(18)O]-oxygen incorporation reveals novel pathways in spiroacetal biosynthesis by Bactrocera cacuminata and B. cucumis

The origins of the oxygen atoms in 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (1) and hydroxyspiroacetal (2) from Bactrocera cacuminata, and in 2,8-dimethyl-1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (3) and hydroxyspiroacetal (4) from B. cucumis, have been investigated by incorporation studies from both [(18)O(2)]-dioxygen and [(18)O]-water. Combined GC-MS examination and high-field NMR analysis have demonstrated that all oxygen atoms in 1 and 2 from B. cacuminata are dioxygen derived, but in contrast, the spiroacetals 3 and 4 from B. cucumis incorporate one ring oxygen from water and one ring oxygen (and the hydroxyl oxygen in 4) from [(18)O(2)]-dioxygen. These results reveal not only the generality of monoxygenase mediation of spiroacetal formation in Bactrocera sp., but also an unexpected complexity in their biosynthesis. A general paradigm accommodating these and other observations is presented.     

On the calculation of the satellite peaks observed in the high energy photoelectron spectra of small molecules

The shake-up peaks which are observed to high binding energy of the main photoionization peak in the high energy photoeletron spectra of CO (carbon and oxygen core holes), H₂O and NH₃ have been interpreted by an extension of the singly excited configuration interaction method used previously in the study of the low-lying excited states of these molecules. The results obtained provide a good interpretation of the experimental spectra of these molecules in terms of many shake-up states. It is concluded that relaxed orbitals and an extensive basis set, including diffuse functions, should be used in the calculations in order to obtain good results.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of trivalent amino acid derived chiral phosphorus compounds

Reaction of the N-toluenesulfonyl derivatives of (S)-alanine, phenylalanine, and valine (4-6) with PhPCl(2) gave in high yield the 4-methyl, benzyl, and isopropyl derivatives (7-9) of 2-phenyl-1-p-toluenesulfonyl-1,3,2-oxazaphospholidin-5-one. The ratios of the (2S,4S)/(2R,4S) diastereomers (cis/trans isomers) were 1:1, 2:1, and 10:1 for the methyl, benzyl, and isopropyl derivatives 7a,b, 8a,b, and 9a,b, respectively. For 7a,b, both isomers could be crystallized, but for the others only the major isomers were isolable. The X-ray crystal structure of 9a shows that the isopropyl and phenyl groups are mutually cis and that the tolyl moiety is oriented s-trans to both the isopropyl and phenyl groups. Reaction of 6 with Cl(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PCl(2) (10) gave a 56:38:7 mixture of the cis/cis, cis/trans, and trans/trans diphosphorus heterocycles 11a-c. The major isomer could be crystallized and isolated free of the other diastereomers. Reaction of 6 with EtPCl(2) gave a 6:1 mixture of cis/trans isomers of the ethyl-substituted heterocycles 12a,b as an inseparable oil but allowed confirmation of the structure of 11a. Slow epimerization at phosphorus may occur by inversion but more likely by ring opening/closure, since 7b, 9a, and 11a give rise upon standing in solution to mixtures containing starting material and 7a, 9b, and 11b, respectively, along with the free amino acid derivatives 4 and 6. The NMR spectra, and in particular the coupling constants between the alpha-hydrogen atom of the amino acid moiety and phosphorus, were used to establish the identities of the cis and trans isomers. Reaction of 9a with (THF)W(CO)(5) gave the phosphorus-ligated adduct (9a)W(CO)(5) (13), and the IR spectrum of this complex shows that 9a is a strongly electron-withdrawing ligand. The geometry of the sulfonamide moiety is discussed in detail, as are the (1)H NMR coupling constants. The data are consistent with the presence of little steric interaction between the cis isopropyl and phosphorus substituent in 9a, 11a, and 12a and orientation of the tolyl moiety s-cis to the isopropyl group in 9b, 12b, and 13.     

