A novel synthesis of 3-cyanoindoles and a new route to indole-3-carboxylic acid derivatives

2-Alkyl-3-cyanoindoles are obtained when 1-alkylmethyl-2-chloro-(or 2-phenylsulfonyl)-3-phenylsulfonylindoles are reacted with excess azide ion (90°/DMF). The reaction is considered to occur by a fragmentation recombination process in which the Schiff's base $\text{12}$ is of central importance. This proposal is supported by the formation of 2-substituted indole-3-carboxylates $\text{17}$ from aldehydes and the α-phenylsulfonyl-$\text{o}$-aminophenylacetic acid ester derivative $\text{16}$.     

On the origin of optical activity in tris-diamine complexes of Co(III) and Rh(III): a simple model based on time-dependent density function theory

Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) is applied to the CD spectra of Lambda(deltadeltadelta)-(+)-[Co(S-pn)n(en)(3-n)]3+ (n = 1, 2, 3) and Lambda(deltadeltadelta)-(+)-[Co(en)3]3+ as well as the stereoisomers Delta-((delta)n(lambda)(3-n))-(-)-[Co(S-pn)n(en)(3-n)]3+ (n = 1, 2, 3) and Delta(deltadeltadelta)-(-)-[Co(en)3]3+. Theory is able to reproduce the major differences in the CD spectra of the species with a Lambda-configuration and their isomers with a Delta-configuration in both the d-d and ligand-to-metal CT region. It is further possible to rationalize the trend in terms of a larger azimuthal distortion away from the octahedral geometry in the Lambda-conformation compared to the Delta-configuration. Considerations were also given to the CD spectra of the lel3-isomer, Delta(lambdalambdalambda)-(-)-[Rh(R-pn)3]3+ and the ob-isomer, Lambda(lambdalambdalambda)-(+)-[Rh(S-pn)3]3+.     

High stability amperometric biosensor based on enzyme entrapment in microgels

The preparation and characterization of an amperometric glucose biosensor based on the entrapment of glucose oxidase (GOx) in a polyacrylamide microgel is described. This study proves that polyacrylamide microgels provide an excellent matrix for GOx immobilization that can be used as a biological material in amperometric biosensors. The interference produced by ascorbic and uric acid has been eliminated by including acrylic acid in the polymeric matrix. With this modification, we obtain an adequate device for glucose determination in complex samples such as blood and serum. The study of the temperature effect in the response of biosensors indicates that swelling of the microgels directly influences the enzymatic activity. Thus, the behaviour of the enzyme in the swollen microgels is similar to the enzyme in solution, but the enzyme's activation energy increases when the water content in the microgels decreases. One important property of these biosensors is their remarkable stability. After 4 months of its manufacture, there is no loss in the initial response. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of freeze-dried microgels containing enzyme remains unaltered for at least 18 months.     

Regioselective palladium-catalyzed alkylation of allylic halides with benzylic grignard reagents. Two-step synthesis of abietane terpenes and tetracyclic polyprenoid compounds

A highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed alpha-alkylation of allylic bromides 1a,c-e and chloride 1b with substituted and unsubstituted benzylic Grignard reagents is reported. The resulting all-trans polyenehomobenzene derivatives were obtained in excellent yields and regioselectivity. These products were easily converted to abietane-type diterpenes (10-12) and tetracyclic polyprenoid compounds (13, 14) through a Lewis acid-promoted cascade polyene cyclization reaction.     

Conformational mobility of thianthrene-5-oxide

[reaction: see text] Data on the apparent dipole moment of thianthrene-5-oxide (1) and (1)H NMR spectra in different solvents support the conformational mobility of 1, which flaps between two limit boat conformations with the sulfinyl group in pseudoequatorial and pseudoaxial positions, respectively. The conformational equilibrium of 1 occurs too fast for the (1)H NMR (500 MHz) time-scale even at -130 degrees C, and the equilibrium constant has not been determined. The apparent dipole moments of 1 in n-hexane and 1,4-dioxane and the (1)H NMR spectra of 1 and the model compounds cis- and trans-thianthrene-5,10-dioxides (2) and thianthrene (5) in different solvents and at various temperatures confirm that the relative position of the conformational equilibrium of 1 is solvent-dependent, and more polar solvents favor the conformation with the sulfoxide group in the pseudoaxial position (1(')(ax)). Variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectra have established the interconversion barrier of trans-2 and confirmed that the conformational equilibrium of cis-2 is strongly displaced toward the conformation with both sulfinyl groups in the pseudoequatorial position. The (1)H NMR data support the transannular interaction of the functional groups in 1 and trans-2.     

IAEA analytical quality assurance programmes to meet the present and future needs of developing countries

For many years the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has been promoting analytical quality assurance and quality control in its Member States with emphasis on measurands that are amenable to analysis by nuclear and related techniques, i.e. radionuclides, trace elements, and stable isotopes. This paper reviews briefly the rationale for some of these activities, particularly in relation to the needs of participants in developing countries arising out of co-ordinated research programmes, technical co-operation projects and global and regional networks. Emphasis is given to biological and environmental reference materials with a matrix of natural origin. Also described are some activities arising out of the requirements of ISO-25 and other relevant international quality standards.     

Thermodynamic properties of quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide derivatives: a combined experimental and computational study

The mean (N-O) bond dissociation enthalpies were derived for three 2-methyl-3-(R)-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (1) derivatives, with R = methyl (1a), ethoxycarbonyl (1b), and benzyl (1c). The standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous state at T = 298.15 K for the three 1 derivatives were determined from the enthalpies of combustion of the crystalline solids and their enthalpies of sublimation. In parallel, accurate density functional theory-based calculations were carried out in order to estimate the gas-phase enthalpies of formation for the corresponding quinoxaline derivatives. Also, theoretical calculations were used to obtain the first and second N-O dissociation enthalpies. These dissociation enthalpies are in excellent agreement with the experimental results herewith reported.     

Elucidation of the pore structure of SBA-2 using Monte Carlo simulation to interpret experimental data for the adsorption of light hydrocarbons

We have measured the adsorption of methane and ethane to high pressure on SBA-2, a structured mesoporous silica composed of spheres connected by narrow channels. The experimental data were analyzed by carrying out Monte Carlo simulations of adsorption in pore structure models of different complexity and then adjusting the parameters of the models to match the Monte Carlo results to the experimental data. We found that a model based on single-sized spherical cavities was inadequate and that it is necessary to explicitly account for the interconnecting channels. Further, we found that despite the basic regularity of the SBA-2 structure, it is necessary to allow for a distribution of the sizes of both the cavities and the channels. These size distributions were obtained by fitting the parameters of the model to the experimental adsorption data, revealing detailed structural information not previously known for this material. The channels were found to be 5-15 A in diameter, while the cavities were 40-50 A in diameter. There is some evidence that the distribution of channel sizes leads to a percolation effect whereby the pore structure is not equally accessible to all adsorptives.