Conformationally controlled (entropy effects), stereoselective vibrational quenching of singlet oxygen in the oxidative cleavage of oxazolidinone-functionalized enecarbamates through solvent and temperature variations

On photooxygenation (methylene blue as sensitizer) of E/Z enecarbamates, equipped with the oxazolidinone chiral auxiliary, the oxidative cleavage of the alkenyl functionality releases the enantiomerically enriched methyldesoxybenzoin (MDB) product. The extent (% ee) as well as the sense (R vs S) of the stereoselectivity in the MDB formation depends on the choice of the alkene configuration; the efficacy of stereocontrol may be tuned by appropriate solvent and temperature conditions. Highlighted is the finding that the formation of the preferred MDB enantiomer (R or S) depends for the E isomer on the chosen solvent and temperature, but not for the corresponding Z isomer. The activation parameters for the various solvents disclose that differential entropy effects (ΔΔS^‡) dominate the conformationally more flexible E diastereomers. As mechanistic rationale for this unprecedented conformationally imposed stereochemical behavior, we propose the competitive action of stereoselective vibrational quenching of the attacking singlet oxygen by the enecarbamate versus sterically controlled stereoselective oxidative cleavage of its double bond.     

Ene reaction of singlet oxygen,triazolinedione, and nitrosoarene with chiral deuterium-labeled allylic alcohols: the interdependence of diastereoselectivity and regioselectivity discloses mechanistic insights into the hydroxy-group directivity

The ene reaction of singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)), triazolinedione (TAD), and nitrosoarene, specifically 4-nitronitrosobenzene (ArNO), with the tetrasubstituted 1,3-allylically strained, chiral allylic alcohol 3,4-dimethylpent-3-en-2-ol (2) leads to the threo-configured ene products in high diastereoselectivity, a consequence of the hydroxy-group directivity. Hydrogen bonding favors formation of the threo-configured encounter complex threo-EC in the early stage of ene reaction. For the analogous twix deuterium-labeled allylic alcohol Z-2-d(3), a hitherto unrecognized dichotomy between (1)O(2) and the ArNO and TAD enophiles is disclosed in the regioselectivity of the tetrasubstituted alcohol: Whereas for ArNO and TAD, hydrogen bonding with the allylic hydroxy group dictates the regioselectivity (twix selectivity), for (1)O(2), the cis effect dominates (twin/trix selectivity). From the interdependence between the twix/twin regioselectivity and the threo/erythro diastereoselectivity, it has been recognized that the enophile also attacks the allylic alcohol from the erythro pi face without assistance by hydrogen bonding with the allylic hydroxy functionality.     

Theoretical analysis of bonding properties in 1,1-dicyanocyclopentane and 1,1-dichlorocyclopentane by applying the AIM and NBO approaches

Using Bader’s quantum-topological theory of atoms in molecules (AIM) and Weinhold’s Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis we could rationalize the impact of the geminal substitution by C≡N and Cl on the geometry and electronic structure of the cyclopentane ring in 1,1-dicyanocyclopentane (DCCP) and 1,1-dichlorocyclopentane (DClCP). Among the crucial results we obtained are: 1. The topological quantities, particularly the bond ellipticity of 0.035 for the C–CN bond, indicate that this bond possesses higher bond order than a single bond. This conclusion is clearly supported by the NBO results. 2. The AIM theory as well as the NBO analysis confirm uniformly the non-linearity of the C–C≡N moiety. 3. Regardless the quantum mechanical method that has been employed for a variety of nitriles the sign of the Laplacian of the charge density, ∇²ρ(r), of the C≡N group changes its sign from negative to positive upon moving from the triple zeta to the double zeta basis set. A possible explanation for this striking behavior has been provided. By invoking the AIM and NBO approaches the different endocyclic C–C bond lengths in DCCP and DClCP as a consequence of the geminal substitution could be explained. Also the variations of these bond lengths upon moving from the more stable C _s to the energetically less favorable C ₂ conformer of both compounds could be rationalized. For the purpose of comparison and verification of some findings of this work, we also carried out AIM and NBO calculations on various related cyclic and non-cyclic compounds.     

