Catalyst-controlled diastereoselective ring-opening formal [3+2]-cycloadditions of arylvinyl oxirane 2,2-diesters with cyclic N-sulfonyl imines

A diastereoselectivity-controllable formal [3+2]-cycloaddition of arylvinyl oxirane 2,2-diesters with cyclic N-sulfonyl imines is developed, affording the corresponding tricyclic oxazolidine derivatives in moderate to excellent yields with excellent diastereoselectivities in the presence of palladium(0) or scandium(III) triflate. This protocol allows selective synthesis of diastereomers of tricyclic oxazolidine derivatives under switchable and mild conditions. Further transformations of the obtained products were conducted by removing ester groups and arylvinyl moieties.     

Control the self-assembly of fluorenone-based polycatenars by tuning chain length

Using Suzuki coupling reactions as key steps, a series of fluorenone-based polycatenars, consisting of a central 2,7-diphenyl-9-fluorenone core connected with the 3,4,5-trialkoxybenzoate unit via –COO- linkage at each side have been synthesized. Upon elongation of the terminal alkyl chain, these compounds self-assembled into mesophase sequence of Col_hex/p6mm - Cub_I/$\mathit{Pm}\overline{3}n$ in solid states as well as organogels with interesting morphologies varied from 3D helical fibers to spherical structures in solvents.     

Real‐Time Measurement of the Size Distribution of Diesel Exhaust Particles using a Portable 4‐stage Electrical Low Pressure Impactor

For this study, a 4 stage electrical low pressure impactor was designed to measure the real‐time size distribution of diesel particulate matter (DPM). For the performance evaluation, sodium chloride (NaCl) particles and dioctyl sebacate (DOS) particles were used. After evaluating the collection efficiency of each stage of the impactor, the size distributions of test particles were estimated using electrical current data and their inversion algorithm, and this was found to agree with the results obtained by a scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS). For measurement of DPM, a common‐rail direct injection (CRDI) diesel engine, for engine speeds of 1,200 rpm and 1,500 rpm at 2.7 kgf·m, was used. Therefore, it was found that the size distribution of the DPM could be easily obtained, with the currents measured by the impactor and the data inversion algorithm, in less than 5 seconds. Furthermore, the effective density of the DPM could be obtained using the calculated results and the SMPS data.     

Electron transport of a quantum wire with spatially periodic spin–orbit coupling

Electron transport properties of an ideal one-dimensional (1D) quantum wire are studied including spatially periodic Rashba spin–orbit coupling (SOC) and Dresselhaus SOC. By comparing with the previous work [S.J. Gong, Z.Q. Yang, J. Phys. Condens. Matter 19 (2007) 446209], two transmission gaps appear in the transmission probability of electrons and their widths are also broadened dramatically. Moreover, it is found that their widths are sensitive not only to the strength of SOCs but also to the length ratio of SOCs segment and non-SOCs segment. In addition, a ‘circle-type’ transmission behavior has been found by tuning the strength of SOCs continuously. Our results may extend the previous work and provide an more effective method to manipulate the current in nanoelectric devices.     

Predicting hiCE inhibitors based upon pharmacophore models derived from the receptor and its ligands

Human intestinal carboxyl esterase (hiCE) is a drug target for ameliorating irinotecan-induced diarrhea. By reducing irinotecan-induced diarrhea, hiCE inhibitors can improve the anti-cancer efficacy of irinotecan. To find effective hiCE inhibitors, a new virtual screening protocol that combines pharmacophore models derived from the hiCE structure and its ligands has been proposed. The hiCE structure has been constructed through homology techniques using hCES1’s crystal structure. The hiCE structure was optimized via molecular dynamics simulations with the most known active hiCE inhibitors docked into the structure. An optimized pharmacophore, derived from the receptor, was then generated. A ligand-based pharmacophore was also generated from a larger set of known hiCE inhibitors. The final hiCE inhibitor predictions were based upon the virtual screening hits from both ligand-based and receptor-based pharmacophore models. The hit rates from the ligand-based and receptor-based pharmacophore models are 88% and 86%, respectively. The final hit rate is 94%. The two models are highly consistent with one another (85%). This proves that both models are reliable.     

First Total Synthesis of (±)-Kenusanone B

The first total synthesis of a natural prenylflavanone, (±)-kenusanone B (1) has been achieved by condensation of acetophenone 4 and benzaldehyde 6 followed by cyclization and deprotection. Chloromethyl methyl ether was used as a facile protecting reagent of free hydroxy groups for the synthesis of polyhydroxylated flavanones.     

Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Ethyl 1,3‐Disubstituted‐1,6‐dihydropyrrolo[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carboxylates

A novel series of ethyl 1,3‐disubstituted‐1,6‐dihydropyrrolo[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carboxylates can be rapidly and efficiently synthesized in excellent yields by condensing a variety of 1,3‐substituted‐4‐formyl‐5‐chloropyrazole with ethyl isocyanoacetate in the presence of 1‐methyl‐3‐butylimidazolium hydroxide under microwave irradiation. The simple experimental procedure, DMSO‐free condition, short period of conversion, and excellent yields are the advantages of the present method. The structures of the novel compounds are confirmed by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, MALDI‐TOF MS, and elemental analysis.     

Syngas production from methane over CeO2-Fe2O3 mixed oxides using a chemical-looping method

A series of mixed oxides Ce_{1 ? x} Fe _x O₂ was prepared by a hydrothermal method. XRD and Raman spectra were measured to study the structure of the prepared materials. The temperature-programmed reduction was undertaken to estimate reducibility of the oxides. Syngas generation from methane using these materials as oxygen carriers/catalysts via a chemical-looping procedure was investigated in detail. This procedure includes catalytic oxidation and decomposition of methane to produce H₂-rich gas at the first step followed by the production of the CO-rich gas by oxidizing the carbon deposited on deactivated catalysts. The results showed that all iron ions were incorporated into the ceria lattice with the formation of oxygen vacancies in the Ce_0.9Fe_0.1O₂ sample, while isolated Fe₂O₃ particles were distributed on the surface of the Ce_0.8Fe_0.2O₂ sample. TPR measurements and the analysis of the two-step chemical-looping reactions indicated a strong interaction between the Ce and Fe species which accounts for an increased activity of the mixed oxides in the syngas generation compared to that of individual oxides. Among the several samples, the Ce_0.8Fe_0.2O₂ catalyst showed the highest activity for methane partial oxidation due to the synergetic effects caused by the interaction of surface iron entities and Ce-Fe solid solution. In addition, selective oxidation of carbon by oxygen to CO can also be found over this material since gaseous products are formed at the carbon oxidation step with the selectivity to CO reaching 91.2%. Evidence is presented that syngas can be feasibly produced from methane with high selectivity via the chemical-looping procedure over the CeO₂-Fe₂O₃ mixed oxides.