Probing the structures of gas-phase rhodium cluster cations by far-infrared spectroscopy

The geometric structures of small cationic rhodium clusters Rh(n)(+) (n = 6-12) are investigated by comparison of experimental far-infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra with spectra calculated using density functional theory. The clusters are found to favor structures based on octahedral and tetrahedral motifs for most of the sizes considered, in contrast to previous theoretical predictions that rhodium clusters should favor cubic motifs. Our findings highlight the need for further development of theoretical and computational methods to treat these high-spin transition metal clusters.     

Identification and molecular characterization of a novel flavin-free NADPH preferred azoreductase encoded by <Emphasis Type=Italic>azoB</Emphasis> in <Emphasis Type=Italic>Pigmentiphaga kullae</Emphasis> K24

Background  

Microbial degradation of azo dyes is commonly initiated by the reduction of the azo bond(s) by a group of NADH or NADPH dependant azoreductases with many requiring flavin as a cofactor. In this study, we report the identification of a novel flavin-free NADPH preferred azoreductase encoded by azoB in Pigmentiphaga kullae K24.     

An Inexpensive Laser Raman Spectrometer Based on CCD Detection

We describe an inexpensive modular Raman spectrometer system that can be assembled from commercial components for under $5000. Three typical applications are presented: a demonstration of a vibrational isotope effect, a Raman polarization experiment, and a resonance Raman experiment. This spectrometer system should make it easier to include the important topic of Raman spectroscopy in the undergraduate physical and analytical chemistry laboratory curricula.     

Organoselenium chemistry : A study of intermediates in the fragmentation of aliphatic ketoselenoxides. Characterization of selenoxides,selenenamides and selenolseleninates by 1H-,13C-and 77Se-NMR

A series of β-ketoselenenic acids was generated at low temperature ( - 20° to - 50°) by selenoxide syn elimination of appropriate selenoxides (13-ox, 16-ox, 35-ox, 38-ox, and 39-ox). No evidence for the buildup of significant concentrations of selenenic acid was obtained. A selenolseleninate (15, 2,2' - diseleno - bis(1 - phenyl - 2 - methyl -1 - propanone) - Se - oxide) was detected as an intermediate in the decomposition of 13-ox and 16-ox. This compound, which is stable in solution below - 50° was charaeterized by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C,⁷⁷Se) and by its thermal decomposition and reactions with phosphite (reduction to diselenide 6) and dialkylamines (formation of selenenamide 11). Decomposition of 15 in the presence of dibenzylamine resulted in trapping of a selenenic acid-like species (RSeSeOH) to give RSeSeN(CH₂Ph)₂ (R = PhC(O)C(CH₃)₂). Although 15 could not be prepared by oxidation of diselenide 6, it was possible to prepare a cyclic selenolseleninate (4,4-dimethyl-1,2-diselenolane monoxide, 20) by oxidation of the related diselenide (19). Attempts to prepare more stable aliphatic selenenic acids by blocking the principal decomposition pathway of 15 were not successful. Thus 1 - benzoyl -1 - cyclopropaneselenenic acid was generated from 35-ox and 38-ox and 1 - benzoyl - 2,2 - dimethylcyclopropaneselenenic from 39-ox. The former underwent normal disproportionation (to 36 and 37) even when prepared at -49°. The latter gave what appeared to be a selenolseleninate (40) which again disproportionated at -17°.     

Synthesis and metal ion complexing properties of novel chromogenic cryptands

Four novel chromogenic benzocryptands and one side-armed chromogenic cryptand have been synthesized and their complexing abilities for alkali metal cations are described.     

The heats of reaction of phosphines and phosphites with toluene-molybdenum tricarbonyl. Importance of both steric and electronic factors in determining the Mo---PR3 bond strength

The heats of reaction of tolueneMo(CO)₃ with a series of phosphines and phosphites have been measured by solution calorimetry. The order of stability toward formation of fac-(PR₃)₃Mo(CO)₃ in THF solution is: P(OCH₃)₃s> PMe₃ > PⁿBu₃ > PMe₂Ph> PEt₃ > triphos> P(OPh)₃ > PMePh₂ > PPh₃ > PCl₃ and spans a range of 25 kcal/mol reflecting individual bond strength differences up to 8 kcal/mol. The bulky phosphines PCy₃ and P^tBu₃ react with tolueneMo(CO)₃ in THF, but 30–40 kcal/mol less heat is evolved in these reactions than with the other phosphines and phosphites. The coordinately unsaturated five-coordinate complexes (PR₃)₂Mo(CO)₃ are proposed as the reaction products. The importance of both steric and electronic factors in the Mo---P bond is discussed.     

Calculated tautomeric equilibria and X-ray structures of 2-substituted N-methoxy-9-methyl-9H-purin-6-amines

Density Functional Theory calculations of nine 2-substituted N-methoxy-9-methyl-9H-purin-6-amines in the amino and imino tautomeric forms, as well as the complexes of the same with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), were performed using two functionals (BP86 and B3LYP) and two basis sets (SV(P) and def2-TZVP). Solid-state structures of two of the compounds were obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. It was found that the inclusion of both an explicit hydrogen-bonding partner (DMSO) as well as continuum solvation effects, and vibrational corrections to energy, were necessary for qualitative and reasonable quantitative agreement with observed tautomeric ratios. The solution-optimized geometries and X-ray structures were found to be in good agreement. NMR spectroscopy confirmed the dependence of the tautomeric ratios on hydrogen-bonding abilities, in addition to the dipole moment of the solvent in question. Natural Bond Orbital charges on the N-7 nitrogen, as well as the tautomeric ratios were used to explain the observed reactivities of the compounds toward N-7 alkylation.     

Rotational spectra and equilibrium structures of H2SiS and Si2S

The rotational spectra of two small silicon sulfides, silanethione H(2)SiS and the disilicon sulfide ring Si(2)S, have been detected in the centimeter band by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of a molecular beam; lines of H(2)SiS were also observed in the millimeter band up to 377 GHz in a glow discharge. Precise rotational and centrifugal distortionconstants have been determined for the normal and a number of the more abundant rare isotopic species of both closed-shell molecules. Theoretical equilibrium (r(e)) structures of H(2)SiS and Si(2)S were derived from coupled-cluster calculations that included triple and quadruple excitations, core correlation, and extrapolation to the basis-set limit. The r(e) structures agree to within 5×10(-4) A? and 0.1(°) with empirical equilibrium (r(e)(emp)) structures derived from the experimental rotational constants, combined with theoretical vibrational and electronic corrections. Both H(2)SiS and Si(2)S are good candidates for radioastronomical detection in the circumstellar shells of evolved carbon-rich stars such as IRC+10216, because they are fairly polar and are similar in composition to the abundant astronomical molecule SiS.