A series of novel lanthanide polyoxometalates: condensation of building blocks dependent on the nature of rare earth cations

A series of novel lanthanide polyoxomolybdates was synthesized by reaction of lanthanide cations with the Anderson type anion (TeMo(6)O(24))(6-). The polyoxometalates K(6n)(TeMo(6)O(24))(n)[(Ln(H(2)O)(7))(2)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n)[middle dot]16nH(2)O (Ln = Eu, Gd) and K(3n)[Ln(H(2)O)(5)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n)[middle dot]6nH(2)O (Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) were characterized by X-ray structure analysis, elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. We found that the solid-state structures of Ln/(TeMo(6)O(24))(6-) compounds are strongly dependent on the lanthanide cations, and therefore represent a rare example for different arrangements of building units depending on the nature of the rare earth cations. While the Eu(3+) and Gd(3+) cations achieve ninefold coordination by seven water molecules and two terminal oxygen atoms of the (TeMo(6)O(24))(6-) anions, the Tb(3+), Dy(3+), Ho(3+) and Er(3+) cations are coordinated by five water molecules, two terminal oxygen atoms and one molybdenum-bridging oxygen atom belonging to the (TeMo(6)O(24))(6-) anion. The europium and gadolinium substituted compounds contain infinite one-dimensional [(Ln(H(2)O)(7))(2)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n) chains; the terbium, dysprosium, holmium and erbium compounds contain infinite one-dimensional [Ln(H(2)O)(5)(TeMo(6)O(24))](n)(3n-) chains.     

Extending the Family of V4+ S=${{ 1/2 }}$ Kagome Antiferromagnets

The ionothermal synthesis, structure, and magnetic susceptibility of a novel inorganic–organic hybrid material, imidazolium vanadium(III,IV) oxyfluoride [C₃H₅N₂][V₉O₆F₂₄(H₂O)₂] (ImVOF) are presented. The structure consists of inorganic vanadium oxyfluoride slabs with kagome layers of V⁴⁺ S=${{ 1/2 }}$ ions separated by a mixed valence layer. These inorganic slabs are intercalated with imidazolium cations. Quinuclidinium (Q) and pyrazinium (Pyz) cations can also be incorporated into the hybrid structure type to give QVOF and PyzVOF analogues, respectively. The highly frustrated topology of the inorganic slabs, along with the quantum nature of the magnetism associated with V⁴⁺, means that these materials are excellent candidates to host exotic magnetic ground states, such as the highly sought quantum spin liquid. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of all samples suggest an absence of conventional long‐range magnetic order down to 2 K despite considerable antiferromagnetic exchange.     

(−)‐Englerin A is a Potent and Selective Activator of TRPC4 and TRPC5 Calcium Channels

Current therapies for common types of cancer such as renal cell cancer are often ineffective and unspecific, and novel pharmacological targets and approaches are in high demand. Here we show the unexpected possibility for the rapid and selective killing of renal cancer cells through activation of calcium‐permeable nonselective transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) calcium channels by the sesquiterpene (?)‐englerin A. This compound was found to be a highly efficient, fast‐acting, potent, selective, and direct stimulator of TRPC4 and TRPC5 channels. TRPC4/5 activation through a high‐affinity extracellular (?)‐englerin A binding site may open up novel opportunities for drug discovery aimed at renal cancer.     

Polystyrene-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer: the effect of polystyrene and spreading concentration at the air/water interface

Polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-PEO) is an amphiphilic diblock copolymer that undergoes microphase separation when spread at the air/water interface, forming nanosized domains. In this study, we investigate the impact of PS by examining a series of PS-PEO samples containing constant PEO (~17,000 g·mol(-1)) and variable PS (from 3600 to 200,000 g·mol(-1)) through isothermal characterization and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The polymers separated into two categories: predominantly hydrophobic and predominantly hydrophilic with a weight percent of PEO of ~20% providing the boundary between the two. AFM results indicated that predominantly hydrophilic PS-PEO forms dots while more hydrophobic samples yield a mixture of dots and spaghetti with continent-like structures appearing at ~7% PEO or less. These structures reflect a blend of polymer spreading, entanglement, and vitrification as the solvent evaporates. Changing the spreading concentration provides insight into this process with higher concentrations representing earlier kinetic stages and lower concentrations demonstrating later ones. Comparison of isothermal results and AFM analysis shows how polymer behavior at the air/water interface correlates with the observed nanostructures. Understanding the impact of polymer composition and spreading concentration is significant in leading to greater control over the nanostructures obtained through PS-PEO self-assembly and their eventual application as polymer templates.     

Comment: 2004's fastest organic and biomolecular chemistry!

In January 2004, the Royal Society of Chemistry launched Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry (OBC) - a journal promising to provide high quality research from all aspects of synthetic, physical and biomolecular organic chemistry. The journal was set to build upon the foundations laid down by its predecessor publications (J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1 and J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2) as well as complement the subject coverage already published in prestigious general chemistry journals such as Chemical Communications and Chemical Society Reviews. Nearly two years on, just how is the programme developing and what can the community expect to see from the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)?     

