A concise asymmetric synthesis of torcetrapib

Optically active torcetrapib was synthesized in seven steps from achiral precursors without the need for protecting groups, utilizing an enantioselective aza-Michael reaction to achieve asymmetry.     

Pd on amine-terminated ferrite nanoparticles: a complete magnetically recoverable facile catalyst for hydrogenation reactions

[structure: see text]. The present communication reports a facile route for Pd(0) immobilization on the surface of amine-terminated Fe3O4 and NiFe2O4 nanoparticles for a series of hydrogenation reactions. The catalysts are completely recoverable with the simple application of an external magnetic field, and the efficiency of the catalyst remains unaltered even after 10 repeated cycles for each of the reactions.     

The Catalytic Asymmetric Abramov Reaction

The first catalytic enantioselective Abramov reaction is described. The process is based on the utilization of a chiral disulfonimide catalyst, which efficiently avoids the difficulties encountered with metal‐based catalysts. Several functionalized α‐hydroxy phosphonates were synthesized in good yields and with excellent enantiomeric ratios of up to >99:1. The process was shown to be scalable and up to 1 g of starting material could be employed under mild reaction conditions.     

The spatial patterns through diffusion-driven instability in a predator-prey model

Studies on stability mechanism and bifurcation analysis of a system of interacting populations by the combined effect of self and cross-diffusion become an important issue in ecology. In the current investigation, we derive the conditions for existence and stability properties of a predator-prey model under the influence of self and cross-diffusion. Numerical simulations have been carried out in order to show the significant role of self and cross-diffusion coefficients and other important parameters of the system. Various contour pictures of spatial patterns through Turing instability are portrayed and analysed in order to substantiate the applicability of the present model. Finally, the paper ends with an extended discussion of biological implications of our findings.     

Maintaining hand and improving fire resistance of cotton fabric through ultrasonication rinsing of multilayer nanocoating

Thin films of environmentally benign polyelectrolytes, cationic chitosan (CH) and anionic poly(sodium phosphate) (PSP), were deposited on cotton fabric via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly to reduce flammability. This CH–PSP nanocoating promotes charring of the cotton, rendering the fabric self-extinguishing. The coated fabric was rinsed in an ultrasonication bath between deposition steps to improve the softness (i.e., hand) of the coated fabric. Ultrasonication is believed to remove weakly adhered polyelectrolyte, preventing the fabric from becoming stiff, while improving anti-flammable behavior at a given coating weight. At 17 bilayers, only 9.1 wt% was added to the cotton, yet the coated cotton consistently passed vertical flame testing. Electron microscopy provides evidence of intumescence and confirms the cleaner deposition afforded by ultrasonication. The reduction in peak heat release rate and total heat release, as measured by micro cone calorimetry, were 73 and 81 % respectively, which is a new benchmark in LbL flame retardant coating on cotton. The mechanical properties of the fabric were measured using the Kawabata evaluation system, which showed that ultrasonication rinsing significantly improved the hand. The ability to render cotton fabric self-extinguishing, while maintaining a soft hand, marks a major milestone in the development of these environmentally-benign nanocoatings.     

Decoupled electrolysis for water splitting

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Hydrogen‐Bonded Organic Frameworks (HOFs): A New Class of Porous Crystalline Proton‐Conducting Materials

Two porous hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) based on arene sulfonates and guanidinium ions are reported. As a result of the presence of ionic backbones appended with protonic source, the compounds exhibit ultra‐high proton conduction values (σ) 0.75× 10^?2 S cm^?1 and 1.8×10^?2 S cm^?1 under humidified conditions. Also, they have very low activation energy values and the highest proton conductivity at ambient conditions (low humidity and at moderate temperature) among porous crystalline materials, such as metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). These values are not only comparable to the conventionally used proton exchange membranes, such as Nafion used in fuel cell technologies, but is also the highest value reported in organic‐based porous architectures. Notably, this report inaugurates the usage of crystalline hydrogen‐bonded porous organic frameworks as solid‐state proton conducting materials.     

Bimodal Functionality in a Porous Covalent Triazine Framework by Rational Integration of an Electron‐Rich and ‐Deficient Pore Surface

A porous covalent triazine framework (CTF) consisting of both an electron‐deficient central triazine core and electron‐rich aromatic building blocks is reported. Taking advantage of the dual nature of the pore surface, bimodal functionality has been achieved. The electron deficiency in the central core has been utilized to address one of the pertinent problems in chemical industries, namely separation of benzene from its cyclic saturated congener, that is, cyclohexane. Also, by virtue of the electron‐rich aromatic rings with Lewis basic sites, aqueous‐phase chemical sensing of a nitroaromatic compound of highly explosive nature (2,4,6‐trinitrophenol; TNP) has been achieved. The present compound supersedes the performance of previously reported COFs in both the aspects. Notably, this reports the first example of pore‐surface engineering leading to bimodal functionality in CTFs.     

Wang-aldehyde resin as a recyclable support for the synthesis of alpha,alpha-disubstituted amino acid derivatives

Merrifield resin was functionalised with hydroxybenzaldehyde under microwave irradiation. The resultant resin was used as a means for immobilisation and activation of alpha-amino acid esters for alkylation reactions. Alpha,alpha-disubstituted and cyclic amino acid esters were prepared in good yields.