Application of the Ru(bipy)2(dpp)2+ / C2O4 2− electrochemiluminescence reaction to the determination of phenol

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the ruthenium di(2,2′-bipyridine)- (4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complex (Ru-bipy-dpp) produced on a glassy carbon electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The anodic oxidation of Ru-bipy-dpp produces ECL in the presence of oxalate in oxygen-free aqueous solutions. Threefold ECL efficiencies were obtained for Ru-bipy-dpp relative to Ru(bipy)₃ as a standard. The ECL of Ru-bipy-dpp is quenched by both oxygen and phenol. The luminescence intensity was proportional to the concentration of phenol in the range of 5–100 μM. At a phenol concentration of 100 μM, the ECL of Ru-bipy-dpp peaking at 597 nm was completely quenched. Correspondence: Dan Xiao, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, P.R. China     

Dependence of the chemical properties of macrocyclic [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes on the basicity of the carboxylato coligands (L(2-) = macrocyclic N(6)S(2) ligand)

The dependence of the properties of mixed ligand [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes (where L(2-) represents a 24-membered macrocyclic hexaamine-dithiophenolato ligand) on the basicity of the carboxylato coligands has been examined. For this purpose 19 different [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes (2-20) incorporating carboxylates with pK(b) values in the range 9 to 14 have been prepared by the reaction of [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-Cl)](+) (1) and the respective sodium or triethylammonium carboxylates. The resulting carboxylato complexes, isolated as ClO(4)(-) or BPh(4)(-) salts, have been fully characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV/vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The possibility of accessing the [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes by carboxylate exchange reactions has also been examined. The main findings are as follows: (i) Substitution reactions between 1 and NaO(2)CR are not affected by the basicity or the steric hindrance of the carboxylate. (ii) Complexes 2-20 form an isostructural series of bisoctahedral [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CR)](+) compounds with a N(3)Ni(μ-SR)(2)(μ-O(2)CR)NiN(3) core. (iii) They are readily identified by their ν(as)(CO) and ν(s)(CO) stretching vibration bands in the ranges 1684-1576 cm(-1) and 1428-1348 cm(-1), respectively. (iv) The spin-allowed (3)A(2g) → (3)T(2g) (ν(1)) transition of the NiOS(2)N(3) chromophore is steadily red-shifted by about 7.5 nm per pK(b) unit with increasing pK(b) of the carboxylate ion. (v) The less basic the carboxylate ion, the more stable the complex. The stability difference across the series, estimated from the difference of the individual ligand field stabilization energies (LFSE), amounts to about 4.2 kJ/mol [Δ(LFSE)(2,18)]. (vi) The "second-sphere stabilization" of the nickel complexes is not reflected in the electronic absorption spectra, as these forces are aligned perpendicularly to the Ni-O bonds. (vii) Coordination of a basic carboxylate donor to the [Ni(II)(2)L](2+) fragment weakens its Ni-N and Ni-S bonds. This bond weakening is reflected in small but significant bond length changes. (viii) The [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes are relatively inert to carboxylate exchange reactions, except for the formato complex [Ni(II)(2)L(μ-O(2)CH)](+) (8), which reacts with both more and less basic carboxylato ligands.     

Electrochemical oxidative addition of chloride to Rh2(μ-dppm)2(CO)2Cl2

The electrochemical oxidation of trans-Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(CO)₂Cl₂ (dppm = bis (diphenylphosphino)methane) in the presence of chloride has afforded the new dirhodium(II) unsymmetrical complex Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Cl)(CO)Cl₃ which is readily converted to the complex [Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Co)(μ-Cl)Cl₂]PF₆. This species has been shown to undergo addition reactions with chloride to regenerate [Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Cl)Cl₃(CO)], and with carbon monoxide and t-butylisocyanide to give the additional new dirhodium(II) complexes [Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Cl)Cl₂(CO)₂]PF₆ and [Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Cl)(CNC(CH₃)₃)₂Cl₂]PF₆, respectively. During prolonged exposure to carbon monoxide [Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Co)(μ-Cl)Cl₂]PF₆ undergoes reduction with the loss of chloride to give [Rh₂(μ-dppm)₂(μ-Cl)(CO)₂]PF₆.     

