The photoisomerization mechanism of azobenzene: a semiclassical simulation of nonadiabatic dynamics

We have simulated the photoisomerization dynamics of azobenzene, taking into account internal conversion and geometrical relaxation processes, by means of a semiclassical surface hopping approach. Both n-->pi* and pi-->pi* excitations and both cis-->trans and trans-->cis conversions have been considered. We show that in all cases the torsion around the N==N double bond is the preferred mechanism. The quantum yields measured are correctly reproduced and the observed differences are explained as a result of the competition between the inertia of the torsional motion and the premature deactivation of the excited state. Recent time-resolved spectroscopic experiments are interpreted in the light of the simulated dynamics.     

1,2-Oxopalladation versus pi-allyl palladium route. A regioconvergent approach to a key intermediate for cyclopentanoids synthesis. New insights into the Pd(II)-catalyzed lactonization reaction

Regioconvergent synthesis of the key lactone 1 from an equimolar mixture of the two olefins 4 and 5 was achieved by unique Pd(II) chemistry. The synthetic versatility of lactone 1 has been demonstrated in the synthesis of iridoids and of the endo-Corey lactone 2, which is a key intermediate for the F(2)-isoprostane synthesis. Upon exposure of the sodium salts of 4 and 5 to a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)(2) under oxygen, in the presence of AcOH, an isomeric lactone 12 was obtained in addition to the title compound 1. The Pd(II) lactonization was optimized by fine-tuning all the factors participating in the catalytic cycle: solvent, oxidant, co-oxidant, and Pd(II) source. The Hosokawa's heterobimetallic couple emerged as the catalyst of choice. With a Cu(II)-Pd(II) couple, the redox process was transferred to copper, and the formal oxidation state of palladium remained constant during the reaction. By virtue of this new methodology, lactone 1 was obtained in a rewarding 60% yield, along with isomeric lactone 12 in 30% yield. A detailed mechanistic study was carried out in order to elucidate the formation of lactones 1 and 12. Lactone 1 was formed from either olefin 8 or olefin 10; on the other hand, lactone 12 was formed exclusively from olefin 10. An intramolecular 1,2-acyloxypalladiation was invoked for the transformation of 8 into 1, whereas the pi-allyl complexes 13 and 11 were involved in the transformation of olefin 10 into 12 and 1, respectively.     

X-ray and mössbauer studies of tricyclohexyltin(IV) halides. The crystal structures of (cyclo-C6H11)3SnX (X = F,Br and I)

The structures of tricyclohexyltin fluoride (I), bromide (II) and iodide (III) have been determined by X-ray analysis. Compound I crystallizes in the space group P2₁/m with a = 10.422(6), b = 17.238(9), c = 5.769(3) Å, β = 104.6(1)° and Z = 2. Compounds II and III crystallize in the space group Pcmn with a = 10.427(6), b = 16.914(9), c = 11.366(6) Å, Z = 4; and a = 10.400(6), b = 16.900(10), c = 11.400(4) Å, Z = 4, respectively. All three structures consist of discrete tetrahedral (cyclo-C₆H₁₁)₃SnX units.The temperature dependence of the Mössbauer resonance areas has been examined in order to obtain information about the relationship between chemical structure and lattice dynamics.     

Theoretical study of the variations in the β-protons hyperfine splitting parameter of hydrocarbon radicals

The proton hyperfine splitting constants of a large number of positive, negative, and neutral radicals, have been examined in term of the Heller-McConnell relation a _H=B_c cos² whose validity is discussed. B is taken as a function of the energy of the singly occupied orbital and values are calculated by first order perturbation theory for the cases of a methyl, methylene, and dimethylene group attached to the system. Substantial agreement is found between theory and experiment indicating the correctness of the postulated cause of the B behaviour.

