Use of Silicon Substituents in the Syntheses of Natural and Non-natural Molecules

Trimethylsilyl groups have been used in our research as a director as well as a bulky and lipophilic group in our quest for natural and non-natural molecules.     

Effect of Substituents in Hydrolyzed Cephalosporins on Intramolecular O–H···N Bond

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - Model molecular systems structurally similar to the transition state of the limiting step of the hydrolysis of cephalosporin antibiotics by the L1...     

Substituents Effect on the Optical Properties of Benzonitrile and Oligobenzonitriles

During the past decades, the organic systems with good electronic and optical property,such as oligomer and polymers, have been attracted much attention because of theiroptical nonlinearity, fast response, relatively low cost, ease of fabrication and integrationinto devices. Generally to say, the common oligomers or polymers that we usually studyare all of carbon-carbon or heteroaromatic conjugated system. In previous work, thesynthesis of new linear -(C=N).- conjugated systems, polynitriles h…     

A Study of the Relation between Current Oscillations and Pitting

Anodic polarization behaviors of iron in pure H2SO4 and three mixed acidic solutions, H2SO4 NaCl，H2SO4 NaNO3 and H2SO4 NaCl NaNO3, were investigated. The potentiodynamie sweep curves showed that the current densities rose and dropped irregularly in H2SO4 NaCl solution at the more anodic potentials since the iron surface suffered pitting attack in the solution, but the pitting corrosion was inhibited effectively in the presence of nitrate ions. The surface morphological measurements indicated that pits appeared on the iron surface in H2SO4 NaCl solution and only a few unobvious corrosion spots were observed in H2SO4 NaCl NaNO3 sointian after the iron electrode was potentiostatically polarized at 1.3 V. The oscillatory properties of iron are associated with the susceptlbility of the iron to pitting. In H2SO4 NaCl solution, the regular potentiostatic current oscillations gradually evolved into the irreg-niar current fluctuations due to occurrence of the pitting; whereas in H2SO4 NaCl NaNO3 solution, the current oscillations took place regularly, like the oscillatory behavior in the pure H2SO4 solution. Thus, when the higher the oscillatory fre-quency, the more irregular oscillatory process and the more sensitive to pitting iron occurred.     

Synthesis of Fully Protected N‐Arylglycosylamines and Factors Affecting the Configuration of C1‐Substituents of N‐Arylglycosylamines

Abstract

An efficient method was reported for preparation of N‐arylglycosylamines in aqueous THF under reflux in good yields. The factors affecting the configuration of C₁‐substituents of N‐aryglycosylamines was investigated, that is, the influence of solvents, substituents of aromatic amines, and protecting groups of monosaccharides on the ratio of α‐ and β‐N‐arylglycosylamines.     

Host–Guest Complexation Behavior of Resorcinarenes with Tetraalkylammonium Ions and N-Methylpyridinium Ions in Methanol: The Effect of Bulky Hydrophobic Substituents at the Extra-Annular Positions

The host–guest interaction of C-methylresorcin[4]arene and its derivative having four tert-butylsulfanylmethyl groups at the extra-annular positions was studied by ¹ H NMR spectroscopy in CD₃OD. Based on the association constants (Ka) and the complexation-induced NMR shifts (CIS), it was concluded that the bulky substituents create a deep cavity with a narrow entrance and improve the size and shape selectivity.     

Effect of pH on the Final Connectivity Distribution of the Silicon Atoms in the Stöber Particles

Using ²⁹Si MAS-NMR we investigate the effect of pH on the final connectivity distribution of the silicon atoms in the Stöber particles. Our data suggest that the fraction of the silicon atoms that are ully-connected decreases as the ammonia concentration is increased. This suggests a more negative first shell substitution effect in the precipitated phase (liquid droplet) if condensation reactions are irreversible. A simple model is developed to describe the condensation kinetics in the precipitated phase, and the results support the negative first shell substitution effect. These findings challenge the notion of a positive first shell substitution effect in alkaline conditions.     

