Tetrametallic Group 13 ‘Mitsubishi’ Molecules

Under fairly disparate conditions tetrametallic aluminum complexes can be isolated that feature a central six-coordinate aluminum connected by bridging heteroatoms to three peripheral four-coordinate aluminum atoms. Based upon their striking resemblance to the Mitsubishi emblem these molecules will be given the name ‘Mitsubishi™’ [1]. This review will discuss the formation of these compounds and will seek to establish the guiding principles under which additional ‘Mitsubishi™’ compounds may be formed. The impact of these compounds on the formation of solid-state materials, particularly aluminum oxide, will be briefly discussed.     

Synthese von ‘D-Isothreonin’ und ‘L-Alloisothreonin’ aus L-Alanin

Synthesis of ‘D -Isothreonine’ and ‘L -Alloisothreonine’ Starting from L -Alanine Starting from L -alanine, ‘D -isothreonine’ ( = (2R, 3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) and ‘L -alloisothreonine’ ( = (2S, 3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxybutanoic acid) were synthesized.     

Der ‘Push-Pull’-Effekt von ‘Push-Pull’-Oligoacetylenen. Eine 13C-NMR-Untersuchung

The ‘Push-Poll’ Effect of ‘Push-Pull’ Oligoacetylenes. A ¹³C-NMR Investigation According to ¹³C-chemicaI shifts of ‘push-pull’ oligoacetylenes 1 – 4 , the ‘push-pull’ effect (i.e. π delocalization induced by ‘push-pull’ substituents) rapidly decays in this series. To correct for other than π -charge-density effects, Δδ values of symmetrically placed C-atoms of the oligoacetylene chain are discussed. Stereoelectronic resteffects (SER) of the substituents on terminal C-atoms of PP-ketones 1a – 3a and PP -esters 1b – 4b are estimated from the residual Δδ of the asymptotes of Fig. 3. Fig. 4 convincingly shows that Δδ values are dramatically decreasing with increasing number n of acetylene units between the push and pull substituents. Assignment problems of ‘push-pull’ triacetylenes 3 have been solved by ¹³C labelling of the CO group of 3a .     

The ‘even-electron rule’

Many (>170) exceptions to the ‘even-electron rule from the literature (unrecognized in most cases) and from the authors’ laboratory are presented and discussed. The large number of violations suggests that although the generalization may be a helpful guide for the explanation of mass spectral behaviour of many organic compounds, the term ‘rule’ seems to be unjustified.     

Enantioselectivity in Odor Perception

The 3‐methyl‐4‐(tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec‐4‐en‐8‐ylidene)butan‐2‐ols (=Fleursandol^®; rac‐ 10 ), a new class of sandalwood odorants, were synthesized in their enantiomerically pure forms by use of tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]dec‐4‐en‐8‐ones 17 and ent‐ 17 and (tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran‐2‐yl)‐protected 4‐bromo‐3‐methylbutan‐2‐ols 22 and ent‐ 22 as starting materials (Schemes 2–4). Only four of 16 possible stereoisomers of rac‐ 10 possess the typical, very pleasant, long‐lasting sandalwood odor (Table 1). The (2S,3R,4E,1′R,2′R,6′R,7′R)‐isomer ent‐ 10a is by far the most important representative, with an odor threshold of 5 μg/l in H₂O.     

Synthese von ‘Push-Pull’-Oligoacetylenen

Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’-OligoAcetylenes ‘Push-pull’ triacetylenes 11a , b , c , as well as ‘push-pull’ tetraacetylene 13b have been prepared by reaction of the corresponding trichloroene(oligoinyl)amines 9 and 10 with 2 mol-equiv. of BuLi followed by acylation. The sequences (Schemes 3 and 4) are very simple and straightforward, they could in principle be applied to the synthesis of ‘push-pull’ pentaAcetylenes 15 and hexaacetylenes 17 (Scheme 5). Main limitations are the moderate yields as well as the low thermal stability of push-pull oligoacetylenes.     

Synthese von ‘Push-Pull’-Diacetylenen

Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’ Diacetylenes The first synthesis of push-pull diacetylenes of type 1 is described. Reaction of perchlorobutenyne ( 8 ) with two equivalents of dialkylamine, followed by dechlorination using two equivalents of butyllithium gives lithio-dialkylamino-diynes 7 . Final acylation of these intermediates leads to push-pull diacetylenes 1b–1e in good yields. The method allows the introduction of both push and pull substituents in a simple one-pot-procedure. In addition, 1a is prepared by hydroxymethylation of lithio-morpholino-diyne 7c , followed by oxidation with manganese dioxide in acetone.     

Propagating reaction front in ‘frozen’ phase

It is reported and explained that the front-like reaction sustains, and its velocity is enhanced in frozen phase in the chlorite-thiosulphate system.     