Efficient pi-facial control in the ene reaction of nitrosoarene,triazolinedione, and singlet oxygen with tiglic amides of the bornane-derived sultam as chiral auxiliary: an economical synthesis of enantiomerically pure nitrogen- and oxygen-functionalized acrylic acid derivatives

The ene reaction of 4-nitronitrosobenzene (ArNO), N-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoline-3,5-dione (PTAD), and singlet oxygen (1O2) with the optically active tiglic-acid derivatives of Oppolzer's bornane-derived sultam affords the respective ene products regioselectively in excellent diastereoselectivity (de up to 99%) and in good yield (55-90%). The enophiles ArNO and PTAD give with the methyl-substituted substrate exclusively the like-configured ene adduct, while 1O2 leads to an 83:17 diastereomeric mixture. With the sterically more demanding isopropyl-substituted derivative even the smallest enophile 1O2 forms exclusively the like diastereomer. The high diastereoselectivity is rationalized in terms of the proper conformational alignment of the substrate and a preferred enophilic attack from the C(beta)-re face of the double bond. This concept offers an efficient synthetic route to enantiomerically pure nitrogen- and oxygen-functionalized acrylic acid derivatives.     

A comparative kinetic and mechanistic study of glutamic acid oxidation by acid permanganate in the absence and presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate

The kinetics and mechanism of glutamic acid (GCO₂H) oxidation by acid permanganate has been carried out in the absence and presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The surfactant enhances the reaction rate without changing the reaction mechanism. The overall rate expression for the reduction of Mn^VII may be written:

Achiral and chiral separation and analysis of antifungal drugs by HPLC and CE: A comparative study: Mini review

The chromatographic and electrophoretic methods developed for the chiral and achiral analyses if antifungal agents are reviewed. The aim of this review is to compare different methodologies of analytical methods and to explore still the existing analytical problems. Last decade is characterized by dynamic development of instrumental methods that results in advance and diversity of applied analytical procedures. The enantiomeric separation of several compounds, including an antifungal drug and several of its precursors, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) is described in this work. The main focus was given to HPLC, the technique of choice in the analysis of most of the pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples. The columns used were based on polysaccharide derivatives. However, the results show that most of the separations obtained by CE are better, in terms of high resolution and short analysis time. The review discusses the chromatographic analysis of the following triazole antifungal drugs: fluconazole, itraconazole, and terconazole from the first generation and posaconazole, voriconazole, ravuconazole, isavuconazole, and albaconazole from the second generation in their pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples.     

Vibrational analysis of small species in the liquid phase by a combined density functional theory and polarizable continuum method

The vibrational frequencies of small organic molecules and inorganic ions were predicted both in vacuum and in the liquid phase at the B3LYP/6-311G++(d,p) level of theory, within the harmonic approximation. The solvent effect was introduced as an electrostatic influence of the bulk by means of the integral equation formalism of the polarizable continuum model. The results show that the application of this continuum solvation model can reduce the overall error in the theoretical predictions. In order to improve the quality of the results, two different scaling procedures were applied. The frequencies obtained for the continuum, when compared with vacuum calculations, show a better linear correlation with experimental data, which increases the efficiency of the scaling procedures. A further reduction of the errors is obtained by partitioning the overall set of frequencies according to the nature of the normal modes and the charge of the solutes. The quality of the theoretical predictions, especially for the stretching modes of vibration of nonionic chemical species, is here noteworthy.     

A new and efficient aerobic oxidation of aldehydes to carboxylic acids with singlet oxygen in the presence of porphyrin sensitizers and visible light

A new aerobic route is introduced for the oxidation of a variety of aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acid derivatives using molecular oxygen in the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin (H₂TPP), tetramesitylporphyrin (H₂TMP), tetrakisdichlorophenylporphyrin (H₂TDCPP), ZnTPP, and ZnTMP as sensitizers using visible light in an organic solvent. The method has a wide range of applications, does not involve cumbersome work-up, exhibits chemoselectivity, and proceeds under mild reaction conditions. The products are obtained with good conversions and in reasonable reaction times.     

A convenient preparation of (S)-(−)-4-hydroxy-2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one and its application as a chiral synthetic equivalent of 2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one in the terpenoid synthesis

A method for the preparation of (S)-4-hydroxy-2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one from 1-(2-furyl)ethanol using modified Piancatelli rearrangement and enzymatic kinetic resolution of the racemate was developed. An application of O-protected derivatives of 4-hydroxy-2-methylcyclopent-2-en-1-one to terpenoid synthesis through tandem conjugate addition of allyl-metal reagents, enolate trapping, and consecutive Mukaiyama–Michael addition was studied. An optically active azulene derivative useful for terpenoid synthesis was efficiently synthesized.     

