Stereoselective synthesis of unnatural α-amino acid derivatives through photoredox catalysis

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids. The developed protocol allows the use of ubiquitous carboxylic acids as radical precursors without prior derivatization. The protocol utilizes near-stoichiometric amounts of the imine and the acid radical precursor in combination with a catalytic amount of an organic acridinium-based photocatalyst. Alternative mechanisms for the developed transformation are discussed and corroborated by experimental and computational studies.

A protocol for stereoselective C-radical addition to a chiral glyoxylate-derived N-sulfinyl imine was developed through visible light-promoted photoredox catalysis, providing a convenient method for the synthesis of unnatural α-amino acids.     

The use of magnesium perchlorate as desiccant in the syringe injection technique for determination of mercury by cold-vapour atomic absorption spectrometry

The method developed earlier was found to suffer a loss in sensitivity when the magnesium perchlorate desiccant became damp. The most sensitive and consistent results were obtained when the magnesium perchlorate was removed from the sample injection manifold. Under most circumstances a desiccant is not required.     

Polymers for catalytic cation radical chemistry

Cation radical polymers which have cation radical functions at up to 5% of the poly(styrene) monomer sites have been prepared, and their effectiveness in catalyzing the cation radical Diels-Alder reaction is demonstrated.     

The hydrophilic nature of gold and platinum

Clean gold and platinum surfaces have been shown to be hydrophilic in borate and sulphate media at all potentials between hydrogen and oxygen evolution. Finite contact angles were observed at the nitrogen/metal/solution interface immediately after polishing with diamond paste, but electrochemical evidence demonstrated that such surfaces were contaminated. After cleaning the surface chemically or electrochemically, zero contact angles were observed.     

The kinetics of silica reduction in hydrogen

The kinetics of the reduction of SiO₂ in hydrogen have been examined using a thermalgravimetric method. The mechanism of the reaction SiO₂ + H₂ = SiO + H₂O can be described on the basis of a reaction interface moving at a constant velocity toward the center of the reacting sample. The velocity of the moving interface depends on the reaction temperature and water vapor content of the ambient gas. The reaction was studied in the temperature range 1115–1630°C and was found to be isokinetic in this range. The activation energy for the reaction is 85 kcal/mole in pure, dry hydrogen and 135 kcal/mole in hydrogen with a dew point of 24°C.