S1←S0 Vibronic spectrum and structure of 2,2-difluoroethanal in the S1 state

The vibronic spectrum of the 2,2-difluoroethanal vapor was recorded using a multipass optical cell with an optical length of at least 140 m. The spectrum in the region of 300—364 nm was assigned to the S₁S₀ electronic transition (from the ground S₀ to the first excited singlet S₁ electronic state); the vibrational structure of the spectrum was analyzed. The spectrum bands were assigned to two systems of vibronic transitions, namely, transitions between the levels of the cis-conformer (S₀) and of the S₁ conformers, with the origins (0₀ ⁰ transitions between the zero vibrational levels of conformers) at 29192 and 29087 cm^–1, respectively. Analysis of the spectrum showed that the S₁S₀ electronic excitation of the cis-conformer was followed by rotation of the CHF₂ top and pyramidal distortion of the carbonyl fragment. A number of fundamental frequencies were found for S₁ conformers, in particular, torsion and inversion energy levels. The experimental data are in satisfactory agreement with the results of quantum-chemical calculations for the 2,2-difluoroethanal molecule in the S₀ and S₁ states.     

Experimental and Theoretical Evidence of Spin-Orbit Heavy Atom on the Light Atom 1H NMR Chemical Shifts Induced through H⋅⋅⋅I− Hydrogen Bond

Spin-orbit (SO) heavy-atom on the light-atom (SO-HALA) effect is the largest relativistic effect caused by a heavy atom on its light-atom neighbors, leading, for example, to unexpected NMR chemical shifts of ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N nuclei. In this study, a combined experimental and theoretical evidence for the SO-HALA effect transmitted through hydrogen bond is presented. Solid-state NMR data for a series of 4-dimethylaminopyridine salts containing I⁻, Br⁻ and Cl⁻ counter ions were obtained experimentally and by theoretical calculations. A comparison of the experimental chemical shifts with those calculated by a standard DFT methodology without the SO contribution to the chemical shifts revealed a remarkable error of the calculated proton chemical shift of a hydrogen atom that is in close contact with the iodide anion. The addition of the relativistic SO correction in the calculations significantly improves overall agreement with the experiment and confirms the propagation of the SO-HALA effect through hydrogen bonds.     

Hydrogen Atom Tunneling in a Fluorene–Acridine System: Effect of the Reactant Reorganization

A number of two-dimensional potential-energy surfaces are calculated for the hydrogen atom transfer in a fluorene–acridine system at different distances between the reactants. An optimum reactant configuration, at which the potential barrier for chemical reactions is minimum, is found. The corresponding reactant reorganization energy is computed and its importance to the rate constant determination is shown. Effect of various promoting vibrations (translational, librational, intramolecular) on the rate constant and its temperature dependence is analyzed. Theory is compared to the literature and experimental data and good agreement is obtained.     

Proving and Probing the Presence of the Elusive C−H⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bond in Liquid Solutions at Room Temperature

Hydrogen bonds (H bonds) play a major role in defining the structure and properties of many substances, as well as phenomena and processes. Traditional H bonds are ubiquitous in nature, yet the demonstration of weak H bonds that occur between a highly polarized C−H group and an electron-rich oxygen atom, has proven elusive. Detailed here are linear and nonlinear IR spectroscopy experiments that reveal the presence of H bonds between the chloroform C−H group and an amide carbonyl oxygen atom in solution at room temperature. Evidence is provided for an amide solvation shell featuring two clearly distinguishable chloroform arrangements that undergo chemical exchange with a time scale of about 2 ps. Furthermore, the enthalpy of breaking the hydrogen bond is found to be 6–20 kJ mol⁻¹. Ab-initio computations support the findings of two distinct solvation shells formed by three chloroform molecules, where one thermally undergoes hydrogen-bond making and breaking.     

Origin of the doublet at 1360 and 1340 cm−1 in the Raman spectra of tryptophan and related compounds

Raman spectra of indole, skatole, tryptophan and its derivatives including C₄-monodeuterated tryptophan were studied with special attention to the origin of the band around 1350 cm⁻¹. The band is observed as a doublet or triplet depending on the compound and solvent, which was ascribed to Fermi resonance between one fundamental and one or two combination bands of the out-of-plane bending vibrations. Removal of the interaction is seen for C₄D-tryptophan and some solutions of skatole. The assignments of the component vibrations were made based on the shifts in frequencies upon C₄-deuteration. In tryptophan derivatives the doublet (or triplet) peaks exhibit steep changes in relative intensity at the pK_a points of the dissociable groups, which is ascribed as arising from slight frequency shifts of a pK_a-sensitive component vibration. Relations between the relative intensity and environment of indole were obtained and their possible applicability to the analyses of Raman spectra of proteins is suggested.     

