Synthesis and Structure Analysis of Aurivillius Phases Pb1‐xBi4‐+Ti1‐xMnxO15

Synthesis Pb_1‐xBi_4+xTi_4‐xMn_xO₁₅ compounds (0 ≤ × ≤ 1) were carried out by molten salts method using eutectic mixture of Na₂SO₄/K₂SO₄ salts (1:1 molar ratio) as the flux. The samples were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction and refined by Le Bail method using Rietica program. The refinement results revealed that the compounds with the composition 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6 formed Aurivillius phase with the space group A2₁am while the other composition (x ≥ 0.8) showed another phase beside A2₁am. The ratio b/a of the lattices constants for all the samples are larger than 1 indicating the direction of the orthorhombic along the b axis of their cells. The lattice parameters and volume of the unit cells decrease as the Mn content increasing from x = 0 to 0.6, for x ≥ 0.8 a second phase were observed. The morphologies of Pb_1‐xBi_4+xTi_4‐xMn_xO₁₅ samples were observed by SEM and show plate‐like aggregate crystals, typical of layered compounds belonging to the Aurivillius phase.     

Single crystals of the filled Ti2N‐type η‐phase Ti3Zn3Ox (x = 1.07 and 1.23) prepared using a Bi flux

Single crystals of the filled Ti₂Ni‐type Ti₃Zn₃O_x η‐phase (cubic, space group Fdm) having {111} facets were obtained by heating Ti, Zn and ZnO with a Bi flux. The lattice parameter of a single crystal prepared at 800°C was 11.4990 (2) Å, which is close to that of Ti₃Zn₃O_∼0.5 (a = 11.502 Å), as reported by Rogl & Nowotny [Monatsh. Chem. (1977), 108 , 1167–1180]. The occupancies of the O1 (16c) and O2 (8a) sites were 1 and 0.071 (12), respectively, and the composition of the crystal was determined to be Ti₃Zn₃O_1.04. A single crystal from the sample prepared at 650°C had the same structure type, with a lattice parameter of 11.5286 (2) Å. However, O atoms were situated at a new 32e site in addition to the original 16c and 8a sites, and the Zn‐atom positions were split in accordance with the new O‐atom site. The chemical formula Ti₃Zn₃O_1.27 determined by X‐ray diffraction occupancy refinement agreed with the chemical composition obtained for the cross section of the single crystal determined with an electron probe microanalyzer.     

Bridging gold: B‐Au‐B three‐center‐two‐electron bonds in electron‐deficient B2Aun−/0 (n = 1, 3, 5) and mixed analogues

A systematic density functional theory and wave function theory investigation on the geometrical and electronic structures of the electron‐deficient diboron aurides B₂Au (n = 1, 3, 5) and their mixed analogues B₂H_mAu (m + n = 3, 5) has been performed in this work. Ab initio theoretical evidences strongly suggest that bridging gold atoms exist in the ground states of C_2v B₂Au^?(¹A₁), C₂ B₂Au(¹A), C_2v B₂Au₃(²B₁), C_2v B₂Au(¹A₁), and C_s B₂Au₅(²A″), which all prove to possess a B? Au? B three‐center‐two‐electron (3c‐2e) bond. For B₂H_mAu (m + n = 3, 5) mixed anions, bridging B? Au? B units appear to be favored in energy over bridging B? H? B, as demonstrated by the fact that the Au‐bridged C_2v B₂H₂Au^? (¹A₁), C_s B₂HAu (¹A′), and C₁ B₂HAu (¹A) lie clearly lower than their H‐bridged counterparts C_s B₂H₂Au^? (¹A′), C₂ B₂HAu (¹A), and C_2v B₂HAu (¹A₁), respectively. Orbital analyses indicate that Au 6s makes about 92–96% contribution to the Au‐based orbitals in these B‐Au‐B 3c‐2e interactions, whereas Au 5d contributes 8–4%. The adiabatic and vertical detachment energies of the concerned anions have been calculated to facilitate their future experimental characterizations. The results obtained in this work establish an interesting 3c‐2e bonding model (B? Au? B) for electron‐deficient systems in which Au 6s plays a major role with non‐negligible contribution from Au 5d. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011     

A Square‐Planar Tetracoordinate Oxygen‐Containing Ti4O17 Cluster Stabilized by Two 1,1′‐Ferrocenedicarboxylato Ligands

By introducing steric constraints into molecular compounds, it is possible to achieve atypical coordination geometries for the elements. Herein, we demonstrate that a titanium‐oxo cluster [{Ti₄(μ₄‐O)(μ₂‐O)₂}(OPrⁱ)₆(fdc)₂], which possesses a unique edge‐sharing Ti₄O₁₇ octahedron tetramer core, is stabilized by the constraints produced by two orthogonal 1,1′‐ferrocenedicarboxylato (fdc) ligands. As a result, a square‐planar tetracoordinate oxygen (ptO) can be generated. The bonding pattern of this unusual anti‐van’t Hoff/Le Bel oxygen, which has been probed by theoretical calculations, can be described by two horizontally σ‐bonded 2p_x and 2p_y orbitals along with one perpendicular nonbonded 2p_z orbital. While the two ferrocene units are separated spatially by the ptO with an Fe???Fe separation of 10.4 Å, electronic communication between them still takes place as revealed by the cluster’s two distinct one‐electron electrochemical oxidation processes.     

3‐Ethylated N‐Vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone with LCST Properties in Water

The monomer 3‐ethyl‐1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone ( 3 ) and the homopolymer poly(3‐ethyl‐1‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) ( 5 ) have been synthesized. Polymer 5 is soluble in water and shows a critical temperature (T_c) of 27 °C. The presence of cyclodextrin causes a slight shift of the T_c. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) could be varied between 27 and 40 °C by copolymerization with N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. A linear correlation between the T_c and the copolymer composition is observed.

     

The antitumour drug 7‐ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin monohydrate and its solid‐state hydrolysis mechanism on heating

7‐Ethyl‐10‐hydroxycamptothecin [systematic name: (4S)‐4,11‐diethyl‐4,9‐dihydroxy‐1H‐pyrano[3′,4′:6,7]indolizino[1,2‐b]quinoline‐3,14(4H,12H)‐dione, SN‐38] is an antitumour drug which exerts activity through the inhibition of topoisomerase I. The crystal structure of SN‐38 as the monohydrate, C₂₂H₂₀N₂O₅·H₂O, reveals that it is a monoclinic crystal, with one SN‐38 molecule and one water molecule in the asymmetric unit. When the crystal is heated to 473 K, approximately 30% of SN‐38 is hydrolyzed at its lactone ring, resulting in the formation of the inactive carboxylate form. The molecular arrangement around the water molecule and the lactone ring of SN‐38 in the crystal structure suggests that SN‐38 is hydrolyzed by the water molecule at (x, y, z) nucleophilically attacking the carbonyl C atom of the lactone ring at (x − 1, y, z − 1). Hydrogen bonding around the water molecules and the lactone ring appears to promote this hydrolysis reaction: two carbonyl O atoms, which are hydrogen bonded as hydrogen‐bond acceptors to the water molecule at (x, y, z), might enhance the nucleophilicity of this water molecule, while the water molecule at (−x, y + , −z), which is hydrogen bonded as a hydrogen‐bond donor to the carbonyl O atom at (x − 1, y, z − 1), might enhance the electrophilicity of the carbonyl C atom.     

Two Ti‐doped distrontium ruthenium tetraoxides: Sr2Ru0.93Ti0.07O4 and Sr2Ru0.81Ti0.19O4

Crystals of titanium‐doped distrontium ruthenium tetraoxide, Sr₂Ru_1−xTi_xO₄, with x = 0.07 and 0.19, were grown by floating‐zone melting, and their structures were solved using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Increasing Ti content leads to a distinctive systematic variation of cell parameters and interatomic distances with respect to the undoped material.     

Modular amino acids and β‐amino alcohol‐based chiral ligands for enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to a series of aromatic aldehydes was developed using a modular amino acids and ${\bf \beta}$ ‐amino alcohol‐based chiral ligand (2R)‐N‐[(1R,2S)‐1‐hydroxy‐1‐phenylpropan‐2‐yl]‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(tosylamino) propanamide ( 1f ) without using titanium complex. The catalytic system employing 15 mol% of 1f was found to promote the addition of diethylzinc (ZnEt₂) to a wide range of aromatic aldehydes with electron‐donating and electron‐withdrawing substituents, giving up to 97% ee of the corresponding secondary alcohol under mild conditions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vanadium Modification Effects on the (SiO2/MgO/MgCl2)•TiClx Ziegler–Natta Polyethylene Catalyst

A novel vanadium‐modified (SiO₂/MgO/MgCl₂)·TiCl_x Ziegler–Natta ethylene polymerization catalyst with much better catalytic performance is successfully developed. The catalyst is prepared by co‐impregnation of aqueous solution of water‐soluble magnesium and vanadium compounds on SiO₂, and a supported thin layer of magnesium and vanadium oxides is formed over the surface of SiO₂ after high temperature calcination in dry air, followed by further reaction with titanium tetrachloride to synthesize the magnesium dichloride carrier in situ and to support the titanium species simultaneously. By characterization of the catalysts and the polymers and investigation of the polymerization behaviors, it is found that compared with the original (SiO₂/MgO/MgCl₂)·TiCl_x ZN catalyst, the introduction of vanadium species induce improved catalytic performance with 27% higher activity, 48% higher hydrogen response, and 60% higher 1‐hexene incorporation ability with better short chain branch distribution.

