Capacitive biosensor for detection of endotoxin

A capacitive biosensor for the detection of bacterial endotoxin has been developed. Endotoxin-neutralizing protein derived from American horseshoe crab was immobilized to a self-assembled thiol layer on a biosensor transducer (Au). Upon injection of a sample containing endotoxin, a decrease in the observed capacitive signal was registered. Endotoxin could be determined under optimum conditions with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10⁻¹³ M and linearity ranging from 1.0 × 10⁻¹³ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ M. Good agreement was achieved when applying endotoxin preparations purified from an Escherichia coli cultivation to the capacitive biosensor system, utilizing the conventional method for quantitative endotoxin determination, the Limulus amebocyte lysate test as a reference. The capacitive biosensor method was statistically tested with the Wilcoxon signed rank test, which proved the system is acceptable for the quantitative analysis of bacterial endotoxin (P < 0.05). Figure The flow-injection capacitive biosensor system and the capacitive properties of the transducer surface, where C_SAM is the capacitance change of the self-assembled thiol monolayer, C_P is the capacitance change of the protein layer, C_a is the capacitance change of the analyte layer and C_Total is the total capacitance change measured at the working electrode/solution interface (modified from Limbut et al., 2006. Biosens Bioelectron 22: 233-240)     

Determination of p-nitroaniline by the tartrate-acetone-Mn2+-KBrO3-H2SO4 double organic substrate oscillating system using non-equilibrium stationary state

This paper described the determination of p-nitroaniline in a double organic substrate oscillating system of tartrate-acetone-Mn²⁺-KBrO₃-H₂SO₄. Under the optimum conditions, temperature was chosen as a control parameter to design the bifurcation point and proposed a convenient method for determination of p-nitroaniline. Results showed that the system consisting of 3.5 mL 0.06 mol L⁻¹ tartrate, 4.0 mL 0.7 mol L⁻¹ H₂SO₄, 1.5 mL 1.5×10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ MnSO₄, 4.0 mL 0.4 mol L⁻¹ acetone and 7.0 mL 0.05 mol L⁻¹ KBrO₃ was very sensitive to the surrounding at 33.5°C. A good linear relationship between the potential difference and the negative logarithm concentration of p-nitroaniline was obtained to be in the range of 2.50×10⁻⁷∼3.75×10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ with a lower detection limit of 2.50×10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹.      

Kinetic and equilibrium study of the deprotonation of 4-nitrophenyl[bis(ethylsulphonyl)]methane by organic bases in acetonitrile in the presence of common cation BH<Superscript>+</Superscript> and tetrabutylammonium perchlorate

The results of kinetic and equilibrium experiments with the set of reaction of proton abstraction from 4-nitrophenyl[bis(ethylsulphonyl)]methane in acetonitrile are reported. Two strong organic bases are used: 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (TBD) and 7-methyl-1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec-5-ene (MTBD). The rates of proton transfer reaction have been measured by T-jump method in the presence of perchlorate of the appropriate base as a common cation BH⁺ and supporting electrolyte-tetrabutylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) in the temperature range between 20–40°C are: k _H =1.32×10⁷−2.00×10⁷ and 2.82×10⁷−4.84×10⁷ dm ³mol⁻¹s⁻¹ for MTBD and TBD respectively. The enthalpies of activation ΔH _MTBD ^≠ =13.5 and ΔH _TBD ^≠ =18.1 kJmol⁻¹. The entropies of activation are negative: ΔS _MTBD ^≠ =−62.3 and ΔS _TBD ^≠ =−40.3 Jmol⁻¹K⁻¹. The change of the absorbance of the anion of 4-nitrophenyl[bis9ethylsulphonyl)]methane at the temperature 25°C in the presence of common cation BH⁺ gives the equilibrium constants K=705 and 906 M⁻¹ for MTBD and TBD respectively. Kinetic and equilibrium results are discussed. The possible mechanism of proton transfer reaction between 4-nitrophenyl[bis(ethylsulphonyl)]methane and cyclic organic bases: MTBD and TBD in acetonitrile is proposed.     

