Synthesis of para-substituted styrenes

Using double Stille cross-coupling reaction bromo (or chloro)benzylbromide is easily transformed into substituted styrene monomers bearing a wide range of substituents in para position     

Synthesis and characterization of mannosyl mimetic derivatives based on a beta-cyclodextrin core

The synthesis of branched beta-cyclodextrins substituted with mannosyl mimetic derivatives at one primary hydroxy group is described. It was shown that the self-inclusion phenomenon observed for the target compounds in water did not preclude the inclusion properties of the cyclodextrin moiety.     

Structural and optical characterizations of rare earth pentaphosphates LnP5O14 (Ln = La, Gd) synthesized by the sol–gel process

The sol–gel chemistry route has successfully been used to prepare samples of LnP₅O₁₄ (Ln = La, Gd) pentaphosphates from lanthanides chlorides and phosphorous pentoxide dissolved in isopropanol. Crystallized powders of single phase were obtained after calcination of gels at 350 °C. The structural characterizations of materials were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction as well as infrared and Raman spectroscopies, whereas their thermal behavior has been studied by differential thermal analyse and thermogravimetric analyses. Powders morphology was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy and laser granulometry. The photoluminescence properties of the Eu³⁺ ions in sol–gel derived LaP₅O₁₄ and GdP₅O₁₄ samples were investigated and compared with homologous samples synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction.     

Investigation of the interface in silica-encapsulated liposomes by combining solid state NMR and first principles calculations

In the context of nanomedicine, liposils (liposomes and silica) have a strong potential for drug storage and release schemes: such materials combine the intrinsic properties of liposome (encapsulation) and silica (increased rigidity, protective coating, pH degradability). In this work, an original approach combining solid state NMR, molecular dynamics, first principles geometry optimization, and NMR parameters calculation allows the building of a precise representation of the organic/inorganic interface in liposils. {(1)H-(29)Si}(1)H and {(1)H-(31)P}(1)H Double Cross-Polarization (CP) MAS NMR experiments were implemented in order to explore the proton chemical environments around the silica and the phospholipids, respectively. Using VASP (Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package), DFT calculations including molecular dynamics, and geometry optimization lead to the determination of energetically favorable configurations of a DPPC (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) headgroup adsorbed onto a hydroxylated silica surface that corresponds to a realistic model of an amorphous silica slab. These data combined with first principles NMR parameters calculations by GIPAW (Gauge Included Projected Augmented Wave) show that the phosphate moieties are not directly interacting with silanols. The stabilization of the interface is achieved through the presence of water molecules located in-between the head groups of the phospholipids and the silica surface forming an interfacial H-bonded water layer. A detailed study of the (31)P chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters allows us to interpret the local dynamics of DPPC in liposils. Finally, the VASP/solid state NMR/GIPAW combined approach can be extended to a large variety of organic-inorganic hybrid interfaces.     

Preparation of both enantiomers of a synthon for novel nucleoside analogs by enzymatic desymmetrization of a meso-diol with a methylene cyclopropane skeleton

The enzymatic desymmetrization of methylenecyclopropane diol or its corresponding diacetate derivative, generated from a [2+1] cycloaddition between dioxepin and methylchlorocarbene, is described. After screening five commercial lipases, the two enantiomers of acetic acid 2-hydroxymethyl-3-methylene-cyclopropylmethyl ester are obtained in high yields and excellent enantioselectivities by using PFL or LPP in organic solvent. The stereostructure of the desymmetrization products was established by X-ray analysis. We also reported a new example with this non racemic chiral building block where the sign of optical rotation is dramatically solvent dependent and inverted. Using these enantiopure building blocks, a synthesis of novel nucleoside analogs is also presented.     

