Preparations of spherical nanoparticles of chiral alkaloid-based bridged silsesquioxanes and their use in heterogeneous catalysis of enantioselective reactions.

Two spherical nanoparticulate materials were prepared by base-catalyzed sol-gel hydrolysis/self-condensation of the bis- alkaloid-phthalazine-based bridged bis(triethoxysilanes). For the purpose of comparing the catalytic properties, two compact materials were also prepared from the same precursors using a fluoride-catalyzed sol-gel process. All materials were characterized by SEM, TEM, solid-state Si NMR and C NMR, TGA, and FTIR.

Synthesis and absolute configuration of cyclic synthetic cathinones derived from α-tetralone.

The emergence of new synthetic cathinones continues to be a matter of public health concern. In fact, already known products (drugs) are being rapidly replaced by new structurally related alternatives, whereby modifications in the basic cathinone structure are used by manufacturers to circumvent the legislation. On the other hand, some derivatives of synthetic cathinones represent important pharmaceuticals with antidepressant properties.

Conformational analysis of amphetamine and methamphetamine: a comprehensive approach by vibrational and chiroptical spectroscopy.

After cannabis, the most commonly used illicit substance worldwide is amphetamine and its derivatives, such as methamphetamine, with an ever-increasing number of synthetic modifications. Thus, fast and reliable methods are needed to identify them according to their spectral patterns and structures. Here, we have investigated the use of molecular spectroscopy methods to describe the 3D structures of these substances in a solution that models the physiological environment.