Similarities and differences of epoxide, aldehyde and peroxide initiators for Cp2TiCl-catalyzed styrene living radical polymerizations

Cp₂TiCl is the first example of a single electron transfer (SET) agent that both provides initiating radicals from three different types of functionalities (i.e. radical ring opening of epoxides and reduction of aldehydes and peroxides) and doubles as mediator for the living radical polymerization of styrene (St) by reversibly endcapping the growing polymer chains. An initiator (I) comparison was performed using 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDE), benzaldehyde (BA) and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as models. The investigation of the effect of reaction variables was carried out over a wide range of experimental conditions ([Cp₂TiCl₂]/[I] = 0.5/1-4/1; [Zn]/[Cp₂TiCl₂] = 0.5/1-3/1, [St]/[I] = 50/1-400/1 and T = 60-130 °C) to reveal living polymerization features such as a linear dependence of molecular weight on conversion and narrow molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n) for each initiator class. However, progressively lower polydispersities and larger initiator efficiencies are obtained with increasing the [Cp₂TiCl₂]/[I] and [Zn]/[Cp₂TiCl₂] ratios and with decreasing temperature. Accordingly, optimum conditions correspond to [St]/[I]/[Cp₂TiCl₂]/[Zn] = [50-200]/[1]/[2-3]/[4-6] at 70-90 °C. By contrast to peroxides, aldehydes and the more reactive epoxides provide alcohol end groups useful in block or graft copolymers synthesis.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of CH4 with CaO

The reaction pathways and energetics for the reaction of methane with CaO are discussed on the singlet spin state potential energy surface at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p) and QCISD/6-311++G(3df,3pd)//B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p) levels of theory. The reaction of methane with CaO is proposed to proceed in the following reaction pathways: CaO + CH₄ → CaOCH₄ → [TS] → CaOH + CH₃, CaO + CH₄ → OCaCH₄ → [TS] → HOCaCH₃ → CaOH + CH₃ or [TS] → CaCH₃OH → Ca + CH₃OH, and OCaCH₄ → [TS] → HCaOCH₃ → CaOCH₃ + H or [TS] → CaCH₃OH → Ca + CH₃OH. The gas-phase methane–methanol conversion by CaO is suggested to proceed via two kinds of important reaction intermediates, HOCaCH₃ and HCaOCH₃, and the reaction pathway via the hydroxy intermediate (HOCaCH₃) is energetically more favorable than the other one via the methoxy intermediate (HCaOCH₃). The hydroxy intermediate HOCaCH₃ is predicted to be the energetically most preferred configuration in the reaction of CaO + CH₄. Meanwhile, these three product channels (CaOH + CH₃, CaOCH₃ + H and Ca + CH₃OH) are expected to compete with each other, and the formation of methyl radical is the most preferable pathway energetically. On the other hand, the intermediates HCaOCH₃ and HOCaCH₃ are predicted to be the energetically preferred configuration in the reaction of Ca + CH₃OH, which is precisely the reverse reaction of methane hydroxylation.     

The first example of tungsten-based carbene generation from WCl6 and atomic carbon and its use in olefin metathesis

We describe a new route for the synthesis of tungsten-based carbenes generated by the reaction of WCl₆ with atomic carbon in a carbon arc reactor. The active species formed under these conditions, [W] = CCl₂, was found to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions of 1-octene, 2-octene and 1-heptene. We also evaluated the mechanism of formation of [W] = CCl₂ within the WCl₆/C system at the DFT level.     

