Study of the peak effect phenomenon in single crystals of 2H-NbSe2

The weakly pinned single crystals of the hexagonal 2H-NbSe₂ compound have emerged as prototypes for determining and characterizing the phase boundaries of the possible order-disorder transformations in the vortex matter. We present here a status report based on the ac and dc magnetization measurements of the peak effect phenomenon in three crystals of 2H-NbSe₂, in which the critical current densities vary over two orders of magnitude. We sketch the generic vortex phase diagram of a weakly pinned superconductor, which also utilizes theoretical proposals. We also establish the connection between the metastability effects and pinning.     

Clathration-induced asymmetric transformation of cefadroxil

[structure: see text] The cephalosporin antibiotic Cefadroxil can be epimerized at the alpha-carbon of its amino acid side chain using pyridoxal as the mediator. By clathration with 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene, the desired diastereomer can be selectively withdrawn from the equilibrating mixture of epimers. In this way, an asymmetric transformation of Cefadroxil can be accomplished. This opens the possibility of the production of Cefadroxil starting from racemic p-hydroxyphenylglycine, in contrast to the current industrial synthesis that employs the D-amino acid in enantiopure form.     

Preparation of unsymmetrical disulfides by using sulfines1

Acidolytic cleavage of unsymmetrically substituted dithioacetal monoxides, ArCH(SR)S(O)Me has been used to prepare linear unsymmetrical disulfides RSSMe. Disproportionation was suppressed by the addition of a small amount of benzyl mercaptan. The required starting materials were conveniently obtained from appropriately substituted sulfines ArC(=SO)SR and methyl lithium. The following disulfides were prepared: R =n-C₄H₉ (73.5%), n-C₇H₁₅ (78%), Ph (77.3%), AcO(CH₂)₁₀ (81.5%).The unsymmetrical dithioacetal PhCH(SEt)SC₇H₁₅-n gave upon oxidation with one equivalent of peracid a mixture of two dithioacetal monoxides which on treatment with HClO₄ led to three disulfides. This result is discussed in term of the mechanism of acidolysis.     

Shaping Solid-State Supramolecular Cavities: Chemically Induced Accordionlike Movement of gamma-Zirconium Phosphate Containing Polyethylenoxide Pillars

The hydrophilic oxygen atoms of polyethylenoxide chains inserted as pillars in gamma-zirconium phosphate form hydrogen bonds with the acid groups of the host. As a result the pillars are almost perpendicular to the gamma layers. Upon changing the pH level of the supernatant solution the hydrogen bonds are broken and the pillars become almost perpendicular to the layers (shown schematically). Thus there is a reversible enlargement-shortening of the interlayer space.     

Synthesis and X-ray analysis of 1-((1S)-phenylethyl)-azetidine-(2R)-piperidinamide

The crystal and molecular structure of a new azetidine-2-carboxylic amide derivative is described. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares methods toR1=0.0393 for 4264 reflections (withI>2(I)) The structure consists of two independent molecules which are chemically the same with slight differences in geometry. Crystal data: C₁₇H₂₄N₂O, monoclinic, space groupP2₁,a=8.3782(4),b=20.0342(13),c=9.7769(8) Å, =109.687(6)°,V=1545.1(2)ų,Z=4.     

Chemistry of strained polycyclic compounds—IX: The synthesis and homoketonization of 4-substituted homocuneane acetates

The synthesis of three bridgehead homocuneanes acetates viz 1-bromopentacyclo [4.3.0.0^2.4.0^3.8.0^5.7]nonan-9-one ethylene ketal 4-acetate (10), 1-bromopentacyclo[4.3.0.0^2.4.0^3.8.0^5.7]nonane 4-acctate (22) and pentacyclo[4.3.0.0^2.4.0^3.8.0^5.7]nonane-9-one ethylene ketal 4-acetate (31) is described, starting from the readely available homocubane carboxylic acid (4). The base and acid catalyzed homoketonization reaction of these acetates has been studied. Under basic conditions the acetates (10, 22 and 31) are converted into tettacyclo[4.3.0.0^2.4.0^3.8]nonane derivatives by a cyclopropanol ring cleavage. This homoketonization reaction is a stereospecific process proceeding with retention of configuration. The effect of cage strain on the stereochemistry of base induced homoketonization of bridgehead cage alcohols is discussed.The acid catalyzed homoketonization of acetate (10) was also found to occur exclusively with retention of configuration.     

Cyclopropanation reactions with α, β-epoxy diazomethyl ketones and rearrangement of α, β-epoxy cyclopropyl ketones

The cyclopropanation reactions of α, β-epoxy diazomethyl ketones 1 with olefins using Pd(OAc)₂ as catalyst is described. Differently substituted epoxy diazo ketones 1a-1f give with cyclohexene exo-norcarane derivatives. 3, 3-Diphenyloxiranyl-2 diazomethyl ketone 1a reacts with olefins like isobutene, E- and Z- butene-2 to give epoxy cyclopropyl ketones. 3, 3-Diphenyloxiranyl-2 cyclopropyl ketones 2a and 9 undergo two consecutive rearrangement reactions with BF₃ as catalyst. In the first step an epoxide rearrangement of 9 takes place to give β-ketoaldehyde 10, which in a second step rearranges to enolester 12. The latter reaction is most likely restricted to β-ketoaldehydes which have a quaternary α-C atom. A rationale for this unusual reaction has been proposed.