Structural and vibrational properties of dilute GaNxAs1−x(P1−x)

We report a comprehensive analyzes of the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption and Raman scattering data on the structural and vibrational properties of dilute ternary GaAs_1−xN_x,[GaP_1−xN_x] (x<0.03) alloys grown on GaAs [GaP] by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) and solid source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). By using realistic total energy and lattice dynamical calculations, the origin of experimentally observed N-induced vibrational features are characterized. Useful information is obtained about the structural stability, vibrational frequencies, lattice relaxations and compositional disorder in GaNAs (GaNP) alloys. At lower composition (x<0.015) most of the N atoms occupy the As [P] sublattice {N_As[N_P]}—they prefer moving out of their substitutional sites to more energetically favorable locations at higher x. Our results for the N-isotopic shifts of local mode frequencies compare favorably well with the existing FTIR data.     

Synthesis of N-substituted piperazinyl carbamoyl and acetyl derivatives of tetrahydropapaverine: potent antispasmodic agents

The synthesis and structure-activity-relationship (SAR) for a series of N-substituted piperazinyl carbamoyl 7-15 and piperazinyl acetyl 18-26 derivatives of tetrahydropapaverine have been carried out. The general synthetic methods of carbamoyl tetrahydropapaverine analogues involve N-substituted piperazines and carbamoyl imidazole tetrahydropapaverine as starting materials. Another route for synthesizing these compounds, involving the formation of carbamoyl imidazole piperazine has also been explored. Acylation of tetrahydropapaverine followed by substitution with various piperazinyl moities afforded the acetyl tetrahydropapaverine derivatives. Variously substituted piperazines have been used to monitor the effect of electron releasing and electron withdrawing substituents upon the antispasmodic activity of the molecules. Effect of varying electron densities on the antispasmodic activity, by altering the position of these groups on the benzene ring has also been monitored. Pharmacological methods involve the in vitro antispasmodic activity studies on a freshly removed guinea pig ileum using a force displacement transducer amplifier connected to a physiograph. Among the analogues synthesized in the present study, a promising compound 7, a potent muscle relaxant as compared to papaverine has been obtained.     

Fast Reductive Amination by Transfer Hydrogenation “on Water”

Reductive amination of various ketones and aldehydes by transfer hydrogenation under aqueous conditions has been developed, by using cyclometallated iridium complexes as catalysts and formate as hydrogen source. The pH value of the solution is shown to be critical for a high catalytic chemoselectivity and activity, with the best pH value being 4.8. In comparison with that in organic solvents, the reductive amination in an aqueous phase is faster, and the molar ratio of the substrate to the catalyst (S/C) can be set as high as 1×10⁵, the highest S/C value ever reported in reductive amination reactions. The catalyst is easy to access and the reaction is operationally simple, allowing a wide range of ketones and aldehydes to react with various amines in high yields. The protocol provides a practical and environmental friendly new method for the synthesis of amine compounds.     

Versatile Iridicycle Catalysts for Highly Efficient and Chemoselective Transfer Hydrogenation of Carbonyl Compounds in Water

Cyclometalated iridium complexes are shown to be highly efficient and chemoselective catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of a wide range of carbonyl groups with formic acid in water. Examples include α‐substituted ketones (α‐ether, α‐halo, α‐hydroxy, α‐amino, α‐nitrile or α‐ester), α‐keto esters, β‐keto esters and α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes. The reduction was carried out at substrate/catalyst ratios of up to 50 000 at pH 4.5 and required no organic solvent. The protocol provides a practical, easy and efficient way for the synthesis of β‐functionalised secondary alcohols, such as β‐hydroxyethers, β‐hydroxyamines and β‐hydroxyhalo compounds, which are valuable intermediates in pharmaceutical, fine chemical, perfume and agrochemical synthesis.     

A novel confocal optical pulse stretcher for laser pulses

We present an analytical and experimental study of a novel confocal optical pulse stretcher (COPS). The simple and passive pulse stretcher consists of two concave mirrors and a scraper beam-splitter and its optical configuration ensures a perfect spatial overlapping of laser pulses at the beam-splitter. The pulse stretcher is compact and suitable for laser pulses of large divergences. The confocal optical pulse stretcher is demonstrated on a pulsed copper vapour laser to convert a 40 ns (1/e² % points) pulse into a 55 ns with reduction of peak power by a factor of 1.375 without loss of pulse energy.     

A signal detection analysis of auditory-frequency discrimination in the rat

The frequency-discrimination behavior of rats in a simple go/no-go task was analyzed using the theory of signal detection. Discrimination acuity was studied and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was generated in subjects by varying the reinforcement schedule and signal probability. The detectability indices d', A', and sensitivity index (SI) and response-bias indices B" and responsivity index (RI) were used to describe behavior. A' gave the most suitable psychometric functions while RI best described response-bias behavior. Weber ratios were 6.25% +/- 0.23% at 5 kHz in three subjects. The best method to obtain the ROC was to vary the probability with which subjects were reinforced. The ROC in two subjects demonstrated classical forms; in another subject, the function was asymmetric to the extent that detectability was not independent of response bias. Subjects altered their decision criterion in reporting a signal from trial to trial depending on previous trial events. On any given trial, subjects made a decision in one of several "decision states." Variables that influenced decision states included previous reinforcement and timeouts. The data indicate that timeouts may not be a useful feature in go/no-go tasks. The identification of multiple-decision states within a single behavioral session is a convenient method to generate the ROC without expressly manipulating experimental conditions.     

Simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of mefenamic acid and paracetamol in pharmaceutical preparations

A spectrophotometric procedure for the simultaneous determination of mefenamic acid and paracetamol in a mixture is described. Using 0.01 M methanolic hydrochloric acid as solvent, the absorbance of the mixture is measured at 248, 279 and 351 nm. The concentration of each component can be calculated by solving two equations using two wavelengths, either 248 and 279 nm or 248 and 351 nm.