Synthesis and Characterization of Heterodinuclear IrCo, RuCo, IrNi, and RuNi Complexes Containing Pyrazolate and Pyrazolylborate Ligands

Treatment of the metallo ligands [ML(pz)(2)(Hpz)] (pz = pyrazolate; L = C(5)Me(5), M = Ir (1); L = mesitylene, M = Ru (3)) with [M'Cl{HB(3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz)(3)}] (M' = Co (4), Ni (5)) yields heterodinuclear complexes of formula [LM(&mgr;-pz)(2)(&mgr;-Cl)M'{HB(3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz)(3)}] (L = C(5)Me(5); M = Ir; M' = Co (6), Ni (7). L = mesitylene; M = Ru; M' = Co (8)). The related complex [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)(pz)(2)(Hpz)] (2) reacts with equimolar amounts of 4 or 5 to give mixtures of the corresponding bis(&mgr;-pyrazolato) &mgr;-chloro complexes [(eta(6)-p-cymene)Ru(&mgr;-pz)(2)(&mgr;-Cl)M'{HB(3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz)(3)}] (M' = Co (9), Ni (10)) and the triply pyrazolato-bridged complexes [(eta(6)-p-cymene)Ru(&mgr;-pz)(3)M'{HB(3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz)(3)}] (M' = Co (11), Ni (12)). Complex 1 reacts with 5 in the presence of KOH to give the IrNi complex [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(&mgr;-pz)(3)Ni{HB(3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz)(3)}] (13) whereas its reaction with 4 and KOH rendered the bis(&mgr;-pyrazolato) &mgr;-hydroxo complex [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))Ir(&mgr;-pz)(2)(&mgr;-OH)Co{HB(3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz)(3)}] (14). The molecular structure of the heterobridged IrCo complex (6) and those of the homobridged RuNi (12) and IrNi (13) complexes have been determined by X-ray analyses. Compound 6 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, with a = 10.146(5) ?, b = 18.435(4) ?, c = 22.187(13) ?, beta = 97.28(4) degrees, and Z = 4. Complex 12 is monoclinic, space group P2(1), with a = 10.1169(7) ?, b = 21.692(2) ?, c = 11.419(1) ?, beta = 112.179(7) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 13 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group Cc, with a = 13.695(2) ?, b = 27.929(6) ?, c = 13.329(2) ?, beta = 94.11(4) degrees, and Z = 4. All the neutral complexes 6, 12, and 13 consist of linear M.M'.B backbones with two (6) or three (12, 13) pyrazolate ligands bridging the dimetallic M.M' units and three substituted 3-i-Pr-4-Br-pz groups joining M' to the boron atoms. The presence in the proximity of the first-row metal M' of the three space-demanding isopropyl substituents of the pyrazolate groups induces a significant trigonal distortion of the octahedral symmetry, yielding clearly different M'-N bond distances on both sides of the ideal octahedral coordination sphere of these metals.     

Non empirical quantum mechanical calculations of the1H,13C,15N and17O magnetic shielding constants and of the spin-spin coupling constants in formamide,hydrated formamide and N-methylformamide

The magnetic shielding constants of the different atoms of formamide, hydrated formamide and N-methylformamide are calculated by anab initio method. For the protons of formamide the measured differences between their chemical shifts are correctly reproduced by theory, provided that the molecular geometry used as input is carefully chosen. The differences between the values of the magnetic shielding constants calculated for formamide and hydrated formamide show that intermolecular hydrogen bonding produces variations of chemical shifts for all the atoms of the molecule except the formyl proton. The calculated chemical shift variations between formamide and N-methylformamide are compared to the experimental values and discussed in relation with different hydrogen bonding possibilities of the two molecules. The calculation of the contact term of the spin-spin coupling constants of formamide and hydrated formamide shows that in most cases the measured trends are satisfactorily reproduced and that the variations of these terms upon hydration are less than 3%.     

Photooxidative treatment of sulfurous water for its potabilization

The feasibility of potabilization of sulfurous water was investigated by photochemical oxidation processes using a batch photoreactor and a continuous-flow photoreactor, equipped with UV lamps of 1000 W and 1500 W, respectively. Additionally, two advanced processes of oxidation were applied i.e. with a use of a UV light/H2O2/air and UV light/H2O2/O3/air. These two processes were compared for their efficiency to the direct oxidation process where ozone is used in the absence of UV light. Results obtained for both advanced processes showed better oxidation than takes place by ozone in the absence of UV light. After the photooxidation processes, different processes for the absorption or precipitation of sulfates were investigated to comply with the World Health Organization (WHO) norm that demands a limit of < or =250 mg L(-1) of SO4(2-) in drinking water. Additionally, reverse osmosis was simulated using Osmonics Inc. software to predict the feasibility of lowering the salt concentration below WHO limits.     

From nitrides to carbides: topotactic synthesis of the eta-carbides Fe3Mo3C and Co3Mo3C

The molybdenum bimetallic interstitial carbides Fe(3)Mo(3)C and Co(3)Mo(3)C have been synthesized by temperature-programmed reaction (TPR) between the molybdenum bimetallic interstitial nitrides Fe(3)Mo(3)N and Co(3)Mo(3)N and a flowing mixture of CH(4) and H(2) diluted in Ar. These compounds have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, laser Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis, energy dispersive analysis of X rays, thermal analysis (in air) and scanning electron microscopy (field emission). Their structures have been refined from X-ray powder diffraction data. These carbides crystallize in the cubic system, space group Fd3m[a= 11.11376(6) and 11.0697(3)[Angstrom] for Fe and Co compounds, respectively].     

Optically activated functionalization reactions in Si quantum dots

Using ab initio calculations, we have studied the influence of optical activation on functionalization reactions of silicon quantum dots with unsaturated hydrocarbons. We find that the energy barrier for the replacement of silicon-hydrogen with silicon-carbon bonds is dramatically reduced if the silicon dot is optically excited. These results provide an explanation for recent experiments on optically excited porous silicon. In addition, our calculations point at the existence of an intermediate spin-polarized state formed by the dot and an alkene or alkyne, upon relaxation after absorbing a photon. This state could be detected experimentally, by, for example, electron spin resonance measurements. Based on the results of our calculations as a function of the dot size, varied from 0.8 to 1.5 nm, we propose that light activated reactions could be used to functionalize and size select silicon quantum dots at the same time.     

Fluorimetric determination of aflatoxins by flow-injection analysis

Summary A fast and inexpensive fluorimetric method for the determination of total aflatoxins (B₁, B₂, G₁, and G₂) in food of use in screening numerous samples suspectedly containing these substances is proposed. The sensitivity of the method (determination range between 0.5 and 200.0 ng ml^–1) allows these analytes to be detected at concentrations well below legal limits; hence, separation-detection techniques such as HPLC need only be used with samples in which these compounds are found to occur. The method has been applied to maize, peanut and tapioca samples, obtaining average recoveries of 100.9 with deviations of ±5% with respect to 100% recovery.

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Fluorometrische Bestimmung von Aflatoxinen durch Fließinjektionsanalyse

     

Solid-phase synthesis of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(Ser1), d-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin

An optimized solid-phase strategy for the preparation of the cyclic lipononadepsipeptide [N-Mst(L-Ser1), D-Ser4, L-Thr6, L-Asp8, L-Thr9]syringotoxin is reported. The strategy is based on the use of a mild orthogonal protection scheme and the incorporation of the nonproteinogenic amino acid (Z)-Dhb into the peptide chain as the dipeptide Fmoc-Thr(tBu)-(Z)-Dhb-OH. The didehydrodipeptide was synthesized by a water-soluble carbodiimide-induced beta-elimination of a protected dipeptide containing a residue of Thr with its free hydroxy side chain unprotected.     

Highly enantioselective Cu-catalysed asymmetric 1,4-addition of diphenylzinc to cyclohexenone

Highly enantioselective Cu-catalysed 1,4-addition of diphenylzinc to cyclohexenone has been achieved for the first time using a monodentate phosphoramidite ligand.     

Performance of an internal-loop airlift bioreactor for treatment of hexane-contaminated air

Hexane is a toxic volatile organic compound that is quite abundant in gas emissions from chemical industries and printing press and painting centers, and it is necessary to treat these airstreams before they discharge into the atmosphere. This article presents a treatment for hexane-contaminated air in steady-state conditions using an internal-loop airlift bioreactor inoculated with a Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain. Bioprocesses were conducted at 20-mL/min, a load of 1.26 g/m³ of C₆H₁₄, and a temperature of 28°C. The results of hexane removal efficiencies were presented as a function of the inoculum size (approx 0.07 and 0.2 g/L) and cell reuse. Bioprocess monitoring comprises quantification of the biomass, the surface tension of the medium, and the hexane concentration in the fermentation medium as well as in the inlet and outlet airstreams. The steady-state results suggest that the variation in inoculum size from 0.07 to 0.2 g/L promotes hexane abatement from the influent from 65 to 85%, respectively. Total hydrocarbon removal from the waste gas was achieved during experiments conducted using reused cells at an initial microbial concentration of 0.2 g/L.     

ITQ-15: the first ultralarge pore zeolite with a bi-directional pore system formed by intersecting 14- and 12-ring channels, and its catalytic implications

The pore topology of ITQ-15 zeolite consists of an ultra-large 14-ring channel that is intersected perpendicularly by a 12-ring pore; acid sites have been introduced in its framework and this unique structure shows advantages over unidirectional ultralarge pore zeolites for diffusing and reacting large molecules.