Ferric superoxide and ferric hydroxide are used in the catalytic mechanism of hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase: a density functional theory investigation

Hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase (HEPD) is a mononuclear nonheme iron enzyme that utilizes an O(2) molecule to cleave a C-C bond in 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate and produce hydroxymethylphosphonate (HMP) and formic acid. Density functional theory calculations were performed on an enzyme active-site model of HEPD to understand its catalytic mechanism. The reaction starts with H-abstraction from the C2 position of 2-HEP by a ferric superoxide-type (Fe(III)-OO(?-)) intermediate, in a similar manner to the H-abstraction in the reaction of the dinuclear iron enzyme myo-inositol oxygenase. The resultant Fe(II)-OOH intermediate may follow either a hydroperoxylation or hydroxylation pathway, the former process being energetically more favorable. In the hydroperoxylation pathway, a ferrous-alkylhydroperoxo intermediate is formed, and then its O-O bond is homolytically cleaved to yield a complex of ferric hydroxide with a gem-diol radical. Subsequent C-C bond cleavage within the gem-diol leads to formation of an R-CH(2)(?) species and one of the two products (i.e., formic acid). The R-CH(2)(?) then intramolecularly forms a C-O bond with the ferric hydroxide to provide the other product, HMP. The overall reaction pathway does not require the use of a high-valent ferryl intermediate but does require ferric superoxide and ferric hydroxide intermediates.     

The reaction mechanism of hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase: a QM/MM study

By employing ab initio quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we have provided further evidence against the previously proposed hydroperoxylation or hydroxylation mechanism of hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase (HEPD). HEPD employs an interesting catalytic cycle based on concatenated bifurcations. The first bifurcation is based on the abstraction of hydrogen atoms from the substrate, which leads to a distal or proximal hydroperoxo species (Fe-OOH or Fe-(OH)O). The second and the third bifurcations refer to the carbon-carbon bond cleavage reaction. And this is achieved through a tridentate intermediate, or employing a proton-shuttle assisted mechanism, in which the residue Glu(176) or the Fe(IV)=O group serves as a general base. The reaction directions seem to be tunable and show significant environment dependence. This mechanism can provide a comprehensive interpretation for the seemingly contradicting experimental evidences and provide insight into the development of biochemistry and material sciences.     

ONIOM(DFT:MM) study of 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase: what determines the destinies of different substrates?

Why can enzymes provide different products from only slightly different substrates? While the reaction of 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate (2-HEP) catalyzed by 2-hydroxyethylphosphonate dioxygenase (HEPD) yields hydroxymethylphosphonate and formic acid, the HEPD-catalyzed reaction of 1-HEP gives acetylphosphate. ONIOM(DFT:MM) was used to uncover the distinct reaction mechanisms for the different substrates. Calculations show that, in both reactions, similar radical intermediates are generated by the same process. After the formation of common radical intermediates, proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) operates in the 1-HEP reaction, whereas in the 2-HEP reaction, it cannot occur and an alternative pathway sets in. Thus, the PCET plays a critical role in defining the fates of the substrates.     

Photodissociation dynamics of pyrimidine

Photodissociation of pyrimidine at 193 and 248 nm was investigated separately using vacuum ultraviolet photoionization at 118.4 and 88.6 nm and multimass ion imaging techniques. Six dissociation channels were observed at 193 nm, including C4N2H4 --> C4N2H3 + H and five ring opening dissociation channels, C4N2H4 --> C3NH3 + HCN, C4N2H4 --> 2C2NH2, C4N2H4 --> CH3N + C3NH, C4N2H4 --> C4NH2 + NH2, and C4N2H4 --> CH2N + C3NH2. Only the first four channels were observed at 248 nm. Photofragment translational energy distributions and dissociation rates indicate that dissociation occurs in the ground electronic state after internal conversion at both wavelengths. The dissociation rates were found to be >5 x 10(7) and 1 x 10(6) s(-1) at 193 and 248 nm, respectively. Comparison with the potential energies from ab initio calculations have been made.     

