Crystal structures and magnetic properties of two low-dimensional materials constructed from [Mn(III)(salen)H2O]+ and [M(CN)8](3-/4-) (M = Mo or W) precursors

The syntheses, X-ray structures, and magnetic behaviors of two new cyano-bridged assemblies, the molecular [Mn(III)(salen)H2O]3[W(V)(CN)8].H2O (1) and one-dimensional [Mn(salen)(H2O)2]2[[Mn(salen)(H2O)][Mn(salen)]2[Mo(CN)(8)]].0.5ClO4.0.5OH.4.5H2O (2), are presented. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, has space group P2(1)/c, and has unit cell constants a = 13.7210(2) A, b = 20.6840(4) A, c = 20.6370(2) A, and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic system, has space group P, and has unit cell dimensions a = 18.428(4) A, b = 18.521(3) A, c = 18.567(4) A, and Z = 2. The structure of 1 consists of the asymmetric V-shaped Mn-NC-W-NC-Mn-O(phenolate)-Mn molecules, where W(V) coordinates with [Mn(salen)H2O] and singly phenolate-bridged [Mn(salen)H2O]2 moieties through the neighboring cyano bridges. The [W(V)(CN)8]3- ion displays distorted square-antiprism geometry. The structure of 2 consists of the cyano-bridged [Mn3(III)Mo(IV)]n- repeating units linked by double phenolate bridges into one-dimensional zigzag chains. The Mn(III) centers are bound to Mo(IV) of square-antiprism geometry through the neighboring cyano bridges. The magnetic studies of 1 reveal the antiferromagnetic intramolecular interactions through the CN and phenolate bridges and the relatively weak intermolecular interactions. Compound 1 becomes antiferromagnetically ordered below TN = 4.6 K. The presence of the magnetic anisotropy is documented with the MH measurements carried out for both polycrystalline and single-crystal samples. At T = 1.9 K, the spin-flop transition is observed in the field of 18 kOe applied parallel to the bc plane, which is the easy plane of magnetization. Field dependence of magnetization of 1 shows field-induced metamagnetic behavior from the antiferromagnetic ground state of ST = 3/2 to the state of ST = 5/2. The magnetic properties of 2 indicate a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Mn(III) centers in double-phenolate-bridged [Mn(III)(salen)]2 dinuclear subunits and a very weak ferromagnetic interaction between them through the diamagnetic [Mo(IV)(CN)8]4- spacer.     

Enhancing selectivity in oxidation catalysis with sol-gel nanocomposites

Valuable organic compounds such as alpha-hydroxy acids are easily synthesised with relevant selectivity enhancement using a sol-gel hydrophobized nanostructured silica matrix doped with the organocatalyst TEMPO: A materials science based synthetic route which cannot be achieved via classical homogeneous synthesis.     

Vilsmeier formylation of 5,10,15-triphenylcorrole: expected and unusual products

5,10,15-Triphenylcorrole (1) reacts with the Vilsmeier reagent (POCl(3)/DMF) to give the corresponding 3-formyl derivative 3 as the major product. The regioselectivity of the reaction was proven by X-ray crystallography and only traces of the 2-formyl isomer were observed. A more polar product is also observed and this compound becomes the major product when an excess of DMF is used for the preparation of the Vilsmeier reagent, while the formation of the 3-formyl isomer is almost completely suppressed. X-ray crystallography allowed us to identify this compound as the fully substituted N-ethane bridged derivative 4, formed from the attack of the Vilsmeier reagent at the inner core of the macrocycle. This compound is unique among porphyrinoid macrocycles, and further confirms the peculiarity of corrole chemistry.     

The interphase between mercury and acetone+ nitromethane mixtures with KPF6 as a supporting electrolyte

Differential capacity and interfacial tension measurements were carried out on mercury for acetone+nitromethane mixtures with KPF₆ as a supporting electrolyte. On the basis of Gibbs adsorption equation and Guggenheim's model of the surface phase the composition of the surface layer was estimated for different acetone contents and different charges on the mercury electrode. The results obtained indicate that the positive acetone adsorption is marked at negative charges with maximum at σ_m=?0.07 C m^?2, but is practically non-existent at zero and positive charges.     

pH controls the rate and mechanism of nitrosylation of water-soluble FeIII porphyrin complexes

In-depth kinetic and mechanistic studies on the reversible binding of NO to water-soluble iron(III) porphyrins as a function of pH revealed unexpected reaction kinetics for monohydroxo-ligated (P)Fe(III)(OH) species formed by deprotonation of coordinated water in diaqua-ligated (P)Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2). The observed significant decrease in the rate of NO binding to (P)Fe(OH) as compared to that of (P)Fe(H(2)O)(2) does not conform with expectations based on previous mechanistic work on NO-heme interactions, which would point to a diffusion-limited reaction for the five-coordinate Fe(III) center in (P)Fe(OH). The decrease in rate and an associatively activated mode of NO binding observed at high pH is ascribed to an increase in the activation barrier related to spin state and structural changes accompanying NO coordination to the high-spin (P)Fe(III)(OH) complex. The existence of such a barrier has previously been observed in the reactions of five-coordinate iron(II) hemes with CO and is evidenced for the first time for the process involving coordination of NO to the iron heme complex. The observed reactivity pattern, relevant in the context of studies on NO interactions with synthetic and biologically important hemes (in particular, hemoproteins), is reported here for an example of a simple water-soluble iron(III) porphyrin [meso-tetrakis(sulfonatomesityl)porphinato]-iron(III), (TMPS)Fe(III).     

