On the Misleading Interpretation of the Properties of the f-Electron Elements

The aim of the paper is to elucidate the problem of the regular changes in the properties of f-elements represented by the double-double effect. It is pointed out that because of the half-filled shell and double-double effects the f-element properties cannot be plotted as a linear function of the L -quantum number, as suggested by Sinha [1][2].     

Synthese von ‘D-Isothreonin’ und ‘L-Alloisothreonin’ aus L-Alanin

Synthesis of ‘D -Isothreonine’ and ‘L -Alloisothreonine’ Starting from L -Alanine Starting from L -alanine, ‘D -isothreonine’ ( = (2R, 3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) and ‘L -alloisothreonine’ ( = (2S, 3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) were synthesized.     

Der ‘Push-Pull’-Effekt von ‘Push-Pull’-Oligoacetylenen. Eine 13C-NMR-Untersuchung

The ‘Push-Poll’ Effect of ‘Push-Pull’ Oligoacetylenes. A ¹³C-NMR Investigation According to ¹³C-chemicaI shifts of ‘push-pull’ oligoacetylenes 1 – 4 , the ‘push-pull’ effect (i.e. π delocalization induced by ‘push-pull’ substituents) rapidly decays in this series. To correct for other than π -charge-density effects, Δδ values of symmetrically placed C-atoms of the oligoacetylene chain are discussed. Stereoelectronic resteffects (SER) of the substituents on terminal C-atoms of PP-ketones 1a – 3a and PP -esters 1b – 4b are estimated from the residual Δδ of the asymptotes of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 convincingly shows that Δδ values are dramatically decreasing with increasing number n of acetylene units between the push and pull substituents. Assignment problems of ‘push-pull’ triacetylenes 3 have been solved by ¹³C labelling of the CO group of 3a .     

The ‘even-electron rule’

Many (>170) exceptions to the ‘even-electron rule from the literature (unrecognized in most cases) and from the authors’ laboratory are presented and discussed. The large number of violations suggests that although the generalization may be a helpful guide for the explanation of mass spectral behaviour of many organic compounds, the term ‘rule’ seems to be unjustified.     

Synthese von ‘Push-Pull’-Oligoacetylenen

Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’-OligoAcetylenes ‘Push-pull’ triacetylenes 11a , b , c , as well as ‘push-pull’ tetraacetylene 13b have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding trichloroene(oligoinyl)amines 9 and 10 with 2 mol-equiv. of BuLi followed by acylation. The sequences (Schemes 3 and 4) are very simple and straightforward, they could in principle be applied to the synthesis of ‘push-pull’ pentaAcetylenes 15 and hexaacetylenes 17 (Scheme 5). Main limitations are the moderate yields as well as the low thermal stability of push-pull oligoacetylenes.     

Synthese von ‘Push-Pull’-Diacetylenen

Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’ Diacetylenes The first synthesis of push-pull diacetylenes of type 1 is described. Reaction of perchlorobutenyne ( 8 ) with two equivalents of dialkylamine, followed by dechlorination using two equivalents of butyllithium gives lithio-dialkylamino-diynes 7 . Final acylation of these intermediates leads to push-pull diacetylenes 1b–1e in good yields. The method allows the introduction of both push and pull substituents in a simple one-pot-procedure. In addition, 1a is prepared by hydroxymethylation of lithio-morpholino-diyne 7c , followed by oxidation with manganese dioxide in acetone.     

The Electrocatalytic Properties of Arc‐MWCNTs and Associated ‘Carbon Onions’

For the first time we report on the electrochemical characteristics of nanometer sized polyhedral graphite onions dispersed amongst arc‐MWCNTs. These are formed during the electric arc discharge method of producing ultrapure MWCNTs (arc‐MWCNTs). The carbon onions are randomly dispersed amongst the arc‐MWCNTs which are produced with very little amorphous carbon deposits or other unwanted impurities and are formed as closed‐ended tubes. By comparison with commercially available open‐ended hollow‐tube multiwalled carbon nanotubes made using the chemical vapor deposition method (cvd‐MWCNTs), a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), an edge‐plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (eppg) and basal plane pyrolytic graphite (bppg) electrode, we can speculate that it is the edge‐plane‐like defect sites that are the electroactive sites responsible for the apparent ‘electrocatalysis’ seen with a wide range of analytes including: ferrocyanide, ruthenium hexaamine(III), nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide (NADH), epinephrine, norepinephrine, cysteine, and glutathione. The arc‐MWCNTs themselves are produced as closed‐ended tubes with very few, if any, edge‐plane‐like defect sites evident in their HRTEM characterization. Therefore we speculate that it is the carbon onions dispersed amongst the arc‐MWCNTs which have incomplete graphite shells or a rolled‐up ‘Swiss‐roll’ structures that posses the edge‐plane‐like defect sites and are responsible for the observed voltammetric responses. Carbon onions are no more or no less ‘electrocatalytic’ than open‐ended MWCNTs which in turn are no more electrocatalytic than an eppg electrode. As the carbon onions are ubiquitous in MWCNTs formed using the arc‐discharge method the authors advise that caution should be taken before assigning any electrocatalytic behavior to the MWCNTs themselves as any observed electrocatalysis likely arises from the carbon onion impurities.     

