Recent strategic advances for the activation of benzylic C–H bonds for the formation of C–C bonds

Alkylarenes, obtained from abundant hydrocarbon feedstock sources, are an attractive starting material for the formation of complex molecular architectures. Conventional activation strategies of the relatively inert sp³-hybridized benzylic C–H bonds usually require relatively harsh conditions and are difficult to apply to the synthesis of fine chemicals. The present review describes recent strategic advances for the activation of benzylic C–H bonds for the catalytic formation of C–C bonds. In particular, two activation methods, i.e., strategies that generate benzylic radicals or benzyl anions, are discussed.     

Systematic study for the stereochemistry of the Atherton–Todd reaction

Under the Atherton–Todd reaction conditions, the stereochemistry on the reaction of H-phosphinates with different nucleophiles (e.g., amines, alcohols, phenols) was investigated. All reactions took place stereospecifically with inversion of configurations at the phosphorus centers. The reaction might proceed via a phosphoryl chloride intermediate with retention of configuration at phosphorus, followed by the attack of nucleophiles from the backside of Cl to give the substitution products with inversion of configuration at the phosphorus center. A plausible mechanism was proposed for these reactions.     

Effect of the Acid–Base Properties of the Support on the Activity of Pd–Zeolite Catalysts for CO Oxidation

The effect of the acid–base properties of zeolite Y on the activity of palladium–zeolite catalysts for CO oxidation was studied. The modification of the support with basic additives was found to improve the catalyst activity. A linear correlation between the ratio between the amounts of O₂and CO adsorbed on the surface of palladium and the catalyst activity was established.     

Use of Metal Ions for the Estimation of the Efficiency of Antibody–Antigen Interactions

The applicability of Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) ion labels to the immunochemical determination of ribonuclease, Candida albicans, Trichophyton rubrum, and Phoma betaeantigens was studied. The catalytic waves of hydrogen evolution, which occur in transition metal solutions in the presence of protein compounds, were used as analytical signals. The maximum catalytic effect depends on the pH, buffer capacity, and nature of buffer solution and on the nature of antigen to be determined. A new procedure was proposed for the immunochemical determination of the ribonuclease antigen using Co(II) ions as a label. The conditions of the formation and degradation of the antibody–antigen immune complex were found. The linear analytical range for the ribonuclease antigen was 0.005–1.0 mg/mL.     

Wittig–Horner Approach for the Synthesis of Tamoxifen

A stereoselective synthesis of Z‐tamoxifen, a tetra‐substituted alkene with antiestrogenic activity, is described. The Wittig–Horner reaction has been employed as the key step to establish the olefin stereochemistry.     

Analysis of the Volmer–Krishtalic mechanism for the chlorine electrode reaction

The dependencies of the current density and surface coverage of the adsorbed intermediates on overpotential were established without kinetic approximations for the chlorine electrode reaction under the Volmer–Krishtalic mechanism. Tafelian regions were obtained which slope values cannot be derived from the use of the rate determining step criteria, such as 2.3026(2RT/3F) and 2.3026(RT/F), as well as two or three Tafel regions with different slopes in the same anodic or cathodic curve. The existence of limiting kinetic current densities was also demonstrated. Finally, the results obtained were analysed and discussed, comparing them with those obtained by the usual methods.     

The Wittig–Horner reaction for the synthesis of neratinib

The Wittig–Horner reaction is a classic method to get alkenes by reaction phosphonates with carbonyl compounds. In this study, it was used for the synthesis of the anticancer drug neratinib. In this method, ethyl diethoxyphosphinylacetate and dimethylaminoacetaldehyde diethylacetal, replacing (E)-4-(dimethylamino)but-2-enoyl acid hydrochloride and oxalyl chloride, were used to synthesize the 6-position side chain of neratinib.     

