A convenient synthesis of 2-nitroindoles

The reaction of 2-iodo- and 2-bromoindoles with silver nitrite in aqueous acetone affords the corresponding 2-nitroindoles in modest to good yields.     

Revision and confirmation of the regiochemistry of isoxazoles derived from methyl oleanonate and lanost-8-en-3-one. Synthesis of a new lanostane triterpenoid with a cyano-enone functionality in ring A

It was previously reported that methyl oleanonate (5) and lanost-8-en-3-one (10) give predominantly [3,2-c]isoxazoles. On the contrary, we have confirmed that both compounds 5 and 10 do not give [3,2-c]isoxazoles but rather afford regioselectively [2,3-d]isoxazoles in good yields. Consequently, a new lanostane triterpenoid with a cyano-enone functionality in ring A was synthesized in two steps from the corresponding [2,3-d]isoxazole, which is interesting from the perspective of biological activity because lanosterol is the biogenetic precursor of steroids.     

Use of oxide minerals to abate fluoride from water

The removal of fluoride from aqueous solutions has been investigated using various oxide ores such as refractory grade bauxite, feed bauxite, manganese ore, and hydrated oxides of manganese ores (WAD). The refractory grade bauxite showed promising results. The studies were carried out as functions of contact time, pH, concentration of adsorbents, concentration of adsorbate, and temperature. The adsorption was rapid during the initial 5 min but equilibrium was attained within 120 min. The adsorption followed first-order kinetics. The present system followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Various thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy, entropy, and equilibrium constants were calculated. The isosteric heat calculations showed that the adsorption process followed a heterogeneous model.     

Polyol Process Synthesis of Monodispersed FePt Nanoparticles

Monodispersed FePt nanoparticles are synthesized by reduction of iron(II) acetylacetonate and platinum(II) acetylacetonate with 1,2-hexadecanediol as the reducing reagent in the polyol process. As-prepared FePt nanoparticles are chemically disordered with fcc phase. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show a self-assembled particle array with an average particle size of 3 nm and a standard deviation about 10%. The transformation from chemically disordered fcc to chemically ordered L10 phase is achieved by annealing at 650 degrees C for 30 min in Ar atmosphere where the oxygen level is less than 1 ppm. Magnetic hysteresis measurements show a coercivity of 9.0 kOe at 293K, and 16.7 kOe at 5 K for the annealed FePt nanoparticles.     

Mixed-ligand complexes of osmium(III)/(IV) 8-quinolinolates: synthesis,characterization and redox behaviour

Summary A group of mixed-tris chelates of osmium(III) and osmium(IV) of type [OsAQ₂]^{0/1 +} [HA = glycine (glyH), picolinic acid (PicH) and quinaldic acid (qndH); HQ = 8-quinolinol] were prepared and characterized by physicochemical, magnetic and spectroscopic methods. The complexes exhibit several spin-allowed and spin-forbidden absorption bands and shoulders in the 200–700 nm region. The new chelates are electroactive and display nearly reversible Os^IV-Os^III and Os^III-Os^II couples in the ca. –1.1 to +0.3 V range versus s.c.e. The stability of metal oxidation states is discussed in terms of the electrochemical results.     

Far-infrared and mid-infrared absorption in (Bi,Pb)-Sr-(Ca,Y)-Cu-O

The reflectivities of seven films belonging to the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O family, with T_c ranging from 60 to 95 K, and of a single crystal of insulating Bi-Sr-Y-Cu-O, have been measured at room temperature in the normal phase. The optical conductivity has been analyzed in terms of Drude (D), mid-infrared (MIR), and charge-transfer (CT) contributions. As T_c increases, the spectral weight within the charge-transfer gap (D+MIR) increases. Meanwhile, the peak frequency of the MIR band moves towards the far-infrared and the optical conductivity becomes more similar to that of a normal metal.     

Synergistic catalysis of anthrone Diels-Alder reactions

[reaction: see text] The combination of an amine base and Lewis acid (Li+) leads to synergistic catalysis of the Diels-Alder reaction of anthrone with methyl crotonate and some other less reactive dienophiles. These cycloadditions either do not occur with the individual catalysts used separately or they are greatly accelerated by the combined catalysts. DMSO solvent allows the use of LiCl as the Lewis acid source and can provide greater control of subsequent conversion to Michael adduct.