One-pot three-component synthesis of 3-hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-[phenyl(phenylthio)methyl]cyclohex-2-enone derivatives under ultrasound

3-Hydroxy-5,5-dimethyl-2-[phenyl(phenylthio)methyl]cyclohex-2-enone is synthesized via one-pot three-component reactions of aromatic aldehyde, substituted thiophenol and 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione catalyzed by p-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA) under ultrasound. Under ultrasound irradiation the yields are much higher (sometimes substantially, by almost double) and the reaction time decreases substantially, the reaction conditions are milder. This method provides several advantages such as environment friendliness, high yields and simple work-up procedure and the protocol provides a novel alternative for the synthesis of thioether.     

Ultrasonic-assisted synthesis of chrysin derivatives linked with 1,2,3-triazoles by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between 7-(3-azidopropoxy)-5-hydroxyflavone and phenylacetylene was carried out to investigate the synthesis of 7-(3-(4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)propoxy)- 5-hydroxyflavone in presence of ultrasound (sono-synthesis) and absence of ultrasound (conventional method) under relatively optimized solvent and catalyst conditions. The reaction rate was notably accelerated with the help of ultrasound irradiation. An experiment was especially carried out for investigating the acceleration mechanism of ultrasound on the cycloaddition. A novel series of chrysin derivatives linked with 1,2,3-triazoles were obtained by the copper(I)-catalyzed 1,3-dipolar Huisgen cycloaddition reaction using t-BuOH/H(2)O (1:1 v/v) as reaction solvents and CuSO(4)·5H(2)O/sodium ascorbate as the catalyst at room temperature in the presence of ultrasound irradiation. Their structures are elucidated by NMR, ESI MS, IR and Elemental analysis.     

Ultrasound assisted dehydrogenation of 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxamides

Dehydrogenation of various 2-oxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxamides (THPMs) to 2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyrimidine-5-carboxamides (DHPMs) using tetrabutylammonium peroxydisulfate (TBAPS) as an efficient oxidizing agent under thermal and sono-thermal conditions has been investigated. In contrast to the thermal reaction, a decrease of the amount of oxidant and an increase of the rate of reaction are observed by simultaneously applying heat and ultrasound. The nature of both C-4 and C-5 substituents on the heterocyclic ring influences the rate of reaction under both conditions. The proposed electron-transfer-induced dehydrogenation in this study is supported by conductometric studies.     

Organic high-spin systems: synthesis, electrochemical and ETSF studies of a series of tetraaryl-meta-phenylenediamines

A series of N,N,N′,N′-tetraaryl-1,3-phenylenediamines with various substituents at the para-position of peripheral rings were designed and synthesized. Electrochemical and novel electron transfer stopped-flow methods were invoked for characterizing the absorption spectra of the corresponding short-lived mono- and dicationic states. Both thermodynamic and kinetic stabilization are required to extend the lifetime of the dicationic states. Useful molecular design rules for stabilizing the dicationic states of N,N,N′,N′-tetraaryl-1,3-phenylenediamines as precursors for positively charged high-spin systems were elucidated.     

Does power ultrasound (26 kHz) affect the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on Pt polycrystalline electrode in a mild acidic electrolyte?

In this study, we investigated the effects of power ultrasound (26 kHz, up to ∼75 W/cm², up to 100% acoustic amplitude, ultrasonic horn) on the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on a platinum (Pt) polycrystalline disc electrode in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ by cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry at 298 K. We also studied the formation of molecular hydrogen (H₂) bubbles on a Pt wire in the absence and presence of power ultrasound using ultra-fast camera imaging. It was found that ultrasound significantly increases currents towards the HER i.e. a ∼250% increase in current density was achieved at maximum ultrasonic power. The potential at a current density of −10 mA/cm² under silent conditions was found to be −46 mV and decreased to −27 mV at 100% acoustic amplitude i.e. a ΔE shift of ∼+20 mV, indicating the influence of ultrasound on improving the HER activity. A nearly 100% increase in the exchange current density (j_o) and a 30% decrease in the Tafel slope (b) at maximum ultrasonic power, was observed in the low overpotential region, although in the high overpotential region, the Tafel slopes (b) were not significantly affected when compared to silent conditions. In our conditions, ultrasound did not greatly affect the “real” surface area (A_r) and roughness factor (R) i.e. the microscopic surface area available for electron transfer. Overall, it was found that ultrasound did not dramatically change the mechanism of HER but instead, increased currents at the Pt surface area through effective hydrogen bubble removal.     

Ultrasound assisted reduction of graphene oxide to graphene in l-ascorbic acid aqueous solutions: Kinetics and effects of various factors on the rate of graphene formation

The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to graphene (rGO) was achieved by using 20 kHz ultrasound in l-ascorbic acid (l-AA, reducing agent) aqueous solutions under various experimental conditions. The effects of ultrasound power, ultrasound pulse mode, reaction temperature, pH value and l-AA amount on the rates of rGO formation from GO reduction were investigated. The rates of rGO formation were found to be enhanced under the following conditions: high ultrasound power, long pulse mode, high temperature, high pH value and large amount of l-AA. It was also found that the rGO formation under ultrasound treatment was accelerated in comparison with a conventional mechanical mixing treatment. The pseudo rate and pseudo activation energy (E_a) of rGO formation were determined to discuss the reaction kinetics under both treatment. The E_a value of rGO formation under ultrasound treatment was clearly lower than that obtained under mechanical mixing treatment at the same condition. We proposed that physical effects such as shear forces, microjets and shock waves during acoustic cavitation enhanced the mass transfer and reaction of l-AA with GO to form rGO as well as the change in the surface morphology of GO. In addition, the rates of rGO formation were suggested to be affected by local high temperatures of cavitation bubbles.     

Understanding the Effects of Ultrasound (408 kHz) on the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) and the Oxygen Evolution Reaction (OER) on Raney-Ni in Alkaline Media

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) occurring at the Raney-Ni mesh electrode in 30 wt.-% aqueous KOH solution were studied in the absence (silent) and presence of ultrasound (408 kHz, ∼54 W, 100% acoustic amplitude) at different electrolyte temperatures (T = 25, 40 and 60 °C). Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were performed to analyse the electrochemical behaviour of the Raney-Ni electrode under these conditions. Under silent conditions, it was found that the electrocatalytic activity of Raney-Ni towards the HER and the OER depends upon the electrolyte temperature, and higher current densities at lower overpotentials were achieved at elevated temperatures. It was also observed that the HER activity of Raney-Ni under ultrasonic conditions increased at low temperatures (e.g., 25 °C) while the ultrasonic effect on the OER was found to be insignificant. In addition, it was observed that the ultrasonic effect on both the HER and OER decreases by elevating the temperature. In our conditions, it is suggested that ultrasound enhances the electrocatalytic performance of Raney-Ni towards the HER due to principally the efficient gas bubble removal from the electrode surface and the dispersion of gas bubbles into the electrolyte, and this effect depends upon the behaviour of the hydrogen and oxygen gas bubbles in alkaline media.     

Ultrasound-assisted butyl acetate synthesis catalyzed by Novozym 435: Enhanced activity and operational stability

The influence of low-frequency ultrasound (40 kHz) in the esterification reaction between acetic acid and butanol for flavor ester synthesis catalyzed by the commercial immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym 435) was evaluated. A central composite design and the response surface methodology were used to analyze the effects of the reaction parameters (temperature, substrate molar ratio, enzyme content and added water) and their response (yields of conversion in 2.5 h of reaction). The reaction was carried out using n-hexane as solvent. The optimal conditions for ultrasound-assisted butyl acetate synthesis were found to be: temperature of 46 °C; substrate molar ratio of 3.6:1 butanol:acetic acid; enzyme content of 7%; added water of 0.25%, conditions that are slightly different from those found using mechanical mixing. Over 94% of conversion was obtained in 2.5 h under these conditions. The optimal acid concentration for the reaction was determined to be 2.0 M, compared to 0.3 M without ultrasound treatment. Enzyme productivity was significantly improved to around 7.5-fold for each batch when comparing ultrasound and standard mechanical agitation. The biocatalyst could be directly reused for 14 reactions cycles keeping around 70% of its original activity, while activity was virtually zeroed in the third cycle using the standard mixing system. Thus, compared to the traditional mechanical agitation, ultrasound technology not only improves the process productivity, but also enhances enzyme recycling and stability in the presence of acetic acid, being a powerful tool to improve biocatalyst performance in this type of reaction.     

