Air- and water-stable catalysts for hydroamination/cyclization. Synthesis and application of CCC-NHC pincer complexes of Rh and Ir

The scope of CCC-NHC pincer complex synthetic methodology by metalation/transmetalation has been extended to Ir. Structural characterization revealed that it is isomorphous with the Rh complex. Both Rh and Ir complexes are efficient catalysts for the hydroamination/cyclization of secondary amines in the presence of air and/or water.     

Synthesis, pharmacology, and cell biology of sn-2-aminooxy analogues of lysophosphatidic acid

An efficient enantioselective synthesis of sn-2-aminooxy (AO) analogues of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) that possess palmitoyl and oleoyl acyl chains is presented. Both sn-2-AO LPA analogues are agonists for the LPA1, LPA2, and LPA4 G-protein-coupled receptors, but antagonists for the LPA3 receptor and inhibitors of autotaxin (ATX). Moreover, both analogues stimulate migration of intestinal epithelial cells in a scratch wound assay.     

Chain-like assembly of gold nanoparticles on artificial DNA templates via 'click chemistry'

We present a new type of azide-functionalized gold nanoparticle and their coupling to an alkyne-modified DNA duplex using the copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition ('click chemistry'), resulting in a chain-like assembly of nanoparticles on the DNA template.     

How are tris(triazolyl)borate ligands electronically different from tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands? A study of (Ttz(tBu,Me))CuCO [Ttz(tBu,Me) = tris(3-t-butyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate

(Ttz(tBu,Me))CuCO [Ttz(tBu,Me) = tris(3-t-butyl-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate] was prepared and fully characterized to test whether the Ttz(tBu,Me) ligand, which is sterically similar to Tp(tBu,Me) is electronically different; Ttz(tBu,Me) is a weaker electron donor and (Ttz(tBu,Me))CuCO is water stable and has a propensity to form hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis, multilayer film assembly, and capsule formation of macromolecularly engineered acrylic acid and styrene sulfonate block copolymers

We report the use of copolymers synthesized with specific block ratios of weakly and strongly charged groups for the preparation of stable, pH-responsive multilayers. In this study, we utilized reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization in the synthesis of novel pH-sensitive copolymers comprising block domains of acrylic acid (AA) and styrene sulfonate (SS) groups. The PAA x- b-SS y copolymers, containing 37%, 55%, and 73% of AA groups by mass (denoted as PAA 37- b-SS 63, PAA 55- b-SS 45, and PAA 73- b-SS 27, respectively), were utilized to perform stepwise multilayer assembly in alternation with poly(allylamine hydrochloride), PAH. The ratio of AA to SS groups, and the effect of the pH of both anionic and cationic adsorption solutions, on multilayer properties, were investigated using ellipsometry and atomic force microscopy. The presence of SS moieties in the PAA x- b-SS y copolymers, regardless of the precise composition, lead to films with a relatively consistent thickness. Exposure of these multilayers to acidic conditions postassembly revealed that these multilayers do not exhibit the characteristic large swelling that occurs with PAA/PAH films. The film stability was attributed to the presence of strongly charged SS groups. PAA x- b-SS y/PAH films were also formed on particle substrates under various adsorption conditions. Microelectrophoresis measurements revealed that the surface charge and isoelectric point of these core-shell particles are dependent on assembly pH and the proportion of AA groups in PAA x- b-SS y. These core-shell particles can be used as precursors to hollow capsules that incorporate weak polyelectrolyte functionality. The role of AA groups in determining the growth profile of these capsules was also examined. The multilayer films prepared may find applications in areas where pH-responsive films are required but large film swelling is unfavorable.     

Sulphur-enriched thiacalix[4]arenes in the cone conformation: synthesis, crystal structures and cation binding properties

The synthesis and crystal structure of p-tert-butylthia- and p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene derivatives 1–7 substituted at the narrow rim by diethylthiophosphate ester groups, -PS(OEt)₂ are reported. In these compounds the phosphorus atoms are directly attached to the phenolic O atoms of the calix units and the S atoms of the thiophosphate may serve as a two-electron donor to a metal ion. Their crystal structures were solved, which revealed their cone conformation. Their cation-binding properties have been established by liquid-liquid extraction of metal picrates from water into dichloromethane and stability constant determination in acetonitrile using UV-absorption spectrophotometry. Quantitative extraction was achieved for Ag⁺ (%E = 99) with the tetra-substituted thiacalix[4]arene derivative. The complexes were found to be of 1:1 stoichiometry and the location of the metal cations was shown to be nearby the sulphur atoms by ¹H NMR.     

