Synthesis of ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes and their catalytic activities in transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Three RuCl₂(η⁶-arene, η¹-carbene) and two RuCl₂(NHC)(arene) complexes have been prepared by the reaction of bis(1,3-dialkylperhydrobenzimidazol-2-ylidene) (1) and bis(1,3-dialkyl-4-methylzimidazolin-2-ylidene) (3) with [RuCl₂(arene)]₂ in toluene and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy. The catalytic activities of these complexes were examined in the transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones using 2-propanol as hydrogen source.     

Heavy atom free singlet oxygen generation: doubly substituted configurations dominate S1 states of bis-BODIPYs

S(0), S(1), and T(1) states of various orthogonal 8,8' and 8,2'-bis-boradiaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) dyes, recently (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed.2011, 50, 11937) proposed as heavy atom free photosensitizers for O(2)((1)Δ(g)) generation, were studied by multireference quantum chemical approaches. S(0)→S(1) excitation characteristics of certain bis-BODIPYs are shown to be drastically different than the parent BODIPY chromophore. Whereas a simple HOMO→LUMO-type single substitution perfectly accounts for the BODIPY core, S(1) states of certain orthogonal bis-BODIPYs are described as linear combinations of doubly substituted (DS) configurations which overall yield four electrons in four singly occupied orbitals. Computed DS character of S(1), strongly correlated with facile (1)O(2) production, was presumed to occur via S(1)→T(1) intersystem crossing (ISC) of the sensitizer. Further confirmation of this relation was provided by newly synthesized BODIPY derivatives and comparison of spectroscopic properties of their dimers and monomers. Near-IR absorption, desired for potential photodynamic therapy applications, was not pursuable for bis-chromophores by the standard strategy of π-extension, as DS singlet states are destabilized. Decreased exchange coupling in π-extended cases appears to be responsible for this destabilization. Comparisons with iodine incorporated bis-BODIPYs suggest that the dynamics of (1)O(2) generation via DS S(1) states are qualitatively different from that via ISC originating from heavy atom spin-orbit coupling. Although red-shifting the absorption wavelength to enter the therapeutic window does not seem attainable for orthogonal bis-BODIPYs with DS S(1) states, modifications in the chromophore cores are shown to be promising in fine-tuning the excitation characteristics.     

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite by using calcium carbonate and phosphoric acid in various water-ethanol solvent systems

The purpose of the present study is to synthesize hydroxyapatite by using CaCO₃ and H₃PO₄ in various water-ethanol solvent systems. It was observed from experiments that formation of ammonium phosphate compounds hindered the formation of calcium phosphates in ethanol medium. Although the reactivity was better in aqueous medium, the carbonate contents of the products obtained were above 8.5%. Best results with a carbonate content as low as 3.82% was obtained in 50% ethanol containing mixed-aqueous medium at 80°C and the FTIR analysis showed that the product was a carbonated apatite with a calculated composition of 14CaO·4.2P₂O₅·CO₃·7.2H₂O. The amorphous and porous phosphate compound obtained with a BET surface area of 106.6 m² g⁻¹ seems to be useful as adsorbent in wastewater treatment. Upon sintering of the amorphous product at 750°C, crystalline hydroxyapatite with a BET surface area of 25.9 m² g⁻¹ is obtained that may be used in biomedical applications.      

3‐(2‐Furyl)‐6‐(4‐methyl­phenyl)‐7H‐1,2,4‐triazolo­[3,4‐b][1,3,4]thia­diazine and its 6‐phenyl analogue

In the title compounds, C₁₅H₁₂N₄OS, (I), and C₁₄H₁₀N₄OS, (II), the thia­diazine ring adopts a skew‐boat conformation, while the triazole and furyl rings are essentially planar. The phenyl group is twisted by 33.5 (2) and 47.9 (1)° out of the triazole‐ring plane in (I) and (II), respectively.