Mechanism of palladium-catalyzed diene cyclization/hydrosilylation: direct observation of intramolecular carbometalation

The results of kinetic, deuterium-labeling, and low-temperature NMR studies have established a mechanism for the palladium-catalyzed cyclization/hydrosilylation of dimethyl diallylmalonate (1) with triethylsilane involving rapid, irreversible conversion of the palladium silyl complex [(phen)Pd(SiEt(3))(NCAr)](+) [BAr(4)](-) [Ar = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)] (4b) and 1 to the palladium 5-hexenyl chelate complex [(phen)Pd[eta(1),eta(2)-CH(CH(2)SiEt(3))CH(2)C(CO(2)Me)(2)CH(2)CH=CH(2)]](+) [BAr(4)](-) (5), followed by intramolecular carbometalation of 5 to form the palladium cyclopentylmethyl complex trans-[(phen)Pd[CH2CHCH2C(CO2Me)2CH2CHCH2SiEt3](NCAr)]+ [BAr4]- (6), and associative silylation of 6 to release 3 and regenerate 4b.     

Modulated self-assembly of metal–organic frameworks

Exercising fine control over the synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is key to ensuring reproducibility of physical properties such as crystallinity, particle size, morphology, porosity, defectivity, and surface chemistry. The principle of modulated self-assembly – incorporation of modulator molecules into synthetic mixtures – has emerged as the primary means to this end. This perspective article will detail the development of modulated synthesis, focusing primarily on coordination modulation, from a technique initially intended to cap the growth of MOF crystals to one that is now used regularly to enhance crystallinity, control particle size, induce defectivity and select specific phases. The various mechanistic driving forces will be discussed, as well as the influence of modulation on physical properties and how this can facilitate potential applications. Modulation is also increasingly being used to exert kinetic control over self-assembly; examples of phase selection and the development of new protocols to induce this will be provided. Finally, the application of modulated self-assembly to alternative materials will be discussed, and future perspectives on the area given.

This Perspective gives an overview of the modulated self-assembly of MOFs – incorporating additives and alternative precursors into syntheses – focusing on its varying influences on crystallization mechanisms, physical properties, and applications.     

Shock cooling of liquid nitrogen and superfluid helium

Abstract

Superfluid Helium (11) and liquid nitrogen are the only liquids which have been shown experimentally, to exhibit shock cooling. In the present paper we use the Landau model to demonstrate theoretically that the roton gap, which decreases with increasing density, plays the same role leading to shock cooling in liquid helium as the dissociation energy does in liquid nitrogen.     

Programmed Temperature Vaporization Injection (PTV) in the Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) of the Constituents of Landfill Gas

Abstract

Trace volatile compounds emitted from both domestic and industrial landfills have been identified by programmed temperature vaporization injection (PTV) coupled to gas chromatography with detection by ion-trap mass spectrometry (GC-ITD/MS). The PTV injection system has been developed using a combination of two six-port valves to achieve problems of interference in GC-MS while loading sample. A large volume of landfill gas was re-concentrated onto a sorbent trap, then rapidly liberated into the GC-ITD/MS system by programmed thermal desorption. Using this method, trace volatile compounds in gases from both domestic and industrial landfills such as aromatic hydrocarbons, terpenes, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and sulfur compounds can be identified and quantified.     

Markovian Statistics of Nonhomogeneous Copolymer Systems

Nonhomogeneous copolymer systems that follow Markovian kinetics on a microscale will give non-Markovian sequence distributions in the polymer produced. This is because each microdomain is statistically independent of the others and the assumption of statistical stationarity does not apply. Equations that consider non-homogeneity, however, do apply and can reconcile Markovian kinetics and non-Markovian sequence distributions. Failures of systems to follow lower order Markovian mechanisms based on distribution data should be reviewed for nonhomogeneity. Complex mathematical models that can never be validated experimentally should only be considered if nonhomogeneity fails to explain the data adequately.     

Photomechanical Actuation of Ligand Geometry in Enantioselective Catalysis

A catalyst that couples a photoswitch to the biaryl backbone of a chiral bis(phosphine) ligand, thus allowing photochemical manipulation of ligand geometry without perturbing the electronic structure is reported. The changes in catalyst activity and selectivity upon switching can be attributed to intramolecular mechanical forces, thus laying the foundation for a new class of catalysts whose selectivity can be varied smoothly and in situ over a useful range by controlling molecular stress experienced by the catalyst during turnover. Forces on the order of 100 pN are generated, thus leading to measurable changes in the enantioselectivities of asymmetric Heck arylations and Trost allylic alkylations. The differential coupling between applied force and competing stereochemical pathways is quantified and found to be more efficient for the Heck arylations.