Alkali Metal/Ammonia Reductions of Ketones Should Be Run in the Presence of Ammonium Ion

Reduction of (+)-[3,3?²H₂]camphor ([3,3?²H₂] 1 ) with lithium, sodium or potassium in ammonia and a co-solvent gave; 1) the enolate of [3,3?²H₂] 1 and the alcoholates of (?)-[2,3,3?²H₃]isoborneol ([2,3,3?²H₃] and (+)-[2,3,3?²H₃]borneol ([2,3,3?²H₃] 3 ); 2) the alcoholates of [3,3?²H₂] 2 and [3,3?²H₂] 3 ; 3) the dialcoholates of the pinacols [3,3,3′,3′?²H₄] 4 and [3,3,3′,3′?²H₄] 5 . It is proposed that these are formed from the ketyls [3,3?²H₂] 1 - M⁺, by: 1) disproportionation; 2) H-atom abstraction from the medium; 3) dimerization. Protonation upon work-up afforded [endo?3²H] 1 , [2,3,3?²H₃] 2 , [2,3,3?²H₃] 3 ,[3,3?²H₂] 2 , [3,3?²H₂] 3 , [3,3,3′,3′?²H₄] 4 and [3,3,3′,3′?²H₄] 5 . Pinacol [3,3,3′,3′?²H₄] 5 was the main and pinacol [3,3,3′,3′?²H₄] 4 a minor product in the reductions with lithium and both were minor products in the reductions with sodium; pinacols were not formed in the reductions with potassium. Parallel reductions of 1 , unlabeled, analogously led to 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 , and the ratios 2/3 differed from the ratios ([2,3,3?²H₃] 2 +[3,3?²H₂] 2 /([2,3,3?²H₃]+[3,3?²H₂] 3 ) under certain conditions. Different values for these ratios were found in the reductions with each metal, all of which corresponded to low overall diastereoselectivities. Reactions 1 and 3 persisted when the reductions were carried out in ammonia/water/co-solvent mixtures and the enolate formed via reaction 1 was protonated and the resulting [endo-3-²H] 1 recycled. Reaction 2 cannot be monitored under these conditions. Reactions 1 and 3, and by inference also reaction 2, were almost completely suppressed when analogous reductions were carried out in the presence of ammonium chloride, [3,3?²H₂] 2 and [3,3?²H₂] 3 being obtained almost exclusively, in a 6: 94 ratio. It is proposed that the mechanism outlined in House [1] was dominant when, and only when, ammonium ion was the proton source; it may have competed when water was the proton source.     

Palladium acetate complexes bearing chelating N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands: Synthesis and catalytic oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes

The imidazolium salts 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazolium dichloride have been synthesized and transformed into the corresponding bis(NHC) ligands 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₁) and 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-propylenediimidazol-2-ylidene (L₂) that have been employed to stabilize the Pd^II complexes PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (2a) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (2b). Both latter complexes together with their known homologous counterparts PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (1a) (L₃ = 1,1′-dibenzyl-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) and PdCl₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (1b) (L₄ = 1,1′-bis(1-naphthalenemethyl)-3,3′-ethylenediimidazol-2-ylidene) have been straightforwardly converted into the corresponding palladium acetate compounds Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₃) (3a) (OAc = acetate), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₄) (3b), Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₁) (4a), and Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂(κ²-C,C-L₂) (4b). In addition, the phosphanyl-NHC-modified palladium acetate complex Pd(κ¹-O-OAc)₂ (κ²-P,C-L₅) (6) (L₅ = 1-((2-diphenylphosphanyl)methylphenyl)-3-methyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) has been synthesized from corresponding palladium iodide complex PdI₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (5). The reaction of the former complex with p-toluenesulfonic acid (p-TsOH) gave the corresponding bis-tosylate complex Pd(OTs)₂(κ²-P,C-L₅) (7). All new complexes have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition the solid-state structures of 1b·DMF, 2b·2DMF, 3a, 3b·DMF, 4a, 4b, and 6·CHCl₃·2H₂O have been determined by single crystal X-ray structure analyses. The palladium acetate complexes 3a/b, 4a/b, and 6 have been employed to catalyze the oxidative homocoupling reaction of terminal alkynes in acetonitrile chemoselectively yielding the corresponding 1,4-di-substituted 1,3-diyne in the presence of p-benzoquinone (BQ). The highest catalytic activity in the presence of BQ has been obtained with 6, while within the series of palladium-bis(NHC) complexes, 4b, featured with a n-propylene-bridge and the bulky N-1-naphthalenemethyl substituents, revealed as the most active compound. Hence, this latter precursor has been employed for analogous coupling reaction carried out in the presence of air pressure instead of BQ, yielding lower substrate conversion when compared to reaction performed in the presence of BQ. The important role of the ancillary ligand acetate in the course of the catalytic coupling reaction has been proved by variable-temperature NMR studies carried out with 6 and 7′ under catalytic reaction conditions.     

