Unusual Encapsulation of Two Anions in the Cavity of Neutral Macrocyclic Octalactam,Preliminary Communication

A new neutral anion receptor – macrocyclic octalactam 2 , possessing a large 36‐membered ring, was synthesized, and its unusual property of encapsulation of two Cl⁻ ions and two H₂O molecules in the cavity was confirmed by X‐ray crystallography (see Figure). The octalactam, consisting of four 2,6‐dicarbamoylpyridine and four ethylene moieties, exhibits a symmetrical, fully expanded conformation in the complex [(Cl)₂( 2 )(H₂O)₂]²⁻ (obtained as 2 ⋅2 Bu₄NCl⋅4 H₂O⋅2 CH₂Cl₂). Inside the cavity, encapsulated species – two Cl⁻ ions and two H₂O molecules – are connected to each other by H‐bonds. This kind of complex‐in‐complex system is formed by means of twenty intra‐ring H‐bonds and additionally four from the ‘outside' H₂O molecules. Considering size and symmetry, it can be stated that the planar (H₂O⋅Cl⁻)₂ dimer fits well into the cavity of octalactam 2 . The ligand has an optimal arrangement of binding sites to form H‐bonds to every corner of the dimer.     

Tetrabutylammonium Salts of Aluminum(III) and Gallium(III) Phthalocyanine Radical Anions Bonded with Fluoren‐9‐olato− Anions and Indium(III) Phthalocyanine Bromide Radical Anions

Reduction of aluminum(III), gallium(III), and indium(III) phthalocyanine chlorides by sodium fluorenone ketyl in the presence of tetrabutylammonium cations yielded crystalline salts of the type (Bu₄N⁺)₂[M^III(HFl−O⁻)(Pc^.3−)]^.−(Br⁻) ⋅ 1.5 C₆H₄Cl₂ [M=Al ( 1 ), Ga ( 2 ); HFl−O⁻=fluoren‐9‐olato⁻ anion; Pc=phthalocyanine] and (Bu₄N⁺) [In^IIIBr(Pc^.3−)]^.− ⋅ 0.875 C₆H₄Cl₂ ⋅ 0.125 C₆H₁₄ ( 3 ). The salts were found to contain Pc^.3− radical anions with negatively charged phthalocyanine macrocycles, as evidenced by the presence of intense bands of Pc^.3− in the near‐IR region and a noticeable blueshift in both the Q and Soret bands of phthalocyanine. The metal(III) atoms coordinate HFl−O⁻ anions in 1 and 2 with short Al−O and Ga−O bond lengths of 1.749(2) and 1.836(6) Å, respectively. The C−O bonds [1.402(3) and 1.391(11) Å in 1 and 2 , respectively] in the HFl−O⁻ anions are longer than the same bond in the fluorenone ketyl (1.27–1.31 Å). Salts 1 – 3 show effective magnetic moments of 1.72, 1.66, and 1.79 μ_B at 300 K, respectively, owing to the presence of unpaired S= 1/2 spins on Pc^.3−. These spins are coupled antiferromagnetically with Weiss temperatures of −22, −14, and −30 K for 1 – 3 , respectively. Coupling can occur in the corrugated two‐dimensional phthalocyanine layers of 1 and 2 with an exchange interaction of J /k _B=−0.9 and −1.1 K, respectively, and in the π‐stacking {[In^IIIBr(Pc^.3−)]^.−}₂ dimers of 3 with an exchange interaction of J /k _B=−10.8 K. The salts show intense electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals attributed to Pc^.3−. It was found that increasing the size of the central metal atom strongly broadened these EPR signals.     

