Controlled ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide catalyzed by double metal‐cyanide complex

A double metal‐cyanide catalyst based on Zn₃[Co(CN)₆]₂ was prepared. This catalyst is very effective for the ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide. Polyether polyols of moderate molecular weight having low unsaturation (<0.015 meq/g) can be prepared under mild conditions. The molecular weight of polymer is entirely controlled by a reacted monomer‐to‐initiator ratio. The polymers prepared with stepwise addition of monomer exhibit a narrower molecular weight distribution as compared with those prepared with one‐step addition of monomer. Various compounds containing active hydrogen, except basic compounds and low‐carbon carboxylic acid, may be used as initiators. The reaction rate increases with increasing catalyst amount and decreases with rising initiator concentration. Polymerization involves a rapid exchange reaction between the active species and the dormant species. It was also proven that, to a certain extent, the chain termination of this catalytic system is reversible or temporary. ¹³C NMR analysis showed that the polymer has a random distribution of the configurational sequences and head‐to‐tail regiosequence. It is assumed that the polymerization proceeds via a cationic coordination mechanism. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 1142–1150, 2002     

GRECP/MRD‐CI calculations on the Hg atom and HgH molecule

Multireference single‐ and double‐excitation configuration interaction (MRD‐CI) calculations of transition energies for the Hg atom and spectroscopic constants for the HgH molecule are carried out with the generalized relativistic effective core potential (GRECP) method. A new selection criterium for the reference configurations is discussed. The calculated spectroscopic constants are compared with experimental data and results of calculations of other groups. Improvement of accuracy is mainly observed for bond lengths from the GRECP/MRD‐CI calculations (without applying the T = 0 correction) with respect to the results of other groups. Analysis of the quality of the approximations employed is carried out. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2002     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Properties and Thermoanalysis of Complexes of Cu（Ⅱ） and Ni（Ⅱ） with Taurine-5-chlorosalicylaldelyde Schiff Base

The reactions of transition metal salts with taurine 5‐chlorosalicylaldelyde Schiff base gave two complexes [Ni(TCSSB)(H₂O)₃].H₂O (1) and [Cu(TCSSB)(H₂O)₂]₂[Cu(TCSSB)₂].6H₂O (2) (TCSSB=taurine‐5‐chlorosalicylaldelyde Schiff base), which were characterized by elemental analysis and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The complex 1 crystallized in monoclinic system with space group P2 ₁/c, and a=1.4816(2) nm, b=1.3953(2) nm, c= 0.7466(1) nm, β= 100.499(3)°, V=1.5176(4) nm³, Z=4, and an infinite 3‐D network structure was formed by hydrogen bonds among sulfo group, crystal water and coordinated water. Complex 2 crystallized in triclinic system with space group P1 , with the cell parameters: a = 0.6413(2) nm, b= 1.4596(3) nm, c= 1.6188(4) nm, a= 102.473(5)°, β= 98.979(4)°, γ=101.739°, V=1.4165(6) nm³, Z=1. The coordination environment between Cu(1) and Cu(2) is different. Cu(1) is slightly distorted square pyramidal while Cu(2) is distorted square‐plane. The complex 1 is mononuclear while the complex 2 is made up of two coordinated subunits, namely [Cu(TCSSB)₂] and [CU(TCSSB)(H₂O)₂]₂. Besides that the TG‐DTG of the complex 1 was analyzed, the thermal decomposition reaction of the complex was studied under a non‐isothermal condition by TG‐DTG. The TG and DTG curves indicate that the complex was decomposed in three stages: .     

The influence of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide on electrochemical properties of thyroxine reduction at carbon nanotubes modified electrode

The effect of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) on the electrochemical behaviors of thyroxine at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was investigated. At the SWNTs film-coated GCE, a well-defined oxidation peak of thyroxine at 0.78 V was obtained, but the reduction peak of thyroxine was indiscernible. When trace CTAB was added to the working solution, the reduction current could be greatly enhanced and the oxidation current remained stable. The reaction mechanisms for the reduction of thyroxine were explored by chronocoulometry. Thyroxine might form particular ion complex with CTAB via the interaction between iodine atoms on thyroxine and bromide ions in CTAB, which made the concentration of thyroxine at the surface of the modified electrode increased and the electron transfer rate enhanced. The proper mechanisms for the enhanced reduction of thyroxine in the present of CTAB were explored by several electrochemical techniques including cycle voltammetry linear sweep voltammetry and others. It was concluded that the special interactions between the thyroxine CTAB and SWNTs resulted in the increase of the reduction peak current. All results indicated that two iodine atoms on the thyroxine and four electrons were involved the reduction process which was irreversible and two iodine ions produced. In this system, the sensitive reduction peak of thyroxine at 0.3 V was employed to determine thyroxine and a low detection limit of 2x10(-8) mol/L was obtained for 2 min accumulation at 0.9 V. The SWNTs coated GCE had good stability and reproducibility.     

