Ruthenium catalyzed desymmetrization of diazabicyclic olefins to access heteroaryl substituted cyclopentenes through C–H activation of phenylazoles

The first ruthenium catalyzed redox-neutral C–H activation strategy for the ring-opening of diazabicyclic olefins via C–H bond cleavage of phenyl azoles is reported. The developed method offers a novel route to functionalized cyclopentenes by employing less-expensive ruthenium catalyst and readily accessible biologically significant heteroarenes. The present protocol is a merger of the C–H activation of phenyl substituted heteroaromatics and subsequent β-nitrogen elimination of diazabicyclic olefins.     

Dependence of valency on geometry for configuration interaction wave functions

Earlier definitions of valencies of atoms, molecules, and molecular orbitals are extended to configuration interaction (CI ) wave functions. Using these definitions, valencies both at equilibrium and nonequilibrium geometries of molecules are calculated at the CI level and compared with non-CI results. CI valency correlation diagrams are obtained. Valency variation with bond length using correlated wave functions is found to behave properly unlike in the case of SCF wave functions.     

Density functional studies on hydrogen‐bonded clusters of hydrogen halides and the interaction on halide anions

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been performed to study the structures and stability of X^?·(HX)_n=2–5 clusters where X = F, Cl, Br at B3LYP/6‐311++G** level of theory. The presence of halide ions in these clusters disintegrates the hydrogen halide clusters. All the hydrogen halides are then hydrogen bonded to the centrally placed halide ions, thereby forming multiple hydrogen bonds. The interaction energies have been corrected for the basis set superposition error (BSSE) using Boy's counterpoise correction method. Evidence for the destruction of hydrogen bonds in hydrogen halide clusters due to the presence of halide ions is further obtained from topological analysis and natural bond orbital analysis. The chemical hardness and chemical potential have been calculated for all the anion clusters. The above analysis reveals that hydrogen bonding in these systems is not an essentially electrostatic interaction. The nature of the stabilization interactions operative in these multiple hydrogen‐bonded clusters has been explained in terms of many‐body contribution to interaction energies. From these studies, an attempt has been made to understand the nature of the molecular properties resulting from different electronegativities of the halogens. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Thermal properties of tannin extracted from Anacardium occidentale L. using TGA and FT-IR spectroscopy

The chemical nature of the polyphenols of cashew kernel testa has been determined. Testa contains tannins, which present large molecular complexity and has an ancient use as tanning agents. The use of tannins extracted from cashew testa, considered in many places as a waste, grants an extra value to the cashew. In this work we have analysed through high performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermo gravimetric analysis the average molecular weight, main functional groups and thermal properties of tannins extracted from Anacardium occidentale L. The results of these analyses are compared with the commercial grade tannic acid. The FT-IR spectra showed bands characteristic of C = C, C–C and OH bonds. This important bioactive compound present in the cashew nut kernel testa was suggested as an interesting economical source of antioxidants for use in the food and nutraceutical industry.     

Automated statistical experimental design approach for rapid separation of coenzyme Q10 and identification of its biotechnological process related impurities using UHPLC and UHPLC–APCI‐MS

A novel ultra high performance liquid chromatography method development strategy was ameliorated by applying quality by design approach. The developed systematic approach was divided into five steps (i) Analytical Target Profile, (ii) Critical Quality Attributes, (iii) Risk Assessments of Critical parameters using design of experiments (screening and optimization phases), (iv) Generation of design space, and (v) Process Capability Analysis (Cp) for robustness study using Monte Carlo simulation. The complete quality‐by‐design‐based method development was made automated and expedited by employing sub‐2 μm particles column with an ultra high performance liquid chromatography system. Successful chromatographic separation of the Coenzyme Q10 from its biotechnological process related impurities was achieved on a Waters Acquity phenyl hexyl (100 mm × 2.1 mm, 1.7 μm) column with gradient elution of 10 mM ammonium acetate buffer (pH 4.0) and a mixture of acetonitrile/2‐propanol (1:1) as the mobile phase. Through this study, fast and organized method development workflow was developed and robustness of the method was also demonstrated. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness in compliance to the International Conference on Harmonization, Q2 (R1) guidelines. The impurities were identified by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization‐mass spectrometry technique. Further, the in silico toxicity of impurities was analyzed using TOPKAT and DEREK software.     

Microplasma Ionization of Volatile Organics for Improving Air/Water Monitoring Systems On-Board the International Space Station

Low molecular weight polar organics are commonly observed in spacecraft environments. Increasing concentrations of one or more of these contaminants can negatively impact Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLS) systems and/or the health of crew members, posing potential risks to the success of manned space missions. Ambient plasma ionization mass spectrometry (MS) is finding effective use as part of the analytical methodologies being tested for next-generation space module environmental analysis. However, ambient ionization methods employing atmospheric plasmas typically require relatively high operation voltages and power, thus limiting their applicability in combination with fieldable mass spectrometers. In this work, we investigate the use of a low power microplasma device in the microhollow cathode discharge (MHCD) configuration for the analysis of polar organics encountered in space missions. A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure with molybdenum foil disc electrodes and a mica insulator was used to form a 300 μm diameter plasma discharge cavity. We demonstrate the application of these MIM microplasmas as part of a versatile miniature ion source for the analysis of typical volatile contaminants found in the International Space Station (ISS) environment, highlighting their advantages as low cost and simple analytical devices.

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Synthesis, growth and characterization of new borate-mixed crystals of type (NH4)1-xKxB5O8

New borate-mixed crystals of type (NH4)1-x KxB5O8 were grown from aqueous solution by slow solvent evaporation method. The mixed crystals were confirmed by atomic absorption studies (AAS) and characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman), optical absorption and solubility studies. The second harmonic generation efficiencies of the parent and mixed crystals were studied and compared with that of KDP.     

Cu (DPM)2–initiated vinyl polymerization

The behavior of cupric dipivaloylmethide in vinyl polymerization systems was investigated with a view to understanding the mechanism of polymerization initiation. Results of polymerization reactions together with spectral investigation data are presented. Polymerization in the presence of the chelate proceeds through a free-radical process. The corresponding kinetic and transfer constants and activation energy values suggest a normal propagation step. With the help of spectral data an attempt is made to suggest a plausible mechanism of initiation.     

A theoretical study on the reaction mechanism and kinetics of allyl alcohol (CH2 = CHCH2OH) with ozone (O3) in the atmosphere

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a major role in the physical and chemical process of the tropospheric chemical reactions in both polluted and remote environments. A theoretical work has been presented on the VOC of allyl alcohol with O₃ molecule is investigated using density functional theory methods. The reaction profile is initiated through the cycloaddition of ozone which leads to the formation of primary ozonide with minimal relative energy barrier of 1.31 kcal/mol which decomposes to form carbonyl molecule and carbonyl oxide. Carbonyl oxide, i.e. criegee intermediates reacts with various atmospheric species to produce more hazardous and toxic end products to the environment. The condensed form of Fukui function was calculated to predict reactive sites of the primary and secondary reaction profile. The rate coefficient using CVT with SCT over the temperature range of 258–358K is analysed and also to study the atmospheric effects of allyl alcohol in the atmosphere. The predicted rate coefficient for the favourable reaction pathway of k_p1 found to be 1.190 ×10^?15 cm³/molecule/sec and comparable with the experimental result at 298 K. The atmospheric lifetime of allyl alcohol was found to be around 10 hours in addition to that global warming potentials are compared with the CO₂.