The influence of water on the isomerization of α-pinene in a supercritical aqueous-alcoholic solvent

The influence of water as a cosolvent and catalyst of the isomerization of α-pinene in a supercritical aqueous-alcoholic (ethanol) solvent was studied experimentally. At T = 657 K and p = 230 atm, an increase in the concentration of water in the reaction mixture was found to increase the rate of the reaction and its selectivity with respect to the desired product, limonene. Water exhibited the properties of an acid catalyst because of its ionization. Mathematical experimental data processing was performed to evaluate and separate the contributions of the radical and ionic paths to the total rate of the reactions that occurred during the thermal isomerization of α-pinene.     

Biological activities of α-pinene and β-pinene enantiomers

The antimicrobial activities of the isomers and enantiomers of pinene were evaluated against bacterial and fungal cells. The agar diffusion test showed that only the positive enantiomers of the α- and β-isomers of pinene were active. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal microbicidal concentration (MMC) of these monoterpenes were also determined, confirming that the positive enantiomers exhibited microbicidal activity against all fungi and bacteria tested with MICs ranging from 117 to 4,150 μg/mL. However, no antimicrobial activity was detected with the negative enantiomers up to 20 mg/mL. Time-kill curves showed that (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene were highly toxic to Candida albicans, killing 100% of inoculum within 60 min. By contrast, the bactericidal effect occurred after 6 h in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In combination with commercial antimicrobials, ciprofloxacin plus (+)-α-pinene or (+)-β-pinene presented synergistic activity against MRSA whereas an indifferent effect against all fungi was detected when amphotericin B was combined with the positive enantiomers of pinene. The potential of (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene to inhibit phospholipase and esterase activities was also evaluated, and the best inhibition results were obtained with Cryptococcus neoformans. C. albicans biofilm formation was prevented with the MIC concentration of (+)-α-pinene and twice the MIC value of (+)-β-pinene. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the positive enantiomers of pinene to murine macrophages was evaluated, and 250 μg/mL of (+)-α-pinene and (+)-β-pinene reduced the cell viability to 66.8% and 57.7%, respectively.     

Activation parameters of supercritical and gas-phase β-pinene thermal isomerization

New data on enthalpy and entropy contributions to the energy barrier of β-pinene thermal isomerization were obtained. The rate of β-pinene conversion is higher in supercritical EtOH (P = 120 atm) than in the gas phase (P ≤ 1 atm, without solvent, or for inert carrier gas N₂) at equal temperatures. The highest activation energy E _Σ of total β-pinene conversion is also observed in reactions in the supercritical (sc) condition. Activation parameters ΔH _Σ ^# , ΔS _Σ ^# , and ΔG _Σ ^# depend strongly on the reaction pressure. Thus, at P ≤ 1 atm (gas-phase reaction) the values of ΔS _Σ ^# are negative, while at sc conditions at P = 120 atm is positive. The linear dependences lnk _Σ0 ? E _Σ and ΔS _Σ ^# ? ΔS _Σ ^# indicate an isokinetic relation (IKR) and enthalpy-entropy compensation effect (EEC). The isokinetic temperature was calculated (T _iso = 605.5 ± 22.7 K). It was shown that elevation of temperature reduces the value of ΔG _Σ ^# (T) upon sc thermolysis only, whereas in all gas-phase reactions ΔG _Σ ^# (T) increases. At equal reaction temperatures, the greatest values of K _eq ^# (T) proved to be typical for thermolysis in sc-EtOH. We hypothesize that the rate of total β-pinene conversion increases dramatically due to a considerable shift in equilibrium toward higher concentrations of activated complex y _TS ^# . A detailed analysis of activation parameters shows that the IKR and EEC coincide, evidence of a common mechanism of β-pinene conversion observed under different reaction conditions, including thermolysis in sc-EtOH.     

Asymmetric synthesis of α-acetylenic epoxides

Chiral α-acetylenic oxiranes were easily synthesized from readily available propargylic esters by a four-step sequence involving the stereoselective reduction of α′-alkynyl β-keto sulfoxides with DIBAH (de 66–78%) and DIBAH/ZnBr₂ (de 78–88%), followed by further reduction of the resulting hydroxy sulfoxides into the corresponding sulfenyl derivatives and final epoxy ring closure via sulfonium salt.     

