The category of varieties and interpretations is alg-universal

A category is said to be alg-universal if every category of universal algebras can be fully embedded into it. We prove here that the category of varieties and interpretations, or in other words, the category of abstract clones and clone homomorphisms, is alg-universal.     

Aluminum(III) complexes containing O,O chelating ligand

The stoichiometric reactions of trimethylaluminum with 2,6‐(MeOCH₂)₂C₆H₃OH (LH) revealed compounds L₃Al ( 1 ) and L₂AlMe ( 2 ). On the other hand reaction of 1 equiv. of LH with trimethylaluminum did not lead to the formation of complex LAlMe₂ ( 3 ), rather 2 together with Me₃Al were observed as a result of a disproportionation of 3 . Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and in the case of 1 by X‐ray diffraction. Derivative 2 underwent transmetalation with Ph₃SnOH, giving LSnPh₃ ( 4 ) as the result of a migration of ligand L from the aluminum to the tin atom. The identity of 4 was established by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy and ¹H, ¹¹⁹Sn HMBC experiments. The system 2 and B(C₆F₅)₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio was shown to be active in the polymerization of propylene oxide and ε‐caprolactone. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation using ruthenium-tin catalyst type

Bimetallic ruthenium-tin catalysts were prepared using the sol-gel method and the method of carrier impregnation. Two different procedures were used for their reduction — reduction in hydrogen atmosphere under an increased temperature, and reduction using an aqueous solution of sodium borohydride. Hydrogenation of 3-phenylpropenal (cinnamaldehyde) in tetrahydrofuran at 433 K and the total pressure 7 MPa was used as the model reaction for comparing the catalytic properties of the prepared catalysts. It was demonstrated that a tin addition notably affected catalytic properties of ruthenium in the sense of a selectivity increment related to the production of an unsaturated alcohol.     

Neurosteroid analogues: synthesis of 6-aza-allopregnanolone

An efficient synthesis of 6-azapregnane derivatives and their biological activity is described. The nitrogen was introduced into the B ring using Beckmann rearrangement of the (E)-oxime of 6-oxo-B-nor-5α-pregnane derivatives. The required 3α-hydroxyl was produced either by solvolysis of the corresponding 3β-mesyloxy group or by the Meerwein-Ponndorf-Verley reduction of the 3-oxo group; this reduction could be carried out selectively with an unprotected 3,20-dioxo derivative. The binding of the 6-aza-steroids to the γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABA_A) was measured using [³⁵S]-tert-butyl-bicyclo[2.2.2]phosphorothionate (TBPS) and [³H]flunitrazepam. The only analogue to be slightly active was that lacking any oxygen function in position 3.     

Radio-high-performance liquid chromatography for ecotoxicity assessment of insect growth regulators

The described radiochromatographic method permits fast and high-sensitivity monitoring of soil biodegradation products of an insect growth regulator for its environmental risk assessment. We analyzed and compared two diastereoisomers of ethyl N-(2-(4-[(2-hydroxycyclohexyl) methyl]phenoxy)ethyl)carbamate, namely its cis-(1S,2S) isomer JN-W330 and a trans-(1R,2S) isomer JN-W331. Microbial conversion of the cis-isomer to the trans-isomer was proved by mass spectrometry analyzer. Among the chromatographic columns tested, the best separation was found with a 125 mm x 4 mm i.d. column packed with Supersphere 100 RP-C18, 5 microm and an acetonitrile-water gradient. The detection limit for the both isomers was in the range of 120-250 Bq (0.3-0.8 ng) at a concentration of 2 ng/ml with radiometric detection. The calibration curves for standard solutions were linear in the range of 150Bq-150kBq (r = 0.996). The method enabled us to compare the analyzed juvenoids with biologically active oostatic peptides in terms of their environmental safety.     

Structural analysis of 2,6-[bis(alkyloxy)methyl]-phenyltin derivatives using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry was applied to the structural analysis of 23 2,6-[bis(alkyloxy)methyl]phenyltin(IV) derivatives. The mass spectra were measured in both polarity modes and multistage tandem mass spectrometric (MS(n)) measurements were performed on the ion trap analyser for positively charged tin-containing ions. The sum of complementary ions observed in the positive-ion mode (i.e. [M-R(3)](+) ion) and in the negative-ion mode (i.e. [R(3)](-) ion) permits molecular mass determination in spite of the fact that the molecular adducts were often missing even in the first-order mass spectra. The subsequent fragmentation of [M-R(3)](+) ions studied by MS(n) and the correlation of observed fragment ions with the expected structures of synthesized organotin(IV) compounds allowed us to understand the fragmentation behaviour and the mechanism of the ion formation for studied compounds. The typical neutral losses are alkenes, alcohols and aldehydes. The fragmentation pattern of one selected compound was supported by MS(n) measurements of an isotopically labelled analogue to confirm unusual ion-molecule reactions of some fragment ions with water in the ion trap.     

