Sterospecific Syntheses and Spectroscopic Properties of Isomeric 2,4,6,8-Undecatetraenes. New Hydrocarbons from the Marine Brown Alga Giffordia mitchellae. Part IV.

Giffordene (=(2Z,4Z,6E,8Z)-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene; 9f ) and five steroisomers are new C₁₁H₁₆ hydrocarbons from the marine brown alga Giffordia mitchellae. Their synthesis is based on non-stereoselective Wittig reactions of (E)-2-alkenals with appropriate acetylenic phosphoranes and subsequent chromatographic separation of the resulting (E/Z)-pairs. The uniform enynes (>98% purity) are then stereospecifically reduced to (Z)-alkenes with Zn(Cu/Ag) in aq. MeOH at r.t. ¹³C- and ¹ H-NMR data of the new tetraenes are presented. Biosynthetically, giffordene ( 9f ) originates from dodeca-3,6,9-trienoic acid via an unstable (3Z,5Z,8Z)-1,3,5,8,-undecatetraene followed by a thermally allowed antarafacial 1,7-sigmatropic hydrogen shift to the (2Z,4Z,6E,8Z)-isomer 9f .     

Synthesis and characterization of Mo(6) chalcobromides and cyano-substituted compounds built from a novel [(Mo(6)Br(i)(6)Y(i)(2))L(a)(6)](n)()(-) discrete cluster unit (Y(i) = S or Se and L(a) = Br or CN)

The syntheses, crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and characterizations of new Mo(6) cluster chalcobromides and cyano-substituted compounds with 24 valence electrons per Mo(6) cluster (VEC = 24), are presented in this work. The structures of Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)S(2) and Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)Se(2) prepared by solid state routes are based on the novel [(Mo(6)Br(i)(6)Y(i)(2))Br(a)(6)](4)(-) (Y = S, Se) discrete units in which two chalcogen and six bromine ligands randomly occupy the inner positions, while the six apical ones are fully occupied by bromine atoms. The interaction of these two compounds with aqueous KCN solution results in apical ligand exchange giving the two first Mo(6) cyano-chalcohalides: Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)S(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O and Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)Se(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O. Their crystal structures, built from the original [(Mo(6)Br(i)(6)Y(i)(2))(CN)(a)(6)](4)(-) discrete units, will be compared to those of the two solid state precursors and other previously reported Mo(6) cluster compounds. Their redox properties and (77)Se NMR characterizations will be presented. Crystal data: Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)S(2), orthorhombic, Pbca (No. 61), a = 11.511(5) A, b = 18.772(5) A, c = 28.381 A (5), Z = 8; Cs(4)Mo(6)Br(12)Se(2), Pbca (No. 61), a = 11.6237(1) A, b = 18.9447(1) A, c = 28.4874(1) A, Z = 8; Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)S(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O, Pm-3m (No. 221), a = 17.1969(4) A, Z = 1; Cs(0.4)K(0.6)(Et(4)N)(11)[(Mo(6)Br(6)Se(2))(CN)(6)](3).16H(2)O, Pm-3m (No. 221), a = 17.235(5) A, Z = 1.     

Equilibrium constants of HF,F-, HF-2 and H2F2 species in formic acid.

Equilibrium constants for the fluorinated species HF, F^-, HF^-₂ and H₂F₂ in formic acid and in a 1M potassium formate solution in formic acid have been studied by ¹⁹F NMR. The chemical shifts of these species have been determined from measurements of the shifts for various initial mixtures of differing concentrations of dissolved HF, F^- and HF^-₂. From these values, relative concentrations of HF, F^-, and HF^-₂ and H₂F₂ in each solution have been calculated through a numerical method. The following constants were obtained: K₁ = [H⁺][F^-]/[HF] = 1.1 x 10^-5M; K_D = [HF][F^-]/[HF^-₂] = 0.5 M; K′₁ = [H⁺][HF^-₂]/[H₂F₂]= 1.1 x 10^-5 M; K′_D = [HF]²/[H₂F₂]=0.5 M.     

Synergistic mechanisms of β-diketone derivatives and zinc-calcium soaps in PVC stabilisation

It has been possible to explain the mechanisms of stabilisation and of the synergistic effects of the β-diketone derivatives claimed in a patent as new stabilisers for improving the efficiency of those recipes based upon zinc and calcium soaps in the prevention of the initial discoloration of poly(vinyl chloride).Using chlorohexene as a model compound for allylic chloride structures and benzoylacetone as a model compound for enolised β-diketone derivatives, it has been shown that the benzoylacetone can substitute allylic chlorine atoms through a C-alkylation reaction which takes place only in the presence of ZnCl₂ as catalyst. This reaction drastically changes the percentage of the enol and causes the appearance of two bands at 1720 cm^?1 and 1680 cm^?1 in the infra-red spectrum due to the ketonic structures During the processing of the PVC on a rolling mill at 180°C in the presence of zinc and calcium stearates and benzoylacetone there is grafting of the ketone derivative through a C-alkylation reaction. There is a closed parallelism between the influence of the benzoylacetone on the dehydrochlorination of the chlorohexene and on the accumulation of chloride ions in the polymer matrix in the presence of zinc and calcium stearate. The synergistic effect of the benzoylacetone in the prevention of the initial discoloration is related to the substitution reaction through a C-alkylation which takes place only in the presence of zinc stearate which generates ZnCl₂ which, in turn, acts as a catalyst for both the C-alkylation and dehydrochlorination.     