Application of the Specific Ion Interaction Theory → the Solubility Product and First Hydrolysis Constant of Europium

The specific ion interaction theory (SIT) was applied to the first hydrolysis constants of Eu(III) and solubility product of Eu(OH)₃ in aqueous 2, 3 and 4 mol⋅dm⁻³ NaClO₄ at 303.0 K, under CO₂-free conditions. Diagrams of pEu_aq versus pC_H were constructed from solubilities obtained by a radiometric method, the solubility product log₁₀ K_{sp, Eu(OH)3}^I {Eu(OH)_3(s) Eu_aq³⁺+ 3OH_aq⁻ } values were calculated from these diagrams and the results obtained are log₁₀ K_sp,Eu(OH)3^I = − 22.65 ± 0.29, −23.32 ± 0.33 and −23.70 ± 0.35 for ionic strengths of 2, 3 and 4 mol⋅dm⁻³ NaClO₄, respectively. First hydrolysis constants {Eu_aq³⁺+H₂O Eu(OH)_(aq)²⁺+H⁺ } were also determined in these media by pH titration and the values found are log₁₀β_Eu,H^I = − 8.19 ± 0.15, −7.90 ± 0.7 and −7.61 ± 0.01 for ionic strengths of 2, 3, and 4 mol⋅dm⁻³ NaClO₄, respectively. Total solubilities were estimated taking into account the formation of both Eu³⁺ and Eu(OH)²⁺ (7.7 < pC_H < 9) and the values found are: 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ mol⋅dm⁻³, 1.2 × 10⁻⁶ mol⋅dm⁻³ and 1.3 × 10⁻⁶ mol⋅dm⁻³, for ionic strengths of 2, 3 and 4 mol⋅dm⁻³ NaClO₄, respectively. The limiting values at zero ionic strength were extrapolated by means of the SIT from the experimental results of the present research together with some other published values. The results obtained are log₁₀ K_{sp, Eu(OH)3}^o = − 23.94 ± 0.51 (1.96 SD) and log₁₀β_Eu,H⁰ = − 7.49 ± 0.15 (1.96 SD).     

Simultaneous determination of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in rat plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography: application to a pharmacokinetic study

Radix Scrophulariae (Xuanshen) is one of the famous Chinese herbal medicines widely used to treat rheumatism, tussis, pharyngalgia, arthritis, constipation, and conjunctival congestion. Harpagoside and cinnamic acid are the main bioactive components of Xuanshen. The purpose of this study was to develop an HPLC–UV method for simultaneous determination of harpagoside and cinnamic acid in rat plasma and investigate pharmacokinetic parameters of harpagoside and cinnamic acid after oral administration of Xuanshen extract (760 mg kg⁻¹). After addition of syringin as internal standard, the analytes were isolated from plasma by liquid–liquid extraction. Separation was achieved on a Kromasil C₁₈ column, and detection was by UV absorption at 272 nm. The described assay was validated in terms of linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and limit of quantification according to the FDA validation guidelines. Calibration curves for both analytes were linear with the coefficient of variation (r) for both was greater than 0.999. Accuracy for harpagoside and cinnamic acid ranged from 100.7–103.5% and 96.9–102.9%, respectively, and precision for both analytes were less than 8.5%. The main pharmacokinetic parameters found for harpagoside and cinnamic acid after oral infusion of Xuanshen extract were as follows: C _max 1488.7 ± 205.9 and 556.8 ± 94.2 ng mL⁻¹, T _max 2.09 ± 0.31 and (1.48 ± 0.14 h, AUC_0–24 10336.4 ± 1426.8 and 3653.1 ± 456.4 ng h mL⁻¹, 11276.8 ± 1321.4 and 3704.5 ± 398.8 ng h mL⁻¹, and t _1/2 4.9 ± 1.3 and 2.5 ± 0.9 h, respectively. These results indicated that the proposed method is simple, selective, and feasible for pharmacokinetic study of Radix Scrophulariae extract in rats. Figure Radix Scrophulariae     

Sintering, microstructures and dielectric properties of Ba1−xPbx(Ti1−xLix)O3−3xF3x ferroelectric ceramics

Various compositions (1−x)BaTiO₃ + xPbF2 + xLiF were prepared, shaped to pellets then sintered at 900°C for 2 h in gold sealed tubes. The purity and the symmetry of the obtained samples were checked by X-ray diffraction. A new solid solution with Ba_1−x Pb _x (Ti_1−x Li _x ) O_3−3x F_3x formula occurs in the composition range 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20. SEM observations were performed on polished and fractured ceramics. The complex permittivity was measured as a function of temperature (−120°C ≤ T ≤ 250°C) and frequency (50 Hz ≤ f ≤ 4 × 10⁷ Hz). The dielectric performances are the best for ceramic Ba_0.97Pb_0.03(Ti_0.97Li_0.03)O_2.91F_0.09. The real component ε′, exhibits a maximum of approximately 7500 at the ferroelectric Curie temperature T _C ≈ -18°C, the dielectric losses tan δ value being 0.012. At room temperature, the relaxation frequency f _r is around 40 MHz for this ceramic. This novel ferroelectric oxifluoride is a promising material for applications, in particular in the field of Z5U multilayer capacitors.      

