Coverage dependent structures of oligopyridine adlayers on (111) oriented Ag films

The coverage dependent formation of ordered structures in vapor deposited 2,4'-bis(terpyridine)derivatives (2,4'-BTP) on (111) oriented Ag films was investigated by STM. Following a two-dimensional (2D) disordered gas phase at lowest coverages, a sequence of at least three ordered structures is observed with increasing coverage. These include a 'parallel chain structure' (PCS), a 'quasi-quadratic network' (QQN) structure, and a 'packed windmill structure' (PWS), with ideal coverages of 0.37, 0.4, and 0.44 molecules nm(-2). At intermediate coverages between 0.37 and 0.44 molecules nm(-2), these structures coexist in larger islands. The energetics of the different phases, whose structures are mainly determined by attractive C-H[dot dot dot]N bridges, are discussed in a picture including C-H[dot dot dot]N and C-H[dot dot dot]H-C interactions and lateral variations in the substrate-adsorbate interactions.     

Reliable structures and energetics for two new delocalized pi...pi prototypes: cyanogen dimer and diacetylene dimer

Two new prototype delocalized pi[dot dot dot]pi complexes are introduced: the dimers of cyanogen, (N[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]N)(2), and diacetylene, (HC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]CH)(2). These dimers have properties similar to larger delocalized pi...pi systems such as benzene dimer but are small enough that they can be probed in far greater detail with high accuracy electronic structure methods. Parallel-slipped and T-shaped structures of both cyanogen dimer and diacetylene dimer have been optimized with 15 different procedures. The effects of basis set size, theoretical method, counterpoise correction, and the rigid monomer approximation on the structure and energetics of each dimer have been examined. MP2 and CCSD(T) optimized geometries for all four dimer structures are reported, as well as estimates of the CCSD(T) complete basis set (CBS) interaction energy for every optimized geometry. The data reported here suggest that future optimizations of delocalized pi[dot dot dot]pi clusters should be carried out with basis sets of triple-zeta quality. Larger basis sets and the expensive counterpoise correction to the molecular geometry are not necessary. The rigid monomer approximation has very little effect on structure and energetics of these dimers and may be used without consequence. Due to a consistent cancellation of errors, optimization with the MP2 method leads to CCSD(T)/CBS interaction energies that are within 0.2 kcal mol(-1) of those for structures optimized with the CCSD(T) method. Future studies that aim to resolve structures separated by a few tenths of a kcal mol(-1) should consider the effects of optimization with the CCSD(T) method.     

FTIR investigation of the O-H[middle dot][middle dot][middle dot]Xe interaction in simple carboxylic acids in solid xenon

The O-H stretching region of the infrared spectra of a series of carboxylic acids in Xe matrices was investigated as a function of temperature. Upon increasing the temperature, the νO-H band site-components undergo reversible frequency blue-shifts, which are larger for the lowest-frequency components. This unprecedented observation indicates both that different types of O-H[middle dot][middle dot][middle dot]Xe specific interactions occur, depending on different trapping sites, and the prevalence of stronger interactions of this type for molecules trapped in sites corresponding to lower frequency νO-H band site-components. These results are in agreement with previous investigations pointing to an increased stabilization and larger νO-H frequency red-shifts in carboxylic acid∕Xe complexes bearing a specific H-bond like O-H[middle dot][middle dot][middle dot]Xe interaction. O-H[middle dot][middle dot][middle dot]Xe interaction energies were obtained theoretically and also estimated from the spectroscopic data. Changes in the interaction energies upon temperature variation were also evaluated.     

