Synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties of magnesium bis-3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">о</Emphasis>-benzosemiquinonate complexes with N-donor ligands

A series of six-coordinate magnesium bis-3,6-di-tert-butyl-о-benzosemiquinonate complexes with different N-donor ligands (2,2´-dipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, pyridine, N-phenyl-1-(4-pyridinyl)methanimine) were synthesized. The molecular and crystal structures of these complexes were determined by X-ray diffraction. In the complexes with bidentate N-donor ligands, the O,O-diolate o-semiquinone ligands are cis to each other, whereas the compounds with monodentate ligands contain organic radical anions in trans positions. The specific features of magnetic exchange coupling between organic radical ligands were studied by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iminobenzoquinones as novel regulators of radical polymerization

The effect of a number of quinoid compounds on methyl methacrylate polymerization initiated by azo-bis(isobutyronitrile) has been studied. It has been revealed that N-aryl-o-iminobenzoquinones, in contrast to o-benzoquinones, can provide radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in controllable mode. The efficiency of the compounds as chain growth regulators has been found to depend on their composition and reaction conditions. It has been established that 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone under radical initiation conditions provide the synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate) with wide-range molecular weight, retaining polydispersity indices about ~1.4–1.8 up to deep conversions.     

Heterospin biradicals based on new piperidineoxyl-substituted 3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinone

A nucleophilic addition reaction of 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (OH-TEMPO) to 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone was used to obtain a new sterically hindered o-benzoquinone (1) containing 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidineoxyl functional group, which was characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction. A one-electron reduction of 1 with potassium and thallium is an efficient method for the generation of earlier unknown heterospin biradicals 5a and 5b, respectively, containing nitroxide and o-semiquinone radical centers. Analysis of the hyperfine structure of the ESR spectra of biradicals 5a and 5b in solution showed that they belong to the group of heterospin biradicals with strong (J >> a) and fast exchange interaction between the radical centers.     

Study of the mechanism of redox transformations of sterically hindered <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aryl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-iminoquinones

The mechanisms of redox transformations of sterically hindered [¹IBQ]-[³IBQ], 9,10-iminophenanthraquinone [⁴IFQ], and o-aminophenol [⁵AP] have been studied by cyclic voltammetry. It has been shown that the reduction process in tetrahydrofuran consists of two consecutive reversible steps leading to the formation of a radical anion and a dianion. In the case of acetonitrile, only the first redox process is detected, which involves the steps of protonation and electron addition resulting in the formation of a monoanion. Quantum-chemical calculations indicate a lower degree of participation of the six-membered nonaromatic carbon ring in the spin density delocalization in the o-iminosemiquinonate radical anions as compared to o-benzosemiquinonate radical anions. The oxidation of iminoquinones results in the formation of an unstable radical cation, which undergoes further chemical transformations. An increase in the acidity of a medium leads to the formation of protonated forms with the reduction potential being shifted anodically. The introduction of screening groups makes it possible to suppress side reactions of hydrolysis and cyclization of oxidized o-aminophenol [⁵AP] forms. Therefore, the major product of complete electrolysis is o-iminobenzoquinone [²IBQ].     

Photodecomposition of substituted <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-benzoquinones in saturated hydrocarbons: I. Kinetic relations

Kinetic relations holding in photodecomposition of substituted o-benzoquinones were determined, and primary photodecomposition products were identified. Photochemical transformations of o-benzoquinones in saturated hydrocarbons were presumed to follow two pathways: decarbonylation and reduction. The first of these is favored by the presence of electron-donor substituents in the quinoid ring.     

The thermodynamic properties of the [(Me<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si)<Subscript>7</Subscript>C<Subscript>60</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> fullerene complex

