The peculiarities of the spectral luminescence properties of N-anthryl-substituted pyridinium cations

A structureless fluorescence band λ^max_f ≈ 530 nm) in liquid solution and a fluorescence band with vibrational structure (λ = 376–480 nm) in rigid media (ethanol, 77 K and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), 296 K) were observed for N-anthryl-substituted pyridinium cations. In liquid solution the long-wave fluorescence is attributed to the biradical structure resulting from the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) from anthracene to the pyridinium ring, and the long-wave, low intensity absorption (and fluorescence excitation) band (λ=465 nm) is attributed to this interfragment PET which is weakly allowed by the torsional vibrations. In rigid media the PET is strongly forbidden (in the strict orthogonal pyridinium-anthracene structure) and radiative deactivation of the anthracene fragment is observed.     

Comparison of calculated DFT/B3LYP and experimental C and O NMR chemical shifts, ab initio HF/6-31G* optimised structures, and single crystal X-ray structures of some substituted methyl 5β-cholan-24-oates

Single crystal X-ray structures (monoclinic space group P2₁) for methyl 3-oxo-5β-cholan-24-oate and methyl 3,12-dioxo-5β-cholan-24-oate have been solved and compared with HF/6-31G* optimised structures. In the crystalline packings the side chains are connected with weak OC(sp³)HO-type of interactions between C25–H and C24–O–C25 and the keto ends with weak C(sp³)HO=C-type of interactions between C4–H and O=C3. The orientations of the side chains, which steric configurations are of great importance to the biological activity of the molecules, are compared with the experimental structure of methyl 3-hydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oate. Probable reasons for the observed differences are discussed. In addition, ¹³C and ¹⁷O NMR chemical shifts of methyl 3-oxo-5β-cholan-24-oate and methyl 3,12-dioxo-5β-cholan-24-oate as well as the epimeric methyl 3-hydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oate and methyl 3β-hydroxy-5β-cholan-24-oate have been calculated (DFT/B3LYP/6-311G*) and compared with the experimental values by linear regression analyses. In general, the correspondence between the theoretical and experimental parameters is good or excellent.     

E-2-benzylidenebenzocyclanones. II. IR and mass spectrometric investigations

A series of E-2-benzylideneindanones (a) -tetralones (b) and -benzosuberones (c) with OCH₃ (2–4), NO₂ (5–7) and F (8–10) substituents in ortho, meta or para position was studied by IR and mass spectrometry. The most important IR bands were assigned and stated correlations between some frequencies and the stereostructure or conjugation feature of the molecules investigated. IR spectra were also analyzed in order to find frequencies characteristic of the size of the alkanone ring. The mass spectrometric investigation aimed at determining fragmentation pathways and finding correlations between them and the ring size of the alkanone ring or the position of the substituents.     

Extraction and spectrophotometric determination of trace amount of Pd(II) with 2,2'-dithiodianiline

A method for the extraction-spectrophotometric determination of palladium with 2,2′-dithiodianilline (DTDA) is described. DTDA–Pd(II) complex is extracted from an aqueous solution with pH 3 into isobutyl methyl ketone (IBMK) layer. The absorbance is measured at 397 nm and the molar absorptivity found to be 1.47×10⁶ l mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The complex system conforms to Beer's law over the range 0.3–220 ng ml⁻¹ palladium (II). The effect of pH (1–6), NaClO₄ concentration, DTDA concentration and shaking time were studied. The ratio of the metal ion to ligand molecules in the complex and its stability constant were found to be 1:1 and 1.45×10⁶, respectively. The tolerance limit for many cations and anions have been determined. Finally the method has been applied successfully to the determination of palladium in synthetic mixtures, alloy and catalyst samples.     

