Carboazidation of chiral allylsilanes: experimental and theoretical investigations

The carboazidation of chiral allylsilanes has been investigated by varying the nature of the substituents at the silicon center and on the carbon framework. The influence of temperature and the nature of the sulfonyl azide, as well as the stereochemistry of the remote stereogenic center, on the 1,2-diastereocontrol of the process were considered. Good to excellent levels of diastereocontrol were generally observed, with the syn-beta-azidosilane always being formed as the major isomer. An illustration of the value of this methodology has been provided with a short and efficient synthesis of an analogue of castanospermine. EPR spectroscopy was carried out on various beta-silyl radicals providing useful information about their conformations in the ground state. Based on this experimental evidence and DFT calculations, reactant-like transition state models were finally proposed that rationalize the observed 1,2-stereoinduction.     

Nanocage containing metal-organic framework constructed from a newly designed low symmetry tetra-pyrazole ligand

1368-Tetra(1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-9H-carbazole (H₄CTP), a tetra-pyrazole ligand with C_s symmetry, has been synthesized based on a carbazole core. A solvothermal reaction of this ligand with NiCl₂·6H₂O gave a three-dimensional (3-D) metal-organic framework (MOF), [Ni(H₄CTP)Cl₂]·nS (BUT-41), which crystallized in the cubic space group Pm-3 in spite of H₄CPT with a central carbazole core and four peripheral pyrazole rings has low symmetry. The framework of BUT-41 can be regarded as a four-connected 3-D net with the rhr topology when both the organic ligand and the metal center are considered as four-connected nodes. Nanocages with internal diameter of 2 nm are present in the framework of BUT-41, which are formed by interconnecting 12 H₄CTP ligands and 20 Ni(II) ions. Each nanocage connects with six adjacent cages through sharing hexagonal windows with diameter over 7 Å, resulting in 3-D intersecting channels of the MOF. Although the tetra-pyrazole ligand is not deprotonated after coordination with the metal ions, powder X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption experiments reveal that the framework of BUT-41 is rigid and permanently porous with the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area up to 1551 m² g^?1. Furthermore, gas adsorption experiments show that this MOF selectively adsorbs CO₂ over N₂ and CH₄.     

Nucleophilic additions of lithiated allylphenylsulfone to nitrones: experimental and theoretical investigations

The nucleophilic addition of lithiated allylphenylsulfone to nitrones at −80 °C proceeds exclusively α to the phenylsulfonyl group affording anti adducts in high yield. At 0 °C isoxazolidines are obtained with complete all-trans selectivity. The formation of these compounds involves isomerization of the allylsulphonyl moiety to give a transient vinylsulfone that then undergoes a subsequent intramolecular Michael addition. The addition to several nitrones has been studied and theoretical calculations have been refined to accurately explain the selectivity of the allylation reaction.     

Autoassociates and tautomerism of 2-oxo-5-halogenopyrimidines: theoretical and experimental investigations

Theoretical calculations (on a semi-empirical level) of energy and geometry of the autoassociates of two tautomeric forms of 2-oxo-5X-pyrimidines (X = H, Cl, Br) are presented. On the basis of the calculated energies of autoassociates it is possible to explain the enol—keto tautomeric transition between the gas phase and condensed phases. We propose a double-proton transfer reaction as a possible mechanism for the tautomeric transition.

Infrared absorption spectra of 2-oxo-5X-pyrimidines in the v(NH …) and v(C=O) regions in solid phases and in low-temperature argon matrices are also presented and discussed. Comparison of IR spectra and results of the theoretical calculations with known crystallographic structures of 2-oxo-5X-pyrimidines (X = H, F, Cl) lead to the conclusion that the crystal structure of the 5-bromo derivative should be similar to that of the 5-chloro derivative.     

Cycloaddition profile of pentafulvenes with 3-oxidopyrylium betaine: experimental and theoretical investigations

A detailed investigation on the effect of solvent polarity, temperature, and microwave irradiation on periselectivity in cycloaddition reactions of pentafulvenes with 3-oxidopyrylium betaine is described. The base catalyzed generation of 3-oxidopyrylium betaine in CHCl₃ resulted in the exclusive formation of [6+3] adducts. With increase in solvent polarity and temperature, mixtures of [6+3] and [3+2] adducts were formed, where as under microwave irradiation, [3+2] adducts were formed exclusively. The experimental results have been rationalized on the basis of theoretical calculations.     

