Direct observation of eta 2-imine formation through beta-H abstraction between amide ligands. Neutron and X-ray diffraction structure of a dihydride imine ditantalum complex

Reactions of Ta(NMe2)5 with D2SiR'Ph (R' = Me, Ph) were found to give a dideuteride eta 2-imine complex (Me2N)3Ta(mu-D)2(mu-N-eta 2-N,C-CH2NMe)Ta(NMe2)3(1-d2) through C-H activation of an amide ligand via beta-H abstraction, and the structure of 1 was confirmed by single crystal neutron and X-ray diffraction.     

Phase relations and exsolution phenomena in the system NiOTiO2

The phase relations in the system NiOTiO₂ were studied between 1000 and 1600°C using quenched powder specimens, DTA runs, and single crystal diffusion couples. Quenching experiments establish the stable phases TiO₂ (rutile), NiTiO₃ an ilmenite structure type, Ni_2(1+x)Ti_1?xO₄ (x ≥ 0.16), a cation-excess spinel, and Ni_1?2xTi_xO (rocksalt structure type). DTA runs reveal the existence of an additional nonstoichiometric ilmenite phase Ni_1?2xTi_1+xO₃ (x ≤ 0.03) above 1260°C. In quenched (1500, 1450°C) or slowly cooled single crystal diffusion couples, mutual oriented exsolutions occur in the rutile crystal and in the ilmenite diffusion zone. Orientation relations are: {101}_rutile{1120}_ilmenite; ∥010〉_rutile∥00.1〉_ilmenite. The cation-excess spinel decomposes below 1375°C into oriented intergrowth of NiTiO₃ (ilmenite) and NiO: {111}_NiO{0001}_NiTiO3; ∥110〉_NiO∥21.0〉_NiTiO3.     

A COMPARISON OF MAMMALIAN CELL SENSITIVITY TO EITHER 254 nm OR ARTIFICIAL "SOLAR" SIMULATED RADIATION

The sensitivity of six mammalian cell strains to either germicidal (254 nm) or artificial "solar" simulated radiation was tested. The solar simulator used had an output similar, in some respects, to natural sunlight. Cellular capacity for Herpes simplex virus production was used as the assay procedure. The tested cells were a strain of African green monkey kidney cells and five human skin fibroblast cell strains. The latter included a "normal" cell strain, and four photosensitive cell strains; three of which were strains of xeroderma pigmentosum cells, and one strain of Bloom's syndrome cells. When comparing the D¹⁰ values, the different cell strains varied by a factor of six in response to germicidal radiation, but only by a factor of two to artificial "solar" simulated radiation. The relative sensitivity of the cells to either type of radiation also varied from 1.7 to 10.9. Large variations in response occurred even among the xeroderma pigmentosum cell strains. These responses suggest that mammalian cell sensitivity to 254 nm radiation may not be a true indicator of a cell's responses to natural sunlight.     

Nanobiotechnology and its role in the development of new analytical devices

Physical methods of molecule observation and manipulation will prove useful, not only as research tools for investigating biomolecular structure and behavior, but also for the creation of nanostructures. Supramolecular and self-assembling structures are able to generate nanostructures, with many such systems being of biological origin. They form the interface between nanotechnology and biotechnology. Whereas biotechnological processes usually involve populations of cells or molecules, nanotechnological methods operate at the level of individual molecule manipulation. This article considers what advances have been made through cross-fertilisation between nanotechnology and biotechnology to develop for the next millennium new analytical tools at the microscale, using nanostructures as the sensitive part and with the ability to detect individual molecules.     

Studies on the chemistry of thieno-anellated O,N- and S,N-containing heterocycles. 2. Synthesis of thieno[2,3-b]diazepine derivatives with potential CNS activity

Thieno-anellated compounds analogous to Clobazam (1) [2] and the nootropic drugs 2 and 3 [3] were synthesized. Thus, nucleophilic substitution on halogenated nitrothiophene derivatives with aniline and reaction with ethyl malonyl chloride gave after cyclisation the thieno[2,3-b]diazepinedione derivatives 7 and 14 . These compounds were methylated to give the thieno-anellated heterocycles 8 and 9 .     

L3/L2 white-line intensity ratios in the electron energy-loss spectra of 3d transition-metal oxides

The L₃/L₂ white-line intensity ratio in transition-metal oxides deviates widely from the statistical value of 2 : 1 but shows interesting systematics. In a series of oxides of a given metal, the ratio reaches a maximum for the d⁵ configuration (e.g. MnO) and a minimum for the d⁰ configuration (e.g. KMnO₄). In a series of monoxides, sesquioxides and dioxides of different metals, the ratio is again a maximum at the d⁵ configuration and decreases as the configuration changes towards d⁰ or d¹⁰. Our results, obtained by electron energy-loss spectroscopy, carried out in an electron microscope, are interpreted on an atomic mechanism involving spin-spin coupling. According to this model, the L₂ transition probability decreases in the progression d⁰ to d⁵ whereas the L₃ transition probability decreases beyond d⁵.     

Optical and electrochemical studies of the underpotential deposition of metals Part I. Thallium deposition on single crystal silver electrodes

The underpotential deposition of thallium on single crystal silver cathodes, orientations 100, 110 and 111, was investigated optically and voltammetrically. Careful chemical polishing of the silver surfaces was necessary to reveal the fine structure on the voltammograms reproducibly. The deposition process for the first monolayer was shown to be the formation of a layer of adsorbed atoms initially, followed by a phase transformation to form a crystal plane by two-dimensional nucleation and growth. The extent of the initial adsorption was related to the number of favourable sites on each crystal face such that the adsorbed layer formed a superlattice. The influence of the substrate structure was seen on the formation of the second thallium monolayer. The formation of this layer also involved adsorption followed by transformation into a crystal plane.     

An efficient synthesis of 6-formyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid and some carbonyl derivatives of it and its 6-acetyl homologue

Starting with 1,1-dimethoxy-2-propanone ( 1 ), 6-formyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid ( 5a ) has been prepared in large quantities by a highly efficient, 4-step synthesis. This compound, along with its one carbon homologue, 6-acetyl-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxylic acid ( 5b ) has been reacted with several carbonyl derivative forming reagents to provide a series of side chains for β-lactams. Among these carbonyl derivatives are styrylamides which were prepared from Wittig and Horner-Emmons reagents. The preparation of the phosphonium salts and phosphonate esters is also described.     

A CONVENIENT IRRADIATION CELL FOR FERRIOXALATE ACTINOMETRY

Abstract— A calibrated volumetric optical cuvette is described which both simplifies the technique and improves the precision of potassium ferrioxalate actinometry. The cuvette is used both for irradiation of the actinometer solution and for in situ dilution and chemical developing of the irradiated aliquot. The technique permits all but one manipulation to be carried out in total darkness, thus protecting the actinometer solutions from ambient light. The method can be extended to any actinometric procedure and the volumetric cuvettes are very useful in a variety of other spectrophotometric applications.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-beta-tributylstannyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones: construction of a key intermediate for the total synthesis of zoanthamine

(E)-beta-Trialkylstannyl-alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones are readily available from secondary propargylic alcohols via a two-step sequence involving highly regio- and stereoselective Pd(0)-catalyzed hydrostannation followed by mild oxidation (TPAP). The methodology has been applied to the synthesis of enantiomerically pure enone 12 which is a key intermediate for the total synthesis of zoanthamine, a structurally complex marine natural product.