Weak Antiferromagnetic Exchange and Ferromagnetic Alignment of FeII (S=2) Spins in Differently Charged {HAT ⋅ (FeIICl2)3}n (n=2- and 3-) Assemblies of Hexaazatriphenylenes (HAT)

Hexaazatrianthracene (HATA) and hexaazatriphenylenehexacarbonitrile {HAT(CN)₆} are reduced by metallic iron in the presence of crystal violet (CV⁺)(Cl⁻). Anionic ligands are produced, which simultaneously coordinate three Fe^IICl₂ to form (CV⁺)₂{HATA ⋅ (Fe^IICl₂)₃}²⁻ ⋅ 3 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 1 ) and (CV⁺)₃{HAT(CN)_6. (Fe^IICl₂)₃}³⁻ ⋅ 0.5CVCl ⋅ 2.5 C₆H₄Cl₂ ( 2 ). High-spin (S=2) Fe^II atoms in both structures are arranged in equilateral triangles at a distance of 7 Å. An antiferromagnetic exchange is observed between Fe^II in {HATA ⋅ (Fe^IICl₂)₃}²⁻ ( 1 ) with a Weiss temperature (Θ) of −80 K, the PHI estimated exchange interaction (J) is −4.7 cm⁻¹. The {HAT(CN)₆ ⋅ (Fe^IICl₂)₃}³⁻ assembly is obtained in 2 . The formation of HAT(CN)₆^.3− is supported by the appearance of an intense EPR signal with g=2.0037. The magnetic behavior of 2 is described by a strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe^II and HAT(CN)₆^.3− spins with J₁=−164 cm⁻¹ (−2 J formalism) and by a weaker antiferromagnetic coupling between the Fe^II spins with J₂=−15.4 cm⁻¹. The stronger coupling results in the spins of the three Fe^IICl₂ units to be aligned parallel to each other in the assembly. As a result, an increase of the χ_MT values is observed with the decrease of temperature from 9.82 at 300 K up to 15.06 emu ⋅ K/mol at 6 K, and the Weiss temperature is also positive being at +23 K. Thus, a change in the charge and spin state of the HAT-type ligand to ⋅3⁻ results in ferromagnetic alignment of the Fe^II spins, yielding a high-spin (S=11/2) system. DFT calculations showed that, due to the high symmetry and nearly degenerated LUMO of both HATA and HAT(CN)₆, their complexes with Fe^IICl₂ have a variety of closely lying excited high-spin states with multiplicity up to S=15/2.     

Kinetics and Mechanism Study of the Substitution Reactions of the Chloride Ligand in Dichloro(5,10,15,20)‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphinato)tin(IV) by Organic Bases in Dimethylformamide Solvent

Substitution reactions of a Cl⁻ ligand in [SnCl₂(tpp)] (tpp=5,10,15,20‐tetraphenyl‐21H,23H‐porphinato(2−)) by five organic bases i.e., butylamine (BuNH₂), sec‐butylamine (^sBuNH₂), tert‐butylamine (^tBuNH₂), dibutylamine (Bu₂NH), and tributylamine (Bu₃N), as entering nucleophile in dimethylformamide at I=0.1M (NaNO₃) and 30–55° were studied. The second‐order rate constants for the substitution of a Cl⁻ ligand were found to be (36.86±1.14)⋅10⁻³, (32.91±0.79)⋅10⁻³, (22.21±0.58)⋅10⁻³, (19.09±0.66)⋅10⁻³, and (1.36±0.08)⋅10⁻³ M ⁻¹s⁻¹ at 40° for BuNH₂, ^tBuNH₂, ^sBuNH₂, Bu₂NH, and Bu₃N, respectively. In a temperature‐dependence study, the activation parameters ΔH^≠ and ΔS^≠ for the reaction of [SnCl₂(tpp)] with the organic bases were determined as 38.61±4.79 kJ mol⁻¹ and −150.40±15.46 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for BuNH₂, 40.95±4.79 kJ mol⁻¹ and −143.75±15.46 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for ^tBuNH₂, 30.88±2.43 kJ mol⁻¹ and −179.00±7.82 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for ^sBuNH₂, 26.56±2.97 kJ mol⁻¹ and −194.05±9.39 J K⁻¹mol⁻¹ for Bu₂NH, and 39.37±2.25 kJ mol⁻¹ and −174.68±7.07 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for Bu₃N. From the linear rate dependence on the concentration of the bases, the span of k₂ values, and the large negative values of the activation entropy, an associative (A) mechanism is deduced for the ligand substitution.     

