Facile Ru-H2 heterolytic activation and intramolecular proton transfer assisted by basic N-centers in the ligands

The use of the phosphine PPh2py instead of PPh3 in complexes of the type [Cp*RuH(P)2] enormously alters the kinetic control of the proton-transfer reactions over this compound and its chemical behavior. The reaction at low temperature of [Cp*RuH(PPh2py)2], 2, with HBF4 gives as products the classical dihydride trans-[Cp*RuH2(PPh2py)2](BF4), 3 (1 equiv of HBF4) or the dihydrogen-bonded complex [Cp*RuHH(PPh2pyH)(PPh2py)](BF4)2, 4 (2 equiv of HBF4). These complexes exhibit very accessible intramolecular processes of proton transfer, and finally, a slow release of H2 takes place at room temperature. Derivatives 2 and 3 are active catalysts for the deuterium labeling of H2 using methanol-d4 as an isotopic source. This demonstrates that the release of hydrogen is reversible, that the heterolytic activation of H2 is an easy process, and that acid species participate in the intramolecular proton-transfer processes. These observations are supported by reaction-coordinate calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level that show the existence of a low-energy reaction path that easily transforms the classical trans dihydride complex into the nonclassical cis dihydrogen compound in a reversible way, through the involvement of hydrogen- and dihydrogen-bonded intermediates and the essential participation of the pyridine centers. The different energy minima of this reaction profile are very accessible through low-energy transition states, all of which have been located.     

Application of ICP-OES to the determination of CuIn<Subscript>1−x</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>x</Subscript>Se<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films used as absorber materials in solar cell devices

CuIn_1–xGa_xSe₂ [CIGS; x=Ga/(In+Ga)] thin films are among of the best candidates as absorber materials for solar cell applications. The material quality and main properties of the polycrystalline absorber layer are critically influenced by deviations in the stoichiometry, particularly in the Cu/(In+Ga) atomic ratio. In this work a simple, sensitive and accurate method has been developed for the quantitative determination of these thin films by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The proposed method involves an acid digestion of the samples to achieve the complete solubilization of CIGS, followed by the analytical determination by ICP-OES. A digestion procedure with 50% HNO₃ alone or in the presence of 10% HCl was performed to dissolve those thin films deposited on glass or Mo-coated glass substrates, respectively. Two analytical lines were selected for each element (Cu 324.754 and 327.396 nm, Ga 294.364 and 417.206 nm, In 303.936 and 325.609 nm, Se 196.090 and 203.985 nm, and Mo 202.030 and 379.825 nm) and a study of spectral interferences was performed which showed them to be suitable, since they offered a high sensitivity and no significant inter-element interferences were detected. Detection limits for all elements at the selected lines were found to be appropriate for this kind of application, and the relative standard deviations were lower than 1.5% for all elements with the exception of Se (about 5%). The Cu/(In+Ga) atomic ratios obtained from the application of this method to CIGS thin films were consistent with the study of the structural and morphological properties by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

The structures of 2-(4,5-dihydro-5-aryl-3-isoxazolyl)-1-arylethanone oximes. An unusual behaviour in its 1H-NMR and mass spectra

The reaction of dibenzalacetones substituted on the aromatic ring with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and potassium hydroxide in refluxing ethanol affords several compounds. Herein, we report the structures and spectral properties of several oximes of 2-(4,5-dihydro-5-aryl-3-isoxazolyl)-1-arylethanones 6 . Unusual behaviour on its ¹H-nmr and mass spectra was observed. Single crystal X-ray diffraction was performed on compound 6d to support our structural considerations abouth the title compounds.     

Utilization of a Michael addition: dipolar cycloaddition cascade for the synthesis of (+/-)-cylindricine C

A new approach to the marine alkaloid (+/-)-cylindricine C has been devised. The key element of the synthesis consists of a Michael addition/dipolar cycloaddition cascade between 2,3-bis(phenylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadiene and 9-triisopropylsilanyloxy-non-1-en-5-one oxime. The resulting cycloadduct was converted into (+/-)-cylindricine C by a sequence of reactions including a reductive cyclization, intramolecular enolate alkylation, and conjugate addition to introduce the n-hexyl side chain.     

Triple channel sensing of Pb(II) ions by a simple multiresponsive ferrocene receptor having a 1-deazapurine backbone

A new redox, chromogenic, and fluorescent chemosensor molecule based on a deazapurine ring selectively senses aqueous Pb2+ in acetonitrile over other metal ions examined: redox shift (DeltaE1/2 = 0.15 V of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple), the colorless to orange color change, and an emission change of 620-fold, with an unprecedented detection limit of 2.7 microg L-1. The signal transduction occurs via a reversible CHEF with this inherent quenching metal ion.     