Cation and anion diversity in [M(dithiooxalate)2]2- salts: structure robustness in crystal synthesis

A series of crystalline salts based on the [M(dto)2]2- (dto = 1,2-dithiooxalate, M = Ni, Pt, Cu) dianion with hydrogen-bond donor cations have been synthesised following a molecular tectonics approach. The chelating M(dto)[dot dot dot]HN supramolecular synthon has been exploited in a systematic study of its robustness. The effects of competition between hydrogen-bond acceptors, of the shape and functionality of the cations and of varying the metal in the anion are discussed. The preparation and structural characterisation of the new crystalline phases [4,4'-H(2)bipy][Pt(dto)2] (2), [HNC5H4CO2H-4]2[Pt(dto)2] (5), [HNC5H4CO2H-3]2[Pt(dto)2] (6), [HNC5H4CH2CO2H-4]2[Ni(dto)2] (7), [HNC(5)H(4)CH(2)CO(2)H-3]2[Ni(dto)2] (8), [HNC5H4CONH2-4]2[Ni(dto)2] (9), [HNC5H4CHNOH-4]2[Ni(dto)2] (10), [HNC5H4CHNOH-3]2[Ni(dto)2] (11), [4,4'-H2bipip][Ni(dto)2] (12), [H2NC5H9CO2H-4]2[Pt(dto)2] (12), [H2NC5H9CO2H-4]2[Cu(dto)2] (14), [H2NC5H9CO2H-3]2[Ni(dto)2][H2O]2 (15), [H2NC5H9CO2H-3]2[Pt(dto)2][H2O]2 (16), [H2NC5H9CO2H-3]2[Cu(dto)2][H2O]2 (17), [H(Me)NC5H9CO2H-4]2[Ni(dto)2][H2O]2 (18) is reported. The charge-assisted NH[dot dot dot]dto synthon is formed in each of compounds 1-20, and is apparently much more robust than the conventional synthons used (such as the carboxylic acid dimer), which have a much lower rate of occurrence. The NH[dot dot dot]dto synthon may be generalised to 3- and 4-pyridinium species and 3- and 4-piperidinium derivatives. In the latter cases branching of the hydrogen-bond networks through the NH2 groups arises. The robustness of the NH...dto synthon allows structures of the form [NH cation]2[M(dto)2] to be regarded as being formed by the packing of neutral supermolecules. Cases of isomorphism (as in 16-18) and latent polymorphism (e.g. in 4 and 6) are noted.     

Direct dynamics simulation of dioxetane formation and decomposition via the singlet [middle dot]O-O-CH(2)-CH(2)[middle dot] biradical: Non-RRKM dynamics

Electronic structure calculations and direct chemical dynamics simulations are used to study the formation and decomposition of dioxetane on its ground state singlet potential energy surface. The stationary points for (1)O(2) + C(2)H(4), the singlet [middle dot]O-O-CH(2)-CH(2)[middle dot] biradical, the transition state (TS) connecting this biradical with dioxetane, and the two transition states and gauche [middle dot]O-CH(2)-CH(2)-O[middle dot] biradical connecting dioxetane with the formaldehyde product molecules are investigated at different levels of electronic structure theory including UB3LYP, UMP2, MRMP2, and CASSCF and a range of basis sets. The UB3LYP∕6-31G? method was found to give representative energies for the reactive system and was used as a model for the simulations. UB3LYP∕6-31G? direct dynamics trajectories were initiated at the TS connecting the [middle dot]O-O-CH(2)-CH(2)[middle dot] biradical and dioxetane by sampling the TS's vibrational energy levels, and rotational and reaction coordinate energies, with Boltzmann distributions at 300, 1000, and 1500 K. This corresponds to the transition state theory model for trajectories that pass the TS. The trajectories were directed randomly towards both the biradical and dioxetane. A small fraction of the trajectories directed towards the biradical recrossed the TS and formed dioxetane. The remainder formed (1)O(2) + C(2)H(4) and of these ～ 40% went directly from the TS to (1)O(2) + C(2)H(4) without getting trapped and forming an intermediate in the [middle dot]O-O-CH(2)-CH(2)[middle dot] biradical potential energy minimum, a non-statistical result. The dioxetane molecules which are formed dissociate to two formaldehyde molecules with a rate constant two orders of magnitude smaller than that predicted by Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory. The reaction dynamics from dioxetane to the formaldehyde molecules do not follow the intrinsic reaction coordinate or involve trapping in the gauche [middle dot]O-CH(2)-CH(2)-O[middle dot] biradical potential energy minimum. Important non-statistical dynamics are exhibited for this reactive system.     

