Tetraaryldiborane(4) Can Emit Dual Fluorescence Responding to the Structural Change around the B–B Bond

We report the successful synthesis of tetramesityldiborane(4) (Mes₄B₂) through the reductive coupling of a dimesitylborinium ion. Owing to the steric protection conferred by the mesityl groups, Mes₄B₂ shows exceptional chemical stability and remains intact in water. Single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed that Mes₄B₂ has an orthogonal geometry, where the B–B center is completely hidden by the mesityl groups. Remarkably, Mes₄B₂ emits dual fluorescence at 460 and 620 nm, both in solution and in the solid state. Theoretical calculations showed that Mes₄B₂ in the excited S₁ state adopts a twisted or planar geometry, which is responsible for the shorter- or longer-wavelength fluorescence, respectively. The intensity ratio of the dual fluorescence is sensitive to the viscosity of the medium, which suggests that Mes₄B₂ has potential as a ratiometric viscosity sensor.     

Synthesis of C5-symmetric functionalized [60]fullerenes by copper-mediated 5-fold addition of Reformatsky reagents

A variety of Reformatsky reagents were added five times to [60]fullerene in good yield in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of a copper(I) complex. The penta-addition products C60(CH2CO2R)5H (R=Et, t-Bu, CH2CF3, (CH2CH2O)2Et, and CH2CH2CCSiMe3) can then be converted to the corresponding penta-hapto metal complexes. When the R group is a (-)-menthyl group, the corresponding metal complex comprises an organometallic complex with a coordination sphere consisting of a homochiral C5-symmetric environment.     

Stereoselective synthesis of trisubstituted E-iodoalkenes by indium-catalyzed syn-addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to 1-iodoalkynes

Indium-catalyzed addition of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to 1-iodo-1-alkynes takes place exclusively in a syn-fashion to produce E-iodoalkenes. The iodine atom serves both as an activating group and as a group that controls the regioselectivity of the addition. The E-alkenyl iodide product can be further derivatized using either a one-pot or a two-pot procedure into trisubstituted olefins in high overall yield with retention of the stereochemistry.     

Weak cation-exchange restricted-access material for on-line purification of basic drugs in plasma

A methylcellulose-immobilized weak cation-exchange (MC-WCX) silica-based restricted-access material (RAM) was developed. The MC-WCX consists of an MC outer surface and 2-carboxyethyl phase internal surface, allowing for direct analysis of basic drugs in plasma. The retention properties of the MC-WCX were evaluated for sulpiride, quinidine, ranitidine, and desipramine. The MC-WCX retained model drugs by cation-exchange, and retained drugs were eluted with the mobile phase containing small amount of acids or salts compared with the MC strong cation-exchanger (MC-SCX). These results indicated the ease of use of the MC-WCX solid-phase extraction (SPE) column when coupled to a reversed-phase analytical column in column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and various detection principals. Further direct analysis of model drugs in plasma using the MC-WCX SPE column in a column-switching HPLC system successfully performed with sufficient recovery. It is concluded that the MC-WCX is useful for the analysis of basic drugs in plasma.     

Gold Nanoparticle‐Based Redox Signal Enhancement for Sensitive Detection of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Hormone

A sensitive immunosensor for the detection of pregnancy marker, human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (hCG), was developed using the direct electrical detection of Au nanoparticles. We utilized disposable screen‐printed carbon strips (SPCSs) for the development of our immunosensor, which provided cost‐effective tests with the required antigen sample volume as small as 2 μL. After the recognition reaction between the surface‐immobilized primary antibody and hCG, the captured antigen was sandwiched with a secondary antibody that was labeled with Au nanoparticles. Au nanoparticles were exposed to a preoxidation process at 1.2 V for 40 s, which was subsequently followed with a reduction scan on the same surface using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). We could observe Au nanoparticle‐labeled antigen‐antibody complexes immobilized on the surface of SPCS using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the number of Au nanoparticles on the immunosensor was determined using SEM images, and showed a linear relationship with the current intensity obtained from the DPV measurements with a detection limit of 36 pg/mL hCG (612 fM, 3.6×10^?4 IU/mL). Our immunosensor system, a combination of the screen‐printing technology with Au nanoparticles provides a promising biosensor for various applications in life sciences.     

