A study into asymmetric Nicholas cyclisation reactions

Three systematic approaches have been employed to investigate asymmetric Nicholas reactions. We found that the use of a chiral N-enoyl derivative provided acceptable levels of selectivity for an intermolecular Nicholas reaction, however, we were unable to identify an auxiliary that could be utilized in an asymmetric conjugate addition and a tandem inter/intramolecular series of Nicholas reactions. The use of chiral pool non-racemic propargyl alcohols, derived from citronellal, provided enhanced levels of selectivity. As a result of these studies we developed a series of Nicholas cyclisations derived from chiral non-racemic salicylaldehyde derivatives. These underwent an extremely rapid and highly efficient cyclisation, under Nicholas conditions, to afford a range of benzopyrans. The adjacent stereogenic centres appear to be formed with high levels of stereocontrol.     

Mechanism of the oxidation-reduction of the MoVSbNbO catalyst: in operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electrical conductivity measurements

The mechanism of the oxidation-reduction of the MoVSbNbO catalyst has been studied in dynamic conditions using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and electrical conductivity measurements. XAS at Sb L1- and V/Mo K-edges permitted a better understanding of the chemical processes taking place in the M1 phase of the MoVSbNbO catalyst at different temperatures and atmosphere compositions. The reduction of antimony was already observed during the annealing of the M1 phase in He at 100 degrees C, which might be explained by the presence of hydrogen in the bronze-like structure of the M1 phase. Under operando conditions at 380 degrees C, we have found that Sb and V change their oxidation states depending on the C3H8/O2 ratio in the atmosphere. These changes occur simultaneously and with the same kinetics. Under the same conditions, variations in the oxidation state of Mo were not observed. These results prove that different types of oxygen (from the hexagonal channels and from the MO6 octahedral network) must be involved in the catalytic process although their relative contributions are different. It was found that the electrical conductance of the M1 phase correlates with the oxidation states of Sb and V and the concentration of oxygen vacancies.     

Characterization of iron promoter in tungstated zirconia catalysts by Mössbauer spectroscopy at very low temperatures

A tungstated zirconia (WZ) catalyst with iron promoter used for the conversion of n-pentane into isopentane has been characterized by M?ssbauer spectroscopy. The M?ssbauer spectra have been recorded in zero magnetic field in the temperature range 0.05-295 K and with a magnetic field up to 7 T between 4.2 and 50 K. Both the recording of M?ssbauer spectra with an applied magnetic field and at extremely low temperature allowed for the demonstration that iron is present in the catalysts as (i) hematite (alpha-Fe2O3) particles a few 10 nm in size, (ii) very small oligomeric Fe(III) species, probably in solid solution in zirconia, and (iii) Fe(III) oxide clusters showing magnetic ordering, probably embedded in the first surface layer and thus forming "rafts". These latter clusters form two ensembles with quite different sizes: one with diameters of about 3 nm, the other with diameters larger than 30 nm. These results are in agreement with those recently obtained by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance.     

Determination of artesunate using reversed‐phase HPLC at increased temperature and ELSD detection

Artesunate (ART) determination can be performed by evaporative light scattering detection with mobile phase composed of CH₃CN/HCOOH 0.01 M (40:60 v/v; pH 2.85). Evaporative light scattering detection instead of UV detection allowed to improve the sensitivity and the LOD. However, the evaporative light scattering detection response of dihydro‐artemisinin appears weaker than for ART, whereas with UV detection the response of ART and dihydroartemisinin seemed similar. Constant analysis time was obtained on using the mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min and column temperature at 60°C instead of 0.7 mL/min at room temperature. This led to less solvent consumption. Moreover, decrease in the flow rate and increase in the column temperature were advantageous for higher sensitivity with both evaporative light scattering detection and UV detection. ART determination in rectal gel and suppositories were compared with these different detection modes and similar results were obtained.     

Points of Positive Density for the Solution to a Hyperbolic SPDE

Using a slightly modified version of Aida–Kusuoka–Stroock's characterization of the points of strictly positive density for an arbitrary Wiener functional, we extend the theorem of Ben Arous–Léandre to solutions of hyperbolic SPDE's. Thus we show that the density f of the law of X_z is positive at y if and only if y can be achieved as S_z(h), where S(h) is the controlled equation corresponding to an element h of the Cameron–Martin space, and S(.)_z is a submersion at h. The proof depends on a convergence result for a sequence X^n, of perturbed processes (defined in terms of a non homogeneous linear interpolation of the Brownian sheet) to the solution X of the corresponding perturbed SPDE.     

Effects of Adsorbed Polyaniline on Redox Processes on As(2)O(3) Surfaces

Polyaniline deposited on As(2)O(3) surface resulted in a new material, which was characterized by infrared spectoscopy, thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry. The mass percentage of polymer deposited on oxide surface is approximately 13%. The scanning electron microscopy images as well as the X-ray diffraction patterns provided conclusive evidence that the oxide surface is coated by the polymer. The cyclic voltammograms of the polyaniline adsorbed on As(2)O(3) surface showed that the adsorbate exerts remarkable effects on redox processes on this oxide. The pure oxide exhibited two oxidation/reduction peaks at 0.25/-0.06 and 0.47/-0.25 V attributed tentatively to the processes As(2)O(3)(s)+6H(+)+6e(-)=2As(s)+3H(2)O and As(s)+3H(+)+3e(-)=AsH(3)(g), respectively. The polyaniline-coated sample exhibited a better-defined voltammogram in which the first oxidation peak of the oxide had its intensity increased about four times. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

A new spin probe of protein dynamics: nitrogen relaxation in 15N-2H amide groups

(15)N spin relaxation data have provided a wealth of information on protein dynamics in solution. Standard R(1), R(1)(rho), and NOE experiments aimed at (15)N[(1)H] amide moieties are complemented in this work by HA(CACO)N-type experiments allowing the measurement of nitrogen R(1) and R(1)(rho) rates at deuterated (15)N[(2)D] sites. Difference rates obtained using this approach, R(1)((15)N[(1)H]) - R(1)((15)N[(2)D]) and R(2)((15)N[(1)H]) - R(2)((15)N[(2)D]), depend exclusively on dipolar interactions and are insensitive to (15)N CSA and R(ex) relaxation mechanisms. The methodology has been tested on a sample of peptostreptococcal protein L (63 residues) prepared in 50% H(2)O-50% D(2)O solvent. The results from the new and conventional experiments are found to be consistent, with respect to both local backbone dynamics and overall protein tumbling. Combining several data sets permits evaluation of the spectral density J(omega(D) + omega(N)) for each amide site. This spectral density samples a uniquely low frequency (26 MHz at a 500 MHz field) and, therefore, is expected to be highly useful for characterizing nanosecond time scale local motions. The spectral density mapping demonstrates that, in the case of protein L, J(omega(D) + omega(N)) values are compatible with the Lipari-Szabo interpretation of backbone dynamics based on the conventional (15)N relaxation data.