Fractional coverage of defects in self-assembled thiol monolayers on gold

Au electrodes are alkylated by self-assembled organic monolayers of octadecanethiol from alcohol solution. The electron tunnelling resistance of a monolayer-coated gold electrode has been investigated by ac impedance. The relation between the fractional coverage of different defects and the corresponding film thickness at these ‘collapsed’ sites has been deduced from electron tunnelling theory. By using the concepts of average film thickness at defect (d_a) and average fractional coverage of defect (θ_a), we have obtained the θ_ad_a plot. The influence of the apparent standard rate constant on the shape of the θ_ad_a plot has been discussed. In our experiments, Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− is used as a redox probe to study the θ_ad_a plot of an octadecanethiol monolayer. The θ_a versus d_a plot indicates that the defects with d_a<6 methylene groups and θ_a<0.1 can increase the apparent standard rate constant from 1.9×10⁻¹⁰ cm s⁻¹, which is the theoretical value calculated from electron tunnelling theory, to 2.9×10⁻⁷ cm s⁻¹. The average thickness of the whole monolayer (ATWM), which is obtained from the θ_a versus d_a plot and which can indicate the blocking property of the monolayer, is 11 methylene groups.     

Five-coordinate pentafluorobenzothiolate osmium(IV) complexes [Os(SC6F5)4(P(C6H4X-4)3)] (X = OCH3, CH3, F, Cl or CF3): Solid and solution structural characterization

The reactions of OsO₄ with excess of HSC₆F₅ and P(C₆H₄X-4)₃ in ethanol afford the five-coordinate compounds [Os(SC₆F₅)₄(P(C₆H₄X-4)₃)] where X = OCH₃ 1a and 1b, CH₃ 2a and 2b, F 3a and 3b, Cl 4a and 4b or CF₃ 5a and 5b. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1 to 5 exhibit a common pattern with an osmium center in a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination arrangement. The axial positions are occupied by mutually trans thiolate and phosphane ligands, while the remaining three equatorial positions are occupied by three thiolate ligands. The three pentafluorophenyl rings of the equatorial ligands are directed upwards, away from the axial phosphane ligand in the arrangement “3-up” (isomers a). On the other hand, ³¹P{¹H} and ¹⁹F NMR studies at room temperature reveal the presence of two isomers in solution: The “3-up” isomer (a) with the three C₆F₅-rings of the equatorial ligands directed towards the axial thiolate ligand, and the “2-up, 1-down” isomer (b) with two C₆F₅-rings of the equatorial ligands directed towards the axial thiolate and the C₆F₅-ring of the third equatorial ligand directed towards the axial phosphane. Bidimensional ¹⁹F–¹⁹F NMR studies encompass the two sub-spectra for the isomers a (“3-up”) and b (“2-up, 1-down”). Variable temperature ¹⁹F NMR experiments showed that these isomers are fluxional. Thus, the ¹⁹F NMR sub-spectra for the “2-up, 1-down” isomers (b) at room temperature indicate that the two S-C₆F₅ ligands in the 2-up equatorial positions have restricted rotation about their C–S bonds, but this rotation becomes free as the temperature increases. Room temperature ¹⁹F NMR spectra of 3 and 5 also indicate restricted rotation around the Os–P bonds in the “2-up, 1-down” isomers (b). In addition, as the temperature increases, the ¹⁹F NMR spectra tend to be consistent with an increased rate of the isomeric exchange. Variable temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR studies also confirm that, as the temperature is increased, the a and b isomeric exchange becomes fast on the NMR time scale.     

Unusual Disordering of Potassium Ions in the Structures of Cluster Rhenium Thiohalides K3[Re6S7Br7] and K4[Re6S8Cl6]

New cluster compounds — rhenium and potassium thiohalides K₃Re₆S₇Br₇ (I) and K₄Re₆S₈Cl₆ (II) — have been synthesized. Their crystal structures have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compounds are monoclinic; (I): space group P2₁/c, a = 9.32(1) Å, b = 13.528 Å, c = 12.413 Å, β = 110.21°, Z = 2, R = 0.038; (II): space group C2/m, a = 10.614 Å, b = 17.268 Å, c = 10.448 Å, β = 110.755°, Z = 2, R = 0.042. In both structures, the potassium ions are considerably distorted. The occupancies of the potassium sites are 0.17-0.34 (I) and 0. 01-0.26 (II), correlating well with the coordination numbers (c.n. 7-10 and 2-7 for I and II, respectively). In I, adjacent positions of potassium atoms are aggregated into discrete tetrahedral and angular clusters; in II, the individual (four-and six-membered) cyclic clusters of potassium sites are present along with bent chains of vertex-and edge-sharing tetrahedral “potassium clusters.” The shortest K-K distances in these “clusters” vary from 1.31 Å to 1.54 Å (I) and from 0.66 Å to 1.65 Å (II). The “instability” of the potassium site suggests that I and II are ion conductors.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by S. F. Solodovnikov, S. S. Yarovoi, Yu. V. Mironov, A. V. Virovets, and V. E. Fedorov__________Translated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 5, pp. 909–917, September–October, 2004.     

