Can dynamic contact angle be measured using molecular modeling?

A method is presented for determining the dynamic contact angle at the three-phase contact between a solid, a liquid, and a vapor under an applied force, using molecular simulation. The method is demonstrated using a Lennard-Jones fluid in contact with a cylindrical shell of the fcc Lennard-Jones solid. Advancing and receding contact angles and the contact angle hysteresis are reported for the first time by this approach. The increase in force required to wet fully an array of solid cylinders (robustness) with decreasing separation distance between cylinders is evaluated. The dynamic contact angle is characterized by partial slipping of the three phase contact line when a force is applied.

Anesthetic properties of some fluorinated oxolanes and oxetanes.

BACKGROUND: The search for new potent inhaled anesthetics has slowed, in large part because of the excellence of the two most recent additions, desflurane and sevoflurane. Nonetheless, neither desflurane nor sevoflurane are ideal anesthetics, desflurane causing cardiorespiratory stimulation, and sevoflurane having a slower (albeit rapid) recovery from anesthesia. Sevoflurane also can produce convulsions and postoperative agitation. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present report, we describe the physical and anesthetic properties of 31 cyclic ethers halogenated solely with fluorine. Although several produced anesthesia, none had solubilities that would make them better than sevoflurane. The remaining ethers were unstable or produced obvious central nervous system irritation, including convulsions. CONCLUSIONS: We find that none of these cyclic ethers appear to provide advantages over desflurane or sevoflurane.

New efficient approach to 2,2-diaryl-1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes and 1,1-difluoro-2-aryl-1,3-dienes via Suzuki coupling of alpha-halo-beta,beta-difluorostyrenes.

[reaction: see text] Alpha-halo-beta,beta-difluorostyrenes [ArCX = CF2; X = Br, I; Ar = aryl, heteroaryl; synthesized by the Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reaction of the corresponding alpha-halo-beta,beta-difluoroethenylzinc reagents (CF2=CXZnCl, X = Br, I) with aryl iodides] were functionalized at the halogen site with arylboronic acids under Pd(0)-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction conditions to obtain 2,2-diaryl-1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes (ArAr'C=CF2, Ar' = aryl, heteroaryl) in 51-91% isolated yield. The corresponding reaction with alkenylboronic acids produced 1,1-difluoro-2-aryl-1,3-dienes in 53-80% isolated yield. Alternatively, 2,2-disubstituted-1,1-difluoro-1-alkenes were synthesized in moderate yield by a zinc-insertion reaction at the halogen site of the alpha-halo-beta,beta-difluorostyrenes, followed by Pd(0)-catalyzed cross-coupling of the zinc reagent with aryl or alkenyl iodides.

Room temperature preparation of trifluoroethenylzinc reagent by metalation of the readily available halocarbon HFC-134a and an efficient, economically viable synthesis of 1,2,2-trifluorostyrenes.

Trifluoroethenylzinc reagent [CF(2)=CFZnX] was generated from the readily available halocarbon HFC-134a by an in situ metalation-transmetalation procedure at temperatures near to room temperature (15-20 degrees C). By systematic standardization of the metalation experiments by manipulation of solvent, cosolvent, temperature, zinc salt, and the base, the trifluoroethenylzinc reagent was produced in 73% yield at 20 degrees C in THF medium. The palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of the trifluoroethenylzinc reagent with various aryl iodides was carried out under mild reaction conditions to produce 1,2,2-trifluorostyrenes in 59-86% isolated yields. The stability of the intermediate trifluoroethenyllithium reagent was compared at different temperatures and solvent systems. Experimental evidence for the mono-anion from HFC-134a (CF(3)CHF(-)) was obtained by the trapping of the mono-anion with zinc halide in THF/TMEDA medium. The structure and complexation of both the mono- and bis-trifluoroethenylzinc reagents with TMEDA and other ligands are discussed.