A study of alkyl radicals in the matrix of polycrystallinen-alkane γ-irradiated at 77 K

The composition of alkyl radicals (AR) formed by γ-radiolysis (T=77 K) of polycrystallinen-alkanes with different lengths of the carbon chain (C(5), C(7), C(10), C(11), and C(18)) and their polymeric analog (polyethylene) was estimated from the ESR spectra. The ESR spectra of the irradiatedn-alkanes are superpositions of the signals from the H₃CC^.HCH₂− and −CH₂C^.HCH₂− radicals, whose HFS constants with α and β protons as well as the equilibrium conformation are independent of the chain length of then-alkane molecule. A dependence of the concentration of the radicals on the chain length ofn-alkane was found. The absence of the −CH₂C^.H₂ radicals that may arise upon H atom elimination from the Me fragments of then-alkane molecules is most likely related to the transfer of excitation energy from the Me group to the neighboring methylene fragment and the transformation of the −CH₂C^.H₂ radicals into H₃CC^.HCH₂− radicals. With account for this, the concentrations of the AR formed were suggested to be proportional to the number of H atoms at the corresponding C atom. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1034–1037, June, 2000.     

A Conductometric Study of Complexation Reactions Between Dibenzo-18-Crown-6 (DB18C6) with Cu2+, Zn2+, Tl+ and Cd2+ Metal Cations in Dimethylsulfoxide–Ethylacetate Binary Mixtures

The complex formation between Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Tl⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal cations with macrocyclic ligand, dibenzo- 18-crown-6 (DB18C6) was studied in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)–ethylacetate (EtOAc) binary systems at different temperatures using conductometric method. In all cases, DB18C6 forms 1:1 complexes with these metal cations. The stability constants of the complexes were obtained from fitting of molar conductivity curves using a computer program, Genplot. The non-linear behaviour which was observed for variations of log K _f of the complexes versus the composition of the mixed solvent was discussed in terms of changing the chemical and physical properties of the constituent solvents when they mix with one another and, therefore, changing the solvation capacities of the metal cations, crown ether molecules and even the resulting complexes with changing the mixed solvent composition. The results show that the selectivity order of DB18C6 for the metal cations in pure ethylacetate and pure dimethylsulfoxide is: Tl⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Cd²⁺ but the selectivity order is changed with the composition of the mixed solvents. The values of enthalpy changes (ΔH°_C) for complexation reactions were obtained from the slope of the van’t Hoff plots and the changes in standard enthalpy (ΔS°_C) were calculated from the relationship: ΔG°_C,298.15=ΔH°_C − 298.15 ΔS°_C. The obtained results show that in most cases, the complexes are enthalpy stabilized, but entropy destabilized and the values of ΔH°_C and ΔS°_C depend strongly on the nature of the medium.     

The use of stable isotopes ratios for authentication of fruit juices

The determination of the content of stable isotopes, ¹⁸O and ²H, respectively, in juice water facilitates the distinction between authentic juices and juices made from concentrates by redilution with tap water. At the same time, the detection of C₄ cane or corn-derived sugar syrups in fruit juices which are produced from C₃ fruit types is thus facilitated by the characteristic differences in ¹³C/¹²C, expressed as δ ¹³C (‰) values due to photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation via the C₃₋, C₄₋, and crassulacean acid metabolism pathways. In this study, the quantitative determination of water added to an authentic juice, on the basis of δ ¹⁸O, and δ ²H values, respectively, was successfully performed. Also, the δ ¹⁸O, and δ ²H of juice water and δ ¹³C of the whole juice in 18 samples were also determined. The results obtained provided us with the possibility of distinguishing between authentic fruit juices and those obtained by redilution of concentrated fruit juices and the detection of C⁴ type added sugar.     

