Cyclopalladation of the indole ring in palladium(II) complexes of 2N1O-donor ligands and its dependence on the O-donor properties

Synthetic, structural, spectroscopic, and kinetic studies have been carried out on the Pd(II) complexes of new 2N1O-donor ligands containing a pendent indole, 3-(N-2-pyridylmethyl-N-2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzylamino)ethylindole (HMeO-iepp), 3-(N-2-pyridylmethyl-N-2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylamino)ethylindole (HNO2-iepp), and (N-2-pyridylmethyl-3-indolylethylamino)acetic acid (Hiepc) (H denotes a dissociable proton). [Pd(MeO-iepp)Cl] (2), [Pd(NO2-iepp)Cl] (3), and [Pd(iepc)Cl] (4) were prepared and revealed by X-ray analysis to have a pyridine nitrogen, an amine nitrogen, a phenolate or carboxylate oxygen, and a chloride ion in the coordination plane. UV absorption and 1H NMR spectral changes indicated that all the complexes could be converted to the indole-binding complexes where the O donor was replaced by the indole C2 atom by cyclopalladation in DMSO or DMF in the temperature range of 40-60 degrees C. Formation of the indole-binding complex species obeyed the first-order kinetics, from which the activation parameters were estimated. The formation rate was dependent on the properties of the O-donor group, a lower pKa value of its conjugate acid causing faster conversion to the indole-binding species in the order 2 (methoxyphenolate) < 3 (nitrophenolate) < 4 (carboxylate). On the other hand, the ratio of the indole-binding complex to the O-donor complex as a result of the conversion was greater for the complexes with a higher pKa value of the ligand OH group, the order being 2 > 3 > 4.     

Bound site of Mo atoms and its local structure in a Mo/HY catalyst characterized by extended X-ray absorption fine structure and density functional calculation

The bound site of Mo atoms and its local structure in a Mo/HY catalyst have been determined by detailed analysis of extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). Molybdenum was introduced in the supercage of HY zeolite by cycles of saturated adsorption of Mo(CO)6 at room temperature and subsequent thermal decomposition at 573 K. Two Mo atoms per supercage were immobilized in each CVD-thermal treatment cycle. The Mo loading increased linearly with the cycles up to three cycles at saturation, where six Mo atoms were supported. Temperature-programmed decomposition of the adsorbed Mo(CO)6 was also characterized by GC, QMS, and FT-IR, respectively. The EXAFS analysis including multiple scattering based on theoretical calculations revealed that Mo bound with two oxygen atoms connects to Al, where one of the two oxygen atoms had been associated with a proton. The bound site is called the S(III)' site. The zeolite framework was significantly distorted by the introduction of low-valent Mo, resulting in isolation of the [MoO2Al] unit from the surrounding zeolite framework due to a quasi-disruption of Si-O bonds adjacent to the unit. In the mild oxidation of the low-valent Mo/HY sample two Mo=O bonds were newly formed and the position of Mo was displaced by 0.06 nm so that the distortion of zeolite framework around the Al atom was relieved. The structures were also supported by DFT calculations. This study is the first example that the position of metal cation in zeolite was determined unambiguously by the EXAFS analysis.     

Synthesis of 21-nor-22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 derivatives in quest of a drug with low calcemic activity

Two 21-nor-22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ derivatives have been synthesized in quest of a drug with lower calcemic activity than Maxacalcitol, 22-oxa-1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, being used as antihyperparathyroidism and antipsoriatic drug. Of two 21-nor products obtained, the product carrying one carbon elongated side chain with diethylcarbinol moiety has been found to exhibit comparable differentiation-inducing activity to Maxacalcitol with much lower exhibition of calcemic activity.     

Rapid fermentation of beer using an immobilized yeast multistage bioreactor

The characteristics of yeast sulfite metabolism in a multistage bioreactor system for beer fermentation were investigated. No sulfite was produced in the continuous stirred-tank reactor (CSTR). However, large amounts were produced in the packed-bed reactor (PBR). Production of sulfite in the PBR seems to be inevitable when it is operated continuously. In order to control the sulfite level in the young beer, the yeast needs to be reactivated into the growth phase. One possible strategy to achieve this is to aerate and periodically remove yeast clogged in the reactor once every 6–7 months before the sulfite level exceeds a given concentration (e.g., 20 mg/L). It was confirmed that sulfite production is closely related to the growth condition of the yeast and is therefore important to consider in the control strategy for sulfite when using the immobilized yeast reactor for beer production.     

Observation of the phosphorescence spectra from the spin sublevels of low emissivity: quinoxaline

A method to observe the phosphorescence emissions from the spin sublevels of low emissivity is proposed, and its application to quinoxaline is attempted. The newly observed phosphorescence spectra from the T_x and T_y sublevels differ considerably in vibrational structures from the usually observed phosphorescence from the T_z sublevel.     

