Noscapine-derived β-amino alcohols as new organocatalysts for enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aldehydes

In this paper, synthesis of two derivatives of noscapine and their application as organocatalysts in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes is reported. The first catalyst (2) was synthesized by the reduction of lactone ring of noscapine to form the corresponding diol, and the second one (3) was prepared by tert-butyl dimethyl silylation of the primary hydroxyl group of 2. Excellent yields and high ees up to 95% were obtained by using 3 as the catalyst. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the application of lactone ring opened noscapinoid compounds as organocatalysts in asymmetric reactions.     

Eco-friendly synthesis of pyrimidines and its derivatives: A review on broad spectrum bioactive moiety with huge therapeutic profile

Among all heterocyclic compounds, pyrimidine is of prime interest, exhibit broad spectrum of biological activities, because of its occurrence in deoxyribonucleic acid bases. The bioactive moiety pyrimidine has a voluminous therapeutic profile as it is a vital component of a series of natural composites and chemotherapeutic drugs. Since from last 50–60 years, this motif has been used commendably against bacterial, tuberculosis viral, malarial, fungal, and cancerous contagions. Recently, numerous pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized and discussed here, fused with other heterocyclic moieties, pyrazole, coumarine, triazole, alkenyloxindole, hydrazine and others, were also investigated for their bioactivities. Amid all recently reported compounds, several exhibit potentials against breast cancer cell lines. Intensive research has been performed and is going ahead with distinctive emphasis on antineoplastic potential of pyrimidine. These widespread medicinal attributes impulse scientists to synthesize more and more biologically active pyrimidine composites by following simple and eco-friendly routes.     

Urea enzymatic hydrolysis reaction: optimization by response surface methodology based on potentiometric measurements

The enzymatic hydrolysis reaction of urea by urease is optimized in this work by the chemometric response surface methodology (RSM), based on an initial rate potentiometric measurement using an NH(4)(+) ion-selective electrode (ISE). In this investigation, the ranges of critical variables determined by a preliminary "one at a time" (OVAT) procedure were used as input for the subsequent RSM chemometric analysis. The RSM quadratic response was found to be quite appropriate for modeling and optimization of the hydrolysis reaction as illustrated by the relatively high value of the determination coefficient (R(2)=90.1%), along with the satisfactory results obtained by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). All the evaluated analytical characteristics of the optimized method such as: the linear calibration curve, the upper and lower detection limits, the within-day precisions at low and at high levels, the assay recovery in pool serum media, along with the activation kinetic parameters, were also reported. Further, in order to check the quality of the optimization and the validity of the model, the assay of urea, both in aqueous laboratory and human serum samples, were performed. It has to be noted that the kinetic initial rate measurement method used in this work, permitted to overcome the general problem of NH(4)(+) ISE low selectivity against Na(+) and K(+) interfering ions in real samples.     

Water-oil core-shell droplets for electrowetting-based digital microfluidic devices

Digital microfluidics based on electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) has recently emerged as one of the most promising technologies to realize integrated and highly flexible lab-on-a-chip systems. In such EWOD-based digital microfluidic devices, the aqueous droplets have traditionally been manipulated either directly in air or in an immiscible fluid such as silicone oil. However, both transporting mediums have important limitations and neither offers the flexibility required to fulfil the needs of several applications. In this paper, we report on an alternative mode of operation for EWOD-based devices in which droplets enclosed in a thin layer of oil are manipulated in air. We demonstrate the possibility to perform on-chip the fundamental fluidic operations by using such water-oil core-shell droplets and compare systematically the results with the traditional approach where the aqueous droplets are manipulated directly in air or oil. We show that the core-shell configuration combines several advantages of both the air and oil mediums. In particular, this configuration not only reduces the operation voltage of EWOD-based devices but also leads to higher transport velocities when compared with the manipulation of droplets directly in air or oil.     

Selective and efficient oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate in the presence of a catalytic amount of KBr or NaBr

A wide range of aliphatic or aromatic sulfides are selectively oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides using ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate (CAN) and a catalytic amount of KBr or NaBr in the presence of wet SiO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ under heterogeneous conditions in moderate to high yields.     

Selective and efficient oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate in the presence of a catalytic amount of KBr or NaBr

A wide range of aliphatic or aromatic sulfides are selectively oxidized to the corresponding sulfoxides using ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate (CAN) and a catalytic amount of KBr or NaBr in the presence of wet SiO₂ in CH₂Cl₂ under heterogeneous conditions in moderate to high yields. Correspondence: Mohammad Ali Zolfigol, Faculty of Chemistry, Bu-Ali Sina University, P.O. Box 6517838683, Hamadan, Iran; Kamal Amani, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Kurdistan, P.O. Box 6617715175, Sanandaj, Iran.     

One-pot synthesis of functionalized thioureas by reaction of benzoyl isothiocyanates, secondary amines, and alkyl propiolates

An efficient one-pot synthesis of functionalized thioureas is described via three-component reaction of benzoyl isothiocyanates, secondary amines, and alkyl propiolates in the presence of triphenylphosphine (20 mol%). Correspondence: Issa Yavari, Chemistry Department, Tarbiat Modares University, PO Box 14115-175, Tehran, Iran     

Efficient synthesis of functionalized 2,5-dihydrofurans and 1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones by reaction of isocyanides with activated acetylenes in the presence of hexachloroacetone

Isocyanides react smoothly with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of hexachloroacetone to produce dimethyl 5-[alkyl(aryl)imino]-2,2-bis(trichloromethyl)-2,5-dihydro-furan-3,4-dicarboxylates in high yields. When the reaction was performed with dibenzoylacetylene, 3-benzoyl-1-alkyl-4-chloro-5-hydroxy-5-phenyl-1,5-dihydro-2H-pyrrol-2-ones were obtained.     

Copper-catalyzed arylation of phenylurea using KF/Al2O3

A mild and efficient method for the copper-catalyzed arylation of phenylurea is described. The coupling reaction of phenylurea with different functionalized aryl iodides in the presence of air stable CuI, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine as a ligand, and KF/Al₂O₃ as a base gives symmetrical and unsymmetrical diarylureas in relatively high yields.     

Surface Properties of Low Density Polyethylene upon Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment with Various Gases

The surface of a LDPE was modified by Ar, O₂, N₂, CO₂ gaseous plasma. The changes in surface morphology and surface wettability were investigated using AFM and SEM. The surface chemical changes of LDPE were also characterized by FTIR-ATR. The SEM and AFM results demonstrated variable changes in surface roughness for different types of plasma gas used, the changes being more for the Ar and N₂ plasma treatments. Considering the nature of the LDPE film, XRD studies were carried out to determine changes in the percentage crystalinity. The results showed that all low pressure O₂, Ar, N₂, CO₂ gas plasmas improved the wettability of LDPE films. Contact angles decreased significantly depending on the discharge powers and exposure times. Surface morphology was also found to vary with plasma discharge powers, exposure times, and the type of gas being used. Ar and N₂ gas plasmas in general produced more superior results.