Facile synthesis of nanoparticles of the molecule-based superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2

Well-dispersed roughly spherical nano-objects of the molecule-based superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF)₂Cu(NCS)₂ have been prepared in an organic solution by using an easy synthetic route. Long alkyl-chain aconitate esters have been used as growth controlling agents. Nano-objects exhibiting sizes in the 35–120 nm range are made of aggregated individual smaller nanoparticles ranging from 3 to 10 nm. Nanoparticle powders have been studied by X-ray diffraction, high resolution electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy in the conductivity mode.     

Accessibility and Selective Stabilization of the Principal Spin States of Iron by Pyridyl versus Phenolic Ketimines: Modulation of the (6)A(1) ↔ (2)T(2) Ground-State Transformation of the [FeN(4)O(2)](+) Chromophore

Several potentially tridentate pyridyl and phenolic Schiff bases (apRen and HhapRen, respectively) were derived from the condensation reactions of 2-acetylpyridine (ap) and 2'-hydroxyacetophenone (Hhap), respectively, with N-R-ethylenediamine (RNHCH(2)CH(2)NH(2), Ren; R = H, Me or Et) and complexed in situ with iron(II) or iron(III), as dictated by the nature of the ligand donor set, to generate the six-coordinate iron compounds [Fe(II)(apRen)(2)]X(2) (R = H, Me; X(-) = ClO(4)(-), BPh(4)(-), PF(6)(-)) and [Fe(III)(hapRen)(2)]X (R = Me, Et; X(-) = ClO(4)(-), BPh(4)(-)). Single-crystal X-ray analyses of [Fe(II)(apRen)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (R = H, Me) revealed a pseudo-octahedral geometry about the ferrous ion with the Fe(II)-N bond distances (1.896-2.041 ?) pointing to the (1)A(1) (d(π)(6)) ground state; the existence of this spin state was corroborated by magnetic susceptibility measurements and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In contrast, the X-ray structure of the phenolate complex [Fe(III)(hapMen)(2)]ClO(4), determined at 100 K, demonstrated stabilization of the ferric state; the compression of the coordinate bonds at the metal center is in accord with the (2)T(2) (d(π)(5)) ground state. Magnetic susceptibility measurements along with EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopic techniques have shown that the iron(III) complexes are spin-crossover (SCO) materials. The spin transition within the [Fe(III)N(4)O(2)](+) chromophore was modulated with alkyl substituents to afford two-step and one-step (6)A(1) ? (2)T(2) transformations in [Fe(III)(hapMen)(2)]ClO(4) and [Fe(III)(hapEen)(2)]ClO(4), respectively. Previously, none of the X-salRen- and X-sal(2)trien-based ferric spin-crossover compounds exhibited a stepwise transition. The optical spectra of the LS iron(II) and SCO iron(III) complexes display intense d(π) → p(π)* and p(π) → d(π) CT visible absorptions, respectively, which account for the spectacular color differences. All the complexes are redox-active; as expected, the one-electron oxidative process in the divalent compounds occurs at higher redox potentials than does the reverse process in the trivalent compounds. The cyclic voltammograms of the latter compounds reveal irreversible electrochemical generation of the phenoxyl radical. Finally, the H(2)salen-type quadridentate ketimine H(2)hapen complexed with an equivalent amount of iron(III) to afford the μ-oxo-monobridged dinuclear complex [{Fe(III)(hapen)}(2)(μ-O)] exhibiting a distorted square-pyramidal geometry at the metal centers and considerable antiferromagnetic coupling of spins (J ≈ -99 cm(-1)).     