Hydrogen bonding. Part 77. Molecular orbital study of C–HF hydrogen bonds in tetramethylammonium fluoride; potential effects on solid state structure

The infrared (IR) spectrum of tetramethylammonium fluoride suggests that it contains the strongest C–HF⁻ hydrogen bonds yet observed. Ab initio 3-21G(^*) calculations were used to examine potential solid state arrangements of cation about anion. The favored state is one in which four cations surround each F⁻ in a D_2d arrangement and four F⁻ surround each cation. Each F⁻ acts as acceptor of four hydrogen bonds of −10.8 kcal mol⁻¹, one from each cation. This arrangement, similar to that of tetramethylammon chloride, is consonant with the IR spectrum of the cation in solid tetramethylammonium fluoride. In the preferred form of the monomeric gas phase ion-pair F⁻ lies against one triangular face of the T_d cation with three CHF hydrogen bonds of −11.5 kcal mol⁻¹ each. Constraint of F⁻ in the gas phase ion-pair to interaction with a single cation hydrogen results in a tightly bound molecular complex between HF and trimethylammonium methylide with an interaction energy of −27 kcal mol⁻¹; however, this structure is not seen elsewhere and apparently does not play a role in the solid salt.     

Fractional coverage of defects in self-assembled thiol monolayers on gold

Au electrodes are alkylated by self-assembled organic monolayers of octadecanethiol from alcohol solution. The electron tunnelling resistance of a monolayer-coated gold electrode has been investigated by ac impedance. The relation between the fractional coverage of different defects and the corresponding film thickness at these ‘collapsed’ sites has been deduced from electron tunnelling theory. By using the concepts of average film thickness at defect (d_a) and average fractional coverage of defect (θ_a), we have obtained the θ_ad_a plot. The influence of the apparent standard rate constant on the shape of the θ_ad_a plot has been discussed. In our experiments, Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− is used as a redox probe to study the θ_ad_a plot of an octadecanethiol monolayer. The θ_a versus d_a plot indicates that the defects with d_a<6 methylene groups and θ_a<0.1 can increase the apparent standard rate constant from 1.9×10⁻¹⁰ cm s⁻¹, which is the theoretical value calculated from electron tunnelling theory, to 2.9×10⁻⁷ cm s⁻¹. The average thickness of the whole monolayer (ATWM), which is obtained from the θ_a versus d_a plot and which can indicate the blocking property of the monolayer, is 11 methylene groups.     

Structure and properties of triclinic Ni0.85Mo6Te8

The structure of Ni_0.85Mo₆Te₈ was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data at room temperature. It is triclinic, space group

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; 1619 reflections, 75 refined parameters, R = 0.031. The Mo atoms form distorted octahedral clusters (2.69 Å ≤ d_intra[Mo---Mo] ≤ 2.81 Å; 3.58 Å < d_inter[Mo---Mo]). The Ni atoms are disordered (site occupancy: 0.423(7); d[Ni---Ni] = 2.586(6) Å), and interact strongly with one Mo₆ cluster (d[Ni---Mo] = 2.603(3) and 2.958(3) Å), and weakly with another (d[Ni---Mo] = 2.985(3) Å). The structure transforms at 1057(5) K into a rhombohedral modification (a_hex = 10.457(2) Å, c_hex = 11.866(3) Å at 1073 K). Measurements on powders suggest metallic conductivity (5.1 × 10⁻⁴ Ω-cm at 293 K) and weakly temperature-dependent paramagnetism (110 × 10⁻⁶ emu/g at 100 K).     