Design,Sustainable Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a Novel Dual α2A/5-HT7 Receptor Antagonist with Antidepressant-Like Properties

The complex pathophysiology of depression, together with the limits of currently available antidepressants, has resulted in the continuous quest for alternative therapeutic strategies. Numerous findings suggest that pharmacological blockade of α₂-adrenoceptor might be beneficial for the treatment of depressive symptoms by increasing both norepinephrine and serotonin levels in certain brain areas. Moreover, the antidepressant properties of 5-HT₇ receptor antagonists have been widely demonstrated in a large set of animal models. Considering the potential therapeutic advantages in targeting both α₂-adrenoceptors and 5-HT₇ receptors, we designed a small series of arylsulfonamide derivatives of (dihydrobenzofuranoxy)ethyl piperidines as dually active ligands. Following green chemistry principles, the designed compounds were synthesized entirely using a sustainable mechanochemical approach. The identified compound 8 behaved as a potent α_2A/5-HT₇ receptor antagonist and displayed moderate-to-high selectivity over α₁-adrenoceptor subtypes and selected serotonin and dopaminergic receptors. Finally, compound 8 improved performance of mice in the forced swim test, displaying similar potency to the reference drug mirtazapine.     

Structural and magnetic properties of “one-dimensional” barium vanadium triselenide

BaVSe₃ has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined at 293(2)°K. The structure was solved in the hexagonal space group P6₃/mmc (D⁴_6h), with a = 6.9990(11) and c = 5.8621(13) Å. Scans (2 Θ) of a polycrystalline sample revealed that BaVSe₃ undergoes a transition to an orthorhombic unit cell (b′ 3^1/2 a, a′ a, c′ c) at 303(5)°K. Magnetic susceptibility measurements between 4 and 300°K indicate that BaVSe₃ is paramagnetic down to 41(1)°K, where magnetic ordering occurs, with a magnetic moment in the ordered phase of 0.2 μ_B per vanadium atom. The orthorhombic lattice distortion may be caused by the “freezing in” of “soft” vibrational modes.     

Azasteroids. Synthesis by Diels-Alder Reaction between Maleimides, Citraconimide, and Triazolindiones and 1-(1-Trialkylsiloxyvinyl)-3,4-dihydronaphthalene Derivatives

Summary. 18-Nor-16-azaestrane derivatives with 8β, 13β, and 14β orientation were isolated from Diels-Alder reactions between maleimides or citraconimide and 1-(1-siloxyvinyl)naphthalene derivatives. (8RS)-13,14,16-Triazaestrane derivatives were synthesized from 1,2,4-triazolin-3,5-diones. The parent 11-oxo derivatives were obtained by desilylation, and they were transformed into 11-hydroxyimino derivatives. 3-Hydroxy derivatives, finally were synthesized by cleavage of the 3-methoxy group with BBr₃. During these transformations the stereochemistry of the steroidal skeleton was not changed. The stereochemistry of these “unnatural” steroids was elucidated by spectroscopic methods, and compared with results from calculations, and with the configuration of natural estrane derivatives. Finally, an improved method for the synthesis of the starting material, 6-methoxy-1-[(1-trialkylsiloxy)-vinyl]-3,4-dihydronaphthalene was developed.     

Determination of Activation Energies and the Optimum Temperatures of Hydrolysis of Starch by α-Amylase from Porcine Pancreas

The present paper reports the determination of the activation energies and the optimum temperatures of starch hydrolysis by porcine pancreas α-amylase. The parameters were estimated based on the literature data on the activity curves versus temperature for starch hydrolysis by α-amylase from porcine pancreas. It was assumed that both the hydrolysis reaction process and the deactivation process of α-amylase were first-order reactions by the enzyme concentration. A mathematical model describing the effect of temperature on porcine pancreas α-amylase activity was used. The determine deactivation energies E_a were from 19.82 ± 7.22 kJ/mol to 128.80 ± 9.27 kJ/mol, the obtained optimum temperatures T_opt were in the range from 311.06 ± 1.10 K to 326.52 ± 1.75 K. In turn, the values of deactivation energies E_d has been noted in the range from 123.57 ± 14.17 kJ/mol to 209.37 ± 5.17 kJ/mol. The present study is related to the starch hydrolysis by α-amylase. In the industry, the obtained results the values E_a, E_d, T_opt can be used to design and optimize starch hydrolysis by α-amylase porcine pancreas. The obtained results might also find application in research on the pharmaceutical preparations used to treat pancreatic insufficiency or prognosis of pancreatic cancer.     

