The reaction of β-aminoenones with substituted acetonitriles. Regiospecific synthesis of 2(1H)-pyridones

Unsymmetrically substituted β-aminoenones react with malononitrile, cyanomethylphenylsulfone, benzoyl-acetonitrile and ethyl cyanoacetate, in very mild conditions, to yield regiospecifically 3-functionalized 2(1H)-pyridones in high yields.     

Volumetric Properties of Binary Mixtures of Isomeric Butanols and C8 Solvents at 298.15 K

Excess molar volumes, V _m ^E, over the whole composition range for binary mixtures of 1-butanol, 2-butanol, and 2-methyl-2-propanol + 1-octanol, or 2-octanol, or di-n-butyl ether, or n-hexylacetate were determined at 298.15 K from density measurements carried out with a vibrating-tube densimeter. Small V _m ^E values, both positive and negative, are displayed by mixtures containing 1- or 2-octanol, whereas positive and larger values are always found for mixtures containing dibutyl ether and hexylacetate. These results can be justified in terms of H-bonding interactions and/or steric hindrance due to the branched alkyl chains. Partial molar volumes at infinite dilution of the isomeric butanols in the C8 compounds were also calculated from the apparent molar volumes in dilute solution. The solute-solvent interactions and the effects of the local organisation of the solvent around the butanol molecules were discussed using the void and cavity volumes as different estimates of the intrinsic volume of the molecules. The volumetric behavior of butanols seems to be determined by the solute-solvent interactions rather than packaging effects.     

On the [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of allylic nitro compounds

Allylic nitro compounds undergo relatively clean [2,3] sigmatropic rearrangement upon heating in refluxing 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the presence of DABCO to give the corresponding allylic alcohols via the intermediate allylic nitrite. [reaction: see text]     

Curvature vs. Thickness in quantum waveguides

It is known that there is at least one bound state in a curved quantum waveguide provided it is sufficiently thin. In this paper we investigate the critical thickness of two-dimensional waveguides above which the discrete spectrum becomes void. We have found an expression for it in the case of a small bending angle. In the general case, its asymptotic behaviour with respect to the bending angle is shown to be governed by local smoothness properties of the boundary. Uniqueness of the critical thickness is also discussed.Dedicated to the memory of M. Gmitro.One of the authors (P.E.) is grateful for the hospitality extended to him at the University of Toulon and C.N.R.S. Marseille where the most part of this work was done. A partial support by Czechoslovak Grant Agency under Contract No. 14814 is acknowledged.     

Reductive Ring Opening of Ephedrine and Pseudo-Ephedrine-Derived Oxazolidinium Methiodides by Sodium Borohydride. A Direct Access to New Chiral Amine-Borane Adducts

Sodiun borohydride reacts with oxazolidinium methiodides derived from ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, in ethereal solvents, cleaving regioselectively the C-N bond of the ring and leading, in good yields, to chiral amine-borane adducts of know absolute configuration. The ¹HNMR data allow to predict the most stable conformation.     

Highly Homogeneous Stereocontrolled Construction of Quaternary Hydroxyesters by Addition of Dimethylzinc to α‐Ketoesters Promoted by Chiral Perhydrobenzoxazines and B(OEt)3

A highly efficient enantioselective addition of Me₂Zn to α‐ketoesters, assisted by a chiral perhydro‐1,3‐benzoxazine ligand, is described. This novel catalytic system offers homogeneous elevated enantioselectivities in the preparation of α‐hydroxyesters that bear a quaternary stereocenter, with a minor dependence on electronic and steric effects when aromatic, heteroaromatic, or aliphatic α‐ketoesters are employed. The catalyst can be recovered and reused without loss of activity.     

Solid-phase extraction clean-up procedure for the analysis of PAHs in lichens

A clean-up procedure based on a solid-phase extraction column was optimized for determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in lichen extracts to remove co-extracted compounds from the matrix in the final extract. Several kinds of solid phases were evaluated: normal phase (-NH₂ and alumina), strong anion exchange and reversed phase. The -NH₂ columns were the most effective by using a packed solid bed of 500?mg. The lichen raw extract was loaded on the column previously conditioned with dichloromethane and hexane. Hexane (0.5?mL) was used as rinsing solvent, and PAHs were quantitatively eluted (80–97%) using 2?mL of hexane–dichloromethane (65–35) as eluting solvent. In these conditions, even the heaviest PAHs were quantitatively eluted. The optimized SPE method provides a short time and low-solvent-consumption sample clean-up compared with other conventional methods based on column chromatography. The analytical procedure, dynamic sonication-assisted extraction, followed by the optimized solid-phase extraction clean-up, was used to determine the 16 EPA priority PAHs from native lichens collected from the Aragon valley in central Pyrenees. The PAH concentrations in lichen samples ranged from 352 to 1654?ng?g^?1, and the minimum concentration value was established as the regional reference PAH levels in the area.     