13C-labeled N-acetyl-neuraminic acid in aqueous solution: detection and quantification of acyclic keto, keto hydrate, and enol forms by 13C NMR spectroscopy

Aqueous solutions of N-acetyl-neuraminic acid (Neu5Ac, 1) labeled with (13)C at C1, C2, and/or C3 were analyzed by (13)C NMR spectroscopy to detect and quantify the acyclic forms (keto, keto hydrate, enol) present at varying pHs. In addition to pyranoses, solutions contained the keto form, based on the detection of C2 signals at approximately 198 ppm (approximately 0.7% at pH 2). Spectra of [2-(13)C] and [3-(13)C] isotopomers contained signals arising from labeled carbons at approximately 143 and approximately 120 ppm, respectively, which were attributed to enol forms. Solution studies of [1,2,3-(13)C3] 1 substantiated the presence of enol (approximately 0.5% at pH 2). Enol was not detected at pH > 6.0. A C2 signal observed at approximately 94 ppm was identified as C2 of the keto hydrate (approximately 1.9% at pH 2), based partly on its abundance as a function of solution pH. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to study the effect of enol and hydrate structure on J(CH) and J(CC) values involving C2 and C3 of these forms. Solvated DFT calculations showed that (2)J(C2,H3) in cis and trans enols have similar magnitudes but opposite signs, making this J-coupling potentially useful to distinguish enol configurations. Solvent deuterium exchange studies of 1 showed rapid incorporation of (2)H from (2)H2O at H3 axial in the pyranoses at p(2)H 8.0, followed by slower exchange at H3 equatorial. The acyclic keto form, which presumably participates in this reaction, must assume a pseudo-cyclic conformation in solution in order to account for the exchange selectivity. Weak (13)C signals arising from labeled species were also observed consistently and reproducibly in aqueous solutions of (13)C-labeled 1, possibly arising from products of lactonization or intermolecular esterification.     

Infrared absorption of C6H5SO2 detected with time-resolved Fourier-transform spectroscopy

C6H5SO2 radicals were produced upon irradiation of three flowing mixtures: C6H5SO2Cl in N2, C6H5Cl and SO2 in CO2, and C6H5Br and SO2 in CO2, with a KrF excimer laser at 248 nm. A step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer coupled with a multipass absorption cell was employed to record the time-resolved infrared (IR) absorption spectra of reaction intermediates. Two transient bands with origins at 1087.7 and 1278.2 cm-1 are assigned to the SO2-symmetric and SO2-antisymmetric stretching modes, respectively, of C6H5SO2. Calculations with density-functional theory (B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ and B3P86/aug-cc-pVTZ) predict the geometry and vibrational wave numbers of C6H5SO2 and C6H5OSO. The vibrational wave numbers and IR intensities of C6H5SO2 agree satisfactorily with the observed new features. Rotational contours of IR spectra of C6H5SO2 simulated based on predicted molecular parameters agree satisfactorily with experimental results for both bands. The SO2-symmetric stretching band is dominated by a- and c-type rotational structures and the SO2-antisymmetric stretching band is dominated by a b-type rotational structure. When C6H5SO2Cl was used as a precursor of C6H5SO2, C6H5SO2Cl was slowly reproduced at the expense of C6H5SO2, indicating that the reaction Cl+C6H5SO2 takes place. When C6H5Br/SO2/CO2 was used as a precursor of C6H5SO2, features at 1186 and 1396 cm-1 ascribable to C6H5SO2Br were observed at a later period due to secondary reaction of C6H5SO2 with Br. Corresponding kinetics based on temporal profiles of observed IR absorption are discussed.     

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Pseudopteroxazole and Ileabethoxazole

Enantioselective total syntheses of pseudopteroxazole ( 1 ) and ileabethoxazole ( 2 ) are presented. The two original stereocenters were constructed in excellent enantioselectivity and good diastereoselectivity through Carreira's asymmetric dual catalytic allylation, which shows potential for accessing diastereoisomers at C2 and C3 of 1 and 2 . Cationic cyclizations of 13 and 24 demonstrated an effective pathway for the construction of the opposite configurations at C1 in 1 and 2 . Additionally, an approach for the introduction of methyl at C4 is a feasible solution for structural modifications at C4 in 1 and 2 .     

