Search

Clinical Importance: Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is one of the most important infectious diseases and causes of death in cats; young cats less than 2 years of age are especially vulnerable. FIP is caused by a feline coronavirus (FCoV). It has been estimated that around 0.3% to 1.4% of feline deaths at veterinary institutions are caused by FIP., Scope: This document has been developed by a Task Force of experts in feline clinical medicine as the 2022 AAFP/EveryCat Feline Infectious Peritonitis Diagnosis Guidelines to provide veterinarians with essential information to aid their ability to recognize cats presenting with FIP., Testing and Interpretation: Nearly every small animal veterinary practitioner will see cases. FIP can be challenging to diagnose owing to the lack of pathognomonic clinical signs or laboratory changes, especially when no effusion is present. A good understanding of each diagnostic test's sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, likelihood ratio and diagnostic accuracy is important when building a case for FIP. Before proceeding with any diagnostic test or commercial laboratory profile, the clinician should be able to answer the questions of 'why this test?' and 'what do the results mean?' Ultimately, the approach to diagnosing FIP must be tailored to the specific presentation of the individual cat., Relevance: Given that the disease is fatal when untreated, the ability to obtain a correct diagnosis is critical. The clinician must consider the individual patient's history, signalment and comprehensive physical examination findings when selecting diagnostic tests and sample types in order to build the index of suspicion 'brick by brick'. Research has demonstrated efficacy of new antivirals in FIP treatment, but these products are not legally available in many countries at this time. The Task Force encourages veterinarians to review the literature and stay informed on clinical trials and new drug approvals.

A novel hydrogen storage system based on the hydrogen release from catalytic dehydrogenative coupling of methanol and 1,2-diamine is demonstrated. The products of this reaction, N-formamide and N,N'-diformamide, are hydrogenated back to the free amine and methanol by a simple hydrogen pressure swing. Thus, an efficient one-pot hydrogen carrier system has been developed. The H 2 generating step can be termed as "amine reforming of methanol" in analogy to the traditional steam reforming. It acts as a clean source of hydrogen without concurrent production of CO 2 (unlike steam reforming) or CO (by complete methanol dehydrogenation). Therefore, a carbon neutral cycle is essentially achieved where no carbon capture is necessary as the carbon is trapped in the form of formamide (or urea in the case of primary amine). In theory, a hydrogen storage capacity as high as 6.6 wt % is achievable. Dehydrogenative coupling and the subsequent amide hydrogenation proceed with good yields (90% and >95% respectively, with methanol and N,N'-dimethylethylenediamine as dehydrogenative coupling partners).

Formation of methanol and hydrocarbon derivatives from CO 2 and H 2 , their simplest molecular building blocks, under biocompatible conditions is proposed. Alternate panspermia of similar extraterrestrially formed and observed hydrocarbons to earth is also discussed. The simple molecular building blocks derived from CO 2 and H 2 are carbon sources in the initial stage of biological evolution of cells leading to life's origin.

Astrophysical observations show similarity of observed abiological "organics"-i.e., hydrocarbons, their derivatives, and ions (carbocations and carbanions)-with studied terrestrial chemistry. Their formation pathways, their related extraterrestrial hydrocarbon chemistry originating from carbon and other elements after the Big Bang, their parent hydrocarbon and derivative (methane and methanol, respectively), and transportation of derived building blocks of life by meteorites or comets to planet Earth are discussed in this Perspective. Their subsequent evolution on Earth under favorable "Goldilocks" conditions led to more complex molecules and biological systems, and eventually to humans. The relevance and significance of extraterrestrial hydrocarbon chemistry to the limits of science in relation to the physical aspects of evolution on our planet Earth are also discussed.

Astrophysically observed extraterrestrial molecular matter contains, besides hydrogen and water, methane and methanol as the most abundant species. Feasible pathways and chemical aspects of their formation as well as of derived hydrocarbon homologues and their ions (carbocations and carbanions) are discussed on the basis of observed similarities with our studied terrestrial chemistry. The preferred pathway for converting extraterrestrial methane according to Ali et al. is based on CH5(+) and Olah's related nonclassical carbonium ion chemistry. On the basis of the observed higher reactivity of methanol compared with methane in various chemical reactions, a feasible new pathway is proposed for the conversion of extraterrestrial methanol to hydrocarbons, their derivatives, and carbocations together with a possible connection with methonium ion-based chemistry.