Conversion of lactides into ethyl lactates and value-added products

This Letter describes an attractive and efficient method for Mg(OR)₂-mediated lactide alcoholysis. The catalysts were generated in situ from di-n-butylmagnesium and ROH to prevent aggregation of Mg(OR)₂. The reaction of ROH [R = Me, Et, RCO₂(Me)CH] with lactide initially yielded the ring-opened product HO[CH(CH₃)CO]_nOR (n = 2 or 3). The complete consumption of lactide caused the reaction to proceed further, giving environmentally friendly lactic acid esters in excellent yields under ambient conditions.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and optical properties of CeMn0.5OSe

The new quaternary selenide CeMn_0.5OSe has been synthesized by the reaction of Ce, Mn, Se, and SeO₂ at 1223 K. This compound crystallizes in space group P4/nmm of the tetragonal system with two formula units in a cell of dimensions at 153 K of a=4.0260(7) Å, c=9.107(2) Å. CeMn_0.5OSe has the LaAgOS structure type. It is built from [CeO] fluorite-like layers where Ce₄O tetrahedra share Ce-Ce edges that alternate with [MnSe] anti-fluorite like layers along [001]. An optical band gap of 2.01 eV has been derived from absorption measurements on the (100) crystal face of a CeMn_0.5OSe single crystal.     

A convenient synthetic route to 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines and their ZnX2 (X = I, OTf) mediated regioselective nucleophilic ring opening reactions: synthesis of γ-iodoamines and tetrahydropyrimidines

A general and convenient synthetic route to various 2-aryl-N-tosylazetidines has been described. Their ZnX₂ (X = I, OTf) mediated nucleophilic ring opening with halides and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions with various nitriles have been achieved to afford γ-iodoamines and substituted tetrahydropyrimidines, respectively, in good to excellent yields. A mechanism for the cycloaddition reaction is proposed.     

Synthesis, structure characterization and optical properties of a new tripotassium cadmium pentaborate, K3CdB5O10

A new ternary borate oxide, K₃CdB₅O₁₀, has been synthesized by solid-state reaction at 580 °C. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=7.6707 (7) Å, b=19.1765 (17) Å, c=7.8784 (6) Å, β=115.6083 (49)°, and Z=4. The crystal structure consists of a two-dimensional infinite [CdB₅O₁₀] layer, which forms by connecting isolated double ring [B₅O₁₀] groups and CdO₄ tetrahedra. K atoms filling in the interlayer and intralayer link the layers together and balance charge. The IR spectrum has been studied and confirmed the presence of both BO₃ and BO₄ groups, and the UV-vis-IR diffuse reflectance spectrum exhibits a band gap of about 3.4 eV. The DSC analysis proves that K₃CdB₅O₁₀ is a congruent melting compound.     

Ruthenium(III) catalysed oxidation of l-leucine by a new oxidant,diperiodatoargentate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium

The kinetics of Ru(III) catalysed oxidation of l-leucine by diperiodatoargentate(III) (DPA) in alkaline medium at 298 K and a constant ionic strength of 0.60 mol dm⁻³ was studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation products are pentanoic acid and Ag(I). The stoichiometry is [l-leucine]:[DPA] = 1:2. The reaction is of first order in Ru(III) and [DPA] and has less than unit order in both [l-leu] and [alkali]. The oxidation reaction in alkaline medium has been shown to proceed via a Ru(III)–l-leucine complex, which further reacts with one molecule of monoperiodatoargentate(III) (MPA) in a rate determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products. The main products were identified by spot test and spectral studies. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanism are calculated. The catalytic constant (K_c) was also calculated for the Ru(III) catalysed reaction at different temperatures. From the plots of log K_c versus 1/T, values of activation parameters with respect to the catalyst have been evaluated. The activation parameters with respect to the slow step of the mechanism are computed and discussed, and thermodynamic quantities are also determined. The active species of catalyst and oxidant have been identified.     

Gallium and indium dithiocarboxylates: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and structure of [MeGa(S2Ctol)2]

Several gallium and indium dithiocarboxylate complexes of the type [Me_nM(S₂CR)_3−n] (M = Ga, In; n = 0, 1, 2; R = phenyl (Ph), p-tolyl (tol), mesityl (Mes)) have been synthesized. These complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis and NMR (¹H,¹³C{¹H}) spectroscopy. Structure of [MeGa(S₂Ctol)₂] was established by X-ray crystallography. The gallium atom adopts a distorted five coordinate geometry which is intermediate between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal configurations. The complex [Me₂InS₂Ctol] underwent a two-step thermal decomposition leading to the formation of tetragonal β-In₂S₃.     

An efficient Stille cross-coupling reaction catalyzed by Pd(OAc)2/DAB-Cy catalytic system

An efficient palladium-catalyzed Stille cross-coupling reaction has been developed. In the presence of 3 mol% of Pd(dba)₂ and 6 mol% of DAB-Cy (1,4-dicyclohexyl-diazabutadiene), various aryl halides (iodides and bromides) were coupled with organotin compounds to afford the corresponding biaryls and alkyne in good to excellent yields. Furthermore, high TONs [turnover numbers, TONs up to 950,000 for the reaction of 1-iodo-4-nitrobenzene and tributyl(phenyl)stannane] for the Stille cross-coupling reaction were observed.     

Structural change of layered perovskite La2Ti2O7 at high pressures

The perovskite-related layered structure of La₂Ti₂O₇ has been studied at pressures up to 30 GPa using synchrotron radiation powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman scattering. The XRD results indicate a pronounced anisotropy for the compressibility of the monoclinic unit cell. The ratio of the relative compressibilities along the [100], [010] and [001] directions is ∼1:3:5. The greatest compressibility is along the [001] direction, perpendicular to the interlayer. A pressure-induced phase transition occurs at 16.7 GPa. Both Raman and XRD measurements reveal that the pressure-induced phase transition is reversible. The high-pressure phase has a close structural relation to the low-pressure monoclinic phase and the phase transition may be due to the tilting of TiO₆ octahedra at high pressures.     

Quantum chemical study of ethylene addition to group-7 oxo complexes MO2(CH3)(CH2) (M = Mn, Tc, Re)

Quantum chemical calculations using DFT at the B3LYP level have been carried out for the reaction of ethylene with the group-7 compounds ReO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Re1), TcO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Tc1) and MnO₂(CH₃)(CH₂) (Mn1). The calculations suggest rather complex scenarios with numerous pathways, where the initial compounds Re1-Mn1 may either engage in cycloaddition reactions or numerous addition reactions with concomitant hydrogen migration. There are also energetically low-lying rearrangements of the starting compounds to isomers which may react with ethylene yielding further products. The [2 + 2]_Re,C cycloaddition reaction of the starting molecule Re1 is kinetically and thermodynamically favored over the [3 + 2]_C,O and [3 + 2]_O,O cycloadditions. However, the reaction which leads to the most stable product takes place with initial rearrangement to the dioxohydridometallacyclopropane isomer Re1a that adds ethylene with concomitant hydrogen migration yielding Re1a-1. The latter reaction has a slightly higher barrier than the [2 + 2]_Re,C cycloaddition reaction. The direct [3 + 2]_C,O cycloaddition becomes more favorable than the [2 + 2]_M,C reaction for the starting compounds Tc1 and Mn1 of the lighter metals technetium and manganese but the calculations predict that other reactions are kinetically and thermodynamically more favorable than the cycloadditions. The reactions with the lowest activation barriers lead after rearrangement to the ethyl substituted dioxometallacyclopropanes Tc1a-1 and Mn1a-1. The manganese compound exhibits an even more complex reaction scenario than the technetium compounds. The thermodynamically most stable final product of ethylene addition to Mn1 is the ethoxy substituted metallacyclopropane Mn1a-2 which has, however, a high activation barrier.     