A comparative study on the ionic liquid [bmim][BF4] and its solution with transient absorption spectroscopy

A detailed study was explored to compare the transient absorption spectra of the neat 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim][BF₄]) with its solution in water or acetonitrile. It was concluded that the excited triplet state ³[bmim]^+* was produced after 266 nm laser irradiation, and then the neutral radical [bmim] and the cation radical [bmim] ²⁺ were formed through two possible paths. The transient absorption spectra of the neat [bmim][BF₄] and its solution were similar but the reaction kinetics were different due to their different local structures such as dimeric or cluster. The energy transfer between excited [bmim][BF₄] and β-carotene further affirmed the existence of ³[bmim]^+*. And the reaction that the hydrated electron captured by [bmim]⁺ to produce [bmim] in solution was observed.     

Molecular recognition in 1 : 1 hydrogen-bonded complexes of oxirane and trans-2,3-dimethyloxirane with ethanol: a rotational spectroscopic and ab initio study

High resolution rotational spectroscopy complemented by ab initio calculations has been used to elucidate the diastereomeric interactions in 1 : 1 complexes of ethanol, a transient chiral alcohol, hydrogen-bonded to oxirane (achiral) or trans-2,3-dimethyloxirane (DMO, 2 stereocenters). Two conformers of oxirane[dot dot dot]ethanol and three conformers of DMO[dot dot dot]ethanol have been identified, and their structures as well as their stability ordering have been determined. This completes, together with previous results on the propylene oxide...ethanol complex (N. Borho and Y. Xu, Angew. Chem., 2007, 119, 2326-2329; Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2007, 46, 2276-2279.), the study of a set of model systems with zero, one, and two methyl functional groups at the hydrogen bond acceptor oxirane. The dependence of the observed rotational line intensities on pressure, nozzle temperature, and different carrier gases has been investigated for the case of DMO[dot dot dot]ethanol. This provides insight into the kinetical and thermodynamical influence on the formation of different conformers. Comparison of the subtle energy differences among the complexes and within each set of conformers allows for a detailed analysis of molecular recognition in this benchmark system.     

Proton transfer in hydrogen-bonded pyridine/acid systems: the role of higher aggregation

In this work the role of higher molecular aggregation in the proton transfer processes within hydrogen bond (H-bond) is investigated. The H-bonded complex consisting of 4-cyanopyridine (CyPy) with trichloroacetic acid (TCA) has been studied in the solutions of acetonitrile, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and dichloroethane as solvent by FTIR spectroscopy and quantum chemical DFT calculations. In order to illustrate the effect of increasing H-bond strength FTIR investigations have also been performed on solutions of CyPy with H(2)O, acetic-, trifluoroacetic- and methanesulfonic acids. Proton states in the H-bond have been monitored using vibrational CyPy ring modes in FTIR spectra. The stabilization of the CyPy/TCA complex in its protonated form upon increasing polarity of the solvent has been evidenced. It was shown that formation of the CyPy/(TCA)(2) aggregates in the solutions favors the proton transfer process. An X-ray diffraction study has been performed on a single 1 : 2 co-crystal of pyridine/3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid. The H-bond motif found in this system exhibits the same connectivity by strong hydrogen bonds N-H(+)[dot dot dot]O(-) and O-H[dot dot dot]O as that in the CyPy/(TCA)(2) complex predicted by DFT calculation. Certain discrepancies are observed in C-H[dot dot dot]O connectivity only. The networks of H-bonds in both assemblies differ from those usually pictured for 1 : 2 base/carboxylic acid complexes in the literature.     