Kinetic analysis of reactions of Si-based epoxy resins by near-infrared spectroscopy, 13C NMR and soft-hard modelling

Soft- and hard-modelling strategy was applied to near-infrared spectroscopy data obtained from monitoring the reaction between glycidyloxydimethylphenyl silane, a silicon-based epoxy monomer, and aniline. On the basis of the pure soft-modelling approach and previous chemical knowledge, a kinetic model for the reaction was proposed. Then, multivariate curve resolution-alternating least squares optimization was carried out under a hard constraint, that compels the concentration profiles to fulfil the proposed kinetic model at each iteration of the optimization process. In this way, the concentration profiles of each species and the corresponding kinetic rate constants of the reaction, unpublished until now, were obtained. The results obtained were contrasted with ¹³C NMR. The joint interval test of slope and intercept for detecting bias was not significant (α = 5%).     

Nitric oxide and singlet oxygen photo-generation by light irradiation in the phototherapeutic window of a nitrosyl ruthenium conjugated with a phthalocyanine rare earth complex

The photochemical, photophysical and photobiological studies of a mixture containing cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] (H₂-dcbpy = 4,4′-dicarboxy-2,2′-bipyridine) and Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] (TsPc = tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines; acac = acetylacetone), a system capable of improving photodynamic therapy (PDT), were accomplished. cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] was obtained from cis-[Ru(H₂-dcbpy)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O, whereas Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] was obtained by reacting phthalocyanine with terbium acetylacetonate. The UV–Vis spectrum of cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] displays a band in the region of 305 nm (λ_max in 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl)(π–π*) and a shoulder at 323 nm (MLCT), while the UV–Vis spectrum of Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] presents the typical phthalocyanine bands at 342 nm (Soret λ_max in H₂O) and 642, 682 (Q bands). The cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] FTIR spectrum displays a band at 1932 cm⁻¹ (Ru–NO⁺). The cyclic voltammogram of the cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)] complex in aqueous solution presented peaks at E = 0.10 V (NO^+/0) and E = −0.50 V (NO^0/−) versus Ag/AgCl. The NO concentration and ¹O₂ quantum yield for light irradiation in the λ > 550 nm region were measured as [NO] = 1.21 ± 0.14 μmol L⁻¹ and ø_OS = 0.41, respectively. The amount of released NO seems to be dependent on oxygen concentration, once the NO concentration measured in aerated condition was 1.51 ± 0.11 μmol L⁻¹ The photochemical pathway of the cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy⁻)₂(Cl)(NO)]/Na₄[Tb(TsPc)(acac)] mixture could be attributed to a photoinduced electron transfer process. The cytotoxic assays of cis-[Ru(H-dcbpy^-)₂(Cl)(NO)] and of the mixture carried out with B16F10 cells show a decrease in cell viability to 80% in the dark and to 20% under light irradiation. Our results document that the simultaneous production of NO and ¹O₂ could improve PDT and be useful in cancer treatment.     

Sample preparation,instrumental analysis,and natural distribution of complex organic pollutants in the wastewater from unconventional gas production

Large amounts of flowback and produced water (FPW) have been generated from hydraulic fracturing process for the production of unconventional gas such as shale gas. Complex organic pollutants are abundantly present in FPW with revealed toxicity to aquatic organisms and these contaminants may transfer into surrounding aquatic environment. Characterization and determination of complicated organic pollutants in FPW remains a challenge due to its complex composition and high salinity matrix. This review article covers the progress of recent 5 years regarding the sample preparation and instrumental analysis methods and thus summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these methods for critical analysis of organic contaminants in FPW samples. Furthermore, the natural distribution of detected organic compounds and their transformation were reviewed and discussed to enhance the understanding of spatial and temporal behaviors of these organic pollutants in natural environment, paving the way for future development of pollution control policies and strategies. Enlightened by the studies of FPW contamination in the US, the investigations of FPW contamination in China continued to grow due to rapidly growing production of shale gas in China and resulted pollution.     

Effect of the surface/bulk doping of lanthanum manganite on the oxygen mobility, reactivity and catalytic activity in the CO oxidation

Summary  Vezetéknév     

A kinetic and mechanistic study on the silver (I)-catalyzed oxidation of l-alanine by cerium (IV) in sulfuric acid medium

The kinetics and mechanism of Ag(I)-catalyzed oxidation of l-alanine by cerium (IV) in sulfuric acid media have been investigated by titrimetric technique of redox in the temperature range of 298–313 K. It is found that the reaction is of first order with respect to Ce(IV) and l-alanine, and it is of a positive fractional order with respect to Ag(I). It is found that the pseudo first order ([l-alanine] ? [Ce(IV)] ? [Ag(I)]) rate constant k′ increases with the increase of[H⁺]. The major oxidation product of alanine has been identified as acetaldehyde by an ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. Under the experimental conditions, the kinetically active species has been found to be Ce⁴⁺. Under nitrogen atmosphere, the reaction system can initiate the polymerization of acrylonitrile, indicating generation of free radicals. On the basis of the experimental results, a suitable mechanism has been proposed. The rate constants of the rate-determining step together with the activation parameters were evaluated.     

