Low‐Temperature Oxidation of Carbon Monoxide with Gold(III) Ions Supported on Titanium Oxide

Au/TiO₂ catalysts prepared by a deposition–precipitation process and used for CO oxidation without previous calcination exhibited high, largely temperature‐independent conversions at low temperatures, with apparent activation energies of about zero. Thermal treatments, such as He at 623 K, changed the conversion–temperature characteristics to the well‐known S‐shape, with activation energies slightly below 30 kJ mol^?1. Sample characterization by XAFS and electron microscopy and a low‐temperature IR study of CO adsorption and oxidation showed that CO can be oxidized by gas‐phase O₂ at 90 K already over the freeze‐dried catalyst in the initial state that contained Au exclusively in the +3 oxidation state. CO conversion after activation in the feed at 303 K is due to Au^III‐containing sites at low temperatures, while Au⁰ dominates conversion at higher temperatures. After thermal treatments, CO conversion in the whole investigated temperature range results from sites containing exclusively Au⁰.     

Dimethylsilylene transfer from hexamethylsilirane to olefins

The thermolysis of hexamethylsilirane in the presence of cis- and trans-4-octene, cyclooctene, propenyltrimethylsilane and trimethylethylethylene resulted in dimethylsilylene transfer and formation of the respective silacyclopropanes. In contrast, silacyclopentane derivatives were formed when such thermolysis was carried out in the presence of styrene and α-methylstyrene. This is believed to be a result of the interception of the intermediate diradical from hexamethylsilirane ring opening by the styrene.     

Screening of Minimalist Noncanonical Sites in Duplex DNA and RNA Reveals Context and Motif-Selective Binding by Fluorogenic Base Probes

We hypothesize that programmable hybridization to noncanonical nucleic acid motifs may be achieved by macromolecular display of binders to individual noncanonical pairs (NCPs). As each recognition element may individually have weak binding to an NCP, we developed a semi-rational approach to detect low affinity interactions between selected nitrogenous bases and noncanonical sites in duplex DNA and RNA. A set of fluorogenic probes was synthesized by coupling abiotic (triazines, pyrimidines) and native RNA bases to thiazole orange (TO) dye. This probe library was screened against duplex nucleic acid substrates bearing single abasic, single NCP, and tandem NCP sites. Probe engagement with NCP sites was reported by 100–1000× fluorescence enhancement over background. Binding is strongly context-dependent, reflective of both molecular recognition and stability: less stable motifs are more likely to bind a synthetic probe. Further, DNA and RNA substrates exhibit entirely different abasic and single NCP binding profiles. While probe binding in the abasic and single NCP screens was monotonous, much richer binding profiles were observed with the screen of tandem NCP sites in RNA, in part due to increased steric accessibility. In addition to known binding interactions between the triazine melamine (M) and T/U sites, the NCP screens identified new targeting elements for pyrimidine-rich motifs in single NCPs and 2×2 internal bulges. We anticipate that semi-rational approaches of this type will lead to programmable noncanonical hybridization strategies at the macromolecular level.     

Reversible voltammetric response for a molecule containing four non-equivalent redox sites with application to cytochrome c3 of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, strain Miyazaki

The cyclic voltammetric and differential pulse polarographic behavior of cytochrome c₃ of Desulfovibrio vulgaris, strain Miyazaki, has been evaluated in terms of a model employing four reversible redox centers. Both types of experiments can be fit by digital simulations using the four standard potentials: E₁⁰=?0.467, E₂⁰=?0.519, E₃⁰=?0.539 and E₄⁰=?0.580 V vs. SCE. The results are interpreted to mean that the four redox centers are chemically different and only weakly interacting. The relationships between the observed macroscopic standard potentials and the microscopic standard potentials for reduction of individual sites are discussed.     

Pyridine Syntheses. II. Condensation Routes Toward Streptonigrin Ring C

Alternative complimentary syntheses of penta-substituted pyridine rings with full regiochemical control of substituents were studied as a method for the synthesis of Streptonigrin ( 1 ). Various α-substituted acetophenones 2 were reacted with enones 3 in acetic acid/ammonium acetate and air to afford penta-substituted pyridines 4 . α-Substituents that could provide a source of exocyclic nitrogen at position 3 of these Steptonigrin ring-C models proved to be the limiting factor. However, an inverse “3+2+1” cyclocondensation of α-cyanochalcone 5c with 2-furyl ethyl ketone ( 6b ) afforded the desired model 6-(2-furyl)-5-methyl2,4-diphenyl-3-pyridinecarbonitrile ( 4g ) in 75% yield.     

Solvolysis of (Z)-5-trimethylstannyl 2-adamantyl p-bromobenzenesulfonate: mechanistic implications of a record-breaking secondary alpha-deuterium kinetic isotope effect for an SN1 substrate

The secondary alpha-deuterium kinetic isotope effect (alpha-kie) for the solvolysis of (Z)-5-trimethylstannyl 2-adamantyl p-bromobenzenesulfonate in 97% w/w aqueous 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (97T) at 25 degrees C has been measured (k(H)/k(D) = 1.33). The alpha-kie is abnormally high compared to the value of 1.23 for the corresponding limiting S(N)1 solvolysis of 2-adamantyl p-bromobenzenesulfonate, which proceeds via an extended ion-pair mechanism. A novel mechanism for the solvolysis of the tin compound is proposed that accommodates not only the high alpha-kie but also the absence of internal return.     

