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Our aim to access a particular chemical functionality on helical tubules has been achieved by the rational molecular design and synthesis of glucono-appended cardanol derivatives. For the first time, we report a chiral molecular packing with α-helical tubules, and chiral symmetry-breaking upon exposure to Cu2+ that generated the final ordered structure via an in situ morphological transition without undergoing any phase change.

The use of renewable resources to develop functional materials is increasing in order to meet the sustainability challenges. In an era of inexorable evolution of antimicrobial resistance, there is a substantial increase in demand for the development of efficient antimicrobial thin film coating from renewable resources for public bacterial threats, food, biomedical, and industrial applications. In the present investigation, we have used cardanol, a phenolic compound having unsaturated hydrophobic tail isolated from cashew fruits, and linseed oil, a vegetable oil and an important biobased building block, which are cheap and easy to regenerate. This study reports the synthesis of cardanol based metal complexes having unsaturated hydrophobic unit and acrylated epoxidized linseed oil (AELO) prepared via epoxidation of double bonds followed by acrylation. The double bond present in the metal complexes and AELO is prone to form assembled thin film under atmospheric conditions, without the need of any initiators....

An N-heterocyclic carbene catalyzed benzylic Csp³–H bond activation of alkylarenes and N-benzylamines under metal-free conditions was developed. This organocatalyzed oxidative transformation afforded the corresponding carbonyl derivatives in good to excellent yields. A variety of alkylarenes and N-benzylamines were tolerated under the optimized reaction conditions. The established method was further extended to the synthesis of biologically important 3H-quinazolin-4-ones in good yields. For example, NPS 53574, a potent calcium receptor antagonist, was successfully synthesized by using this oxidative protocol. DFT studies show that the benzylic C–H bond activation proceeds through the nucleophilic attack of the free carbene on the benzylic carbon atom.

This study examines whether and how business strategy influences a firm's over- and under-investment decisions. Prospector and defender strategies expose firms to different required levels of investment, monitoring, and managerial discretion, which have implications for managerial investment decisions. Our results provide evidence that firms with an innovation-orientated prospector strategy are more likely to over-invest, whereas firms following an efficiency-orientated defender strategy are more likely to under-invest. These over- and under-investments are associated with poorer future firm performance. Moreover, the level of over- (under-) investment is exacerbated in the presence of more stock- (cash-) based compensation in prospector (defender) firms. Our results are robust to a number of checks such as ordered logit analysis, individual components of business strategy, individual components of investment, year-by-year and industry-by-industry analysis, controlling for lagged investment residuals, controlling for firm fixed-effects, first-differenced specifications, and propensity score matching.

The objective of this paper is to advance the theory relating to the determinants of target costing (TC) system adoption by firms. Although the existing literature identifies several factors, it mainly clarifies the circumstances under which TC adoption will add firm value, which refers to a benefit orientation. This paper uses Miles and Snow's (1978) strategy typology to examine the cost orientation of TC adoption, which answers the question as to why firms do not adopt TC even when the existing literature alludes to the benefits of adoption. The paper argues that prospector managers possess the scope to take advantage of the high information asymmetry to avoid TC adoption, because their stock-based compensation increases with volatility in earnings and stock returns. In contrast, defender managers gain increased cash-based compensation with the adoption of TC, which helps achieve greater firm profits. The paper concludes with specific sources of agency problems and several avenues for future research.

The use of solvent-free, high-speed vibration milling conditions has allowed the development of a one-pot telescoped process for the synthesis of pyrroles starting from ketones, primary amines, and β-dicarbonyl compounds and comprising an initial α-iodination followed by an in situ three-component Hantzsch-type reaction. This method was compared with a solution-based protocol from α-iodoketones, primary amines, and β-dicarbonyl compounds. Although both protocols were far more general than previous Hantzsch-type pyrrole syntheses, the mechanochemical method was superior in that it afforded considerably higher yields in spite of comprising an additional step. The stereochemical integrity of the pyrroles obtained from chiral α-aminoesters was maintained. This solvent-free method was also used for the efficient preparation of ter- and quater-aryl/heteroaryl frameworks containing two pyrrole units and a variety of fused pyrrole systems, including benzo[g]indoles, indeno[1,2-b]pyrroles, indoles, and homoindoles.

