Self-assembly via ionic interactions of calix[6]arene-based receptors displaying remarkable host-guest properties toward neutral guests

The association of a C_3v-symmetrical calix[6]tris-amine with different concave tris-carboxylic acids of various degrees of flexibility has been explored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. In all cases, self-assembled structures directed by the selective inclusion of a neutral guest molecule were obtained, the more preorganized being stable in protic solvents. With a rigid C₃-symmetrical cap, chiral guest recognition in the calixarene cavity resulted. A large tris-acidic partner gave a unique molecular ditopic receptor that is able to simultaneously accommodate two neutral molecules in two distinct hydrophobic cavities with different binding processes.     

Perfluormethyl-Element-Liganden. XXIX. Darstellung und spektroskopische Untersuchungen von M(CO)4L2-Komplexen (M = Cr,Mo, W; L = Me2PSMe,Me2PSeMe, (CF3)2PSMe, (CF3)2PSeMe)

Perfluoromethyl Element Ligands. XXIX. Preparation and Spectroscopic Investigation of M(CO)₄L₂ Complexes (M ? Cr, Mo, W; L ? Me₂PSMe, Me₂PSeMe, (CF₃)₂PSMe, (CF₃)₂PSMe) The complexes M(CO)₄L₂ (see Inhaltsübersicht) have been prepared by the reaction of tetracarbonyl norbornadiene metal compounds M(CO)₄NBD with L at room temperature or 35°C, respectively. The cis-complexes formed in the first step undergo rearrangement to trans-isomers at higher temperatures. New compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR, NMR, MS) methods.     

Solvent extraction of uranium(VI) with benzyloctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (BODMAC) from highly concentrated chloride solution

The ²²²Rn emanation fraction (EF) released from the technically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material (TE-NORM) wastes at certain sites of petroleum and gas production was determined. The samples were analyzed by γ-ray spectrometry to determine the activity concentration of the ²²⁶Ra content, of which the ²²²Rn emanation fraction was calculated. The results showed that the ²²²Rn emanation fraction differs in the oil and gas production sites and it is independent of the activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The chemistry of fluorine containing phosphaalkenes, arsaalkenes and selenocarbonyls

This review covers our extensive research activities in the area of fluorine containing phospha- and arsaalkenes as well as selenocarbonyls, which differ considerably in their properties and reactivities from their alkyl and aryl counterparts and thus contribute in a gratifying manner to the still growing field of unsaturated element-carbon compounds of 3rd and 4th row main group elements E. Of particular interest is the influence of the fluorine substituents and other small groups (OR, NR₂) with either inductive and/or mesomeric effects on the polarity and reactivity of the EC bond. Addition reactions of proton acidic and hydridic polar HX reactants as well as [2+2], [3+2] and [4+2] cycloadditions have been thoroughly studied. The results obtained allow a classification of the EC systems within five different types, A to E, and prove a change from “normal” to “inverse” heteroalkenes in this sequence. The ligand properties of some derivatives have also been investigated in some detail.     

Alkylation of ethylenethiourea with alcohols: a convenient synthesis of S-alkyl-isothioureas without toxic alkylating agents

The alkylation of ethylenethiourea with alcohols and aqueous acids (HCl, HBr, and HI) allows the synthesis of the respective S-alkyl-isothioureas in high yield and purity. Consistently high yields (91-98%) were obtained with 56% HI, the yields for 48% HBr (48-93%) and 37% HCl (36-85%) were lower and varied with the type of alcohol. The method is a convenient low-cost alternative to the use of alkyl iodides and an easy access to the S-tert-butyl isothiourea.     

Structural basis for discriminative regulation of gene expression by adenine- and guanine-sensing mRNAs

Metabolite-sensing mRNAs, or "riboswitches," specifically interact with small ligands and direct expression of the genes involved in their metabolism. Riboswitches contain sensing "aptamer" modules, capable of ligand-induced structural changes, and downstream regions, harboring expression-controlling elements. We report the crystal structures of the add A-riboswitch and xpt G-riboswitch aptamer modules that distinguish between bound adenine and guanine with exquisite specificity and modulate expression of two different sets of genes. The riboswitches form tuning fork-like architectures, in which the prongs are held in parallel through hairpin loop interactions, and the internal bubble zippers up to form the purine binding pocket. The bound purines are held by hydrogen bonding interactions involving conserved nucleotides along their entire periphery. Recognition specificity is associated with Watson-Crick pairing of the encapsulated adenine and guanine ligands with uridine and cytosine, respectively.     

A dinuclear uranium(IV) complex of the chelating ligand 1,2,3,4‐tetra­methyl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)­cyclo­penta­diene

The ligand 1,2,3,4‐tetra­methyl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)­cyclo­penta­diene (cp*py) forms a dinuclear complex with U^IV, i.e. di‐μ‐oxo‐bis­{chloro­(diethyl ether‐κO)[(η⁵,κN)‐1,2,3,4‐tetra­methyl‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)­cyclo­penta­dienyl]uranium(IV)}, [U₂Cl₂O₂(C₁₄H₁₆N)₂(C₄H₁₀O)₂], in which cp*py acts as a chelating ligand, being bound to the metal atom by the cyclo­penta­dienyl unit and also by the N atom of the pyridyl ring.     

Syntheses of sulfoxide derivatives in the benzodiazine series. Diazines. Part 37

Syntheses of new sulfinylcinnolines, quinoxalines, quinazolines and phtalazines have been investigated starting from the appropriate halogenobenzodiazine derivatives. The latter were converted in one step to the corresponding sulfanyl benzodiazines which upon oxidation with m-CPBA led to the corresponding sulfoxide derivatives of benzodiazines in moderate to good yields. In parallel to this study, an improved method for the synthesis of 2-methylsulfinylquinoxaline starting from 2-sulfanylquinoxaline is also described and in the quinazoline series a synthetic route has been developed to prepare 2-tert-butyl-5-phenylsulfinylquinazoline with satisfactory yield as well as 2-tert-butyl-5-tert-butylsulfinyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone and 2-tert-butyl-8-tert-butylsulfinyl-4(3H)-quinazolinone.     

PHOTOVOLTATC EFFICIENCIES OF MICROCRYSTALLINE AND ANHYDROUS CHLOROPHYLL a

Abstract— A thin layer of chlorophyll a (around 2000 Å). a p -type organic semiconductor. was sandwiched between two different metals. aluminum and silver. We used the photovoltaic effect in order to study the efficiency of light conversion by the crystalline and anhydrous forms of Chl a . When the photovoltaic cell is illuminated through the semi-transparent aluminum electrode. an action spectrum similar to the visible absorption spectrum of Chl a is obtained. The anhydrous form. always shows a maximum, in the red, at 672 nm and the crystalline one at 746 nm to 738 nm depending on the amount of water vapor present in the measuring area. The light conversion efficiency has been measured at the maximum absorption in the red for both forms of Chl a . For the anhydrous form, we found values as high as 0.036%, which is very significant even compared to 0.21%, the highest value found for the crystalline form. In both cases. the incident light power was approximately 10 μW on the cell. The light conversion efficiency of both forms of Chl a cells was found to depend on a combine effect of the nature of the gas (O₁. N₂. air. Ar. N₂O. SF ₆ , H₂) and the amount of water vapor present in the measuring area. The best conversion efficiency was obtained with O ₂ , or air saturated with water. This combined effect was very large for the crystalline form whereas the anhydrous form was only slightly affected.