Crystal structures of [Hg(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-ethylthiourea)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] and [Hg(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-propylthiourea)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

Two mercury(II) cyanide complexes of N-ethylthiourea (Ettu) and N-propylthiourea (Prtu) ligands, [Hg(Ettu)₂(CN)₂] (1) and [Hg(Prtu)₂(CN)₂] (2), were prepared and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In both structures, the mercury atom is coordinated to two sulfur atoms of thioureas and two cyanide carbon atoms in a pseudo-tetrahedral mode with the bond angles in the range of 90.52(11)–162.2(3)°. The structures are stabilized by N-H—S, N-H—N, and C-H—N intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

4<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript> resonances in photoionization from 4<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>4<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> levels in neutral zinc

In neutral zinc the 4p ² configuration lies above the 3d ¹⁰4s ionization limit and its levels become perturbers in the continuum. Lines have been identified in the Zn I spectrum for the multiplet, whereas no lines have been found for transitions to 4p ^{2 1} D or ¹ S. In this paper, cross sections for photoionization from 4s4p levels are reported that reveal the positions and widths of the 4p ² resonances. Calculations were performed using the multiconfiguration Hartree-Fock (MCHF) and B-spline R-matrix (BSR) method. Results from Breit–Pauli calculations that ignore the background continua are also presented. Included in the latter are energies for the levels and transition data (transition energies, line strengths, f-values, and A-rates) for all E1 transitions between these levels. Transition energies and the agreement in the length and velocity values, particularly for allowed transitions, indicate the accuracy of the computational model. Line widths are compared with other estimates. Contribution to the Serafin Fraga Memorial Issue.     

The dynamics of nonadiabatic transitions in collisions between the I<Subscript>2</Subscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>) and I<Subscript>2</Subscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>) molecules

The paper presents the results of a theoretical study of the dynamics of nonadiabatic transitions between the ion-pair states E0 _g ⁺ and D0 _u ⁺ of the I₂ molecule induced by collisions with the I₂ molecule in the ground electronic state X0 _g ⁺ . The potential energy surfaces and diabatic coupling matrix elements of electronic states were obtained using a model based on the diatomics-in-molecule approximation. Special perturbation theory for intermolecular interaction was used to show that the large transition dipole moment between the E0 _g ⁺ and D0 _u ⁺ states caused the appearance of additional long-range corrections, an electrostatic dipole-quadrupole correction to the diabatic coupling matrix elements and induction dipole-dipole correction to the potential energy surface. The influence of these corrections on nonadiabatic dynamics was studied at the level of the semiclassical approximation. The electrostatic correction was found to sharply increase the contribution of resonance (accompanied by minimum kinetic energy changes) vibronic transitions at large distances between the colliding molecules. The induction correction had the opposite effect because of the high transition probability at short distances. The results obtained were in qualitative agreement with experimental data. The conclusion was drawn that obtaining quantitative agreement required a more balanced inclusion of interactions at short and long distances.     

Nickel catalysis for hydrogenation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-dinitrobenzene to <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine

The activity of supported nickel catalysts (5–20% Ni) in the hydrogenation of p-dinitrobenzene to p-phenylenediamine was investigated. The catalysts were obtained by ureainduced precipitation. Activated carbon, alumina, titania, and silica gel were evaluated as supports. The most active catalysts, 5%Ni/TiO₂ and 20%Ni/SiO₂, provided 50–54% yields of p-phenylenediamine at complete dinitrobenzene conversion.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-diethylnicotinamide) <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-chlorobenzoate complexes of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)

Three novel mixed ligand complexes of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) with p-chlorobenzote and N,N-diethylnicotinamide were synthesised and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopic analysis, solid state UV-Vis spectrometric and magnetic susceptibility data. The thermal behavior of the complexes was studied by simultaneous TG-DTA methods in static air atmosphere and the mass spectra data were recorded. According to microanalytical results, formulas of complexes are C₃₄H₄₀N₄O₈ClNi, C₃₄H₄₀N₄O₈ClZn and C₃₄H₄₄N₄O₁₀ClCd. The complexes contain two moles of coordination waters, two moles p-chlorobenzoate and two mole N,N-diethylnicotinamide (dena) ligands per formula unit. In these complexes, the p-chlorobenzoate and N,N-diethylnicotinamide behave as monodentate ligand through acidic oxygen and nitrogen of pyridine ring. The decomposition pathways and the stability of the complexes are interpreted in the terms of the structural data. The final decomposition products were found to be as metal oxides.     