Improved quantification limits in chiral capillary electrochromatography by peak compression effects

The peak compression effect has been applied to improve quantification limits in chiral capillary electrochromatography (CEC). A stationary phase based on the chiral selector vancomycin (Chirobiotic V) was used for separations of the enantiomers of mianserin. By adding solvents with a low dielectric constant, e.g. 2-propanol or tetrahydrofuran, to the sample solution, peak compression could be induced. The plate numbers for the minor enantiomer increased from approximately 100,000 to 1.4-1.6 million plates/m, when the composition of the mobile phase was adjusted so that the analyte eluted within either one of two system zones originating from the sample solution. A 10-fold improvement in the quantification limit for the minor enantiomer was obtained compared to elution under non-focused conditions.     

Intermolecular stacking of a tetranuclear cyclic Pt(II) complex: NMR characterization and X-ray crystal structure of cis-trans-cis-trans tetra[μ-2,6-diethynyl-4-nitroaniline-bis(tri(p-tolyl)phosphine)platinum(II)]

The synthesis and characterization of a tetranuclear Pt complex, cis-trans-cis-trans tetra[μ-2,6-diethynyl-4-nitroaniline-bis(tri(p-tolyl)phosphine) platinum(II)], namely [L₂Pt-DENA]₄ with L = tri-p-tolylphosphine, is reported. The complex was obtained by the dehydrohalogenative condensation of 2,6-diethynyl-4-nitroaniline (DENA) with cis-[dichlorobis(tri(p-tolyl)phosphine)platinum(II)]. The single crystal structure determination of [L₂Pt-DENA]₄ indicated the formation of a neutral molecular cycle with four alternating platinum units in cis and trans configurations, all bridged with DENA spacers with the presence of solvent (toluene) crystallization molecules. A twisted tetranuclear cyclic feature was identified. The formation of intermolecular stacks of the tetranuclear complex in solution was assessed by means of nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy (NOESY) and rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy (ROESY) characterizations.     

Influence of conjugated nitrogenous bases on the spectra and structure of mixed-ligand nickel(II) chelates containing β-diones

The infrared and electronic excitation spectra of a series of new nickel(II) chelates containing an-diimine (or nitrogenous base, enR) and the anion of a-dione (1,3-ketoenol or 1,3-ketoester,H) were obtained in the solid state and in solution. The composition and the overall structure of the new chelates in the solid state depends on ligand concentration, the substituents within the-dionato moiety and the counterion present. The IR and electronic excitation spectra of [Ni(enR)₂ ]NO₃ and [Ni(enR)(O₂NO)] indicate, in conjunction with other physicochemical measurements, bidentate coordination of the ligands, while the spectral shifts reveal replacement of the (O,O)nitrato group by basic solvents. The existence of the nickel(II) in an octahedral environment is confirmed by an X-ray structure analysis of [Ni(dpamH)₂acac]NO₃ · CH₃OH (monoclinic, space groupP2_l/n, a=17.296(1),b=7.462(1),c=21.604(3) å,=95.65(1),Z=4, R=0.0534,Rw=0.0600), where dpamH denotes the 2,2-dipyridylamine.     

Bead injection for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy: automated on-line monitoring of substrate generation and application in quantitative analysis

The technique of bead injection has been adapted for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to substantially improve precision, long term stability and sensitivity of SERS detection in analytical chemistry. For this purpose a fully automated flow system comprising a dedicated flow-cell has been developed and tested. With the developed flow-cell, which contains two inlet and two outlet channels, it is possible to retain, perfuse and discharge minute amounts of polymer beads while monitoring all steps by Raman spectroscopy. First, beads carrying cation exchanger moieties were retained in the flow-cell and subsequently perfused with a silver nitrate and a hydroxylamine solution using one inlet of the flow cell. By this sequence homogeneous SERS active silver layers were formed on the beads. The uniformity of the achieved silver layer was studied by secondary electron microscopy. For measurement, the analyte was then introduced from the second inlet channel such that the interaction between the activated SERS beads and analyte occurred in close proximity and within the focus of the laser excitation beam. Due to the complete computer control of all experimental steps, including bead entrapment, SERS layer generation, sample introduction and final bead removal, highly reproducible conditions for SERS were achieved. The method was developed using 9-aminoacridine as a test molecule. Quantitative studies were carried out for 9-aminoacridine and acridine showing linear calibrations from 1-100 nmol l(-1) and 50-1,000 nmol l(-1), respectively, using a sample volume of 200 microl each. Typical relative standard deviations were 4.7% for 9-aminoacrine and 5.8% for acridine.     

Determination of moxifloxacin in tablets and human urine by square-wave adsorptive voltammetry

This work presents an electroanalytical methodology developed for square-wave voltammetry based in the electrochemical reduction in hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE), which is simple, fast, reliable and sensitive for determination of moxifloxacin (MOXI) in tablets and spiked urine human samples. The support electrolyte that provided a more defined and intense peak current for MOXI determination was the phosphate buffer 0.04 mol l^{− 1} pH 8.0. In the best-optimized conditions the drug presented an only peak of reduction at − 1.38 V vs. Ag/AgCl, using an E_acc. of − 0.30 V. An LOD of 0.44 and 3.20 ng ml^{− 1} and an LOQ of 1.46 and 10.60 ng ml^{− 1} were found for the pure standard of moxifloxacin and in the presence of matrix, respectively. A good recovery was obtained for assay spiked urine samples and a good quantification of MOXI was achieved in a commercial formulation. The methodology proposed was more sensitive than the spectrofluorimetric and spectrophotometric method with precision and accuracy equivalent.