Exciton Chirality. (A) Origins of and (B) Applications from Strongly Fluorescent Dipyrrinone Chromophores

Summary. (A) The origin of exciton interaction and examples of its application to organic stereochemistry are presented. (B) N,N-Carbonyl-bridged dipyrrinones constitute a new class of highly fluorescent chromophores suitable for investigations of stereochemistry and absolute configuration. N,N-Carbonylxanthobilirubic acid esters are strongly fluorescent, with a fluorescence quantum yield (_F) 0.8, but produce only weak exciton CD from the trans-1,2-cyclohexanediol template. The ester of an analog with benzoic acid replacing propionic, N,N-carbonyl-8-(4-carboxyphenyl)-3-ethyl-2,7,9-trimethyl-(10H)-dipyrrin-1-one, exhibits strong fluorescence (_F=0.68, _em=493nm, _ex=422nm in CHCl₃) and UV-Vis absorption (21000 at 424nm) in organic solvents. Its diester with (1S,2S)-cyclohexanediol is fluorescent and exhibits exciton circular dichroism (=+15dm³·mol^–1·cm^–1, =432nm; =–4dm³·mol^–1cm^–1, =380nm) that correlates with the Exciton Chirality Rule.     

The Dissociation Constants of 1,1'-Bis (pyridinium-4-aldoxime)trimethylene dibromide

The dissociation constants of the two oxime groups of 1,1-bis(pyridinium-4-aldoxime)trimethylene dibromide (TMB-4) were determined using spectrophotometric data. Two numerical methods were applied to treat the overlapping equilibria. The results obtained by both agreed with each other and their mean values at 25°C corrected for the ionic strength of 0.05moldm^–3 are pK_a1=7.49±0.11 and pK_a2=8.96±0.09. These values were discussed in terms of the pK_as of 1,1-bis(pyridinium-4-aldoxime)oxydimethylene dichloride (Toxogonin), a similar dioxime, which were derived by extrapolation of literature data.     

Fluorescence Quenching Studies of Curcumin by Hydrogen Peroxide in Acetonitrile Solution

Steady state quenching studies of curcumin, 1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, fluorescence by hydrogen peroxide were conducted in acetonitrile solution. A quenching rate constant, k_q, of 1.05×10¹⁰M^–1·s^–1 was obtained with a short fluorescence lifetime of 347ps. The reaction rate constant, which is within the diffusion-limited regime, is activation-controlled. The rate constant of deactivation of the thermally excited curcumin was 1.2 orders of magnitude more nonradiative (2.67×10⁹s^–1) than radiative (2.16×10⁸s^–1). The reaction was exothermic with a G° of –1.97eV and solvent reorganization energy of 1.37eV. These values indicate that the electron transfer reaction is solvent-mediated with electron transfer rate constant, k_ET, of 2.16×10¹⁰s^–1.     

Kinetics of formation,dissociation and equilibrium constants of pentacyanoaquoruthenate(II) with heterocycles

The kinetics of formation and dissociation reactions of [Ru(CN)₅L]^3– with a series of heterocyclic ligands were studied in aqueous media. In this presence of an excess of heterocycle, the observed second order rate constants were calculated from the k_obs versus [ligand] plot at =0.100m NaClO₄. Activation parameters for the formation reactions (H=28±7kJmol^–1 and S=140±35JK^–1mol^–1) are comparable for all systems, indicating a common mechanism. The kinetics of exchange of coordinated heterocycles for 1,3,5-triazine yielded a rate saturation typical of a limiting dissociative mechanism. Activation parameters of the limiting first order specific rate of dissociation reactions were H=85±7kJmol^–1 and S=18±4JK^–1mol^–1. Equilibrium constants were calculated from the second order rates of formation and pseudo-first order rates of dissociation reaction.     

