Olefin Isomerization by Iridium Pincer Catalysts. Experimental Evidence for an η(3)-Allyl Pathway and an Unconventional Mechanism Predicted by DFT Calculations

The isomerization of olefins by complexes of the pincer-ligated iridium species ((tBu)PCP)Ir ((tBu)PCP = κ(3)-C(6)H(3)-2,6-(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)) and ((tBu)POCOP)Ir ((tBu)POCOP = κ(3)-C(6)H(3)-2,6-(OP(t)Bu(2))(2)) has been investigated by computational and experimental methods. The corresponding dihydrides, (pincer)IrH(2), are known to hydrogenate olefins via initial Ir-H addition across the double bond. Such an addition is also the initial step in the mechanism most widely proposed for olefin isomerization (the "hydride addition pathway"); however, the results of kinetics experiments and DFT calculations (using both M06 and PBE functionals) indicate that this is not the operative pathway for isomerization in this case. Instead, (pincer)Ir(η(2)-olefin) species undergo isomerization via the formation of (pincer)Ir(η(3)-allyl)(H) intermediates; one example of such a species, ((tBu)POCOP)Ir(η(3)-propenyl)(H), was independently generated, spectroscopically characterized, and observed to convert to ((tBu)POCOP)Ir(η(2)-propene). Surprisingly, the DFT calculations indicate that the conversion of the η(2)-olefin complex to the η(3)-allyl hydride takes place via initial dissociation of the Ir-olefin π-bond to give a σ-complex of the allylic C-H bond; this intermediate then undergoes C-H bond oxidative cleavage to give an iridium η(1)-allyl hydride which "closes" to give the η(3)-allyl hydride. Subsequently, the η(3)-allyl group "opens" in the opposite sense to give a new η(1)-allyl (thus completing what is formally a 1,3 shift of Ir), which undergoes C-H elimination and π-coordination to give a coordinated olefin that has undergone double-bond migration.     

The classification of solvents based on solvatochromic characteristics: the choice of optimal parameters for artificial neural networks

The Taft-Kamlet-Abboud hydrogen-bond acidity, hydrogen-bond basicity and polarity-polarizability are widely used as empirical characteristics of solvent-solute interactions. These solvatochromic parameters are determined from the absorption band positions of solvatochromic probes in the standard medium and in the medium under study. The practice of solvatochromic probing is growing rapidly, and the values of solvatochromic parameters are refined from time to time. As these values are rather close for many media, the classification of media based on these values can be tedious. This increases the choice of algorithms that can be employed in order to decrease the ambiguity of classification. The classification algorithms stable to small variations of solvatochromic parameters are of special interest. The artificial neural networks (ANN) proved to be a powerful tool for the supervised classification. The paper focuses on the search of optimal parameters of probabilistic, dynamic, Elman, feed-forward, and cascade ANN for the classification of solvent on the basis of their solvatochromic characteristics. Also, the influence of data variation on the stability of classification is examined. The dynamic and probabilistic neural networks have been found to be error-free and stable; they have significantly become such a common tool for supervised classification as linear discriminant analysis.      

The crystal structure of Ho<Subscript>4</Subscript>Ni<Subscript>11</Subscript>In<Subscript>20</Subscript>

The polycrystalline Ho₄Ni₁₁In₂₀ was obtained by arc-melting of the elements. The subsequent high temperature procedure was used for single crystal growth. Crystal structure of the compound was investigated by X-ray single crystal method: U₄Ni₁₁Ga₂₀ type, C 2/m, a = 22.4528(17), b = 4.2947(3), c = 16.5587(13) Å, β = 124.591(5)°, R1 = 0.0276, wR2 = 0.0493 for 1989 independent reflections with [I>2σ(I)].The structure is composed of three-dimensional network from Ni and In atoms in which Ho atoms fill distorted pentagonal channels. Open image in new window     

Heterometallic Co(III)(4)Fe(III)(2) Schiff Base Complex: Structure, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, and Alkane Oxidation Catalytic Activity

The heterometallic complex [Co(4)Fe(2)OSae(8)]·4DMF·H(2)O (1) was synthesized by one-pot reaction of cobalt powder with iron chloride in a dimethylformamide solution of salicylidene-2-ethanolamine (H(2)Sae) and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, magnetic measurements, high frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (HF-EPR), and M?ssbauer spectroscopies. The exchange coupling in the Fe(III)-Fe(III) pair is of antiferromagnetic behavior with J/hc = -190 cm(-1). The HF-EPR spectra reveal an unusual pattern with a hardly detectable triplet signal of the Fe(III) dimer. The magnitude of D (ca. 13.9 cm(-1)) was found to be much larger than in related dimers. The catalytic investigations disclosed an outstanding activity of 1 toward oxidation of cycloalkanes with hydrogen peroxide, under mild conditions. The most efficient system showed a turnover number (TON) of 3.57 × 10(3) with the concomitant overall yield of 26% for cyclohexane, and 2.28 × 10(3)/46%, respectively, for cyclooctane. A remarkable turnover frequency (TOF) of 1.12 × 10(4) h(-1) (the highest initial rate W(0) = 3.5 × 10(-4) M s(-1)) was achieved in oxidation of cyclohexane. Kinetic experiments and selectivity parameters led to the conclusion that hydroxyl radicals are active (attacking C-H bonds) species. Kinetic and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) data allowed us to assume that the trinuclear heterometallic particle [Co(2)Fe(Sae)(4)](+), originated from 1 in solution, could be responsible for efficient generation of hydroxyl radicals from hydrogen peroxide.     

