Valence Tautomerism in Octahedral and Square‐Planar Phenoxyl–Nickel(II) Complexes: Are Imino Nitrogen Atoms Good Friends?

The two tetradentate ligands H(2)L and H(2)L(Me) afford the slightly distorted square-planar low-spin Ni(II) complexes 1 and 2, which comprise two coordinated phenolate groups. Complex 1 has been electrochemically oxidized into 1(+), which contains a coordinated phenoxyl radical, with a contribution from the nickel orbital. In the presence of pyridine, 1(+) is converted into 1(Py) (+), an octahedral phenolate nickel(III) complex with two pyridines axially coordinated: An intramolecular electron transfer (valence tautomerism) is promoted by the geometrical changes, from square planar to octahedral, around the metal center. The tetradentate ligand H(2)L(Me), in the presence of pyridine, and the hexadentate ligand H(2)L(Py) in CH(2)Cl(2) afford, respectively, the octahedral high-spin Ni(II) complexes 2(Py) and 3, which involve two equatorial phenolates and two axially coordinated pyridines. At 100 K, the one-electron-oxidized product 2(Py) (+) comprises a phenoxyl radical ferromagnetically coupled to the high-spin Ni(II) ion, with large zero-field splitting parameters, while 3(+) involves a phenoxyl radical antiferromagnetically coupled to the high-spin Ni(II) ion.     

Mechanistic pathways of the hydroxyl radical reactions of quinoline. 2. Computational analysis of hydroxyl radical attack at C atoms

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to compare the mechanism of the *OH attacks at all carbon atoms in quinoline. The computational analysis of the energy surface for the reaction of *OH with quinoline reveals that the formation of OH adducts proceeds through exothermic formation of pi-complexes/H-bonded complexes. The gas-phase reactions have activation energies ranging from <1.3 kcal/mol for the attack at positions C3 through C8 to 8.6 kcal/mol for the attack at the C2 position. Solvation, as described by the CPCM cavity model, lowers these activation barriers so that the attack at all carbon atoms except C2 is effectively barrierless. The *OH attack at C2 in solution is significantly different than at all other quinoline positions because it involves the only transition structure with energy higher than that of the starting materials and with an energetic barrier of 5.1 kcal/mol. The specific solvation approach also corroborates this finding because the attack at C2 was shown to have an energy barrier of 2.3 kcal/mol compared to the barrierless attack at C5. These results are in agreement with our recent experimental studies but differ from literature reports on the degradation of quinoline using the photo-Fenton reaction.     

HPLC isolation and NMR structure elucidation of the most prominent octabromo isomer in technical octabromo diphenyl ether

The major octabromo isomer of technical octabromo diphenyl ether mixture (technical octaBDE) DE-79 was isolated by RP-HPLC. Three serially coupled columns (each 250 mm long) enabled a good separation of the target compound from other congeners using 100% ACN as eluent. Approximately 100 microg of the target compound was isolated with a purity of >90% and investigated by MS for confirmation of the degree of bromination. 1H-NMR and 2-D 1H-13C correlation NMR spectra unequivocally clarified that the octaBDE in question is 2,2',3,3',4,4',6,6'-octabromodiphenyl ether (BDE 197). Based on annual production rates of technical BDE products (1999/2001), approximately 380 tons of BDE 197 were annually produced which, on the long term, may enter the environment. Compared with other individual BDE congeners, BDE 197 has the seventh highest application rate. Reductive debromination of BDE 197 can lead to four hepta-, 15 hexa-, 23 penta-, and 28 tetra-BDE isomers, respectively. This variety includes all known major BDEs of environmental concern (BDE 47, 85, 99, 100, 153, 154, and 183). The identification of BDE 197 in technical octaBDE DE-79 strongly suggests that research on the environmental fate of BDEs should include this key-BDE congener.     

Analysis of inorganic mercury species associated with airborne particulate matter/aerosols: method development

This paper describes a method for speciation of Hg associated with airborne particulate matter. This method uses a mini-sampler for sample collection and analysis, thermal desorption for separating Hg species, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) for identification and quantification of Hg. Coal fly ash spiked with different Hg compounds (e.g. Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS) was used for qualitative calibration. A standard reference material with a certified value for Hg concentration was used to evaluate the method. When the temperature of the furnace was programmed at a linear rate of increase of 50° min^–1, different Hg compounds could clearly be separated. Three airborne particulate matter samples were collected in parallel in Toronto, ON, Canada and analyzed using this method. Reproducible results were obtained and Hg⁰, HgCl₂, HgO, and HgS species from these samples were detected.     

Partialsynthesen und Reaktionen von Abietanderivaten (Lanugonen) aus Plectranthus lanuginosus und verwandten Verbindungen

Partial Syntheses and Reactions of Abietanoid Derivatives (Lanugones) from Plectranthus lanuginosus and of Related Compounds Interconversions by partial syntheses of several lanugones establish their absolute configuration at C(15). Unexpected reactions exemplify the unique reactivity of these abietanoic diterpenes, - Lanugone O ( 4 ) was prepared in several steps from (15S)-coleon C ( 8a ; Scheme 2) thus establishing its (15S)-configuration. One of the intermediates, the 12-O-acetyl-6-oxoroyleanone 12 , through acetyl-migration sets up an equilibrium with the vinylogous quinone 13 (Scheme 3). - The chirality at C(15) in the dihydrofuran moiety of lanugone Q ( 16 ) was proven by acid-catalyzed conversion of lanugone O ( 4 ) to 16 . - Instead of the usual nucleophilic attack shown by quinomethanes, lanugone L (1 ) is electrophilically substituted at C(7) by acetic anhydride/pyridine (Scheme 1). - In a homosigmatropic [1,5]-H-shift, lanugone G ( 17 ) in solution is converted to the corresponding allyl substituted royleanone 18 (Scheme 4). - Methanolysis of lanugone J ( 19 ) leads to the expected royleanone 20 having the 2-methoxypropyl side chain ( Scheme 5 ). Similar reactions were found in acetolytic reactions. However, treatment-of spirocoleons with SOCl₂/DMF produces mainly 12-deoxyroyleanones with allyl- and 2-chloropropyl groups, i. e. 19 → 26 and 27 ; 28 → 29 . The possible natural occurrence of these compounds is emphasized.     