Mixed ligand complexes involving aminoacid dithiocarbamates,substituted phosphines and nickel(II)

Mixed ligand complexes involving four aminoacid dithiocarbamates (RRdtc=glydtc^– (R=H; R=H), methdtc^– (R=H; R=C₃H₇S), sardtc^– (R=Me; R=H), trydtc^– (R=H; R=C₉H₈N), substituted phosphines [PPh₃, Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂(dppe)] and nickel(II) are reported. All are diamagnetic. Thermal analyses of the complexes are in keeping with the proposed formulae. Thermal decomposition of the dithiocarbamate moiety proceeds through the formation of Ni(SCN)₂. PPh₃ and dppe are lost in the initial decomposition stages.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of the Silicides REIrSi ( RE = Ce, Pr, Er, Tm, Lu) and SmIr 0.266(8)Si 1.734(8)

The equiatomic rare earth metal–iridium–silicides REIrSi (RE=Ce, Pr, Er, Tm, Lu) were prepared by arc-melting of the elements and subsequent annealing. All silicides were characterized through their X-ray powder patterns. The structures of CeIrSi, ErIrSi, and LuIrSi were refined from X-ray single crystal diffractometer data: LaIrSi type, P2₁3, a=629.15(2)pm, wR2=0.1232, 280F² values, and 11 variable parameters for CeIrSi; TiNiSi type, Pnma, a=673.4(1), b=416.07(5), c=744.88(9)pm, wR2=0.0705, 339F² values, and 20 variable parameters for ErIrSi, and a=664.0(3), b=412.9(1), c=742.6(1)pm, wR2=0.0398, 496F² values, and 20 variable parameters for LuIrSi. The iridium and silicon atoms in CeIrSi, ErIrSi, and LuIrSi build three-dimensional [IrSi] networks where the iridium atoms have three (CeIrSi, Ir–Si 229pm) and four (ErIrSi, Ir–Si 247–258pm; LuIrSi, Ir–Si 245–256pm) silicon neighbors. The [IrSi] networks leave larger channels in which the cerium, erbium, and lutetium atoms are located. Temperature dependent susceptibility data for LuIrSi indicate Pauli paramagnetism. CeIrSi shows Curie-Weiss paramagnetism above 100K with an experimental magnetic moment of 2.56(2)_B/Ce atom. With samarium as rare earth metal component the silicide SmIr_0.266(8)Si_1.734(8) with -ThSi₂ type structure was obtained: I4₁/amd, a=409.3(1), c=1397.2(5)pm, wR2=0.0575, 161F² values, and 9 variable parameters. Within the three-dimensional [Ir_0.266Si_1.734] network the Ir/Si–Ir/Si distances range from 230 to 237pm.     

Unambiguous Determination of the Absolute Configurations of Acetylene Alcohols by Combination of the Sonogashira Reaction and the CD Exciton Chirality Method – Exciton Coupling between Phenylacetylene and Benzoate Chromophores

The CD exciton chirality method was applied to various phenylacetylene alcohols to determine their absolute configurations; the long axis polarized –^* transition (_max=252nm) of the 4-methoxyphenylacetylene chromophore couples with the transition (_max=257nm) of the 4-methoxybenzoate group to generate intense exciton split CD Cotton effects, from the signs of which the absolute configurations of phenylacetylene alcohols were unambiguously determined. As an extension of the results, a new methodology for determining the absolute configurations of acetylene alcohols having the HCCCH(OH)-moiety by combination of the Sonogashira reaction and the CD exciton chirality method has been developed and applied. Since the –^* transition of acetylene triple bond is located below 180nm, it is difficult to observe ideal bisignate CD Cotton effects due to the exciton coupling between acetylene and benzoate chromophores. To observe the ideal exciton split Cotton effects necessary for the unambiguous determination of absolute configuration, the terminal acetylene group was converted, by the Sonogashira reaction, to the 4-methoxyphenylacetylene moiety, which exhibits an intense –^* absorption band polarized along the long axis of the chromophore at 252nm. As a partner of exciton coupling, 4-methoxybenzoate showing a –^* band at 257nm was introduced into the alcohol moiety, and the benzoates formed showed intense bisignate CD Cotton effects, from the signs of which the absolute configurations of original acetylene alcohols could be determined in an unambiguous manner.     

Kinetic Spectrophotometric Determination of Chromium (VI) by Oxidation of Sodium Pyrogallol-5-sulphonate by Hydrogen Peroxide

A new selective, sensitive, and simple kinetic method is developed for the determination of trace amounts of chromium (VI). The method is based on the catalytic effect of Cr(VI) on the reaction of sodium pyrogallol-5-sulphonate (PS) with hydrogen peroxide. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by tracing the oxidation product at 437nm within 1min after addition of H₂O₂. The optimum reaction conditions are PS (1.32·10^–3mol·dm^–3), H₂O₂ (0.32mol·dm^–3), HClO₄ (2.6·10^–3mol·dm^–3) at 25°C. Following this procedure, chromium (VI) can be determined with a linear calibration graph up to 0.25ng·cm^–3 and a detection limit of 0.024ng·cm^–3, based on the 3 criterion. The interference effect of several species was also investigated and it was found that the most common cations and anions do not interfere with the determination. The developed procedure was successfully applied to the determination of Cr(VI) and total Cr in river waters and total Cr in herbal samples.     

Determination of Attogram Quantities of Silver via Quenching of the Solid Substrate Room-Temperature Phosphorescence of Rhodamine B Based on the Catalysis of its Oxidation by Potassium Persulfate

A new method of SS-RTP for the determination of trace silver has been established. This method is based on the fact that Ag⁺, when activated by ,-bipyridyl (bipy) in a media of HAc–NaAc (pH=4.9), can catalyze the reaction of Rhodamine B (RhoB) oxidized by K₂S₂O₈, thus causing the Solid Substrate Room-Temperature Phosphorescence (SS-RTP) of RhoB to be quenched. The activating efficiency of bipy is 6.7 times higher than that of o-phenanthroline (phen). The reduction of the phosphorescence intensity (I_p) of RhoB is directly proportional to the concentration of Ag⁺ ions in the range of 1.6016.0agspot^–1 (0.40µLspot^–1). The regression equation of the working curve can be expressed as I_p=18.78+5.100m_Ag+ (agspot^–1) (r=0.9994, n=6), the detection limit is 0.28agspot^–1. This rapid, accurate and sensitive method has been successfully applied to the determination of trace silver in tea and human hair samples, and the results agree well with the Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) method. The mechanism of the catalyzing reaction is also discussed.     

The Electrochemical Behavior of p-Aminophenol at a ω-Mercaptopropionic Acid Self-Assembled Gold Electrode

A -mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) self-assembled monolayer modified electrode (MPA/SAM/Au) on a gold electrode has been fabricated. The characterization of the MPA/SAM/Au was investigated using attenuated total reflection-fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) and A.C. impedance. The electrochemical behaviors of p-aminophenol (p-AP) were studied at the MPA/SAM/Au by cyclic voltammetry and semi-derivative voltammetry (SDV) in BR buffer solution. The modified electrode shows excellent electrocatalytic activity for the redox of p-AP and accelerates the electron transfer rate. The diffusion coefficient (D) is 4.55×10^–6cm²s^–1. The oxidative peak current increases linearly with the concentration of p-AP in the range of 4.0×10^–88×10^–6molL^–1 and 1.0×10^–52×10^–4molL^–1 by square wave voltammetry response, respectively. The detection limit (three times the signal blank/slope) is up to 1.2×10^–8molL^–1. The modified electrode is able to eliminate the interference of p-benzenediol, o-benzenediol and o-AP at a 40-, 90- or 70-fold concentration of p-AP, and it has been satisfactorily used for the determination of the real sample.     