A New Approach for the Voltammetric Determination of Amoxicillin in the Dosage Form Using Azo Coupling Reaction with Sulphanilamide

The novel method of amoxicillin (AM) determination has been developed using single-sweep polarography. The proposed method is based on the obtaining of yellow coloured azo compound due to azo coupling reaction of previous diazotized sulphanilamide (SA) (in the medium of 0.6 M hydrochloric acid) with amoxicillin at pH=9.0 with the further reduction of the formed analytical form on a dropping mercury electrode. Voltammetric determination of amoxicillin is carried out due to the reduction peak of azo group of the obtained azo compound in the presence of 0.05 mol ⋅ L⁻¹ Na₂B₄O₇ as a background electrolyte at the potential E_c^p2=−0.55 V and potential sweep rate of 2.5 V ⋅ s⁻¹. The developed voltammetric method has two linear ranges of the determined concentrations (0.05–2.0) ⋅ 10⁻⁵ mol ⋅ L⁻¹ and (0.2–1.0) ⋅ 10⁻⁴ mol ⋅ L⁻¹ and the high sensitivity: LOD without the removing of unreacted sodium nitrite is 1.1 ⋅ 10⁻⁶ mol ⋅ L⁻¹, and 7.2 ⋅ 10⁻⁷ mol ⋅ L⁻¹, when NaNO₂ excess is removed using urea. The developed voltammetric technique of AM determination has been approved during the analyses of tablets and oral suspension.     

The kinetics and mechanisms of gas phase elimination of primary,secondary, and tertiary 2‐hydroxyalkylbenzenes

2‐Phenylethanol, racemic 1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, and 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol have been pyrolyzed in a static system over the temperature range 449.3–490.6°C and pressure range 65–198 torr. The decomposition reactions of these alcohols in seasoned vessels are homogeneous, unimolecular, and follow a first‐order rate law. The Arrhenius equations for the overall decomposition and partial rates of products formation were found as follows: for 2‐phenylethanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.43−228.1 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.97−249.2 kJ mol⁻¹ (2.303 RT)⁻¹, styrene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.40−229.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, ethylbenzene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.96−253.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹; for 1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=13.03−233.5 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=13.04−240.1 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, unsaturated hydrocarbons+indene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.19−224.3 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹; for 2‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propanol, overall rate log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.68−222.1 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, toluene formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.65−222.9 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹, phenylpropenes formation log k₁(s⁻¹)=12.27−226.2 kJ mol⁻¹(2.303 RT)⁻¹. The overall decomposition rates of the 2‐hydroxyalkylbenzenes show a small but significant increase from primary to tertiary alcohol reactant. Two competitive eliminations are shown by each of the substrates: the dehydration process tends to decrease in relative importance from the primary to the tertiary alcohol substrate, while toluene formation increases. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 401–407, 1999     

C−H Activation by Iron-Vanadium Bimetallic Oxide Cluster Anions FeV3O10− and FeV5O15−: A Comparison with Scandium-Vanadium Oxide Clusters

Late transition metal-bonded atomic oxygen radicals (LTM−O⋅⁻) have been frequently proposed as important active sites to selectively activate and transform inert alkane molecules. However, it is extremely challenging to characterize the LTM−O⋅⁻-mediated elementary reactions for clarifying the underlying mechanisms limited by the low activity of LTM−O⋅⁻ radicals that is inaccessible by the traditional experimental methods. Herein, benefiting from our newly-designed ship-lock type reactor, the reactivity of iron-vanadium bimetallic oxide cluster anions FeV₃O₁₀⁻ and FeV₅O₁₅⁻ featuring with Fe−O⋅⁻ radicals to abstract a hydrogen atom from C₂−C₄ alkanes has been experimentally characterized at 298 K, and the rate constants are determined in the orders of magnitude of 10⁻¹⁴ to 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, which are four orders of magnitude slower than the values of counterpart ScV₃O₁₀⁻ and ScV₅O₁₅⁻ clusters bearing Sc−O⋅⁻ radicals. Theoretical results reveal that the rearrangements of the electronic and geometric structures during the reaction process function to modulate the activity of Fe−O⋅⁻. This study not only quantitatively characterizes the elementary reactions of LTM−O⋅⁻ radicals with alkanes, but also provides new insights into structure-activity relationship of M−O⋅⁻ radicals.     

