Diol-type ligands as central 'players' in the chemistry of high-spin molecules and single-molecule magnets

The combination of diol-type ligands with paramagnetic transition metal ions has led to the isolation of a host of new homometallic and heterometallic clusters, high-spin molecules and single molecule magnets ranging in nuclearity from two to forty four and with spin ground states as large as S = 61/2. The ligands, whose cluster coordination chemistry is discussed in this article, are 1,3-propanediol and its derivatives, diethanolamine and its derivatives, pyridine-2,6-dimethanol and the gem-diol form of di-2-pyridyl ketone. The structural diversity of the complexes stems from the ability of the ligands to adopt a variety of bridging coordination modes depending on the positions of the two hydroxyl groups in the molecule, the presence/absence of extra donor groups and on the reaction conditions. Examples of 'true' reactivity chemistry involving clusters of diol-type ligands are also given. The activation of pyridine-2,6-dimethanol and di-2-pyridyl ketone by 3d-metal centres towards further reactions seems to be an emergent area of synthetic chemistry.     

Evidence for the formation of the (Ph3P)2Pt complex of 3,7-dimethyltricyclo[3.3.0.03,7]oct-1(5)-ene, the most highly pyramidalized alkene in a homologous series. Isolation and X-ray structure of the product of the ethanol addition to the complex

[reaction: see text] Attempts to isolate the (Ph(3)P)(2)Pt complex of the highly pyramidalized olefin 3,7-dimethyltricyclo[3.3.0.0(3,7)]oct-1(5)-ene 2 by generation of 2 in the presence of (Ph(3)P)(2)PtC(2)H(4), followed by crystallization of the complex (2-Pt) from THF-ethanol, resulted in the isolation of the adduct of 2-Pt with ethanol (5). Calculations confirm that addition of alcohol across the C1-C5 bond is more favorable in 2-Pt than in the corresponding (Ph(3)P)(2)Pt complexes of less pyramidalized olefins, despite the stronger Pt-C bonds in 2-Pt.     

Coupling of sequential injection analysis and capillary electrophoresis - Laser-induced fluorescence via a valve interface for on-line derivatization and analysis of amino acids and peptides

The on-line coupling of sequential injection analysis (SIA) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) via an in-line injection valve is presented. The SIA system is used for automated derivatization of amino acids and peptides. Dichlorotriazinylaminofluorescein serves as the derivatization agent, thus enabling sensitive laser-induced fluorescence detection of the derivatized analytes. The SIA procedure includes the following steps: (a) introduction of reagent and sample zones in a holding coil, (b) sample and reagent mixing in a reaction coil, (c) stop-flow step for increase of the reaction time, and (d) delivery of derivatized sample into the loop of the micro-valve interface. A small portion of the analyte zone is introduced electrokinetically in the separation capillary via the valve interface and CE analysis is performed. Factors affecting the CE separation, such as pH, the borate and sodium dodecyl sulphate concentration of the background electrolyte have been optimized. The derivatization conditions have been studied to obtain a high reaction yield in a relative short time. The transfer of a part of the reaction plug into the loop of the valve interface has been optimized. Using des-Tyr(1)-[Met]-enkephalinamide as test compound, it is demonstrated that after automated derivatization, on-line electrophoretic analysis could be achieved. Glycine has been selected as the internal standard in order to correct for variations in reaction time and filling of the injection loop. For the enkephalin, good reproducibility (RSD<4.5% calculated by the ratio of the peak areas) and linearity (0.5-5 microg mL(-1), R(2)>or=0.994) are obtained with a detection limit of 30 ng mL(-1) (S/N=3).     

A short synthesis of (+) and (−)-falcarinol

A short, practical synthesis of the bis-acetylenic natural product falcarinol 1 is reported. This method relies on the alternate functionalisation of bis-trimethylsilylbutadiyne 10. This may be achieved in one-pot, however, better yields were obtained more conventionally. Lipase mediated enzymatic kinetic resolution of the racemic adduct in an organic solvent afforded (+)-1 in 97% enantiomeric excess. The analogous process performed with racemic 3-acetoxy falcarinol 11 under aqueous conditions gave (−)-1. Oxidation of 1 with Dess-Martin periodinane gave falcarinone 2.     

Thermally stable polymers based on bismaleimides containing amide,imide, and ester linkages

Seven new structurally different bismaleimides were synthesized and characterized by infrared and proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The chain of these polymer precursors was extended by incorporating amidized, imidized, and esterified 4-chloroformyl phthalic anhydride. The bismaleimides containing amide and imide linkages were prepared by a simple synthetic route based on the reaction of the monomaleamic acid derived from various aromatic diamines (1 mol) with 4-chloroformyl phthalic anhydride (0.5 mol) and subsequent cyclodehydration of the intermediate triamic acid. In addition, chain extended bismaleimides were prepared by reacting the monomaleamic acid derived from p-phenylenediamine with several dianhydrides such as p-phenylene bis(trimellitamide anhydride), p-phenylene bis(trimellitate anhydride), and bis-phenol A bis(trimellitate anhydride). The differential thermal analysis scans of bismaleimides showed exotherms at 221–304°C associated with their polymerization reactions. The thermogravimetric analysis traces of polymers did not show a weight loss up to 351–393 and 344–372°C in N₂ and air atmospheres, respectively. The anaerobic char yield of polymers at 800°C was 44–61%. These polymers can be used for fabrication of composites having improved properties.