μ3‐η2:η2:η2‐Coordination of Primary Silane on a Triruthenium Plane

A μ₃‐η²:η²:η²‐silane complex, [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐η²:η²:η²‐H₃SitBu)(μ‐H)₃] ( 2 a ; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅), was synthesized from the reaction of [{Cp*Ru(μ‐H)}₃(μ₃‐H)₂] ( 1 ) with tBuSiH₃. Complex 2 a is the first example of a silane ligand adopting a μ₃‐η²:η²:η² coordination mode. This unprecedented coordination mode was established by NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as X‐ray diffraction analysis and supported by a density functional study. Variable‐temperature NMR analysis implied that 2 a equilibrates with a tautomeric μ₃‐silyl complex ( 3 a ). Although 3 a was not isolated, the corresponding μ₃‐silyl complex, [(Cp*Ru)₃(μ₃‐η²:η²‐H₂SiPh)(H)(μ‐H)₃] ( 3 b ), was obtained from the reaction of 1 with PhSiH₃. Treatment of 2 a with PhSiH₃ resulted in a silane exchange reaction, leading to the formation of 3 b accompanied by the elimination of tBuSiH₃. This result indicates that the μ₃‐silane complex can be regarded as an “arrested” intermediate for the oxidative addition/reductive elimination of a primary silane to a trinuclear site.     

Matrix-isolated NCl. Radiative rates for b Π→a Δ, b Σ→X Σ and a Δ→X Σ in solid argon

Radiative rates for the b→a, b→X, and a→X transitions in NCl have been determined in solid argon. The rates - corrected for the refractive index - are 520, 260, and 0.27 s⁻¹. The b→X and a→X rates are in good agreement with calculated rates, whereas the b→a rate is enhanced by five orders of magnitude in the matrix.     

Synthesis of 3‐Ω‐aminohydantoins

Several 3‐Ω‐amino monosubstituted hydantoins have been obtained in the reaction of isocyanate of glycine ethyl ester with the appropriate aliphatic or aromatic diamine. It was found, that the 3‐(aminoaryl) monosubstituted hydantoins may be diazotized and their diazonium salts may be coupled and hydrolysed without changes in the hydantoin ring.     

Theoretical study of highly excited Σ and Π states of NaLi and experimental observation of the interacting 5Σ and 6Σ states

Theoretical multireference configuration interaction (MRDCI) calculations on the excited ¹Σ⁺ and ¹Π states of NaLi are presented. They improve the results of a previous study by two of the present authors, resolve some differences with other theoretical results and lead to overall good agreement with experimental observations. To extend the experimental data base of electronic states in NaLi, a previously unknown ¹Σ⁺ state is investigated by polarisation labelling spectroscopy. Comparison with accompanying and previous theoretical calculations leads to a conclusion that the observed system consists of two band systems switching smoothly from one adiabatic state to the other and allows assignment of the bands as 5¹Σ⁺ ← X¹Σ⁺ in the lower energy part and to 6¹Σ⁺ ← X¹Σ⁺ for higher energies.     

Synthesis of 3‐Ω‐amino‐2‐thiohydantoins

In the reaction of ethyl isothiocyanatoacetate with diamines, followed by cyclization of the intermediate product, 3‐monosubstituted thiohydantoins have been obtained. It was found that the reaction course depends on the purity of the isothiocyanate used and also, in the case of dialkylaminoamines, the self‐cyclization occurs. Besides the dialkylamino derivatives of 3‐monosubstituted 2‐thiohydantoins also new monoalkylamino, amino and heterocyclic derivatives were synthesized. The aryldiazonium derivative of 3‐monosubstituted 2‐thiohydantoin yielded both respective phenol derivative after hydrolysis and the product of coupling with 2‐naphthol.     

De Novo Design of a βαβ Motif

A designer monomeric protein with a βαβ fold—two parallel β strands connected by an α helix (see structure)—was constructed solely from coded amino acids. The high thermal stability of the structure is due to a large extent to tryptophan–tryptophan interactions between the two β strands.