The temperature dependence of the heat capacity C _p ^o of the [(Me₃Si)₇C₆₀]₂ fullerene complex was measured for the first time using precision adiabatic vacuum calorimetry over the temperature range 6.7–340 K and high-accuracy differential scanning calorimetry at 320–635 K. For the most part, the error in the C _p ^o values was about ±0.5%. An irreversible endothermic effect caused by the splitting of the dimeric bond between fullerene fragments and the thermal decomposition of the complex was observed at 448–570 K. The thermodynamic characteristics of this transformation were calculated and analyzed. Multifractal analysis of the low-temperature (T < 50 K) heat capacity was performed, and conclusions were drawn concerning the character of the heterodynamicity of the structure. The experimental data obtained were used to calculate the standard thermodynamic functions C _p ^o (T), H ^o (T) ? H ^o (0), S ^o (T) ? S ^o (0), and G ^o (T) ? H ^o (0) over the temperature range from T → 0 to 445 K and estimate the standard entropy of formation of the compound from simple substances at 298.15 K. The standard thermodynamic properties of [(Me₃Si)₇C₆₀]₂ are compared with those of the (C₆₀)₂ dimer, the [(η⁶-Ph₂)₂Cr]⁺[C₆₀]^?? fulleride, and the initial C₆₀ fullerene.     

Synthesis and structure of bis(1,2-diaminoethane) copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzoate) monohydrate and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-diaquabis(1,2-diaminoethane)copper(II) bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-aminobenzoate)

X-ray structural analysis has been performed for two complex compounds: Cu(en)₂(o-HB)₂H₂O (I) (a = 16.873(4) Å, b = 8.713(2) Å, c = 14.803(3) Å, β = 91.15(2)°, V = 2175.8(8) ų, C2/c, Z = 4, R(F) = 0.0263, 1516 reflections with I > 3σ (I)) and [Cu(en)₂(OH₂)₂]²⁺(o-AB^?)₂ (II) (a = 7.488(5) Å, b = 22.122(8) Å, c = 7.856(5) Å, β = 118.77(2)°, V = 1140.7(11) ų, P2₁/n, Z = 2, R(F) = 0.0432, 1684 reflections with I > 3σ(I)) synthesized under identical conditions (en is ethylenediamine, o-HB is o-hydroxybenzoate, and o-AB is o-aminobenzoate). Although the compounds were assumed to have similar structures and the Cu-Lig bond lengths and the cis and trans angles are acceptable for an octahedral structure, the geometric parameters of o-HB suggest that the copper atom has a plane square environment.     

Oxidation of 4-nitro-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-xylene with nitric acid using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxyphthalimide under phase transfer conditions

4-Nitro-o-xylene was selectively oxidized to 2-methyl-4-nitrobenzoic acid using dilute nitric acid as the oxidizing agent under atmospheric pressure. The oxidation of 4-nitro-o-xylene was effectively promoted by an addition of radical initiators. Under reflux, 2-methyl-4-nitrobenzoic acid was afforded in high yield using nitric acid combined with N-hydroxyphthalimide, cobalt dichloride (CoCl₂ · 6H₂O), manganese acetate (Mn(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O) and phase transfer catalyst.     

Controlled radical copolymerization of styrene and <Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl acrylate in the presence of tri-<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butylborane–<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-quinone catalytic system

Radical copolymerization of styrene with tert-butyl acrylate is studied under different conditions. It is found that the addition of tri-n-butylborane or tri-n-butylborane along with p-quinones (2,3-dimethylbenzoquinone, 2,5-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone) results in changes in the relative activities of monomers. Copolymerization in the presence of tri-n-butylborane and p-quinones proceeds via the mechanism of reversible inhibition and is characterized by the linear increase in number-average molecular weight with conversion and by the capacity of copolymers of reinitiation. The hydrolyzed copolymer samples form more stable films compared to copolymers prepared via conventional radical copolymerization.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Diaminobenzene)<Subscript>2</Subscript> Zn(OAc)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

The treatment of o-diaminobenzene with Zn ( OAc )₂ · 2H₂O in alcohol results in the formation of mononuclear bis(o-diaminobenzene)diacetate Zinc, Zn[C₈H₁₁N₂O₂]₂. Its structure was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex is also characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and IR. The crystal is monoclinic space group C2, parameters: a = 16.297(5), b = 4.775(3), c = 11.664(5) Å, β = 97.646(5)°, λ = 1.54184 Å, V = 899.6(7) ų, Z = 2, ρ _c = 1.476 g/cm³, M _r = 399.75, F(000) = 416.0, R ₁ = 0.0594, wR ₂ = 0.1439 for 995 observed reflections with I > 2σ(I).     

