The structural characterization of YbI2(DME)3

The preparation and structural characterization of [YbI₂(DME)₂] are reported. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1¯: a = 13.0094 (10), b=14.504(3), c = 14.668 (3) Å, = 115.281(10) = 106.74(2), = 105.97(2)°. The metal center of the complex exhibits a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry which involves a rare example of a monodentate DME ligand.     

An A Bailey lemma and Rogers-Ramanujan-type identities

Using new -functions recently introduced by Hatayama et al. and by (two of) the authors, we obtain an A version of the classical Bailey lemma. We apply our result, which is distinct from the A Bailey lemma of Milne and Lilly, to derive Rogers-Ramanujan-type identities for characters of the W algebra.

     

High-throughput analysis in catalysis research using novel approaches to transmission infrared spectroscopy

This study has demonstrated that high-throughput FTIR transmission measurements using a newly designed array-based support formed using silicon wells and a silicon wafer is a very useful and robust tool for the characterization of polymer composition for combinatorial materials research. The comonomer content in copolymers can be measured accurately with a fully automated throughput of >300 samples/day (8 h). The transmission measurement is more robust, reliable, and easier to automate than other spectroscopic methods. The support itself provides excellent resistance to aggressive organic solvents at elevated temperatures and allows the unattended deposition and preparation of polymer films for infrared analysis. Because of the excellent durability of the support with respect to the solvent, the support can be rinsed and reused many times. This high-throughput approach to infrared transmission spectroscopy can be used for measuring a wide array of polymer characteristics: vinyl content, geometrical isomers, crystallinity, and tacticity. As well, this IR approach can be used to predict the oxidative stability of the antioxidant packages. Because the support provides a means of containing hot polymer solutions while the solvent evaporates, the support is also suitable for high-throughput nanoindentation methods for the determination of modulus and other physical properties of the polymer.     

On early events in the Pauson-Khand reaction

[reaction: see text]. The Magnus Pauson-Khand (PK) mechanism has been studied for the first time by electrospray ionization coupled to tandem mass spectrometry. It has been found that loss of CO from the PK complex precedes olefin coordination and insertion.     

Novel photoswitchable receptors: synthesis and cation-induced self-assembly into dimeric complexes leading to stereospecific [2+2]-photocycloaddition of styryl dyes containing a 15-crown-5 ether unit

Styryl dyes 4a-e containing a 15-crown-5 ether unit and a quinoline residue with a sulfonatoalkyl or sulfonatobenzyl N-substituent were synthesized. The relationship between the photochemical behavior of these dyes and their aggregates derived from complexation with Mg(2+) in MeCN was studied using (1)H NMR and absorption spectroscopy. The E-isomers of 4a-e were shown to form highly stable dimeric (2:2) complexes with Mg(2+). Upon irradiation with visible light, the dimeric complexes undergo two competing photoreactions, viz., geometric E --> Z isomerization, resulting in an anion-capped 1:1 complex of the Z-isomer with Mg(2+) and stereospecific syn-head-to-tail [2+2]-cycloaddition, affording a single isomer of bis-crown-containing cyclobutane. The N-substituent in the dye has a dramatic effect on the photochemical behavior of the dimeric complex. Molecular dynamics and semiempirical quantum-chemical calculations were carried out to interpret the observed photocycloaddition in the dimer. Conformational equilibria for the dimer of (E)-4b were analyzed using (1)H NMR spectroscopy.     

Structural studies of N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-tolylthioureas

Reaction of 2-amino-6-picoline with 2-, 3-, and 4-tolyl isothiocyanates produces the three N-2-(6-picolyl)-N-tolylthioureas, 6PicTu2T, 6PicTu3T, and 6PicTu4T. 6PicTu2T is mono-clinic, space group P2₁/n with a = 8.1700(3) Å, b = 25.5840(6) Å, c = 12.6840(5) Å, = 98.8750(16)°, and V = 2619.5(2) ų with Z = 8, for d _calc = 1.305 g/cm³. 6PicTu3T is monoclinic, space group C2/c with a = 23.879(3) Å, b = 6.744(3) Å, c = 17.116(10) Å, = 99.26(4)°, and V = 2720(3) ų with Z = 8, for d _calc = 1.257 g/cm³. 6PicTu4T is triclinic, space group P-1 with a = 8.829(6) Å, b = 8.8950(15) Å, c = 10.495(3) Å, = 68.63(3)°, = 72.19(4)°, = 63.06(4)°, and V = 681.2(5) ų with Z = 2, for d _calc = 1.255 g/cm³. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving the thione sulfur and the NH hydrogen and the planarity of the thiourea are affected by the position of substitution on the aryl ring. ¹H NMR studies in CDCl₃ show the NH hydrogen resonance considerably downfield from other signals in the spectrum of each thiourea. The enthalpies of fusion of the present thioureas reflect the extent of intermolecular hydrogen bonding and are compared to other heterocyclic thioureas.     

