Novel mesoporous solid superacidic catalysts: activity and selectivity in the synthesis of thymol by isopropylation of m-cresol with 2-propanol over UDCaT-4, -5, and -6

The alkylation of m-cresol with isopropyl alcohol in the presence of novel superacidic catalysts named as UDCaT-4, UDCaT-5, and UDCaT-6 was investigated. The catalysts are modified versions of zirconia showing high catalytic activity, stability, and reusability in the presence of water as compared to conventional sulfated zirconia. The objective of the present investigation was to explore the potential of these catalysts in this alkylation of m-cresol with isopropyl alcohol to thymol, which has widescale applications. The reactions were conducted in liquid phase in the temperature range of 433-473 K. Both, O- and C-alkylated products were obtained at lower temperatures, while at higher temperatures, thymol was the main product of the reaction. The catalytic activity increases in the order UDCaT-5 > UDCaT-6 >UDCaT-4 > sulfated zirconia. Thymol could be efficiently obtained with selectivity reaching up to 79% at an isopropyl alcohol conversion of 92% with UDCaT-5. This process can be a replacement for the existing process based on zeolites where high temperature and pressure are required. Synergistic effects of very high sulfur content present (9% S) and preservation of the tetragonal phase in UDCaT-5, in comparison with sulfated zirconia (4% S), were responsible for higher catalytic activity. A systematic investigation of the effects of various operating parameters was accomplished, and a mathematical model is developed to describe the reaction pathway and validated with experimental results. The reaction was carried out without using solvent, and the process subscribes to the principles of green chemistry.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of N-fused tetraphenylporphyrin derivatives: near-infrared organic dye of [18]annulenic compounds

A variety of N-fused porphyrin derivatives were prepared and their photophysical properties were investigated. Although intact N-fused tetraarylporphyrins showed almost no emission, introduction of electron-withdrawing groups such as a nitro group and a cyano group on the macrocycles caused significant refinements in their emission efficiency. Long emission wavelengths (900-1000 nm) as well as fairly large Stokes shifts (～1200 cm(-1)) are exceptionally unique photophysical properties among [18]annulenic compounds, which could be rationalized by the excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process. Relatively weak emission quantum yields (～5.0 × 10(-4)) and unusually short S(1) state lifetimes (～13.5 ps) are in good agreement with the ESIPT process. The solvent and substituent effects on the photophysical properties are also discussed in conjunction with the theoretical studies, where the mesityl groups at the meso-positions play a unique role.     

Self-assembled monolayers of alkanethiols on gold prepared in a hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase of Triton X-100/water system

In this paper, we have reported a new method of preparing self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of decanethiol and hexadecanethiol on gold surface by using a lyotropic liquid crystalline phase as an adsorbing medium. The stability and blocking ability of these SAMs were characterized using grazing angle Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The lyotropic liquid crystalline medium possesses a hexagonal structure consisting of a nonionic surfactant Triton X-100, water, and the corresponding thiol, which provides a highly hydrophobic environment to solubilize the alkanethiols and later to facilitate their delivery to the gold surface. We find that the SAMs formed from the hexagonal liquid crystalline phase are highly compact and have excellent electrochemical blocking ability towards the redox probes compared to conventional SAMs prepared from commonly used organic solvents such as ethanol. From the impedance studies, we have determined the capacitance of the monolayer-coated electrodes and the surface coverage of the SAM, which has been found to be >99.98% on gold surface. We have also estimated the extent of ionic permeability through the film and measured the rate constants for the redox reactions on the SAM-modified electrodes. Our results show that the rate constants of [Fe(CN)6](3-/4-) and [Ru(NH3)6](2+/3+) redox couples are very much lower in the case of monolayers prepared in liquid crystalline phase compared to the SAM formed in 1 mM thiol in ethanol solution, suggesting a better blocking ability of the SAMs in the former case. From the grazing angle FTIR spectroscopic studies and capacitance measurements, we have ruled out any coadsorption of surfactant molecules on the Au surface. These results suggest that SAMs of very low defect density and extremely low ionic permeability can be obtained when a hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline phase is used as an adsorbing medium.     

Residual Metal Impurity Aids Facile In Situ Electrochemical Surface Derivatization of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Residual metal impurities were exploited as reactants in the functionalization of the surface of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) by simple electrochemical cycling in ferricyanide solutions. This facile in situ electrochemical modification process provides intimate contact between NiHCF and SWCNTs that improves the stability of the redox property and reactivity of NiHCF. The characteristic redox behavior of NiHCF on SWCNT surfaces can be used as an electrochemical probe to access qualitative and quantitative information on unknown electroactive metal impurities in SWCNTs. Significantly, the NiHCF‐modified SWCNTs exhibit pseudocapacitive behavior, and the calculated specific capacitances are 710 and 36 F g^?1 for NiHCF‐SWCNTs and SWCNTs respectively. Furthermore, NiHCF‐SWCNTs were transformed into Ni(OH)₂/SWCNTs and used for enzymeless glucose oxidation.     

