Unexpected reactivity of pyridinium salts toward alkynyl Fischer complexes to produce oxo‐heterocycles

The unprecedented reaction of ketone‐containing aromatic pyridinium salts 3a ‐ e and alkynyl Fischer complexes 1a ‐ f proceeds via a mild domino process to provide 4,6‐disubstituted pyran‐2‐ones 5a ‐ k and 2,3,5‐trisubstituted furans 6a ‐ h (45‐97%). According of the results of isotopic labeling experiments, a mechanism involving an initial Michael addition appears to be the key step, obtaining a mesomeric structure responsible for the formation of both products.     

Contribution of thermal imaging to fertigation in soilless culture

Thermography is a tool used in many scientific disciplines, including agriculture. This paper describes the application of thermography as a rapid diagnostic method of adequate watering. Two experiments were conducted. In experiment 1, Philodendron erubescens and Anthurium andraeum were transplanted to pots in a greenhouse in Almeria (Spain). The vegetative growth parameters of these plants were measured. In experiment 2, two areas of vegetative cover were established on green walls: one with a combination of aromatic plants and another with ornamental indoor plants. The thermographic images were recorded using a compact infrared camera, which had a spectral infrared range of 7.3–13 μm, microbolometer of 320 × 240 pixels, and the resolution was 0.01 °C at 30 °C. Three irrigation treatments were applied in both experiments, consisting of a control treatment (CT), a deficit irrigation [1/3 less volume, deficient irrigation (DI)] treatment, and an excess irrigation [1/3 greater volume, excess irrigation (EI)] treatment. In both experiments, the sample temperatures were recorded by thermography for each irrigation treatment. In experiment 1, the vegetative growth parameters were greater under CT than under DI or EI. The data of the reference thermographs over the leaves of the potted plants were significantly correlated with the superior growth parameters under the optimal irrigation treatment. A continuous vegetative canopy was formed on both of the green walls in experiment 2, and the average temperatures were correlated with the irrigation treatments in this experiment. The temperatures reflected in the reference thermographs allowed for the determination of the most appropriate irrigation treatment. These results suggest that thermography can be a useful method to provide an early diagnosis of water stress in potted plants and green walls.     

Synthesis of 1-aryl-3H-[1,2,5]triazepino[5,4-a]benzimidazol-4(5H)-ones and quantum chemical investigation of the rotamers of the Boc-protected hydrazide key intermediate

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Design and Sensing Properties of a Self‐Assembled Supramolecular Oligomer

Supramolecular polymers are a class of macromolecules stabilized by weak non‐covalent interactions. These self‐assembled aggregates typically undergo stimuli‐induced reversible assembly and disassembly. They thus hold great promise as so‐called functional materials. In this work, we present the design, synthesis, and responsive behavior of a short supramolecular oligomeric system based on two hetero‐complementary subunits. These “monomers” consist of a tetrathiafulvalene‐functionalized calix[4]pyrrole (TTF‐C[4]P) and a glycol diester‐linked bis‐2,5,7‐trinitrodicyanomethylenefluorene‐4‐carboxylate (TNDCF), respectively. We show that when mixed in organic solvents, such as CHCl₃, CH₂ClCH₂Cl, and methylcyclohexane, supramolecular aggregation takes place to produce short oligomers stabilized by hydrogen bonding and donor–acceptor charge‐transfer (CT) interactions. The self‐associated materials were characterized by ¹H NMR and UV/Vis/NIR absorption spectroscopy, as well as by concentration‐ and temperature‐dependent absorption spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyses of both the monomeric and oligomerized species. The self‐associated system produced from TTF‐C[4]P and TNDCF exhibits a concentration‐dependent aggregation behavior typical of supramolecular polymers. Further support for the proposed self‐assembly came from theoretical calculations. The fluorescence emitting properties of TNDCF are quenched under conditions that promote the formation of supramolecular aggregates containing TTF‐C[4]P and TNDCF. This quenching effect has been utilized as a probe for the detection of substrates in the form of anions (i.e., chloride) and nitroaromatic explosives (i.e., 1,3,5‐trinitrobenzene). Specifically, the addition of these substrates to mixtures of TTF‐C[4]P and TNDCF produced a fluorescence “turn‐on” response.     

Enzymatic resolution of five membered heterocyclic bromohydrins

The lipase catalyzed resolution of trans-3,4-tetrahydrofuran and pyrrolidine bromohydrins by acylation or hydrolysis of their acylated derivatives has been studied. For both heterocycles, the best enantioselectivity was obtained using Candida antarctica lipase B as the catalyst in the hydrolytic processes. The enantiomerically pure bromohydrins are useful intermediates for the preparation of 3,4-fuctionalized cis-heterocycles.     

Enantiodivergence in the reduction of α-methyl and α-halomethyl enones by microorganisms

Enones (Z)-3-methyl-(Z)-3-chloromethyl- and (Z)-3-bromomethyl-4-R-3-buten-2-one (R = n-pentyl, phenyl, 2′- and 4′-chlorophenyl, 3′- and 4′-nitrophenyl, 4′-methoxyphenyl) were synthesized and subjected to reduction by the microorganisms Saccharomyces cerevisiae andGeotrichum candidum. Whereas the bioreduction of 3-methy-4-R-3-buten-2-ones afforded the corresponding (S)-4-R-3-methybutan-2-ones, the bioreduction of 3-chloromethyl- and 3-bromomethyl-4-R-3-buten-2-ones afforded the corresponding (R)-4-R-3-methybutan-2-ones.