Ultrasonics in isocyanide-based multicomponent reactions: A new,efficient and fast method for the synthesis of fully substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives under ultrasound irradiation

A fast and convenient approach to the synthesis of fully substituted 1,3,4-oxadiazoles via three-component reaction of aromatic carboxylic acids, acenaphthoquinone, and (N-isocyanimino)triphenylphosphorane under ultrasound irradiation is described. Furthermore, a series of compounds were synthesized and characterized by melting point, IR, NMR and MS. Utilization of easy reaction conditions, very high to excellent yields, and short reaction times makes this manipulation potentially very useful.     

Spin-lattice and spin-spin relaxation times of 2,4,6-tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl phenoxyl and 2,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-4-methyl phenoxyl in diamagnetic crystals: Relaxation mechanism and influence of molecular motions

The spin-lattice and phase-memory times were determined for 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl phenoxyl and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenoxyl dispersed in a diamagnetic matrix by use of primary and stimulated echoes. The temperature variations from room temperature and lower to liquid helium indicated interesting characteristics, albeit there were no echo signals between 150 and 100 K. It may be concluded that the relaxation times vary depending on the motional fluctuation of substituted molecular groups on the π-conjugated framework. In particular, the methyl rotational motion of thetert-butyl groups at theortho-positions or thepara-position is a dominant contribution, andtert-butyl rotation itself and additional methyl rotation at thepara-position are also responsible for the shortening, especially in the phase-memory times. The shortening of the relaxation times when approaching liquid helium temperature is probably due to the quantum mechanical tunneling effect of the methyl substituents.     

Ultrasound assisted arylation of benzyl alcohol with 4-nitrochlorobenzene under a new multi-site phase-transfer catalyst in solid–liquid condition

The ultrasound assisted preparation of 1-(benzyloxy)-4-nitrobenzene from the reaction of 4-chloronitrobenzene (CNB) and benzyl alcohol was carried out successfully using potassium hydroxide and catalyzed by a new multi-site phase-transfer catalyst (MPTC) viz., 1,3,5-triethyl-1,3,5-trihexyl-1,3,5-triazinane-1,3,5-triium trichloride in a solid–liquid reaction condition (SL-MPTC). The advantage of using SL-MPTC is to avoid a serious hydration of potassium salt of benzyl alcohol in the reaction between 4-chloronitrobenzene (CNB) and benzyl alcohol. The reaction is greatly enhanced in the solid–liquid system, catalyzed by multi-site quaternary ammonium salt (MPTC) and ultrasound irradiation (40 kHz, 300 W) in a batch reactor, it shows that the overall reaction greatly enhanced with ultrasound irradiation than without ultrasound. The reaction mechanism is proposed and verified by examining the experimental evidence. A kinetic model is proposed in which a pseudo first-order rate law is sufficient to describe the results, such as the effects of agitation speed, ultrasound, different phase transfer catalysts and the effect of organic solvents, the amount of newly prepared MPTC, the effect of temperature, the amount of water, the concentration of 4-chloronitrobenzene (CNB) and potassium hydroxide concentrations. The apparent rate constant (k_app) were investigated in detail. Rational explanations to account for the phenomena on the results were made.     

Electronic states and phosphorescence of dendron functionalized platinum(II) acetylides

The photophysical properties of bis((4-(phenylethynyl)phenyl)ethynyl)bis(tributylphosphine) platinum(II) with 2,2-bis(methylol)propionic acid (bis-MPA) dendritic substituents were studied. The fluorescence emission decay upon excitation in the UV (typically 350-380 nm) was rapid, in the order of 1 ns or shorter. In oxygen-saturated tetrahydrofuran solvent, the phosphorescence decay time was in the order of 200 ns. Bright phosphorescence at 530 nm was found for dendrimers under certain conditions. The associated phosphorescence decay time considerably increased to above 100-200 μs at higher concentrations (30-100 μM), and in oxygen-evacuated samples. Thus, it was clarified that the strongest triplet quenching was caused by oxygen dissolved in the sample, since it was possible to reversibly go between the bright and quenched phosphorescent state by freeze-thaw pumping cycles. The bright phosphorescence formed spontaneously for the cases with the larger dendritic substituents is implying a chromophore protecting effect. From time-dependent density functional calculations, the electronic structure of a few low-lying singlet and triplet states are discussed. A new mechanism for efficient triplet state formation and phosphorescence of Pt-ethynyls is proposed. Here, a fast relaxation via internal conversion takes the excited population of the dominant π→π* excitation into a lower singlet state of ligand-to-metal charge transfer character of πσ* type. This allows an efficient inter system crossing to the triplet state manifold.     

