An organocatalytic Michael-aldol cascade: formal [3+2] annulation to construct enantioenriched spirocyclic oxindole derivatives

An efficient organocatalytic Michael-aldol cascade reaction for the asymmetric synthesis of spirocyclic oxindole derivatives fused with tetrahydrothiophenes has been developed through a formal [3+2] annulation strategy.     

Saponins with neuroprotective effects from the roots of Pulsatilla cernua

Four new oleanene-type triterpenoid saponins together with six known saponins were isolated from the roots of Pulsatilla cernua and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 2D NMR spectra and chemical evidence. Among these one of the aglycones (gypsogenin) is reported for the first time from this genus. Some of these compounds showed significant neuroprotective effects against the cytotoxicity induced by β-amyloid(25-35) (Aβ(25-35)) on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.     

Effect of Zr/Ce molar ratio on the structure of powders and Zr1−x Ce x O2 coatings on quartz fiber reinforced polyimide matrix composites via sol–gel process

In this investigation, Zr_1−x Ce _x O₂ coatings were fabricated on quartz fiber reinforced polyimide matrix composites via sol–gel process at 400 °C. The phase evolution, structural and morphological characteristic of specimens were investigated by differential scanning calorimetric, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The significant phase evolution of final powders with the decreasing Zr/Ce molar ratio could be observed as follows: tetragonal (t′) → cubic + tetragonal (t′) → tetragonal (t″). BET specific surface areas of powders exhibited a decreased tendency with the increasing calcination temperature as well as the decreasing Zr/Ce molar ratio. The average crystallite size and the mean particle size increased with the elevated calcination temperature, while the particle size also increased with the increase in Ce content. The progressive addition of Ce could promote the sintering process and the densification of coating. Morphologies of coatings changed with the variation of the Zr/Ce molar ratio. The results indicate that Zr_0.75Ce_0.25O₂ coating with the Zr/Ce molar ratio of 3 is a stable uniform coating with excellent adhesion.     

Extraction and determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in water and urine samples using solidified floating organic drop microextraction along with high performance liquid chromatography

We have developed a method, termed solidification of floating organic drop microextraction (SFOME), for the extraction of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in water and urine samples, this followed by quantification via HPLC. This method requires very small quantities of organic solvent consumption. It is based on exposing a floating solidified drop of an organic solvent on the surface of aqueous solution in a sealed vial. The organic drop is easily collected with a spatula, molten (at ambient temperature), and then submitted to HPLC. Experimental parameters including extraction solvent and its volume, disperser solvent and its volume, extraction time, ionic strength, stirring speed and extraction temperature were optimized. The enrichment factors of analytes are in the range from 921 to 1,462, and acceptable extraction recoveries (92%–118%) are obtained. The dynamic linear range for five PBDE congeners is in the range of 0.5–75?μg.L^?1 and from 5 to 500?μg.L^?1 for BDE 209. The correlation coefficients range from 0.9960 to 0.9999. The limits of detection (at S/N?=?3) for PBDE congeners vary between 0.01 and 0.04?μg.L^?1. This method has been successfully applied to detecting PBDEs in two environmental waters and in human urine.

Tunable protic ionic liquids as solvent-catalysts for improved synthesis of multiply substituted 1,2,4-triazoles from oxadiazoles and organoamines

More than green alternatives to traditional volatile molecular organic solvents, protic ionic liquids as dual solvent-catalysts have been successfully used to promote reactions of organoamines with oxadiazoles to afford sterically hindered 1,2,4-triazoles. Among the tested protic ionic liquids, pyridinium trifluoroacetate and acetate showed the highest efficiency for the reactions of arylamines and alkylamines, respectively, indicating that tunable catalysis could be readily effected with protic ionic liquid solvent-catalysts by simply tuning their cation and anion counterparts. A general and efficient approach has been developed for synthesis of multiply substituted 1,2,4-triazoles based on the tunable protic ionic liquid solvent-catalyst systems.     

