as toluene and its derivatives were developed by using a strongly basic mixed catalyst system under mild reaction conditions. The addition reactions with imines and alkenes proceeded smoothly under proton‐transfer conditions to afford the desired products in good to high yields, and high levels of regio‐ and stereoselectivity were achieved. It was also revealed that the asymmetric addition reaction of an alkylarene was possible.     

A Visible‐Light‐Induced α‐H Chlorination of Alkylarenes with Inorganic Chloride under NanoAg@AgCl

An efficient, photocatalytic chlorination of alkylarene α‐H groups using NaCl/HCl as a chlorine source has been developed, which involves a radical mechanism under visible‐light (including sunlight) conditions. A chlorine radical is proposed to be formed by an electron transfer from chloride ion to O₂ in air through the bandgap hole of the semiconductor AgCl. The chlorination protocol is characterized by its use of natural sunlight or other visible light, mild conditions, cheap source of chlorine, green solvent, and high selectivity. The yield of benzylchloride is 95 % with a toluene conversion as high as 40 %, which rivals traditional chlorination methods.     

Kinetics of the reaction of the TEMPO radical with alkylarenes

The kinetics of the reaction of the stable radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) with a series of alkylarenes containing primary and secondary benzyl C—H bonds was studied by ESR, and the reaction rate constants were determined. The scheme of the process under study was examined, and the applicability boundaries of the simplification during analysis were shown. The selectivities of TEMPO and the more reactive cumylperoxyl radical were compared.