Some applications of metric currents to complex analysis

The aim of this paper is to extend the theory of metric currents, developed by Ambrosio and Kirchheim, to complex spaces. We define the bidimension of a metric current on a complex space and we discuss the Cauchy–Riemann equation on a particular class of singular spaces. As another application, we investigate the Cauchy–Riemann equation on complex Banach spaces, by means of a homotopy formula.     

A new platinum vapor-derived highly efficient hydrosilylation catalyst: NMR structural investigation

The structural features of a highly efficient hydrosilylation catalyst generated by reaction of Pt vapor and a mixture of mesitylene and 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (DVS) were investigated by mono- and bidimensional NMR analyses. The structure around the Pt atoms was highlighted and compared with a commercial sample (Karstedt catalyst) and previously reported Pt vapor-derived system.     

Effects of Thermal Annealing Upon the Nanomorphology of Poly(3‐hexylselenophene)‐PCBM Blends

Grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GI‐XRD) is used to characterize the crystallographic dynamics of low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) poly(3‐hexylselenophene) (P3HS) films and blend films of P3HS with [6‐6‐]‐phenyl‐C₆₁‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as a function of ‘step‐by‐step’ thermal annealing, from room temperature to 250 °C. The temperature‐dependent GIXRD data show how the melting point of P3HS crystallites is decreased by the presence of PCBM. P3HS crystallite domain sizes dramatically increase upon annealing to the P3HS melting temperature. The formation of well‐oriented HMW P3HS crystallites with the (100) plane parallel to the substrate (edge‐on orientation), when cooled from melt, are observed. We compare the behaviour of P3HS pure and blend films with that of poly(3‐hexyl)thiophene (P3HT) pure and PCBM blended films and suggest that the similar temperature dependent behaviour we observe may be a common to polythiophene and related polymers and their blends.

     

A combined experimental and theoretical approach for structural study on a new cinnamoyl derivative of 2-acetyl-1,3-indandione and its metal(II) complexes

The synthesis, structure and spectral properties of a new cinnamoyl derivative of 2-acetyl-1,3-indandione (2AID), p-fluoro-cinnamoyl-1,3-indandione, LH and its metal(II) complexes with Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), are described. In order to verify the molecular structure of the free ligand and its metal complexes, model geometries based on the spectroscopic data were optimized using quantum chemical methods. The experimental spectroscopic data (IR and NMR) of the ligand, LH, complemented by the calculated ones, show that it exists in the exocyclic enolic form in the gas phase, solution and solid state. Good quality single crystals of Cd(II) complex were obtained from a DMSO solution and were studied by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The data show bidentate coordination of the ligand and two DMSO molecules coordinated to the metal centre, thus forming a complex with octahedral geometry. On the contrary, the spectroscopic data on the amorphous samples indicate a square planar geometry of the Cu(II) complex and distorted octahedral geometry for Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with two water molecules coordinated to the metal centre. The used quantum chemical method for structure optimization of the transition metal complexes, B3LYP/LANL2DZ, shows very good agreement with the crystallographic data and, therefore, was also employed for structural determination for the non-crystalline complexes. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Proton and metal binding by cyclen-based highly rigid cryptands

The basicity properties of the two cryptands L1 and L2, featuring, respectively, a dibenzofuran or a diphenyl ether moiety bridging the 1,7 positions of a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane macrocycle (cyclen) have been studied by means of potentiometric, UV-vis and fluorescence emission measurements. Both ligands show a high basicity in the first protonation step, the first basicity constant of L1 being too high to be measured in aqueous solution. The crystal structure of {[HL1]L1}(+) shows that the NH(2)(+) group is involved in an intramolecular hydrogen bonding network, which justifies the observed high basicity in solution. (1)H, (13)C NMR, UV-vis and fluorescence emission measurements show that, among first row divalent metal cations, both L1 and L2 selectively bind in acetonitrile Cu(II) and Zn(II), which are encapsulated within the ligand cavities. Zn(II) coordination is accompanied by a remarkable increase of the fluorescence emission of the ligands, pointing out that the molecular architecture displayed by L1 and L2 can be used to develop new OFF/ON chemosensors for this metal cation.     

