Tuesday, January 28, 2020

Magic Methyl Effect: Transition Metal Catalyzed

Magic Methyl Effect: Transition Metal Catalyzed The insertion of a methyl group, the smallest alkyl group, into a C-H bond has been shown to enhance such pharmacological charactistics as bioavailability and potency.1 Traditionally, incorporation of a methyl group into a bioactive compound has required lengthy de novo synthesis. Consequently, synthetic reactions that allow late-stage installation of methyl groups into advanced intermediates are of great potential value in the pharmaceutical industry. In the past two decades interest in directed C−H activation followed by the methylation led to the development of strategies which use precious metals catalysts forarenes ortho-functionalizations.2, 3 Currently, only a few reactions exist which enable such transformations to be achieved in a single step,1, 4 highlighting the difficulty in converting a C-H bond to C-Me bond. Most of these methods require heavy loadings of precious metal catalysts to obtain the desired methylated product (Scheme 1).4 Moreover, some of them use hazardous and toxic methylating reagents1 with strongly basic reaction media what results in a limited scope1,4 and the uncontrolled formation of both mono- and dimethylated products.2 This reflects the need for new methylation methods which will overcome mentioned limitations. Scheme 1. Ortho-methylation with precious metal To address the toxicity and expense of the precious metal catalysis, first row metal-catalyzed C−H functionalization has recently been recognized as a straightforward and a powerful tool for the formation of Csp2 Csp3 bonds in modern organic synthesis. In addition first row transition metals introduce interesting mechanistic possibilities for ortho-methylation; they are readily available and relatively low toxicity.1, 4 Recently Lu and co-workers reported the cobalt (II)-catalyzed direct C-H methylation of unactivated (hetero)arenes using dicumyl peroxide (DCP) as the methyl source, base and most importantly as an oxidant. Cobalt mediated C-H functionalization is a maturing field; however, there exist only two examples of its application to methylation of aromatics, using N-methyl-1-naphthamide and benzo[h]quinolone substrates respectively. The reaction proved to be mild, functional group tolerant and uses a less toxic methylating reagent. The paper reports effective access to a range of ortho-methylated (hetero)aromatic carboxamides (Scheme 2).5 Scheme 2. Ortho-methylation with cobalt catalysts Chatani and co-workers reported the use of aryltrimethylammonium bromide and iodide as new methylating reagents in conjunction with nickel-catalyzed C-H bond activation (Scheme 3). Changing from a palladium6 catalyst to nickel makes the ammonium salt act as a methyl source rather than aryl source for a range of 8-aminoquinoline aryl amides. Unfortunately harsh conditions make it difficult to control the selectivity between mono- and dimethylation at the ortho positions in some cases.7 Scheme 3. Ortho-methylation with nickel catalyst using aryltrimethylammonium iodide as methylating reagent Nakamura and co-workers have reported two separate iron-catalyzed conditions seemingly solving a lot of issues associated with the previous examples. The direct C-H methylation reaction with a picolinoyl or 8-aminoquinolyl directing groups, an iron/diphospine catalyst, and inexpensive 2,3-dichlorobutane as an oxidant furnished an efficient, robust reaction (Scheme 4).8 Unfortunately the method relies upon superstoichiometric methyl equivalents in the form of the pyrophoric trimethylaluminum. Scheme 4. Ortho-methylation with iron catalyst using trimethylaluminum as methyl source Nakamura and co-workers further optimized the iron-catalyzed C-H methylation reaction by screening ligands.9 The tridentate phosphine ligand NMe2-TP in combination with Fe(acac)3 catalyzed the ortho C-H methylation of simple aromatic carbonyl compounds without requiring additional directing groups. This reaction showed wide substrate generality, functional group tolerance, and resistance to catalytic poisons taking advantage of functional groups inherent to the advanced intermediates (Scheme 4).9 This seminar will discuss the scope and limitations of these recently published methods, and assess the progress towards developing general solutions to the challenge of late-stage methyl incorporation. References: Schà ¶nherr H., Cernak T. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2013, 52, 12256 Lyons T. W., Sanford M. S. Chem. Rev. 2010, 110, 1147 Snieckus V. Chem. Rev. 1990, 90, 879 Yan G., Borah A. J., Wang L. and Yanga M. Adv. Synth. Catal. 2015, 357, 1333 Li Q., Li Y., Hu W., Hu R., Li G. and Lu H. Chem. Eur. J. 2016, 22, 12286 Zhu F., Tao J.-L., Wang Z.-X. Org. Lett. 2015, 17, 4926 Uemura T., Yamaguchi M., and Chatani N. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 128, 3214 Shang R., Ilies L, and Nakamura E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 7660 Shang R., Ilies L. and Nakamura E. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2016, 138, 10132 Minds, Brains And Programs: Analysis Minds, Brains And Programs: Analysis Searle is arguing that a computer couldnt understand Chinese. Is this the right way to describe the view that Searle is arguing for in Minds, Brains, and Programs? If not, why not? In his Chinese Room argument, Searle observes that if manipulating Chinese symbols according to formal rules is insufficient for the person to understand Chinese, it is also insufficient for a computer to understand Chinese-both are engaging in mindless symbol manipulation. However, he isnt arguing that a computer couldnt understand Chinese, but rather that their programs themselves cant understand Chinese-symbol manipulation isnt constitutive of or sufficient for minds. Searle is not arguing that computers/machines cant think. In fact, he believes that only a machine can think (namely brains and machines that have the same causal powers as brains); he says that brains are machines, and brains think. However, according to Searle, whether something thinks depends not only on the program that it is running but also its hardware-the nature of the thing running the program. Simply implementing a program that is formally isomorphic to human thought processes, as in the Chinese Room example, is insufficient for intentionality and consequently thought (in this case, understanding Chinese) since a program can be instantiated without mental states-essentially, Searles argument is that formal computations on symbols cannot themselves produce thought. What is the systems response to the Chinese Room argument? Is Searle correct to think that the response begs the question because it assumes that the system understands Chinese? The systems response to the Chinese Room argument acknowledges that the man running the program does not understand Chinese. However, he is a part of a larger system that is comprised of the complete set of components that is necessary for answering the Chinese questions, and which as a whole does understand Chinese. Simply asserting that although the man wouldnt understand Chinese the whole system would, does beg the question. However, Searle is incorrect to think that the complete systems response begs the question-it counters Searles argument by observing that the Chinese room argument is logically invalid, being as its conclusion does not follow logically from its premise. Inferring that the system of which the man is a component does not understand Chinese from the premise that the man himself does not understand Chinese is invalid, because there is no logical connection between the premise and the conclusion. What is the point of Searles Chinese Gym example? What do you think the right response to it is? In his Chinese Gym example, Searle illustrates a hypothetical Chinese gym, populated by monolingual English speakers that follow instructions in English to collectively produce output indistinguishable from that of native Chinese speakers. It is analogous to the Chinese Room example but with more people and involves parallel processing-it can perform many computations at a time. Its purpose is to oppose Strong AI. Searles main argument is that it is self-evident that the only things occurring in the Chinese gym are meaningless syntactic manipulations from which intentionality and subsequently thought could not conceivably arise, both individually and collectively. Using the same method in which Copeland used the systems response to defend Strong AI and respond to the Chinese Room argument, we can respond logically to the Chinese Gym example. In other words, it is invalid to infer that a system (the gym) which consists of entities that dont understand Chinese doesnt understand Chinese, from the simple premise that the entities that comprise the system dont understand Chinese. There is no logical connection between the premise and the conclusion. Question 3 No amount of knowledge of the neural basis of taste experiences (or any other physical information) will enable you to know what Marmite tastes like. Only tasting Marmite can tell you what Marmite tastes like. Why is this an objection to physicalism? Physicalism holds that everything is comprised solely of its physical properties; that is, only physical things exist and everything is explicable in terms of the physical. The Physicalist would argue, for instance, that what it is like for someone to taste Marmite is one and the same as some physical quality-knowing the pertinent physical facts of the taste of Marmite are sufficient for knowing the actual taste of Marmite itself. Therefore the statement in question is an objection to physicalism being as it implies that there arent only physical properties since only tasting Marmite can really tell you what Marmite tastes like-for every experience there exist subjective, phenomenal qualities that one could not know of solely via knowledge, but only through experience. In other words, one will have experiences for which one has no corresponding concept; experiences extend beyond simple, learnable physical qualities. This is an objection to the physicalists argument that for everything in the universe there exist only objective, physical bases for everything in the universe. How would Lewis respond to the argument in (a)? Is this a good response? The argument in (a) is analogous to the Knowledge Argument, which Lewis would respond to with the Ability Argument. His position on (a) is in the middle. He agrees