Unexpected Formation of a Chiral spiro-system in the Reaction of the Dilithium Derivative of Hexafluorocumyl Alcohol with N-(t-butylsulfenyl)phthalimide.

An unexpected course of the reaction of hexafluorocumyl alcohol dilithium derivative 2 with N-(t-butylsulfenyl)phthalimide (3) has been presented. The process proceeded under mild conditions and resulted in previously undescribed chiral spiro-system- 3',3'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-3H,3'H-1,1'-spirobis(isobenzofuran)-3-one (5) as the only product. A detailed spectral analysis of the product has been provided, and mechanistic aspects have been investigated.

New Optically Active -Butylarylthiophosphinic Acids and Their Selenium Analogues as the Potential Synthons of Supramolecular Organometallic Complexes: Syntheses and Crystallographic Structure Determination.

The aim of the research described in this publication is two-fold. The first is a detailed description of the synthesis of a series of compounds containing a stereogenic heteroatom, namely the optically active -stereogenic derivatives of -butylarylphoshinic acids bearing sulfur or selenium. The second is a detailed discussion dedicated to the determination of their structures by an X-ray analysis.

Nucleophilic Substitution at Tricoordinate Sulfur-Alkaline Hydrolysis of Optically Active Dialkoxysulfonium Salts: Stereochemistry, Mechanism and Reaction Energetics.

Optically active dialkoxyisopropylsulfonium salts were obtained by methylation (ethylation) of optically active alkyl isopropanesulfinates using methyl (ethyl) trifluoromethanesulfonate. Alkaline hydrolysis of a series of methoxy(alkoxy)sulfonium salts afforded the two sulfinate products methyl isopropanesulfinate and alkyl isopropanesulfinate, both formed with a slightly prevailing inversion of configuration at the sulfur atom. DFT calculations revealed that this substitution reaction proceeded stepwise according to an addition-elimination (A-E) mechanism involving the formation of high tetracoordinate S sulfurane intermediates.

Microbiologically Pure Cotton Fabrics Treated with Tetrabutylammonium OXONE as Mild Disinfection Agent.

The microbiological purity of textiles plays a pivotal role in the use of textiles, especially in hospitals and other medical facilities. Microbiological purity of cotton fabric was achieved by a new disinfection method using tetrabutyloammonium OXONE (TBA-OXONE) before washing. As a result of the disinfection, the cotton fabric became microbiologically pure, despite the markedly decreased washing time with respect to the widely used standard procedure.

New Insights into Green Protocols for Oxidative Depolymerization of Lignin and Lignin Model Compounds.

Oxidative depolymerization of lignin is a hot topic in the field of biomass valorization. The most recent and green procedures have been herein detailed. Photochemical and electrochemical approaches are reviewed highlighting the pros and cons of each method.