Synthesis and complexes of an N4 Schiff-base macrocycle derived from 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde

An N(4) tetradentate [1 + 1] Schiff base metal free macrocycle HL was prepared, by 1?:?1 condensation of 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde (1) and diethylenetriamine, and characterised. Seven mononuclear complexes, [Zn(II)L(py)](BF(4)) (2), [Cu(II)L](BF(4))]·H(2)O (3), [Ni(II)L](BF(4))·H(2)O (4), [Co(II)L](BF(4))]·H(2)O (5), Fe(III)L(BF(4))(2)·2H(2)O·MeCN (6), [Co(III)L(NCS)(2)]·0.3py (7) and [Fe(III)L(NCS)(2)] (8), of L(-) are reported. The Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were prepared by a template approach whereas the others were accessed by metallation of pre-formed HL. The X-ray crystal structure determinations show that [Cu(II)L](BF(4)) and [Ni(II)L](BF(4)) feature square planar N(4) coordinated Cu(II) and Ni(II) centres, respectively, whereas [Fe(III)L(NCS)(2)]·NO(2)Me features an octahedral N(6) coordinated Fe(III) centre (two NCS anions bound axially) and the Zn(II) complex, which crystallised as 2{[Zn(II)L(py)](BF(4))}·py, features square pyramidal Zn(II) ions (a pyridine molecule bound axially). In all cases the N(4) macrocycle is bound equatorially to the metal ion. Cyclic voltammograms of the soluble BF(4) complexes, 2-5, were carried out in MeCN vs. 0.01 mol L(-1) AgNO(3)/Ag and revealed multiple, mostly irreversible or quasi-reversible, redox processes. The Zn(II) complex 2 exhibited two irreversible oxidation processes and one irreversible reduction process, all of which are ligand-centered. The Ni(II) complex 4 showed a process with a weak return wave at E(m) = +0.57 V (ΔE = 0.05 V). Interestingly, after controlled potential coulometry experiments on 2, 3 and 4 (at +0.48, +0.61 and +0.71 V which transferred 1.2, 1.0 and 1.6 e(-) equiv. per complex, respectively), a new reversible or quasi-reversible process was obtained, with a lower potential than beforehand (E(m) (ΔE)/V = +0.16 (0.08), +0.31 (0.13) and +0.45 (0.11) respectively).     

Silver-mediated trifluoromethylation of arenes using TMSCF3

The silver-mediated C-H trifluoromethylation of aromatic substrates using TMSCF(3) is described. The development, optimization, and scope of these transformations are reported. AgCF(3) intermediates are proposed.     

Heavy‐Atom Tunneling in the Ring Opening of a Strained Cyclopropene at Very Low Temperatures

The highly strained 1H‐bicyclo[3.1.0]‐hexa‐3,5‐dien‐2‐one 1 is metastable, and rearranges to 4‐oxacyclohexa‐2,5‐dienylidene 2 in inert gas matrices (neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and nitrogen) at temperatures as low as 3 K. The kinetics for this rearrangement show pronounced matrix effects, but in a given matrix, the reaction rate is independent of temperature between 3 and 20 K. This temperature independence means that the activation energy is zero in this temperature range, indicating that the reaction proceeds through quantum mechanical tunneling from the lowest vibrational level of the reactant. At temperatures above 20 K, the rate increases, resulting in curved Arrhenius plots that are also indicative of thermally activated tunneling. These experimental findings are supported by calculations performed at the CASSCF and CASPT2 levels by using the small‐curvature tunneling (SCT) approximation.     

Photoionization and Pyrolysis of a 1,4‐Azaborinine: Retro‐Hydroboration in the Cation and Identification of Novel Organoboron Ring Systems

The photoionization and dissociative photoionization of 1,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1,4‐azaborinine by means of synchrotron radiation and threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy is reported. The ionization energy of the compound was determined to be 7.89 eV. Several low‐lying electronically excited states in the cation were identified. The various pathways for dissociative photoionization were modeled by statistical theory, and appearance energies AE_0K were obtained. The loss of isobutene in a retro‐hydroboration reaction is the dominant pathway, which proceeds with a reverse barrier. Pyrolysis of the parent compound in a chemical reactor leads to the generation of several yet unobserved boron compounds. The ionization energies of the C₄H₆BN isomers 1,2‐ and 1,4‐dihydro‐1,4‐azaborinine and the C₃H₆BN isomer 1,2‐dihydro‐1,3‐azaborole were determined from threshold photoelectron spectra.     

Synthesis of a Ferrolite: A Zeolitic All‐Iron Framework

Crystals of the first sodalite‐type zeolite containing an all‐iron framework, a ferrolite, Ba₈(Fe₁₂O₂₄)Na_y(OH)₆?x H₂O, were synthesized using the hydroflux method in nearly quantitative yield. Ba₈(Fe₁₂O₂₄)Na_y(OH)₆?x H₂O crystallizes in the cubic space group with a=10.0476(1) Å. Slightly distorted FeO₄ tetrahedra are linked to form Fe₄O₄ and Fe₆O₆ rings, which in turn yield channels and internal cavities that are characteristic of the sodalite structure. Barium, sodium, and hydroxide ions and water molecules are found in the channels and provide charge balance. Magnetic measurements indicate that the ferrolite exhibits magnetic order up to at least 700 K, with the field‐cooled and zero‐field‐cooled curves diverging. Analysis of the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra revealed two spectral components that have equal spectral areas, indicating the presence of two subsets of iron centers in the structure. Dehydrated versions of the ferrolite were also prepared by heating the sample.