Multiple bonds between main group elements and transition metals, 155. (Hexamethylphosphoramide) methyl(oxo) bis(η-peroxo)rhenium(VII), the first example of an anhydrous rhenium peroxo complex: crystal structure and catalytic properties

Methyl(oxo)bis(η²-peroxo)rhenium(VII)1, the active species of the system CH₃ReO₃/H₂O₂ in the catalytic oxidation of different organic and organometallic compounds, is stabilized by a water molecule attached to the rhenium center. This water molecule can be removed and substituted by hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) to yield (hexamethylphosphoramide)methyl(oxo)bis(η²-peroxo rhenium(VII) (3). The synthesis, crystal structure (X-ray difraction study), and catalytic properties of which compound are reported. Crystal data are as follows: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, A = 900.76(7) pm, B = 1229.80(11) pm, C = 1318.57(11) pm, β = 90.251(7)°, R_w = 0.034 for 1878 reflections. The catalytic properties of compound 3 in the oxidation of olefins with H₂O₂ are similar to those of 1.     

Potentiometric, luminescence and NMR study of the interaction of Eu with glyceryl phosphates

Complexation of europium(III) with glyceryl-1- and -2-phosphates has been studied by metal ion luminescence, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and potentiometry. From the luminescence and NMR studies, the formation of a 1:1 inner-sphere complex, in which the glyceryl phosphate is directly bound to the metal, is confirmed. Similar apparent binding constants at pH 2 were obtained by the three methods. Values obtained by NMR at pH 2 are 53 M⁻¹ and 12 M⁻¹ for glyceryl-1- and -2-phosphate, respectively. By comparison with literature data on related systems it is suggested that the ligands bind through the phosphate group. To obtain structural information from the NMR data, complexation has also been studied with the lanthanide ions Dy(III), Er(III) and Gd(III) using both chemical shift and relaxation data. From this, metal-proton distance ratios have been calculated. Comparison of ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data in the presence of paramagnetic lanthanides suggests conformational equilibria in the solutions. From the potentiometric studies, global formation constants have been determined, and speciation diagrams obtained over the pH range 1.5pH7.0 for ligand/metal ratios of 1 and 30. Implications of these results on lanthanide induced fusion of phospholipid membranes are discussed.     

A double-bonded niobium(III) compound with a formamidinate core: Nb2(μ-SMe)2(μ-DTolF)2 (η2-DTolF)2.2 toluene,DToIF= di-p-tolylformamidinate

The reaction of NaEt₃BH with Nb₂(-SMe₂)₃Cl₆ results in the transfer of a hydride ion to dimethylthioether with concomitant production of methane. Further reaction with potassium di-p-tolylformamidinate, KDTolF, yields Nb₂(-SMe)₂(-DTolF)₂²-DTolF:)₂.2 toluene, 1. In the latter, two thiomethoxide ions and two DTolF groups bridge the trivalent niobium atoms. Each of the other two DTolF groups chelate a metal atom to give the molecule an edge-sharing bioctahedral structure, The niobium-niobium distance of 2.655(2) A is consistent with the presence of a double bond between the metal atoms.     

2-Amino-4-bromobutanoic Acid

(2S)- and (2R)-2-Amino-4-bromobutanoic acid were prepared starting from N-Boc-glutamic acid α tert-butyl ester. The double tert-butyl protection was necessary to prevent a partial racemisation during Barton’s radical decarboxylation used to transform the γ-carboxylic group into a bromide. This bromide reacted with different nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur nucleophiles to give nonnatural amino acids characterised by basic or heterocyclic side chains. The title compound was also used to prepare a conformationally constrained peptidomimetic.     

Synthesis of 2•,3•-Dideoxy-3•-<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-hydroxymethylcytidine Phosphonomethyl Derivatives

Phosphonomethyl substituted 2?,3?-Dideoxy-3?-C-hydroxymethylcytidines have been synthesized and evaluated for their anti HIV-1 activities. The sugar moiety was synthesized starting from (S)-5-hydroxymethylfuran-2-(5H)-one using photocatalyzed addition of methanol. Reduction of the lactone, condensation with silylated 4-methoxy-2(1H)pyrimidinone, followed by phosphonomethylation and deprotection gave the title compounds. The compounds were tested for inhibition of HIV-1 activity but did not show any significant antiviral activity.     