Selective labeling of histidine by a designed fluorescein-based probe

The synthesis of a novel fluorescent probe, 3-epoxypropoxy fluorescein (EPF), and its properties for labeling of histidine are described. The probe contained a fluorescein fluorophore with long-wavelength response and an active epoxy labeling group. In alkaline media EPF reacted selectively with histidine, rather than with other amino acids, causing a large increase in fluorescence intensity and thereby allowing a selective detection of histidine. This fluorescence increase resembled that of the fluorescein diaion with the increase of the media basicity, suggesting that the addition reaction of histidine with the epoxy group provides the fluorophore moiety with a basic molecular environment. As an application of this probe, fluorescent labeling of histidine in human serum was attempted and the obtained results were in agreement with those given by using histidine-nickel complex adsorptive voltammetry. Further, the relative S.D. of the method was 1.8% for 10 replicate determinations of 0.55 μM histidine. When 10 μM of EPF was used, the linear range for histidine was 0.007-10 μM with a detection limit (S/N=3) of 0.001 μM.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the catalytic hydrosilylation of carbon dioxide with ruthenium nitrile complexes

Ruthenium complexes, mer-[RuX(3)(MeCN)(3)] and cis/trans-[RuX(2)(MeCN)(4)] with X=Br, Cl, were investigated as precatalysts in homogeneously catalyzed hydrosilylation of CO(2). The oxidation state of ruthenium and nature of the halide in the precatalysts were found to influence the catalytic activity in the conversion of Me(2)PhSiH to the formoxysilane Me(2)PhSiOCHO, with Ru(III) having chloride ligands being most active. Monitoring the reactions by in-situ IR spectroscopy in MeCN as the solvent indicates an interaction of the precatalyst with the silane prior to activation of CO(2). In the absence of CO(2), hydrosilylation of the MeCN solvent occurs. Catalytic activity in CO(2) hydrosilylation is enhanced by Me(2)PhSiCl, generated during reduction of Ru(III) in mer-[RuX(3)(MeCN)(3)] to Ru(II) or, when added as promoter to Ru(II) precatalysts. The reaction mechanism for the catalytic cycle has been calculated by DFT methods for the reaction of Me(3)SiH. The key steps are: Transfer of the Me(3)Si moiety to a coordinated halide ligand, resulting in an L(n)RuH(XSiMe(3)) intermediate --> CO(2) coordination --> Me(3)Si transfer to CO(2) --> reductive elimination of formoxysilane product. This reaction sequence is more favorable energetically for chloride complexes than for the analogous bromide complexes, which accounts for their differences in catalytic activity. Calculations also explain the rate increase observed experimentally in the presence of Me(2)PhSiCl. A parallel reaction pathway leads to (Me(3)Si)(2)O as a minor byproduct which arises from the condensation of two initially formed Me(3)SiOH molecules.     

Studies on liquid methyl fluoride,a case representative of joint experimental and theoretical progress

Methyl fluoride is one of three organic compounds selected for collaborative studies on liquids in the EMLG project. In the past few years it has entailed careful studies in dipolar absorption spectroscopy (microwave and far infra-red), that are fruitfully compared with results from simulation of discotic Stockmayer liquids. As an outcome the organization of molecular motion is gradually rising up. More progress is still needed to achieve specifying the origin and propagation of collective modes.     

Selective hydrolysis of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine systems: a theoretical and experimental insight into an old rule.

Hydrolysis of the amino groups in condensed 2,4-diaminopyrimidine systems (1) has been used as a common method for the synthesis of oxo-substituted pyrimidines. In particular, the treatment with 6 M HCl usually yields exclusively the 2-amino-4-oxopyrimidine isomer (2). During our work, we found that the hydrolysis of the amino groups present in some condensed 2,4-diaminopyrimidine systems unexpectedly afforded exclusively the 4-amino-2-oxopyrimidine isomer (3). In this paper, we present the experimental work and ab initio calculations carried out to understand this discrepancy. As a part of such study, eight compounds containing a 2,4-diaminopyrimidine moiety were calculated in gas phase and in aqueous solution, and some acid hydrolyses were reexamined. Results showed that the presence of an electron-donating nitrogen linked to C6 of the 2,4-diaminopyrimidine ring changes the preferred hydrolysis site to yield the 4-amino-2-oxopyrimidine isomer.     