Nucleophilic and electrophilic promotion of ligand substitution reactions in oxo‐bridged,dinuclear chromium(III) complexes

Base hydrolysis reactions of [Cr(tmpa)(NCSe)]₂O²⁺, [Cr(tmpa)(N₃)]₂O²⁺, [Cr₂(tmpa)₂(μ−O)(μ−PhPO₄)]⁴⁺ and [Cr₂(tmpa)₂(μ−O)(μ−CO₃)]²⁺ follow the pseudo‐first‐order relationship (excess OH⁻): k_obsd=k_o+k_bQ_p[OH⁻]/(1+Q_p[OH⁻]). For the CO₃²⁻ complex, k_b(60°C)=(1.50±0.03)×10⁻² s⁻¹; ΔH‡=61±2 kJ/mol, ΔS‡=−99±7 J/mol K; Q_p(60°C)=(3.8±0.3)×10¹ M⁻¹; ΔH°=67±2 kJ/mol, ΔS°=230±7 J/mol K (I=1.0 M). An isokinetic relationship among k_OH(=k_bQ_p) activation parameters for five (tmpa)CrOCr(tmpa) complexes shows that all follow essentially the same pathway. Activated complex formation is thought to require nucleophilic attack of coordinated OH⁻ at the chromium‐leaving group bond in the k_b step, accompanied by reattachment of a tmpa pyridyl arm displaced by OH⁻ in the Q_p preequilibrium. Abstraction of both thiocyanate ligands was observed upon mixing [Cr(tmpa)(NCS)]₂O²⁺ with [Pd(CH₃CN)₄]²⁺ in CH₃CN solution. The proposed mechanism requires rapid complexation of both reactant thiocyanate ligands by Pd(II) (K_p(25°C)=(4.5±0.2)×10⁸ M⁻²; ΔH°=−32±6 kJ/mol, ΔS°=59±19 J/mol K) prior to rate‐limiting Cr NCS bond‐breaking (k₂(25°C)=(1.17±0.02)×10⁻³ s⁻¹; ΔH‡=98±2 kJ/mol, ΔS‡=27±5 J/mol K). Pd(II)‐assisted NCS⁻ abstraction is not driven by weakening of the Cr( )NCS⁻ bond through ligation of the sulfur atom to palladium, but rather by a favorable ΔS‡ resulting from the release of Pd(NCS)⁺ fragments and weak solvation of the activated complex in CH₃CN solution. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 351–356, 1999     

Absolute Rate Constants for the Addition of the 1‐(tert‐Butoxy)carbonylethyl Radical to Alkenes in Solution

Absolute rate constants and some of their Arrhenius parameters are reported for the addition of the 1‐[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]ethyl radical (MeC . HCO₂Me₃) to several mono‐ or 1,1‐disubstituted alkenes in acetonitrile as obtained by time‐resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy. At 295 K, the rate constants range from 470 M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ (but‐1‐ene) to 2.4⋅10⁵ M ⁻¹ s⁻¹ (1,1‐diphenylethene), the experimental activation energies range from 26.8 kJ/mol (but‐1‐ene) to 14.7 kJ/mol (styrene), and the frequency factors obey on the average log (A/M ⁻¹ s⁻¹)=7.9±0.5. The rate constants of the secondary 1‐[(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]ethyl radical are close to the geometric mean of those of the related primary [(tert‐butoxy)carbonyl]methyl and the tertiary 2‐(methoxycarbonyl)propan‐2‐yl radicals. The activation energies for addition of these three carboxy‐substituted alkyl radicals are mainly governed by the addition enthalpy but are also substantially lowered by ambiphilic polar effects. The results support a previously derived predictive analysis, and relations to rate constants of acrylate polymerizations are discussed.     