that there are aspects of ability that do not consist simply of information possession, and that we do call knowledge. However, he contrasts possessing a new fact with possessing a new ability-having a new experience does not imbue an individual with any new propositional knowledge, but only a bundle of abilities (to imagine, remember and recognize: know-how). These are abilities you cannot gain except by tasting Marmite, and learning what an experience is like means gaining certain abilities-he is fine with the argument in (a), but simply distinguishes that abilities rather than special phenomenal facts are acquired via experiences. This is a good response because learning what an experience is like means gaining certain abilities but its up for grabs what, if anything, the causal basis for those abilities may represent. There is no proof that tasting Marmite is the only way to know what it tastes like as the experience allows one to acquire special phenomenal facts which cannot be represented in any other way nor taught, other forms of tasting Marmite that lead to the same brain state may exist. What is the hard problem associated with the taste of Marmite, and how does it contrast with easy problems associated with explaining taste experiences? The hard problem questions how and why neural processes lead to certain subjective experiences. In the context of tasting Marmite, it is associated with the subjective experience of the taste of Marmite-facts about conscious experience that cannot be deduced from physical facts about the functioning of the brain. The problem of explaining the subjective taste of Marmite, or why the experience even exists in the way it does, is hard. In other words the hard problem is the problem of explaining why a brain state necessary and sufficient for having the experience of tasting Marmite is correlated with the experience of tasting Marmite and not with some other experience. Here we have no conceptions of how physical goings-on give rise to experiences. This contrasts with the easy problem of experiences, which concerns the objective mechanisms of the cognitive system-everything can be solved or explained in terms of neurological or physical goings-on that stimulate certain responses. In the context of taste experiences, the easy question would state that the experiences come into existence simply when neurotransmitters activate taste buds.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Students Aims of Academic Studies, and Means of Achieving Them Essay

Parents should encourage teenagers to continue their studies after graduating from school, while they should have academic aims in studying and how to achieve their aims. Academic study is to study at a higher educational institution, university or college, where you get the best education to become a professional in the field that you chose. Students have many aims for academic study which are divided to include their desire or to improve a skill for a future job and maybe to gain more knowledge. Education is important factor to develop ourselves, to achieve success and to build up more knowledge in our lives. Which, it gives us an opportunity to reach what everyone want to be. First, the essay will consider on some aims of academic study and then some ways to achieve them. Students have different perspectives which lead to different aims of academic study. Because of that the ways to achieve their personal aims of academic study, from student to student have difference. In this paragraph we will discuss about three different aims of academic studies. First of all, a few numbers of students have the desire to add a qualification to their lives, while they enjoy learning and improve themselves. Second aim is to develop their talents for a career. The university is the best place to improve the most important skills and talents for your future carrier. To gain skills and grow more talent will make you well-prepared for future career and job. For example, Dahi Khalfan Tamim, Commander of Dubai Police, said in a Meeting of the Council of the Development Training in Dubai police that â€Å"aimed at preparing the police for special employment in the ways to use technology, simulation and 3D video games, to progress the training process to... ... Educational technology has many benefits on teachers and students. They can improve their skills and gain more information from the internet and computers. Many different sorts of educational software are made and available to help educator to learn specific subjects. In conclusion, the great numbers of academic studies aims have differences in meaning to every student. In other words, the countless aims of academic studies should be to prepare for a successful carrier or to add a qualification with all skills and knowledge which are important. Which it brings about to be a skillful and expert in the specialization that you are studying. Finally, the way of achievement changes from student to student because of their different ways of thinking. Having academic aims and to achieve them in your life, it assist you to uncover your personality, strengths and weakness.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

The Bahai Faith

