Anodic behaviour of mono- and bisdithiafulvenyl-9,9′-spirobifluorene: insertion of vinylogous TTF into the spirobifluorenyle framework

New three-dimensional copolymers containing 9,9′-spirobifluorenyl-ethylene units were prepared by anodic oxidation of 9,9′-spirobifluorenes 2-mono- or 2,7′-disubstituted by a dithiafulvenyl unit. The synthesis, physicochemical properties and electrochemistry of both monomers and derived oligomers and polymers are reported.     

Hydrogenation asymetrique de precurseurs d'aminoacides a l'aide de mono- et diphosphines derivees de sucres

Mono- and di-phosphines derived from sugars are synthesized and used as ligands in asymmetric catalysis. In the presence of a base (triethylamine, KOH…) the cationic complex [Rh(COD)dioxop]⁺ClO₄^?, catalyzes reduction of α-amino acid precursors with high optical yields (78–86%). The influence of the base is discussed.     

Highly enantiomerically enriched chlorophosphine boranes: synthesis and applications as P-chirogenic electrophilic blocks

The stereoselective synthesis of P-chirogenic chlorophosphine boranes 4 was investigated by HCl acidolysis of the corresponding aminophosphine boranes 10. The reaction afforded the P-N bond cleavage with inversion of the configuration at the phosphorus center, leading to the chlorophosphine boranes 4 with high to excellent enantiomeric purities (80-99% ee), except in the case of the chloro-1-naphthylphenylphosphine borane 4d. Reaction conditions and workup significantly influence the enantiomeric purity of the product, with the exception of the o-anisyl- and o-tolylchlorophenylphosphine boranes, 4b and 4c, which were found to be particularly stable even after purification by chromatography on silica gel. Reaction of the chlorophosphine boranes 4 with various nucleophiles, such as carbanions, phenolates, thiophenolates, or amides, afforded the corresponding organophosphorus borane complexes via P-C, P-O, P-S, and P-N bond formation, respectively, in 34-93% yield and with up to 99% ee. This work demonstrates the importance of chlorophosphine boranes 4 as new and powerful electrophilic building blocks for the highly stereoselective synthesis of P-chirogenic organophosphorus compounds.     

Playing with podands based on cone-shaped cavities. How can a cavity influence the properties of an appended metal centre?

The potential of molecules that combine the properties of a conical cavity with those of a covalently-linked transition-metal centre is highlighted through the assessment of cyclodextrin- and calixarene-derived podands ("cavitand" ligands) in coordination chemistry and catalysis. Metallocavitands with coordination sites directed towards the interior of the generic cavity provide interesting systems for studying host-guest complexation processes, their enhanced strength of metal-ion binding allowing for regioselective catalysis in a confined environment, and stabilisation of coordination complexes of unusual forms. Where cavitands have exo-oriented podand arms, the intrinsic dynamics of the cavity can dramatically modify metal chelation behaviour and the catalytic properties of the complexes. Such functionalised cavities are also useful as metal-ion transporters.     

Electroactive ligands: the first metal complexes of tetrathiafulvenyl-acetylacetonate

The reaction of tris(alkylthio)tetrathiafulvalene thiolates with 3-chloro-2,4-pentanedione affords tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) moieties substituted by the acetylacetone function (TTFSacacH), precursors of novel redox-active ligands: the acetylacetonate ions (TTFSacac). These TTFSacacHs have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses, and similar trends have been observed, such as a TTF core almost planar and the acetylacetone substituent located in a plane almost perpendicular to the plane formed by the TTF core. Their chelating ability has been demonstrated by the formation of the corresponding M(TTFSacac)2(pyridine)2 complexes in the presence of M(II)(OAc)2.H2O (M = Ni2+, Zn2+). These complexes with TTFSacac moieties, Ni(TTFSacac)2(pyridine)2, 6b, and Zn(TTFSacac)2(pyridine)2, 7b, have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analyses, showing in all structures the metal(II) center chelated by two TTFacac units in the equatorial plane and the octahedral coordination geometry around the metal completed by two axial pyridine ligands. Cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible-near infrared spectroscopic measurements have evidenced a sizable interaction between the two electroactive ligands and the stabilization of a mixed-valence state in the one-electron oxidized complexes.     

A Chemical Study of Burley Tobacco Flavour (Nicotiana tabacum L.). I. Volatile to medium-volatile constituents (b.p. ≦ 84°/0.001 Torr

The fraction b.p. ≦ 84° (0.001 Torr) from Burley tobacco condensate was carefully investigated using fractional distillation and preparative column and gas liquid chromatography aided by GLC/MS coupling. Among the 193 compounds thus separated and characterized by their spectral data, 81 were newly identified tobacco constituents. Most of the compounds isolated in the course of this work display flavouring properties which make them highly suitable for improving the flavour and aroma of tobacco and tobacco smoke.     

