A novel Ce<Superscript>III</Superscript>-cyclam type complex and its redox chemistry in aqueous solutions

A new Ce^III complex was synthesized by mixing the ligand “dioxocyclam” with Ce^III ions at pH 8.0 and its redox properties were investigated.

Bio-inspired colorimetric detection of Hg<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> heavy metal ions using Au nanoparticles

Heavy metal ions are highly toxic species which can cause long-term damage to biological systems. These species are known to disrupt biological events at the cellular level, cause significant oxidative damage, and are carcinogens. The production of simple, in-field detection methods that are highly sensitive for these cations is highly desirable in response to global pollution. In that regard, bio-inspired colorimetric sensing systems have been developed to detect Hg²⁺ and Pb²⁺, and other cations, down to nmol L⁻¹ concentrations. The benefits of these systems, which are reviewed herein, include cost-effective production, facile usage, and a visual color change for the detection method. Such advantages are significant positive steps for heavy metal ion detection, especially in regions where sophisticated laboratory studies are prohibited. Figure Biological-based colorimetric detection of heavy metal cations. The materials on the left are independent Au nanoparticles in solution, functionalized with heavy metal binding biomolecules, which, upon metal addition, aggregate to evolve a detectable solution color change.

CAL3JHH: a Java program to calculate the vicinal coupling constants (<Superscript>3</Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">J</Emphasis><Subscript>H,H</Subscript>) of organic molecules

Here, we present a free web-accessible application, developed in the JAVA programming language for the calculation of vicinal coupling constant (³ J _H,H) of organic molecules with the H–C_sp3–C_sp3–H fragment. This JAVA applet is oriented to assist chemists in structural and conformational analyses, allowing the user to calculate the averaged ³ J _H,H values among conformers, according to its Boltzmann populations. Thus, the CAL3JHH program uses the Haasnoot–Leeuw–Altona equation, and, by reading the molecule geometry from a protein data bank (PDB) file format or from multiple pdb files, automatically detects all the coupled hydrogens, evaluating the data needed for this equation. Moreover, a “Graphical viewer” menu allows the display of the results on the 3D molecule structure, as well as the plotting of the Newman projection for the couplings. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Molecular and crystal structure of ethylene acetal of <Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis>-3-trityloxymethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-on-7-ol

Molecular structure of ethylene acetal of 3-trityloxymethylbicyclo[3.3.1]nonane-2-on-7-ol (3) was determined by X-ray investigation. It was revealed that 3 has endo-endo-configuration and adopt chair-boat-conformation. The distortion of rings was evaluated by calculation of the Zefirov–Palyulin and Cremer–Pople puckering parameters. Failure of esterification of 3 was rationalized in terms of steric hindrance and intramolecular hydrogen bonding.

Kinetics of substitution at [tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)-hydroborato]molybdenum nitrosyl dihalides by alcohols and by aniline

The kinetics of substitution by alcohols and by aniline at [tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydroborato]molybdenum nitrosyl dihalides in toluene solution at 298.2 K and at atmospheric pressure are reported and interpreted in terms of an associative mechanism.

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Crystal structures and theoretical calculations of trans-2,4,4-trimethyl-4-silathiane 1-oxide and 4,4-dimethyl-4-silathiane 1,1-dioxide

The crystal and molecular structures of trans-2,4,4-trimethyl-4-silathiane 1-oxide 1 and 4,4-dimethyl-4-silathiane 1,1-dioxide 2 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds have the chair conformation with the 2-Me and the S=O group in compound 1 occupying the equatorial positions. The DFT (B3LYP/6-311G(d,p)) and MP2 (MP2/6-311G(d,p)) theoretical calculations nicely reproduce the X-ray experimental geometry. The obtained results are discussed in connection with the electronic and structural properties of the compounds.

The Physical and Electronic Structure of M<Subscript>2</Subscript> Quadruply Bonded Complexes: A Density Functional Theory Study

The electronic structures and the physical properties (vertical excitation energies, vibrational stretching frequencies, and bond lengths) of a variety of M–M quadruply bonded (M = Mo, W) complexes are investigated using density functional theory (DFT). By utilizing a variety of pure and hybrid exchange-correlation (XC) functionals and a number basis sets, we are able to recommend a theoretical methodology for most efficiently probing the electronic structures of homoleptic M₂(O₂CR)₄ and bridged M₂(O₂C-X-CO₂)M₂ (R = organic group, typically H; X = conjugated organic group) complexes.