Luminescent 1D chain of platinum(II) terpyridyl units with p-dithiobenzoquinone organometallic linker: self-aggregation imparted from Pt...Pt/pi-pi interactions

Unlike p-dithiobenzoquinone (), which is extremely reactive and has never been isolated, the metal-stabilised p-dithiobenzoquinone [Cp*Ir(eta4-C6H4S2)] () was prepared and used as an efficient organometallic linker to construct novel supramolecular assemblies. Treatment of with the electrophilic Pt(II)(terpy) building blocks produced the supramolecular assembly {[Pt(terpy){Cp*Ir-p-(eta4-C6H4S2)}Pt(terpy)][OTf]4}n (), which was fully characterised and its molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The structure of revealed the presence of pi-pi and Pt[dot dot dot]Pt interactions among individual molecules describing a 1D chain. Complex showed unusual UV/Vis absorption and luminescence behaviour at low temperature, imparted from self-aggregation mediated by pi-pi and Pt...Pt interactions.     

Interaction of heteroboranes with biomolecules. Part 2. The effect of various metal vertices and exo-substitutions

Icosahedral heteroboranes and especially metallacarboranes, which have recently been shown to act as potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors, are a unique class of chemical compounds with unusual properties, one of which is the formation of dihydrogen bonds with biomolecules. In this study, we investigate the effect of various metal vertices and exo-substitutions on several series of heteroboranes, including 11-vertex carborane cages [nido-7,8-C2B9Hn]n-13(n= 11,12,13), closo-1-SB11H11, closo-1-NB11H12, metal bis(dicarbollides)[3,3'-M (1,2-C2B9H11)2]n(M/n=Fe/2-, Co/1-, Ni/0) and fluoro (F), amino (NH2) and hydroxo (OH) derivatives of the metal bis(dicarbollides). Besides the properties of isolated systems (geometries, electronic properties and hydration), we study their interactions with a tetrapeptide, which models their biomolecular partner. Calculations have confirmed that the extra hydrogen in [nido-7,8-C2B9H12]- forms a bridge, which fluctuates between two stationary states. Using RESP-derived charges, it was ascertained that the negative charge of heteroboranes is located mainly on boron-bound hydrogens. An increase of the negative total charge (from 0 to -1 or -2) of heteroboranes yields an increase in the stabilisation energies of heteroborane[dot dot dot]peptide complexes and also a substantial increase in the hydration free energies of heteroboranes. Compared to the substitutions of metal vertices, the exo-substitutions of metallacarboranes cause a larger increase in stabilisation energies and a smaller increase in desolvation penalties. These two terms, stabilisation energies and desolvation penalties, contribute in opposite directions to the total heteroborane-biomolecule binding energy and must both be taken into account when designing new HIV-1 protease inhibitors.     

A Self-Complexing

A supramolecular homodimer is formed in solution and in the solid state by a self-complementary [2]catenane incorporating a 1,5-dioxynaphthalene-based macrocyclic polyether interlocked with a bipyridinium-based tetracationic cyclophane (shown schematically). This unique example of self-recognition is the result of a combination of cooperative pi small middle dot small middle dot small middle dotpi and C-H small middle dot small middle dot small middle dotpi interactions.     

Solvent templated synthesis of metal-organic frameworks: structural characterisation and properties of the 3D network isomers [[Mn(dcbp)].1/2DMF]n and [[Mn(dcbp)][middle dot]2H2O](n)

The identity of the metal-organic framework formed by Mn(ii) and 4,4[prime or minute]-dicarboxy-2,2[prime or minute]-bipyridine (H(2)dcbp) depends upon the predominant solvent employed in the synthesis and yields the robust network isomers [[Mn(dcbp)][middle dot]1/2DMF](n), and [[Mn(dcbp)][middle dot]2H(2)O](n), which possess vastly different physical properties: irretrievably binds DMF, whereas reversibly binds water whilst retaining crystallinity.     

Trapped inorganic phosphate dimer

Single crystal X-ray crystallographic signature of the pentafluorophenyl substituted tripodal urea-based receptor shows formation of a pseudo dimeric cage which also encapsulates a phosphate dimer via numerous hydrogen bonding and anion[dot dot dot]pi interactions.     