Structural,Electronic and Charge Transfer Studies of Highly Sensitive Fluorescent Probe 2-((E)-2-(1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)vinyl)phenol: Quantum Chemical Investigations

This article presents a facile synthesis of novel class of bluish-green fluorescent 2-((E)-2-(1-phenyl-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)vinyl)phenol [PPIVP] and their optical, electrochemical and thermal properties. Detailed photophysical and quantum chemical studies have been performed to elucidate the origin of the dual emission shifts. PPIVP undergo excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction leading a large Stoke’s shifted fluorescence emission from the phototautomer. The results of quantum chemical investigations not only confirmed the intramolecular charge transfer characteristics of the ESIPT tautomers but also provided a rational for the observed high fluorescence quantum efficiency in the solid state. The high photoluminescence quantum yield in the solid state is ascribed to twisted chromophores due to phenyl substituents at 1,2-position of the phenanthroimidazole ring which restricted intramolecular motion, leading to an optically allowed lowest optical transition without self quenching.     

Ultrasound-mediated radical cascade reactions: Fast synthesis of functionalized indolines from 2-(((N-aryl)amino)methyl)acrylates

Novel functionalized indolines were synthesized from 2-(((N-aryl)amino)methyl)acrylates and formamides under ultrasonic irradiation for the first time. Aiming to develop a straightforward and easy-to-implement methodology for the synthesis of indolines, an instrumentation setup was designed, including ultrasound (US) equipment (Ultrasonic Horn; tip diameter of 12.7 mm, 20 kHz, maximum power of 400 W), an open reaction flask, and an inexpensive and green catalyst (1 mol%; FeSO₄·7H₂O; CAS: 7782–63–0) without the need for anhydrous conditions. The use of the sono-Fenton process in the presence of formamides and 2-(((N-aryl)amino)methyl)acrylates afforded a broad range of functionalized indolines within 60 s in high yields. Several experimental parameters of the ultrasound-assisted reaction were evaluated, such as amplitude (40–80%), sonication time (15–60 s), and pulsed ultrasonic irradiation. A 60 s silent reaction did not produce the desired indoline. The optimized conditions for US-mediated reactions allowed the production of functionalized indolines in high isolated yields (up to 99%, 60 s reaction, pulse ration 1 s:1 s, US amplitude 60 %).     

Stability of all-trans-β-carotene under ultrasound treatment in a model system: Effects of different factors,kinetics and newly formed compounds

The effects of factors and kinetics of all-trans-β-carotene degradation under ultrasound treatment in a model system were investigated. The compounds of degradation were also tentatively identified by HPLC-DAD, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. The type of solvents and temperature were important factors in determining the degradation reaction. Liquid height, ultrasonic intensity and duty cycle of ultrasound exposure only affected the rate of degradation but did not change the nature of degradation. Degradation rate of β-carotene in dichloromethane was the highest. Degradation rate of β-carotene decreased with increasing of temperature. Degradation kinetics of all-trans-β-carotene under ultrasound fitted first-order reaction at ?5 to 15 °C, and fitted second-order reaction at 25 °C. Degradation products included isomers: 15-cis-β-carotene, di-cis-β-carotene and other compounds with function group of C–O.     

Vanadium(V) catalysis of perborate oxidation of substituted 5-oxo acids: a kinetic and mechanistic study

Vanadium (V) catalyzes perborate oxidation of substituted 5-oxo acid in acidic solution, being 1.6 order with respect to the oxidant, first order in the catalyst, inhibited by H⁺ and displays Michaelis–Menten kinetics on the reductant. In aqueous acetic acid solution, perborate generates hydrogen peroxide and the kinetic results reveal formation of oxodiperoxovanadium(V)-oxo acid complex. At high acidity, the ionic strength of the medium has little influence on the oxidation rates. But at low acidity, the rate increases with increasing ionic strength. The rate of oxidation increases with decreasing dielectric constant of the medium. Electron-releasing substituents in the aromatic ring accelerate the reaction rate and electron-withdrawing substituents retard the reaction. The order of reactivity among the studied 5-oxo acid is p-methoxy >> p-methyl > p-phenyl > -H > p-chloro > p-bromo > m-nitro. Activation parameters have been evaluated using Arrhenius and Eyring’s plots. A mechanism consistent with the observed kinetic data has been proposed and discussed. A suitable rate law has been derived based on the mechanism.     

