Efficient synthesis of fluoren-9-ones by the palladium-catalyzed annulation of arynes by 2-haloarenecarboxaldehydes

Fluoren-9-ones and derivatives are readily prepared in good yields by the annulation of in situ generated arynes by 2-haloarenecarboxaldehydes in the presence of a palladium catalyst.     

Development of analytical method for determination of Sb(V), Sb(III) and TMSb(V) in occupationally exposed human urine samples by HPLC-HG-AFS

In the present paper, we develop a methodology for antimony speciation in occupationally exposed human urine samples by high-performance liquid chromatography with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC-HG-AFS). The methodology was applied to the determination of Sb(V), Sb(III) and (CH₃)₃SbCl₂ (TMSb(V)). Retention time of Sb(V), Sb(III) and TMSb(V) species were 0.88, 2.00 and 3.61 and the detection limits were 0.18, 0.19 and 0.12 μg L^− 1, for 100 μL loop injection respectively which is considered useful for elevated/occupationally exposed urine samples. Studies on the stability of antimony species in urine samples on the function of the elapsed time of preservation (4 °C) and storage (− 70 °C) were performed. Results revealed that antimony species are highly unstable at − 70 °C, probably due to co-precipitation reaction. In this kind of matrix transformation during preservation time may occur, such as oxidation of Sb(III) to Sb(V) and transformation into species that do not elute from the column. EDTA shows that it is able to stabilize Sb(III) for more than one week of preservation time at 4 °C avoiding co-precipitation during storage at − 70 °C. Finally the methodology was applied to occupationally exposed human urine samples. 25% of specimens present antimony levels (Sb(V)) of more than 5 μg L^− 1.     

Synthesis and characterisation of macrocyclic diamino chiral crown ethers

A benign and efficient synthesis of chiral macrocyclic 'aza-crown' ethers of varying ring size is reported. The synthesis involves a Schiff base condensation of ether linked dialdehydes of varying chain length and (1R,2R)-(-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane under mild conditions to yield the macrocycles, which are subsequently reduced to yield the diamino analogues.     

Determination of platinum in alumina-supported automotive catalyst material by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Platinum (0.01–0.2%) is determined after dissolution in sulfuric and hydrochloric acids and addition of palladium and rhodium to compensate for interelement effects. At the 0.06% level, the relative standard deviation is 2%. The results agree within 4% with those obtained by chemical methods.     

Benzyne click chemistry: synthesis of benzotriazoles from benzynes and azides

A variety of substituted benzotriazoles have been prepared by the [3 + 2] cycloaddition of azides to benzynes. The reaction scope is quite general, affording a rapid and easy entry to substituted, functionalized benzotriazoles under mild conditions.     

Synthesis of isoxazoles via electrophilic cyclization

[reaction: see text] A variety of 3,5-disubstituted 4-halo(seleno)isoxazoles are readily prepared in good to excellent yields under mild reaction conditions by the reaction of 2-alkyn-1-one O-methyl oximes with ICl, I2, Br2, or PhSeBr.     

Photogeneration and decay of charge carriers in hybrid bulk heterojunctions of ZnO nanoparticles and conjugated polymers

The photogeneration and decay of charge carriers in blend films of ZnO nanoparticles (diameter 5 nm) and poly[2-methoxy-5-(3',7'-dimethyloctyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MDMO-PPV) or poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) were studied by means of microwave-photoconductance measurements. Excitation of the polymer in the visible spectrum was found to lead to a transient photoconductance due to dissociation of excitons at the interface between ZnO and the conjugated polymer. From the similar decay kinetics of the photoconductance and the effects of UV illumination, it is concluded that the measured photoconductance is due to electrons in ZnO. Increasing the weight fraction of ZnO in the blend films leads to a higher photoconductance. This is attributed to enhanced formation of mobile electrons by interfacial dissociation of excitons at clusters of ZnO nanoparticles rather than at individual nanoparticles. The dependence of the photoconductance on the weight fraction of ZnO is found to be different for ZnO:MDMO-PPV and ZnO:P3HT blends. This is most likely due to the presence of a smaller number of relatively large ZnO clusters in ZnO:P3HT blends and a shorter exciton diffusion length, as compared with ZnO:MDMO-PPV blends. After exposure of the blend films to UV light, a significant increase in the magnitude and the lifetime of the photoconductance is observed. This is explained in terms of the filling of electron traps in ZnO by UV exposure.