Electrochemically switchable hydrogen-bonded molecular shuttles

A series of [2]rotaxanes containing succinamide and naphthalimide hydrogen-bonding stations for a benzylic amide macrocycle is described. Electrochemical reduction and oxidation of the naphthalimide group alters its ability to form hydrogen bonds to the macrocycle to such a degree that redox processes can be used to switch the relative macrocycle-binding affinities of the two stations in a rotaxane by over 8 orders of magnitude. The structure of the neutral [2]rotaxane in solution is established by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and shows that the macrocycle exhibits remarkable positional integrity for the succinamide station in a variety of solvents. Cyclic voltammetry experiments allow the simultaneous stimulation and observation of a redox-induced dynamic process in the rotaxane which is both reversible and cyclable. Model compounds in which various conformational and co-conformational changes are prohibited demonstrate unequivocally that the redox response is the result of shuttling of the macrocycle between the two stations. At room temperature in tetrahydrofuran the electrochemically induced movement of the macrocycle between the two stations takes approximately 50 micros.     

Free energy perturbation study of water dimer dissociation kinetics

An efficient approach is described for using accurate ab initio calculations to determine the rates of elementary condensation and evaporation processes that lead to nucleation of aqueous aerosols. The feasibility of the method is demonstrated in an application to evaporation rates of water dimer at 230 K. The method, known as ABC-FEP (ab initio/classical free energy perturbation), begins with a calculation of the potential of mean force for the dissociation (evaporation) of small water clusters using a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation with a model potential. The free energy perturbation is used to calculate how changing from the model potential to a potential calculated from ab initio methods would alter the potential of mean force. The difference in free energy is the Boltzmann-weighted average of the difference between the ab initio and classical potential energies, with the average taken over a sample of configurations from the MD simulation. In principle, the method does not require a highly accurate model potential, though more accurate potentials require fewer configurations to achieve a small sampling error in the free energy perturbation step. To test the feasibility of obtaining accurate potentials of mean force from ab initio calculations at a modest number of configurations, the free energy perturbation method has been used to correct the errors when some standard models for bulk water (SPC, TIP4P, and TIP4PFQ) are applied to water dimer. To allow a thorough exploration of sampling issues, a highly accurate fit to results of accurate ab initio calculations, known as SAPT-5s, as been used a proxy for the ab initio calculations. It is shown that accurate values for a point on the potential of mean force can be obtained from any of the water models using ab initio calculations at only 50 configurations. Thus, this method allows accurate simulations of small clusters without the need to develop water models specifically for clusters.     

Adsorption of some toxic elements from water samples on modified activated carbon,activated carbon and red soil using neutron activation analysis

A simple and sensitive method for the determination of some metalloids and heavy metals in water samples is presented. The method is based on the preconcentration of the attachment of chelating functionalities with metalloids and toxic metals irreversibly and targeted towards toxic metals adsorbed on modified activated carbon, activated carbon and red soil particles at pH 3.0–9.0±0.2, followed by quantitative determination using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), on the absorbers. Attachment results from attraction that may be physical, chemical, electrical, or a combination of all three. The efficient removal of metalloids and toxic metals, especially arsenic, chromium and mercury is anticipated. The adsorption capacity of the chemically modified activated carbon materials was evaluated for the above mentioned metalloid and toxic metal ions in the presence of iron ions and simulated water samples. Red soil particles containing iron was utilized in the control of oxidation-reduction reaction with metalloids and toxic metals. The preconcentration of the elements of interest on red soil particles, activated carbon and modified activated carbon at different depths, pH and oxidation states was investigated. The results obtained showed good agreement with certified values giving relative errors of less than 10%.     

Synthesis and structural investigation of N,N',N' '-trialkylguanidinato-supported zirconium(IV) complexes

The addition of 2 equiv of N,N',N' '-triisopropylguanidine (guanH(2)) to Zr(CH(2)Ph)(4) produced the bis(guanidinato)bis(benzyl)zirconium complex [((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)](2)Zr(CH(2)Ph)(2) (1). The mono(guanidinato) complex [((i)PrN)(2)C(NH(i)Pr)]ZrCl(3) (2) was accessible by the reaction of 2 equiv of guanH(2) with ZrCl(4). Guanidinium hydrochloride, [C(NH(i)Pr)(3)]Cl, is a byproduct of this reaction. When crystallized from THF, complex 2 was isolated as the THF adduct [((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)]ZrCl(3)(THF) (2-THF). The mixed cyclopentadienyl guanidinato complex [eta(5)-1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)][((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)]ZrCl(2) (3) was prepared by treatment of [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)]ZrCl(3) with the in situ generated lithium triisopropylguanidinate salt. The reaction of guanH(2) with [1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)]ZrMe(3) affords the dimethyl derivative [eta(5)-1,3-(Me(3)Si)(2)C(5)H(3)][((i)PrNH)C(N(i)Pr)(2)]ZrMe(2) (4). Definitive evidence for the molecular structures of these products is provided through single-crystal X-ray characterization of 1, 2-THF, and 3, which are presented. The extent of pi delocalization within the guanidinato ligand is discussed in the context of the metrical parameters obtained from these structural studies.     

