High-spin to low-spin relaxation kinetics in the [Fe(TRIM)2]Cl2 complex

A quasi-quantitative photo-induced low-spin (LS)-->high-spin (HS) conversion of FeII ions has been observed in the [Fe(TRIM)2]Cl2 complex by irradiating the sample with blue light (488 nm) at 10 K. The time dependence of the HS-->LS relaxation has been studied between 10 K and 44 K by means of magnetic susceptibility measurements. These relaxation curves could be satisfactorily fitted by mono-exponential decays including tunnelling effect except for temperatures below 30 K. The introduction of a distribution of vibrational frequencies into this model improved significantly the fits in the low-temperature range and gave a good agreement with the experimental data in the whole temperature range suggesting a multi-rate relaxation process in this complex.     

Potassium trifluoro(organo)borates in rhodium-catalyzed 1,4-additions to α,β-unsaturated esters

This letter describes an efficient and enantioselective conjugate addition of highly stable potassium trifluoro(organo)borates to α,β-unsaturated esters. This reaction, catalyzed by chiral rhodium(I) complexes, affords Michael adducts with high yields and enantiomeric excesses up to 96%.     

A third generation chiral phosphorus-containing dendrimer as ligand in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

The synthesis of a third generation phosphorus-containing dendrimer possessing 24 chiral iminophosphine end groups derived from (2S)-2-amino-1-(diphenylphosphinyl)-3-methylbutane is described. In situ complexation of this dendrimer by [Pd(η³-C₃H₅)Cl]₂ affords a catalyst, which is used in asymmetric allylic alkylations of rac-(E)-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate and pivalate. The percentage of conversion, the yield of isolated 2-(1,3-diphenylallyl)-malonic acid dimethyl ester, and its enantiomeric excess have been measured in each case, and were found to be good to very good (ee from 90% to 95%). Furthermore, the dendritic catalyst can be recovered and reused at least two times, with almost the same efficiency.     

Encapsulation of porphyrins and chlorins in biodegradable nanoparticles: the effect of dye lipophilicity on the extravasation and the photothrombic activity. A comparative study

In the present work, we performed a preclinical inter-comparison study using several photosensitizers with the goal of optimizing photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) associated with age-related macular degeneration. The tested molecules were the porphyrins meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) and meso-tetra-(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphyrin (TCPP), and the chlorins pheophorbide-a (Pheo-a) and chlorin e(6) (Ce(6)). Each of these molecules was entrapped in biodegradable nanoparticles (NP) based on poly(d,l-lactic acid). The influence of the degree of lipophilicity on the incorporation efficiency of the drug in the NPs, and on the dye leakage from blood vessels as well as on the photothrombic efficiency was investigated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as in vivo model. NP characterization showed that the dye was more effectively entrapped in the polymeric matrix when its degree of lipophilicity increased. While less lipophilic compounds (TCPP, Ce(6)) extravasate rather easily, the more lipophilic dyes (TPP, Pheo-a) tend to remain inside the blood vessels. After injection of a drug dose of 1 mg/kg body weight and a drug-light application interval of 1 min, irradiation with light doses ranging from 5 to 20 J/cm(2) led to the highest photothrombic efficiency when using the NPs loaded with the most lipophilic molecule (TPP). The latter induced vascular damage, which was significantly higher than that observed with the other molecules tested. Thus, in addition to minimal leakage from blood vessels, the TPP in NP formulation exhibited photothrombic efficiency similar to Visudyne which was also tested in the CAM model.     

The chemistry of trifluoromethyl imines and related acetals derived from fluoral

Trifluoromethylated nitrogen-containing molecules have been shown to have important biological effects and their synthesis is in the focus of the pharmaceutical industry. In the last few years, simple nitrogen derivatives of fluoral, i.e. imines, acetals and oxazolidines, have emerged as powerful building blocks to synthesize these target molecules and relevant precursors. This review summarizes the chemistry of these "N-derivatives of fluoral", with special highlight on the syntheses of peptidomimetic units (amino alcohols, amino acids...) and heterocycles (piperidines, beta-lactams...).     

