Bis(2,4,6-trifluorophenyl) derivatives of palladium(II)

Summary The organopalladium(II) complexes: Pd(2,4,6-C₆F₃H₂)₂L₂ [L=triphenylphosphine(PPh₃), methyldiphenylphosphine(PPh₂Me), dimethylphenylphosphine-(PPhMe₂) or pyridine(py); L₂=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane(dpe), 2,2-bipyridine(bipy), 1, 10-phenanthroline(phen) or ethylenediamine(en)] have been prepared by addition of the appropriate compound to the THF-dioxane solution resulting from the arylation of potassium tetrachloropalladate(II) with (2,4,6-C₆F₃H₂)MgBr. The i.r. data suggest that the py and PPhMe₂ compounds are thecis-isomers, whereas the PPh₃ and PPh₂Me compounds have thetrans configuration.¹H- and¹⁹F-n.m.r. data for the compounds are reported.     

EFFECT OF CHLORIDE AND BENZOATE ANIONS ON THE DELAYED LIGHT EMISSION IN DCMU-TREATED SPINACH CHLOROPLASTS

Abstract —Chloride anions, when added to DCMU [3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea]-treated spinach chloroplasts, change the rate of decay of the delayed light emission in the seconds region but do not change the shape or the temperature dependence of the decay. Benzoate anions, on the other hand, change both the rate and the shape of the decay of the delayed light emission. These results are consistent with a model in which the membrane potential and the structure of the reaction center affect the decay kinetics of the delayed light emission in the seconds region.     

The direct detection of a hydrogen bond in the solid state by NMR through the observation of a hydrogen-bond mediated (15)N [bond] (15)N J coupling

A new method for detecting hydrogen bonds in the solid state is presented. Using two-dimensional NMR correlation experiments, it is shown that a hydrogen-bond mediated J coupling can be observed in a powder under magic-angle spinning conditions, even though the J coupling is 2 orders of magnitude smaller than the dominant anisotropic interactions encountered in solid-state NMR. Specifically, the observation of a pair of peaks in a two-dimensional 15N-15N solid-state INADEQUATE experiment due to two nitrogens that have no covalent connectivity is attributed to the presence of a J coupling across a linking hydrogen bond.     

Cobalt-mediated approach for the synthesis of terpene-based hybrids

[structure: see text] Dicobalt-beta-pinene hybrids of types I and II have been prepared using a Nicholas reaction between propargyl derivatives, obtained from commercial (1R)-(-)-myrtenal, and different aromatic nucleophiles. The method is suitable for the preparation of densely functionalized bio-organometallic natural product-based hybrids, as demonstrated by the preparation of a beta-pinene-neoclerodane hybrid.     

Energy decomposition in molecular complexes: implications for the treatment of polarization in molecular simulations

This study examines the contribution of electrostatic and polarization to the interaction energy in a variety of molecular complexes. The results obtained from the Kitaura-Morokuma (KM) energy decomposition analysis at the HF/6-31G(d) level indicate that, for intermolecular distances around the equilibrium geometries, the polarization energy can be determined as the addition of the polarization energies of interacting blocks, as the mixed polarization term is typically negligible. Comparison of KM and QM/MM results shows that the electrostatic energy determined in the KM method is underestimated (in absolute value) by QM/MM methods. The reason of such underestimation can be attributed to the simplified representation of treating the interaction between overlapping charge distribution by the interaction of a QM molecule with a set of point charges. Nevertheless, the polarization energies calculated by KM and QM/MM methods are in close agreement. Finally, a consistent, automated strategy to derive charge distributions that include implicitly polarization effects in pairwise, additive force fields is presented. The strategy relies in the simultaneous fitting of electrostatic and polarization energies computed by placing a suitable perturbing particle at selected points around the molecule. The suitability of these charges to describe molecular interactions is discussed.     

Analytical characterization of diterpenoid resins present in pictorial varnishes using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with on line trimethylsilylation

A procedure based on the technique of the pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) has been applied, in this work, in order to determine the composition of diterpenoid resin employed in art works. The method is based on the on line derivatization of these resins using hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). Results obtained were compared with those previously reported in literature from Venice turpentine, Strasbourg turpentine, colophony, sandarac and Manila copal using this same method and with those others from in situ thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation with tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). Canada balsam, copper resinate and Copaiba balsam have been also analyzed extending the scope of this method in the field of the analysis of artwork materials. Several non-reported trimethylsilylated derivatives of compounds present in the diterpenoid resins have been identified. An improvement in sensitivity has been obtained by using HMDS as derivatizing reagent, together with a better resolution of the most representative peaks. Additionally, this method reduces the number of pyrolytic fragmentation, recombination, dehydration and isomerization products formed during the pyrolysis process and, in consequence, more simplified chromatograms are obtained. Finally, the reported procedure has been successfully used for characterizing two diterpenoid resin-based varnishes present in the canvas painting "The Betrothal of the Virgin" (Anonymous, 17th century) which is included in the pictorial collection of Saint Joseph Church in Taormina (Italy) and the Magdalena Tryptich (Master of Alzira, 16th century, Valencia, Spain).     

