Synthesis of a deca-lithium cage containing an [(RN)2As(mu-NR)As(NR)2]4- tetraanion; a homologue of group 15 trianions of the type [E(NR)3]3-

The novel, deca-lithium cage [(mtaNHLi)(As2(Nmta)5)-Li(4).2thf]2 (1) (mtaN = 5-methylthiazolyl, C4H4N2S) contains an imido-bridged tetraanion [(mtaN)2As(mu-Nmta)-As(Nmta)2]4-, which represents a new type of multi-functional imido group 15 ligand framework (homologous with group 15 anions of the type [As(NR)3]3-).     

The exo-selectivity of the new non-natural chiral auxiliary (+)-(1R,endo)-2-benzonorbornenol in an asymmetric aza-Diels-Alder reaction

The recently reported compound (+)-(1R,endo)-2-benzonorbornenol (2) proved to be an efficient chiral auxiliary in the asymmetric aza-Diels-Alder reaction between cyclopentadiene and the N-benzyl imine of its glyoxylate, which afforded a virtually all-exo mixture of cycloaducts with a 1S:1R diastereomeric ratio of 63:37.     

Time-resolved laser-induced plasma spectrometry for determination of minor elements in steelmaking process samples

A pulsed Nd:YAG laser operating on the fourth (266 nm) and second (532 nm) harmonics has been used to generate plasmas on the target surface in air at atmospheric pressure. The influence of wavelength on quantitative analysis of 4 minor elements in stainless steel samples (Si, Ti, Nb and Mo) was investigated. Stainless steel samples with different elemental concentrations were prepared and analyzed by laser-induced plasma spectrometry (LIPS). The effect of laser wavelength on analytical figures of merit (calibration curves, correlation coefficients, linear dynamic ranges, analytical precision, and accuracy values) was found to be negligible when internal standardization (an Fe line) and time-resolved laser-induced plasma are employed. For both wavelengths, the calibration curves presented a good linearity and an acceptable linear dynamic range in the concentration interval investigated. For the four elements studied, limits of detection lower than 150 microg g(-1) were achieved. To evaluate the influence of wavelength on precision and accuracy, a set of fifteen high-alloyed steel samples from different stages of steelmaking process have been analyzed. Finally, the long-term stability of the analytical measurements for Mo with 532 nm wavelength has been discussed. RSD values were lower than 5.3% for the elements studied.     

Suppressed ion chromatography for monitoring chemical impurities in steam for geothermal power plants

A suppressed ion chromatography (IC) technique has been evaluated as a chemical monitoring tool for detecting major anions (F-, Cl-, NO3- and SO4(2-)) of condensed steam in geothermal power plants. It is shown that the suppressed IC technique provides a suitable means for preventing possible damage to generating equipment in the geothermal industry. An electrical conductivity detector (0.1 microS sensitivity) with an anion-exchange column (IonPac AS4A-SC), a micro-membrane suppressor (AMMS II), and an isocratic high-pressure pump system were successfully used for detecting low concentrations of inorganic anions. Method detection limits for the anions of interest were <0.184 mg/L. Details of the IC methodology as well as some experimental results obtained during its application for the chemical monitoring of geothermal steam pipes are also described.     

Conformational mobility of thianthrene-5-oxide

[reaction: see text] Data on the apparent dipole moment of thianthrene-5-oxide (1) and (1)H NMR spectra in different solvents support the conformational mobility of 1, which flaps between two limit boat conformations with the sulfinyl group in pseudoequatorial and pseudoaxial positions, respectively. The conformational equilibrium of 1 occurs too fast for the (1)H NMR (500 MHz) time-scale even at -130 degrees C, and the equilibrium constant has not been determined. The apparent dipole moments of 1 in n-hexane and 1,4-dioxane and the (1)H NMR spectra of 1 and the model compounds cis- and trans-thianthrene-5,10-dioxides (2) and thianthrene (5) in different solvents and at various temperatures confirm that the relative position of the conformational equilibrium of 1 is solvent-dependent, and more polar solvents favor the conformation with the sulfoxide group in the pseudoaxial position (1(')(ax)). Variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectra have established the interconversion barrier of trans-2 and confirmed that the conformational equilibrium of cis-2 is strongly displaced toward the conformation with both sulfinyl groups in the pseudoequatorial position. The (1)H NMR data support the transannular interaction of the functional groups in 1 and trans-2.     

