Studies of methoxymethyl-directed metalation

To explore the use of methoxymethyl groups to elaborate simple benzenoid precursors to more complex polyketide-derived natural products, the reaction of phenolmetoxymethyl ether $\text{ortho}$-anion was investigated with a number of electrophiles.     

A symmetry-adapted method for the determination of the lattice energy and properties of ionic crystals

An efficient symmetry-adapted algorithm is described for the calculation of the elastic and dielectric properties of perfect ionic crystals.     

The stereochemistry of cyclisation of n-t-butyldihydrocinnamamide to a β-lactam

Using a stereospecifically labelled precursor, the peroxide catalysed cyclisation of N-$\text{t}$-butyldihydrocinnamamide to the corresponding β-lactam was shown to proceed with complete loss of stereochemistry at the benzylic carbon atom.     

A new ac electrospray mechanism by Maxwell-Wagner polarization and capillary resonance

We report a new high-frequency (>10 kHz) ac electrospray that is capable of generating micron-sized electroneutral drops. Unlike its dc counterpart, the drops are not ejected continuously from a sharp Taylor cone but intermittently from a resonating meniscus at the orifice. We attribute the resonant frequency to the capillary-inertia vibration time of the meniscus and the drop ejection to the Maxwell-Wagner electric stress at the drop tip, which is observed to reverse its direction across a crossover frequency. Above this frequency, the oppositely directed Maxwell-Wagner force causes the liquid to recede up the microneedle as an apparent electrowetting effect.