Metal Complexes of Dithiolate Ligands: 5,6-Dihydro-1,4-dithiin-2,3-dithiolato (dddt(2-)), 5,7-Dihydro-1,4,6-trithiin-2,3-dithiolato (dtdt(2-)), and 2-Thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato (dmit(2-)). Synthesis, Electrochemical Studies, Crystal and Electronic Structures, and Conducting Properties

New precursors to potentially conductive noninteger oxidation state (NIOS) compounds based on metal complexes [ML(2)](n)()(-) [M = Ni, Pd, Pt; L = 5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithiin-2,3-dithiolato (dddt(2)(-)), 5,7-dihydro-1,4,6-trithiin-2,3-dithiolato (dtdt(2)(-)), and 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato (dmit(2)(-)); n = 2, 1, 0] have been investigated. Complexes of the series (NR(4))[ML(2)] (R = Me, Et, Bu; L = dddt(2)(-), dtdt(2)(-)) have been isolated and characterized, and the crystal structure of (NBu(4))[Pt(dtdt)(2)] (1) has been determined {1 = C(24)H(44)NPtS(10), a = 12.064(2) ?, b = 17.201(3) ?, c = 16.878(2) ?, beta = 102.22(2) degrees, V = 3423(1) ?(3), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4}. Oxidation of these complexes affords the corresponding neutral species [ML(2)](0). Another series of general formula (cation)(n)()[M(dmit)(2)] [cation = PPN(+), BTP(+), and (SMe(y)()Et(3)(-)(y)())(+) with y = 0, 1, 2, and 3, n = 2, 1, M = Ni, Pd] has also been studied. All of these (cation)(n)()[M(dmit)(2)] complexes have been isolated and characterized [with the exception of (cation)[Pd(dmit)(2)] for cation = (SMe(y)()Et(3)(-)(y)())(+)]. The crystal structures of (PPN)[Ni(dmit)(2)].(CH(3))(2)CO (2) and (SMeEt(2))[Ni(dmit)(2)] (3) have been determined {2 = C(45)H(36)NNiS(10)P(2)O, a = 12.310(2) ?, b = 13.328(3) ?, c = 15.850(3) ?, alpha = 108.19(3) degrees, beta = 96.64(2) degrees, gamma = 99.67(2) degrees, V = 2373(1) ?(3), triclinic, P&onemacr;, Z = 2; 3 = C(11)H(13)NiS(11), a = 7.171(9) ?, b = 17.802(3) ?, c = 16.251(3) ?, beta = 94.39(4) degrees, V = 2068(2) ?(3), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, Z = 4} NIOS salts derived from the preceding precursors were obtained by electrochemical oxidation. Electrochemical studies of the [M(dddt)(2)] complexes show that they may be used for the preparation of NIOS radical cation salts and [M(dddt)(2)][M'(dmit)(2)](x)() compounds, but not for the preparation of (cation)[M(dddt)(2)](z)() NIOS radical anion salts. The electrochemical oxidation of the [M(dtdt)(2)](-) complexes always yields the neutral [M(dtdt)(2)](0) species. The crystal structure of [Pt(dddt)(2)][Ni(dmit)(2)](2) (4) has been determined and is consistent with the low compaction powder conductivity (5 x 10(-)(5) S cm(-)(1) at room temperature) {4 = C(20)H(8)Ni(2)PtS(28), a = 20.336(4) ?, b = 7.189(2) ?, c = 14.181(2) ?, beta = 97.16(2) degrees, V = 2057(1) ?(3), monoclinic, C2/m, Z = 2}. The crystal structures of the semiconducting NIOS compounds (BTP)[Ni(dmit)(2)](3) (5) and (SMe(3))[Ni(dmit)(2)](2) (6) have been determined {5 = C(43)H(22)PNi(3)S(30), a = 11.927(2) ?, b = 24.919(2) ?, c = 11.829(3) ?, alpha = 93.11(1) degrees, beta = 110.22(1) degrees, gamma = 83.94(1) degrees, V = 3284(1) ?(3), triclinic, P&onemacr;, Z = 2; 6 = C(15)H(9)Ni(2)S(21), a = 7.882(1) ?, b = 11.603(2) ?, c = 17.731(2) ?, alpha = 77.44(1) degrees, beta = 94.39(1) degrees, gamma = 81.27(1) degrees, V = 1563(1) ?(3), triclinic, P&onemacr;, Z = 2}. The parent compound (SEt(3))[Ni(dmit)(2)](z) (unknown stoichiometry) is also a semiconductor with a single-crystal conductivity at room temperature of 10 S cm(-)(1). By contrast, the single-crystal conductivity at room temperature of (SMeEt(2))[Pd(dmit)(2)](2) (7) is rather high (100 S cm(-)(1)). 7 behaves as a pseudometal down to 150 K and undergoes an irreversible metal-insulator transition below this temperature. The crystal structure of 7 has been determined {7 = C(17)H(13)NPd(2)S(21), a = 7.804(4) ?, b = 36.171(18) ?, c = 6.284(2) ?, alpha = 91.68(4) degrees, beta = 112.08(4) degrees, gamma = 88.79(5) degrees, V = 1643(1) ?(3), triclinic, P&onemacr;, Z = 2}. The electronic structure of (SMeEt(2))[Pd(dmit)(2)](2) (7) and the possible origin of the metal-insulator transition at 150 K are discussed on the basis of tight-binding band structure calculations.     