Increased teaching workloads combined with pressures to publish in limited outlets has intensified the burnout potential among accounting educators in Australia and New Zealand. However, amongst the few studies on tertiary accounting education, the focus has so far been only on burnout arising from student contact intensity. We broaden this literature by examining how other worklife characteristics contribute to burnout. Based on 158 responses from Australian and New Zealand accounting academics, we find evidence for emotional exhaustion due to high workload. However, professional efficacy continues to remain high. Qualitative responses offer deeper insights on how various burnout factors are interrelated.

Triple-negative breast cancer is the most aggressive form of breast cancer with limited intervention options. Moreover, a number of belligerent therapeutic strategies adopted to treat such aggressive forms of cancer have demonstrated detrimental side effects. This necessitates exploration of targeted chemotherapeutics. We assessed the efficacy of a novel indenone derivative (nID) [(±)-N-(2-(-5-methoxy-1-oxo-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)ethyl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide], synthesized by a novel internal nucleophile-assisted palladium-catalyzed hydration-olefin insertion cascade; against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231). On 24 h treatment, the nID caused decline in the viability of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, but did not significantly (P 0.05) affect WRL-68 (epithelial-like) cells. In fact, the nID demonstrated augmentation of p53 expression, and consequent p53-dependent senescence in both MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells, but not in WRL-68 cells. The breast cancer cells also exhibited reduced proliferation, downregulated p65/NF-κB and survivin, along with augmented p21

The three-component reaction between alkyl- or arylamines, β-ketoesters and chalcones in refluxing ethanol containing a catalytic amount of Ce(IV) ammonium nitrate allowed the construction of a large library of highly substituted dihydro- m-terphenyl derivatives containing β-alkylamino- or β-arylamino ester moieties. This process generates three new bonds and one ring and proceeds in high atom economy, having two molecules of water as the only side product. Another domino process, in which the original MCR was telescoped with a subsequent aza Michael/retro-aza Michael sequence, allowed the one-pot preparation of a library of compounds with a N-unsubstituted β-aminoester fragment. Finally, to extend the structural diversity of these libraries, we also examined the aromatization of the central ring of our compounds in the presence of dichlorodicyanoquinone. This reaction sequence did not affect the integrity of a stereogenic center belonging to the amino component.

We investigate the synthesis of bio-based hydrophilic and hydrophobic oligoesters, which in turn are derived from easily accessible monomers from natural resources. In addition to the selection of renewable monomers, Novozyme 435, an immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica was used for the oligomerization of monomers. The reaction conditions for oligomerization using Novozyme 435 were established to obtain a moderate-to-good yield. The average number of repeating units and the molecular weight distribution of hydrophilic and hydrophobic oligoester were identified by using NMR spectroscopy, gel-permeation chromatography, and MS. The oligoester derived from a hydrophilic monomer self-assembled to form a viscous solution, which upon further heating resulted in the formation of a polymer by the intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction. The viscosity of the solution and the assembly of oligoester to form a fibrous structure were investigated by using rheological studies, XRD, and SEM. The molecular weight of the cross-linked polymer was identified by using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-MS. The thermal properties of the bio-based polymers were investigated by using thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. For the first time, the self-assembly-assisted polymerization of an oligoester is reported using the intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction, which opens a new avenue in the field of polymer science.

A series of fluorescent glycolipids were synthesized via direct condensation of vinylesters with functionalized sugar alcohol using Novozyme 435, an immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica. These glycolipids were found to self-assemble into a gel in vegetable oils and highly hydrophobic solvents. A graphene incorporated hybrid gel was also successfully obtained in linseed oil. The morphology of the gel was investigated by optical microscopy and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. Auto-oxidation of linseed oil present as a solvent in both self-assembled and graphene incorporated supramolecular gels resulted in the formation of flexible polymer films, which could be potentially used for the construction of future green semiconducting devices.

