Application of electronic circular dichroism in configurational and conformational analysis of organic compounds

This tutorial review is addressed to readers with a background in basic organic chemistry and spectroscopy, but without a specific knowledge of electronic circular dichroism. It describes the fundamental principles, instrumentation, data analysis, and different approaches for interpretation of ECD. The discussion focuses on the application of ECD, also in combination with other methods, in structural analysis of organic compounds, including host-guest complexes, and will emphasize the importance of the interplay between configurational and conformational factors. The tutorial also covers modern supramolecular aspects of ECD and recent developments in computational methods.     

Determining association constants from titration experiments in supramolecular chemistry

The most common approach for quantifying interactions in supramolecular chemistry is a titration of the guest to solution of the host, noting the changes in some physical property through NMR, UV-Vis, fluorescence or other techniques. Despite the apparent simplicity of this approach, there are several issues that need to be carefully addressed to ensure that the final results are reliable. This includes the use of non-linear rather than linear regression methods, careful choice of stoichiometric binding model, the choice of method (e.g., NMR vs. UV-Vis) and concentration of host, the application of advanced data analysis methods such as global analysis and finally the estimation of uncertainties and confidence intervals for the results obtained. This tutorial review will give a systematic overview of all these issues-highlighting some of the key messages herein with simulated data analysis examples.     

Multiconfigurational quantum chemical methods for molecular systems containing actinides

Recent advances in computational actinide chemistry are reported in this tutorial review. Muticonfigurational quantum chemical methods have been employed to study the gas phase spectroscopy of small actinide molecules. Examples of actinide compounds studied in solution are also presented. Finally the multiple bond in the diuranium molecule and other diactinide compounds is described.     

Reaction cells and collision cells for ICP-MS: a tutorial review

This paper reviews the literature published to September 2001 relating to the history, design, operation and application of linear radio-frequency (r.f.)-driven multipole collision cells and reaction cells in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The available material is supplemented with original experimental data that demonstrates the principles presented. The relation of these devices to collision cells for organic mass spectrometry and to the three-dimensional ion trap is discussed in its historical context. A general tutorial on the fundamentals of ion collision and reaction, including thermochemistry, energy transfer and reaction kinetics, is given. Consideration is given to some of the fundamental aspects of operation and design of linear r.f. devices. This historical and fundamental framework then allows the tutorial to focus on the promotion and control of ion–molecule chemistry in linear r.f.-multipole cells for elemental analysis. Vacuum requirements are considered in some detail, and deal in particular with the issue of contamination of the reaction gas. Special attention is paid to the thermal characteristics of the ions in the cell, as this has important implications for the application of the available databases of thermochemical and thermal kinetic data to the development of analytical methods. Calculation and experimental validation of the efficiency of the ion–molecule chemistry leads to the recognition that secondary, sequential chemistry can play a limiting role in the realization of the potential of the cell method. The two principal means of controlling the analytical impact of the secondary chemistry, through post-cell kinetic energy discrimination and through in-cell mass-bandpassing are discussed and contrasted through spectral data acquired for different reaction gas types and pressures. The available literature on the application of collision cells and reaction cells for the analysis of samples of high purity, environmental, geological and biological materials is critically reviewed.     

Direct solid sampling with electrothermal vaporization/atomization: what for and how?

In this article, the advantages and the disadvantages of solid sampling-graphite-furnace-based methods are critically examined, taking into account the latest research. A discussion of the different situations for which these methods are best suited within analytical chemistry is presented, together with a general methodology intended to maximize their advantages. The topics discussed include achieving a selective atomization/vaporization of the analyte, calibration, the use of alternative working conditions, and data treatment as a function of the specific goals of the analysis. The purpose of the article is to offer a critical, but tutorial, evaluation of the possibilities of these methods, making it easier for new users to approach them and take advantage of their possibilities.     

Applications of biocatalysis in fragrance chemistry: the enantiomers of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-irones

The history of iris extracts, and of the isolation and enzyme-mediated synthesis of their odoriferous principle, the "irones", will be used to describe the improvement brought about by chemistry and biocatalysis in the development of natural fragrances. In particular, this tutorial review will discuss how the progress in the field of enzyme chemistry allowed the optimisation of accelerated procedures for the preparation of natural irone extracts, and the synthesis of all the ten isomers of irone, starting from commercial irone alpha.     

