Asymmetric multicomponent reactions (AMCRs): the new frontier

Asymmetric multicomponent reactions involve the preparation of chiral compounds by the reaction of three or more reagents added simultaneously. This kind of addition and reaction has some advantages over classic divergent reaction strategies, such as lower costs, time, and energy, as well as environmentally friendlier aspects. All these advantages, together with the high level of stereoselectivity attained in some of these reactions, will force chemists in industry as in academia to adopt this new strategy of synthesis, or at least to consider it as a viable option. The positive aspects as well as the drawbacks of this strategy are discussed in this Review.     

Synthesis, solid-state structure, and bonding analysis of the beryllocenes [Be(C5Me4H)2], [Be(C5Me5)2], and [Be(C5Me5)(C5Me4H)

The beryllocenes [Be(C(5)Me(4)H)(2)] (1), [Be(C(5)Me(5))(2)] (2), and [Be(C(5)Me(5))(C(5)Me(4)H)] (3) have been prepared from BeCl(2) and the appropriate KCp' reagent in toluene/diethyl ether solvent mixtures. The synthesis of 1 is facile (20 degrees C, overnight), but generation of decamethylberyllocene 2 demands high temperatures (ca. 115 degrees C) and extended reaction times (3-4 days). The mixed-ring beryllocene 3 is obtained when the known [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))BeCl] is allowed to react with K[C(5)Me(4)H], once more under somewhat forcing conditions (115 degrees C, 36 h). The structures of the three metallocenes have been determined by low-temperature X-ray studies. Both 1 and 3 present eta5/eta1 geometries of the slip-sandwich type, whereas 2 exhibits an almost regular, ferrocene-like, sandwich structure. In the mixed-ring compound 3, C(5)Me(5) is centrally bound to beryllium and the eta(1)-C(5)Me(4)H ring bonds to the metal through the unique CH carbon atom. This is also the binding mode of the eta(1)-ring of 1. To analyze the nature of the bonding in these molecules, theoretical calculations at different levels of theory have been performed on compounds 2 and 3, and a comparison with the bonding in [Be(C(5)H(5))(2)] has been made. As for the latter molecule, energy differences between the eta5/eta5 and the eta5/eta1 structures of 2 are very small, being of the order of a few kcal mol(-1). Constrained space orbital variations (CSOV) calculations show that the covalent character in the bonding is larger for [Be(C(5)Me(5))(2)] than for [Be(C(5)H(5))(2)] due to larger charge delocalization and to increased polarizability of the C(5)Me(5) fragment.     

Rapid and sensitive method for determining free amino acids in honey by gas chromatography with flame ionization or mass spectrometric detection

This paper describes a rapid, sensitive and specific method for determination of free amino acids in honey involving a new reaction of derivatization and gas chromatography (GC) with flame ionization (FID) and mass spectrometric (MS) detection. The method allows the determination of 22 free amino acids in honey samples in a short time: 8 and 5 min for GC-FID and GC-MS, respectively. Quantitation was performed using Norvaline as internal standard, with detection limits ranging between 0.112 and 1.795 mg/L by GC-FID and between 0.001 and 0.291 mg/L by GC-MS in the selected-ion monitoring mode. The method was validated and applied to a set of 74 honey samples belonging to four different botanical origins: eucaliptus, rosemary, orange and heather. The statistical treatment of data shows a correct classification of different origins over 90%.     

NO Release from trans-[Ru(NH3)4L(NO)]3+ Complexes Upon Reduction (L = 1-Methylimidazole or Benzoimidazole)

The synthesis, characterization and reactivity of trans-[Ru(NH₃)₄(L)NO](PF₆)₃(L = benzoimidazole or 1-methylimidazole in trans position to NO) are presented. ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy data indicate that the benzoimidazole and 1-methylimidazole ligands are coordinated to Ru^II through carbon and nitrogen, respectively. The nitrosyl stretching frequencies [(NO) > 1900 cm^–1] suggest that the coordinated nitrosyl has substantial NO⁺ character. The complexes undergo a single-electron reduction (E ⁰–0.245 versus NHE), which involves the coordinated nitrosyl. Dissociation of NO in the reduced species is facilitated by the 1-methylimidazole ligand, which is not observed for the benzoimidazole species. The complex with 1-methylimidazole does not suffer hydroxide attack on the NO⁺, at least at pH values lower than 11.     

Solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy for the determination of acetylsalicylic acid in powdered pharmaceutical samples

A rapid, simple and rugged procedure without requiring any prior sample treatment was developed for the determination of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in tablets formulations by solid-phase fluorescence spectroscopy. The method was carried out on powdered samples, consisting of an active substance dispersed in lactose, maize starch, talc and magnesium stearate. Previous knowledge of the sample bulk composition is needed for proper application of the method. Wavelengths for maximum excitation and emission were 288 and 318 nm, respectively, and the fluorescence intensity was linear with ASA concentration within the 50-170 mg g⁻¹ range. Detection and quantification limits were 2.2 and 7.3 mg g⁻¹, and the analytical frequency was 200 h⁻¹. For a typical sample, the relative standard deviation of results was estimated as 2.3% (n = 10). Accuracy was assessed by comparing the analytical results obtained with the proposed method with those related to a reference method recommended by British Pharmacopoeia: no differences between the methods were found at the 95% confidence level.     

