Synthesis and Biological Screening of 2‐Substituted 5,6‐Dihydro‐5‐oxo‐ 4H‐1,3,4‐oxadiazine‐4‐propanenitriles and of Their Intermediates

To evaluate the effect of substituents on biological activities of electron‐rich N‐containing heterocycles, the variably 2‐substituted 5,6‐dihydro‐5‐oxo‐4H‐1,3,4‐oxadiazine‐4‐propanenitriles 26 – 33 were synthesized and evaluated for antibacterial, antifungal, and enzyme‐inhibition activities. The target compounds were obtained from alkyl 4‐ or 3‐hydroxy benzoates 1 and 2 , respectively, and from methyl indoleacetate 3 . The phenolic OH group of benzoates 1 and 2 were substituted with p‐toluenesulfonyl (→ 4 and 5 ), benzoyl (→ 6 and 7 ), and benzyl groups (→ 8 and 9 ) and then converted to 5,6‐dihydro‐5‐oxo‐4H‐1,3,4‐oxadiazine‐4‐propanenitriles. To establish structure‐activity relationships (SAR), a pharmacological screening of the intervening intermediates was also conducted, which revealed that the intermediate hydrazide 11 possesses significant antimicrobial and MAO‐A inhibiting properties and intermediates 12, 24, 28 , and 29 appreciable antifungal activities. Compound 7 inhibits α‐chymotrypsin.     

Stereoselective synthesis of 3,4-di-substituted mercaptolactones via photoredox-catalyzed radical addition of thiophenols

A visible light mediated radical addition of thiophenols on 4-phenylbut-3-enoic acids to give diastereoselective synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted γ-lactones is reported. The reaction precludes the conventional prerequisite of conjugate addition. Furthermore, the lactones were successfully utilized in the synthesis of γ-ketoamides.     

Carbonyl oxide chemistry in water cluster: An extended computational study

An extended computational approach has been utilized to explore the reactions of acids with carbonyl oxide, also known as Criegee intermediate (CI). The reactions were explored inside a water cluster containing 50 water molecules. All possibilities of product formation were considered. Among the considered acids, the rate of 1,4-insertion follows the order HCOO < HCl < HNO₃. The most stable products of the reactions between the considered acids and CI have been identified.     

TG measurement of reactivity of candidate oxygen carrier materials

This study examined several candidate raw materials for use as the reactive agents in developing new oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion. A thermogravimetric analyzer, Mettler TGA/DSC1, was used to measure oxygen capacity and relative reaction rates during oxidation and reduction cycles. The reactive gases used were 4 % hydrogen in inert gas for the reduction cycle and air for the oxidation cycle, with a nitrogen purge between reduction and oxidation cycles. Samples were typically tested for at least ten cycles to study any change in reactivity or oxygen capacity. Reaction temperatures tested ranged from 700 to 900 °C. Materials tested included an iron oxide ore, iron-based tailings from a metals extraction process, a nickel oxide supported on nickel aluminate and a copper oxide plus inert material system. The materials varied in their oxygen capacity, reactivity and the change in properties with repeat cycles. Of the samples tested, the NiO–NiAl₂O₄ oxygen carrier demonstrated the fastest reaction in reduction and oxidation and had stable properties over ten cycles. The iron oxide ore sample performance declined significantly with repeat cycles. The performance of the iron-based tailings declined slightly over the ten cycles. The addition of inert second phase materials to CuO improved the performance by inhibiting sintering of the oxide at the operating temperature. Although the reactivity of the tailings and iron hydroxide samples was not as high as the NiO based oxygen carrier, they are promising carrier materials due to their low cost and lower toxicity relative to nickel. Future experiments will look at CO and CH₄ reduction reactions using the TG, surface characterization using SEM, XRD, and cyclic testing in a batch fluidized bed reactor.     

An Environmentally Benign Multicomponent Synthesis of Some Novel 2‐Methylthio Pyrimidine Derivatives Using MCM‐41‐NH2 as Nanoreactor and Nanocatalyst

Some novel 4‐amino‐6‐aryl‐2‐methylthio pyrimidine‐5‐carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized through a one‐pot three‐component reaction of an aldehyde, malononitrile, and S‐methylisothiouronium iodide, using MCM‐41‐NH₂ as nanoreactor and nanocatalyst. This protocol has some advantages including application of readily available and nonhazardous materials, benign reaction conditions (ambient temperature, solvent‐free, and one‐pot approach), easy work‐up, and high overall yields of the products.     

Nobler than the Noblest: Noncubic Gold Microcrystallites

Conventional gold comprising the cubic lattice is universally known for its stability. However, well known to chemists and metallurgists, this nobility is challenged by reagents such as aqua regia, which dissolve gold to form a salt solution. Among metals, mercury blends with gold to form amalgam, otherwise transition metals such as copper tend to interact with gold surfaces in electrochemical media. Herein, we report a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of the stability of Au microcrystallites bearing unconventional crystal lattices that exhibit enhanced stability towards Hg and aqua regia and practically no interaction with Cu during electroless plating. The unconventional gold is undoubtedly nobler.     

A mild and highly efficient method for the synthesis of 5‐aryl‐(N‐phenyl‐)6H‐1,3,4‐thiadiazin‐2‐aminium salts using reusable heterogeneous catalysts

5‐Aryl‐6H‐1,3,4‐thiadiazin‐2‐aminium and 5‐aryl‐N‐phenyl‐6H‐1,3,4‐thiadiazin‐2‐aminium salts have efficiently been synthesized from the reaction of thiosemicarbazide and α‐haloketones in acetonitrile at room temperature using i) silica supported sodium hydrogen sulfate and ii) silica sulfuric acid as reusable heterogeneous catalysts. The experimental procedure is simple and the products are obtained in high yields.