Use of microcoil probehead for determination of the structure of oriented silk fibers by solid-state NMR

A microcoil probehead for solid-state NMR was developed with a two-channel radio-frequency circuit, and 13C observation with a proton-decoupling probehead was performed to obtain information on the distribution of the orientation of silk fibroin molecules in the fiber. The coil (1 mm (diameter) x 5 mm (length)) of the probehead was placed at the angles 90 degrees and 30 degrees , relative to the static magnetic field. Only 70 mug of [1-13C]Gly silk fibroin fiber was used in a magnet of 9.4 T (400 MHz for proton channel).     

Synthesis, properties, and crystal structure of a novel anthracene-bridged molybdenum-zinc porphyrin dimer

The synthesis and properties of novel anthracene-bridged porphyrin dimers having an oxomolybdenum(V) porphyrin unit, H(2)(DPA)[Mo(V)O(OMe)] (1) and (DPA)[Mo(V)O(OMe)][Zn(II)(MeOH)] (2), and the relevant monomer porphyrin complexes Mo(V)O(MPP)OMe (3) and Zn(II)(MPP) (4) are presented. An oxomolybdenum(V) unit was introduced into one of the two porphyrins in DPA to give 1, which has a free-base porphyrin unit. By introducing a zinc(II) ion to the free-base part, a mixed-metal complex of 2 was prepared and isolated. The structure of 2 was analyzed by X-ray crystallography (2.(7)/(6)CH(2)Cl(2), triclinic, P(-)1 (no. 2), a = 15.2854(12) A, b = 19.9640(15) A, c = 13.6915(12) A, alpha = 90.968(3), beta = 113.108(4), gamma = 96.501(4), Z = 2, R1 = 9.9, wR2 = 19.2). The structure of 2 demonstrated that a methanol is stably coordinated to the Zn(II) ion with the aid of a hydrogen bond to the methoxo ligand on the Mo(V) ion in the binding pocket of DPA. The electrochemical measurements of 2 suggested that the methanol was kept in the pocket of DPA in solution even at the reduced state of the molybdenum ion.     

Photoelectrochemistry of p-type Cu2O semiconductor electrode in ionic liquid

We investigated the photoelectrochemical characteristics and photo-stability of Cu₂O layered on a copper plate using a hydrophobic ionic liquid. Our findings revealed that Cu₂O is stable under white light irradiation, provided water is removed from the electrolyte. Methyl viologen derivative, a well-established electron acceptor, was introduced to the ionic liquid electrolyte, allowing the photo-induced electron transfer reaction at the Cu₂O/electrolyte interface to be characterized. The methyl viologen derivative exhibited two distinct redox reactions at −0.56 V and −0.98 V vs. Ag/AgCl, clearly indicating that no dimer formation or co-proportionation reaction occurred. The excessive photocurrents being continuously generated resulted from a viable photo-induced electron transfer reaction from the Cu₂O to the acceptor. However, in contrast, the reduction of the Cu₂O by water in the aqueous solution causes this electron transfer to be inhibited. We further demonstrate that these findings are vital to understanding the role of the Cu₂O and its photoelectrochemical applications.     

High performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector in the cathodic mode as a tool for the determination of p-nitrophenol and assay of acid phosphatase in urine samples

Utilizing a commercially available helium-purging device and PEEK tubes for all tubing, especially for connection between the mobile phase and pump, high performance liquid chromatography with an electrochemical detector (ECD/HPLC) at the cathodic mode is a simple and precise method for the determination of p-nitrophenol (NP). Studies with cyclic and hydrodynamic voltammetry indicated that 25% aqueous MeOH containing 0.1% (v/v) CF(3)CO(2)H and -0.8 V vs. Ag/AgCl are the best mobile phase and detection potential for cathodic ECD/HPLC. With the present system, the limits of detection and determination were 0.2 and 0.25 microM, respectively, and up to 50 microM, a linear calibration curve was afforded. Within-day precisions for the analysis of 5 and 50 microM NP were 0.8 and 0.7% (n=6), respectively, and between-day precisions (n=6) for these samples were 3.5 and 2.2%, respectively. Compared with the commonly used Bessey-Lowry-Brock method, cathodic ECD/HPLC was useful for the assay of acid phosphatase in urine samples with p-nitrophenyl phosphate disodium salt as a substrate.     

The role of carbon dioxide in chemoselective hydrogenation of halonitroaromatics over supported noble metal catalysts in supercritical carbon dioxide

Chemoselective hydrogenation of halogenated nitrobenzenes over Pt/C catalysts proceeds effectively in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) to produce halogenated anilines with excellent selectivity; the rate of the hydrogenation of nitro groups is markedly enhanced in scCO2 compared to the neat reaction, and the dehalogenation reaction is significantly suppressed.