A density functional theory study on the electrocyclization of 1,2,4,6-heptatetraene analogues: converting a pericyclic to a pseudopericyclic reaction

A comprehensive B3LYP/6-31+G* study on the electrocyclization of 1,2,4,6-heptatetraene analogues was conducted. Starting from the cyclization of (2Z)-2,4,5-hexatrienal, a pericyclic disrotatory process favored by the assistance of a electron lone pair, we incorporated small modifications in its molecular structure to obtain a truly pseudopericyclic process. To this purpose electronegative atoms (fluorine and nitrogen) were added to give a more electrophilic character on the carbon atom which is attacked by the electron lone pair of the oxygen atom. The complete pathway for each reaction was determined, and changes in magnetic properties were monitored with a view to estimating the aromatization associated with each process. This information, together with the energetic and structural results, allowed us to classify the reactions as pseudopericyclic or pericyclic. Among all studied reactions only one was a truly pseudopericyclic process and another was a borderline case. The features of this unequivocally pseudopericyclic case were analyzed in depth.     

The group identification of organic compounds by means of thin-layer chromatography

The group identification method was presented based on the constant differences ΔR_f and ΔR_M, calculated from the chromatographic parameters obtained in two different mobile phases. The applicability of this method was proved with higher aliphatic alcohols, acids, and esters.     

Combining thermal analysis with other techniques to monitor the decomposition of poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide)

The pyrolysis behaviour of Nomex, poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) fibres under argon has been investigated up to a temperature of 1173 K with different methods to get direct information on the progressive changes taking place in the solid material and its carbon fibre residues. The main stages of the pyrolytic degradation of the fibres were determined by thermal analysis (TG and DTA) and their chemical and morphological evolution through the different steps was subsequently followed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements, respectively, on samples treated to various temperatures. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A universal temperature controlled membrane interface for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds

A universal temperature controlled membrane interface (TCMI) has been constructed for hollow-fibre membranes. The membrane temperature is controllable in the range -70 to 250 degrees C using an electric heater and a flow of cooled nitrogen or helium gas. Volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds may be detected either by continuous diffusion across the membrane or by in-membrane pre-concentration followed by thermal desorption into the detector. The TCMI interface is demonstrated in combination with mass spectrometry and GC-MS, for the determination of VOCs and SVOCs in aqueous and air samples and for the on-line monitoring of a bioreactor.     

Color Displays with Gel-Glass Dispersed Liquid Crystals

Liquid crystal microdroplets trapped into silica gel-glasses by sol-gel processes may be used for display applications. Gel-glass dispersed liquid crystals (GDLC) are switched between opaque and transparent states by applying external AC-voltage signals; no polarizers are required. The feasibility of applying these materials to colored displays has been explored. A comparative study of different dyes for GDLC color displays, which were either embedded in the sol-gel matrix or dissolved in the liquid crystal microdroplets is presented.     

RNA integrity as a quality indicator during the first steps of RNP purifications : A comparison of yeast lysis methods

Background  

The completion of several genome-sequencing projects has increased our need to assign functions to newly identified genes. The presence of a specific protein domain has been used as the determinant for suggesting a function for these new genes. In the case of proteins that are predicted to interact with mRNA, most RNAs bound by these proteins are still unknown. In yeast, several protocols for the identification of protein-protein interactions in high-throughput analyses have been developed during the last years leading to an increased understanding of cellular proteomics. If any of these protocols or similar approaches shall be used for the identification of mRNA-protein complexes, the integrity of mRNA is a critical factor.     

Preparation and stereoselectivity of 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition ofD-glucose-derived nitrones to N-arylmaleimides

Summary Nitrones2 derived fromD-glucose oxime and benzaldehydes without employing any protection of hydroxyl group were isolated in pure state. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of2 to N-arylmaleimides gave predominantly theanti isoxazolidines3 and was rationalized byZ/E isomerization of N-glycosylnitrones2. The structure and steric configuration of the products have been assigned on the basis of¹H- and¹³C-NMR spectroscopy. AM1 calculations of the nitrones and MM2 calculations of the adducts were performed.

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Darstellung und Stereoselektivität der 1,3-dipolaren Cycloaddition vonD-Glucose-abgeleiteten Nitronen an N-Arylmaleimiden

Zusammenfassung Die Nitrone2 wurden ausD-Glucoseoxim und Benzaldehyden ohne Schutz von Hydroxylgruppen in reinem Zustand erhalten. Die 1,3-dipolare Cycloaddition von2 an N-Arylmaleimiden ergab bevorzugt dieanti-Isoxazolidine3; dies wurde über eineZ/E-Isomerisierung der N-Glycosylnitrone2 rationalisiert. Struktur und Stereochemie wurden auf Basis von¹H- und¹³C-NMR-Spektroskopie ermittelt. Außerdem wurden AM1-Berechnungen an den Nitronen und MM2-Rechnungen an den Addukten ausgeführt.

     

Chromatographic separation and molecular modelling of triazines with respect to their inhibition of the growth of L1210/R71 cells.

The potential anti-cancer activity of triazines was characterized by the inhibition of the growth of L1210/R71 cells. The retention times for fifteen triazine derivatives were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography on octyl silica and silica gel columns. The slope and intercept values of the plot of the logarithmic capacity factor versus acetonitrile concentration were calculated from the reversed-phase retention measurements. The adsorption properties of the compounds were characterized by the retention data obtained on silica gel columns using high and low concentrations of ammonium salts in the hydro-organic mobile phase. The non-polar, non-polar unsaturated and polar surface areas, the surface energies, the dipole moments and the Van der Waals radii of the molecules were calculated from their chemical structures after energy minimization on the basis of molecular mechanics. Correlation analysis of these parameters showed that the inhibitory effect is dependent on the polar and non-polar surface areas of the molecules. The reversed-phase slope showed a significant correlation with the difference between the accessible and the total non-polar surface areas of the compounds, whereas the intercept values correlated with the non-polar accessible surface area. The adsorption properties of the triazines on silica gel cannot be described by the molecular parameters investigated here.     

Structural Investigation of Guest-to-Host and Ligand-Ligand Interactions in Werner Clathrates of [Ni(4-Etpy)4(NCS)2]⋅ nG Type (G = Naphthalene Derivatives). The Crystal Structure of [Ni(4-Etpy)4(NCS)2]⋅1-Methylnaphthalene

The stoichiometry and spectral properties of [Ni(4-Etpy)4(NCS)2]nG clathrates have been studied where n = 2 for G = 1-BrN (N = naphthalene), n = 1 or 2 for G = 1-MeN, and n = 0.5 for 2-MeN and 2-BrN. The complexes under study show electronic absorption spectra typical of an octahedral environment of the Ni(II) central atom. The differences found in IR spectra for the (CN) and (Ni–-NNCS) vibrations are discussed. The crystal structure of [Ni(4-Etpy)4(NCS)2]1-MeN was determined by X-ray diffraction and refined to R = 0.0586. Discrete non-centrosymmetric [Ni(4-Etpy)4(NCS)2] molecules form layers of a host structure and the space between the layers is occupied by 1-MeN. The relationship between interatomic distances in the host complex of similar clathrates are discussed.