2,2':6',2'-terpyridines: from chemical obscurity to common supramolecular motifs

This tutorial review describes the use of 2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (tpy) metal-binding domains in supramolecular chemistry. The origins of tpy chemistry are described and the reasons for its current importance in supramolecular chemistry are explained. Examples of tpy compounds in a wide variety of supramolecular chemistry are presented. The content will be of interest to organic, inorganic, supramolecular and nanoscale chemists.     

Differential receptor arrays and assays for solution-based molecular recognition

Nature has inspired an emergent supramolecular field of synthetic receptor arrays and assays for the pattern-based recognition of various bioanalytes and metal species. The synthetic receptors are not necessarily selective for a particular analyte, but the combined signal response from the array is diagnostic for the analyte. This tutorial review describes recent work in the literature for this emerging supramolecular field and details basic array and assay design principles. We review the analytes targeted, signaling types used, and pattern recognition.Developing specific receptors for the solution-based analysis of complex analytes and mixtures is a daunting task. A solution to this difficult task has been inspired by nature's use of arrays of receptors in the senses of taste and smell. An emerging field within supramolecular chemistry is the use of synthetic and readily available receptors in array formats for the detection of analytes in solution. Each receptor in a differential array does not necessarily have selectivity for a particular analyte, but the combined fingerprint response can be extracted as a diagnostic pattern visually, or using chemometric tools. This new genre of molecular recognition is advancing rapidly with several groups developing novel array platforms and receptors.     

Curves ahead: molecular receptors for fullerenes based on concave-convex complementarity

The unique chemical and physical properties of fullerenes are to a great extent determined by their unusual curved shape. One of the most active fields in fullerene chemistry is the search for molecular receptors able to form stable associates with them in solution, with the purification from fullerite and the self-assembly of nanoscale electronic devices as main driving forces. In this tutorial review we present a brief overview of the recent advances in the construction of molecular receptors that feature curved concave surfaces complementary to the convex surface of fullerenes as a key recognizing element.     

Visualization: A cognition amplifier

Computational codes produce huge quantities of numbers, but what scientists seek is insight. That is, they want to know what these numbers reveal about the phenomena under study. Visualization, transforming data into graphical structures, can enhance research effectiveness by leveraging human visual perceptual capabilities. Evolved over millions of years for survival, these capabilities enable us to see structures and perceive correlations and regularities around us. When properly visualized, we can apply these same perception capabilities, with little rational effort, to our data. In this tutorial, after analyzing a short definition of visualization, its major concepts will be seen in action using a popular chemistry visualization tool. The tutorial closes discussing paths for continued exploration of the future potential of these visualization techniques and tools. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Research applications of the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD)

Crystal structure data are of fundamental importance in a wide spectrum of scientific activities. This tutorial review summarises the principal application areas, so far, for the data from more than 300,000 crystal structures of small organic and metal-organic compounds that are stored in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). Direct use of the accumulated data is valuable in establishing standard molecular dimensions, determining conformational preferences and in the study of intermolecular interactions, all of which are crucial in structural chemistry and rational drug design. More recently, information derived from the CSD has been used to construct two dynamic libraries of structural knowledge: Mogul, which stores intramolecular information, and IsoStar, which stores information about intermolecular interactions. These electronic libraries provide information "at the touch of a button". In their turn, the libraries also serve as sources of structural knowledge for applications software that address specific problems in small-molecule and biological chemistry.     

Stereolabile chiral compounds: analysis by dynamic chromatography and stopped-flow methods

Enantiomerization and diastereomerization reactions of chiral compounds play a major role in all aspects of chemistry spanning a wide bridge from drug development to supramolecular chemistry. Traditionally, these reactions are studied by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy and chiroptical methods such as polarimetry. However, powerful complimentary methods based on chromatography and electrophoresis have been developed and applied to a variety of stereolabile chiral compounds. This tutorial review explains the principles, applications, and limitations of dynamic chromatography and chromatographic and electrophoretic stopped-flow analysis for the investigation of isomerization reactions of chiral compounds.     

Radiohalogens for imaging and therapy

Radiohalogens play a very important role in radiopharmaceuticals used for medical imaging (now referred to as molecular imaging) and therapy applications. Development of new radiopharmaceuticals that have radiohalogens incorporated requires an understanding of parameters that are unique to chemistry involving these radionuclides. Those parameters include requirement for production and purification of the halogen radionuclides, as well as development of reaction conditions for use with high specific activity short-lived radionuclides. In this tutorial review, several radiohalogens, their radiolabeling chemistry and their application to medical imaging and therapy are discussed.     

