Mononuclear nitrogen/sulfur-ligated zinc methoxide and hydroxide complexes: investigating ligand effects on the hydrolytic stability of zinc alkoxide species

The synthesis and properties of mononuclear zinc methoxide ([(ebnpa)Zn-OCH3]ClO4) (1) and hydroxide ([(ebnpa)Zn-OH]ClO4) (2) complexes of a new mixed nitrogen/sulfur ligand (ebnpa = N-2-(ethylthio)ethyl-N,N-bis(6-neopentylamino-2-pyridylmethyl)amine) are reported. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Each possesses a single zinc-coordinated anion (methoxide or hydroxide) and exhibits an overall trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Structural and spectroscopic studies indicate the presence of two hydrogen-bonding interactions involving the oxygen atom of the zinc-bound anion in each complex. Treatment of [(ebnpa)Zn-OH]ClO4 with CH3OH results in the formation of an equilibrium mixture of 1 and 2. 1H NMR spectroscopic methods were used to examine the equilibrium as a function of temperature, yielding KMe (304 K) = 0.30(8), DeltaHMe = -0.9(1) kcal/mol, and DeltaSMe = -5(1) eu. The negative enthalpy indicates that spontaneous zinc alkoxide formation from a hydroxide precursor occurs in this system at low temperature. Using the experimentally determined DeltaHMe value, we found the homolytic Zn-O bond dissociation energy (BDE) in the Zn-OCH3 unit to be approximately -14 kcal/mol relative to the Zn-O BDE in the Zn-OH unit.     

Self-assembly of flexible supramolecular metallacyclic ensembles: structures and adsorption properties of their nanoporous crystalline frameworks

The syntheses, structures, and N2 adsorption properties of six new supramolecular metallacycles are reported. Flexible ditopic linkers, 1-4, with systematically varied lengths and conformational degrees of freedom were synthesized utilizing ester linkages. They were used in combination with (dppp)M(OTf)2, where M = Pt(II) and Pd(II), and cis-(Me3P)2Pt(OTf)2 to form flexible supramolecular metallacycles 5-10 in 88-98% isolated yields. Their structures were characterized via multinuclear NMR and X-ray crystallography. The metallacycles stack to form porous structures in the crystalline state. The pore dimensions depend on both the phosphorus ligands attached to the metals and the flexible linkers. Adsorption studies on the porous materials show that 5a, 6, 8, and 9 held 11.7, 16.5, 5.7, and 6.8 cm3/g STP of N2 at 77 K, respectively. A guest-exchange study with nitromethane and toluene reveals that the nanopore in 5 is flexible, a property which was transferred from the linker to the supramolecular structure in the solid state.     

Antimicrobial triterpenes from Debregeasia salicifolia

New triterpene, 3beta-(trans-cinnamoyloxy)-19alpha-hydroxy-urs-12-ene (1) has been isolated from the methanolic fraction of Debregeasia salicifolia, along with uvaol (2), 3beta,19alpha-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (3), ursolic acid (4), pomolic acid (5), pomolic acid methyl ester (6) and tormentic acid (7) reported for the first time from this species. The compounds (1), (3) and (6) showed significant antimicrobial activity. The structure elucidation was made with the help of extensive 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques.     

A photochemical method for patterning the immobilization of ligands and cells to self-assembled monolayers

This work describes a chemically well defined method for patterning ligands to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold. This method begins with monolayers presenting a nitroveratryloxycarbonyl (NVOC)-protected hydroquinone which is photochemically irradiated to reveal a hydroquinone group. The resulting hydroquinone is then oxidized to the corresponding benzoquinone, providing a site for the Diels-Alder mediated immobilization of ligands. The rate constant for the photochemical deprotection is 0.032 s(-1) (with an intensity of approximately 100 mW/cm(2) between 355 and 375 nm), corresponding to a half-life of 21 s. The hydroquinone is oxidized to the benzoquinone using either electrochemical or chemical oxidation and then functionalized by reaction with a cyclopentadiene-tagged ligand. Two methods for patterning the immobilization of ligands are described. In the first, the substrate is illuminated through a mask to generate a pattern of hydroquinone groups, which are elaborated with ligands. In the second method, an optical microscope fit with a programmable translational stage is used to write patterns of deprotection which are then again elaborated with ligands. This technique is characterized by the use of well-defined chemical reactions to control the regions and densities of ligand immobilization and will be important for a range of applications that require patterned ligands for biospecific interactions.     

Reversible carboxylation of N-heterocyclic carbenes

Spectroscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and crossover experiments performed on a series of imidazolium carboxylates revealed carboxylation was reversible with N-aryl substituted adducts.     

