Solvent-free,catalyst-free aza-Michael addition of cyclohexylamine to diethyl maleate: Reaction mechanism and kinetics

The aza-Michael reaction is the addition of an amine to an electron deficient C=C double bond. This reaction is also used in the synthesis of precursors of polymeric networks. In this study, we paid attention to the kinetics and mechanism of the aza-Michael addition of cyclohexylamine (CHXA) to diethyl maleate (DEM) performed as a solvent-free, catalyst-free reaction and to concurrent reactions. In situ Raman spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry have shown the occurrence of three simultaneous reactions: (i) the aza-Michael addition of CHXA to DEM leading to diethyl 2-(cyclohexylamino)succinate, (ii) isomerization of DEM to diethyl fumarate (DEF), and (iii) the aza-Michael addition of CHXA to DEF formed by the reaction (ii). All of these reactions proceed with third order kinetics, first order in DEM or DEF and second order in CHXA. We propose a kinetic model that allows kinetic constants to be estimated. Furthermore, a numerical solution of the set of differential equations confirms the expected kinetic equations of reactions (i) and (ii) and gives values of rate constants comparable to the estimated ones. A DFT mechanistic study illustrates the structure of the reaction intermediates and transition states of all reactions and explains the contribution of the second amine molecule in the reaction mechanism.     

Intercalation of cyclic ethers into vanadyl phosphate

Two cyclic ethers, tetrahydrofuran (THF) and tetrahydropyran (THP), were intercalated into vanadyl phosphate and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, and IR and Raman spectroscopy. Both compounds contain one molecule of ether per formula unit of VOPO(4) and show high thermal stability in comparison with VOPO(4) intercalates with other organic guest molecules. Both ethers are anchored to the VOPO(4) host layers by their oxygen atoms, which are coordinated to the vanadium atoms of the host. The probable arrangement of the tetrahydropyran molecules in the host interlayer space is derived from molecular simulations by the Cerius(2) 4.5 program.     

New azo dyes as colored isoelectric point markers for isoelectric focusing in acidic pH region

Newly prepared azo compounds and several commercially available indicators were investigated for their applicability as colored isoelectric point (pI) markers for isoelectric focusing (IEF) in the acidic range below pH 5. The majority of compounds described here can serve as primary standards since their pI values were determined by UV-VIS spectrophotometry independently IEF and direct measurement with a pH electrode. Subjected to gel IEF they show narrow and well-observable zones of different colors. Finally, our work resulted in suggestion of a color ladder composed of pI markers covering the pH range from 1.5 to 4.7.     

Intercalation of cyclic ketones into vanadyl phosphate

Intercalation compounds of vanadyl phosphate with cyclic ketones (cyclopentanone, cyclohexanone, 4-methylcyclohexanone, and 1,4-cyclohexanedione) were prepared from corresponding propanol or ethanol intercalates by a molecular exchange. The intercalates prepared were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The intercalates are stable in dry environment and decompose slowly in humid air. Infrared and Raman spectra indicate that carbonyl oxygens of the guest molecules are coordinated to the vanadium atoms of the host layers. The local structure and interactions in the cyclopentanone intercalate have been suggested on the basis of quantum chemical calculations.     

Inequalities for solutions of singular initial problems for Carathéodory systems via Ważewski’s principle

In this paper we give sufficient conditions for solvability of a singular initial problem formulated for Carathéodory systems of ordinary differential equations. The existence of solutions is proved by the supposition that corresponding auxiliary lower and upper singular problems have solutions. The proof technique uses a notion of a regular polyfacial subset which is developed for Carathéodory systems of ordinary differential equations and a modification of the topological method for such systems given by Palamides, Sficas and Staikos. An application concerning the existence of positive solutions for a special class of singular problems is given as well.     

The role of acidity profile in the nanotubular growth of polyaniline

Conditions of polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes preparation were analyzed. Aniline was oxidized with ammonium peroxydisulfate in 0.4 M acetic acid. There are two subsequent oxidation steps and the products were collected after each of them. At pH > 3, neutral aniline molecules are oxidized to non-conducting aniline oligomers. These produce templates for the subsequent growth of PANI nanotubes, which takes place preferably at pH 2–3. At pH < 2, granular morphology of the conducting PANI is obtained. High final acidity of the medium should be avoided in the preparation of nanotubes, e.g., by reducing the amount of sulfuric acid which is a by-product. Reduction of the peroxydisulfate-to-aniline mole ratio was tested for this purpose in the present study. Lowering of the reaction temperature from 20°C to −4°C had a positive effect on the formation of nanotubes.     

Structural and conductivity changes during the pyrolysis of polyaniline base

Polyaniline base has been exposed to various temperatures between 100 °C and 1000 °C for 2 h in air. The mass loss has increased with increasing temperature. FTIR and Raman spectroscopies show the gradual destruction of the PANI structure, the possible formation of intermediate oxime and nitrile groups, and the final conversion to graphitic material. The elemental analysis confirmed the dehydrogenation while the content of nitrogen was nearly constant even after treatment at 800 °C. The conductivity of PANI base, 10⁻⁸ S cm⁻¹, increased to ∼10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ after treatment at 1000 °C; most of the products, however, were non-conducting. Another series of experiments involved the polyaniline base heated at 500 °C for 1-8 h. The studies were performed in connection with the potential flame-retardant application of polyaniline.     

Microwave accelerated aza-Claisen rearrangements

The microwave-assisted thermal aza-Claisen rearrangement of allylic imidates and thiocyanates to the corresponding amides and isothiocyanates is investigated. Significant accelerations of the rearrangement of allylic imidates to amides and of allylic thiocyanates to isothiocyanates in comparison with standard thermal reactions is observed.     

Palladium Biosensor

In this paper we proposed a palladium(II) biosensor. The biosensor is based on determining of interactions between palladium(II) and metallothionein modified hanging mercury drop electrode by means of differential pulse voltammetry. We studied influence of two supporting electrolytes (potassium or sodium chloride) on the signals of the biosensor. Based on the results obtained we found potassium chloride (0.05 M) as the most suitable supporting electrolyte to determine palladium(II). The detection limit of the biosensor for palladium ions was evaluated as 100 nM with RSD about 10%. Moreover, we utilized the biosensor for measurement of the target molecule in the presence of human blood serum and human urine.