Mackay,Anti-Mackay,Double-Mackay,Pseudo-Mackay,and Related Icosahedral Shell Clusters

Mackay introduced two important crystallographic concepts in a short paper published 40 years ago. One is the icosahedral shell structure (iss) consisting of concentric icosahedra displaying fivefold rotational symmetry. The number of atoms contained within these icosahedral shells and subshells agrees well with the magic numbers in rare gas clusters, (C₆₀) _N molecules, and some metal clusters determined by mass spectroscopy or simulated on energy considerations. The cluster of 55 atoms within the second icosahedral shell occurs frequently and has been called Mackay icosahedron, or simply MI, which occurs not only in various clusters, but also in intermetallic compounds and quasicrystals. The second concept is the hierarchic icosahedral structures caused by the presence of a stacking fault in the fcc packing of the successive triangular faces in the iss. For instance, a fault occurs after the ABC layers resulting an ABCB packing. This is, in fact, a hierarchic icosahedral structure of a core icosahedron connected to 12 outer icosahedra by vertex sharing, or an icosahedron of icosahedra (double MI. Contrary to Mackay's iss, a faulted hierarchic icosahedral shell is, in fact, a twinlike face capping of the underlying triangles; it is, therefore, called an anti-Mackay cluster. The hierarchic icosahedral structure in an Al-Mn-Pd icosahedral quasicrystal has a core of body-centered cube rather than an icosahedron and, therefore, is called a pseudo-Mackay cluster. The hierarchic icosahedral structures have been studied separately in the past in the fields of clusters, nanoparticles, intermetallic compounds, and quasicrystals, but the underlying geometry should be the same. In the following a unified geometrical analysis is presented.     

Eine mikromethode der flammen-atomabsorptions- und emissionsspektrometrie (platinschlaufen-methode)—II: Die bestimmung von As,Bi, Cd,Hg, Pb,Sb, Se,Te, Tl,Zn/Li,Na, K,Cs, Sr,Ba

This paper described the continuation of the work of Part I dealing with a microanalytical method in which the sample is introduced into a flame using an electrically heated platinum loop. This device is used in connection with an atomic absorption (AA) spectrometer. The detection limits are one to two orders of magnitude better than those of conventional flame AAS. The reproducibility depends on the element and is in general 3–5% (relative standard deviation) for concentrations in the $\text{ng}\text{ml}$ range. The platinum loop method can be also applied for flame emission analysis of small amounts of sample or the determination of low concentrations (alkalis). This application gives access to determinations in the lower ng or the pg range (detection limit of lithium: 0.6 pg).     

Deuteration of α,β-acetylenic esters, amides, or carboxylic acids without using deuterium gas: synthesis of 2,2,3,3-tetradeuterioesters, amides, or acids

An easy, simple, rapid, and nonhazardous deuteration of the C-C triple bond of α,β-acetylenic esters, amides, or acids by means of samarium diiodide in the presence of D₂O, provides an efficient method for synthesizing 2,2,3,3-tetradeuterioesters, amides, or carboxylic acids, respectively. When H₂O is used instead of D₂O, saturated carboxylic esters, amides, or acids were isolated. A mechanism to explain these reduction reactions has been proposed.     

Asensitive,Selective, and Rapid Colorimetric Method to Determine Cyanide Contamination in Containers,Capsules, and Liquids

Abstract

A new formulation of the Konig colorimetric method for cyanide is selective, has increased stability, and is sensitive to a few ppb. The formulation can be placed as a strip on the safety seals of bottles to indicate tampering, placed in a syringe and used to sample head space gas in commercial products or liquids to test for tampering, or placed in the desiccant container in bottles of capsules or tablets. Reaction with head space gas requires just a few seconds, and less than an hour is required if the cyanide must first permeate through capsules. Liquids also can be either drawn directly into the syringe, or the cyanide evolved by adding an Alka-seltzer tablet to purge the gas. Reactions are immediate. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia which interfere with several other cyanide tests, do not interfere with this formulation. A mixture of N-chlorosuccinimide and succinimide oxidizes CN^- to CN⁺. The cyanogen ion selectively reacts with 4-phenylpyridine to form a dialdehyde, which is then coupled with either barbituric acid (red rapidly turning to blue) or 3-methyl-l-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (purple slowly turning to green black).     