Trifluoromethylated cyclopropanes and epoxides from CuI-mediated transformations of α-trifluoromethyl-diazophosphonate

An efficient method for the preparation of α-(trifluoromethyl)-cyclopropylphosphonates and α-(trifluoromethyl)-1,2-epoxyphosphonates has been developed. The method is based on metal-catalyzed reaction of diethyl 1-diazo-2,2,2-trifluoroethylphosphonate (1) with alkenes or carbonyl compounds, respectively. It established an essential advantage of CuI-catalysis over Rh₂(OAc)₄ in cyclopropanation reactions. An inexpensive copper iodide has also exhibited a good catalytic activity in the synthesis of epoxyphosphonates (3).     

Solubility measurement of α-asarone in supercritical carbon dioxide

The solubility of α-asarone in supercritical CO₂ (sc-CO₂) has been measured using the dynamic method. The measurement was conducted in the pressure range from 9.0 to 18.0 MPa at temperature 35–49 °C. The experimental data were correlated using the Chrastil model. The results show that the solubility increases as the pressure rises and decreases as the temperature rises, which is well correlated with the Chrastil model.     

Preparation of enol ester epoxides and their ring-opening to α-silyloxyaldehydes

The Z-selective ruthenium-catalyzed addition of aromatic carboxylic acids to alkynes was followed by dioxirane epoxidation to furnish enol ester epoxides with cis configuration. Upon treatment of enol ester epoxides with tert-butyldimethylsilyl triflate in the presence of 2,6-lutidine, synthetically useful α-silyloxyaldehydes were obtained. This novel transformation was facilitated by microwave irradiation.     

Complex formation between α-cyclodextrin and amines in water and DMF solvents

Complexation between -cyclodextrin (-CD) and aliphatic amines in water and DMF solvents was studied by calorimetry. Amines form complexes with -CD in both solvents but the nature of the complexes is quite different. In DMF the amines donate a hydrogen from the amine N–H group to the cyclodextrin forming a normal hydrogen bonded complex. In DMF solutions with large amine concentrations, complexes other than 11 are observed. In contrast, in aqueous environment the amines form inclusion complexes in which the amine alkyl group penetrates the -CD cavity and is stabilized by van der Waals interactions. The equilibrium constants for the complexes formed in water solvent increase with increasing alkyl chain length due to an entropy effect.     

The Preparation of α-Phosphonovinylzirconocenes and their Application in the Stereospecific Synthesis of α-Halo-l-alkenylphosphonates

Hydrozirconation of 1-alkylnylphosphonates gives the organozirconium(Ⅳ) complexes 2 in syn-addition way.Complexs 2 was trapped with NCS,NBS or I2 to afford stereodifined α-halo-1-alkenylphosphonates in moderate to high yields.     

Hydration of α-pinene catalyzed by acid clays

The hydration reaction of α-pinene in the presence of natural clays treated with monochloroacetic acid as catalyst to obtain oxygenated compounds was studied. Catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, programmed thermal desorption of adsorbed pyridine, and infrared spectroscopic analysis of adsorbed pyridine to determine Brønsted and Lewis acid sites. Catalytic tests revealed that treatment of the natural clay with the acid improved the catalytic activity and the selectivity toward oxygenated products by increasing the acidity of the catalyst. The selectivity toward oxygenated compounds increased with the augment of the α-pinene conversion because of greater contact between water molecules with the remaining α-pinene molecules. The natural clay without treatment produced compounds resulting from α-pinene isomerization, whereas the treated clays produced alcohols and other products in addition to isomerization compounds. After a certain time, the α-terpineol was isomerized into cineols. Studies of the reusability of the JAL catalyst were performed (clay treated with monochloroacetic acid). As the number of reuses increased, the percent conversion decreased; however, the selectivity toward oxygenated compounds increased.      

The Structure and Spectroscopy of α-Hydroxyphosphonates

Abstract

α-Hydroxyphosphonates are important intermediates in the preparation of various organophosphorus compounds. Methods for their preparation have been described.¹ We now report new aspects of their structure and spectroscopy. In the solid state, O,O-dimethyl α-hydroxy-α-phenyl-β-chloroethylphosphonate has been shown by X-ray diffraction studies to consist of hydrogen-bonded dimers with a hydrosen-bond length between the phosphoryl oxygen and hydroxyl hydrogen atom of 1.74 Å. The P=0 bond is relatively short (1.463).     

