Two Light-Metal Dihydrogenisocyanurate Hydrates Linked by Diagonal Relationship: Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Vibrational Spectra of Li[H2N3C3O3]·1.75 H2O and Mg[H2N3C3O3]2·8 H2O

Single-crystalline materials of Li[H₂N₃C₃O₃] · 1.75 H₂O and Mg[H₂N₃C₃O₃]₂ · 8 H₂O were obtained by dissolving stoichiometric amounts of the respective carbonates with cyanuric acid in boiling water followed by gentle evaporation of excess water after cooling to room temperature. Even though both of these compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 according to X-ray structure analyses of their colorless and transparent single crystals, they adopt two new different structure types. Li[H₂N₃C₃O₃] · 1.75 H₂O exhibits the unit-cell parameters a = 884.71(6) pm, b = 905.12(7) pm, c = 964.38(7) pm, α = 67.847(2)°, β = 62.904(2)° and γ = 68.565(2)° (Z = 4), whereas the lattice parameters for Mg[H₂N₃C₃O₃]₂ · 8 H₂O are a = 691.95(5) pm, b = 1055.06(8) pm, c = 1183.87(9) pm, α = 85.652(2)°, β = 83.439(2)° and γ = 79.814(2)° (Z = 2). In both cases, the singly deprotonated isocyanuric acid forms monovalent anions consisting of cyclic [H₂N₃C₃O₃]^– units, which are arranged in ribbons typical for most hitherto known monobasic isocyanurate hydrates. The structures are governed by the oxophilic strength of the respective cation which means that they fulfil their oxophilic coordination requirements either solely with water molecules ([Mg(OH₂)₆]²⁺ for Mg²⁺) or with crystal water and one or two direct coordinative contacts to carbonyl oxygen atoms (O_(cy)) of [H₂N₃C₃O₃]^– anions ([(Li(OH₂)_2–3(O_(cy)1–2]⁺ for Li⁺). In both structures occur dominant hydrogen bonds N–H ··· O within the anionic [H₂N₃C₃O₃]^– ribbons as well as hydrogen bonds O–H ··· O between these ribbons and the hydrated Li⁺ and Mg²⁺ cations.     

Li2Eu3Br2[BO3]2: A New Europium(II) Halide Oxoborate with Yellow Luminescence

The europium(II) oxoborate Li₂Eu₃Br₂[BO₃]₂ featuring lithium and bromide ions was synthesized by the reaction of Eu₂O₃ with Li[BH₄] as lithium- and boron- as well as EuBr₃ as bromide-source at 750 °C for 24 h in silica-jacketed sealed niobium capsules. The yellow, air-stable and yellow fluorescent compound crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3 m (a = 1049.06(7) pm, c = 2993.1(3) pm, c/a = 2.853, Z = 12). The two crystallographically distinguishable Eu²⁺ cations show either an eightfold coordination as bicapped trigonal prism ([EuO₆Br₂]^12–) or a ninefold coordination as monocapped square antiprism ([EuO₅Br₄]^12–). All oxygen atoms stem from isolated triangular [BO₃]^3– anions and the Li⁺ cations reside in octahedral voids provided by both oxygen atoms and Br^– anions.     

On the Mechanism of the Organocatalytic Asymmetric Epoxidation of α,β‐Unsaturated Aldehydes

Mechanistic studies on the organocatalytic epoxidation of α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes explore the autoinductive behavior of the reaction and establish that the hydrate/peroxyhydrate of the product is acting as a phase‐transfer catalyst. Based on these studies, an improved methodology that provides high selectivities and decreased catalyst loading, through the addition of chloral hydrate, is developed.     

The Local Atomic Structures of Liquid CO at 3.6 GPa and Polymerized CO at 0 to 30 GPa from High‐Pressure Pair Distribution Function Analysis

The local atomic structures of liquid and polymerized CO and its decomposition products were analyzed at pressures up to 30 GPa in diamond anvil cells by X‐ray diffraction, pair distribution function (PDF) analysis, single‐crystal diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy. The structural models were obtained by density functional calculations. Analysis of the PDF of a liquid CO‐rich phase revealed that the local structure has a pronounced short‐range order. The PDFs of polymerized amorphous CO at several pressures revealed the compression of the molecular structure; covalent bond lengths did not change significantly with pressure. Experimental PDFs could be reproduced with simulations from DFT‐optimized structural models. Likely structural features of polymerized CO are thus 4‐ to 6‐membered rings (lactones, cyclic ethers, and rings decorated with carbonyl groups) and long bent chains with carbonyl groups and bridging atoms. Laser heating polymerized CO at pressures of 7 to 9 GPa and 20 GPa resulted in the formation of CO₂.     

A Convenient Procedure for the Synthesis of Z-bis(Alkylthio)ethenes

Z-Bis(methylthio) and Z-bis(ethylthio)ethene have been prepared in～80% yields by successively adding Z-or E-1,2-dichloroethene (one mol equiv.), and absolute ethanol to a mixture of sodamide (two mol equivalents) and sodium alkanethiolate (two mol equiv.) in liquid ammonia.     

A Fully Synthetic Four‐Component Antitumor Vaccine Consisting of a Mucin Glycopeptide Antigen Combined with Three Different T‐Helper‐Cell Epitopes

In a new concept of fully synthetic vaccines, the role of T‐helper cells is emphasized. Here, a synthetic antitumor vaccine consisting of a diglycosylated tumor‐associated MUC1 glycopeptide as the B‐cell epitope was covalently cross‐linked with three different T‐helper‐cell epitopes via squaric acid ligation of two linear (glyco)peptides. In mice this four‐component vaccine administered without external immune‐stimulating promoters elicit titers of MUC1‐specific antibodies that were about eight times higher than those induced by a vaccine containing only one T‐helper‐cell epitope. The promising results indicate that multiple activation of different T‐helper cells is useful for applications in which increased immunogenicity is required. In personalized medicine, in particular, this flexible construction of a vaccine can serve as a role model, for example, when T‐helper‐cell epitopes are needed that match human leukocyte antigens (HLA) in different patients.     

A Reversible and Selective Inhibitor of Monoacylglycerol Lipase Ameliorates Multiple Sclerosis

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the enzyme responsible for the inactivation of the endocannabinoid 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG). MAGL inhibitors show analgesic and tissue‐protecting effects in several disease models. However, the few efficient and selective MAGL inhibitors described to date block the enzyme irreversibly, and this can lead to pharmacological tolerance. Hence, additional classes of MAGL inhibitors are needed to validate this enzyme as a therapeutic target. Here we report a potent, selective, and reversible MAGL inhibitor (IC₅₀=0.18 μM ) which is active in vivo and ameliorates the clinical progression of a multiple sclerosis (MS) mouse model without inducing undesirable CB₁‐mediated side effects. These results support the interest in MAGL as a target for the treatment of MS.