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The effect of acid concentration on the conversion between three distinct optical species, spiropyran (SP), merocyanine (MC) and MC-[OH.sup.+], are examined through spectrophotometric and NMR studies. The study shows that the acidochromic rate of conversion between SP and MC-[OH.sup.+] is inversely proportional to the concentration of acid present in the media.

A molecular orbital computational study was carried out on cis-1,3-diarylcyclohexanes to quantify pi-stacking of the aromatic rings from the corformational equilibria shifts. The calculations from Hammett correlations, electrostatic potentials, and molecular orbital energy gaps conformed with experimental results. Arene-arene pi-stacking is governed more by electrostatic than charge-transfer interactions. The closest correlation is detected on the pi-face of individual component arenes by electrostatic potentials measured from the electron density surface.

The synthesis of axially chiral (arylmethylene)cycloalkenes in their racemic and enantiomeric forms leads to a study of their use in optical switches. Theirirradiation with UV light leads to double-bond isomerization and to racemization, but sometimes to destruction of both enantiomers. The use of the chiral exciton coupling model allows these monochromophoric compounds to exhibit enough anisotropy induce cholesteric behavior upon addition to nematic crystals. Other results of this evaluation and their implications are discussed.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of supplementation with Gaspari Nutrition's SOmaxP Maximum Performance™ (SOmaxP) versus a comparator product (CP) containing an equal amount of creatine (4 g), carbohydrate (39 g maltodextrin), and protein (7 g whey protein hydrolysate) on muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition during nine weeks of intense resistance training. Methods Using a prospective, randomized, double-blind design, 20 healthy men (mean ± SD age, height, weight, % body fat: 22.9 ± 2.6 y, 178.4 ± 5.7 cm, 80.5 ± 6.6 kg, 16.6 ± 4.0%) were matched for age, body weight, resistance training history, bench press strength, bench press endurance, and percent body fat and then randomly assigned via the ABBA procedure to ingest 1/2 scoop (dissolved in 15 oz water) of SOmaxP or CP prior to, and another 1/2 scoop (dissolved in 15 oz water) during resistance exercise. Body composition (DEXA), muscular performance (1-RM bench press and repetitions to failure [RTF: 3 sets × baseline body weight, 60-sec rest between sets]), and clinical blood chemistries were measured at baseline and after nine weeks of supplementation and training. Subjects were required to maintain their normal dietary habits and follow a specific, progressive overload resistance training program (4-days/wk, upper body/lower body split) during the study. An intent-to-treat approach was used and data were analyzed via ANCOVA using baseline values as the covariate. Statistical significance was set a priori at p ≤ 0.05. Results When adjusted for initial differences, significant between group post-test means were noted in: 1-RM bench press (SOmaxP: 133.3 ± 1.3 kg [19.8% increase] vs. CP: 128.5 ± 1.3 kg [15.3% increase]; p < 0.019); lean mass (SOmaxP: 64.1 ± 0.4 kg [2.4% increase] vs. 62.8 ± 0.4 kg [0.27% increase], p < 0.049); RTF (SOmaxP: 33.3 ± 1.1 reps [44.8% increase] vs. 27.8 ± 1.1 reps [20.9% increase], p < 0.004); and fat mass (SOmaxP: 12.06 ± 0.53 kg [9.8% decrease] vs. 13.90 ± 0.53 kg [4.1% increase], p < 0.024). No statistically significant differences in vital signs (heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures) or clinical blood chemistries were noted. Conclusions These data indicate that compared to CP, SOmaxP administration augments and increases gains in lean mass, bench press strength, and muscular performance during nine weeks of intense resistance training. Studies designed to confirm these results and clarify the molecular mechanisms by which SOmaxP exerts the observed salutary effects have begun. Both SOmaxP and the CP were well-tolerated, and no supplement safety issues were identified.

Various routes are examined for the synthesis of chiral biphenyl species that are substituted at the 2,2', 4,4' and 6,6' positions. An Ullmann coupling is employed on a dibrominated arene, which has occurred selectively at the more hindered bromine by virtue of the directing effect of an ortho ester substituent.