Microwave promoted energy-efficient N-formylation with aqueous formic acid

Microwave-induced organic reaction enhancement (‘MORE’) chemistry technique (open vessel; controlled microwave energy to stay below the boiling point of the reaction mixture) was used for the N-formylation of aliphatic and aromatic amines and amino heterocycles with aq formic acid (80%) on a multiple gram scale in a few minutes.     

Working group report: Neutrino and astroparticle physics

This is the report of neutrino and astroparticle physics working group at WHEPP-7. Discussions and work on CP violation in long baseline neutrino experiments, ultra high energy neutrinos, supernova neutrinos and water Cerenkov detectors are discussed.     

Simultaneous Pseudo-Timestepping for PDE-Model Based Optimization Problems

In this paper we present a new method for the solution of optimization problems with PDE constraints. It is based on simultaneous pseudo-time stepping for evolution equations. The new method can be viewed as a continuous reduced SQP method in the sense that it uses a preconditioner derived from that method. The reduced Hessian in the preconditioner is approximated by a pseudo-differential operator, whose symbol can be investigated analytically. We apply our method to a boundary control model problem. The new optimization method needs 3.2-times the overall computational effort of the solution of simulation problem alone.     

Silver (I)-promoted asymmetric halohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones: scope and limitations

The halohydrin reaction of chiral N-enoyl-2-oxazolidinones 1 by halogen (Br₂/I₂) and water were efficiently carried out in aqueous organic solvent promoted by silver(I) with high anti- and regioselectivity and moderate to good diastereoselectivities. The alkenoyl, cinnamoyl and electron-deficient cinnamoyl substrates smoothly underwent bromohydrin reaction in aqueous acetone but no iodohydrin reaction, where as electron-rich cinnamoyl substrates preferred to undergo iodohydrin reaction in aqueous acetone with moderate diastereoselectivity and enhanced diastereoselectivity was observed in aqueous THF.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of an unusual dinitro phytochemical

A novel dinitro secondary metabolite, 2-nitro-4-(2^′-nitroethenyl)phenol from a marine source, has been prepared via highly accelerated, microwave assisted, nitration reactions using mild reagents. ipso-Substitution of a carboxy group by a nitro group is discussed.     

Stereoselective syntheses of (−)-chloramphenicol and (+)-thiamphenicol

Chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol have been enantioselectively synthesized using an asymmetric halohydrin reaction as a key step. In particular, halomethoxylation reaction was used, where O-methyl functions as a hydroxyl protecting group and eliminates an additional protection step.     

Large scale Biginelli reaction via water-based biphasic media: a green chemistry strategy

An important stage in process development is kilo scale preparation of the target compound. For this reason, a procedure involving water-based biphasic reaction media has been developed for conducting some exothermic reactions on a large scale. This protocol is illustrated by the energy-efficient and rapid preparation of dihydropyrimidinones by a solvent-free, green chemistry procedure applied to the Biginelli reaction using p-toluenesulfonic acid as catalyst.     

Studies on binuclear hydroxo/carboxylato-bridged manganese(III) complexes and a mononuclear manganese(III) complex involving salen type ligands

Synthesis of six hydroxo-bridged binuclear manganese(III) complexes of formulae [MnL-X-MnL](ClO₄) [X = OH (1–6)] along with a mononuclear manganese(III) complex (7) [Mn(L)(L′)(MeOH)₂] [HL′ = 2-(2-hydroxy-phen-yl)benzimidazole] and two carboxylate-bridged binuclear manganese(III) complexes (8) and (9) are described. The complexes have been characterized by the combination of i.r., u.v.-vis spectroscopy, magnetic moments and by their redox properties. The electronic spectra of all the complexes exhibit almost identical features consisting of two d–d bands at ca. 550 and 600 nm, one MLCT band at ca.400 nm, together with two π–π^* intra-ligand transitions at ca. 250 nm and ca.300 nm. Room temperature magnetic data range from μ = 2.7–3.0 BM indicates some super-exchange between the binuclear metal centers via bridging hydroxo/carboxylato groups. The X-ray crystal structure of the binuclear complex (5) revealed that it has a symmetric Mn^IIIN₂O₂ core bridged by a hydroxyl group. The X-ray analysis of the mononuclear complex (7) showed that the manganese-center possesses a distorted octahedral geometry. Electrochemical properties of hydroxo-bridged manganese(III) complexes (1–6) show identical features consisting of an irreversible and a quasi-reversible reduction corresponding to the Mn₂^III → Mn^IIMn^III → Mn^IIMn^II couples in the voltammogram. It was found that electron withdrawing substituents on the ligand result in easier reduction. Complex (7) displays an irreversible reduction at 0.08 V and a reversible oxidation at 0.45V assignable to the Mn^III → Mn^II reduction and Mn^III → Mn^IV oxidation, respectively. The carboxylate-bridged compound (8) exhibits two irreversible oxidations at 0.4 and 0.6 V, probably due to Mn₂^III → Mn^IIIMn^IV → Mn^IVMn^IV oxidations and shows a quasi-reversible reductive wave at −0.85 V, tentatively assigned to Mn₂^III → Mn^IIMn^III reduction.     

Autofluorescence characterization of advanced glycation end products of hemoglobin

This article describes the analysis of autofluorescence of advanced glycation end products of hemoglobin (Hb-AGE). Formed as a result of slow, spontaneous and non-enzymatic glycation reactions, Hb-AGE possesses a characteristic autofluorescence at 308/345 nm (lambda(ex)/lambda(em)). Even in the presence of heme as a quenching molecule, the surface presence of the glycated adduct gave rise to autofluorescence with the quantum yield of 0.19. The specificity of monoclonal antibody developed against common AGE structure with Hb-AGE was demonstrated using reduction in fluorescence polarization value due to increased molecular volume while binding. The formation of fluorescent adduct in hemoglobin in the advanced stage of glycation and the non-fluorescent HbA(1c) will be of major use in distinguishing and to know the past status of diabetes mellitus. While autofluorescence correlated highly with HbA(1c) value under in vivo condition (r = 0.85), it was moderate in the clinical samples (r = 0.55). The results suggest a non-linear relation between glycemia and glycation, indicating the application of Hb-AGE as a measure of susceptibility to glycation rather than glycation itself.