New efficient synthesis of [Ul4(meCN)4]. X-ray crystal structures of [Ul2(MeCN)7][Ul6], [Ul4(py)3], and [U(dmf)9]l4

Reaction of UCl4 and excess Me3Sil in acetonitrile provides a convenient route to [Ul4(MeCN)4] (1), which was isolated in excellent yield and crystallized in acetonitrile as the ion pair complex [Ul2(MeCN)7][Ul6] (2). Compound 1 was transformed in pyridine (py) and dimethylformamide (dmf) into the Lewis base adducts [Ul4(py)3] (3) and [Ul4(dmf)6] (4). Crystals of 3 and [U(dmf)9]l4 (5) were obtained by slow diffusion of diethyl ether into pyridine or dmf solutions of 1; compound 5 is the first tetracationic {U4+} entity to have been crystallographically characterized.     

The remarkable efficiency of N-heterocyclic carbenes in lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation

The capacity of NHC molecules to discriminate between trivalent lanthanide and actinide ions was revealed by competition reactions of analogous U(III) and Ce(III) compounds with C3Me4N2 and a comparison of the crystal structures of the corresponding carbene adducts.     

Tris(dithiolene) complexes of neodymium and cerium: mononuclear species, chains, and honeycomb networks

Reactions of Ln(BH4)3(THF)3 (Ln = Nd, Ce) and M2dddt (M = Na, K; dddt = 5,6-dihydro-1,4-dithiine-2,3-dithiolate) in THF or pyridine gave, after addition of 18c6 (18-crown-6), several crystalline compounds which all contain the tris(dithiolene) Ln(dddt)3 unit. Crystals of [Na(18c6)(py)2]2[Na(18c6)(py)][Nd(dddt)3(py)].3py (1.3py) are built up from discrete mononuclear cationic and anionic species whereas crystals of {[Na(18c6)(py)2](0.5)[Na(18c6)(py)(1.5)][Na(1.5)Nd(dddt)3]}(infinity) (2) are composed of discrete [Na(18c6)(py)x]+ cations and polymeric anionic two-dimensional layers in which the Nd(dddt)3 units are linked to three neighbors by sodium atoms to form a honeycomb network. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibility of 2 shows that chiMT decreases from 1.63 cm3 K mol(-1) at 300 K down to 0.6 cm3 K mol(-1) at 5 K, due to the crystal-field splitting of the (4)I(9/2) free-ion state. Complexes {[Na3(18c6)(1.5)Nd(dddt)3(THF)].3THF}(infinity) (3.3THF) and {[K3(18c6)(1.5)Nd(dddt)3(py)].3py}(infinity) (4.3py) exhibit neutral polymeric layers with the Nd(dddt)3 units linked by M2(18c6) fragments. In the cerium compound {[Na2(18c6)Na(py)2Ce(dddt)3(py)].3py}(infinity) (5.3py), each Ce(dddt)3 unit is linked to two neighbors only by Na2(18c6) moieties, giving infinite zigzag chains.     

Properties of a Tetrahomodioxacalix[6]arene Derivative

The synthesis and X-ray crystalstructure of a novel tetrahomodioxacalix[6]arenehexamethylester 2 arepresented. Preliminary investigations of alkali metal ioncomplexation showed that 2 is apoor extractant with selectivity for lithium.     

Investigation of contactless electron transmission through dielectric channels

The effect of the contactless transmission (guiding) of 10 keV electrons through cylindrical dielectric channels and planar channels formed by glass plates is studied. The capture and propagation of an electron beam along the channel axis, usual in these cases, are observed in the experiments with two plates. The deviation of the reflection angle from the specular angle and its dependence on the plate length and beamcurrent value under beam reflection from a single plate are investigated.     

CO2 Conversion into Esters by Fluoride‐Mediated Carboxylation of Organosilanes and Halide Derivatives

A one‐step conversion of CO₂ into heteroaromatic esters is presented under metal‐free conditions. Using fluoride anions as promoters for the C?Si bond activation, pyridyl, furanyl, and thienyl organosilanes are successfully carboxylated with CO₂ in the presence of an electrophile. The mechanism of this unprecedented reaction has been elucidated based on experimental and computational results, which show a unique catalytic influence of CO₂ in the C?Si bond activation of pyridylsilanes. The methodology is applied to 18 different esters, and it has enabled the incorporation of CO₂ into a polyester material for the first time.     

Cu/Zn Incorporation During Purification of Soluble Human EC-SOD from E. coli Stabilizes Proper Disulfide Bond Formation

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is the only enzyme that removes superoxide radical in the extracellular space. The reduction of EC-SOD is linked to many diseases, suggesting that the protein may have therapeutic value. EC-SOD is reported to be insoluble and to make inclusion bodies when overexpressed in the cytoplasm of Escherichia coli. The refolding process has the advantage of high yield, but has the disadvantage of frequent aggregation or misfolding during purification. For the first time, this study shows that fusion with maltose-binding protein (MBP), N-utilization substance protein A, and protein disulfide isomerase enabled the soluble overexpression of EC-SOD in the cytoplasm of E. coli. MBP-tagged human EC-SOD (hEC-SOD) was purified by MBP affinity and anion exchange chromatography, and its identity was confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS analysis. The purified protein showed good enzyme activity in vitro; however, there was a difference in metal binding. When copper and zinc were incorporated into hEC-SOD before MBP tag cleavage, the enzymatic activity was higher than when the metal ions were bound to the purified protein after MBP tag cleavage. Therefore, the enzymatic activity of hEC-SOD is associated with metal incorporation and protein folding via disulfide bond.     

Extraction of f-elements from nitric acid solutions with phosphoryl ketones

The extraction ability and selectivity of a series of phosphoryl ketones Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)Me, and Ph₂P(O)CRR’CH₂C(O)Me (R = H, Me; R’ = H, Me, n-C₅H₁₁, Ph, 2-thienyl, 2-furyl) towards trivalent lanthanides (La^III, Nd^III, Ho^III, Yb^III) and actinides (U^VI, Th^IV) were studied. The efficiency and selectivity of the new ligands in the extraction of f-elements from nitric acid solutions into chloroform were compared to those of model phosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)Bu and known extractants: tributyl phosphate (BuO)₃P(O), trioctylphosphine oxide (C₈H₁₇)₃P(O), and carbamoylmethyl phosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)CH₂C(O)NBu₂.