Polarizing a hydrophobic cavity for the efficient binding of organic guests: the case of calix[6]tren, a highly efficient and versatile receptor for neutral or cationic species

The host-guest properties of calix[6]tren 1 have been evaluated. The receptor is based on a calix[6]arene that is covalently capped at the narrow rim by a tren unit. As a result, the system presents a concave hydrophobic cavity with, at its bottom, a grid-like nitrogenous core. Despite its well-defined cavity and opening to the outside at the large rim, 1 did not behave as a good receptor for neutral molecules in chloroform. However, it exhibited efficient endo-complexation of ammonium guests. By contrast, the per-protonated host, 1.4H(+), behaved as a remarkable receptor for small organic molecules. The complexation is driven by a strong charge-dipole interaction and hydrogen bonds between the polar guest and the tetracationic cap of the calixarene. Finally, coordination of Zn(2+) to the tren core led to the asymmetrization of calixarene cavity and to the strong but selective endo-binding of neutral ligands. This study emphasizes the efficiency of a receptor presenting a concave hydrophobic cavity that is polarized at its bottom. The resulting combination of charge-dipole, hydrogen bonding, CH-pi, and van der Waals interactions highly stabilizes the supramolecular architectures. Also, importantly, the tren cap allows the tuning of the polarization, offering either a basic (1), a highly charged and acidic (1.4H(+)), or a coordination (1.Zn(2+)) site. As a result, the system proved to be highly versatile, tunable, and interconvertible in solution by simple addition of protons, bases, or metal ions.     

Biomimetic zinc funnel complexes based on calix[6]N3ArO ligands: an acid-base switch for guest binding

The coordination chemistry of Zn in an N(3)ArOH environment has been explored. The ligands are based on calix[6]arenes that present two imidazole arms and an amino phenol moiety at the narrow rim. Three different types of complexes have been characterized. One is dicationic with Zn(2+) coordinated to the three nitrogen atoms and to the oxygen of the phenol group of the calix[6]ligand. This complex is very sensitive to exogenous coordinating molecules and exists as a 5-coordinate species due to the endo-complexation of a guest. The second species is a monocationic complex for which the phenol group has been deprotonated. The resulting N(3)ArOZn complex can also bind a guest ligand albeit with a lower affinity than the dicationic complex. The third species is neutral. It can be obtained upon reaction with a base to yield a hydroxo complex or with an anion such as a chloride that coordinates the metal center from the outside of the calixarene cavity. The simultaneous binding of two anionic donors decreases the Zn Lewis acidity, allowing an impressive conformational reorganization of the system. One imidazole arm is released by the metal center. The other one undergoes self-inclusion into the pi-basic calixarene cavity because the low affinity of the metal center for neutral ligand does not allow the endo-coordination of an exogenous guest. Hence, the calix[6]N(3)ArOH-based Zn complexes act as an acid-base switch for guest binding. Several aspects of this system appear reminiscent of Zn-peptidases of the astacin and serralisin families.     

Synthesis and structure of Li4Sr3Ge2N6: a new quaternary nitride containing Ge2N6 anions

A new Li-containing quaternary nitride, Li₄Sr₃Ge₂N₆, was obtained as single crystals from constituent elements in molten Na. It crystallizes in space group C2/m (No. 12) with a=6.1398(7) Å, b=10.021(1) Å, c=6.3130(7) Å, β=91.279(2)°, and Z=2. It contains the first example of isolated nitridogermanate anions of Ge₂N₆¹⁰⁻, which is also the first example of edge-sharing tetrahedral [GeN₄].     

The relationship between the structures of Cu(II) complexes and their chemical transformations: VII

The thermal decompositions of Cu(en)₂(NCS)X. where X^–=Cl^–, Br^–, NO ₃ ^– , BF ₄ ^– and ClO ₄ ^– , have been studied in comparison with the courses of Cu(en)₂(SCN)₂ and Cu(en)₂X₂ decomposition. It is shown that the presence of the thiocyanate group in the complexes Cu(en)₂(NCS)X is the most important factor in the decomposition course, in agreement with the fact that the anions X^– are not coordinated. or are only semicoordinated. Significant differences were found in the courses of thermal decomposition of two forms of Cu(en)₂(NCS)(BF₄) differing in the structure of their coordination polyhedra.

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Zusammenfassung Die thermische Zersetzung von Cu(en)₂(NCS)X (X=Cl Br, NO₃, BF₄ und ClO₄) wurde untersucht und mit der von Cu(en₂(SCN)₂ und Cu(en)₂X₂ verglichem. Der den Verlauf der Zersetzung entscheidend bestimmende Faktor isi die Anw esenheit der Thiocyanat-Gruppe in den Cu(en)₂(NCS)X-Komplexen, was in Übereinstimmung damit steht,. daß die Anionen X nicht oder nur teilweise koordiniert sind. Es wurden signifikante Unterschiedeim Verlauf der thermischen Zersetzung von zwei sich in der Struktur ihrer Kordinationspolyeder unter-, heidenden Formen von Cu(en)₂(NCS)(BF₄) gefunden.

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Cu(en)₂(NCS)X (X^–=Cl^–, Br^–, NO ₄ ^– , NO ₃ ^– , BF₄ ClO₄, Cu(en)₂(SCN)₂ Cu(en)₂(X)₂. , Cu(en)₂(NCS)X X Cu(en) (NCS)BF₄ i .

