Tetranuclear, Oxygen Centered Copper(II) Clusters Linked Together with Guanidine-Guanidinate Ligands

The reaction of copper(I) chloride with Htbo (1,4,6-triazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-4-ene) under reflux in THF with oxidation by oxygen, produces a neutral cluster comprising two oxo-tetra-copper(II) units connected by six tbo⁻ bridges three of them bind two and the other three bind four metals; each unit also contains three chlorine bridges and a Htbo terminal ligand. Two different X-ray crystal structures (1a, 1b) have been determined and the magnetic behavior has been studied. The molar magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate strong exchange interactions within an oxo cluster with coupling constants of J ₁ = −163 cm⁻¹ and J ₂ = −1.1 cm⁻¹, and a weak interaction across the guanidinate bridges of J ₃ = −5.2 cm⁻¹ of the octa-Cu^II cluster.     

Synthesis, Characterization and the Antioxidative Activity of Zinc(II), Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Schiff-base Complexes

A naringenin Schiff-base ligand (H₃L) and its three complexes, MHL . nH₂O (M = Zn and Cu, n = 0.5) and NiH₂LOAc . 3.5H₂O, have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity and i.r. spectrum, ¹H-n.m.r., u.v. spectra and thermal analyses. In addition, the suppression ratio for O₂^−˙ (a) and the suppression ratio for OH˙(b) were determined by the use of spectrophotometric methods. IC₅₀(a) and IC₅₀(b) of the complexes are given. The results show that compared to the ligand, the complexes exhibit high activity in the suppression of O₂^−˙ (a) and OH˙(b).     

Re-examination of 7,7′-dimethyl-7-germanorbornadiene photocleavage in solution and in organic glasses

Dimethylgermylene and its Ge=Ge doubly bonded dimer, tetramethyldigermene, have been characterized directly in solution by 308-nm laser flash photolysis in n-hexane solution, as well as 254-nm photolysis in hydrocarbon glasses at t = 77 K. An absorption band maximum of λ _max ≈ 430 nm and molar absorption coefficient of ε ≈ 2,700 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ have been shown to be attributable to low-temperature glasses, while the absorption band maximum of λ _max ≈ 480 nm and molar absorption coefficient of ε ≈ 2,400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ have been shown to be related to dimethylgermylene in n-hexane solution. The molar absorption coefficient of tetramethyldigermene (λ _max ≈ 380 nm) was determined to be ε ≈ 84,000 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. The germylene is formed via (formal) cheletropic photocycloreversion of 7,7′-dimethylgerma-1,4,5,6-tetraphenyl-2,3-benzo-norbornadiene. Tetramethyldigermene and 1,2,3,4-tetraphenylnaphthalene in the triplet state were formed, together with dimethylgermylene. We attempted to explain the various contradictory interpretations of experimental data existing in the literature on this reaction.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Relaxation Properties of Four Non-ion Transition Metal Manganese(II), Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Copper (II) Complexes with Derivatives from Diethylene Triamine Pentaacetic Acid and Isoniazid

A novel ligand (H₂L), diethylenetriamine-N,N′,N′′-triacetylisoniazide N,N′′-bisacetic acid, and its four non-ion transition metal complexes, ML · nH₂O (M = Mn, n = 4; M = Co, Ni, n = 2; M = Cu, n = 1), have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, ¹H-NMR, FAB-MS, TG-DTA analysis and IR spectrum. In addition, relaxivity (R₁) of the complexes was determined, the relaxivity of MnL, CoL, NiL, CuL as well as Gd(DTPA)²⁻ used as a control are 6.94, 2.79, 2.52, 1.59 and 4.34 l mmol⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The relaxivity of MnL is larger than that of Gd(DTPA)²⁻. The results show that the complex of MnL may be a potential MRI contrast agent.     

