Oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with polymer anchored molybdenyl and vanadyl complexes

The oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol with tert-butylhydroperoxide (Bu^tO₂H) has been studied using polymer (XAD₄) anchored salicylaldoxime, 1,3-propylene-bis-salicylaldimine and o-phenylene-bis-salicylaldimine complexes of molybdenum and vanadium in acetonitrile. The predominant products formed in the oxidation reactions were 2,6-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone (BQ) and 3,3′-5,5′-tetra-tert-butyldiphenoquinone (dPQ), whereas with some only 2,6-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone was formed. This is the first reported use of polymer anchored molybdenyl and vanadyl complexes in selective oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol. Solvent plays an important role in this reaction. The effects of varying the ligand, metal and the support on the catalytic activity in the oxidation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol have been studied. With polymer anchored MoO₂(salpen), 81% of 2,6-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone was formed from 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol.     

Probing the nature of three-centered hydrogen bonds in minor-groove ligand-DNA interactions: the contribution of fluorine hydrogen bonds to complex stability

Double-stranded DNA sequences have been prepared in which single atoms (the O2-carbonyls of selected thymines) have been replaced by fluorine or methyl. To maintain normal Watson-Crick hydrogen bonding with the complementary purines, these analogue derivatives have been prepared as C-nucleosides. The O2-carbonyls of interest for this study are those involved in a bifurcated (or three-centered) hydrogen bond with the minor groove binding ligand 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). TM studies of the duplexes illustrate that the DNA duplexes are destabilized when fluorine or methyl replaces one or both of the minor groove O2-carbonyls, which can in part be explained by changes in minor groove hydration. In the presence of DAPI, most of the duplexes exhibit an increased TM due to the presence of DAPI bound in the minor groove. The extent of helix overstabilization negatively correlates with the presence of one or both methyl groups in the minor groove, suggesting that ligand binding is weakened in the presence of the non-carbonyl functional groups. The presence of single fluorine appears to promote helix stabilization, and native-like stabilization occurs when both fluorines are present. KD values quantitate binding effects between DAPI and the native and analogue sequences. Sequences with one or both methyl groups exhibit very poor binding with DAPI, while those containing a single fluorine behave essentially like native carbonyl-containing sequences. With both fluorines present, KD values were observed to increase by a moderate 3-fold at 100 mM NaCl and somewhat more at 200 mM NaCl. Binding affinities with both methyl groups present were 500-1000-fold weaker than native. The results suggest that organofluorines can function as hydrogen-bond acceptors, at least in the bifurcated interaction that contributes to minor groove binding by DAPI.     

Probing P-H+-P hydrogen bonds: structures, binding energies, and spin-spin coupling constants

Ab initio MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ calculations have been performed to determine the structures and binding energies of 22 open and 3 cyclic complexes formed from the sp2 [H(2)C=PH and HP=PH (cis and trans)] and sp3 [PH2(CH3) and PH3] hybridized phosphorus bases and their corresponding protonated ions. EOM-CCSD calculations have been carried out to obtain (31)P-(31)P and (31)P-(1)H coupling constants across P-H+-P hydrogen bonds. Two equilibrium structures with essentially linear hydrogen bonds have been found along the proton-transfer coordinate, except for complexes with P(CH3)H3+ as the proton donor to the sp2 bases. Although the isomer having the conjugate acid of the stronger base as the proton donor lies lower on the potential energy surface, it has a smaller binding energy relative to the corresponding isolated monomers than the isomer with the conjugate acid of the weaker base as the donor. The hydrogen bond of the latter has increased proton-shared character. All of the complexes are stabilized by traditional hydrogen bonds, as indicated by positive values of the reduced coupling constants (2h)K(P-P) and (1)K(P-H), and negative values of (1h)K(H-P). (2h)J(P-P) correlates with the P-P distance, a correlation determined primarily by the nature of the proton donor. For open complexes, (1)J(P-H) always increases relative to the isolated monomer, while (1h)J(H-P) is relatively small and negative. (2h)J(P-P) values are quite large in open complexes, but are much smaller in cyclic complexes in which the P-H+-P hydrogen bonds are nonlinear. Thus, experimental measurements of (2h)J(P-P) should be able to differentiate between open and cyclic complexes.     

Chemical bonds in ion implanted structures

The physical processes of ion implantation are discussed. The chemical bonds between implanted and host atoms depend on the location of the implanted atom in the lattice. The experimental methods used for the investigation of the bonding structure are shortly revlewed. The Mössbauer spectroscopy had proved a powerful method for determining the bonding structures of the implanted atoms. The discussion is limited to⁵⁷Fe implanted atoms in various hosts and the systematics of the isomer shift is discussed. The analysis showed that the bonding between these atoms results in electron transfer of the bonding s and d electrons. The anomalous Mössbauer spectra measured in Bi and Pb lattices are discussed.     

