N-Bromoamides as versatile catalysts for aziridination of olefins using chloramine-T

N-Bromoamides catalyze effectively the aziridination of electron-deficient as well as electron-rich olefins using chloramine-T (N-chloro-N-sodio-p-toluenesulfonamide) as a nitrogen source under ambient conditions to afford the corresponding aziridines in good to excellent yields.     

A proof of Howard’s conjecture in homogeneous parallel shear flows

A rigorous mathematical proof of Howard's conjecture which states that the growth rate of an arbitrary unstable wave must approach zero, as the wave length decreases to zero, in the linear instability of nonviscous homogeneous parallel shear flows, is presented here for the first time under the restriction of the boundedness of the second derivative of the basic velocity field with respect to the vertical coordinate in the concerned flow domain.     

Baseline studies of radon/thoron concentration levels in and around the Lambapur and Peddagattu areas in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Studies conducted by Atomic Minerals Directorate of Exploration and Research (AMD) of Hyderabad, India had established the presence of higher concentrations of uranium in Lambapur and Peddagattu areas of Nalgonda district, AP, India and it was estimated that it could be a viable source for commercial extraction. The envisaged extraction process involves dispersion of radioactive particulate matter into atmosphere. Environmental radioactive studies in and around proposed mining areas at this point of time will be extremely useful for establishing base line data before a large scale uranium extraction process comes into existence. To this end, Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors were installed to evaluate indoor radon and thoron concentration levels in the dwellings of the area. The geometric means of radon and thoron concentration levels were found to be (7.1±0.2)×10¹ and (6.7±0.3)×10¹ Bq/m³, respectively. Simultaneously, natural background radiation measurements were also made and these levels are found to vary from 770 to 3995 μGy/y in the spatial distribution.     

A simple and sensitive analytical method for the determination of antimony in environmental and biological samples.

The results of a study and application of leucocrystal violet for the determination of antimony in parts per million levels is described here. The proposed method is based on the reaction of antimony(III) with acidified potassium iodate to liberate iodine. The liberated iodine selectively oxidizes leucocrystal violet to crystal violet dye. The formed dye shows maximum absorbance at 590 nm. The color system obeys Beer's law in the concentration range from 0.4 - 3.6 microg antimony per 25 ml of final solution. The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity were found to be 7.32 x 10(5) l mol(-1) cm(-1) and 0.0016 microg cm(-2), respectively. All variables were studied in order to optimize the reaction. The proposed method is satisfactorily applicable for the analysis of antimony in various environmental and biological samples. The method is simple, highly sensitive, accurate and reliable.     

Iridodials: enantiospecific synthesis and stereochemical assignment of the pheromone for the golden-eyed lacewing, Chrysopa oculata

1R,2S,5R,8R; 1R,2S,5R,8S; 1S,2S,5R,8R; and 1S,2S,5R,8S-Iridodials have been prepared in five steps from 4aS,7S,7aR and 4aS,7S,7aS-nepetalactones, major components of catnip oil. 1R,2S,5R,8R-Iridodial has been identified as a male-produced male-aggregation pheromone for Chrysopa oculata, the first pheromone of any kind identified for lacewings.     

Synthesis of O,O Ethane Bridged Bis-copper(II) Macrocycles. Selective Enzyme Model for Catecholase Activity

New mononuclear and dinuclear complexes [3-hydroxyethyl-1,3,5,8,11pentaazacyclotridecane]copper(II) (1)/nickel(II) (2) perchlorate and O,O ethane bridged bis-copper(II) (3)/nickel(II) (4) macrocycles have been synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, viz. i.r., n.m.r., e.p.r., u.v.–vis. and conductance measurements. Spectral data and conductance measurements reveal that all the complexes are consistent with square-planar geometry and are ionic in nature. The catalytic activity of the dinuclear Cu(II) complex (3) in the presence of pyrocatechol was determined spectrometrically by monitoring the increase of the o-benzoquinone characteristic absorption band at 25,000 cm⁻¹ with respect to time in DMF saturated with molecular oxygen. The kinetic parameters V_max (2.8×10⁻³ M s⁻¹) and K_M (1.4×10⁻³ mm) have been determined by Michaelis–Menten method. Electrochemistry of the dinuclear Cu(II) complex has been studied in the presence of molecular oxygen with pyrocatechol and without pyrocatechol at a scan rate of 0.1 V s⁻¹ by cyclic voltammetry. On addition of pyrocatechol, complex shows a shift in E_pc, E_pa and E_1/2 values indicating the oxidation of substrate (pyrocatechol).     

Crystallographic evidence of hexacoordination at phosphorus via intramolecular coordination of donor groups on phosphane and phosphane sulphide

The X-ray structure analysis of bis(8-dimethylamino-l-naphthyl)phenylphosphane (3) and of the corresponding sulphide 4 has revealed hexacoordination at phosphorus in both cases, the N … P separations being less than the sum of the van der Waal radii. Furthermore, in both cases the overall geometry corresponds to a distorted bicapped tetrahedron. The optimum geometry calculated for 4 via the program developed by Autodesk (MM + method) suggests that the structure of the molecule is a function not only of steric requirements but also of electronic effects.     

Synthesis, spectra and biomimetic properties of copper(II)-copper(II) and copper(II)-zinc(II) binuclear complexes with CuN5 chromophores

X-band electron spin resonance (ESR) and UV-vis spectra of a homobinuclear [(Bipy)2Cu-E-Im-Cu(Bipy)2](BF4)3 and a heterobinuclear [(Bipy)2Cu-E-Im-Zn(Bipy)2](BF4)3 complexes, E-Im=2-ethylimidazolate ion have been described as possible models for superoxide dismutase (SOD). Magnetic moment and ESR spectral measurements of the homobinuclear complex have shown an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction. From pH-dependent ESR and UV-vis spectral measurements studies, these complexes have been found to be stable over 8.5-10.5 pH range. These complexes catalyze the dismutation of superoxide (O2-) at biological pH. All the observations indicate that these complexes act as good possible models for superoxide dismutase.     

Biomimetic reduction of nimesulide with NaBH4 catalyzed by metalloporphyrins

The biomimetic reduction of anti-inflammatory drug, nimesulide (1) with sodium borohydride catalyzed by 5,10,15,20-tetraarylporphyrinatoiron(III) chlorides [TAPFe(III)Cl] has been studied in organic solvents under anaerobic and aerobic conditions.