Formation of two isomeric closo-[(eta5-C5H5)FePC2B8H10] phosphadicarbaborane analogues of ferrocene via isolable eta1-bonded complexes of the [7-[(eta5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2]-(eta1-nido-PC2B8H10)] type

The reaction of nido-[7,8,9-PC(2)B(8)H(11)] (1) with [[CpFe(CO)(2)](2)] (Cp=eta(5)-C(5)H(5) (-)) in benzene (reflux, 3 days) gave an eta(1)-bonded complex [7-Fp-(eta(1)-nido-7,8,9,-PC(2)B(8)H(10))] (2; Fp=CpFe(CO)(2); yield 38 %). A similar reaction at elevated temperatures (xylene, reflux 24 h) gave the isomeric complex [7-Fp-(eta(1)-nido-7,9,10-PC(2)B(8)H(10))] (3; yield 28 %) together with the fully sandwiched complexes [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,5-FePC(2)B(8)H(10)] 4 a (yield 30%) and [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,8-FePC(2)B(8)H(10)] 4 b (yield 5%). Compounds 2 and 3 are isolable intermediates along the full eta(5)-complexation pathway of the phosphadicarbaborane cage; their heating (xylene, reflux, 24 h) leads finally to the isolation of compounds 4 a (yields 46 and 52%, respectively) and 4 b (yields 4 and 5%, respectively). Moreover, compound 3 is isolated as a side product from the heating of 2 (yield 10%). The structure of compound 4 a was determined by an X-ray structural analysis and the constitution of all compounds is consistent with the results of mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. Multinuclear ((1)H, (11)B, (31)P, and (13)C), two-dimensional [(11)B-(11)B]-COSY, and (1)H[(11)B(selective)] magnetic resonance measurements led to complete assignments of all resonances and are in excellent agreement with the structures proposed.     

Alginate Properties and Heavy Metal Biosorption by Marine Algae

The physical properties of the alginate component in four different brown seaweeds (Sargassumfluitans, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculo-sus, andLaminaria japonica) were characterized using potentiometric titration,¹³C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), chemical analysis, and viscosity measurements. The heavy metal binding capacities of the corresponding seaweeds were directly proportional to their respective total carboxyl group content, and related to the electronegativity of the elements investigated (Ca, Zn, Cd, Cu, and Pb). The uronic acid composition or sequence of the alginate component did not affect the metal uptake properties of the biosorbents studied here. However, the alginate leaching owing to its solubilization by Na ions was observed to decrease with increasing intrinsic viscosity of the extracted alginate, related to its molecular weight, and with increasing apparent acidic dissociation constant, related to the alginate density inside the biomass.     

Improved synthesis of arachno-6,9-C2B8H14 and its halogenation under electrophilic conditions

A convenient synthesis of arachno-6,9-C₂B₈H₁₄, based on the reduction of nido-5,6-C₂B₈H₁₂ with sodium tetrahydroborate, is reported. Electrophilic halogenation of the former carborane produced a series of 1-X-6,9-C₂B₈H₁₃ (X = Cl, Br and I) derivatives whose constitution was established on the basis of their ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectra.     

Synthetic routes to linear oligo-Tröger's bases

Derivatives of Tr?ger's base (TB) have played important roles in receptor construction due to their rigid V-shape. A new class of these compounds are the oligo-TBs, which can function as cavitands. Herein, we describe both stepwise and one-step (oligomerization) methods suitable for the preparation of linear oligo-TBs.     

Observation of hot-electron pressure in the vibration dynamics of metal nanoparticles

We investigate the vibration dynamics of ellipsoidal silver nanoparticles, using time-resolved optical pump-probe spectroscopy. When excited with femtosecond laser pulses, the particles execute anisotropic shape oscillations. We show that these vibrations are triggered by the thermal expansion of the optically heated particles. The time dependence of the vibrations indicates that this expansion is caused by two mechanisms: The lattice anharmonicity and the extremely large pressure of the hot conduction electrons.     

Enantioseparations of non-benzenoid and oligo-Tröger’s bases by HPLC on Whelk O1 column

The separation of enantiomers of several ‘bis- and tris-Tröger’s bases’ by HPLC on commercially available chiral stationary phase Whelk O1 is described for the first time. The observed structure–enantioselectivity relationships are in agreement with the previously established molecular recognition model. For all ‘bis- and tris-Tröger’s bases’ studied, satisfactory to excellent enantioselectivities were observed.     

Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Fluorinated Porphyrins

Highly functionalized fluorinated porphyrins were synthesized by a convergent strategy. Nucleophilic substitution using fluorinated branched unit and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin afforded highly functionalized fluorinated porphyrin 8 containing 24 fluorinated chains in the peripheral region.     

Yttrium aluminate crystals for slabs

The methods of growing YAG:Nd crystals with a flat interface and YAP:Nd crystals with a sharp conical interface are described. The form of the interface was controlled by the He and H₂O content in the reducing atmosphere composed mainly of Ar and H₂ as well as by axial temperature gradient above the melt level. The crystals of 120–180 mm in length were machined to the high-quality slabs.