Synthesis and photophysical properties of meso-substituted bisporphyrins: comparative study of phosphorescence quenching for dioxygen sensing

The 4,6-bis(10-mesityl-5,15-di-p-tolylporpyrinyl)dibenzothiophene (H4DPSN) free base was obtained in five steps from commercially available materials. The metalation of DPSN2- with zinc(II), copper(II), and palladium(II) led to three new homobimetallic systems, (Zn)2DPSN, (Cu)2DPSN, and (Pd)2DPSN, respectively. The cofacial structures of these molecules offer the possibility of having dioxygen molecules inside the cavity for a period of time, allowing dynamic (collisional) phosphorescence quenching to be more efficient. The bimolecular excited-state deactivation rate constant for deactivation by dioxygen (kQ: (Pd)2DPB, 2.98x10(9); (Pd)2DPSN, 3.99x10(9); (Pd)2DPX, 6.94x10(9); (Pd)TPP, 8.95x10(9); (Pd)2DPS, 8.95x10(9) M-1 s-1) of (Pd)2DPSN, which exhibits an intense phosphorescence at 699 nm, was compared to those observed for (Pd)TPP, (Pd)2DPS, (Pd)2DPX, and (Pd)2DPB (TPP2-=tetraphenylporphyrin dianion, DPS4-=4,6-bis[5-(2,8,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrinyl)]dibenzothiophene tetraanion, DPX4-=4,5-bis[5-(2,8,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrinyl)]-9,9-dimethylxanthene tetraanion, and DPB4-=1,8-bis[5-(2,8,13,17-tetraethyl-3,7,12,18-tetramethylporphyrinyl)]biphenylene tetraanion). These collision-induced deactivation data were interpreted by estimating a series of physical parameters such as the surface area and bisporphyrin radii, the diffusion coefficient of the bismacrocycles, and the theoretical deactivation efficiency for the five compounds addressing the role of steric hindrance of the macrocycles on each other and the aryl groups at the meso positions. For sensing purposes, (Pd)2DPX is characterized by a Stern-Volmer constant kSV of 2.91x10(6) M-1, placing the lower detection limit for [O2] in solution at 0.58 ppm, which is better than that for (Pd)TPP (kSV=2.31x10(6) M-1; lower detection limit of 0.73 ppm), the classically used monoporphyrin complex.     

The role of additional solvents in transition metal complex catalyzed asymmetric reductions in ionic liquid containing systems

When ionic liquids (ILs) are employed as solvents for transition metal complex (TMC) catalyzed reductions, a second solvent can be added to increase the efficiency of the catalytic cycle and the solubility of the reactant in the IL phase. Two industrially relevant asymmetric hydrogenations, the enantioselective reductions of methyl 2-acetamidoacrylate with Rh-EtDuPHOS and methyl acetoacetate with Ru-BINAP, were performed in different catalytic systems including 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate/ tetrafluoroborate as ILs. Product separation and TMC recycling was performed by extracting the product from the reaction mixture. This can be accomplished by cooling the system, by adding an excess of the second solvent or by adding a third solvent. A high solubility of the second solvent in the IL catalytic phase favors the reaction activity, but can induce leaching of the IL and TMC.     

Temperature-sensitive luminescence of tris (β-diketone) europium chelates for monitoring high-speed cationic photopolymerizations

The temperature-dependent luminescence of tris (β-diketone) chelates of europium was used for in situ temperature measurements during cationic photopolymerizations of vinyl ethers. These molecular-level luminescent probes provided a real-time, noninvasive method for monitoring temperature during these high-speed polymerizations. Two specific probes, tris (benzoyl-1, 1, 1-trifluoroacetone) europium and tris (1,1,1,5,5,5,-hexafluoroacetylacetone) europium, met several stringent spectral and performance requirements for application in our system. The luminescence from these probes exhibits a reproducible temperature dependence over a wide temperature range and is not sensitive to changes in viscosity. In situ temperature profiles obtained using this novel technique verified the importance of thermal effects during these highly exothermic photopolymerizations. These studies have demonstrated the utility of the tris(β-diketone) europium chelates for characterizing the temperature during high-speed photopolymerizations that cannot be monitored using conventional techniques. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Autoxidation of cyclohexane: conventional views challenged by theory and experiment.

