Dipyrrolyldiketone difluoroboron complexes: novel anion sensors with C-H...X- interactions

1,3-Dipyrrolyl-1,3-propanediones, synthesized from pyrroles and malonyl chloride, form BF2 complexes, which represent a new class of naked-eye sensors for halide and oxoanions. The association mode for the interactions of both the pyrrolyl NH and bridging CH protons with anions was confirmed by 1H NMR chemical shifts in CD2Cl2 and supported by theoretical studies. The binding constants (Ka) were estimated as 8.1x10(4), 2.0x10(3), 3.3x10(2), 1.3x10(4), and 80 M(-1) for F-, Cl-, Br-, H2PO4(-), and HSO4(-) by UV/Vis absorption spectral changes in CH2Cl2. Augmentation of Ka compared with dipyrrolylquinoxaline for H2PO4(-) is much larger than those for other anions. Contrary to other anions, F- quenches the emission almost completely, which was detected by the fluorescence spectrum as well as the naked-eye. In the case of the chloride anion complex, the formation of Cl(-)-bridged 1D networks, in which anion is associated with two BF2 complexes, is observed in the solid state.     

1-D cobalt(II) spin transition compound with strong interchain interaction: [Co(pyterpy)Cl(2)].X

Cobalt(II) compounds [Co(pyterpy)Cl(2)].MeOH (1.(MeOH)) and [Co(pyterpy)Cl(2)].2H(2)O (1.(2H(2)O)) were synthesized. The compound 1.(MeOH) forms the quasi 3-D networks by making pi-pi stacking between the 1-D chains. The methanol molecules from 1.(MeOH) can be removed by heating, and substituted by absorption of water molecules. The MeOH molecules in 1.(MeOH) are removed by heating at 410 K, and they are substituted by water molecules to form 1.(2H(2)O). 1.(2H(2)O) exhibits a S = (3)/(2) (HS) left arrow over right arrow S = (1)/(2) (LS) spin transition with a thermal hysteresis. We have succeeded in constructing a guest dependent 1-D spin-crossover cobalt(II) compound.     

Radical cyclization by ipso substitution of the methoxy group: considerable effect of HMPA on samarium-mediated cyclization

Alkyl radicals generated by treatment of thiocarbamates of conformationally favorable 3-alkyl-3-arylpropan-1-ols with tris(trimethylsilyl)silane and AIBN efficiently undergo intramolecular ipso substitution of the methoxy group, yielding the corresponding cyclized products. In contrast, either conformationally favorable or flexible 1-arylalkan-3- or 4-ones easily cyclize into five- or six-membered condensed rings by treatment with SmI(2) via ketyl radical intermediates. The addition of HMPA as cosolvent dramatically changes the cyclization mode of the SmI(2)-induced reaction, and the para-cyclization products are exclusively formed. This "HMPA effect" can be rationalized by the strong chelating ability of HMPA with the samarium atom.     

Dynamics and thermodynamics of dimerization of parallel G-quadruplexed DNA formed from d(TTAGn) (n=3-5)

Parallel G-quadruplexes formed from oligonucleotide sequences, d(TTAGn), where n = 3-5, have been shown to form a dimer through end-to-end stacking of 3'-terminal G-tetrads. The monomers and dimers of the G-quadruplexes are in dynamic equilibrium with an exchange rate of approximately 1 s-1. A thermodynamic study demonstrated that the dimerization of the G-quadruplexes is largely enthalpic in origin.     

Macromolecular chirality induction on optically inactive poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide) with chiral amines: a dynamic conformational transition of poly(phenyl isocyanide) derivatives

Optically active polyisocyanides (poly(iminomethylenes)) have been prepared with much interest in developing new functional materials. Polyisocyanides have been considered to have a stable 4(1) helical conformation even in solution when they have a bulky side group. However, the conformational characteristics of poly(phenyl isocyanide) (PPI) derivatives are still under debate. We now report that an optically inactive PPI derivative, poly(4-carboxyphenyl isocyanide) (poly-1), shows optical activity in the polymer backbone induced by external, chiral stimuli through acid-base interactions under thermodynamic control and exhibits induced circular dichroism (ICD) in the UV-visible region in DMSO. The ICD intensities of the poly-1-chiral amine complexes in DMSO gradually increased with time, and, in one case, the value reached 3 times that of the original value after 2 months at 30 degrees C. The conformational changes also occurred very slowly for poly-1 alone and its ethyl ester with time on the basis of (1)H NMR spectroscopic analysis. These results indicate that PPIs bearing a less bulky substituent may not have a 4(1) helical conformation but have a different type of prochiral conformation, for instance, an s-trans (zigzag) structure which may transform to a dynamic, one-handed helical conformation when the PPIs have a functional group capable of interacting with chiral compounds. The mechanism of helicity induction on poly-1 through a dynamic conformational transition is discussed on the basis of the above results together with molecular dynamic simulation results for PPI.     

Highly sensitive determination of a polymeric hindered amine light stabilizer in polypropylene by reactive thermal desorption-gas chromatography using nitrogen-specific detection

Highly sensitive and specific determination of trace amounts of a polymeric hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) in polypropylene (PP) materials could be established by improving reactive thermal desorption-gas chromatography (RTD-GC) in the presence of an organic alkali, tetramethylammonium hydroxide. By using nitrogen-phosphorus detection, highly selective detection of the HALS-related components was attained. In addition, the use of a polar poly(ethylene glycol) separation column alleviated the adsorption of minor specific pyrolysis products. This modified RTD-GC method allowed the determination of the polymeric HALS (Mr 1900) in PP even for trace concentrations between 100 and 500 ppm, through observing selectively the characteristic products containing a tetramethylpiperidine moiety, which had been impossible to detect under the previous RTD-GC conditions using a non-polar separation column and conventional flame ionization detection.     

Synthesis of planar-chiral paracyclophanes via samarium(II)-catalyzed intramolecular pinacol coupling

[reaction: see text] A series of [n]paracyclophanediols (n = 8-12) was synthesized by samarium-catalyzed pinacol coupling for their ansa-bridge formation. Enantiomerically pure [n]paracyclophane esters were derived from the diols in a several steps via chiral resolution (for n = 10) or via crystallization-induced asymmetric transformation (for n = 11) by using amino alcohol auxiliaries and their selective cleavages.     

Origin of visible-light-driven photocatalysis: A comparative study on N/F-doped and N-F-codoped TiO2 powders by means of experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations

An overall comparative study was carried out on N-doped, F-doped, and N-F-codoped TiO₂ powders (NTO, FTO, NFTO) synthesized by spray pyrolysis in order to elucidate the origin of their visible-light-driven photocatalysis. The comparisons in their experimentally obtained characteristics were based on the analysis of XPS, UV-Vis, PL, NH₃-TPD and ESR spectra. The comparisons in their theoretically predicted properties were based on the analysis of the calculated electronic structures. As the results, N-doping into TiO₂ resulted in not only the improvement in visible-light absorption but also the creation of surface oxygen vacancies. F-doping produced several beneficial effects including the creation of surface oxygen vacancies, the enhancement of surface acidity and the increase of Ti³⁺ ions. Doped N atoms formed a localized energy state above the valence band of TiO₂, whereas doped F atoms themselves had no influence on the band structure. The photocatalytic tests indicated that the NFTO demonstrated the highest visible-light activity for decompositions of both acetaldehyde and trichloroethylene. This high activity was ascribed to a synergetic consequence of several beneficial effects induced by the N-F-codoping.