Conformational analysis of 2-halocyclopentanones by NMR and IR spectroscopies and theoretical calculations

The conformational isomerism of 2-chlorocyclopentanone and 2-bromocyclopentanone has been determined through the solvent dependence of the ¹H NMR ³J_HH coupling constants, theoretical calculations and infrared data, using the solvation theory for the treatment of NMR data. In 2-chlorocyclopentanone, the energy difference (E_Ψ-e − E_Ψ-a), in the isolated molecule at B3LYP level of theory, between the pseudo-equatorial (Ψ-e) and pseudo-axial (Ψ-a) conformers is 0.42 kcal mol⁻¹, which decreases in CCl₄ and in acetonitrile solutions, in good agreement with infrared data (ν_CO), despite the uncertainties of the latter method. The conformational equilibrium for 2-bromocyclopentanone is also between the Ψ-e and Ψ-a conformations, with an energy difference (E_Ψ-e − E_Ψ-a), in the isolated molecule at B3LYP level of theory, is 0.85 kcal mol⁻¹ which decreases in CCl₄ and in acetonitrile solutions, also in good agreement with infrared data.     

The dichloromethane induced fragmentation of ferrocenylmethyldimethylamine. Mechanistic aspects and crystallographic and electrochemical investigation of the (FcCH2)2NMe2 and FcCH2NMe2H ions

Ferrocenylmethyldimethylamine, FcCH₂NMe₂, reacts with CH₂Cl₂ in either the presence or absence of non-coordinating counterions to give equimolar amounts of the bis(ferrocenylmethyl)dimethyl ammonium salts (FcCH₂)₂NMe₂⁺X⁻ (X⁻=PF₆⁻, SbF₆⁻, BPh₄⁻ or Cl⁻, 1a–d) and the corresponding protonated ammonium salts FcCH₂NMe₂H⁺ which have been isolated as the SbF₆⁻ and Cl⁻ salts 2b,d. The reaction proceeds via fragmentation of an intermediate quaternary chloromethylated ammonium ion to chloromethylferrocene, FcCH₂Cl, and dimethyliminium chloride NMe₂CH₂⁺Cl⁻. The parent amine acts as a nucleophile toward FcCH₂Cl to give 1a–d and as a base toward NMe₂CH₂⁺ to give FcCH₂NMe₂H⁺, NMe₂H and (Me₂N)₂CH₂. The FcCH₂Cl intermediate is intercepted by NEt₃ while KCN or LiH do not successfully compete with FcCH₂NMe₂. A new, non-toxic, selective, high-yield route to 1d is also presented. Electrochemistry and UV–vis spectroelectrochemistry reveal, that the two identical redox centers in 1a–d are essentially non-interacting. Individual E_1/2 values have been determined for different solvents by digital simulation. The corresponding ferrocenium salts were prepared by either chemical or electrochemical means and accordingly characterized. Our studies are augmented by X-ray structure analyses of 1b, 1d and 2d. 1d contains three different cation conformers and four molecules of water per unit cell. The latter are hydrogen bonded to the chloride counterions to form one-dimensional infinite chains parallel to the a axis.     

Lithiated γ-O-functionalized propyl phenyl sulfides and sulfones of the type Li[CH(SOxPh)CH2CH2OR] (x = 0, 2). [Li{CH(SPh)CH2CH2Ot-Bu}(tmeda)] – A structurally characterized organolithium inner complex