Hydrolysis and Solvolysis of Methyltriethoxysilane Catalyzed with HCl or Trifluoroacetic Acid: IR Spectroscopic and Surface Energy Studies

The aim of this study was, at first, to re-consider the IR spectra of methyltriethoxysilane (MTEOS) catalysed with HCl (hydrolysis) and to compare them with IR spectra of MTEOS catalysed with trifluoroacetic acid (TFAcOH). TFAcOH as a strong carboxylic acid performs non-hydrolytic sol-gel process based on the condensation between the alkoxide and the acid function, liberating ester molecules (solvolysis). We assessed from the time-dependent IR attenuated reflection spectroscopic (IR ATR) measurements the solvolysis and hydrolysis reactions, formation of the oligomeric species and final condensation products. Additional evidence for the formation of these species was obtained from the spectra of films dip-coated from sols aged to different extent. The results of the IR spectral analysis showed that the structure of both xerogels consisted of irregular T_n (n = 8, 10, 12) cube-like species bridged via the ladder-like oligomers (in the case of MTEOS/TFAcOH) and open-chain trisiloxane species (for MTEOS/HCl). ²⁹Si NMR spectra of MTEOS/TFAcOH showed only signals of T³ while MTEOS/HCl spectra showed beside T³ also T² signals, in agreement with IR spectra results. From the XRD peaks at low Bragg angles (∼ 9–10°) we inferred that both xerogels consisted of nanocrystalline CH₃-SiO_3/2 species. In addition, the surface energy values of the films deposited from the corresponding sols were measured and the dispersive and polar portions correlated with the spectral features noted in the films.     

The Dissolution Properties of 2-(1,1-Dinitromethylene)-1,3-diazepentane in N-methyl Pyrrolidone

The dissolution properties of 2-(1,1-dinitromethylene)-1,3-diazepentane in N-methyl pyrrolidone(NMP) were studied with a RD496-2000 Calvet microcalorimeter at three different temperatures. The measured molar enthalpies (Δ_sol H) for 2-(1,1-dinitromethylene)-1,3-diazepentane in NMP at T=(298.15,306.15,311.15) K are (5.02, 5.59, 6.67) kJ⋅mol⁻¹, respectively. The differential molar enthalpies (Δ_dif H), the specific enthalpies (Δ_sol h), and the standard heat effect (Q ^Θ) for 2-(1,1-dinitromethylene)-1,3-diazepentane in NMP were obtained at the same time. The kinetic parameters of activation energy E and pre-exponential factor A are 2.26×10⁴ J⋅mol⁻¹ and 10^2.06 s⁻¹, which indicate that NMP is a good solvent for the title compound.     

Utilization of solid phase spectrophotometry for the determination of trace amounts of copper using 5-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline

A simple, selective, highly sensitive and accurate procedure for the determination of trace amounts of copper has been developed based on solid-phase spectrophotometry. Copper reacts with 5-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline (BTAHQ) to give a complex with high molar absorptivity (3.17 × 10⁷ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, 3.07 × 10⁸ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, 1.22 × 10⁹ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹, and 1.80 × 10⁹ L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹), fixed on a Dowex 1-X8 type anion-exchange resin for 10 mL, 100 mL, 500 mL, and 1000 mL, respectively. The absorbance at 667 nm and 800 nm packed in a 1.0 mm cell was measured directly. Calibration is linear over the range 0.2–3.7 μg L⁻¹ with RSD of < 1.28 % (n = 10). The detection and quantification limits of the 500 mL sample method are 79 ng L⁻¹ and 260 ng L⁻¹ when using 60 mg of Dowex 1-X8. For a 1000 mL sample, the detection and quantification limits are 67 ng L⁻¹ and 220 ng L⁻¹ using 60 mg of the exchanger. Increasing the sample volume can enhance the sensitivity. The proposed method was applied to the determination of copper in different environmental water samples (tap, pit, spring, and river), food products (rice, corn flour, and tea), and mushrooms, using the standard addition technique.     

Segregation of human prostate tissues classified high-risk (UK) versus low-risk (India) for adenocarcinoma using Fourier-transform infrared or Raman microspectroscopy coupled with discriminant analysis