Synthesis, structure, photochromism and DFT calculations of copper(I)-triphenylphosphine halide complexes of thioalkylazoimidazoles

[Cu(SRaaiNR′)(PPh₃)X] complexes are synthesized by the reaction of CuX (X = Cl, Br, I), triphenylphosphine and 1-alkyl-2-[(o-thioalkyl)phenylazo]imidazole (SRaaiNR′). The single crystal X-ray structure of [Cu(SEtaaiNH)(PPh₃)I] (SEtaaiNH = 2-[(o-thioethyl)phenylazo]imidazole) shows a distorted tetrahedral geometry of the copper center with bidentate, N(azo), N(imidazole) chelation of SEtaaiNH and coordination from PPh₃ and iodine. These complexes show a trans-to-cis isomerization upon irradiation with UV light. The reverse transformation, cis-to-trans isomerization, is very slow with visible light irradiation and is thermally accessible. The quantum yields (?_t→c) of the trans-to-cis isomerization of [Cu(SRaaiNR′)(PPh₃)X] are lower than the free ligand values. This is due to the increased mass and rotor volume of the complexes compared to the free ligand data. The rate of isomerization follows the order: [Cu(SRaaiNR′)(PPh₃)Cl] < [Cu(SRaaiNR′)(PPh₃)Br] < [Cu(SRaaiNR′)(PPh₃)I]. The activation energy (E_a) of the cis-to-trans isomerization is calculated by a controlled temperature reaction. DFT computation of representative complexes has been used to determine the composition and energy of the molecular levels.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and properties of Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes derived from tripod polypyridine ligands containing N7 or N6 donor set atoms

New complexes [Ni^II(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Co^III(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₃ (2) (pbpaen = N′-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-N,N-bis {2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl}ethane-1,2-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. An X-ray structure of the nickel(II) complex shows that [Ni(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₂ (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2_1/c. The cation [Ni(pbpaen)]²⁺ is pseudo-octahedral with one of the three pyridyl nitrogen atom uncoordinated. The crystal lattice of this complex is stabilized by intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding systems, giving one-dimensional sheets like arrays. All attempts to obtain nickel or cobalt complexes with protonated forms of the ligand resulted in isolation of only [Co^III(bpaen)](ClO₄)₃ (3) compound in which the tripod pbpaen ligand has lost one of the three pyridylmethyl groups, procuring then bpaen ligand {bpaen = N,N-bis{2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl}ethane-1,2-diamine}. The X-ray crystal structure reveals that the compound 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2 with the Co³⁺ ion having a distorted-octahedral environment. These two ligands with strong-field N donor stabilise the +3 oxidation state of the Co center.     

A novel tetra(μ3-phenoxo) bridged copper(II) Schiff base complex containing a Cu4O4 cubane core: Synthesis,structural aspects and magneto-structural correlations

A novel tetranuclear complex, [Cu₄L₄] · Na · ClO₄ (1) has been prepared from an interesting multidentate Schiff base ligand H₂L resulting from the 1:1 condensation of 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde with benzhydrazide. The prepared complex has been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, electrochemical studies and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The Cu₄O₄ cubane core consists of four μ₃-phenoxo-bridged copper(II) atoms giving an approximately cubic array of alternating copper(II) and oxygen atoms. Magneto-structural correlations have been drawn from cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements over a wide range of temperature (2–300 K) under 0.5 T magnetic field. The measurements reveal both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in a 2J model [J₁₁ = +13.6(4) cm⁻¹ and J₁₂ = −34.9(4) cm⁻¹] which in turn results in an overall antiferromagnetic behaviour of the magnetic system.     

Di-μ-hydroxy-bis(N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylenediamine)-copper(II) chloride [Cu(OH)·TMEDA]2Cl2: an efficient, practical catalyst for benzylation and allylation of amides

An efficient protocol for the benzylation or allylation of amides using the corresponding benzyl or allyl chlorides as electrophiles under basic conditions with commercially available 5 mol % of [Cu(OH)TMEDA]₂Cl₂ as catalyst was developed. Under these conditions, unprotected amino acids were benzylated without any racemization.     