Effect of carbon nanotubes on the crystallization and properties of polypropylene

The effect of different concentrations of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics, morphology, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) matrix composites obtained by melt compounding was investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, optical and scanning electron microscopy, and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Microscopy showed well‐dispersed nanotube ropes together with small and large aggregates. The modulus was found to increase by about 75% at a level of 0.5 wt % nanotubes. The SWNTs displayed a clear nucleating effect on the PP crystallization, favoring the α crystalline form rather than the β form. The crystallization kinetics analysis showed a significant increase in activation energy on incorporating nanotubes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2445–2453, 2005     

New synthesis and complexing properties ofp-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene. Structure of its 1∶2 complex with tetrahydrofuran

A new method is described for the synthesis of isolatedp-tert-butyldihomooxacalix[4]arene (CALO) with a 24% yield. The ability of CALO to form complexes in the solid state with small neutral molecules has been studied; the potential guests were common solvents bearing various chemical functions. The powder obtained after evaporation of the solvent has been characterized by the X-ray powder diffraction technique. Analysis of the patterns shows the non-complexation of linear alkanes and alcohols, but formation of complexes when the guest is cyclic or when it bears an amine or a ketone function. As illustration of the possible arrangement of molecules in complexes, the structure of the 1:2 complex with tetrahydrofuran (THF) is presented: the crystals are monoclinic, space groupP2₁/c,a=9.459(2) Å,b=17.286(2) Å,c=30.469(6) Å, =92.52(2)^o,V=4977(2) ų,Z=4,D _c=1.099 Mg m^–3, =1.54178 Å, =5.6 cm^–1,R=0.086 for 3590 reflections withF>4 (F); one of the THF molecules is inside the cavity of the macrocycle, while the other, in the interhost space, exhibits disorder. In the CALO molecule, three out of the fourtert-butyl groups are disordered which may induce the disorder of the THF molecule. Supplementary Data: relating to this article are deposited with the British Library: Supplementary Publication No. Sup. 82191 (29 pages).     

High yielding synthesis of 3a-hydroxypyrrolo[2,3-b]indoline dipeptide methyl esters: synthons for expedient introduction of the hydroxypyrroloindoline moiety into larger peptide-based natural products and for the creation of tryptathionine bridges

This work describes a rapid and high yielding oxidation of 14 tryptophanylated amino acid methyl esters to the corresponding 3a-hydroxypyrrolo[2,3-b]indoline (Hpi) amino acids with generally facile separation of syn-cis and anti-cis diastereomers. Structural X-ray diffraction data are presented for both diastereomers of Tr-Hpi-Gly-OMe, which allow for a putative assignment of the other 13 pairs of diastereomers reported herein, based on correlations with 1H NMR chemical shifts. Selective and high yielding deprotection at either the N or C terminus is described, allowing the Hpi motif to be introduced efficiently into potential targets with minimal protecting group manipulation. Two tripeptides containing Hpi and cysteine were prepared and treated with acid in the Savige-Fontana reaction to produce a cyclic tryptathionine linkage, characteristic of both amatoxins and phallotoxins.     

Rearrangement of the {Mo6S8}cluster fragment to {Mo4S4} and a New {Mo6S6} Cluster Nucleus: Crystal Structure of K6[Mo4S4(CN)12]·10H2O and (18-Crown-6K)8[Mo6S6(CN)16]·17.5H2O

Two new compounds containing molybdenum thiocyanide cluster anions, K₆[Mo₄S₄(CN)₁₂]·10H₂O (1) and (18-crown-6K)₈[Mo₆S₆(CN)₁₆]·17.5H₂O (2), were synthesized and investigated by X-ray structure analysis. Crystal data: a=11.8430(17), b=11.8430(17), c=35.170(7) , V=4932.8(14) ³, space group I4₁/a, Z=4, d_calc=1.563 g/cm³ for 1; a=28.7513(5), b=18.4190(3), c=20.7586(4) , =118.5982(7)°, V=9651.9(3) ³, space group C2/m, Z=4, d_calc =1.563 g/cm³ for 2. The [Mo₄S₄(CN)₁₂]^6- cluster anion in 1 has an ordinary structure typical of cubane transition metal complexes. In the structure of the [Mo₆S₆(CN)₁₆]^8- anion of 2, two crystallographically independent molybdenum atoms form a Mo₆ metallocluster, represented as two edge-sharing tetrahedra.     

Crystallochemistry of some new niobium bromides with (Nb6Br18) units: Structures of CsErNb6Br18 and Cs2EuNb6Br18

Two new series of Nb₆ bromides, CsRENb₆Br₁₈ (RE = all the lanthanides excepted Eu and Yb, + Y) (type H ) and M₂RENb₆Br₁₈ (M = Cs, Rb, Tl; RE = Eu, Yb) (type R ) have been isolated. The crystal structures of CsErNb₆Br₁₈ and Cs₂EuNb₆Br₁₈, isotypic with the corresponding chlorides, have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The (Nb₆Br₁₈) intra-unit strength is related to the nature and the charge of the counter cation. A comparison between the corresponding chlorides and bromides series, based on the chemical properties and the size of the halogen is discussed.