Lignin-type, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes of lignin-type in organic solvents

A 1:1 reaction of [HO(CH₂)₃]₃P with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-cinnamaldehyde (coniferaldehyde) or 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxycinnamaldehyde (sinapaldehyde) in acetone at room temperature affords phosphonium zwitterions of the type R₃P⁺CH(4-O^?-Ar)CH₂CHO; other phosphines [R = Et, n-Bu, (CH₂)₂CN, and p-Tol] do not react under the same conditions. In alcohols R??OH(D) [R?? = CD₃, Et, (CD₃)₂CD, s-Bu, HOCH₂CH₂], the above phosphines (except the cyano-derivative) and those where R = i-Pr, Cy, Me₂Ph, MePh₂ do react within an equilibrium established between the reactants and the zwitterion-hemiacetal products R₃P⁺CH(4-O^?-Ar)CH₂CH(OH)(OR??) that are formed as a mixture of two diastereomers. The nature of the phosphine and the alcohol affects the equilibrium and the diastereomeric ratio.     

The Preparation of α-Phosphonovinylzirconocenes and their Application in the Stereospecific Synthesis of α-Halo-1 -alkenylphosphonates

Hydrozirconation of 1-alkylnylphosphonates gives the organozirconium(Ⅳ) complexes 2 in syn-addition way. Complexs 2 was trapped with NCS, NBS or I2 to afford stereodifined α-halo-1-alkenylphosphonates in moderate to high yields.     

The flash points and thermal behaviors of diesel blends with biodiesels, α-pinene,d-limonene and caffeic acid as antioxidants

The present study assessed the effects of antioxidants on the flash point and thermal behavior of diesel fuel blended with 3–10 vol% biodiesel made from spent coffee grounds oil (SCGO) or Jatropha seed oil (JSO) extracted using with n-hexane or acetone, with or without α-pinene and d-limonene (as volatile antioxidants) or caffeic acid (as a non-volatile antioxidant). Effects were evaluated by assessing flash points and by thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The flash points of the JSO and SCGO biodiesels obtained from oils extracted using n-hexane were higher than those extracted using acetone, and the addition of 10 vol% JSO or SCGO biodiesel made using acetone extraction increased the flash point by up to 2 °C. The DTA results for JSO and SCGO biodiesels also changed according to the extraction solvent. The flash points of diesel/α-pinene/d-limonene mixtures decreased as the amount of α-pinene was increased up to 10 vol%. TG peaks obtained from 10% α-pinene/d-limonene (50 vol%/50 vol%) in diesel were lowered by approximately 20 °C. The addition of 100–1000 mg kg^?1 caffeic acid to diesel lowered the flash point by 2 °C and shifted the TG peak to approximately 75 °C from the value of 66 °C for pure diesel. This effect was constant regardless of the caffeic acid content, while DTA results were largely unaffected by this additive. The results of this work confirm that both flash point and thermal behavior are dependent on the particular type of antioxidant employed.

     

The rôle of some organic solvents in flame photometry

Summary The influence of acetone, methanol andn-propylalcohol, in various concentrations, on the Na-emission and the temperature in an air-acetylene flame has been investigated at various gas/air ratios and at various heights in the flame. A sprayer with spray-chamber and a Meker burner have been used. The experiments indicate that the gain in Na-emission upon adding organics to the analyzed solution cannot be related simply to a single property of the organic-water mixture only. The experiments on the flame temperature, measured by line-reversal, show that spraying organic liquids into the flame may result in an increase or a decrease of flame temperature, according as the gas-air mixture is lean or rich. The effect of these organic liquids on the flame temperature and so on the excitation of Na appears to be small when compared to their effect on the spray-yield. The measured temperature effect appears to agree with quantitative calculations.

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Zusammenfassung Der Einfluß verschiedener Konzentrationen von Aceton, Methanol und n-Propylalkohol auf die Na-Emission und Temperatur einer Acetylen-Luftflamme wurde untersucht, wobei sowohl die Höhe der Meßstelle in der Flamme wie auch das Gas/Luft-Mischungsverhältnis variiert wurden. Ein Indirektzerstäuber und Mekerbrenner wurden dabei benutzt. Die Zunahme der Na-Emission hängt nicht in einfacher Weise von nur einer einzigen Eigenschaft des Lösungsmittels ab. Die Messungen der Flammentemperatur wurden mit Hilfe der Liniemimkehrmethode durchgeführt und zeigten, daß bei Zugabe der organischen Substanzen eine Erhöhung oder eine Erniedrigung der Temperatur auftreten kann, je nachdem, wie gerade das Gas/Luft-Mischungsverhältnis eingestellt wird. Der Einfluß der organischen Lösungsmittel auf die Flammentemperatur und dadurch auf die Anregung der Na-Atome ist gering im Vergleich mit deren Effekt auf die Zerstäuberwirkung. Die gemessene Temperaturbeeinflussung stimmt mit dem berechneten Wert überein.