Selective Kinetic Determination of Cu2+ with Tetraazamacrocyclic Bis(Methylphosphonate) Ligand (Dipon)

A new macrocyclic ligand, 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-bis(methylphosphonic acid) (refered to as dipon) exhibits high thermodynamic and kinetic selectivity for Cu²⁺ compared to other transition metal ions. The initial-rate method (=310nm, pH=3.75, c_L4.6×10^–3molL^–1) was chosen as an optimal experimental approach in order to achieve maximum sensitivity of determination. The dynamic range of the method is (5–200)×10^–6molL^–1, and the detection limit is 2.5×10^–6molL^–1. A standard addition procedure was applied to the kinetic determination of Cu²⁺ to eliminate the effect of interfering ions (e.g. Zn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, HCO^–₃, Cl^–, SO₄^2–, etc.). The method was tested on artificial and real samples (alloys, pure and spiked mineral water) and gave satisfactory results which are in agreement with the values for some certified materials. The advantage of the proposed method is rapidity, simplicity and robustness in the presence of other metal ions.     

Energy Transfer Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence for the Determination of Sulfite

A simple and novel electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) method for the determination of sulfite has been developed based on the energy transfer ECL process. It was found that a weak ECL signal of sulfite was electrochemically generated on a platinum electrode in neutral aqueous solution. The signal was strongly enhanced by rhodamine B as an energy receptor and further enhanced by the neutral surfactant Tween 80. In 0.10M phosphate buffer solution (pH=7.5) containing 2.0×10^–6gmL^–1 rhodamine B and 0.4% (v/v) Tween 80, the ECL response to the concentration of sulfite at a potential of 0.82V was linear over a range of 1.0×10^–7gmL^–1 to 8.0×10^–6gmL^–1, and the detection limit was 5×10^–8gmL^–1. The relative standard deviation (n=11, 1.0×10^–6gmL^–1) was 3.8%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of sulfite in pharmaceutical injections and white sugar samples.     

Single Crystal Growth, Crystal Structure and Thermal Behaviour of Mercury(II) Pyrophosphate Dihydrate

Colourless single crystals of Hg₂P₂O₇(H₂O)₂ up to 0.4 mm in length were grown by a diffusion technique starting from aqueous solutions of Na₄P₂O₇ and Hg(NO₃)₂. The crystal structure is isotypic with that of Ca₂P₂O₇(H₂O)₂ and was determined from a four-circle diffractometer data set (space group , Z=2, a=6.9374(7), b=7.4396(8), c=7.9863(7)Å, =84.685(8), =75.158(8), =72.818(8)°, 2413 structure factors, 132 parameters, R[F ²>2(F ²)]=0.0181, wR(F ² all)= 0.0384). Hg₂P₂O₇(H₂O)₂ is composed of approximately eclipsed P₂O₇ ^4– anions and distorted [HgO₆] octahedra and [HgO₇] pentagonal bipyramids as the main building units. The structure is stabilized by inter-water hydrogen bonding and by hydrogen bonding between terminal pyrophosphate oxygen atoms and the water molecules. The P–O distances to the terminal oxygen atoms range from 1.501(4) to 1.536(3)Å, with an average of 1.522Å; the mean distance of 1.615Å to the bridging O atom is considerably longer with an (O–P–O) bridging angle of 123.44(19)°. Both Hg atoms have two short Hg–O bonds around 2.17Å and additional bonds ranging from 2.381(3) to 2.708(4)Å. Upon heating above 160°C, both crystal water molecules are released simultaneously and anhydrous Hg₂P₂O₇ is formed which is stable up to ca. 660°C. Above this temperature the material decomposes completely.     

