A Mechanistically and Operationally Simple Route to Metal–N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Complexes

We have been puzzled by the involvement of weak organic and inorganic bases in the synthesis of metal–N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. Such bases are insufficiently strong to permit the presumed required deprotonation of the azolium salt (the carbene precursor) prior to metal binding. Experimental and computational studies provide support for a base-assisted concerted process that does not require free NHC formation. The synthetic protocol was found applicable to a number of transition-metal- and main-group-centered NHC compounds and could become the synthetic route of choice to form M–NHC bonds.     

Properties and examples of FCR-algebras

An algebra A over a field k is FCR if every finite dimensional representation of A is completely reducible and the intersection of the kernels of these representations is zero. We give a useful characterization of FCR-algebras and apply this to C ^*-algebras and to localizations. Moreover, we show that “small” products and sums of FCR-algebras are again FCR. Received: 25 October 2000     

Hetero-Diels-Alder Cycloadditions of α,β-Unsaturated Acyl Cyanides,Part 4 , Substituent Effects in Reactions with p-Substituted Styrenes

Cycloadditions of α,β-unsaturated acyl cyanides (=2-oxonitriles) 1 – 6 to styrene and its p-substituted derivatives 7a – f , h are of inverse electron demand and provide, under mild conditions, regio- and stereoselectively 2-aryl-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran-6-carbonitriles 8 – 13 , generally in good yield. Rates for the cycloaddition of acryloyl cyanide 1 to p-substituted styrenes, determined in competition reactions of substrate pairs relative to that of styrene, increase in the order of electron-donating ability NO₂<Cl<H<AcO<Me<AcNH<MeO of the p-substituent. Linear correlation of log (k_X/k_H), and σ_p⁺ substituent constants (a Hammett-type plot), gives a reaction constant ρ_p⁺ of −1.47±0.17, supporting a concerted mechanism.     

Three‐Component Langmuir–Blodgett Films Consisting of Surfactant,Clay Mineral,and Lysozyme: Construction and Characterization

The Langmuir–Blodgett (L–B) technique has been employed for the construction of hybrid films consisting of three components: surfactant, clay, and lysozyme (Lys). The surfactants are octadecylammonium chloride (ODAH) and octadecyl ester of rhodamine B (RhB18). The clays include saponite and laponite. Surface pressure versus area isotherms indicate that lysozyme is adsorbed by the surfactant–clay L–B film at the air–water interface without phase transition. The UV‐visible spectra of the hybrid film ODAH–saponite–Lys show that the amount of immobilized lysozyme in the hybrid film is (1.3±0.2) ng mm^?2. The average surface area (Ω) per molecule of lysozyme is approximately 18.2 nm² in the saponite layer. For the multilayer film (ODAH–saponite–Lys)_n, the average amount of lysozyme per layer is (1.0±0.1) ng mm^?2. The amount of lysozyme found in the hybrid films of ODAH–laponite–Lys is at the detection limit of about 0.4 ng mm^?2. Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) FTIR spectra give evidence for clay layers, ODAH, lysozyme, and water in the hybrid film. The octadecylammonium cations are partially oxidized to the corresponding carbamate. A weak 1620 cm^?1 band of lysozyme in the hybrid films is reminiscent of the presence of lysozyme aggregates. AFM reveals evidence of randomly oriented saponite layers of various sizes and shapes. Individual lysozyme molecules are not resolved, but aggregates of about 20 nm in diameter are clearly seen. Some aggregates are in contact with the clay mineral layers, others are not. These aggregates are aligned in films deposited at a surface pressure of 20 mN m^?1.     

On the influence of fatty acid chain unsaturation on supramolecular gelation of aminocarbohydrate-based supra-amphiphiles

Supramolecular gels are soft materials formed mainly by low molecular weight units held together by intermolecular interactions. Stabilizing these kinds of materials is quite a challenge due to the influence of multiple factors interfering with the integrity of the supramolecular structure. In our previous studies, we have shown that the aminocarbohydrate meglumine (MEG) interacts with organic acids by ion-pairing leading to the formation of MEG–carboxylate adducts. These adducts undergo supramolecular polymerization by heat treatment, but the macromolecular assembly was stable for a short period due to hydrogen bond (H-bond) breakup. Herein, we attempt to study the influence of hydrophobic building blocks on the formation of these compounds aiming to stabilize H-bonds to produce polymerizable supra-amphiphiles in water. Oleic acid and stearic acid are two analogous fatty acids differing only in the presence of unsaturation that were used in our studies. Results demonstrated that the presence of unsaturation hinders gelation in water by interfering with the self-assembly behavior of supra-amphiphiles. Thus, unsaturated supra-amphiphiles behave like traditional surfactants and gelify water at high concentrations (above 30% w/w). On the other hand, supramolecular gels with a polymer-like behavior could be produced with a saturated supra-amphiphile in water (above 4% w/w). The material was characterized by a lamellar arrangement that facilitates the alignment of H-bonds necessary to stabilize the self-assembled structure. These results have pivotal importance on the design of polymerizable supra-amphiphiles and demonstrate that the double bond of hydrophobic building blocks is an important design factor to be considered by scientists studying similar materials.     

Impact of surface hydroxylation in MgO-/SnO-nanocluster modified TiO2 anatase (101) composites on visible light absorption,charge separation and reducibility

Anatase TiO₂ surfaces, whether oxidised or hydroxylated, can be modified by nanoclusters of SnO and MgO to give a red shift in light absorption, enhanced charge separation and high reducibility.