‘Lone Pair’ and ‘CI Bond’ Ionization Energies of exo- and endo-2-Norbornyl Iodides

A PE-spectroscopic study of exo- and endo-2-norbornyl iodides suggests that the relative ability of the 2-norbornyl group to stabilize an electron deficiency on a substituent X (e.g. I) in exo- or endo-position depends on the location of the positive charge. There is no difference if the positive hole is strongly localized on on the substituent X (e.g. the 5p^?1 state of the title compounds). On the other hand, our results indicate that teh positive hole semi-localized in an exo-C? X bond is better stabilized by the 2-norbornyl group than a semi-localized, positive hole in an endo-C? X bond.     

Field desorption ‘without fields’?

A field independent thermal desorption of ions has been suggested to occur under conditions of field desorption mass spectrometry by several authors. It is shown that these speculations are incorrect for theoretical reasons and inconsistent with experimental facts.     

Synthese von ‘Push-Pull’- Eninen

Synthesis of ‘Push-Pull’ Enynes ‘Push-pull’ enynes 1a–1f are easily available by Pd catalyzed coupling of stannyl-ynamines 15 and silylynamines 16 with β-iodo-enones 8 (Schemes 7 and 8).     

Heterogeneous ‘Organoclick’ Derivatization of Polysaccharides

Summary: A simple method for the direct catalytic heterogeneous modification of polysaccharides is presented. The novel method is exemplified by the combination of organic acid‐catalyzed esterification and copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction (click chemistry) to attach a fluorescent probe to solid cellulose. The heterogeneous ‘organoclick’ derivatization of cellulose allows for a mild, highly modular surface modification of cellulose under environmentally benign reaction conditions.

Schematic of the combined organic acid‐catalyzed esterification and copper‐catalyzed Huisgen reaction (click chemistry) to modify a polysaccharide with a fluorescent probe.     

Synthetic Attempts towards ‘Aromatic’ Nonafulvenes

According to their spectroscopic behavior, four classes of nonafulvenes may be distinguished, but, so far, only three classes have been identified. Type-A nonafulvenes (including parent 1a ) are typically olefinic molecules with strongly alternating bond lengths and a nonplanar nine-membered ring. Type-B nonafulvenes are characterized by four pairs of equivalent ring H-atoms and ring C-atoms. Spectra of both Type-A and Type-B nonafulvenes are not dependent on temperature and solvent polarity. However, spectra of Type-C nonafulvenes (including prototype 1d with R¹ = R² = NMe₂) are strongly influenced by temperature and solvent polarity due to an equilibrium 1?1 ^± between the nonpolar olefinic 1 and dipolar planarized 1 ^±. So far, Type-D nonafulvenes occurring exclusively in the dipolar form 1 ^± were unknown. Synthetic attempts towards nonafulvenes of Type D are described and problems encountered in nonafulvene syntheses are discussed. Several new cyclononatetraenes and four new nonafulvenes (or nonafulvalenes) 31, 1n, 3 , and 5 have been synthesized. Spectroscopic evidence shows that 11,12-bis(diethylamino)nonatriafulvalene 5 is the first Type-D nonafulvene.     

The Nature of the Colour Centres in ‘Maya Blue’ — the Incorporation of Organic Pigment Molecules into the Palygorskite Lattice

It is shown by optical spectroscopy that indigo molecules, most likely incorporated into the channels of the palygorskite host structure, are the solely colour centres in the ancient Maya Blue pigment — in use during the Maya cultural period in Yucatan and Guatemala. This study also shows that the blue colour of solid indigo shifts toward turquoise and greenish hues when fastened to the host; it is suggested that the corresponding spectral modifications originate from the energy when single indigo molecules undergo hydrogen bonding with the hydroxy‐groups in the channels (or in the open channels on the surface). Indeed artefacts from the Maya culture exhibit rather greenish than pure blue colours. Similarly a tetrachloro‐derivative of thioindigo forms hydrogen bonds with palygorskite, as evidenced by an again distinct colour change from red‐violet to blueish‐violet. Bulkier pigment molecules bearing hydroxy‐groups, such as anthrachinon derivatives, seem to directly react with the host surface, but without producing very significant colour shifts.     

‘Through Space’ and ‘Through Bond’ Interactions in [2.2]Cyclopanes; the Assignment of their Photoelectron Spectra

The photoelectron spectra (PE.) of ten cyclophanes ( 7 to 14, 16, 18 ) have been assigned on the basis of a simple molecular orbital model proposed recently for the cyclophanes 2 (1,4) to 6 . It is shown that the agreement between calculated and observed band positions provides strong evidence for the validity of the model.     

‘Click’ Chemistry in Polymer and Materials Science

The modification of polymers after the successful achievement of a polymerization process represents an important task in macromolecular science. Cycloaddition reactions, among them the metal catalyzed azide/alkyne ‘click’ reaction (a variation of the Huisgen 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction between terminal acetylenes and azides) represents an important contribution towards this endeavor. They combine high efficiency (usually above 95%) with a high tolerance of functional groups and solvents, as well as moderate reaction temperatures (25–70 °C). The present review assembles recent literature for applications of this reaction in the field of polymer science (linear polymers, dendrimers, gels) as well as the use of this and related reactions for surface modification on carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and on solid substrates, and includes the authors own publications in this field. A number of references (>100) are included.