Reactions of Ru3(CO)12 with Ene-yne and Alkoxy-silyl Functionalized Compounds. The Crystal Structure of (μ-H)Ru3(CO)9[μ3-η2-HC=N(CH2)3Si(OEt)3]

Ru₃(CO)₁₂ has been reacted with the compounds hex-1-en-3-yne [EtC≡CCH=CH₂], 2-methyl-hex-1-en-3-yne [EtC≡CC(=CH₂)CH₃] and with 3(ethoxy-silyl)propyl isocyanate [(EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃NCO] and the compound tb [(EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃NHC(=O)OCH₂C≡CCH₂OC(=O)NH(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] in hydrocarbon solution. Some reactions in CH₃OH/KOH solution (followed by acidification) have also been performed. The main products of the reactions with ene-ynes are the clusters Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-CO)₂L₂ (L = C₆H₈, C₇H₁₀) and their demolition products, the “ferrole” Ru₂(CO)₆L₂ complexes. One of the isomers of Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-CO)₂L₂, and Ru₂(CO)₆L₂ (L = C₇H₁₀) have been reacted with vinyl-triethoxysilane [(EtO)₃SiCH=CH₂]: these reactions did not afford complexes containing new carbon–carbon bonds or triethoxy-silyl groups. Only polymerization of vinyl-triethoxysilane occurred. The reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with triethoxysilyl-propyl-isocyanate and tb (in the presence of Me₃NO) lead to the same products, that is the isomeric complexes (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₉[C=N(H)(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] with a “perpendicular” ligand (complex 3, as proposed on the basis of spectroscopic results) and (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₉[HC=N(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] with a “parallel” ligand (complex 4, as confirmed by a X-ray analysis). The reaction pathways leading to these products are discussed. Complex 4 has been reacted with tetraethyl orthosilicate and the resulting material has been characterized. These reactions are part of a study on the synthesis of inorganic-organometallic materials through sol–gel techniques. This paper is dedicated to Prof. Gunther Schmid in the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

The adsorption of C4 unsaturated hydrocarbons on highly dehydrated silica. An IR-spectroscopic and thermodynamic study

The adsorptive interaction of 1-butyne and 1-butene with a highly dehydrated pyrogenic silica system has been studied to understand the thermodynamic behavior of the adsorption process by the application of the Langmuir model and of the Van't Hoff equation. In situ FTIR spectroscopy allowed the characterization of the adsorption phenomenon in terms of involved surface sites, gas-volumetric determinations yielded quantitative information relative to the adsorption process, and microcalorimetric results allowed the comparison between calculated and experimental data. K(eq) and Delta(ads)G degrees were obtained from Langmuir's model application; Delta(ads)H data were obtained from the Van't Hoff equation and by the isosteric heats method and were compared with experimental values. The virtual constancy of Delta(ads)H with equilibrium pressure and surface coverage (Langmuir model) allowed us to obtain the Delta(ads)H degrees values and, consequently, the Delta(ads)S degrees values for the systems of interest.     

New approaches to reversible crosslinking in epoxy resins

The objective of the research is to investigate epoxy resins where crosslinks formed in curing reactions can be cleaved and reformed without significant sacrifice in resin properties. Experimental disulfide-containing crosslinking agents have been selected for the study, including dihydrazides of dithiodicarboxylic acids (aliphatic and aromatic) and dithioaromatic diamines. Conditions for curing reactions and for subsequent cleavage of crosslinks by reduction have been determined in model systems and confirmed for a prototype epoxy resin. A comparative evaluation of cure kinetics, crosslink density, and thermal and mechanical properties has been carried out for resin cured with aromatic curing agents (dithiodianiline and methylenedianiline) and with aliphatic compounds (3, 3′-dithiopropionic acid dihydrazide and hexamethylenediamine). It has been shown that in resin fully cured with disulfide-containing crosslinking agents, crosslinks are ruptured by reduction, and re-established by oxidation under mild conditions, or by reaction of thiol groups with bifunctional alkylating agents.     

Recognition of the syndiotactic polypropylene polymorphs via dynamic-mechanical analysis

Three syndiotactic polypropylene samples were crystallized under different conditions in order to obtain different polymorphs. A first sample was crystallized at high temperature, obtaining the helical form I; a second was crystallized from the melt at 0°C for many days obtaining the trans-planar mesophase; a third sample was obtained by solvent induced crystallization followed by annaeling of the trans-planar mesophase, leading to a mixture of both the helical forms I and II. In the dynamic-mechanical analysis the helical form I showed only one peak of tan δ corresponding to the amorphous glass transition. The other polymorphs also showed this transition centered at about the same temperature. Beside the peak corresponding to the Tg, the trans-planar mesophase was characterized by a peak appearing at 70°C, and the helical form II by a peak at 100°C. These peaks, unambiguously associated to transitions of the different forms, can be considered a distinctive evidence for the polymorphs obtained in different processing conditions.     

Chemo‐Enzymatic Synthesis and Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Both Enantiomers of Methyl trans‐5‐Oxo‐2‐pentylpyrrolidine‐3‐carboxylate Precursors of the Aza Analogues of (+)‐ and (−)‐Methylenolactocin

Enantiomerically pure methyl esters of (+)‐(2R,3S)‐ and (−)‐(2S,3R)‐5‐oxo‐2‐pentylpyrrolidine‐3‐carboxylic acid with 99% and 98% ee were obtained by enzymatic resolution of the corresponding racemic mixture using α‐chymotrypsin and pig‐liver acetone powder, respectively. Their absolute configurations were established by chemical methods, i.e., conversion of the trans‐γ‐lactam moiety to the corresponding γ‐lactone of known configuration. The favorable interactions between the trans‐γ‐lactam and α‐chymotrypsin were rationalized by molecular‐mechanics calculations, which suggest a different situation for the cis‐diastereoisomer.     

Towards the biosynthesis of the aromatic products of the Mediterranean mollusc Scaphander lignarius: isolation and synthesis of analogues of lignarenones

Secondary metabolites of the Mediterranean mollusc Scaphander lignarius from different collection sites have been investigated, proving the constant presence of a number of minor metabolites correlated to the already known lignarenones. Complete characterization of the new metabolites has been supported by enantioselective synthesis. The data are consistent with the origin of this unique class of ω-phenyloctanoids from a common polyketide pathway.     

Synthesis of optically active α-benzyl paraconic acids and their esters and assignment of their absolute configuration

The cis- and trans-4-benzylparaconic acids and their ethyl esters were synthesized with high enantiomeric excess by hydrolysis of the corresponding diastereomeric lactonic esters using α-chymotrypsin. Thus, at low conversion values, cis- and trans-4-benzyl-5-oxo-3-tetrahydrofurancarboxylic acids were separately isolated with 99% ee and 92% ee, respectively. Both ethyl ester diastereomers were also obtained in enantiopure form. The absolute configuration of the trans-lactonic acid was assigned by ¹H NMR analysis of its ester derivatives with both enantiomers of 1-(9-anthryl)-2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, while that of the cis-lactonic acid was assigned by means of X-ray analysis of a crystalline derivative. The circular dichroism curves of the products obtained are also reported.     

2‐(4‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole derivatives. Part I. X‐Ray structural analysis

The X‐ray analyses of some neutral and cationic derivatives of 2‐(4‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐benzimida‐zole are reported and the structural data tentatively correlated to relative UV‐visible properties. A rotation of the γ‐picoline ring with respect to the benzimidazole moiety may be responsible of the spectral behavior.