Sensitive and selective analysis of coenzyme Q10 in human serum by negative APCI LC-MS

Two new sensitive and selective LC-MS methods have been developed for the quantification of the total coenzyme Q(10) concentration in human blood serum. The sensitivity of the methods is based on the very efficient formation of the radical anions of CoQ(10)[M(-)[radical dot]] by negative atmospheric pressure ionisation, APCI(-). The mass detection of the [M(-)[radical dot]] ions, m/z= 862.6, was performed either in selective ion monitoring (SIM) or in MS(2) mode (m/z= 862.6 [rightward arrow]m/z= 847.6) using an LCQ-deca ion-trap mass spectrometer. Two standard serum samples with medium (0.73 [micro sign]g ml(-1)) and high (1.96 [micro sign]g ml(-1)) total CoQ(10) concentrations were analysed by LC-APCI(-)-SIM and LC-APCI(-)-MS(2) and the results compared with a HPLC literature procedure with electrochemical detection (ECD). Both the LC-MS methods were shown to be more selective and with comparable or better sensitivity than the HPLC-ECD method. The LC-MS-SIM and LC-MS(2) chromatograms of the medium concentration sample showed CoQ(10) signal to noise ratios of 25 and 625, respectively. In addition, a simple and fast serum pre-treatment procedure was developed, in which the serum CoQ(10)H(2) content was quantitatively oxidised quantitatively to CoQ(10) in less than 15 min by 1,4-benzoquinone.     

CeO2/CuO@N-GQDs@NH2 nanocomposite as a high-performance catalyst for the synthesis of benzo[g]chromenes

A three-component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthaquinone has been achieved in the presence of an amino-functionalized CeO₂/CuO@ nitrogen graphene quantum dot nanocomposite as a highly effective heterogeneous catalyst to produce benzo[g]chromenes. The catalyst has been characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and vibrating sample magnetometry. This new catalyst has been demonstrated to be highly effective in the preparation of benzo[g]chromenes.     

One-dimensional phosphinite platinum chains based on hydrogen bonding interactions and phosphinite tetranuclear platinum(II)-thallium(I) complexes

The mononuclear pentafluorophenyl platinum complex containing the chelated diphenylphosphinous acid/diphenylphosphinite system [Pt(C(6)F(5)){(PPh(2)O)(2)H}(PPh(2)OH)] 1 has been prepared and characterised. 1 and the related alkynyl complex [Pt(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CBu(t)){(PPh(2)O)(2)H}(PPh(2)OH)] 2 form infinite one-dimensional chains in the solid state based on intermolecular O-H[dot dot dot]O hydrogen bonding interactions. Deprotonation reactions of [PtL{(PPh(2)O)(2)H}(PPh(2)OH)] (L = C(6)F(5), C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CBu(t), C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh 3) with [Tl(acac)] yields tetranuclear Pt(2)Tl(2) complexes [PtL{(PPh(2)O)(2)H}(PPh(2)O)Tl](2) (L = C(6)F(5) 4, C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CBu(t), C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh ). The structure of the tert-butylalkynyl derivative , established by X-ray diffraction, shows two anionic discrete units [Pt(C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CBu(t)){(PPh(2)O)(2)H}(PPh(2)O)](-) joined by two Tl(i) centres via Tl-O and Pt-Tl bonds. Despite the existence of Pt-Tl interactions, they do not show luminescence.     

Aminoalkylferrocenyldichlorophosphanes: facile synthesis of versatile chiral starting materials

A series of racemic and optically pure aminoalkylferrocenyldichlorophosphanes has been prepared by reaction of phosphorus trichloride with the corresponding lithiated aminoalkylferrocene precursors. Crystal structures of racemic 1-dichlorophosphanyl-2-N,N-dimethylaminomethylferrocene, racemic 1-dichlorophosphanyl-2-N,N-dimethylaminomethyl-3-triphenylsilylferrocene and (S)-N,N-dimethyl-1-[(R)-2-(dichlorophosphanyl)ferrocenyl]ethylamine reveal short intramolecular N[dot dot dot]P distances, which are suggestive of weak N --> P dative bonds. The aminoalkylferrocenyldichlorophosphanes can be used for the preparation of the corresponding primary phosphanes, one of which was characterised by X-ray crystallography. Optically pure (R)-N,N-dimethyl-1-[(S)-2-(phosphanyl)ferrocenyl]ethylamine can easily be lithiated twice to give the first enantiomerically pure lithium-phosphorus closo cluster compound, which was also structurally characterised.     

