Selective Catalytic Isomerization of β-Pinene Oxide to Perillyl Alcohol Enhanced by Protic Tetraimidazolium Nitrate

A series of tetraimidazolium salts with different anions was prepared and applied in the isomerization of β-pinene oxide. After examining the activity of different catalysts, a remarkable enhancement of the selectivity of perillyl alcohol (47 %) was obtained over [PEimi][HNO₃]₄ under mild reaction conditions and using DMSO as the solvent. Furthermore, noncovalent interactions between solvent molecules and the catalyst were found by FT-IR spectroscopy and confirmed by computational chemistry. The homogeneous catalyst showed excellent stability and was reused up to six times without significant loss.     

Novel hexadentate imidazolium salts in the rhodium-catalyzed addition of arylboronic acids to aldehydes

Four novel hexadentate imidazolium salts were synthesized from hexakis(bromomethyl)benzene and 1-substituted imidazole. The arylation of aldehydes with arylboronic acids was effected conveniently and in high yields by a catalyst system generated in situ from these hexadentate imidazolium salts, [Rh(COD)Cl]₂ and a base.     

Liquid-liquid phase equilibria of aqueous two-phase systems containing salts and polyethylene glycol

Liquid-liquid phase equilibria of the ternary systems: (a) polyethylene glycol - ammonium sulfate- water and (b) polyethylene glycol - sodium carbonate -water have been determined experimentally at 15°, 25°, 35° and 45°C and for two different molecular weights of the polymer (Avg. M.W. 1000 and 2000). Details of the glass cell and of the equilibration and analytical procedures used are described. Equilibrium data along with phase diagrams are presented. Finally the effect of temperature and of the molecular weight of the polymer are also discussed.     

Curcumin: A naturally occurring long‐wavelength photosensitizer for diaryliodonium salts

Curcumin, a naturally occurring, intensely yellow dye extracted from the spice turmeric, is an efficient photosensitizer for diaryliodonium salt photoinitiators at wavelengths ranging from 340 to 535 nm. With curcumin as a photosensitizer, it is possible to carry out the cationic photopolymerization of a wide variety of epoxide, oxetane, and vinyl monomers with long‐wavelength UV and visible light. An example of the photopolymerization of an epoxide monomer with ambient solar irradiation is provided. Several other curcumin analogues were synthesized, and their use as photosensitizers is examined. With such photosensitizers, the range of spectral sensitivity can be extended well into the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 5217–5231, 2005     

Paradigms and Paradoxes: Energetics of Aqueous Oxyanions of Nonmetals and Metalloids

The enthalpies of formation of simple nonmetal or metalloid oxyanions in aqueous solution are discussed. Archival values are cited and estimates are made. Trends prove evasive.     

Dimethylamino-substituted 7H-Benzo[de]pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinolin-7-ones and Their Behavior under Vilsmeier-Haack Conditions

The behavior of dimethylamino-substituted 7H-benzo[de]pyrazolo[5,1-a]isoquinoline-7-ones, synthesized for the first time, under conditions of the Vilsmeier-Haack reaction. It has been shown that, on heating with POCl₃ and DMF, they are converted by electrophilic substitution at the position ortho to the dimethylamino group, followed by cyclization of the iminium adduct to a quinazolinium salt. When an acetyl group is present, the Arnold reaction, leading to the formation of a chloroaryl, accompanies the heterocyclization. The rates and proportion of the reaction products depend on the position of the dimethyl groups relative to the pyrazole ring.     

Spectrophotometric Study of Luminol in Dimethyl Sulfoxide–Potassium Hydroxide

The spectrophotometric study of luminol (LH₂) in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), DMSO-water solutions, and alkaline DMSO and DMSO-water solutions has been done, focusing on the effect of the KOH additon on LH₂ absorption and fluorescence properties. The absorption spectra indicate an acid-base equilibrium, and the luminol dianion (L^2–) formation at 3 × 10^–4 – 2.4 × 10^–3 M KOH. The decrease of the fluorescence intensity and the variation of the excitation spectra of LH₂-DMSO-KOH solutions with KOH concentration have been similarly explained. The acid-base process is reversible. The addition of HCl to the solution with 3.0 × 10^–3 M KOH leads to an increase of the fluorescence intensity to its highest value, observed in pure DMSO. The addition of HCl to the LH₂-DMSO solution leads to the decrease of the fluorescence intensity as a result of the LH⁺ ₃ cation formation. In LH₂-DMSO-water, the fluorescence band is shifted from 405 nm to 424 nm and increased in the intensity. In the presence of KOH (in LH₂-DMSO-water-KOH solution) a new band appears, with the maximum at 485 nm and the band at 405 nm decreased. The changes in fluorescence lifetimes also evidence the different chemical species formed.     

Alkyl 3-amino-5-aryl-2-benzoyl-5-oxo-2-pentenoates as new chelating ligands and reagents of heterocyclic synthesis

A method for the synthesis of alkyl 3-amino-5-aryl-2-benzoyl-5-oxo-2-pentenoates from Ni chelates of alkyl benzoylacetates and aroylacetonitriles was proposed. The compounds obtained were used for preparation of ethyl 4-amino-6-aryl-2-phenylnicotinates and Ni and B chelates.