Unimolecular reactions in the CF3CH2Cl ↔ CF2ClCH2F system: isomerization by interchange of Cl and F atoms

The recombination of CF(2)Cl and CH(2)F radicals was used to prepare CF(2)ClCH(2)F* molecules with 93 ± 2 kcal mol(-1) of vibrational energy in a room temperature bath gas. The observed unimolecular reactions in order of relative importance were: (1) 1,2-ClH elimination to give CF(2)═CHF, (2) isomerization to CF(3)CH(2)Cl by the interchange of F and Cl atoms and (3) 1,2-FH elimination to give E- and Z-CFCl═CHF. Since the isomerization reaction is 12 kcal mol(-1) exothermic, the CF(3)CH(2)Cl* molecules have 105 kcal mol(-1) of internal energy and they can eliminate HF to give CF(2)═CHCl, decompose by rupture of the C-Cl bond, or isomerize back to CF(2)ClCH(2)F. These data, which provide experimental rate constants, are combined with previously published results for chemically activated CF(3)CH(2)Cl* formed by the recombination of CF(3) and CH(2)Cl radicals to provide a comprehensive view of the CF(3)CH(2)Cl* ? CF(2)ClCH(2)F* unimolecular reaction system. The experimental rate constants are matched to calculated statistical rate constants to assign threshold energies for the observed reactions. The models for the molecules and transition states needed for the rate constant calculations were obtained from electronic structures calculated from density functional theory. The previously proposed explanation for the formation of CF(2)═CHF in thermal and infrared multiphoton excitation studies of CF(3)CH(2)Cl, which was 2,2-HCl elimination from CF(3)CH(2)Cl followed by migration of the F atom in CF(3)CH, should be replaced by the Cl/F interchange reaction followed by a conventional 1,2-ClH elimination from CF(2)ClCH(2)F. The unimolecular reactions are augmented by free-radical chemistry initiated by reactions of Cl and F atoms in the thermal decomposition of CF(3)CH(2)Cl and CF(2)ClCH(2)F.     

Filament-driven impulsive Raman spectroscopy

Vibrational Raman spectroscopy is performed in the gas phase using a femtosecond laser pulse undergoing filamentation as an impulsive excitation source. The molecular coherence induced by the filamentary pulse is subsequently probed using a narrowband, sub-picosecond laser pulse to produce Raman spectra of gas phase species in a few tens of milliseconds (~10 laser shots). Pulse shortening with concomitant spectral broadening during filamentation results in a pulse that is both sufficiently short and of sufficient spectral power density to impulsively excite the highest energy ground state vibrations (up to 4158 cm(-1) corresponding to H(2)). Gas phase detection of chloroform, methylene chloride, cyclohexane, toluene, pentane, triethylamine, ammonia, nitromethane, and gasoline is performed.     

Light-activated ruthenium complexes photobind DNA and are cytotoxic in the photodynamic therapy window

Incorporation of biquinoline ligands into Ru(ii) polypyridyl complexes produces light-activated systems that eject a ligand and photobind DNA after irradiation with visible and near-IR light. Structural analysis shows that distortion facilitates the photochemistry, and gel shift and cytotoxicity studies prove the compounds act as anti-cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents in the tissue penetrant region.     

Water-soluble, deep-red fluorescent squaraine rotaxanes

Eight fluorescent squaraine rotaxanes with deep-red absorption/emission wavelengths were prepared and assessed for chemical stability and suitability as water-soluble, fluorescent tracers. The most stable squaraine rotaxanes have four large stopper groups attached to the ends of the encapsulated squaraine, and two members of this structural class have promise as highly fluorescent tracers with rapid renal clearance and very low tissue uptake in living mice.     

Spectroscopic and theoretical studies of Ga(III)protoporphyrin-IX and its reactions with myoglobin

Ga(III)protoporphyrin-IX (Ga-PP) has been proposed as a model for the key interporphyrin interactions in malaria pigment. Unlike the paramagnetic parent iron heme derivatives, Ga-PP is readily soluble in methanol (MeOH). We report optical, mass spectroscopic, and theoretical results for Ga-PP as well as its reactions with myoglobin. UV-visible absorption and MCD spectroscopy show that Ga-PP exhibits a typical spectrum for a main group metal: a Q-band at 539 nm and a B band at 406 nm when dissolved in MeOH. We also report optical data for Zn(II)protoporphyrin IX (Zn-PP) dissolved in MeOH, which exhibits a Q-band at 545 nm and a B band at 415 nm. ESI mass spectral data for Ga-PP dissolved in MeOH show the presence of predominantly monomers, with smaller fractions of dimers [(Ga-PP)(2)] and trimers. UV-visible and MCD absorption spectroscopy and ESI mass spectral data demonstrate the successful insertion of monomeric Ga-PP into apo-Mb. Ga-PP-Mb exhibits a B band at 417 nm and Q bands at 545 and 584 nm, which are all red-shifted from the free Ga-PP values. The calculated electronic structures and frontier molecular orbitals of Ga-PP, (Ga-PP)(2) and Zn-PP fit the previously reported trends in band energies and oscillator strengths as a function of molecular orbital energies. These new data can be applied to explain the experimentally observed optical spectroscopy. The observed Q-band energies are accounted for by calculated (HOMO-LUMO) gap of the frontier MOs, while the split in the two top occupied MOs accounts for the magnitude of the Q-band oscillator strength as well as the experimentally observed Q to B band energy separation. Although Ga-PP shares more spectroscopic properties with Zn-PP than it does with Fe(III)PPIX, the trivalent oxidation state allows this molecule to be used as a model for ferric hemes in heme proteins.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of anhydrous Ln(hfac)3(monoglyme). Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm

The crystal structures of a broad series of anhydrous Ln(hfac)(3)(monoglyme) complexes, prepared in moderate to high yield, are presented: hfac = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetonato-; Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Tm. This study contradicts the general assumption that monoglyme is too small a polyether to act as a partitioning agent displacing coordinated water on the larger lanthanide(III) ions. The structures of an intermediate La(hfac)(3)(monoglyme)(2) species and the hydrated Ce(hfac)(3)(monoglyme)(H(2)O) species are also included. The crystallographic evidence presented herein is supplemented by other characterization techniques (melting point, IR, etc.) and trends are delineated.     

Synthesis and Structure of 9-Bromo-2-fluoro-8-[ethyl, (E)-2-propenoate-3-yl]-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene

Abstract  

This paper reports a synthesis of 9-bromo, 2-fluoro substituted, and Z-ring locked (by a trimethylene bridge at C8 and C11) crystalline fluorine substituted bicyclic ring-fused polyene bearing a δ-bromo-α,β,γ,δ-unsaturated ester unit. It is a structural element found in sterically hindered retinoids and is a useful advanced intermediate in the total synthesis of these naturally occurring bioactive polyenes. The synthon, 8-fluoro-1-benzosuberone was converted into 9-bromo-2-fluoro-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene-8-carboxaldehyde chemoselectively and regioselectively and then into 9-bromo-2-fluoro-8-[ethyl, (E)-2-propenoate-3-yl]-6,7-dihydro-5H-benzocycloheptene in a step economical and stereoselective manner by treatment with triethylphosphonoacetate and NaH in THF. The process creates a new carbon–carbon double bond between C12 and C13 and produces a previously unreported product that has been characterized by X-ray, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, GC–MS, and elemental analysis. Crystals are triclinic, space group P-1, a = 7.581(2), b = 8.324(2), c = 11.759(3) ?, α = 96.723(17), β = 96.056(16), γ = 101.999(17)°, Z = 2.     

Increasing Equity and Achievement in Fifth Grade Mathematics: The Contribution of Content Exposure

This study uses a large nationally representative data set (ECLS‐K) of 5,181 students to examine the extent to which exposure to content and instructional practice contributes to mathematics achievement in fifth grade. Using hierarchical linear modeling, results suggest that more exposure to content beyond numbers and operations (i.e., geometry, algebra, measurement, and data analysis) contribute to student mathematics achievement, but there is no main effect for increased exposure on developing numbers and operations. Two significant interactions between exposure to specific content and racial composition of the classroom emerge. Specifically, as exposure to more diverse content increases, the classroom mathematics achievement gap among students in predominately Caucasian classrooms and those composed predominately of students of color appears to narrow. Findings are discussed with regard to promoting increased opportunities to learn mathematics for students in racially diverse classrooms.     

Classification of Singular Fibers on Rational Elliptic Surfaces in Characteristic Three

ABSTRACT

We list all possible configurations of singular fibers on rational elliptic surfaces in characteristic three and prove that no others exist. In total, we find 267 distinct configurations. Configurations of purely multiplicative fibers in characteristic three are compared to those in characteristics zero and two.     

Mathematical modelling of tongue deformation during swallow in patients with head and neck cancer

ABSTRACT

Cancer localized to the tongue is often characterized by increased stiffness in the affected region. This stiffness affects swallow in a manner that is difficult to quantify in patients. A biomechanical model was developed to simulate the spatio-temporal deformation of the tongue during the pharyngeal phase of swallow in patients with cancer of the tongue base. The model involves finite element analysis (FEA) of a three-dimensional (3D) model of the tongue reconstructed from magnetic resonance images (MRI). The tongue tissue is assumed to be hyper-elastic. In order to examine the effects of tissue change (increased stiffness) due to the presence of cancer localized to the tongue base, various sections of the 3D geometry are modified to exhibit different elastic properties. Three cases are considered, representing the normal tongue, a tongue with early-stage cancer, and tongue with late-stage cancer. Early- and late-stage cancers are differentiated by the degree of stiffness within the base of tongue tissue. Analysis of the model suggests that healthy tongue has a maximum deformation of 9.38 mm, whereas tongues having mild cancer and severe cancer have a maximum deformation of 8.65 and 6.17 mm, respectively. Biomechanical modelling is a useful tool to explain and estimate swallowing abnormalities associated with tongue cancer and post-treatment characteristics.