Cycloadditions of 1H-1,3-Benzazaphospholes with o-Chloranil

NH-Functional 1H-1,3-benzazaphospholes 1a–1c and o-chloranil (tetrachloro-o-benzoquinone - TCBQ) undergo rapid [1+4]-cycloaddition in a 1:2 molar ratio to give 2a – 2c as high-melting zwitterionic σ⁶λ⁵-phosphorus compounds. In the case of 2a the yield is high (rel. to TCBQ) even if the reactants were used in a 1:0.5 molar ratio. For the 2-tert-butyl-substituted compounds 2b and 2c the yields were significantly lower, in part by unidentified byproducts. Addition of excess TCBQ to crude 2c containing unconverted 1c did not increase but strongly decrease the amount of 2c . Crystallization and XRD analysis led to detection of a minor side or consecutive product 3c , formally corresponding to P=C bond cleavage and [1+4] cycloaddition of three equivalents TCBQ, two at the phosphinidene and one at the carbene end. NMR spectroscopic data of 2a – 2c including conclusive ¹³C data for 2a give evidence of the structures of the new compounds.     

Resilient and agile engineering solutions to address societal challenges such as coronavirus pandemic

The world is witnessing tumultuous times as major economic powers including the US, UK, Russia, India, and most of Europe continue to be in a state of lockdown. The worst-hit sectors due to this lockdown are sales, production (manufacturing), transport (aerospace and automotive) and tourism. Lockdowns became necessary as a preventive measure to avoid the spread of the contagious and infectious “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-19). This newly identified disease is caused by a new strain of the virus being referred to as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2 (SARS CoV-2; formerly called 2019-nCoV). We review the current medical and manufacturing response to COVID-19, including advances in instrumentation, sensing, use of lasers, fumigation chambers and development of novel tools such as lab-on-the-chip using combinatorial additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques and use of molecular modelling and molecular docking in drug and vaccine discovery. We also offer perspectives on future considerations on climate change, outsourced versus indigenous manufacturing, automation, and antimicrobial resistance. Overall, this paper attempts to identify key areas where manufacturing can be employed to address societal challenges such as COVID-19.     

Selenadiazolopyridine: a synthon for supramolecular assembly and complexes with metallophilic interactions

The synthesis and characterization of the complexes of Cu(I), Ag(I), Cu(II), and Co(II) ions with 1,2,5-selenadiazolopyridine (psd) is reported. The following complexes have been prepared: [Cu(2)(psd)(3)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2+)2(PF(6)(-)); [(CuCl)(2)(psd)(3)]; [Cu(2)(psd)(6)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-); [Ag(2)(psd)(2)](2+)2(NO(3))(-); [Ag(2)(psd)(2)](2+)2(CF(3)COO)(-); [Cu(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(psd)(2); [Cu(psd)(4)(H(2)O)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(CHCl(3)); [Cu(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(3)](2+)2(NO(3))(-)·(H(2)O)·(psd)(2), and [Co(psd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)](2+)2(ClO(4))(-)·(psd)(2). The electronic structure of ligand psd, in particular the bond order of Se-N bonds, has been probed by X-ray diffraction, (77)Se NMR, and computational studies. A detailed analysis of the crystal structures of the ligand and the complexes revealed interesting supramolecular assembly. The assembly was further facilitated by the presence of neutral ligands for some complexes (Cu(II) and Co(II)). The molecular structure of the ligand showed that it was present as a dimer in the solid state where the monomers were linked by strong secondary bonding Se···N interactions. The crystal structures of Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes revealed the dinuclear nature with characteristic metallophilic interactions [M···M] (M = Cu, Ag), while the Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes were mononuclear. The presence of M···M interactions has been further probed by Atoms in Molecules (AIM) calculations. The paramagnetic Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes have been characterized by UV-vis, ESI spectroscopy, and room temperature magnetic measurements.     

Formation of diaryl(allyl)phosphine in π -allyl palladium(II) induced cleavage of triarylphosphines

A reverse migration of allylic group from palladium to phosphorus and the formation of diaryl(allyl)phosphine in the π -allyl palladium(II) induced cleavage of triarylphosphines has been demonstrated.     

Reactions of phenyllithium with lithium aluminum hydride in diethyl ether

Reactions of phenyllithium with LiAlH₄ in diethyl ether have been studied in detail. Lithium hydride, as an insoluble solid, and LiAlPh_n H_4?n (where n = 2 or 3)_in solution, are formed when the PhLi to LiAlH₄ ratio is 2/1and 3/1. However, Li₃AlH₆ is formed when LiAlH₄ is added to an equimolar solution of PhLi in diethyl ether. The integrity of the products have been established by IR, NMR and X-ray powder diffraction pattern.     

Free vibrations of a beam-mass system with elastically restrained ends

The vibration problem of a beam with an arbitrarily placed concentrated mass and elastically restrained against rotation at either end is solved by using Laplace transforms. The effects on eigenfrequencies of the system produced by varying the ratios of the concentrated mass to the mass of the beam, stiffness of the end spring to the stiffness of the beam and position of the mass to the total length of the beam are presented. The effect of neglecting the mass of the beam is considered.     

Polarization studies by the TSC technique on a blend of cellulose acetate and polyvinyl acetate

The thermally stimulated current (TSC) technique has been used to study solvent-cast blends of a cellulose derivative with a vinyl polymer. TSC peaks are observed at 56, 80, and 120°C. Their origin is investigated because the TSC spectra of the blends differ from the spectra of the individual components. Data on blends with components in the weight ratios 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 indicate that the 50:50 blend shows the greatest polarization. The enhancement of depolarization currents observed on blending is explained on the basis of a Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars polarization due to increased heterogeneity in the structure. Effects of forming conditions (time, temperature, field) on polarization have been investigated. Activation energies and relaxation times are calculated; there is good agreement between the values obtained from the initial-rise and the full-curve methods.     

Evidence for a single electron transfer mechanism in 1he reduction of aromatic nitrogen heterocycles with main group metal hydrides and dihydropyridyl metal complexes.

Direct spectroscopic (EPR) evidence is presented to support a single electron transfer mechanism to describe the reactions of various simple and complex hydrides of the main group elements and dihydropyridyl metal complexes with aromatic nitrogen heterocyclic compounds.     

Label Free Colorimetric Biosensing Using Nanoparticles

In this review article, we discuss a class of biosensors that exploit the change in the colorimetric properties of noble metal nanoparticles in response to biomolecular binding at their surface. Several sensor fabrication techniques as well as sensor configurations are discussed with an emphasis on their strengths and limitations. We conclude by presenting the future prospects and challenges for the successful transition of this technology from the laboratory to a commercial product.