Characterization of TaFe1.25Te3, a new layered telluride with an unusual metal network structure

The new layered material, TaFe_1+xTe₃ (0.25 < x < 0.29), has been synthesized by reaction of the constituent elements. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that at x = 0.25 the compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁/m (no. 11) (a = 7.436(1), B = 3.638(1), C = 10.008(1) Å, β = 109.17(1)°). The structure features an unusual Ta---Fe bonded network that contains an equal number of Ta and Fe atoms. The metal network lies between tellurium layers, forming a FeTaTe₃ “sandwich.” Additionally, x Fe atoms per formula unit partially occupy a square pyramidal site that provides interlayer bonding through the apical tellurium, which is in an adjacent “sandwich.” Selected area electron diffraction studies did not reveal any order in the partially occupied Fe positions. Electrical and magnetic measurements reveal that, at x = 0.25, the compound is an antiferromagnetic metal (T_N = 200 K) and undergoes a structural phase transition at 1010 K.     

1D + 1D model of a DMFC: localized solutions and mixedpotential

Our 1D + 1D model of DMFC reveals a new effect. At infinitely small total current in the cell, near the channel inlet forms a “bridge”, a narrow region with finite local current density. The bridge short-circuits the electrodes, thus reducing cell open-circuit voltage. In our previous work the effect is described for the case of equal methanol λ^a and oxygen λ^c stoichiometries. In this Letter, we analyze the general case of arbitrary λ^a and λ^c. In the case of λ^a > λ^c current may occupy finite domain of the cell surface. Asymptotic solution for the case of λ^a  λ^c shows, that the size of this domain is proportional to oxygen stoichiometry. In the opposite limit of λ^a  λ^c local current exponentially decreases with the distance along the channel. Asymptotic solutions suggest that the bridge forms regardless of the relationship between λ^a and λ^c. In all cases local current density in the bridge increases with the rate of methanol crossover and decreases with the growth of the “rate-determining” stoichiometry. The expression for voltage loss at open-circuit is derived.     

The metastable Ni7±xS6, and mixed Ni6±x(S1−ySey)5, phases

The closely related, narrowly non-stoichiometric, metastable as well as thermodynamically stable “phases” in the metal-rich part of the Ni–S phase diagram near the nominal composition Ni_7±xS₆ have been carefully re-investigated via electron diffraction and transmission electron microscope imaging. Two quite distinct polymorphs have been identified, a minority incommensurate interface-modulated polymorph and a (heavily twinned) majority I1a1, a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=−a_p+c_p superstructure (of an underlying Bmmb, a_p3.3, b_p16.4, c_p11.3 Å parent structure) polymorph. The incommensurate polymorph is shown to be very closely related to the only known polymorph of Ni_6±xSe₅ and is rapidly stabilized to room temperature upon doping of the sulfide compounds with selenium.     

[{(NiOH)2Mo10O36(PO4)Ti2}n]: a novel chainlike trimetal heteropolyanion based on pseudo-keggin fragments

A new mixed Mo/Ni/Ti heteropoly compound [C₅H₅NH]₅ [(NiOH)₂Mo₁₀O₃₆(PO₄)Ti₂] has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally determined by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Black prismatic crystals crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, a=11.2075(2), b=37.8328(5) c=13.0888(1) Å, β=101.4580(10)°, M=2276.13, V=5439.19(13) ų, Z=4. Data were collected on a Siemens SMART CCD diffractometer at 293(2) K in the range of 1.68<θ<25.09° using the ω-scan technique (λ=0.71073 Å R(F)=0.0872 for 9621 reflections). The title compound contains a trimetal heteropolyanion polymer and “trans-titanium”-bridging pseudo-Keggin fragments linked to a chain.     

Formation of a rhodium(II) monohydrido complex derived from wilkinson's complex RhCl(PPh3)3 in the interlamellar spaces of montmorillonite and catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene

The interaction of molecular hydrogen with [Rh(PPh₃)₃]⁺ (1a) “immobilized” in the interlamellar spaces of montmorillonite resulted in the formation of a monohydrido complex, [Rh^IIH(PPh₃)₃] (2a), characterized by electrochemical data of the clay-loaded electrode, IR, EPR and hydrogen absorption studies. Heterogenized homogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene catalysed by 1a was investigated in the temperature range 283–313 K. The order of reaction with respect to cyclohexene and hydrogen concentration is fractional and first order with respect to catalyst concentration. Thermodynamic parameters ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ corresponding to the formation of the monohydrido species were found to be 18 kcal mol⁻¹ and 61 e.u., respectively. The activation enthalpy, ΔH^‡, and entropy, ΔS^‡, for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene by the Rh^II—H complex in clay are more negative by about 2 kcal mol⁻¹ and 7 e.u. compared to Wilkinson's catalyst, RhCl(PPh₃)₃ (1), in homogeneous solution.     