Synthesis,structure, and antibacterial properties of ternary rare-earth complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-methylbenzoic Acid and 1,10-phenanthroline

Ternary rare-earth complexes with o-methylbenzoic acid (o-MBA) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) Ln₂(o-MBA)₆(Phen)₂ · nH₂O(n = 0, 1) (Ln = La, Pr, Y, Yb) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, X-ray diffraction, and TG-DTG means. The complex La₂(o-MBA)₆(Phen)₂ · H₂O (I) is composed of two species of binuclear molecules in which the La³⁺ ion is coordinated with two nitrogen atoms of Phen and seven oxygen atoms of carboxylate groups. The carboxylate groups were bonded to La³⁺ in three modes: chelating-bidentate, bridging-bidentate, and chelating-bridging tridentate. The La³⁺ ion adopted a vigorous distorted monocapped square antiprism geometry. Complex I belongs to the triclinic crystal system, P space group, lattice parameters: a = 13.058(3), b = 12.7584(11), c = 20.773(4) Å, α = 101.18(3)°, β = 93.88(3)°, γ = 115.82(3)°, V = 3283.0(11)ų, Z = 2, ρ_calcd = 1.484 mg/m³, M _r = 1467.06, F(000) = 1476, μ = 1.350 mm^-1. The structure was refined to R _l = 0.0631 and wR ₂ = 0.1504. The antibacterial activity test indicates that these complexes exhibit better antibacterial ability against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus than the corresponding rare-earth chloride or o-MBA.     

Compounds of the menthane series. Synthesis of unsaturated primary alcohols with the <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-menthane skeletons

Precursors to terpene alcohols of the o- and p-menthane series (o-cimen-7-ol and o- and p-cimen-9-ols) were synthesized, and their reduction with lithium in ethylenediamine was studied. The reduction of o- and p-cimen-9-ols in the presence of isopropyl alcohol selectively afforded the corresponding 1,4-dihydro derivatives. Under analogous conditions, o-cimen-7-ol was converted into a mixture of unsaturated hydrocarbons. The reduction with lithium in ethylenediamine in the absence of isopropyl alcohol in all cases gave mixtures of menthene alcohols.     

Photolytic transformations of aluminum,gallium, and indium tris(3,6-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">tert</Emphasis>-butyl-1,2-semiquinolates)

The quantum yields of photolytic transformations of aluminum, gallium, and indium tris(3,6-di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinolates) in solutions of saturated hydrocarbons were determined. The final products of photodecomposition formed upon irradiation of the compounds with the light of wavelength 313 nm were identified. The kinetic scheme for decomposition of the metal o-semiquinone complexes upon irradiation is suggested.     

New insights into bromination process: effective preparation of Ambroxol

Ambroxol used as an expectorant in treating respiratory diseases was effectively prepared with a total yield of 62%, with o-toluidine as the feedstock via successive procedures of electrophilic bromination, acetylation, radical benzylic bromination, N-alkylation and hydrolysis processes. The addition of aqueous hydrogen peroxide could enhance the utilisation of liquid bromine in the electrophilic bromination of o-toluidine, avoiding the hazardous HBr generated as a by-product. In addition, liquid bromine promoted by MnO₂ was used efficiently for the radical benzylic bromination of N-acetyl-N-(2,4-dibromo-6-methylphenyl)acetamide under mild conditions.     

Electrochemical transformations and antiradical activity of asymmetrical RS-substituted pyrocatechols

Redox transformations of sulfides 1–8 combining a fragment of sterically hindered pyrocatechol with alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aromatic substituents were studied. The first step of electrooxidation of thioethers affords o-benzoquinones. The introduction of the redox-active thioether group extends the range of redox properties of pyrocatechols. In the second step, the thioether fragment is involved in the quasi-reversible anodic process, and the number of electrons participating in the electrode reaction depends on the structure of the hydrocarbon group bonded to the sulfur atom. The reactivity of compounds 1–8 toward O₂^?– was evaluated on the basis of the electrochemical data. Cyclopentyl, phenyl, or benzyl substituents in the thioether group exert a greater effect on the antiradical activity than the alkyl moieties. The formation of an o-semiquinolate radical anion in the reaction of pyrocatechol thioethers with KO₂ was detected by the ESR method. It was shown using the reaction with the stable 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical as an example that RS-functionalized pyrocatechols show a higher antiradical activity compared to 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrocatechol.     