     

Preparation of Well‐Defined Poly[(ethylene oxide)‐block‐(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonate)] Diblock Copolymers by Water‐Based Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Summary: Well‐defined poly[(ethylene oxide)‐block‐(sodium 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐propane sulfonate)] diblock copolymers [P(EO_m‐b‐AMPS_n)], have been obtained by water‐based ATRP using α‐methoxy‐ω‐(2‐methylbromoisobutyrate) poly(ethylene oxide)s (MeO‐P[EO]_m‐BrⁱB with m ranging from 12 to 113) and CuBr · 2Bpy (Bpy for 2,2′‐bipyridyl) as macroinitiator and catalytic complex, respectively. Compared to direct polymerization in water, it has been demonstrated that the water/methanol (3:1, v/v) mixture is better suited for predicting the final number‐average molar mass from the initial monomer‐to‐macroinitiator molar ratio and achieving a quite narrow polydispersity, even at high monomer conversion ( ≈ 1.4 at 80% conversion). The effect of temperature, solvent mixture composition and addition of NaCl salt on the polymerization rate and extent of control over the copolymer molecular parameters have been highlighted as well.

     

Propylene Polymerization Performance of Isolated and Aggregated Ti Species Studied Using a Well‐Designed TiCl3/MgCl2 Ziegler‐Natta Model Catalyst

In propylene polymerization with MgCl₂‐supported Ziegler‐Natta catalysts, it is known that the reduction of TiCl₄ with alkylaluminum generates Ti³⁺ active species, and at the same time, leads to the growth of TiCl_x aggregates. In this study, the aggregation states of the Ti species were controlled by altering the Ti content in a TiCl₃/MgCl₂ model catalyst prepared from a TiCl₃ · 3C₅H₅N complex. It is discovered that all the Ti species become isolated mononuclear with a highly aspecific feature below 0.1 wt.‐% of the Ti content, and that the isolated aspecific Ti species are more efficiently converted into highly isospecific ones by the addition of donors than active sites in aggregated Ti species.

     

On the Structural Chemistry of γ‐Brasses: Two Different Interpenetrating Networks in Ternary F‐Cell Pd–Zn–Al Phases

Novel ternary phases, (Pd_1?xZn_x)₁₈(Zn_1?yAl_y)_86?δ (0≤x≤0.162, 0.056≤y≤0.088, 0≤δ≤4), which adopt a superstructure of the γ‐brass type (called γ′‐brass), have been synthesized from the elements at 1120 K. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis reveals a phase width (F$\bar 4$ 3m, a=18.0700(3)–18.1600(2) Å, Pearson symbols cF400–cF416), which is associated with structural disorder based on both vacancies as well as mixed site occupancies. These structures are constructed of four independent 26‐atom γ‐clusters per primitive unit cells and centered at the four special positions A (0, 0, 0), B (1/4, 1/4, 1/4), C (1/2, 1/2, 1/2) and D (3/4, 3/4, 3/4). Two of these, centered at B and C , are completely ordered Pd₄Zn₂₂ clusters, whereas the other two, centered at A and D , contain all structural disorder in the system. According to our single‐crystal X‐ray results, Al substitutions are restricted to the A ‐ and D ‐centered clusters. Moreover, the outer tetrahedron (OT) site of the 26‐atom cluster at D is completely vacant at the Al‐rich boundary of these phases. Electronic structure calculations, using the tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital atomic‐spheres approximation (TB‐LMTO‐ASA) method, on models of these new, ternary γ′‐brass phases indicate that the observed chemical compositions and atomic distributions lead to the presence of a pseudogap at the Fermi level in the electronic density of states curves, which is consistent with the Hume‐Rothery interpretation of γ‐brasses, in general.     

Investigation of pharmacophore and antipharmacophore features of certain dimethyltin(IV) complexes of flexible N‐protected amino acids and fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones

A set of pentacoordinated dimethyltin(IV) complexes of flexible N‐protected amino acids and fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones was screened for their antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Staphylococcus aureus and Streptomyces griseus . These pentacoordinated complexes of the type Me₂SnAB (where : R = CH(CH₃)C₂H₅, A₁H; CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, A₂H; CH(CH₃)₂, A₃H; CH₂C₆H₅, A₄H; and BH = R'C(O)CH₂C(O)R″: R′ = C₆H₅, R″ = CF₃, B₁H; R′ = R″ = CH₃, B₂H; R′ = C₆H₅, R″ = CH₃, B₃H; R′ = R″ = C₆H₅, B₄H) were generated by the reactions of dimethyltin(IV) dichloride with sodium salts of flexible N‐protected amino acids (ANa) and fluorinated β‐diketone/β‐diketones (BNa) in 1:1:1 molar ratio in refluxing dry benzene solution. Plausible structures of these complexes were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectral studies. ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectral data revealed the presence of pentacoordinated tin centres in these dimethyltin(IV) complexes.     

Comonomer‐Induced Stereo‐Selectivity Enhancement in a C2‐Symmetric Metallocene‐Catalyzed Propylene Polymerization

Propylene polymerization is carried out with a C ₂‐symmetric metallocene catalyst of rac‐Et(Ind)₂ZrCl₂/MAO at 40 °C in the presence of a cyclo‐triene of trans,trans,cis‐1,5,9‐cyclododecatriene ((E,E,Z)‐CDT). Comonomer incorporations are rather low (<0.10 mol%). However, it is shown for the first time that the comonomer causes a noticeable increase in poly­propylene ­isotacticity (>7% in [mmmm]). (E,E,Z)‐CDT is speculated to coordinate to the metal center forming comonomer‐complexed active sites in charge of the entire polymerization reaction with decreased activity however increased propylene ­enantiomorphic selectivity.

     

High‐Resolution Structural Characterization of a Helical α/β‐Peptide Foldamer Bound to the Anti‐Apoptotic Protein Bcl‐xL

Get into the groove : The first high‐resolution structure of a foldamer bound to a protein target is described (see picture; foldamer in sticks). The foldamer consists of α‐ and β‐amino acid residues and is bound to the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐x_L. The overall binding mode and key interactions observed in the foldamer/Bcl‐x_L complex mimic those seen in complexes of Bcl‐x_L with natural α‐peptide ligands. Additional contacts in the foldamer/Bcl‐x_L complex involving β‐amino acid residues appear to contribute to binding affinity.

     

Comb Poly(Oligo(2‐Ethyl‐2‐Oxazoline)Methacrylate)‐Peptide Conjugates Prepared by Aqueous Cu(0)‐Mediated Polymerization and Reductive Amination

The controlled synthesis of poly(oligo(2‐ethyl‐2‐oxazoline)methacrylate) (P(OEtOxMA)) polymers by Cu(0)‐mediated polymerization in water/methanol mixtures is reported. Utilizing an acetal protected aldehyde initiator for the polymerization, well‐defined polymers are synthesized (>99% conversion, Ð < 1.25) with subsequent postpolymerization deprotection resulting in α‐aldehyde end group containing comb polymers. These P(OEtOxMA) are subsequently site‐specifically conjugated, via reductive amination, to a dipeptide (NH₂‐Gly‐Tyr‐COOH) as a model peptide, prior to conjugation to the functional peptide oxytocin. The resulting oxytocin conjugates are evaluated in comparison to poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) combs synthesized in the same manner for potential effects on thermal stability in comparison to the native peptide.

     

1‐[(E)‐2‐Arylethenyl]‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanes: Kinetics and Mechanism of Rearrangement to Cyclopentenes

