Use of medium effects to tune the Delta E(1/2) values of bimetallic and oligometallic compounds

The redox potentials of bis(fulvalene)dinickel, 1, and the tetrakis(ferrocenyl)nickel dithiolene complex 2 have been measured in a variety of nonaqueous electrolytes. The difference in E1/2 values of the two successive one-electron oxidations of 1 (i.e., DeltaE1/2 values) increased from a low of 212 mV in anisole/[NBu4]Cl to a high of 850 mV in CH2Cl2-Na[B(C6H3(CF3)2)4], reflecting an increase of over 1010 in the comproportionation constant (Kcomp = [1+]2/[1][12+]). Six reversible one-electron processes are possible for compound 2, the four oxidations arising from the ferrocenyl substituents, and the two reductions arising from the Ni dithiolene moiety. The E1/2 spreads of the four oxidation waves and the two reduction waves are both highly sensitive to medium effects. For both 1 and 2, the largest DeltaE1/2 values for cationic products are found in solvents of low polarity and donor strength containing electrolyte salts having large anions and small cations. Conversely, the smallest DeltaE1/2 values for anionic products are found under these conditions, culminating in the observation of a single two-electron reduction wave for 2/22- in CH2Cl2-Na[B(C6H3(CF3)2)4]. A combination of solvation and ion-pairing effects must be considered, and may be used to advantage, when using DeltaE1/2 values as a measure of electronic interactions between redox centers in compounds containing two or more electron-transfer sites.     

Zur Molekulargewichtsbestimmung auf kryoskopischem Wege

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Ethylene oxide-bridged bipyridine oligomers that function as selective host molecules for the encapsulation of small alkali cation guests

Two novel ethylene oxide-bridged bipyridine oligomers were synthesized that contain host pockets with four (1) or six (2) oxygen donor atoms and a pyridyl nitrogen donor. The alkali picrate extracting ability and selectivity of these free ligands was investigated using a liquid–liquid dichloromethane–water extraction study. Both open-chain oligomer frameworks display unexpectedly high extraction efficiency (EE) values for specific guest ions (EE = 57% Na⁺ extracted by 1, and EE = 39% Cs⁺ extracted by 2). These extraction values are comparable to macrocyclic analogues and their ion selectivities follow the ‘same-fit’ concept that has been extensively reported for fixed pocket systems. The shorter chain oligomer (1) binds ions in the series (Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺), while the larger oligomer (2) binds ions in the reverse order (Cs⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺). Formation of the host–guest ligand–ion complexes were verified by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry experiments. A Job’s plot analysis based on UV spectral data also supported the 1:1 (oligomer to ion) complexation observed in the MALDI mass spectra.     

Competition between receptors in dynamic combinatorial libraries: amplification of the fittest?

Dynamic combinatorial chemistry is a powerful tool for the discovery of strong binders (synthetic receptors or ligands) because binding causes a shift in the equilibrium of library members toward those that bind well. Ideally, the best binders are selectively amplified. However, theoretical studies predict this is not always the case. This paper describes the first quantitative experimental evidence proving that, under special circumstances, the preferential amplification of suboptimal synthetic receptors can indeed occur. Our results also demonstrate that reducing the amount of guest in the library can rectify such undesirable behavior and ensures selective amplification of the fittest receptor.     

Elucidation of tautomer structures of 2-acetyltetrahydropyridine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy

2-Acetyltetrahydropyridine is an important flavor component in heated corn products such as popcorn and corn chips. The compound exists as a mixture of two tautomers that have different flavor/aroma characteristics. The tautomers also exhibit different chromatographic behaviors and are distinguishable spectroscopically. Though their electron ionization mass spectra are different, structure assignment based on low-resolution mass spectra alone has been subject to error. A combination of high resolution exact mass measurement and vapor phase infrared measurement of the separated tautomers was used to unambiguously assign the tautomer structures.     

Efficient classical simulation of optical quantum information circuits

We identify a broad class of physical processes in an optical quantum circuit that can be efficiently simulated on a classical computer: this class includes unitary transformations, amplification, noise, and measurements. This simulatability result places powerful constraints on the capability to realize exponential quantum speedups as well as on inducing an optical nonlinear transformation via linear optics, photodetection-based measurement, and classical feedforward of measurement results, optimal cloning, and a wide range of other processes.