Coordination compounds of nickel with trithiocyanuric acid. Part IV. Structure of [Ni(pmdien)(ttcH)] (pmdien = N,N,N′,N′,N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine,ttcH3 = trithiocyanuric acid)

Ni^II mixed-ligand complexes of compositions [Ni(pmdien)(ttcH)] (1), [Ni(baphen)₂(ttcH)] · 4H₂O (2), [Ni-(dpa)(ttcH)(H₂O)] (3), [Ni(cyclam)(ttcH)] · 2H₂O (4), [Ni(hexaa)](ttcH) (5) and [Ni(hexab)(ttcH)] · 2H₂O (6), (baphen = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dpa = 2,2-dipyridylamine, cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, hexaa = 1,3,6,9,11,14-hexaazatricyclo[12.2.1.1^6,9]-octadecane, hexab = 1,8-dimethyl-1,3,6,8,10,13-hexaazacyclotetradecane) have been prepared and characterized by means of i.r., u.v.–vis. spectroscopies and magnetochemical measurements. The redox properties of the complexes were studied by cyclic voltammetry. The crystal and molecular structure of [Ni(pmdien)(ttcH)] was determined. The nickel atom is penta-coordinated by three N atoms of pmdien, and by S and N atoms of trithiocyanurate(2–) anion.     

Xanthate complexes of nickel with nitrogen donor ligands. Part V

Nickel(II) xanthate complexes of general formula, [Ni(Rxa)₂(L)] [R = i-Pr, i-Am, xa = OCS^– ₂, L = 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline(baphen), 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridyl (me₂bpy), 2-9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline(neo) or trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (dch)] and [Ni(Rxa)(cyclam)](Rxa) (= 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, i.r. and electronic spectroscopy, magnetic and conductivity measurements. The complexes with cyclam were studied by cyclic voltammetry. Values of magnetic moments at room temperature lie within the 3.25–3.51 B.M. range and thus indicate the presence of two unpaired electrons, except for the complexes with cyclam, where the anomalous values of 1.76 and 1.74 B.M. were obtained in respect to the nickel(II) complexes. Magnetic susceptibility data for [Ni(i-Prxa)(cyclam)](i-Prxa) were measured over the 79–298 K range and indicate no exchange interaction between paramagnetic nickel(II) centres.     

Conductance of tetraalkylammonium salts in 2-butanone from −45 to 25°C

Interactions of three types of tetraalkylammonium cations (tetrapropyltetrabutyl-and tri-isoamylbutyl- ammonium) with perchlorate and tetraphenylborate anions were studied by the conductivity method in 2-butanone from –45°C to 25°C. Conductance data obtained for diluted solutions (5×10^–5 – 2×10^–3 mol-dm^–3) were used to calculate the limiting molar conductivities and associationconstants. The conductance equation of Fuoss-Hsia including the Chen term and the chemical model assumption were applied. Limiting ion conductivities were calculated assuming equal limiting conductivities of the i-Am₃BuN⁺ and BPh ₄ ^– ions at all temperatures. Gibbs energies and entropies of ion pair formation, calculated from the dependence of association constants on temperature, are presented including the contributions due to short-range forces.     

Stereoselectivity of (−)-(1<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,2<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-2-methylamino-1-phenylpropan-1-ol preparation

Stereoselectivity of reductive amination of (R)-1-hydroxy-1-phenylpropan-2-one by methylamine was studied. From the four isomers possible, only two are produced by this reaction. These are marked as (−)-(1R,2S)-ephedrine (desired product) and (+)-(1S,2R)-ephedrine. The reaction stereoselectivity depends both on the type of the catalyst and reaction conditions. The most suitable type is the supported platinum. However, this catalyst rapidly deactivates. With a decreasing activity of Pt catalyst, the stereoselectivity decreases. It is also decreased during the production of the second liquid phase (water) in the reaction mixture.