Poly[(μ2‐1,3‐di‐4‐pyridylpropane‐κ2N:N′)(μ3‐glutarato‐κ3O:O′:O′′)dizinc(II)]

The title compound, [Zn₂(C₅H₆O₄)₂(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)]_n or [Zn₂(glu)₂(bpp)]_n, is a novel zinc polymer based on mixed flexible glutarate (glu) and 1,3‐di‐4‐pyridylpropane (bpp) ligands. The Zn^II center has a distorted tetra­hedral geometry and the central atom of the bpp ligand is located at a special site with a C₂ axis passing through it. A layer is formed by Zn–glu bonding. Such layers are pillared by bpp ligands, forming a three‐dimensional framework with large channels. The inverted inter­penetration of two three‐dimensional frameworks completes the mol­ecular structure.     

Determination of Glimepiride in Human Plasma by LC-MS-MS and Comparison of Sample Preparation Methods for Glimepiride

A sensitive and selective method for quantitation of glimepiride in human plasma was established using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Three different methods for the sample preparation of glimepiride and an internal standard were investigated (liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and protein precipitation). Glipizide was used as an internal standard. Compounds were separated on a C₁₈ column with 80% acetonitrile and 20% deionized water (adjusted to pH 3.5 with acetic acid), as mobile phase at a flow rate of 200 L min^–1. By use of multiple reaction monitoring mode in MS-MS with liquid-liquid extraction and solid-phase extraction, glimepiride and glipizide were detected without severe interference from the human plasma matrix. Glimepiride produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]⁺) at m/z 491 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 352, and the internal standard produced a protonated precursor ion ([M+H]⁺) at m/z 446 and a corresponding product ion at m/z 321. The limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng mL^–1, 0.5 ng mL^–1 and 1.0 ng mL^–1 when using liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction and protein precipitation, respectively. The validation, reproducibility, stability, and recovery of the different sample preparation methods were comparable and all the methods gave reliable results. The method has been successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study of glimepiride in human plasma.     

Four New Nortriterpenoids from Phlomis umbrosa

Four new 28‐noroleanane‐derived spirocyclic triterpenoids, compounds 1 – 4 , were isolated from the rhizomes of Phlomis umbrosa. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR analyses, in combination with high‐resolution MS experiments.     

trans‐[1,3‐Bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolidin‐2‐ylidene]dichlorido(triphenylphosphine‐κP)palladium(II)

The title complex, [PdCl₂(C₂₁H₂₆N₂)(C₁₈H₁₅P)], shows slightly distorted square‐planar coordination around the Pd^II metal centre. The Pd—C bond distance between the N‐heterocyclic ligand and the metal atom is 2.028 (5) Å. The dihedral angle between the two trimethylphenyl ring planes is 36.9 (2)°.     

Highly Regioselective Sequential 1,1‐Dihydrosilylation of Terminal Aliphatic Alkynes with Primary Silanes

A regioselective double 1,1‐hydrosilylation of terminal aliphatic alkynes with primary silanes catalyzed by one cobalt catalyst has been developed. gem‐Bis(dihydrosilyl)alkanes containing four silicon‐hydrogen bonds are efficiently constructed in an atom‐economical manner. Tolerated substrates include simplest alkyne‐ethyne, a complicated drug derivative and various functionalized terminal aliphatic alkynes. Asymmetric approach using two catalysts is achieved with excellent enantioselectivities to access corresponding chiral products. The transformations of Si—H bonds into Si—C, Si—O, and Si—F bonds and the synthesis of enantioriched α‐hydroxysilane show synthetic utility.     

Design and Construction of a Pulsed Field-Gradient NMR Probe for a High-Field Superconducting Magnet

We describe the design and construction of a high-resolution pulsed field-gradient NMR probe for use in a high-field superconducting magnet. Overview and details of the design and construction of the probe case, rf circuitry, temperature control and shielded gradient coils for a heteronuclear probe suitable for a spectrometer (Bruker MSL-300) equipped with a wide bore (i.e., 89 mm) magnet (Oxford) are given. The interior of the probe is designed so mat it may be easily moved to variable height so as to accept easily various gradient coils. A design for a novel jig for the winding of saddle-geometry rf coils is given.