Direct episulfidation of alkenes and allenes with elemental sulfur and thiiranes as sulfur sources,catalyzed by molybdenum oxo complexes

The molybdenum oxo complexes 1a and 1b catalyze efficiently the sulfur transfer to a series of alkenes 4 and allenes 6, for which elemental sulfur, phenylthiirane, or methylthiirane have been employed as sulfur sources to afford the corresponding episulfides 5 and 7. The most effective catalytic episulfidation system to date is the combination of the dithiophosphate-ligated oxo complex 1b and phenylthiirane (Ibeta). This metathesis process is efficient enough to convert usually reluctant alkenes (cyclopentene, cycloheptene, Z-cyclooctene, Z-cyclononene, E-cyclodecene, norbornene, and even bicyclopropylidene) to their episulfides in good yields under mild conditions. The direct catalytic sulfuration of allenes (cyclonona-1,2-diene, cyclonona-1,2,5-triene, cyclodeca-1,2-diene, and 2,4-dimethylpenta-2,3-diene) to their labile methylenethiiranes is unprecedented.     

Sensitivity improvement in 19F NMR-based screening experiments: theoretical considerations and experimental applications

NMR-based binding and functional screening performed with FAXS (fluorine chemical shift anisotropy and exchange for screening) and 3-FABS (three fluorine atoms for biochemical screening) represents a potential alternative approach to high-throughput screening for the identification of novel potential drug candidates. The major limitation of this method in its current status is its intrinsic low sensitivity that limits the number of tested compounds. One approach for overcoming this problem is the use of a cryogenically cooled (19)F probe that reduces the thermal noise in the receiver circuitry. Sensitivity improvement in the two screening techniques achieved with the novel cryogenic (19)F probe technology permits an increased throughput, detection of weaker binders and inhibitors (relevant in a fragment-based lead discovery program), detection of slow binders, and reduction in protein and substrate consumption. These aspects are analyzed with theoretical simulations and experimental quantitative performance evaluation. Application of 3-FABS combined with the cryogenic (19)F probe technology to rapid screening at very low enzyme concentrations and the current detection limits reached with this approach are also presented.     

Redox site confinement in highly unsymmetric dimanganese complexes

A set of highly preorganized pyrazolate-bridged dimanganese complexes L(Mn)MnX have been prepared and structurally characterized. They can be described as hybrid organometallic/Werner-type systems that consist of a low-spin CpMn(I)(CO)2 subunit (Mn1) and a proximate tripodal tetradentate {N4} binding pocket accommodating a high-spin Mn(II) ion (Mn2), with Mn...Mn distances of approximately 4.3 A and different coligands bound to Mn2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations (both the hybrid B3LYP and the pure BP86 functionals and the all-electron basis sets 6-311G and 6-311G*) confirm that the valence alpha and beta Kohn-Sham molecular orbitals (MOs) of these mixed-valent Mn(I)Mn(II) compounds have predominant Mn(3d) character and an almost perfectly localized nature: all five unpaired electrons are essentially localized at the Werner-type Mn2, whereas Mn1 possesses an effective closed-shell structure with the MOs of highest energy centered there. One-electron oxidation occurs in a clean process at approximately E(1/2) = -0.6 V (versus ferrocene/ferrocinium), giving the low-spin/high-spin Mn(II)Mn(II) species. UV/vis and IR spectroelectrochemistry as well as a detailed theoretical analysis reveal that the redox process takes place with strict site control at the organometallic subunit, while it does not significantly influence the spin and charge distribution on the Werner-type site. Positions and shifts of the nu(C[triple bond]O) absorptions are largely reproduced by the DFT calculations. These systems thus represent an exceptional example of the effect the unsymmetry of a dinucleating ligand scaffold has on the spin and charge distribution in homobimetallic complexes and might offer interesting prospects for the study of the cooperative effects of bimetallic arrays.     