     

First Stereoselective Total Synthesis of a Dimeric Naphthoquinonopyrano‐γ‐lactone: (+)‐γ‐Actinorhodin

We have accomplished the first total synthesis of an isomerically pure naphthoquinonopyrano‐γ‐lactone dimer, γ‐actinorhodin, in eleven steps. Two steps exploit pairs of peri‐MeO groups as unusual selectivity controls. The respective MeO groups convey the steric bulk of a bromo or iodo substituent located ortho to one MeO group as steric hindrance into the vicinity of the second MeO group. This relay effect was indispensable for exerting regiocontrol in an aromatic bromination and diastereocontrol in an oxa‐Pictet–Spengler cyclization. The absolute configuration of our target compound was established in an asymmetric Sharpless dihydroxylation of a β,γ‐unsaturated ester, which was synthesized in a Heck coupling of a bromoiodonaphthalene with ethyl vinylacetate. The dihydroxylation provided the γ‐hydroxylactone moiety of the bromonaphthalene that was used as the substrate in the oxa‐Pictet–Spengler cyclization. Dimerization to the core of γ‐actinorhodin occurred by two Suzuki couplings.     

γ‐HIO3 – a Metastable,Centrosymmetric Polymorph of Iodic Acid

From solutions of chromium(III) perchlorate and periodic acid, single crystals of γ‐HIO₃ were obtained and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system, space group Pbca (a = 563.92, b = 611.10, c = 1507.16 pm). The structure is built up by dimers (HIO₃)₂, which are formed by hydrogen bonds. The crystals are metastable and transform into the stable modification, α‐HIO₃, within a couple of weeks.     

Tantalum‐Niobium Mixing in Ta3–xNbxTeI7 (0 ≤ x ≤ 3)

A substitutional study of the layered, trinuclear metal cluster system, Ta_3–xNb_xTeI₇ (0 ≤ x ≤ 3), has been performed. Synthetic, crystallographic, and spectroscopic results are presented for starting compositions corresponding to the x values: 1, 1.5, and 2. For the entire composition range studied, Ta(Nb) could readily substitute into the Nb(Ta)₃TeI₇ structure, but with changes in the observed stacking arrangements of the layers as x varies. For tantalum‐rich (x ≤ 1.8) phases, the structure conformed to the Nb₃SeI₇ structure type, also adopted by Ta₃TeI₇ and one polytype of Nb₃TeI₇. Niobium‐rich (i. e. x ≥ 1.7) phases were observed to adopt two structure types according to X‐ray powder diffraction, but crystals could only be obtained for the Nb₃SBr₇ structure type, which is a second modification of Nb₃TeI₇. Extended Hückel calculations are used to discuss the distribution of metal clusters in this system.     

Synthesis of γγγ-trifluorocarbonyl compounds

γγγ-Trifluorocarbonyl compounds are easily obtained in a good yield by introduction of the 1,1,1-trifluoroethyl moiety (CF₃-CH₂-) on the -methylene group of a ketone.     

Concise Synthesis of α‐Methylene‐β‐hydroxy‐γ‐carboxy‐γ‐lactams

A concise protocol for the synthesis of α‐methylene‐β‐hydroxy‐γ‐carboxy‐γ‐lactams has been described via alkylation of amino acid derived iminoesters with α‐bromomethylmethacrylate, followed by allylic hydroxylation. All the synthesized compounds have been evaluated for their cytotoxicity on multiple myeloma cancer cell lines.     

Efficient Synthesis of α‐Benzylidene‐γ‐methyl‐γ‐butyrolactones

A concise synthesis of α‐benzylidene‐γ‐methyl‐γ‐butyrolactones 5a – g from substituted benzaldehydes is described. Compounds 1a – g on reaction with phosphorane 2 , provide the pentenoates 3a – g , which can be hydrolyzed to the acids 4a – g . The latter are cyclized to the corresponding butyrolactones 5a – g in excellent yields. The pentenoates 3a – g , on acid catalyzed cyclization, also provide 5a – g in very high yields.