Isobutylene‐rich macromonomers: Dynamics and yields of peroxide‐initiated crosslinking

New isobutylene‐rich elastomers bearing multiple pendant styrenic, acrylic, maleimidic, vinylic, and allylic functional groups have been prepared and examined in the context of peroxide‐initiated crosslinking. Halide displacement from brominated poly(isobutylene‐co‐isoprene) (BIIR) by the requisite carboxylate nucleophiles in homogeneous toluene solutions provide the desired esters in quantitative yield without complications from dehydrohalogenation or premature crosslinking. Heating the resulting macromonomers with dicumyl peroxide to 160 °C under solvent‐free conditions gives thermoset derivatives, with reaction rates and yields depending markedly on functional group structure. In general, high cure extents can only be achieved using highly reactive pendant functional groups, owing to the competitive balance between crosslinking through C?C oligomerization, and degradation through β‐scission of backbone macroradical intermediates. Independent control of crosslinking rates and cure extents is gained through the use of nitroxyl radical traps bearing acrylate functionality. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 123–132     

Ultrasound- and microwave-assisted synthesis of (E)-1-aryl-3-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)quinolin-3-yl]prop-2-en-1-ones and (E)-1-aryl-3-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinolin-3-yl]prop-2-en-1-ones,and their antimicrobial activity

Series of new (E)-1-aryl-3-[2-(piperidin-1-yl)quinolin-3-yl]prop-2-en-1-ones and (E)-1-aryl-3-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinolin-3-yl]prop-2-en-1-ones have been efficiently prepared via the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of 2-(piperidin-1-yl)quinoline-3-carbaldehyde and 2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)quinoline-3-carbaldehyde, respectively, with aryl methyl ketones under conditions of ultrasound and microwave irradiation. Structures of the products have been confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and mass spectroscopy, as well as by elemental analysis. Evaluation of the in vitro antibacterial activity against bacterial (Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli) and fungal (Aspergillus niger and Candida metapsilosis) strains has revealed good antimicrobial activity of some of the tested compounds.     

In vitro antibiofilm activity of Murraya koenigii essential oil extracted using supercritical fluid CO2 method against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

The antibiofilm activity of Murraya koenigii essential oil (EO) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 was investigated in this study. A decrease in the production of rhamnolipid, extracellular polymeric substance and swarming motility was observed by the EO treatment (0.3% v/v). The static microtitre plate assay revealed 80% reduction in biofilm formation by P. aeruginosa PAO1 on M. koenigii EO treatment. Fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses confirmed the reduction of biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa PAO1 when treated with M. koenigii EO. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of the EO revealed the presence of well-known antibiofilm agents such as spathulenol (5.85%), cinnamaldehyde (0.37%) and linalool (0.04%). Cinnamaldehyde has not been previously reported in M. koenigii EO. The potent antibiofilm properties of M. koenigii EO may be effectively exploited in food and pharmaceutical industries as well as in controlling Pseudomonas biofilms on indwelling medical devices.     

σ-Ferrier rearrangement of carbohydrate derived vinylcyclopropanes: a facile approach to oxepane analogs

This article presents our work on the σ-Ferrier ring-expansion of carbohydrate derived vinylcyclopropanes (VCPs) under electrophilic conditions mediated by chloramine-T and a phase-transfer catalyst. The present work serves as the first example on the studies of the reactivity of carbohydrate VCPs towards the synthesis of densely functionalized oxepane analogues. The work elaborates on a reasonable mechanism for the product formation and our observations on the diastereoselectivity based on control experiments and gas-phase calculations.     

Selectfluor-mediated mild oxidative halogenation and thiocyanation of 1-aryl-allenes with TMSX (X = Cl,Br, I,NCS) and NH4SCN

Presence of TMSX (X = Cl, Br, I) unleashes the oxidative character of Selectfluor and provides a mild dihalogenation method for 1-arylallenes. Preference for 2,3-addition was observed with TMSCl in MeCN irrespective of the nature of the substituent on the aryl moiety, whereas 1,2-addition was preferred in [BMIM][BF₄]. With TMSBr and TMSI only products corresponding to 2,3-addition were observed. Reactions carried out with TMSBr in IL solvents gave the corresponding monobromoalkenes as a major product along with the isomeric dibromo-alkenes. Reaction with NH₄SCN provided convenient access to dithiocyanate derivatives. The same products were formed via TMS-NCS/Selectfluor. Formation of common products via TMSNCS and NH₄SCN points to the formation and interplay of SCN⁺/NCS⁺ as incipient electrophiles.