Vinyl polymerization of acrylamide initiated by Thallium(III) ions in solution

Kinetics of polymerization of acrylamide initiated by Thallium(III) perchlorate was investigated in aqueous perchloric acid medium in the temperature range of 55–70°C. The rates of polymerization were measured varying the concentration of the monomer, initiator, and perchloric acid. The rate of polymerization was found to increase with increase of temperature, monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and perchloric acid concentration. The effect of additives like different solvents, surfactants, and retarders on the rate of polymerization was studied. Molecular weights of the polymer were determined by viscometry. The chain transfer constants for the monomer (C_M) and that for the solvent dioxan (C_s) were calculated to be 7.33 × 10^?3 and 6.66 × 10^?3, respectively. From the Arrhenius plot, the overall activation energy (E_a) was calculated to be 10.68 kcal/mol. The energy of initiation was calculated to be 12.36 kcal/mol. Depending on the results obtained, a suitable reaction mechanism has been suggested and a rate equation has been derived.     

Self-assembly with degenerate prototropy

This work describes a rational approach for addressing the prototropy-related problems in heterocycle-based self-assembling systems by the use of degenerate prototropy. As a proof of principle, the utility of degenerate prototropy is demonstrated herein by developing heterocycle-based AADD-type self-assembling modules that exist as "single set of protameric pair (duplex)" in both solution and solid states. These self-assembling modules are quickly accessible in good yield by reacting 2-amino-5,5-disubstituted-1H-pyrimidine-4,6-diones, available in one step by the condensation of alpha,alpha-dialkyl malonates and free guanidine, with isocyanates. Evidence from NMR spectroscopy, ESI mass spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of molecular duplexes. The effect of electronic repulsion in duplex formation is also investigated. Their ready synthetic accessibility, remarkably high propensity to crystal formation, and the novel property of degenerate prototropy would make these novel self-assembling molecules promising candidates for many proposed applications.     

A convergent approach for the total synthesis of the α-glucosidase inhibitor (−)-panaxjapyne-C

The stereoselective total synthesis of (?)-panaxjapyne-C was accomplished in a convergent fashion. The synthesis utilizes the readily available enantiomers l-(+)-diethyltartrate and d-(?)-diethyltartrate and involves a Cadiot–Chodkiewicz coupling reaction, and an Ohira–Bestmann reaction as the key steps.     

CuI/l-proline catalyzed click reaction in glycerol for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles

Despite the apparent simplicity of the copper(I) iodide catalyzed CuAAC reaction, the conversion of the catalytic species, i.e. Cu(I) to thermodynamically more stable Cu(II), via aerial oxidation or disproportionation is a major issue. To stabilize the Cu(I) species, the reaction is ideally carried out under an inert atmosphere in the presence of additives such as alcohols, amines, thiols, and aldehydes. Herein, we report the first CuI catalyzed click reaction without an inert atmosphere by employing the CuI/l-proline system in glycerol. The method showed remarkable stability towards sensitive functional groups such as acetonides and 1,2,4-trioxanes.     

Chemoselective Synthesis of 1,1-Diacetates from Aldehydes Using Anhydrous Cobalt(II) Bromide Under Solvent-Free Conditions

A mild and efficient method has been developed for the chemoselective preparation of 1,1-diacetates (acylals) from aldehydes catalyzed in the presence of a catalytic amount (0.1 mmol) of anhydrous cobalt(II) bromide under solvent-free conditions. The remarkable selectivity under mild and neutral conditions, excellent yields, short reaction time, and easily available and inexpensive catalyst are important features of this method.     

