Nondestructive and rapid determination of nitrate in soil, dry deposits and aerosol samples using KBr-matrix with diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS)

This paper presents the development of a new, rapid and precise analytical method for submicrogram levels of nitrate (NO₃⁻) in environmental samples like soil, dry deposit samples, and coarse and fine aerosol particles. The determination of submicrogram levels of nitrate is based on the selection of a quantitative analytical peak at 1385 cm⁻¹ among the three observed vibrational peaks and preparing calibration curves using different known concentrations of nitrate by diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infra red spectrometric (DRIFTS) technique. Pre-weighed and ground infrared (IR) grade KBr was used as substrate over which remarkably wide range of known concentration of nitrate was sprayed and dried. The dried sample was analyzed by DRIFTS and absorbance was measured. Eight calibration curves for four different concentration ranges of nitrate for absorbance as well as peak area were prepared for samples containing lower and relatively higher values of nitrate. The relative standard deviation (n = 8) for the nitrate concentration ranges, 0.05-40, 0.05-1.5, 1.5-25, 5-40 μg/0.1 g KBr were in the range 1.6-2.3% for the above calibration curves. The limit of detection (LOD) of the method is 0.07 μg g⁻¹ NO₃⁻. The F- and t-tests were performed to check the analytical quality assurance test. The noteworthy feature of the reported method is the noninterference of any of the associated cations. The results were compared with that of ion-chromatographic method with high degree of acceptability. The method can be applied in wide concentration ranges. The method is reagent less, nondestructive, very fast, repeatable, and accurate and has high sample throughput value.     

A computational study on hydrogenation of CO2, catalyzed by a bridged B/N frustrated Lewis pair

Structural Chemistry - A DFT-based computational study has been performed on the hydrogenation of CO2, catalyzed by a bridged FLP. Formic acid might be formed in two possible pathways as revealed...     

A “Thermodynamically Stable” 2D Nickel Metal–Organic Framework over a Wide pH Range with Scalable Preparation for Efficient C2s over C1 Hydrocarbon Separations

The design and construction of “thermodynamically stable” metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) that can survive in liquid water, boiling water, and acidic/basic solutions over a wide pH range is highly desirable for many practical applications, especially adsorption-based gas separations with obvious scalable preparations. Herein, a new thermodynamically stable Ni MOF, {[Ni(L)(1,4-NDC)(H₂O)₂]}_n (IITKGP-20; L=4,4′-azobispyridine; 1,4-NDC=1,4-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid; IITKGP stands for the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur), has been designed that displays moderate porosity with a BET surface area of 218 m² g⁻¹ and micropores along the [10−1] direction. As an alternative to a cost-intensive, cryogenic, high-pressure distillation process for the separation of hydrocarbons, MOFs have recently shown promise for such separations. Thus, towards an application standpoint, this MOF exhibits a higher uptake of C₂ hydrocarbons over that of C₁ hydrocarbon under ambient conditions, with one of the highest selectivities based on the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) method. A combination of two strategies (the presence of stronger metal–N coordination of the spacer and the hydrophobicity of the aromatic moiety of the organic ligand) possibly makes the framework highly robust, even stable in boiling water and over a wide range of pH 2–10, and represents the first example of a thermodynamically stable MOF displaying a 2D structural network. Moreover, this material is easily scalable by heating the reaction mixture at reflux overnight. Because such separations are performed in the presence of water vapor and acidic gases, there is a great need to explore thermodynamically stable MOFs that retain not only structural integrity, but also the porosity of the frameworks.     

Enantioselective synthesis of α,β-diamino ester derivatives: memory of chirality in imino-aldol reactions

A simple strategy for the synthesis of chiral α,β-diamino ester derivatives in good yields and ee (up to 92%) utilizing the ‘memory of chirality’ concept is reported. This methodology has been extended for the enantioselective synthesis of substituted aziridines with excellent ee (92%).     

DFT study of the 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides with maleimide,maleic anhydride,methylacrylate and some simple substituted alkenes

DFT calculations involving the B3LYP functional and 6‐31G(d) basis set have been performed to rationalize the reactivity, regioselectivity, enantioselectivity and diasteriofacial selectivity in the context of 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (13DC) reactions of a few acyclic and two cyclic azomethine ylides (AY) leading to enantiomeric/ diasteriomeric excess of the products. In particular, N‐substituted and C‐substituted AYs have been considered for reactions with the substituted ethylenes, maleimide, maleic anhydride and methyl acrylate. From an analysis of the results of calculation for the selected reactions, the regio‐ and exo/endo‐stereoselectivity have been explained. Reactions were followed through transition state (TS) structure optimization, calculation of IRC and activation energies. A rationalization of the trends in regioselectivity and enantioselectivity was attempted with the help of HOMO–LUMO energies, electrophilicity differences (Δω) and an analysis of Pauling's bond order (PBO) in the TS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamics of 2-D one electron quantum dots in periodically fluctuating confinement potential: Influence of size and anharmonicity

We explore the dynamics of harmonically confined single electron quantum dots as a function of dot size under periodically fluctuating confinement potential. The system of interest is a 2-D system in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. We show that for given strengths of the magnetic field and effective mass, a periodic variation in the strength of the confinement potential could invite interesting features in the dynamics of the system. Also, the pattern of time evolution of eigenstates of the unperturbed system reveals significant size-dependence. The fluctuation in the confinement potential from its initial value is found to modulate the dynamical aspects in a prominent way. The presence of cubic anharmonicity in the confining field brings in new features in the dot dynamics.     

Dynamics of 2-D one electron quantum dots in pulsed field: Influence of size

We explore the dynamics of harmonically confined single electron quantum dots as a function of dot size when an external time varying pulsed electric field is switched on. The system of interest is a 2-D system in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field. We show that for given strengths of the confining potentials, the pattern of time evolution of eigenstates of the unperturbed system reveals significant size-dependence. The pulse duration time is also found to modulate the dynamical aspects in a prominent way.     

Total Synthesis of Myceliothermophins C,D, and E

The total synthesis of cytotoxic polyketides myceliothermophins E ( 1 ), C ( 2 ), and D ( 3 ) through a cascade‐based cyclization to form the trans‐fused decalin system is described. The convergent synthesis delivered all three natural products through late‐stage divergence and facilitated unambiguous C21 structural assignments for 2 and 3 through X‐ray crystallographic analysis, which revealed an interesting dimeric structure between its enantiomeric forms.