Structural models for homogeneous organic-inorganic hybrid materials: Simulations of small-angle X-ray scattering profiles

Two morphological models have been proposed to describe small-angle x-ray scattering from organic-inorganic composite (OIC) materials. The first model invokes the idea of a liquid-like arrangement among noninterpenetrating fractal clusters, and the second employs an empirical correlation function that would be expected for a bicontinuous two-phase (B2P) picture with the inorganic portion exhibiting fractal characteristics. Simulated scattering profiles have been generated for direct comparison with experimental data. The samples studied were a triethoxysilane-endcapped bisphenol A epoxide resin (EAS) reacted in the presence of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) under slightly basic conditions, and a random trimethoxysilane-functionalized copolymer of poly(methyl methacrylate) (MMA-TMS) with added tetramethoxysilane (TMOS), reacted in an acidic medium. Each morphology model qualitatively simulates the broad scattering maximum and limiting high-angle slope commonly seen in SAXS profiles. It is concluded that the inorganic phase in the EAS hybrid exhibits particle-like characteristics at length scales less than approximately 250 Å, and the organic and inorganic components are bicontinuous at larger distances. The MMATMS composite is better described by bicontinuous organic and inorganic phases with a periodic fluctuation of about 40 Å. The scattering maximum arises either from the mean separation of particles or a dominant wavelength in a concentration fluctuation, similar to that observed for spinodal decomposition. In either case, the SAXS peak position is related to the distance between junction points of the crosslinked organic polymer. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Cyclofunctionalization and free-radical-based hydrogen-transfer reactions. An iterative reaction sequence applied to the synthesis of the C(7)-C(16) subunit of zincophorin

The strategy considered herein features an iodocyclofunctionalization/hydrogen-transfer reaction sequence for the elaboration of propionate motifs. Proceeding with excellent yield and diastereoselectivity, the synthetic sequence proposed gives access to the anti-anti dipropionate motif when the reduction step is performed under the control of the exocyclic effect. The tandem sequence is applied successfully to the synthesis of the C(7)-C(16) subunit of zincophorin, and iteration of the process gives the desired anti-anti-anti-anti polypropionate stereopentad. Modifications of the reaction sequence--including phenylselenocyclofunctionalization, carbonate hydrolysis, and chelation-controlled radical reduction reactions--lead to the formation of the anti-syn dipropionate motif with remarkable diastereocontrol.     

Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Properties of a Microporous/Mesoporous Material, MMM-1

A microporous-mesoporous material composed of MCM-41 and MFI was produced by a two-step synthetic process. The solid, called “MMM-1,” was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N₂ physisorption, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). At early stages of crystallization at 170°C, MCM-41 was formed exclusively, while at heating times longer than 96h MFI was formed. At intermediate times, MMM-1 was formed with varying amounts of MFI depending on the crystallization time. XRD revealed that the material could be severely oriented by sample preparation, which was consistent with an unusual ribbon-like morphology observed in TEM. This morphology was not seen for either pure MCM-41 or MFI. The N₂ physisorption isotherm for MMM-1 showed two distinct regions of capillary condensation, with H2 hysteresis. Synthesis and subsequent use of Al-MMM-1 in the isomerization of m-xylene and comparison to Al-MCM-41 and Al-MFI showed that although the latter material had a higher total conversion, Al-MMM-1 had a higher selectivity for p-xylene. Al-MMM-1 had a much higher selectivity and conversion than Al-MCM-41, which makes it promising for use in future catalytic applications.     

Synthesis of propionate motifs: diastereoselective tandem reactions involving anionic and free radical based processes

Reported herein is a strategy employing a Mukaiyama reaction in tandem with a hydrogen transfer reaction for the elaboration of propionate motifs. The nature of the protecting groups on the chiral beta-alkoxy aldehyde and the type of Lewis acid used are varied to modulate the stereochemical outcome of the tandem reactions. The mode of complexation is thus controlled (monodentate or chelate) for the Mukaiyama reaction to give access to either syn or anti aldol products, precursors of the free radical reduction reaction. The endocyclic effect is subsequently capitalized upon to control the hydrogen transfer step so that the syn-reduced product may be achieved. Proceeding with excellent yield and diastereoselectivity, the synthetic sequence proposed gives access to syn-syn and syn-anti propionate motifs. Also considered is a complementary approach using a chelation-controlled Mukaiyama reaction in tandem with a free radical allylation reaction under the control of the endocyclic effect that leads to the anti-anti product.     

