Ammonia chemical ionization mass spectrometry of alcohols: Structural,stereochemical, molecular-size and temperature effects

Ammonia chemical ionization (CI) mass spectra of various open-chain, cyclic and unsaturated C₅- to C₁₀-alcohols were obtained at source temperatures ranging from 60° to 250°C. The reactivity of the ammonia adduct ion MNH and its fragmentation channels are characteristic for substrate structure. Although strongly temperature-dependent, the spectra give nevertheless information on the OH-group environment as well as on the C-skeleton at any source temperature. Primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols as well as allylic and simple olefinic alcohols can be distinguished by their spectra, which show ammonium adduct ions [MNH₄]⁺, adduct dehydrogenation ions [MNH₄-H₂], ammonium substitution ions [MNH₄-H₂O]⁺ and [M-OH]⁺-ions as the main characteristic peaks. Moreover, konfigurational assignments of stereoisomeric alcohols are possible for larger substrate-size and source-temperature ranges than with isobutane CI mass spectrometry. Homologous M NH-ions show molecular-size control of fragmentation and linear MNH-ions are less stable than branched isomers due to incomplete energy randomization.     

Stereochemistry of planarchiral compounds,part X

2,7-Dibromo-1,6-methano[10]anulene (3) and 2,9-Dibromo-syn-1,6:8,13-diimino[14]anulene (9) were quantitatively separated into their enantiomers by chromatography on triacetylcellulose (TAC) in ethanol. X-ray structure analysis (Bijvoet technique) established the chiralities (+)(R)-3 and (+)(S)-9 for the dextrorotatory enantiomers.Comparison of the CD spectra allowed the configurational assignment to further optically active [10] and [14] anulenes which were also accessible by chromatography onTAC. Conversion of (+)(R)-2-bromo-1,6-methano[10]anulene (2) into the corresponding methylester (–)-4 confirmed its previously proposed chirality (–)(R).2,7-Dibromo-1,6-oxido[10]anulene (7) and 2,9-dibromo-syn-diimino[14]anulene (9) are in contrast to the 2,9-dibromo-syn-dioxido[14]anulene (10) optically stable until 250°C. Consequently their inversion barriers are higher than 42 kcal (176 kJ) mol^–1.The CD spectra of mono and disubstituted anulenes (with C₁ and C₂ symmetry, resp.) are compared: For the [10]anulenes theCotton effect around 330 nm seems to be specific for their configuration with a positive effect indicating (S)-chirality and vice versa. Some regularities concerning the chromatographic resolutions are discussed.

---

Stereochemie planar chialer Verbindungen, 10. Mitt.: Röntgenkristallstruktur und absolute Chiralität überbrückter [10]- und [14] Anulene

Zusammenfassung 2,7-Dibrom-1,6-methano[10]anulen (3) und 2,9-Dibrom-syn-1,6:8,13-diimino[14]anulen (9) wurden durch Chromatographie an Triacetylcellulose (TAC) in Ethanol quantitativ in ihre Enantiomeren getrennt. Röntgenstruktur-analyse (Bijvoet-Technik) bewies für die rechtsdrehenden Enantiomeren die Chiralität (+)(R)-3 bzw. (+)(S)-9.Ein Vergleich der CD-Spektren ermöglichte die Konfigurationszuordnung weiterer optisch aktiver [10]- und [14]Anulene, die gleichfalls durch Chromato-graphie anTAC erhalten worden waren. Umwandlung von (+)(R)-2-Brom-1,6-methano[10]anulen (2) in den entsprechenden Methylester (–)-4 bestätigte dessen schon früher vorgeschlagene Chiralität (–)(R).Dibrom-1,6-oxido[10]anulen (7) und Dibrom-diimino[14]anulen (9) sind im Gegensatz zum Dioxido[14]anulen (10) bis 250°C optisch stabil. Ihre Inver-sionsbarrieren liegen somit über 42 kcal (176kJ) mol^–1.Die CD-Spektren von mono- und disubstituierten Anulenen (mit C₁ bzw. C₂-Symmetrie) werden verglichen: Für die [10]Anulene scheint derCottoneffekt um 330 nm konfigurationsspezifisch zu sein, wobei ein positiver Effekt (S)-Chiralität anzeigt — und vice versa. Einige Regelmäßigkeiten bezüglich der chromatographischen Enantiomerentrennung werden diskutiert.