Structure and chromotropic properties of mono- and binuclear mixed-ligand nickel(II) complexes containing 1,3-diketonate and polyamine ligands

Abstract  Mixed-ligand Ni^II complexes have been synthesized with 1,3-diketonate and bulky tri- or tetra-amine ligands. Their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography, and solvatochromic behavior was examined by UV–vis–NIR spectroscopy. Steric effects of the bulky ligands on the coordination distances and spectral properties are discussed. Graphical Abstract  

Superhydrophobic surfaces of microspheres obtained by self-assembly of poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate-<Emphasis Type="Italic">ran</Emphasis>-2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate] in supercritical carbon dioxide

Superhydrophobic surfaces were obtained by coating with microspheres formed by the self-assembly of poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate-ran-2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate] (P[POA-r-DAA]) in the presence of dicarboxylic acids in supercritical carbon dioxide. The P[POA-r-DAA] random copolymer aggregated into micellar microspheres through the hydrogen bond cross-linking of the amino groups via the carboxylic acids. The size of the microspheres and the amount of the acids needed to produce them were dependent on the kinds of acids. Glutaric acid (Glu) and perfluorosuccinic acid (Psuc) provided microspheres at a 0.5 molar ratio of the acid/DAA. Psuc produced smaller microspheres than Glu. Maleic acid (Ma), succinic acid (Suc), and azelaic acid (Az) required a higher molar ratio to produce the microspheres. These acids provided spherical particles at the ratio of 1.0. The microspheres produced by Suc and Az contained particles with a several hundred nanometer size. The surface coated with the microspheres showed high water contact angles of 164°–172°.

Spectrometric and theoretical investigation of the structures of Cu and Pb/DTPA complexes

Spectrometric and theoretical tools have been employed in this study in order to elucidate the structures of DTPA (diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid) complexed to copper and lead. Mass spectrometry allowed determining the 1:1 stoichiometry of metal:ligand, while infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that both N and O are sites for complexation. ¹³C NMR analysis showed the existence of free and complexed carboxyl groups, due to a straight singlet at 180.7 ppm (free carboxylic ¹³C) and to a broad signal at 179.3 ppm (complexed carboxylic ¹³C, ² J _Pb…O=C). A distorted NMR signal were observed for the Cu–DTPA carboxyl group, due to the Cu²⁺ paramagnetism. Based on the spectrometric evidences for the metal–DTPA structures, DFT optimizations were carried out and an octahedral-like arrangement for the Cu complex and a “shell-like” arrangement for the Pb complex, both hexa-coordinated, were then proposed for the structures of the titled compounds.

Dimerization in Acetonitrile of [H6PMo9O34]3− into [P2Mo18O62]6−: Structural Characterization of the Tetrabutyl Ammonium Salt

The trivacant heteropolyanion A-α[PMo₉O₃₁(OH₂)₃]³⁻ spontaneously dimerizes in acetonitrile to form the Dawson complex [P₂Mo₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻. A rapid new quantitative preparation of the sodium salt of this Dawson complex is described. In addition, the structure of TBA₅[HP₂Mo₁₈O₆₂] is given and the featuring data compared with the isomorphous sodium salt (space group C2/c).

Reactions of 4-amino-4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0<Superscript>2,6-<Emphasis Type="Italic">endo</Emphasis></Superscript>]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione with dicarboxylic acid anhydrides

Reactions of 4-amino-4-azatricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6-endo ]dec-8-ene-3,5-dione (hydrazinolysis product of endic anhydride) with succinic, maleic, cis-cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic, endic, phthalic, and 1,8-naphthalic anhydrides were studied. Procedures for the preparation of the corresponding hydrazido acids and bis-imides were proposed. Their reactions with peroxyformic acid, depending on the substrate nature, led to the formation of both epoxy hydrazido acids and epoxy imides. The unsaturated adducts reacted with p-nitrophenyl azide to give the corresponding triazole derivatives.     