Synthesis of tri-, penta-, and heptasaccharides,functionalized with orthogonally N-protected amino residues at the reducing and non-reducing ends

The synthesis of four bifunctionalized orthogonally N-protected oligosaccharides derived from lactose and mannose, intended as cross-linking derivatives, is described. The aminosugar at the non-reducing end is derivatized with an N-Boc-protected glycine moiety, and further connected to either a mannose (1→6) disaccharide or (1→3) lactose units (one, two or three) resulting in tri-, penta-, or heptasaccharides. All of the synthesized oligosaccharides have an N-benzyloxycarbonyl-aminoethyl residue at the reducing end. The orthogonal N-Boc/N-Cbz protection group pattern enables further conjugation/derivatization and results in a hydrophilic cross-linking molecule. It was found that the order of the final synthetic steps was crucial to avoid acyl migration. A suitable amide coupling protocol has been applied to introduce the N-Boc-protected glycine moiety in alcoholic solvent. The synthesized oligosaccharides will provide a model system to investigate the influence of length, structure and flexibility.     

Optically active,mesogenic lanthanide complexes: design,synthesis and characterisation

The synthesis, molecular structural characterisation and mesomorphic behaviour of lanthanidomesogens with the formula [LnL(LH)₂ ][X]₂ are reported. These mesogens were derived from ligands (LH- n ) formed by covalently linking the pro-mesogenic cholesterol segment with the N-(n-decyl)salicylaldimine core through either an even-parity (4-oxybutanoyloxy/6-oxyhexanoyloxy/8-oxyoctanoyloxy) or an odd-parity (5-oxypentano-yloxy) spacer. These ligands were designed based on the recently conceived concept of decoupling the anisometric segment from the metal-coordinating site by a flexible spacer to account for the stabilisation of nematic and/or smectic phases at lower temperatures. The even parity spacer ligands are polymesomorphic whereas the odd parity analogue exhibits only the chiral nematic phase. In contrast, the complexes display solely the smectic A phase indicating that the variation in the nature of lanthanide has no influence on the general phase behaviour of the complexes. The clearing temperatures of both the ligands and the complexes display an odd-even effect; the even members show relatively higher transition temperatures.     

Chemistry of thienopyridines. XXIII. Mass spectra of some N-oxides,sulfoxides, and sulfones

The mass spectral fragmentation patterns of a series of thienopyridine N-oxides, S-oxides, and S,S-dioxides were elaborated as a means of structural determination. Observation of a significant (M-16) peak is diagnostic for the presence of either an N-oxide or an S-oxide function (indistinguishable from one another by this method) but does not occur for an S,S-dioxide function. For a substituted thieno[2,3-b]pyridine 7-oxide, structural rearrangement to a pyridone (followed by emission of carbon monoxide or formyl radical) or side-chain fission may be competitive with de-N-oxygenation. For two tricyclic parent S-oxides, rearrangement and de-S-oxygenation are competing initial processes. For parent S,S-dioxides structural rearrangement precedes fragmentation, wherein the oxygen is ejected in such forms as sulfur monoxide, carbon monoxide, formyl or cyanate radicals, and ketene.     

Ferrocenylalkyl azoles: bioactivity,synthesis, structure

The toxicity of ferrocenylethyl benzotriazole ( 1 ) and other ferrocene compounds including ferrocenylmethyl benzimidazoles ( 4,5,6,11 ), ferricenium salts ( 3,9,10 ) and ferrocenylmethyl adenine ( 7 ), was studied. All ferrocene complexes under investigation showed low or medium toxicities. On the basis of an earlier model of chemical carcinogenesis, the antitumor activity of ferrocenylalkyl azoles 1, 8 and ferricenium salts 9, 10 was studied in vivo in the so‐called sub‐capsular test on human tumors. This effectiveness was compared with that of cisplatin. A series of ferrocenylalkyl azoles were synthesized by interacting azoles either with α‐hydroxyalkyl ferrocenes FcC(OH)R₁R₂ in organic solvent in the presence of aqueous HBF₄ in quantitative yields or with trimethyl(aminomethyl)ferrocene iodide in an aqueous‐basic medium in good yields. The X‐ray determinations of molecular and crystal structures of α‐(1‐benzotriazolyl)ethylferrocene ( 1 ) and α‐(1‐naphthatriazolyl)ethylferrocene ( 12 ) were performed. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Alkaline Hydrolysis of the Cytostatic Drug,Ifosfamide, and its N-Dechloroethylated Metabolites

Abstract

I fosfamide (IF) is an alkylating antitumor agent used in the treatment of solid tumors. Up to 50% of IF administered to patients undergoes an oxidative N-dealkylation reaction resulting in the loss or one, other or both chloroethyl side chain(s) to produce 2- or 3-dechloioethylIF (ZDCIF, 3DCIF) or 2,3-didechloroethyllF (DDCIF). The hydrolytic pathway of these four oxazaphosphorines has been studied earlier but only at acidic and neutral pHs^[l] In the present work, we monitored their time courses of hydrolysis at basic pHs using phosphorus-3 1 NMR. The structures of the compounds formed were determined by NMR (13C and 1H) and mass spectrometry. The results are reported in the following scheme.     

