Some aspects of plasma polymerization investigated by pulsed R.F. discharge

The polymerization of organic compounds in glow discharge (plasma polymerization) was investigated by using pulsed R.F. discharge (100 μsec on, 900 μsec off). The effects of pulsed discharge on polymer deposition rate, pressure change in plasma, ESR signals of free spins in both plasma polymer and substrate, and the contact angle of water on the plasma polymer surface were investigated for various organic compounds. The results are correlated to the mechanisms of polymer formation in plasma (plasma polymerization) which has been postulated as repeating processes of stepwise (propagation) reactions. The effect of the pulse is different from one group of organic compounds to another depending on whether or not they contain an olefinic double bond and/or a triple bond. The main difference seems to be the addition polymerization which can occur exclusively during the off-period of pulsed discharge. Ultraviolet emission from pulsed discharge is much less than from continuous discharge. Consequently, the fragmentation of the monomer and the free-radical formation in the substrate are less with the pulsed discharge. Properties of polymers from some organic compounds formed in continuous and in pulsed discharge were found to be significantly different, and the differences were postulated from the changes of polymerization mechanisms in the pulsed discharge.     

Evaluation of heats of transition in scanning calorimetry

A procedure for the evaluation of heats of transition in scanning calorimetry has been developed. A formula for evaluation of the energy of fusion of a compound at its melting point is derived that takes into account the baseline shift that is attributable to the heat capacity change on melting. Several other calorimeter parameters of importance are discussed. These include heat exchange between calorimeter vessel and jacket, the time constant of the instrument, the scanning rate, and the heater placement.     

The dielectric constant and salt effects upon the acid hydrolysis of ethyl formate

The hydrolysis of ethyl formate catalysed by hydrochloric acid was studied at three temperatures in water-acetone media and in water media containing different concentrations of sodium nitrate. The effect of various ionic strengths and dielectric constants upon the rate of acid hydrolysis of ethyl formate is presented from the point of electrostatics and the results were compared to like effects upon the acid hydrolysis of ethyl acetate and methyl propionate. Neither the dielectric constant effect nor the salt effect lends itself readily to theoretical interpretation. It was assumed that a partial explanation of these anomalous results might be in the extrapolation of the acid radical to the simplest carboxylic acid. This suggestion was supported somewhat by the trends towards less adherance to the electrostatic theory at certain temperatures in the series methyl propionate, ethyl acetate and ethyl formate.     

3H-Indol-3-ols by a novel ring contraction

Treatment of α-hydroxy-α-phenyl-o-toluidide with phosphorus tribromide afforded a series of 4H-3,1-benzoxazines. These last, when reacted with potassium amide in liquid ammonia, ring contracted to 2,3-disubstituted 3H-indol-3-ols. The scope of this rearrangement was examined. The indolols on treatment with hot base were found to rearrange to indoxyls. Several of these as well as their N-alkylation products are described.     

Spin trapping chemistry of sodium 2-sulfonatophenyl t-butyl nitrone . a negatively charged water-soluble spin trap

A new water-soluble negatively charged spin trap, sodium 2-sulfonatophenyl $\text{t}$-butyl nitrone is described.     

ROSEOFLAVIN AS A BLUE LIGHT RECEPTOR ANALOG: SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract— The blue light absorption band of roseoflavin is polarized along the axis roughly connecting N₃-C₈ positions. A weak, second π→π* transition with a polarization angle of ca. 25° is hidden under the short wavelength side of the blue absorption band. The excited state of roseoflavin is somewhat more basic than the ground state, by a 1.5 p K _a unit. The fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime of roseoflavin are substantially lower than those of other flavins, thus making it kinetically less efficient as a blue light photoreceptor.     

Uses and analyses of curtin-hammett/winstein-holness systems involving second order reactions

The Curtin-Hammett (C-H) principle and the Winstein-Holness (W-H) equation approximate the product ratio and overall rate constant of reaction for systems involving a starting material which exists in two forms, each of which reacts via first-order kinetics to give a different product. The C-H/W-H approximations are valid when the rates of isomer interconversion are significantly faster than the rates of product formation. The present treatment encompasses non-first-order reactions to product. A numerical predictor-corrector technique is used to show (1) that relative reagent concentration can affect both the product ratio and the observed rates of product formation; (2) that the absolute concentration of reagent and substrate can affect the kinetics; and (3) that factors (1) and (2) above can affect the validity of the C-H/W-H approximations for non-first-order C-H/W-H schemes.     

Combinatorial enantiomeric separation of diverse compounds using capillary array electrophoresis

Combinatorial chiral separations were performed on a 96-capillary array electrophoresis system. A comprehensive enantioseparation protocol employing neutral and sulfated cyclodextrins as chiral selectors for common basic, neutral and acidic compounds was developed. By using only four judiciously chosen separation buffers, successful enantioseparations were achieved for 49 out of 54 test compounds spanning a large variety of pK and structures. Therefore, unknown compounds can be screened in this manner to identify the optimal enantioselective conditions in just one run.     

Thermodynamic equilibration of dihydropyridone enolates: application to the total synthesis of (+/−)-epiuleine

Following 1,4-reduction of 2-substituted dihydropyridones (1), the requisite ‘kinetic’ enolate can be isomerized upon warming to allow the isolation of the thermodynamic enolate as its vinyl triflate (3). This enolate interconversion is dependent on the dihydropyridone C-2 substituent and can be interpreted in terms of conformational analysis. This novel scaffold (3) opens another avenue for the strategic deployment of dihydropyridones into both natural product synthesis and drug discovery. To this end, this method is highlighted by its use as a key step in a total synthesis of (+/−) epiuleine (14).