Does the "superatom" exist in halogenated aluminum clusters?

We have shown that Aln clusters do not show any characteristics of a superatom in halogenated aluminum clusters. The enhanced stability of halogenated Al clusters can be explained by the magic nature of the clusters, not by superatom chemistry. The presence of even a few electronegative elements provides significant perturbation to the molecular orbitals of Al clusters and stabilizes the electropositive Al cluster cores, closely correlating with metal cluster-ligand chemistry. Our work provides significant chemical insights into the understanding of the structure and stability of halogenated aluminum clusters, and these new insights are applicable to other metal cluster-ligand systems.     

Liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry for analysis of 36 halogenated flame retardants in fish

A comprehensive, sensitive and high-throughput liquid chromatography–atmospheric pressure photoionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC–APPI-MS/MS) method has been developed for analysis of 36 halogenated flame retardants (HFRs). Under the optimized LC conditions, all of the HFRs eluted from the LC column within 14 min, while maintaining good chromatographic separation for the isomers. Introduction of the pre-heated dopant to the APPI source decreased the background noise fivefold, which enhanced sensitivity. An empirical equation was proposed to describe the relation between the ion intensity and dopant flow. The excellent on-column instrument detection limits averaged 4.7 pg, which was similar to the sensitivity offered by gas chromatography–high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS). This method was used to analyze a series of fish samples. Good agreement was found between the results for PBDEs from LC–APPI-MS/MS and GC–HRMS.     

Could an anisotropic molecular mechanics/dynamics potential account for sigma hole effects in the complexes of halogenated compounds?

Halogenated compounds are gaining an increasing importance in medicinal chemistry and materials science. Ab initio quantum chemistry (QC) has unraveled the existence of a “sigma hole” along the C? X (X = F, Cl, Br, I) bond, namely, a depletion of electronic density prolonging the bond, concomitant with a build‐up on its sides, both of which are enhanced along the F < Cl < Br < I series. We have evaluated whether these features were intrinsically built‐in in an anisotropic, polarizable molecular mechanics (APMM) procedure such as SIBFA (sum of interactions between fragments ab initio computed). For that purpose, we have computed the interaction energies of fluoro‐, chloro‐, and bromobenzene with two probes: a divalent cation, Mg(II), and water approaching X through either one H or its O atom. This was done by parallel QC energy‐decomposition analyses (EDA) and SIBFA computations. With both probes, the leading QC contribution responsible for the existence of the sigma hole is the Coulomb contribution E_c. For all three halogenated compounds, and with both probes, the in‐ and out‐of‐plane angular features of E_c were closely mirrored by the SIBFA electrostatic multipolar contribution (E_MTP). Resorting to such a contribution thus dispenses with empirically‐fitted “extra”, off‐centered partial atomic charges as in classical molecular mechanics/dynamics. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

New preparation method for halogenated ethanes and methanes via base-catalyzed halogen dance

Although literature abounds with examples of formation of perhaloalkanes by photo-lytic or Lewis-acid induced halogen exchange reactions involving radical or carbocationintermediates,the procedures are seldom applicable to the preparation of perhaloalkanes ingood yields under mild conditions.Recently,we have reported the spontaneous reactionsof some perhalofluoroalkanes with various types of nucleophiles.All these reactions areinitiated by the halophilic attack of nucleophiles on C—Br or C—Cl bonds,followed byanionic chain steps involving carbanion as well as olefin intermediates.Notably,the latter areformed after the β-elimination of a good leaving group from the former.On the other hand,it is well known that halogenated carbanions can effectively make halophilic attacks on theC—X bonds of other halogenated substrates,e.g.,in the“halogen dance”of Bunnett.There-     

Structure and stability of halogenated polymers: Part 1—Ring-chlorinated polystyrene

Ring-chlorinated polystyrene has been prepared by reaction between polymer and chlorine at −20°C in the presence of iodine, using a 1·2:1 molar ratio of chlorine to styrene units. Although the product has a composition corresponding precisely to 1 Cl atom per styrene unit and the predominant site of chlorination is the para position in the aromatic ring, some ortho chlorination, backbone chlorination and unchlorinated structures have been shown to be present by characterisation spectroscopically and from degradation experiments.The chlorinated polymer loses the backbone chlorine readily as HCl at temperatures from 200°C. The resulting unsaturation in the backbone appears to destabilise the polymer towards chain scission and the main breakdown process, which resembles that of polystyrene in consisting of depolymerisation and transfer reactions, occurs over a wider temperature range and at lower temperatures than the decomposition of polystyrene. Products have been identified and estimated quantitatively.     

