Structural and luminescent properties of micro- and nanosized particles of lanthanide terephthalate coordination polymers

Reaction in water between rare earth ions (Ln = Y, La-Tm, except Pm) and the sodium salt of terephthalic acid leads to a family of lanthanide-based coordination polymers of general formula [Ln2(C8H4O4)3(H2O)4] n with Ln = La-Tm or Y. The isostructurality of the compounds with the previously reported Tb-containing polymer is ascertained on the basis of their X-ray powder diffraction diagrams. The coordination water molecules can be reversibly removed without destroying the crystal structure for compounds involving one of the lighter lanthanide ions (La-Eu). For compounds involving one of the heavier lanthanide ions (Tb-Tm) or yttrium, a structural change occurs during the drying process. X-ray diffraction data show this new anhydrous phase corresponding to the linking of pairs of Er(III) ions through mu-carboxylate bridges. Porosity profiles calculated for the anhydrous phases of Tb(III) and Er(III) show the presence of channels with very small sections. The luminescent properties of all the compounds have been recorded and the two most luminescent polymers, namely, the europium- and the terbium-containing ones, have been studied in more detail. Tb(III)-containing compounds display large quantum yields, up to 43%. Polyvinylpyrrolidone nanoparticles doped with [Ln2(C8H4O4)3(H2O)4] n (Ln = Eu, Tb, Er) have also been synthesized and characterized. The encapsulation of the coordination polymers results in somewhat reduced luminescence intensities and lifetime, but the nanoparticles can be dispersed in water and remain unchanged in this medium for more than 20 h.     

A selective synthesis of hydroxyborate anions as novel anchors for zirconocene catalysts

A new family of hydroxytris(pentafluorophenyl)borate anions [B(C6F5)3OH](-) associated with organic and aprotic cations c+ (imidazolium, pyrrolidinium and phosphonium) has been prepared by a general one-pot synthesis that implies the chloride borate analogues [B(C6F5)3Cl](-)[c]+. The [c]+[B(C6F5)3OH](-) salts have been isolated and fully characterized. The borate anion [B(C6F5)3OH](-) has been shown to protonate the Zr-Me bond in the Cp2ZrMe2 complex forming CH4 and the first published example of anionic [Cp2Zr(Me)OB(C6F5)3](-) species. Standard spectroscopic methods demonstrate the covalent character of the Zr metal center and the anionic character of the boron atom. This protonolysis methodology using [B(C6F5)3OH](-) anion affords a new route for the incorporation of a covalently bonded anionic functionality on organometallic complexes. This provides a new way to immobilize transition metal complexes in ionic liquids.     

Approaches to open fullerenes: synthesis and thermal stability of cis-1 bis(isobenzofuran) Diels-Alder adducts of C60

In a quest to form wider openings within the cage of the fullerene C60 through controlled bond-breaking reactions, we have examined the double saturation of adjacent C=C bonds within a six-membered ring of C60. We have investigated the double Diels-Alder cycloaddition of two tethered isobenzofurans to the fullerene C60. We obtained cis-1 adducts in good yields after reacting the methylene- or quinoxaline-tethered bis(isobenzofuran) precursors 2a-k with parent 3,6-dihydro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (3b). The X-ray structure of the methylene-tethered bis(isobenzofuran)-C60 adduct 4b has been obtained; four-eclipsed substituents are held rigidly by the bicyclic addends. The cis-1 bis(isobenzofuran) bisadducts 4b and 4e-j are kinetically far more stable toward thermal retro-Diels-Alder fragmentation than are mono(isobenzofuran) adducts of C60, in solution and in the solid state as determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy or thermogravimetric analysis. A methodology for the reversible solubilization of other fullerene derivatives based on this work is also presented.     

Development and validation of a sensitive and selective method using GC/MS-MS for quantification of 5-fluorouracil in hospital wastewater

Pollution of the environment by pharmaceuticals is a subject of growing scientific and societal concern. However, few quantitative data have been reported concerning hospital wastewater contamination. Among the different molecules used at hospital, antineoplastic drugs appear to be of special interest, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) can be considered as a key compound of this therapeutic class. To monitor this pharmaceutical in hospital wastewater, a highly specific and selective method was developed using gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry after solid-phase extraction. This sensitive method (limit of quantification = 40 ng L⁻¹) was then applied to assess sewage contamination of a middle-size hospital with oncology service located in Paris, France. Native 5-FU was detectable in 12 of the 14 analysed samples. In positive samples, concentration range was measured from 0.09 to 4.0 μg L⁻¹. Finally, a predicting model for the hospital wastewater concentrations is presented, and results of this model are discussed.     

Insight into the reactivity of olefins in the Pauson-Khand reaction

The reactivity of different Co(2)(CO)(6)-acetylene complexes in the Pauson-Khand reaction is strongly dependent on the nature of the olefin. Theoretical calculations at both the DFT and ONIOM levels are concordant with experimental observations and suggest how the olefin-cobalt interactions in the complex could have a major effect on the relative reactivity of the olefins. This study rationalizes for the first time the experimentally observed reactivity differences of cyclohexene, cyclopentene, and norbornene.     