     

Copper-assisted oxidation of catechols into quinone derivatives

Catechols are ubiquitous substances often acting as antioxidants, thus of importance in a variety of biological processes. The Fenton and Haber–Weiss processes are thought to transform these molecules into aggressive reactive oxygen species (ROS), a source of oxidative stress and possibly inducing degenerative diseases. Here, using model conditions (ultrahigh vacuum and single crystals), we unveil another process capable of converting catechols into ROSs, namely an intramolecular redox reaction catalysed by a Cu surface. We focus on a tri-catechol, the hexahydroxytriphenylene molecule, and show that this antioxidant is thereby transformed into a semiquinone, as an intermediate product, and then into an even stronger oxidant, a quinone, as final product. We argue that the transformations occur via two intramolecular redox reactions: since the Cu surface cannot oxidise the molecules, the starting catechol and the semiquinone forms each are, at the same time, self-oxidised and self-reduced. Thanks to these reactions, the quinone and semiquinone are able to interact with the substrate by readily accepting electrons donated by the substrate. Our combined experimental surface science and ab initio analysis highlights the key role played by metal nanoparticles in the development of degenerative diseases.

An antioxidant catechol transforms following intramolecular redox reactions into highly reactive oxygen species, a semiquinone and a quinone, on copper.     

Sternheimer free determination of the51V nuclear quadrupole moment from hyperfine structure measurements

The hyperfine structure (hfs) of 18 metastable states of⁵¹V has been measured by laser induced fluorescence. 15 of these states have been measured additionally very precisely by the ABMR-LIRF method. Using results of earlier hfs measurements, the hfs of altogether 33 fine structure states is analyzed using a method of simultaneous parametrization of one- and two-body interactions in the atomic hfs of the model space 3d ^{3 +M} 4s ^{2 ?M} (M = 0, 1, 2). The hfs of these states is described by 16 parameters for the magnetic dipole interaction and 12 parameters for the electric quadrupole interaction. From these model space parameters corresponding configuration dependent parameters for the three configurations were determined. These parameters allow a prediction of the hfs constants of all states of the modelspace within an accuracy of 5 to 10%. The evaluation of the nuclear quadrupole moment of⁵¹V, free of Sternheimer corrections up to second order, yielded the value of -0.043(5) barn.     

Automated derivation of reaction rules for the EROS 6.0 system for reaction prediction

The purpose of the EROS 6.0 system is to predict the products of chemical reactions and to model reaction mechanisms. This is accomplished by elementary reaction steps that are selected through the rules that constitute the knowledge base of the EROS 6.0 system. These rules are derived by methods of machine learning. The learning process is based on reaction in data bases. An overview of the EROS 6.0 system is given and the structure of the knowledge as well as the generation of reaction rules are described.     

Formation of organolithium hetero-aggregates [Li4Ar2(nBu)2] (Ar=C6H4CH(Me)NMe2-2) during the directed ortho-lithiation of [1-(dimethylamino)ethyl]benzene

(R)-[1-(Dimethylamino)ethyl]benzene reacts with nBuLi in a 1:1 molar ratio in pentane to quantitatively yield a unique hetero-aggregate (2 a) containing the lithiated arene, unreacted nBuLi, and the complexed parent arene in a 1:1:1 ratio. As a model compound, [Li(4)(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2)(2)(nBu)(2)] (2 b) was prepared from the quantitative redistribution reaction of the parent lithiated arene Li(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2) with nBuLi in a 1:1 molar ratio. The mono-Et(2)O adduct [Li(4)(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2)(2)(nBu)(2)(OEt(2))] (2 c) and the bis-Et(2)O adduct [Li(4)(C(6)H(4)CH(Me)NMe(2)-2)(2)(nBu)(2)(OEt(2))(2)] (2 d) were obtained by re-crystallization of 2 b from pentane/Et(2)O and pure Et(2)O, respectively. The single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of 2 b-d show that the overall structural motifs of all three derivatives are closely related. They are all tetranuclear Li aggregates in which the four Li atoms are arranged in an almost regular tetrahedron. These structures can be described as consisting of two linked dimeric units: one Li(2)Ar(2) dimer and a hypothetical Li(2)nBu(2) dimer. The stereochemical aspects of the chiral Li(2)Ar(2) fragment are discussed. The structures as observed in the solid state are apparently retained in solution as revealed by a combination of cryoscopy and (1)H, (13)C, and (6)Li NMR spectroscopy.     