‘Lone Pair’ and ‘CI Bond’ Ionization Energies of exo- and endo-2-Norbornyl Iodides

A PE-spectroscopic study of exo- and endo-2-norbornyl iodides suggests that the relative ability of the 2-norbornyl group to stabilize an electron deficiency on a substituent X (e.g. I) in exo- or endo-position depends on the location of the positive charge. There is no difference if the positive hole is strongly localized on on the substituent X (e.g. the 5p^?1 state of the title compounds). On the other hand, our results indicate that teh positive hole semi-localized in an exo-C? X bond is better stabilized by the 2-norbornyl group than a semi-localized, positive hole in an endo-C? X bond.     

Heterogeneous ‘Organoclick’ Derivatization of Polysaccharides

Summary: A simple method for the direct catalytic heterogeneous modification of polysaccharides is presented. The novel method is exemplified by the combination of organic acid‐catalyzed esterification and copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction (click chemistry) to attach a fluorescent probe to solid cellulose. The heterogeneous ‘organoclick’ derivatization of cellulose allows for a mild, highly modular surface modification of cellulose under environmentally benign reaction conditions.

Schematic of the combined organic acid‐catalyzed esterification and copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction (click chemistry) to modify a polysaccharide with a fluorescent probe.     

Synthese von ‘Push-Pull’- Eninen

Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’ Enynes ‘Push-pull’ enynes 1a–1f are easily available by Pd catalyzed coupling of stannyl-ynamines 15 and silylynamines 16 with β-iodo-enones 8 (Schemes 7 and 8).     

Synthetic Attempts towards ‘Aromatic’ Nonafulvenes

According to their spectroscopic behavior, four classes of nonafulvenes may be distinguished, but, so far, only three classes have been identified. Type-A nonafulvenes (including parent 1a ) are typically olefinic molecules with strongly alternating bond lengths and a nonplanar nine-membered ring. Type-B nonafulvenes are characterized by four pairs of equivalent ring H-atoms and ring C-atoms. Spectra of both Type-A and Type-B nonafulvenes are not dependent on temperature and solvent polarity. However, spectra of Type-C nonafulvenes (including prototype 1d with R¹ = R² = NMe₂) are strongly influenced by temperature and solvent polarity due to an equilibrium 1?1 ^± between the nonpolar olefinic 1 and dipolar planarized 1 ^±. So far, Type-D nonafulvenes occurring exclusively in the dipolar form 1 ^± were unknown. Synthetic attempts towards nonafulvenes of Type D are described and problems encountered in nonafulvene syntheses are discussed. Several new cyclononatetraenes and four new nonafulvenes (or nonafulvalenes) 31, 1n, 3 , and 5 have been synthesized. Spectroscopic evidence shows that 11,12-bis(diethylamino)nonatriafulvalene 5 is the first Type-D nonafulvene.     

Tetrametallic Group 13 ‘Mitsubishi’ Molecules

Under fairly disparate conditions tetrametallic aluminum complexes can be isolated that feature a central six-coordinate aluminum connected by bridging heteroatoms to three peripheral four-coordinate aluminum atoms. Based upon their striking resemblance to the Mitsubishi emblem these molecules will be given the name ‘Mitsubishi™’ [1]. This review will discuss the formation of these compounds and will seek to establish the guiding principles under which additional ‘Mitsubishi™’ compounds may be formed. The impact of these compounds on the formation of solid-state materials, particularly aluminum oxide, will be briefly discussed.     

‘Through Space’ and ‘Through Bond’ Interactions in [2.2]Cyclopanes; the Assignment of their Photoelectron Spectra

The photoelectron spectra (PE.) of ten cyclophanes ( 7 to 14, 16, 18 ) have been assigned on the basis of a simple molecular orbital model proposed recently for the cyclophanes 2 (1,4) to 6 . It is shown that the agreement between calculated and observed band positions provides strong evidence for the validity of the model.