Underpotential deposition of hydrogen on benzene-modified Pt(111) in aqueous H2SO4

The Pt(111) electrode is modified by an overlayer of C6H6 (ads) upon its cycling in the 0.05-0.80 V range in aq H2SO4 + 1 mM C6H6. The C6H6 (ads) overlayer significantly changes the underpotential-deposited H (H(UPD)) and anion adsorption, and cyclic-voltammetry (CV) profiles show a sharp cathodic peak and an asymmetric anodic one in the 0.05-0.80 V potential range. The C6H6 (ads) layer blocks the (bi)sulfate adsorption but facilitates the adsorption of one monolayer of H(UPD). Cycling of the benzene-modified Pt(111) in benzene-free aq 0.05 H2SO4 from 0.05 to 0.80 V results in a partial desorption of C6H6 (ads) and in a partial recovery of the CV profile characteristic of an unmodified Pt(111). The peak potential of the cathodic and anodic feature is independent of the scan rate, s (10 < or = s < or = 100 mV s(-1)), and the peak current density increases linearly with an increase of the scan rate. Temperature variation modifies the peak potential and current density but does not affect the charge density of the cathodic or anodic feature. Temperature-dependent studies allow us to determine the thermodynamic state function for the H(UPD) adsorption and desorption. Delta G degrees(ads)(H(UPD))assumes values from -4 to -12 kJ mol(-1), while has values from 9 to 14 kJ mol(-1). The values of delta Delta G degrees (delta Delta G degrees = delat Delta G degrees(ads) + delta Delta D degrees(des)) decrease almost linearly from 6 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 0 to 0 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 1. The nonzero values of delta Delta G degrees testify that the adsorbing and desorbing H(UPD) adatoms interact with an energetically different substrate. The lateral interactions changed from repulsive (omega = 29 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 0) to attractive (omega = -28 kJ mol(-1) at theta(H(UPD) --> 1) as the H(UPD) coverage increases. The values of delta S degrees(ads)(H(UPD)) increase from 19 to 56 J K(-1) mol(-1), while those of delta S degrees(des)(H(UPD)) decrease from 45 to -30 J K(-1) mol(-1) with an increase of H(UPD) coverage. The values of delta H degrees(des)(H(UPD)) and delta H degrees(des)(H(UPD)) vary from 0 to 27 kJ mol(-1). The Pt(111)-H(UPD) surface bond energy at the benzene-modified Pt(111) electrode falls in the 191-218 kJ mol(-1) range and is weaker than in the case of the unmodified Pt(111) electrode in the same electrolyte.     

Intrinsic folding of small peptide chains: spectroscopic evidence for the formation of beta-turns in the gas phase

Laser desorption of model peptides coupled to laser spectroscopic techniques enables the gas-phase observation of genuine secondary structures of biology. Spectroscopic evidence for the formation of beta-turns in gas-phase peptide chains containing glycine and phenylalanine residues establishes the intrinsic stability of these forms and their ability to compete with other stable structures. The precise characterization of local minima on the potential energy surface from IR spectroscopy constitutes an acute assessment for the state-of-the-art quantum mechanical calculations also presented. The observation of different types of beta-turns depending upon the residue order within the sequence is found to be consistent with the residue propensities in beta-turns of proteins, which suggests that the prevalence of glycine in type II and II' turns stems essentially from an energetic origin, already at play under isolated conditions.     

Molar excess heat capacities and volumes for mixtures of alkanoates with cyclohexane at 25°C

Molar excess volumes V ^E at 25°C have been determined by vibrating-tube densimetry, as a function of mole fraction x for different series of an alkanoate (H _2m+1 C _m COOC _n H _2n+1 )+cyclohexane. Three types of alkanoates were investigated, i.e., methanoates (m=0, with n=3 and 4), ethanoates (m=1, with n=2, 3, and 4) and propanoates (m=2, with n=1, 2, and 3). In addition, a Picker flow calorimeter was used to obtain molar excess heat capacities C _p ^E at constant pressure at the same temperature. V ^E is positive for all systems and rather symmetric, with V ^E (x=0.5) amounting to almost identical values in a series of mixtures containing an alkanoate isomer of same formula (say C₄H₈O₂, C₅H₁₀O₂, or C₆H₁₂O₂). The composition dependence of C _p ^E is rather unusual in that two more or less marked minima are observed for most of the mixtures, especially when the alkanoate is a methanoate or an ethanoate. These results are discussed in terms of possible changes in conformation of both the ester and cyclohexane.     

Acylation des β-énaminoesters: Regio et stéréoformation des β-énaminoesters N- ou C-acylés

The reaction of acyl chlorides with cyclic five-membered β-enaminoesters gave exclusively N-acylated products while reaction of acyl chlorides with cyclic seven-membered β-enaminoesters gave only C-acylated products. In the case of cyclic six-membered β-enaminoesters, the reaction of acyl chlorides gave a mixture of N-acylated and C-acylated products.