Hydrogenation of

The course of the hydrogenation of [5]- and [6]metacyclophane (1b and 1c) and their thermochemistry is described. Both compounds are hydrogenated rapidly (within 10 s) to furnish the bridgehead olefins 13b and 12c. The accompanying hydrogenation enthalpies are -220 and -141 kJmol(-1), respectively. Strain energies (SE) and olefinic strains (OS) of a number of bridgehead olefins have been evaluated by DFT calculations; it was concluded that 13b belongs to the class of hyperstable olefins which correlates nicely with its reluctance to undergo hydrogenation. By combining experimental hydrogenation enthalpies and DFT calculations, SE of 187 and 121 kJmol(-1) were derived for 1b and 1c.     

Synthesis of cyclo-2,4,6-triarsa-1,3,5-triazanes from cyclo-2,4-diarsa-1,3-diazanes demonstrating the general influence of substituent steric strain on the relative stability of pnictazane oligomers

2,4-Dichloro-1,3-diaryl-cyclo-2,4-diarsa-1,3-diazanes (aryl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl, Dmp, or 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, Dipp) have been transformed into the corresponding 2,4,6-trichloro-cyclo-2,4,6-triarsa-1,3,5-triazanes on reaction with GaCl(3) followed by 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP). The nitrogen bound Dmp and Dipp substituents impose "medium" substituent steric strain on the heterocycles influencing the relative thermodynamic stability of potential oligomers in favor of the trimers. This ring expansion disproportionation reaction is initiated by chloride ion abstraction, and the intermediate 2,4-dichloro-1,3,5-tris(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-cyclo-2,4-diarsa-1,3,5-triazane-6-arsenium tetrachlorogallate has been isolated and structurally characterized. Subsequent reaction with 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) effects release of chloride ion from the gallate anion and consequential formation of a covalent As-Cl bond in the trimer. The observations are analogous to those for the phosphorus derivatives demonstrating a general applicability of this new synthetic procedure for the development and diversification of cyclopnictazane chemistry.     

Fundamental reaction mechanism for cocaine hydrolysis in human butyrylcholinesterase

Butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)-cocaine binding and the fundamental pathway for BChE-catalyzed hydrolysis of cocaine have been studied by molecular modeling, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and ab initio calculations. Modeling and simulations indicate that the structures of the prereactive BChE/substrate complexes for (-)-cocaine and (+)-cocaine are all similar to that of the corresponding prereactive BChE/butyrylcholine (BCh) complex. The overall binding of BChE with (-)-cocaine and (+)-cocaine is also similar to that proposed with butyrylthiocholine and succinyldithiocholine, i.e., (-)- or (+)-cocaine first slides down the substrate-binding gorge to bind to Trp-82 and stands vertically in the gorge between Asp-70 and Trp-82 (nonprereactive complex) and then rotates to a position in the catalytic site within a favorable distance for nucleophilic attack and hydrolysis by Ser-198 (prereactive complex). In the prereactive complex, cocaine lies horizontally at the bottom of the gorge. The fundamental catalytic hydrolysis pathway, consisting of acylation and deacylation stages similar to those for ester hydrolysis by other serine hydrolases, was proposed on the basis of the simulated prereactive complex and confirmed theoretically by ab initio reaction coordinate calculations. Both the acylation and deacylation follow a double-proton-transfer mechanism. The calculated energetic results show that within the chemical reaction process the highest energy barrier and Gibbs free energy barrier are all associated with the first step of deacylation. The calculated ratio of the rate constant (k(cat)) for the catalytic hydrolysis to that (k(0)) for the spontaneous hydrolysis is approximately 9.0 x 10(7). The estimated k(cat)/k(0) value of approximately 9.0 x 10(7) is in excellent agreement with the experimentally derived k(cat)/k(0) value of approximately 7.2 x 10(7) for (+)-cocaine, whereas it is approximately 2000 times larger than the experimentally derived k(cat)/k(0) value of approximately 4.4 x 10(4) for (-)-cocaine. All of the results suggest that the rate-determining step of the BChE-catalyzed hydrolysis of (+)-cocaine is the first step of deacylation, whereas for (-)-cocaine the change from the nonprereactive complex to the prereactive complex is rate-determining and has a Gibbs free energy barrier higher than that for the first step of deacylation by approximately 4 kcal/mol. A further analysis of the structural changes from the nonprereactive complex to the prereactive complex reveals specific amino acid residues hindering the structural changes, providing initial clues for the rational design of BChE mutants with improved catalytic activity for (-)-cocaine.