Ganglioside–liposome immunoassay for the detection of botulinum toxin

A rapid and highly sensitive receptor immunoassay for botulinum toxin (BT) has been developed using ganglioside-incorporated liposomes. Botulism outbreaks are relatively rare, but their results can be very severe, usually leading to death from respiratory failure. To exert their toxicity, the biological toxins must first bind to receptors on the cell surface, and the trisialoganglioside GT1b has been identified as the cell receptor for BT. Therefore, in this study, GT1b was used to prepare the ganglioside–liposomes by spontaneous insertion into the phospholipid bilayer. In a sandwich-based, hybrid receptor immunoassay, BT is detected as a colored band on a nitrocellulose membrane strip, where BT bound to the GT1b-liposomes are captured by anti-BT antibodies immobilized in a band across the strip. The intensity of the colored band can be visually estimated, or measured by densitometry using computer software. The limit of detection (LOD) for BT in the lateral-flow assay system was 15 pg mL^–1, which is comparable to the limits of detection achieved with the most sensitive assays previously reported. However, this rapid assay can be completed in less than 20 min. These results demonstrate that the sandwich assay using GT1b-liposomes for detection of BT is rapid and very sensitive, suggesting the possibility for detecting BT in field screening, simply and reliably, without the need for complex instrumentation.     

Utilization of sol–gel ceramics for the immobilization of living microorganisms

Two possible methods are described for using sol–gel technology to immobilize living microorganisms, either embedding the cells within thin silica layers, or using the technique of freeze-gelation to immobilize microorganisms within molded ceramic parts. The preparation and structure of both biocer variants are outlined, and examples are given for the activity and storage stability of embedded microorganisms. Silica layers were used to immobilize various bacteria and algae. Survival rates after storage are given for Pseudomonas fluorescence bacteria and for green algae such as H. pluvialis, C. vulgaris, B. braunii and N. limnetica embedded within thin transparent silica layers. The bioactivity of bacteria immobilized in freeze-gelation ceramics was investigated by monitoring glucose consumption for P. fluorescens NCIMB 11764, and phenol degradation for Rhodococcus ruber.     

The construction of the Gilmore–Perelomov coherent states for the Kratzer–Fues anharmonic oscillator with the use of the algebraic approach

By applying the algebraic approach and the displacement operator to the ground state, the unknown Gilmore–Perelomov coherent states for the rotating anharmonic Kratzer–Fues oscillator are constructed. In order to obtain the displacement operator the ladder operators have been applied. The deduced SU(1, 1) dynamical symmetry group associated with these operators enables us to construct this important class of the coherent states. Several important properties of these states are discussed. It is shown that the coherent states introduced are not orthogonal and form complete basis set in the Hilbert space. We have found that any vector of Hilbert space of the oscillator studied can be expressed in the coherent states basis set. It has been established that the coherent states satisfy the completeness relation. Also, we have proved that these coherent states do not possess temporal stability. The approach presented can be used to construct the coherent states for other anharmonic oscillators. The coherent states proposed can find applications in laser-matter interactions, in particular with regards to laser chemical processing, laser techniques, in micro-machinning and the patterning, coating and modification of chemical material surfaces.     

The use of the cohen–turnbull model for calculation of the self-diffusion coefficients of liquid dichloroalkanes

The paper presents the self-diffusion coefficients calculated for liquid dichloroalkanes C₆H₁₂Cl₂, C₈H₁₆Cl₂, C₁₀H₂₂Cl₂ and C₁₂H₂₄Cl₂, with the use of the Cohen and Turnbull model. Determination of self-diffusion coefficients permits a separate analysis of intra- and intermolecular motions and provides information on geometrical and dynamical properties of molecules. The self-diffusion coefficients of selected dichloroalkanes have been determined by X-ray diffraction and compared with the corresponding NMR results. The suitability of the Cohen–Turnbull model of the translating motion for prediction of self-diffusion coefficients for molecules whose shape significantly differs from the spherical symmetry is analysed. Angular distributions of X-ray scattered intensity were measured, and differential radial distribution functions of electron density (DRDFs) were calculated. The mean coordination numbers were obtained from the area delimited by the minima of the DRDFs, and their dependence on the length of the methylene chain is also presented subsequently. On the basis of the DRDFs the average free volume of the molecules and total free volume of the liquids were calculated. The activation volume of the diffusion was found to make about 0.6 of the van der Waals volume of the molecule. As expected the diffusion coefficients decrease with increasing molecular weight. The equation relating the self-diffusion coefficient with the volume of the coordination spheres in the liquid has been derived.     

Plasmonics for the study of metal ion–protein interactions

The study of metal–protein interactions is an expanding field of research investigated by bioinorganic chemists as it has wide applications in biological systems. Very recently, it has been reported that it is possible to study metal–protein interactions by immobilizing biomolecules on metal surfaces and applying experimental approaches based on plasmonics which have usually been used to investigate protein–protein interactions. This is possible because the electronic structure of metals generates plasmons whose properties can be exploited to obtain information from biomolecules that interact not only with other molecules but also with ions in solution. One major challenge of such approaches is to immobilize the protein to be studied on a metal surface with preserved native structure. This review reports and discusses all the works that deal with such an expanding new field of application of plasmonics with specific attention to surface plasmon resonance, highlighting the advantages and drawbacks of such approaches in comparison with other experimental techniques traditionally used to study metal–protein interactions.

Calorimetric study of the oxidation of Al–Mg alloys for the prediction of healing of the double oxide film defect

The oxidation of Al alloys containing 0.3–4.5 wt% Mg in an atmosphere with a very low oxygen partial pressure (<0.5 ppm, to depict the atmosphere within a double oxide film defect) was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that a newly formed Al₂O₃ layer held in an Al–Mg melt first transformed to MgAl₂O₄ spinel and then to MgO. This mechanism was the same for all the Al alloys containing 0.3–4.5 wt% Mg, but the kinetics of the transformations were different and depended on the Mg content of the melt. The results also suggest that the two layers of a double oxide film defect that is held in an Al melt containing 0.3–4.5 wt% Mg can heal (i.e. bond to each other) if held in the liquid metal for a long enough period of time.     

Multiple solutions of coupled-cluster doubles equations for the Pariser–Parr–Pople model of benzene

To gain some insight into the structure and physical significance of the multiple solutions to the coupled-cluster doubles (CCD) equations corresponding to the Pariser–Parr–Pople model of cyclic polyenes, complete solutions to the CCD equations for the ¹A _1g ^- states of benzene are obtained by means of the homotopy method. By varying the value of the resonance integral ß from –5.0 to –0.5 eV, we cover the so-called weakly, moderately, and strongly correlated regimes of the model. For each value of ß, 230 CCD solutions are obtained. It turned out, however, that only for a few solutions a correspondence with some physical states can be established. It has also been demonstrated that, unlike for the standard methods of solving CCD equations, some of the multiple solutions to the CCD equations can be attained by means of the iterative process based on Pulay's direct inversion in the iterative subspace approach.     

Box–Behnken Experimental Design for the Synthesis of Magnetite–Polypyrrole Composite for the Magnetic Solid Phase Extraction of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug Residues

A magnetite–polypyrrole composite adsorbent was synthesized and applied for the magnetic solid phase extraction of three non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in aqueous solution and systematically investigated using Box–Behnken design. The synthesized composite adsorbent was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, vibrating sample magnetometry, and X-ray diffraction. The material was successfully modeled by Box–Behnken design (R²?=?0.94–0.98, p value: <0.001%) by monitoring the extraction efficiencies of naproxen, diclofenac sodium, and mefenamic acid. The analytes were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. The polymerization time was found to be the most significant factor, followed by amount of oxidant and monomer in the synthesis of the composite with a fixed Fe₃O₄ mass. Box–Behnken design was employed for the optimization of four parameters affecting the magnetic solid phase extraction: sample pH, salt addition, adsorption, and desorption time (R²?=?0.88–0.94). The optimized conditions for the procedure were validated, providing low detection limits (0.9–3.5?µg?L^?1) with good reproducibility (<7.16% relative standard deviation) and excellent recoveries (97.87–100.49%) for tap, river, and wastewater samples. The synthesized adsorbent demonstrated good adsorption efficiency for the simultaneous determination of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug residues.     

Utility of oxidation–reduction reaction for the spectrophotometric determination of amlodipine besylate

A simple, rapid, accurate, precise and sensitive spectrophotometric method for the determination of amlodipine besylate (ADB) in bulk sample and in dosage forms is described. The method is based on oxidation of the drug by potassium permanganate in acidic medium and determine the unreacted oxidant by measuring the decrease in absorbance for five different dyes; methylene blue (MB), acid blue 74 (AB), acid red 73 (AR), amaranth dye (AM) and acid orange 7 (AO) at a suitable λ_max 663, 609, 511, 520, and 484 nm, respectively. Regression analysis of Beer's law plots showed good correlation in the concentration ranges 1.0–24, 0.9–22, 1.2–26, 0.9–12.8 and 1.0–14 μg ml^?1, respectively. The apparent molar absorptivity, Sandell sensitivity, detection and quantitation limits were calculated. For more accurate results, Ringbom optimum concentration ranges were 1.2–22.4, 1.1–20, 1.4–24.5, 1.0–12.3 and 1.3–13.2 μg ml^?1, respectively. Statistical treatment of the results reflects that the proposed procedures are precise, accurate and easily applicable for the determination of amlodipine besylate in pure form and in pharmaceutical preparations.     

Effect of Thermal Treatment on the Structuring of an Iron–Cobalt–Chromium Oxide Catalyst for the Complete Oxidation of Fuel

Catalytic properties and structural aspects of the formation of iron–cobalt–chromium catalysts depending on the temperature of preliminary treatment are studied. A catalytically active iron–cobalt–chromium spinel is formed at a calcination temperature of 580–600°C. If catalytic packings are overheated in the course of hydrocarbon fuel oxidation or if temperatures above 700°C are used for preliminary treatment, the catalytic activity of the samples substantially decreases because an inactive solid solution of iron and chromium oxides with corundum structures is formed.     

Phase analysis of the solidified KF–(LiF–NaF–UF4)–ZrF4 molten electrolytes for the electrowinning of uranium

The X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis of different solidified uranium-based fluoride systems ((LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄; (KF–LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄; (LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄–ZrF₄ and (KF–LiF–NaF)_eut–UF₄–ZrF₄) were examined in order to provide the basis for pyro-electrochemical extraction of uranium in molten fluorides. Several uranium-based species (Na₂UF₆, Na₃UF₇, K₂UF₆, K₃UF₇, UO₂, K₃UO₂F₅) were identified in the solidified melts. The role of oxygen in argon atmosphere was found to be critical in the formation of uranium species during the melting and solidification. In order to reduce the accumulated level of free oxygen traces in our experiments, zirconium (in the form of ZrF₄) was used inside the melt as an oxygen buffer. It was found that ZrF₄ can really stabilize the uranium species by complexation and protects them against the oxygenation. The results of this work highlight the importance of oxygen removal for obtaining pure deposit in the electrorefinning of uranium.     

Participation of Water in the Secondary Transformations of Hydrocarbons on Cobalt–Zeolite Catalysts for the Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

This review is dedicated to the effect of water as the main by-product of the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis on the process. The reasons for the negative effect of water are analyzed and the possible versions of the control of its participation in the process are considered. As an optimal solution to the problem, the use of zeolites in the H form as the constituents of cobalt catalysts for the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis is proposed. Bibliography: 148 references.