Justin D. Fair

Method for rapid on-site identification of VOCs.

Rapid on-site identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air is an important first step in remediation efforts. This study describes modification of a commercially available, portable GC/MS system and development of an analysis protocol for rapid (< 3 min) sampling and identification of VOCs typically found at contaminated sites at the low ppbv level.

Flash column chromatograms estimated from thin-layer chromatography data

Given a sample mass and TLC data, a spreadsheet has been developed that provides information on the amount of silica gel needed, the optimal fraction size, and the degree of separation to be expected before flash chromatography is attempted. The spreadsheet is the first utility of its kind to accurately estimate the retention volume and band volume of analytes, as well as the fraction numbers expected to contain each analyte, and the resolution between adjacent peaks. This information allows users to select optimal parameters for preparative-scale separations before the flash column itself is attempted; ensuring a successful first separation.

Disparate Behavior of Carbonyl and Thiocarbonyl Compounds: Acyl Chlorides vs Thiocarbonyl Chlorides and Isocyanates vs Isothiocyanates

The reaction of benzoyl chloride with methanol catalyzed by pyridine is 9 times more rapid than is the same reaction with thiobenzoyl chloride. The difference in reactivity, as well as the dealkylation reactions that occur when the reaction of thiobenzoyl chloride is catalyzed by bases such as Et(3)N, can be understood in terms of the charge distributions in the intermediate acylammonium ions. The reaction of PhNCO with ethanol occurs at a much higher rate (4.8 x 10(4)) than that of PhNCS, corresponding to a difference in activation free energies for the additions of 6 kcal/mol. Transition states for each of these reactions were located, and each involves two alcohol molecules in a hydrogen bonded six-membered ring arrangement. Information concerning differences in reactivity was derived from analysis of Hirshfeld atomic charge distributions and calculated hydrogenolysis reaction energies.

Quantitation by Portable Gas Chromatography: Mass Spectrometry of VOCs Associated with Vapor Intrusion

Development of a robust reliable technique that permits for the rapid quantitation of volatile organic chemicals is an important first step to remediation associated with vapor intrusion. This paper describes the development of an analytical method that allows for the rapid and precise identification and quantitation of halogenated and nonhalogenated contaminants commonly found within the ppbv level at sites where vapor intrusion is a concern.

Intramolecular carbolithiation cascades as a route to a highly strained carbocyclic framework: competition between 5-exo-trig ring closure and proton transfer

Summary The preparation of fairly strained carbocyclic ring systems by intramolecular 5-exo-trig ring closure has been well documented, and the absence of proton transfers that would compromise such cyclizations is a hallmark of this chemistry. In an effort to explore the limitations of this approach to more highly strained systems, the preparation of a stellane (tricyclo[3.3.0.03,7]octane) framework by an intramolecular carbolithiation cascade involving three coupled 5-exo-trig cyclizations of the vinyllithium derived from 2-bromo-4-vinyl-1,6-heptadiene by lithium–bromine exchange was investigated. The cascade does not afford the stellane; rather, the cascade is terminated after two cyclizations by a proton transfer that occurs by an intermolecular process catalyzed by trace amounts of endo-5-methyl-2-methylenebicyclo[2.2.1]heptane present in reaction mixtures as a consequence of inadvertent quenching of an intermediate alkyllithium during prolonged reaction times at room temperature.

Regioselective Lithium–Iodine Exchange-Initiated Cleavage of 2-Iodomethyl-1,3-dioxanes: A Complex-Induced Proximity Effect

Lithium-iodine exchange-initiated fragmentation of a series of 4-substituted 2-iodomethyl-1,3-dioxanes proceeds rapidly and regioselectively to afford enol ether alcohols by preferential cleavage of the less congested C(2)-O(1) bond. The results demonstrate that a complex-induced proximity effect (CIPE) is likely responsible for the selectivity of the cleavage.