Chemical microscopy of some toxicologically important alkaloids

Zusammenfassung Die Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit der systematischen Untersuchung des Verhaltens der auf Seite 250 aufgezählten, bei toxikologischen Untersuchungen häufiger angetroffenen Alkaloidbasen gegenüber 50 Reagenzien. Die auf dem Objektträger erhaltenen Niederschläge wurden mikroskopisch untersucht und gegebenenfalls durch die Bestimmung einfach und rasch zu erfassender Eigenschaften der Kristalle, wie Profilwinkel, Einfachbrechung, Doppelbrechung, Auslöschungswinkel, Pleochroismus, und Verhalten gegenüber dem Gipsblättchen weiters charakterisiert.Eine Durchsicht der Liste der Reagenzien (S. 251 ff.) zeigt, daß außer altbekannten Alkaloidreagenzien eine größere Zahl von bisher wenig oder gar nicht zur Alkaloiderkennung benutzten Reagenzien studiert wurde. Eine systematische Untersuchung des Verhaltens einer möglichst großen Zahl der häufiger angetroffenen Basen erschien erforderlich, da die Spezifität einer Probe nur auf Grundlage der Kenntnis des Verhaltens des Reagens gegenüber allen anderen in Frage kommenden Stoffen sichergestellt werden kann.Die zur Erkennung der Basen nützlichen Reaktionsbilder sind in Tafeln (S. 323 ff.), nach Reagenzien angeordnet, gesammelt. Der systematische Bericht der Untersuchungsbefunde (S. 256) ist nach den Alkaloidbasen eingeteilt. Eine kurze Zusammenfassung betreffend die für jede Base bestgeeigneten Nachweisverfahren ist jeweils am Ende des der Base gewidmeten Kapitels gegeben.Die Nützlichkeit der studierten Reagenzien für die Erkennung von Alkaloidbasen wird zum Abschluß zusammenfassend besprochen (S. 315). Die Reagenzien Brom-Bromnatrium, Perchlorsäure, Kaliumbromid, Stannochlorid, Titanochlorid, Kaliumjodaurit, Natriumbromaurat, Platinbrom-wasserstoffsäure, Kaliumbrommercurat, Zinnchlorwasserstoffsäure und Palladiumbromwasserstoffsäure geben mit mehreren Basen kristalline Niederschläge, die durch Aussehen und Eigenschaften die Erkennung der Basen ermöglichen. Kaliumxanthat, Wismutchlorid, Rhodiumtrichlorid, Rutheniumtrichlorid und Cadmiumjodid erzeugen mit nur je zwei der untersuchten Alkaloidbasen gut kristallisierte Niederschläge, und die folgenden Reagenzien erscheinen durchaus spezifisch: Kupferron gibt nur mit-Eucain einen kristallinen Niederschlag; primäres Kaliumphthalat und Kaliumantimonyltartrat erzeugen nur mit Strychnin Kristallisationen; Cocain ist das einzige Alkaloid, das ein kristallisiertes Jodargentat gab, und lediglich bei Strychnin konnte ein eindeutig kristalliner Niederschlag mit HSbCl₄ erhalten werden.Fulton hat darauf hingewiesen, daß Reagenzien, die mit Brucin, Strychnin und Cocain keine Fällungen geben, nicht als allgemeine Alkaloidreagenzien in Betracht gezogen werden können, da sie wahrscheinlich auch mit anderen Basen keine Niederschläge zu erzeugen imstande sein dürften. Es wird nun darauf hingewiesen, daß Reagenzien, die mit den obgenannten drei Alkaloiden versagen, doch studiert werden sollten, da die Möglichkeit besteht, daß sie mit einem anderen Alkaloid einen spezifischen Nachweis geben.