EPR studies of a molybdenyl complex in single crystals of NH4Cl

Electron paramagnetic resonance of [MoOCl₅]^2? has been studied in single crystals of NH₄Cl. At room temperature the interaction of the unpaired electron with both the even and odd isotopes of molybdenum has been observed. The existence of metal-halogen π bonding is established by the observation of the ligand superhyperfine interaction at liquid nitrogen temperatures. Various possible models corresponding to the different spatial configurations of the molybdenyl complex in the lattice are considered to explain the experimentally observed features. The spectra are analysed using the usual spin-hamiltonian corresponding to tetragonal symmetry. The spin-hamiltonian parameters obtained are: g_∥ = 1.964, g_? = 1.945, A_∥ = 75.53 × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_⊥ = 38.42 × 10^?4 cm^?1.     

Magnetic interactions in a vanadyl complex of an iminonitroxide radical

We have synthesized a complex in which a pyridyliminonitroxide radical is coordinated to a vanadyl ion. ESR studies of this complex show that the radical's unpaired spin is tightly coupled to the vanadium spin to form a ground singlet state with a thermally accessible triplet state. The vanadium hyperfine splitting in the triplet state of the complex is found to be one half of that of isolated vanadyl complexes.     

Probing the limits of rate acceleration mediated by hydrogen bonds

[Structure: see text] A simple receptor and substrate are used to probe the relationship between transition-state charge and the level of rate acceleration that can be created by stabilizing the transition state through hydrogen bonding. Pericyclic reactions are accelerated less than 2-fold by the receptor, whereas a conjugate addition reaction is accelerated more than 30-fold. Therefore, substrate polarization by hydrogen bonding would only appear to be effective for reactions that generate significant charge at the transition state.     

Probing the electronic structure of peptide bonds using methyl groups

The observed V3 torsional barriers measured by microwave spectroscopy for nine methyl groups attached alpha to peptide bond linkages in five gas-phase biomimetics have been found to differ considerably from one molecule to the next and even depend on the position of substitution, being sensitive to structural changes at the other end of the peptide bond. In the search for an explanation for these results, ab initio calculations have been performed at the HF/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory and interpreted in terms of the natural bond orbitals and resonance structures of the peptide bond. These calculations reveal that resonance delocalization in peptide bonds is influenced by methyl conformation through the coupling of vicinal sigma to sigma* orbital interactions with the n to pi*. Thus, CN double-bond character increases (and CO double-bond character decreases) as the methyl group is rotated from the syn to the anti position. A quasilinear correlation exists between the barriers to internal rotation of attached methyl groups and the relative importance of the two principal resonance structures that contribute to the peptide bond.     

Exchange and dative coordinate bonds in binuclear zinc complex

The high-resolution X-ray diffraction study of dizinc bis(pyridine)-bis{[μ₂-(2-oxybenzylidene)amino]-4,6-di(tert-butyl)phenoxide} and the analysis of the structures of related compounds refuted the data on the effect of the exchange or dative mechanism of the metalbridging ligand bond formation on the bond strength and revealed the factors controlling the energy of these bonds.     

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of new bidentate Schiff base ligand and its vanadium(IV) complex: The catalytic activity of vanadyl complex in epoxidation of alkenes

The Schiff base ligand N-salicylidin-2-bromoethylimine (L) and its vanadium(IV) complex, VOL₂ (1), were synthesized and characterized by using X-ray, CHN, ¹H NMR and FT-IR methods. X-ray analysis shows the Schiff base ligand L acts as a bidentate (O, N) chelating ligand and coordinates via imine nitrogen and phenolato oxygen atoms to the V(IV) center. The coordination geometry around the V(IV) center in 1 is approximately square pyramidal, as indicated by the unequal metal-ligand bond distances and angles, with the basal plane formed by the N₂O₂ donors of the two bidentate Schiff base ligands, the two phenolato O atoms and the two imine N atoms are in the trans position. The coordination sphere of the V(IV) is completed by one oxygen atom in apical position. In the Schiff base ligand, L, there are some classical intramolecular O1-H1?N1 and non-classical intermolecular C9-H9b?O1 hydrogen bonds, while in 1, there are two non-classical intermolecular C7-H7?O3 and C8-H8b?O3 hydrogen bonds. The catalytic activity of 1 in epoxidation of cyclooctene was investigated in different conditions to obtain optimum conditions. The effects of solvent, oxidant, catalyst concentration and alkene/oxidant ratio were studied and the results showed that in CCl₄ in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide in 1:3 alkene/oxidant ratio, high epoxide yield was obtained. The epoxidation of alkenes was also carried out in optimized conditions that high catalytic activity and selectivity were obtained.     