Determination of benzenic and halogenated volatile organic compounds in animal-derived food products by one-dimensional and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Animal-derived products are particularly vulnerable to contamination by volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These lipophilic substances, which are generated by an increasing number of sources, are easily transferred to the atmosphere, water, soil, and plants. They are ingested by livestock and become trapped in the fat fraction of edible animal tissues. The aim of this work was to determine the occurrence, risk for human health and entryways of benzenic and halogenated VOCs (BHVOCs) in meat products, milks and sea foods using gas chromatography– mass spectrometry (GC–MS) techniques. In the first part, the occurrence and levels of the BHVOCs in animal products were studied. One muscle and three fat tissues were analysed by GC–Quad/MS in 16 lambs. Of 52 BHVOCs identified, 46 were found in the three fat tissues and 29 in all four tissues, confirming that VOCs are widely disseminated in the body. Twenty-six BHVOCs were quantified in fat tissues, and risk for consumer health was assessed for six of these compounds regulated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The BHVOC content was found to be consistent with previous reports and was below the maximum contaminant levels set by the EPA. In the second part, the performance of GC×GC–TOF/MS for comprehensively detecting BHVOCs and showing their entryways in animal-derived food chains was assessed. Meat, milk and oysters were analysed by GC–Quad/MS and GC×GC–TOF/MS. For all these products, at least a 7-fold increase in the contaminants detected was achieved with the GC×GC–TOF/MS technique. The results showed that the production surroundings, through animal feeding or geographical location, were key determinants of BHVOC composition in the animal products.     

Structure and stability of halogenated polymers: Part 2—Chain-chlorinated polystyrene

Chain-chlorinated polystyrene samples have been prepared and characterised, containing from 2·5 to 34·3% chlorine by weight (from 0·1 to 1·3 chlorine atoms per styrene unit). Chlorination has been found to involve mainly substitution of the tertiary hydrogen atoms, followed by methylene substitution at reactant concentrations of more than 1 mole Cl₂ per styrene unit. Reaction with chlorine is quantitative in CCl₄ in the absence of air and the amount of ring-chlorination as a side reaction is very small.Chlorination in the backbone destabilises the polymer, which first loses hydrogen chloride on heating. The double bonds formed provide points of weakness for chain scission, which occurs at lower temperatures than for PS. Under programmed heating, the dehydrochlorination and chain scission reactions overlap to some extent in temperature range, but highly conjugated partially degraded polymer can be made from extensively chain-chlorinated PS. At more than 1 Cl per styrene unit, HCl is almost the sole volatile product, although the conjugated polymer breaks up to chain fragments above 300°C.     

β-Lactam derivatives as enzyme inhibitors: halogenated β-lactams and related compounds

Different modifications of the imine – acyl chloride reaction were used for the synthesis of 3-mono- and 3,3-dihalogenated 1,4-diaryl substituted β-lactams. Furthermore, these β-lactams were modified by halogen substitution either at the aryl at position 1 or at the aryl substituent at position 4, or at both positions. The influence of the halogen atoms on the reactivity of the β-lactam ring, visible by the carbonyl frequence in their IR spectra, was studied. A selection of compounds was tested as inhibitors of the serin protease porcine pancreatic elastase. No simple correlation between IR frequence and biological activity was found. Finally, the base induced rearrangement of N-benzyl β-lactams was used for the synthesis of 4,5-diaryl substituted pyrrolidinones. Correspondence: Hans-Hartwig Otto, Department of Pharmaceutical/Medicinal Chemistry (PMC), Institute of Pharmacy, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, 17487 Greifswald, Germany.     

Implementation of comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography–time-of-flight mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of halogenated contaminants and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in fish

In the presented study, comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC?×?GC-TOFMS) was shown to be a powerful tool for the simultaneous determination of various groups of contaminants including 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), seven polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Since different groups of analytes (traditionally analyzed separately) were included into one instrumental method, significant time savings were achieved. Following the development of an integrated sample preparation procedure for an effective and rapid isolation of several groups of contaminants from fish tissue, the GC?×?GC-TOFMS instrumental method was optimized to obtain the best chromatographic resolution and low quantification limits (LOQs) of all target analytes in a complex mixture. Using large-volume programmable temperature vaporization, the following LOQs were achieved-PCBs, 0.01-0.25 μg/kg; PBDEs, 0.025-5 μg/kg; PAHs 0.025-0.5 μg/kg. Furthermore, several capillary column combinations (BPX5, BPX50, and Rxi-17Sil-ms in the first dimension and BPX5, BPX50, Rt-LC35, and HT8 in the second dimension) were tested during the experiments, and the optimal separation of all target analytes even of critical groups of PAHs (group (a): benz[a]anthracene, cyclopenta[cd]pyrene and chrysene; group (b): benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene and benzo[k]fluoranthene; group (c): dibenz[ah]anthracene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene) was observed on BPX5?×?BPX50 column setup. Moreover, since the determination of target analytes was performed using TOFMS detector, further identification of other non-target compounds in real life samples was also feasible.     