Functionalized 3(2H)-furanones via photooxygenation of (β-keto)-2-substituted furans: application to the biomimetic synthesis of merrekentrone C

Photooxygenation of (β-keto)-2-substituted furans leads, in a one pot operation, to functionalized 3(2H)-furanones with good to excellent yields. This methodology was applied as a key-step to the concise and biomimetic synthesis of the sesquiterpene merrekentrone C. The precursor to merrekentrone C, keto difuran, was synthesized using a cross coupling of α-iodo-3-acetylfuran with an alkenyl furan under Fenton-type conditions.     

Diastereospecific addition of organometallics to (S)-2-alkoxy-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-propanones and its application to the synthesis of (−)-trachelantic acid

Nucleophilic addition of organometallics to (S)-2-alkoxy-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-propanones afforded preferentially (1R,2S)-2-alkoxy-1-alkyl-1-(1,3-dithian-2-yl)-1-propanols. The utility of the present reaction was demonstrated in the synthesis of (2R,3S)-trachelanthic acid.     

Formation of ultracold Rb2 molecules in the v' = 0 level of the a(3)Σ+(u) state via blue-detuned photoassociation to the 1(3)Π(g) state

We report on the observation of blue-detuned photoassociation in Rb(2), in which vibrational levels are energetically above the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. (85)Rb atoms in a MOT were photoassociated at short internuclear distance to levels of the 1(3)Π(g) state at a rate of approximately 5 × 10(4) molecules s(-1). We have observed most of the predicted vibrational levels for all four spin-orbit components; 0(+)(g), 0(-)(g), 1(g), and 2(g), including levels of the 0(+)(g) outer well. These molecules decay to the metastable a(3)Σ(+)(u) state, some preferentially to the v' = 0 level, as we have observed for photoassociation to the v' = 8 level of the 1(g) component.     

Isomerization dynamics of the 2-phenylazo-1,3-dimethylimidazolium cation photoexcited to the S2 (π, π*) state as studied by transient absorption spectroscopy in the time domain of 10(-13) to 10(3) seconds

Photoinduced isomerization of a novel photochromic cation, [2PA-Mmim](+) (2-phenylazo-1,3-dimethylimidazolium cation), was studied by optical spectroscopic methods. The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the [2PA-Mmim](+) cation show two prominent bands starting around 410 and 520 nm, corresponding to the S(0)-S(2) (π, π*) and S(0)-S(1) (n, π*) transitions, respectively. The photoisomerization mechanism is studied by femtosecond time-resolved transient absorption experiments performed after S(0)-S(2) (π, π*) excitation in several solvents with different viscosity, including ionic liquids. The transient absorption signals at two representative wavelengths were fitted by bi-exponential functions, which yield four decay components. The photoisomerization mechanism is discussed in light of the relaxation schemes available for azobenzene. Only one of the components depends on the solvent viscosity and it changes from 1.2 ps (dichloromethane, 0.4 cP) to 5.6 ps ([Bmim][BF(4)], 93 cP). This component is assigned to a molecule at the S(1) state, which is responsible for the "rotational" isomerization. The weak dependence on the solvent viscosity of this component is explained in terms of local change in the viscosity as a result of local heating due to excess energy released at S(2)-S(1) internal conversion. The other three components of ～0.4, 1.0 and 10 ps are attributed to relaxation processes of the molecule at S(2), S(1) and S(0) states, respectively. The quantum yields for the forward E-Z photoisomerization are ～0.15 after S(2) excitation. The backward Z-E isomerization is slow with a lifetime of 1 hour and an activation energy of 91 kJ mol(-1) through an "inversion" mechanism.     