A facile, microwave-assisted, palladium-catalyzed arylation of acetone

We report an expedient method for the heteroarylation of acetone under tin-free conditions. The coupling is performed using the commercially available enol silane of acetone (2-trimethylsilyloxypropene) and a corresponding aryl bromide, chloride or triflate under microwave-assisted conditions, with tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (Pd₂(dba)₃) or palladium acetate (Pd(OAc)₂) and 2-(2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl)dicyclohexylphosphine (S-Phos) as the catalyst system.     

N‐Silylaminotitanium Chlorides — Synthesis,Structures, Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance,and some Applications

N‐Silylaminotitanium trichlorides, Me₃S(R)N‐TiCl₃ ( 18 ) [R = ^tBu ( a ), SiMe₃ ( b ), 9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl (9‐BBN)( c )], and (CH₂SiMe₂)₂N‐TiCl₃ ( 18d ) were obtained in high yield and high purity from the reaction of the respective bis(silylamino)plumbylene with an excess of titanium tetrachloride. The crystal structure of 18a was determined by X‐ray analysis. The reactions of the analogous stannylenes with an excess of TiCl₄ did not lead to 18 . N‐Lithio‐trimethylsilyl[9‐(9‐borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl)]amine ( 8 ) was prepared, structurally characterized and used for the synthesis of a new bis(amino)stannylene 10 and a plumbylene 11 . The compounds 18a—d served as ideal starting materials for the synthesis of bis(silylamino)titanium dichlorides, where the silylamino groups can be identical ( 19 ) or different ( 20 ). This was achieved either by the reaction of 18 again with bis(amino)plumbylenes or with lithium N‐silylamides. In contrast to the direct synthesis starting from titanium tetrachloride and two equivalents of the respective lithium amide, which in general affords 19 with identical amino groups only in low yield, the procedure starting from 18 is much more versatile and gave the pure compounds 19 or 20 in almost quantitative yield. Further treatment of the dichlorides 19 or 20 with lithium amides led to tris(amino)titanium chlorides 21 . The dichlorides 19 or 20 reacted with two equivalents of alkynyllithium reagents to give the first well characterized examples of di(alkyn‐1‐yl)bis(N‐silylamino)titanium compounds 22 — 27 . These compounds reacted with trialkylboranes (triethyl or tripropylborane) by 1, 1‐organoboration. In some cases, the extremely reactive reaction products could be identified as novel 1, 1‐bis(silylamino)titana‐2, 4‐cyclopentadienes 28 — 31 bearing a dialkylboryl group in 3‐position. In solution, the proposed structures of all products were deduced from a consistent set of data derived from multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁵N, ²⁹Si, ³⁵Cl NMR).     

Ruthenium(II) chalconate complexes: Synthesis, characterization, catalytic, and biological studies

A series of new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = 2′-hydroxychalcones) have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂(B)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py) with 2′-hydroxychalcones in benzene under reflux. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, electronic, ¹H, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR) data. Based on the above data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) as co-oxidant and also found efficient catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. The antifungal properties of the complexes have also been examined and compared with standard Bavistin.     

Purines, pyrimidines, and fused systems based on them

6,8-Dimethylpyrimido[4,5-c]pyridazine-5,7(6H,8H)-dione reacts with ammonia or primary amines in the presence of an oxidant to give the corresponding 4-amino derivatives. Reactions with secondary amines (dimethylamine, piperidine, or morpholine) proceed with difficulty, resulting in 3-amino derivatives.     

1,2-Dichalcogenins: Simple Syntheses of 1,2-Diselenins, 1,2-Dithiins,and 2-Selenathiin

Ring opening of titanacyclopentadienes 1 with (SCN)₂ or (SeCN)₂ followed by bis(thiocyanate) or bis(selenocyanate) cyclization affords 1,2-dithiin ( 2 a ) or 1,2-diselenin ( 2 b ), respectively. Compound 1 gives 2 a directly on reaction with S₂Cl₂. Unsubstituted 1,2-diselenin is prepared by reaction of PhCH₂SeNa with 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,3-butadiyne followed by reductive cleavage of the benzyl group and oxidation. The unsubstituted 2-selenathiin is prepared in an analogous manner, but from a mixture of PhCH₂SeNa and PhCH₂SNa.     