Ferrocene-based small molecules for dual-channel sensing of heavy- and transition-metal cations

The synthesis, electrochemical, optical, and cation-sensing properties of ferrocene-pentakis(phenylthio)benzene dyads, linked through a putative cation-binding 2-azadiene bridge, are presented. Dyad 5 behaves as a highly selective dual-redox and chromogenic chemosensor molecule for Pb(2+) cations; the oxidation redox peak is anodically shifted (DeltaE(1/2) = 125 mV), and the low energy band of the absorption spectrum is red-shifted (Delta lambda = 119 nm) upon complexation with this metal cation. Linear sweep voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical studies revealed that Cu(2+) and Hg(2+) metal cations induced oxidation of the ferrocene unit. The isomeric dyad 7, in which the nitrogen atom and the ferrocene unit are in closer proximity, has shown its ability for sensing both Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) ions; the oxidation redox peak is anodically higher shifted (DeltaE(1/2) = 340 mV), and the low energy band of the absorption spectrum is lower red-shifted (Delta lambda = 61 nm) that those found for dyad 5. The changes in the absorption spectra are accompanied by dramatic color changes which allow the potential for "naked eye" detection. A further exciting property of dyad 7 is that it behaves as an electrochemically induced switchable chemosensor for Pb(2+) and Hg(2+) because of the low metal-ion affinity of the oxidized 7(*+) species for these metal cations. The experimental data and conclusions about the ion-sensing properties are supported by DFT calculations.     

Influence of crystal structure on the Co diffusion behavior in the Zn1−xCoxO system

The solid state interaction of the Zn_1−xCo_xO nominal system is investigated by means of diffusion couples and analysis of co-precipitated samples. The formation of a homogeneous Co:ZnO solid solution is found to be determined by the crystal structure from which Co^II ions diffuse into the wurtzite lattice. No diffusion is observed whenever the CoO rock-salt structure is formed from the Co^II precursor. On the contrary, the diffusion from the Co₃O₄ spinel phase is feasible but has a limited temperature range defined by the reduction at a high temperature of Co^III-Co^II, since this process again leads to the formation of the rock-salt structure. However, when using a highly reactive and homogeneous co-precipitated starting powder, neither the spinel phase nor the rock-salt structure is formed, and a Co^II:ZnO solid solution is obtained, which remains stable up to high temperatures.     

Calibration of the Probing Depth by Total Electron Yield of EXAFS Spectra in Oxide Overlayers (Ta2O5, TiO2, ZrO2)

Calibration of the probing depth by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in oxide materials is intended by measurement of the total electron yield (TEY) of electrons ejected by absorption of the radiation. Measurements have been carried out for three series of electrolytic metal oxide overlayers with different thickness. The experiments have been conducted at the Ti K, Ta L_III and Zr K edges. Analysis of the XAS spectra is carried out by factor analysis and conventional Fourier transformation and fitting analysis. The data showed that the information depth by XAS follows the order ZrO₂>TiO₂>Ta₂O₅ at the Ti K, Ta L_III and Zr K edges. As an alternative, the absorption spectra of the same samples were measured in the conversion electron yield (CEY) mode: i.e. by measuring the current of He⁺ ions produced by the ejected electrons in an atmosphere of He in contact with the sample. Here, the information depth is slightly different from that obtained by TEY. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis of (2′S)‐2′‐Deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylpurine Nucleosides and Their Phosphoramidites

We describe the stereoselective synthesis of (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methyladenosine ( 12 ) and (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylinosine ( 14 ) as well as their corresponding cyanoethyl phosphoramidites 16 and 19 from 6‐O‐(2,6‐dichlorophenyl)inosine as starting material. The methyl group at the 2′‐position was introduced via a Wittig reaction (→ 3 , Scheme 1) followed by a stereoselective oxidation with OsO₄ (→ 4 , Scheme 2). The primary‐alcohol moiety of 4 was tosylated (→ 5 ) and regioselectively reduced with NaBH₄ (→ 6 ). Subsequent reduction of the 2′‐alcohol moiety with Bu₃SnH yielded stereoselectively the corresponding (2′S)‐2′‐deoxy‐2′‐C‐methylnucleoside (→ 8a ).     

Mechanism and Kinetics of the Induction Period in Nitroxide Mediated Thermal Autopolymerizations. Application to the Spontaneous Copolymerization of Styrene and Maleic Anhydride

Recently we reported an experimental and theoretical (simulation) investigation on the mechanism of the induction period and the initial polymerization stages in the nitroxide mediated autopolymerization of styrene. In this paper we extend some of the results presented there and perform preliminary induction period experiments for the study of the mechanism and kinetics of the spontaneous copolymerization of styrene (S) and maleic anhydride (MA) in the presence of TEMPO and 4-OH-TEMPO. With even small amounts of MA (2% wt) the induction period is dramatically reduced by a factor of about 20 in comparison with the nitroxide-mediated styrene autopolymerization at 120 °C. Our results suggest that the initiation mechanism involves a first step of reaction between S and MA. We speculate that this reaction is a Diels-Alder cycloaddition followed by hydrogen abstraction through a monomer or TEMPO assisted homolysis to form a radical pair (monomer case) or a single radical (TEMPO case), which either initiates polymerization or is trapped by TEMPO depending on the conditions. Hall and Padias have studied similar electron donor-acceptor co-monomer pairs and favor the formation of a tetramethylene diradical as the initiating species for spontaneous copolymerization. In any case, the rate-limiting step would be the initial reaction of S and MA. These induction experiments allow us to obtain an initial estimate of the order of magnitude for the kinetic constant of the rate-limiting step, as 10⁻⁶ Lmol⁻¹s⁻¹.