Geometry and tautomerism of sapphyrin—DFT studies

The structure and total energy have been investigated, applying the density functional theory (DFT), for idealized sapphyrin derivatives, created by replacements of meso-phenyl groups of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylsapphyrin or β-alkyl groups of decaalkylsapphyrin with hydrogens or two methyl groups, respectively. The following species have been considered: the dication of plain sapphyrin (SapH₅²⁺) 12,13-dimethylsapphyrin (12,13-DMSapH₃), 12,13-dimethylsapphyrin dication (12,13-DMSapH₅²⁺), and the 10,15-dimethylsapphyrin dication (10,15-DMSapH₅²⁺). To address the issue of tautomerization the calculations have been carried out for the six feasible distribution patterns of NH protons among the five nitrogen centers of the planar sapphyrin P0_i (i=1–6). The B3LYP/6-31G optimized bond lengths and angles of sapphyrin or (dimethylated sapphyrin) skeletons are in satisfactory agreement with X-ray crystallographic values determined for decaalkylsapphyrin dications. The calculated total energies, using the B3LYP/6-31G**//3-21G approach demonstrate that the plain sapphyrin and 12,13-dimethylsapphyrin dications favor the planar geometry of the macrocycle. Localization of the methyl groups at the 10,15-meso positions of sapphyrin reversed the order of stability leading to the energy preference for the inverted structure. Thus, this steric factor related to the meso substitution seems to be instrumental in the C pyrrolic ring inversion. The DFT calculation also provided the relative stability frame for the complex tautomeric equilibria of SapH₃ which involve six different forms. Their relative stability decreases in the range: {25-NH, 26-N, 27-NH, 28-NH, 29-N} P0₃>({25-NH, 26-N, 27-NH, 28-N, 29-NH} P0₁>{25-NH, 26-NH, 27-N, 28-NH, 29-N} P0₅>{25-N, 26-NH, 27-NH, 28-NH, 29-N} P0₂>{25-NH, 26-N, 27-N, 28-NH, 29-NH} P0₆>{25-N, 26-N, 27-NH, 28-NH, 29-NH} P0₄. The stability order can be qualitatively related to the number and the nature of the cis NH interactions present in the sapphyrin core.     

E-(hydroxyimino)(hydroxymethoxyphosphinyl)acetic acid: Synthesis and pH-dependent fragmentation

In contrast to both its parent “troika” acid (E-1, a phosphorylating agent at pH 7 and 25 °C) and its C-methyl isomer (E-2, which is stable at both acidic and neutral pH), (E)-(hydroxyimino)(hydroxymethoxyphosphinyl)acetic acid E-3 was unreactive at pH 7 and 25 °C but at pH 1.5 fragmented to methyl phosphate 10 (15%) and methyl phosphorocyanidate 11 (85%). The minor product is consistent with solvent phosphorylalion, the reaction exclusively observed with E-1. The non-phosphorylating fragmentation pathway is proposed to involve a preliminary E→ Z isomerizalion of 3 prior to C-C_β cleavage. Dual fragmentation pathways were also detected (³¹P NMR) when the DCHA⁺ salt of E-3 (E-9) was heated in acetonitrile or EtOH; in addition to phosphorylation products (16–19%), 11 was formed (81–84%). Reaction of E-9 in refluxing EtOH:t-BuOH (1:1) showed low stereoselectivity in product formation (~3:1 ethyl methyl phosphate:t-butyl methyl phosphate), supporting a dissociative phosphorylation process.     

Electric dipole moments of thietane in excited states of the ring puckering vibration: an experimental and ab initio study

The electric dipole moment in the ground state (v_p = 0) and the first five excited states (v_p = 1 … 5) of the ring puckering vibration of thietane have been determined from Stark shifts of rotational transitions. The results are: 0|μ_a|0 = 1.87583(16) D, 1|μ_a|1 = 1.87341(18) D, 2|μ_a|2 = 1.89759(28) D, 3|μ_a|3 = 1.88688(29) D, 4|μ_a|4 = 1.90036(18) D, 5|μ_a|5 = 1.88596(59) D. The dependence of these values on v_p shows the zig-zagging behaviour typical of modes with double minimum potentials. A combined analysis of the ground and first excited states yielded also a precise value for the transition moment, 0|μ_c|1 = 0.24023(49) D.

A potential and electric dipole moment function has been derived from ab initio calculations, using MP2 and the 6–31G** basis set. Expectation values of the dipole and transition moments were determined from these data. Absolute values are about 5% in error, but the variation with vibrational state is reproduced excellently by the theoretical values.     