Lithiation of O-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfides PhSCH₂CH₂CH₂OR (R = Me, 1a; i-Pr, 1b; t-Bu, 1c; CPh₃, 1d) with n-BuLi/tmeda in n-pentane resulted in the formation of α- and ortho-lithiated compounds [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR}(tmeda)] (α-2a–d) and [Li{o-C₆H₄SCH₂CH₂CH₂OR)(tmeda)] (o-2a–d), respectively, which has been proved by subsequent reaction with n-Bu₃SnCl yielding the requisite stannylated γ-OR-functionalized propyl phenyl sulfides n-Bu₃SnCH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR (α-3a–d) and n-Bu₃Sn(o-C₆H₄SCH₂CH₂CH₂OR) (o-3a–d). The α/ortho ratios were found to be dependent on the sterical demand of the substituent R. Stannylated alkyl phenyl sulfides α-3a–c were found to react with n-BuLi/tmeda and n-BuLi yielding the pure α-lithiated compounds α-2a–c and [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂OR}] (α-4a–b), respectively, as white to yellowish powders. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [Li{CH(SPh)CH₂CH₂Ot-Bu}(tmeda)] (α-2c) exhibited a distorted tetrahedral coordination of lithium having a chelating tmeda ligand and a C,O coordinated organyl ligand. Thus, α-2c is a typical organolithium inner complex.Lithiation of O-functionalized alkyl phenyl sulfones PhSO₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OR (R = Me, 5a; i-Pr, 5b; CPh₃, 5c) with n-BuLi resulted in the exclusive formation of the α-lithiated products Li[CH(SO₂Ph)CH₂CH₂OR] (6a–c) that were found to react with n-Bu₃SnCl yielding the requisite α-stannylated compounds n-Bu₃SnCH(SO₂Ph)CH₂CH₂OR (7a–c). The identities of all lithium and tin compounds have been unambiguously proved by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn).     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the catalyzed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by ethylenebis(oxyethylenedinitrilo)tetracetate complex of iron(III)

The rate of decomposition of H₂O₂ in the presence of Fe(III)-y complex (y is ethylenebis(oxyethylenedinitrilo)tetraacetic acid (EGTA) anion) was investigated under variable conditions of pH and temperature, various water-miscible solvents, and different concentrations of H₂O₂, [Fe-y]⁻, and acetate ions. The following rate law holds: Rate = (k₁K₃K₄/[H⁺]) [Fe-y(OH)]²⁻ [H₂O₂] at pH less than 9.80, and Rate = (k₂K₅[H⁺]/K₃) [Fe-y(OH)₂]³⁻[OOH]⁻ at pH above 9.80. The values of k₁K₄and k₂K₅ at 25 °C were found to be 1523 and 0.747 M⁻¹ S⁻¹, respectively. Activation enthalpy and activation entropy for this reaction were determined from Arrhenius plots and found to be ΔH^* = 34.38 K J mol⁻¹ and ΔS^* = −167.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹.     

Transpositions thermiques de derives d'α-pinene

Novel thermal transformations of (+)-pin-2-en-9-al 1 and (+)-9-methyl-pin-2-en-9-one 3 by [3,3] sigmatropic mechanism to allyl vinyl ethers 2 and 4 are described. The ether 4 may undergo further rearrangement in an acid-catalysed step to the (-)-2.6-dimethylbicyclo[3.3.1]non-6-en-2ones (5 and 5'). Formation of the bicyclic ketones (+)-5 and 5' of opposite absolute configuration occurs by [3,3] sigmatropic rearrangement of the trimethylsilyl enol ether of 3 and hydrolysis. The proposed mechanism is confirmed by studying the deuterated ketone d₃^?3.     

Preparation of chiral diimino- and diaminodiphosphine ligands and their Cu and Ag complexes. X-ray crystal structures of [Cu(1S,2S-cyclohexyl-P2N2)][PF6] and [Ag(1R,2R-cyclohexyl-P2N2H4)][BF4]