The surface pressure dynamics and appearance of mixed monolayers of cholesterol and different sized polystyrenes at an air-water interface

Synthetic polymers are increasingly being used in situations where they are designed to interact with biological systems. As a result, it is important to investigate the interactions of the polymers with biochemicals. We have used cholesterol, as an example of an important biological surfactant component, to study its interactions with polystyrene. Mixed monolayers of cholesterol and one of two different molecular weight polystyrenes were formed at an air-water interface to investigate their interactions and to determine whether the size of the polystyrene affected the interaction. The pressure-area (pi-A) isocycles of mixed monolayers of cholesterol and polystyrene MW 2700 or polystyrene MW32700 showed that strongest attractive interactions occur at high surface pressures and in polystyrene rich films. The excess area and excess free energy of mixing were most negative at high surface pressures and at high mole fraction of polystyrene. The most stable mixed monolayers were formed with X(PS2700) = 0.9 and X(PS32700) = 0.09. Microscopic observation of the mixed monolayers of cholesterol and polystyrene showed the formation of stable islands in the cholesterol/polystyrene mixtures. These observations, the nature of the inflection points in the isocycles, and the anomalous changes in free energy lead us to conclude that there is a stable rearrangement of polystyrene into compact islands when it is mixed with cholesterol. Any excess cholesterol is excluded from these islands and remains as a separate film surrounding the islands.     

IrII(ethene): metal or carbon radical? Part II: oxygenation via iridium or direct oxygenation at ethene?

Treatment of [(Me3tpa)IrII(ethene)]2+ (Me(3)tpa =N,N,N-tri(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine)(1(2+)) with dioxygen in weakly coordinating solvents results in formation of [(Me3tpa)IrIII(ethene)(superoxo)]2+ (4a2+). In the presence of DMPO (DMPO = 5,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidine-1-oxide) DMPO is substituted for ethene, and subsequently oxidized to DMPOX by the superoxo fragment to give [(Me3tpa)IrIII(DMPOX)]2+ (7(2+); DMPOX = 5,5-dimethyl-2-pyrrolidone-1-oxide). In acetonitrile, in the absence of DMPO, oxygenation of 1(2+) to [(Me3tpa)IrIII(formylmethyl)(MeCN)]2+ (2(2+)) is observed. In the presence of DMPO the formation of 2(2+) and 7(2+) is competing. Oxygenation of 1(2+) to 2(2+) may proceed via 4a(2+), involving an insertion mechanism at the metal. However, a mechanism based on olefin ligand non-innocence seems a reasonable alternative. This involves formation of acetonitrile adduct [(Me3tpa)Ir(ethene)(MeCN)]2+ (3(2+)), which has a significant metalla-ethyl radical (IrIII-CH2CH2*) character, allowing attack of 3O2 directly at the ethene ligand. Both pathways are discussed on the basis of experimental observations and DFT geometry optimizations.     

Heterocyclic alpha-alkylidene cyclopentenones obtained via a Pauson-Khand reaction of amino acid derived allenynes. A scope and limitation study directed toward the preparation of a tricyclic pyrrole library

The synthesis of a novel class of tricyclic pyrroles has been accomplished by using a Pauson-Khand/Stetter/Paal-Knorr reaction sequence. Full details of the Pauson-Khand reaction of amino acid tethered allenynes 4a-e and 9a-d are disclosed. The study of this reaction led to the discovery of an unprecedented substituent effect on the diastereoselectivity of the Mo(CO)6 mediated allenic Pauson-Khand reaction. It was found that amino acid tethered allenynes with aromatic side chains afford alpha-alkylidene cyclopentenones with the opposite diastereoselectivity compared to those with aliphatic side chains. This effect has been attributed to complexation of the metal mediator to the aromatic ring in the substrate. Furthermore, an isomerization of one of the diastereomers of the alpha-alkylidene cyclopentenones was encountered, leading to eventual decomposition. The stable diastereomers were found to react well in the Stetter reaction leading to 1,4-diketones that were converted to pyrroles. The observation that the first generation of 2-alkyl-substituted pyrroles was unstable led to a second generation of 2-carboxamide pyrroles with sufficient stability for biological tests which are in progress.     

A new regioselective Heck vinylation with enamides. Synthesis and investigation of fluorous-tagged bidentate ligands for fast separation

Internal ligand-controlled Heck vinylations of enamides were performed with high regioselectivity and delivered moderate to good yields of dienamides. Controlled heating by microwave irradiation accelerated the palladium-catalyzed reactions, and full conversions were achieved after reaction times of only 15-30 min. New bidentate fluorous-tagged 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane ligands (F-dppp's) were synthesized and examined. The cationic vinylations of the enamides with F-dppp ligands rendered essentially the same alpha-selectivity and catalytic activity as in those vinylations where nonfluorous ligands were employed. After reaction, the fluorous-tagged ligand material was easily removed by convenient solid fluorous phase separation. The high selectivity, simplicity, and generality of the experimental procedure should make this approach to 2-acylamino-1,3-butadienes attractive.