Reaktionen von MoNCl3 und WNCl3 mit elementarem Fluor. Kristallstrukturen von [MoO2F2(THF)2] und [WF4(NCl)(CH3CN)]

Reactions of MoNCl₃ and WNCl₃ with Elemental Fluorine. Crystal Structures of [MoO₂F₂(THF)₂] and [WF₄(NCl)(CH₃CN)] The nitrido chlorides MoNCl₃ and WNCl₃ as well as WCl₄(NCl) react with elemental fluorine forming the N-chloro imido complexes MoF₄(NCl) and WF₄(NCl), which were characterized by IR spectroscopy. With tetrahydrofurane MoF₄(NCl) reacts to give [MoF₄(NCl)(THF)], which in THF solution slowly converts into [MoO₂F₂(THF)₂]. From WF₄(NCl) with acetonitrile the complex [WF₄(NCl)(CH₃CN)] is obtained. Both donor acceptor complexes were characterized by crystal structure determinations. [MoO₂F₂(THF)₂] : Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, structure solution with 1823 unique reflections, R = 0.033 for reflections with I > 2σ(I). Lattice dimensions at ?40°C: a = 636.2, b = 1119.5, c = 1625.2 pm; β = 93.92(1)º. The compound has a monomeric molecular structure with the fluorine atoms in trans-position to one another and with the oxygen atoms of the THF molecules in trans to the oxo ligands. [WF₄(NCl)(CH₃CN)] : Space group P2₁/m, Z = 2, structure solution with 1119 unique reflections, R = 0.038 for reflections with I > 2σ(I). Lattice dimensions at 20°C: a = 511.7, b = 714.9, c = 1002.5 pm; β = 102.59(10)º. The compound has a monomeric molecular structure in which the nitrogen atom of the acetonitrile molecule coordinates in trans-position to the N-chloro imido group W?N? Cl. The structural parameters of this group are WN = 172.2 pm, NCl = 161.1 pm, WNCl = 178.6º.     

Infrared and Raman study of some isonicotinic acid metal(II) halide and tetracyanonickelate complexes

In this study the M(IN)(2)Ni(CN)(4) [where M: Co, Ni, and Cd, and IN: isonicotinic acid, abbreviated to M-Ni-IN] tetracyanonickelate and some metal halide complexes with the following stoichiometries: M(IN)(6)X(2) (M: Co; X: Cl and Br, and M: Ni; X: Cl, Br and I) and Hg(IN)X(2) (X: Cl, Br, and I) were synthesized for the first time. Certain chemical formulas were determined using elemental analysis results. The FT-IR and Raman spectra of the metal halide complexes were reported in the 4000-0 cm(-1) region. The FT-IR spectra of tetracyanonickelate complexes were also reported in the 4000-400 cm(-1) region. Vibrational assignments were given for all the observed bands. For a given series of isomorphous complexes, the sum of the difference between the values of the vibrational modes of the free isonicotinic acid and coordinated ligand was found to increase in the order of the second ionization potentials of metals. The frequency shifts were also found to be depending on the halogen. The proposed structure of tetracyanonickelate complexes consists of polymeric layers of /M-Ni(CN)(4)/(infinity) with the isonicotinic acid molecules bound directly to the metal atom.     

Atomistic simulation of structure and dynamics of columnar phases of hexabenzocoronene derivatives

Using atomistic molecular dynamics simulations we study solid and liquid crystalline columnar discotic phases formed by alkyl-substituted hexabenzocoronene mesogens. Correlations between the molecular structure, packing, and dynamical properties of these materials are established.     

Total synthesis of (±)-Δ9(12)-capnellene via iterative intramolecular type-I-“Magnesium-ene” reactions

The marine triquinane sesquiterpene Δ⁹(¹²)-capnellene ($\text{1}$) was synthesised from 2,2,5-trimethyl-5-hexenal ($\text{2}$) by a sequence of all synthetic operations in 5% overall yield. The key steps 3 → 4 → 5 → 6 involve two intramolecular type-I-“Mg-ene” processes.     

New Ternary Boride Carbides RE10B9+xC10–x (RE = Gd,Tb; x ≈︁ 0.2): Infinite Boron Carbon Branched Chains

New ternary rare earth metal boride carbides with compositions close to RE₁₀B₉C₁₀ (RE = Gd, Tb) were prepared from the elements by melting around 1800 K followed by annealing in silica tubes at 1270 K for one month. The crystal structure of the terbium compound was solved by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes in a new structure type in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a = 7.937(1), b = 23.786(2), c = 11.172(1) Å, β = 133.74(1)°, Z = 4, R1 = 0.045 (wR2 = 0.11) for 5713 reflections with I_o > 2σ(I_o). In the structure BC₂ units and single carbon atoms are attached to a zigzag boron chain forming the unprecedented B₁₈C₁₈ branching unit with a B–B distance of 2.42(2) Å between these units. In addition isolated carbon atoms occupy the centres of elongated octahedra formed by rare earth metal atoms. Disorder in the terbium position together with anomalous displacement ellipsoids for carbon atoms except of those in the BC₂ fragments can be rationalized in terms of a slight deviation in stoichiometry, Tb₁₀B_9+xC_10–x (x ≈? 0.2). The terbium compound is ferromagnetic below T_C ≈? 45 K. Due to the presence of moderately narrow domain walls the magneto‐crystalline energy is small.     

One‐ and Two‐Component Bottle‐Brush Polymers: Simulations Compared to Theoretical Predictions

Scaling predictions for bottle‐brush polymers with a rigid backbone and flexible side chains under good solvent conditions are discussed and their validity is assessed by a comparison with Monte Carlo simulations of a simple lattice model. It is shown that typically only a rather weak stretching of the side chains is realized, and then the scaling predictions are not applicable. Also two‐component bottle brush polymers are considered, where two types (A,B) of side chains are grafted, assuming that monomers of different kind repel each other. In this case, variable solvent quality is allowed. Theories predict “Janus cylinder”‐type phase separation along the backbone in this case. The Monte Carlo simulations, using the pruned‐enriched Rosenbluth method (PERM) give evidence that the phase separation between an A‐rich part of the cylindrical molecule and a B‐rich part can only occur locally. The correlation length of this microphase separation can be controlled by the solvent quality. This lack of a phase transition is interpreted by an analogy with models for ferromagnets in one space dimension.

     

Electrophilic and nucleophilic enzymatic cascade reactions in biosynthesis

The biosynthesis of cyclic terpenoids and polyethers involves enzyme-initiated cascade reactions for ring formation. While the former are obtained by electrophilic cascades through carbenium ions as intermediates, cyclic polyethers are formed by nucleophilic cascade reactions of (poly)epoxide precursors. These mechanistically complementary pathways follow common principles via (i) triggering of the cascade by forming a reactive intermediate ('initiation'), (ii) sequential 'proliferation' of the cyclization and finally (iii) 'termination' of the cascade. As analyzed in this concept paper, the multiplicity of precursors, combined with various initiation and termination routes and kinetically favored or disfavored cyclization modes accounts for the enormous diversity in cyclic terpenoid and polyether scaffolds. Although the essential role of enzymes in the triggering of these cascades is reasonably well understood, remarkably little is known about their influence in proliferation reactions, especially those implying kinetically disfavored (anti-Markovnikov and anti-Baldwin) routes. Mechanistic analysis of enzymatic cascade reactions provides biomimetic strategies for natural product synthesis.     

Asymmetric bioreduction of alkenes using ene-reductases YersER and KYE1 and effects of organic solvents

Asymmetric trans-bioreduction of activated alkenes by KYE1 from Kluyveromyces lactis and Yers-ER from Yersinia bercovieri, two ene-reductases from the Old Yellow Enzyme family, showed a broad substrate spectrum with a moderate to excellent degree of stereoselectivity. Both substrate- and enzyme-based stereocontrols were observed to furnish opposite stereoisomeric products. The effects of organic solvents on enzyme activity and stereoselectivity were outlined in this study, where two-phase systems hexane and toluene are shown to sustain bioreduction efficiency even at high organic solvent content.