A kinetic, spectral and theoretical investigation on the role of oxygen in the radiolytic oxidation of a sorbityl cyclic acetal

The oxidation process of the cyclic acetal sorbitylfurfural (SF) has been thoroughly examined from the kinetic, spectroscopic and theoretical point of view. Oxidation has been initiated by the radiolitically produced OH radical in the presence of variable oxygen amounts. Two competing reaction pathways are evidenced which lead to quite different products, although they do not affect the acetal ring integrity. The peroxidation of the hydroxylated furanic ring (k ₄=(6.1±0.9)×10⁸ M⁻¹ s⁻¹) maintains the ring structurevia HO₂^• elimination (k ₆=(1.9±0.4)×10⁵ s⁻¹). Unlike that, the peroxidation of the pseudo-allylic radical (k ₅=(1.9±0.9)×10⁹ M⁻¹ s⁻¹), formedvia β-cleavage, fixes the destructured intermediate, leading to a tetroxide, which slowly decomposes through a Russell mechanism (k ₈=(2.3±0.6)×10² s⁻¹). It is confirmed that the steady state concentration of the tetroxide is very low, which suggests a molar absorption coefficient for it around 1.2×10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 265 nm. The end products of the latter pathway have been characterized as carboxylic and butenald-sorbitol derivatives. The kinetic and spectral data of every step of the process have been fitted by the above outlined mechanism. The energetics of the mechanism has been detailed byab initio computations as well, carrying further substantiation to it. Semi-empirical calculations were also employed to describe the spectral properties of each intermediate.     

Investigation of the Cu-Zr-Y oxides activity in the carbon black catalytic oxidation by differential thermal analysis and temperature programmed reduction

Different copper/zirconium-yttrium catalysts have been tested in carbon black oxidation reaction. Supported mainly on differential thermal analysis and temperature programmed reduction, two different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the catalytic results. In the absence of copper, it has been shown that Zr³⁺ ions and associated anionic vacancies are responsible to the catalytic enhancement observed in the mixed oxides, oxygen species being activated on these sites. Among mixed zirconia-yttria solids, ZrO₂-5 mol%Y₂O₃ is the most active catalyst. Copper impregnation on these oxides leads to the formation of different copper species. Small particles of CuO in low interaction with the support, induce a catalytic improvement due to the highest reducibility of these species. Moreover, in order to be more efficient, CuO species should have some interactions with the support, since impregnated samples are more active than the simple mechanical mixtures.     

Determination of nitrogen in UN,PuN and (U,Pu)N by oxidation in circulating oxygen and gas chromatographic measurement of the combustion gases

A simple and accurate method for the determination of nitrogen in uranium- and plutonium-bearing materials was developed. The loss of nitrogen by oxidation of the sample before analysis was prevented by pulverizing, weighing and packing the sample into a tin capsule in a glove-box with a high-purity argon atmosphere. Nitrogen was determined by oxidizing the nitrides in the tin capsule in circulating oxygen at 850 °C and analysing the combustion gases by gas chromatography with thermal conductivity detection. The relative standard deviation was about 0.7% and the time required to analyse one sample was about 10 min for successive analyses. Skilled techniques for glove-box work are not necessary. The method is applicable not only to the analysis of research samples but also to the quality control of nitride fuel production lines.     

Effects of Solvent, Structure, and Temperature on the Ionization Equilibrium Constants of Phenols and Pyridinium Ions in Mixtures of Water and 1,4-Dioxane

An extensive collection of data has been used to study the effects of solvent, structure, and temperature on the ionization equilibrium constants of some substituted phenols and pyridinium ions in water–1,4-dioxane mixtures (0–70% weight fraction in dioxane) and temperatures ranging from 10 to 50°C. The effects of structure and solvent are explained using Hammett's equation and the Marshall–Quist model at all temperatures. An equation allowing an analysis of the three effects together on the pK values has been developed. The pK data under all experimental conditions fit this equation well, with standard errors of less than 0.3 pH units. Hammett's reaction constant for the ionization of phenols and pyridinium ions has been obtained for all the experimental conditions. The pK and Hammett's reaction constants for the different ionizations in water–1,4-dioxane mixtures correlate well with Kamlet and Taft's solvatochromic parameters ^* and , which measure the dipolarity/polarizability and hydrogen-bonding capacity of the solvent, respectively. These correlations explain more thoroughly the different contributions and origin of the effects of the solvent on the pK.