Vibrational spectroscopy techniques can be applied to identify a susceptibility-to-adenocarcinoma biochemical signature. A sevenfold difference in incidence of prostate adenocarcinoma (CaP) remains apparent amongst populations of low- (e.g. India) compared with high-risk (e.g. UK) regions, with migrant studies implicating environmental and/or lifestyle/dietary causative factors. This study set out to determine the biospectroscopy-derived spectral differences between risk-associated cohorts to CaP. Benign prostate tissues were obtained using transurethral resection from high-risk (n = 11, UK) and low-risk (n = 14, India) cohorts. Samples were analysed using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, FTIR microspectroscopy and Raman microspectroscopy. Spectra were subsequently processed within the biochemical cell region (1,800⁻¹–500 cm^–1) employing principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to determine whether wavenumber–absorbance/intensity relationships might reveal biochemical differences associated with region-specific susceptibility to CaP. PCA-LDA scores and corresponding cluster vector plots identified pivotal segregating biomarkers as 1,582 cm⁻¹ (Amide I/II trough); 1,551 cm⁻¹ (Amide II); 1,667 cm⁻¹ (Amide I); 1,080 cm⁻¹ (DNA/RNA); 1,541 cm⁻¹ (Amide II); 1,468 cm⁻¹ (protein); 1,232 cm⁻¹ (DNA); 1,003 cm⁻¹ (phenylalanine); 1,632 cm⁻¹ [right-hand side (RHS) Amide I] for glandular epithelium (P < 0.0001) and 1,663 cm⁻¹ (Amide I); 1,624 cm⁻¹ (RHS Amide I); 1,126 cm⁻¹ (RNA); 1,761, 1,782, 1,497 cm⁻¹ (RHS Amide II); 1,003 cm⁻¹ (phenylalanine); and 1,624 cm⁻¹ (RHS Amide I) for adjacent stroma (P < 0.0001). Primarily protein secondary structure variations were biomolecular markers responsible for cohort segregation with DNA alterations exclusively located in the glandular epithelial layers. These biochemical differences may lend vital insights into the aetiology of CaP.     

Novel oxalate-bridged trinuclear FeIII-MII-FeIII (M = Cu and VO) complexes: synthesis and magnetism

Two new heterotrinuclear Fe^III-M^II-Fe^III oxalate-bridged complexes have been prepared, and characterized, namely M^II[(ox)Fe^III(Salen)]₂, [Salen = N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneiminate), ox = oxalate, M = Cu (1) and VO (2)]. Based on elemental analysis, conductivity measurements and i.r. spectra, the complexes are proposed to have an oxalate-bridged structure. The magnetic susceptibilities of the complexes were measured over the 4.2–300 K range, giving the exchange integrals J _AB = −4.23 cm⁻¹, J _AA = −2.47 cm⁻¹ for (1) and J _AB = −5.42 cm⁻¹, J _AA = −1.55 cm⁻¹ for (2). These results revealed the operation of an antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction between the metal ions. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

DFT study of the structure and stability of Pu(III) and Pu(IV) chloro complexes

The structural characteristics and energies of PuCl _n ^{(3 − n)+} and PuCl _n ^{(4 − n)+} complexes (n = 2–8) have been studied by the density functional theory (DFT) method in the SVWN5 local functional approximation.     

Photoisomerisation in single molecules of nitroprusside embedded in mesopores of xerogels

Photoswitchable hybrid materials are successfully prepared by embedding guanidinium nitroprussides (GuNP, (CN₃H₆)₂[Fe(CN)₅NO]) into mesopores of transparent xerogel monoliths. The such prepared hybrid materials exhibit a higher photostability than the corresponding GuNP solutions, whereby the chemical stability of the [Fe(CN)₅NO]²⁻-anion in titania gel is nearly infinite. By irradiation with light in the blue-green spectral range one nitrosyl isomer is formed by a 180° rotation of the NO ligand changing the Fe–NO into a Fe–ON coordination (SI), which is detected by the shift of the ν(NO) stretching vibration from 1945 cm⁻¹ (Fe–NO) to 1820  cm⁻¹ (Fe–ON). Consequently there is enough space around the NO-ligand for such movement in xerogel mesopores. The embedding in silica xerogels increases the achievable population of the isomeric nitrosyl configuration to about 15% with respect to a single crystalline powder where only 9% are reached.     

Synthesis of polypyrrole nanoparticles by oil-in-water microemulsion polymerization with narrow size distribution

Conductive spherical polypyrrole nanoparticles were obtained by polymerization in oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsions using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as anionic surfactant, ethanol as co-surfactant, and potassium persulfate (KPS, 0.017 wt.%) as oxidizing agent. The average particle diameter (Dp) of the nanoparticles was between 38 and 45 nm with narrow particle size distributions (D _w/D _n < 1.2). Dp increases with the ethanol concentration due to the intercalation between the polar heads of SDS, promoting instability of the nanoparticles and some coagulation. In this work, low surfactant concentration was used, and the molar ratio of the oxidizing agent to monomer was 8.5 × 10⁻³, a value much lower compared with others reported in the literature. Increasing the ethanol concentration in the recipes enhanced the conductive properties of the polymers due to the high π-conjugation length obtained.     