One-pot,expeditious and chromatography-free synthesis of new chromeno[4,3-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives catalyzed by reusable TiO2 nanopowder at room temperature

An expeditious, one-pot, pseudo four-component coupling reaction between 3-hydroxy coumarin, formaldehyde, and amine catalyzed by reusable TiO₂ nanopowder in ethanol at room temperature (25–28 °C) under stirring condition to synthesize the chromeno[4,3-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives has been described. A wide range of substrate variation, environmentally benign reaction procedure, easy work-up, chromatography free synthesis, and excellent yields with reusability of the catalyst make the methodology highly effective for the synthesis of chromeno[4,3-e][1,3]oxazine derivatives. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first Letter for the synthesis of chromeno[4,3-e][1,3]oxazines using 3-hydroxy coumarin.     

Direct reductive amination and selective 1,2-reduction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones by NaBH4 using H3PW12O40 as catalyst

A simple and convenient procedure for direct reductive amination of aldehydes and ketones with sodium borohydride is described. The reaction has been carried out in methanol in the presence of a catalytic amount of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.5 mol %). α,β-Unsaturated aldehydes and ketones can be easily converted into the corresponding allyl alcohols by reaction with H₃PW₁₂O₄₀ (0.5 mol %)/NaBH₄.     

Amperometric biosensor based on reductive H2O2 detection using pentacyanoferrate-bound polymer for creatinine determination

Pentacyanoferrate-bound poly(1-vinylimidazole) (PVI[Fe(CN)₅]) was selected as a mediator for amperometric creatinine determination based on the reductive H₂O₂ detection. Creatinine amidohydrolase (CNH), creatine amidohydrolase (CRH), sarcosine oxidase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and PVI[Fe(CN)₅] were crosslinked with poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) on a glassy carbon (GC) electrode for a creatinine biosensor fabrication. Reduction current was monitored at −0.1 V in the presence of creatinine and O₂. It is revealed that PVI[Fe(CN)₅] is suitable as a mediator for a bioelectrocatalytic reaction of POD, since PVI[Fe(CN)₅] neither reacts with reactants nor works as an electron acceptor of SOD. The amounts of PVI[Fe(CN)₅], PEGDGE, and enzymes were optimized toward creatinine detection. Nafion as a protecting film successfully prevented the enzyme layer from interferences. The detection limit and linear range in creatinine determination were 12 μM and 12–500 μM (R² = 0.993), respectively, and the sensitivity was 11 mA cm⁻² M⁻¹, which is applicable for urine creatinine tests. The results of the creatinine determination for four urine samples measured with this proposed method were compared with Jaffe method, and a good correlation was obtained between the results.     

Synthesis of [F]xenon difluoride as a radiolabeling reagent from [F]fluoride ion in a micro-reactor and at production scale

[¹⁸F]Xenon difluoride ([¹⁸F]XeF₂), was produced by treating xenon difluoride with cyclotron-produced [¹⁸F]fluoride ion to provide a potentially useful agent for labeling novel radiotracers with fluorine-18 (t_1/2 = 109.7 min) for imaging applications with positron emission tomography. Firstly, the effects of various reaction parameters, for example, vessel material, solvent, cation and base on this process were studied at room temperature. Glass vials facilitated the reaction more readily than polypropylene vials. The reaction was less efficient in acetonitrile than in dichloromethane. Cs⁺ or K⁺ with or without the cryptand, K 2.2.2, was acceptable as counter cation. The production of [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was retarded by K₂CO₃, suggesting that generation of hydrogen fluoride in the reaction milieu promoted the incorporation of fluorine-18 into xenon difluoride. Secondly, the effect of temperature was studied using a microfluidic platform in which [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was produced in acetonitrile at elevated temperature (≥85 °C) over 94 s. These results enabled us to develop a method for obtaining [¹⁸F]XeF₂ on a production scale (up to 25 mCi) through reaction of [¹⁸F]fluoride ion with xenon difluoride in acetonitrile at 90 °C for 10 min. [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was separated from the reaction mixture by distillation at 110 °C. Furthermore, [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was shown to be reactive towards substrates, such as 1-((trimethylsilyl)oxy)cyclohexene and fluorene.