The interaction of optically pure 1R,2R-diammoniumyclohexane mono-(+)-tartrate and 1S,2S-diammoniumcyclohexane mono-(−)-tartrate with 2 equiv. of o-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde in the presence of 2 equiv. of potassium carbonate in a refluxing ethanol/water mixture gave the optically pure condensation products N,N′-bis[o-(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]-1R,2R-diiminocyclohexane[1R,2R-cyclohexyl-P₂N₂, (R,R)-I] and N,N′-bis[o-(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]-1S,2S-diiminocyclohexane [1S,2S-cyclohexyl-P₂N₂, (S,S)-I], respectively, in good yield. Reduction of optically pure (R,R)-I and (S,S)-I with NaBH₄ in ethanol gave the optically pure reduced products N,N′-bis[o-(diphenylphosphino)benzylidene]-1R,2R-diaminocyclohexane[1R,2R-cyclohexyl-P₂N₂H₄, (R,R)-II] and N,N′-bis[o-diphenylphosphine)benzylidene]-1S,2S-diaminocyclohexane[1S,2S-cyclohexyl-P₂N₂H₄, (S,S)-II], respectively, in good yield. The coordination behaviour of I and II toward salts of Cu^I and Ag^I have been examined. The interaction of [Cu(C)₃CN)₄][X] (X = ClO₄⁻, PF₆⁻) with 1 equiv. of optically pure L₄ [L₄ = (R,R)-I, (S,S)-I, (R,R)-II and (S,S)-II] gave the corresponding optically pure [CuL₄][X] complexes, III–VI IIIa, L₄ = (R,R)-I, X = PF₆⁻ IIIb, L₄ = (R,R)-I, X = ClO₄⁻ IV, X = PF₆⁻; Va, L₄ = (R,R)-II, X = PF₆⁻, Vb L₄ = (R,R)-II, X= ClO₄⁻, VI L₄ = (S,S)-II, X = PF₆⁻, in good yield. For the Cu^I complexes, the L₄ ligand acted as a tetradentate ligand. However, a variable-temperature ³¹P[¹H] NMR study of IIIb shows that at ambient temperature one of the imino groups of the tetradentate ligand undergoes rapid dissociation to form a tridentate ligand. The interaction of AgBF₄ with 1 equiv. of otpically pure L₄ [L₄ = (R,R)-I, (S,S)-I, (R,R)-II and (S,S)-II gave the corresponding optically pure [AgL₄][BF₄] complexes, VII–X VII L₄ = (R,R)-I; VIII, L₄ = (S,S)-I; IX,L₄ = (R,R)-II; X, L₄ = (S,S)-II], in good yield. For the Ag^I complexes, the L₄ ligand acted as a tetradentate ligand with the two amino groups coordinated unsymmetrically to the silver. A variable temperature ³¹P [¹H] NMR study of VII suggests that at high temperature the complex exists as a tri-coordinated complex. The structurers of IV and IX were established by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Oxygen reduction in acid media at the amorphous Mo–Os–Se carbonyl cluster coated glassy carbon electrodes

An amorphous Mo–Os–Se carbonyl cluster compound has been synthesized in 1,2-dichlorobenzene (b.p.≈180°C) to be tested as an electrocatalyst for molecular oxygen reduction in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) performed for the powder supported on pyrolytic carbon show a distribution of nanometer-scale amorphous particles with agglomerations in cluster forms. The catalytic activity was studied by the rotating disc electrode technique. Kinetic studies show a first-order reaction with a Tafel slope of −0.118 V dec⁻¹ and dα/dT=1.55×10⁻³ K⁻¹. In the temperature range 298–343 K, an activation energy of 32 kJ mol⁻¹ was determined.     

Reactions of sulfur(IV) with an octahedral manganese(IV) complex of 1,8-bis(2-hydroxy benzamido)-3,6-diaza octane: the role of phenolate–amide–amine coordination

