21 research outputs found
Economical, green, and safe route towards substituted lactones by anodic generation of oxycarbonyl radicals
A new electrochemical methodology has been developed for the generation of oxycarbonyl radicals under mild and green conditions from readily available hemioxalate salts. Monoâ and multiâfunctionalised Îłâbutyrolactones were synthesised through exoâcyclisation of these oxycarbonyl radicals with an alkene, followed by the sp3âsp3 capture of the newly formed carbonâcentred radical. The synthesis of functionalised valerolactone derivatives was also achieved, demonstrating the versatility of the newly developed methodology. This represents a viable synthetic route towards pharmaceutically important fragments and further demonstrates the practicality of electrosynthesis as a green and economical method to activate small organic molecules
An Assessment of the UKâs Trade with Developing Countries under the Generalised System of Preferences
The European Union (EU) Generalised System of Preferences (GSP Scheme) grants preferential treatment to 88 eligible countries. There are, however, concerns that the restrictive features (such as Rules of Origin, Low Preference Margin and Low Coverage) of the existing scheme indicate gravitation towards commercial trade agenda to which efficiency imperatives appear subordinated. Whether these concerns are genuine is an empirical question whose answer largely determines whether, after Brexit, the UK continues with the existing specifics of the EU scheme or develops a more inclusive UK-specific GSP framework. This study quantitatively examines the efficiency of the EU GSP as it relates to UK beneficiaries from 2014 to 2017. We draw on the descriptive efficiency estimation (The utilisation Rate, Potential Coverage Rate, and the Utility Rate) using import data across 88 beneficiary countries and agricultural products of the Harmonised System Code Chapter 1 to 24. Asides the Rules of Origin that, generally, harm the uptake of GSP, low preference margin is found to cause low utilisation rates in a non-linear manner. Essentially, a more robust option (such that allows âglobal Cumulationâ or broader product coverage) could, substantially, lower the existing barriers to trade and upsurge the efficiency of the GSP scheme
Sincere Cooperation in the Common Commercial Policy: Lisbon, a âJoined-Upâ Union, and âBrexitâ
The article elaborates on the significance of the duty of sincere cooperation
as a legal principle in the Common Commercial Policy (CCP) of the European
Union (EU), in particular as regards the relationship between the Union and its
Member States. It argues that while the duty of sincere cooperation is a judicially
enforceable duty vis-a-vis the Member States, it is losing some of its relevance in
the context of the CCP. This is due to the fact that the Lisbon Treaty, as confirmed
by the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU, expanded the scope of the CCP
and clearly identifies it as an exclusive competence of the Union. Loyalty in the
CCP, therefore, is mainly covered by the obligation to respect the exclusivity of the
Unionâs international powers in this area. While this does not equate to the
disappearance of the Member States as actors in international economic governance,
it does seriously constrain their leeway for autonomous action. In addition,
the article applies this finding to a number of current developments surrounding the
CCP. These include, firstly, the new Global Strategy for Foreign and Security
Policy, which promotes the idea of a âjoined-upâ approach between different actors
and policies; secondly, âBrexitâ and the prospect of the United Kingdom negotiating
new trade agreements of its own; thirdly, the position of the Member States in
the WTO; and fourthly, the nature of the wave of new free trade agreements that the
EU is negotiating and concluding.Global Challenges (FGGA