Cross-Coupling Biarylation of Nitroaryl Chlorides Through High Speed Ball Milling.

Solvent-free reaction using a high-speed ball milling technique has been applied to the classical Ullmann coupling reaction. Cross-coupling biarylation of several nitroaryl chlorides was achieved in good yields when performed in custom-made copper vials through continuous shaking without additional copper or solvent. Cross-coupling products were obtained almost pure and NMR-ready. These reactions were cleaner than solution phase coupling which require longer reaction time in high boiling solvents, and added catalysts as well as lengthy extraction and purification steps. Gram quantities of cross biaryl compounds have been synthesized with larger copper vials, a proof that this method can be used to reduce industrial waste and for sustainability.

Implementation of evidence-based supported employment in regional Australia.

OBJECTIVE: To implement the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) approach at 4 locations in regional New South Wales, Australia. Outcomes attained were compared with a national non-IPS program and with international trials of IPS within and outside the United States. METHODS: Four IPS programs were established through formal partnerships between mental health services and disability employment services. Ninety-five mental health service clients commenced employment assistance and were tracked for a minimum of 12 months. RESULTS: Two sites achieved good fidelity to IPS principles, and 2 sites achieved fair fidelity. IPS clients had 3.5 times greater odds of attaining 13 weeks' employment than those receiving assistance in the national network of disability employment services. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Implementing IPS is challenging in the Australian service delivery context. Factors other than program fidelity appear to contribute to excellent employment outcomes. Further research is needed to identify these factors.

A working reality: evaluating enhanced intersectoral links in supported employment for people with psychiatric disabilities.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Supported employment (SE) programmes have been found to improve the rates of competitive employment for people with severe mental illness. Evidence has suggested that the most effective SE model is one in which the employment specialist is co-located with mental health services. However, this may not always be achievable. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the enhanced intersectoral links approach to SE. METHODS: A total of 43 people with a mental illness participated in the programme in which formal links were created between a community mental health team and three employment services. The outcomes of the programme were evaluated over 24 months. RESULTS: Of all participants, 77% achieved a competitive employment outcome, with 60.6% remaining in employment at the end of the evaluation period. The average duration of employment was 44.8 weeks. For those who were unable to maintain a job, the average period of employment was 14.2 weeks. The study found that participants with less severe symptoms at baseline were more likely to obtain employment and those who had worked in the year preceding entry into the programme were employed for a higher proportion of time. The factors related to job loss were the short-term nature of the position, cognitive difficulties and social skills. CONCLUSIONS: The study found that the enhanced intersectoral links approach was effective in achieving outcomes consistent with international studies of SE programmes and may offer a viable alternative to the co-location of employment specialists with community mental health teams.