The Mn^IV complex of tetra-deprotonated 1,8-bis(2-hydroxybenzamide)-3,6-diazaoctane (Mn^IVL) engrossed in phenolate-amido-amine coordination is reduced by HSO₃⁻ and SO₃²⁻ in the pH range 3.15–7.3 displaying biphasic kinetics, the Mn^IIIL⁻ being the reactive intermediate. The Mn^IIIL⁻ species has been characterized by u.v.–vis. spectra {λ _max, (ε, dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹): 285(15 570), 330 sh (7570), 469(6472), 520 sh (5665), pH=5.42}. SO₄²⁻ was the major oxidation product of S^IV; dithionate is also formed (18 ± 2% of [Mn^IV]_T) which suggests that dimerisation of SO₃^−• is competitive with its fast oxidation by Mn^IV/III. The rates and activation parameters for Mn^IVL + HSO₃⁻ (SO₃²⁻) → Mn^IIIL⁻; Mn^IIIL⁻ + HSO₃⁻ (SO₃²⁻) → Mn^IIL²⁻ are reported at 28.5–45.0 °C (I=0.3 mol dm⁻³, 10% (v/v) MeOH + H₂O). Reduction by SO₃²⁻ is ca. eight times faster than by HSO₃⁻ both for Mn^IVL and Mn^IIIL⁻. There was no evidence of HSO₃⁻/SO₃²⁻ coordination to the Mn centre indicating an outer sphere (ET) mechanism which is further supported by an isokinetic relationship. The self exchange rate constant (k₂₂) for the redox couple, Mn^IIIL⁻/Mn^IVL (1.5 × 10⁶ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25 °C) is reported.     

Electrochemical and DNA-binding properties of dipyridophenazine complexes of osmium(II)

A transition metal complex as an electrochemical probe of a DNA sensor must have an applicable redox potential, high binding affinity and chemical stability. Some complexes with the dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (DPPZ) ligand have been reported to have high binding affinity for DNA. However, it was difficult to detect the targeted DNA electrochemically using these complexes because of the relatively high redox potential. In this work, a combination of bipyridine ligands with functional groups (---NH₂, ---CH₃ and ---COOH) and the DPPZ ligand were studied. The introduction of electron-donating groups was effective for controlling the redox potential of the DPPZ-type osmium complex. The [Os(DA-bpy)₂DPPZ]²⁺ complex (DA-bpy; 4,4′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine) had a lower half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 147 mV (vs. Ag AgCl) and higher binding affinity with DNA {binding constant, K=3.1×10⁷ M⁻¹ in 10 mmol dm⁻³ Tris–HCl buffer with 50 mmol dm⁻³ NaCl (pH 7.76)} than those of other complexes. With the single stranded DNA (ssDNA) modified gold electrode, the hybridization signal (ΔI) of the [Os(DA-bpy)₂DPPZ]²⁺ complex was linear in the concentration range of 1.0 pg ml⁻¹–0.12 μg ml⁻¹ for the targeted DNA with a regression coefficient of 0.999. The detection limit was 0.1 pg ml⁻¹.     

Diffuse reflectance spectra of iron(III) vanadates

The electronic spectra of solid iron(III) vanadates FeVO₄ and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ were investigated by the diffuse reflectance technique in the spectral range 12 500–50 000 cm⁻¹. The spectra of investigated vanadates contain 2–3 intensive CT bands in the UV region and two lowest energy d–d bands in the 12 000–22 000 cm⁻¹ range. The presence of the weak bands for FeVO₄ and Fe₂V₄O₁₃ at 16 500 cm⁻¹ and 20 500 cm⁻¹ points to the lattice deffects (oxygen deficiency and the presence of the V⁴⁺ ions) in the structure of investigated vanadates.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of a new bipyridine-bipyrazoyl(pyridine)-thiocyanato-ruthenium(II) complex

The complex [Ru(II)(dcbpyH₂)(bdmpp)NCS](PF₆) (1) (where dcbpyH₂ is 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, bdmpp is 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-N-pyrazoyl)pyridine,) is synthesized and characterized extensively by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR 1D and 2D, mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption spectroscopy and IR. The half-wave potential of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox couple was measured at E_1/2=+0.795 V versus Ag/AgCl in CH₃CN. The complex presents three intense metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) (d_M→π_L*) absorption bands centered at 383 (=21 300 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), 432 (=22 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and 475 nm (=23 400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹), respectively. The absorbance is extremely strong between 400 and 500 nm and even at 620 nm, the extinction coefficient is still high (=3768 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The strong π-acceptor property of the trans-isothiocyanate ligand compared with the Cl⁻ ligand is probably the cause of the blue-shift observed in complex 1. These properties make the complex potentially promising for the photosensitization process. The incorporation of TiO₂ photoelectrodes derivatized with this complex into a solar cell using a composite polymer/inorganic oxide solid-state electrolyte confirmed its sensitizing ability. Incident monochromatic photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) values of about 30% and overall energy conversion efficiency (η) of 1.7% were obtained.     

