Microwave-Assisted Preparation of Trifluoroacetaldehyde (Fluoral): Isolation and Applications

A novel method for the preparation of trifluoroacetaldehyde (fluoral, TFAc, CF₃CHO) from commercially available trifluoroacetaldehyde ethylhemiacetal (TFAE) by microwave irradiation is described. The isolation, characterization and reaction of fluoral with various nucleophiles were studied to verify the diverse applicability of this new method.     

Synthesis of octahydroquinolines through the Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of vinyl allenes and imines

The reaction of vinyl allenes with imines under Lewis acid catalysis has been explored. Vinyl allenes in which the allenic portion of the molecule is tri- or tetrasubstituted gave octahydroquinoline derivatives as single isomers together with a minor compound formed by an ene reaction of the imine with the allene. Compounds in which the allene is 1,3-disubstituted do not react under the conditions assayed.     

Optimisation and validation of an automated solid phase extraction technique coupled on-line to enzyme-based biosensor detection for the determination of phenolic compounds in surface water samples

Summary A fully integrated screening system for phenolic compounds was developed incorporating on-line solid phase extraction, fractionation and biosensor detection. Two different types of biosensors, solid graphite and carbon paste electrodes incorporating the enzyme tyrosinase, were compared and used in the screening system. Interfacing of the solid phase extraction and fractionation with the biosensor detection was given special attention since the biosensors were not compatible with the organic modifier used for desorption of phenols from the solid phase extraction step. The system was validated with conventional analytical techniques. Surface water samples from the Ebro river were spiked with 1,10, and 25g L^–1 of catechol, phenol,p-cresol, respectively. Three out of seven samples were spiked and the correct samples were identified, containing phenols equivalent to the spiked concentrations.     

Influence of γ-radiation on the properties of Langmuir-Blodgett films of poly (3-hexadecylthiophene) in interaction with selected environment-polluting gases

The influence of -radiation on the electric properties of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films of partially iodine-doped poly-(3-hexadecylthiophene) and stearic acid in interaction with selected environment-polluting gases has been studied. CO₂, CO and NO₂ increase the LB films conductivity and NO has a tendency to decrease the electric conductivity. The influence of -radiation was expressive onyl in the case of CO₂, whereas NO₂ brought about degradation of the conductive polymer.     

Analysis of steroids. XLI. Ion-pair high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of quaternary ammonium steroids on silica.

A normal-phase ion-pair chromatographic system has been developed for the high-performance liquid chromatographic investigation of pipecuronium bromide (2 beta,16 beta-bis-(N'-dimethyl-l-piperazinyl)-3 alpha,17 beta-diacetoxy-5 alpha-androstane dibromide) and related quaternary ammonium steroids. The use of silica as the stationary phase and a 96:4 mixture of acetonitrile and water containing 0.1 mol/dm3 sodium perchlorate as the eluent with detection at 213 nm enable the potential impurities as well as the hydrolytic and oxidative degradation products of pipecuronium bromide to be separated and detected down to the 0.01% level. The above system is also applicable to the high-performance liquid chromatographic investigation of other quaternary ammonium steroids (pancuronium bromide, vecuronium bromide).     

Spectroscopic and photochemical properties of the lichen compound lobaric acid

Lichens synthesize and accumulate photoprotective compounds against possible damage induced by UV radiation in the photobiont. A biological model has been recently formulated that allows the use of lichens to evaluate changes at different UV radiation levels. The thermodynamics, photophysical and photochemical properties of lobaric acid were studied in acetonitrile, ethanol and Brij 35(3%) micelles at different pH values. Also the sun protector factor (SPF) was determined by in vitro methods. Lobaric acid was extracted from Stereoculon alpinum Laur. and characterized by means of standard procedures. Solutions were irradiated in oxygen and under nitrogen conditions with a UV medium pressure lamp. Lobaric acid absorbs at 287, 303 nm, and no fluorescence emission was observed. The maximum value of the molar extinction coefficient (5479.6 M(-1) cm(-1)) was obtained in Brij 35 at pH 12. Solubility is pH dependant and is highest in Brij 35 at pH 12 (4.45 x 10(-4) M). Photoconsumption quantum yields ranged between 10(-4) and 10(-5) in aerobic and anaerobic experimental conditions. Lobaric acid SPF was very low (0.5) compared with homosalate (4.0), (reference solar filter). Two pKa values, 5.05 (carboxylic acid group deprotonation) and 9.75 (phenolic OH deprotonation), were determined.     

