Stereoselective conjugate addition of benzyl phenylsulfonyl carbanions to enoates derived from d-mannitol

The conjugate addition of benzylic phenylsulfonyl carbanions (2a'-d') to enoates derived from d-(+)-mannitol (E- or Z-1a-c) was studied using THF and THF/HMPA as solvent. Under kinetic conditions (-78 degrees C), enoate E-1a,b led to a mixture of syn-(R,S) and anti-(S,S) adducts (55/45), and syn-(R,S) adducts were the main product obtained ( approximately 90/10) from enoate Z-1a. Under thermodynamic conditions (-78 degrees C to room temperature) syn-(R,S) adducts were also preferentially formed ( approximately 90/10), despite the geometry at the double bond in the acceptor. Enoate 1c (E/Z = 57/43), bearing an additional benzyl group at the alpha-position, also reacted with carbanions 2'a,b, under thermodynamic conditions, leading to syn-adducts in excellent de (control at the three newly generated stereogenic centers). The adducts were quantitatively transformed into the corresponding beta-gamma-disubstituted gamma-butyrolactones and alpha,beta,gamma-trisubstituted gamma-butyrolactones. (1)H NMR studies (NOE and J-coupling) of these lactones allowed us to determine their configuration at the newly generated chiral centers. The reduction of the C-S bond in adducts syn-(R,S) with Na/Hg, followed by treatment of the resulting products in aqueous acid media, led to enantioenriched beta-benzyl-gamma-hydroxymethyl-gamma-butyrolactones. The conformational equilibrium of enoates E- and Z-1b was evaluated by theoretical calculations (ab initio, MP2/6-31G), and a mechanistic rationale was proposed to explain the observed stereoselectivities.     

A new polyphenol modified electrode containing an anchored ruthenium complex and its use in electrocatalytic oxidation of organic substrates

This work describes the preparation of a new modified electrode containing a ruthenium complex (cis-aquadimethylbipyridyltriphenylphosphineruthenium II), bonded to a stable polyphenol film. This modified electrode promotes the fast electrocatalytic oxidation of safrol (5-allyl-benzo[1,3]dioxole) and isosafrol (5-propenyl-benzo[1,3]dioxole), giving two interesting products benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carbaldehyde (piperonal) and 3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-propenal respectively, with good yields. The electrode preparation can be carried out at a potential range which does not interfere on the anchored electroactive ruthenium complex, but it allows for the phenol oxidation to occur and therefore polymerize forming the polyphenol film. The catalytic character of this modified electrode is showed by its high turnover numbers. The procedure to isolate the products is very simple.     

Transition metal-catalysed sequences of nucleophilic addition

Summary In presence of nickel or palladium catalysts, nucleophiles can attack vinylcyclopropanes with concomitant ring cleavage. With palladium catalysts in presence of appropriate substituents the terminal carbon atom of the resulting open chain is able to add to two molecules of a conjugated diene giving rise to long-chain unsaturated compounds.     

Thermal and Microstructural Analysis of the Y–Ba–Cu–O/Ag Equilibrium Around the Critical Composition YBa2Cu3Ox/Ag 35 mass%

We studied the Y–Ba–Cu–O/Ag equilibrium diagram in oxygen atmosphere around the composition YBa₂Cu₃O_x/Ag35 mass%. We found a high thermal effect: the peritectic decomposition temperature of Y-123 phase is lowered from 1040 to 940°C. We demonstrate here that the nature of the phenomenon is not chemical. We explained it as the result of a mechanical segregation of Y-123 decomposition products from Y-123 phase, performed by silver. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Applicability of the H NMR chemical shifts computed by the ab initio/GIAO-HF methodology to the study of geometrical features of Zn-porphyrin dimers

Several porphyrin dimers have been newly designed and synthesized to construct assemblies with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a bidentate binding ligand. Semi empirical (AM1) and ab initio calculations have been used to study the assemblies generated by the organization of dimers and DABCO, including the computation of ¹H NMR complexation-induced chemical shifts using the ab initio/GIAO methodology. The diagnostic capacity of the theoretical method has been applied to explain experimental results and geometrical features of the complexes.     

N,N'-ethylenebis(pyridoxylideneiminato) and N,N'-ethylenebis(pyridoxylaminato): synthesis, characterization, potentiometric, spectroscopic, and DFT studies of their vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) complexes

The Schiff base N,N'-ethylenebis(pyridoxylideneiminato) (H(2)pyr(2)en, 1) was synthesized by reaction of pyridoxal with ethylenediamine; reduction of H(2)pyr(2)en with NaBH(4) yielded the reduced Schiff base N,N'-ethylenebis(pyridoxylaminato) (H(2)Rpyr(2)en, 2); their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The totally protonated forms of 1 and 2 correspond to H(6)L(4+), and all protonation constants were determined by pH-potentiometric and (1)H NMR titrations. Several vanadium(IV) and vanadium(V) complexes of these and other related ligands were prepared and characterized in solution and in the solid state. The X-ray crystal structure of [V(V)O(2)(HRpyr(2)en)] shows the metal in a distorted octahedral geometry, with the ligand coordinated through the N-amine and O-phenolato moieties, with one of the pyridine-N atoms protonated. Crystals of [(V(V)O(2))(2)(pyren)(2)].2 H(2)O were obtained from solutions containing H(2)pyr(2)en and oxovanadium(IV), where Hpyren is the "half" Schiff base of pyridoxal and ethylenediamine. The complexation of V(IV)O(2+) and V(V)O(2) (+) with H(2)pyr(2)en, H(2)Rpyr(2)en and pyridoxamine in aqueous solution were studied by pH-potentiometry, UV/Vis absorption spectrophotometry, as well as by EPR spectroscopy for the V(IV)O systems and (1)H and (51)V NMR spectroscopy for the V(V)O(2) systems. Very significant differences in the metal-binding abilities of the ligands were found. Both 1 and 2 act as tetradentate ligands. H(2)Rpyr(2)en is stable to hydrolysis and several isomers form in solution, namely cis-trans type complexes with V(IV)O, and alpha-cis- and beta-cis-type complexes with V(V)O(2). The pyridinium-N atoms of the pyridoxal rings do not take part in the coordination but are involved in acid-base reactions that affect the number, type, and relative amount of the isomers of the V(IV)O-H(2)Rpyr(2)en and V(V)O(2)-H(2)Rpyr(2)en complexes present in solution. DFT calculations were carried out and support the formation and identification of the isomers detected by EPR or NMR spectroscopy, and the strong equatorial and axial binding of the O-phenolato in V(IV)O and V(V)O(2) complexes. Moreover, the DFT calculations done for the [V(IV)O(H(2)Rpyr(2)en)] system indicate that for almost all complexes the presence of a sixth equatorial or axial H(2)O ligand leads to much more stable compounds.     

Spectrophotometric and derivative spectrophotometric determination of aluminium with Hydroxynaphthol Blue

The reaction of aluminium(III) with Hydroxynaphtol Blue (HNB) in aqueous media at apparent pH 5.5 results in a red complex that is stable for at least 4 hr. Beer's Law is obeyed up to 1.6 microg/ml of aluminium(III) with an apparent molar absorptivity of 1.66 x 10(4) l.mol(-1). cm(-1) at 569 nm. This paper proposes procedures for aluminium(III) determination by ordinary and first-derivative spectrophotometry. The results demonstrated that the linear dynamic range is 0.03-1.60 microg/ml for ordinary spectrophotometry and 11.8-320.0 ng/ml for first derivative spectrophotometry. The HNB is not selectivity for aluminium, but the addition of EDTA allows the aluminium determination in the presence of accepted amounts of Ca(II), Mg(II), Mn(II), Ba(II), Sr(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), La(III), In(III), Bi(III) and Zn(II). The interference of Cu(II) and Hg(II) can be masked by thiosulphate. Ions such as UO(2)(II), Mo(VI), Co(II), Ti(IV) and PO(4)(III) do interfere seriously. This method was applied for aluminium determination in copper-base alloy, zinc-base alloy, magnesium-base alloy, iron ore, manganese ore, cement, dolomite, feldspar and limestone. The results indicated high accuracy and precision.     

Redox-active polymers based on nonbridged metal-metal bonds. Electrochemical formation of [Os(bpy)(CO)(L)](n) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; L = CO, MeCN) and of their reduced forms: a spectroelectrochemical study

IR, UV-vis, and EPR spectroelectrochemistry at variable temperatures and in different solvents were applied to investigate in situ the formation of electroactive molecular chains with a nonbridged Os-Os backbone, in particular, the polymer [Os(0)(bpy)(CO)(2)](n) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), from a mononuclear Os(II) carbonyl precursor, [Os(II)(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl(2)]. The one-electron-reduced form, [Os(II)(bpy(.)(-))(CO)(2)Cl(2)](-), has been characterized spectroscopically at low temperatures. This radical anion is the key intermediate in the electrochemical propagation process responsible for the metal-metal bond formation. Unambiguous spectroscopic evidence has been gained also for the formation of [[Os(0)(bpy(*)(-))(CO)(2)](-)](n), the electron-rich electrocatalyst of CO(2) reduction. The polymer species are fairly well soluble in butyronitrile, which is important for their potential utilization in nanoscience, for example, as conducting molecular wires. We have also shown that complete solubility is accomplished for the monocarbonyl-acetonitrile derivative of the polymer, [Os(0)(bpy)(CO)(MeCN)(2)Cl](n).     

Solvent effect in cis-1,4 polymerization of 1,3-butadiene by a catalyst based on neodymium

In this work a laboratory polymerization scale process was studied for the production of polybutadiene with high content of cis-1,4 repeating units. A Ziegler-Natta catalytic system based on neodymium versatate (catalyst), diisobutylaluminium hydride (cocatalyst) and tert-butyl chloride (chlorinating agent) was used. The influence of solvent nature (pure grade) and possible contaminants (electron donors) in a recovered solvent from a butadiene-styrene anionic polymerization industrial plant on the stereoselectivity and catalytic activity, molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the resultant polybutadienes was studied. The polymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. Polybutadienes with cis-1,4 units content in the range of 99-98% were produced. The polymers weight-average molecular weight, , varied from 2.23 × 10⁵ to 4.47 × 10⁵ and the molecular weight distribution, MWD, from 3.1 to 5.1.