Ultraviolet emission spectra of sunbeds

It is well known that UV radiation contributes to the development of skin cancer. Exposure to solar radiation is predominantly responsible for the high incidence rate of skin cancer, but there are also indications that sunbeds are involved. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the UV emission spectra of sunbeds. It included the most common sunbed models, which cover more than 50% of the Swiss market. The UV emission spectra of sunbeds have special characteristics and are different from the sun spectrum, which can be seen in high-resolution spectral measurements. Sunbed emission spectra are similar to the sun spectrum in the UVB (280-320 nm) range but reach values 10 to 15 times higher in the UVA (320-400 nm) range. An average erythema-effective irradiance of 0.33 W/m2 was determined for sunbeds. This corresponds to a UV index of 13, which is significantly higher than the UV index of 8.5 of the high summer sun at noon at intermediate latitudes. The measurements were spread over the whole effective area of the sunbeds, and an inhomogeneous distribution of the irradiances with variations of up to 30% from the average value was found.     

Volumetric properties of the boldine + alcohol mixtures at atmospheric pressure from 283.15 to 333.15 K: A new method for the determination of the density of pure boldine

Densities of boldine + alcohol binary mixtures were measured over the whole accessible range of boldine compositions at temperatures from 283.15 to 333.15 K using an Anton-Paar digital vibrating glass tube densimeter. The binary systems studied include, as a solvent, seven normal alcohols from n-C₁ to n-C₆, n-C₈, and isopropanol. The density of these systems has been found an increasing function of the boldine composition. A new methodology based on density data of solutions of solid solutes with normal alcohols is described in order to determine solid molar volume of pure solutes. This methodology was validated with pure solid naphthalene molar volumes data at 298.15 K, with an average uncertainty of 6%.     

A beta-glucosidase from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: biochemical characterization and use in oligosaccharide synthesis

The filamentous fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, grown on a xylose medium, was found to excrete one beta-glucosidase (beta-glu x). The enzyme was purified to apparent homogeneity by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration, anion-exchange chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) gel filtration chromatography. Its molecular mass was estimated to be 130 kDa by HPLC gel filtration and 60 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, suggesting that beta-glu x may be a homodimer. For p-nitrophenyl beta-d-glucopyranoside hydrolysis, apparent Km and Vmax values were found to be 0.09 mM and 193 U/mg, respectively, while optimum temperature and pH were 55-60 degrees C and pH 5.0, respectively. beta-Glu x was strongly inhibited by Fe2+ and activated about 35% by Ca2+. beta-Glu x possesses strong transglucosylation activity in comparison with commercially available beta-glucosidases. The production rate of total glucooligosaccharides (GOSs) from 30% cellobiose at 50 degrees C and pH 5.0 for 6 h with 0.6 U/mL of enzyme preparation was 80 g/L. It reached 105 g/L under the same conditions when using cellobiose at 350 g/L (1.023 M). Finally, GOS structure was determined by mass spectrometry and 3C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.     

IR and theoretical studies of monocarbonyl Ni complexes formed by adsorption of CO at low pressure on silica-supported Ni(II) ions

This work reports on the reactivity of coordination vacancies of Ni(II) ions grafted onto the tridentate silica support (Ni(II)(3c) ions) with respect to CO used as a probe molecule. The adsorption of CO at 77 K in the 0.3 to 3.5 Pa CO pressure range is studied by FTIR on two samples differing in the dispersion of nickel. Quantum chemical calculations by the DFT method are performed to investigate, using a cluster approach, the binding of Ni to silica and, after CO adsorption, the geometry of the resulting carbonyl Ni complexes. Silica is modeled by using clusters composed of three types of monodentate ligands, SiO(-), SiOSi and/or SiOH, found on the surface of silica. This work is devoted to the monocarbonyl complexes. Whatever the sample, only one type of monocarbonyl is formed from Ni(II)(3c) ions. It is shown that the charge of the silica cluster is the major parameter influencing the CO IR frequency whereas the nature and the size of the silica cluster do not affect the CO bond length, confirming that local electrostatic interactions predominate. Only the 1- charged silica cluster Si(5)O(3)(-), composed of SiO(-), 2SiOSi fragments, respectively, reproduces the Ni[bond]O distances derived from EXAFS for the Ni(II)(3c) grafted site and gives CO frequencies in good agreement with the experimental values. It is shown that CO is stabilized by a magnetic transition from the (3)Ni(2+) triplet to the (1)Ni(2+) singlet state occurring upon adsorption.