A highly efficient homogeneous catalyst system for the production of CH3OH from CO2 using pentaethylenehexamine and Ru-Macho-BH (1) at 125-165 °C in an ethereal solvent has been developed (initial turnover frequency = 70 h(-1) at 145 °C). Ease of separation of CH3OH is demonstrated by simple distillation from the reaction mixture. The robustness of the catalytic system was shown by recycling the catalyst over five runs without significant loss of activity (turnover number > 2000). Various sources of CO2 can be used for this reaction including air, despite its low CO2 concentration (400 ppm). For the first time, we have demonstrated that CO2 captured from air can be directly converted to CH3OH in 79% yield using a homogeneous catalytic system.

A simple and expedient method for the synthesis of 3-methylene-isoindolin-1-ones 4 under aqueous phase-transfer conditions has been developed. Starting from 2-iodobenzamides 1 and (silyl)alkynes, the products are obtained in high yields and short reaction times (30 min) with the use of inexpensive CuCl/PPh3 catalyst system in the presence of n-Bu4NBr (TBAB) as a phase-transfer agent. Terminal alkynes are conveniently "unmasked" upon in situ desilylation under the reaction conditions. Alkynes possessing heterocyclic moieties were also found as amenable substrates. Furthermore, a one-pot process starting from 2-iodobenzamides 1, aryl halides (bromides or iodides) and trimethylsilylacetylene (TMSA) as a convenient acetylene surrogate was also shown to be feasible under Pd/Cu catalysis.

The rearrangement pathways of the equilibrating tertiary carbocations, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butyl cation (C6H13(+), 1), 2,3,3-trimethyl-2-butyl cation (C7H15(+), 5) and 2,3-dimethyl-2-pentyl cation (C7H15(+), 8 and 9) were investigated using the ab initio/GIAO-CCSD(T) (13)C NMR method. Comparing the calculated and experimental (13)C NMR chemical shifts of a series of carbocations indicates that excellent prediction of δ(13)C could be achieved through scaling. In the case of symmetrical equilibrating cations (1 and 5) the Wagner-Meerwein 1,2-hydride and 1,2-methide shifts, respectively, produce the same structure. This indicates that the overall (13)C NMR chemical shifts are conserved and independent of temperature. However, in the case of unsymmetrical equilibrating cations (8 and 9) the Wagner-Meerwein shift produces different tertiary structures, which have slightly different thermodynamic stabilities and, thus, different spectra. At the MP4(SDTQ)/cc-pVTZ//MP2/cc-pVTZ + ZPE level structure 8 is only 90 calories/mol more stable than structure 9. Based on computed (13)C NMR chemical shift calculations, mole fractions of these isomers were determined by assuming the observed chemical shifts are due to the weighted average of the chemical shifts of the static ions., (© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

An efficient microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of 2-/3-methylthiochroman-4-ones by superacid-catalyzed alkylation followed by cyclic acylation (cyclization via intramolecular acylation) is described. Using easily accessible benzenethiols and crotonic acid/methacrylic acid with triflic acid (as catalyst of choice for needed optimal acidity), the reaction was tuned toward the formation of the cyclized products in good selectivity and yield. A mechanism involving the formation of carbenium-carboxonium superelectrophilic species is suggested.