One Dimensional Face-to-Face Stacking of Anderson–Evans [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]3− Polyoxometalate Anion: Synthesis, Structure, and Physical Properties of (BEDT-TTF)4[Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]⋅2H2O

The synthesis, structural and magnetic characterizations of a new charge transfer salt (BEDT-TTF)₄[Cr(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈]2H₂O based on the planar paramagnetic Anderson–Evans polyoxometalate are reported. Structural parameters: T=293 K, triclinic (P ), a=5.9545(2) Å, b=16.3767(6) Å, c=21.8643(6) Å, =110.829(2)°, =91.262(2)°, =98.129(1)°, Z=1, R=0.0540. The crystal structure is characterized by a face-to-face stacking of the anions giving rise to a one-dimensional inorganic chain which develops along the a direction. The organic layers contain two crystallographically independent BEDT-TTF dimers that form alternating stacks along the b direction. This organic chain is perpendicular to the inorganic chains. The charges on BEDT-TTF dimers are deduced to +1.2(1) and +1.7(1) on the basis of the intramolecular bond lengths. The EPR spectrum at 2.5 K is characterized by the superposition of BEDT-TTF⁺ and [Cr^III(OH)₆Mo₆O₁₈]^3– signals. The static susceptibility can be fitted by the Curie–Weiss law down to 1.9 K and the magnetic moment at 300 K is estimated to 4.21 _B , suggesting the uncorrelated spin system with BEDT-TTF⁺ (S=1/2) and Cr^III (S=3/2) ions. This interpretion is consistent with the charge disproportionation on BEDT-TTF dimers along the stack, which is supported by the refined molecular structure and is closely related to the insulating behavior (<10^–9Scm^–1 at RT).     

Dearomatization of 3-Nitroindoles with Highly γ-Functionalized Allenoates in Formal (3+2) Cycloadditions

3-Nitroindoles are easily reacted with highly substituted γ-allenoates in the presence of a commercially available phosphine catalyst. For instance, allenoates derived from biomolecules such as amino and deoxycholic acids are combined for the first time with 3-nitroindole. The corresponding dearomatized (3+2) tricyclic cycloadducts are obtained as α-regioisomers exclusively. DFT computations shed light on this multi-step reaction mechanism and on the selectivities observed in the sequence.     

Frustrated Lewis Pair Chemistry Enables N2 Borylation by Formal 1,3-Addition of a B−H Bond in the Coordination Sphere of Tungsten

The first example of a formal 1,3-B−H bond addition across the M−N≡N unit of an end-on dinitrogen complex has been achieved. The use of Piers’ borane HB(C₆F₅)₂ was essential to observe this reactivity and it plays a triple role in this transformation: 1) electrophilic N₂-borylation agent, 2) Lewis acid in a frustrated Lewis pair-type B−H bond activation, and 3) hydride shuttle to the metal center. This chemistry is supported by NMR spectroscopy and solid-state characterization of products and intermediates. The combination of chelate effect and strong σ donation in the diphosphine ligand 1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane was mandatory to avoid phosphine dissociation that otherwise led to complexes where borylation of N₂ occurred without hydride transfer.     

Synthesis and properties of water-soluble gold colloids covalently derivatized with neutral polymer monolayers

Citrate-capped gold nanoparticles as well as planar gold surfaces can be efficiently grafted with a covalently attached polymer monolayer a few nanometers thick, by simple contact of the metal surface with dilute aqueous solutions of hydrophilic polymers that are end-capped with disulfide moieties, as shown by UV/vis absorption, dynamic light scattering, and surface plasmon resonance studies. The hydrophilic polymer-coated gold colloids can be freeze-dried and stored as powders that can be subsequently dissolved to yield stable aqueous dispersions, even at very large concentrations. They allow for applying filtrations, gel permeation chromatography, or centrifugation. They do not suffer from undesirable nonspecific adsorption of proteins while allowing the diffusion of small species within the hydrogel surface coating. In addition, specific properties of the original hydrophilic polymers are retained such as a lower critical solution temperature. The latter feature could be useful to enhance optical responses of functionalized gold surfaces toward interaction with various substrates.