Crystallographic/experimental electron density characterizations and reactions with nucleophiles of beta-enaminonitriles possessing a pyrrolobenzazepine core

In connection with a total synthesis of cephalotaxine (1a), we have examined the addition of various nucleophilic reagents to [ABC] subunits 2 and 7 possessing a pyrrolobenzazepine core. In fact, this reaction implicates invariably the carbonyl group of 2. Regarding the reaction of 7 with nucleophiles, the most striking aspect is the complete lack of reactivity of the enaminonitrile moiety. For instance, the condensation of 7 with methylmagnesium bromide involves exclusively the cleavage of the dioxole ring, yielding regioisomers 9 and 10. With the aim of understanding the unexpected reactivity of 2 and 7 toward nucleophiles, crystallographic studies of 2 and 7 and an experimental electron density determination of 7 were carried out. The marked reactivity of the carbonyl group of 2 was interpreted by invoking the weakness of the amide resonance, due to a pronounced delocalization of the N(9) lone pair over the enaminonitrile moiety. The electron density study of 7 reveals this electron delocalization along the enaminonitrile fragment, highlighted and quantified through the bond geometries, topological indicators, and atomic charges, a phenomenon that is responsible for the failure of the addition of nucleophilic species.     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the Ag+ or Na+ cation with an excess electron in bulk water

The properties of an excess electron interacting with a monovalent cation in bulk water are studied by molecular dynamics simulations. Sodium and silver cations are chosen as prototypical cases because of their very different redox properties. In both cases, mixed quantum classical molecular dynamics simulations reproduce the experimental UV-Vis spectra. In the case of silver, we observe a highly polarized neutral atom, corresponding to a dipolar excitonic state. For sodium a contact cation/electron pair is observed. Free energy curves along the cation electron coordinate are calculated using quantum Umbrella Sampling technique. The relative stability of the different chemical species is discussed.     

Chlorotris(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)tin(IV) and its ethanol hemisolvate

Chloro­tris(2,4,6‐tri­methyl­phenyl)­tin(IV), crystallizes from ethanol as solvent‐free needles, [Sn(C₉H₁₁)₃Cl], (I), and as the hemisolvate, [Sn(C₉H₁₁)₃Cl]·0.5C₂H₆O, (II). The asymmetric unit in (I) has three independent mol­ecules, whereas in (II), there are two [Sn(C₉H₁₁)₃Cl] mol­ecules together with one ethanol molecule. In the unit cell of (II), the ethanol mol­ecules lie in channels between stacks of (Mes)₃SnCl mol­ecules (Mes is 2,4,6‐tri­methyl­phenyl) and each ethanol mol­ecule is disordered (0.50:0.50) over two positions. A comparison of the structures of the title compounds and other (Mes)₃SnX (X = F, Br or I) systems with those of the tri­phenyl­tin analogues shows that the steric requirements of the o‐CH₃ groups are met by a flattening of the SnC₃ skeleton and increases in the average Sn—X and Sn—C values. Comparing Sn—X data for (Mes)₃SnX (X = F, Cl, Br or I) systems with values for the tris(o‐methoxy­phenyl)­tin analogues suggests that the Sn—F distance of 1.961 Å in (Mes)₃SnF may well be characteristic of sterically unhindered four‐coordinate Ar₃SnF systems.     

Effective writing in science

Scientists spend a good part of their working day writing, yet few have formal training in the techniques of technical writing, particularly in ways to address an interdisciplinary audience. One useful technique is to take the traditional mould of the academic report, with its dense abstract, curt introduction, and compressed discussion, and refocus it bearing in mind the background and expectations of the audience. A direct writing style that avoids negatives, nominalizations and wordiness will increase a report's readability, as will an informative abstract, an introduction that includes the theoretical background, and an emphasis on implications in the conclusion.