Molecular composites in thermosets

The synthesis of molecular composites where rigid polymer molecules are reinforcing elements in a thermoset bisimide matrix has been investigated. The approach has been designed to avoid phase separation by selecting systems where reaction of amine-terminated rigid and semiflexible oligomers with maleimide unsaturation occurs prior to crosslinking of the thermoset. This objective has been met for some compositions. The concentration and molecular weight of the rigid oligomers have been varied. The structure of the reinforcing polymer, the reactivity of the maleimide and the conditions for composite synthesis are variables of critical importance, and further work must determine the promise and limitations of this approach.     

A single amino acid Gly-tag enables metal-free protein purification

Analytically pure proteins are indispensable for diverse applications, including therapeutics. Here, we report a methodology where a single amino acid, glycine, enables metal-free protein purification. This robust platform is enabled by a Gly-tag resin for site-specific capture, enrichment, and release through chemically triggered C–C bond dissociation by resonance-assisted electron density polarization.

Gly-tag resin precisely captures and releases a protein with one glycine at the N-terminus. The user-friendly protocol delivers analytically pure protein free of metal contaminants.     

A mild and efficient one-step synthesis of quinolines

2-Aminoaryl ketones undergo condensation with α-methylene ketones in the presence of a catalytic amount of Y(OTf)₃ at room temperature under mild conditions to afford the corresponding polysubstituted quinolines in excellent yields.     

Mechanistic study of osmium(VIII) promoted oxidation of crotonic acid by aqueous alkaline solution of potassium bromate

Kinetics and mechanism of the Os(VIII) catalysed oxidation of crotonic acid (CA) by KBrO₃ in alkaline medium have been investigated. Zero order dependence in [KBrO₃] was observed, while first order with respect to CA in its lower concentration range tends to zero order at its higher concentration range. The order in [Os(VIII)] was found to be unity and a positive effect of [OH⁻] was observed. Variation of the ionic strength (μ) and dielectric constant of the medium and addition of Hg(OAc)₂ (used as Br⁻ scavenger) had an insignificant effect on the rate of reaction. Thermodynamic parameters have also been calculated and reported. A suitable mechanism consistent with the observed kinetic results has been suggested and the related rate law deduced.     

Stability and thermodynamics of La(III)-, Pr(III)-, Nd(III)-, Gd(III)- and Eu(III)-p-nitrobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone systems

Three complexes containing bidentate N-2,3-dimethylphenylglycine, (2,3-HDPG), N-2,4-dimethylphenylglycine, (2,4-HDPG) and N-2-ethylphenylglycine, (2-HEPG) acids have been prepared and characterized. These compounds have the general formula Zn(2,3-DPG)₂·2 H₂O, Zn(2,4-DPG)₂ and Zn(2-EPG)₂·2 H₂O, respectively. The structure of the complexes as inferred from their chemistries have been found to be compatible with the infrared spectral data. The thermal behaviour of these complexes has been studied from their TG, DTG and DSC diagrams obtained in a dynamic atmosphere of pure air. Heats of dehydration have been calculated from DSC curves.     

Fluoride-induced nucleophilic (phenylthio)difluoromethylation of carbonyl compounds with [difluoro(phenylthio)methyl]trimethylsilane (TMS-CF2SPh)

A fluoride-induced nucleophilic (phenylthio)difluoromethylation method using TMS-CF₂SPh has been achieved. This new methodology efficiently transfers “PhSCF₂” group into both enolizable and non-enolizable aldehydes and ketones to give corresponding (phenylthio)difluoromethylated alcohols in good to excellent yields. Diphenyldisulfide can also be (phenylthio)difluoromethylated into PhSCF₂SPh in high yield. The reaction with methyl benzoate, however, gives only low yield of (phenylthio)difluoromethyl phenyl ketone. The above-obtained PhSCF₂-containing alcohols can be further transformed into difluoromethyl alcohols using an oxidation-desulfonylation procedure. This new type of nucleophilic (phenylthio)difluoromethylation methodology may have other potential applications in the medicinal and agrochemical fields.     

A model for surfactant distribution in latex coatings

The presence of surfactants in dried latex films can adversely affect the adhesive, water-resistant, and gloss properties, so investigating the surfactant distribution in latex coatings is of prime industrial relevance. Here we present a model that predicts the distribution of surfactant in a latex coating during the solvent evaporation stage. The conservation equation for surfactant during solvent evaporation is solved in the limit of infinite particle Peclet numbers, a dimensionless quantity giving the measure of relative magnitudes of evaporative to diffusive fluxes. A parametric analysis using the model reveals that the surfactant adsorption isotherm is the determining physical parameter. The model always predicts surfactant excesses at the top surface and either excess or depletion at the bottom surface depending on the isotherm. Uniform distributions are predicted for low surfactant Peclet numbers. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic probes on film surfaces conform to the behavior predicted by the model.     

A new sphingolipid from the gorgonian Junceella juncea of the Indian Ocean

A new sphingolipid, (2S,3R,4E)-1,3-dihydroxy-2-[(nonadecanoyl) amino]-octadec-4-ene (1) along with ubiquitous batyl alcohol is isolated from the gorgonian, Junceella juncea Pallas (Gorgonaceae) of the Indian Ocean. The structure of 1 is determined on the basis of 1H- and 13C-NMR, COSY, FABMS, and GC-EIMS experiments.     

Spectrophotometric determination of cobalt(II) in the presence of large amounts of iron with salicylaldehyde thiosemicarbazone

Cobalt(II) reacts instantaneously with the reagent at pH 5.0. The yellow complex has a molar absorptivity of 1.1 × 10⁴ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1. The method is applied to the determination of cobalt in steels after removal of iron with phosphate.     

Direct spectrophotometric method for the determination of cobalt with indane 1,2,3-trionetrioxime in aqueous medium

A simple, sensitive and selective Spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of cobalt using indane 1,2,3-trionetrioxime (ITT): The method is based on the colour reaction between ITT and cobalt(II) in sodium acetate-acetic acid buffer (pH 4.5–7.5) medium. The calibration graph for measurement at 320 nm is linear in the range 1.18–23.60g of cobalt per 25 ml, with molar absorptivity of 5.32×10⁴1mol^–1 cm^–1. The effect of interfering ions has been studied and the method was applied to the determination of cobalt in alloys, with good results.