In spite of its industrial importance, the detailed reaction mechanism of cyclohexane autoxidation by O2 is still insufficiently known. Based on quantum chemical potential energy surfaces, rate coefficients of the primary and secondary chain propagation steps involving the cyclohexylperoxyl (CyOO) radical were evaluated using multiconformer transition-state theory. Including tunneling and hindered-internal-rotation effects, the rate coefficient for hydrogen-atom abstraction from cyclohexane (CyH) by CyOO was calculated to be k(T)= 1.46 x 10(-11) x exp(-17.8 kcal mol(-1)/ RT) cm3s(-1) (300-600K), close to the experimental data. A "Franck-Rabinowitch cage" reaction between the nascent cyclohexylhydroperoxide (CyOOH) and cyclohexyl radical, products from CyOO + CyH, is put forward as an initially important cyclohexanol (CyOH) formation channel. alphaH abstraction by CyOO. from cyclohexanone was calculated to be only about five times faster than that from CyH, too slow to explain all the observed side products. The a-hydrogen (alphaH) abstractions from CyOH and CyOOH by CyOO. are predicted to be about 10 and 40 times faster, respectively, than the CyOO. +CyH reaction. The very fast CyOO.+CyOOH reaction proceeds through the unstable Cy-alphaH .OOH radical that decomposes spontaneously into the ketone (Q=O) plus the OH radical; the "hot" .OH is found to produce the bulk of the alcohol via a second, "activated cage" reaction analogous to that above. It is thus shown how the very reactive CyOOH intermediate is the predominant source of ketone and alcohol, while it also leads to some side products. The alpha-hydroxycyclohexylperoxyl radical formed during the moderately fast oxidation of CyOH is shown to decompose fast into HO2 + cyclohexanone in a rapidly equilibrated reaction, which constitutes a smaller, second ketone source. These two fast cyclohexanone forming routes avoid the need for unfavorable molecular routes hitherto invoked as ketone sources. The theoretical predictions are supported and complemented by experimental findings. The newly proposed scheme is also largely applicable to the oxidation of other hydrocarbons, such as toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene.     

Identification by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of lipids from the rat Harderian gland

Lipids from rat Harderian glands were extracted with ethyl acetate, hydrolysed with base and examined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as trimethylsilyl (TMS), [2H9]TMS, methyl ester-TMS, picolinyl, nicotinate and nicotinylidene derivatives. The latter three derivatives were used to reveal the structures of the alkyl chains of fatty acids, alcohols and glycerol ethers, respectively. Forty-eight compounds were identified, representing about 97% of the total extracted lipids as measured by GC peak areas. The major constituents were fatty acids with chain lengths from 12 to 22 carbon atoms (mainly C18 and C20) and fatty alcohols (C16 to C26) derived from wax esters. Most of these acids and alcohols were unsaturated in the omega-7 position and were accompanied by smaller amounts of the saturated and omega-5 monounsaturated analogues. glycerol ethers were also identified for the first time in this secretion; the ether chains contained from 14 to 19 carbon atoms (mainly 16) and were straight-chain saturated, unsaturated (omega-5 and omega-7) and branched (iso). The only sterol found was cholesterol amounting to 1.24% of the total extract.     

The solid state and solution chemistry of dichlorobis(α-picoline)-cobalt(II)

Summary The thermal decomposition of [CoCl₂(-pic)₂] was investigated over the 108°C to 222°C range and the Intennediates CoCl₂(-pic) (s) and CoCl₂ (s) were observed, with the evolution of (-pic) (g). Quantitative thermodynamic and kinetic data were obtained by performing dynamic and isothermal studies on the complex Additional thermodynamic data were obtained by studying the CoCl₂/-pic system in acetone. The effect of the methylsubstituent on the metal-donor-N bond as well as on the thermodynamic quantities were discussed.     

A semi-micro synthesis of selenophene

A semi-micro preparation of selenophene is described which offers a convenient technique for the production of milligram quantities of the heterocycle. Selenophene is synthesized from bis-(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-butadiyne and sodium hydrogen selenide generated in situ from selenium and sodium borohydride in DMF-water. J. Chem. Soc., 14, 1115 (1977)     

The Role of Multiple Teaching Strategies in Promoting Active Learning in Organic Chemistry

We have introduced four alternative teaching strategies into our yearlong organic chemistry course and have assessed changes in student performance relative to the same course taught by the same instructors using a more traditional lecture format. These strategies, which include reading worksheets, dialogues, in-class worksheets, and role-playing, allow the professor to move through a learning cycle that may effectively accommodate the students needs and multiple learning styles. The reading worksheets guide students through the concept phase and dialogues help students identify the importance of the concepts as they articulate these ideas for themselves. Group worksheets and role-playing provide opportunities for peer-interaction, application of knowledge, creativity, and self-expression. Others have shown that active learning strategies neither enhance nor diminish a students ability to retain factual information, a finding that is supported by our study. Our data from this one study show, however, that students taught by a more traditional approach demonstrate a greater variation in final exam performance between first and second semesters than those taught using a combination of techniques. This result reflects a shift in emphasis from the professor as an information source to the actively engaged student taking responsibility for his or her own learning. This study suggests that these methods, when used in a consistent fashion in conjunction with interactive lecturing, provide a broad base to facilitate student learning and aid in the development of higher order thinking skills.