Antibiotic resistance is one of the most pivotal health menaces in the human population worldwide. Use of conventional antibiotics at high concentration for prolonged periods facilitates a selective pressure on the bacterial strain to develop resistance to these antibiotics. The ascent of multi-drug resistance in Vibrio cholerae strains is a key issue for alternative drug development against cholera. A drug that could curb the virulence of V. cholerae is an elective choice for treatment. A few research studies have been carried out to discover such alternative medication that has an anti-virulent property rather than antibacterial activity. Combinatorial antibiotic treatments along with anti-biofilm compounds have diverse effects on bacterial growth i.e. it can be additive, synergistic or antagonistic. In the present investigation, combinatorial action of 2,3-pyrazine dicarboxylic acid derivatives (QSIVc targeted against the quorum regulator, LuxO) along with antibiotics was evaluated. The results indicated that QSIVc could inhibit biofilm at a very low concentration (IC50 varying between 1 μM and 70 μM). The synergism of the compounds with the reported antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline, chloramphenicol and erythromycin) was evaluated by the checkerboard method. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) values varied from 0.0 to 0.5 for each combination. The ΔE value (750–1900), according to the bliss independence model showed that the QSIVc synergistically enhanced the inhibitory effect of the reported antibiotics against the multidrug resistant clinical isolates of V. cholerae.

A highly efficient synthesis of 5,6-dihydrodibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines was achieved by reaction between 2-(N-propargylamino)benzaldehydes and arylamines in the presence of CuBr2. The in situ generated electron-deficient heterodienes bearing a tethered alkyne partner underwent an intramolecular inverse electron-demand hetero-Diels-Alder reaction followed by air oxidation to furnish the products in high yields. This reaction tolerated a large number of substituents to afford diverse products under mild conditions. This strategy was also successfully extended to the synthesis of 12,13-dihydro-6H-benzo[h]chromeno[3,4-b][1,6]naphthyridin-6-ones starting from 3-amino-2H-chromen-2-one, again in high yields.

Synthesis of 3-unsubstituted-2-aroylindoles starting from readily available N -(2-aminobenzylidene)-4-methylanilines, cheap and stable alternative to 2-aminobenzaldehydes, and α-bromoketones was achieved in moderate to good yields under basic conditions. The reaction proceeded via sequential N-alkylation-intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization–elimination steps in a single operation.

We designed and synthesized a simple fluorescent self-assembled molecular gel from a renewable resource and characterized it well using various techniques. The self-assembly mechanism was studied relative to the molecular structure. We also demonstrate that Fe3O4 nanoparticles were encapsulated in situ into the organogel by a simple process, which generated a magnetic gel with remarkable self-healing features. More importantly, stimuli responsive self-healing properties of the magnetic gel have been characterized by visual inspection, morphological and rheological analyses.

A catalyst-free, three-component reaction between amino alcohols, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was developed for the synthesis of fused tetrahydropyridines in water. The β-enaminone formation-initiated domino sequence afforded oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridines and pyrido[2,1-b][1,3]oxazines diastereoselectivity in good yields involving Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization and iminium ion cyclization steps. This environmentally benign protocol is highly atom-economical where the only side product was two molecules of water and no catalyst or reagent was employed. Besides, in a single operation, four new bonds including two C–N, one C–O and one C–C bonds and two heterocyclic rings were created. The reaction was also effective in various green solvents such as glycerol, PEG-200 and lactic acid.

A convenient catalyst-free, three-component procedure was developed for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrroles under solvent-free conditions and in green solvents glycerol, PEG-200 and water. A sequential enamine-formation, Michael addition and intramolecular cyclization of primary amines, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and isatin-derived Michael acceptors afforded 3-(1H-pyrrol-3-yl)indolin-2-ones in excellent yields. In this simple one-pot transformation the requirement of column chromatography purification of the products was completely avoided. Besides, the method is highly environmentally benign and atom-economical, and the only side product of this reaction was two molecules of water. A comparative study for the four developed conditions showed that the solvent-free conditions were superior regardless of the nature of the starting materials, and the green solvents were effective for alkyl and benzylamines affording higher yields compared to arylamines. The preliminary in vitro cytotoxic studies of a representative compound against Ehrlich's ascites carcinoma (EAC) tumor cells showed significant activity with a CTC50 value of 15.64 μM.