Ab initio MO LCAO SCF simulation of molecular and electronic structure of η5-π-C60H5XCp (X=Fe, Si) complexes

The problem of existence of η⁵-π-complexes of unsubstituted fullereneI _h -C₆₀ and its cyclopentadienyl type derivative C₆₀H₅ ^. is discussed.Ab initio MO LCAO SCF calculations of hypothetical sandwich systems η⁵-π-C₆₀H₅XCp (X=Fe (1a), Si (1b)), the cationic complex C₆₀FeCp⁺ of unsubstituted C₆₀, and the C₆₀H₅ ^. radical were performed in the STO-3G and 3-21G basis sets. In the1a, 1b, and C₆₀H₅ ^. systems, hydrogen atoms are attached to carbon atoms of fullerenei _h -C₆₀ at α-positions relative to the same pentagonal face (pent ^*). In η⁵-complexes, XCp species are also coordinated to this face. According to calculations in the 3-21G basis set, the Fe-pent ^* bond energy in complex1a is much higher than those of similar bonds in1b and in the η⁵-π-C₆₀FECp⁺ cation (117 kcal mol⁻¹ vs. 37 and 64 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively) and is 7 kcal mol⁻¹ higher than the Fe−Cp bond energy in the classical sandwich system FeCp₂. The Fe…C _pent* and Fe…C_Cp distances in complex1a are slightly shorter than the Fe…C distance in the ferrocene molecule. The spin populations in the C₆₀H₅ ^. radical are almost completely localized on the atoms of thepent ^* face, which must favor the formation of η⁵-π-complexes of this radical. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1657–1662, September, 1999.     

Thermochemical properties of the Fe-analogue of cryolite, Na3FeF6

Relative enthalpies for low-and high-temperature modifications of Na₃FeF₆ and for the Na₃FeF₆ melt have been measured by drop calorimetry in the temperature range 723–1318 K. Enthalpy of modification transition at 920 K, δ_trans H(Na₃FeF₆, 920 K) = (19 ± 3) kJ mol⁻¹ and enthalpy of fusion at the temperature of fusion 1255 K, δ_fusH(Na₃FeF₆, 1255 K) = (89 ± 3) kJ mol⁻¹ have been determined from the experimental data. Following heat capacities were obtained for the crystalline phases and for the melt, respectively: C _p(Na₃FeF₆, cr, α) = (294 ± 14) J (mol K)⁻¹, for 723 = T/K ≤ 920, C _p(Na₃FeF₆, cr, β) = (300 ± 11) J (mol K)⁻¹ for 920 ≤ T/K = 1233 and C _p(Na₃FeF₆, melt) = (275 ± 22) J (mol K)⁻¹ for 1258 ≤ T/K ≤ 1318. The obtained enthalpies indicate that melting of Na3FeF6 proceeds through a continuous series of temperature dependent equilibrium states, likely associated with the production of a solid solution.      

Differentiation of organically and conventionally produced milk by stable isotope and fatty acid analysis

Increasing sales of organic milk mean intensified tests for authenticity are required. In addition to comprehensive documentation, analytical methods to identify organic milk, and thus to differentiate it from conventional milk, are needed for consumer protection. Because the composition of milk is fundamentally dependent on the feeding of the cows, thirty-five samples from both production systems in Germany, including farm and retail milk, were collected within 12 months, to reflect seasonal variation, and appropriate properties were analysed. Fatty acid analysis enabled organic and conventional milk to be completely distinguished, because of the higher α-linolenic acid (C18:3ω3) and eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5ω3) content of the former. Organic milk fat contained at least 0.56% C18:3ω3 whereas the maximum in conventional milk was 0.53%. Because of the parallel seasonal course of the C18:3ω3 content of organic and conventional retail samples, however, time-resolved comparison at the five sampling dates resulted in a clearer difference of 0.34 ± 0.06% on average. Analysis of stable carbon isotopes (δ¹³C) also enabled complete distinction of both types of milk; this can be explained by the different amounts of maize in the feed. For conventional milk fat δ¹³C values were −26.6‰ or higher whereas for organic milk fat values were always lower, with a maximum of −28.0‰. The time-resolved average difference was 4.5 ± 1.0‰. A strong negative correlation (r = −0.92) was found between C18:3ω3 and δ¹³C. Analysis of a larger number of samples is required to check the preliminary variation ranges obtained in this pilot study and, probably, to adjust the limits. Stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) or sulfur (δ³⁴S) did not enable assignment of the origin of the milk; in cases of ambiguity, however, some trends observed might be useful in combination with other properties. Figure Correlation (r = −0.92) between δ¹³C value and C18:3ω3 content of milk fat from different production systems     

