Precise electro-reduction of alkyl halides for radical defluorinative alkylation

Reported here is a precise electro-reduction strategy for radical defluorinative alkylation towards the synthesis of gem-difluoroalkenes from α-trifluoromethylstyrenes. According to the redox-potential difference of the radical precursors, direct or indirect electrolysis is respectively adopted to realize the precise reduction. An easy-to-handle, catalyst-and metal-free condition is developed for the reduction of alkyl radical precursors that are generally easier to be reduced than α-trifluorome...     

Monoterpenoid Indole Alkaloids with Promoting Neurite Growth from Tabernaemontana divaricata

Main observation and conclusion Phytochemical investigations on Tabernaemontana divaricata led to the isolation of seven undescribed monoterpenoid indole alka-l...     

Surface anchoring energy and the first order Fréedericksz transition of a NLC cell

Many authors have suggested new forms to describe the surface anchoring energy of the liquid crystal-wall interface, replacing the Rapini-Papoular (RP) formula g s = (1/2) A sin2 theta. If the RP function is considered as the primary approximation, and a lowest order modification is included, then the surface anchoring energy can be represented by g s = (1/2) A sin2 theta(1 + zeta sin2 theta). zeta characterizes the modification to the RP formula and varies for the different energy forms. It is well known that the RP formula predicts a second order Freedericksz transition. This paper points out that the transition can be first order if the modification is taken into account, in which case at the threshold point the tilt angle of the director at the middle layer of the cell, thetam, is finite. The conditions for the existence of the first order transition are obtained; zeta < 0 is required for a first order transition. The approximate expression of the threshold field is also given.     

SYNTHESIS OF CeO2 NANOPARTICLES IN W/ O MICROEMULSION

The phase composition and properties of microemulsion system of Titron N-101 / n-pentanol/ n-octane/ water (ammonia solution) were studied. CeO₂ nanopaticles were prepared by the reaction of cerous nitrate.     

Diels–Alder dimerization of Morita–Baylis–Hillman acetates catalyzed by organocatalysts

DABCO-catalyzed dimerization of Morita–Baylis–Hillman acetates to synthesize a series of 3-alkyl-4-(E)-alkenyl-cyclohex-1-ene-1,4-dicarbonyl compounds in excellent yields with modest to excellent diastereoselectivity is reported. A plausible reaction mechanism is also proposed on the basis of previous literature and preliminary investigation the asymmetric version of the reaction.     

Synthesis of mikto‐topology star polymer containing one cyclic arm

Well‐defined mikto‐topology star polystyrene composed of one cyclic arm and four linear arms was synthesized by a combination of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and Cu‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reaction. First, the bromine‐alkyne α,ω‐linear polystyrenes containing four hydroxyl groups protected with acetone‐based ketal groups were synthesized by ATRP of styrene using a designed initiator. Then, the bromine end‐group was converted to the azide and the linear polystyrene was cyclized intra‐molecularly by the CuAAC reaction. The four hydroxyl groups were released by deprotection and then esterified with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide to produce a cyclic polymer bearing four ATRP initiating units. By subsequent ATRP of styrene to grow linear polymers with the cyclic polystyrene as a macroinitiator, the mikto‐topology star polymers were prepared. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Novel ether-functional spiro-tetronic acid derivatives: molecule design, convenient synthesis and biological evaluation

A novel series of ether functionalization of spiro-tetronic acid derivatives have been designed and conveniently synthesized via three steps, including esterification, one-pot heterocyclization, and etherification reactions. The target molecules have been identified on the basis of analytical spectra data. All newly synthesized compounds have been screened for their potential insecticidal activity against Heliothis armigera and Plutella xylostella compared with spirodiclofen by standard method.     

From cluster assembly to ultrathin nanocrystals and complex nanostructures

Ultrathin nanostructures have attracted much attention in recent years due to their predictable novel properties and various potential applications. The improvement in synthetic skills has led to many successful syntheses of nanostructures including zerodimensional (0D) nanoclusters, one-dimensional (1D) nanowires, two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets and other higher-level complex nanostructures, where cluster-assembly of primary nanocrystals is a common process. In this review, progress in ultrathin nanocrystals in the last decade and several important factors in the growth mechanisms are covered. By giving examples of cluster assembly from 1D to 3D nanostructures, the utility of cluster assembly in the synthesis of new materials has been demonstrated.