Multiwavelength optoacoustic system for noninvasive monitoring of cerebral venous oxygenation: a pilot clinical test in the internal jugular vein

A noninvasive, high-resolution optoacoustic technique is a promising alternative to currently used invasive methods of brain oxygenation monitoring. We present the results of our pilot clinical test of this technique in healthy volunteers. Multiwavelength optoacoustic measurements (with nanosecond optical parametric oscillator as a source of radiation) were performed on the area of the neck overlying the internal jugular vein, a deeply located large vein that drains blood from the brain and from extracranial tissues. Optoacoustic signals induced in venous blood were measured with high resolution and signal-to-noise ratio despite the presence of a thick layer of overlying tissue (up to 10 mm). The characteristic parameters of the signal at different wavelengths correlated well with the spectrum of the effective attenuation coefficient of blood.     

Solid-state acid-base interactions in complexes of heterocyclic bases with dicarboxylic acids: crystallography, hydrogen bond analysis, and 15N NMR spectroscopy

A cancer candidate, compound 1, is a weak base with two heterocyclic basic nitrogens and five hydrogen-bonding functional groups, and is sparingly soluble in water rendering it unsuitable for pharmaceutical development. The crystalline acid-base pairs of 1, collectively termed solid acid-base complexes, provide significant increases in the solubility and bioavailability compared to the free base, 1. Three dicarboxylic acid-base complexes, sesquisuccinate 2, dimalonate 3, and dimaleate 4, show the most favorable physicochemical profiles and are studied in greater detail. The structural analyses of the three complexes using crystal structure and solid-state NMR reveal that the proton-transfer behavior in these organic acid-base complexes vary successively correlating with Delta pKa. As a result, 2 is a neutral complex, 3 is a mixed ionic and zwitterionic complex and 4 is an ionic salt. The addition of the acidic components leads to maximized hydrogen bond interactions forming extended three-dimensional networks. Although structurally similar, the packing arrangements of the three complexes are considerably different due to the presence of multiple functional groups and the flexible backbone of 1. The findings in this study provide insight into the structural characteristics of complexes involving heterocyclic bases and carboxylic acids, and demonstrate that X-ray crystallography and 15N solid-state NMR are truly complementary in elucidating hydrogen bonding interactions and the degree of proton transfer of these complexes.     

Modeling the hydrogen material interaction as parametric instability of the continuum

The hydrogen is contained in any material. Its concentration inside the materials leads to mechanical properties degradation. The two-continuum model of solid allows one to describe the influence of small concentration of hydrogen on the mechanical properties of materials in terms of changing the bonding energy of the second continuum, the latter being responsible for the hydrogen concentration. The application of this model to fatigue task give the hydrogen concentration that are critical for material destruction. Such fatigue destruction has a nature of parametric instability during the cyclic redistribution of the hydrogen under the cyclic loading. (© 2011 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On genera of polyhedra

We consider the stable homotopy category S of polyhedra (finite cell complexes). We say that two polyhedra X,Y are in the same genus and write X ∼ Y if X _p ≅ Y _p for all prime p, where X _p denotes the image of Xin the localized category S _p . We prove that it is equivalent to the stable isomorphism X∨B ₀ ≅Y∨B ₀, where B ₀ is the wedge of all spheres S ⁿ such that π _n ^S (X) is infinite. We also prove that a stable isomorphism X ∨ X ≅ Y ∨ X implies a stable isomorphism X ≅ Y.     

Axisymmetric Fractional Diffusion with Mass Absorption in a Circle under Time-Harmonic Impact

The axisymmetric time-fractional diffusion equation with mass absorption is studied in a circle under the time-harmonic Dirichlet boundary condition. The Caputo derivative of the order 0<α≤2 is used. The investigated equation can be considered as the time-fractional generalization of the bioheat equation and the Klein–Gordon equation. Different formulations of the problem for integer values of the time-derivatives α=1 and α=2 are also discussed. The integral transform technique is employed. The outcomes of numerical calculations are illustrated graphically for different values of the parameters.     

Advanced Architecture of On-Board Multiplex Information Exchange System to Increase Flight Safety

Issues of aviation flight safety conducted with an on-board information exchange system are discussed. The system information analysis method is used. An analysis of in-flight hazard sources and the means of their elimination from the information exchange point of view are carried out including the influence of the information exchange system’s parameters, work algorithm and architecture. The value of information exchange speed on safety in dynamic flight conditions is discussed. A modification of architecture and the information exchange system algorithm are proposed to increase the exchange speed and the whole system’s effectiveness based on parallel processing as well as to enhance the probability of successful elimination of an emergency situation.