Study on Cd2+ Determination Using Bud-like Poly-L-Tyrosine/Bi Composite Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode Combined with Eliminating of Cu2+ Interference by Electrodeposition

A bud-like poly-L-tyrosine/Bi modified glassy carbon electrode (p-Tyr/Bi/GC) was prepared by CV and in situ Bi plating, whose conductivity and membrane morphology were characterized by CV, EIS and SEM, respectively. The p-Tyr membrane can effectively promote the enrichment of Cd²⁺. The optimal Tyr concentration and scanning number for p-Tyr/GC preparation were 2.0 mmol ⋅ L⁻¹ and 35, while the optimal Bi³⁺ concentration, pH and Cd²⁺ accumulation potential in test medium were 3.0 μmol ⋅ L⁻¹, 6.5 and −1.3 V, respectively. The linear equation of p-Tyr/Bi/GC's response to Cd²⁺ (1.0 nmol ⋅ L⁻¹ to 2.0 μmol ⋅ L⁻¹) was i_p (μA) = −0.6809 + 100.2c (μmol ⋅ L⁻¹) (R² = 0.9985) with a detection limit of 0.11 nmol ⋅ L⁻¹ (3S/N). The elimination of interference caused by Cu²⁺ in sample was studied by electrodeposition. The p-Tyr/Bi/GC electrode was successfully used for detecting Cd in rice samples with good reliability and accuracy. The developed Cd²⁺ sensor exhibits high sensitivity, wide linear range and low detection limit, especially the designed method of eliminating Cu²⁺ interference has the characteristics of high selectivity, simple operation and wide application range.     

Thermally induced polymerization of isobutylene in the presence of SnCl4: Kinetic study of the polymerization and NMR structural investigation of low molecular weight products

The polymerization reactivity of isobutylene/SnCl₄ mixtures in the absence of polar solvent, was investigated in a temperature interval from −78 to 60 °C. The mixture is nonreactive below −20 °C but slow polymerization proceeds from −20 to 20 °C with the initial rate r₀ of the order 10⁻⁵ mol · l⁻¹ · s⁻¹. The rate of the process increases with increasing temperature up to ∼10⁻² mol · l⁻¹ · s⁻¹ at 60 °C. Logarithmic plots of r₀ and M̄_n versus 1/T exhibit a break in the range from 20 to 35 °C. Activation energy is positive with values E = 21.7 ± 4.2 kJ/mol in the temperature interval from −20 to 35 °C and E = 159.5 ± 4.2 kJ/mol in the interval from 35 to 60 °C. The values of activation enthalpy difference of molecular weights in these temperature intervals are ΔH_Mn = −12.7 ± 4.2 kJ/mol and −38.3 ± 4.2 kJ/mol, respectively. The polymerization proceeds quantitatively, the molecular weights of products are relatively high, M̄_n = 1500–2500 at 35 °C and about 600 at 60 °C. It is assumed that initiation proceeds via [isobutylene · SnCl₄] charge transfer complex which is thermally excited and gives isobutylene radical‐cations. Oxygen inhibits the polymerization from −20 to 20 °C. Possible role of traces of water at temperatures above 20 °C is discussed. It was verified by NMR analysis that only low molecular weight polyisobutylenes are formed with high contents of exo‐ terminal unsaturated structures. In addition to standard unsaturated groups, new structures were detected in the products. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1568–1579, 2000     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of sulphur(IV) with N,N′‐ethylene‐bis(sali‐cylidiniminato)manganese‐(III) in aqueous solution

