Supramolecular cluster catalysis: facts and problems

By checking the chemistry underlying the concept of “supramolecular cluster catalysis” we identified two major errors in our publications related to this topic, which are essentially due to contamination problems. (1) The conversion of the “closed” cluster cation [H₃Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)]⁺ (1) into the “open” cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (2), which we had ascribed to a reaction with water in the presence of ethylbenzene is simply an oxidation reaction which occurs in the presence of air. (2) The higher catalytic activity observed with ethylbenzene, which we had erroneously attributed to the “open” cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (2), was due to the formation of RuO₂ · nH₂O, caused by a hydroperoxide contamination present in ethylbenzene.     

Density functional calculations of NMR chemical shifts and ESR g-tensors

An overview is given on recent advances of density functional theory (DFT) as applied to the calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts and electron spin resonance (ESR) g-tensors. This is a new research area that has seen tremendous progress and success recently; we try to present some of these developments. DFT accounts for correlation effects efficiently. Therefore, it is the only first-principle method that can handle NMR calculations on large systems like transition-metal complexes. Relativistic effects become important for heavier element compounds; here we show how they can be accounted for. The ESR g-tensor is related conceptually to the NMR shielding, and results of g-tensor calculations are presented. DFT has been very successful in its application to magnetic properties, for metal complexes in particular. However, there are still certain shortcomings and limitations, e.g., in the exchange-correlation functional, that are discussed as well. Received: 24 October 1997 / Accepted: 19 December 1997     

Isomere Diamino-alkoxy-pyridin-carbonitrile — ihre Trennung und Verwendung als Kupplungskomponenten

The isomeric 4,6-diamino-2-alkoxy- (3), and 2,4-diamino-6-alkoxy-3-pyridine-carbonitriles (4) are obtained by treatment of 2-amino-1,1,3-tricyanopropene (1) with sodium alkoxides. Separation is based on their differentpK _a -values (3 a=2.01,4 a=4.17). Coupling reaction of3 a-c with benzenediazonium chloride in strong acidic medium leads to the yellow azo dyes5 a-c, whereas coupling of4 a requires a buffered solution (pH 4–6) to yield6. The UV-VIS spectra of the isomer pyridines and the azo dyes are discussed.     

In Situ Study of the Surface Oxidation of FeCr Alloys Using Grazing Incidence X‐ray Absorption Spectroscopy (GIXAS)

The surface oxidation of FeCr alloys with 18, 28, and 43 mass‐% Cr was investigated in situ using grazing‐incidence X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (GIXAS) at the chromium and iron K‐edges. Oxidation in air was monitored in situ in the temperature range from 290 K to 680 K. The standard GIXAS data analysis is extended for the treatment of a single layer model in order to estimate the chromium concentrations of the oxide layer and of the near‐interface substrate as well as the oxide layer thickness. XANES analysis shows transitions from b.c.c. Fe to corundum type Fe₂O₃ and from b.c.c. Cr to corundum type Cr₂O₃. The initial oxide layers are 1.1‐1.4 nm thick and contain 60‐90 mass‐% chromium, while the near‐interface substrate is depleted in Cr. During heating, iron oxide growth dominates up to 560‐600 K. Then the chromium oxide layer loses its passivation effect and Cr oxidation sets in.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes with ferrocene-modified arene ligands: synthesis and electrochemistry

A series of arene-ruthenium complexes of the general formula [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₂R}L] with R=OH, CH₂OH, OC(O)Fc, CH₂OC(O)Fc (Fc=ferrocenyl) and L=PPh₃, (diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, or bridging 1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, have been synthesized. Two synthetic pathways have been used for these ferrocene-modified arene-ruthenium complexes: (a) esterification of ferrocene carboxylic acid with 2-(cyclohexa-1,4-dienyl)ethanol, followed by condensation with RuCl₃ · nH₂O to afford [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₂OC(O)Fc}]₂, and (b) esterification between ferrocene carboxylic acid and [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OH}L] to give [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OC(O)Fc}L]. All new compounds have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by mass spectrometry. The single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OH}(PPh₃)] shows that the presence of a CH₂CH₂CH₂OH side-arm allows [RuCl₂{η⁶-C₆H₅(CH₂)₃OH}(PPh₃)] to form an intramolecular hydrogen bond with a chlorine atom. The electrochemical behavior of selected representative compounds has been studied. Complexes with ferrocenylated side arms display the expected cyclic voltammograms, two independent reversible one-electron waves of the Ru(II)/Ru(III) and Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couples. Introduction of a ferrocenylphosphine onto the ruthenium is reflected by an additonal reversible, one-electron wave due to ferrocene/ferrocenium system which is, however, coupled with the Ru(II)/Ru(III) redox system.     

