Enhanced collective optical response of vast numbers of silver nanoparticles assembled on a microbead

We investigated the optical response of a huge number of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) densely assembled on an organic microsphere, i.e., AgNP-fixed bead, under the collective phenomena of localized surface plasmons. For this purpose, various optical properties of such a AgNP-fixed bead were analyzed in aqueous solution by dark-field optical microscopy and laser Raman microscopy. In particular, in comparison with the optical spectrum of single AgNPs, significant spectral broadening and redshift were observed due to plasmonic superradiance with decreasing interparticle distance to the subnanoscale when using small binder molecules in the AgNP-fixed bead. Furthermore, we observed surface-enhanced Raman scattering and clarified the sensitivity of the signal intensity to the size of the binder molecules between the AgNPs, which can be explained based on optical response theory using a discrete integral with spherical cells. These results and discussion provide a guiding principle for broadband plasmonic light absorbers and for highly sensitive detection of small molecules and nanoscale biomaterials based on vast numbers of nanogaps produced by a bottom-up self-assembly process.     

Intramolecular Benzyne–Phenolate [4+2] Cycloadditions

An intramolecular benzyne–phenolate [4+2] cycloaddition is reported. Benzyne precursors, having vicinal halogen‐sulfonate functionalities, linked with a phenol(ate) by various tether groups undergo efficient intramolecular [4+2] cycloaddition by treatment with either Ph₃MgLi or nBuLi for halogen–metal exchange to form various benzobarrelenes.     

Catalytic Carbonylation and Carboxylation of Organosulfur Compounds via C−S Cleavage

Transition‐metal‐catalyzed carbonylation with CO gas occupies a privileged position in organic synthesis for the synthesis of carbonyl compounds. Although this attractive and useful chemistry has led many researchers to investigate carbonylative transformations of various organic (pseudo)halides, C?S‐cleaving carbonylation of organosulfur compounds has been fairly limited. Recently, a broad spectrum of C?S‐cleaving transformations has been emerging in the field of cross‐coupling. In light of the importance of carbonyl compounds as well as considerable advancement for employing organosulfur compounds as competent surrogates of (pseudo)halides, carbonylative transformations of C?S bonds should be of high value. This Minireview focuses on catalytic C?S carbonylation of organosulfur compounds with CO or its equivalents. In addition, reductive carboxylation of C?S bonds with CO₂ is described.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed C−H Iodination of Arenes by Means of Sulfinyl Directing Groups

C?H iodination of aromatic compounds has been accomplished with the aid of sulfinyl directing groups under palladium catalysis. The reaction proceeds selectively at the peri‐position of polycyclic aryl sulfoxides or at the ortho‐position of phenyl sulfoxides. The iodination products can be further converted via iterative catalytic cross‐coupling at the expense of the C?I and C?S bonds. Computational studies suggest that peri‐C?H palladation would proceed via a non‐directed pathway, wherein neither of the sulfur nor oxygen atom of the sulfinyl group coordinates to the palladium before and at the transition state.     

C-S bond cleavage of pyridine-2-thiol: a new functionality of quadruply bridged dinuclear platinum and palladium complexes

Treatment of pyridine-2-thiol (pytH) with H(2) (60 atm) in the presence of 5-methylpyridine-2-thiolate (5-mpyt)-bridged dinuclear Pt(III), Pt(II), or Pd(II) complexes (1 mol %) in DMF at 150 degrees C for 72 h leads to the formation of pyridine in 3-51% yield. From the (1)H NMR study of the exchange reactions and of the products under D(2) pressure, it is suggested that the catalytic reaction involves bimetallic activation of the pyt ligand followed by the liberation of pyridine and H(2)S.