In defence of the correlation coefficient

The relationship between calibrated range, residual standard deviation and correlation coefficient r is discussed. It is shown that in typical chemical calibration applications with appropriately distributed calibration points (particularly, with range comparable to mean and with approximately even or with ‘successive dilution’ spacing), the linear correlation coefficient has valid application as a routine criterion for acceptable fit if used with due care.

A note on Michael Weisberg’s: challenges to the structural conception of chemical bonding

Michael Weisberg’s recent 2007 paper on the chemical bond makes the claim that the chemical notion of the covalent bond is in trouble. This note casts doubts on that claim.

Properties of the electronic density of states in TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanoparticles surrounded with aqueous electrolyte

Results on the density of sates of nanostructured TiO₂ as a function of particle size and temperature are reported. In TiO₂ nanoparticles with a mean diameter 10 nm, the density of states (DOS) is strongly temperature-dependent, indicating a rearrangement of the bandgap states in which the exponential energy parameter (width of the distribution) increases from 0.080 to 50 °C. For nanoparticles with mean diameters of 20 and 30 nm the DOS is much closer to an exponential distribution, and is much less sensitive to temperature variations. It is suggested that nanometer confinement has a significant influence on the density of electronic states for 10-nm particles, while band tailing is similar to that occurring in bulk semiconductors for the larger particles.

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NMR and HPLC study of chiral selectors with naphthyl unit

Doubling of resonances in NMR spectra of chiral selectors with naphthyl group attached to the tertiary amide nitrogen atom has been noticed what revealed the presence of two isomers. To test the enantiorecognition ability of these chiral selectors they are covalently bonded to the HPLC silica gel. Those kind of chiral stationary phases were compared with analogous commercial leucine chiral stationary phase. They exhibit the better enantioseparation results which indicate that the existence of cis/trans isomers does not have the negative influence on their enantioselective ability.

The meaning of ‘concentration’

Terminology within a small laboratory community can be informal without danger of misunderstanding, but communication with a wider audience and not least in publications, needs unequivocal terms for defined concepts. As an example, the many meanings of “concentration” are explored to present a systematic nomenclature, including a concept diagram.

Synthesis and dopamine receptor binding affinity of 4H-thiochromenoapomorphines

Abstract  The synthesis of 4H-thiochromene derivatives of apomorphines, a novel class of isoquinoline alkaloid-related compounds, has been achieved by different O-dealkylation methods applied on previously published heteroring-fused aporphinoids. Detailed DFT study has been presented regarding the mechanism of the L-selectride-mediated multiple O-dealkylation of a seven-ring aporphine analogue. Dopamine-binding tests confirmed the essential function of 11-hydroxy moiety of the aporphine skeleton and revealed a remarkable D₁ over D₂ specificity for the derivative having the 4H-thiochromene ring system attached to positions 2 and 3 of the aporphine backbone. Graphical Abstract  

Supramolecular architecture of phenylcarbamoylated acetone oxime 1,1-diisopropyl-3-phenylurea] complex

Carbamoylated oximes 1 form 1:1 molecular complexes 4 with N,N-dialkyl-N′-phenylurea when stirred in THF or ether at room temperature for short time in good yields. The molecular complexes 4a–e were isolated and characterized by analytical and spectral means. X-ray crystallographic analysis for complex 4a was performed. In this paper, we report the use of complex 4a and its moieties as building blocks to form non-interacting polymeric zigzag chains by inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonds along b-axis, and details of supramolecular architecture of 4a. There is a intramolecular H–H interaction between hydrogen of urea NH and neighboring hydrogen of diisopropyl's CH linked to the other urea nitrogen. In addition, to obtain the most favorable orientation of the moieties of the title complex, PM3 semi-empirical quantum mechanical calculations were performed and then results from X-ray crystallography and computational modeling were compared.

Mechanism of the electroreduction of Ni (II) ions on mercury electrodes catalyzed by pyridine and its derivatives: nicotinamide, <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethylnicotinamide and nicotine: concept of parallel heterogeneous catalytic reactions

The theory of the polarographic catalytic currents (mechanism CE) has been developed for the system: Ni²⁺-L-X^p− where L: pyridine (Py), nicotinamide (NA), N,N-diethylnicotinamide (DEN), nicotine (NC) and X^p−: NO⁻ ₃, AcO⁻, HPO²⁻ ₄ . The theory is based on the kinetic parallel heterogeneous catalytic reactions: