Different Reaction Patterns in the Baylis-Hillman Reaction of Aryl Aldehydes with Phenyl Vinyl Ketone, Phenyl Acrylate and Phenyl Thioacrylate
In the Baylis-Hillman reaction of aryl aldehydes with phenyl vinyl ketone we have observed exclusive formation of diadducts 4, and that the yields of diadduct can reach 80% with increasing amounts of phenyl vinyl ketone. On the other hand, for phenyl acrylate and phenyl thioacrylate, only the normal Baylis-Hillman adduct was obtained. The effects of substituents were also examined and a plausible reaction mechanism is proposed for the formation of compounds 4.
Control of the ‘extended’E1cB mechanism of acyl group transfer in activated esters of acrylic acids
Aminolysis and alkaline hydrolysis of aryl propenoates are shown to proceed via a normal nucleophilic substitution mechanism. The ‘extended’E1cB mechanism of hydrolysis involving attack of hydroxide ion at the β carbon followed by expulsion of the phenolate ion from the resulting carbanion is shown not to occur with the parent propenoate. The ‘extended’E1cB mechanism is taken by the hydrolysis of 2-cyano-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propenoate esters due to the stabilising effect of the cyano-group on the intermediate carbanion.
Electrochemical detection of copper(II) at a gold electrode modified with a self-assembled monolayer of penicillamine
A penicillamine (PCA) self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was prepared on a gold electrode. It has been found that the modified electrode exhibited a selective response to copper ions. As demonstrated by cyclic voltammetric experiments, the SAM-based electrode showed an attractive ability to preconcentrate efficiently traces of copper(II) from solutions. Under optimum conditions, the anodic peak current was proportional to the concentration of Cu(II) in the range from 8.0 × 10−7 to 1.0 × 10−4 M with a detection limit of 4.0 × 10−7 M. Moreover, this modified gold electrode is also characterized by excellent repeatability, showing a relative standard deviation of 3.2% for nine successive measurements of 1.0 × 10−5 M Cu(II). The PCA/Au SAM gold electrode was used for the determination of Cu(II) in a tap water sample and the results showed a good agreement with the data obtained by atomic emission spectrometry.