Platinum carbonyl derived catalysts on inorganic and organic supports: a comparative study

Fumed silica, silica gel, silica-alumina and cross-linked (5.5%) polystyrene have been functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups and the Chini cluster [Pt₁₂(CO)₂₄]²⁻ has been anchored onto these functionalized materials by ion pairing. A catalyst has also been prepared by the adsorption of Na₂[Pt₁₂(CO)₂₄] on unfunctionalized fumed silica. The catalytic activities of the resultant materials, and that of commercially purchased 5% platinum on alumina have been studied for the hydrogenation of a variety of unsaturated compounds. The substrates studied are: α-acetamidocinnamic acid, cyclohexanone, acetophenone, methyl pyruvate, ethyl acetoacetate, nitrobenzene and benzonitrile. Compared to the polystyrene supported catalyst, the inorganic oxide supported catalysts have higher surface areas and for most of the substrates have notably higher activities. The functionalized fumed silica-based catalyst gives higher conversions than functionalized silica gel and silica-alumina-based catalysts. In the hydrogenation of acetophenone and ethyl acetoacetate, the functionalized fumed silica-based catalyst show superior activity compared to the commercial platinum catalyst, and the catalyst made by conventional adsorption method. In benzonitrile hydrogenation with all the cluster-derived catalysts a hydrazine derivative is selectively formed, but when the commercial platinum catalyst is used benzyl amine is the main product.     

Introduction of heteroatom-based substituents into 1,4-dihydropyridines by means of a halogen-mediated, oxidative protocol: diamination, sulfonylation, sulfinylation, bis-sulfanylation, and halo-phosphonylation processes

The natural tendency of 1,4-dihydropyridines to undergo "biomimetic" oxidation to afford pyridinium salts can be switched off and, through the use of reagents that interact electrophilically with the enamine moiety present in the heterocyclic system, it is possible to promote alternative oxidations. In this way, efficient regio- and stereocontrolled synthetic methods have been developed that lead to diversely substituted di- and tetrahydropyridines. These include iodoazidation, diamination, bis-sulfonamidation, sulfonylation, sulfinylation, thiocyanation, sulfanylation, bis-sulfanylation, and halo-phosphonylation processes.     

Local dynamic mechanical properties in model free-standing polymer thin films

High-frequency sinusoidal oscillations of a coarse-grained polymer model are used to calculate the local dynamic mechanical properties (DMPs) of free-standing polymer thin films. The storage modulus G(') and loss modulus G(") are examined as a function of position normal to the free surfaces. It is found that mechanically soft layers arise near the free surfaces of glassy thin films, and that their thickness becomes comparable to the entire film thickness as the temperature approaches the glass transition T(g). As a result, the overall stiffness of glassy thin films decreases with film thickness. It is also shown that two regions coexist in thin films just at the bulk T(g); a melt-like region (G(')G(")) in the middle of the film. Our findings on the existence of a heterogeneous distribution of DMPs in free-standing polymer thin films provide insights into recent experimental measurements of the mechanical properties of glassy polymer thin films.     

Mesoporous material as catalyst for the production of fine chemical: Synthesis of dimethyl phthalate assisted by hydrophobic nature MCM-41

Aluminum, iron and zinc containing MCM-41 molecular sieves were prepared by the hydrothermal method. The catalyst was characterized by the XRD, BET (surface area), FT–IR and ²⁹Si, ²⁷Al MAS–NMR techniques. The catalytic activity of these molecular sieves was tested with esterification reaction used with phthalic anhydride (PAH) and methanol (MeOH) in the autoclave at 135 °C, 150 °C and 175 °C. Conversion increases with an increase in temperature and mole ratio. The activity of these catalysts followed the order: Al-MCM-41 (112) > Fe-MCM-41 (115) > Al-MCM-41 (70) > Al-MCM-41 (52) > Fe-MCM-41 (61) > Al, Zn-MCM-41 (104) > Al-MCM-41 (30). The reaction yielded both monomethyl phthalate (MMP) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP). The nature of the catalyst sites has been proposed using with water as an impurity. The selectivity of the dimethyl phthalate increases with increase in temperature and mole ratio. The weight of the catalyst was optimized at 0.07 g. The hydrophilic and hydrophobic nature of the catalyst has been explained by the influence of water and the external surface acidity also facilitates the reaction and this has been confirmed by the supporting reaction.     

Study of the reaction of chalcone analogs of dehydroacetic acid and o-aminothiophenol: synthesis and structure of 1,5-benzothiazepines and 1,4-benzothiazines

Treatment of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds, obtained by the reaction of DHA and aromatic (or heteroaromatic) aldehydes, with o-aminothiophenol results in the formation of 1,5-benzothiazepines and/or 1,4-benzothiazines depending upon the reaction conditions and structure of the aldehydes. The products were characterized by the combined use of multinuclear 1D and 2D NMR and GIAO/DFT calculations of ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N chemical shifts. The tautomerism of these compounds in solution was determined, they have an exocyclic CC double bond.     

The effect of vibrational bond stretching on rotational inelastic electron-molecule scattering

Differential cross sections for state-to-state rotationally inelastic electron-Na₂ scattering, with the molecule being in the vibrational levelv′'=31, are measured at a collision energy of 150 eV. Angular momentum transfer of up to Δj=26 is observed, which is even more than previously obtained for the vibrational ground statev′'=0. Good agreement is found with theoretical results from a spectator scattering model. This work, in general, elucidates the role of vibrational excitation in collision dynamics under vibrationally sudden conditions.     

Studies with an inorganic ion-exchange membrane exhibiting selectivity for Pb(II) ions

A solid membrane electrode made with titanium arsenate as membrane material and "Araldite" as binder has been used to measure the activity of lead in the concentration range from 0.1 M to 5 x 10(-6)M. The electrode is unaffected by many cations, nitrate and acetate. The response time is 40-60 sec over the whole concentration range (in a static system) and the electrode has a working life of at least four months. The electrode can work in the pH range 2-5 and is tolerant of ethanol up to a content of 30% v v . It has been successfully used for end-point indication in potentiometric titration of lead. A membrane treated with cationic surfactant exhibits better selectivity.     

Structural features of some small carbonyls in the 1,3nπ states: An mcscf study

Structural features of a series of tetraatomic carbonyls in the ^1,3nπ* states are studied by using a recently proposed MCSCF algorithm at the INDO/2 level. The computed geometrical parameters and the inversion barrier heights agree quite well with the available experimental or ab initio theoretical data. The calculated transition energies turn out to be somewhat lower than the experimental counterparts. The specific MCSCF algorithm used is found to have excellent convergence properties.