     

Beitr?ge zur titrimetrischen Bestimmung von dimeren Hydroxyaldehyden

Zusammenfassung Es wurden die Möglichkeiten für die titrimetrische Bestimmung von dimerem Glykolaldehyd (Fp: 94–96° C) und dl-Glycerinaldehyd (Fp: 138–141° C) untersucht. Die systematischen Fehler der auf Grund verschiedener funktioneller Gruppen durchführbaren Messungen sind von der Stabilität ihrer cyclischen Halbacetale sowie von den ihrer Depolymerisation folgenden weiteren Gleichgewichten bestimmt. Das aus dem dl-Glycerinaldehyd gebildete Halbacetal besitzt höhere Stabilität als dasjenige aus dem Glykolaldehyd.Mit der Hydrogensulfit-Methode werden 95–96%, mit der Hydroxylamin-Methode dagegen 98–99% vom wahren Wert gefunden.In Wasser gelöst zersetzt sich der Glykolaldehyd verhältnismäßig rasch, und das Gleichgewicht kann durch beide Aldehydreaktionen quantitativ gegen die Monomerenform verschoben werden.Unsere Untersuchungen ergaben, daß die Hydroxylamin-Methode zur Bestimmung der in Form cyclischer Halbacetale kristallisierenden, dimeren Hydroxyaldehyde Vorteile gegenüber der Hydrogensulfit-Methode bietet.Frau Dipl.-Ing. Eva Varsányi-Kiss danken wir für die derivatographischen Aufnahmen und deren Auswertung.     

New transesterification reaction between acetylated wood and tetramethoxysilane: A feasibility study

Novel transesterification of acetylated maritime pine sapwood (Pinus pinaster Soland) reaction was performed with tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) in presence of dibutyltin oxide as a catalyst. Transesterification was confirmed by weight percent gain calculations (WPG), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as well as ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR CP-MAS analysis. The results showed that transesterification indeed occurs via exchange of acetate groups from acetylated wood and methoxysilane groups from TMOS. The effect of temperatures and reaction time upon transesterification efficiency was also investigated.     

Influence of a silyl group on an allylic position. A theoretical approach

Allylsilanes show in certain cases a behaviour towards electrophiles which is opposite to that of its carbon homologues. Theoretical calculations using Dewar's MINDO/3 method performed on 3-methyl 3-butenyl trimethylsilane and 2-methyl 2-butene show that geometrical optimization leads to a silicon-allylic carbon bond nearly parallel to the double bond π cloud, and both net atomic charges and HOMO coefficients indicate an inversion between these two substrates.     

Détermination de l'énergie de conjugaison des acides naphtoǐques

The present paper deals with the experimental and theoretical determination of energies of conjugation of organic molecules.A computation process has been applied, first to simple molecules comprising an hydrocarbon (styrene), an oxygen function (benzaldehyde) and a nitrogen function (aniline). The results are compared with those obtained from the literature.The application of this computation process to naphthoic acids permits the determination of energies of conjugation and isomerization of these molecules.     

Effect of selenium oxidation state on cadmium translocation in chamomile plants

Syntheses and spectral characteristics of cadmium(II) compounds (CdSeO₄, CdSeO₃, and Cd(NCSe)₂(nia)₂) containing selenium in oxidation states (VI), (IV), and (-II) are described. In Cd(NCSe)₂(nia)₂, nicotinamide (nia) and selenocyanate anions are bonded to Cd atom as N-donor monodentate ligands. Nicotinamide is coordinated through the ring nitrogen atom. The effects of these selenium compounds as well as Cd(NCS)₂(nia)₂ on the growth and Cd accumulation in roots and shoots of hydroponically cultivated chamomile plants (cultivar Lutea) were studied. In the applied concentration range (12–60 μmol dm⁻³) Cd(NCS)₂(nia)₂ affected neither the length nor the dry mass of roots and shoots. Other compounds applied at 24 μmol dm⁻³ and 60 μmol dm⁻³ significantly reduced dry mass of roots and shoots. Selenium oxidation state in the cadmium compounds affected Cd accumulation in plant organs as well as Cd translocation within the plants, which was reflected in the values of bioaccumulation (BAF) and translocation factors (S/R). Cd amount accumulated by shoots was lower than that in the roots. The highest BAF values determined for Cd accumulation in shoots were obtained with CdSeO₄. Substitution of S with Se in the Cd(NCX)₂(nia)₂ (X = Se or S) caused an increase of Cd translocation into the shoots. Presented at the XVIIIth Slovak Spectroscopic Conference, Spišská Nová Ves, 15–18 October 2006.     

Fitting complex potential energy surfaces to simple model potentials: application of the simplex-annealing method

A stochastic method of optimization, which combines simulated annealing with simplex, is implemented to fit the parameters of a simple model potential. The main characteristic of the method is that it explores the whole space of the parameters of the model potential, and therefore it is very efficient in locating the global minimum of the cost function, in addition to being independent of the initial guess of the parameters. The method is employed to fit the complex intermolecular potential energy surface of the dimer of water, using as a reference the spectroscopic quality anisotropic site-site potential of Feller et al. The simple model potential chosen for its reparameterization is the MCY model potential of Clementi et al. The quality of the fit is assessed by comparing the geometry of the minimum, the harmonic frequencies, and the second virial coefficients of the parameterized potential with the reference one. Finally, to prove more rigorously the robustness of this method, it is compared with standard nonstochastic methods of optimization.