Über die Stereochemie der Hydrogenolyse von N-Benzyl-Bindungen I. Die Hydrogenolyse von Derivaten der 2-Amino-2-phenyl-propionsäure.

The stereochemistry of the hydrogenolysis of benzyl-N bonds was studied using S(+)-2-dimethylamino-2-phenyl-propionic acid (I) and its derivatives, and R(?)-2-anilino-2-phenyl-propionic acid (II). The configuration of I was confirmed, that of II established by ORD. measurements, after transformation of the phenyl into cyclohexyl groups. On a palladium catalyst the hydrogenolysis of I, its methyl and ethyl esters and its amide proceeded with 72 to 99% inversion of configuration, that of II with at least 66% inversion. The ester of the quaternary ammonium derivative of I gave as much inversion as retention (= racemisation).     

Determination of moisture on thorium dioxide by a coulometric electrolytic measurement with electronic integration

The coulometric electrolytic principle is utilized for the measurement of moisture sorbed on sintered thorium dioxide. Moisture is removed from the sample by heating and is swept by dry argon gas through a hygrometer. The resulting hygrometer output is converted into frequency pulses and counted cumulatively. The instrument is calibrated by use of standard hydrated chemicals. The number of counts/mu;g of water obtained from standards compares favourably with the theoretical number of counts/mu;g calculated from performance specifications of the components employed. The error is <5% for 1-350mu;g of water. A high sensitivity and low operating blank recommends application of this method to materials other than thorium dioxide, having very low moisture contents.     

1,2-oxazine chemistry—II : The crystal and molecular structure of N-(p-carboxybenzyl)-tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine

The crystal structure of the title compound has been determined from X-ray diffractometer data by direct methods, and refined by full matrix least squares techniques to R = 0·057 for 1231 reflections. The crystals are monoclinic, space group C2/C, cell dimensions a = 1665, b = 987, c = 1443 pm, β = 107·37° and Z = 8. The conformation of the tetrahydro-1,2-oxazine ring is a chair with the N-substituent equatorial. There is evidence of significantly greater torsional angles around the N and O atoms than around the ring C atoms, showing the ring to be more puckered than cyclohexane. The hydrogen bond is between the acid group on one molecule and the ring nitrogen on its neighbour.     

Determination of uranium after its selective extraction as phenylacetate

The method described is based on the extraction of uranium with a chloroform solution of phenylacetic acid from slightly acidic solution containing nitrilotriacetic acid, which masks all interfering metals. After stripping into very dilute hydrochloric acid, uranium is reduced with ascorbic acid and determined complexometrically. The method permits reliable determination of uranium in the presence of all quadri-, ter- and bivalent metals investigated, molybdenum(VI), tungsten(VI), and vanadium(V).     

Hydrogenation without a transition-metal catalyst: on the mechanism of the base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones

The hydrogenation of unsaturated organic substrates such as olefins and ketones is usually effected by homogeneous or heterogeneous transition-metal catalysts. On the other hand, a single case of a transition-metal-free and purely base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones was reported by Walling and Bollyky some 40 years ago. Unfortunately, the harsh reaction conditions (ca. 200 degrees C, >100 bar H(2), potassium tert-butoxide as base) limit the substrate spectrum of this reaction to robust, nonenolizable ketones such as benzophenone. We herein present a mechanistic study of this process as a basis for future rational improvement. The base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones was found to be irreversible, and it shows first-order kinetics with respect to the substrate ketone, hydrogen, and catalytic base. The rate of the reaction depends on the type of alkali ion present (Cs > Rb - K > Na > Li). Using D(2) instead of H(2) revealed a rapid base-catalyzed isotope exchange/equilibration between the gas phase and the solvent as a concomitant reaction. The degree of deuteration of the product alcohols did not indicate a significant kinetic isotope effect. It is proposed that both ketone reduction and isotope exchange proceed via similar six-membered cyclic transition states involving the H(2)(D(2))-molecule, the alkoxide base, and the ketone (solvent alcohol in the case of isotope exchange). Mechanistic analogies are pointed out which apparently exist between the base-catalyzed hydrogenation of ketones studied here and the Ru-catalyzed asymmetric ketone hydrogenation developed by Noyori. In both cases, heterolysis of the hydrogen molecule appears to be assisted by a Br?nsted-base (i.e., alkoxide), the latter being bound to the substrate ketone or the catalyst ligand, respectively, by a bridging Lewis-acidic alkali ion.     

The effect of metal oxides on the oxidation of polybutadiene

Carboxy-terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) was oxidised as a coating on various metal oxides by heating in air on a thermobalance. The oxidation was found to be free from diffusion control and was catalysed by certain of the oxides. The catalysis was shown to be independent of semiconductor type and to be associated with those oxides for which the width of the forbidden zone between the valence and conduction bands (U) is less than 1.9 eV. In general, low values of U result in high catalytic activity. It is proposed that catalysis occurs by a redox mechanism, viz. RO₂H + p → RO₂^. + H⁺, RO₂H + e → RO^. + OH^?.     