PdAg2 nanoparticles in aqueous solution: Preparation, characterization, and catalytic properties

The reduction of a heterobimetallic complex, Pd(OOCMe)₄Ag₂(HOOCMe)₄, with hydrogen or sodium borohydride in an aqueous solution produces PdAg₂ nanoparticles of an alloy or intermetallic type. It is shown that the catalytic activity of the particles in the reduction of methyl viologen with hydrogen is lower than that of palladium nanoparticles of the same size. Therewith, ??borohydride?? nanoparticles manifest a higher catalytic activity than do ??hydrogen?? ones. Unlike silver nanoparticles, PdAg₂ nanoparticles do not catalyze the decomposition of hydrazine.     

Filterable Agents for Hyperpolarization of Water,Metabolites, and Proteins

Hyperpolarization is generated by dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (d‐DNP) using a polymer‐based polarizing agent dubbed FLAP (filterable labeled agents for polarization). It consists of a thermo‐responsive poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide), also known as pNiPAM‐COOH, labeled with nitroxide radicals. The polymer powder is impregnated with an arbitrary solution of interest and frozen as is. Dissolution is followed by a simple filtration, leading to hyperpolarized solutions free from any contaminants. We demonstrated the use of FLAP to hyperpolarize partially deuterated water up to P(¹H)=6 % with a long relaxation T₁ >36 s characteristic of high purity. Water hyperpolarization can be transferred to drugs, metabolites, or proteins that are waiting in an NMR spectrometer, either by exchange of labile protons or through intermolecular Overhauser effects. We also show that FLAPs are suitable polarizing agents for ¹³C‐labeled metabolites such as pyruvate, acetate, and alanine.     

Demonstration of a novel,flexible, photocatalytic oxygen-scavenging polymer film

The preparation of a novel, flexible, photocatalytic, oxygen-scavenging polymer film is described. The film incorporates nanocrystalline titania particles in an ethyl cellulose polymer film, with or without an added sacrificial electron donor of triethanolamine. When coated on the inside of a glass vessel its UV-driven light-scavenging action is demonstrated by platinum octaethyl porphyrin coated glass beads sealed inside, since their luminescence increases with increasing UV-irradiation time. When used as a flexible film, work with an oxygen electrode shows that the film is able to scavenge oxygen at an average rate of 0.017 cm³ O₂ h⁻¹ cm⁻² over a 24 h period, which compares favourably to other, well-established oxygen-scavenger systems. The potential of using such as system for oxygen scavenging in packaging is discussed briefly.     

Catalyst-Free,Direct, High Regio- and Chemoselective Conversion of Epoxides to Vicinal Haloesters Under Mild,Neutral, and Solvent-Free Conditions

Abstract

A catalyst-free, high regio- and chemoselective method is described for the mild conversion of wide varieties of epoxides directly to their corresponding vicinal haloesters using quaternary ammonium halides R₄N⁺X^- (X equals; Cl, Br, I; R = n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl) in the presence of an aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic anhydride at room temperature under neutral and solvent-free conditions.     

Synthesis,characterization, electrochemical,catalytic and antimicrobial activity studies of hydrazone Schiff base ruthenium(II) complexes

Four tridentate O, N, O donor Schiff base ligands were prepared by the reaction of substituted benzhydrazide and appropriate salicylaldehyde. The complexes of these ligands were synthesized by refluxing the ligands with ruthenium(II) starting complexes of the formula [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂B] in benzene, where E = P or As; B = PPh₃ or AsPh₃ or pyridine. The newly synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental, spectral (FT‐IR, UV and NMR) and electrochemical data. On the basis of the above studies, an octahedral structure has been proposed for all the complexes. The catalytic efficiency of the complexes in aryl–aryl couplings and oxidation of alcohols was examined and their inhibition activity against the growth of the micro‐organisms was also examined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Etude cristallochimique et spectroscopique des fluoroniobates MNbF6 avec M = Mg,Ca, Mn,Fe, Co,Ni, Zn,et Cd

The compounds MNbF₆ were synthesized for M = Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, and Cd. They have a ReO₃-type structure, or one derived from it, and are isostructural with MNbF₇ compounds. The insertion of fluoride anions in the ReO₃-type structure is discussed. Studies of the spectroscopic uv and visible behavior were carried out, and assignments of absorption bands of solid samples were made in terms of crystal field theory, assuming an octahedral surrounding of the niobium ion and of the bivalent cation.