Catalysts based on suitable metal oxide supports, such as NiO/MgO and CoO/MgO, were shown to be active for single step bi-reforming, the combined steam and dry reforming of methane or natural gas with H2O and CO2 exclusively to metgas (CO-2H2) for efficient methanol synthesis. Reactions were carried out in a tubular flow reactor under pressures up to 42 bar at 830-910 °C. Using a CH4 to steam to CO2 ratio of ∼3:2:1 in the gas feed, the H2/CO ratio of 2:1 was achieved, which is desired for subsequent methanol synthesis. The needed 2/1 steam/CO2 feed ratio together with the reaction heat for the endothermic bi-reforming can be conveniently obtained by the complete combustion of a quarter part of the overall used methane (natural gas) with oxygen of the air (oxidative bi-reforming). Complete combustion of a part of methane followed by bi-reforming leads to the production of metgas (H2/CO in 2:1 mol ratio) for self-sufficient exclusive methanol synthesis. The long sought after but elusive efficient and selective oxygenation of methane to methanol is thus achieved in an effective and economic way without any oxidation byproduct formation according to CH4 + 1/2O2 → CH3OH.

Using the MP2, CCSD(T), and DFT (B3LYP) methods, the structures and energies of the 2-butyl cation (C4H9(+)) were calculated. Energetically, the C-C hyperconjugated structure 1 and hydrogen-bridged structure 2 were found to be almost identical at all levels. The (13)C NMR chemical shifts of 1 and 2 were computed by the GIAO-CCSD(T) method using different geometries. On the basis of calculated relative energies and calculated (13)C NMR chemical shifts, an equilibrium involving 1 and 2 (in a 50:50 ratio) seemed likely responsible for the experimentally observed (13)C NMR chemical shifts in superacid solutions at -80 °C. However, on the basis of computed and experimental frequencies the hydrogen-bridged structure 2 is most likely responsible for the experimentally observed frequencies in the solid state at -125 °C.

Due to the intermittent nature of most renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, energy storage is increasingly required. Since electricity is difficult to store, hydrogen obtained by electrochemical water splitting has been proposed as an energy carrier. However, the handling and transportation of hydrogen in large quantities is in itself a challenge. We therefore present here a method for hydrogen storage based on a CO2 (HCO3 (-) )/H2 and formate equilibrium. This amine-free and efficient reversible system (>90 % yield in both directions) is catalyzed by well-defined and commercially available Ru pincer complexes. The formate dehydrogenation was triggered by simple pressure swing without requiring external pH control or the change of either the solvent or the catalyst. Up to six hydrogenation-dehydrogenation cycles were performed and the catalyst performance remained steady with high selectivity (CO free H2 /CO2 mixture was produced)., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Paul von Ragué Schleyer, Graham Perdue Professor at the University of Georgia passed away on November 21, 2014. Schleyer was an eminent and prolific physical organic chemist, whose pioneering contributions included the application of computational chemistry to broad fields of physical organic, inorganic, organometallic, and mechanistic chemistry concepts., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Starting with coal, followed by petroleum oil and natural gas, the utilization of fossil fuels has allowed the fast and unprecedented development of human society. However, the burning of these resources in ever increasing pace is accompanied by large amounts of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, which are outpacing the natural carbon cycle, causing adverse global environmental changes, the full extent of which is still unclear. Even through fossil fuels are still abundant, they are nevertheless limited and will, in time, be depleted. Chemical recycling of CO2 to renewable fuels and materials, primarily methanol, offers a powerful alternative to tackle both issues, that is, global climate change and fossil fuel depletion. The energy needed for the reduction of CO2 can come from any renewable energy source such as solar and wind. Methanol, the simplest C1 liquid product that can be easily obtained from any carbon source, including biomass and CO2, has been proposed as a key component of such an anthropogenic carbon cycle in the framework of a "Methanol Economy". Methanol itself is an excellent fuel for internal combustion engines, fuel cells, stoves, etc. It's dehydration product, dimethyl ether, is a diesel fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) substitute. Furthermore, methanol can be transformed to ethylene, propylene and most of the petrochemical products currently obtained from fossil fuels. The conversion of CO2 to methanol is discussed in detail in this review.

The trifluoromethanide anion is the postulated key intermediate in nucleophilic trifluoromethylation reactions. However, for more than six decades, the trifluoromethanide anion was widely believed to exist only as a short-lived transient species in the condensed phase. It has now been prepared in bulk for the first time in THF solution. The trifluoromethanide anion with the [K(18-crown-6)](+) cation was unequivocally characterized by low-temperature (19)F and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Its intermediacy in nucleophilic trifluoromethylation reactions was directly evident by its reaction chemistry with various electrophilic substrates. Variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy, along with quantum mechanical calculations, support the persistence of the trifluoromethanide anion., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The introduction of the CF3 group on the C9 atom in quinidine can significantly increase the conformational interconversion barrier of the cinchona alkaloid scaffold. With this modification the conformational behavior of cinchona alkaloids in various solvents can be conveniently investigated via (19)F NMR spectroscopy. Based on the reliable conformational distribution information obtained, the accuracy of both theoretical (PCM) and empirical (Kamlet-Taft) solvation models has been assessed using linear free energy relationship methods. The empirical solvation model was found to provide accurate prediction of solvent effects, while PCM demonstrated a relatively low reliability in the present study. Utilizing similar empirical solvation models along with Karplus-type equations, the conformational behavior of quinidine and 9-epi-quinidine has also been investigated. A model SN2 reaction has been presented to reveal the important role of solvent-induced conformational behavior of cinchona alkaloids in their reactivity.

Adsorbents prepared easily by impregnation of fumed silica with polyethylenimine (PEI) are promising candidates for the capture of CO2 directly from the air. These inexpensive adsorbents have high CO2 adsorption capacity at ambient temperature and can be regenerated in repeated cycles under mild conditions. Despite the very low CO2 concentration, they are able to scrub efficiently all CO2 out of the air in the initial hours of the experiments. The influence of parameters such as PEI loading, adsorption and desorption temperature, particle size, and PEI molecular weight on the adsorption behavior were investigated. The mild regeneration temperatures required could allow the use of waste heat available in many industrial processes as well as solar heat. CO2 adsorption from the air has a number of applications. Removal of CO2 from a closed environment, such as a submarine or space vehicles, is essential for life support. The supply of CO2-free air is also critical for alkaline fuel cells and batteries. Direct air capture of CO2 could also help mitigate the rising concerns about atmospheric CO2 concentration and associated climatic changes, while, at the same time, provide the first step for an anthropogenic carbon cycle., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Nine propargylic acetates, bearing a stereogenic center (-C*HXR(2)) adjacent to the electrophilic carbon atom, were prepared and subjected to SN1-type substitution reactions with various silyl nucleophiles employing bismuth trifluoromethanesulfonate [Bi(OTf)3] as the Lewis acid. The diastereoselectivity of the reactions was high when the alkyl group R(2) was tertiary (tert-butyl), irrespective of the substituent X. Products were formed consistently with a diastereomeric ratio larger than 95:5 in favor of the anti-diastereoisomer. If the alkyl substitutent R(2) was secondary, the diastereoselectivity decreased to 80:20. The reaction was shown to proceed stereoconvergently, and the relative product configuration was elucidated. The reaction outcome is explained by invoking a chiral propargylic cation as an intermediate, which is preferentially attacked by the nucleophile from one of its two diastereotopic faces. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest a preferred conformation in which the group R(2) is almost perpendicular to the plane defined by the three substituents at the cationic center, with the nucleophile approaching the electrophilic center opposite to R(2). Transition states calculated for the reaction of allyltrimethylsilane with two representative cations support this hypothesis. Tertiary propargylic cations with a stereogenic center (-C*HXR(2)) in the α position were generated by ionization of the respective alcohol precursors with FSO3H in SO2ClF at -80 °C. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were obtained for five cations, and the chemical shifts could be unambiguously assigned. The preferred conformation of the cations as extracted from nuclear Overhauser experiments is in line with the preferred conformation responsible for the reaction of the secondary propargylic cations.

α-Fluoroalkenoates and 4-fluoro-5-isoxazolidinones are of vast interest due to their potential biological applications. We now demonstrate the syntheses of (E)-α-fluoroalkenoates and 4-fluoro-5-isoxazolidinones by the reactions between nitrones and α-fluoro-α-bromoacetate. By altering N-substituents in nitrones, (E)-α-fluoroalkenoates and 4-fluoro-5-isoxazolidinones can be achieved, respectively, with high chemo- and stereoselectivities. Experimental and computational studies have been conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanisms. Linear free energy relationship studies further revealed that the N-substituent effects are primarily of electronic origin., (Copyright © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Direct N-difluoromethylation of imidazoles and benzimidazoles has been achieved using TMS-CF3 (the Ruppert-Prakash reagent) under neutral conditions. Difluoromethylated products were obtained in good-to-excellent yields. Inexpensive, commercially available starting materials, neutral conditions, and shorter reaction times are advantages of this methodology. Reactions are accessible through conventional as well as microwave irradiation conditions.

A combination of complete methane combustion with oxygen of the air coupled with bi-reforming leads to the production of metgas (H2/CO in 2:1 mole ratio) for exclusive methanol synthesis. The newly developed oxidative bi-reforming allows direct oxygenation of methane to methanol in an overall economic and energetically efficient process, leaving very little, if any, carbon footprint or byproducts.

Good linear correlations between GIAO-CCSD(T) calculated (11)B NMR chemical shifts of hypercoordinate boronium 1-6b and borenium 7-9b ions and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the corresponding isoelectronic carbonium 1-6a and carbenium 7-9a ions, respectively, were found.

A comparative study of the 2,3-dimethyl-3-fluoro-2-butyl cation and its chloro analog was carried out by the ab initio/GIAO-CCSD(T) (gauge invariant atomic orbital-coupled cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitation) method. The structures and (13)C NMR chemical shifts of the cations were calculated at the GIAO-CCSD(T)/tzp/dz//MP2/cc-pVTZ level. Bridged fluoronium ion 1, carbenium ion 2, and fluorocarbenium ion 3 were found to be minima on the potential energy surface. Bridged fluoronium ion 1, although a minimum on the potential energy surface, is 12.8 kcal/mol less stable than the open chain fluorobutyl cation 3. In contrast to the fluorinated ion, bridged chloronium ion 5 was found to be the lowest energy minimum being 10.6 kcal/mol more stable than ion 6 and 7.4 kcal/mol more stable than ion 7.

A feasible nucleophilic trifluoromethylating protocol has been developed using trifluoroacetaldehyde hydrate as an atom-economical trifluoromethyl source. The reaction was found to be applicable to the nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of a broad spectrum of carbonyl compounds with satisfactory yields in general. DFT calculations have been performed to provide mechanistic insight into the present and related reactions employing 2,2,2-trifluoro-1-methoxyethanol and hexafluoroacetone hydrate.

Comparative study of the superelectrophilic alkane dications (C(n)H(2n+2)2+), n = 1-5) and their isoelectronic boron cation analogues was carried out using the ab initio method at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level. The structure, bonding, and relative stability of doubly charged alkane dications and monocharged boron cation analogues are discussed. These studies contribute to our general understanding of the superelectrophilic activation of alkyl cations as well as the electrophilic reactivity of C-H and C-C single bonds.

A catalyst based on nickel oxide on magnesium oxide (NiO/MgO) thermally activated under hydrogen is effective for the bi-reforming with steam and CO(2) (combined steam and dry reforming) of methane as well as natural gas in a tubular flow reactor at elevated pressures (5-30 atm) and temperatures (800-950 °C). By adjusting the CO(2)-to-steam ratio in the gas feed, the H(2)/CO ratio in the produced syn-gas could be easily adjusted in a single step to the desired value of 2 for methanol and hydrocarbon synthesis.

Recycling of CO(2) into methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and derived fuels and materials is a feasible approach to address our carbon conundrum. It would free humankind from its dependence on fossil fuel while at the same time help mitigate the problems associated with excessive CO(2) emission. The energy needed for this carbon cycle can come from renewable sources (hydro, solar, wind) as well as atomic energy., (Copyright © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Fluoroform (CF(3)H), a large-volume by-product of the manufacture of Teflon, refrigerants, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fire-extinguishing agents, and foams, is a potent and stable greenhouse gas that has found little practical use despite the growing importance of trifluoromethyl (CF3) functionality in more structurally elaborate pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and materials. Direct nucleophilic trifluoromethylation using CF(3)H has been a challenge. Here, we report on a direct trifluoromethylation protocol using close to stoichiometric amounts of CF(3)H in common organic solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF), diethyl ether, and toluene. The methodology is widely applicable to a variety of silicon, boron, and sulfur-based electrophiles, as well as carbon-based electrophiles.

A feasible method has been developed for the enantioselective synthesis of α-stereogenic γ-keto esters. By employing nitro(phenylsulfonyl)methane as an acyl anion equivalent, the integrated Michael addition reaction-oxidative methanolysis protocol allows the preparation of various γ-keto esters with high optical purities.

Structures of octahydriodo diborane (B(2)H(8)) 1 and its protonated 3, diprotonated 5, triprotonated 6, and tetraprotonated 7 ions were found to be calculationally viable minima at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory. Each structure contains two-electron three-center (2e-3c) bonds. The protonation of 1 to form 3 was found to be strongly exothermic by 176.0 kcal/mol. Subsequent protonation of 3 to form 5 was also found to be exothermic by 28.4 kcal/mol. Further protonation of 5 to form 6 was, however, computed to be endothermic by 122.0 kcal/mol whereas protonation of 6 to form 7 was again highly endothermic by 238.8 kcal/mol. Deprotonation barriers of the ions were also computed.

Green chemical processes play a crucial role in sustainable development, and efficient recyclable catalysts that can be conveniently applied in various chemical reactions are the key elements for the development of sustainable synthetic processes. Many organic transformations rely on Lewis and Brønsted acid catalysts, and such molecules have been widely studied in organic synthesis. Over the years, researchers have looked for Lewis acid catalysts that provide high selectivity and high turnover frequency but are also stable in aqueous media and recoverable. Since the first preparation of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid by Hazeldine (triflic acid, HOTf), researchers have synthesized and used numerous metal triflates in a variety of organic reactions. Even though the rare earth metal triflates have played a major role in these studies, the majority of rare earth triflates lack one or more of the primary properties of sustainable catalysts: low cost and easy availability of the metals, easy preparation of triflates, aqueous/thermal stability, recyclability, and catalytic efficiency. In this Account, we describe the synthetic applications of Ga(OTf)(3) and its advantages over similar catalysts. Ga(OTf)(3) can be conveniently prepared from gallium metal or gallium chloride in excess of trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid) under reflux. Among many Lewis acid catalysts recently studied, Ga(OTf)(3) is water tolerant and soluble and requires very low catalyst loading to drive various acid-catalyzed reactions including Friedel-Crafts alkylation, hydroxyalkylation, and acylation selectively and efficiently. In many reactions Ga(OTf)(3) demonstrated high chemo- and regioselectivity, high yields, excellent stability, and recyclability. We successfully synthesized many biologically active heterocycles and their fluoroanalogs under mild conditions. Many challenging reactions such as the ketonic Strecker reactions proceed efficiently via Ga(OTf)(3) catalysis. Because it is stable in water, this catalyst provides the opportunity to study substrates and develop new synthetic protocols in aqueous media, significantly reducing the production of hazardous waste from organic solvents and toxic catalyst systems.

A domino approach of Heck coupling was used to synthesize β-trifluoromethylstyrene derivatives from iodoarenes and 1-iodo-3,3,3-trifluoropropane in moderate to good yields. This method avoids the use of low-boiling, gaseous reagents such as 3,3,3-trifluoropropene, and additives and phosphines in the catalytic system.

C(7)H(12)(2+) (1), the prototype hexacoordinate carbonium dication was found to be a viable minimum at the MP2/6-31G** and MP2/cc-pVTZ levels. Structure 1 is a propeller shaped molecule resembling a complex involving a C(2+) with three ethylene molecules resulting in the formation of three two-electron, three-center (2e-3c) bonds. Isomeric structure 2 was found to be 21.8 kcal/mol more stable than structure 1. However, conversion of 1 into 2 through transition structure 3 has a barrier of 5.7 kcal/mol. Related structures 4, 5, and 8 were also located as minima for C(7)H(12)(2+). The isoelectronic boron analogue BC(6)H(12)(+) (10) was also computed to be a minimum at the same level of calculations.

It is known that 1-naphthol, as a result of superelectrophilic (dicationic) activation in superacid media, is able to react with such deactivated aromatic compound as o-dichlorobenzene to give 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1-tetralone (2), which is a highly valuable intermediate in the synthesis of the antidepressant, sertraline (1) and other useful derivatives. However, the analogous reactivity of 2-naphthol and a variety of naphthalenediols towards o-dichlorobenzene has not been investigated thus far, although the corresponding tetralones, bearing dichlorophenyl moiety, could be of great pharmacochemical interest. In present work, we disclose that 1,5-, 1,6-, and 1,7- naphthalenediols (6a-c) react smoothly with o-dichlorobenzene in the presence of an excess of aluminum chloride or aluminum bromide to give the pairs of isomeric 4-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)- and 4-(2,3-dichlorophenyl)- 5-, 6-, and 7-hydroxy-1-tetralones (10a-c and 11a-c) in high overall yields. 2-Naphthol and 2,7-naphthalenediol (6d) exhibited comparatively lower reactivity, which however was sufficient to obtain the corresponding dichlorophenyl-2-tetralones in moderate yields. The mechanism of these reactions involving superelectrophilic dicationic or even tricationic intermediates, is discussed.

Easy to prepare solid materials based on fumed silica impregnated with polyethylenimine (PEI) were found to be superior adsorbents for the capture of carbon dioxide directly from air. During the initial hours of the experiments, these adsorbents effectively scrubbed all the CO(2) from the air despite its very low concentration. The effect of moisture on the adsorption characteristics and capacity was studied at room temperature. Regenerative ability was also determined in a short series of adsorption/desorption cycles., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

The present Minireview covers the formation and the structural characterization of noble metal carbonyl and hydrido carbonyl complexes, with particular emphasis on ruthenium complexes using formic acid as a carbonyl and hydride source. The catalytic activity of these organometallic compounds for the decarboxylation of formic acid, a potential hydrogen storage material, is also reviewed. In addition, the first preparation of [Ru(4)(CO)(12)H(4)] from RuCl(3) and formic acid as well as the catalytic activity of [Ru(4)(CO)(12)H(4)] for the decomposition of formic acid to hydrogen and carbon dioxide are presented., (Copyright © 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Nature's photosynthesis uses the sun's energy with chlorophyll in plants as a catalyst to recycle carbon dioxide and water into new plant life. Only given sufficient geological time, millions of years, can new fossil fuels be formed naturally. The burning of our diminishing fossil fuel reserves is accompanied by large anthropogenic CO(2) release, which is outpacing nature's CO(2) recycling capability, causing significant environmental harm. To supplement the natural carbon cycle, we have proposed and developed a feasible anthropogenic chemical recycling of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is captured by absorption technologies from any natural or industrial source, from human activities, or even from the air itself. It can then be converted by feasible chemical transformations into fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether, and varied products including synthetic hydrocarbons and even proteins for animal feed, thus supplementing our food chain. This concept of broad scope and framework is the basis of what we call the Methanol Economy. The needed renewable starting materials, water and CO(2), are available anywhere on Earth. The required energy for the synthetic carbon cycle can come from any alternative energy source such as solar, wind, geothermal, and even hopefully safe nuclear energy. The anthropogenic carbon dioxide cycle offers a way of assuring a sustainable future for humankind when fossil fuels become scarce. While biosources can play a limited role in supplementing future energy needs, they increasingly interfere with the essentials of the food chain. We have previously reviewed aspects of the chemical recycling of carbon dioxide to methanol and dimethyl ether. In the present Perspective, we extend the discussion of the innovative and feasible anthropogenic carbon cycle, which can be the basis of progressively liberating humankind from its dependence on diminishing fossil fuel reserves while also controlling harmful CO(2) emissions to the atmosphere. We also discuss in more detail the essential stages and the significant aspects of carbon capture and subsequent recycling. Our ability to develop a feasible anthropogenic chemical carbon cycle supplementing nature's photosynthesis also offers a new solution to one of the major challenges facing humankind.

The one-pot synthesis of 1,1,1-trifluoro- and 1,1-difluoro-2,2-diarylethanes from arenes and fluorinated hemiacetals in the BF(3)-H(2)O system is described. The reaction is simple, clean, and convenient, eliminating the use of organic solvents and other expensive acid systems. BF(3)-H(2)O is economic, is easy to prepare, and offers ample acidity required for this reaction., (© 2011 American Chemical Society)

The trifluoromethyl substituent has been incorporated into quinidine as a conformational stabilizer and a probe to provide straightforward insight into the conformational behavior of cinchona alkaloids. By significantly decreasing the rotation rate of the quinoline-carbinol bond, the relatively bulky CF(3) group enables the NMR signals of the syn and anti conformers to be differentiated at room temperature. In addition to the stabilizing effect, the introduction of the fluorinated moiety also facilitates the application of (19)F NMR spectroscopy, thereby allowing conformational studies under various conditions without the use of deuterated solvents.

A domino approach of hydrolysis/dehydrohalogenation/Heck coupling was used to synthesize styrene sulfonate salts from iodoarenes and chloroethanesulfonyl chloride in good to excellent yields. Methodology was applicable for heterocyclic as well as disubstituted iodoarenes. Some of the key features of this synthetic methodology include the use of phosphine free catalytic system, water as an environmentally friendly solvent, short reaction times, and absence of additives.

Triprotonated ethane (C(2)H(9)(3+)) 4 and tetraprotonated ethane (C(2)H(10)(4+)) 6 were found by ab initio MP2/cc-pVTZ calculations as viable energy minima. Their structure has three and four two-electron three-center (2e-3c) bonds, respectively. In contrast, calculations showed no minimum-energy structure on the potential energy surface of pentaprotonated ethane (C(2)H(11)(5+)). Charge-charge repulsion may approach its limit in this case. Sufficient stabilization of polycations by Schmidbaur-type auration with (C(6)H(5))(3)PAu, an isolobal analogue of H(+), should be possible for the preparation of the polyaurate derivatives of poly protonated ethane allowing their structural study.

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of nucleoside triphosphates in cellular chemistry: They are the building blocks for DNA and RNA and important sources of energy. Modifications of biologically important organic molecules with fluorine are of great interest to chemists and biologists because the size and electronegativity of the fluorine atom can be used to make defined structural alterations to biologically important molecules. Although the concept of nonhydrolyzable nucleotides has been around for some time, the progress in the area of modified triphosphates was limited by the lack of synthetic methods allowing to access bisCF(2)-substituted nucleotide analogs-one of the most interesting classes of nonhydrolyzable nucleotides. These compounds have "correct" polarity and the smallest possible steric perturbation compared to natural nucleotides. No other known nucleotides have these advantages, making bisCF(2)-substituted analogs unique. Herein, we report a concise route for the preparation of hitherto unknown highly acidic and polybasic bis(difluoromethylene)triphosphoric acid 1 using a phosphorous(III)/phosphorous(V) interconversion approach. The analog 1 compared to triphosphoric acid is enzymatically nonhydrolyzable due to substitution of two bridging oxygen atoms with CF(2) groups, maintaining minimal perturbations in steric bulkiness and overall polarity of the triphosphate polyanion. The fluorinated triphosphoric acid 1 was used for the preparation of the corresponding fluorinated deoxynucleotides (dNTPs). One of these dNTP analogs (dT) was demonstrated to fit into DNA polymerase beta (DNA pol beta) binding pocket by obtaining a 2.5 A resolution crystal structure of a ternary complex with the enzyme. Unexpected dominating effect of triphosphate/Mg(2+) interaction over Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding was found and discussed.