Proton transfers in hydrogen bonded systems. Electron correlation effects in (H3NHOH2)+

The energetics of proton transfer between the N and O atoms of (H₃NHOH₂)⁺ are calculated via ab initio molecular orbital methods. A single-well potential is obtained at the equilibrium intermolecular separation Inclusion of electron correlation via the POL CI technique produces a less steep potential, reducing the energy barrier to proton transfer at greater NO distances.     

Separation and quantitation of components in FD&C Red No. 3 using capillary electrophoresis

The use of capillary electrophoresis as a technique to separate and quantitate components of FD&C Red No. 3 (erythrosine, color index No. 45430) is described. The fluorescein isomers, 2',4',5'-triiodofluorescein (2,4,5-I3F) and 2',4',7'-triiodofluorescein (2,4,7-I3F), the most abundant by-products formed during the preparation of the dye, were selected for quantitation studies. The separation of other lower halogenated impurities was also demonstrated. Electrophoretic mobility of the compounds was achieved in a 50 mM borate, 25 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate buffer at pH 9.3. The limits of quantitation were found to be 0.15% (w/w) (2,4,5-I3F) and 0.14% (w/w) (2,4,7-I3F) (relative to the mass of FD&C Red No. 3). The method is linear from 0.08 to 20.0% (w/w) for 2,4,5-I3F and between 0.06 and 17.0% (w/w) for 2,4,7-13F. In addition, relative standard deviations of 2.03 and 5.11% were determined from precision studies in the repeat analysis of FD&C Red No. 3 for 2,4,5-I3F and 2,4,7-I3F, respectively. Overall, the CE method produced data in excellent agreement with the reference HPLC method, used considerably less solvent and sample, generated less waste and was found to be considerably more cost efficient.     

Chemistry of constrained dioxocyclam ligands with Co(III): unusual examples of C-H and C-N bond cleavage

The reactions between H(2)dc3 and Co(acac)(3) have been studied in the presence and absence of base. In the presence of base, a complex with an intramolecular Co-C bond, Co(dc3-C-(8))(H(2)O), 1, is formed, presumably through heterolytic C-H bond activation. An X-ray crystallographic study demonstrates the presence of a Co-C bond and shows that the diazacyclooctane (daco) subunit adopts the chair-boat conformation with respect to the metal. The cobalt-carbon bond induces strain in the macrocycle as demonstrated by bond angles significantly deviating from tetrahedral. The (13)C NMR resonance of the carbon atom bound to cobalt (-10.5 ppm) suggests significant ionic character in the cobalt-carbon bond. However, we were unable to cleave this bond in the presence of strong acid. In the absence of base, the reaction of Co(acac)(3) with H(2)dc3 resulted in C-N cleavage of the ligand and the formation of a complex of dioxocyclam, Co(dc)(acac), 2. This complex has subsequently been prepared in high yield by the reaction of Co(acac)(3) with dioxocyclam. An X-ray crystallographic study demonstrates that dioxocyclam adopts the heretofore unreported cis configuration, having folded along a N-Co-N axis that is perpendicular to the Co-acac plane.     

Process improvement in acetone-butanol production from hardwood by simultaneous saccharification and extractive fermentation

The acetone-butanol production by simultaneous saccharification and extractive fermentation (SSEF) was investigated. In the SSEF employing cellulase enzymes andClostridium acetobutylicum, both glucan and xylan fractions of pretreated aspen are concurrently converted into acetone and butanol. Continuous removal of the fermentation products from the bioreactor by extraction was an important factor that allowed long-term fed-batch operation. The use of membrane extraction prevented the problems of phase separation and extractant loss. Increase in substrate feeding as well as reduction of nutrient supply was found to be beneficial in suppressing the acid production, thereby improving the solvent yield. Because of prolonged low growth conditions prevalent in the fed-batch operation, the butanol-to-acetone ratio in the product was significantly higher at 2.6–2.8 compared to the typical value of two.     

Novel 7-substituted quinolone antibacterial agents. Synthesis of 7-alkenyl,cycloalkenyl, and 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl-1,8-naphthyridines

A convergent synthesis of 1,8-naphthyridine antibacterials bearing a carbon-carbon bonded, acyclic or cyclic vinyl substituent at the C-7 position has been achieved. The synthetic methodology is based upon the palladium-catalyzed cross coupling of a 7-chloro-1,8-naphthyridine with an appropriately substituted organotin reagent.     

Wavy graphene sheets from electrochemical sewing of corannulene

The presence of non-hexagonal rings in the honeycomb carbon arrangement of graphene produces rippled graphene layers with valuable chemical and physical properties. In principle, a bottom-up approach to introducing distortion from planarity of a graphene sheet can be achieved by careful insertion of curved polyaromatic hydrocarbons during the growth of the lattice. Corannulene, the archetype of such non-planar polyaromatic hydrocarbons, can act as an ideal wrinkling motif in 2D carbon nanostructures. Herein we report an electrochemical bottom-up method to obtain egg-box shaped nanographene structures through a polycondensation of corannulene that produces a new conducting layered material. Characterization of this new polymeric material by electrochemistry, spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), scanning probe microscopy, and laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry provides strong evidence that the anodic polymerization of corannulene, combined with electrochemically induced oxidative cyclodehydrogenations (Scholl reactions), leads to polycorannulene with a wavy graphene-like structure.

A bottom-up synthesis of wavy graphene structures obtained through an anodic polymerization process, combined with an electrochemically triggered oxidative cyclodehydrogenation, of the bowl-shaped polyaromatic hydrocarbon corannulene.