Effect of solvent nature on the photoreduction kinetics of substituted benzoquinones

Effect of the solvent nature on the kinetics of photoreduction of substituted benzoquinones in the presence of hydrogen donors has been studied. It has been found that the effective photoreduction rate constant (k_H) for quinones decreases with an increase in solvent polarity. For the 3,6-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone–1,2-N,N-dimethylaniline pair, the dependence of ln k_H on the difference of the reciprocals of optical and static solvent permitivities (1/ε _∞–1/ε₀) is stepwise with a break point corresponding to CH₂Cl₂. A similar relationship lnk_H = f(1/ε _∞–1/ε₀) is observed for the p-chloranil–mesitylene pair. In the study of the photoreduction kinetics for a series of seven o-benzoquinones in the presence of p-derivatives of N,N-dimethylaniline in CH₂Cl₂, it has been found that the dependence of k_H on the free energy of electron transfer (ΔG_e) has a maximum for the 3,6-di-tert-butylquinone-1,2–N,N-dimethylaniline pair at ΔG_e = 0.11 eV.     

An efficient method for selective oxidation of (oxime)Pt(II) to (oxime)Pt(IV) species using <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-dichlorotosylamide

The oxidation of (oxime)Pt^II species using the electrophilic chlorine-based oxidant N,N-dichlorotosylamide (4-CH₃C₆H₄SO₂NCl₂) was studied. The reactions of trans-[PtCl₂(oxime)₂] (where oxime = acetoxime, cyclopentanone oxime, or acetaldoxime) with this oxidant led to trans-[PtCl₄(oxime)₂] products. The oxidation of trans-[Pt(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂] at room temperature gave trans-[PtCl₂(o-OC₆H₄CH = NOH)₂], whereas the same reaction upon heating was accompanied by electrophilic substitution of the benzene rings.     

Reaction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-Quinones in Cyclohexane Solutions with Alkyl Radicals Generated by Solution γ-Irradiation

The structures of products formed in reactions of tert-butylated o-quinones with alkyl radicals were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and two-dimensional ¹H-¹H NOESY spectroscopy, and also by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major products formed upon γ-irradiation of deaerated solutions of 4-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone and 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone in cyclohexane are monoalkyl ethers and products of addition to the C=C bond. In the case of 4-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone, these are products of mixed O-C and C-C alkylation; the adduct formed by addition of the cyclohexyl radical to the C=C bond in 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone gives an unsymmetrical dimer whose structure was proved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Chromites YbMCr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> (M = Li,Na, K,Cs): X-ray diffraction study

Ytterbium alkali-metal chromites YbMCr₂O₅ (M = Li, Na, K, Cs) were synthesized by a ceramic procedure from the corresponding oxides and carbonates. Their crystal systems and unit cell parameters were determined by the homology method: for YbLiCr₂O₅, a = 10.34 Å, b = 10.62 Å, c = 15.05 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 1653.74 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.85 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.81 ± 0.03 g/cm³; for YbNaCr₂O₅, a = 10.30 Å, b = 10.56 Å, c = 16.46 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 1790.32 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.64 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.59 ± 0.07 g/cm³; for YbKCr₂O₅, a = 10.33 Å, b = 10.63 Å, c = 19.93 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 2188.47 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.95 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.91 ± 0.03 g/cm³; and for YbCsCr₂O₅, a = 10.34 Å, b = 10.63 Å, c = 18.43 Å, Z = 16, V ^o = 2025.72 ų, ρ_X-ray = 5.19 g/cm³, ρ_pycn = 5.16 ± 0.05 g/cm³.     

Structure of A Coordination Polymer [Cu(En)<Subscript>2</Subscript>CrO<Subscript>4</Subscript>]<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>

The crystal structure of [Cu(En)₂CrO₄]_n (En is ethylenediamine) is determined: a = 14.7359(4) Å, b = 9.8083(3) Å, c = 14.2664(4) Å, V = 2061.98(10) ų, space group Cmce, Z = 8, d_x = 1.931 g/cm³. It is demonstrated that the studied phase is isostructural with [Сu(Еn)₂SO₄]_n. A pseudotetragonal copper atom coordination (Cu–N 2.0204 Å and 2.0244 Å, ∠N–Cu–N 84.73°) is completed to distorted octahedral by two oxygen atoms of chromate anions (Cu–O 2.433 Å and 2.380 Å).