Templating and selection in the formation of macrocycles containing [[P(micro-NtBu)(2)](micro-NH)](n) frameworks: observation of halide ion coordination

Amination of [ClP(micro-NtBu)](2) (1) using NH(3) in THF gives the cyclophospha(III)zane dimer [H(2)NP(micro-NtBu)](2) (2), in good yield. (31)P NMR spectroscopic studies of the reaction of 1 with 2 in THF/Et(3)N show that almost quantitative formation of the cyclic tetramer [[P(micro-NtBu)](2)(micro-NH)](4) (3) occurs. The remarkable selectivity of this reaction can (in part) be attributed to pre-organisation of 1 and 2, which prefer cis arrangements in the solid state and solution. The macrocycle 3 can be isolated in yields of 58-67 % using various reaction scales. The isolation of the major by-product of the reaction (ca. 0.5-1 % of samples of 3), the pentameric, host-guest complex [[P(micro-NtBu)(2)](2)(micro-NH)](5)(HCl).2 THF] (4.2 THF), gives a strong indication of the mechanism involved. In situ (31)P NMR spectroscopic studies support a stepwise condensation mechanism in which Cl(-) ions play an important role in templating and selection of 3 and 4. Amplification of the pentameric arrangement occurs in the presence of excess LiX (X=Cl, Br, I). In addition, the cyclisation reaction is solvent- and anion-dependent. The X-ray structures of 2 and 4.2 THF are reported.     

Potential of zero total charge of platinum single crystals: A local approach to stepped surfaces vicinal to Pt(111)

The electrochemical behavior of platinum single-crystal electrodes is revisited, with special emphasis on the determination of the potential of zero charge. We show that the measure of the charge displaced during CO adsorption allows the determination of the potential of zero total charge (PZTC). The estimation of the potential of zero free charge (PZFC) is discussed, with different degrees of approximation. The application of this methodology to the study of the PZTC of platinum stepped surfaces vicinal to Pt(111) reveals a marked decrease of the PZTC due to the introduction of surface steps. This effect is interpreted as the result of the existence of markedly smaller surface potentials localized on step sites. The importance of considering local aspects of the interface is emphasized with the use of N₂O reduction as a sensitive probe to the local structure of the surface. It is proposed that the different local maxima observed in the absolute value of the reduction current correspond to the local values of PZTC. It is shown that there is, in general, good agreement between the overall PZTC, obtained from the CO displacement, and that calculated from the local values inferred from the N₂O reduction. Further insight is obtained with the application of the laser-induced temperature jump method. This technique is useful to calculate the potential of maximum entropy of the double-layer formation. The resulting value of this potential for Pt(111) is discussed in the light of the PZFC value obtained from different approaches. For stepped surfaces vicinal to Pt(111), two local maxima in the entropy of the double layer are observed that are close to the local PZTC values estimated from the N₂O reduction. This result suggests the existence of cooperative effects in the organization of the water dipoles close to the electrode surface. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2006, Vol. 42, No. 11, pp. 1275–1292. Based on the report delivered at the 8th International Frumkin Symposium “Kinetics of the Electrode Processes,” October 18–22, 2005, Moscow. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Room-temperature liquid phosphorimetry of the aluminium-ferron chelate in micellar media : Determination of aluminium

Aluminium reacts with 7-iodo-8-quinolinol-5-sulphonic acid (Ferron) in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) micelles to form a highly phosphorescent complex at room temperature. Suitable experimental conditions and the phosphorescent characteristics of the complex are described. Comparison with the results obtained for the phosphorescent niobium-Ferron complex in CTAB micelles helps to elucidate the mechanism of this type of phosphorescence. For aluminium the detection limit is 5.4 ng ml^?1; the relative standard deviation is 4.5% for 20 μg Al. The method is applied to aluminium determination in waters and dialysis fluids.     

Ag(I) complexes with alkylidene-bis(2-aminopyrimidines) as building units for discrete metallomacrocyclic frames. A structural and solution study

Alkylidene-bis(2-aminopyrimidines) (pyr2Cx, x = 2-5) are useful ligands to interact with Ag(I) yielding discrete metallocycles. Crystal structures of the [(pyr2C2)Ag(NO3)]2 and [(H-pyr2C4)Ag(NO3)2]2 have been isolated where each macrocyclic moiety interacts with their surroundings through weak interactions, yielding 3D discrete structures, On the other hand, the solution study shows that the equilibrium constants for the formation of Ag(pyr2Cx)+ complexes are higher than the literature values for Ag(I) complexes with single pyrimidines, although the differences could be explained by invoking the solid-state structures of the Ag(I)-pyr2Cx complexes.     

Secondary metabolites isolated from Colletotrichum species

Structural and biosynthetic studies of the metabolites isolated from various Colletotrichum species are reviewed. These fungi are destructive post-harvest pathogens on a wide range of plants including cereals, legumes and fruits. The review includes a detailed study of the biological activity of these metabolites and their role in the development of plant diseases. The literature in this field to the present is reviewed and 60 references are cited.