Synthesis and characterization of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives containing alkoxy chains with different lengths

The synthesis, optical properties, electrochemical properties, electronic structures and applications in electroluminescent device of three series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives, 1,4-bis[(4-methylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl]phenylene (OXD₁), 5,5′-di-(4-methyl)-2,2′-p-(2,5-bisalkoxyphenylene)-bis-1,3,4-oxadiazole (OXD_2–n) and 1,4-bis[(4-alkoxyphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazolyl]phenylene (OXD_3–n) are reported. The molecular structures of the oxadiazole compounds were confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The optical and electrochemical properties of the compounds were investigated by UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. The results show that introduction of two alkoxy groups whose electron-donating ability is stronger than that of methyl groups increases the electron density of the conjugated segment of OXD_2–n (with side-on alkoxy substituents) and OXD_3–n (with end-on alkoxy substituents), and thus leads to the absorption maximum bathochromic-shift compared to that of OXD₁. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the compounds studied are in the range of −2.78 to −2.89 and −5.75 to −6.20 eV. Calculations on the representative compounds by the Dmol³ package of MS Modeling 3.0 revealed that the increase of energy levels in both OXD_2–n and OXD_3–n was due to the change of the frontier molecular orbital distribution in the central benzene ring. The light-emitting devices have been fabricated using blends of MEH-PPV and these compounds as emissive layers, among which, maximum brightness up to 11810 cd m⁻² (8.5 V) has been observed, which is 40 times brighter than that with MEH-PPV. The result of the devices suggested that oxadiazole derivatives studied function well as electron-transporting materials and can be used in LEDs, and thus to enhance the efficiency of LEDs.     

Radiochemical and Quantum-Chemical Study of the Migration of the Cationic Center in the SiC6H 7 + Ion

The reactions of silylphenyl and phenylsilyl cations with methyl tert-butyl ether were studied radiochemically. The phenylsilylium ion is more stable thermodynamically than its isomers with the charge localized on carbon atoms of the benzene ring. Because of the high activation barriers to migration of the cationic center over the benzene ring (according to B3LYP/6-31G* calculations), only the ortho isomer can transform into the silylium ion.     

First principles study of the structure, electronic state and stability of AlnPm cations

Structural and electronic properties of semiconductor binary microclusters Al_nP_m⁺ cations have been investigated using the B3LYP–DFT method in the ranges of n=1,2 and m=1–7. Full structural optimization, adiabatic ionization potentials calculation and frequency analysis are performed with the basis of 6-311G(d). The charge-induced structural changes in these cations have been discussed. The strong P–P bond is also favored over Al–P bonds in the Al_nP_m⁺ cations in comparison with corresponding neutral cluster. With P_m forming the base, adding Al atom(s) in different positions would find the stable structures of Al_nP_m⁺ cations quickly and correctly. Both AlP₄⁺ and AlP₆⁺ are predicted to be species with high stabilities and possible to be produced experimentally.     

-Fluoro decalones as chiral epoxidation catalysts: fluorine effect

Three rigid monofluorinated trans-decalones 4a, 5e, and 6e (90% ee) have been synthesized from commercially available (−)-(R)-methyl naphthalenone (90% ee). Their structures have been fully characterized (NMR, X-ray): ketones 4a and 5e are Me,F-disubstituted to the carbonyl with the fluorine axial and equatorial, respectively, while ketone 6e is F-monosubstituted to the carbonyl with the fluorine equatorial. The use of these ketones as chiral catalysts for the epoxidation of trans-olefins (such as stilbene, β-methylstyrene and p-methoxy cinnamate) through the formation of dioxiranes shows (i) that dioxiranes with an equatorial fluorine to the dioxirane ring are less reactive and provide lower ee’s than dioxiranes with an axial fluorine and having the same chirality and (ii) that an axial methyl to the dioxirane ring is significantly less efficient than a fluorine. The results corroborate Armstrong and Houk’s theoretical model and our first hypothesis to rationalize the inverted enantioselectivities observed using -fluorinated cyclohexanones having the same chirality, i.e.: rapid ring inversion (Curtin–Hammett principle) allows the dioxirane conformation to have the fluorine axial (even if less populated than the other) to contribute significantly to the epoxidation reaction.     

