Lattice Effects on the Spin‐Crossover Profile of a Mononuclear Manganese(III) Cation

Six solvated salts of a mononuclear manganese(III) complex with a chelating hexadentate Schiff base ligand are reported. One member of the series, [MnL]PF₆^.0.5 CH₃OH ( 1 ), shows a rare low‐spin (LS) electronic configuration between 10–300 K. The remaining five salts, [MnL]NO₃? C₂H₅OH ( 2 ), [MnL]BF₄?C₂H₅OH ( 3 ), [MnL]CF₃SO₃?C₂H₅OH ( 4 ), [MnL]ClO₄?C₂H₅OH ( 5 ) and [MnL]ClO₄?0.5 CH₃CN ( 6 ), all show gradual incomplete spin‐crossover (SCO) behaviour. The structures of all were determined at 100 K, and also at 293 K in the case of 3 – 6 . The LS salt [MnL]PF₆^.0.5 CH₃OH is the only member of the series that does not exhibit strong hydrogen bonding. At 100 K two of the four SCO complexes ( 2 and 4 ) assemble into 1D hydrogen‐bonded chains, which weaken or rupture on warming. The remaining SCO complexes 3 , 5 and 6 do not form 1D hydrogen‐bonded chains, but instead exhibit discrete hydrogen bonding between cation/counterion, cation/solvent or counterion/solvent and show no significant change on warming.     

Large azaacenes: pyridine rings reacting like carbonyl groups

N,N'-Dihydropentaazapentacenes and -hexacenes displaying terminal pyridine rings are surprisingly easily oxidized by MnO(2) into their corresponding pyridones.     

para‐Connected Cyclophenylenes and Hemispherical Polyarenes: Building Blocks for Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes?

Carbon nanotubes by design? Cyclo-para-phenylenes are monomers for the synthesis of armchair carbon nanotubes (see picture, right), and are also attractive fluorophores that display size-dependent emission properties. Geodesic polyarenes represent a realistic alternative for the rational design of carbon nanotubes through the chemical elongation of the hydrocarbon template (left).     

Azaarenes: 13 Rings in a Row by Cyclopentannulation

Cyclopentannulation was explored as a strategy to access large, stable azaarenes. Buchwald–Hartwig coupling of previously reported di- and tetrabrominated cyclopentannulated N,N′-dihydrotetraazapentacenes furnished stable azaarenes with up to 13 six-membered rings in a row and a length of 3.1 nm. Their optoelectronic and semi-conducting properties as well as their aromaticity were investigated.     

Dimerization of a Reactive Azaacene Diradical: Synthesis of a Covalent Azaacene Cage

Two series of regioisomeric dicyanomethylene substituted dithienodiazatetracenes with formal para- or ortho-quinodimethane subunits were synthesized and characterized. Whereas the para-isomers (p-n, diradical index y₀=0.01) are stable and isolable, the ortho-isomer (y₀=0.98) dimerizes into a covalent azaacene cage. Four elongated σ-CC bonds are formed and the former triisopropylsilyl(TIPS) -ethynylene groups transformed into cumulene units. The azaacene cage dimer (o-1)₂ was characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis and temperature-dependent infrared (IR), electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR, solid-state), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopies (solution) indicating reformation of o-1.     

Turning Regioselectivity into Stereoselectivity: Efficient Dual Resolution of P‐Stereogenic Phosphine Oxides through Bifurcation of the Reaction Pathway of a Common Intermediate

Synthetic routes that provide facile access to either enantiomeric form of a target compound are particularly valuable. The crystallization‐free dual resolution of phosphine oxides that gives highly enantioenriched materials (up to 94 % ee) in excellent yields is reported. Both enantiomeric oxides have been prepared from a single intermediate, (R_P)‐alkoxyphosphonium chloride, which is formed in the course of a selective dynamic kinetic resolution using a single enantiomer of menthol as the chiral auxiliary. The origin of the dual stereoselectivity lies in bifurcation of the reaction pathway of this intermediate, which works as a stereochemical railroad switch. Under controlled conditions, Arbuzov‐type collapse of this intermediate proceeds through C O bond fission with retention of the configuration at the phosphorus center. Conversely, alkaline hydrolysis of the P O bond leads to the opposite S_P enantiomer.     

Characterization of hydrothermally isolated xylan from beech wood by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence and mass spectrometry detection

Hemicelluloses such as xylans play an increasing role as renewable raw materials for technological applications. The complex and variable composition of hemicelluloses requires powerful analytical techniques in order to assess their composition. In the present study, the neutral fraction of hydrothermally isolated xylan from beech wood was characterized by capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE-LIF) upon derivatization with 8-aminopyrene-1,3,6-trisulfonic acid. Reproducible separation of the xylo-oligosaccharides was achieved using a polyvinyl alcohol coated capillary and a 25 mM sodium acetate buffer, pH 4.75, as background electrolyte at an applied voltage of ?30 kV. Intermediate precision expressed as relative standard deviation was below 2.0 % for migration times and below 10 % for relative peak areas except for the oligomers present at very low concentrations only. At the same time, derivatization conditions proved to be robust as well. Samples obtained by fractionation of the xylan were subsequently characterized by CE-LIF. In addition, capillary electrophoresis with mass spectrometry detection indicated the presence of small amounts of xylo-oligosaccharides containing additional sugar moieties such as 4-O-methylglucuronic acid. Moreover, minor components containing acetyl groups could be detected. The presence of these impurities was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the fractions. In conclusion, although none of the techniques applied here gave a complete picture of the composition of the investigated xylan or its fractions, the combination provided insight into the complexity of the sample.     

Click To Bind: Metal Sensors

The copper‐catalyzed azide–alkyne “click” cycloaddition reaction is an efficient coupling reaction that results in the formation of a triazole ring. The wide range of applicable substrates for this reaction allows the construction of a variety of conjugated systems. The additional function of triazoles as metal‐ion ligands has led to the click reaction being used for the construction of optical sensors for metal ions. The triazoles are integral binding elements, which are formed in an efficient modular synthesis. Herein, we review recent examples of triazoles as a metal‐binding element in conjugated metal‐ion sensors.     

Quinoidal Azaacenes: 99 % Diradical Character

Quinoidal azaacenes with almost pure diradical character (y=0.95 to y=0.99) were synthesized. All compounds exhibit paramagnetic behavior investigated by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, and SQUID measurements, revealing thermally populated triplet states with an extremely low‐energy gap ΔE_ST′ of 0.58 to 1.0 kcal mol^?1. The species are persistent in solution (half‐life≈14–21 h) and in the solid state they are stable for weeks.