Aromaticity of Heterofullerenes C18BxNy (x+y=2) and Their Molecular Ions

The aromaticity of all possible substituted fullerene isomers of C18N2, C18B2, C18BN, and their molecularions which originate from the C20 (Ih) cage were studied by the topological resonance energy (TRE) and the percentage topological resonance energy methods. The relationship between the aromaticity of C18BxNy isomers and the sites where the heteroatoms dope at the C20 (Ih) cage is discussed. Calculation results show that at the neutral and cationic states all the isomers are predicted to be antiaromatic with negative TREs, but their polyvalent anions are predicted to be aromatic with positive TREs. The most stable isomer is formed by heteroatom doping at the 1,11-sites in C18N2, C18B2, and C18BN. Heterofullerenes are more aromatic than C20. The stability order in the neutral states is C18N2>C18BN>C18B2>C20. The stability order in closed-shell is C18B2 8->C20 6->C18BN6->C18N2 4-. This predicts theoretically that their polyvalent anions have high aromaticity.     

Neutron diffraction study of unusual phase separation in the antiperovskite nitride Mn3ZnN

The antiperovskite Mn(3)ZnN is studied by neutron diffraction at temperatures between 50 and 295 K. Mn(3)ZnN crystallizes to form a cubic structure at room temperature (C1 phase). Upon cooling, another cubic structure (C2 phase) appears at around 177 K. Interestingly, the C2 phase disappears below 140 K. The maximum mass concentration of the C2 phase is approximately 85% (at 160 K). The coexistence of C1 and C2 phase in the temperature interval of 140-177 K implies that phase separation occurs. Although the C1 and C2 phases share their composition and lattice symmetry, the C2 phase has a slightly larger lattice parameter (Δa ≈ 0.53%) and a different magnetic structure. The C2 phase is further investigated by neutron diffraction under high-pressure conditions (up to 270 MPa). The results show that the unusual appearance and disappearance of the C2 phase is accompanied by magnetic ordering. Mn(3)ZnN is thus a valuable subject for study of the magneto-lattice effect and phase separation behavior because this is rarely observed in nonoxide materials.     

Cholesteric induction power of β-galactose derivatives

Galactose derivatives were explored as chiral dopants, effective for inducing chiral nematic liquid crystal (LC) phases. Galactose bearing O-isopropylidene substituents at the C3 and C4 and butoxybiphenyl substituents at the C2 and C6 positions exhibits a high helical twisting power (HTP) value of ?74.4 μm^?1. Such a high HTP value for the galactose derivative is attributed to (1) linkage of the C3 and C4 carbons with the O-isopropylidene substituent, which places the C2 and C6 substitutes in a skew arrangement at a large angle and (2) enhancement of the affinity with the host nematic LCs by incorporating aromatic substituents at the C2 and C6 positions that are similar to those in the host.     

Computational study on the kinetics and mechanism for the unimolecular decomposition of C6H5NO2 and the related C6H5 + NO2 and C6H5O + NO reactions

The kinetics and mechanisms for the unimolecular dissociation of nitrobenzene and related association reactions C(6)H(5) + NO(2) and C(6)H(5)O + NO have been studied computationally at the G2M(RCC, MP2) level of theory in conjunction with rate constant prediction with multichannel RRKM calculations. Formation of C(6)H(5) + NO(2) was found to be dominant above 850 K with its branching ratio > 0.78, whereas the formation of C(6)H(5)O + NO via the C(6)H(5)ONO intermediate was found to be competitive at lower temperatures, with its branching ratio increasing from 0.22 at 850 K to 0.97 at 500 K. The third energetically accessible channel producing C(6)H(4) + HONO was found to be uncompetitive throughout the temperature range investigated, 500-2000 K. The predicted rate constants for C(6)H(5)NO(2) --> C(6)H(5) + NO(2) and C(6)H(5)O + NO --> C(6)H(5)ONO under varying experimental conditions were found to be in good agreement with all existing experimental data. For C(6)H(5) + NO(2), the combination processes producing C(6)H(5)ONO and C(6)H(5)NO(2) are dominant at low temperature and high pressure, while the disproportionation process giving C(6)H(5)O + NO via C(6)H(5)ONO becomes competitive at low pressure and dominant at temperatures above 1000 K.     