Religions beliefs shape peoples characters and influence their interpersonal relationships. The Bahai faith is one of today’s many religions that is attracting people from all nations. To date it has attracted over 5 million followers . The name Bahai is derived from the Arabic word Baha which means ‘glory’. â€Å"The Bahai Faith has its roots way back in the 19th century in Persia when Baha ‘u' llah; who is considered the founder of the faith, wrote books that based the foundations of the faith. † Bahai therefore emphasizes on spirituality for all human beings.The religion is mainly a draws its principles from the major religions in the world like Christianity, Islam, Jewish, Buddhism and Hindu. Basic Beliefs of the faith In this religion, there are no clergy people as because they believe that God is in control of everything and no individual can have power over other people. â€Å"Therefore, the duty to develop human resources, attract more people to the faith and to coordinate activities of the religion by ensuring that everything is in order among other spiritually building activities falls on the spiritual assembly.† These are individuals who have been elected by the followers to serve others and offer guidance on the Bahai principles. Thus, these institutions are run according to the Bahai texts. Spiritual assemblies therefore exist at the local as well as national levels. Every adult is considered as a spiritual leader as they can instill positive values to other members of the community by interacting with them. Oneness of all religions The foundation of all religions in the world are based on the same fundamental principles such as love, serving each other, believe in one God among other things.This shows that they are one when looked from a different point of view and it is this idea and principle the Bahai is all about. â€Å"Human thinking and certain superstitions have clouded they way they relate with othe rs and this has contributed to the divisions in society and the decay of civilization. † Therefore the ideal spirituality is founded in harmonizing the various beliefs which are founded in both religion and science in one unified religion. â€Å"The Bahai faith has therefore incorporated the Western as well as the Eastern traditions in its teachings and laws.† The Bahai followers do not have a standard way of enrolling people to the movement. This is because they are made up of people from various denominations and sects who seek to fid fulfillment in a religion that gives them the peace and love that they cannot get from other places. Science and Religion Science and certain religions have always contradicted themselves in a number of issues. This is mostly seen where it is believed that God created human beings while science on the other hand states that human beings evolved.The Bahai faith says that real science as well as religion is not supposed to contradict each other and that the two depend on each other. If people concentrate on one aspect and disregard the others, they will lack certain important elements which can contribute to negative behavior. This is because each enhances in explaining why, when and how certain things occur. The Bahai scholars say that if there are any cases of conflict, then it is because of human miscalculations as everything on earth is supposed to be in unison.By understanding how things happen, people become more knowledgeable and this goes to show the importance of the harmony between science and religion. Adherents to the Bahai teachings believe in making the world a better place to live in hence the Bahai Religious movement tries to link people of all backgrounds which include the different religions plus races so as to enhance international understanding. They believe in one God who is the creator of everything that is on earth and who communicates with his people through messengers.They refer to him as bei ng all powerful and for this reason, no one on this earth who can be likened to him or take his place. God therefore serves as an example of good deeds that other human beings can emulate. The followers therefore have to continually learn to love and serve him by praying and meditating. Prayer is important and it is very important and that is why the believers especially those aged 15- 70 years have to offer obligatory prayers.These prayers are conducted individually as group prayers are not allowed unless those ones read from writings. Fasting is encouraged mainly follows the Islamic way and takes place in the month of March for a period of two weeks. During this time, people pray for their welfare as well as those of others. Human beings are the central and most unique creations of God. â€Å"They are therefore supposed to live as live holy and pleasing lives in the eyes of the most high as this connected them.† Bahai followers therefore believe that if a person dies, they can either go to heaven or hell depending on how they lived their lives where they can either be closer or further to God spiritually. Equality of all persons is one thing that the Bahai tenets stress on. By being equal, it means that both men and women are treated equally and children of all backgrounds have access to proper education. To achieve this, they try to eradicate all forms of injustice in society by embracing cultural diversity and treating all persons equally as more can be learnt from other people who have different belief systems.