Structure and magnetic properties of tetraarylporphinatomagnesium(II) electron transfer salts of 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane,TCNQF4

The crystal structures of the 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane, TCNQF(4), electron transfer salts of meso-tetraphenylporphinatomagnesium(II), [MgTPP][TCNQF(4)].PhMe and [MgTPP][TCNQF(4)].3(1,2-C(6)H(4)Cl(2)), and meso-tetrakis(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)porphinatomagnesium(II), [MgT(3,4,5-OMe)PP][TCNQF(4)].3(1,2-C(6)H(4)Cl(2)), provide the first structurally characterized examples of 1-D metal-radical chains involving [Mg(II)(porphyrin(*))](+). These salts possess [TCNQF(4)](*-) stabilized by trans-mu-coordination to Mg(II) and exhibit nu(CN) at 2199 and 2177, 2212 and 2187, and 2194 and 2172 cm(-1), respectively. The [TCNQF(4)](*-) species is planar and bridges two cations with MgN distances of 2.266(16), 2.221(2), and 2.276(3) A, respectively, which are shorter than the MnN 2.321(3) A distance observed for [MnT(3,4,5-OMe)PP][TCNQF(4)].3(1,2-C(6)H(4)Cl(2)). The room-temperature effective moments for [MgTPP][TCNQF(4)].xS (S = PhMe and 1,2-C(6)H(4)Cl(2)) and [MgTPP][C(4)(CN)(6)].PhMe are consistent with the calculated spin only value of 2.45 micro(B) with weak antiferromagnetic coupling (J(intra)/k(B) approximately -2.9 K; H = -2JSa.Sb) for these [TCNQF(4)](*-) salts and for this [C(4)(CN)(6)](*-) salt (J(intra)/k(B) approximately -0.8 K) on the basis of fits to several models. The coupling is significantly reduced with respect to that of the Mn analogues due to lack of spin on the metal site for [Mg(II)(por(*))](+). The antiferromagnetic coupling is enhanced for [MgT(3,4,5-OMe)PP][TCNQF(4)] with respect to [MgTPP][TCNQF(4)] as [TCNQF(4)](*-) gets closer to the [Mg(II)(por(*))](+) plane, which leads to greater interactions and coupling.     

Spectrophotometric determination of ziram, ferbam and zineb with diphenylcarbazone

A procedure has been developed for the determination of ziram (zinc dimethyldithiocarbamate), ferbam (ferric dimethyldithiocarbamate) and zineb (zinc ethylenebisdithiocarbamate) after their decomposition and extraction of the diphenylcarbazone complexes of the zinc or iron into isobutyl methyl ketone. These complexes absorb strongly at 520 nm. The method is rapid, sensitive and selective and can be used for the determination of these dithiocarbamates in commercial and synthetic mixtures.     

9,9-diphenyl-1,9,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenaleno[1,9-bc]pyrans

Reaction between some naphtho[2,1-b]pyrans and 1,1-diphenylethene affords 9,9-diphenyl-1,9,10,10a-tetrahydro-2H-phenaleno[1,9-bc]pyrans.     

Retention, kinetics and thermodynamics profile of cadmium adsorption from iodide medium onto polyurethane foam and its separation from zinc bulk

The sorption behaviour of 2.5 × 10⁻⁵ M solution of Cd(II) on polyurethane foam (PUF) from iodide medium have been investigated. The conditions were optimized from aqueous solutions of different pH (1-10) and of acids of varied concentration (0.01-1.0 M). The maximum concentration of KI was found to be 0.24 M and equilibration time was established to be 20 min. The data successfully followed the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms at low metal ion concentration while Langmuir isotherm followed at higher metal ion concentration. The Freundlich parameter 1/n = 0.66 ± 0.02 have been evaluated whereas D-R isotherm yields the sorption free energy E = 10.5 ± 0.1 kJ mol⁻¹ indicating ion exchange type chemisorption. The monolayer coverage (XL) constant of Langmuir isotherm was found to be 23.7 ± 0.4 mg g⁻¹. The numerical values of thermodynamics parameters enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) indicated the endothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption. The Scatchard plot analysis was tested to evaluate the binding sites of the PUF and stability constants of sorption were determined. On the basis of these parameters, the sorption mechanism was discussed. Among the foreign ions tested, Pb(II), Hg(II), cyanide and nitrite should be absent. The clean separation of Cd(II) from Zn(II) ions in the ratio 1:250, respectively, was achieved by column chromatography.     

Determination of trace elements in coffee beans and instant coffee of various origins by INAA

Summary Extensive use of coffee, by one-third of world's population, entails the evaluation of trace element contents in it. Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) was successfully employed to determine the concentration of 20 trace elements (essential, toxic and nonessential) in four samples of coffee beans of various origins and two instant coffee brands most commonly consumed in Pakistan. This study provides the base-line values of certain toxic and essential elements in coffee. The daily intake of essential and toxic elements through coffee was estimated and compared with the recommended values. The cumulative intake of Mn is four times higher than the recommended value and that of toxic elements is well below the tolerance limits.