Light-induced enantiospecific 4π ring closure of axially chiral 2-pyridones: enthalpic and entropic effects promoted by H-bonding

Nonbiaryl axially chiral 2-pyridones were synthesized and employed for light-induced electrocyclic 4π ring closure leading to bicyclo-β-lactam photoproducts in solution. The enantioselectivity in the photoproducts varied from 22 to 95% depending on the reaction temperature and the ability of the axially chiral chromophore to form intramolecular and/or intermolecular H-bonds with the solvent. On the basis of the differential activation parameters, entropic control of the enantiospecificity was observed for 2-pyridones lacking the ability to form H-bonds. Conversely, enthalpy played a significant role for 2-pyridones having the ability to form H-bonds.     

Interfacial regions governing internal cavities of dendrimers. Studies of poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers constituted with linkers of varying alkyl chain length

This report deals with a study of the properties of internal cavities of dendritic macromolecules that are capable of encapsulating and mediating photoreactions of guest molecules. The internal cavity structures of dendrimers are determined by the interfacial regions between the aqueous exterior and hydrocarbon like interior constituted by the linkers that connect symmetrically sited branch points constituting the dendrimer and head groups that cap the dendrimers. Phloroglucinol-based poly(alkyl aryl ether) dendrimers constituted with a homologous series of alkyl linkers were undertaken for the current study. Twelve dendrimers within first, second, and third generations, having ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and n-pentyl groups as the linkers and hydroxyl groups at peripheries in each generation, were synthesized. Encapsulation of pyrene and coumarins by aqueous basic solutions of dendrimers were monitored by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, which showed that a lower generation dendrimer with an optimal alkyl linker presented better encapsulation abilities than a higher generation dendrimer. Norrish type I photoreaction of dibenzyl ketone was carried out within the above series of dendrimers to probe their abilities to hold guests and reactive intermediate radical pairs within themselves. The extent of cage effect from the series of third generation dendrimers was observed to be higher with dendrimers having an n-pentyl group as the linker.     

Physicochemical studies of green phosphorescent light-emitting materials from cyclometalated heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes

A series of novel imidazole ligands were synthesized and characterized. Phosphorescence studies of series of heteroleptic cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes reveal that these complexes possess dominantly (3)MLCT and (3)π-π* excited states and the solvent shifts of these complexes are interpreted by Richardt-Dimroth and Marcus solvent functions. The results consistent with prior assignments on the absorption band to a metal-to-ligand charge transfer excited state associated with chelating ligand. Emission kinetic studies exploited that the radiative transition (k(r)), increases with increasing λ(em) and linear correlation exists between ln(k(nr)) and energy gap. Electronic transition theory is applied to study the effect of E(g) and ΔQ(e) on non-radiative transition (k(nr)). With a larger ΔQ(e), favouring vibrational overlap and leading to a larger value for k(nr).     

Physicochemical studies of molecular hyperpolarizability of imidazole derivatives

A series of substituted imidazoles have been synthesized in very good yield under solvent free condition by grinding 1,2-diketone, arylaldehyde, arylamine and ammonium acetate in the presence of molecular iodine as the catalyst. The short reaction time, good yield and easy workup make this protocol practically and economically attractive and the imidazoles are characterized by NMR spectra, X-ray, mass and CHN analysis. The push-pull character of series of imidazoles have been analyzed by the quotient of the occupations of the bonding (π) and anti-bonding (π*) orbitals of the central linking -N=C-C=C- unit. Excellent correlation of the push-pull parameter with the corresponding bond lengths d(CN) and d(CC) strongly recommend both the occupation quotients (π*/π) and the corresponding bond lengths are reasonable sensors for quantifying the push-pull character and for the molecular hyperpolarizability ?(0) of these compounds. To support the experimental results, theoretical calculations (heat of formation, NLO, NBO and vibrational analysis) were also made. Within this context, reasonable conclusions concerning the steric hindrance in the chromospheres, push-pull character, hyperpolarizability of the imidazoles and their application as NLO materials will be drawn.     

High pressure synthesis of the mixed valent and nonsuperconducting ternary YbRhxSny compound

The ternary compound YbRh_1.4Sn_4.6 with the phase I structure (simple cubic) when subjected to a pressure of 40 kbar at 800°C is found to transform to phase III structure (f.c.c.) with the composition YbRh_1.1Sn₃. The latter compound has a lattice parameter of $\text{a = 13.735}\text{A}\text{?}$ which suggests that the Yb is in an intermediate valence state. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility suggests that the Yb is in a homogeneously mixed valence state in the pressure synthesized product. In the phase I structure YbRh_1.1Sn_4.6 is superconducting at 8.6°K, but in the phase III structure the compound YbRh_1.1Sn₃ is not superconducting down to 0.9°K. It is suggested that superconductivity and mixed valence are incompatible.     

Electron transfer free radical mechanism in the reactions of arenediazonium cations with grignard reagents

The major pathway in the reactions of arenediazonium cations with certain Grignard reagents is found to involve an electron transfer from the latter to the π-system of the former reactant and radicals are the immediate precursors of the final products.     

Valence Changes at High Pressure in Systems Containing Lanthanoids

Pressure-induced valence change in samarium sulfide SmS is reminiscent of alchemy, for when the electronic transition has taken place, the originally dull looking substance glitters like gold. Although it is not the realization of the alchemist's dream in the true sense, the material in the new state exhibits extraordinarily interesting behavior. As a novel feature, the valence state of the samarium fluctuates between two electronic configurations at a very fast rate. The physical properties of systems containing lanthanoids can be profoundly altered by manipulating the valence state by pressure or by chemical substitution. These phenomena will be described and discussed in the present article.     

NDDO MO calculations: isotropic hyperfine coupling constants and nuclear spin-spin coupling constants

The nonempirical NDDO MO method in its unrestricted form has been used to evaluate isotropic hyperfine coupling constants and nuclear spin-spin coupling constants. Satisfactory agreement with INDO and experimental results is obtained.