Phosphine-stabilized arsenium salts: water-stable,labile, coordination complexes

A series of air- and water-stable tertiary phosphine-stabilized arsenium salts of the type R(3)P-->AsR(2)(+)PF(6)(-) has been isolated. In the crystal structures of two chiral triarylphosphine complexes of prochiral methylphenylarsenium hexafluorophosphate, the stereochemistry around arsenic is trigonal pyramidal with the phosphorus atom occupying the apical position, the As-P bond being orthogonal to the plane of the trigonal (lone-pair included) arsenium ion: Ph(3)P-->AsMePh(+) PF(6)(-), P2(1)/c, a = 10.7775(2) A, b = 17.7987(3) A, c = 13.3797(2) A, beta = 109.066(1) degrees, V = 2425.78(7) A(3), T = 200 K, Z = 4; Ph(2)(2-MeOC(6)H(4))P-->AsMePh(+) PF(6)(-), P1, a = 10.8077(2) A, b = 10.9741(2) A, c = 13.5648(2) A, alpha = 99.0162(9) degrees, beta = 105.2121(9) degrees, gamma = 116.4717(9) degrees, V = 1318.11(5) A(3), T = 200 K, Z = 2. The arsenium ion in each case appears to be further stabilized by conjugation of the lone pair with the phenyl group, with which the arsenic and methyl-carbon atoms are almost coplanar. In the crystal structure of the 2-(methoxymethylphenyl)diphenylphosphine adduct of methylphenylarsenium hexafluorophosphate, there operates a counteractive chelate effect in which anchimeric oxygen coordination to arsenic destabilizes the arsenic-phosphorus bond in the six-membered chelate ring. Although they are stable, phosphine-stabilized arsenium salts undergo rapid phosphine exchange and attack at arsenic by anionic carbon and oxygen nucleophiles to give tertiary arsines and arsinous acid esters, respectively, with liberation of the phosphine.     

Metal complexes of porphycene,corrphycene, and hemiporphycene: stability and coordination chemistry

Porphyrin (P), porphycene (Pc), corrphycene (Cn), and hemiporphycene (Hpc) represent a series of well defined "4-N in" constitutional porphyrin isomers. These isomers, in the form of their octaethyl derivatives, represent a congruent set of porphyrinoids whose properties can be compared. In this study we report how variations in electronic structure and nitrogen-core size in the free-base forms of these four systems are reflected in the properties of their corresponding metal complexes. Specifically, the effects that these differences have on the axial ligation properties of the Zn(II), Mg(II), Ni(II), and Co(II) complexes of P, Pc, Cn, and Hpc in toluene using pyridine as the axial ligand are detailed. Also reported are the relative stabilities of these complexes under acidic conditions. It is shown that for the zinc, magnesium, and cobalt complexes, there are distinct differences in the ability to maintain four-, five-, or six-coordinate geometries in the presence of similar concentrations of pyridine. By contrast, no apparent differences in axial ligand binding affinity are seen for the four nickel complexes. Little difference in stability was likewise seen when these same complexes were subject to acid-mediated demetallation, with all four falling into stability class II, according to the accepted porphyrin stability ranking system. High stabilities were also seen in the case of the cobalt complexes, with the Pc and Cn complexes being of stability class III and the P and Hpc derivatives falling into stability class II. The Zn(II) and Mg(II) complexes were all far less stable than the corresponding Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes. In this case, semiquantitative analyses of the rate of acid-induced decomposition revealed the following stability sequence P>Cn>Hpc>Pc for both the Zn(II) and Mg(II) complexes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction structures were solved for the Zn(II), Mg(II), and Ni(II) complexes of the octaethyl derivatives of Hpc, Cn, and Pc as well as a Co(II) octamethylcorrphycene and are reported as part of this study. These solid-state structures confirm four-coordinate species for the Ni(II) complexes, four- and five-coordinate species for the Mg(II) and Zn(II) complexes, and a six-coordinate species for the lone Co(II) complex.     

Purification and characterization of a laccase from the white-rot fungus Trametes multicolor

The wood-degrading fungus Trametes multicolor secretes several laccase isoforms when grown on a simple medium containing copper in the millimolar range for stimulating laccase synthesis. The main isoenzyme laccase II was purified to apparent homogeneity from the culture supernatant by using anion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. Laccase II is a monomeric glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 63 kDa as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, contains 18% glycosylation, and has a pI of 3.0. It oxidizes a variety of phenolic substrates as well as ferrocyanide and iodide. The pH optimum depends on the substrate employed and shows a bell-shaped pH activity profile with an optimum of 4.0 to 5.0 for the phenolic substrates, while the nonphenolic substrates ferrocyanide and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) show a monotonic pH profile with a rate decreasing with increasing pH.