EPR and optical absorption studies of Cr ions in d-gluconic acid monohydrate

EPR studies are carried out on Cr³⁺ ions doped in d-gluconic acid monohydrate (C₆H₁₂O₇·H₂O) single crystals at 77 K. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin Hamiltonian parameters g, |D| and |E| are measured to be 1.9919, 349 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹ and 113 (×10⁻⁴) cm⁻¹, respectively. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature. From the observed band positions, the cubic crystal field splitting parameter Dq (2052 cm⁻¹) and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameter B (653 cm⁻¹) are evaluated. From the correlation of EPR and optical data the nature of bonding of Cr³⁺ ion with its ligands is discussed.     

Three new copper(II)–nickel(II) heterodinuclear complexes with the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N′</Emphasis>-bis(2-pyridyl-ethyl)oxamide dianion. Syntheses,spectra, and magnetic properties

Three new Cu(II)–Ni(II) heterodinuclear complexes: [Cu(PMoxd)Ni(phen)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Cu(PMoxd)Ni(NO₂-phen)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu(PEoxd)Ni(Me₂-bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), [where Cu(PMoxd)=N,N′-bis(pyridyl-methyl)oxamidatocopper(II), Cu(PExod)=N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl-ethyl)oxamidatocopper(II), phen=1,10-phenanthroline and NO₂-phen=5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline and bpy=2,2′-bipyridine] were prepared and characterized by i.r. and electronic spectra, and by magnetic properties. The magnetic analysis was carried out by means of the theoretical expression of the magnetic susceptibility deduced from the spin Hamiltonian H=−2JS₁S₂, leading to J=−70.83 cm⁻¹ (1); −56.23 cm⁻¹ (2); −57.30 cm⁻¹ (3), indicating a weak antiferromagnetic spin–exchange interaction between Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions within three complexes.     

Analysis of ;W and O NMR chemical shifts in polyoxometalates by extended Hückel mo calculations

The extended Hückel molecular orbital (EHMO) calculations have been carried out using cluster approach to polyoxo anions, i.e. calculations have been done for a single octahedron MO₆ of different symmetry and results have been used to analyze ¹⁸³ W and ¹⁷ O NMR spectra. Using five d→d* energy differences for the individual WO₆ the sum Σ1/ (E_d→E_d*) have been calculated and plotted against the ¹⁸³ W chemical shift (from +258 to −670 ppm) for corresponding type of tungsten atom and practically a linear correlation between two parameters have been observed. This points out the electronic nature of the ¹⁸³ W chemical shift. Similar correlation have been found for the ¹⁷O NMR chemical shifts (−90 to +800 ppm) when the plotted against product of the R⁻³ Σ1/ (E_p→E_p*) where the R⁻³ bond length of the corresponding W–O bond. Increasing the ¹⁸³ W nuclear magnetic shielding with the calculated electron population on tungsten atom for closely related anions has been observed, but no general tendency between δ and the calculated electronic charge if the symmetry of polyhedron is changed is expected.     

NMR study of the dynamic behaviour of the system 2-ethylhexylsodium-2-ethylhexyllithium in heptane

Mixtures of 2-ethylhexylsodium and 2-ethylhexyllithium are studied by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy in the temperature range from 20 to −50°C in hydrocarbon solutions. Characteristic temperature-dependent spectra obtained are indicative of dynamic exchange processes taking place in the system. The following activation parameters are found: ΔH^≠=31.7±2.7 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔG^≠₃₁₃=58.7±0.6 kJ mol⁻¹; ΔS^≠=−86.37±10.8 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹. The negative value of the activation entropy indicates that the exchange proceeds through the associative mechanism. The participation in exchange reactions of aggregates, containing both sodium and lithium derivatives, is suggested.