Absorption spectrophotometric, fluorescence and theoretical investigations on supramolecular interaction of a designed bisporphyrin with C60 and C70

The present article reports the spectroscopic and theoretical investigations on supramolecular interaction between fullerenes (C(60) and C(70)) and a designed bisporphyrin, namely 1, in toluene. Job's method of continuous variation establishes 1:1 stoichiometry of the fullerene/1 complexes. Both absorption spectrophotometric and steady-state fluorescence studies reveal effective and selective interaction between fullerenes and 1 as average binding constants (K) for the C(60)/1 and C(70)/1 complexes are enumerated to be 34,700 and 359,925 dm(3) mol(-1), respectively. Large selectivity ratio in K, i.e., K(C(70))/K(C(60)), indicates that 1 acts as an effective molecular tweezers for C(70) in solution. Time-resolved fluorescence study evokes that the quenching of fluorescence of 1 by fullerenes is of static type in nature. Molecular mechanics calculations in vacuo determine the energies and single projection structures of the supramolecular systems, which provide very good support in favor of strong binding between C(70) and 1.     

Isolation of microbial DNA by newly designed magnetic particles

Carboxyl group-containing magnetic nonporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (P(HEMA-co-GMA)) microspheres and cobalt ferrite nanoparticles modified with alginic acid (natural carboxylic polysaccharide) were used for isolation of microbial DNA of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from dairy products, lyophilised cell cultures, and bacterial colonies grown on hard media, and Trichophyton fungi DNA from lyophilised cells. DNA from the samples with lysed cells was reversibly adsorbed to the particles in the presence of high poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG 6000) and sodium chloride concentrations. The optimal final PEG and NaCl concentrations were 9.1 wt.% and 2.0 M, respectively. The adsorbed DNA was released from the particles in low ionic strength TE buffer. The quality of isolated DNA was checked by PCR amplification. Moreover, PCR amplicons were isolated on cobalt ferrite nanoparticles modified with alginic acid and checked by restriction analysis.     

An efficient thiourea-based colorimetric chemosensor for naked-eye recognition of fluoride and acetate anions: UV-vis and HNMR studies

An efficient colorimetric chemosensor with a thiourea binding site and 2-amino-6-nitrobenothiazole as a signaling unit has been synthesized by dithiocarbamate approach. The chemosensor has been utilized for selective recognition of fluoride and acetate anions in dry DMSO solution by UV-vis and ¹H NMR titration experiments. The chemosensor has shown naked-eye sensitivity for both the anions in solution.     

Surface properties of mixtures of surface-active sugar derivatives with ionic surfactants: theoretical and experimental investigations

Surface properties of systems that are mixtures of ionic surfactants and sugar derivatives-anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate and n-dodecyl-beta-D-maltoside (SDS/DM) and cationic surfactant dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide and n-dodecyl-beta-D-glucoside (DTABr/DG)-were investigated. The experimental results obtained from measurements of surface tension of mixtures with various ratio of ionic to nonionic components were analyzed by two independent theories. First is Motomura theory, derived from the Gibbs-Duhem equation, allowing for indirect evaluation of the composition of mixed monolayers and the Gibbs energies of adsorption, corresponding to mutual interaction between surfactants in mixed adsorbed film. As second theory we used our newly developed theoretical model of adsorption of ionic-nonionic surfactant mixtures. Using this approach, we were able to describe the experimental surface tension isotherms for mixtures of surface-active sugar derivatives and ionic surfactants. We obtained a good agreement with experimental data using the same set of model parameters for a whole range of studied compositions of a given surfactant mixture. The values of surface excess calculated from both theories agreed with each other with a reasonable accuracy. However, the newly developed model of adsorption of ionic-nonionic surfactant mixtures has the advantage of straightforward determination of surface layer composition. By the solution of equations of adsorption, one can obtain directly the values of surface excess of all components (surfactant ions, counterions, and nonionic surfactants molecules), which are present in the investigated system.     