The potential applications of self-assembled supramolecular gels based on natural molecules encouraged the researchers to develop a versatile synthetic method for their structural analogues. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of glycolipid from renewable resources, cashew nut shell liquid,d and d-glucose in good yield. Gelation behavior of these glycolipids were studied in a wide range of solvents and oils. To our delight, compound 5b formed a hydrogel with Critical gelator concentration (CGC) of 0.29% w/v. Morphological analysis of the hydrogel depicts the formation of twisted fibers with an entangled network. Formation of a twisted fibrous structure was further identified by CD spectral studies with respect to temperature. The molecular self-assembly assisted by hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic, and π–π stacking interactions were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR studies. Rheological analysis depicted the mechanical strength and stability of the hydrogel, which is crucial in predicting the practical applications of supramolecular soft materials.

More than 80% of chronic infections of bacteria are caused by biofilms. It is also a long-term survival strategy of the pathogens in a nonhost environment. Several amphiphilic molecules have been used in the past to potentially disrupt biofilms; however, the involvement of multistep synthesis, complicated purification and poor yield still remains a major problem. Herein, we report a facile synthesis of glycolipid based surfactant from renewable feedstocks in good yield. The nature of carbohydrate unit present in glycolipid influence the ring chain tautomerism, which resulted in the existence of either cyclic structure or both cyclic and acyclic structures. Interestingly, these glycolipids self-assemble into gel in highly hydrophobic solvents and vegetable oils, and displayed foam formation in water. The potential application of these self-assembled glycolipids to disrupt preformed biofilm was examined against various pathogens. It was observed that glycolipid 6a disrupts Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes biofilm, while the compound 6c was effective in disassembling uropathogenic E. coli and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium biofilms. Altogether, the supramolecular self-assembled materials, either as gel or as surfactant solution could be potentially used for surface cleansing in hospital environments or the food processing industries to effectively reduce pathogenic biofilms.

The cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN)-catalyzed sequential multicomponent reaction between tryptamine, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, and β-dicarbonyl compounds affords highly substituted indolo[2,3-a]quinolizines in a single synthetic operation. Two rings are generated through the creation of two C-C and two C-N bonds by a domino process comprising initial β-enaminone formation, followed by individual Michael addition, 6-exo-trig cyclization, iminium formation, and Pictet-Spengler steps. Furthermore, the reaction is diastereoselective and affords exclusively compounds with a trans relationship between the H-2 and H-12b protons. The use of amines bearing a less nucleophilic side chain aromatic ring (5-bromotryptamine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenylethylamine) prevents the Pictet-Spengler final step and leads to N-indolylethyl or N-phenylethyl-1,4-dihydropyridines, which are cyclized to the corresponding indolo[2,3-a]quinolizines or benzo[a]quinolizines in the presence of HCl in methanol/water. Treatment of the fused quinolizine derivatives with sodium triacetoxyborohydride led to the corresponding indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines or benzo[a]quinolizidines, possessing four stereogenic centers, as mixtures of two diastereomers.

The CAN-catalyzed three-component reaction between primary amines, β-ketoesters and naphthoquinone in ethanol at room temperature afforded as the main products the corresponding Michael adducts, oxidized to the quinone stage. When these compounds were refluxed in ethanol in the presence of CAN, they afforded tricyclic ortho-quinones derived from the benzo[g]indole-4,5-dione framework via a domino mechanism comprising a sequence of 5-exo-trig cyclization, elimination, Michael addition, oxo–enol tautomerism and hydroquinone oxidation individual steps.

The first metal free report on the amidation of aldehydes with aminopyridines is accomplished using simple aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant.

A novel palladium-catalyzed hydration–olefin insertion cascade assisted by internal nucleophiles was developed for the synthesis of biologically significant 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones under mild conditions. A detailed mechanistic study revealed that the assistance of the internal nucleophiles is crucial to trigger the cascade reaction via nucleopalladation of the alkyne moiety. The overall reaction is equivalent to regioselective hydration of alkynes followed by intramolecular Michael addition. This highly efficient and 100% atom-economical domino sequence afforded cis-2,3-disubstituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones in excellent yields (up to 99%) with complete diastereoselectivity.