â€Å"People are also not supposed to discriminate others on the basis of their status of wealth or nationalism as this divisions are the ones that give rise to hate which gives rise to tensions and as they build it leads to people engaging in inhuman acts that are very wrong according to the law and not pleasing to God. † The Bahai faith draws examples that are used by central figures in other religions. Though they borrow most thing s from other religions, they have their own laws as well as scriptures that make the religion unique.Religious history is expressed in a series of manifestations where lessons are drawn from various experiences that people face. This religious movement is continual and is believed to be never ending. Teachings The Kitab-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book) is the spiritual book which was written by Baha ‘u' llah lays the foundation and laws that the followers of the religion are guided by. â€Å"It also deals with prophesies, how institutions and people should relate with each other and how it can be used to aid in passing of sentences in the judicial law systems.† The laws have also set rules for acceptable standards in the society. Since there are a lot of evils in society related to using drugs and alcohol, the Bahai religious movement prohibit the use of illegal substances mainly drugs and drinking alcohol. If a person is found to have engaged in arson, according to Bahai t eachings, when they are accorded the death penalty, they will be burnt. Offenses such as murder are punishable by law and a person found to have committed is either sentenced to death or life imprisonment.From this we can see that they involve the judicial systems in place in bringing justice to society. Religion and deeds Like all religions, offering back to the community is a good gesture as it enables the community to fund its projects, operate efficiently and also help the disadvantaged in the society. Bahai’s are expected to give back to the community no matter how much they have as that is between them and their God on top of this, they are also supposed to make a contribution of 19% of their income according to the law to serve the same purpose.Financial contributions made by non-Bahai believers however are never accepted. Before the religion came to being, little was said about peace. Leaders in today’s society are however recognizing that without religious und erstandings, it is difficult to change people’s perceptions and this is what is giving rise to the evils in today’s society. Women Most women have found solace in this religion as it passes the various ideals that they would like to see in the world. This is because both the men and the women are treated equally.Bahais believe that by eradicating past beliefs which are discriminatory and ignorant, they are able to enhance the progress of various individuals. This is rooted from the fact that both genders receive equal education therefore they can choose the careers that are suitable to them. In return, they are acceptable in the job market for ant position because they are qualified. This has enabled women to take up professions in careers that were considered to be predominantly the strong holds of men for example being political leaders, being part of the top managers in various organizations and even becoming police chiefs.Family and marriage Family and marriage are considered to be sacred in the Bahai faith. The acceptable age of getting married is 15 years if the participants are willing because no one is supposed to be married off by force. Marriage is only supposed to happen between a man and a woman. Therefore, same sex marriages or relationships are therefore forbidden. Marriage is not restricted to certain religions or races as people are free to marry whoever they love and would like to spend the rest of their lives with.When people get married, the husband to be is supposed to pay dowry which will be dependant on his and also his family’s financial status. The Kitab-i-Aqdas, allows a man to marry two wives as long as no one is favored over the other. This has however been interpreted to mean that monogamy was the principle that was being emphasized on. Adultery and fornication is not allowed. People who have been discovered to have engaged in this act will be required to pay a fine at their local spiritual assembly.â€Å"Divor ce is discouraged in the Bahai faith but when two people cannot get along or an unjust act has been committed, they are allowed to divorce but this will be made legal after a year when the couple has not been able to reconcile. † Parents are supposed to nurture their children in proper manner as well as ensure that their children are well educated. In case the family is restrained by finance, the daughter over the son in the family will be allowed to go to school. This is because the girl in future will be the first one to ensure that her children are educated.