Polymeric Catalysts

The present-day position in the field of polymeric catalysts is outlined. The following selected groups of polymeric catalysts are discussed: synthetic hydrolases, immobilized enzymes, phase-transfer catalysts, nucleophilically active bases, polymers with conjugated π-systems, photosensitizers, polymers as carriers for catalytically active metals or ions, and immobilized homogeneous catalysts. Polymeric catalysts have the following valuable properties: insoluble polymeric catalysts are readily separable from reaction solutions and can often be re-used without loss of activity; a hydrophobic matrix protects the organometallic active center from deactivation by oxygen and water; by fixation of finely divided metals on an ion exchanger, multistage reactions may be effected successively in one reactor. Polymeric carriers may influence the catalytic properties; for example, in the case of immobilized enzymes on polyionic carriers the pH of the activity maximum may be shifted.     

Un substrat pour le dosage chimique de la rénine

A fluorogenic renin substrate, N-CBO-L -prolyl-L -phenylalanyl-L -histidyl-L -leucyl-L -leucyl-L -valyl-L -tyrosyl-L -seryl-β-naphthylamide, has been synthesized. Upon incubation at pH 5,6 with renin and an excess of the auxiliary enzyme aminopeptidase M, it gives rise to β-naphthylamine at a rate related to the quantity of renin.     

An analogue to a conjecture of S. Chowla and H. Walum

It is proved that (for every ε > 0)

$\text{∑}\text{n?T}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>3</mtext>}}\text{∑n<}\text{T}\text{n}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>1</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{n}{}^{\mathrm{a}}\text{m}{}^{\mathrm{b}}\text{B}{}_{\mathrm{k}}\text{({}\text{T}\text{nm}\text{}) = O(T}{}^{\mathrm{<mtext>(a+b+1)</mtext><mtext>3?</mtext>}}\text{)}$

(where {·} denotes the fractional part and B_k the Bernoulli polynomial of order k) under the suppositions that k ≥ 2 and 2a ? 1 ≥ b ≥ 1. If (1) were true for k = 1, a = b = 0, then Piltz' divisor problem (for n = 3) would be readily solved. This is an analog to a conjecture formulated by S. Chowla and H. Walum in 1963 and settled in the affirmative (under suitable suppositions) quite recently by S. Kanemitsu and R. Sita Rama Chandra Rao.     

The Henicosaphosphide Iodides of Potassium and Rubidium,K4P21I and Rb4P21I

The novel ternary polyphosphides M₄P₂₁I (M = K, Rb) have been synthesized from the elements in single crystalline form, representing further examples for the formation of mixed crystals between simple salts and binary phosphides. They form as ruby‐red platelets and dark‐red prisms, respectively, and are only slightly sensitive to moisture and oxygen. The compounds are isotypic (Ccmm (no 63); Z = 4; oP104; K₄P₂₁I: a = 12.853Å; b = 21.795Å; c = 9.748Å; 1168 hkl, R = 0.033; Rb₄P₂₁I: a = 13.281Å; b = 21.868Å; c = 9.771Å; 777 hkl, R = 0.053) and feature corrugated 2D networks formed from two different types of polymerized P₇ units. The networks form large cavities filled by M⁺ and I^‐ ions. Zigzag chains of condensed trigonal M₆ prisms, centered by the I^‐ anions, separate the polyphosphide nets. The mean homoatomic P‐P bond length (d = 2.216Å) corresponds to a P‐P single bond. However, the individual P‐P distances vary with position and function (2.126 ‐ 2.247Å) and these are compared with those of the isolated P₂₁^‐3 anion.     

Die Struktur des Pentaphenyldisilans

Structure of Pentaphenyldisilane For the first time Pentaphenyldisilane was prepared by Gilman and Goodman. It is produced by the reaction of Ph₃SiLi with Ph₂ClSiH. The crystal structure presents an ideally staggered conformation. The distance d(Si? Si) = 235.7 pm corresponds to a normal single bond length. This emphasizes the complete relief of the central Si? Si bond by the insertion of only one hydrogen atom.     

Superconductivity and resistance behaviour of σ-phase alloys: Nb−Rh and Ta−Rh

Superconductivity, structure and electrical resistance behaviour of -phase alloys of Nb–Rh and Ta–Rh are investigated. The Ta–Rh alloys do not become superconducting above 1.2 K. The andH _c2 (0) values of a homogeneous alloy with the composition Nb_65.2Rh_34.8 are 2.95 K, 13.9 kG/K and 23 kG, respectively, whereas for an inhomogeneous alloy with the composition Nb_63.7Rh_36.3 these values are 4.24 K, 5.5 kG/K and 14 kG, respectively. Splat quenching results in a substantial increase in the andH _c2 (0) values of the Rh-rich sample. Annealing (900°C, 100 h) of the Rh-rich sample leads only to small changes in the superconducting properties but a small amount of Nb–Rh solid solution has been formed. The electrical resistance of Nb_65.2Rh_34.8 decreases with decreasing temperature and varies asT ^0.5 between 150 and 240 K and asT between 60 and 140 K. For Ta_70.0Rh_30.0 the temperature coefficient changes to negative values below 170K. values are calculated for Nb–Rh using McMillan's formula. An estimatedT _c value of Ta–Rh is 0.2 K. TheH _c2 (0) values of Nb–Rh are in good agreement with the theoreticalH _c ^2** (0) values.Dedicated to Prof. Dr. W. Buckel on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Multiple bonds between main group elements and transition metals, 155. (Hexamethylphosphoramide) methyl(oxo) bis(η-peroxo)rhenium(VII), the first example of an anhydrous rhenium peroxo complex: crystal structure and catalytic properties

Methyl(oxo)bis(η²-peroxo)rhenium(VII)1, the active species of the system CH₃ReO₃/H₂O₂ in the catalytic oxidation of different organic and organometallic compounds, is stabilized by a water molecule attached to the rhenium center. This water molecule can be removed and substituted by hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) to yield (hexamethylphosphoramide)methyl(oxo)bis(η²-peroxo rhenium(VII) (3). The synthesis, crystal structure (X-ray difraction study), and catalytic properties of which compound are reported. Crystal data are as follows: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, A = 900.76(7) pm, B = 1229.80(11) pm, C = 1318.57(11) pm, β = 90.251(7)°, R_w = 0.034 for 1878 reflections. The catalytic properties of compound 3 in the oxidation of olefins with H₂O₂ are similar to those of 1.     

Structure determination of zinc iodide complexes formed in aqueous solution

Structures of the complexes formed in aqueous solutions between zinc(II) and iodide ions have been determined from large-angle X-ray scattering, Raman and far-IR measurements. The coordination in the hydrated Zn²⁺ hexaaqua ion and the first iodide complex, [ZnI]⁺, is octahedral, but is changed into tetrahedral in the higher complexes, [ZnI₂(H₂O)₂], [ZnI₃(H₂O)]^– and [ZnI₄]^2–. The Zn-I bond length is 2.635(4)Å in the [ZnI₄]^2– ion and slightly shorter, 2.592(6)Å, in the two lower tetrahedral complexes. In the octahedral [ZnI(H₂O)₅]⁺ complex the Zn-I bond length is 2.90(1)Å. The Zn-O bonding distances in the complexes are approximately the same as that in the hydrated Zn²⁺ ion, 2.10(1)Å.     

Supramolecular cluster catalysis: facts and problems

By checking the chemistry underlying the concept of “supramolecular cluster catalysis” we identified two major errors in our publications related to this topic, which are essentially due to contamination problems. (1) The conversion of the “closed” cluster cation [H₃Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)]⁺ (1) into the “open” cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (2), which we had ascribed to a reaction with water in the presence of ethylbenzene is simply an oxidation reaction which occurs in the presence of air. (2) The higher catalytic activity observed with ethylbenzene, which we had erroneously attributed to the “open” cluster cation [H₂Ru₃(C₆H₆)(C₆Me₆)₂(O)(OH)]⁺ (2), was due to the formation of RuO₂ · nH₂O, caused by a hydroperoxide contamination present in ethylbenzene.     

Formation of Iron-Carbon Nanoparticles behind Shock Waves

An attempt was made to obtain iron-carbon nanoparticles by two-step pyrolysis of Fe(CO)₅- and C₃O₂-containing mixtures behind incident and reflected shock waves in a shock tube. The formation of binary particles was monitored by recording the extinction of He-Ne laser radiation and laser-induced incandescence (LII). The LII method provides particle size estimates if the thermal and optical properties of the constituting material are known. Behind an incident shock wave, at temperatures of 700–1500 K, Fe(CO)₅ decomposes within a short period of time (∼50 µs). The resulting iron atoms combine into particles, which serve as condensation nuclei for carbon vapor resulting from C₃O₂ pyrolysis at 1500–3000 K behind the reflected shock wave. The binary particles thus produced are considerably larger than pure carbon or iron particles. As the mixture temperature behind the reflected shock wave is raised, the diameter of these binary particles decreases.__________Translated from Kinetika i Kataliz, Vol. 46, No. 3, 2005, pp. 333–343.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Gurentsov, Eremin, Roth, Starke.Based on a report at the VI Russian Conference on Mechanisms of Catalytic Reactions (Moscow, October 1–5, 2002).