Pd2L2 metallacycles as molecular containers for small molecules

M(2)L(2) type metallacyclic complexes, [Pd(2)(L1)(2)Cl(4)]·1.5CH(2)Cl(2) (1), [Pd(2)(L1)(2)Cl(4)]·2CHCl(3) (2), [Pd(2)(L2)(2)Cl(4)]·2CH(2)Cl(2)·2CH(3)CN (3), [Pd(2)(L2)(2)Cl(4)]·2CHCl(3)·2CH(3)CN (4) and [Pd(2)(L3)(2)Cl(4)]·CH(2)Cl(2)·2CH(3)CN (5), have been prepared from three semi-rigid benzimidazol or benzotriazol ligands, 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene (L1), 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene (L2) and 1,4-bis(benzotriazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene (L3). All the complexes were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and the phase purity was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) measurements. The solution structure of representative complex 1 was studied by (1)H NMR titration and ESI mass spectroscopy. The thermal stability and guest-exchange properties of 1, 3 and 4 were investigated, revealing that the Pd(2)L(2) metallacycles can act as a selective receptor for CH(2)Cl(2) or CHCl(3) guest molecules. The catalytic activity of 1 in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction was also studied and 1 could be recycled at least 5 times under heterogeneous conditions, indicative of a potential self-supported catalyst.     

A thermodynamic study to evidence the alpha,omega-dichloroalkane/ block copolymer mixed aggregates formation: effect of the copolymer architecture

The thermodynamics of alpha,omega-dichloroalkanes in aqueous solutions of (ethylene oxide)(11)(propylene oxide)(16)(ethylene oxide)(11) (L35) and (propylene oxide)(8)(ethylene oxide)(23)(propylene oxide)(8) (10R5) was determined at 298 and 305 K. Modeling the experimental data allowed to calculate the standard free energy (DeltaG(D)(o)/w) and the volume (DeltaV(D)/w) for the additive-copolymer mixed aggregates formation per additive molecule. DeltaG(D)(o)/w for Cl(2)CH(2) and Cl(2)(CH(2))(2) evidenced that the process is controlled by the forces exercising between the chlorine atoms and the OH groups of the copolymer micelles protruded into the aqueous phase. Cl(2)(CH(2))(3) experiences both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains into the aggregates. The hydrophobic interactions are more significant in 10R5 whereas the hydrophilic ones are more significant in L35. Temperature increase does not influence DeltaG(D)(o)/w in 10R5, whereas, it does influence DeltaG(D)(o)/w in L35, enhancing the ability of the aggregate to extract the chlorinated compounds from the aqueous phase. The DeltaV(D)/w values are consistent with the free energy results. These insights agree with those predicted by the Flory liquid lattice theory. The calculations extended to several alpha,omega-dichloroalkanes showed that Cl(2)CH(2) and Cl(2)(CH(2))(2) prefer poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), Cl(2)(CH(2))(3) exhibits the same affinity for both PEO and poly(propylene oxide) (PPO), whereas the more hydrophobic additives show a preference for PPO. The copolymer architecture plays a relevant role in the alpha,omega-dichloroalkane solubilization into the polymeric aggregates.     

Coordination features of a terpyridine-containing polyamine receptor. Effect of protonation on the photophysical properties of the complexes

The synthesis of the new terpyridine-containing macrocycle 2,6,10,14-tetraaza[15](6,6')cyclo(2,2':6',2')terpyridinophane (L) is reported. The ligand contains a tetraamine chain linking the 6,6' positions of a terpyridine unit. A potentiometric, (1)H NMR, UV-vis spectrophotometric and fluorescence emission study on the basicity properties of in aqueous solutions shows that the first four protonation steps occur on the polyamine chain, while the terpyridine nitrogens are involved in proton binding only in the last protonation step at strongly acidic pH values. Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) complexation was studied in aqueous solution by means of potentiometric, spectrophotometric and spectrofluorimetric measurements. Cu(II) and Zn(II) can form both mono- and dinuclear complexes in solution, while the larger Cd(II) and Pb(II) give only mononuclear complexes. In the [ML](2+) complexes (M = Zn(II) or Cd(II)) the metal is unequivocally bound to the terpyridine unit. Some amine groups are not coordinated and can quench the fluorescence emission of the terpyridine unit thanks to an electron transfer process. Protonation of the unbound amine groups inhibits the eT process, affording fluorescent [MLH(x)]((2+x)+) complexes.     

Straightforward Synthesis of (R,S)-β-Methyleneaspartic Acid, an Inhibitor of Glutamate-Aspartate Transaminase

Summary. A Baylis-Hillman adduct of methyl acrylate and ethyl glyoxalate was converted into the trichloroacetimidate that in the presence of DABCO rearranged to the corresponding trichloroacetamide. Eventually, hydrolysis under acidic conditions, led to the hydrochloride of racemic β-methyleneaspartic acid.     

Pyrrolic tripodal receptors for carbohydrates. Role of functional groups and binding geometry on carbohydrate recognition

The contribution from several H-bonding groups and the impact of geometric requirements on the binding ability of benzene-based tripodal receptors toward carbohydrates have been investigated by measuring the affinity of a set of structures toward octyl β-D-glucopyranoside, selected as a representative monosaccharide. The results reported in the present study demonstrate that a judicious choice of correct geometry and appropriate functional groups is critical to achieve the complementary hydrogen bonding interactions required for an effective carbohydrate recognition.