Diterpenoide Chinomethane,vinyloge Chinone und ein Phyllocladan-Derivat aus Plectranthus purpuratus HARV. (Labiatae)

Diterpenoids from Leaf Glands of Plectranthus purpuratus: p-Quinomethanes, Extended Quinones, p-Acylcatechols and a Novel Phyllocladanon Derivative From the complex mixture of terpenoids from the title plant, the following novel diterpenoids have been isolated: 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyloxy)-5,7,9 (11), 13-abietatetraen-12-one ( 1a / 1b ), 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 11-hydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyl-oxy)-7,9(11), 13-abietatrien-6,12-dione ( 2a / 2b ), 6α, 11-dihydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 6α, 11 -dihydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyloxy)-7,9 (11), 13-abieta-trien-12-one ( 3a / 3b ), 11,12-dihydroxy-19-(3-methyl-2-butenoyloxy)- and 11,12-di-hydroxy-19-(3-methylbutanoyloxy)-8,11,13-abietatrien-7-one ( 4a / 4b ), and (16R)-17,19-diacetoxy-16-hydroxy-13β-kauran-3-one (=(16R)-17,19-diacetoxy-16-hydro-xyphyllocladan-3-one; 10 ). Compounds 2 and 3 are derivates of taxodione and taxodone, respectively, 4 is a derivative of cryptojaponol. The structure of 10 is Wised on a single-crystal- X -ray analysis and CD . data.     

Synthesen von Carotinen mit ψ-Endgruppen und (Z)-Konfiguration an terminalen konjugierten Doppelbindungen

Syntheses of Carotenes with ψ-End Groups and (Z)-Configuration at Terminal Conjugated Double Bonds Five carotenes bearing (5Z)-ψ-end groups were synthesized and carefully characterized: (5Z)-lycopene ( 6 ), (5Z5′Z)-lycopene ( 7 ), (5′Z)-neurosporene ( 8 ), (5′Z)-β,ψ-carotene ( 12 ), and (5′Z)-ε,ψ-carotene ( 14 ).     

Synthesis, photophysical, photochemical, and computational studies of coumarin-labeled nicotinamide derivatives

The syntheses and photophysical/photochemical properties of two amide-tethered coumarin-labeled nicotinamides are described. Photochemical studies of 6-bromo-7-hydroxycoumarin-4-ylmethylnicotinamide (BHC-nicotinamide) revealed an unexpected solvent effect. This result is rationalized by computational studies of the different protonation states using TD-DFT with the M06L/6-311+G** method with implicit and explicit solvation models. Molecular orbital energies responsible for the λ(max) excitation show that the functionalization of the coumarin ring results in a strong red-shift from 330 to 370 nm when the pH of solution is increased from 3.06 to 8.07. From this MO analysis, a model for solvent interactions has been proposed. The BHC-nicotinamide proved to be photochemically stable, which is also interpreted in terms of NBO calculations. The results provide a set of principles for the rational design of either photostable labeling reagents or photolabile cage compounds.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the catalytic hydrosilylation of carbon dioxide with ruthenium nitrile complexes

Ruthenium complexes, mer-[RuX(3)(MeCN)(3)] and cis/trans-[RuX(2)(MeCN)(4)] with X=Br, Cl, were investigated as precatalysts in homogeneously catalyzed hydrosilylation of CO(2). The oxidation state of ruthenium and nature of the halide in the precatalysts were found to influence the catalytic activity in the conversion of Me(2)PhSiH to the formoxysilane Me(2)PhSiOCHO, with Ru(III) having chloride ligands being most active. Monitoring the reactions by in-situ IR spectroscopy in MeCN as the solvent indicates an interaction of the precatalyst with the silane prior to activation of CO(2). In the absence of CO(2), hydrosilylation of the MeCN solvent occurs. Catalytic activity in CO(2) hydrosilylation is enhanced by Me(2)PhSiCl, generated during reduction of Ru(III) in mer-[RuX(3)(MeCN)(3)] to Ru(II) or, when added as promoter to Ru(II) precatalysts. The reaction mechanism for the catalytic cycle has been calculated by DFT methods for the reaction of Me(3)SiH. The key steps are: Transfer of the Me(3)Si moiety to a coordinated halide ligand, resulting in an L(n)RuH(XSiMe(3)) intermediate --> CO(2) coordination --> Me(3)Si transfer to CO(2) --> reductive elimination of formoxysilane product. This reaction sequence is more favorable energetically for chloride complexes than for the analogous bromide complexes, which accounts for their differences in catalytic activity. Calculations also explain the rate increase observed experimentally in the presence of Me(2)PhSiCl. A parallel reaction pathway leads to (Me(3)Si)(2)O as a minor byproduct which arises from the condensation of two initially formed Me(3)SiOH molecules.