Topical Problems in Elemental Analysis of Advanced Ceramic Materials

Selected prominent problems in the analysis of advanced ceramic materials are surveyed. The importance of reliability of results is discussed in the field of elemental trace- and microanalysis in view of its interaction with economy, power of detection, local resolution and speciation selectivity. Particular problems in the analysis of major constituents, trace components and microlocal distributions are based on the striking propertics of ceramics; they are exemplified. Analytical assistance must start from the beginning of the production processing, in the preparation of the powdered base materials. Determination of the stoichiometry requires high accuracy and differentiation of chemical species in bulk and surface analysis of ceramic base powders. Element trace determination by direct instrumental methods requires standard reference materials for calibration; these are currently inavailable in a sufficient variety. For optimum reliability and power of detection, element traces must be prepared in isolated form in a small excitation volume for analysis. A review on the state-of-the-art of wet-chemical combined procedures is presented. Decomposition position procedures are emphasized, due to their risk of contributing severe systematic error. Combustion in elementary fluorine is presented for decomposition of refractory materials. The performance of some direct procedures is discussed. Very efficient methods are available for element trace determinations in ceramic materials, offering high detection power. Several approaches for high-resolution local microanalysis in non-conductive ceramic materials are identified as the most promising development in the analysis of sintered compact ceramic products and devices.     

A maximum likelihood estimator to distinguish single molecules by their fluorescence decays

We have developed a maximum likelihood estimator to distinguish between similar molecules at the single molecule level based upon fluorescence decay measurements. Time resolved fluorescence measurements for single Rhodamine 6G and tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate molecules in fluid flow are derived from time-correlated single photon counting. A maximum likelihood estimator is developed and applied to data from a mixture of molecules. Single molecules are identified and distinguished by their fluorescence time decays. Comparison is made between identification error rates and theoretical predictions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported example of single molecule identification by fluorescence decay in a mixture.     

Boride-based nano-laminates with MAX-phase-like behaviour

MAX-phases being usually composed of transition metals, group A elements and carbon/nitrogen are considered interesting materials for many applications because of their tremendous bulk modulus, “reversible” plasticity, and machinability. This is mainly due to their unique kind of bonding comprising covalent, ionic as well as metallic bonds providing “easy” planes of rupture and deformability due to the layered crystal structures.In transition metal boride systems, similar types of bonding are available. In particular the W₂B₅-structure type and its stacking variations allow the synthesis of strongly layered crystal structures exhibiting unique delamination phenomena.The paper presents ab initio calculations showing the similarities of bonding between the ternary carbides and the corresponding ternary or quaternary borides. Formation of boride-based nano-laminates from auxiliary liquid phases, from the melt as well as during sintering and precipitation from supersaturated solid solutions will be discussed by means of SEM and TEM studies. The role of impurities weakening the interlayer bonding will be addressed in particular. The pronounced cleavage parallel to the basal plane gives rise for crack deflection and pull-out mechanisms if the laminates are dispersed in brittle matrices such as boron carbide, silicon carbide or other transition metal borides.     

Synthesis of functional Δ-1,3,5-oxazaphospholene and 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes via catalytic ring expansion reactions of a 2H-azaphosphirene complex

Catalytically-induced ring expansion of 2H-azaphosphirene complex 1 using ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate and acetone (2), diethylketone (3), cyclohexanone (4), benzaldehyde (5) or para-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (6) furnished selectively the Δ³-1,3,5-oxazaphospholene complexes 7-11, whereas with ortho- and para-hydroxy- or ortho- and para-amino-substituted benzonitriles the 2H-1,4,2-diazaphosphole complexes 16-19 were obtained. Two further findings are noteworthy: (1) The significant decreased reaction time in the case of the sterically more demanding carbonyl derivatives 2-4 and (2) the formation of diastereomers in the case of 10 and 11 with a ratio of 8:1 and 9:1, respectively. All products were characterized by NMR, MS and elemental analysis and the configuration of complexes 7 and 10a were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis.