Balancing Ligand Flexibility versus Rigidity for the Stepwise Self-Assembly of M12L24 via M6L12 Metal–Organic Cages

Non-covalent interactions are important for directing protein folding across multiple intermediates and can even provide access to multiple stable structures with different properties and functions. Herein, we describe an approach for mimicking this behavior in the self-assembly of metal–organic cages. Two ligands, the bend angles of which are controlled by non-covalent interactions and one ligand lacking the above-mentioned interactions, were synthesized and used for self-assembly with Pd²⁺. As these weak interactions are easily broken, the bend angles have a controlled flexibility giving access to M₂( L1 )₄, M₆( L2 )₁₂, and M₁₂( L2 )₂₄ cages. By controlling the self-assembly conditions this process can be directed in a stepwise fashion. Additionally, the multiple endohedral hydrogen-bonding sites on the ligand were found to play a role in the binding and discrimination of neutral guests.     

Transformations of Gibbs measures

We study local transformations of Gibbs measures. We establish sufficient conditions for the quasilocality of the images and obtain results on the existence and continuity properties of their relative energies. General results are illustrated by simple examples. Received: 11 November 1997 / Revised version: 20 February 1998     

Generalized quadrangles admitting PSL(2,q) × PSL(2,q)

In this paper, we classify the generalized quadrangles of order (s,t), s ≠ 1 ≠ t, which admit the natural action of PSL(2,s) × PSL(2,s) on a subGQ of order (s,1). This generalizes a recent result of J. De Kaey and H. Van Maldeghem 3 , by whom the classification was obtained for the case s = t. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs.     

Capturing the Genesis of an Active Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis Catalyst with Operando X‐ray Nanospectroscopy

A state‐of‐the‐art operando spectroscopic technique is applied to Co/TiO₂ catalysts, which account for nearly half of the world's transportation fuels produced by Fischer–Tropsch catalysis. This allows determination of, at a spatial resolution of approximately 50 nm, the interdependence of formed hydrocarbon species in the inorganic catalyst. Observed trends show intra‐ and interparticular heterogeneities previously believed not to occur in particles under 200 μm. These heterogeneities are strongly dependent on changes in H₂/CO ratio, but also on changes thereby induced on the Co and Ti valence states. We have captured the genesis of an active FTS particle over its propagation to steady‐state operation, in which microgradients lead to the gradual saturation of the Co/TiO₂ catalyst surface with long chain hydrocarbons (i.e., organic film formation).     

Recycling of homogeneous hydrogenation catalysts by dialysis coupled catalysis

Although transition-metal complexes are very attractive as homogeneous catalysts in fine chemistry, their high prices often limit their applications. A means to recycle those catalysts would solve this problem and would simultaneously facilitate the downstream purification of the product. This is now realized in a new concept in which homogeneous catalysis is coupled to dialysis. The advantages of homogeneous catalysis (off-the-shelf catalysts, high activities and selectivities) are thus combined with those of heterogeneous catalysis (easy catalyst separation from product solution, reuse of catalyst, and possibility for continuous operation). Since the heart of the process is the membrane, self-prepared membranes were preferred as they allow a better control and understanding of the separation characteristics. Rhodamine B was used as a probe molecule to define the working conditions of the membrane. The concept is proven to work for two relevant chiral reactions: a hydrogenation with Ru-BINAP and a hydrogen transfer reaction with Ru-TsDPEN [BINAP=(1,1'-binaphthalene)-2,2'-diylbis(diphenylphosphine); TsDPEN= tosyl-N,N'-diphenyl-1,2-ethanediamine].     

Some new C2-symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]heptadiene ligands: synthesis and catalytic activity in rhodium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric 1,4- and 1,2-additions

C₂-Symmetric bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta-2,5-dienes with various substituents (R=Bn, i-Bu, c-Hex, allyl) are prepared starting from the corresponding enantiomerically pure bis-triflate (R=OTf). These chiral ligands are tested and compared in rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,4- and 1,2-addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclic enones and aryl aldehydes, respectively. Some interesting reactivity and selectivity effects due to the introduction of sterically demanding or olefinic substituents are reported. Moreover, remarkably high catalytic activity is observed for the rhodium(I)-catalyzed 1,2-addition.     

Liquid Nickel Salts: Synthesis,Crystal Structure Determination,and Electrochemical Synthesis of Nickel Nanoparticles

New nickel‐containing ionic liquids were synthesized, characterized and their electrochemistry was investigated. In addition, a mechanism for the electrochemical synthesis of nanoparticles from these compounds is proposed. In these so‐called liquid metal salts, the nickel(II) cation is octahedrally coordinated by six N‐alkylimidazole ligands. The different counter anions that were used are bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Tf₂N^?), trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTf^?) and methanesulfonate (OMs^?). Several different N‐alkylimidazoles were considered, with the alkyl sidechain ranging in length from methyl to dodecyl. The newly synthesized liquid metal salts were characterized by CHN analysis, FTIR, DSC, TGA and viscosity measurements. An odd‐even effect was observed for the melting temperatures and viscosities of the ionic liquids, with the complexes with an even number of carbon atoms in the alkyl chain of the imidazole having a higher melting temperature and a lower viscosity than the complexes with an odd number of carbons. The crystal structures of several of the nickel(II) complexes that are not liquid at room temperature were determined. The electrochemistry of the compounds with the lowest viscosities was investigated. The nickel(II) cation could be reduced but surprisingly no nickel deposits were obtained on the electrode. Instead, nickel nanoparticles were formed at 100 % selectivity, as confirmed by TEM. The magnetic properties of these nanoparticles were investigated by SQUID measurements.     

Diradical Organic One-Dimensional Polymers Synthesized on a Metallic Surface

We report on the synthesis and characterization of atomically precise one-dimensional diradical peripentacene polymers on a Au(111) surface. By means of high-resolution scanning probe microscopy complemented by theoretical simulations, we provide evidence of their magnetic properties, which arise from the presence of two unpaired spins at their termini. Additionally, we probe a transition of their magnetic properties related to the length of the polymer. Peripentacene dimers exhibit an antiferromagnetic (S=0) singlet ground state. They are characterized by singlet–triplet spin-flip inelastic excitations with an effective exchange coupling (J_eff) of 2.5 meV, whereas trimers and longer peripentacene polymers reveal a paramagnetic nature and feature Kondo fingerprints at each terminus due to the unpaired spin. Our work provides access to the precise fabrication of polymers featuring diradical character which are potentially useful in carbon-based optoelectronics and spintronics.