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Résumé En changeant les mélanges d'acétylène/air et l'hauteur de la région mesurée dans la flamme, on a étudié l'influence des différentes concentrations d'acétone, méthanol et n-propylalcool sur la température de la flamme et sur l'émission du Na. Un pulvérisateur indirect et un brûleur de Meker ont été utilisés. Les expériences montrent que l'accroissement de l'émission du Na, causé par la substance organique, n'est pas liée simplement à une seule propriété de la mélange organo-aqueuse. En mesurants la température de la flamme par la méthode d'inversement de raye nous avons montré que l'addition de substance organique donne aussi un accroissement, qu'un abaissement de la température, selon que la mélange gaz/air est faible ou riche. L'effet de la substance organique sur la température (et par la sur l'excitation du Na) se montre plus faible que l'effet sur le rendement du pulvérisateur. L'effet sur la température mesuré est en concordance avec l'effet calculé.

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On leave from Israel Atomic Energy Commission Hakyria, Tel Aviv.     

Addition products of chlorosulfonylisocyanate to (+)-3-carene and α-pinene enantiomers

Optically active lactams were synthesized from (+)-3-carene and α-pinene enantiomers. Their properties and structures were characterized. A pathway for preparing their trifluoroacetate salts was demonstrated.     

Mass spectrometric characterization of isomeric terpenoic acids from the oxidation of α-pinene, β-pinene, d-limonene, and Δ3-carene in fine forest aerosol

In this study, we present liquid chromatographic and mass spectral data for predominant terpenoic acids formed through oxidation of α-pinene, β-pinene, d-limonene, and Δ(3)-carene that occur in fine forest aerosol from K-puszta, Hungary, a rural site with coniferous vegetation. Characterization of these secondary organic aerosol tracers in fine ambient aerosol is important because it allows one to gain information on monoterpene precursors and source processes such as oxidation and aging processes. The mass spectral data were obtained using electrospray ionization in the negative ion mode, accurate mass measurements, and linear ion trap tandem mass spectrometric experiments. Emphasis is given to the mass spectrometric differentiation of isobaric terpenoic acids, such as, e.g. the molecular weight (MW) 186 terpenoic acids, cis-pinic, cis-caric, homoterpenylic, ketolimononic, and limonic acids. Other targeted isobaric terpenoic acids are the MW 184 terpenoic acids, cis-pinonic and cis-caronic acids, and the MW 204 tricarboxylic acids, 3-methyl-1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic and 3-carboxyheptanedioic acids. Fragmentation pathways are proposed to provide a rational explanation for the observed isomeric differences and/or to support the suggested tentative structures. For the completeness of the data set, data obtained for recently reported lactone-containing terpenoic acids (i.e. terpenylic and terebic acids), related or isobaric compounds (i.e. norpinic acid, diaterpenylic acid acetate, and unknown MW 188 compounds) are also included, the rationale being that other groups working on this topic could use this data compilation as a reference.     

Synthesis of α-amino oximes and bis-α-amino oximes from the monoterpene hydrocarbons 3-carene and α-pinene and α,ω-diamines

The reaction of nitroso chlorides of natural monoterpene hydrocarbons, 3-carene and -pinene, with simple ,-diamines (1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, piperazine, 1,6-diaminohexane, diethylenetriamine) results in the formation of -amino oximes and bis--amino oximes. The product structures were proved by spectroscopy. The procedures of separation and purification of diamino oximes and diamino dioximes are described. Detailed analysis of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the new chiral nitrogen-containing derivatives was carried out.     

Transformations of α- and β-ionones in the presence of Al2O3 in a supercritical solvent in a flow reactor

The reactivity of α- and β-ionones under the supercritical conditions in a flow type reactor in the presence of Al₂O₃ at 200–230°C was studied. α-Ionone was reduced to α-ionol, while β-ionol was unstable already at 200°C and underwent dehydration. The secondary reaction products were the corresponding megastigmatrienes.