An Efficient Synthesis of 2-Cyclohexene-1-Carboxylic Acid and 2-Cyclopentene-1-Carboxylic Acid

A simple and efficient synthesis of the title compounds by modified Grignard methodology is described.     

The highly stereoselective decarboxylation of (+)-1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoropropanoic acid to give (+)-1-bromo-1-chloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane [(+)-halothane] with retention of configuration

The absolute configuration of the title acid 2 has been determined to be S by X-ray crystallography. Thus, decarboxylation of 2 produces (S)-(+)-halothane with 99% retention of configuration. This behavior is compared to other stereoselective decarboxylation reactions of α-haloacids from the literature that also gave high degrees of retention of configuration when in the form of their quaternary ammonium salts, which contain one proton. The proton of the ammonium salt is necessary in order to protonate the anionic intermediate formed from decarboxylation. In the absence of this relatively acidic proton, we had previously found that using triethylene glycol (TEG) as both the solvent and proton source for the decarboxylation reaction of acid 2 caused poor stereoselectivity. This was in contrast to 1,2,2,2-tetrafluoro-1-methoxypropionic acid 6, which showed a high degree of retention of configuration in TEG. In order to rationalize this differing behavior, we report DFT studies at PCM-B3LYP/6-31++G⁷ level of theory (the results were additionally confirmed with 6-311++G⁷ and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets). The energy barrier to inversion of configuration of the anionic reaction intermediate 11 of acid 2 is 10.23 kcal/mol. However, we find that the anionic intermediate 10 from acid 6 would rather undergo β-elimination instead of inversion of configuration. Thus the planar transition state required for inversion of configuration is never reached, regardless of the rate of proton transfer to the anion.     

Double Diastereoselection Operative During π-Facially Selective Addition of Chiral 1-Cyclopentenyllithium Reagents to (7R)-7-Methyl-7-Vinylbicyclo[3.2.0]Hept-2-En-6-One

Reaction of the title cyclobutanone with chiral cyclopentenyllithium reagents occurs exclusively from the convex face with low diastereoselectivity. Nonetheless, polycyclic networks with as many as nine stereogenic centers can be elaborated in very few steps.     

Programmed Temperature Vaporization Injection (PTV) in the Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of the Constituents of Landfill Gas

Abstract

Trace volatile compounds emitted from both domestic and industrial landfills have been identified by programmed temperature vaporization injection (PTV) coupled to gas chromatography with detection by ion-trap mass spectrometry (GC-ITD/MS). The PTV injection system has been developed using a combination of two six-port valves to achieve problems of interference in GC-MS while loading sample. A large volume of landfill gas was re-concentrated onto a sorbent trap, then rapidly liberated into the GC-ITD/MS system by programmed thermal desorption. Using this method, trace volatile compounds in gases from both domestic and industrial landfills such as aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and sulfur compounds can be identified and quantified.     

Ultimate cyclic voltammetry: an analytical examination of the reversible case

Multi-scan cyclic voltammetry may lead eventually to a repetitive current-versus-potential graph. Here such “ultimate” cyclic voltammograms are investigated mathematically for reversible electrode reactions. The voltammetric shapes, after an infinite number of cycles, are modelled and their characteristics are documented. It is predicted that the approach to truly repetitive behaviour, within an experimentally realistic length of time, requires that a specific condition—balancing the potential scan range to the initial concentrations—be satisfied.     

Sharp Morawetz estimates

We prove sharp Morawetz estimates — global in time with a singular weight in the spatial variables — for the linear wave, Klein-Gordon, and Schrödinger equations, for which we can characterise the maximisers. We also prove refined inequalities with respect to the angular integrability.     

Jacobian elliptic functions describe the properties of the diffuse charge region in narrow electrochemical cells

Diffuse double layers merge in narrow electrochemical cells. The distribution of ions, and the accompanying electrical properties, are predicted under static conditions that are mild enough not to engender electrochemical reactions. The predictions rest on assumptions that are not egregiously unreasonable. The potential and concentration profiles are respectively described by Legendre elliptic integrals and Jacobian elliptic functions. The special case of pure water is examined and the relevance of this study to water desalination is briefly addressed.     

Poling and crosslinking processes in NLO polymers

A series of photocrosslinkable polymers bearing hyperpolarizable side chain chromophores was synthesized, poled and evaluated on the basis of the thermal stability of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG). Photoinitiation allowed for control of the onset of curing. Crosslinking was monitored by infrared spectroscopy and optimal conversion was achieved by applying a slow temperature ramp during exposure. The ultimate stability of the poled polymers was directly related to the number of crosslinking substituents that were attached to the chromophore pendant group. With two reactive groups per chromophore significant SHG was retained at temperatures above the initial polymer glass transition temperature. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 2769–2775