An unusual, mild and convenient one-pot two-step access to (E)-stilbenes from hydroxy-substituted benzaldehydes and phenylacetic acids under microwave activation: a new facet of the classical Perkin reaction

A mild and convenient one-pot two-step synthesis of hydroxystilbenes with trans selectivity has been developed through a modified Perkin reaction between benzaldehydes and phenylacetic acids bearing 4- or 2-hydroxy substitution at the aromatic ring, in the presence of piperidine-methylimidazole and polyethylene glycol under microwave irradiation. The observation of a simultaneous condensation-decarboxylation leading to the unusual formation of hydroxystilbenes in lieu of α-phenylcinnamic acid reveals an interesting facet to the classical Perkin reaction. The developed protocol provides a green alternative to the prevalent methods employing a toxic decarboxylating agent in the form of quinoline/Cu salt, and the requirement for harsh protection-deprotection steps for the synthesis of hydroxylated stilbenes.     

Synthesis,structural and biochemical aspects of titanocene and zirconocene chelates of acetylferrocenyl thiosemicarbazones

The reactions of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium(IV)/zirconium(IV) dichloride with a new class of organometallic thiosemicarbazones (LH), derived by condensing acetylferrocene with substituted thiosemicarbazides, have been studied and two types of bimetallic products, viz. [Cp₂M(L)Cl] (M = Ti or Zr) and [CpZr(L)₃], have been isolated. On the basis of various physicochemical and spectral studies, five- and seven-coordinate structures have been assigned to these derivatives, respectively. Attempts have been made to establish a correlation between biological activity and the structures of the products.     

Synthesis and characterization of square-planar palladium(II) complexes containing anti- and syn-furan-2-aldoxime

Summary Fifteen palladium(II) square-planar complexes containing monodentate and/or bidentate anti- and syn-furan-2-aldoxime (FDH) have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination, conductance studies, magnetic moments and i.r. spectral studies. The monodentate ligand coordinates through the nitrogen atom while the bidentate ligand coordinates through the furan oxygen atom and the nitrogen atom. The C-O-C stretching frequency of the furan ring may be taken as the criterion for the denticity of this ligand and is observed at 1240 and 1270 cm^– in anti- and syn-furan-2-aldoxime respectively. A shift to lower frequency occurs (in the complex) if the ligand is bidentate, however this frequency is unaffected if the ligand is monodentate.     

An unusual electron-transfer behavior of ferrocene in aqueous microemulsion systems

The electrochemical behavior of ferrocene in an aqueous microemulsion (pentan-1-ol/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)/aq. H₂SO₄) has been studied using an ultramicroelectrode. Contrary to the generally expected reversible peak, the experiments show the presence of a second oxidation peak during the reverse scan at low scan rates where the peak corresponding to ferricinium ion reduction is nearly absent along with the unanticipated appearance of a current dip. These observations are rationalized using a novel type of coupling between heterogeneous (electrochemical) and homogeneous (chemical) electron transfer processes. The composition of the medium, especially the acid concentration, affects the electron transfer of the solubilized probe and there exists a threshold acid concentration for achieving maximum anodic peak current.     

Synthesis and studies on metal coordination with a novel carboxyamide ligand

Novel complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pd(II) with the new ligand [N,N'-bis(2-carboxy-1-oxo-phenelenyl)ethylenediamine] (H2L) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, thermal, infrared, electronic, 1H NMR and EPR spectral studies. Infrared and 1H NMR spectra show that H2L acts as a binegative tetradentate ligand. Coordination occurs through deprotonated carboxylate oxygens and nondeprotonated amido nitrogens in all the complexes. Electronic spectral studies and magnetic moment values suggest N2O2 coordination around each metal centre with strong field square planar chromophores. The probable structures of the complexes have been assigned on the basis of spectral studies. The complex formation between M(II) [M(II) = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] and (L2-) has also been studied potentiometrically in 75% aqueous DMF at 25 degrees C in 0.1 M NaClO4. The stability constants were found to follow the order: Mn(II) < Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) > Zn(II).     