Relaxation of vibrationally excited gas-phase Cr(CO) 5 −

Radiative relaxation of Cr(CO)₅⁻ was investigated by two techniques: a standard two-pulse photodissociation experiment and by using the branching ratio of its reaction with oxygen as an ion thermometric probe. Photoexcitation at 1064 nm was used to prepare highly vibrationally excited Cr(CO)₅⁻. Although the overall oxidation rate changes only slightly upon excitation (actually decreasing by a factor of 1.2 ± 0.1), the primary product distribution shifts dramatically, from Cr(CO)₃O⁻ (the thermodynamic product) to Cr(CO)₃O₂⁻ (the kinetic product). The two-pulse photodissociation measurement gave a radiative relaxation rate constant (k _rad) of 15 ± 2 s⁻¹, whereas the branching ratio experiments gave a k _rad value of 3. 3 ± 0.7 s⁻¹. The large difference between these two values is due to the difference in Cr(CO)₅⁻ internal energy ranges probed by the two techniques. In the high internal energy regime interrogated by the two-pulse measurements (about 12,000 to 6000 cm⁻¹), the strongly emitting C-O stretching modes are populated and contribute to fast relaxation. In contrast, the branching ratio measurements remain sensitive to internal energy changes all the way down to thermal energies, where the C-O stretches are depopulated and thus unavailable for radiative relaxation.     

Solvent extraction of uranium(VI) by p-tert-butylcalix[n]-arene acetate

The solvent extraction of U(VI) by p-tert-butylcalix[n]-arene acetate (H _n L) (n=4, 6, 8) has been studied. The effects of acidity in aqueous phase and concentration of extractant in organic phase on the distribution ratio were examined. It has been found that the distribution ratio is proportional to [H⁺]⁻² and [H _n L]_(O) and the extracted complex species is UO₂H _n ⁻²L. The equilibrium constants of the extraction reactions have been determined. The reaction mechanism is discussed.     

Spin crossover in iron(II) complexes with tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane

Mononuclear iron(II) coordination compounds with tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane (HC(Pz)₃) described as [Fe{HC(Pz)₃}₂]A₂ × nH₂O, where A = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, 1/2 SO₄²⁻, n = 0–7, were synthesized. The compounds were studied by static magnetic susceptibility measurements, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction. The crystal and molecular structures of all compounds were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Dramatic solvent effect on the volume of the Diels-Alder reaction between tetracyanoethylene and cyclopentadiene

The partial molar volumes (V) and the enthalpies of dissolution (Δ_dis H) for tetracyanoethylene, cyclopentadiene, and their Diels—Alder adduct were determined at 25°C. Eleven solvents of the π- and n-donor type were used. The use of alkylbenzenes as solvents for tetracyanoethylene induces pronounced changes in the enthalpy of dissolution (up to 26 kJ mol⁻¹) and in the partial molar volume (up to 11 cm³ mol⁻¹), whereas these parameters for the adduct change slightly. TheV and Δ_dis H values for cyclopentadiene virtually do not depend on the nature of the solvent. In the case of tetracyanoethylene and the adduct in n-donor solvents, considerable variations of theV and Δ_dis H values are observed; they are not linear functions of the change in the partial molar volume of the adduct. Therefore, the reaction volumes in acetonitrile (−40.69) and ethyl acetate (−45.56) differ sharply from those ino-xylene (−24.28) and mesitylene (−21.76 cm³ mol⁻¹). Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1046–1050, June, 2000.     