Supramolecular self-assembly and nanoencapsulation of [60]fullerene by bis-β-cyclodextrin

Bis-β-cyclodextrin connected via ethylene diamine on the primary side of the β-cyclodextrin was synthesized and used for the supramolecular non-covalent inclusion complex with C₆₀ in a mixed solvent system at room temperature. The apparent association constant of the 2:2 inclusion complex determined by combination of UV–Vis absorbance and Benesi–Hildebrand equation was found to be 1.78 × 10⁶ M^?1. The product obtained was highly water-soluble and superior in stability in aqueous medium as compared to previously known β-cyclodextrin/C₆₀ complex. The non-covalent self-assembly of bis-β-cyclodextrin and C₆₀ was characterized and confirmed from FT-IR, UV–Vis, XRD and TGA. The supramolecular aggregation behavior and particle size of the inclusion complex was found from transmission electron microscope and static light scattering measurements. The size of the inclusion complex was found to be ~30 ± 5 nm.     

Preparation and characterization of polyion-complexed Langmuir-Blodgett films containing an NLO chromophore

Polyion complexes formed by monolayers of quaternary ammonium amphiphiles containing the 4-nitro-4'-alkoxy azobenzene chromophore spread at the surface of aqueous solutions of a number of anionic polyelectrolytes were investigated. In general, pi-A isotherms were found to depend on the nature of the polyion present in the subphase, with monolayers of complexes involving polycarboxylates tending to exhibit larger limiting areas than those formed with polysulfonates or polysulfates. Monolayers of the polyion complexes can be transferred to hydrophilic solid substrates to yield Z-type LB films, although some peeling off for more than 10 layers is an impediment. X-ray reflectivity measurements indicate that relatively smooth and uniform films are obtained up to about 10 layers. Average layer thicknesses are, however, significantly smaller than extended molecular lengths, implying that the amphiphiles are strongly inclined from the surface normal. Polarized FT-IR measurements also indicate poor molecular orientation perpendicular to the surface. Preliminary SHG measurements for LB films of two systems, 12Q/CMC-Na and 12Q/PAA, confirm the presence of noncentrosymmetric out-of-plane chromophore ordering. Stable signals are observed for elevated temperatures up to 130 degrees C and for a period of 4 months at room temperature. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of stable SHG in LB films of polyion complexes.     

Magnetic-field-induced valence transition in rare-earth systems

The magnetic-field-induced valence transition in rare-earth systems has been investigated using the periodic Anderson model supplemented by the Falicov-Kimball term. This model has been solved by first decoupling the Falicov-Kimball term as proposed by Khomskii and Koharjan and then taking the limit of infinite intra-site Coulomb repulsion. The valence transition both in the absence and in the presence of magnetic field as a function of temperature is studied. It has been found that the system makes transition from non-magnetic to magnetic state when the magnetic field increases beyond a critical value H _c. The phase boundary defined in terms of reduced field H _c(T)/H _c(0) and reduced temperature T/T _v (T _v being the valence transition temperature in the absence of field) is almost independent of the position of the localized level. The results are in qualitative agreement with experimental observations in Yb- and Eu-compounds.     

Synthesis of New 2‐Phenylpyrano[3,2‐b]phenothiazin‐4(6H)‐one Derivatives

A new synthesis of 2‐phenylpyrano[3,2‐b]phenothiazin‐4(6H)‐one derivatives was reported. First 2,10‐diacetyl‐3‐hydroxyphenothiazine ( 2 ) was converted into their benzoyloxy esters ( 3a – 3j ) using different aromatic carboxylic acids in the presence of phosphorous oxychloride in pyridine. Benzoyloxy esters were converted into their 1,3‐diones ( 4a – 4j ) by using dry KOH in pyridine via Baker‐Venkataraman transformation reaction. The 1,3‐diones thus obtained were cyclised to pyranophenothiazines ( 5a – 5j ) by refluxing in an acetic acid/HCl mixture.     

Conformationally rigid aromatic amino acids as potential building blocks for abiotic foldamers

This communication describes the development of conformationally constrained unnatural aromatic amino acids, constructed on rigid backbone wherein the carboxyl and amino groups project in two dimensions (planes) on the aromatic framework. Such a feature offers the possibility of design and development of conformationally ordered synthetic oligomers with intriguing structural architectures distinct from those classically observed. Furthermore, such amino acids will have the potential to extend the conformational space available for foldamer design with diverse backbone conformation and structural architectures.