Synthesis and stereochemistry of (3α)-6β,7β-dihydroxy- and 6β-hydroxy-8-alkyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3-spiro-5′-imidazoline-2′,4′-diones

The synthesis of 6β-hydroxy- and 6β,7β-dihydroxy-8-alkyl-8-azabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3-spiro-5′-hydantoins was stereoselectively achieved by Bucherer-Bergs reaction of the corresponding ketones. An α configuration on C₃ was proposed for all hydantoins on the basis of spectral data.     

Mechanochemically Triggered Topology Changes in Expanded Porphyrins

A hitherto unexplored class of molecules for molecular force probe applications are expanded porphyrins. This work proves that mechanical force is an effective stimulus to trigger the interconversion between Hückel and Möbius topologies in [28]hexaphyrin, making these expanded porphyrins suitable to act as conformational mechanophores operating at mild (sub-1 nN ) force conditions. A straightforward approach based on distance matrices is proposed for the selection of pulling scenarios that promote either the planar Hückel topology or the three lowest lying Möbius topologies. This approach is supported by quantum mechanochemical calculations. Force distribution analyses reveal that [28]hexaphyrin selectively allocates the external mechanical energy to molecular regions that trigger Hückel–Möbius interconversions, explaining why certain pulling scenarios favor the Hückel two-sided topology and others favor Möbius single-sided topologies. The meso-substitution pattern on [28]hexaphyrin determines whether the energy difference between the different topologies can be overcome by mechanical activation.     

Spectrophotometric determination of cadmium with uramyldiacetic acid

A procedure for the determination of cadmium(II) by uv spectrophotometry is proposed. This metal reacts at pH 6 with uramyldiacetic acid (UDA) to give a complex with a maximal absorbance at 265 nm and follows Beer's law in the range 0.12–3.6 μg Cd(II)/ml, the optimal interval being from 0.6 to 3.3 μg Cd(II)/ml. The sensitivity is 0.011 μg cm^?2. Through this study the stoichiometry of the chelate compound, interfering elements, and the reproducibility of the method were evaluated. The method has been applied to the determination of cadmium in biological samples and a white metal.     

Metal Nodes of Metal-Organic Frameworks can Activate Molecular Hydrogen

Hydrogenation of multiple bonds are among the most general and important organic reactions. Typical heterogeneous catalysts are based on transition metal nanoparticles, including noble metals. Data are presented here showing that metal nodes of MIL-101(Cr) and UiO-66 in the absence of occluded metal nanoparticles can promote hydrogenation of polarized X=Y double bonds of nitro and carbonyl groups. The catalytic activity is a function of the composition of the metal node and the organic linker. It is proposed that the reaction mechanism is based on the operation of frustrated Lewis acid/base pairs.     

Ionic Liquid Crystalline Calixarene with Photo-Switchable Proton Conduction

We have developed a new strategy for the preparation of a light-responsive ionic liquid crystal (LC) that shows photo-switchable proton conduction. The ionic LC consists of a bowl-shaped calix[4]arene core ionically functionalized with azobenzene moieties. The non-covalent architectures were obtained by the formation of ionic salts between the carboxylic acid group of an azo-derivative and the terminal amine groups of a calixarene core. The presence of ionic salts results in a hierarchical self-assembly process that extends to the formation of a nanostructured lamellar LC arrangement (smectic A phase). In this LC phase, the ionic LC calixarene is able to display proton conductive properties, since the ionic nanosegregated areas (formed by the ionic pairs) generate the continuous channels that favor proton transport. The optical and photo-responsive properties were studied by UV-Vis spectroscopy, demonstrating that the azobenzene moieties of the ionic LC undergo reversible (E)-to-(Z) isomerization by irradiation with UV light. Interestingly, this (E)-to-(Z) photoisomerization results in a decrease of the proton conductivity values since the bent-shaped (Z)-isomer disrupts the lamellar LC phase. This isomerization process is totally reversible and leads to an ionic LC material with unique photo-switchable proton conductive properties.     

Quotient rings and Fountain-Gould left orders by the local approach

We study Fountain-Gould left orders in semiprime rings coinciding with their socles by means of local rings at elements.     

Investigation on the Beckmann rearrangement reaction catalyzed by porous solids: MAS NMR and theoretical calculations

In the last years, ‘in situ’ solid-state NMR has been applied to investigate the Beckmann rearrangement of oximes into amides using zeolites and mesoporous materials of different structure containing Brønsted acids or silanol groups as active sites. DFT methods have been applied to model the geometry of the complexes resulting from adsorption of reactants, reaction intermediates and products on clusters representing the zeolite centers, and their ¹⁵N and ¹³C NMR chemical shift calculated theoretically. This article reviews the results reported in the bibliography on the Beckmann rearrangement of various oximes (acetophenone oxime, cyclohexanone oxime and cyclododecanone oxime) mainly using ‘in situ’ ¹⁵N NMR spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, and are compared with those obtained by ‘in situ’ infrared spectroscopy. The combination of experiment and theory has been shown to be very useful for the interpretation of the NMR spectra and the identification of the species present at different reaction temperatures.     

Solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of volatile compounds from avocado puree after microwave processing

Microwave processing offers an alternative to blanch fruits and vegetables, since the application of high temperature and short time often results in minimum damage. An experimental design was used to investigate the effect of microwave time, pH, and avocado leaves (independent variables) on avocado flavor (response) using solid-phase microextraction (SPME)-GC-MS. Among the fully characterized flavor volatiles, 19 compounds were derived from lipid oxidation and only 4 from the avocado leaves. The main components derived from lipids were aldehydes, ketones and alcohols. Terpenoids, estragole, and 2-hexenal [E] were volatiles derived from avocado leaves. When leaves were added to fresh and microwaved avocado terpenoids and 2-hexenal [E]/hexanal ratio increased, this behavior was considered to have a positive effect on the sensorial quality of the product. From the statistical analysis of the experimental design, it was possible to determinate that the most important factors influencing the abundance of flavor compounds derived from lipids were microwave time and pH. Maximum values of these compounds were detected at high levels of microwave time and low values of pH. On the other hand, response surface of terpenoids and estragole showed an increment when microwave time and avocado leaf was increased. The region of optimum response was 30 s microwave time, pH 5.5, and 1% of avocado leaf.     

Holographic phase-shift measurement during development of a fixed grating in lithium niobate crystals

We report what is believed to be the first direct measurement of the grating phase-shift evolution during white-light illumination for the development of a fixed grating in an Fe-doped lithium niobate crystal. Stabilized holographic recording is shown to be essential for such measurements. Experimental data are in good agreement with theory and allow computation of the relevant material parameters for the sample under analysis. The results are of the utmost relevance for understanding the advantageous behavior of oxidized samples in hologram fixing.