The molecular geometries of some cyclic nitramines in the gas phase

The structural parameters of 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), (CH₂NNO₂)₃, 1,3-dinitro-1,3-diazacyclopentane (DDCP), CH₂(CH₂NNO₂)₂, andN-nitropyrrolidine (NP), (CH₂)₄NNO₂, have been determined by electron diffraction.The six-membered ring of RDX has a chair form with axial positions of the nitro groups and close to planar bond geometry of the amine nitrogen atoms. The overallC ₃ symmetry of the molecule is in agreement with the experimental data.The conformation of the five-membered ring in DDCP is a half-chair ofC ₂ symmetry, while that in NP is an envelope ofC _S symmetry. The nitro groups are in equatorial positions in both molecules. The conformations of pyrrolidine and imidazolidine cycles show interesting features.The pyramidal geometry of the amine nitrogen atom bonds flattens in going from pyrrolidine andN-chloropyrrolidine to NP and DDCP and then to RDX and to dimethylnitramine (DMNA), (CH₃)₂NNO₂.     

Application of pressurized sample preparation methods for the analysis of steels and copper alloys

Pressurized sample preparation devices (High Pressure Asher, Pressurized Microwave Digestion system, compared with a PTFE decomposition vessel) were used to dissolve certified metal alloy samples (steel, copper) for ICP analysis. Based on the results of the analysis it was established that both up-to-date devices can be advantageously applied to quickly and quantitatively dissolve metal alloy samples. To dissolve the samples, two different kinds of acid mixtures (A: nitric and hydrochloric acid; B: nitric and hydrochloric and sulphuric and phosphoric acid) were used. The sample preparation is simpler and less time-consuming than the earlier commonly used methods, sample loss and degree of contamination are also reduced. Steel samples containing tungsten, titanium and niobium (less than 0.5%) can only be analyzed using a mixture of the four acids. By dissolving steel samples in the nitric and hydrochloric acid mixture, the concentration of their most common elements (Cr, Ni, Mn, V, Cu) as well as their S and P content can be determined. Copper alloy samples can be dissolved quickly by the pressurized microwave decomposition device using hydrochloric acid and diluted (1:1) nitric acid.     

Oxorhenium(V) dithiolates catalyze the oxidation by tert-butyl hydroperoxide of sulfoxides and sulfides, including 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene

tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) efficiently converts a wide variety of sulfides to sulfoxides and sulfones. The method offers the advantage that one product or the other can be obtained in high purity by a modest variation of conditions. The reactions occur smoothly at 25minus sign50 C in chloroform and, to the extent studied, in toluene and methylene chloride. A catalyst is required; the most extensively studied was MeReO(mtp)PPh(3), 1, where mtpH(2) is 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol. Other chelating dithiolate ligands can be used with comparable results. These oxidations were tested for dialkyl, alkylminus signaryl, and diaryl sulfides; thiophenes; and thianthrene. Even the "hard" sulfide, 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT) was quantitatively oxidized to the dioxide with TBHP:DMDBT 3.0-3.5 and 0.05-3.8 mol % 1. The mechanism was explored in kinetics studies carried out only for methyl tolyl sulfide. The product buildup curve was complex, with an induction period followed by a rapid growth phase. The kinetic data could be modeled adequately but not perfectly by allowing five rate constants to refine. Their values are consistent with the chemical sense of the mechanism.     

Stoichiometric hydrogenations using tetracarbonylcobaltate(—I)

Methanolic solutions of tracarbonylcobaltate(—I) in the presence of an acid are simple and useful reducing agents for the selective hydrogenation of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds. The reaction has the following stoichiometry: