Towards gold:
Total Synthesis of 'Green'.
We like a challenge and have embarked upon an ambitious synthesis of
gold. After literally an hour's ceaseless searching we succeeded in producing
a nugget of purest 'green'. We now have the expertise to create the finest
'green' at will.
P. Percy & E. Blackadder, UK |
pp 157-158 |
Novel solid-supported, asymmetric,
samarium(II) catalysed reactions accelerated by microwave irradiation in
supercritical CO2 and ionic liquids.
We anticipate that the combination of scCO2, ionic
liquids, microwave irradiation, solid-supported synthesis and chiral samarium
complexes, will create a new field of chemistry in which we will be the
only players.
CCS |
pp 159-162 |
An easy and
efficient method for the drying of organic solvents.
The use of ovens for drying solvents is discussed. A comparison
is made with the inconvenient, often time- consuming and expensive traditional
methods which involve distillations and the use of aggressive chemicals.
A temperature of 100°C was found to be highly
effective for drying a range of solvents such as diethyl ether, THF, dichloromethane,
water and benzene; whereas drying solvents such as xylene, DMSO and nitrobenzene
was only partially successful.
AP, UK |
pp 163-166 |
Chemical Allotropy (I) A Theoretical
Study.
It has been blithely accepted that certain compounds are inherently
unstable, in extreme cases leading to inconvenient explosions and such
like. Calculations using "ChemBrian" have shown that this is entirely due
to the formation of the wrong products. For instance, calculations clearly
show that whilst the decomposition of NI3 to N2
and I2 is favourable, the compound can be stabilised
when product allotropy is invoked and N8 and I4
are formed instead.
These results should serve as a warning not to take superficial "experimental
findings" at face value.
Elom Niotaluclac, Institute of Advanced Stoichiometry, UK |
pp 167-170 |
Total Synthesis
of Water - an Important Bioactive Natural Product.
Water (dihydrogen oxide) has been implicated to be involved in a wide
range of biological processes. The total synthesis of water has been
achieved in 3 steps commencing from benzylamide, employing a Dean-Stark
cyclodehydration reaction as the key final step. Water was obtained
in excellent yield, and the final isolation was facile, without the
need for extensive purification.
RK, UK |
pp 171-172 |
A glossary of terms and pictorial
guide for undergraduates.
Commonly used terms are explained and illustrated in an effort to eliminate
the need to ask questions such as 'Is this a round bottomed flask?' and
'It says wash with copious water, where is the water copiating machine?'
NJ, UK |
pp 173-176 |
How to Avoid
Accidents in the Laboratory, Part 1: Fire Safety.
According to an old adage, "It's only an accident if someone finds
out." Useful techniques for extinguishing fires in the laboratory without
recourse to firefighting equipment are reported herein. Employment of these
methods obviates the requirement to report such incidents and enables the
research worker to avoid uncomfortable visits from the Safety Officer.
CS, UK |
pp 177-180 |
How to Avoid Accidents in the
Laboratory, Part 2: Stenches and How to Avoid Them.
One hundred common organic transformations employing or producing chemicals
with noxious odours are listed, along with methods to divert the offending
smell into the corridor, or preferably, into someone else's lab. The "worst
case scenario" is also considered and effective phrases for passing the
buck are presented.
CS, UK |
pp 181-184 |
The chromatographic
possibilities of ceiling tiles in the NMR lab downstairs.
This is an important area in which several groups are clearly actively
involved.
AK, UK |
pp 185-186 |
On the Use of Futyl Ester Prodrugs
in Pharmaceutical Research.
Prodrug design to improve the absorption characteristics of drugs with
carboxylate functionalities has explored numerous alkyl groups. Previously,
methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl have been the mainstay, our findings demonstrate
that improved absorption can be obtained by using futanol to give the futyl
ester. Attempts to use the invane sidechain for esters have proved in vain.
DM, UK |
pp 187-190 |
Reductive
Urination Reactions in Organic Synthesis.
Removal of urea groups within organic molecules can take several steps.
We report an enzymatic process which cleaves the urea moiety in close to
100% yield. The utility of this method is discussed with particular
regard to late night drinking in the laboratory. Absolute ethanol mixed
with the juice of oranges provides an excellent solvent.
Sir Leslie Colin Paterson, Australia |
pp 191-194
Part II |
