A simple strategy for the formal synthesis of the sex pheromone of gypsy moth (+)-disparlure from L-(+)-tartaric acid is described herein. The key steps include the mono-esterification and regioselective ring-opening of an epoxide using a Grignard reagent. The strategy of conferring asymmetry using 2-butanone enables mono-esterification in high yield and reduces the number of steps. Subsequently, (+)-disparlure is synthesized via the regioselective ring opening of the epoxide.

This study aims to elucidate the mechanism involved in the hydrolysis of the hexacyanoferrate(III) complex ion (Fe(CN)₆^3-) and the mechanism leading to the formation of Prussian blue (Fe^III₄[Fe_II(CN)₆]₃·xH₂O, PB) in acidic aqueous solutions at moderately elevated temperatures. Hydrolysis constitutes a crucial step in generating PB through the widely used single-source or precursor method. Recent PB syntheses predominantly rely on the single-source method, where hexacyanoferrate(II/III) is the exclusive reactant, as opposed to the co-precipitation method employing bare metal ions and hexacyanometalate ions. Despite the widespread adoption of the single-source method, mechanistic exploration remains largely unexplored and speculative. Utilizing UV-vis spectrophotometry, negative-ion mode liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS), and a devised reaction, this study identifies crucial intermediates, including aqueous Fe^2+/3+ ions and hydrocyanic acid (HCN) in the solution. These two intermediates eventually combine to form thermodynamically stable PB. The findings presented in this research significantly contribute to understanding the fundamental mechanism underlying the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the hexacyanoferrate(III) complex ion and the subsequent formation of PB, as proposed in the sequential mechanism introduced herein. This finding might contribute to the cost-effective synthesis of PB by incorporating diverse metal ions and potassium cyanide.

Precise molecular configuration elucidation of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) through advanced spectroscopic techniques is pivotal for enhancing P3HT-based photovoltaic device efficiencies since its high charge-carrier mobility is directly correlated to its well-ordered structure. In this study, we examine Raman depolarization ratios of annealed and non-annealed P3HT films to elucidate their intermolecular π-π configurations. Our findings suggest that the backbone of the annealed film possesses stronger π-π conjugation overlaps than that of the non-annealed film owing to the greater depolarization ratio of the annealed film. In addition, the depolarization ratios are also supported by theoretical calculations, where parallel-stacked thiophene structures display a higher depolarization ratio compared with that of twisted-stacked structures, as calculated by the Møller-Plesset perturbation theory. This study highlights the utility of polarized Raman spectroscopy as a versatile tool for assessing the degree of molecular order in highly conjugated polymer films.

Indian spices are well known for their numerous health benefits, flavour, taste, and colour. Recent Advancements in chemical technology have led to better extraction and identification of bioactive molecules (phytochemicals) from spices. The therapeutic effects of spices against diabetes, cardiac problems, and various cancers has been well established. The present in silico study aims to investigate the binding affinity of 29 phytochemicals from 11 Indian spices with two prominent proteins, BCL3 and CXCL10 involved in invasiveness and bone metastasis of breast cancer. The three-dimensional structures of 29 phytochemicals were extracted from PubChem database. Protein Data Bank was used to retrieve the 3D structures of BCL3 and CXCL10 proteins. The drug-likeness and other properties of compounds were analysed by ADME and Lipinski rule of five (RO5). All computational simulations were carried out using Autodock 4.0 on Windows platform. The proteins were set to be rigid and compounds were kept free to rotate. In-silico study demonstrated a strong complex formation (positive binding constants and negative binding energy ΔG) between all phytochemicals and target proteins. However, piperine and sesamolin demonstrated high binding constants with BCL3 (50.681 × 10³ mol^-1, 137.76 × 10³ mol^-1) and CXCL10 (98.71 × 10³ mol^-1, 861.7 × 10³ mol^-1), respectively. The potential of these two phytochemicals as a drug candidate was highlighted by their binding energy of -6.5 kcal mol^-1, -7.1 kcal mol^-1 with BCL3 and -6.9 kcal mol^-1, -8.2 kcal mol^-1 with CXCL10, respectively coupled with their favourable drug likeliness and pharmacokinetics properties. These findings underscore the potential of piperine and sesamolin as drug candidates for inhibiting invasiveness and regulating breast cancer metastasis. However, further validation through in vitro and in vivo studies is necessary to confirm the in silico results and evaluate their clinical potential.

본 연구의 목적은 AI 분류 모델을 기반으로 한 화학 I 수업의 효과를 검토하고자 한다. 이를 위하여 경북 D 고등학교에서 2023년 1학기에 시행된 화학 I 수업에서 AI 분류 모델을 활용한 수업의 개발과 적용 후 그 변화를 탐색하였다. 교과 내용과 AI 도구를 선정하고 교과-AI융합 교육 모형 및 AI 하드웨어 소프트웨어를 결정한 후, 프로그램의 세부 활동을 개발하여 실제 수업에 적용하였다. 수업 적용 후, 학생들의 화학 개념 형성, AI 가치 인식, AI 기반 메이킹 역량의 세가지 측면에서 자기 효능감이 향상되었음이 확인되었다. 구체적으로, 텍스트 및 이미지 분류 모델 기반의 화학 수업이 학생들의 화학 개념 형성에 대한 자아 효능감에 긍정적인 영향을 미쳤으며, 학생들의 AI 가치 인식과 흥미를 증진시켰고, 학생들의 AI와 피지컬 컴퓨팅 능력을 향상시키는데 기여하였다. 이러한 결과는 AI 분류 모델을 기반으로 한 화학 I 수업이 학생들에게 긍정적인 영향을 미침을 보여주며, 교육현장에서의 유용성을 입증한다.