Crystal and Molecular Structure of (BzlMe3N) 2 + [Fe2OCl6]2-

The crystal and molecular structure of (BzlMe₃N) ₂ ⁺ [Fe₂OCl₆]^2- has been determined. The asymmetric unit contains two benzyltrimethylammonium cations and two half -oxo-bis(trichloro-iron(III)) anions. The bridging -oxygen atoms of these anions are located over crystallographic symmetry elements. Therefore, the two anions resulting from the symmetry operations correspond to two different conformers presenting angular and linear dispositions of the Fe-O-Fe bond angle. Mössbauer spectrum consists of two asymmetric lines that are adequately simulated by two equally populated quadrupole doublets associated with the two iron sites.     

Hydroformylation of Olefins Catalyzed by Rhodium Trichloride Anchored on Ti-HMS

Rhodium trichloride supported on Ti-hexagonal mesoporous silica (Ti-HMS), via a bipyridyl group, is an efficient catalyst for the hydroformylation of olefins at 120 °C and 40.8 atm of CO/H₂ (CO/H₂=2/1). The catalyst is selective leading to high ratios of linear or branched aldehydes from functionalized olefins, and high activity in the case of propene which gave a turnover frequency of 6209 mol/mol(Rh)/h.     

Modification of the electrokinetic properties of reversible electrophoresis gels for the separation and preparation of DNA

The effect of adding linear polymers to a novel reversible electrophoretic was measured. Reversible gels are formed using the polyanionic carbohydrate polymer, gellan gum. Gellan gum forms strong stable gels in the presence of divalent cations or diamines. The gels are reversible (return to solution) by changing the ionic environment or pH. Gellan gum is an anionic polymer, and the electrophoresis gels have considerable electroosmotic flow (EOF) toward the negative electrode. We measured the EOF in gellan gum electrophoresis gels as a function of gel concentration, buffer composition, and linear polymer additive. The linear polymers used in this study were polyethylene oxide and hydroxyethyl cellulose. Both polymers reduced EOF in the gels, in a manner dependent on molecular weight. Polymers with high molecular weight were more effective at reducing EOF. The addition of polymers increased the resolution of low molecular weight DNA. Native gellan gum resolved DNA from approx 50,000 to 1000 bp. Addition of the polymers resolved DNA down to approx 50 bp, in some instances. The influence of the polymers on circular plasmid DNA was also investigated. Addition of high molecular weight polyethylene oxide reduced the electrophoretic mobility of the nicked circular form compared to the supercoiled form.     

Recent developments in microbial inulinases

Microbial inulinases are an important class of industrial enzymes that have gained much attention recently. Inulinases can be produced by a host of microorganisms, including fungi, yeast, and bacteria. Among them, however, Aspergillus sp. (filamentous fungus) and Kluyveromyces sp. (diploid yeast) are apparently the preferred choices for commercial applications. Among various substrates (carbon source) employed for their production, inulin-containing plant materials offer advantages in comparison to pure substrates. Although submerged fermentation has been universally used as the technique of fermentation, attempts are being made to develop solidstate fermentation technology also. Inulinases catalyze the hydrolysis of inulin to d-fructose (fructose syrup), which has gained an important place in human diets today. In addition, inulinases are finding other newer applications. This article reviews more recent developments, especially those made in the past decade, on microbial inulinases—its production using various microorganisms and substrates. It also describes the characteristics of various forms of inulinases produced as well as their applications.     

Corniculoside,a New Biosidic Ester Secoiridoid from Halenia corniculata

Chemical screening of the secondary metabolites from Halenia corniculata L. (CORNAZ ), by LC/UV,LC/TSP-MS (thermospray), and LC/ES-MS (electrospray) was used for the targeted isolation of corniculoside ( 1 ), a new biosidic ester secoiridoid. The structure was established as 7-β-[(E)-4′-O-(β-D -glucopyranosyl)caffeoyloxy]-sweroside by 1D- and 2D-NMR, LC/UV, LC/MS, and FAB-MS data, in combination with chemical reactions.