Gold nanoparticle networks with photoresponsive interparticle spacings

Photoresponsive gold nanoparticle networks were prepared by functionalizing them with azobenzene derivatives. A network can be formed when a linker molecule constituting the azobenzene moiety suitably derivatized on either side with gold surface sensitive groups such as thiols and amines is added to the nanoparticle solution. It is shown that the interparticle spacing in the networks could be controlled by the reversible trans-cis isomerization of the azobenzene moiety induced by UV and visible light, respectively. The photoinduced variation in the interparticle spacings is inferred by the changes in the optical spectra of the gold nanoparticles which display a red or blue shift in the surface plasmon resonance peak depending on a decrease or increase in the interparticle spacing, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy images are in consonance with the evidence from the optical spectra.     

Biomimetic reduction of nimesulide with NaBH4 catalyzed by metalloporphyrins

The biomimetic reduction of anti-inflammatory drug, nimesulide (1) with sodium borohydride catalyzed by 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrinatoiron(III) chlorides [TAPFe(III)Cl] has been studied in organic solvents under anaerobic and aerobic conditions.     

Ring expansion approach for the synthesis of the (3S,4S)-hexahydroazepine core of balanol and ophiocordin

A new and efficient formal total synthesis of (3S,4S)-balanol, a potent protein kinase C inhibitor, was accomplished from tri-O-acetyl-d-glucal. Balanol and ophiocordin consists of a chiral hexahydro azepine-containing fragment and a benzophenone fragment. The azepine core was prepared in chiral form through intramolecular aza Wittig reaction. A triphenylphosphine mediated ring expansion process was employed to form the seven-membered nitrogen heterocycle. The aldehyde equivalent key intermediate was treated with triphenylphosphine to give the azepine core. To demonstrate the applicability of the new route, a synthesis of the balanol is described.     

A hybrid foldamer with unique architecture from conformationally constrained aliphatic-aromatic amino acid conjugate

In this paper, we describe the design and synthesis of a novel hybrid foldamer, derived from a conformationally constrained aliphatic-aromatic amino acid conjugate that adopts a well-defined, compact, three-dimensional structure, governed by a combined conformational restriction imposed by the individual amino acids from which the foldamer is composed. Conformational investigations confirmed the prevalence of a unique doubly bent conformation for the foldamer, in both solid and solution states, as evidenced from single crystal X-ray and 2D NOESY studies, respectively. The findings suggest that constrained aliphatic-aromatic amino acid conjugates offer new avenues for the de novo design of hybrid foldamers with distinctive structural architectures. Furthermore, the de novo design strategy disclosed herein has the potential for significantly augmenting the ‘tool-box’ of the modern day peptidomimetic chemist, as well as providing a novel approach to the field of rational design.     

Reactions of oxiranes with alkali metals: intermediacy of radical-anions

Reaction of oxiranes with alkali metals in aprotic solvents yields a variety of products depending on the nature of the metal and the structure of the oxirane. Deoxygenation to olefins is the major reaction in case of lithium. Rearrangement to carbonyl compounds, reduction to alcohols and formation of dimeric products occur when oxiranes are treated with sodium. All the reactions could be rationalised by a mechanism involving an initial single electron transfer leading to the formation of a radical-anion intermediate.     

Nucleophilic substitution of alkyl halides by zinc salts-32 preparation of tertiary alkyl esters and ethers under non-solvolytic conditions

Zinc salts of carboxylic acids, phenols and alcohols are found to react with tertiary alkyl halides in nonpolar solvents and in presence of a base yielding the corresponding esters and ethers in moderate to good yields.     

Temperature dependence of CO insertion on S-, Ag-, and Cu-promoted Rh/SiO2 catalysts

The addition of sulfur and silver to Rh/SiO₂ inhibits hydrogenation of C₂H₄, but promotes CO insertion and extends the linearity of Arrhenius curves for CO insertion above 543 K.

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Rh/SiO₂ C₂H₄, CO CO 543 .

     

A mass spectrometry study of XCO+, X=Si, Ge: is SiCO+ a main group carbonyl? Comments on the bonding in ground state SiCO and the

The cation [Si,C,O]+ has been generated by 1) the electron ionisation (EI) of tetramethoxysilane and 2) chemical ionisation (CI) of a mixture of silane and carbon monoxide. Collisional activation (CA) experiments performed for mass-selected [Si,C,O]+, generated by using both methods, indicate that the structure is not inserted OSiC+; however, a definitive structural assignment as Si(+)-CO, Si(+)-OC or some cyclic variant is impossible based on these results alone. Neutralisation-reionisation (+NR+) experiments for EI-generated [Si,C,O]+ reveal a small peak corresponding to SiC+, but no detectable SiO+ signal, and thus establishes the existence of the Si(+)-CO isomer. CCSD(T)@B3LYP calculations employing a triple-zeta basis set have been used to explore the doublet and quartet potential-energy surfaces of the cation, as well as some important neutral states. The results suggest that both Si(+)-CO and Si(+)-OC isomers are feasible; however, the global minimum is 2 pi SiCO+. Isomeric 2 pi SiOC+ is 12.1 kcal mol-1 less stable than 2 pi SiCO+, and all quartet isomers are much higher in energy. The corresponding neutrals Si-CO and Si-OC are also feasible, but the lowest energy Si-OC isomer (3A") is bound by only 1.5 kcal mol-1. We attribute most, if not all, of the recovery signal in the +NR+ experiment to SiCO+ survivor ions. The nature of the bonding in the lowest energy isomers of Si(+)-(CO,OC) is interpreted with the aid of natural bond order analyses, and the ground state bonding of SiCO+ is discussed in relation to classical analogues such as metal carbonyls and ketenes.