The structural and spectroscopic characterisation of three actinyl complexes with coordinated and uncoordinated perrhenate: [UO2(ReO4)2(TPPO)3], [[(UO2)(TPPO)3]2(mu2-O2)][ReO4]2 and [NpO2(TPPO)4][ReO4

The first structural characterization of an actinide complex with coordinated perrhenate is reported, [UO2(ReO4)2(TPPO)3] (1). In this [UO2]2+ complex two [ReO4]- anions and three TPPO (triphenylphosphine oxide) P=O donor ligands are coordinated in the equatorial plane in a cisoid arrangement. This bonding arrangement, and apparent strain observed in the equatorially bonded ligands, is attributed to the solid state packing in adjacent molecules in which hydrophobic TPPO ligands form an effective "shell" around a hydrophilic core of two UO2(ReO4)2 moieties. Solid state vibrational spectroscopy (infrared and Raman), 31P CP MAS NMR and elemental analysis are also consistent with the formula of 1. Solution state vibrational spectroscopy and 31P NMR measurements in EtOH indicate the lability of the TPPO and [ReO4]- groups. The photolytic generation of peroxide in EtOH solutions of 1 leads to the formation of trace quantities of [[(UO2)(TPPO)3]2(mu2-O2)][ReO4]2, 2, in which the coordinated [ReO4]- groups of 1 have been displaced by bridging O2(2-), derived from atmospheric O2. Finally, attempts to synthesise a [NpO2]+ analogue of have resulted only in the formation of [NpO2(TPPO)4][ReO4], 3, in which [ReO4]- acts solely as a counter anion. From these results it can be concluded that [ReO4]- will bond to [UO2]2+, but will be readily displaced by a more strongly coordinating ligand (e.g. peroxide) and will not coordinate to an actinyl cation with a lower charge, [NpO2]+, under the same reaction conditions.     

Synthesis and studies of a trinuclear Mn(II) carboxylate complex

We report a carboxylate triangle consisting of three manganese(II) centres which is made from manganese(II) carbonate and pivalic acid. The magnetic exchange within the triangle is extremely weak, and antiferromagnetic. Several models have been used to fit the magnetic data, and the best fit uses two weak antiferromagnetic coupling constants of J(1)=-0.588 cm(-1) and J(2)=-0.855 cm(-1). Exchange interactions between the metal centres has been calculated using DFT adopting all the three possible Heisenberg models for a trinuclear system and the results are compared with experimental values. Spin density distribution is used to analyse the nature of the coupling between the metal centres. EPR spectroscopy has been used to explore the nature of the ground state. Recrystallisation of the trinuclear compound from MeCN gives a polymer, while oxidation in air leads to a known compound--an edge-sharing bitetrahedral (MnIII2MnII4) cage.     

Synchrotron and neutron techniques in biological crystallography

Synchrotron radiation (SR) techniques are continuously pushing the frontiers of wavelength range usage, smaller crystal sample size, larger protein molecular weight and complexity, as well as better diffraction resolution. The new research specialism of probing functional states directly in crystals, via time-resolved Laue and freeze trapping structural studies, has been developed, with a range of examples, based on research stretching over some 20 years. Overall, SR X-ray biological crystallography is complemented by neutron protein crystallographic studies aimed at cases where much more complete hydrogen details are needed involving synergistic developments between SR and neutron Laue methods. A big new potential exists in harnessing genome databases for targeting of new proteins for structural study. Structural examples in this tutorial review illustrate new chemistry learnt from biological macromolecules.     

Beta-lactams or gamma-lactams by 4-exo-trig or 5-endo-trig anionic cyclisation of lithiated acrylamide derivatives

Substituted acrylamide derivatives of benzylamine are lithiated alpha to nitrogen by LDA. The benzyllithium thus formed undergoes either 5-endo-trig anionic cyclisation, formally by intramolecular conjugate addition to the acrylamide, to yield 5-membered lactams, or, if the acrylamide bears a beta-electron withdrawing group, 4-exo-trig cyclisation to a beta-lactam.     

Scope of the directed dihydroxylation: application to cyclic homoallylic alcohols and trihaloacetamides

The synthesis and directed dihydroxylation of a range of cyclic alkenes was investigated. Both homoallylic alcohols and homoallylic trihaloacetamides were found to be efficient directing groups, giving rise to good to excellent levels of remote asymmetric induction with OsO4-TMEDA. Interestingly, in all cases examined, trifluoroacetamides were found to be superior to trichloroacetamides as directing groups and an argument is presented which rationalises this observation.     

Dearomatizing cyclization of arylsulfonylalkoxymethyl lithiums: a route to the podophyllotoxin skeleton

[reaction: see text] The phenylsulfonyl group promotes the dearomatizing cyclization of tethered organolithiums onto aromatic rings. With an ether tether, the cyclizations create a new tetrahydrofuran ring, and both cyclization and subsequent electrophilic quenches proceed with high levels of diastereoselectivity. The sulfonyl group can be removed from the cyclized products oxidatively or reductively. The dearomatizing cyclization of a naphthyl sulfone was used in the synthesis of a close structural analogue of podophyllotoxin.     

Invariant generators for generalized distributions

The existence of invariant generators for distributions satisfying a compatibility condition with the symmetry algebra is proved.