Syntheses and properties of mixed dinuclear copper(II) complexes with heterocyclic dithiocarbamates and a cyclic octadentate tertiary amine

Five new Cu^II complexes of general formula [Cu₂(Rdtc)tpmc](ClO₄)₃, (1)–(5), where tpmc and Rdtc ^– refer to N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-teraazacyclotetradecane and piperidine- (Pipdtc), 4-morpholine- (Morphdtc), 4-thiomorpholine- (Timdtc), piperazine- (Pzdtc) or N-methylpiperazine- (N-Mepzdtc) dithiocarbamates, respectively, have been prepared. Elemental analyses, conductometric and magnetic measurements, u.v./vis, i.r., e.p.r. and mass spectroscopy have been employed to characterize them. The complexes adopt an exo coordination of Cu^II ions and tpmc. The dithiocarbamate ion joins both the sulphur and the copper atoms acting as a bridging ligand The presence of different heteroatoms in the piperidine ring influences the (C=N) and (C=S) vibrations which decrease in the order of the complexes: Pipdtc>N-Mepipdtc>Pzdtc>Morphdtc>Timdtc ligands. Attention has been paid to the detailed mechanism of the mass spectral fragmentation of the complexes. The g _eff factors of the complexes have been also estimated by e.p.r. spectra. Finally, the complexes obtained demonstrate microbiologycal activity against some bacteria.     

Determination of Lead Using a New Chromogenic Reagent 2-(2-Sulfo-4-acetylphenylazo)-7-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic Acid

A novel chromogenic reagent, 2-(2-sulfo-4-acetylphenylazo)-7-(2,4,6-trichlorophenylazo)-1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene-3,6-disulfonic acid 1, was prepared by diazo coupling of 4-acetylaniline-2-sulfonic acid and 2,4,6-trichloroaniline to chromotropic acid through –N=N– groups. Based on this reagent, a simple, sensitive and selective spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of lead. In 0.20M phosphoric acid medium, lead reacts with 1 to form a 1:2 blue complex with an absorption maximum of 654nm. Beers law is obeyed in the range of 0–0.6mgL^–1 of lead. The apparent molar absorptivity is 1.25×10⁵Lmol^–1cm^–1. The detection limit and quantification limit were found to be 0.63µgL^–1 and 2.1µgL^–1, respectively. The relative standard deviation for eleven replicate measurements was of 2.6%. The interference of foreign ions was also investigated. All the other foreign ions studied did not interfere with lead determination except for Ca(II) and Ba(II). The interference caused by Ca(II) and Ba(II) can be eliminated by prior extraction of lead with potassium iodide-methylisobutylketone (KI-MIBK). The proposed method was applied to the determination of lead in certified samples with satisfactory results.     

A kinetic study of the oxidation of 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridine by chromium(VI) in strongly acidic aqueous solutions of HClO4

Oxidation of 2-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridine (pyeol) to 2-pyridylacetaldehyde (pyeal) by Cr^VI has been studied in the 0.5–2.0M HClO₄ range at I=2.2M and in super acidic media within the 3–7M HClO₄ range. In all cases the reaction has been examined under pseudo-first order conditions keeping the alcohol and H⁺ _aq in excess. Cr^III-complexes formed during reduction of Cr^VI by pyeol at different molar ratios of the reactants, were isolated chromatographically and identified as [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺ and [Cr(pyeac)(H₂O)₄]²⁺ ions (pyeac=2-pyridylacetic acid). Free 2-pyridylacetaldehyde (pyeal) was separated and determined as its 2,4-dinitro-phenylhydrazone derivative. A dependence of the rate constants on [pyeol] and [H⁺] has been established at I=1.2M and I=2.2M. The apparent activation parameters at [H⁺]=1 and 2M have been determined. A rate law of the form d[Cr^VI]/dt= (k ₁[H ⁺]+k ₂[H ⁺]²)[pyeol][Cr^VI] is proposed. A linear dependence of log k _obs on H₀ in the super acidic media is obeyed. A rate decrease is observed if oxygen instead of argon is in the reaction cell. The reaction mechanism has been discussed.     

Osmotic Coefficients of Aqueous Solutions of Some Poly(oxyethylene) Glycols at the Freezing Point of Solution

The freezing temperatures of dilute aqueous solutions of some poly(oxyethylene) glycols (PEG, HO–(CH₂CH₂O) _n –H, n varying from 4 to 117) were measured over a solute to solvent mass ratio from 0.0100 to 0.3900. The second and third osmotic virial coefficient (A ₂₂ and A ₂₂₂) of poly(oxyethylene) glycols in aqueous solution were determined. The molecular weight dependence of the second virial coefficient can be described by a simple relation A ₂₂=2×10^–5 M _n ^1.86, and the third virial coefficient is A ₂₂₂=0.038A ₂₂ ². The activity coefficients of the solute were calculated using the Gibbs-Duhem equation as applied by Bjerrum. From the osmotic and activity coefficients the excess Gibbs energies of solution, as well as the respective partial molar functions of solute and solvent and the virial pair interaction coefficients for the excess Gibbs energies were estimated. The second and the third osmotic virial coefficients are correlated with the Mc-Millan-Mayer virial coefficients.     

Oxidation of Substituted Benzyl Alcohols by Quinoxalinium Dichromate. A Kinetic Study

Quinoxalinium dichromate (QxDC) oxidizes benzyl alcohol and substituted benzyl alcohols smoothly in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and in the presence of acid to the corresponding aldehydes. The reaction has unit dependence on each of the alcohol, QxDC, and acid concentrations. Electron-releasing substituents accelerate the reaction, whereas electron-withdrawing groups retard the reaction, and the rate data obey Hammetts relationship. The reaction constant was –1.09±0.01 at 303K. Oxidation of ,-dideuteriobenzyl alcohol indicated the presence of a substantial primary kinetic isotope effect (k_H/k_D=6.78 at 303K). The reaction failed to induce the polymerization of acrylonitrile. The rates of oxidation were determined at different temperatures and the activation parameters were evaluated. The analysis of the dependence of the kinetic isotope effect on temperature indicated that the reaction involves a symmetrical cyclic transition state. A suitable mechanism is proposed.     

A Salt-Tolerant Yeast-Based Microbial Sensor for 24 Hour Community Wastewater Monitoring in Coastal Regions

A microbial sensor for rapid determination of the concentration of biodegradable pollutants in wastewater has been developed using the salt-tolerant yeast Arxula adeninivorans LS3 immobilized by gel entrapment with poly (carbamoyl) sulfonate hydrogel (PCS gel) on a Clark-type oxygen electrode. This sensor needs 5min for every measurement instead of 5 days for BOD₅. The sensor has a linear response of up to 550mgL^–1 BOD with a correlation of coefficient R²=0.9785. The detection limit was calculated to be 2.1mgL^–1 BOD equivalents, and the determination limit was 6.0mgL^–1 BOD equivalents. The high tolerance to salt of the Arxula adeninivorans LS3 strain prevents the inactivation of cells caused by the seawater from affecting the measurements. In a 24-hour comparative study using real wastewater samples from an international college situated in Hong Kong, the microbial sensor showed a very good correlation (R²=0.9134) with the standard BOD₅ method and truly reflected the life cycle of the college people. The microbial sensor allows almost ideal real-time monitoring in water pollution and degradation.     

Zr 5Ir 2In 4 – A Superstructure of the Lu 5Ni 2In 4 Type

Zr₅Ir₂In₄ was synthesized by reaction of the elements in a glassy carbon crucible in a water-cooled sample chamber of an induction furnace. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction on both powder and single crystals. Zr₅Ir₂In₄ crystallizes with a pronounced Lu₅Ni₂In₄ type subcell, space group Pbam, a=1739.5(6), b=766.3(2), c=338.9(2) pm. Weak additional reflections force a doubling of the subcell c axis. The superstructure of Zr₅Ir₂In₄ is of a new type: Pnma, a=1739.5(6), b=677.8(2), c=766.3(2) pm, wR2=0.0529, 1592 F² values, and 60 variable parameters. The group-subgroup scheme for the klassengleiche symmetry reduction is presented. The formation of the superstructure is most likely due to a puckering effect (size of the iridium atoms). The crystal chemistry of Zr₅Ir₂In₄ is briefly discussed.