Catalytic promotion of piperonyl alcohol to trimethylendioxyorthocyclophane by bentonitic earth, or by hydrochloric acid

The cyclooligomerization of piperonyl alcohol (1) afforded trimethylendioxyorthocyclophane (2), a novel product, which was promoted by the catalytic action of a commercial bentonitic earth, Tonsil Actisil FF, as well as by hydrochloric acid in 1, 4-dioxane. The structure of 2 was established by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and HMQC experiments (DMSO-d₆ and in the solid state), and by the corresponding mass spectrometric data (EI, CID and HR).     

First enantiospecific synthesis of marine nor-sesquiterpene (+)-austrodoral from (−)-sclareol

A short and efficient synthesis of the rearranged nor-sesquiterpenes (+)-austrodoral (1) and (+)-austrodoric acid (2), recently isolated from the Antarctic marine mollusk Austrodoris kerguelenensis, from diterpene (−)-sclareol (4) is reported. The key step of the sequence is the pinacol rearrangement of the drimanetriol 11.     

Continuous concentration of bacteria in a microfluidic flow cell using electrokinetic techniques

A novel method for the concentration of bacterial solutions is presented that implements electrokinetic techniques, zone electrophoresis (ZE) and isoelectric focusing (IEF), in a microfluidic device. The method requires low power (< 3e-5 W) and can be performed continuously on a flowing stream. The device consists of two palladium electrodes held in a flow cell constructed from layers of polymeric film held together by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Both ZE and IEF are performed with carrier-free solutions in devices in which the electrodes are in intimate contact with the sample fluid. IEF experiments were performed using natural pH gradients; no carrier ampholyte solution was required. Experiments performed in buffer alone resulted in significant electroosmotic flow. Pretreatment of the sample chamber with bleach followed by a concentrated solution of cationic detergent effectively suppressed electroosmotic flow.     

Long term and equilibrium factor indoor radon measurements

This paper presents the annual radon gas concentrations obtained during the 1994–1995 monitoring campaign using passive electret system (type E-PERM). Radon levels were measured in 154 single family dwellings, in normal occupancy conditions (open house condition) in the metropolitan zone of Mexico City. At the same time radon monitoring was performed outdoors. The results show the general log-normal distribution of integrated indoor radon concentration with an annual indoor mean of 3.8 pCi·l⁻¹. The seasonal variations show the minimum mean values in the summer season which are 39% lower than that in autumn. Equilibrium factors (F) were measured in 12 typical houses both in autumn and winter using a continuous working level monitor for short-lived radon decay products and H-chamber loaded with a short term electret (HST, E-PERM) for radon gas. The obtained total mean equilibrium factors are:F=0.41±0.17 andF=0.29±0.04 for indoor and outdoor, respectively. A quality program was also improved.     

Trans Influence of Triphenylstibine: Crystal Structures of cis‐[PtBr2(SbPh3)2], trans‐[PtBr(Ph)(SbPh3)2], [NMe4][PtBr3(SbPh3)], and cis‐[PtBr2(SbPh3)(PPh3)]

The work reports the unexpected reaction of diphenyldibromo antimonates (III) with PtCl₂ and cis‐[PtCl₂(PPh₃)₂]. The reaction gives triphenylstibine containing Pt^II complexes viz. cis‐[PtBr₂(SbPh₃)₂] ( 1 ), trans‐[[PtBr(Ph)(SbPh₃)₂] ( 2 ), [NMe₄][PtBr₃(SbPh₃)] ( 3 ), and cis‐[PtBr₂(PPh₃)(SbPh₃)] ( 4 ). All the complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, IR, Raman, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, FAB mass spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. A plausible mechanism via the phenyl migration is proposed for the formation of these complexes. The average Pt–Br distance in 1 is 2.456(2) Å, in 2 2.496 Å(trans to Ph) while in 3 it is 2.476 Å (trans to Sb) implying a comparable trans influence of Ph₃Sb and Ph₃P.     

