Thiazolidin-4-one formation. Mechanistic and synthetic aspects of the reaction of imines and mercaptoacetic acid under microwave and conventional heating

Microwave irradiation of a mixture of benzylidene-anilines and mercaptoacetic acid in benzene gives 1,3-thiazolidin-4-ones in very high yield (65-90%), whereas the same reaction performed through using the conventional method, at reflux temperature, requires a much longer time and gives a much lower yield (25-69%). This difference seems to be due to some intermediates and by-products formed during the conventional reaction. On the basis of 1H NMR studies, two different mechanisms, acting in benzene and in DMF, respectively, have been hypothesized for the thiazolidin-4-one system formation.     

Dynamic processes in the Venice region outlined by environmental isotopes

Research carried out in the last 40 years has shown the scientific importance of groundwater circulation both in the Northern Adriatic sea bed and within the uppermost sedimentary layers of the Venice lagoon and of the Venice plain. Hydrodynamic processes are strictly controlled by a well-cemented sedimentary horizon lying under and around Venice ('caranto'), which plays the role of regional aquitard. This layer was attributed to the subaerial cementation of the Flandrian (8-10 ka Before Present) sedimentary surface. The caranto is generalised as a continuum horizon, being an easy explanation for several environmental, hydrogeological and geotechnical problems, e.g., a base layer for landfills, a confining layer for deep aquifers and the best substratum for locating the oak wooden pile-dwelling needed to support the largest buildings. The preservation of the isotope signal within the deep aquifers and aquiclude system records the changes in surface and groundwater characteristics and suggests the present and past recharge regimes. In this region, the heavily perturbed hydrodynamic conditions do not allow for the use of isotopic signals to derive a correct reconstruction of the present recharge. The perturbations induced by the intensive anthropogenic activity force to follow climate evolution by considering deep groundwater and pore waters. In addition, the presence of carbonatic rocks inside terrigeneous sediments affects the reconstruction of the past. Results indicate that carbonatic rocks are created by seepage, through the sediments, of gaseous carbon compounds from decaying organic layers. The gas interactions with the intra-sedimentary saline and fresh waters produce CO2, inducing the cementation of the sediments.     

A general synthesis of water soluble upper rim calix[n]arene guanidinium derivatives which bind to plasmid DNA

The reaction of O-alkylated p-aminocalix[n]arenes (n=4, 6, 8) with N,N′-di(tert-butoxycarbonyl)thiourea in the presence of HgCl₂ and subsequent removal of the protective groups with hydrochloric acid led to the new water soluble calix[n]guanidinium derivatives (p-guanidiniumcalix[n]arenes) 20-23. With the exception of tetraoctyl-p-guanidiniumcalix[4]arene 21, which forms a macroscopic gelatinous aggregate even at very low concentration, all the synthesised guanidinium calixarenes show good solubility in water and sharp NMR signals. Moreover, these compounds are not cytotoxic and bind to plasmid DNA.     

Controlled transmission in the forbidden photonic bandgap via transient nonlinear states

Using three-dimensional time-domain numerical simulations of the nonlinear dispersive Maxwell equations for a defect microcavity in a photonic crystal wire, we show that the transmission through the bandgap can be all-optically modulated via the generation of transient states associated with the nonlinear splitting of the defect mode. Analytical results based on time-domain coupled-mode theory are derived as well.     

Modeling the co-antioxidant behavior of monofunctional phenols. Applications to some relevant compounds

A study on the regeneration of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) by phenolic co-antioxidants in homogeneous hydrocarbon solution is reported. The behavior of some relevant phenols such as BHA, BHT, and trans-resveratrol appears to be nicely predicted by a model based on the knowledge of kinetic and thermochemical data concerning the various reactants. Despite its good reputation as an antioxidant, trans-resveratrol was found only moderately effective (k(inh) = 2.0 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) in chlorobenzene at 303 K) and unable to recycle vitamin E.     

Antioxidant activity of o-bisphenols: the role of intramolecular hydrogen bonding

A kinetic and thermodynamic investigation on the antioxidant activity of 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol) (2), 2,2'-ethylidenebis(4,6-di-tert-butylphenol) (3), and 4,4'-methylenebis(2,6-di-tert-butylphenol) (4) are reported. EPR studies of the equilibration between 3 or 4 and a reference phenol, and the corresponding phenoxyl radicals, allowed us to determine the O-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) of the O-H bond as 81.2 and 81.1 kcal/mol in 3 and 4, respectively. Despite this similarity, the absolute rate constants for the reaction with peroxyl radicals, determined by autoxidation studies under controlled conditions, indicate that the o-bisphenols 2 and 3 behave as excellent antioxidants while the p-bisphenol 4 is less effective by a factor of 64 and 22, respectively. FT-IR spectroscopy and product studies suggest that the very good antioxidant activity of the o-bisphenols largely arises from both the reduced steric crowding about the hydroxyl group and the stabilization of the aroxyl radical due to the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the residual OH and the oxygen radical center.     

Kinetic glass transition in a micellar system with short-range attractive interaction

We show that percolation and structural arrest transitions coexist in different regions of the phase diagram of a copolymer-micellar system and relate them to short-range intermicellar attraction. The intermediate scattering function shows a nonergodic transition along a temperature and concentration dependent line. Analyses show a logarithmic time dependence, attributed to a higher-order glass transition singularity predicted by mode-coupling theory, followed by a power law.     

Density and Volume Properties of Ethane-1,2-diol + 1,2-Dimethoxyethane + Water Ternary Mixtures from −10° to 80°

Thermodynamic interactions in the ethane-1,2-diol (1) + 1,2-dimethoxyethane(2) + water (3) ternary system have been investigated in terms of the excessmolar volume, derived from density measurements at 19 different temperaturesfrom –10;dg to 80;dgC. Fourteen three-component mixtures have been considered,covering the entire composition range. The excess molar volumes are discussedin terms of conformational changes induced in each component by the presenceof another one. The results obtained support the hypothesis of the absence of anythree-component complex adducts under all experimental conditions investigated.