Characterization and Reactivity Studies of a Terminal Copper–Nitrene Species

High‐valent terminal copper–nitrene species have been postulated as key intermediates in copper‐catalyzed aziridination and amination reactions. The high reactivity of these intermediates has prevented their characterization for decades, thereby making the mechanisms ambiguous. Very recently, the Lewis acid adduct of a copper–nitrene intermediate was trapped at ?90 °C and shown to be active in various oxidation reactions. Herein, we describe for the first time the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a terminal copper(II)–nitrene radical species that is stable at room temperature in the absence of any Lewis acid. The azide derivative of a triazamacrocyclic ligand that had previously been utilized in the stabilization of aryl–Cu^III intermediates was employed as an ancillary ligand in the study. The terminal copper(II)–nitrene radical species is able to transfer a nitrene moiety to phosphines and abstract a hydrogen atom from weak C?H bonds, leading to the formation of oxidized products in modest yields.     

Bottom-up assembly of high density molecular nanowire cross junctions at a solid/liquid interface

A monoalkylated tetrathiafulvalene derivative forms multilayer structures at the solid-liquid interface, with high density of cross junctions, which are interesting for molecular electronic circuit self-assembly.     

Iterated Logarithm Law for Anticipating Stochastic Differential Equations

We prove a functional law of iterated logarithm for the following kind of anticipating stochastic differential equations

Detection of the administration of 17beta-nortestosterone in boars by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

17beta-Nortestosterone (17betaN) is illegally used in livestock as a growth promoter and its endogenous production has been described in some animals, such as adult boars. In this paper, the metabolism of 17betaN in boars has been studied by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) in order to identify markers of the exogenous administration. Administration studies of intramuscular 17betaN laurate to male pigs were performed. Free, sulphate and glucuronide fractions of the urine samples were separated and the steroids present were quantified by GC/MS. 17betaN was detected in some pre-administration samples. After administration, 17betaN, norandrosterone, noretiocholanolone (NorE), norepiandrosterone, 5beta-estrane-3alpha,17beta-diol and 5alpha-estrane-3beta,17beta-diol were detected in different fractions, being the most important metabolites, 17betaN excreted as a sulphate and free NorE. Samples collected in routine controls were also analyzed by GC/MS to identify endogenous compounds. 17betaN, norandrostenedione and estrone were detected in almost all the samples. No other 17betaN metabolites were detected. According to these results, the detection by GC/MS of some of the 17betaN metabolites described above, different from 17betaN, could be indicative of the exogenous administration of 17betaN to boars.     

Self-assembled monolayers of electroactive polychlorotriphenylmethyl radicals on Au(111)

Two new polychlorotriphenylmethyl (PTM) derivatives bearing a thioacetate and a disulfide group have been synthesized to anchor on gold substrate. On the basis of these molecules, three strategies were followed to prepare self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of electroactive PTMs. The resulting SAMs were fully characterized by contact angle, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS). The high coverage surface and stability of the SAMs were demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry. In addition, the electrochemical experiments proved that these SAMs are bistable since it is possible to reversibly switch between the PTM radical state to the corresponding anion. The magnetic response was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance. We observed that when the PTM SAMs are in their radical form they confer magnetic functionality to the surface, whereas when they are in the anionic state, the surface is diamagnetic. Thus, the PTM-modified substrates are multifunctional surfaces since they combine magnetic and electroactive properties. The reported results show the high potential of these materials for the fabrication of surface molecular devices.     