AlSiP3, a compound with a novel wurtzite-pyrite intergrowth structure

AlSiP₃ is formed by heating aluminum and silicon powder with red phosphorus and adding small amounts of iodine or AlCl₃. Small, black crystals with metallic lustre grow at 1200°K. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pmnb (No. 62) with a = 987.2 pm, b = 586.1 pm, c = 608.8 pm and four formula units. In the structure isolated P atoms as well as P₂ pairs are present (PP = 218.2 pm). Silicon is tetrahedrally bonded (SiP = 224.2 ? 228.2 pm) whereas aluminum has octahedral coordination (AlP = 244.2 – 260.8 pm). The structure can be described as an intergrowth structure of wurtzite and pyrite type.     

Mass spectrometry of onium salts—I. Studies on anilinium oxides

The mass spectra of the three isomeric trimethylanilinium oxides and their methyl-d₃ analogues show that the m- and p- isomers undergo intermolecular trans-O-alkylation before evaporation. In the o-isomer, only 10% transalkylated product is observed and there is strong evidence that most of this isomer evaporates without undergoing structural changes. By indirect introduction, however, the o-isomer showed only transalkylated product. The most important fragmentation patterns on electron-impact are α-cleavage on the N-methyl carbon or expulsion of the O-substituent with formation of a quinoid structure. The latter dominates for the o- and p-methyl ethers while the former is the most important pathway for the m-isomer and for the corresponding phenols. Lower fragments are of modest intensity.     

An investigation into the initial degradation steps of four major dye chromophores: study of their one-electron oxidation and reduction by EPR, ENDOR, cyclic voltammetry, and theoretical calculations

The degradation of dyes is frequently initiated by one-electron oxidation or reduction; however, relatively little is known about the initially formed radicals. Acid Green 25 (AG25), Crystal Violet (CVI), Methylene Blue (MB), and Acid Orange 7 (AO7), representing paradigms of four types of commercial organic dyes, were therefore investigated in terms of their redox behavior. Their redox potentials in MeCN and buffered aqueous solutions were determined by cyclic voltammetry. The structures of the one-electron reduced and oxidized dyes were established by EPR spectroscopy and by theoretical calculations on the density functional level of theory.     

Thermische Polymerisation von Acenaphthylen

Zusammenfassung Acenaphthylen wurde durch Anpolymerisation und zweifache Hochvakuumsublimation gereinigt. Die Reinigungsmethode wird ausführlich beschrieben.Bei verschiedenen Temperaturen wurde mit einer dilatometrischen Methode die thermische Bruttogeschwindigkeit gemessen. Zwischen 95 und 105 °C giltk _br=7,0₈·10¹⁰ exp (– 30,9 kcal/RT).Die beträchtliche Aktivierungsenergie der Bruttoreaktion ist sowohl auf eine große Aktivierungsenergie der thermischen Startreaktion als auch auf eine relativ hohe Wachstumsaktivierungsenergie zurückzuführen.Das Polymerisationsverhalten von Acenaphthylen kann vermutlich aufgrund seiner sterischen Eigenschaften erklärt werden.

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Summary Acenaphthylene was purified by partial polymerisation, followed by double stage high vacuum sublimation. The method of purification is described in detail.The thermal overall rate was measured at different temperatures by a dilatometric method. Between 95 and 105 °C the following relation holds:k _th=7,0₈ · 10¹⁰ exp (– 30,9 kcal/RT).The considerable energy of activation of the overall reaction depends on a relatively high energy of activation of both the thermal initiation and the propagation reaction.It is supposed, that the polymerisation behaviour of acenaphthylene depends mainly on its steric properties.