A new organic nanoporous architecture: dumb-bell-shaped molecules with guests in parallel channels

A new type of dumb-bell-shaped host molecule (6-8) has been synthesised, of which 1,8-bis((1)-adamantyl)-1,3,5,7-octatetrayne (8 = BAOT) forms an open porous architecture when cocrystallised with a number of typical solvent molecules. Adamantyl substituents attached to a tetraalkyne spacer build up the walls of parallel channels wherein guest molecules are aligned. Surprisingly, the tetraalkyne unit is significantly bent. Desolvation experiments provide evidence for a reversible inclusion of guests. In the case of the inclusion of 2-butanone, a partial substitution by symmetrical and asymmetrical long-chain chromophores during crystallisation was possible. Stained crystals showed optical frequency doubling. The crystal structure analysis revealed a centric space group, although considerable translational and orientational disorder was present. Application of scanning pyroelectric microscopy revealed that the growth of inclusion compounds with 2-butanone produced polar ordering of guest molecules, which were aligned in two macro-domains of opposing polarity. The resulting orientation of the carbonyl dipoles is in agreement with the theoretical prediction of a Markov model of spontaneous polarity formation based on molecular recognition processes on growing crystal faces. The present case represents a new example of a property-driven supramolecular synthesis.     

Enabling a circular economy for chemicals in plastics

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Synthese von Triafulven-Vorstufen aus trisubstituierten Cyclopropanen

Synthesis of Triafulvene-Precursors from Trisubstituted Cyclopropanes Trisubstituted cyclopropanes 5a–f are prepared by carbene addition to the appropriate olefins. While 5a (Y = OAc) and 5c (Y = Cl) rearrange in the presence of BuLi, 5d (Y = SPh) is stable enough to allow the envisaged sequence for triafulvene (Scheme 2) : halogen-Li exchange, followed by methylation of 6d , gives 7d in a 93% yield; after base-induced elimination of HB r from 7d , the key precursor 1-methylene-2-(phenylthio)cyclopropane ( 9 , 70% yield) is isolated. Compound 9 is transformed into the corresponding sulfoxide 10 (83%), sulfone 11 (80%), and sulfonium fluoroborate 12 (95% yield) by subsequent oxidation and methylation, respectively. Some ¹H-NMR results of cyclopropanes 5a–f and 7d as well as of methylidene-cyclopropanes 9–11 are discussed.     

Gas chromatographic retention of alkyl phosphates on ionic liquid stationary phases

Retention behaviors of alkyl phosophates were studied on a series of ionic liquid gas chromatography columns. The selectivity of the IL columns for alkyl phosphates were compared with a 5% phenyl column as a route to evaluating the potential use of IL columns in the analysis of alkyl phosphates in petroleum samples in both one- and multi-dimensional GC. Most interestingly, we demonstrate for the first time the dependence of elution order on separation temperature for members of a homologous series of compounds. At low temperatures it was found that trihexyl phosphate eluted before trioctyl phosphate, while at higher temperatures this pattern was reversed.     

Complex forming and extraction properties of oligo benzo-fused crown ethers

The complex forming properties with alkali metal and ammonium ions of a series of oligo benzo-condensed 18-crown-6 ethers1–8 having a different gradation of lipophilicity and of molecular rigidity are investigated by voltammetry at the interface of two immiscible electrolyte solutions (ITIES) and by a liquid-liquid extraction technique. The experimental results obtained in the two phase system H₂O/nitrobenzene are discussed in relation to the structure of the crown and the cation type. The stability constants for the 1 : 1 complexes of Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺ and NH ₄ ⁺ in nitrobenzene have been determined and compared with the extraction constants for the 1: 1 complexes of Na⁺ and K⁺ and for the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes of Cs⁺, showing the effect of oligo benzo condensation for the 18-crown-6 system.     

A photoactivated diazopyruvoyl cross-linking agent for bonding tissue containing type-I collagen

On the basis of the earlier examples of diazopyruvoyl (DAP) groups reported by Lawton for covalent binding and cross-linking of proteins and oligopeptides and our recent demonstration that a coumaryl diazopyruvamide was used to label Type-I collagen, we have extended our investigations to the synthesis and cross-linking capabilities of a bis-DAP polyethylene glycol to cross-link Type-I collagen. The new photoactivated cross-linking agent, N,N'-bis(3-diazopyruvoyl)-2,2'-(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine) (DPD, 2), has been designed and synthesized specifically to "weld" collagenous tissues by cross-linking Type-I collagen. A working model for the photochemical welding studies of collagenous tissues was developed using gelatin strips (gel strips) composed of denatured Type-I collagen. Gel strips are transparent to near-UV and visible light, uniform in thickness, and have reproducible composition. Furthermore, the availability of nucleophilic amine sites in gel strips was demonstrated by reaction with o-phthalaldehyde, producing a fluorescent derivative of the protein. Gel strips were coated with a solution of DPD in chloroform 7 irradiated at 320-390 nm, and the resulting bonded gel strips were tested for the strength of the weld. The welds were generally brittle and had average tensile strengths that exceeded 100 N/cm2. Welds were not formed in the absence of light or DPD. Scanning electron microscopy studies revealed a pockmarked surface from severed welds. Welds of rabbit Achilles tendon were also obtained using the tethered diazopyruvamide. These welds were much weaker, having an average tensile strength of 11.95 N/cm2 for DPD-2,2'-ethylenedioxy(bis)ethylamine comonomers in the cross-linking reaction. In both studies the welds obtained by this method were significantly stronger than the controls.     

