Theoretical study of the mechanism for the gas‐phase pyrolysis kinetics of 2‐methylbenzyl chloride

The study of the kinetics and mechanism of dehydrochlorination reaction of 2‐methyl benzyl chloride in the gas phase was carried out by means of electronic structure calculations using ab initio Móller‐Plesset MP2/6‐31G(d,p), and Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods: B3LYP/6‐31G(d,p), B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p), MPW1PW91/6‐31G(d,p), MPW1PW91/6‐31++G(d,p)], PBE/6‐31G(d,p), PBE/6‐31++G(d,p). Investigated reaction pathways comprise: Mechanism I, a concerted reaction through a six‐centered cyclic transition state (TS) geometry; Mechanism II, a 1,3‐chlorine shift followed by beta‐elimination and Mechanism III, a single‐step elimination with simultaneous HCl and benzocyclobutene formation through a bicyclic type of TS. Calculated parameters ruled out Mechanism III and suggest the elimination reaction may occur by either unimolecular Mechanism I or Mechanism II. However, the TS of the former is 20 kJ/mole more stable than the TS of the latter. Consequently, the Mechanism I seem to be more probable to occur. The rate‐determining process is the breaking of C‐Cl bond. The involvement of π‐electrons of the aromatic system was demonstrated by NBO charges and bond order calculations. The reaction is moderately polar in nature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 43: 537–546, 2011     

Tailoring the Optical Absorption of Water‐Stable ZrIV‐ and HfIV‐Based Metal–Organic Framework Photocatalysts

New Zr^IV‐ and Hf^IV‐based metal–organic framework photocatalysts, termed VNU‐1 and VNU‐2 (where VNU=Vietnam National University), were synthesized and their resulting structures fully characterized. By employing a highly π‐conjugated linker, namely 1,4‐bis(2‐[4‐carboxyphenyl]ethynyl)benzene, the optical absorption properties were effectively red‐shifted into the visible light region. This strategy, coupled with the high water stability of the materials, led to enhanced MOF‐driven photocatalytic degradation, under ultraviolet‐visible light, of organic dye pollutants commonly found in wastewater.     

A Bifunctional Pd/MgO Solid Catalyst for the One‐Pot Selective N‐Monoalkylation of Amines with Alcohols

It has been found that a bifunctional metal Pd/base (MgO) catalyst performs the selective monoalkylation of amines with alcohols. The reaction goes through a series of consecutive steps in a cascade mode that involves: 1) the abstraction of hydrogen from the alcohol that produces the metal hydride and the carbonyl compound; 2) condensation of the carbonyl with the amine to give an imine, and 3) hydrogenation of the imine with the surface hydrogen atoms from the metal hydride. Based on isotopic and spectroscopic studies and on the rate of each elementary step, a global reaction mechanism has been proposed. The controlling step of the process is the hydride transfer from the metal to the imine. By changing the crystallite size of the Pd, it is demonstrated that this is a structure‐sensitive reaction, whereas the competing processes that lead to subproducts are not. On these bases, a highly selective catalyst has been obtained with Pd crystallite size below 2.5 nm in diameter. The high efficiency of the catalytic system has allowed us to extend the process to the one‐pot synthesis of piperazines.     

Stability-Indicating LC-PDA Method for Determination of Idebenone in Nanoparticles Based on Chitosan and N-Carboxymethylchitosan

A forced degradation study of idebenone was conducted under conditions of UV irradiation, acid, basic and oxidative hydrolysis and in order to develop an isocratic stability-indicating LC-UV method for drug quantification in chitosan and N-carboxymethylchitosan nanoparticles obtained by spray drying. The drug was more labile to alkaline treatment than under the other forced degradation conditions. Idebenone and its degradation products were optimally resolved (resolution >4) on a Luna Phenomenex C₁₈ column with mobile phase composed by methanol:water: (80:20% v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1, at 30 °C, using wavelength of 279 nm for drug detection. The method was linear, over a drug concentration range of 2 to 10 μg mL^?1. The RSD% value of intra- and inter-day precision studies was <1.5. The method showed excellent recoveries (99.4 to 101.1%). The LOD and LOQ values were found to be 0.18 and 0.59 μg mL^?1, respectively. In conclusion this method can be used as a rapid and accurate assay of idebenone in the nanoparticles during stability tests.     