Reactivity Studies of Iridium Pyridylidenes [TpMe2Ir(C6H5)2(C(CH)3C(R)NH] (R=H,Me, Ph)

The reactivity of a series of iridium? pyridylidene complexes with the formula [Tp^Me2Ir(C₆H₅)₂(C(CH)₃C(R)N H] ( 1 a – 1 c ) towards a variety of substrates, from small molecules, such as H₂, O₂, carbon oxides, and formaldehyde, to alkenes and alkynes, is described. Most of the observed reactivity is best explained by invoking 16 e^? unsaturated [Tp^Me2Ir(phenyl)(pyridyl)] intermediates, which behave as internal frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). H₂ is heterolytically split to give hydride? pyridylidene complexes, whilst CO, CO₂, and H₂C?O provide carbonyl, carbonate, and alkoxide species, respectively. Ethylene and propene form five‐membered metallacycles with an IrCH₂CH(R)N (R=H, Me) motif, whereas, in contrast, acetylene affords four‐membered iridacycles with the IrC(?CH₂)N moiety. C₆H₅(C?O)H and C₆H₅C?CH react with formation of Ir? C₆H₅ and Ir? C?CPh bonds and the concomitant elimination of a molecule of pyridine and benzene, respectively. Finally the reactivity of compounds 1 a – 1 c against O₂ is described. Density functional theory calculations that provide theoretical support for these experimental observations are also reported.     

Prospects of anionic nanolipoplexes in nanotherapy: transmission electron microscopy and light scattering studies

Currently nanosystems composed of polynucleotides and lipid vesicles (nanolipoplexes) are considered to be promising tools for gene therapeutics. Successful in vivo application of these vectors depends on their physicochemical, technological and biological characteristics including morphology, size distribution, molecular interactions and stability. Anionic nanoliposomes (DPPC:DCP:CHOL) were prepared by two different techniques, namely the conventional thin-film hydration method followed by extrusion, and the heating method (HM), in which no volatile solvent or detergent is used. A non-viral and non-cationic gene transfer vector was constructed by incorporating plasmid DNA (pcDNA3.1/His B/lacZ) to the HM-nanoliposomes by the electrostatic mediation of Ca²⁺ ions. Transfection efficiency of the nanolipoplexes was evaluated using a human bronchial epithelial cell line (16HBE14o-) in the presence of serum. Particle characterisation, stability of the formulations and lipid–DNA interaction studies were performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and light scattering. TEM pictures of nanolipoplexes showed presence of two to four closely packed vesicles with signs of fusion. Efficient delivery of plasmid DNA and subsequent β-galactosidase expression was achieved using the anionic nanolipoplexes. Transfection efficiency increased with lipid:DNA ratio up to 7:1 (w/w), where transfection efficiency was 12-fold higher than in untreated cells. Further increase in lipid ratio decreased transfection. These nanolipoplexes appear to be safe, stable and efficient in the protection and delivery of DNA to different cells and tissues.     

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Arene‐Bridged Metal–Metal‐Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes

The bis(hydride) dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(H)₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(thf)₂], 2 , which possesses a quadruply bonded Mo₂^II core, undergoes light‐induced (365 nm) reductive elimination of H₂ and arene coordination in benzene and toluene solutions, with formation of the Mo^I₂ complexes [Mo₂{HC(N‐2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₂(arene)], 3?C₆H₆ and 3?C₆H₅Me , respectively. The analogous C₆H₅OMe, p‐C₆H₄Me₂, C₆H₅F, and p‐C₆H₄F₂ derivatives have also been prepared by thermal or photochemical methods, which nevertheless employ different Mo₂ complex precursors. X‐ray crystallography and solution NMR studies demonstrate that the molecule of the arene bridges the molybdenum atoms of the Mo^I₂ core, coordinating to each in an η² fashion. In solution, the arene rotates fast on the NMR timescale around the Mo₂‐arene axis. For the substituted aromatic hydrocarbons, the NMR data are consistent with the existence of a major rotamer in which the metal atoms are coordinated to the more electron‐rich C?C bonds.