Isomerism in OBe3F3 + cation: anab initio study

Ab initio MP2/6-31G^*//HF/6-31G^*+ZPE(HF/6-31G^*) calculations of the potential energy surface in the vicinity of stationary points and the pathways of intramolecular rearrangements between low-lying structures of the OBe₃F₃ ⁺ cation detected in the mass spectra of μ₄-Be₄O(CF₃COO)₆ were carried out. Ten stable isomers with di- and tricoordinate oxygen atoms were localized. The relative energies of six structures lie in the range 0–8 kcal mol⁻¹ and those of the remaining four structures lie in the range 20–40 kcal mol⁻¹. Two most favorable isomers, aC _2v isomer with a dicoordinate oxygen atom, planar six-membered cycle, and one terminal fluorine atom and a pyramidalC _3v isomer with a tricoordinate oxygen atom and three bridging fluorine atoms, are almost degenerate in energy. The barriers to rearrangements with the breaking of one fluorine bridge are no higher than 4 kcal mol⁻¹, except for the pyramidalC _3v isomer (∼16 kcal mol⁻¹). On the contrary, rearrangements with the breaking of the O−Be bond occur with overcoming of a high energy barrier (∼24 kcal mol⁻¹). A planarD _3h isomer with a tricoordinate oxygen atom and linear O−Be−H fragments was found to be the most favorable for the OBe₃H₃ ⁺ cation, a hydride analog of the OBe₃F₃ ⁺ ion; the energies of the remaining five isomers are more than 25 kcal mol⁻¹ higher. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 420–430, March, 1999.     

Three crystal structures reported as lacking centers that should be refined as centrosymmetric

The compounds {[Fe(phen)₃]²⁺(TCNQ–TCNQ)²⁻) · 2(CH₃OH)} (FIWPRD), {[Fe(C₅H₅)(C₅H₄CH₂NMe₃)]⁺)(TCNQ⁻) (IKONOL), and {[Cu(1,4,5,12-tetraazacyclo-pentadecane)]²⁺(TCNQ⁻)₂} (AVOJEA) were reported in the non-centrosymmetric space groups Cc (#9), Pna2₁ (#33), and P1 (#1). Examination of the several sets of atomic coordinates shows that the space groups are more likely to be C2/c (#15), Pnma (#63), and (#2), respectively. Confirmation of the centrosymmetric models requires access to the diffraction intensities; unfortunately these are not in the public domain.

Flow injection chemiluminescence immunoassay for 17β-estradiol using an immunoaffinity column

A new flow injection chemiluminescent immunoassay was developed for the detection of 17β-estradiol (E₂). The method uses p–iodophenol (PIP) as enhancer and is based on a solid-phase immunoassay format in which an E₂–OVA immobilized immunoaffinity column inserted in the flow system is used to trap unbound horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-labeled anti-E₂ antibody after an off-line incubation of E₂ with HRP-labeled anti-E₂ antibody. The trapped enzyme conjugate was detected by injecting substrates to produce an enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) response. The linear range for E₂ was 10.0–1,000.0 ng mL⁻¹ with a correlation coefficient of 0.996 and a detection limit of 3.0 ng mL⁻¹. The sampling and chemiluminescence detection time for one sample was 400 s after a pre-incubation procedure of 30 min. Serum samples detected by this method were in good agreement with the results obtained by EIA with E₂–biotin.      

Determination of trace platinum by supramolecular catalytic kinetic spectrofluorimetry of β–cyclodextrin–platinum–KBrO3–salicylaldehyde furfuralhydrazone

A supramolecular catalytic kinetic spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of platinum(IV) and the possible mechanism of catalytic reaction was discussed. The method was based on the fluorescence-enhancing reaction of salicylaldehyde furfuralhydrazone (SAFH) with potassium bromate, which was catalysed by platinum(IV) in a water–ethanol medium. β–Cyclodextrin (β-CD) obviously sensitized the determination at pH 5.20 and 25°C. Under optimum conditions, the β-CD–platinum–KBrO₃–SAFH supramolecular kinetic catalytic reaction system had excitation and emission maxima at 372 and 461 nm, respectively. The linear range of this method was 0.60–180 ng ml⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation of 1.2%, and the detection limit was 0.18 ng ml⁻¹. Investigation of the mechanism and the effects of interferences is presented. The proposed method was applied successfully to determine trace platinum(IV) in the chemotherapeutic drug cisplatin and serum from patients with satisfactory results.      