Hypervalent hydridosilicates: synthesis, structure and hydride bridging

A range of hydridosilicate anions has been prepared and characterised by spectroscopic, structural and computational methods. The general approach involved reaction of KH with a neutral silane precursor in the presence of [18]crown-6. In this manner, [K([18]crown-6)]+ salts of [Ph3SiH2](-) (1), [Ph3SiF2](-) (9), and [(p-FC6H4)3SiHF](-)/[(p-FC6H4)3SiH2](-) (12) were stabilised and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. In each case, the anion adopts a trigonal bipyramidal (TBP) geometry with three equatorial phenyl groups eclipsing the axial Si-H/Si-F bonds. The Si-H[dot dot dot]K distances, along with DFT calculations on 1, indicate an electrostatic interaction that does not dictate the geometry adopted by the anion. A [H2SiOiPr3](-) salt (7) has also been crystallised in the same way; X-ray diffraction shows in this case a distorted TBP array with axial hydride ligands, and both Si-H[...]K and Si-O[...]K interactions. 1H NMR exchange experiments show 1 to undergo facile hydride exchange with Ph3SiH. Compound 1 acts as a good hydride transfer reagent to a variety of substrates, but its high reactivity often results in redistribution and other side reactions.     

Two new "onium" fluorosilicates, the products of interaction of fluorosilicic acid with 12-membered macrocycles: structures and spectroscopic properties

Two novel compounds, (L(1)H)(2)[SiF(6)] x 2H(2)O (1) and (L(2)H)(2)[SiF(5)(H(2)O)](2) x 3H(2)O (2), resulting from the reactions of H(2)SiF(6) with 4'-aminobenzo-12-crown-4 (L(1)) and monoaza-12-crown-4 (L(2)), respectively, were studied by X-ray diffraction and characterised by IR and (19)F NMR spectroscopic methods. Both complexes have ionic structures due to the proton transfer from the fluorosilicic acid to the primary amine group in L(1) and secondary amine group incorporated into the macrocycle L(2). The structure of 1 is composed of [SiF(6)](2-) centrosymmetric anions, N-protonated cations (L(1)H)(+), and two water molecules, all components being bound in the layer through a system of NH[...]F, NH[...]O and OH[...]F hydrogen bonds. The [SiF(6)](2-) anions and water molecules are assembled into inorganic negatively-charged layers via OH[dot dot dot]F hydrogen bonds. The structure of 2 is a rare example of stabilisation of the complex anion [SiF(5)(H(2)O)](-), the labile product of hydrolytic transformations of the [SiF(6)](2-) anion in an aqueous solution. The components of 2, i.e., [SiF(5)(H(2)O)](-), (L(2)H)(+), and water molecules, are linked by a system of NH[...]F, NH[...]O, OH[...]F, OH[dot dot dot]O hydrogen bonds. In a way similar to 1, the [SiF(5)(H(2)O)](-) anions and water molecules in 2 are combined into an inorganic negatively-charged layer through OH[...]F and OH[...]O interactions.     

Ring-closing metathesis in biphasic BMI.PF6 ionic liquid/toluene medium: a powerful recyclable and environmentally friendly process

Biphasic BMI[middle dot]PF(6)/toluene solvent is a remarkably suitable and clean medium for performing olefin metathesis with a new 2nd generation ionic liquid supported-ruthenium catalyst: high levels of recyclability and reusability combined with a high reactivity were obtained with a variety of di- or tri-substituted and/or oxygen-containing dienes, and very low residual ruthenium levels were detected (1 to 22 ppm) in the products.