Nitro and nitroso transformations in superacids

Novel transformations involving the nitro and nitroso groups in superacid media are discussed and summarized. NO₂-diprotonation is a key reaction for nitro PAHs, forming N,N-dihydroxyiminium–arenium dications whereas nitrosoarenes are N,O-diprotonated to form hydroxyiminium–arenium dications. In nitropyrenes a facile cyclization involving the nitro group leads to five- and/or six-membered ring heterocyclic cations. Nitro cyclization also occurs in nitroalkylbenzenes but at higher temperatures. Multinuclear NMR data for the resulting persistent NO₂-diprotonated dications and their cyclized analogs are gathered and the structural requirements to bring about nitro cyclization are assessed. Conjugated nitroalkenes such as nitrostyrene and nitroethene are NO₂-diprotonated to form hydroxyiminium–carbenium dications. β-Heteroatom-substituted nitroethylenes are C,O-diprotonated and subsequently form hydroxynitrilium ions. Nitronate salts and unsubstituted nitroalkanes are activated in superacids via their protonated nitronic acid. β-ethoxycarbonyl-substituted nitroalkanes are activated via the O,O-diprotonated aci-nitro species with further O-protonation to give dioxonium–carbenium trications or via hydroxynitrilium ions. The NMR characteristics for the dihydroxyiminium–carbenium dications and hydroxynitrilium ions from various 2-nitroalkenes and their nucleophile quenching-derived cations are also gathered. The mechanistic aspects emphasizing dicationic (and tricationic) intermediates, their interplay and the potential synthetic benefits of these transformations which greatly extend the chemistry of the nitro group are highlighted.     

Monodentate and bidentate trifluoroacetato ligands in bis(trifluoroacetato)-(N-methyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato)thallium(III)—a new dynamic 4:3 piano stool seven-coordinate geometry

The crystal structure of bis(trifluoroacetato)-(N-methyl-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato) thallium(III), Tl(N---Me---tpp)(CF₃CO₂)₂ (2), was established and the coordination sphere around the Tl³⁺ ion is described as 4:3 tetragonal base–trigonal base piano stool seven-coordinate geometry in which the two cis CF₃CO₂ ⁻ groups occupy two apical sites. The plane of the three pyrrole nitrogen atoms [i.e. N(2), N(3) and N(4)] strongly bonded to Tl³⁺ is adopted as the reference plane 3N. The pyrrole N(1) ring bearing the methyl group [i.e. C(45)H₃] is the most deviated one from the 3N plane making a dihedral angle of 23.3° whereas smaller angles of 9.9, 2.7 and 4.7° occur with pyrroles N(2), N(3), and N(4), respectively. Because of the larger size of the thallium(III) ion, Tl is considerably out of the 3N plane; its displacement of 1.02 Å is in the same direction as that of the two apical CF₃CO₂ ⁻ ligands. The intermolecular trifluoroacetate exchange process for 2 in CD₂Cl₂ solvent is examined through ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR temperature-dependent measurements. In the slow-exchange region, the CF₃ and carbonyl (CO) carbons of the CF₃CO₂ ⁻ groups in 2 are separately located at δ 114.3 [¹J(C–F)=290 Hz, ³J(Tl–C)=411 Hz] and 155.1 [²J(C–F)=37 Hz, ²J(Tl–C)=204 Hz], respectively, at −106 °C. In the same slow-exchange region, the fluorine atoms of 2, Tl(N---Me---tpp)(CF₃CO₂)⁺ and the free CF₃CO₂ ⁻ are located at δ −73.76 [⁴J(Tl–F)=44 Hz], −73.30 [⁴J(Tl–F)=22 Hz], and −76.15 ppm at −97 °C, respectively.     

Synthesis of new thiazole analogues of pyochelin, a siderophore of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia. A new conversion of thiazolines into thiazoles

Three pyochelin analogues and their methyl esters all containing a thiazole ring have been synthesised from the same Weinreb amide key intermediate. One of these analogues called HPTT-COOH, a molecule released in the course of pyochelin and yersiniabactin biosynthesis, was efficiently synthesised using a new base induced conversion of the key compound 2′-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2′-thiazoline-4′-(N-methoxy,N-methyl) carboxamide into 2′-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2′-thiazole-4′-(N-methoxy,N-methyl) carboxamide.     

