Stereoselective synthesis of both stereoisomers of β-fluorostyrene derivatives from a common intermediate

The stereoselective synthesis of both cis- and trans-β-fluorostyrene derivatives from a common intermediate, (Z)-1-aryl-2-fluoro-1-(trimethylsilyl)ethenes, is described. The trans isomers are obtained by a stereospecific replacement of the silyl group in the presence of water and a fluoride source, whereas the preparation of the cis isomers is achieved by a bromination/desilicobromination sequence followed by reduction of the newly created C-Br bond. A stereoselective transformation of both stereoisomers of β-fluorostyrene is also presented.     

Microscopic approach for the identification of cationic membrane fouling during cheddar cheese whey electroacidification

This is the first time that fouling of cation-exchange membranes during cheddar cheese whey electroacidification with bipolar membranes is reported. A mineral fouling was observed only on the cationic membrane side in contact with the base. The deposit was identified as magnesium hydroxide and this fouling was more important on the cation-exchange membrane situated close to the cathode. Little deposit was formed after six electroacidification runs, but on long time, the buildup of fouling film would lead after many electroacidifications to an important decrease of the system efficiency. Since, fouling of permselective membranes represents one of the major issues in electrodialytic processes, this result will be the basis for the determination of cleaning conditions allowing the prevention of such a fouling.     

Synthesis of 2-oxazolines and related N-containing heterocycles using [Et2NSF2]BF4 as a cyclodehydration agent

The preparation of 2-oxazolines and related N-containing heterocycles from the corresponding hydroxyamides using XtalFluor-E ([Et₂NSF₂]BF₄) as a cyclodehydration agent is described. A wide range of heterocycles are obtained under mild conditions in good to excellent yields.     

Synthesis of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from 1,2-diacylhydrazines using [Et2NSF2]BF4 as a practical cyclodehydration agent

The preparation of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles from 1,2-diacylhydrazines using XtalFluor-E ([Et(2)NSF(2)]BF(4)) as cyclodehydration reagent is described. Various functionalized 1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized and it was found that the use of acetic acid as an additive generally improved the yields.     

Direct measurement of the phase-coherence length in a GaAs/GaAlAs square network

The low temperature magnetoconductance of a large array of quantum coherent loops exhibits Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak oscillations with a periodicity corresponding to 1/2 flux quantum per loop. We show that the measurement of the harmonics content provides an accurate way to determine the electron phase-coherence length L(phi) in units of the lattice length with no adjustable parameters. We use this method to determine L(phi) in a square network realized from a 2D electron gas in a GaAs/GaAlAs heterojunction, with only a few conducting channels. The temperature dependence follows a power law T(-1/3) from 1.3 K to 25 mK with no saturation, as expected for 1D diffusive electronic motion and electron-electron scattering as the main decoherence mechanism.