δ15N of soil N and plants in a N‐saturated,subtropical forest of southern China

We investigated the δ¹⁵N profile of N (extractable NH, NO, and organic N (EON)) in the soil of a N‐saturated subtropical forest. The order of δ¹⁵N in the soil was EON > NH > NO. Although the δ¹⁵N of EON had been expected to be similar to that of bulk soil N, it was higher than that of bulk soil N by 5‰. The difference in δ¹⁵N between bulk soil N and EON (Δ¹⁵N_bulk‐EON) was correlated significantly with the soil C/N ratio. This correlation implies that carbon availability, which determines the balance between N assimilation and dissimilation of soil microbes, is responsible for the high δ¹⁵N of EON, as in the case of soil microbial biomass δ¹⁵N. A thorough δ¹⁵N survey of available N (NH, NO, and EON) in the soil profiles from the organic layer to 100 cm depth revealed that the δ¹⁵N of the available N forms did not fully overlap with the δ¹⁵N of plants. This mismatch in δ¹⁵N between that of available N and that of plants reflects apparent isotopic fractionation during N uptake by plants, emphasizing the high N availability in this N‐saturated forest. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐Unsaturated Aldehydes from γ‐ and δ‐Lactones in One Step. Preliminary Communication

A one‐step transformation of γ‐ and δ‐(spiro)lactones into γ,δ‐ and δ,ε‐unsaturated aldehydes with an excess of formic acid in the vapor phase over a supported manganese catalyst is described for the first time. The scope and limitations of this new reaction are shown with different lactones as substrate, and a mechanistic rationale is proposed.     

17‐Oxo‐5α‐androstane‐3α,4β‐diyl diacetate and 17‐oxo‐5β‐androstane‐3α,4β‐diyl diacetate

The title compounds, both C₂₃H₃₄O₅, are the 5α and 5β configurations of two diacetate epimers. The 5β‐diacetate crystallizes in an hexagonal structure, unusual for steroid molecules. The unit cell has an accessible solvent volume of 358 ų, responsible for clathrate behaviour. The 5β‐epimer also features some shorter than average bond lengths in the 3α,4β‐acetoxy groups. The conformations of the molecules of both epimers are compared with those obtained through abinitio quantum chemistry calculations. Cohesion of the crystals can be attributed to van der Waals and weak molecular C—H⋯O interactions.     

Dichloro{N‐[3‐(η5‐cyclopentadienyl)propyl]‐4‐toluenesulfonamido‐κ2N,O}titanium(IV)

The title compound, [Ti(C₁₅H₁₇NO₂S)Cl₂], has a Ti atom bound to the N and O atoms of a p‐toluene­sulfon­amide ligand, which is tethered by a three‐carbon chain to a η⁵‐cyclo­penta­dienyl group. The distorted square‐pyramidal geometry is completed by two Cl atoms. The Ti—N bond length of 2.0375 (13) Å is longer than that in related compounds, the N atom having asymmetric trigonal–planar geometry. Conformational strain relief is noted when compared with ethyl‐tethered compounds.     

Iodine catalyzed synthesis of α,α'‐bis(substituted benzylidene)‐1‐carbethoxy‐4‐piperidone

A facile and efficient method for the preparation of α,α′‐bis(substituted benzylidene)‐1‐carbethoxy‐4‐piperidone is described using iodine as a catalyst in acetonitrile. The reaction proceeds rapidly at room temperature, giving high yields of products.     

An Inverted‐Sandwich Diuranium μ‐η5:η5‐Cyclo‐P5 Complex Supported by U‐P5 δ‐Bonding

Reaction of [U(Tren^TIPS)] [ 1 , Tren^TIPS=N(CH₂CH₂NSiiPr₃)₃] with 0.25 equivalents of P₄ reproducibly affords the unprecedented actinide inverted sandwich cyclo‐P₅ complex [{U(Tren^TIPS)}₂(μ‐η⁵:η⁵‐cyclo‐P₅)] ( 2 ). All prior examples of cyclo‐P₅ are stabilized by d‐block metals, so 2 shows that cyclo‐P₅ does not require d‐block ions to be prepared. Although cyclo‐P₅ is isolobal to cyclopentadienyl, which usually bonds to metals via σ‐ and π‐interactions with minimal δ‐bonding, theoretical calculations suggest the principal bonding in the U(P₅)U unit is polarized δ‐bonding. Surprisingly, the characterization data are overall consistent with charge transfer from uranium to the cyclo‐P₅ unit to give a cyclo‐P₅ charge state that approximates to a dianionic formulation. This is ascribed to the larger size and superior acceptor character of cyclo‐P₅ compared to cyclopentadienyl, the strongly reducing nature of uranium(III), and the availability of uranium δ‐symmetry 5f orbitals.     

Synthesis and antioxidant activities of novel N‐aryl (and N‐alkyl) γ‐ and δ‐imino esters and ketimines

Novel N‐aryl (and N‐alkyl) γ‐ and δ‐imino esters 2a–g ( 3a–g ) and N‐aryl (and N‐alkyl) ketimines 2h–j ( 3h–j ) were synthesized in high yields (80–99%) from their corresponding γ‐ and δ‐keto esters and ketones in this study. The structures of the synthesized compounds were clarified by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), NMR (¹H and ¹³C), mass spectrometry, and elemental analyses. Isomerizations [E/Z] were also determined by their ¹H NMR spectra. The free‐radical scavenging activity of imines was evaluated using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl‐hydrazyl (DPPH) method. The relationships between the structure and antioxidant activity of these compounds are discussed. Among these compounds, 2a–c (at the concentration 1000 μg/mL) exhibit high antioxidant activity similar to those of the standards (butylated hydroxyanisole [ BHA], butylated hydroxytoluene [ BHT], and ascorbic acid).     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Catalyzed Synthesis of δ‐Sultones via α,β‐Unsaturated Sulfonyl Azolium Intermediates

A limited array of reactive intermediates have enabled a wealth of discoveries in N‐heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis. In this study, the viability of α,β‐unsaturated sulfonyl azoliums as double electrophiles in new reactions is examined. Specifically, the (3+3) annulation of such species with the trimethylsilyl enol ethers of various 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds has been developed. This reaction provides access to a range of novel unsaturated δ‐sultones (18 examples) in good yields (40–88 %) under mild reaction conditions. Mechanistic studies and the development of an enantioselective variant (55 % yield, 73:27 e.r.) support the intermediacy of an α,β‐unsaturated sulfonyl azolium species.     

Hydrothermal and Solvothermal Synthesis of the Complex Fluoride α′-SrAIF5

The complex fluoride α′-SrAlF5 has been synthesized through hydrothermal and solvothermal methods under mild conditions.The effects of the molar ratio of starting materials,temperature,reaction time and solvents on the synthesis of α′-SrAlF5 were discussed.The final products were characterized by XRD and SEM.The rod-like shape of α′-SrAlF5 is shown in SEM images.     

Electrospun poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐based composites using synthesized β‐tricalcium phosphate

Non‐woven hybrid membranes based on poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) and as‐synthesized β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) were obtained by the electrospinning technique. A wide range of composition was investigated, the filler content spanning between 2 and 60 wt%. The synthesis of the β‐TCP powder was accomplished by titration of calcium hydroxide with phosphoric acid followed by calcination of the resulting precipitate at 1100°C. The as‐dried calcium phosphate was characterized by Inductive Coupled Plasma (AES‐ICP), thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and high temperature X‐ray diffraction analysis (HT‐XRD). The specific surface area (SSA) was evaluated by N₂ adsorption. Microstructure of PCL/TCP membranes was investigated by SEM, energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), XRD analysis, and SSA measurements. The average fiber diameter ranged between 1 and 2 µm, the porosity was 80–90%, and the SSA 16 m²/g. Mechanical properties were determined by uniaxial tensile test. A remarkable enhancement of the tensile modulus was observed for composites containing up to 4 wt% β‐TCP. The ultimate tensile strength ranged between 2 and 3 MPa for samples loaded up to 8 wt%. For most of the samples, the elongation at break was in the range 100–150%. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Heterobimetallische Komplexe von Lithium,Aluminium und Gold mit dem N‐[2‐N′,N′‐(Dimethylaminoethyl)‐N‐methyl‐aminoethyl]‐ferrocenyl‐Liganden (η5‐C5H5)Fe{η5‐C5H3[CH(CH3)N(CH3)CH2CH2NMe2]‐2}

