A comparison of electronic properties of various modifications of graphite

We have investigated various electronic band structures for different graphite modifications using the extended tight binding method. The specific crystal structures studied are the two naturally occurring graphite modifications (Bernal and rhombohedral), and a hypothetical configuration where the carbon atoms in consecutive layers are directly above each other. The latter structure has not been observed in pure graphite, but it is the backbone structure for different stages of intercalated graphite, e.g. Li-graphite compounds LiC_n. On comparing band structures for various graphite modifications we find important differences in the π-bands close to the Fermi energy, the region dominating transport and low energy excitation properties.     

The Baylis-Hillman chemistry in aqueous media: elucidation of mechanism for synthesis of ether side-product leads to an efficient approach to C-O bond formation

The formation of an ether from the Baylis-Hillman (BH) adduct during the BH reaction of 5-isoxazolecarboxaldehydes is a common phenomenon if the reaction is allowed to proceed for longer periods. The amount of formation of such ethers depends on the acrylates used and is most significant for tert-butyl acrylates. A study of the plausible mechanism for the formation of these side-products led to reactions of acetates of BH adducts with phenol in aqueous media to yield the corresponding 3-phenoxy alk-2-enoates in good yields. The successful translation of solution phase methodology to solid phase for application towards combinatorial chemistry is discussed.