Contact ion pair between Na+ and PtCl(6)(2-) favored in methanol

Ion-pair formation between a Na+ cation and the [PtCl62-] anion in methanol is observed from195Pt NMR chemical shift trends as well as from molecular dynamics computer simulations. Free energy of association calculations reveal that contact ion pairs (CIPs) are the most favored configuration in methanol, followed by solvent shared ion pairs (SSHIPs). By contrast, such ion-pair formation is not observed for comparable solutions in water.     

Reaction of trimethylaluminum with crown ethers. III. The synthesis and crystal structure of (12-crown-4)bis(trimethylaluminum)

The crown ether 12-crown-4 reacts with trimethylaluminum in toluene to form the complex [AlMe₃]₂[12-crown-4]. Attempts to utilize the remaining two oxygen atoms for coordination to AlMe₃ molecules were unsuccessful. The 21 complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupP2₁/n witha=11.342(7),b=12.941(4),c=6.973(6) Å, and =95.48(4)°. Refinement led to a finalR value of 0.047 for 925 observed reflections. The molecule resides on a crystallographic center of inversion, and as required by symmetry, the four oxygen atoms are planar. The Al–O bond is strong as revealed by the bond length of 1.977(3) Å. Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82013 (9 pages).     

SERS: A new method for the study of electronic structure in ultrasmall particles

Earlier work suggested that surface enhanced Raman scattering arises from off-diagonal coupling of excitations in the molecule and substrate. Using a free-electron model for a metallic substrate, large enhancements are confirmed, and insight gained about the effects of (1) substrate size, (2) molecular location, (3) density of states, and (4) excitation wavelength. Structured SERS and anti-enhancements occur under suitable conditions.     

Mesoporous aluminosilicate promoted alcoholysis of epoxides

Mesoporous aluminosilicates efficiently catalyze the ring-opening of epoxides with a range of alcohols to give the corresponding β-alkoxyalcohols in high yields under extremely mild conditions and in short reaction times.     

Iodide Recognition and Sensing in Water by a Halogen‐Bonding Ruthenium(II)‐Based Rotaxane

The synthesis and anion‐recognition properties of the first halogen‐bonding rotaxane host to sense anions in water is described. The rotaxane features a halogen‐bonding axle component, which is stoppered with water‐solubilizing permethylated β‐cyclodextrin motifs, and a luminescent tris(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)‐based macrocycle component. ¹H NMR anion‐binding titrations in D₂O reveal the halogen‐bonding rotaxane to bind iodide with high affinity and with selectively over the smaller halide anions and sulfate. The binding affinity trend was explained through molecular dynamics simulations and free‐energy calculations. Photo‐physical investigations demonstrate the ability of the interlocked halogen‐bonding host to sense iodide in water, through enhancement of the macrocycle component’s Ru^II metal–ligand charge transfer (MLCT) emission.