A cobalt(II)-selective PVC membrane based on a Schiff base complex of N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-3,4-diaminotoluene

A new PVC membrane electrode for Co²⁺ based on N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-3,4-diaminotoluene, an excellent neutral carrier, has been fabricated using sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) as an anionic excluder and dioctylphthalte (DOP) as a solvent mediator. The electrode exhibits a linear potential response in the concentration range of 7.9 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ M with a slope of 30 ± 0.2 mV per decade. The detection limit of the proposed sensor is 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ M and it can be used over a period of 5 months. The proposed sensor revealed good selectivity over a wide variety of other cations including alkali, alkaline earth, heavy and transition metals and could be used in the pH range of 2.0-9.0. This electrode was successfully applied for the determination of Co²⁺in real samples and as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of cobalt ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with acetylacetone bis-benzoylhydrazone and acetylacetone bis-isonicotinoylhydrazone

Summary Acetylacetone bis-benzoylhydrazone (PhCONHN=CMe)₂ CH₂(LH₂) and acetylacetone bis-isonicotinoylhydrazone (NC₅H₄CONHN=CMe)₂CH₂(LH₂) complexes of the types [ML] and [ML] (M = Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II or Zn^II) have been prepared and characterized. All the complexes are non-electrolytes and the cobalt(II) complexes are lowspin, the nickel(II) complexes are diamagnetic and the copper(II) complexes are paramagnetic. The ligands chelate via two C=N groups and two deprotonated enolate groups. The e.s.r. spectra of the copper(II) complexes indicate a tetragonally distorted dimeric structure. The X-ray diffraction parameters for [CoL] and [NiL] correspond to a tetragonal crystal lattice.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and thermal studies on ruthenium(III), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes with hydrazones derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine and different aromatic hydrazides

Summary The reactions of MCl₃·3H₂O (M=Ru, Rh or Ir) with hydrazones have been studied by three different methods and complexes of the types [M(LH₂)(H₂O)₂]Cl₃, [M(L)Cl(H₂O)] and [M(LH₂)Cl₂]Cl·H₂O have been isolated. Tentative structural conclusions are drawn for these products based upon elemental analysis, electrical conductance, magnetic moment, and i.r. and¹H n.m.r. data. The thermal stability and mode of decomposition for the complexes have been studied by t.g.a., d.t.g. and d.s.c. techniques.     

Synthesis and physico-chemical and biological studies on ruthenium (III) complexes with Schiff bases derived from aminocarboxylic acids

Summary Ruthenium(III) complexes of types [Ru(L)₃], [Ru(L)Cl(H₂O)₂], [Ru(L)Cl₂]_n, [Ru(L)Cl(H₂O)]_n(LH =Schiff bases derived from anthranilic acid and benzaldehyde, acetophenone, vanillin, cinnamaldehyde orm-hydroxyacetophenone; LH₂=Schiff bases derived from anthranilic acid and salicylaldehyde oro-hydroxyacetophenone; LH=Schiff bases derived fromp-aminobenzoic acid and benzaldehyde, acetophenone, vanillin, cinnamaldehyde orm-hydroxyacetophenone; LH₂=Schiff bases derived fromp-aminobenzoic acid and salicylaldehyde oro-hydroxyacetophenone) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, conductance, magnetic moment and spectral (electronic, i.r. and¹H n.m.r.) data. The wavelengths of the principal electronic absorption peaks have been accounted for quantitatively in terms of crystal field theory and various parameters have been evaluated. On the basis of the electronic spectra, an octahedral geometry has been established for all these complexes except [Ru(L)Cl₂]_n. The complexes [Ru(L)Cl₂]_n are pentacoordinate and a trigonal-bipyramidal environment, D_3h, is suggested for the ruthenium(III) ion. The thermal behaviour of these complexes has also been studied by t.g., d.t.g and d.s.c techniques. Heats of reaction for the decomposition steps were calculated from the d.s.c. curves. The antifungal and antiviral activities of the complexes with Schiff bases derived from anthranilic acid were also investigated.     

An efficient method for the synthesis of acylals from aldehydes using silica-supported perchloric acid (HClO4-SiO2)

The synthesis of acylals from structurally diverse aldehydes has been performed in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions using HClO₄-SiO₂ as a mild, convenient, reusable, and heterogeneous catalyst. The procedure is operationally simple, environmentally benign and has the advantage of enhanced atom utilization. Furthermore, the catalyst can be recovered simply and reused efficiently a number of times without appreciable loss of activity.