Efficient nonbonded interactions for molecular dynamics on a graphics processing unit

We describe an algorithm for computing nonbonded interactions with cutoffs on a graphics processing unit. We have incorporated it into OpenMM, a library for performing molecular simulations on high‐performance computer architectures. We benchmark it on a variety of systems including boxes of water molecules, proteins in explicit solvent, a lipid bilayer, and proteins with implicit solvent. The results demonstrate that its performance scales linearly with the number of atoms over a wide range of system sizes, while being significantly faster than other published algorithms. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

A short and efficient synthesis of furo[2,3-b]indoles

Application of Wittig olefination-Claisen rearrangement protocol for the short synthesis of furo[2,3-b]indoles is described.     

Synthesis of quinine and quinidine using sulfur ylide-mediated asymmetric epoxidation as a key step

The epoxidation of meroquinene aldehyde with a chiral sulfur ylide as the key step in the synthesis of quinine and quinidine is described. The epoxidation reactions proceed under reagent control with high selectivity and good yield. The effect of sulfide and ylide substituents on the stereochemical outcome of the reaction is discussed.     

DC Electrical Study of Modified PMMA,PVC and their Blend

Summary: Thin films of high molecular weight PMMA, PVC and their blend were prepared with solution cast method. Further they were modified by adding Camphor Sulphonic Acid (CSA) to them. DSC studies indicate single glass transition temperature (Tg) for unmodified as well as modified blends indicating the miscibility of polymers. FTIR studies show the interaction between CSA-PVC, CSA-PMMA, CSA-(PVC+PMMA) blend. The D.C. electrical study was carried out at various temperatures from room temperature (307 K) to 373 K. After modification the variation of DC conductivity (σ) is found to decrease in PVC and the PVC-PMMA blend whereas it is found to increase in PMMA with rise in temperature.     

Synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence and EPR investigations of Mn doped MgAl2O4 phosphors

MgAl₂O₄:Mn phosphors have been prepared at 500 °C by combustion route. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the presence of mono-MgAl₂O₄ phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the powder particle crystallites are mostly angular. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of AlO₆ group which makes up the MgAl₂O₄ spinel. Photoluminescence studies showed green/red emission indicating that two independent luminescence channels in this phosphor. The green emission at 518 nm is due to ⁴T₁ → ⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺ ions. The emission at 650 nm is due to the charge-transfer deexcitation associated with the Mn ion. EPR spectrum exhibits allowed and forbidden hyperfine structure at g=2.003. The g≈2.00 is due to Mn²⁺ ion in an environment close to tetrahedral symmetry. It is observed that N and χ increase with decrease of temperature obeying the Boltzmann law. The variation of zero-field splitting parameter (D) with temperature is evaluated and discussed.     

Studies on controlled potential coulometric determination of gallium in sodium perchlorate and sodium thiocyanate

Controlled potential coulometric (CPC) studies were carried out for developing a method to determine gallium at milligram levels, in the mixed supporting electrolyte medium (4 M NaClO₄ + 0.5 M NaSCN), employing stirring mercury as a working electrode. Investigations for optimization of working electrode potentials, quantity of charge, level of background current and electrolysis time for achieving quantitative reduction of Ga(III) to Ga and its oxidation back to Ga(III), were undertaken. Effect of gallium content and interference of zinc in of gallium determination were also studied. The developed methodology was employed for the determination of gallium in pure Ga as well as in synthetic U + Ga mixture solutions. Accuracy and precision values of better than 0.5% were obtained at 1-2 mg levels.     

The formation of novel 1,3-dioxolanes: atypical Baylis-Hillman reaction of a sesquiterpene lactone parthenin

The Baylis-Hillman reaction of a sesquiterpene lactone parthenin with various aldehydes gave unexpected products containing a 1,3-dioxolane moiety. Both small aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes produced 1,3-dioxolanes, whereas higher aliphatic aldehydes produced normal Baylis-Hillman products.     

A cross-metathesis approach for the synthesis of tedanolide and 13-deoxytedanolide: stereoselective synthesis of the C3-C16 segment

A unified synthetic strategy has been devised for the synthesis of both tedanolide and 13-deoxytedanolide, which involves a cross-metathesis reaction as the key step. We report herein the stereoselective synthesis of the C3-C16 segment (+)-5b and subsequent manipulation of the C12-C13 double bond leading to the preparation of both tedanolides.     

Multifunctional Antioxidants: Regenerable Radical‐Trapping and Hydroperoxide‐Decomposing Ebselenols

Regenerable, multifunctional ebselenol antioxidants were prepared that could quench peroxyl radicals more efficiently than α‐tocopherol. These compounds act as better mimics of the glutathione peroxidase enzymes than ebselen. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in human mononuclear cells was considerably decreased upon exposure to the organoselenium compounds. At a concentration of 25 μm , the ebselenol derivatives showed minimal toxicity in pre‐osteoblast MC3T3 cells.     

Chiral Allenes via Alkynylogous Mukaiyama Aldol Reaction

Herein we describe the development of a catalytic enantioselective alkynylogous Mukaiyama aldol reaction. The reaction is catalyzed by a newly designed chiral disulfonimide and delivers chiral allenoates in high yields and with excellent regio‐, diastereo‐, and enantioselectivity. Our process tolerates a broad range of aldehydes in combination with diverse alkynyl‐substituted ketene acetals. The reaction products can be readily derivatized to furnish a variety of highly substituted enantiomerically enriched building blocks.