Allenediazonium ions and their protonation chemistry: a DFT study

The parent allenediazonium monocation H2C[double bond]C[double bond]CH(N2+) and ten of its substituted derivatives XYC[double bond]C[double bond]C(Z)N2+ (with F, CF3, Me, OMe, and Me2N as substituents) were studied by DFT at the B3LYP/6-31++G** level. Except for the Me2N-substituted derivative that forms a monocation-N2 complex, structurally intact allenediazonium ions were obtained as minima in all cases. Protonation studies at various sites were performed on allenediazonium cations, and relative energies of the resulting minima were used to identify the energetically most favored dications. In the majority of cases, protonation at the central carbon of the allenic moiety (C2) is most favored, forming delocalized allyl cation-N2+ species. The same dication structure is formed via initial C3-protonation, followed by a formal hydride shift, in cases where a carbocation-stabilizing group is placed at C3. When a CF3 group is placed at C3, initial protonation at C1 resulted in a 1,3-fluorine shift, to generate a fluoroallyl cation linked to a CH2N2+ moiety. Structural features in the allenediazonium monocations and their protonated dications were examined, taking into account their geometrical features, computed charges, and the GIAO NMR shifts.     

Atomic layer deposition of tungsten(III) oxide thin films from W2(NMe2)6 and water: precursor-based control of oxidation state in the thin film material

The atomic layer deposition of W2O3 films was demonstrated employing W2(NMe2)6 and water as precursors with substrate temperatures between 140 and 240 degrees C. At 180 degrees C, surface saturative growth was achieved with W2(NMe2)6 vapor pulse lengths of >/=2 s. The growth rate was about 1.4 A/cycle at substrate temperatures between 140 and 200 degrees C. Growth rates of 1.60 and 2.10 A/cycle were observed at 220 and 240 degrees C, respectively. In a series of films deposited at 180 degrees C, the film thicknesses varied linearly with the number of deposition cycles. Time-of-flight elastic recoil analyses demonstrated stoichiometric W2O3 films, with carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen levels between 6.3 and 8.6, 11.9 and 14.2, and 4.6 and 5.0 at. %, respectively, at substrate temperatures of 160, 180, and 200 degrees C. The as-deposited films were amorphous. Atomic force microscopy showed root-mean-square surface roughnesses of 0.7 and 0.9 nm for films deposited at 180 and 200 degrees C, respectively. The resistivity of a film grown at 180 degrees C was 8500 microhm cm.     

Semisynthesis of Some 7-Deoxypaclitaxel Analogs from Taxine B

Taxine B (3), isolated from the dried needles of Taxus baccata, was converted into six novel 7-deoxypaclitaxel analogs, 20, 21a,b, and 23-25, that have structural changes at C1, C2, and C4. A method for the introduction of the benzoyl function at C2, via a benzylidene acetal at C1-C2, will be revealed. All compounds showed very little or no measurable cytotoxic activity against some well-characterized human tumor cell lines, probably due to the nonacylated hydroxyl group at C4.     

Photocycloaddition Reactions of 2‐(Alk‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones

The newly synthesized 2‐(alk‐3‐en‐1‐ynyl)cyclohex‐2‐enones 4 undergo photodimerization (chemo‐ and regio‐)selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to give diastereoisomeric mixtures of 1,2‐dialkynyl‐1,2‐dimethylcyclobutanes. On irradiation of 4 in the presence of 2‐chloroacrylonitrile, cyclobutane formation occurs again (chemo‐ and regio‐)selectively at the exocyclic C?C bond to afford diastereoisomeric mixtures of 2‐alkynyl‐1‐chloro‐2‐methylcyclobutanecarbonitriles. Similarly, compounds 4 undergo photoaddition to 2,3‐dimethylbuta‐1,3‐diene exclusively at the exocyclic C?C bond to afford mixtures of [2+2] and [4+2] cycloadducts.     

Reactions of 16e CpCo half-sandwich complexes containing a chelating 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolate ligand with ethynylferrocene and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

The reaction of the 16e half-sandwich complex [CpCo(S2C2B10H10)] (1S; Cp: cyclopentadienyl) with ethynylferrocene in CH2Cl2 at ambient temperature leads to [CpCo(S2C2B10H9)-(CH2CFc)] (2S; Fc: ferrocenyl) and 1,2,4-triferrocenylbenzene. In 2S, B substitution occurs at the carborane cage in the position B3/B6 with the formation of a C-B bond. In the presence of the protic solvent MeOH, 2S loses a CpCo fragment to generate [(CH2CFc)(S2C2B10H9)] (3S). On the other hand, 2S can take a free CpCo fragment to form [(CpCo)2(S2C2B9H8)-(CHCFc)] (4S) containing a nido-C2B9 unit. In sharp contrast, [CpCo-(Se2C2B10H10)] (1Se) does not react with the alkyne in CH2Cl2, but in MeOH [(CHCFc)(Se2C2B10H10)] (5Se) is generated without the presence of a CpCo unit. The reaction of 1 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate at ambient temperature leads to insertion compounds [CpCo(E2C2B10H10){(MeO2C)-C=C(CO2Me)}] (6S, E=S; 6 Se, E=Se). Upon heating, 6S rearranges to two geometrical isomers [CpCo(S2C2B10H9){(MeO2C)C=CH(CO2Me)}] (7S) and [CpCo(S2C2B10H9){(MeO2C)-CHC(CO2Me)}] (8S). In both, B-H functionalization takes place at the carborane cage in the position B3/B6, but 7S is a 16e complex with an olefinic unit in a Z configuration, and 8S is an 18e complex containing an alkyl B-CH group. Further treatment of 7 S with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate at ambient temperature affords two B-disubstituted complexes at the carborane cage in the positions of the B3 and B6 sites, that is, [CpCo(S2C2-B10H8){(MeO2C)C=CH(CO2Me)}2] (9S) and [CpCo(S2C2B10H8){(MeO2C)-CHC(CO2Me)}{(MeO2C)C=CH-(CO2Me)}] (10S). Compound 9S is a 16e complex with two olefinic units in E/E configurations, whereas 10S is an 18e species containing both an olefinic substituent and an alkyl B--CH unit. The reaction of 7S with methyl acetylenemonocarboxylate at ambient temperature leads to the sole 16e compound [CpCo(S2C2B10H8){CH=CH(CO2Me)}-{(MeO2C)C=CH(CO2Me)}] (11S). In contrast, 6Se does not rearrange. All new complexes 2S-4S, 5Se, 6Se, and 7S-11S were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C) and X-ray structural analyses were performed for 2S-4S, 5Se, 6Se, and 7S-9S.     

Surface tension of binary mixtures of imidazolium and ammonium based ionic liquids with alcohols, or water: cation, anion effect

The surface tensions were measured at atmospheric pressure, with use of a ring tensiometer, of a series of alcoholic solutions of closely related ionic liquids: 1-methyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [MMIM][CH3SO4] in alcohol (methanol, or ethanol, or 1-butanol at 298.15 K), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methylsulfate, [BMIM][CH3SO4] in alcohol (methanol, or ethanol, or 1-butanol at 298.15 K), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium octylsulfate, [BMIM][OcSO4] in alcohol (methanol, or 1-butanol at 298.15 K) and of 1-hexyloxymethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [C6H(13)OCH2MIM][BF4], 1,3-dihexyloxymethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [(C6H13OCH2)2IM][BF4] in alcohol (methanol, or 1-butanol, or 1-hexanol at 308.15 and 318.5 K) and hexyl(2-hydroxyethyl)dimethylammonium bromide, C6Br in 1-octanol at 298.15 K. The set of ammonium ionic liquids of different cations and anions (C2Br, C2BF4, C2PF6, C2N(CN)2, C3Br, C4Br and C6Br) was chosen to show the influence of small amount of the ammonium ionic liquid on the surface tension of water at 298.15 K. The influence of the cation, or anion alkyl chain length on the properties under study (densities and surface tension) was tested.     

Density functional study of the sigma and pi bond activation at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si, C) bonds of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd=XH2 complexes. Is the bond cleavage homolytic or heterolytic?

The mechanism for the activation of the sigma bonds, the O-H of H2O, C-H of CH4, and the H-H of H2, and the pi bonds, the C[triple bond]C of C2H2, C=C of C2H4, and the C=O of HCHO, at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si, C) bonds of the model complexes (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd=XH2 5 has been theoretically investigated using a density functional method (B3LYP). The reaction is significantly affected by the electronic nature of the Pd=X bond, and the mechanism is changed depending on the atom X. The activation of the O-H bond with the lone pair electron is heterolytic at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si) bonds, while it is homolytic at the Pd=C bond. The C-H and H-H bonds without the lone pair electron are also heterolytically activated at the Pd=X bonds independent of the atom X, where the hydrogen is extracted as a proton by the Pd atom in the case of X = Sn, Si and by the C atom in the case of X=C because the nucleophile is switched between the Pd and X atoms depending on the atom X. In contrast, the pi bond activation of C[triple bond]C and C=C at the Pd=Sn bond proceeds homolytically, and is accompanied by the rotation of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd group around the Pd-Sn axis to successfully complete the reaction by both the electron donation from the pi orbital to Sn p orbital and the back-donation from the Pd dpi orbital to the pi orbital. On the other hand, the activation of the C=O pi bond with the lone pair electron at the Pd=Sn bond has two reaction pathways: one is homolytic with the rotation of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd group and the other is heterolytic without the rotation. The role of the ligands controlling the activation mechanism, which is heterolytic or homolytic, is discussed.     

Does the solid-liquid crystal phase transition provoke the spin-state change in spin-crossover metallomesogens?