Electronic effect of substituents in coupling reactions between <Emphasis Type="Italic">para</Emphasis>-substituted benzamidoximes and nitrile ligands in <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-[PtCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(EtCN)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] complex

The rate constants were determined for a number of reactions of nucleophilic addition of para-substituted benzamidoximes 4-RC₆H₄C(NH₂)=NOH to cis-[PtCl₂(EtCN)₂] at 23°C in acetone. A linear correlation between log (k _R/k _H) and σ _para was found, and reaction constant ρ²⁹⁶(σ _para ) was calculated. The prepared compounds were characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, and HR ESI⁺-MS.     

Conformations and properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Alkyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-(2-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dialkylamino)-ethylmethylthiophosphonates

Conformers of the biologically active compounds CH₃P(O)(OR)(SCH₂CH₂NR ₂ ^′ ), where (I) R = i-C₄H₉, R′ = C₂H₅ and (II) R = C₂H₅, R′ = i-C₃H₇, are calculated within the AM1 level of theory. The elongated and twisted forms with maximum and minimum distances between a nitrogen atom and those of a phosphorus tetrahedron, respectively, and bearing a syn and anti oriented alkoxy group relative to a phosphoryl oxygen, are studied. It is found that the differences between the energy, electronic, and geometric parameters of these forms are apparent in differences between their properties, e.g., the ability to participate in complexation and protonation, reactions that to some extent simulate the interaction between a substance and a biological object.     

Structural features of bismuth borates in the system <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>Bi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

The crystal structures of general composition nBi₂O₃-mB₂O₃ were analyzed and systematized with the use of the structures of borate groups. Based on the CNs calculated by the bond valence method, the shapes of bismuth coordination polyhedra derived from an octahedron were suggested. A correlation was found between the number of BO₃ triangles and BO₄ tetrahedra in borate groups, the average CN of Bi atoms, and the degree of distortion of Bi polyhedra as a function of the m: n ratio, as well as between the polarity of BO₄ tetrahedra and noncentrosymmetry of the structures. The role of Bi³⁺ with the active E pair in the manifestation of specific features of the forms of bismuth polyhedra and the types of connection of boron polyhedra was elucidated.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>)-carborane-containing azomethines

A method of preparative synthesis of o(m)-carborane-containing azomethines via the condensation of o(m)-carboranyl-C-methylene-4-formylbenzoates with aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and aromatic amines was developed.     

Conducting materials prepared by the oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine with <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-benzoquinone

p-Phenylenediamine was oxidized with p-benzoquinone in the aqueous solutions of methanesulfonic acid (MSA). The conductivity of the products increased with increasing concentration of MSA from 1.5?×?10^?12 S cm^?1 in 0.1 M MSA up to 3.4?×?10^?4 S cm^?1 in 5 M MSA. The low-molecular-weight products are basically composed of one p-benzoquinone and two p-phenylenediamine molecules. Their molecular structure is discussed on the basis of mass, Fourier-transform infrared, Raman, NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies. The formation of 2,5-di(p-phenylenediamine)-p-benzoquinone protonated with methanesulfonic acid best complies with the information provided by spectroscopic techniques. Its conversion to hydroquinone tautomer explains the formation of unpaired spins observed by EPR and their potential contribution to the conduction.     

Molecular structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine

The molecular structures of N-(o-and p-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine were investigated by NMR spectroscopy, x-ray structure analysis, and molecular modeling. It was found that NMR resonances of the OH and aromatic protons in N-(o-hydroxybenzyl)cytisine were doubled because of the presence of two conformers in solution. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 165–168, March–April, 2008.     

Oxidation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-Xylene

The review discusses the main procedures for producing terephthalic acid from p-xylene (primarily the Amoco process with the participation of Co, Mn, and Br salts), the oxidation mechanisms, alternative processes, and perspectives.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-Dialkyl <Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>-(1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethyl) dithiophosphates and their reactions with N-nucleophiles

O,O-Dialkyl S-(1,1-dimethyl-2-oxoethyl) dithiophosphates, 2-(dialkoxythiophosphorylthio)-substituted aldehydes with branched carbon groups, were obtained by hydrolysis of phosphoryl-containing iminium salts. The reaction with primary amines results in imines containing acetal group in different positions. Tri- and tetra-substituted perhydro-1,3-diazoles and oxazoles containing a phosphorus atom in the side chain were prepared by reacting the aldehydes with O,Nand N,N-dinucleophiles.     

