Electrochemical sensors and biosensors based on heterogeneous carbon materials

Abstract  An overview of the use of electrochemical sensors made from heterogeneous carbon materials (carbon paste electrodes, screen-printed carbon electrodes) in the field of food analysis is presented. Sensors for inorganic and organic analytes as well as biosensors are summarized. Graphical abstract        

Ultra-thin emissive molecular devices: polarized emission of Ln(III) complex films

Abstract  On ultra-thin films, Tb(III) shows polarized ff-emission in the visible wavelength region induced by intramolecular energy transfer from the photoexcited organic ligand, such as phenanthroline. Pr(III) causes polarized ππ* emission from the chromophore in the ultra-thin film (Langmuir–Blodgett film). Here, the unique optical properties of molecular devices with lanthanide complexes are summarized. Graphical Abstract        

Interaction of push–pull <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert-</Emphasis>enamines with phenylglyoxal

Abstract  The reaction of push–pull enamines with 1,2-biselectrophilic phenylglyoxal was investigated. Phenylglyoxal was found to react depending on the structure of the push–pull enamine, affording either a hydroxyalkylation product at the methyl group or the cyclic product via participation of the methyl group and the β-carbon of the enamine. Graphical abstract        

A highly efficient and ecofriendly procedure for tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols and phenols in the presence of in-situ generated I2 under heterogeneous and neutral conditions

Abstract  Molecular iodine generated in situ from Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O/NaI acts as a highly efficient catalyst for tetrahydropyranylation of various alcohols and phenols with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran in almost quantitative yields. The reaction occurs rapidly in dichloromethane at room temperature, and use of toxic molecular iodine is avoided. Graphical Abstract        

A synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates catalyzed by KOH in an ionic liquid

Abstract  1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide was used as a green recyclable alternative to volatile organic solvents for KOH catalyzed three-component synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates from aldehydes, diethyl malonate, and alkylthiols. Graphical Abstract  A synthesis of diethyl alkylsulfanylmethylmalonates catalyzed by KOH in an ionic liquid      

Soft matter lithium salt electrolytes: ion conduction and application to rechargeable batteries

Abstract  Soft matter provides diverse opportunities for the development of electrolytes for all solid state lithium batteries. Here we review soft matter solid electrolytes for lithium batteriesthat are primarily obtained starting from liquid electrolytic systems. This concept of solid electrolyte synthesis from liquid is significantly different from prevalent approaches. The novelty of our approach is discussed in the light of various fundamental issues and in relation to its application to rechargeable lithium batteries. Graphical abstract   M. Patel and S. K. Das have contributed equally to the work.     

Synthesis and study of the fluorescent behavior of 3-pyridinecarbonitriles

Abstract  A series of (2E)-3-(1-chloro-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydronaphthalen-2-yl)-1-(4-aryl)prop-2-en-1-ones (chalcones) have been synthesized by a new synthetic route. The 3-pyridinecarbonitrile derivatives were synthesized by the Michael reaction of malononitrile (in base) and aroylacetonitriles (in acid) with chalcones in one pot. The fluorescent properties and quantum yields of these compounds were studied. Graphical Abstract        

An atomistic simulation study of oxygen-vacancy migration in perovskite electrolytes based on LaGaO3

Abstract  Static lattice simulation techniques were used to calculate the energetic barriers for oxygen-vacancy migration in the perovskite-type oxide LaGaO₃ substituted with alkaline earth cations. The calculated migration energies are found to vary with the number and size of the substituting cations in the immediate neigbourhood of the migrating defect. It is argued that not only the size but also the charge of the cations constituting the saddle-point configuration play a role in determining the migration energy. Graphical abstract        

Electrochemical production of novel products from 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone in the presence of some β-diketones

Abstract  Electrochemical oxidation of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone has been studied in the presence of β-diketones as nucleophiles in aqueous solution using cyclic voltammetry and controlled-potential coulometry. The results indicate that the derivatives of 2,3-dimethylhydroquinone participate in a Michael addition reaction to form the corresponding benzofuran derivatives. The electrochemical synthesis has been successfully performed at pH 7.0 and E = 0.1 V versus an Ag|AgCl|KCl (3 M) in an undivided cell in good yield and purity. Graphical Abstract        

Synthesis of imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]acridones and imidazo[4,5-<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>]acridines as potential antibacterial agents

Abstract  New imidazo[4,5-a]acridone derivatives were synthesized from the rearrangement of 3H-imidazo[4′,5′:3,4]benzo[c]isoxazoles. New imidazo[4,5-a]acridines were obtained from the reaction of imidazo[4,5-a]acridones in boiling POCl₃. All of these compounds exhibited antimicrobial activities comparable to streptomycin as reference drug. Graphical abstract        