Kinetic measurements for the thermal rearrangement of 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐[(E)‐styryl]cyclopropane ( 22a ) to 3,4,4‐triphenylcyclopent‐1‐ene ( 23a ) in decalin furnished ΔH =31.0±1.2 kcal mol^?1 and ΔS =?6.0±2.6 e.u. The lowering of ΔH^≠ by 20 kcal mol^?1, compared with the rearrangement of the vinylcyclopropane parent, is ascribed to the stabilization of a transition structure (TS) with allylic diradical character. The racemization of (+)‐(S)‐ 22a proceeds with ΔH =28.2±0.8 kcal mol^?1 and ΔS =?5±2 e.u., and is at 150° 106 times faster than the rearrangement. Seven further 1‐(2‐arylethenyl)‐2,2‐diphenylcyclopropanes 22 , (E)‐ and (Z)‐isomers, were synthesized and characterized. The (E)‐compounds showed only modest substituent influence in their k_rac (at 119.4°) and k_isom (at 159.3°) values. The lack of solvent dependence of rate opposes charge separation in the TS, but a linear relation of log k_rac with log p.r.f., i.e., partial rate factors of radical phenylations of ArH, agrees with a diradical TS. The ring‐opening of the preponderant s‐trans‐conformation of 22 gives rise to the 1‐exo‐phenylallyl radical 26 that bears the diphenylethyl radical in 3‐exo‐position, and is responsible for racemization. The 1‐exo‐3‐endo‐substituted allylic diradical 27 arises from the minor s‐gauche‐conformation of 22 and is capable of closing the three‐ or the five‐membered ring, 22 or 23 , respectively. The discussion centers on the question whether the allylic diradical is an intermediate or merely a TS. Quantum‐chemical calculations by Houk et al. (1997) for the parent vinylcyclopropane reveal the lack of an intermediate. Can the conjugation of the allylic diradical with three Ph groups carve the well of an intermediate?     

Dampfdruckmessungen und Protonenresonanzuntersuchung an Hydriden der intermetallischen Phasen Ti2(Ni,Co) und Ti2(Ni,Fe)

NMR and hydrogen equilibrium pressure measurements were performed on hydrides of the intermetallic compounds Ti₂(Ni, Co) and Ti₂(Ni, Fe). The following values of enthalpy H and entropy S for the formation of the hydrides of the intermetallic phases Ti₂Co and Ti₂Ni were found: H(Ti₂CoH _y )=–47.6 kJ/mol H₂, H(Ti₂NiH _y )=–53.7 kJ/mol H₂; S(Ti₂CoH _y )=–119.8 J/(K·mol H₂), S(Ti₂NiH _y )=–127.5 J/(K·mol H₂). By substitution of Ni or Co by Fe, the values of H and S of the corresponding quaternary hydrides become less negative. An interpretation of the experimental results is tried by the model ofShaltiel and coworkers.Proton diffusion was investigated in a series of the intermetallic hydrides Ti₂(Ni, Co)H _x and Ti₂(Ni, Fe)H _x . The diffusion rate is lowered by increased Ni/Fe substitution. Substitution of Ni by Co scarcely effects the hopping process. The activation energies were found to be smaller for the Ti₂Ni-hydrides compared with the Ti₂Co-hydrides.

Herrn Prof. Dr.H. Nowotny zum 70. Geburtstag gewidmet.     

Di‐ and trivalent rare earth complexes stabilized by sterically demanding aminopyridinato ligands as initiators in ring‐opening polymerization reactions of ϵ‐caprolactone

Salt elimination protocols using Ap*K {Ap*H = (2,6‐diisopropyl‐phenyl)‐[6‐(2,4,6‐triisopropyl‐phenyl)‐pyridin‐2‐yl]‐amine} lead to the rare earth aminopyridinato complex [Ap*LuCl₂(thf)₂], 4 . Results of X‐ray crystal structure analyses of 4 and the corresponding single THF coordinated dimer are discussed. Ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone initiated by complexes [Ap*LaBr₂(thf)₃], 2 , [Ap*YbI(thf)₂]₂, 3 or 4 in the presence of NaBH₄ allows the preparation, in a short reaction time, of α,ω‐dihydroxytelechelic polymers with high molar mass ( up to 50,000) and moderate molar mass distributions (1.3 < / < 1.6). © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3611–3619, 2007     

Effect of Li2O Addition on the Preparation of (Y2‐yLiy)Ti2O7‐y

A new series of (Y_2‐yLi_y)Ti₂O_7‐y having an ordered pyrochlore phase was prepared by a solid state reaction method with a solid solution range of 0.05 ≥ y ≥ 0.10. Unit cell parameters obtained by the Rietveld refinement method shows that the a‐axis decreases linearly with increasing the amount of Li ion addition, indicating the successful incorporation of the Li ion into unit cell. The average x‐fractional coordinate of the O(1) site depends on the ionic radius ratio of r(A³+)/r(Ti⁴⁺) in the A₂Ti₂O₇ with a pyrochlore phase. The Ti K‐edge XANES spectra of the (Y_2‐yLi_y)Ti₂O_7‐y show that the valence of the Ti ions is slightly less than 4 so that Ti is in the mixed valence state. Average particle size increases with increasing the amount of extra Li ion addition, which acts as a flux to lower the melting point of the materials.