Mechanism of alkene isomerization by bifunctional ruthenium catalyst: A theoretical study

The molecular mechanism of the isomerization of 1-pentene to form (E)-2-pentene catalyzed by the bifunctional ruthenium catalyst has been investigated using density functional theory calculations. The reaction is likely to proceed through the following steps: 1) the β-H elimination to generate the ruthenium hydride intermediate; 2) the reductive elimination of the hydride intermediate to generate the nitrogen-protonated allyl intermediate; 3) the transportation of the hydrogen by the dihedral rotation with Ru–P bond acting as axis; 4) the oxidative addition to afford another hydride complex; 5) the reductive elimination of the hydride intermediate to form the C₂-C₃ π-coordinated agostic intermediate; 6) the coordination of the nitrogen to the ruthenium center to give the final product. The rate-determining step is the oxidative addition step (the process of the hydrogen moves to ruthenium center from the nitrogen atom) with the free energy of 31.2 kcal/mol in the acetone solvent. And the N-heterocyclic ligand in the catalyst mainly functions in the two aspects: affords an important internal-basic center (nitrogen atom) and works as a transporter of hydrogen. Our results would be helpful for experimentalists to design more effective bifunctional catalysts for isomerization of a variety of heterofunctionalized alkene derivatives.     

Orientational effect of aryl groups on 77Se NMR chemical shifts: experimental and theoretical investigations

The orientational effect of p-YC6H4 (Ar) on delta(Se) is elucidated for ArSeR, based on experimental and theoretical investigations. The effect is examined in the cases in which Se--CR in ArSeR is either in the Ar plane (pl) or is perpendicular to the plane (pd). 9-(Arylselanyl)anthracenes (1) and 1-(arylselanyl)anthraquionones (2) are employed to establish the effect in pl and pd, respectively. Large upfield shifts are observed for Y=NMe2, OMe, and Me, and large downfield shifts for Y=COOEt, CN, and NO2 in 1, relative to Y=H, as is expected. Large upfield shifts are brought by Y=NMe2, OMe, Me, F, Cl, and Br, and downfield shifts by Y=CN and NO2 in 2, relative to Y=H, with a negligible shift by Y=COOEt. Absolute magnetic shielding tensors of Se (sigma(Se)) are calculated for ArSeR (R=H, Me, and Ph), assuming pl and pd, based on the DFT-GIAO method. Observed characters are well explained by the total sigma(Se). Paramagnetic terms (sigmap(Se)) are governed by (sigmap(Se)xx+sigmap(Se)yy), in which the direction of np(Se) (constructed by 4pz(Se)) is set to the z axis. The main interaction in pl is the np(Se)-pi(C6H4)-pz(Y) type. The Y dependence in pl occurs through admixtures of 4pz(Se) in pi(SeC6H4Y) and pi*(SeC6H4Y), modified by the conjugation, with 4px(Se) and 4py(Se) in sigma(CSeX) and sigma*(CSeX) (X=H or C) under a magnetic field. The main interaction in pd is the sigma(CSeX)-pi(C6H4)-px(Y) type, in which Se-X is nearly on the x axis. The Y dependence in pd mainly arises from admixtures of 4pz(Se) in np(Se) with 4px(Se) and 4py(Se) in modified sigma*(CSeX), since np(Se) is filled with electrons. It is demonstrated that the effect of Y on sigmap(Se) in the pl conformation is the same regardless of whether Y is an electron-donor or electron-acceptor, whereas for pd conformations the effect is greater when Y is an electron donor, as observed in 1 and 2, respectively. Contributions of each molecular orbital and each transition on sigmap(Se) are evaluated, which enables us to recognize and visualize the effect clearly.     

Binding of antitumor ruthenium complexes to DNA and proteins: a theoretical approach

The thermodynamics of the binding of the antitumor ammine, amine, and immine complexes of ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) to DNA and peptides was studied computationally using model molecules. We performed density functional calculations on several monofunctional ruthenium complexes of the formula [Ru(NH3)5B]z+, where B is an adenine, guanine, or cytosine nucleobase or an 4-methylimidazole, a dimethylthioether, or a dimethylphosphate anion and z = 2 and 3. The pentammineruthenium fragment has been intensively studied and also constitutes a good model for a wide class of antitumor ammine, amine, and imine complexes of Ru(II) and Ru(III), while the considered bases/ligands have been chosen as models for the main binding sites of DNA, nucleobases, and phosphate backbone and proteins, histidyl, and sulfur-containing residue such as methionine or cysteine. Bond dissociation enthalpies and free energies have been calculated for all the considered metal binding sites both in the gas phase and in solution and allow building a binding affinity order for the considered nucleic acid or protein binding sites. The binding of guanine to some bifunctional complexes, [Ru(NH3)(4)Cl2], [cis-RuCl(2)(bpy)2], and [cis-RuCl(2)(azpy)2], has also been considered to evaluate the effect of a second labile chloro or aquo ligand and more realistic polypyridyl and arylazopyridine ligands.