Infrared studies of SiH bonds and the structures of methylsilylamines and ethers

Gas phase IR spectra have been investigated in a series of methylsilyl compounds, including MeSiHDX (X = F, Cl), MeSiHX₂ (X = F, Cl), Me₂SiHCl, (Me₂SiH)₂NH, (MeSiH₂)₃N, (MeSiHD)₃N, (MeSiH₂)₂NMe,* (Me₂SiH)₂NMe,* MeSiH₂NMe₂,* Me₂SiHNMe₂, (MeSiHD)₂O and (Me₂SiH)₂O. In the asterisked molecules, pairs of νSiH bands are seen which confirm the existence of fixed conformations. Amongst the other compounds, the single band seen is attributed on the basis of the α-Me substitutent effect to a fixed conformation in the cases of Me₂SiHNMe₂ and (Me₂SiH)₂O. In (Me₂SiH)₂NH and (MeSiH₂)₂O, free internal rotation about the SiN and SiO bonds seems likely. Apart from the possible case of (MeSiH₂)₃N, the spectra appear to be compatible with the electron diffraction evidence, and for the most part in broad agreement with the structures found. 2νSiH bands are in general harder to see in these amines and ethers than in Me₂SiHCl. A likely transition to a (1, 1) local mode state is observed in (MeSiH₂)₃N.Determination of barriers to internal rotation in these molecules should be a high priority.     

Enhanced conductivity and dielectric absorption in discotic liquid crystalline columnar phases of a vanadyl complex

A liquid crystalline vanadyl complex has been studied by DSC, polarizing optical microscopy, the reversal current technique, X-ray diffraction and frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy. The compound exhibits three columnar phases: rectangular ordered (Col_ro), rectangular disordered (Col_rd), and hexagonal disordered (Col_hd), all of which show a dielectric relaxation process at low frequencies. In the Col_ro low temperature phase this process seems to be connected with a slow relaxation of polarized polymeric chains inside the columns (mHz frequency range). However, in the Col_hd high temperature disordered phase this relaxation is faster (Hz range). It is interesting that the liquid crystalline phases studied show enhanced conductivity which changes by four orders of magnitude from 10^?9 S m^?1 in the orientationally disordered crystal (an ODIC phase) to 10^?5 S m^?1 in the Col_hd high temperature phase. Such a value of the conductivity is typical for semiconducting materials.     

Enhanced conductivity and dielectric absorption in discotic liquid crystalline columnar phases of a vanadyl complex

A liquid crystalline vanadyl complex has been studied by DSC, polarizing optical microscopy, the reversal current technique, X-ray diffraction and frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy. The compound exhibits three columnar phases: rectangular ordered (Col_ro), rectangular disordered (Col_rd), and hexagonal disordered (Col_hd), all of which show a dielectric relaxation process at low frequencies. In the Col_ro low temperature phase this process seems to be connected with a slow relaxation of polarized polymeric chains inside the columns (mHz frequency range). However, in the Col_hd high temperature disordered phase this relaxation is faster (Hz range). It is interesting that the liquid crystalline phases studied show enhanced conductivity which changes by four orders of magnitude from 10^-9 S m^-1 in the orientationally disordered crystal (an ODIC phase) to 10^-5 S m^-1 in the Col_hd high temperature phase. Such a value of the conductivity is typical for semiconducting materials.     

Probing the bent bonds in cyclopropane systems for gas storage and separation process: A computational study

The hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide gas adsorption and storage capacity of lithium-decorated cyclopropane ring systems were examined with quantum chemical calculations at density functional theory, DFT M06-2X functional using 6-31G(d) and cc-pVDZ basis sets. To examine the reliability of M06-2X DFT functional, a few representative systems are also examined with complete basis set CBS-QB3 method and CCSD-aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. The cyclopropane systems can bind to one Li⁺ ion; however, the corresponding the methylated systems can bind with two Li⁺ ions. The cyclopropane systems can adsorb six hydrogen molecules with an average binding energy of 3.8 kcal/mol. The binding free energy (ΔG) values suggest that the hydrogen adsorption process is feasible at 273.15 K. The calculation of desorption energies indicates the recyclable property of gas adsorbed complexes. The same number of CO₂ and CO gas molecules can also be adsorbed with an average binding energy of −14.4 kcal/mol and −10.7 kcal/mol, respectively. The carbon dioxide showed ~3–4 kcal/mol better binding energy as compared to carbon monoxide and hence such designed systems can function as a potential candidate for the separation of these flue gas molecules. The nature of interactions in complexes was examined with atoms in molecules analysis revealed the electrostatic nature for the interaction of Li⁺ ion with cyclopropane rings. The chemical hardness and electrophilicity calculations showed that the gas adsorbed complexes are rigid and therefore robust as gas storage materials.     

