Dendrimeric Gd(III) complex of a monophosphinated DOTA analogue: optimizing relaxivity by reducing internal motion

A marked increase of relaxivity has been observed upon rigidifying the internal frame of Gd-containing PAMAM dendrimers: the effect has been attained by either protonation of the dendrimer or by forming supramolecular adducts with cationic polyaminoacids.     

Benzenoid Molecules with Uniform Distribution of π-Electrons within Rings

Summary. In a recent work it was demonstrated that in linear hexagonal chains the distribution of π-electrons into rings (as computed by means of the Randić–Balaban method) is uniform, irrespective of the nature of the terminal fragments. We now establish that an analogous, yet somewhat more complex, uniformity in the π-electron distribution exists also in double linear hexagonal chains, as well as in some other benzenoid systems.     

The stereochemistry of organosulfur compounds. XIX. The crystal and molecular structure of 10-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-10H-indeno[1,2-f]-1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepin

The molecular structure of 10-(1,3-Dithiolan-2-ylidene)-10H-indeno[1,2-f] -1,2,3,4,5-pentathiepin S₇C₁₂H₈₉ has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are triclinic, space group PI, with two molecules in a unit cell of dimensions α = 8.931(2), b = 9.387(2), c = 10.175(2) Å, α = 75.73(2), β = 73.35(1), γ = 64.37(2)°. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined to a final R value of 3.3% for 1925 independent reflections. The molecule consists of an indene core with a nearly co-planar dithiolane and a fused pentasulfide chain. The S₅C₂ ring is in the chair configuration, with an average S? S distance of 2.052 Å. There is no variation of bond lengths as is frequently seen in multi-sulfur chains. The indenone ring shows no evidence of any delocalization, while the dithiolane ring is disordered at the two methylene positions. No attempt was made to resolve the disorder, since it is frequently seen and has been thoroughly investigated previously.     

Anionic polymerization of lactones initiated by alkali graphitides. III. Polymerization of δ-valerolactone initiated by KC24

The anionic polymerization of δ-valerolactone initiated by KC₂₄ in xylene or tetrahydrofuran was investigated. The influence of the polymerization conditions on the amount and composition of the oligomers fraction and high polymers formed was tested. Experiments were done with a potassium mirror and benzophenone-potassium as initiators of the polymerization to check the influence of the layered structure of the initiator. It was found that the amount of the oligomers formed under comparable conditions increases in the order KC₂₄ (9%), potassium mirror (22%), benzophenone-potassium (56%). The highest yields of poly(δ-valerolactone) (over 90%) and highest intrinsic viscosities (1.0 dL/g and more) were achieved by the KC₂₄-initiated polymerizations in xylene.     

Highly porous uranyl selenate nanotubules

A first amine-templated uranyl selenate based upon highly porous uranyl selenate nanotubules, (C4H12N)14[(UO2)10(SeO4)17(H2O)], has been prepared in the room-temperature reaction of uranyl nitrate, butylamine, and H2SeO4 in aqueous solution. The structure consists of nanometer-scale tubular [(UO2)10(SeO4)17(H2O)]14- units packed in a hexagonal-type fashion. The tubules have elliptical cross section with outer dimensions of 25 x 23 A = 2.5 x 2.3 nm. The internal free crystallographic diameter of the tubules is 12.6 A = 1.26 nm, which is comparable to the effective pore size in large-pore zeolites. This finding demonstrates the possibility of nanostructures for actinides in higher oxidation states and opens up a new area of research and exploration.     

The synthesis and thermal curing parameters of a novel quinoxaline monomer with terminal ethynyl thermoset and phenylethynyl intramolecular cycloaddition postcure capability

The Synthesis of 3,3′-bis(4-[3-ethynylphenoxy]phenyl)-7,7′-bis(phenylethynyl)-2,2′-diphenyl-6,6′-biquinoxaline (I) was accomplished by the reaction of 2,2′-bis(phenylethynyl)-5,5′-diaminobenzidine (II) and 4-(3-ethynylphenoxy)benzil. Thermal analysis of I indicated a softening temperature of 107°C, followed by an exotherm above 150°C that corresponded to a independent crosslinking reaction of the terminal acetylene groups and an intramolecular cycloaddition (IMC) reaction of the 2,2′-bis(phenylethynyl)biphenyl moieties. In the synthetic work substantial improvements were made in the synthesis of II. The sample of I was cured at 200°C and the maximum partially cured transition temperature attained was 280°C. A sample of 3,3′-bis(4,[3-ethynylphenoxy]phenyl)-2,2′-diphenyl-6,6′-biquinoxaline (IV) was similarly tested as a model without IMC capability and its corresponding value was 250°C. The difference between these two values is discussed briefly.     

