Synthesis and optical properties of isomeric branched pi-conjugated systems

[structure: see text] Branched conjugated systems with a terminal alkyne function have been prepared starting from 4-(triisopropylsilylethynyl) phenylacetylene by applying the following iterative reaction sequence: (i) metal-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of the terminal alkyne with 3,4-dibromobenzaldehyde or 2,5- dibromobenzaldehyde; (ii) Corey-Fuchs dibromoolefination and treatment with an excess of LDA. The building blocks thus prepared have been subjected to a Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction with 1,4-diiodobenzene to yield isomeric branched pi-conjugated systems containing 7 (first generation) or 15 (second generation) phenyl units connected by ethynyl spacers. The different pi-conjugation patterns in those isomeric derivatives have a dramatic effect on their electronic properties, as attested by the differences observed in their absorption and emission spectra. Finally, theoretical calculations have been performed to rationalize the optical properties of these compounds.     

Microwave-enhanced ruthenium-catalysed atom transfer radical additions

The first monomode microwave-assisted atom transfer radical additions (ATRA) of carbon tetrachloride to various olefins were successfully performed, affording the adducts with almost quantitative yields in less than 10 min at 160 °C.     

Oxidative cleavage of C-Si bonds in polyhydroxylated silacyclopentanes

Oxidative cleavage of C-Si bonds of polyhydroxylated silacyclopentanes under various conditions have led to both the desired polyols and to Peterson elimination products. Further studies on the reactivity of these silacycles, under acidic and basic conditions have been carried out, leading to unexpected results. Treatment of these silacycles under basic conditions thus provided various diols after the cleavage of C_sp³-Si bonds. A mechanistic rationale has been proposed for each case.     

Interaction between hydrophilic drug and α-cyclodextrins: physico-chemical aspects

The aim of the study was to evaluate if the complexation of a hydrophilic molecule by cyclodextrins is possible. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are hydrophilic cone shaped molecules, which are used as vehicles able to include organic molecules. Because of the presence of hydroxy groups (OH) outside of the molecule, cyclodextrins are not predisposed to include hydrophilic drugs. They are therefore used to improve the solubility of poor water-soluble molecules. In order to evaluate if the complexation of a hydrophilic molecule by cyclodextrins is possible, lyophilized complexes of cysteamine hydrochloride with α-cyclodextrins (α-CD) have been realized. Six analytical techniques (High performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to UV detection, Thin-Layer Chromatography, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Mass Spectrometry (SM) and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR-NOESY spectra)) were used in order to characterize the interaction between the drug and the α-CD. The realization of complex between a cyclodextrin and a water-soluble drug seems feasible. In the case of a hydrophilic molecule, the complexation is not obtained by inclusion of the drug in the cyclodextrin, but by binding to the outside of the cone. This “external complexation” is however sufficient to improve some features of the molecule, such as organoleptic features, and to modifiy measurable parameters (FT-IR, DSC, SM and NMR-NOESY spectra).     

Dynamic equilibration of eta 1-carbene and eta 2-alkyne moieties within an alkynylcarbene dimanganese complex

The coordination of an additional [Cp(CO)2Mn] fragment to the alkyne linkage of an alkynylcarbene complex of the type Cp(CO)2Mn=C(R')C identical to CR" yields a highly fluxional molecule, in which the [eta 1-carbene] and [eta 2-alkyne] moieties are seen to exchange rapidly on the NMR time scale.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Reactivity of Gold Nanoparticles Towards Benzimidazole‐2‐ylidene Ligands

The reactivity of benzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes with respect to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) has been investigated using a combined experimental and computational approach. First, the grafting of benzimidazol‐2‐ylidenes bearing benzyl groups on the nitrogen atoms is described, and comparisons are made with structurally similar N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) bearing other N‐groups. Similar reactivity was observed for all NHCs, with 1) the erosion of the AuNPs under the effect of the NHC and 2) the formation of bis(NHC) gold complexes. DFT calculations were performed to investigate the modes of grafting of such ligands, to determine adsorption energies, and to rationalize the spectroscopic data. Two types of computational models were developed to describe the grafting onto large or small AuNPs, with either periodic or cluster‐type DFT calculations. Calculations of NMR parameters were performed on some of these models, and discussed in light of the experimental data.