The contribution of K.-H. Elster to generalized conjugation theory and nonconvex duality

This article surveys the main contributions of K.-H. Elster to the theory of generalized conjugate functions and its applications to duality in nonconvex optimization.     

Homoclinic orbits for first order Hamiltonian systems with some twist conditions

In this paper, we study the nonperiodic first-order Hamiltonian system ù = J L(t)u +J H(t, u), where H ∈ C1(R × R2n). With some assumptions on L, the corresponding Hamiltonian operator has only discrete spectrum. By using the index theory for self-adjoint operator equation,we establish the existence of multiple homoclinic orbits for the asymptotically quadratic nonlinearty satisfying some twist conditions between infinity and origin.     

Mild method for the synthesis of 1H-indazoles through oxime-phosphonium ion intermediate

The synthesis of 1H-indazoles from o-aminobenzoximes is achieved via N–N bond formation using triphenylphosphine, I₂, and imidazole. Selective formation of oxime-phosphonium ion intermediate in the presence of the amino group is the driving force for this reaction. The nucleophilicity of the arylamino group and electrophilicity toward the N–O bond of oxime also control the reaction. The reaction proceeds at a faster rate with good to excellent yield under this mild reaction condition and is amenable to scale-up.     

An organocatalytic synthesis of N-sulfonyl imines using chloramine-T in aqueous medium

N-Sulfonyl imines have been synthesized in good to excellent yields from aldehydes and chloramine-T using proline as an organocatalyst in aqueous medium at ambient temperature. The protocol is applicable to a wide range of aldehydes, especially enals exhibit remarkable efficiency in the reaction. The reaction presumably occurs via iminium activation and opens new avenues for the synthesis of N-sulfonyl imines under environmentally benign and mild conditions.     

Ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate: an attractive solvent for native chemical ligation of peptides

The ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([C₂mim][OAc]) was successfully used as alternative solvent for native chemical ligation of peptide fragments to produce model peptide LYRAXCRANK (X = G, A, L, N, Q, K, and F). The commonly used buffer system including thiol additives such as thiophenol and benzyl mercaptan can be replaced by the nontoxic ionic liquid [C₂mim][OAc]. In addition to improving the solubility of the peptides in [C₂mim][OAc], yields and rates of the ligation reactions were found to be efficiently enhanced.     

Boric acid in aqueous micellar medium: an effective and recyclable catalytic system for the synthesis of aryl-7,8-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine-6-carbonitriles

A simple, green, and efficient protocol is reported for the preparation of aryl-7,8-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]-pyrimidine-6-carbonitriles through one-pot multi component reaction using substituted aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and 3-amino[1,2,4]triazole. The reaction is catalyzed by boric acid in aqueous micellar condition. Present protocol incorporates environmentally non-hazardous reaction condition, easy work-up, and use of recyclable catalytic system with associated benefits like excellent yield (84–96%) and shorter reaction time (20 min). Proposed methodology offers rapid access to substituted aryl-7,8-dihydro[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine-6-carbonitriles with high atom-economy and catalytic efficiency.     

On the Solvent‐free Structure of a Jäger‐type Cobalt(II) N2O2‐Chelate Complex

A combined synchrotron X‐ray and density functional theory (DFT) study on the structure of a Jäger‐type N₂O₂ chelate complex was carried out. The ethoxy‐substituted bis(3‐oxo‐enaminato)cobalt(II) complex ( 1 ) was an original sample from the laboratory of the late Professor Ernst‐G. Jäger (University of Jena, Germany). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed essentially flat molecules of 1 , which are unsolvated and coordinatively unsaturated. The DFT calculations on the isolated molecule predict a planar structure for the non‐hydrogen atoms, which is a local minimum on the energy surface. The crystal packing is achieved through off‐set stacking (staircase arrangement), resulting in a herringbone pattern in the space group P2₁2₁2₁. The structure of 1 is compared to known structures of related bis(3‐oxo‐enaminato)cobalt(II) complexes ( 2 – 4 ). Original bulk material of 1 was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), melting point determination, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy.     

The photoisomerization of 11‐cis‐retinal protonated schiff base in gas phase: Insight from spin‐flip density functional theory

This extensive theoretical study employed the spin‐flip density functional theory (SFDFT) method to investigate the photoisomerization of 11‐cis‐retinal protonated Schiff base (PSB11) and its minimal model tZt‐penta‐3,5‐dieniminium cation (PSB3). Our calculated results indicate that SFDFT can perform very well in describing the ground‐ and excited‐state geometries of PSB3 and PSB11. We located the conical intersection (CI) point and constructed the photoisomerization reaction path of PSB3 and PSB11 by using the SFDFT method. To further verify the SFDFT results, we computed the energy profiles along the constructed linearly interpolated internal coordinate (LIIC) pathways by using high‐level theoretical methods, such as the EOM‐CCSD, CR‐EOM‐CCSD(T), CASPT2, NEVPT2, and XMCQDPT2 methods. The SFDFT method predicts that the photoisomerization of PSB3 is barrierless, in accordance with previous complete‐active‐space self‐consistent‐field (CASSCF) results. However, an energy barrier is predicted along the LIIC pathways of PSB11. This finding is different from previous CASSCF results and may indicate that the photoisomerization of PSB11 in gas phase is similar to that in solution. However, the higher spin contamination of the SFDFT method in the vicinity of the CI point caused the located CI geometry to deviate from that of the real CI. In addition, the LIIC pathways are only approximations to the minimum energy path (MEP). Thus, further experimental and theoretical studies are needed to verify the existence of an energy barrier along the photoisomerization reaction path of PSB11 in gas phase. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

KiSThelP: A program to predict thermodynamic properties and rate constants from quantum chemistry results†

Kinetic and Statistical Thermodynamical Package (KiSThelP) is a cross‐platform free open‐source program developed to estimate molecular and reaction properties from electronic structure data. To date, three computational chemistry software formats are supported (Gaussian, GAMESS, and NWChem). Some key features are: gas‐phase molecular thermodynamic properties (offering hindered rotor treatment), thermal equilibrium constants, transition state theory rate coefficients (transition state theory (TST), variational transition state theory (VTST)) including one‐dimensional (1D) tunnelling effects (Wigner, and Eckart) and Rice‐Ramsperger‐Kassel‐Marcus (RRKM) rate constants, for elementary reactions with well‐defined barriers. KiSThelP is intended as a working tool both for the general public and also for more expert users. It provides graphical front‐end capabilities designed to facilitate calculations and interpreting results. KiSThelP enables to change input data and simulation parameters directly through the graphical user interface and to visually probe how it affects results. Users can access results in the form of graphs and tables. The graphical tool offers customizing of 2D plots, exporting images and data files. These features make this program also well‐suited to support and enhance students learning and can serve as a very attractive courseware, taking the teaching content directly from results in molecular and kinetic modelling. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.