â€Å"Women are the first mothers and are teachers of their children from the time they are born, it is therefore necessary that they are educated than the men. † For the next of kin to be able to inherit anything a will has to be written. Exceptions however, can be allowed when a person dies without having written one. The deceased property is then distributed equally among the heirs and where they cannot be iden tified, it will be taken to the local spiritual assembly. Enhancing Global PeaceThe world is changing and things such as transportation, communication, industrialization and the independence of people as well as countries have radically changed people’s lives. â€Å"Moreover, they have made countries dependant on each other for various basic goods, essential commodities such as oil, expertise through skilled personnel and incorporation of information and technology to enable countries industrialize. † As different people interact, there are bound to be conflicts whish require a proper mechanism for solving disputes.Bahaism therefore, tries to ensure that there are proper avenues for nations to solve their problems so as to reduce the cases of war which has subjected nations to poverty. The Bahai religious movement therefore ensures that global unity is enhanced by emphasizing on loving fellow neighbors. In addition the teachings say that real inner peace cannot come un less people decide to treat others as they would like to be treated if they were in similar positions.Moreover, they have developed international reforms and institutions that can enhance their goals and objectives so as to put and end to war, eradicate immoral intentions and create a system of corporation among nations. Conclusion Bahai faith has defined various laws and policies that seek to address most of the problems that are faced in the world today and have addressed every issue be it social , economical, environmental among other things. It is therefore a religion that is focused on enhancing global unity and peace which the world is in need of to curb the various problems and issues that are emerging.Bahai faith has therefore revolutionalized religions by enhancing individual and community transformation. Works cited Bahai International Community. The Bahai’s http://www. bahai. org/faq/facts/bahai_faith Oxtoby W. G. World Religions: Western Traditions. Oxford Univers ity Press, 1996 chapter six: Pg. 479-485 Remey C. Mason. The Bahai Revelation and Reconstruction, Read books, 2008 Ridell Deb. From Heart to Heart -Baha'i Religion Fosters gift of Family Unity. (Religion) Guard November 11, 2006 http://www. encyclopedia. com/doc/1G1-154722593. html

Friday, January 3, 2020

Merchant Of Venice Anti Semitic Analysis - 792 Words

It can be argued that the play Merchant of Venice is anti-semitic, but in reality the characters in the play are the ones who present the prejudices. The characters in the play express their prejudices through their words and actions. The characters in Merchant of Venice say anti-semitic or offensive things to and about characters they have prejudices against and they act differently toward these characters. Though there are many moments in the play where there are anti-semitic actions it is not the play itself that is anti-semitic, but it is the characters themselves. The play has parts where it shows that the beliefs of the people in this time period are morally wrong and it almost seems as if Shakespeare is speaking up for these†¦show more content†¦Characters go to Shylock for money and run into problems with him because of it. This makes Shylock look greedy for his money because that is all that he talks about to these characters, but in reality all he wants is what is owed to him. At the beginning of the play bassanio has a bond with shylock for â€Å" Three thousand ducats† (1.3.1). As the play progresses and the bond is broken shylock â€Å"would rather have antonios flesh than twenty times the value of the sum†(3.2.296). Shylock is just overreacting to the situation and saying this in a way that is not serious like many people do when they are reacting to a situation. Shylock just wants the money that he is owed back and is not being greedy about it. Only showing one side of a character is not something that woul d make the Merchant of Venice an anti-semitic piece. Shylock is depicted with many Jewish stereotypes in the play which some may think is the play showing that it is anti-semitic, but I think that it is instead how the other characters view Shylock. Shylocks character is not very liked by the other characters. The reasoning for most of the characters dislike for Shylock revolves around money. Since all of the problems that the other characters have with shylock have to do with money that is the only part of shylock that we see. The play is not trying to be anti-semitic, it is trying to focus on the most important relationshipsShow MoreRelatedRacism And Prejudice By William Shakespeare s The Merchant Of Venice Essay1699 Words   |  7 Pagesreligion and what they believe in, however there is racism and prejudice present in the world. William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice is one of his most controversial plays. Written in the 16th century England, the play poses many questions concerning racial, religious and human diffe rences due to anti-semitism being very common at the time. The story is set in Venice where a merchant named Antonio lived. 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