An attempt towards coordination supramolecularity from Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II) with a new hexadentate [N4O2] symmetrical Schiff base ligand: Syntheses,crystal structures,electrical conductivity and optical properties

To explore the influence of non-covalent weak force interactions, mainly exerted by carboxylic groups, on the formation of supramolecular architectures of transition metal complexes and their electrical conduction processes, a new symmetrical [N₄O₂] hexadentate Schiff base ligand, 1,8-N-bis(3-carboxy)disalicylidene-3,6-diazaoctane-1,8-diamine, abbreviated to H₄fsatrien, and its complexes of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II) have been synthesized using in situ condensation of the ligand components in the presence of metal ions. The complexes were structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, NMR, ESR, molar conductivity and magnetic measurements. The crystal structures of all the complexes have been determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The 1-D, 2-D and 3-D networks of the complexes are formed by π–π stacking, C–H?π interactions and mono or bifurcated H-bonding. The electronic structures of the complexes have been examined using the DFT method. Solid-state properties (e.g. electrical conductivity at different temperatures and optical properties) of the Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes have also been studied and, depending on the temperature, the conductivity of the complexes is found to be insulating and semiconducting (intrinsic and extrinsic) in nature. The optical band gap (E_gd) of complexes (1) and (3) is found to be 2.57 and 2.30 eV, respectively.     

A Proximal Bisnitroxide Initiator: Studies in Low-Temperature Nitroxide-Mediated Polymerizations

Nitroxide-mediated "living" radical polymerization with bisalkoxyamine 2,5,5,8,8,11-hexamethyl-4,9-(1-phenylethoxy)-3,10-diphenyl-4,9-diazadodecane produces polymers of controlled length and narrow molecular weight distributions at temperatures ranging from 70 to 110 °C. Polymerizations were run successfully with styrene (St), tert-butyl acrylate (tBA), and dimethylacrylamide (DMA). EPR measurements of the homolysis of this bisalkoxyamine and monoalkoxyamine 2,2,5-trimethyl-3-(1-phenylethoxy)-4-phenyl-3-azahexane at temperatures ranging from 85 to 105 °C give rate constants for the bisalkoxyamine that are approximately twice as large as those for the monoalkoxyamine. (1)H NMR investigations of the decomposition of both alkoxyamines at 125 °C show enhanced decomposition for the bisalkoxyamine. EPR decomposition studies at 120 °C on the corresponding bis- and mononitroxides 2,5,5,8,8,11-hexamethyl-3,10-diphenyl-4,9-diazadodecane-4,9-bisnitroxide and 2,2,5-trimethyl-4-phenyl-3-azahexane-3-nitroxide also show accelerated bisnitroxide decomposition. Low-temperature EPR studies of the bisnitroxide reveal an unusually strong radical-radical interaction, suggesting enhanced stabilization of the intermediate mononitroxide formed during polymerization by interaction with the proximal N-alkoxyamine. The transient mononitroxide is postulated to be stabilized by delocalization of the unpaired electron density over five atoms.     

Automated charge state determination of complex isotope-resolved mass spectra by peak-target Fourier transform

This study describes a new algorithm for charge state determination of complex isotope-resolved mass spectra. This algorithm is based on peak-target Fourier transform (PTFT) of isotope packets. It is modified from the widely used Fourier transform method because Fourier transform may give ambiguous charge state assignment for low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) or overlapping isotopic clusters. The PTFT algorithm applies a novel "folding" strategy to enhance peaks that are symmetrically spaced about the targeted peak before applying the FT. The "folding" strategy multiplies each point to the high-m/z side of the targeted peak by its counterpart on the low-m/z side. A Fourier transform of this "folded" spectrum is thus simplified, emphasizing the charge state of the "chosen" ion, whereas ions of other charge states contribute less to the transformed data. An intensity-dependent technique is also proposed for charge state determination from frequency signals. The performance of PTFT is demonstrated using experimental electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra. The results show that PTFT is robust for charge state determination of low S/N and overlapping isotopic clusters, and also useful for manual verification of potential hidden isotopic clusters that may be missed by the current analysis algorithms, i.e., AID-MS or THRASH.