The characteristic polynomials of structures with pending bonds

It is well known [1] that the calculation of characteristic polynomials of graphs of interest in Chemistry which are of any size is usually extremely tedious except for graphs having a vertex of degree 1. This is primarily because of numerous combinations of contributions whether they were arrived at by non-imaginative expansion of the secular determinant or by the use of some of the available graph theoretical schemes based on the enumeration of partial coverings of a graph, etc. An efficient and quite general technique is outlined here for compounds that have pending bonds (i.e., bonds which have a terminal vertex). We have extended here the step-wise pruning of pending bonds developed for acyclic structures by one of the authors [2] for elegant evaluation of the characteristic polynomials of trees by accelerating this process, treating pending group as a unit. Further, it is demonstrated that this generalized pruning technique can be applied not only to trees but to cyclic and polycyclic graphs of any size. This technique reduces the secular determinant to a considerable extent. The present technique cannot handle only polycyclic structures that have no pending bonds. However, frequently such structures can be reduced to a combination of polycyclic graphs with pending bonds [3] so that the present scheme is applicable to these structures too. Thus we have arrived at an efficient and quite a simple technique for the construction of the characteristic polynomials of graphs of any size.     

Probing C-H...X hydrogen bonds in amide-functionalized imidazolium salts under high pressure

We have probed under high pressure the C-H hydrogen bonds formed by N,N(')-disubstituted imidazolium ions having PF(6) (-) and Br(-) counterions. High-pressure infrared spectral profiles, x-ray crystallographic analysis, and ab initio calculations allow us to make a vibrational assignment of these compounds. The appearance of a signal for the free-NH unit (or weakly bonded N-H...F unit) in the infrared spectrum of the PF(6) (-) salt indicates that conventional N-H...O and N-H...N hydrogen bonds do not fully dominate the packing. It is likely that the charge-enhanced C(2)-H...F interactions, combined with other weak hydrogen bonds, disturb the formation of N-H hydrogen bonds in the PF(6) (-) salt. This finding is consistent with the pressure-dependent results, which reveal that the C(2)-H...F interaction is enhanced upon increasing the pressure. In contrast to the PF(6) (-) salt, the imidazolium C-H bonds of the Br(-) salt have low sensitivity to high pressure. This finding suggests that the hydrogen bonding patterns are determined by the relative hydrogen bond acceptor strengths of the Br(-) and PF(6) (-) ions.     

On the ionic and covalent characters of uranium-fluorine bonds in complex fluorides of uranium

In order to clarify the changes over the wide ranges of the uranium-fluorine (UF) stretching vibrations of complex fluorides of uranium, we have investigated on the basis of a valence bond wave function, ψ = ψ_cov + λψ_ion, to estimate the ionic and covalent characters of the UF bonds from the stretching force constants. A semi-empirical relation between the λ and force constants has been derived, and thereby the amount of ionic and covalent characters have been obtained for several compounds.     

Probing transient Hoogsteen hydrogen bonds in canonical duplex DNA using NMR relaxation dispersion and single-atom substitution

Nucleic acids transiently morph into alternative conformations that can be difficult to characterize at the atomic level by conventional methods because they exist for too little time and in too little abundance. We recently reported evidence for transient Hoogsteen (HG) base pairs in canonical B-DNA based on NMR carbon relaxation dispersion. While the carbon chemical shifts measured for the transient state were consistent with a syn orientation for the purine base, as expected for A(syn)?T(anti) and G(syn)?C(+)(anti) HG base pairing, HG type hydrogen bonding could only be inferred indirectly. Here, we develop two independent approaches for directly probing transient changes in N-H···N hydrogen bonds and apply them to the characterization of transient Hoogsteen type hydrogen bonds in canonical duplex DNA. The first approach takes advantage of the strong dependence of the imino nitrogen chemical shift on hydrogen bonding and involves measurement of R(1ρ) relaxation dispersion for the hydrogen-bond donor imino nitrogens in G and T residues. In the second approach, we assess the consequence of substituting the hydrogen-bond acceptor nitrogen (N7) with a carbon (C7H7) on both carbon and nitrogen relaxation dispersion data. Together, these data allow us to obtain direct evidence for transient Hoogsteen base pairs that are stabilized by N-H···N type hydrogen bonds in canonical duplex DNA. The methods introduced here greatly expand the utility of NMR in the structural characterization of transient states in nucleic acids.