Synthesis,electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of pyrazolino[60]fullerene–1,8-naphthalimide fluorescent derivatives

A series of pyrazolino[60]fullerene–1,8-naphthalimide (Pz[60]–NI) fluorescent derivatives were synthesized in one pot by a [3+2] dipolar cycloaddition between C₆₀ and functionalized hydrazones in good yield. In contrast with 4-aziridino[60]fullerene–1,8-naphtalimide dyads, Pz[60]–NI derivatives present stronger fluorescence intensity. Electrochemical study revealed that Pz[60]–NI presents better electron accepting character than the parent C₆₀. The natural bond orbital of the dyads were calculated using density functional theory method and found that the sp3 nitrogen atom in the pyrazoline ring plays a key role in the charge transfer process.     

On some inequalities for unitarily invariant norms and singular values

In this note, we improve and generalize some existing inequalities for unitarily invariant norms and singular values, and present some other inequalities for unitarily invariant norms.     

Effects of Ti content on the optical and structural properties of the Ti-doped ZnO nanoparticles

This study investigates the effect of Ti content on the optical and structural properties of the Ti-doped ZnO (Ti_xZn_1?xO) nanoparticles by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence and Raman scattering measurements. A dependence of luminescent properties and crystal structure upon Ti content has been found. The band-edge-luminescence (BEL) intensity of Ti_0.10Zn_0.90O at room temperature was nearly 1.7 times higher than that of ZnO. The enhanced BEL intensity is attributed to a decrease in the oxygen-vacancy density. However, the lower BEL intensity of Ti_0.15Zn_0.85O than Ti_0.10Zn_0.90O is attributed to an increase in the probability of nonradiative recombination. In addition, the intensity of the x-ray diffraction peaks remarkably decreases with increasing Ti content, suggesting weakened crystallinity.     

Controlled synthesis of luminescent CuInS2 nanocrystals and their optical properties

Luminescent CuInS₂ nanocrystals have been synthesized in dodecanethiol using air-stable precursors. The nanocrystals were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The optical properties of the CuInS₂ nanocrystals can be controlled by changing the reaction conditions, such as reaction time, temperature, and addition of ligands. It was found that the steady-state photoluminescence spectrum of the close-packed CuInS₂ nanocrystals on glass substrate peaked at longer wavelength than that of the colloidal ones and the close-packed nanocrystals possessed a shorter luminescence decay time. This behavior was explained on the basis of Förster resonant energy transfer due to the shorter distance between nanocrystals on substrate.     

Promising oxonitridosilicate phosphor host Sr3Si2O4N2: synthesis, structure, and luminescence properties activated by Eu2+ and Ce3+/Li+ for pc-LEDs

A novel oxonitridosilicate phosphor host Sr(3)Si(2)O(4)N(2) was synthesized in N(2)/H(2) (6%) atmosphere by solid state reaction at high temperature using SrCO(3), SiO(2), and Si(3)N(4) as starting materials. The crystal structure was determined by a Rietveld analysis on powder X-ray and neutron diffraction data. Sr(3)Si(2)O(4)N(2) crystallizes in cubic symmetry with space group Pa ?3, Z = 24, and cell parameter a = 15.6593(1) ?. The structure of Sr(3)Si(2)O(4)N(2) is constructed by isolated and highly corrugated 12 rings which are composed of 12 vertex-sharing [SiO(2)N(2)] tetrahedra with bridging N and terminal O to form three-dimensional tunnels to accommodate the Sr(2+) ions. The calculated band structure shows that Sr(3)Si(2)O(4)N(2) is an indirect semiconductor with a band gap ≈ 2.84 eV, which is close to the experimental value ≈ 2.71 eV from linear extrapolation of the diffuse reflection spectrum. Sr(3-x)Si(2)O(4)N(2):xEu(2+) shows a typical emission band peaking at ~600 nm under 460 nm excitation, which perfectly matches the emission of blue InGaN light-emitting diodes. For Ce(3+)/Li(+)-codoped Sr(3)Si(2)O(4)N(2), one excitation band is in the UV range (280-350 nm) and the other in the UV blue range (380-420 nm), which matches emission of near-UV light-emitting diodes. Emission of Sr(3-2x)Si(2)O(4)N(2):xCe(3+),xLi(+) shows a asymmetric broad band peaking at ~520 nm. The long-wavelength excitation and emission of Eu(2+) and Ce(3+)/Li(+)-doped Sr(3)Si(2)O(4)N(2) make them attractive for applications in phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes.