Molecular complexity from aromatics: synthesis of highly functionalized spiro δ-lactones

A novel, general, and efficient method has been developed for the synthesis of highly functionalized spiro δ-lactones from aromatic precursors. Our methodology involves a tandem oxidative dearomatization-rearrangement of tertiary furyl carbinols and ring-closing metathesis as key features. This method allows an access to the spirolactones attached to carbocycles of various sizes.     

A practical method,NaOCl-mediated,to prepare thiabendazoles via intramolecular amination reaction

A series of new chlorinated thiabendazoles (6a–m) have been synthesized from readily available anilines and 4-cyanothiazole in moderate to good yields. All synthesized compounds were fully characterized using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry. Additionally, the structure of the compound (6f) was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In addition, synthesis of 2-substituted benzimidazoles and 2-phenyl benzothiazole was investigated using our optimized conditions and the outcome is presented herein.     

A concise, enantioselective approach to (-)-quinic acid

[reaction: see text] An expedient, enantioselective synthesis of a key precursor to (-)-quinic acid has been achieved from an ephedrine-derived morpholine-dione. The salient features of this approach are a highly diastereoselective conversion of the dione to a dialkenyl morpholinone and a subsequent ring-closing metathesis reaction. Removal of the ephedrine portion generates an enantiomerically enriched hydroxycyclohexene carboxamide that is readily converted to the quinic acid precursor.     

An enantioselective approach to (+)-laurencin

A convergent enantioselective route to an advanced intermediate for the synthesis of the marine natural product (+)-laurencin has been developed. The methodology employs ring-opening of an ephedrine-based spiro-epoxide with a chiral secondary alcohol, hemiacetal allylation and ring closing metathesis as the key steps for elaboration of the functionalized medium-ring ether moiety in laurencin.     

Controlling interfacial curvature in nanoporous silica films formed by evaporation-induced self-assembly from nonionic surfactants. II. Effect of processing parameters on film structure

The double-gyroid phase of nanoporous silica films has been shown to possess facile mass-transport properties and may be used as a mold to fabricate a variety of highly ordered inverse double-gyroid metal and semiconductor films. This phase exists only over a very small region of the binary phase diagram for most surfactants, and it has been very difficult to synthesize metal oxide films with this structure by evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). Here, we show the interplay of the key parameters needed to synthesize these structures reproducibly and show that the interfacial curvature may be systematically controlled. Grazing angle of incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) is used to determine the structure and orientation of nanostructured silica films formed by EISA from dilute silica/(poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-alkyl) surfactant solutions. Four different highly ordered film structures are observed by changing only the concentration of the surfactant, the relative humidity during dip-coating, and the aging time of the solution prior to coating. The highly ordered films progress from rhombohedral (Rm) to 2D rectangular (c2m) to double-gyroid (distorted Iad) to lamellar systematically as interfacial curvature decreases. Under all experimental conditions investigated, increasing the aging time of the coating solution was found to decrease the interfacial curvature. In particular, this parameter was critical to being able to synthesize highly ordered, pure-phase double-gyroid films. The key role of the aging time is shown via processing diagrams that map out the interplay between the aging time, composition, and relative humidity. 29Si nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and solution-phase small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of the aged coating solutions presented in part I of this series are then used to interpret the effects of aging prior to dip-coating. Specifically, it was found that a predictive model based on volume fractions and the silica cluster stoichiometry obtained from 29Si NMR qualitatively explains the trends observed with composition and aging. However, apart from the effects of relative humidity, a quantitative comparison of the predicted phase with the experimental processing diagram suggests that less-condensed silica clusters are more effective at swelling the EO blocks at early aging times. This enhanced swelling decreases with aging time and results in lower-curvature nanostructures such as the double-gyroid. The decrease in swelling is attributed to the decreased thermodynamic driving force for the more-condensed silica clusters to mix with the EO block of the surfactant.     