Effect of a Carboxylic Group on the Conformational Properties of Some Gemini Surfactants

Molar volumes of derivatives of N,N-bisdimethyl-1,2-ethanediamine of general formula [C _n H_2n+1OOCCH₂(CH₃)₂N⁺CH₂CH₂N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂COOC _n H_2n+1]2Cl⁻ (bis-C _n BEC), and betaine ester derivatives of general formula N⁺(CH₃)₃CH₂COOC _n H_2n+1Cl⁻ (C _n BEC), were calculated by means of molecular connectivity indices and an additivity scheme. The COO group contribution in the β-position to the molar volume of bis-C _n BEC was found from experimental data to be significantly lower from that for C _n BEC and was estimated to be 13.5 cm³⋅mol⁻¹. It is suggested that this effect is due to hydrogen bonding between the carboxyl groups via water molecules. Molecular dynamics simulations of bis-C₁₂BEC and 14–2–14 molecules in water were performed and suggest that the upper part of the bis-C₁₂BEC, containing the carboxyl groups, is stiffened by its hydration shell.     

Thermochemical Properties of Palladium(II) Chelates Involving Dialkyldithiocarbamates

The standard molar enthalpies of formation of crystalline dialkyldithiocarbamates chelates, [Pd(S₂CNR₂)₂], with R=C₂H₅, n-C₃H₇, n-C₄H₉ and i-C₄H₉, were determined through reaction-solution calorimetry in acetone, at 298.15 K. From the standard molar enthalpies of formation of the gaseous chelates, the homolytic (172.4±3.8, 182.5±3.2,150.9±3.1 and 162.6±3.1 kJ mol⁻¹) and heterolytic (745.0±3.8, 803.7±3.3,834.3±3.1 and 735.2±3.0 kJ mol⁻¹) mean palladium-sulphur bond-dissociation enthalpies were calculated. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Binuclear iron(III) complexes bridged by terephthalato groups

Six new μ-terephthalato iron(III) binuclear complexes have been prepared and identified: [Fe₂(TPHA)(L)₄]-(ClO₄)₄ [L = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy); 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂bpy); 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me-phen); 5-chloro-1,10-phenanthroline (Cl-phen) and 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen)]; where TPHA = the terephthalate dianion. Based on the elemental analyses, molar conductance and magnetic moments of room-temperature measurements, and spectroscopic studies, extended TPHA-bridged structures consisting of two iron(III) ions, each in an octahedral environment, are proposed for these complexes. The [Fe₂(TPHA)(Me-phen)₄](ClO₄)₄ (1) and [Fe₂(TPHA)(phen)₄](ClO₄)₄ (2) complexes were characterized by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility (4–300 K) measurements and the observed data were successfully simulated by the equation based on the spin Hamiltonian operator, Ĥ = −2JŜ ₁ Ŝ ₂, giving the exchange integrals J = −1.05 cm⁻¹ for (1) and J = −9.28 cm⁻¹ for (2). This result indicates the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic spin-exchange interaction between the metal ions within each molecule. The influence of the terminal ligand methyl substituents on magnetic interactions between the metals is also discussed. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Chromium(III)-oxalates-2-hydroxynicotinate and Chromium(III)-oxalates-3-hydroxypicolinate Aquation in HClO4 Solutions

New chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(2-hnic)]²⁻ and [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(3-hpic)]²⁻ (where 2-hnic = O,O′-bonded 2-hydroxynicotinic acid and 3-hpic = N,O-bonded 3-hydroxypicolinic acid), were obtained and characterized in solution. The acid-catalyzed aquation of the both complexes leads to liberation of the appropriate pyridinecarboxylic acid and formation of cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]⁻. Kinetics of these reactions were studied spectrophotometrically in the 0.1–1.0 M HClO₄ range, at I = 1.0 M. In the case of [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(2-hnic)]²⁻, a slow chelate-ring opening at the Cr–O (phenolate) bond is followed by a fast Cr–O (carboxylate) bond breaking. The rate law: k_obs = k_HQ_H[H⁺] was established, where k_H is the acid-catalyzed rate constant and Q_H is the protonation constant of the coordinated phenolate oxygen atom. In the case of [Cr(C₂O₄)₂(3-hpic)]²⁻, the reversible chelate-ring opening at Cr–N bond is followed by the rate determining step – the one-end bonded ligand liberation. The rate law for the first step was determined: k_obs = k₁+k₋₁/Q₁[H⁺], where k₁ and k₋₁ are the rate constants of the chelate-ring opening and closure and Q₁ is the protonation constant of the pyridine nitrogen atom. The aquation mechanisms are proposed and the effect of ligand coordination mode on complex reactivity is discussed.