Polarizing a hydrophobic cavity for the efficient binding of organic guests: the case of calix[6]tren, a highly efficient and versatile receptor for neutral or cationic species

The host-guest properties of calix[6]tren 1 have been evaluated. The receptor is based on a calix[6]arene that is covalently capped at the narrow rim by a tren unit. As a result, the system presents a concave hydrophobic cavity with, at its bottom, a grid-like nitrogenous core. Despite its well-defined cavity and opening to the outside at the large rim, 1 did not behave as a good receptor for neutral molecules in chloroform. However, it exhibited efficient endo-complexation of ammonium guests. By contrast, the per-protonated host, 1.4H(+), behaved as a remarkable receptor for small organic molecules. The complexation is driven by a strong charge-dipole interaction and hydrogen bonds between the polar guest and the tetracationic cap of the calixarene. Finally, coordination of Zn(2+) to the tren core led to the asymmetrization of calixarene cavity and to the strong but selective endo-binding of neutral ligands. This study emphasizes the efficiency of a receptor presenting a concave hydrophobic cavity that is polarized at its bottom. The resulting combination of charge-dipole, hydrogen bonding, CH-pi, and van der Waals interactions highly stabilizes the supramolecular architectures. Also, importantly, the tren cap allows the tuning of the polarization, offering either a basic (1), a highly charged and acidic (1.4H(+)), or a coordination (1.Zn(2+)) site. As a result, the system proved to be highly versatile, tunable, and interconvertible in solution by simple addition of protons, bases, or metal ions.     

The electrophilic reactions of pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) with hydrazine and substituted derivatives. Catalytic reduction of nitrite and theoretical prediction of eta(1)-, eta(2)-N(2)O bound intermediates

The electrophilic reactivity of the pentacyanonitrosylferrate(II) ion, [Fe(CN)(5)NO](2)(-), toward hydrazine (Hz) and substituted hydrazines (MeHz, 1,1-Me(2)Hz, and 1,2-Me(2)Hz) has been studied by means of stoichiometric and kinetic experiments (pH 6-10). The reaction of Hz led to N(2)O and NH(3), with similar paths for MeHz and 1,1-Me(2)Hz, which form the corresponding amines. A parallel path has been found for MeHz, leading to N(2)O, N(2), and MeOH. The reaction of 1,2-Me(2)Hz follows a different route, characterized by azomethane formation (MeNNMe), full reduction of nitrosyl to NH(3), and intermediate detection of [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3)(-). In the above reactions, [Fe(CN)(5)H(2)O](3)(-) was always a product, allowing the system to proceed catalytically for nitrite reduction, an issue relevant in relation to the behavior of the nitrite and nitric oxide reductase enzymes. The mechanism comprises initial reversible adduct formation through the binding of the nucleophile to the N-atom of nitrosyl. The adducts decompose through OH(-) attack giving the final products, without intermediate detection. Rate constants for the adduct-formation steps (k = 0.43 M(-)(1) s(-)(1), 25 degrees C for Hz) decrease with methylation by about an order of magnitude. Among the different systems studied, one-, two-, and multielectron reductions of bound NO(+) are analyzed comparatively, with consideration of the role of NO, HNO (nitroxyl), and hydroxylamine as bound intermediates. A DFT study (B3LYP) of the reaction profile allows one to characterize intermediates in the potential hypersurface. These are the initial adducts, as well as their decomposition products, the eta(1)- and eta(2)-linkage isomers of N(2)O.     

Relating Total π-Electron Energy and Resonance Energy of Benzenoid Molecules with Kekulé- and Clar-Structure-Based Parameters

Within classes of isomeric benzenoid hydrocarbons various Kekulé- and Clar-structure-based parameters (Kekulé structure count, Clar cover count, Herndon number, Zhang–Zhang polynomial) are all mutually correlated. This explains why both the total π-electron energy (E), the Dewar resonance energy (DRE), and the topological resonance energy (TRE) are well correlated with all these parameters. Nevertheless, there exists an optimal value of the variable of the Zhang–Zhang polynomial for which it yields the best results. This optimal value is negative-valued for E, around zero for TRE, and positive-valued for DRE. A somewhat surprising result is that TRE and DRE considerably differ in their dependence on Kekulé- and Clar-structure-based parameters.     

Mercury(II) mediated cyclisation of R-1-(1′-hydroxyethyl)-2-(1″-propenyl)-3-alkoxy-4-methoxybenzenes to chiral isochromanes

A protocol has been established for the transformation of chiral ortho 1-hydroxyethyl propenyl benzenes under both anaerobic and oxidative mercury(II) mediated conditions to produce chiral isochromanes. Further transformations of the former products yielded chiral isochromanquinones, while the latter afforded the corresponding chiral 4-hydroxyisochromanquinones.