An efficient and selective procedure for the synthesis of epiminodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocines involving a AB

The use of solvent-free, high-speed vibration milling conditions has allowed the development of a one-pot telescoped process for the synthesis of pyrroles starting from ketones, primary amines, and β-dicarbonyl compounds and comprising an initial α-iodination followed by an in situ three-component Hantzsch-type reaction. This method was compared with a solution-based protocol from α-iodoketones, primary amines, and β-dicarbonyl compounds. Although both protocols were far more general than previous Hantzsch-type pyrrole syntheses, the mechanochemical method was superior in that it afforded considerably higher yields in spite of comprising an additional step. The stereochemical integrity of the pyrroles obtained from chiral α-aminoesters was maintained. This solvent-free method was also used for the efficient preparation of ter- and quater-aryl/heteroaryl frameworks containing two pyrrole units and a variety of fused pyrrole systems, including benzo[g]indoles, indeno[1,2-b]pyrroles, indoles, and homoindoles.

The first metal free report on the amidation of aldehydes with aminopyridines was accomplished using simple aqueous hydrogen peroxide (aq. H2O2) as the oxidant. No catalysts or additives were needed for this transformation and the reaction proceeded in water, an environmentally benign reaction medium. Green oxidant and reaction conditions, and the ability to construct diverse N-(pyridin-2-yl)benzamide by this elegant method render it a practical alternative for the synthesis of these amides.

A highly efficient synthesis of 5,6-dihydrodibenzo[b,h][1,6]naphthyridines was achieved by reaction between 2-(N-propargylamino)benzaldehydes and arylamines in the presence of CuBr2. The in situ generated electron-deficient heterodienes bearing a tethered alkyne partner underwent an intramolecular inverse electron-demand hetero-Diels–Alder reaction followed by air oxidation to furnish the products in high yields. This reaction tolerated a large number of substituents to afford diverse products under mild conditions. This strategy was also successfully extended to the synthesis of 12,13-dihydro-6H-benzo[h]chromeno[3,4-b][1,6]naphthyridin-6-ones starting from 3-amino-2H-chromen-2-one, again in high yields.

type="main" xml:lang="en"> While economic theory suggests that identifying alternate customers is costlier than identifying alternate specialized employees for customization providers, substantial field research evidence indicates the opposite, where providers are reportedly more dependent on employees than customers. We inquire into this contrasting picture between theory and practice through an in-depth case study that suggests that what begins as customer dependence transforms into vulnerability to employees. While perceived vulnerability to customers is efficiently removed through ex ante controls, the physical asset specificity in each customer order generates task uncertainty, specialization and teamwork, which become the new sources of opportunism threat for the customization providers. Compounded layers of ex ante and ex post controls with frequent iterations suggest a need for continuous management (as against removal) of vulnerability to employees.

As the integration solution to the problem of specific assets cannot be replicated on human asset specificity because slavery is illegal, economic theory states that control systems substitute for integration through a balanced structure to help align diverse interests. To understand the intricate design features of the balance, we examine a case-study firm. For low human asset specificity, the restriction and segregation of usable decision rights link with standards. However, incentives are traced to individuals only to the extent task deviations do not create relevant future costs that are difficult to be self-corrected. For high specificity, incentives are related to outputs rather than outcomes, because outcome variations reduce the attractiveness of maintaining the balance. Subjective assessment is used as an efficient alternate ‘balancing’ solution and decision control is shared when available subjective data are inadequate.

In the presence of sodium acetate, the reaction between 2,2,6-trimethyl-4H-1,3-dioxin-4-one and secondary or tertiary alcohols (including chiral ones) or primary or secondary amines could be carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, under much milder conditions than those described in the literature. In these new conditions, side products normally observed using the traditional protocol were avoided, and β-keto esters and β-ketoamides were normally obtained in quantitative yields.

1-Allyl(propargyl)-6-allyl(propargyl)oxy-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridines, obtained through a CAN-catalyzed four-component reaction, were transformed into highly functionalized pyrido[2,1-b][1,3]oxazepines by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and ring-closing enyne metathesis (RCEYM) processes, which constitute the first examples of the preparation of 1,3-oxazepine systems using metathesis reactions.