Determination of low dose concentration profiles in solids by means of (n,p) and (n, α) reactions

The isotopes³He,⁶Li,⁷Be and¹⁰B exhibit extremely large cross sections, between 1 and 48 kilobarn, for (n, p) or (n, α) reactions with thermal neutrons. Together with now available extracted thermal neutron fluxes of 10⁽ n·cm⁻²·sec⁻¹ or more, these reactions present a highly sensitive method of detecting the mentioned light elements in any heavy matrix material. Through the experimentally determined energy losses of the emitted protons or α-particles, also well resolved depth profiles can be obtained, as demonstrated here for some relevant examples from semiconductor and fusion technology.     

Thermal density fluctuations in amorphous polymers as revealed by small angle X-ray diffraction

Summary Thermal density fluctuations in amorphous polymethyl methacrylate, polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate were studied by means of small angle X-ray scattering. The measurements were performed in a temperature range from 20 °C up to about 50 °C above the glass transition temperatureT _g of the individual sample.AboveT _g the experimental values of the fluctuations are proportional to the isothermal compressibility and the temperature of the sample as predicted by the fluctuation theory for a system in thermodynamic equilibrium.At temperatures belowT _g this relation is no longer correct. The experimentally determined fluctuations are now proportional to the compressibility of the sample in the equilibrium state atT _g and to the actual temperature of the glassy sample. By considering a statistical ensemble with exchange of energy, particles and order between the systems of the ensemble an equation can be derived for the fluctuations of the number of particles per given volume which predicts the observed behaviour. The order parameter takes into account the fact that the properties of the glassy state depend on the way by which the state was produced.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden thermische Dichtefluktuationen in amorphem Polymethylmethacrylat, Polycarbonat und Polyäthylenterephthalat mit Hilfe der Röntgenkleinwinkelstreuung untersucht. Die Messungen erstrecken sich über einen Temperaturbereich von 20 °C bis zu etwa 50 °C oberhalb der GlastemperaturT _g der jeweiligen Probe.In Übereinstimmung mit den Ergebnissen der Fluktuationstheorie sind die Fluktuationen oberhalb vonT _g proportional zur isothermen Kompressibilität und zur Temperatur der Probe.Unterhalb der Glastemperatur ist diese Beziehung nicht mehr erfüllt. Hier ist die Fluktuation proportional zur Kompressibilität der Probe im Gleichgewichtszustand beiT _g und zur Temperatur. Auf der Basis einer statistischen Gesamtheit mit der Austauschmöglichkeit von Energie, Partikel und Ordnung zwischen den Systemen der Gesamtheit kann eine Beziehung für die Dichtefluktuation abgeleitet werden, die mit den experimentellen Ergebnissen übereinstimmt. Der zusätzliche Ordnungsparameter berücksichtigt die Tatsache, daß die Eigenschaften im Glaszustand wegabhängig sind.

     

Isoperthiocyanic acid (3-amino-5-thione-l, 2, 4-dithiazole) as a new reagent for the selective detection of nitrite ion

Summary A new, simple, and selective test is described for the detection of nitrite ion with isoperthiocyanic acid (I) as the reagent. The test is based on the reaction of a 5% solution ofI with the nitrite ion solution, a deep orange precipitate being formed. Conversely, the test can be used in the identification ofI itself. Presumably, the coloured product is 3-hydroxy-5-thione-1, 2, 4-dithiazole, formed by the action of nitrous acid (producedin situ by the action of sulphuric acid and nitrite) on the 3-amino group ofI. The limit of detection is 300g of NO₂ ^– in a drop (0.05 ml). Most anions (including IO₃ ^–) do not interfere. Only I^–, thiourea, and hydrogen peroxide interfere; S₂O₃ ^2– interferes only when present in large amounts.

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Zusammenfassung Ein neuer, einfacher und selektiver Nachweis von Nitrit mit Isoperthio cyansäure (I) wurde beschrieben. Er beruht auf der Umsetzung einer 5% igen Lösung von I mit Nitritlösung, wobei ein tief orange gefärbter Niederschlag entsteht. Umgekehrt kann die Reaktion auch zum Nachweis von I dienen. Vermutlich handelt es sich bei dem gefarbten Produkt um 3-Hydroxy-5-thion-1, 2, 4-dithiazol, das durch Einwirkung der salpetrigen Säure auf die 3-Aminogruppe von I entsteht. Die Erfassungsgrenze betragt 300g NO₂ ^–im Tropfen (0,05 ml). Die meisten Anionen (inklusive JO₃ ^–) stören nicht. Nur J^–, Thioharnstoff und H₂O₂ stören; Thiosulfat stört nur in großen Mengen.

     

Radical reactions involving esters of fumaric acid—III. Chain transfer processes

Model compounds have been used in studies at 60° in connection with transfer to polymer during the copolymerization of vinyl acetate with esters of fumaric acid. Succinate esters were used to simulate the fumarate ester units and ethyl acetate the vinyl acetate units in the copolymers. The succinate esters are much more reactive than ethyl acetate in transfer reactions with polyvinyl acetate radicals. Methyl isobutyrate and methyl propionate were also examined to assess the difference in reactivity in transfer of tertiary and secondary hydrogen atoms. It is concluded that branching is a very important reaction in the preparation of high conversion copolymers of fumarate esters with vinyl acetate.