Synthesis,spectral and biological studies of organotin(IV) complexes of heteroscorpionate

A heteroscorpionate ligand, potassium hydrobis(benzoato)(salicylaldehyde)borate (KL), has been synthesized. This was converted into organotin complexes R₂SnL₂ and R₃SnL complexes by mixing and stirring with a methanolic solution/suspension of organotin chloride. The ligand and its complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and spectral studies (IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI mass spectra and Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA)). Antibacterial and antifungal studies of these compounds were evaluated by the disc diffusion method at variable concentration against three species of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Bacillius subtillis) and two species of fungi (Asperjillius fiavus and Candida albicans). It was found that triorganotin derivatives (R₃SnL) of the ligand were more effective as compared with diorganotin derivatives (R₂SnL₂). The organotin complexes of borates were tested for their algicidal activity on the cyanobacterial strains Aulosira fertilissma, Anabaena species, Anabaena variabilis and Nostoc muscorum and showed high to moderate toxicity towards the above species. The ligand and its complexes were also tested for its pH effect on soil in vitro for a duration of more than one month and it was found that they are able to kill pests without damaging the soil quality. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthetic magnetic opals

We present studies of novel nanocomposites of BiNi impregnated into the structure of opals as well as inverse opals. Atomic force microscopy and high resolution elemental analyses show a highly ordered structure and uniform distribution of the BiNi filler in the matrix. These BiNi-based nanocomposites are found to exhibit distinct ferromagnetic-like ordering with transition temperature of about 675 K. As far as we know there exists no report in literature on any BiNi compound which is magnetic.     

Acoustic properties of cenosphere reinforced cement and asphalt concrete

A detailed experimental study has been conducted to determine the effect of adding hollow ceramic-micro balloons, also known as cenospheres, on the acoustic properties of cement matrix and asphalt concrete. The motivation for this study was to explore the feasibility of using cenospheres in developing lightweight sound absorbing structural materials. Cement and asphalt concrete specimens with different volume fractions of cenospheres and varying diameter and thickness were tested to determine their acoustic characteristics over the range of frequencies (0-4000 Hz). Experimental results showed that a 40% volume fraction addition of cenospheres to cement matrix increased the Noise Reduction Coefficient by 100%. In contrast to cenosphere rich cement, the sound absorption coefficient of asphalt concrete decreased with an increase of cenosphere, volume fraction.     

On the modelling of dynamic structures with discontinuities

A method of simulation is developed for studying the dynamics of the structures with discontinuities using Matlab–Simulink. The concept of dynamic compliance is used for modeling the continuous elements of the structure and the local discontinuity is modeled as nonlinear feedback. As an example, a one-dimensional model of cracked bar under harmonic loading is considered for the simulation purpose.     

Multiresidue analysis and probabilistic dietary risk assessment of 241 pesticides in wheatgrass (Triticum sp.) using LC–MS/MS in combination with QuEChERS extraction

Wheatgrass is consumed as an important nutritious herbal food supplement across the globe; however, limited studies have been reported analyzing multiclass pesticides in this complex, nutrient-rich natural product. An analytical method was developed for the estimation of 241 pesticides in random wheatgrass samples collected from Delhi Northern Capital Region (Delhi-NCR). Extraction was performed by QuEChERS, cleaning was performed by dispersive solid-phase extraction and the extracts were analyzed using triple quadrupole liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification was 0.5 μg/kg, which is well below the European Union Maximum Residue Level. The coefficient of determination was >0.991 across a calibration range of 0.5–100 μg/kg. The relative standard deviation values for 231 pesticides based on 10 replicates of samples spiked at 10 μg/kg were <5%. Among random samples, 54% confirmed the presence of at least one pesticide. The results indicated the presence of eight different pesticides among 38% of the total population with metribuzin at 299.7 μg/kg and carfentrazone-ethyl at 19.47 μg/kg exceeding the permissible limits among 6% of the total estimated population. The chronic and acute risk quotients as calculated were <1, indicating nonsignificant dietary risk to consumers. However, the presence of pesticides above the permissible limit is likely to result in adverse health effects to the consumers of herbal supplements from an urban population and incorporating measures would be useful to ensure the quality and safety of wheatgrass consumption.