The short N [bond] F bond in N(2)F(+) and how Pauli repulsion influences bond lengths. Theoretical study of N(2)X(+), NF(3)X(+), and NH(3)X(+) (X [double bond] F, H)

Exceptionally short N [bond] F bond distances of only 1.217 A (crystal) and 1.246 A (gas phase) have been reported for N(2)F(+), making it the shortest N [bond] F bond ever observed. To trace the origin of this structural phenomenon, we have analyzed the model systems N(2)X(+), NF(3)X(+), and NH(3)X(+) (X [double bond] F, H) using generalized gradient approximation density functional theory at BP86/TZ2P. In good agreement with experiment, the computations yield an extremely short N [bond] F bond for N(2)F(+): we find N [bond] F bond distances in N(2)F(+), NF(4)(+), and NH(3)F(+) of 1.245, 1.339, and 1.375 A, respectively. The N [bond] X bonding mechanisms are quantitatively analyzed in the framework of Kohn-Sham MO theory. At variance with the current hypothesis, reduced steric and other Pauli repulsion (of substituents or lone pairs at N with F) rather than the extent of s [bond] p hybridization of N (i.e., sp versus sp(3)) are responsible for the much shorter N [bond] F distance in N(2)F(+) compared to NF(4)(+). The results for our nitrogen compounds are furthermore discussed in the more general context of how bond lengths are determined by both bonding and repulsive orbital interactions.     

One tool to bring them all: Au-catalyzed synthesis of B,O- and B,N-doped PAHs from boronic and borinic acids

The isoelectronic replacement of C C bonds with ⁻B N⁺ bonds in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is a widely used tool to prepare novel optoelectronic materials. Far less well explored are corresponding B,O-doped PAHs, although they have a similarly high application potential. We herein report on the modular synthesis of B,N- and B,O-doped PAHs through the [Au(PPh₃)NTf₂]-catalyzed 6-endo-dig cyclization of BN–H and BO–H bonds across suitably positioned C C bonds in the key step. Readily available, easy-to-handle o-alkynylaryl boronic and borinic acids serve as starting materials, which are either cyclized directly or first converted into the corresponding aminoboranes and then cyclized. The reaction even tolerates bulky mesityl substituents on boron, which later kinetically protect the formed B,N/O-PAHs from hydrolysis or oxidation. Our approach is also applicable for the synthesis of rare doubly B,N/O-doped PAHs. Specifically, we prepared 1,2-B,E-naphthalenes and -anthracenes, 1,5-B₂-2,6-E₂-anthracenes (E = N, O) as well as B,O₂-containing and unprecedented B,N,O-containing phenalenyls. Selected examples of these compounds have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography; their optoelectronic properties have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, electron spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical calculations. Using a new unsubstituted (B,O)₂-perylene as the substrate for late-stage functionalization, we finally show that the introduction of two pinacolatoboryl (Bpin) substituents is possible in high yield and with perfect regioselectivity via an Ir-catalyzed C–H borylation approach.

Singly and doubly B,E-doped PAHs were synthesized using a protocol that starts from easy-to-handle boronic and borinic acids and offers the possibility to choose between the preparation of B,O- and B,N-PAHs in the final reaction step.     

Single crystal EPR studies of the reduced active site of [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F

In the catalytic cycle of [NiFe] hydrogenase the paramagnetic Ni-C intermediate is of key importance, since it is believed to carry the substrate hydrogen, albeit in a yet unknown geometry. Upon illumination at low temperatures, Ni-C is converted to the so-called Ni-L state with markedly different spectroscopic parameters. It is suspected that Ni-L has lost the "substrate hydrogen". In this work, both paramagnetic states have been generated in single crystals obtained from the [NiFe] hydrogenase from Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F. Evaluation of the orientation dependent spectra yielded the magnitudes of the g tensors and their orientations in the crystal axes system for both Ni-C and Ni-L. The g tensors could further be related to the atomic structure by comparison with the X-ray crystallographic structure of the reduced enzyme. Although the g tensor magnitudes of Ni-C and Ni-L are quite different, the orientations of the resulting g tensors are very similar but differ from those obtained earlier for Ni-A and Ni-B (Trofanchuk et al. J. Biol. Inorg. Chem. 2000, 5, 36-44). The g tensors were also calculated by density functional theory (DFT) methods using various structural models of the active site. The calculated g tensor of Ni-C is, concerning magnitudes and orientation, in good agreement with the experimental one for a formal Ni(III) oxidation state with a hydride (H(-)) bridge between the Ni and the Fe atom. Satisfying agreement is obtained for the Ni-L state when a formal Ni(I) oxidation state is assumed for this species with a proton (H(+)) removed from the bridge between the nickel and the iron atom.     

Photoelektronen-Spektren und Moleküleigenschaften. 133 [1, 2]. Trifluormethyldisulfan und Derivate F3CSSX (X  CF3, F,Cl, Br)

Photoelectron Spectra and Molecular Properties. 133. Trifluoromethyldisulfane and Derivates F₃CSSX (X?CF₃, F, Cl, Br) The He(I) photoelectron spectra of trifluoromethyldisulfane F₃CSSH and its derivatives F₃CSSX (X?CF₃, F, Cl, Br) are assigned by Koopmans correlations, IE = ?ε, with MNDO eigenvalues and by radical cation state comparison. Of special interest are the n/n splittings, which amount to 1.15 eV F₃C? SS? F or 0.87 eV in F₃? SS? Cl, and the dependance of which on the dihedral angle ω(XS? SX), on the SS bond length and on the acceptor effect of the F₃C substituents is discussed.     

EXAFS Spectroscopy of the Alkoxide Precursor Zr(O n Bu)4 and its Modification in Solution

Summary. The molecular structure of the transition metal alkoxide Zr(OⁿBu)₄ in toluene and its modification by addition of i-propanol, tetrahydrofurane, and the coordinating ligand pentane-1,3-dione (Hacac) were investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Zr(OⁿBu)₄ dissolved in toluene forms dimers. It was proved that cluster size is a function of the number of added equivalents ligand. In contrast, the addition of i-propanol or tetrahydrofurane caused no structural changes observable by EXAFS spectroscopy. A detailed discussion of the structural models is given in terms of possible alternatives and errors within the EXAFS analysis.     

Simultaneous determination of capecitabine and its metabolite 5-fluorouracil by column switching and liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometry

A liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric method was developed and validated for the quantitation of capecitabine and its metabolite 5-fluorouracil in human plasma. The simultaneous determination of both analytes was achieved by a column switching method using a trapping column and two analytical columns with different stationary phases. Isocratic elution was used for the separation of capecitabine on a C18 column whereas 5-fluorouracil was separated using gradient elution on an non-polar carbon phase. The calibration curves were linear for both compounds with a correlation factor (R2) > 0.9993 for 5-fluorouracil and >0.9942 for capecitabine. The assay was validated in the concentration range 5.00-1000 ng ml(-1) for both compounds. The intra-day precision was better than 10% for 5-fluorouracil and better than 11% for capecitabine whereas the inter-day precision was better than 8% for 5-fluorouracil and better than 14% for capecitabine.     

Novel titanocene anti-cancer drugs derived from fulvenes and titanium dichloride

Starting from 6-(p−N,N-dimethylanilinyl)fulvene (1a) or 6-(pentamethylphenyl)fulvene (1b) [1,2-di(cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-di(p−N,N-dimethylaminophenyl)ethanediyl] titanium dichloride (2a) and [1,2-di(cyclopentadienyl)-1,2-bis(pentamethylphenyl)ethanediyl] titanium dichloride (2b) and their corresponding dithiocyanato complexes (3a, 3b) were synthesized. Titanocene 2b did not show a cytotoxic effect, but when 2a was tested against pig kidney carcinoma cells (LLC-PK) or human ovarian carcinoma cells (A2780/cp70) inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 2.7 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.9 ×  10⁻⁴ M, respectively, were observed.     

Hg3AlF6O2H,a structure with a short interpolyhedral O⋯O distance

The crystal structure of Hg₃AlF₆O₂H, trimercury(II) alu­minium hydrogen hexafluoride dioxide, can be derived from a slightly distorted cubic close‐packed (ccp) arrangement of the metal atoms, where three quarters of the positions are occupied by Hg atoms and one quarter by Al atoms. The F and O atoms are considerably dislocated from the tetrahedral voids of this arrangement, thus forming [HgO₂F₆] polyhedra, with two short Hg—O distances, two intermediate Hg—F distances and four longer Hg—F distances, and nearly ideal [AlF₆] octahedra. The H atoms are presumably located close to the inversion centre. Their positions were derived from crystal chemical arguments, and they take part in the formation of O—H?O hydrogen bonds between two O atoms, with an O?O distance of 2.562 (9) Å.     

Intercalation materials for lithium rechargeable batteries

An overview is given of intercalation materials for both the negative and the positive electrodes of lithium batteries, including the results of our own research. As well as lithium metal as a negative electrode, we consider insertion materials based on aluminium alloys. In the case of the positive electrode metal-oxides based on manganese, nickel and cobalt are discussed. Received: 27 May 1997 / Accepted: 30 July 1997