From allylic alcohols to aldols by using iron carbonyls as catalysts: computational study on a novel tandem isomerization-aldolization reaction

The tandem isomerization-aldolization reaction between allyl alcohol and formaldehyde mediated by [Fe(CO)3] was studied with the density functional B3LYP method. Starting from the key [(enol)Fe(CO)3] complex, several reaction paths for the reaction with formaldehyde were explored. The results show that the most favorable reaction path involves first an enol/allyl alcohol ligand-exchange process followed by direct condensation of formaldehyde with the free enol. During this process, formation of the new C-C bond takes place simultaneously with a proton transfer between the enol and the aldehyde. Therefore, the role of [Fe(CO)3] is to catalyze the allyl alcohol to enol isomerization affording the free enol, which adds to the aldehyde in a carbonyl-ene type reaction. Similar results were obtained for the reaction between allyl alcohol and acetaldehyde.     

Superexcited state reconstruction of HCl using photoelectron and photoion imaging

The velocity-map imaging technique was used to record photoelectron and photofragment ion images of HCl following two-photon excitation of the E Sigma(+)(0+), V 1Sigma(+)(0+) (nu=9,10,11) states and subsequent ionization. The images allowed us to determine the branching ratios between autoionization and dissociation channels for the different intermediate states. These branching ratios can be explained on the basis of intermediate state electron configurations, since the configuration largely prohibits direct ionization in a one-electron process, and competition between autoionization and dissociation into H* (n=2)+Cl and H+Cl*(4s,4p,3d) is observed. From a fit to the vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectrum of HCl+ it is apparent that a single superexcited state acts as a gateway to autoionization and dissociation into H+Cl*(4s). Potential reconstruction of the superexcited state to autoionization was undertaken and from a comparison of different autoionization models it appears most likely that the gateway state is a purely repulsive and low-n Rydberg state with a (4Pi) ion core.     

A new direct synthesis of cinnamic acids from aromatic aldehydes and aliphatic carboxylic acids in the presence of sodium borohydride

Cinnamic acids have been prepared in 59-86% yields by a new direct synthesis from aromatic aldehydes and aliphatic carboxylic acids in the presence of sodium borohydride and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) as solvent, at reflux (185-190°C), for 9-12 hours. Without sodium borohydride, this reaction is not possible.     

Nitrogen isotope exchange between nitric oxide and nitric acid

The rate of nitrogen isotope exchange between NO and HNO₃ has been measured as a function of nitric acid concentration of 1.5–4M·1^–1. The exchange rate law is shown to beR=k[HNO₃]²[N₂O₃] and the measured activation energy isE=67.78kJ ·M^–1 (16.2 kcal·M^–1). It is concluded that N₂O₃ participates in¹⁵N/¹⁴N exchange between NO and HNO₃ at nitric acid concentrations higher than 1.5M·1^–1.     

Bond energy, aromatic stabilization energy and strain in IPR fullerenes

Various models applied to DFT structures and energies of 2-D and 3-D aromatic molecules shed new light on the effects of strain and aromaticity in these systems. The cyclic pi electron delocalisation does not stabilize the fullerene C60 formation; and 5-6 and 6-6 CC bonds have near-identical bond stretch potentials.     

Effect of alkali ions (Na+, K+) on the solvent extraction of uranium(VI) with a di-carboxylated calix[4] arene

The solvent extraction of uranium(VI) with a di-carboxylated calix[4]arne (LH₂) in chloroform and 1,2-dichloroethane has been studied in the presence or absence of alkali ions (M=Na⁺,K⁺). For UO ₂ ²⁺ when studied alone, a 12 (metal: ligand) extracted species is evidenced, with a rather low associated extraction equilibrium constant. The efficiency of extraction increases drastically in the presence of alkali ions, due to the formation of heteronuclear complexes. In all cases, the extracted species are found to be both 122 and 112 (UO ₂ ²⁺ MLH₂) mixed complexes, except in chloroform with K⁺, where only the latter is formed. In the case of Na⁺, mass spectrometry spectra confirm the existence of both homo and heteronuclear complexes as determined in the extraction studies.     

Ramanspektroskopische Untersuchungen an PCl5 II. Das System PCl5—ZrCl4

Raman spectra of some solid and molten PCl₅–ZrCl₄ mixtures have been recorded. ZrCl₆ ^2– complex ions accompanied by at least one more chlorozirconate species are present in the solid as well as in the melt. The newRaman frequencies are attributed to ZrCl₅ ^–, which fundamentals are given and assignment is proposed to be analogous to TiCl₅ ^–. The presence of ZrCl₆ ^2– and ZrCl₅ ^– can be explained by the equilibrium ZrCl₆ ^2–+PCl₄ ⁺ZrCl₅ ^–+PCl₅.

     

A new electrolytic dissolution of aluminum alloys and determination of some constituents by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry

The new electrolytic dissolution in batch of aluminum alloys samples as grains or turns and the determination of Fe, Cu, Mn, Mg, Cr, Ni, Zn, Pb and Ti by ICP OES was investigated. In on-line electrodissolution procedures described in the literature, samples were restricted to be in the form of solid blocks or plates with one polished flat face. Here, the sample was loaded in the barrel of a modified disposable syringe (the anodic semi-cell) and pressed with a modified plunger fitted with a platinum disk to establish electrical contact with the analyte. This arrangement was introduced in a beaker containing the electrolyte (1 mol L⁻¹ HNO₃) and a platinum wire as the cathode. The resulting solution from electrodissolution (0.6 A) was used for the ICP OES determinations. The influence of the aluminum concentration increase on the determination of the elements was evaluated. Electrodissolution of certified reference materials and commercial samples revealed relative errors lower than 10% for the elements Fe, Cu, Mg, Ni, Cr, Zn and Ti (when their content is above 0.1%). Higher inaccuracies (>10%) were observed for Mn and for Fe in B.C.S. 268/1 reference material certified. The proposed method presented a relative standard deviations (R.S.D.) lower or circa 10% to all of the elements (except Pb). In comparison with traditional acid dissolution, the proposed electrodissolution method is relatively fast (about 30 min), it is clean (there is no projection of solution) and simple (heating and fumes exhaust system were not necessaries).     

Electronic properties of aluminum clusters compared with the jellium model

The experimental polarizabilities, ionization potentials and electron affinities of aluminum clusters are compared with jellium predictions. It is found that the clusters have radii and work functions which are close to the jellium model predictions for clusters with more than 13 atoms. The polarizabilities of Al _n correspond with the jellium only forn>40 and the shell structure features in the ionization potentials are anomalous up to 37. We conclude that nonjellium effects are important up ton=40.