A mild and efficient methodology for the synthesis of oxygenated carbazoles from diarylamines under non-acidic conditions was developed, based on a palladium-catalyzed, microwave-assisted double C–H bond activation process. This new protocol was successfully applied to the synthesis of three naturally occurring carbazoles, namely murrayafoline A, 2-methoxy-3-methylcarbazole, and glycozolidine. The scope of the reaction was also expanded to include the synthesis of benzo fused carbazolequinones.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)

The use of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate as a catalyst of the Friedländer reaction allows the synthesis of polysubstituted quinoline derivatives in excellent yields, avoiding the traditional harshly basic or acidic conditions. Unlike most other previously known reagents, CAN allows double condensations and is also an excellent catalyst for the Borsche variation of the Friedländer reaction, which has been applied to the very efficient synthesis of the antitumor alkaloid luotonin A.

A new, experimentally simple, synthesis of 2-styrylquinolines was developed using a two-step sequence based on a CAN-catalyzed three-component type-II vinylogous Povarov reaction from arylamines, cinnamaldehydes, and electron-rich cyclic and noncyclic vinyl ethers. The tetrahydroquinolines thus obtained were subsequently aromatized to styrylquinolines by DDQ-promoted dehydrogenation.

Cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate catalyzes the three-com- ponent, imino Diels-Alder (Povarov) reaction between anilines, ar- omatic aldehydes, and acyclic vinyl ethers, giving cis-4-alkoxy-2- aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines with almost complete diastereo- selectivity. The corresponding reaction starting from cyclic vinyl ethers gave the two possible diastereomers, with the endo-com- pound as the major product. This stereochemical outcome is ex- plained through a stepwise mechanism for the imino Diels-Alder reaction, and this mechanism was subsequently proved by trapping the putative oxonium intermediate in the presence of ethanol.

Using a sample of 99 New Zealand stock-exchange-listed firms we employ agency framework and strategy typology to examine whether introduction of unionization legislation affects value of prospector firms more negatively than defender firms. The results from this examination indicate that firms characterized by strategy of higher Growth-Diversity and Innovation-Risk (prospector firms) experience greater loss in value. We attribute the results to the higher agency costs associated with the strategies adopted by prospector firms. The results hold after controlling for variables such as size, industry membership, labor intensity, and proportion of unionized workers.

A novel palladium-catalyzed hydration–olefin insertion cascade assisted by internal nucleophiles was developed for the synthesis of biologically significant 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones under mild conditions. A detailed mechanistic study revealed that the assistance of the internal nucleophiles is crucial to trigger the cascade reaction via nucleopalladation of the alkyne moiety. The overall reaction is equivalent to regioselective hydration of alkynes followed by intramolecular Michael addition. This highly efficient and 100% atom-economical domino sequence afforded cis-2,3-disubstituted 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-ones in excellent yields (up to 99%) with complete diastereoselectivity.

A catalyst-free, three-component reaction between amino alcohols, 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds and α,β-unsaturated aldehydes was developed for the synthesis of fused tetrahydropyridines in water. The β-enaminone formation-initiated domino sequence afforded oxazolo[3,2-a]pyridines and pyrido[2,1-b][1,3]oxazines diastereoselectivity in good yields involving Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization and iminium ion cyclization steps. This environmentally benign protocol is highly atom-economical where the only side product was two molecules of water and no catalyst or reagent was employed. Besides, in a single operation, four new bonds including two C–N, one C–O and one C–C bonds and two heterocyclic rings were created. The reaction was also effective in various green solvents such as glycerol, PEG-200 and lactic acid.

A new set of 2,3,4,5-tetrasubstituted isoxazolidines with an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl function at position 4 has been synthesized. The multicomponent approach and microwave irradiation protocol have also been investigated for the above synthesis.

Cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) catalyzed the three-component domino reaction between aromatic amines, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes, and ethyl acetoacetate, providing an efficient new entry into 1,4-dihydropyridines. This new reaction requires very mild reaction conditions, has water as the only side product and is complementary to the classical Hantzsch synthesis in that it is well suited to the preparation of N-aryl-5,6-unsubstituted dihydropyridines. Experiments in the presence of a radical trap suggest that a one-electron oxidative mechanism can be excluded and that CAN acts as a Lewis acid.

