Iron(III) activation hits a [4 + 4] macrocycle

The tetranuclear complex [Fe(III)2(L')(OH)(CH3O)]2, 1, has been synthesised from the reaction of either ferrous [in excess as 4:1 or stoichiometric 2:1 iron(II) : H4L] or ferric ions [4:1 iron(III) : H4L] with the large macrocycle, H4L, using aerobic conditions in methanol in the presence of triethylamine. The structure of 1 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These reaction conditions lead to the modification of the original macrocycle through the incorporation of a methylene group between two amine groups to give an imidazolidine ring in (L')4-. The controlled addition of formaldehyde into the reaction system results in a significantly improved yield of 1, suggesting that it is involved in the reaction mechanism. The (L')4- macrocycle binds to two, well-separated, iron(III) centres [Fe(1)...Fe(1a) > 8 A]. Each iron(III) centre is further linked via hydroxy and methoxy bridges to equivalent iron(iii) centres contained in a second macrocycle. Overall this gives a structure containing two {Fe(OH)(CH(3)O)Fe} dimers [Fe(1)...Fe(2)ca. 3.2 A] sandwiched by two (L')4- macrocycles. The complex was further characterised by SQUID magnetic measurements and can be interpreted in terms of two isolated antiferromagnetically coupled Fe(III) dimers (J=-23.75 K).     

Preparation of iron amido complexes via putative Fe(IV) imido intermediates

The isolation and characterization of monomeric Fe(III) amido complexes with hybrid ureate/amidate ligands is described. An aryl azide serves as the source of the amido ligand in preparing the complexes from trigonal monopyramidal Fe(II) precursors. Aryl azides more commonly react with transition metal complexes by a two-electron oxidation process to yield imido complexes, suggesting that the Fe(III) amido complexes may be formed from high valent species by hydrogen atom abstraction from an external species. The mechanistic basis for formation of the amido complexes is investigated using substrates that readily donate hydrogen atoms. Results from these experiments suggest that the Fe(III) amido complexes are generated from Fe(IV) imido intermediates that can facilitate homolytic X-H bond cleavage. The Fe(III) amido complexes are high spin (S = 5/2) with a strong absorbance band at lambdamax approximately 600 nm and extinction coefficients between 2000 and 3000 M-1 cm-1. These complexes are hygroscopic, reacting with 1 equiv of water to produce the corresponding Fe(III)-OH complexes and p-toluidine.     

Synthesis and characterization of new 19-vertex macropolyhedral boron hydrides

The new boron hydride anions 10-R-B19H19- (R = H, Thx) were synthesized by the reaction of M2[B18H20] (M = Na, K) with HBRCl.SMe2 (R = H, Thx) or HBCl2.SMe2 in diethyl ether. The anions are comprised of edge-sharing, nido 10- and 11-vertex cluster fragments, and are characterized by their 11B, 11B[1H], and 11B-11B COSY NMR spectra. The salt [(Ph3P)2N][B19H20].0.5THF crystallized in the triclinic space group P1 (a = 12.6344-(2) A, b = 13.5978(2) A, c = 14.1401(2) A; alpha = 77.402(2) degrees, beta = 81.351(2) degrees, gamma = 73.253(2) degrees). Possible synthetic pathways are discussed. The dianion B19H19(2-) is formed by deprotonation of B19H20- with Proton Sponge (1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene) in THF, and is identified on the basis of its 11B, 11B[1H], and 11B-11B COSY NMR spectra.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray structure and complex magnetic behaviour of Ba4(C2O4)Cl2[[Fe(C2O4)(OH)]4