Novel synthesis of new 1,2,4‐trithioles by reductive coupling of benzoyldithioacetic acid derivatives mediated by Sml2

1,2,4‐trithioles 2a–e are readily obtained in good yields by dimerization of benzoyldithioacetic acid derivatives using samarium diiodide as a promotor under very mild conditions. The structures of compounds 2a–e were determined by IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies using heteronuclear multiple bond correlation, heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy experiments, mass spectrometry, and, in the case of 2a, the structure was confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 11:329–335, 2000     

Darstellung,Kristallstrukturen und Schwingungsspektren von Verbindungen mit den linearen Dipnictidoborat(3–)‐Anionen [P–B–P]3–, [As–B–As]3– und [P–B–As]3–

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Vibrational Spectra of Compounds with the Linear Dipnictidoborate (3–) Anions [P–B–P]^3–, [As–B–As]^3–, and [P–B–As]^3– The alkali metal boron compounds M₃[BX₂] with X = P, As are synthesized from the alkali metals M and the binary components MX or M₄X₆ and BX in sealed steel ampoules (phosphides) or niobium ampoules (arsenides) at 1000 K. The compounds are obtained as bright yellow prisms (M₃[BP₂]) or plates (K₂Na[BP₂]) and yellow‐red prismatic crystals (M₃[BAs₂], Cs₃[BPAs]) which are very sensitive against oxidation and hydrolysis. Three different structure types are formed, namely K₂Na[BP₂] (C2/m (No. 12); Z = 4; a new mC24 structure type); Na₃[BP₂] (P2₁/c (No. 14); Z = 4, β‐Li₃[BN₂] type), M₃[BX₂] with M = K, Rb, Cs and X = P, As and Cs₃[P–B–As] (C2/c, (No. 15); Z = 4, K₃[BP₂] type). The bond lengths of the linear [BX₂]^3– anions are hardly changed and correspond to a Pauling bond order PBO = 1.9 (d(B–P) = 176.7–177.1 pm; d(B–As) = 186.5–188.0 pm). The vibrational spectra confirm the existence of unmixed and mixed units [P–B–P]^3–, [As–B–As]^3– and [P–B–As]^3– with D_∞h and C_∞v symmetry, respectively. The valence force constants f(B–X) and the corresponding Siebert bond orders, calculated from the frequencies, are discussed and compared with those of the isoelectronic anions and molecules.     

Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified Gold Electrodes as an Impedimetric DNA Sensor

A gold surface modified with a self‐assembled monolayer of 11‐amino‐1‐undecanethiol (AUT) was used for the covalent immobilization of oxidized single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The as‐described SWNTs‐modified substrate was subsequently used to attach single‐stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (ssDNA) used as a substrate for DNA hybridization. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements were performed to follow the DNA hybridization process by using the redox couple [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− as a marker ion. Specifically, changes in charge transfer resistance obtained from the Nyquist plots were used as the sensing parameter of DNA hybridization. The substrate sensitivity towards changes in target DNA concentration, its selectivity toward different DNA sequences and its reusability are successfully demonstrated in this report.     

Straightforward Synthetic Protocol for the Introduction of Stabilized C Nucleophiles in the BODIPY Core for Advanced Sensing and Photonic Applications

A straightforward synthetic protocol to directly incorporate stabilized 1,3‐dicarbonyl C nucleophiles to the meso position of BODIPY (4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene) is reported. Soft nucleophiles generated by deprotonation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl derivatives smoothly displace the 8‐methylthio group from 8‐(methylthio)BODIPY analogues in the presence of Cu^I thiophenecarboxylate in stoichiometric amounts at room temperature. Seven highly fluorescent new derivatives are prepared with varying yields (20–92 %) in short reaction times (5–30 min). The excellent photophysical properties of the new dyes allow focusing on applications never analyzed before for BODIPYs substituted with stabilized C nucleophiles such as pH sensors and lasers in liquid and solid state, highlighting the relevance of the synthetic protocol described in the present work. The attainment of these dyes, with strong UV absorption and highly efficient and stable laser emission in the green spectral region, concerns to one of the greatest challenges in the ongoing development of advanced photonic materials with relevant applications. In fact, organic dyes with emission in the green are the only ones that allow, by frequency‐doubling processes, the generation of tunable ultraviolet (250‐350 nm) radiation, with ultra‐short pulses.     

Carbonyl–carbonyl interactions and amide π‐stacking as the directing motifs of the supramolecular assembly of ethyl N‐(2‐acetylphenyl)oxalamate in a synperiplanar conformation

The title compound, C₁₂H₁₃NO₄, is one of the few examples that exhibits a syn conformation between the amide and ester carbonyl groups of the oxalyl group. This conformation allows the engagement of the amide H atom in an intramolecular three‐centred hydrogen‐bonding S(6)S(5) motif. The compound is self‐assembled by C=O...C=O and amide–π interactions into stacked columns along the b‐axis direction. The concurrence of both interactions seems to be responsible for stabilizing the observed syn conformation between the carbonyl groups. The second dimension, along the a‐axis direction, is developed by soft C—H...O hydrogen bonding. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory were performed to support the experimental findings.