The reaction of (diaqua)(N,N′‐ethylene‐bis(salicylidiniminato)manganese(III) with aqueous sulphite buffer results in the formation of the corresponding mono sulphito complex, [Mn(Salen)(SO₃)]⁻ (S‐bonded isomer) via three distinct paths: (i) Mn(Salen)(OH₂)₂⁺ + HSO₃⁻ → (k₁); (ii) Mn(Salen)(OH₂)₂⁺ + SO₃²⁻ → (k₂); (III) Mn(Salen)(OH₂)(OH) + SO₃²⁻ → (k₃) in the stopped flow time scale. The fact that the mono sulphito complex does not undergo further anation with SO₃²⁻/HSO₃⁻ may be attributed to the strong trans‐activating influence of the S‐bonded sulphite. The values of the rate constants (10⁻²k_i/dm² mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ at 25°C, I = 0.3 mol dm⁻³), ΔH_i^#/kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔS_i^#/J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ respectively are: 2.97 ± 0.27, 42.4 ± 0.2, −55.3 ± 0.6 (i = 1); 11.0 ± 0.8, 33 ± 3, −75 ± 10 (i = 2); 20.6 ± 1.9, 32.4 ± 0.2, −72.9 ± 0.6 (i = 3). The trend in reactivity (k₂ > k₁), a small labilizing effect of the coordinated hydroxo group (k₃/k₂ < 2), and substantially low values of ΔS^# suggest that the mechanism of aqua ligand substitution of the diaqua, and aqua‐hydroxo complexes is most likely associative interchange (I_a). No evidence for the formation of the O‐bonded sulphito complex and the ligand isomerization in the sulphito complex, (Mn^III‐OSO₂ → Mn^III‐SO₃), ensures the selectivity of the Mn^III centre toward the S‐end of the S^IV species. The monosulphito complex further undergoes slow redox reaction in the presence of excess sulphite to produce Mn^II, S₂O₆²⁻ and SO₄²⁻. The formation of dithionate is a consequence of the fast dimerization of the SO₃₋. generated in the rate determining step and also SO₄²⁻ formation is attributed to the fast scavenging of the SO₃₋. by the Mn^III species via a redox path. The internal reduction of the Mn^III centre in the monosulphito complex is insignificant. The redox reaction of the monosulphitomanganese(III) complex operates via two major paths, one involving HSO₃₋ and the other SO₃²⁻. The electron transfer is believed to be outersphere type. The substantially negative values of activation entropies (ΔS^# = −(1.3 ± 0.2) × 10² and −(1.6 ± 0.2) × 10² J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ for the paths involving HSO₃₋ and SO₃²⁻ respectively) reflect a considerable degree of ordering of the reactants in the act of electron transfer. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 31: 627–635, 1999     

Tris(trichlorosilyl)tetrelide Anions and a Comparative Study of Their Donor Qualities

Trichlorosilylated tetrelides [(Cl₃Si)₃E]⁻ have been prepared by adding 1 equiv of a soluble Cl⁻ salt to (Cl₃Si)₄Si (E=Si) or 4 Si₂Cl₆/GeCl₄ (E=Ge). To assess their donor qualities, the anions [(Cl₃Si)₃E]⁻ (E=C, Si, Ge) have been treated with BCl₃, AlCl₃, and GaCl₃. Both BCl₃ and GaCl₃ give 1:1 adducts with the anionic centers. AlCl₃ leads to Cl⁻ abstraction from [(Cl₃Si)₃E]⁻ with formation of (Cl₃Si)₄E (E=Si or Ge). (Cl₃Si)₄Ge is cleanly converted to the perhydrogenated (H₃Si)₄Ge by use of Li[AlH₄]. Another case of Cl⁻ abstraction was observed for [(Cl₃Si)₃Ge ⋅ GaCl₃]⁻, which reacts with GaCl₃ to afford the neutral dimer [(Cl₃Si)₃Ge−GaCl₂]₂.     

Understanding Regium Bonds and their Competition with Hydrogen Bonds in Au2:HX Complexes

A theoretical study of the regium and hydrogen bonds (RB and HB, respectively) in Au₂:HX complexes has been carried out by means of CCSD(T) calculations. The theoretical study shows as overall outcome that in all cases the complexes exhibiting RB are more stable that those with HB. The binding energies for RB complexes range between −24 and −180 kJ ⋅ mol^−1, whereas those of the HB complexes are between −6 and −19 kJ ⋅ mol⁻¹. DFT-SAPT also indicated that HB complexes are governed by electrostatics, but RB complexes present larger contribution of the induction term to the total attractive forces. ¹⁹⁷Au chemical shifts have been calculated using the relativistic ZORA Hamiltonian.     

A sensitive DNA biosensor based on the distance dependent quenching of Silica@Ru(bpy)32+-chitosan-GO electrochemiluminescence by Ferrocene@Gold nanoparticles

A sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensor for the specific DNA sequence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) was developed based on the efficient quenching effect of the ferrocene cluster functionalized gold nanoparticles (Fc@AuNPs) on the ECL of electrodeposited silica@Ru(bpy)₃²⁺-chitosan-graphene oxide nanocomposite (SiO₂@Ru−CS−GO). Graphene oxide (GO) can accelerate electron transfer rate, thus improving the ECL of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ on electrode surface. The molecular beacons (MB) was fixed to SiO₂@Ru−CS−GO by glutaraldehyde (GA) using the Schiff reaction between amino groups of chitosan (CS) and MB. The ECL of SiO₂@Ru−CS−GO was depressed greatly by the Fc@AuNPs labelled at the end of MB, then, a stronger ECL was observed when the distance between Fc@AuNPs and SiO₂@Ru−CS−GO increased after the hybridization of target DNA with MB. Under optimum conditions, the restored ECL intensity increased linearly with the target DNA concentration in the range of 1.0×10⁻¹⁶∼1.0×10⁻¹⁰ mol ⋅ L⁻¹, and the limit of detection (LOD) is 1.4×10⁻¹⁷ mol ⋅ L⁻¹. The proposed method exhibits acceptable stability and reproducibility. In general, the constructed HCV biosensor can be used for the sensitive detection of HCV in human serum, suggesting potential application prospects in bioanalysis.     

Determination of Cu2+ in Drinking Water Based on Electrochemiluminescence of Ru(phen)32+ and Cyclam

A convenient and simple electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method was employed to detect trace amounts of Cu²⁺ in drinking water. This method is based on the inhibitory effect of Cu²⁺ on the ECL of Ru(phen)₃²⁺ and 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) system. ECL intensity of Ru(phen)₃²⁺ was considerably enhanced by the addition of cyclam because of the ECL reaction between them. The ECL intensity of Ru(phen)₃²⁺/cyclam system rapidy decreased with the addition Cu²⁺ because of the formation of chelate complex [Cu(cyclam)]²⁺. Good linear response (R ²=0.9948) was obtained at Cu²⁺ concentration of 1.0×10⁻⁹−1.0×10⁻⁵ mol ⋅ L⁻¹ at glassy carbon electrode in 0.1 mol ⋅ L⁻¹ phosphate buffer (pH 9.0). Observed detection limit of 4.8×10⁻¹⁰ mol ⋅ L⁻¹ satisfied the maximum contaminant level goal (MCLG) for Cu²⁺ set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA). Applicability of the proposed method was verified by the good reproducibility and stability of the method when applied to determine Cu²⁺ in tap water and simulated wastewater. Thus, a novel ECL detection method was developed for Cu²⁺ detection.     

Deuteron Solid-State NMR Relaxation Measurements Reveal Two Distinct Conformational Exchange Processes in the Disordered N-Terminal Domain of Amyloid-β Fibrils

We employed deuterium solid-state NMR techniques under static conditions to discern the details of the μs–ms timescale motions in the flexible N-terminal subdomain of Aβ_1–40 amyloid fibrils, which spans residues 1–16. In particular, we utilized a rotating frame (R_1ρ) and the newly developed time domain quadrupolar Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (QCPMG) relaxation measurements at the selectively deuterated side chains of A2, H6, and G9. The two experiments are complementary in terms of probing somewhat different timescales of motions, governed by the tensor parameters and the sampling window of the magnetization decay curves. The results indicated two mobile “free” states of the N-terminal domain undergoing global diffusive motions, with isotropic diffusion coefficients of 0.7−1 ⋅ 10⁸ and 0.3−3 ⋅ 10⁶ad² s⁻¹. The free states are also involved in the conformational exchange with a single bound state, in which the diffusive motions are quenched, likely due to transient interactions with the structured hydrophobic core. The conformational exchange rate constants are 2−3 ⋅ 10⁵ s⁻¹ and 2−3 ⋅ 10⁴ s⁻¹ for the fast and slow diffusion free states, respectively.     

Thermodynamic studies on iodine(III) compounds

The standard enthalpies of aqueous hydrolysis of I₂Cl₆(c) and I₂(CH₃COO)₆(c) have been determined as −59.3 ± 3.4 and −57.1 ± 2.0 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, leading to the estimates of the standard enthalpies of formation {ΔH^⊖_f[I₂Cl₆(c)] = −179.8 ± 4.0 and ΔH^⊖_f [I₂(CH₃COO)₆(c)] = −2101.6 ± 9.0 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively}. A thermometric titration of I₂Cl₆ with aqueous AgNO₃ has been used to investigate the mechanismof the hydrolysis reaction.     