Hydrothermal reaction of iron(III) chloride, barium chloride and sodium oxalate in a narrow stoichiometry range produces the title compound Ba4(C2O4)Cl2[[Fe(C2O4)(OH)]4] (1). This new iron(II) oxalate crystallises in the tetragonal space group P42/mnm: a = 13.811(3), c = 7.026(2) A. The structure consists of parallel chains of mu2-hydroxy-bridged iron(II) ions. These are connected by bridging oxalates to form an anionic framework with large channels that contain the remaining barium, chloride and oxalate counter ions. Magnetisation studies on an oriented single crystal of 1 revealed a magnetic phase transition at 32 K and a strong easy-plane anisotropy at all temperatures. Above Tc the compound behaves as an S = 2XY antiferromagnetic chain, showing a broad maximum in the susceptibility at about 70 K. We determined the intrachain coupling J and the interchain coupling J' to be -7 cm(-1) and +0.4 cm(-1), respectively. The low-temperature phase is an ordered antiferromagnetic state. Zero- and longitudinal-field muon spin-rotation/relaxation studies support this interpretation; below Tc oscillations in the muon spin-autocorrelation function are observed giving unambiguous evidence for a non-zero sublattice magnetisation and proof of a long-range magnetically ordered state.     

Directed Evolution and Biocatalysis

This review describes the current state of biocatalysis in the chemical industry. Although we recognize the advantages of chemical approaches, we suggest that the use of biological catalysis is about to expand dramatically because of the recent developments in the artificial evolution of genes that code for enzymes. For the first time it is possible to consider the rapid development of an enzyme that is designed for a specific chemical reaction. This technology offers the opportunity to adapt the enzyme to the needs of the process. We describe herein the development of enzyme evolution technology and particularly DNA shuffling. We also consider several classes of enzymes, their current applications, and the limitations that should be addressed. In a review of this length it is impossible to describe all the enzymes with potential for industrial exploitation; there are other classes, which given appropriate activity, selectivity, and robustness, could become useful tools for the industrial chemist. This is an exciting era for biocatalysis and we expect great progress in the future.     

o-phthalic acid as a standard substance for calibrations of hydrogen ion concentrations with a glass electrode

o-Phthalic acid is proposed as a standard substance for buffer solutions of known hydrogen ion concentration (I ? 0.2 M KCl, p[H⁺] = 3.0–5.4, 25°C). Its crystallinity, purity and slightly wide buffer range afford advantages over acetic acid. Empirical relationships between measured pH (pH_m) and calculated [H⁺] were derived for sequences of buffer solutions at several ionic strengths: pH_m - Mp[H⁺] + C. These calibration lines were parallel and of unit slope as required by theory. A table of p[H⁺] values for o-phthalic acid buffer solutions at I = 0.1 M (KCl) is presented and the method of calculation of p[H⁺] values for a buffer series generated by additions of potassium hydroxide is outlined.     

Synthesis, characterization, solid-state molecular structures, and deprotonation reactions of cationic alcohol complexes of osmium nitrosyl porphyrins

New alkoxide (OEP)Os(NO)(OR) (OEP = 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethylporphyrinato dianion; R = ethyl, isopropyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl) compounds and alcohol [(OEP)Os(NO)(HOR)]+ complexes (R = methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, hexyl, cyclohexyl) have been prepared in high yields and have been fully characterized by IR, 1H NMR, and UV-vis spectroscopy, and by elemental analyses. The (OEP)Os(NO)(OEt) compound was characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cationic aqua and alcohol [(OEP)Os(NO)(HOR)]+ complexes (R = ethyl, isopropyl, hexyl) complexes were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and the latter represent the first osmium alcohol structures to be reported. The electrophilic [(OEP)Os(NO)]+ cation in the [(OEP)Os(NO)(HOR)]+ complexes renders the coordinated alcohol ligands susceptible to deprotonation by pyridine to produce the corresponding alkoxide (OEP)Os(NO)(OR) derivatives. A one-pot reaction sequence for the preparation of new (OEP)Os(NO)(OR) complexes from (OEP)Os(NO)(OEt) was developed, which was based on (i) initial protonation of the ethoxide compound to give [(OEP)Os(NO)(HOEt)]+, (ii) alcohol substitution by ROH to give [(OEP)Os(NO)(HOR)]+, and (iii) deprotonation of the latter by pyridine to give (OEP)Os(NO)(OR).