Unravelling the intrinsic features of NO binding to iron(II)- and iron(III)-hemes

Electrospray ionization of appropriate precursors is used to deliver [Fe (III)-heme] (+) and [Fe (II)-hemeH] (+) ions as naked species in the gas phase where their ion chemistry has been examined by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. In the naked, four-coordinate [Fe (II)-hemeH] (+) and [Fe (III)-heme] (+) ions, the intrinsic reactivity of iron(II)- and iron(III)-hemes is revealed free from any influence due to axial ligand, counterion, or solvent effects. Ligand (L) addition and ligand transfer equilibria with a series of selected neutrals are attained when [Fe (II)-hemeH] (+), corresponding to protonated Fe (II)-heme, is allowed to react in the FT-ICR cell. A Heme Cation Basicity (HCB) ladder for the various ligands toward [Fe (II)-hemeH] (+), corresponding to -Delta G degrees for the process [Fe (II)-hemeH] (+) + L --> [Fe (II)-hemeH(L)] (+) and named HCB (II), can thus be established. The so-obtained HCB (II) values are compared with the corresponding HCB (III) values for [Fe (III)-heme] (+). In spite of pronounced differences displayed by various ligands, NO shows a quite similar HCB of about 67 kJ mol (-1) at 300 K toward both ions, estimated to correspond to a binding energy of 124 kJ mol (-1). Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations confirm the experimental results, yielding very similar values of NO binding energies to [Fe (II)-hemeH] (+) and [Fe (III)-heme] (+), equal to 140 and 144 kJ mol (-1), respectively. The kinetic study of the NO association reaction supports the equilibrium HCB data and reveals that the two species share very close rate constant values both for the forward and for the reverse reaction. These gas phase results diverge markedly from the kinetics and thermodynamic behavior of NO binding to iron(II)- and iron(III)-heme proteins and model complexes in solution. The requisite of either a very labile or a vacant coordination site on iron for a facile addition of NO to occur, suggested to explain the bias for typically five-coordinate iron(II) species in solution, is fully supported by the present work.     

Emissive Synthetic Cofactors: Enzymatic Interconversions of tzA Analogues of ATP,NAD+, NADH,NADP+, and NADPH

A series of enzymatic transformations, which generate visibly emissive isofunctional cofactors based on an isothiazolo[4,3‐d]pyrimidine analogue of adenosine ( ^tz A ), was developed. Nicotinamide adenylyl transferase condenses nicotinamide mononucleotide and ^tz ATP to yield N^tzAD⁺ , which can be enzymatically phosphorylated by NAD⁺ kinase and ATP or ^tz ATP to the corresponding N^tzADP⁺ . The latter can be engaged in NADP‐specific coupled enzymatic transformations involving conversion to N^tzADPH by glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase and reoxidation to N^tzADP⁺ by glutathione reductase. The N^tzADP⁺ / N^tzADPH cycle can be monitored in real time by fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Quantitative determination of paroxetine and its 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy metabolite in plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ion trap mass spectrometry: application to pharmacokinetic studies

A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with tandem mass spectrometric detection is described for the determination of paroxetine, an antidepressant drug, and its metabolite (3S,4R)-4-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenoxymethyl)piperidine (HM paroxetine) in human plasma. Plasma samples were hydrolysed with hydrochloric acid and then analytes were extracted with ethyl acetate at alkaline pH. Extracts were analysed by HPLC coupled to an atmospheric pressure ionisation-electrospray (ESI) interface and an ion trap mass spectrometer. Chromatography was performed on a reversed-phase column using acetonitrile/0.02% formic acid (66:34, v/v) as a mobile phase. The mass spectrometer was operated in the multiple reaction monitoring mode. The method was validated over concentration ranges of 0.75-100 microg/L and 5-100 microg/L for paroxetine and HM paroxetine, respectively. Mean recoveries of 77% for paroxetine and 76% for HM paroxetine were found, with precision always better than 15%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.20 and 0.70 microg/L for paroxetine, and 0.70 and 2.20 microg/L for its metabolite. The method was applied to the analysis of plasma samples obtained from nine healthy male volunteers administered with a single oral dose of 20 mg paroxetine. After the 20-mg dose, the mean peak plasma concentration was 8.60 microg/L for paroxetine and 92.40 microg/L for HM paroxetine showing a tenfold ratio between the metabolite and the parent drug along the entire time-concentration curve.