Application of the addition of triorganozincates to N-(tert-butanesulfinyl)imines to the enantioselective synthesis of α-amino acids

Highly enantiomerically enriched N-protected α-amino acids can be easily prepared from optically pure N-(tert-butanesulfinyl)imines by a four-step sequence involving: diastereoselective addition of a triorganozincate to the imine, removal of the sulfinyl group, benzoylation of the nitrogen atom of the obtained primary amine and oxidation of one of the substituents on the carbon atom α to the nitrogen. Using the same configuration in the sulfinyl chiral auxiliary, amino acids with the (R) or the (S) configuration can be prepared by choosing the proper combination of imine and organozincate. α,α-Disubstituted α-amino esters with high optical purity can also be prepared by the diastereoselective addition of trialkylzincates to α-imino esters.     

Electrochemical and Theoretical Investigations of the Role of the Appended Base on the Reduction of Protons by [Fe(2) (CO)(4) (κ(2) -PNP(R) )(μ-S(CH(2) )(3) S] (PNP(R) ={Ph(2) PCH(2) }(2) NR, R=Me, Ph)

The behavior of [Fe(2) (CO)(4) (κ(2) -PNP(R) )(μ-pdt)] (PNP(R) =(Ph(2) PCH(2) )(2) NR, R=Me (1), Ph (2); pdt=S(CH(2) )(3) S) in the presence of acids is investigated experimentally and theoretically (using density functional theory) in order to determine the mechanisms of the proton reduction steps supported by these complexes, and to assess the role of the PNP(R) appended base in these processes for different redox states of the metal centers. The nature of the R substituent of the nitrogen base does not substantially affect the course of the protonation of the neutral complex by CF(3) SO(3) H or CH(3) SO(3) H; the cation with a bridging hydride ligand, 1?μH(+) (R=Me) or 2?μH(+) (R=Ph) is obtained rapidly. Only 1?μH(+) can be protonated at the nitrogen atom of the PNP chelate by HBF(4) ?Et(2) O or CF(3) SO(3) H, which results in a positive shift of the proton reduction by approximately 0.15?V. The theoretical study demonstrates that in this process, dihydrogen can be released from a η(2) -H(2) species in the Fe(I) Fe(II) state. When R=Ph, the bridging hydride cation 2?μH(+) cannot be protonated at the amine function by HBF(4) ?Et(2) O or CF(3) SO(3) H, and protonation at the N atom of the one-electron reduced analogue is also less favored than that of a S atom of the partially de-coordinated dithiolate bridge. In this situation, proton reduction occurs at the potential of the bridging hydride cation, 2?μH(+) . The rate constants of the overall proton reduction processes are small for both complexes 1 and 2 (k(obs) ≈4-7?s(-1) ) because of the slow intramolecular proton migration and H(2) release steps identified by the theoretical study.     

Computational studies of bacterial resistance to β-lactam antibiotics: mechanism of covalent inhibition of the penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a)

β-Lactam resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a pathogenic bacterium that causes staph infections, represents a serious threat to public health. This arises primarily due to the inability of β-lactam antibiotics to inhibit the transpeptidase activity of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a). Effective inhibition of PBP2a to prevent the bacterial cell wall biosynthesis is of great importance for the treatment of a variety of clinically challenging infectious diseases caused by MRSA. To gain fundamental insights into the mode of covalent inhibition of the enzyme, we have carried out computational studies of the acylation reactions between small β-lactam molecules (methicilin and nitrocefin) and PBP2a using the B3LYP/6-31G* and ONIOM(B3LYP/6-31G*:AMBER) hybrid quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical methods. Our calculations show that the acylation involves two transition states and that methicilin and nitrocefin undergo acylation in slightly different manners. The acylation of nitrocefin is more facile, which is attributed to the larger release of ring strain and the larger resonance stabilization gained upon ring opening. We suggest that, in addition to the nonbonded interactions between the ligand and the protein, these quantum chemical factors, which are associated with efficiency of the acylation step, should be taken into account and carefully controlled in designing novel β-lactam inhibitors of PBP2a.     