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Zusammenfassung Die Konstante der Hyperfeinaufspaltung für -Protonen einer großen Anzahl positiver, negativer und neutraler -Radikale wurde mit der Beziehung von Heller und McConnell als Grundlage untersucht; die Gültigkeit dieser Beziehung wird diskutiert. B wird als von der Energie des einfach besetzten Orbitals abhängig angenommen und seine Werte mit Hilfe der Störungstheorie erster Ordnung für die Fälle von Methyl-, Methylen- und Dimethylengruppe am -System berechnet. Aus der guten Übereinstimmung zwischen Theorie und Experiment wird auf die Richtigkeit der postulierten Ursachen für das Verhalten von B geschlossen.

     

Correction of the interference by mixing the reagents in the bioluminescent determination of ATP in environmental samples by an interfaced PC photometer and a robust regression procedure

 An automated procedure for correcting the interference due to mixing the reagents in the determination of ATP by a bioluminescent technique is described. The measurements were performed by an in-house interfaced PC photometer. An automated procedure based on a robust regression method and outliers detection was applied to exclude the time of the mixing of the reagents from the global time of reaction. In fact the mixing of the reagents is responsible of the poor analytical precision (RSD%>25) and low sensitivity (limit of detection≈2×10^-8 mol/l). By this procedure, the precision (RSD%<7) and sensitivity (limit of detection≈8×10^-10 mol/l) were improved. The method was applied to the determination of ATP in marine sediments and good recovery within 90–108% was obtained. For non-polluted samples the measurement can be carried out by direct comparison with standard solutions. The standard addition procedure is recommended for polluted samples. Received: 25 April 1996/Revised: 28 June 1996/Accepted: 3 July 1996     

Ultra-fast essential oil characterization by capillary GC on a 50 microm ID column

A 5 m x 50 microm capillary column with 0.05 microm stationary phase film thickness, with a calculated efficiency of almost 20,000 plates per metre (under optimum conditions), was used for very fasthigh resolution GC analysis of lime essential oil. The total analysis time of this volatile essential oil was less than 90 s. Fast GC is shown to be appropriate for essential oil quality assurance analysis, and quantitative results of key components are comparable with those obtained by using conventional GC analysis. The fast GC analysis is approximately 33 times faster than the conventional GC method.     

Copper(II) complexes of N-terminal protected tri- and tetra-peptides containing histidine residues

Copper(II) complexes of peptides containing two or three histidyl residues (Ac-HisGlyHis-OH, Ac-HisGlyHis-NHMe, Ac-HisHisGlyHis-OH and Ac-HisHisGlyHis-NHMe) have been studied by potentiometric, UV-Vis, EPR and CD spectroscopic measurements. The imidazole nitrogen atoms are described as the primary metal binding sites of all ligands resulting in the formation of various macrochelates in the pH range 4 to 7. The (Nim, N-, Nim)-co-ordinated [CuH-1L]0+ complexes were mainly detected in samples containing free carboxylates at the C-termini, whilst the [CuH-2L]-(0) complexes were the predominant species in slightly alkaline solution and their binding modes were described via 4N-co-ordination (Nim, N-, N-, Nim) in (7,5,6)-membered fused chelate rings. Deprotonation and co-ordination of the third amide nitrogens were detected above pH approximately 9 in all cases.     

High resolution electrospray and electrospray tandem mass spectra of rotenone and its isoxazoline cycloadducts

An evaluation of the gas-phase ion chemistry of rotenone (1) by electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry (MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) is presented, aiming at providing tools for its determination in natural and biological matrices. The behaviour of its cycloadducts with benzonitrile-N-oxide (2) and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzonitrile-N-oxide (3) was also evaluated and the MS data thus obtained have provided evidence into the mechanism of formation of the key product ion at m/z 192 which can be considered a marker in the MS and MS2 spectra of rotenone and its derivatives.     

NMR stereospecific long-range coupling and preferred conformations in some (E)- and (Z)-α-phenyl-β-[2-(N-methyl)nitropyrrolyl] acrylic acids

NMR data have been used to assign the stereochemistry to some new (E)- and (Z)-α-phenyl-β-[2-(N-methyl)nitropyrrolyl]acrylic acids. The (E)-molecules are biased in the s-cis conformation showing NMR spectroscopic features strictly depending on the conformation.The analysis of the NMR spectra reveals that the (Z)-isomers exist also in the s-cis conformation.