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Résumé (L) Le présent travail étudie systématiquement le comportement (signalé page 250) des alcaloides les plus courants en toxicologie, vis à vis de 50 réactifs.Le précipité obtenu sur porte objet est examiné microscopiquement et éventuellement caractérisé par détermination simple et rapide des propriétés cristallines telles que le profil angulaire, la simple et double réfringence, l'angle d'extinction, le pleochroisme et son comportement en présence d'une lame de gypse.L'examen de la liste (p. 251) révèle qu'un grand nombre de réactifs peu ou pas du tout utilisés jusqu'ici dans l'identification des alcaloides ont été étudiés à côté des réactifs usuels, bien connus. Une étude systématique du comportement du plus grand nombre possible des bases les plus courantes s'imposait, parce que la spécificité d'un essai n'est établie avec certitude que si l'on connait la façon dont se comporte le réactif vis à vis de toutes les autres substances qui interviennent dans l'essai.Le Tableau (p. 323) donne tous les schémas de réaction nécessaires à l'identification des alcaloides, en prenant les réactifs comme base de classification.L'exposé des résultats de la recherche est subdivisé d'après les bases alcaloidiques (p. 256).Chaque chapitre se rapportant à un alcaloide déterminé se termine par un court résumé des procédés d'identification les mieux appropriés.La justification de l'emploi des réactifs étudiés est finalement discutée (p. 315) sous une forme résumée.Les précipités cristallins dont l'aspect et les propriétés permettent l'identification des bases, sont obtenus par les réactifs suivants: le bromo-bromure de sodium, l'acide perchlorique, le bromure de potassium, le chlorure stanneux et titaneux, l'iodoaurite de potassium, le bromoaurate de sodium, l'acide bromoplatinique, le bromomercurate de potassium, les acides chlorostannique et bromopalladique.Les réactifs suivants ne donnent de précipité cristallin qu'avec deux bases alcaloides étudiées: le xanthate de potassium, le chlorure de bismuth, le trichlorure de rhodium, de ruthénium et l'iodure de cadmium. Les réactifs suivants sont apparus comme spécifiques: le cupferron ne donne de précipité cristallin qu'avec la b-Eucaine; le phtalate acide de potassium et le tartrate de potassium et d'antimonyle ne fournissent de précipité cristallin qu'avec la strychnine; la cocaine est le seul des alcaloides formant un iodoargentate et enfin, la strychnine a donné un précipité cristallin avec HSbCl₄.Fulton avait avancé que les réactifs ne précipitant pas avec la brucine, la strychnine et la cocaine ne pouvaient pas être considérés comme des réactifs généraux des alcaloides, parce que vraisemblablement ils se comportent de même avec d'autres alcaloides. Le présent travail démontre la nécessité d'étudier des réactifs, même s'ils ne précipitent pas ces trois alcaloides, parce qu'ils peuvent avec d'autres alcaloides, donner lieu à des réactions spécifiques.

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The work herein reported represents a portion of that presented by Mr.Wood as his dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.     

Routes of nitrogen formation in reduction of nitrogen oxide by carbon monoxide and hydrogen over nickel chromite catalyst

The route of NO reduction to N₂ over nickel chromite catalyst is dependent on the nature of the reducing agent. NO reduction by dihydrogen proceeds mainly through the step of N₂O formation, whereas NO reduction to N₂ by carbon monoxide is mainly direct without a step of N₂O formation.

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NO N₂ NO , , N₂O, NO , , NO N₂, . . N₂O.

     

Catalytic conversions of synthesis gas and alcohols to chemicals : Edited by Richard G. Herman,Plenum Press,New York,N.Y., 1984, ISBN 0-306-41614-X,pp. 476 + xi, $59.50.

The interaction of Yb⁰ with (C₅H₅FeC₅H₄)₂Hg and [(OC)₃MnC₅H₄]₂ Hg in THF resulted in the formation of ferrocenyl and cymantrenyl derivatives of divalent ytterbium. Derivatives of the RLnI type may be obtained in low yields from the basis of ferrocene (cymantrenyl) iodides and Yb⁰ in THF. The structures of the resulting compounds were characterized by¹H NMR spectra.