Hydroboration of the Amino(imino)borane [Me3C(Me3Si)N]B[N(CMe3)]

The formation of four products of the type Me₃C(Me₃Si)N=BH–N(CMe₃)=BR'₂ [BR'₂ = B(CHMeiPr)₂ ( 1 ), B(c‐C₆H₁₁)₂ ( 2 ), B(C₈H₁₄) ( 3 ), B(O₂C₆H₄) ( 4 )] from the iminoborane Me₃C(Me₃Si)N–···B=···N(CMe₃) and the hydroboranes (R'₂BH)₂ is described. Crystal structure analysis reveals the molecule 1 to have an N=B–N=B backbone with two orthogonal N=B bond planes and, hence, no conjugation between the two B–N double bonds.     

Undecaborates M2[B11H11]: Facile Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Reactions

closo-Undecaborates were synthesized by the deprotonation of B₁₁H₁₃(SMe₂) with LitBu in thp or K[BHEt₃] in thf, [Li(thp)₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] and K₂[B₁₁H₁₁] being obtained in 83 and 93% yield, respectively. K₂[B₁₁H₁₁] can be transformed into A₂[B₁₁H₁₁] with the corresponding ammonium chlorides in aqueous solution (A = [NMe₃Ph], [NBzlEt₃], [N(PPh₃)₂]). The crystal structure analysis of [Li(thp)₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] (space group P2₁/c) reveals a rather distorted octadecahedron for the [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– anion, whereas the corresponding octadecahedron in [NBzlEt₃]₂[B₁₁H₁₁] (space group P2₁2₁2₁) exhibits a structure close to C_2v symmetry, expected for the free anion. The protonation of [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– at low temperature gives [B₁₁H₁₂]^–, whose structure could be elucidated by NMR methods; it is formed, apparently, by the opening of the B1–B4 edge of [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– in the course of its known degenerate skeletal rearrangement, followed by the protonation of the B2–B4 edge. The reaction of [B₁₁H₁₂]^– with a second molecule of the acid HX (X = CF₃COO) gives nido-[B₁₁H₁₃X]^–. The addition of BH₃ to [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– yields closo-[B₁₂H₁₂]^2– under loss of H₂. Two [B₁₁H₁₁]^2– units are fused by the aid of FeCl₃, with the known anion [B₂₂H₂₂]^2– as the product, whose ¹¹B-NMR signals could completely be assigned on the basis of C_s symmetry. The compound [NBzlEt₃][N(PPh₃)₂][B₂₂H₂₂] crystallizes in the space group Pna2₁.     

Structural ordering of ω-ferrocenylalkanethiol monolayers on Au(1 1 1) studied by scanning tunneling microscopy

The self-assembly of ω-ferrocenylalkanethiols (FcCnSH) with different alkyl-spacer lengths on Au(1 1 1) substrates has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Upon deposition at room temperature FcCnSH molecules tend to form multilayers, while by thermal treatment monolayer formation, a rearrangement of the molecules and the formation of ordered domains is achieved. The surface structure of the resulting full coverage self-assembled monolayers is resolved with molecular resolution by STM. The ordered monolayer structure of ω-ferrocenylpropanethiol is discussed in comparison with its bulk crystal structure, derived from single crystal X-ray analysis. Based on these results a monolayer structure of ω-ferrocenylalkanethiols with longer alkyl chains closely related to the bulk crystal structure of the shorter alkyl-spacer derivates is suggested. Our results provide detailed insight into the self-assembly of FcCnSH on gold substrates.     

Diphenyltin(IV) complexes of the 5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]quinolin-8-olates: Synthesis and multinuclear NMR, Sn Mössbauer, electrospray ionization MS, X-ray characterization and assessment of in vitro cytotoxicity

A series of cis-bis{5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]quinolinolato}diphenyltin(IV) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, ESI-MS, IR and ^119mSn Mössbauer spectroscopic techniques in combination with elemental analysis. The structures of a ligand L⁶H (i.e., 5-[(E)-2-(4-ethoxyphenyl)-1-diazenyl]quinolin-8-ol) and three diphenyltin(IV) complexes, viz., Ph₂Sn(L¹)₂ · (CH₃)₂CO (1), Ph₂Sn(L⁴)₂ (4) and Ph₂Sn(L⁵)₂ (5) (L = 5-[(E)-2-(aryl)-1-diazenyl]quinolin-8-ol: aryl = phenyl - (L¹H); 4′-methylphenyl - (L⁴H) and 4′-bromophenyl - (L⁵H)) were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In general, the complexes were found to adopt a distorted cis-octahedral arrangement around the tin atom. These complexes retain their solid-state structure in non-coordinating solvent as evidenced by ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic results. The in vitro cytotoxicity of 1 is reported and compared with Ph₂Sn(Ox)₂ (Ox = deprotonated quinolin-8-ol) against seven well characterized human tumor cell lines.     

Synthesis of Binol-based diphosphinites bearing chiral phospholane units and their application in asymmetric catalysis

New diphosphinite ligands based on atropoisomeric diol backbones and (R,R)-2,5-dimethylphospholane moieties have been prepared and fully characterised. For each ligand structure, both diastereomers have been synthesised. These ligands are available through a straightforward procedure in good yields. The solid state structures of two diastereomeric ligands are reported. These ligands have been applied to Rh-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenations and hydroformylations of CC bonds as well as in Ir-catalysed asymmetric hydrogenations of CN bonds. Turnover frequencies in the range of 10,000 h^?1 and enantioselectivities of up to 98% ee have been achieved. The different chirality elements within the ligands led to marked cooperative effect in catalysis. Interestingly, there is no general privileged diastereomeric structure but rather a matched diastereomer for each application.     

Partially (in)visible Higgs decays at the LHC

Both ATLAS and CMS have reported a discovery of a Standard Model-like Higgs boson H   of mass around 125 GeV. Consistency with the Standard Model implies the non-observation of non-SM-like decay modes of the newly discovered particle. Sensitivity to such decay modes, especially when they involve partially invisible final states is currently beyond scrutiny of the LHC. We systematically study such decay channels in the form of H→AA→jets+missing energy$H\to AA\to \text{jets}+\text{missing energy}$, with A   a light scalar or pseudo-scalar, and analyze to what extent these exotic branching fractions can be constrained by direct measurements at the LHC. While the analysis is challenging, constraints as good as BR?10%$\mathrm{BR}?10\text{\%}$ can be obtained.     

LHC: Standard Higgs and hidden Higgs

Interpretations of Higgs searches critically involve production cross sections and decay probabilities for different analysis channels. Mixing effects can reduce production rates, while invisible decays can reduce decay probabilities. Both effects may transparently be quantified in Higgs systems where a visible Higgs boson is mixed with a hidden sector Higgs boson. Recent experimental exclusion bounds can be re-interpreted in this context as a sign for non-standard Higgs properties. Should a light Higgs boson be discovered, then our analysis will quantify how closely it may coincide with the Standard Model.