The effects of power ultrasound (24 kHz) on the electrochemical reduction of CO2 on polycrystalline copper electrodes

The electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO2RR) on polycrystalline copper (Cu) electrode was performed in a CO₂-saturated 0.10 M Na₂CO₃ aqueous solution at 278 K in the absence and presence of low-frequency high-power ultrasound (f = 24 kHz, P_T ~ 1.23 kW/dm³) in a specially and well-characterized sonoelectrochemical reactor. It was found that in the presence of ultrasound, the cathodic current (I_c) for CO₂ reduction increased significantly when compared to that in the absence of ultrasound (silent conditions). It was observed that ultrasound increased the faradaic efficiency of carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄) and ethylene (C₂H₄) formation and decreased the faradaic efficiency of molecular hydrogen (H₂). Under ultrasonication, a ca. 40% increase in faradaic efficiency was obtained for methane formation through the CO2RR. In addition, and interestingly, water-soluble CO₂ reduction products such as formic acid and ethanol were found under ultrasonic conditions whereas under silent conditions, these expected electrochemical CO2RR products were absent. It was also found that power ultrasound increases the formation of smaller hydrocarbons through the CO2RR and may initiate new chemical reaction pathways through the sonolytic di-hydrogen splitting yielding other products, and simultaneously reducing the overall molecular hydrogen gas formation.     

Microwave-enhanced transition metal-catalyzed decoration of 2(1H)-pyrazinone scaffolds

The 2(1H)-pyrazinones have been demonstrated to be versatile building blocks for the synthesis of biologically active compounds. Here, an efficient method is described for the decoration of these interesting scaffolds. Microwave-assisted palladium catalyzed reactions allow the easy introduction of different substituents at the C3- and even at the rather unreactive C5-position of the pyrazinones. Stille, Suzuki, Heck, Sonogashira reactions, in addition to reductive dechlorinations, and cyanation reactions are investigated.     

Effects and mechanism of ultrasound pretreatment of protein on the Maillard reaction of protein-hydrolysate from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

The effects of two types (energy-divergent/gathered) of ultrasound pretreatment of protein on the Maillard reaction of protein-hydrolysate from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) were studied. The test and analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, surface hydrophobicity and atomic force microscopy of protein, peptide concentration, molecular weight distribution and free amino acid content of protein-hydrolysate were performed to reveal the mechanism. Also, the sensory characteristics of Maillard reaction products were evaluated. Results showed that Maillard reaction products presented higher absorbance value at 294 and 420 nm after pretreated by two types of ultrasound compared to that of control. The grafting degree value of products pretreated by energy-divergent ultrasound increased by 13.87%. Both of these two types of ultrasound pretreatment showed higher (p < 0.05) value of grafting degree compared to that of positive control (thermal denaturation). The random coil content and surface hydrophobicity of protein improved significantly (p < 0.05), and the depth distribution of protein molecules narrowed down after pretreated by ultrasound, especially energy-divergent type ultrasound. The change of protein structure increased small molecular peptide/amino acid content in protein-hydrolysate, so that it promoted the Maillard reaction process of protein-hydrolysate and glucose. The mouthfulness and overall acceptance of Maillard reaction products increased after pretreated by two types of ultrasound. Results indicated that ultrasound, especially energy-divergent type ultrasound pretreatment of protein was an effective method to promote Maillard reaction evolution of protein-hydrolysate from grass carp protein and improved the flavor of Maillard reaction products.     

Ultrasound effect on the aromatic nucleophilic substitution reactions on some haloarenes

The sonochemical nucleophilic aromatic substitutions on haloarenes with different amines have been studied. A beneficial ultrasound effect was observed and high yields of the products were obtained after 15-30 min sonication. The reaction course of the nucleophilic aromatic substitution was found to be strongly dependent on nucleophilicity, bulkiness, and boiling point of amines as well as on the electron-withdrawing property of the substituents on the haloarenes.