Using Molecular Modeling in the Organic Chemistry Course for Majors

Molecular modeling provides a way to correlate theoretical concepts with experimental data; therefore, we have introduced organic chemistry students to molecular modeling early in the first semester. This approach provides students with additional skills for clarifying chemical and theoretical concepts by means of demonstrations in the classroom and hands-on tutorial modules. In this manner the impact of the active-learning process is increased. In addition, this tool allows us to further enhance laboratory experiments already developed using a guided-inquiry approach and to design new experiments. Chemical concepts such as conformational analysis, stereochemistry, IR spectra, molecular and electronic properties, molecular orbitals, and chemical reactivity are emphasized through this approach.     

A Cognitive Modeling Tutor Supporting Student Inquiry for Balancing Chemical Equations

Improved interactive tutoring capabilities in educational software for chemistry problem solving is an important need that has been clearly articulated by teachers and students. The purpose of this work is to examine the incorporation of new concepts from the field of artificial intelligence (AI) as a route to meaningful individualized tutoring. The basic shift is to replace specific foreknowledge of problems with a direct representation of chemical and pedagogical principles and then simulate reasoning using these principles to tutor students. To assess the potential of an AI-based approach, we have developed a prototype tutorial program for balancing chemical equations that contains two important advances. First, the system can create a worked-out solution with detailed explanations for any equation entered by the student or teacher. Unlike a conventional tutorial, this is done dynamically, without the equation being stored ahead of time. Second, the program can interactively answer a variety of detailed questions about its work at each step. Studying worked-out examples plays an important role in learning, and this approach to supporting interactive student inquiry is being investigated as a method of cognitive modeling and apprenticeship intended to foster the students own self-explanation and question-asking abilities.     

Developments in accurate and traceable chemical measurements

In recent years there has been considerable interest in the application of the principles of measurement science to chemistry. This has led to the recognition of 'metrology in chemistry' as an area of relevance to analytical chemistry research. This tutorial review describes the benefits to chemistry of the implementation of the principles of measurement science and explains how they are able to improve the reliability and accuracy of chemical measurements.     

Summer school in nuclear and radiochemistry at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Summary The Living Textbook of Nuclear Chemistry (http://livingtextbook.orst.edu) is a website, which is a collection of supplemental materials for the teaching of nuclear and radiochemistry. It contains audio-video presentations of the history of nuclear chemistry, tutorial lectures by recognized experts on advanced topics in nuclear and radiochemistry, links to data compilations, articles, and monographs, an audio course on radiochemistry, on-line editions of textbooks, training videos, etc. All content has been refereed.     

Multicomponent reactions and ionic liquids: a perfect synergy for eco-compatible heterocyclic synthesis

The efficiency of a chemical synthesis can be nowadays measured, not only by parameters like selectivity and overall yield, but also by its raw material, time, human resources and energy requirements, as well as the toxicity and hazard of the chemicals and the protocols involved. The development of multicomponent reactions (MCRs) in the presence of task-specific ionic liquids (ILs), used not only as environmentally benign reaction media, but also as catalysts, is a new approach that meet with the requirements of sustainable chemistry. The aim of this tutorial review is to highlight the synergistic effect of the combined use of MCRs and ILs for the development of new eco-compatible methodologies for heterocyclic chemistry.     

Intermolecular reactions of electron-rich heterocycles with copper and rhodium carbenoids

This tutorial review describes the reactions of the electron-rich heterocycles pyrrole, furan, indole and benzofuran with copper and rhodium carbenoids. Two main reaction pathways are possible, involving either a concerted non-synchronous cyclopropanation or zwitterionic intermediates. A diverse range of products are possible and the outcome is very dependent on the structure of the heterocycle and the carbenoid. To emphasize this point the carbenoids are considered in terms of three classes: acceptor, acceptor-acceptor and donor-acceptor carbenoids. Unusual catalytic asymmetric transformations can be achieved with this chemistry while the asymmetric induction is strongly influenced by how the carbenoid can approach the heterocycles. This tutorial review gives an overview of the general features that govern the chemistry of metal carbenoids with heterocycles and presents a mechanistic rationale for the range of products that can be formed.