Enantioselective synthesis of 1-arylethanediols by rhodium-catalyzed transfer hydrogenation of α-tosyloxyarylketones

Abstract  Catalytic transfer hydrogenation of α-tosyloxyarylketones mediated by a chiral rhodium complex using an azeotropic mixture of formic acid/triethylamine afforded the corresponding 1-arylethanediol monotosylates in excellent yield with high enantioselectivity. Graphical abstract        

Structure and conductivity in CeNb<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>9-δ</Subscript>

Abstract  In the search of new materials for solid oxide fuel cells, a study of the structure and electrical conductivity of Mg-doped and nominally pure CeNb₃O_9-δ was undertaken. This material exhibits an orthorhombic crystal structure as determined by Rietveld refinement. Through a combined study of 4-point DC and AC impedance spectroscopy, it was determined that the material presents oxygen ion conductivity, electron conductivity and electron-hole conductivity according to the partial pressure of oxygen and temperature in agreement with a simple defect chemistry model. Finally, some experiments seem to indicate the presence of proton conduction. Graphical Abstract        

Three-components condensation catalyzed by molecular iodine for the synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines and 5-unsubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones under solvent-free conditions

Abstract  One-pot, three-components synthesis of 2,4,6-triarylpyridines and 5-unsubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones was performed under solvent-free conditions using molecular iodine as the catalyst in moderate to good product yields. Graphical abstract        

A one-pot synthesis of functionalized ethyl 1,3-thiazole-5-carboxylates from thioamides or thioureas and 2-chloro-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in an ionic liquid

Abstract  A simple one-pot synthesis of functionalized ethyl 1,3-thiazole-5-carboxylates from the reaction of 2-chloro-1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with thioureas or thioamides in the presence of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate is described. Graphical abstract        

A chemoenzymatic synthesis of 3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]-oxazocine-3,5-dione and its derivatives

Abstract  The enzymatic cyclization of phenoxyacetylcyanomethylenetriphenylphosphorane derivatives using pre-treated baker’s yeast cells, a rapid one-pot assembly of heteromacrocyclic compounds, is described. Graphical abstract        

Efficient conversion of aldoximes to nitriles using phosphoric acid diethyl ester 2-phenylbenzimidazol-1-yl ester

Abstract  Aromatic aldoximes were converted to the corresponding nitriles in good to excellent yields by employing phosphoric acid diethyl ester 2-phenylbenzimidazol-1-yl ester as reagent. The method was equally effective for oximes bearing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents. Graphical Abstract        

Characterizing ion dynamics in nanoscopic volumes: time-domain electrostatic force spectroscopy on solid electrolytes

Abstract  We use time-domain electrostatic force spectroscopy (TD-EFS) for characterizing the ion dynamics in solid electrolytes on a nanoscopic level. For partially crystallized glass ceramics we are able to distinguish between dynamic processes in the glassy phase, in crystallites, and at interfaces. Nanoscopic polarization spots can be created and directly visualized, and their time evolution can be studied. By applying grid-type spectroscopic measurements, maps of the local relaxation strength can be obtained, giving information about the spatial distribution of the glassy and crystalline phases. Graphical abstract        

Synthesis of sulfides under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions

Abstract  A simple, highly efficient, and green protocol has been developed for preparation of sulfides from alkyl or aryl thiols and benzyl-, allyl-, t-butyl, and adamantyl halides under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions. Graphical abstract        

Synthesis of 3-(quinoxalin-2-yl)-2H-chromen-2-ones under microwave irradiation

Abstract  A facile procedure for the synthesis of quinoxalines is being reported starting from 3-(2-bromoacetyl)coumarins or 3-(2-bromobutanoyl)coumarins and substituted o-phenylenediamines. The reactions were carried out under catalyst-free and microwave irradiation conditions producing the title compounds in moderate to excellent yields in a short time with easy workup. The structures of all new compounds have been confirmed on the basis of their IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS data. Graphical Abstract        

Facile synthesis of highly functionalized stable ketenimines by a three-component reaction of alkyl isocyanides, dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and ethyl carbazones

Abstract  The reactive intermediate generated by the reaction of alkyl isocyanides and dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates was trapped by ethyl carbazones to produce stable ketenimine derivatives in good yield. The reaction is characterized by mild conditions, high selectivity, and tolerance to various functional groups. Graphical abstract