Characterization of the bis(pyridine) complex of the butyllithium-pyridine adduct, 2-Bun(C5H5N)Li·(C5H5N)2; its decomposition to 2-butylpyridine via a dihydropyridine

The complexed adduct, 2-Buⁿ(C₅H₅N)Li·(C₅H₅N)₂, (3), synthesized by reaction of BuⁿLi with a three-fold excess of pyridine, has been characterized. ¹H NMR studies on solutions of (3) of various ages and histories (thermal and photochemical) have shown that the adduct deteriorates to the hydrolysis product 2-butylpyridine (1) via 1,2-dihydro-2-butylpyridine (4).     

Synthesis of (NHC)Rh(cod)Cl and (NHC)RhCl(CO)2 complexes – Translation of the Rh- into the Ir-scale for the electronic properties of NHC ligands

Twenty-three different Rh complexes of the (NHC)RhCl(cod) and (NHC)RhCl(CO)₂ type were synthesized from [RhCl(cod)]₂. The electron donating nature of the NHC ligands was changed in a systematic manner. The redox potentials of the various (NHC)RhCl(cod) and the ν(CO) of the various (NHC)RhCl(CO)₂ were determined. A correlation of the Rh redox potentials and the Rh ν(CO), respectively, with the related data from analogous (NHC)IrCl(cod) and (NHC)IrCl(CO)₂ complexes established two linear relationships. The linear regression (R² = 0.993) of the Rh and the Ir redox potentials results in an equation for the redox potential transformation: E_1/2(Ir) = 1.016 · E_1/2(Rh) ? 0.076 V. The linear regression (R² = 0.97) of the Rh and Ir ν_av(CO) results in an equation for the ν_av(CO) transformation: ν_av(CO)Ir = 0.8695 · ν_av(CO)Rh + 250.7 cm^?1. In this manner the Rh and the Ir-scale for the determination of the electron donating properties of NHC ligands are unified.     

International Conference dedicated to the bicentenary of the publication of the first theory of electrolysis by Theodor Grotthuss (1785–1822)

Information

International Conference dedicated to the bicentenary of the publication of the first theory of electrolysis by Theodor Grotthuss (1785–1822)     

Photoreductive cyclization: Application to the total synthesis of (±) Hirsutene

The photochemical reduction of a δ,ε-unsaturated ketone is used as a key step in the synthesis of (±) hirsutene.(±) Hirsutene is synthetized in nine steps from cyclopentenone. The crucial step is a photoreductive cyclization of a δ,ε-unsaturated ketone.     

Introduction to the Chinese Society of Chemical Science and Technology in the UK(CSCST-UK)and Chinese Section of Society of Chemical Industry(SCI-CS)

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Synthesis of 2-(2-Thienyl)benzimidazoles by the Reaction of 2-(Mercaptomethyl)benzimidazole With β-Electrophilic Esters

New 2-(2-di- and tetrahydrothienyl)benzimidazole compounds were prepared by the ring closure reactions of 2-(mercaptomethyl)benzimidazole^1,2 (1) and α,β-unsaturated compounds activated with electron-withdrawing groups.     

Enzymatic α(1→2)-l-fucosylation: investigation of the specificity of the α(1→2)-l-galactosyltransferase from Helix pomatia

The α(1→2)-l-galactosyltransferase from Helix pomatia transfers an l-fucosyl residue from GDP-l-Fucose to a terminal, non-reducing d-galactopyranosyl moiety of an oligosaccharide. The extent of the enzyme's specificity towards the stereochemistry at the d-galactopyranosyl anomeric centre, the site of interglycosidic linkage and the nature of the subterminal oligosaccharide residue has been investigated using HPAEC-PAD and MALDI-TOF technology. This α(1→2)-l-galactosyltransferase is specific for d-galactopyranosyl β-linkages, independent of the site of the interglycosidic linkage and aglycone configuration and with limited specificity for the nature of the subterminal sugar residue.