Complexability of o-bisguanidinobenzenes with arsenic and phosphoric acids in solution and solid states, and the potential use of their immobilized derivatives as solid base ligands for metal salts and arsenic acid

The role of o-bisguanidinobenzenes (BGBs) as new Brønsted base ligands for arsenic and phosphoric acids was examined. In solution state, complexation was evaluated by Job’s plot in ¹H NMR experiment, indicating a 1:1 complex formation, whereas in solid state crystalline structures of complexes obtained were addressed by X-ray crystallographic analysis and/or solid state ¹³C NMR experiment, in which 1:2 complexes between the BGB and the acid components were normally formed. Based on these results, Merrifield and Hypogel^® resin-anchored BGBs were designed and prepared as the corresponding polymer-supported host ligands. Evaluation of their coordination ability with metal salts (ZnCl₂ and CoCl₂) and arsenic acid in aqueous media by ICP-MS showed that the latter Hypogel^® resin-anchored BGBs acted as effective immobilized base ligands.     

Sesquifulvalene Trapping as a [12+2] Adduct with Tetracyanoethylene

Sesquifulvalene (1) is a substance of considerable theoretical interest¹ which is expected to have a significant contribution to its structure from the dipolar resonance form 1b,² and hence an exceptionally low bond order for the central double bond. Although a wide variety of annelated and otherwise substituted sesquifulvalenes have been prepared and characterized,³ the parent substance has proved remarkably elusive. Very recently, a preparation of 1 in crystalline form has been reported, based upon elimination of an acetoxy-11,12-dihydrosesquifulvalene derivative.⁴     

Synthesis and Metal Complex Formation of a Bis(terpyridine) Derivative with a Phenylacetylene Framework

A new bis(terpyridine) derivative with a phenylacetylene framework was synthesized via a stepwise terpyridine construction strategy. The addition of ZnCl₂ to a solution of the bis(terpyridine) in chloroform resulted in UV/vis and ¹H NMR spectral changes because of complex formation.     

Optical properties of highly planar diketopyrrolopyrrole derivatives fixed by coordinate bonds

Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) derivatives bearing 2-pyridyl groups were synthesized, which could serve as anionic N,N′-chelate ligands consisting of two nitrogen atoms of the lactam moieties and the pyridyl groups. Coordination of the DPP ligand to boron and platinum yielded the corresponding DPP complexes. Their crystal structures exhibited coplanar structures between the DPP core and the 2-pyridyl groups, which indicated extended π-conjugation. The maximum absorption wavelength of the DPP complexes was longer than that of the corresponding DPP ligands. The choice of the introduced element affects the optical properties of the DPP complexes; the platinum complex has a longer absorption wavelength than the boron complex. The theoretical calculation revealed that these absorptions can be attributed to the π–π* transition. The introduction of the coordinating elements predominantly lowers the band gap. In addition, the substituent on the 2-pyridyl group can also modulate the energy levels.     

A new method for estimating the relative binding free energy,derived from a free energy variational principle for the Pim-1-kinase–ligand and FKBP–ligand systems

Journal of Computer-Aided Molecular Design - In this study, a new method is proposed for calculating the relative binding free energy between a ligand and a protein, derived from a free energy...     

Nanoscopic Porous Iridium/Iridium Dioxide Superstructures (15 nm): Synthesis and Thermal Conversion by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy

Porous particle superstructures of about 15 nm diameter, consisting of ultrasmall nanoparticles of iridium and iridium dioxide, are prepared through the reduction of sodium hexachloridoiridate(+IV) with sodium citrate/sodium borohydride in water. The water-dispersible porous particles contain about 20 wt % poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), which was added for colloidal stabilization. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirms the presence of both iridium and iridium dioxide primary particles (1–2 nm) in each porous superstructure. The internal porosity (≈58 vol%) is demonstrated by electron tomography. In situ transmission electron microscopy up to 1000 °C under oxygen, nitrogen, argon/hydrogen (all at 1 bar), and vacuum shows that the porous particles undergo sintering and subsequent compaction upon heating, a process that starts at around 250 °C and is completed at around 800 °C. Finally, well-crystalline iridium dioxide is obtained under all four environments. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared porous superstructures in electrochemical water splitting (oxygen evolution reaction; OER) is reduced considerably upon heating owing to sintering of the pores and loss of internal surface area.     

Chiral distortion in a Mn(IV)(salen)(N3)2 derived from Jacobsen's catalyst as a possible conformation model for its enantioselective reactions

The Mn (IV)(salen)(N 3) 2 complex ( 3) from Jacobsen's catalyst is synthesized, and the X-ray crystal structures of 3 as well as the starting Mn (III)(salen)(N 3)(CH 3OH) complex ( 2) are determined in order to investigate the conformation of the high-valent Mn (IV)(salen) molecule in comparison with that of Mn (III)(salen). The asymmetric unit of the crystal of 3 contains four complexes, all of which adopt a nonplanar stepped conformation effectively distorted by the chirality of the diimine bridge. The asymmetric unit of 2 also contains four complexes. Two of them show a stepped conformation of a lesser degree, but the other two adopt a bowl-shaped conformation. Comparison of the structural parameters shows that the Mn center in 3 is coordinated from both sides by two external axial N 3 ligands with significantly shorter bond lengths, which could induce greater preference for the stepped conformation in 3. The CH 3CN solution of 3 shows circular dichroism with a significantly strong band at 275 nm as compared to 2, suggesting that 3 may adopt a more chirally distorted conformation also in solution. The circular dichroism spectrum of 3 is slightly altered with isodichroic points from 298 to 253 K and shows no further change at temperatures lower than 253 K, suggesting that the solution of 3 contains an equilibrium between two conformers, where a low-energy conformer with more chiral distortion is predominantly favored even at room temperature. Complexes 2 and 3 are thoroughly characterized using various techniques including cyclic voltammetry, magnetic susceptibility, UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance, (1)H NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.