Crystal structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-[PdCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CNMes)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The interaction between PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂ and 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂NC (MesNC) proceeds with the substitution of acetonitrile ligands and leads to the synthesis of a cis-[PdCl₂(MesNC)₂] complex. The structure of this compound is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The complex has a slightly distorted square-planar structure of the metal center with two cis-positioned isocyanide ligands. In both CN isocyanide moieties the triple bonds have lengths similar to the lengths of the respective bonds in other isocyanide complexes. In the structure, the cis-[PdCl₂(MesNC)₂] complexes are bound by weak С–H???Cl hydrogen bonds and π-stacking interactions.     

Photolysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-benzoquinone and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-chloranil in aqueous sodium sulfite solution

Photosubstitution of the sulfo group for hydrogen (chlorine in chloranil) is observed under irradiation of sulfonated derivatives of hydroquinone formed upon dissolving of p-benzoquinone and p-chloranil in aqueous solutions of sodium sulfite. The quantum yield of the photochemical reaction is 0.18 ± 0.02 for p-benzoquinone. The rate constant of the thermal reaction of substitution is 5.5 × 10⁻⁴ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The substitution reaction is sensitized by eosin upon irradiation with visible light. During the course of irradiation of sulfohydroquinones, the formation of a product with an absorption maximum at 235 nm was found. The product decays with a rate constant of 0.005 s⁻¹.     

Two-quantum photochemistry of the complex <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-[Pt<Superscript>IV</Superscript>(en)(I)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>]

The two-quantum photochemistry of aqueous solutions of cis,trans-[Pt^IV(en)(I)₂(CH₃COO)₂] (complex 1) has been studied by laser flash photolysis using an irradiation wavelength of 355 nm. This compound can be considered as a model representative of the mixed-ligand Pt(IV) complexes tested for use in photodynamic therapy. The appearance of transient absorption, presumably due to two consecutively produced Pt(III) complexes, has been revealed. The spectral and kinetic characteristics of the intermediates have been determined. A mechanism of two-quantum photolysis of complex 1 is proposed on the basis of the data obtained.     

Synthesis of oxo derivatives of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolysulfonyl)hexahydrocycloalka[<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]indoles

Hydroxymercuration-demercuration of N-p-tolysulfonyl-4,4a,9,9a-tetrahydro-3H-carbazoles and N-p-tolyl(or methyl)sulfonyl-1,3a,4,8b-tetrahydrocyclopenta[b]indoles leads to the formation of the corresponding N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-2-ols and N-p-tolyl(or methyl)sulfonyl-1,2,3,3a,4,8b-hexahydrocyclopenta[b]indol-2-ols. The latter are oxidized to 2-oxo derivatives with potassium dichromate. The oxidation of 2-methoxy-8-methyl-N-p-tolylsulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-1-ol under analogous conditions gives 2-methoxy-8-methyl-N-p-tolysulfonyl-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-1-one.     

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of an <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mn</Emphasis>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">SOD</Emphasis> Gene from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nelumbo nucifera</Emphasis>

A rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) assay was established to achieve the complete sequence of mitochondrial manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) cDNA in Nelumbo nucifera. The obtained full-length cDNA of Mn-SOD was 926 bp and contained a 699-bp open reading frame encoding an Mn-SOD precursor of 233 amino acids. The recombinant of Mn-SOD expressed by PET-32a vector in Escherichia coli BL21 was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting assays. A 3D structural model of the Mn-SOD was constructed by homology modeling. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Mn-SOD mRNA was expressed in young leaves, blossom, stems, and terminal buds during reproductive stage but with the highest expression in young leaves. This significant difference demonstrated the differential expression of Mn-SOD in various organs of N. nucifera.     

Synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-disubstituted (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-methylnicotinamide oximes

A number of (Z)-N,N-dialkyl- and (Z)-N-acyl-N-alkyl-O-methylnicotinamide oximes was synthesized. Their configuration was confirmed by the NOESY experiment. Evaluation of fungicidal activity of compounds obtained was performed.     

Synthesis of 6-methyl-8<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-dibenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>]quinolizin-8-imines <Emphasis Type="Italic">via Reissert</Emphasis> compounds

Alkylation of Reissert compounds derived from 3-methylisoquinolines with several 2-cyanobenzylbromides followed by hydrolytic cleavage provided the corresponding 1-benzyl-3-methylisoquinolines. Treatment of the latter with methylmagnesiumiodide caused cyclization to the title compounds rather than formation of 2-acetylbenzylisoquinolines.