Book Review

Abstract

A Guide to Organophosphorus Chemistry, by Louis D. Quin, an internationally recognized authority, published by John Wiley and Sons (http://www.wiley.com/chemistry) ISBN 0-471-31824-8, $94.95, 394pp.

Aminophosphonic and Aminophosphinic Acids: Chemistry and Biological Activity. Editors: Valery P. Kukhar (Ukrainian Academy of Sciences) and Harry R Hudson (University of North London). Published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Chichester, UK, on 31 March, 2000. ISBN 0 471-89149-5, 175.00 Pounds sterling, 634 pages.

Phosphorus Ylides. Chemistry and Application in Organic Synthesis, by Oleg I. Kolodiazhnyi. Published by Wiley-VCH, 1999, ISBN 3-527-29531-3, 220SF, 555 pages.     

Synthesis and Study of a Sulfur Heterocycle Fused p-Phenylene Vinylene Conducting Polymer

Abstract

Poly(benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene-4,8-diyl vinylene) (1) has been prepared by the pyrolysis of the precursor polymer 2 and studied. Quantum mechanical calculations on the aromatic and quinoid monomers, oligomers and polymers indicate that 1 is a planar aromatic polymer.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Series of (Hydroxyphenyl)-Aminophosphonates

Abstract

Elevated plasma cholesterol is now well established as a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. It has also been shown that the oxidation of low density lipoproteins leads to the formation of foam cells which contribute to the deposition of cholesterol in arteries.     

Differentiating Isobaric Steroid Hormone Metabolites Using Multi-Stage Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Steroid hormones and their metabolites are currently undergoing clinical trials as potential therapeutics for traumatic brain injury (TBI). To support this work, it is necessary to develop improved procedures for differentiating isobaric species in this compound class. Equilin sulfate (E-S), estrone sulfate (E1-S), 17α-dihydroequilin sulfate (ADHE-S), and 17β-dihydroequilin sulfate (BDHE-S) are primary constituents in hormone replacement therapies, such as Premarin, which are among pharmaceuticals being investigated for TBI treatment. The latter three compounds are isomers and can be difficult to differentiate in trace analytical determinations. In this work, a systematic study of the fragmentation of ADHE-S, BDHE-S, E1-S, and E-S under different stages of higher order tandem mass spectrometry (MSⁿ) and variation of collision energy, allowed optimization of conditions for distinguishing the isomeric structures. For epimeric variants (e.g., ADHE-S versus BDHE-S; α- versus β-stereoisomerization in the C-17 position), differentiation was achieved at MS⁴ and fragmentation was demonstrated through MS⁵. Computational analysis was performed to further explore differences in the fragmentation pathways due to changes in stereochemistry.      

Thermostable Trioxane-Dioxolane Copolymers Obtained with Boron Trifluoride: Acrylonitrile Complex as Initiator

Trioxane was copolymerized with small amounts of dioxolane in benzene in the presence of a boron trifluoride:a crylonitrile complex as initiator. The kinetics of reactions was expressed in terms of topoenergetic principles. The copolymerizations had no induction periods and the maximum reaction rate was found proportional to the square of both the initiator and monomers concentrations. A zwitterionic mechanism is suggested for initiation. The activation energy for the system with 5% dioxolane was determined as 18.3 kcal/mol. The melting behavior of the copolymers is briefly discussed as a function of the dioxolane initial content, and is indicative of the amorphous-crystalline coupling phenomenon. The copolymers with ～ 5% dioxolane are thermostable in air up to 250%deg; and are recommended for practical purposes.     

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Cycloaddition of Methyl O-Propargylpodocarpate and Azides at Room Temperature

Copper iodide was employed as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives of podocarpic acid at room temperature through “click” chemistry cycloaddition reactions of methyl O-propargylpodocarpate and propargyl O-propargylpodocarpate with azides.

Quinones synthesis via hydrogen peroxide oxidation of dihydroxy arenes catalyzed by homogeneous and macroporous-polymer-supported ruthenium catalysts

Ruthenium(II)/dimethyl phenyloxazoline (Ru(II)/dm-Pheox) complex 2a and its macroporous-polymeric-catalyst 4 were found to be very rapid and efficient catalysts in the hydrogen peroxide oxidation of 1,2- and 1,4-dihydroxy arenes. Most of the quinone products were delivered in 99% yield. The polymeric-catalyst 4 could be reused at least five times.     

Reentrant phenomenon in cyanoaryl alkylthioxybenzoates and cyanobenzoyloxyphenyl alkylthiobenzoates

Abstract

Three new series of cyanoaryl 4-alkylthioxybenzoates have been synthesized and characterized. The 4-cyanophenyl series displays only transient mesomorphic properties while the 6-cyano-2-naphthyl and 4-cyanobiphenyl series exhibit the classical nematic and smectic A phases; a reentrant nematic phase is also found in the latter. Two other new series in which the position of the sulphur atom in the central rigid core has been varied were also prepared: the 4–[4′-cyanobenzoyloxy]-phenyl 4-alkylthiobenzoates and 4–[4′-alkylbenzoyloxy]phenyl 4-cyanothiobenzoates. As in the analogous benzoate series, the reentrant phenomenon with the sequence C, S_Are, N_re, S_A, N, I is observed with the nonyl derivatives. Comparisons between the alkoxybenzoates and the alkylthioxybenzoates are given.     

Bent‐core mesogens based on semi‐flexible dicyclohexylmethane spacers

New, bent‐core mesogens are described in which the core of the molecule is a semiflexible, di(4‐aminocyclohexyl)methane spacer. The compounds show nematic, columnar nematic and columnar phases as shown by a combination of X‐ray diffraction and optical microscopy. The potential of these new mesogens as biaxial nematic candidates is considered.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermotropic amphiphilic liquid crystals: semiperfluoroalkyl-β-D-glucopyranosides

As part of our study of the mesomorphic properties of glucopyranosides containing fluorinated chains, this paper focuses on an investigation of the liquid crystalline behaviour of nonaromatic compounds. The synthesis of eight single-tailed materials which contain a semiperfluoroalkyl chain linked to the polar glucose head group is described. Using polarized optical microscopy, DSC and X-ray diffraction all the materials were found to show only monomesomorphism, a smectic A phase with bimolecular layers. The thermal behaviour is discussed in comparison with the previously reported data on the series of parent compounds.