Thermal and photochemical rearrangement of bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-one to the ketonic tautomer of phenol. Computational evidence for the formation of a diradical rather than a zwitterionic intermediate

The ground state (S(0)) and lowest-energy triplet state (T(1)) potential energy surfaces (PESs) concerning the thermal and photochemical rearrangement of bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-en-2-one (8) to the ketonic tautomer of phenol (11) have been extensively explored using ab initio CASSCF and CASPT2 calculations with several basis sets. State T(1) is predicted to be a triplet pipi lying 66.5 kcal/mol above the energy of the S(0) state. On the S(0) PES, the rearrangement of 8 to 11 is predicted to occur via a two-step mechanism where the internal cyclopropane C-C bond is broken first through a high energy transition structure (TS1-S(0)()), leading to a singlet intermediate (10-S(0)()) lying 25.0 kcal/mol above the ground state of 8. Subsequently, this intermediate undergoes a 1,2-hydrogen shift to yield 11 by surmounting an energy barrier of only 2.7 kcal/mol at 0 K. The rate-determining step of the global rearrangement is the opening of the three-membered ring in 8, which involves an energy barrier of 41.2 kcal/mol at 0 K. This high energy barrier is consistent with the fact that the thermal rearrangement of umbellulone to thymol is carried out by heating at 280 degrees C. Regarding the photochemical rearangement, our results suggest that the most efficient route from the T(1) state of 8 to ground state 11 is the essentially barrierless cleavage of the internal cyclopropane C-C bond followed by radiationless decay to the S(0) state PES via intersystem crossing (ISC) at a crossing point (S(0)()/T(1)()-1) located at almost the same geometry as TS1-S(0)(), leading to the formation of 10-S(0)() and the subsequent low-barrier 1,2-hydrogen shift. The computed small spin-orbit coupling between the T(1) and S(0) PESs at S(0)()/T(1)()-1 (1.2 cm(-)(1)) suggests that the ISC between these PESs is the rate-determining step of the photochemical rearrangement 8 --> 11. Finally, computational evidence indicates that singlet intermediate 10-S(0)() should not be drawn as a zwitterion, but rather as a diradical having a polarized C=O bond.     

Determination of aflatoxins in peanuts by matrix solid-phase dispersion and liquid chromatography

A new method based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) extraction was studied to determine aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 from peanuts. Optimization of different parameters, such as type of solid supports for matrix dispersion and elution solvents were carried out. The method used 2 g of peanut sample, 2 g of C18 bonded silica as MSPD sorbent and acetonitrile as eluting solvent. Recoveries of each aflatoxin spiked to peanut samples at 2.5 ng/g (5 ng/g for aflatoxin G2) level were between 78 and 86% with relative standard deviations ranging from 4 to 7%. The limits of quantification ranged from 0.125 to 2.5 ng/g for the four studied aflatoxins using liquid chromatography (LC) with fluorescence detection. In addition, LC coupled to mass spectrometry with an electrospray interface was used for confirmation of aflatoxins present in real samples. Eleven peanut samples from different countries were analyzed by the proposed method and by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ELISA test is a good screening method for investigation of these mycotoxins in peanut samples.     

Formal total synthesis of β-pipitzol

(±)-$\text{O}$-methylperezone ($\text{1b}$) was obtained by selective oxidative demethylation of (±)-leucoperezone trimethyl ether ($\text{4a}$). Compound ($\text{4a}$) was prepared by condensation of 2,3,5-trimethoxytoluene ($\text{5e}$) with 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, followed by reductive removal of the tertiary alcohol. The aromatic precursor $\text{5e}$ was prepared in four steps from 2,3-dimethoxytoluene ($\text{5a}$) and, alternatively, in three steps from 5-bromoveratraldehyde ($\text{6a}$). Racemic $\text{1b}$ and $\text{4a}$ were directly compared with the optically active molecules prepared from natural R(-)-perezone ($\text{1a}$).     

Reaction of alkenes with hydrogen peroxide and sodium iodide: a nonenzymatic biogenic-like approach to iodohydrins

An efficient protocol to synthesize iodohydrins from alkenes is presented. Reactions were conducted in aqueous media using safe and readily available sodium iodide (the most abundant form of the element), and a highly convenient oxidant such as hydrogen peroxide. Addition of a protic acid triggers a faster and efficient process, a role formally related to that played by haloperoxidase enzymes in naturally occurring transformations. The successful application of these conditions to multigram scale preparations and over natural products derivatives is also discussed.