Diels-Alder reactions of masked o-benzoquinones: new experimental findings and a theoretical study of the inverse electron demand case

Diels-Alder reactions of the masked o-benzoquinone (MOB) 2 with vinylene carbonate (3), the bicyclic derivatives 4, 5, and 6, and the intramolecular version of the 2-hydroxymethylfuran-MOB Diels-Alder reaction are described. In addition, a theoretical study of the Diels-Alder reactions of MOBs with enol and thioenol ethers is presented.     

Zr-Porphyrin Metal–Organic Framework as nanoreactor for boosting the formation of hydrogen clathrates

We report the first experimental evidence for rapid formation of hydrogen clathrates under mild pressure and temperature conditions within the cavities of a zirconium-metalloporphyrin framework, specifically PCN-222. PCN-222 has been selected for its 1D mesoporous channels, high water-stability, and proper hydrophilic behavior. Firstly, we optimize a microwave (MW)-assisted method for the synthesis of nanosized PCN-222 particles with precise structure control (exceptional homogeneity in morphology and crystalline phase purity), taking advantage of MW in terms of rapid/homogeneous heating, time and energy savings, as well as potential scalability of the synthetic method. Second, we explore the relevance of the large mesoporous 1D open channels within the PCN-222 to promote the nucleation and growth of confined hydrogen clathrates. Experimental results show that PCN-222 drives the nucleation process at a lower pressure than the bulk system (1.35 kbar vs 2 kbar), with fast kinetics (minutes), using pure water, and with a nearly complete water-to-hydrate conversion. Unfortunately, PCN-222 cannot withstand these high pressures, which lead to a significant alteration of the mesoporous structure while the microporous network remains mainly unchanged.     

SSZ-23: An Odd Zeolite with Pore Openings of Seven and Nine Tetrahedral Atoms

Single-crystal X-ray diffraction with synchrotron radiation enabled the structure of microcrystalline SSZ-23 (see drawing on the right), the first zeolite with channels bounded by seven- and nine-membered rings, to be solved.     

Hydrophobic dendrimers as templates for au nanoparticles

We report the synthesis, characterization, and extraction of Au dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) prepared in organic solvents. DENs composed of 31 and 55 Au atoms were prepared using organic solvents and poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer templates modified on their periphery with dodecyl groups. The spectral and microscopic properties of the resulting materials were identical to those prepared using water-soluble PAMAM dendrimers. It was possible to extract the organic-soluble DENs into water using the water-soluble thiols tiopronin and glutathione. The properties of the resulting monolayer-protected clusters were nearly identical to those of the precursor DENs. A mechanistic model for the extraction process is discussed. The synthetic methodology reported here provides a convenient method for preparing DENs of non noble metals such as Ni and Fe.     

A kinetic study of the autocatalytic permanganate oxidation of formic acid

The kinetics of the permanganate oxidation of formic acid in aqueous perchloric acid has been studied. The results indicate that this reaction is autocatalyzed by both manganese(II) ion (formed as a reaction product) and colloidal manganese dioxide (formed as an intermediate). The apparent rate constants corresponding to the noncatalytic and autocatalytic reaction pathways are given, respectively, by the following equations The activation energies associated with the true rate constants, ??, ??, ??, ??, ??, and ?? are 37.2, 62.5, 70.9, 52.5, 40.8, and 59.9 kJ mol^?1, respectively. The percentage of the total reaction corresponding to each pathway is given for typical experimental conditions. Mechanisms in agreement with the kinetic data are proposed for the six different reaction pathways observed.     

Instrumental factors influencing absorption measurements for fluid food color determination

The differences in color coordinates obtained from the use of different spectral features in the calculation are studied. Seven groups of food (olive oil, vanilla milkshake, brandy, honey, grape juice, vinegar, and orange juice) and an anthocyanin petunidin solution (natural pigment present in several vegetables) with different pH values were selected. Tristimulus values were calculated by considering the different sources of errors (truncation, abridgement, or different bandwidths). Results obtained were corrected by using the methods recommended (see References). These methods of abridgment work well in general, although in some circumstances (20 nm bandwidth or larger), specific spectral weighting functions have to be used to obtain a negligible error. Therefore, it is interesting to know how much difference can be expected from those factors in order to avoid confusion between color differences attributable to instruments and those attributable to actual color changes.     

Ammonium detoxifying activity is maintained after 72 hours of cold preservation of rat hepatocytes in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution

The ammonium removal efficiency (ARE) and cell viability was investigated in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes exposed to increasing ammonium loads (0.1-2.0 mM). No difference was observed in both ARE and cell viability at the different ammonium concentrations tested. Storage of hepatocytes at 0 degrees C for 72 hours inhibited ammonium removal and urea synthesis. Rewarming of cells at 37 degrees C for 120 min was followed by an ARE fully comparable to freshly isolated hepatocytes. These data indicated that cold preservation of rat hepatocytes for 3 days in UW followed by a rewarming is associated with normal ammonium detoxification efficiency.     

Synthesis of enantiopure 3-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octen-7-one derivatives via intramolecular Pauson-Khand cycloaddition reaction using tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal as starting material

Some N-substituted-3-azabicyclo[3.3.0]octen-7-one derivatives have been synthesized in an enantiomerically pure form starting from tri-O-acetyl-D-glucal via intramolecular Pauson-Khand (IPK) cycloaddition.