Spontaneous trans‐Selective Transfer Hydrogenation of Apolar Boron–Boron Double Bonds

The transfer hydrogenation of N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐supported diborenes with dimethylamine borane proceeds with high selectivity for the trans‐1,2‐dihydrodiboranes. DFT calculations, supported by kinetic studies and deuteration experiments, suggest a stepwise proton‐first‐hydride‐second reaction mechanism via an intermediate μ‐hydrodiboronium dimethylaminoborate ion pair.     

Glycidyl Tosylate: Polymerization of a “Non‐Polymerizable” Monomer permits Universal Post‐Functionalization of Polyethers

Glycidyl tosylate appears to be a non‐polymerizable epoxide when nucleophilic initiators are used because of the excellent leaving group properties of the tosylate. However, using the monomer‐activated mechanism, this unusual monomer can be copolymerized with ethylene oxide (EO) and propylene oxide (PO), respectively, yielding copolymers with 7–25 % incorporated tosylate‐moieties. The microstructure of the copolymers was investigated via in situ ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and the reactivity ratios of the copolymerizations have been determined. Quantitative nucleophilic substitution of the tosylate‐moiety is demonstrated for several examples. This new structure provides access to a library of functionalized polyethers that cannot be synthesized by conventional oxyanionic polymerization.     

Preparation and Characterization of a π-Conjugated Donor–Acceptor System Containing the Strongly Electron-Accepting Tetraphenylborolyl Unit

A novel thiophene-bridged donor–acceptor system was synthesized with a carbazole as donor and a borole as acceptor unit. The borole group was successfully installed via the tin–boron exchange reaction of 1,1-dimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylstannole with 9-(5-(dibromoboryl)thiophen-2-yl)carbazole. The effect of the borole on the optoelectronic properties of the donor–acceptor system was explored by spectroscopic (UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy), electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry) and theoretical (TD-DFT) methods as well as by modifying its structure. The corresponding donor–acceptor compound bearing the widely employed dimesitylboryl acceptor group was also synthesized for comparison.     

First Bis(σ)-borane Complexes of Group 6 Transition Metals: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

A series of bis(σ)-borane complexes of Group 6 transition metals were prepared by direct dihydroborane coordination to the metal center. Reaction of [M(CO)₃(PCy₃)₂] and two dihydroboranes [DurBH₂] and [(Me₃Si)₂NBH₂] (Dur=2,3,5,6-Me₄C₆H) yielded bis(σ)-borane complexes fac-[M(CO)₃(PCy₃){η²-(H₂BR)}] (R=Dur; 1 : M=Cr, 2 : M=W; R=N(SiMe₃)₂; 3 : M=Cr, 4 : M=W). In the case of molybdenum, we have isolated an arene complex ( 5 ) with [DurBH₂] in which the Dur group acts as a η⁶-bound ligand, and with [(Me₃Si)₂NBH₂] a similar bis(σ)-borane complex was isolated, cis,trans-[Mo(CO)₂(PCy₃)₂{η²-(H₂BN(SiMe₃)₂}] ( 6 ), with a different pattern of auxiliary ligands. The complexes were investigated by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, and computational methods. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) calculations demonstrated that the borane complexes may be described as pure bis(σ)-borane complexes rather than elongated or stretched examples given that the calculations do not show the presence of a ring-critical point (RCP) at the ring formed by the interactions of the B−H with metal center.     

Basal Histamine H4 Receptor Activation: Agonist Mimicry by the Diphenylalanine Motif

Histamine H₄ receptor (H₄R) orthologues are G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that exhibit species-dependent basal activity. In contrast to the basally inactive mouse H₄R (mH₄R), human H₄R (hH₄R) shows a high degree of basal activity. We have performed long-timescale molecular dynamics simulations and rigidity analyses on wild-type hH₄R, the experimentally characterized hH₄R variants S179M, F169V, F169V+S179M, F168A, and on mH₄R to investigate the molecular nature of the differential basal activity. H₄R variant-dependent differences between essential motifs of GPCR activation and structural stabilities correlate with experimentally determined basal activities and provide a molecular explanation for the differences in basal activation. Strikingly, during the MD simulations, F169^45.55 dips into the orthosteric binding pocket only in the case of hH₄R, thus adopting the role of an agonist and contributing to the stabilization of the active state. The results shed new light on the molecular mechanism of basal H₄R activation that are of importance for other GPCRs.     

N-Heterocyclic Olefins as Electron Donors in Combination with Triarylborane Acceptors: Synthesis,Optical and Electronic Properties of D–π–A Compounds

N-heterocyclic olefins (NHOs), relatives of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), exhibit high nucleophilicity and soft Lewis basic character. To investigate their π-electron donating ability, NHOs were attached to triarylborane π-acceptors (A) giving donor (D)–π–A compounds 1 – 3 . In addition, an enamine π-donor analogue ( 4 ) was synthesized for comparison. UV–visible absorption studies show a larger red shift for the NHO-containing boranes than for the enamine analogue, a relative of cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbenes (CAACs). Solvent-dependent emission studies indicate that 1 – 4 have moderate intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) behavior. Electrochemical investigations reveal that the NHO-containing boranes have extremely low reversible oxidation potentials (e.g., for 3 , =−0.40 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium, Fc/Fc⁺, in THF). Time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations show that the HOMOs of 1 – 3 are much more destabilized than that of the enamine-containing 4 , which confirms the stronger donating ability of NHOs.     

Hyphenation of capillary high-performance liquid chromatography with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry for nano-scale screening of single-bead combinatorial libraries

This paper focuses on the technical aspects of chemical screening from 384-well plate nano-scale single-bead combinatorial libraries. The analytical technique utilized is a combination of capillary liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The HPLC/MALDI-MS hyphenation is achieved by means of a micro-fraction collector with a peak detection system that automatically collects the peaks onto the MALDI targets for subsequent characterization. Several experimental parameters such as type of 384-well plate, well-plate sealing foils, and a column-switching procedure were investigated using a small test library of nine components. Additionally, the influence of different MALDI matrices, different MALDI targets and sample-spotting techniques on the MALDI detection sensitivity as well as the ruggedness and sample throughput capacity of this technique were studied. Optimum results for the analytes investigated were obtained with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid using on-line mixing of HPLC effluent and matrix solution. To demonstrate the potential of this capillary HPLC/MALDI-TOFMS method, its application to several single-bead libraries was investigated. The instrumental method allowed for the rapid identification and purity assessment of combinatorial libraries with detection limits down to the higher femtomole level using both UV detection and MALDI mass spectrometry.     

Rb2Co3(H2O)2[B4P6O24(OH)2]: Ein Borophosphat mit ‐Tetraeder‐Anionenteilstruktur und Oktaeder‐Trimeren (CoO12(H2O)2)

Rb₂Co₃(H₂O)₂[B₄P₆O₂₄(OH)₂]: A Borophosphate with ‐Tetrahedral Anionic Partial Structure and Trimers of Octahedra (Co O₁₂(H₂O)₂) Rb₂Co₃(H₂O)₂[B₄P₆O₂₄(OH)₂] is formed under mild hydrothermal conditions (T = 165 °C) from mixtures of RbOH_(aq), CoCl₂, H₃BO₃, and H₃PO₄ (molar ratio 1 : 1 : 1 : 2). The crystal structure (orthorhombic system) was solved by X‐ray single crystal methods (space group Pbca, No. 61; R‐values (all data): R1 = 0.0699, wR2 = 0.0878): a = 950.1(1) pm, b = 1227.2(2) pm, c = 2007.4(2) pm; Z = 4. The anionic partial structure consists of tetrahedral [B₄P₆O₂₄(OH)₂^8–] layers, which contain three‐ and nine‐membered rings. Co^II is octahedrally coordinated by oxygen and oxygen and H₂O ligands, respectively (coordination octahedra CoO₆ and CoO₄(H₂O)₂). Three adjacent coordination octahedra are condensed via common edges to form trimeric units (CoO₁₂(H₂O)₂). The oxidation state +2 of cobalt was confirmed by magnetic measurements. The octahedral trimers are quasi‐isolated. No long‐range magnetic ordering occurs down to 2 K. Rb⁺ is disordered over three crystallographically independent sites within channels of the structure running parallel [010]; the coordination sphere of Rb⁺ is formed by nine oxygen species of the tetrahedral layers, one OH group and one H₂O molecule.     

Electron-transfer reduction of selected alcohols with alkalide K, K(15-crown-5)2 via organometallic intermediates

The course of the reaction of alkalide K⁻, K⁺(15-crown-5)₂1 with selected alcohols depends on the kind of alcohol and the mode of substrate delivery. In the case of methanol, potassium methoxide formed initially undergoes destruction at the excess of 1. It results in potassium oxide and methylpotassium. The latter opens the crown ether ring giving potassium tetraethylene glycoxide vinyl ether and methane. A similar course of the process is observed for propanol. Potassium glycidoxide is the main product formed in the reaction of 1 with glycidol. Its oxirane ring is opened at the excess of 1. Organopotassium alkoxides, i.e., potassium potassiomethoxide and dipotassium potassiopropane-1,2-dioxide are intermediate products of this reaction. They react then with the crown ether. Potassium methoxide, potassium enolate of acetaldehyde, dipotassium propane-1,2-dioxide and potassium tetraethylene glycoxide vinyl ether are the final products of this process.