The CAN-catalyzed reaction between anilines and vinyl ethers at room temperature provides a convenient and efficient access to 4-alkoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines. This reaction is stereoselective, favouring a cis arrangement for the alkoxy and methyl groups, and involves a three-component process that leaves a molecule of alcohol as the only side product. 2-Methylquinoline derivatives were efficiently prepared from 4-alkoxy-2-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines by Pd–C-promoted dehydrogenation.

We examine the economic reasons underlying the behavior of some senior managers to inflate their firms’ reported earnings. While the extant literature cites accounting and corporate governance structure as potential reasons that facilitate the inflating tendency, we conjecture that opportunism at different hierarchical levels within firms do not leave much scope for some senior managers to improve firms’ fundamental performance. To protect their personal utility, they resort to inflating tendency, but only if the firms’ corporate governance has loopholes. A major solution offered here is to improve firms’ internal management control system which could reduce within-firm opportunism. However, this solution must accompany improvements to corporate governance.

Synthesis of 3-unsubstituted-2-aroylindoles starting from readily available N -(2-aminobenzylidene)-4-methylanilines, cheap and stable alternative to 2-aminobenzaldehydes, and α-bromoketones was achieved in moderate to good yields under basic conditions. The reaction proceeded via sequential N-alkylation-intramolecular nucleophilic cyclization–elimination steps in a single operation.

A convenient catalyst-free, three-component procedure is developed for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted pyrroles under solvent-free conditions and in green solvents glycerol, PEG-200 and water.

Starting from aryl alkynoic acids bearing an enone tether, conditions for a 5-endo-dig cyclization-intramolecular olefin insertion cascade are developed.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a globally widespread human infection caused by an infestation of uropathogens. Eventhough, Escherichia coli is often quoted as being the chief among them, Staphylococcus aureus involvement in UTI especially in gestational UTI is often understated. Staphylococcal accessory regulator A (SarA) is a quorum regulator of S. aureus that controls the expression of various virulence and biofilm phenotypes. Since SarA had been a focussed target for antibiofilm agent development, the study aims to develop a potential drug molecule targeting the SarA of S. aureus to combat biofilm associated infections in which it is involved. In our previous studies, we have reported the antibiofilm activity of SarA based biofilm inhibitor, (SarABI) with a 50% minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50) value of 200 μg/mL against S. aureus associated with vascular graft infections and also the antibiofilm activity of the root ethanolic extracts of Melia dubia against uropathogenic E. coli. In the present study, in silico design of a hybrid molecule composed of a molecule screened from M. dubia root ethanolic extracts and a modified SarA based inhibitor (SarABI(M)) was undertaken. SarABI(M) is a modified form of SarABI where the fluorine groups are absent in SarABI(M). Chemical synthesis of the hybrid molecule, 4-(Benzylamino)cyclohexyl 2-hydroxycinnamate (henceforth referred to as UTI Quorum-Quencher, UTI(QQ)) was then performed, followed by in vitro and in vivo validation. The MBIC50 and MBIC90 of UTI(QQ) were found to be 15 and 65 μg/mL, respectively. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images witnessed biofilm reduction and bacterial killing in either UTI(QQ) or in combined use of antibiotic gentamicin and UTI (QQ) . Similar results were observed with in vivo studies of experimental UTI in rat model. So, we propose that the drug UTI(QQ) would be a promising candidate when used alone or, in combination with an antibiotic for staphylococcal associated UTI.

A catalytic, atom-economical, domino 5-endo-dig cyclization–intramolecular olefin insertion sequence was developed under mild conditions. Aryl alkynoic acids bearing a tethered enone partner afforded the indeno[1,2-b]furan-2-ones, the core skeleton present in a number of biologically significant molecules including the natural product solanacol, under ligand-free, palladium-catalyzed reaction conditions in high yields. The competitive β-hydride elimination in the final step leading to the conjugated analogs was avoided by the addition of lithium bromide. A plausible mechanism for this domino sequence is proposed involving intramolecular carboxypalladation and olefin insertion steps.

The chemoselective reaction of hydrazine on the ketone rather than the ester in a gem diester system with a γ‐keto group by hydrazinium sulfate and a tandem deesterification of one of the esters in this system by N,N‐dimethylformamide are reported.