Two organometallic fragments inclusioned in a 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraphosphane: evidence for transition metal-arene interaction through the cavity

The preparation of an 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraphosphane ligand, 25,26,27,28-tetrakis{2-(diphenylphosphino)ethoxy}calix[4]arene (4), is described. Ligand 4 is obtained in four steps in 17% overall yield. Reaction of 4 with AgBF4 produced the encapsulated two silver complex [Ag2{(P,P,P,P)-tetraphencalix[4]arene}](BF4)2. The solid-state structure shows that the encapsulated silver undergoes a substantial pi-interaction by two opposite arene rings. Rhodation of 4 employing [Rh(cot)2]BF4 yielded the encapsulated complex with a bent coordination mode. Two organometallic fragments inclusioned inside a 1,3-alternate calix[4]arene tetraphosphane was also achieved by the reaction of 4 with [PtH(PPh3)2 (thf)]+. Full characterization includes X-ray structural studies of compounds 4-6.     

Efficiency assessment of wastewater treatment plant based on SPMD sampling

The efficiency of treatment processes forboth municipal and industrial wastewater (treatment plant-Ostrava, Czech Republic) focused on persistent organic pollutants (POPs) was assessed. Semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) as a sampling system were applied. Exposed SPMDs were analyzed both for chemical contaminants of POPs and toxicity response. The chemical analyses of PAHs were made by HPLC-FLD, PCDD/Fs and PCBs were analysed by GC/MS/MS on GCQ or PolarisQ (Thermoquest). Ecotoxicity data on chlorococcal alga Desmodesmus subspicatus (Scenedesmus subspicatus) and luminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri are presented here. All toxicity data as effective volume Vtox are expressed. The results show good treatment ability of the treatment plant and proved used system as an appropriate tool for efficiency assessment of treatment and/or decontamination processes.     

Methane production from synthesis gas using a mixed culture ofR. rubrum M. barkeri,and M. formicicum

The components of synthesis gas, CO, H₂, and CO₂, may be converted into CH₄ biologically through either acetate or H₂/CO₂ as intermediates. Of these two routes, conversion through H₂/CO₂ is preferred. This paper presents results of mixed-culture studies employing the photosynthetic bacteriumR. rubrum for converting CO to CO₂ and H₂ by the water gas shift reaction and two methanogens,M. formicicum andM. barkeri, for converting CO₂ and H₂ into CH₄. Results are presented for triculture operation in two types of reactors, the packed bubble column and the trickle-bed reactor.     

Triple hydrogen bonds direct crystal engineering of metal-assembled complexes: the effect of a novel organic-inorganic module on supramolecular structure

Novel triply hydrogen bonded suprastructures based on [M(tdpd)2(L)2]2- (H2tdpd=1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-5,6-dioxo-2,3-pyrazinedicarbonitrile, L=solvent) and melamine-analogous cations have been synthesized and characterized. The use of anions containing two AAA sets from [M(tdpd)2(L)2]2- together with cations containing one DDD set (A=hydrogen-bond acceptor, D=hydrogen-bond donor) leads to the formation of complementary triply hydrogen bonded modules in the solid state. In all cases, the building module is further extended via additional hydrogen-bonding interactions to produce a tape, and tapes are assembled into sheets. These results show that a hydrogen-bonded module consisting of different kinds of building blocks, one of which is a metal complex that includes hydrogen-bond acceptor sites and the other is a hydrogen-bond donor molecule, will be attractive for constructing metal-containing supramolecular systems by the self-assembly technique.     

Manipulating the Through‐Space Spin–Spin Interaction of Organic Radicals in the Confined Cavity of a Self‐Assembled Cage

We show a new approach to manipulating the through‐space spin–spin interaction by utilizing the confined cavity of a self‐assembled M₆L₄ coordination cage. The coordination cage readily encapsulates stable organic radicals in solution, which brings the spin centers of the radicals closer to each other. In sharp contrast to the fact that the radical in solution in the absence of the cage is in a doublet state, in the presence of the cage through‐space spin–spin interaction is induced through cage‐encapsulation effects in solution as well as in the solid state, resulting in the triplet state of the complex. These results were confirmed by ESR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. The quantity of triplet species generated by encapsulation in the cage increases with increasing affinity of the radicals to the cage. We estimated the affinity between several types of guests and the cage in solution by cyclic voltammetry. We also demonstrate that the through‐space interaction of organic radicals within the self‐assembled coordination cage can be controlled by external stimuli such as heat or pH.     