Novel cytotoxic 1H-cyclopenta[b]benzofuran lignans from Aglaia elliptica

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the stems and fruits of Aglaia elliptica using human oral epidermoid carcinoma (KB) cells, led to the isolation of five cyclopenta[b]benzofurans, constituted by methyl rocaglate (1) and four novel compounds (2–5), along with three known dammarane triterpenoids. Compound 5 possesses an unusual formyl ester substituent at the C-1 position. The structures of the novel compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic methods. Compounds 1–5 were found to be very potent cytotoxic substances when evaluated against a panel of human cancer cell lines.     

Acid-rain monitoring in East Asia with a portable-type ion-exclusion–cation-exchange chromatographic analyzer

A monitoring system consisting of a portable-type conductimetric ion-exclusion–cation-exchange chromatographic (CEC) analyzer and a meteorological satellite data analyzer has been investigated for the evaluation of the effects of acid precipitation on natural and urban environments in East Asia. The portable ion-exclusion–CEC analyzer uses a polymethacrylate-based weakly acidic cation-exchange resin column in the H⁺-form and a weak-acid eluent (tartaric acid–methanol–water) and is applied for the simultaneous determination of anions (SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻, and Cl⁻) and cations (Na⁺, NH₄⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺) in precipitation transported from mainland China to central Japan, as mapped by the meteorological satellite data analyzer. Linear calibration graphs of peak area versus concentration for anions and cations were observed in the concentration range 0–1.0 mM for the anions and 0–0.5 mM for the cations. Detection limits at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 were in the range 5.18–12.1 ppb for the anions and 6.58–16.5 ppb for the cations. The practical utility of this monitoring system is presented.     

An ab initio study on the vibrational and electronic spectra of the molybdenum–sulfur clusters with Mo2OnS4−n(n=0–4) core

Using the ab initio method, the vibrational and electronic spectra of binuclear molybdenum clusters which contain Mo₂O_nS_4−n(n=0–4) core were investigated. The main absorption bands in the IR spectra of these clusters are assigned and compared with each other, especially for the case of the trans isomers. The electronic spectra were studied by performing the CIS calculations. The ground state and the first excited state of the clusters were discussed by using the natural bond orbital method. It is shown that the band corresponding to the longest wavelength can be assigned to three kinds of transition types. Two transitions, σ(Mo–Mo)→π*(Mo–X_t)(X=S,O) and σ(Mo–Mo)→σ*(Mo–Mo), can be seen in most cases.     

Investigation of the use of B3LYP zero-point energies and geometries in the calculation of enthalpies of formation

The use of B3LYP/6–31G^* zero-point energies and geometries in the calculation of enthalpies of formation has been investigated for the enlarged G2 test set of 148 molecules [J. Chem. Phys. 106 (1997) 1063]. A scale factor of 0.96 for the B3LYP zero-point energies gives an average absolute deviation nearly the same as scaled HF/6–31G^* zero-point energies for G2, G2(MP2), and B3LYP/6–311 + G(3df,2p) enthalpies. A scale factor of 0.98, which has been recommended in some studies, increases the average absolute deviation by about 0.2 kcal/mol. Geometries from B3LYP/6–31G^* are found to do as well as MP2/6–31G^* geometries in the calculation of the enthalpies of formation.     

Design and synthesis of enantiopure 1-[1(S)-(2-pyridyl)alkyl]-2(R)-isopropylaziridines, new ligands for asymmetric catalysis

Enantiopure 1-(2-pyridyl)alkyl aziridines were designed as bidentate ligands for asymmetric catalysis. Their synthesis involved the addition of organometallic reagents to the imine prepared from 2-pyridinealdehyde and an enantiopure β-aminoalcohol, followed by cyclisation of the β-aminoalcohol moiety to the aziridine ring. Two such ligands (N–N)* were prepared from (S)-valinol and converted to the complexes (η³-allyl)(N–N)*Pd⁺SbF₆⁻, one of which was characterised by X-ray crystallography. Modest enantioselectivities were achieved in a representative Pd-catalysed allylic substitution reaction.