Theoretical Aspects of a Surface Electrode Reaction Coupled with Preceding and Regenerative Chemical Steps: Square‐wave Voltammetry of a Surface CEC’ Mechanism

Large number of lipophilic substances, whose electrochemical transformation takes place from adsorbed state, belong to the class of so‐called “surface‐redox reactions”. Of these, especially important are the enzymatic redox reactions. With the technique named “protein‐film voltammetry” we can get insight into the chemical features of many lipophilic redox enzymes. Electrochemical processes of many redox adsorbates, occurring at a surface of working electrode, are very often coupled with chemical reactions. In this work, we focus on the application of square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) to study the theoretical features of a surface electrode reaction coupled with two chemical steps. The starting electroactive form Ox_(ads) in this mechanism gets initially generated via preceding chemical reaction. After undergoing redox transformation at the working electrode, Ox_(ads) species got additionally regenerated via chemical reaction of electrochemically generated product Red_(ads) with a given substrate Y. The theory of this so‐called surface CEC’ mechanism is presented for the first time under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry. While we present plenty of calculated voltammograms of this complex electrode mechanism, we focus on the effect of rate of regenerative (catalytic) step to simulated voltammograms. We consider both, electrochemical reactions featuring moderate and fast electron transfer. The obtained voltammetric patterns are very specific, having sometime hybrid‐like features of voltammograms as typical for CE, EC and EC’ mechanisms. We give diagnostic criteria to recognize this complex mechanism in SWV, but we also present hints to access the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters relevant to both chemical steps, and the electrochemical reaction, too. Indeed, the results presented in this work can help experimentalists to design proper experiments to study chemical features of important lipophilic systems.     

Square‐wave Voltammetry of Two‐step Surface Electrode Mechanisms Coupled with Chemical Reactions – A Theoretical Overview

Square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) of so‐called “surface redox reactions” is seen as a simple and efficient tool to quantify large number of drugs, physiologically active substances and other important chemicals. It also provides elegant methods to get access to relevant kinetic and thermodynamic parameters related to many lipophilic compounds. Moreover, with this technique we can study activity of various enzymes by exploring the “protein‐film voltammetry” set up. In this work, we focus on theoretical SWV features of four complex surface electrode mechanisms, in which the electron exchange between the working electrode and the studied redox substrate takes place in two successive steps. While we present large number of calculated square‐wave voltammograms, we give hints to recognize particular two‐step surface mechanism, but also to distinguish it from other similar mechanisms. We present plenty of relevant aspects of surface two‐step surface EE, two‐step surface ECE and surface catalytic EEC’ mechanisms. Moreover, we present for the first time a series of theoretical results related to two‐step surface EECrev mechanism (i. e. two‐step surface reaction coupled to follow‐up reversible chemical step). The simulated voltammetric patterns presented in this work can bring relevant aspects to resolve some experimental situations met in voltammetry of many redox enzymes and other important substances whose electrochemical transformation occurs in two‐steps.     

Structure électronique et spectres de resonance paramagnétique électronique des radicaux vinyle et cyclopropyle

Résumé Une méthode de calcul dérivant des théories de champ self-consistant est utilisé pour l'étude des radicaux vinyle et cyclopropyle. L'énergie électronique et les écarts hyperfins dûs aux hydrogènes et au ¹³C ont été évalués en fonction de la géométrie du carbone radicalaire. L'angle C=-H du radical vinyle a été trouvé de l'ordre de 150°. Il est montré que les radicaux vinyle et cyclopropyle ont une structure électronique similaire qui ne peut être totalement expliquée ni par un modèle ni par un modèle classique, chaque radical présentant à la fois les deux caractères.

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A method of calculation derived from self-consistent field theories is used for a study of vinyl and cyclopropyl radicals. Electronic energy, hydrogens and ¹³C hyperfine splittings are evaluated as a function of the carbon geometry. The C=-H bond angle is found to be about 150°. It is shown that vinyl and cyclopropyl radicals have a similar electronic structure which cannot be completely interpreted neither by a classical model nor by a one, each radical presenting both and character.

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Zusammenfassung Nach einer auf dem SCF-Verfahren basierenden Methode werden Elektronenenergie, H- und ¹³C-Hyperfeinaufspaltung in Vinyl- und Cyclopropylradikalen in Abhängigkeit vom Bindungswinkel am berechnet, der sich im ersten Fall zu 150° ergibt. Es zeigt sich, daß die Elektronenstruktur der beiden behandelten Radikale ähnlich ist und daß sie weder durch ein reines - noch ein reines -Modell zu beschreiben ist.

     

Portable single-sided NMR measurements at variable temperatures: Implementation of a thermo-controlled device and application to the heating of bread dough

A temperature control unit was implemented to vary the temperature of samples studied on a commercial Mobile Universal Surface Explorer nuclear magnetic resonance (MOUSE-NMR) apparatus. The device was miniaturized to fit the maximum MOUSE sampling depth (25 mm). It was constituted by a sample holder sandwiched between two heat exchangers placed below and above the sample. Air was chosen as the fluid to control the temperature at the bottom of the sample, at the interface between the NMR probe and the sample holder, in order to gain space. The upper surface of the sample was regulated by the circulation of water inside a second heat exchanger placed above the sample holder. The feasibility of using such a device was demonstrated first on pure water and then on several samples of bread dough with different water contents. For this, T1 relaxation times were measured at various temperatures and depths and were then compared with those acquired with a conventional compact closed-magnet spectrometer. Discussion of results was based on biochemical transformations in bread dough (starch gelatinization and gluten heat denaturation). It was demonstrated that, within a certain water level range, and because of the low magnetic field strength of the MOUSE, a linear relationship could be established between T1 relaxation times and the local temperature in the dough sample.