An improved synthesis of isonitrosoacetanilides

A novel two-step synthesis of isonitrosoacetanilides [2-(hydroxyimino)-N-phenylacetamides] has been developed, involving the initial acylation of aniline derivatives with 2,2-diacetoxyacetyl chloride, followed by reaction with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The method works equally well with a variety of different aniline derivatives, including those with poor aqueous solubility and those containing electron rich ortho-substituents, neither of which react well under traditional conditions.     

Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Sets of permutations that generate the symmetric group pairwise

The paper contains proofs of the following results. For all sufficiently large odd integers n, there exists a set of ²n−1 permutations that pairwise generate the symmetric group Sn. There is no set of ²n−1+1 permutations having this property. For all sufficiently large integers n with n≡2mod4, there exists a set of ²n−2 even permutations that pairwise generate the alternating group An. There is no set of ²n−2+1 permutations having this property.     

Sugar conjugates of fulvestrant (ICI 182,780): efficient general procedures for glycosylation of the fulvestrant core

We have prepared glucose and cellobiose conjugates at the phenolic 3- and hydroxylic 17-positions of the pure anti-estrogenic compound fulvestrant (ICI 182,780), which has recently been approved in the USA for the treatment of advanced postmenopausal breast cancer. Glycosylation at the 17-position was achieved most effectively using pivaloyl protection of the sugar imidates employed, which we found suppressed the competing transacylation reaction and led to improved yields of the product glycosides.     

Coordinating California’s efforts to promote waste to alcohol production

Alcohol fuels produced from biomass can improve air quality, enhance energy security, create employment opportunities, and reduce waste disposal problems. Opportunities in California exist to produce alcohols from waste streams from various sectors of the economy. Government agencies have promoted waste-to-alcohol activities, but efforts have been inconsistent and intermittent. Often these efforts have been hindered by contradictory but mandate-driven policies. A prudent approach to coordinate statewide efforts includes the development of an integrated statewide policy to examine barriers that impede private sector business efforts to produce alcohols from biomass. A multi-agency task force to promote research, development, commercialization, and marketing efforts for biomass-produced alcohols is desirable. The views and opinions contained in this document do not necessarily reflect those of the California Energy Commission, its staff, management, or the State of California.     

Development of a systems analysis approach for resolving the structure of biodegrading soil systems

An experimental and mathematical method is developed for the microbial systems analysis of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-degrading mixed cultures in PAH-contaminated “town gas” soil systems. Frequency response is the primary experimental and data analysis tool used to probe the structure of these complicated systems. The objective is to provide a fundamental protocol for evaluating the performance of specific mixed microbial cultures on specific soil systems by elucidating the salient system variables and their interactions. Two well-described reactor systems, a constant volume stirred tank reactor (CSTR) and a plug flow differential volume reactor, are used in order to remove performance effects that are related to reactor type as opposed to system structure. These two reactor systems are well-defined systems that can be described mathematically and represent the two extremes of one potentially important system variable, macroscopic mass transfer. The experimental and mathematical structure of the protocol is described, experimental data is presented, and data analysis is demonstrated for the stripping, sorption, and biodegradation of napththalene.     

Bromination of sydnones. III. Bromination of 3-(2-substituted-phenyl)sydnones and subsequent side chain modification

Bromination of the sydnone ring of several ortho-substituted N-arylsydnones is reported. Subsequent side-chain modification generally can be achieved without concomitant removal of the 4-bromo protective group.