Synthetic exploitation of halogenated alkenes containing an electron-withdrawing group: synthesis of α-chlorohydrazones and ketene aminals by regiospecific reactions of in situ generated imide chlorides

A concise approach for the construction of ketene aminals and α-chlorohydrazones has been developed. It involves reactions of the regiodefined gem-dihalo nitrovinyl compound of in situ generated imide chlorides in different media with primary arylamines being dependent on the aryl groups. A range of ketene aminals and α-chlorohydrazones are obtained in good to high yields. In addition, α-aminohydrazones are prepared by using α-chlorohydrazones as the precursors.     

A routine accredited method for the analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls,organochlorine pesticides,chlorobenzenes and screening of other halogenated organics in soil,sediment and sludge by GCxGC-μECD

The analysis of persistent organic pollutants is a real challenge due to the large number of compounds with varying chemical and physical properties. Gas chromatography with electron capture detection or mass spectrometry has been the method of choice for the past 50 years. Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) coupled with micro-electron capture detector (μECD) is a new method that can analyze polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCs) and chlorobenzenes (CBz) in a single analytical run with enhanced selectivity and sensitivity over single column methods and can also be used to screen for other halogenated organics in environmental samples. An accredited routine method using commercially available LECO GCxGC-μECD and a column combination DB-1 × Rtx-PCB has been developed to analyse PCBs/OCs/CBz in soils, sediments and sludges. The method provides quantification of Aroclors and Aroclor mixtures to within 15% of target values and sub-nanogrammes per gramme detection limits.     

Electrophilicity of α-oxo gold carbene intermediates: halogen abstractions from halogenated solvents leading to the formation of chloro/bromomethyl ketones

α-Oxo gold carbenes generated via intermolecular oxidation of terminal alkynes are shown to be highly electrophilic and can effectively abstract halogen from halogenated solvents such as 1,2-dichloroethane or 1,2-dibromoethane. Chloro/bromomethyl ketones are prepared in moderate efficiencies in one step using Ph(3)PAuNTf(2) as the catalyst and 8-methylquinoline N-oxide as the oxidant.     

Regioselective biomimetic oxidation of halogenated resveratrol for the synthesis of (±)-ε-viniferin and its analogues

FeCl₃·6H₂O-promoted biomimetic oxidations of 3,5-dihalogeno-resveratrol in different acetone systems produced several coupling intermediates bearing distinct dimeric skeletons with moderate yields. The subsequent deprotection reactions of brominated coupling products achieved the efficient synthesis of natural products (±)-ε-viniferin, (±)-ampelosin B, and (±)-gnetins F, as well as an unnatural oligostilbene. The coupling mechanisms for the formation of different dimeric structures were also proposed.     

Arylation of halogenated thiophene carboxylate via Suzuki–Miyaura reaction: Anti-bacterial study against clinically isolated extensively drug resistant Escherichia coli sequence type 405 and computational investigation

In present study, Pd(0) catalysed Suzuki-Miyaura cross coupling reaction was used to synthesize 2,4-biarylphenyl-5-arylthiophene-2-carboxylate (7a–7f) and 2-aryl-4-chlorophenyl-5-arylthiophene-2-carboxylate derivatives (8a–8l) in moderate to good yields. While 2,4-dibromophenyl-5-bromothiophene-2-carboxylate (4) and 2-bromo-4-chlorophenyl-5-bromothiophene-2-carboxylate (5) were synthesized via Steglich esterification of 5-bromothiophene-2-carboxylic acid (1) with 2,4-dibromo phenol (2) and 2-bromo-4-chlorophenol (3) in the presence of N, N?-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP). ¹H and ¹³C NMR were used to confirm all of the compounds. To screen out the most active lead compounds, binding interactions of all synthesized compounds with MurD and MurE Escherichia coli proteins were evaluated theoretically via molecular docking studies indicating the good binding affinities. DFT calculations were performed out by using DFT-B3LYP/3-21g and structural and reactivity parameters were calculated. Compounds 5, 8b, 8e, 8h, and 8j have demonstrated potential reactivities and charge distributions that indicate their efficiency towards biological targets. These chemicals were tested in vitro for antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) at different concentrations based on theoretical results. The total results were quite close to the theoretical predictions and compound 8j was found to be having the greatest potential value, strongest binding affinities, and a promising antibacterial agent with MIC value of 50 mg/ml against Escherichia coli.     

News in Brief

About 200 billion yuan (24.3 billion US dollars) of investment was spent in infrastructure projects in west China region in 2003, occupying 55.2 percent of the country's total annual investment to the region. According to a leading group conducting the west development strategy, China plans to invest 363.5 billion yuan (44 billion US dollars) to the west in 2003, including 76 key projects.