Uncovering the Shuttle Effect in Organic Batteries and Counter-Strategies Thereof: A Case Study of the N,N′-Dimethylphenazine Cathode

The main drawback of organic electrode materials is their solubility in the electrolyte, leading to the shuttle effect. Using N,N′-dimethylphenazine (DMPZ) as a highly soluble cathode material, and its PF₆⁻ and triflimide salts as models for its first oxidation state, a poor correlation was found between solubility and battery operability. Extensive electrochemical experiments suggest that the shuttle effect is unlikely to be mediated by molecular diffusion as commonly understood, but rather by electron-hopping via the electron self-exchange reaction based on spectroscopic results. These findings led to two counter-strategies to prevent the hopping process: the pre-treatment of the anode to form a solid–electrolyte interface and using DMPZ salt rather than neutral DMPZ as the active material. These strategies improved coulombic efficiency and capacity retention, demonstrating that solubility of organic materials does not necessarily exclude their applications in batteries.     

Quantum-chemical Investigation of the Hyprevalent Intramolecular Coordination X←N (X = C,Si, Ge) in Quasimonocyclic Models of IVa Group Atranes

The structure and the pentacoordination effect in quasimonocyclic models of IVa group atranes were investigated by ab initio[MP2 (full) /6-311+G **] and the density functional [B3LYP/6-311+G **] quantum chemical calculations. The calculations revealed considerable stabilization of the quasimonocyclic conformations relative to their free-of-strain trans-s-transconformations, which is caused by the formation of secondary (R)XN (X=C, Si, Ge) bonds of the hypervalent type. The strength of the intramolecular (R)XN coordination increases in the order X=C, Si, Ge. The nature of attractive (R)XN coordination is determined by donor-acceptor interaction of the nitrogen lone electron pair and antibonding orbital which primary localize at the X-R bond. Energy of X ··· N (X=Si, Ge) contact is about 3-7 kcal mol^-1.     

Effect of β-Cyclodextrin on the Micellization of Cetyltrimethylammonium in Aqueous Solution at High Temperature

Molar volume and conductivity measurements have been carried out at 338.2 K for cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) + H₂O and CTAC + β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) + H₂O systems. The apparent critical micelle concentrations, the dissociation degree of the micelle, the transfer free energy for the hydrocarbon chain of CTAC, the standard partial molar volumes of CTAC in aqueous β-CD solution and the stoichoimetry for the inclusion complex of CTAC with β-CD have been determined. The influence of β-CD and its complex on the micellization processes of CTAC are analyzed under this temperature. It is shown that β-CD partly screened the hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain of CTAC molecules from contact with the surrounding medium, and retarded the formation of CTAC micelles in a certain extent. The thermodynamic activity of CTAC is decreased. The β-CD and its complexes do not participate the formation of micelles of CTAC, and the complex have no effect on the micelle properties once the micelles are formed. Based on a simple model, the number of CH₂ groups entered the cavity of β-CD was calculated. The result suggests that β-CD forms strong complex with CTAC, and the stoichoimetry is found to be 2:1. This supports our conductivity results.     

Pivotal Role of the Basic Character of Organic and Salt Catalysts in C−N Bond Forming Reactions of Amines with CO2

Organocatalysts promote a range of C−N bond forming reactions of amines with CO₂. Herein, we review these reactions and attempt to identify the unifying features of the catalysts that allows them to promote a multitude of seemingly unrelated reactions. Analysis of the literature shows that these reactions predominantly proceed by carbamate salt formation in the form [BaseH][RR′NCOO]. The anion of the carbamate salt acts as a nucleophile in hydrosilane reductions of CO₂, internal cyclization reactions or after dehydration as an electrophile in the synthesis of urea derivatives. The reactions are enhanced by polar aprotic solvents and can be either promoted or hindered by H-bonding interactions. The predominant role of all types of organic and salt catalysts (including ionic liquids, ILs) is the stabilization of the carbamate salt, mostly by acting as a base. Catalytic enhancement depends on the combination of the amine, the base strength, the solvent, steric factors, ion pairing and H-bonding. A linear relationship between the base strength and the reaction yield has been demonstrated with IL catalysts in the synthesis of formamides and quinazoline-2,4-diones. The role of organocatalysts in the reactions indicates that all bases of sufficient strength should be able to catalyze the reactions. However, a physical limit to the extent of a purely base catalyzed reaction mechanism should exist, which needs to be identified, understood and overcome by synergistic or alternative methods.     

Balancing Donor-Acceptor and Dispersion Effects in Heavy Main Group Element π Interactions: Effect of Substituents on the Pnictogen⋅⋅⋅π Arene Interaction

High-level ab initio calculations using the DLPNO-CCSD(T) method in conjunction with the local energy decomposition (LED) were performed to investigate the nature of the intermolecular interaction in bismuth trichloride adducts with π arene systems. Special emphasis was put on the effect of substituents in the aromatic ring. For this purpose, benzene derivatives with one or three substituents (R=NO₂, CF₃, OCHO, OH, and NH₂) were chosen and their influence on donor-acceptor interaction as well as on the overall interaction strength was examined. Local energy decomposition was performed to gain deeper insight into the composition of the interaction. Additionally, the study was extended to the intermolecular adducts of arsenic and antimony trichloride with benzene derivatives having one substituent (R=NO₂ and NH₂) in order to rationalize trends in the periodic table. The analysis of natural charges and frontier molecular orbitals shows that donor-acceptor interactions are of π→σ* type and that their strength correlates with charge transfer and orbital energy differences. An analysis of different bonding motifs (Bi⋅⋅⋅π arene, Bi⋅⋅⋅R, and Cl⋅⋅⋅π arene) shows that if dispersion and donor-acceptor interaction coincide as the donor highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of the arene is delocalized over the π system, the M⋅⋅⋅π arene motif is preferred. If the donor HOMO is localized on the substituent, R⋅⋅⋅π arene bonding motifs are preferred. The Cl⋅⋅⋅π arene bonding motif is the least favorable with the lowest overall interaction energy.     

Effect of cationic and anionic surfactants on the addition–elimination-type interaction between o-toluidine and d-glucose

The kinetics of the o-toluidine–d-glucose reaction has been studied as a function of [o-toluidine], [d-glucose], [acetic acid], and temperature by UV–visible spectrophotometry at 630 nm in the absence and presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The reaction follows second-order kinetics, being unity in each of the reactants in both media. The effect of added surfactants has also been investigated. The model of micellar catalysis, such as the Menger–Portony model modified by Bunton, is applied to explain the catalytic role of CTAB and SDS micelles. The association/incorporation constants (K _s and K _n), the rate constant in micellar media (k _m), and the activation parameters of this system have been calculated and discussed. The value of the rate constant is found to be higher in SDS than in CTAB. Hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are responsible for higher reaction rates in SDS. From all observed facts, a reaction mechanism involving a nucleophilic addition–elimination path has been suggested.     

Diverse Reactivity of bis(Silylene) and bis(Germylene) [LE−EL (E=Si and Ge: L=PhC(NtBu)2)] in the Oxidative Activation of C−F Bond: Si−Si Bond is Retained While the Ge−Ge Bond Is Cleaved

Herein we report the reactions of 3,4,5,6-tetrafluoroterephthalonitrile ( 1 ) with bis(silylene) and bis(germylene) LE−EL [E=Si ( 2 ) and Ge( 3 ): L=PhC(N^tBu)₂)]. The reaction of LSi−SiL (L=PhC(N^tBu)₂) ( 2 ) with two equivalents of 1 resulted in an unprecedented oxidative addition of a C−F bond of 1 leading to disilicon(III) fluoride {L(4-C₈F₃N)FSi−SiF(4-C₈F₃N)L}( 4 ), wherein the Si−Si single bond was retained. In contrast, the reaction of LGe−GeL (L=PhC(N^tBu)₂) ( 3 ) with one equivalent of 1 resulted in the oxidative cleavage of Ge−Ge bond leading to L(4-C₈F₃N₂)Ge ( 5 ) and LGeF ( 6 ). All three compounds ( 4 – 6 ) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, EI-MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. X-ray single-crystal structure determination of compound 4 unequivocally established that the Si^III−Si^III bond remains uncleaved.