Ligand Modifications Produce Two-Step Magnetic Switching in a Cobalt(dioxolene) Complex

Mononuclear monodioxolene valence tautomeric (VT) cobalt complexes typically exist in their low spin (l.s.) Co^III(cat²⁻) and high spin (h.s.) Co^II(sq⋅⁻) forms (cat²⁻=catecholato, and sq⋅⁻=seminquinonato forms of 3,5−di−^tBu-1,2-dioxolene), which reversibly interconvert via temperature-dependent intramolecular electron transfer. Typically, the remaining four coordination sites on cobalt are supported by a tetradentate ligand whose properties influence the temperature at which VT occurs. We report that replacing one chelating pyridyl arm of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (tpa) with a weaker field ortho-anisole moiety facilitates access to a third magnetic state, and examine a series of related complexes. Variable temperature crystallographic, magnetic, calorimetric, and spectroscopic studies support that this third state is consistent with l.s. Co^II(sq⋅⁻). Thus, our ligand modifications not only provide access to the VT transition from l.s. Co^III(cat²⁻) to l.s. Co^II(sq⋅⁻), but at higher temperatures, the complex undergoes spin crossover from l.s. Co^II(sq⋅⁻) to h.s. Co^II(sq⋅⁻), representing the first example of two-step magnetic switching in a mononuclear monodioxolene cobalt complex. We hypothesize that ligand dynamicity may facilitate access to the rarely observed l.s. Co^II(sq⋅⁻) intermediate state, suggesting a new design criterion in the development of stimulus-responsive multi-state molecular switches.     

High-level computational study on the thermochemistry of saturated and unsaturated three- and four-membered nitrogen and phosphorus rings

The heats of formation and strain energies for saturated and unsaturated three- and four-membered nitrogen and phosphorus rings have been calculated using G2 theory. G2 heats of formation (ΔH_f298) of triaziridine [(NH)₃], triazirine (N₃H), tetrazetidine [(NH)₄], and tetrazetine (N₄H₂) are 405.0, 453.7, 522.5, and 514.1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Tetrazetidine is unstable (121.5 kJ mol⁻¹ at 298 K) with respect to its dissociation into two trans-diazene (N₂H₂) molecules. The dissociation of tetrazetine into molecular nitrogen and trans-diazene is highly exothermic (ΔH₂₉₈ = −308.3 kJ mol⁻¹ calculated using G2 theory). G2 heats of formation (ΔH_f298) of cyclotriphosphane [(PH)₃], cyclotriphosphene (P₃H), cyclotetraphosphane [(PH)₄], and cyclotetraphosphene (P₄H₂) are 80.7, 167.2, 102.7, and 170.7 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Cyclotetraphosphane and cyclotetraphosphene are stabilized by 145.8 and 101.2 kJ mol⁻¹ relative to their dissociations into two diphosphene molecules or into diphosphene (HP(DOUBLE BOND)PH) and diphosphorus (P₂), respectively. The strain energies of triaziridine [(NH)₃], triazirine (N₃H), tetrazetidine [(NH)₄], and tetrazetine (N₄H₂) were calculated to be 115.0, 198.3, 135.8, and 162.0 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively (at 298 K). While the strain energies of the nitrogen three-membered rings in triaziridine and triazirine are smaller than the strain energies of cyclopropane (117.4 kJ mol⁻¹) and cyclopropene (232.2 kJ mol⁻¹), the strain energies of the nitrogen four-membered rings in tetrazetidine and tetrazetine are larger than those of cyclobutane (110.2 kJ mol⁻¹) and cyclobutene (132.0 kJ mol⁻¹). In contrast to higher strain in cyclopropane as compared with cyclobutane, triaziridine is less strained than tetrazetidine. The strain energies of cyclotriphosphane [(PH)₃, 21.8 kJ mol⁻¹], cyclotriphosphene (P₃H, 34.6 kJ mol⁻¹), cyclotetraphosphane [(PH)₄, 24.1 kJ mol⁻¹], and cyclotetraphosphene (P₄H₂, 18.5 kJ mol⁻¹), calculated at the G2 level are considerably smaller than those of their carbon and nitrogen analog. Cyclotetraphosphene containing the P(DOUBLE BOND)P double bond is less strained than cyclotetraphosphane, in sharp contrast to the ratio between the strain energies for the analogous unsaturated and saturated carbon and nitrogen rings. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 62 : 373–384, 1997