Three types of interplay/synergy between spin-crossover (SCO) and liquid crystalline (LC) phase transitions can be predicted: (i) systems with coupled phase transitions, where the structural changes associated to the Cr<-->LC phase transition drives the spin-state transition, (ii) systems where both transitions coexist in the same temperature region but are not coupled, and (iii) systems with uncoupled phase transitions. Here we present a new family of Fe(II) metallomesogens based on the ligand tris[3-aza-4-((5-C(n))(6-R)(2-pyridyl))but-3-enyl]amine, with C(n) = hexyloxy, dodecyloxy, hexadecyloxy, octadecyloxy, eicosyloxy, R = hydrogen or methyl (C(n)-trenH or C(n)-trenMe), which affords examples of systems of types i, ii, and iii. Self-assembly of the ligands C(n)-trenH and C(n)-trenMe with Fe(A)2 x xH2O salts have afforded a family of complexes with general formula [Fe(C(n)-trenR)](A)2 x sH2O (s > or = 0), with A = ClO4(-), F-, Cl-, Br- and I-. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction measurements have been performed on two derivatives of this family, named as [Fe(C6-trenH)](ClO4)2 (C(6)-1) and [Fe(C6-trenMe)](ClO4)2 (C(6)-2), at 150 K for C(6)-1 and at 90 and 298 K for C(6)-2. At 150 K, C(6)-1 displays the triclinic space group P, whereas at 90 and at 298 K C(6)-2 adopts the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group. In both compounds the iron atoms adopt a pseudo-octahedral symmetry and are surrounded by six nitrogen atoms belonging to imino groups and pyridines of the ligands C(n)-trenH and C(n)-trenMe. The average Fe(II)-N bonds (1.963(2) A) at 150 K denote that C(6)-1 is in the low-spin (LS) state. For C(6)-2 the average Fe(II)-N bonds (2.007(1) A) at 90 K are characteristic of the LS state, while at 298 K they are typical for the high-spin (HS) state (2.234(3) A). Compound C(6)-1 and [Fe(C18-trenH)](ClO4)2 (C(18)-1) adopts the LS state in the temperature region between 10 and 400 K, while compound C(6)-2 and [Fe(Cn-trenMe)](ClO4)2 (n = 12 (C(12)-2), 18 (C(18)-2)) exhibit spin crossover behavior at T(1/2) centered around 140 K. The thermal spin transition is accompanied by a pronounced change of color from dark red (LS) to orange (HS). The light-induced excited spin state trapping (LIESST) effect has been investigated in compounds C(6)-2, C(12)-2 and C(18)-2. The T(1/2)LIESST is 56 K (C(6)-2), 48 K (C(16)-2), and 56 K (C(18)-2). On the basis of differential scanning calorimetry, optical polarizing microscopy, and X-ray diffraction findings for C(18)-1, C(12)-2, and C(18)-2 at high temperature a smectic mesophase SX has been identified with layered structures similar to C(6)-1 and C(6)-2. The compounds [Fe(C(n)-trenH)](Cl)2 x sH2O (n = 16 (C(16)-3, s = 3.5, C(16)-4, s = 0.5, C(16)-5, s = 0), 18 (C(18)-3, s = 3.5, C(18)-4, s = 0.5, C(18)-5, s = 0), 20 (C(20)-3, s = 3.5, C(20)-4, s = 0.5, C(20)-5, s = 0)) and [Fe(C18-tren)](F)2 x sH2O (C(18)-6, s = 3.5, C(18)-7, s = 0) show a very particular spin-state change, while [Fe(C18-tren)](Br)2 x 3H2O (C(18)-8) together with [Fe(C18-tren)](I)2 (C(18)-9) are in the LS state (10-400 K) and present mesomorphic behavior like that observed for the complexes C(18)-1, C(12)-2, and C(18)-2. In compounds C(n)-3 50% of the Fe(II) ions undergo spin-state change at T(1/2) = 375 K induced by releasing water, and in partially dehydrated compounds (s = 0.5) the Cr-->SA phase transition occurs at 287 K (C(16)-4), 301 K (C(18)-4) and 330 K (C(20)-4). For the fully dehydrated materials C(n)-5 50% of the Fe(II) ions are in the HS state and show paramagnetic behavior between 10 and 400 K. In the partially dehydrated C(n)-4 the spin transition is induced by the change of the aggregate state of matter (solid<-->liquid crystal). For compound C(18)-6 the full dehydration to C(18)-7 provokes the spin-state change of nearly 50% of the Fe(II) ions. The compounds C(n)-3 and C(18)-6 are dark purple in the LS state and become light purple-brown when 50% of the Fe(II) atoms are in the HS state.     

Beyond-thermal-equilibrium" conversion of methane to acetylene and hydrogen under pulsed corona discharge

At ambient temperature and pressure, C2H2 and H2 are the dominating products from pure methane conversion under pulsed corona discharge (PCD). When the energy density of 194-1788 kJ/mol was applied, 7%-30% of C2H2 yield and 6%-35% of H2 yield per pass have been obtained. These results are higher than the maximum thermodynamic yield of C2H2 (5.1%) and H2 (3.8%) at 100 kPa and 1100 K, respectively. Thereby, pulsed corona discharge is a very effective tool for "beyond-thermal-equilibrium" conversion of methane to C2H2 and H2 at ambient temperature and pressure. In the PCD energy density range of 339-822 kJ/mol, the carbon distribution of the methane conversion products is found to be: C2H2 86%-89%, C2H6 4%-6%, C2H4 4%-6%, C3 -2%, C4 -1%. Through comparison of the product from pure methane, ethane and ethylene conversion at the same discharge conditions, it can be concluded that three pathways may be responsible for the C2H2 formation via CHx radicals produced from the collisions of CH4 molecules with energi