Hypertension in Prenatally Undernourished Young-Adult Rats Is Maintained by Tonic Reciprocal Paraventricular–Coerulear Excitatory Interactions

Prenatally malnourished rats develop hypertension in adulthood, in part through increased α₁-adrenoceptor-mediated outflow from the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the sympathetic system. We studied whether both α₁-adrenoceptor-mediated noradrenergic excitatory pathways from the locus coeruleus (LC) to the PVN and their reciprocal excitatory CRFergic connections contribute to prenatal undernutrition-induced hypertension. For that purpose, we microinjected either α₁-adrenoceptor or CRH receptor agonists and/or antagonists in the PVN or the LC, respectively. We also determined the α₁-adrenoceptor density in whole hypothalamus and the expression levels of α_1A-adrenoceptor mRNA in the PVN. The results showed that: (i) agonists microinjection increased systolic blood pressure and heart rate in normotensive eutrophic rats, but not in prenatally malnourished subjects; (ii) antagonists microinjection reduced hypertension and tachycardia in undernourished rats, but not in eutrophic controls; (iii) in undernourished animals, antagonist administration to one nuclei allowed the agonists recover full efficacy in the complementary nucleus, inducing hypertension and tachycardia; (iv) early undernutrition did not modify the number of α₁-adrenoceptor binding sites in hypothalamus, but reduced the number of cells expressing α_1A-adrenoceptor mRNA in the PVN. These results support the hypothesis that systolic pressure and heart rate are increased by tonic reciprocal paraventricular–coerulear excitatory interactions in prenatally undernourished young-adult rats.     

Preparation and catalytic activity of titanium silicalite-1 zeolite membrane with TPABr as template

The preparation of the supported titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) zeolite membrane with inexpensive tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr)/weak base synthesis system was studied by three methods, and the catalytic activity of the obtained TS-1 zeolite membrane was evaluated with the oxidation of 2-propanol (IPA) under pervaporation condition. It was found that TS-1 zeolite membrane could be successfully prepared with “seeding” or “seeding in situ” method, but could not be achieved with “in situ” method. Adding a little amount of promoter ions of PO₄³⁻ into the synthesis gel was of benefit to the catalytic activity of the prepared TS-1 zeolite membrane, but had no obvious effect on the membrane layer formation on the mullite porous support. For “seeding” method, the membrane prepared with the synthesis gel having molar composition of SiO₂:0.1TPABr:0.9Et₂NH:0.03TiO₂:80H₂O:0.06H₃PO₄ at 150 °C for 48 h showed the highest oxidation conversion of IPA of 72% accompanied by a flux of 0.35 kg/m² h. Further more, much higher IPA oxidation conversion of 76% accompanied by a flux of 0.65 kg/m² h was obtained for the TS-1 zeolite membrane prepared with the same synthesis gel by “seeding in situ” method at 150 °C for 72 h.     

Voltammetric studies of polyoxometalate microparticles in contact with the reactive distillable ionic liquid DIMCARB

The voltammetry of the polyoxometalate salts [Bu₄N]₄[SiW₁₂O₄₀] (α, β, γ* isomers), [Bu₄N]₄[S₂W₁₈O₆₂] (α, γ* isomers) and [Bu₄N]₄[S₂Mo₁₈O₆₂] (α isomer) has been studied in the “distillable ionic liquid” DIMCARB (a mixture of adducts, both ionic and neutral, of dimethylamine and carbon dioxide). Dissolution of these salts tended to be slow and the anions, except [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻, reacted with DIMCARB. However, high quality voltammograms were obtained from microparticles of the salts adhered to a glassy carbon electrode in contact with DIMCARB. Rapid dissolution of the reduced forms of each of the polyoxometalate anions provided reversible potential data. The higher basicity of the more highly reduced anions promoted interactions with the acidic solvent component of this medium. Comparison of reversible potentials indicated that the polarity of DIMCARB is similar to CH₃CN, but smaller than that of conventional non-volatile ionic liquids and water.     

Crystallographic and theoretical study of phenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-α-D-mannopyranoside

The thiomannoside is a key intermediate in the synthesis of polymannosaccharide. But its crystallographic study has not been reported. X-ray crystal structure analysis shows that the crystal of phenyl 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-1-thio-α-D-mannopyranoside is in orthorhombic system, has P2₁2₁2₁ space group. Its unit cell dimensions are a=9.1731(11), b=11.574(2), and c=21.199(3) Å, α=β=γ=90.00°, Z=4, V=2250.6(6) ų, D_c=1.300 g/cm³. The crystallographic study reveals that the thiomannoside is an α-anomer. Most interestingly, the structure provides an evidence of existing C–HO and C–HS intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.