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study of the effect of pH on anion and cation adsorption onto poly(acrylo‐amidino diethylenediamine)

The role of hydrogen bonding in the chemistry of transition‐metal complexes remains a topic of intense scientific and technological interest. Poly(acrylo‐amidino diethylenediamine) was synthesized to study the effects of hydrogen bonding on complexes at different pHs. The polymer was synthesized through the coupling of diethylene triamine with polyacrylonitrile fiber in the presence of AlCl₃ · 6H₂O addition. The adsorption capacity of this polymer was 11.4 mequiv/g. The ions used for the adsorption test were CrO, PO, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ag⁺. All experiments were confirmed with Fourier transform infrared. In the study of anion adsorption, at low pHs, only ionic bonds existed, whereas at high pHs, no bonds existed. However, in the middle pH region, both ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds formed between poly(acrylo‐amidino diethylenediamine) and the chromate ion or phosphate ion. When poly(acrylo‐amidino diethylenediamine) and metal ions (Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Ag⁺) formed complexes, a hydrogen‐bonding effect was not observed with Fourier transform infrared. The quantity of metal ions adsorbed onto poly(acrylo‐amidino diethylenediamine) followed the order Ag⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Fe²⁺ > Ni²⁺. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2010–2018, 2004     

Reversed-phase liquid chromatographic retention and membrane activity relationships of local anesthetics

The chromatographic retention and membrane activity relationships of local anesthetics were studied to address the possible mechanisms for structure specificity and inflammation-associated decrease of their effects. Five representative drugs (3 mM for each) were reacted with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine liposomes in 25 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 5.9-7.9, containing 100 mM NaCl and 0.1 mM EDTA) for 10 min at 37 degrees C and the membrane fluidity changes were analyzed by measuring fluorescence polarization with 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene. Their capacity factors were determined on octadecyl-, octyl- and phenyl-bonded silica columns with a mobile phase consisting of 25 mM potassium phosphate buffer (pH 5.9-7.9, containing 100 mM NaCl and 0.1 mM EDTA)-methanol (30:70, v/v) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and at a column temperature of 37 degrees C and diode-array detection. Mepivacaine, prilocaine, lidocaine, ropivacaine and bupivacaine fluidized membranes in increasing order of intensity, which agreed with their clinical potency. The relative degree of membrane fluidization correlated with that of retention on an octadecyl stationary phase more significantly than the other phases. Both membrane-fluidizing effects and capacity factors decreased by lowering the reaction and mobile phase pH, being consistent with the hypothesis that anesthetic potency is reduced in inflammation because of tissue acidity. Reversed-phase liquid chromatography appears to be useful for estimating the structure-specific and pH-dependent membrane-fluidizing effects of local anesthetics.     

Vanadium(III) and vanadium(V) amine tris(phenolate) complexes

The coordination chemistry of amine tris(phenolate) ligands around V(III) and V(V) is described for the first time. Three amine tris(phenolate) ligands were employed featuring different steric and electronic influence exerted by the phenolate substituents in the ortho and para positions being either t-Bu, Me, or Cl. V(III) complexes of all ligands (1-3) were readily obtained by reaction between the ligand precursors and VCl3(THF)3 in the presence of triethylamine. The complexes obtained were pentacoordinate, a THF ligand completing the coordination sphere of the metal, which was found to be of almost perfect TBP geometry, as revealed by crystallography. V(V) oxo complexes of all the ligands (4-6) were readily obtained by a reaction between the ligand precursors and VO(OPr)3. The oxo complexes of the alkyl-bearing ligands (4 and 5) could also be synthesized by the air oxidation of the corresponding V(III) complexes (1 and 2); however, the attempted air oxidation of the V(III) complex bound to the electron-poor ligand (3) did not yield the corresponding oxo complex 6. 1H NMR and crystallographic analysis of complexes 4 and 5 supported their TBP structures. Complex 6, on the other hand, was found to be composed of a TBP complex (6a) and an octahedral complex (6b) in equilibrium, the octahedral complex being more stable at lower temperatures. An X-ray structure of 6b revealed a mononuclear oxo complex, the sixth coordination site being occupied by an aqua ligand to which two THF molecules are H-bonded. Complexes 4-6 catalyze the epoxidation of olefins by t-BuOOH, albeit slowly. These complexes may thus be considered as structural and functional models of vanadium-dependent haloperoxidase enzymes.     

A series of tetrahomodioxacalix[4]biscrown-n. Syntheses, crystal structures, and metal binding abilities

A series of novel tetrahomodioxacalix[4]biscrowns with crown-2, crown-3, crown-4, crown-5, and crown-6 units were synthesized. Conformations of each product are dependent on the base used and their conformation stabilities. All conformations were proven by NMR spectra and/or X-ray crystal structures. The 1,3-alternate homodioxacalix[4]biscrown-4 (4b) shows the best selectivity for K+, whereas the 1,3-alternate homodioxacalix[4]crown-5 (5) does for Cs+. Those selectivities are attributable to electrostatic interaction between the metal ion and the crown ring, as well as a pi-metal complexation. However, the C-1,2-alternate conformation does not take the metal ions regardless of the crown species as a result of steric hindrance from the methylene bridge of an ArCH2Ar unit.