Stereoselective migration of sterically hindered organoboranes in cyclic and acyclic systems. A stereoselective allylic C-H activation reaction

The thermal migration of cyclic and acyclic organoboranes were studied. In most cases, a stereoselective 1,2-dyotropic migration was observed, allowing the stereocontrol of three contiguous chiral centers. Scope and limitations of this thermal migration are presented.     

New Interfaces for Coupling TLC with TOF SIMS

JPC – Journal of Planar Chromatography – Modern TLC - Two interfaces have been tested for coupling thin-layer chromatography (TLC) with time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry...     

Modelling locational price spreads in competitive electricity markets; applications for transmission rights valuation and replication

The restructuring of the electric utilities industry has forcedindustry participants to rethink their approach to a numberof decision processes. To manage risk and plan investment ingeneration assets, as well as to examine the efficient expansionof the current transmission grid, one needs to have a clearunderstanding of the interaction between the grid propertiesand the behaviour of the regional power markets. In this paperwe discuss a fundamental modelling approach which extracts thestochastic properties of electricity prices by modelling theimpact of physical and economic drivers affecting the production,delivery, and consumption of electricity. If the fundamentalinputs are directly observable, we can use historical data tocalibrate the model parameters. In the case of electricity,this simple and abundant set of training data can make a crucialdifference. We present the bid-based stochastic model (BSM) and look intoits application to valuing of financial derivatives, especiallyoptions based on the locational spread in electricity pricebetween two markets. The advantage of the bid-based model isthat one is able to link the capacity of the transmission line,in megawatts, directly to the correlation between electricityprices at the end nodes. This leads us to a valuation methodfor a locational spread option, the financial equivalent ofa physical transmission right. The model represents an improvementover standard spread option formulation in that it accountsfor the effect of the nonlinear flows in the transmission networkon the correlation and distribution of locational prices. Wealso address the question of whether financial transmissionrights can be replicated with a dynamic portfolio of forwardcontracts at the end nodes. This poses the possibility of model-based arbitrage betweenexisting forward markets and the emerging transmission rightsmarkets. Furthermore, it allows users to simulate the effectof transmission outages or expansion. For example, a for-profittransmission provider who is contemplating addition of a newtransmission line between two markets needs to know whetherhe will be able to recover the fixed cost of investing in theline by selling transmission rights to market participants.By calibrating the bid-based model according to current pricelevels and adding the capacity of the new transmission line,the transmission owner can simulate future cash flows and estimatethe profitability of the investment.     

Standardization and certification in the area of environmentally degradable plastics

Environmentally degradable polymers and plastics (EDPs) are a group of polymeric materials experiencing a rapid growth in number as well as in their applications and quantities used. The assessment of their key characteristic - degradability, including eventually biodegradability as the ultimate stage, is scientifically and technically a challenging issue and has led to differing interpretations in the past. In order to standardize techniques and criteria a number of standards were established by different standardization bodies which are also used as a basis for certification schemes. An up-to-date inventory of the rapidly growing standardization body is presented with basic interpretation to help guide the non-expert. A basic introduction to EDPs and polymer degradation is added for clarity.     

Synthesis of 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3,20-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (chikusetsusaponin-LT8), a glycoside from Panax japonicus

A method for preparative production of 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3,20-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), a glycoside from Panax japonicus, chikusetsusaponin-LT₈ was developed. Chemical transformation of betulafolientriol, a component of Betula leaves extract, produced the 12-keto-20S-protopanaxadiol (3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one) (2), exhaustive glycosylation of which by 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-D-glucopyranosylbromide (3) under Koenigs—Knorr reaction conditions with subsequent removal of protecting groups formed 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3,20-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (1). The principal glycosylation product was 3β,20S-dihydroxydammar-24-en-12-one 3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside if equimolar amounts of (2) and (3) were used. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 44–48, January–February, 2006.