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of New Lead(II) Thiosaccharinates. Molecular Structure of Bis(thiosaccharinato)tetrakis(pyridine)dilead(II) and Thiosaccharinato‐bis(1,10‐phenantroline)lead(II) Thiosaccharinate

Four new lead(II) thiosaccharinate complexes: [Pb(tsac)₂H₂O] (1) (tsac: thiosaccharinate anion), [Pb₂(tsac)₄(py)₄] (2) (py: pyridine), [Pb(tsac)(o‐phen)₂](tsac)·CH₃CN (3) (o‐phen: 1,10‐phenantroline), and [Pb(tsac)₂(bipy)] (4) (bipy: 2,2′‐bipyridine) were prepared. The infrared and electronic spectra as well as the thermal analysis of all the compounds were recorded and discussed. The thiosaccharinate anion acts in three different coordination forms, one of then reported for the first time. The crystal structures of complexes 2 and 3 have been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffractometry. In complex 2 , two monomeric moieties are joined together forming a symmetric bis‐μ‐sulphur bridged dimer by interaction of two lead(II) atoms through the exocyclic sulphur atoms of two thiosaccharinate ligands. The seven‐fold coordination sphere of each lead atom is completed by two pyridine nitrogen atoms and by another sulfur and two nitrogen atoms of the thiosaccharinate anions. In complex 3 , the lead(II) atom is coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of two 1,10‐phenantroline molecules and by the sulfur and nitrogen atoms of one thiosaccharinate ion. The second anion has an electrostatic interaction with the nucleus.     

31P{1H}-n.m.r. as a tool for identification of ruthenium isomers containing PPh3 or 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane ligands. X-ray structures of the cis-{RuCl2(PPh3)2 [4,4′-(-X)2-2,2′-bipy]} complexes [X=-H, -Me, -SMe and (-Cl, -Me)]

A series of cis-{RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂[4,4-(X)₂-2,2-bipy]} [cis-chlorines; X=-H, -Me, -SMe, and (-Cl,-Me)] complexes have had their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The geometry of these complexes, also determined in CH₂Cl₂ solution by ³¹P{¹H}-n.m.r. spectroscopy, showed that the chemical shifts for the phosphorus atoms are slightly dependent on the pKa of the 4,4-(-X)₂-2,2-bipy ligands.     

Titanium as a chemical modifier for the determination of cobalt in marine sediments

The determination of cobalt in marine sediments by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was studied using no modifier and magnesium and titanium as modifiers. Titanium is one of the major sediment constituents, which widely affects the cobalt determination and it was studied as a chemical modifier since it was the only concomitant that increased the cobalt signal in the concentration range usually found in sediments. The performance of Mg and Ti as chemical modifiers was compared relative to maximum pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, linear calibration range, sensitivity and matrix effects. The pyrolysis curves showed that the analyte could be stabilized up to 1400 °C when either Ti or Mg(NO₃)₂ was present, while only 1000 °C could be used in the absence of a modifier. The optimum atomization temperature was 2500 °C in all cases. Analytical curves were compared using no modifier, 5 μg Ti and 100 μg Mg(NO₃)₂ as modifiers, and the linear range found was up to approximately 4 ng Co whether a modifier was used or not. With Ti as a chemical modifier, analytical curves for cobalt in aqueous solution and in a synthetic matrix resulted in the same sensitivity (m₀=55 pg), whereas the use of Mg led to characteristic mass values of 59 and 72 pg in aqueous solution and in a synthetic matrix, respectively, showing some matrix effect. The detection limits (3σ, n=10) were 0.4 μg g⁻¹ using no modifier and 0.3 μg g⁻¹ with Ti as a modifier in the original matrix. A reference estuarine sediment NIST 1646 with a non-certified content of 10.5 μg g⁻¹ Co was analyzed and the found value of 10.9±2.4 μg g⁻¹, (n=3), using Ti as chemical modifier and calibration against aqueous standards, was in good agreement with the recommended value.     

EPR spectroscopy on irradiated nickel tetracyanide in NaCl host lattice: mechanism for the simultaneous formation of reduced and oxidized species

The kinetics of oxidized and reduced Ni²⁺ complexes produced by X-ray irradiation on single crystals of NaCl doped with [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ is studied by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance at room temperature. The interdependent generation of these two complexes is attributed to migration of the charge compensating vacancy from the reduced to the oxidized complex in a reversible reaction. At higher X-ray doses, there is a predominant formation of the reduced complex.