Solution and X-Ray Crystal Structures of the Di- and Tetra-allyl Ether of tert- utylcalix[4]arene

The di- and tetra-allyl ethers of tert-butylcalix[4]arene 1 and 2 have been prepared by alkylation of tert-butylcalix[4]arene with allyl bromide and K₂CO₃ using different reaction times. Solution ¹H NMR measurement of the di-allyl ether 1 and X-ray crystal structures of the complexes of 1 with chloroform (1a) or methanol (1b) indicate the cone conformation of 1 in which intramolecular hydrogen bonding can be maximized. The crystalline state conformers 1a and 1b are distorted in different grades depending on the solvent. While methanol is incorporated in the macrocycle, chloroform molecules do not occupy the cage. The solution ¹H NMR spectra of tetra-allyl ether 2 show the co-existence of the cone and partial cone conformation. The partial cone conformer of 2 was investigated by X-ray crystallography. In this compound hydrogen bonding is not existent. The conformer distribution is likely affected by steric and template effects.     

Investigation of the Crystallisation Behaviour of Lead Titanate (PT), Lead Zirconate (PZ) and Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) by EXAFS-Spectroscopy and X-Ray Diffraction

Two solid solutions of lead zirconium titanates PbZr _x Ti_{1 – x} O₃ (x = 0.1 and 0.35) as well as the reference compounds lead titanate and lead zirconate were prepared from zirconium and titanium n-propoxide, dissolved in 2-methoxyethanol, by sol-gel process. The amorphous products after pyrolysis of the dried gels and the crystalline phases were studied by EXAFS spectroscopy to monitor the structural changes from the amorphous oxide mixture to the crystalline ceramics after calcination. Additionally, the crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD).It follows from the analysis of the EXAFS data that the local order of the amorphous phases seems to be completely different from that of the crystalline phase. There is no indication of a preformation of the local order of the perovskite structure. The analysis of our EXAFS spectra can be interpreted very consistently with the assumption that in the amorphous samples a segregation exists on molecular level and the low crystallisation temperatures are a consequence of very short diffusion paths.     

C(methyl)–H ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ π(aryl) Interaction Stabilizing Molecular Conformation. X-Ray Crystal Structure of an Inclusion Compound of a Nonprotic Host with Nitromethane Guest

In the cocrystal formation of a nonprotic polar (host) molecule (1) with nitromethane (guest) several weak, but directional, intermolecular interactions have vital importance. The endo conformation of the (N)-xylene group of the polycyclic succinimide-based host 1 is stabilized by a C_methyl $---$ H ??? π interaction [C ??? π /H ??? π distances are 3.554(7)/2.57 Å, the C $---$ H ??? π angle is 159^○], and the crystal packing is governed by dipole–dipole type interhost (C $ =$ )O ??? C( $ =$ O) connection [C ??? O $ =$ 3.000(5) Å and <C $ =$ O ??? C $ =$ 159.8(3)^○] in conjunction with possible C $---$ H ??? O interactions [with C ??? O distances ranging between 3.20 and 3.50 Å] involving the polar groups of both host and guest. Crystal data: 1 ??? nitromethane (1:1), C₂₆H₂₁O₂ N ? CH₃NO₂, M _w = 440.50, P2 ₁/n, a = 14.143(1), b = 7.973(1), c = 20.291(2) Å, β = 95.183(9)^○, Z = 4, D _c = 1.2840(2) g cm^?3, R = 0.055 for 1709 reflections.     

Anthracene Based Bulky Diol Hosts. Crystal Structures of a Free Host and of Inclusion Compounds with Dipolar Guests

X-ray crystal structures are reported of a free host compound 1, comprising two diphenylmethanol terminal groups attached to a central 9,10-ethynyl substituted anthracene unit, and of three inclusion compounds of a fluoren-9-ol substituted analogous host 2 with acetone, dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF) as guest, respectively. Despite the presence of two hydroxyl groups in 1, there is no O–H...O hydrogen bond between the molecules in the guest free crystal – only weaker C–H...O interactions and van der Waals' type connections. In the inclusion compounds of 2, H-bonded 1:2 host–guest associates are formed, where each of the host hydroxyl groups binds to a guest oxygen atom. The orientations of the host–guest connections in these complexes vary, being E for acetone and Z for both DMSO and DMF guests, relative to the host anthracene unit. The DMSO and DMF inclusion compounds of 2 proved to be isostructural.