Heterobimetallic Complexes of Lithium, Aluminum, and Gold with the N ‐[2‐ N ′, N ′‐(dimethylaminoethyl)‐ N ‐methyl‐aminoethyl]‐ferrocenyl Ligand (η⁵‐C₅H₅)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃[CH(CH₃)N(CH₃)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]‐2} N‐[2‐N′,N′‐(dimethylaminoethyl)‐N‐methyl‐aminoethyl]ferrocene FcN,NH ( 1 ) reacts with ⁿBuLi under formation of the lithium organyl (FcN,N)Li ( 2 ). At reactions of 2 with AlBr₃ and AuCl · PPh₃ the heterobimetallic organo derivatives (FcN,N)AlBr₂ ( 3 ), (FcN,N)Au · PPh₃ ( 4 ) are formed. A detailed characterization of 2 – 4 was carried out by single crystal x‐ray analyses as well as by NMR and Mößbauer spectroscopy.     

Facile regiospecific syntheses of N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐l‐histidines

Two diverse methodologies describe the first synthesis of suitably protected N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐Lhistidine derivatives. Synthesis of suitably protected N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐L‐histidines 7‐9 containing different alkyl groups at the N‐α and N‐1(τ) positions was achieved in four steps starting from L‐histidine methyl ester. Whereas, in the one‐step alternate route N‐α‐Boc‐L‐histidine methyl ester upon direct and simultaneous N‐α and N‐1(τ) alkylation with various alkyl halides in the presence of sodium hydride in DMF easily afforded N‐α,N‐1(τ)‐dialkyl‐L‐histidines 14 containing identical alkyl group at the N‐α and N‐1(τ) positions in high yields. Both procedures allowed facile entry to methyl and other higher alkyl groups at the N‐α‐position of the histidine ring     

Synthesis of N,N‐Bis(dialkoxyphosphinoylmethyl)‐ and N,N‐Bis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)‐β‐ and γ‐amino acid Derivatives by the Microwave‐Assisted Double Kabachnik–Fields Reaction

The title compounds were synthesized by the microwave‐assisted, mostly solvent‐free bis Kabachnik–Fields condensation of β‐alanine and γ‐aminobutyric acid or their esters with formaldehyde and >P(O)H species, such as dialkyl phosphites and diphenylphosphine oxide.     

[N,N′‐Bis(3‐aminopropyl)ethylenediamine‐κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′](trithiocyanurato‐κ2N,S)zinc(II) ethanol solvate

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [N,N′‐bis(3‐­amino­propyl)­ethyl­enedi­amine‐κ⁴N,N′,N′′,N′′′][1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)‐tri­thionato(2−)‐κ²N,S]­zinc(II) ethanol sol­vate, [Zn(C₈H₂₂N₄)₂(C₃HN₃S₃)]·C₂H₆O, the Zn^II atom is octa­hedrally coordinated by four N atoms [Zn—N = 2.104 (2)–2.203 (2) Å] of a tetradentate N‐donor N,N′‐bis(3‐­amino­propyl)­ethyl­enedi­amine (bapen) ligand and by two S and N atoms [Zn—S = 2.5700 (7) Å and Zn—N = 2.313 (2) Å] of a tri­thio­cyanurate(2−) (ttcH²⁻) dianion bonded as a bidentate ligand in a cis configuration. The crystal structure of the compound is stabilized by a network of hydrogen bonds.