Enantioselective synthesis of tarchonanthuslactone via iterative hydrolytic kinetic resolution

A short and practical enantioselective synthesis of tarchonanthuslactone has been achieved in high diastereomeric excess using iterative Jacobsen’s hydrolytic kinetic resolution and ring closing metathesis as the key steps.     

Chloride, -Hydride and -Borohydride Derivatives of Difluorenyl Thallium(III)

Chloride¹), borohydrides²) and hydrides³) of dicyclopentadienyl thallium (III) and diindenyl thallium (III) have already been reported. The present communication deals with a study on the preparation and characterization of difluorenyl thallium (III) chloride, -hydride and -borohydride.     

Cu-nanoparticles: a chemoselective catalyst for the aza-Michael reactions of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines with acrylonitrile

A novel method for effecting the aza-Michael reactions of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines with acrylonitrile using Cu-nanoparticles is described. The method features the use of 10 mol % Cu (14-17 nm) nanoparticles under mild reaction conditions to afford the addition products in good to excellent yields. The Cu-nanoparticles selectively catalysed the aza-Michael reaction of N-alkyl- and N-arylpiperazines in the presence of aromatic amino or aliphatic hydroxy groups.     

Sc(OTf)3-catalyzed alkylation of indoles with propargyl alcohols: an expeditious synthesis of 3-substituted indoles

Indoles undergo smooth alkylation with propargylic alcohols in the presence of 10 mol % of scandium triflate under mild conditions to produce 3-propargylated indoles in excellent yields with high selectivity.     

Quantification of Valerenic Acid in Valeriana jatamansi and Valeriana officinalis by HPTLC

A simple, rapid, cost-effective and accurate high performance thin layer chromatographic method has been developed for quantification of valerenic acid in Valeriana jatamansi and Valeriana officinalis which is one of the stable compounds of Valeriana officinalis and designated as a key marker compound. Valerenic acid makes substantial contribution to the sedative and spasmolytic activity of the essential oil and extract of Valeriana officinalis. Separation and quantification was achieved by HPTLC using ternary mobile phase of hexane: ethyl acetate: acetic acid (80:20:0.5 v/v) on precoated silica gel 60F₂₅₄ aluminium plates and densitometric determination was carried out after derivatization with anisaldehyde-sulphuric acid reagent at 700 nm, in absorption-reflectance mode. The calibration curves were linear in the range of (500 ng–2.5 μg). This is the first HPTLC report for the identification and quantification of valerenic acid in Valeriana jatamansi and Valeriana officinalis.     

Facile reduction of aromatic nitro/azido functionality on solid support employing Al/NiCl2·6H2O and Al/NH4Cl: synthesis of pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepines

An efficient and mild method for the reduction of aromatic nitro and azido groups on solid support using Al/NiCl₂·6H₂O and Al/NH₄Cl is described. This solid phase reduction technique has been applied towards the synthesis of DNA binding pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine antitumour antibiotics.     

Simulation of the Adhesion of Particles to Surfaces

The removal of micrometer and submicrometer particles from dielectric and metal films represents a challenge in postchemical mechanical polishing cleaning. Proper modeling of the adhesive force between contaminant particles and these films is needed to develop optimal solutions to postchemical mechanical polishing cleaning. We have previously developed and experimentally validated a model to describe the adhesion between spherical particles and thin films. This simulation expands previous models to characterize the adhesive interaction between asymmetrical particles, characteristic of a polishing slurry, and various films. Our simulation accounts for the contact area between particles and substrates, as well as the morphology of the surfaces. Previous models fail to accurately describe the contact of asymmetrical particles interacting with surfaces. By properly accounting for nonideal and geometry and morphology, the simulation predicts a more accurate adhesive force than predictions based upon an ideal van der Waals model. The simulation is compared to experimental data taken for both semi-ideal particle-substrate systems (polystyrene latex spheres in contact with silicon films) and asymmetrical systems (alumina particles in contact with various films). Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Benzyne cyclisation with carbanion activated aromatic rings1

Attempts to cyclise o-chlorophenyl benzyl ether, sulphide, sulphoxide and sulphone by treatment with KNH₂/NH₃ were unsuccessful. Similar reaction of 1-(o-chlorophenyl)-2,2-diphenylethane led to amination whereas α-(o-chlorobenzyl)phenylacetic acid gave a dihydrocoumarin. Reaction of 4- and 2-(o-chlorophenethyl)-pyridines, however, afforded products comprising benzisoquinolines and 1-pyridylbenzocyclobutenes.     

Redox reactions in nonaqueous media : Determination of organoisothiocyanates and organoisocyanates

A simple and accurate method has been developed for the determination of organoisothiocyanates and organoisocyanates based on their quantitative reaction with n-butylamine in dimethylformamide medium to form substituted thioureas and ureas, respectively. The solution is mixed with 6 to 7 times its volume of acetonitrile and an excess of carbon disulphide, which converts the residual amine quantitatively into the corresponding n-butylammonium n-butyl dithiocarbamate. The determination is completed by titrating the resulting dithiocarbamate with iodine monobromide solution in acetonitrile. The end point is detected visually by the yellow color imparted to the solution by the first drop of oxidant solution in excess. The dithiocarbamates are quantitatively oxidized to the corresponding thiuram disulphides.