Dimerization and Coordination Properties of Zinc(II)tetra-4-alkoxybenzoyloxiphthalocyanine in Relation to DABCO in <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Xylene and Chloroform

For the first time the interactions between zinc(II)tetra-4-alkoxybenzoyloxiphthalocyanine (Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc) and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) in o-xylene and chloroform have been studied by calorimetric titration and NMR and electron absorption spectroscopic methods. It has been found that in o-xylene at concentrations of Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc higher than 6×10⁻⁴ mol⋅L⁻¹ π–π dimers species are formed (λ _max= 685 nm). Additions of DABCO to the solution up to mole ratio 1 : 8 (Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc : DABCO) lead to a shift of the aggregation equilibrium towards monomer species due to formation of monoligand axial complexes. Further increasing the DABCO concentration results in formation of Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc—DABCO—Zn(4—O—CO—C₆H₄—OC₁₁H₂₃)Pc sandwich dimers (λ _max= 675 nm).     

Enantioselectivity of 6-O-alkyldimethylsilyl-2,3-di-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases in capillary GC

Summary Clenbuterol has been determined in urine by solidphase extraction on a C₁₈ cartridge, diazotization of the eluate with nitrite, coupling of the diazonium ion with 1-(naphthyl)ethylenediamine, and separation of the azo dye formed by HPLC with a C₁₈ column and a micellar mobile phase containing 0.1 M sodium dodecyl sulphate, 12%n-butanol and 0.05 M citrate buffer, pH 3. Recoveries higher than 90% were obtained by mixing the samples with a 20% 0.2 M NaOH before extraction. Limits of detection of 51 and 6.7 ng L⁻¹ were obtained with spectrophotometric and thermal lens spectrometric detection, respectively; respective repeatabilities were 3.1% (5 μg mL⁻¹) and 5.6% (0.16 μg mL⁻¹).     

The strength of the σ-, π- and δ-bonds in Re2Cl 8 2−

The geometry of Re₂Cl₈²⁻ has been optimized for the eclipsed (D _4h ) equilibrium conformation and for the staggered (D _4d ) conformation at BP86/TZ2P. The nature of the Re–Re bond which has a formal bond order four has been studied with an energy decomposition analysis (EDA). The EDA investigation indicates that the contribution of the b ₂ (δ _xy ) orbitals to the Re–Re bond in the ground state is negligibly small. The vertical excitation of one and two electrons from the bonding δ orbital into the antibonding δ* orbitals yielding the singly and doubly excited states and gives a destabilization of 17.5 and 36.1 kcal/mol, respectively, which is nearly the same as the total excitation energies. The preference for the D _4h geometry with eclipsing Re–Cl bonds is explained in terms of hyperconjugation rather than δ bonding. This is supported by the calculation of the triply bonded Re₂Cl₈ which also has an eclipsed energy minimum structure. The calculations also suggest that the Re–Re triple bond in Re₂Cl₈ is stronger than the Re–Re quadruple bond in Re₂Cl₈²⁻. A negligible contribution of the δ orbital to the metal–metal bond strength is also calculated for Os₂Cl₈ which is isoelectronic with Re₂Cl₈²⁻. Contribution of the Mark S. Gordon 65th Birthday Festschrift Issue. Theoretical Studies of Inorganic Compounds. 38. Part 37 (2006) Bessac F, Frenking G, Inorg Chem 45:6956.     

Crystal structure of [Mn(1,10-C12H8N2)3](B6H7)2

A new compound [MN^II(Phen)₃]²⁺(B₆H₇)₂⁻ is synthesized; its crystal structure is studied by XRD at 100 K. Crystallographic data: C₃₆H₃₈B₁₂N₆Mn, M = 739.39, triclinic symmetry, space group P , unit cell parameters: a = 10.3131(3) ?, b = 13.4839(4) ?, c = 15.1132(4) ?; α = 97.696(1)°, β = 108.324(1)°, γ = 102.211(1)°; V = 1903.9(1) ?³, Z = 2, d _calc = 1.290 g/cm³. The structure is solved by direct and Fourier methods and refined by full-matrix LSM in the anisotropic (isotropic for hydrogen atoms) approximation to the final factor R ₁ = 0.036 for 10169 I _hkl ≥ 2σ _I (Bruker-Nonius X8 APEX CCD diffractometer, λMoK _α). The structure contains two crystallographically different anions. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2009 by T. M. Polyanskaya, M. K. Drozdova, V. V. Volkov, and K. G. Myakishev __________ Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 381–385, March–April, 2009.