Fixed points for non-self operators and domain invariance theorems

The purpose of this paper is to discuss some basic problems of the fixed point theory for non-self (single-valued and multivalued) generalized contractions. As consequences, new open operator principles and domain invariance theorems are obtained. The results complement and extend some known results in the literature.     

Densitometric thin-layer chromatographic determination of aescin in a herbal medicinal product containing Aesculus and Vitis dry extracts

A thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) method is developed to analyze the total saponin content, also referred to as the aescin content, in a herbal medicinal product (HMP) containing two dry extracts in capsules. The capsules contain 250 mg of Aesculus hippocastanum dry extract, 120 mg of Vitis vinifera dry extract and 50mg of excipients. After a purification step using C(18) solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridges, the samples are analyzed on a silica-gel HPTLC plate with the upper layer of a mixture of acetic acid/water/butanol (10/40/50 v/v/v) as the mobile phase. Spots are visualized by spraying with anisaldehyde reagent and heating the plate for 5-10 min (100-105 degrees C) and measured at a wavelength of 535 nm. This method, applicable for the quality control and stability investigation of both the Aesculus dry extract and HMP capsules thereof containing Vitis dry extract in combination with the Aesculus dry extract, is validated according to the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The proposed assay method is specific for aescin in the presence of Vitis dry extract and formulation excipients. Analysis of stressed samples in forced degradation tests proves the method to be applicable for stability evaluation. The standard aescin curve is linear (r > 0.99) over a concentration range of 0.16-0.80 microg/spot. Recovery from the HMP capsules is statistically equal to 100%. The precision of the method with respect to time and concentration is acceptable, with relative standard deviation (RSD) values of 1.28 and 1.49%, respectively.     

Structure and property studies of hybrid xerogels containing bridged positively charged 1,4-diazoniabicycle[2.2.2]octane dichloride

The compound di-3-n-propyltrimethoxysilane (1,4-diazoniabicycle[2.2.2]octane) dichloride, [(MeO)3Si(CH2)3N+ (CH2CH2)3N+ (CH2)3Si(OME)3]Cl2 was obtained and was used as a precursor reagent to obtain hybrid xerogels where the organic molecule was bonded to a silica framework by reacting the ends of both sides of the precursor reagent. That is, both -Si(OME)3 groups react with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) by hydrolysis-condensation reactions. The resulting hybrid xerogels with variable C/Si mole ratios were prepared and analyzed and their textural characteristics determined. The samples prepared presented micropores with diameter 1.5 nm, the chain length of which matched with the estimated length of the organic bridging group. The charged organic bridging groups allow the immobilization of hexacyanoferrate ions by an ion exchange process. The electron transfer process of the hexacyanoferrate anionic complex confined in the pores of the matrices was studied by cyclovoltammetry.     

Optimization of parameters of sampling and determination of reduced sulfur compounds using cryogenic capture and gas chromatography in tropical urban atmosphere

Reduced sulfur compounds, RSCs (H₂S, COS, CH₃SH, CH₃SCH₃, CS₂ and CH₃S₂CH₃) play a role in global cycle and acid rain formation. At trace levels RSCs in air are difficult to collect, store and analyze because of their highly adsorptive and reactive properties. This work optimizes parameters of sampling and instrumental determination of RSCs for urban measurements. The method used is based on cryogenic sampling and gas chromatography provided with a cryofocusing trap and flame photometric detection.Greater sampling efficiency was obtained with liquid argon as freezing fluid and air flow rate of 150 mL min^? 1 for two hours. Best results have been obtained with preconcentration for 3 min and injection volume of 3 ml. For H₂S, CH₃SH and CH₃S₂CH₃ the method showed a precision of 89%, limit of detection of 0.10 µg m^? 3 and limit of quantification 0.3 µg m^? 3. For CH₃SCH₃ and CS₂ the corresponding values were 89%, 0.15 µg m^? 3 and 0.5 µg m^? 3 and for COS were 75%, 0.18 µg m^? 3 and 0.8 µg m^? 3 respectively. Sampling efficiency varied between 70–80% for all the RSCs. Accuracy of H₂S from field measurements obtained with parallel measurements using a continuous monitor varied between 88 and 98%. The optimized methodology proved to be suitable for field measurements in urban tropical atmospheres with different characteristics.