π‐Ruthenium Complexes of Hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1): A Triple‐Decker Complex Bearing Two Ruthenoarene Units

Ruthenium(II) π‐coordination onto [28]hexaphyrins(1.1.1.1.1.1) has been accomplished. Reactions of bis‐Au^III and mono‐Au^III complexes of hexakis(pentafluorophenyl) [28]hexaphyrin with [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ in the presence of NaOAc gave the corresponding π‐ruthenium complexes, in which the [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragment sat on the deprotonated side pyrrole. A similar reaction of the bis‐Pd^II [26]hexaphyrin complex afforded a triple‐decker complex, in which the two [(p‐cymene)Ru]^II fragments sat on both sides of the center of the [26]hexaphyrin framework.     

Development of Divide‐and‐Conquer Density‐Functional Tight‐Binding Method for Theoretical Research on Li‐Ion Battery

The density‐functional tight‐binding (DFTB) method is one of the useful quantum chemical methods, which provides a good balance between accuracy and computational efficiency. In this account, we reviewed the basis of the DFTB method, the linear‐scaling divide‐and‐conquer (DC) technique, as well as the parameterization process. We also provide some refinement, modifications, and extension of the existing parameters that can be applicable for lithium‐ion battery systems. The diffusion constants of common electrolyte molecules and LiTFSA salt in solution have been estimated using DC‐DFTB molecular dynamics simulation with our new parameters. The resulting diffusion constants have good agreement to the experimental diffusion constants.     

5,20‐Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐Substituted Antiaromatic [28]Hexaphyrin and Its Bis‐NiII and Bis‐CuII Complexes

5,20‐Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐[28]hexaphyrin was synthesized by acid catalyzed cross‐condensation of meso‐diaryl‐substituted tripyrrane and ethyl 2‐oxoacetate followed by subsequent oxidation. This hexaphyrin was found to be a stable 28π‐antiaromatic compound with a dumbbell‐like conformation. Upon oxidization with PbO₂, this [28]hexaphyrin was converted into an aromatic [26]hexaphyrin with a rectangular shape bearing two ester groups at the edge side. The [28]hexaphyrin can incorporate two Ni^II or Cu^II metals by using the ester carbonyl groups and three pyrrolic nitrogen atoms to give bis‐Ni^II and bis‐Cu^II complexes with essentially the same dumbbell‐like structure. The antiaromatic properties of the [28]hexaphyrin and its metal complexes have been well characterized.     

Thermodynamic linkage of ion binding and hydration in myofibrillar protein solutions determined from multinuclear spin relaxation studies

The mechanisms for the anionic and cationic interactions with myofibrillar proteins in aqueous solutions were investigated by nuclear magnetic resonance over a wide range of salt concentration. Markedly nonlinear dependeces of the ¹⁷O and ²³Na NMR transverse relaxation rates on salt concentration were analyzed with a thermodynamic linkage model of salt-dependent solubility and hydration (ligand-induced association model), according to Wyman's theory of linked functions. Nonlinear regression analysis of both ¹⁷O and ²³Na NMR data suggested cooperative, reversible binding of hydrated ions to myofibrillar proteins. Both ions and water were found to exchange fast, on the NMR timescale, between the binding sites of the myofibrillar proteins and the aqueous solution. At sodium chloride concentrations higher than about 0.1 grams salt/gram water, ion activities have marked effects upon the NMR relaxation rates of both ions and water. A salt activity model allowed quantitative fitting of the NMR data at high salt concentrations. The effect of neglecting the ion activity in solutions of myofibrillar proteins was also estimated and compared with the ligand-induced, cooperative association model for myofibrillar proteins. The comparison between the ¹⁷O and ²³Na results strongly suggests that water is exchanged as the hydrated ion species between the myofibrillar protein binding sites and the bulk, aqueous solution.     

Polymerizations of butadiene,isoprene, and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene by Gd(OCOCCl3)3–(i-Bu)3Al–Et2AlCl and the cis polymerization mechanism for dienes

Homopolymerizations of butadiene (BD), isoprene (IP), and 2,3-dimethylbutadiene (DMBD) were carried out by a Gd(OCOCCl₃)₃-based catalyst, to investigate the effects of the energy levels of the monomers or the sterical factor of the methyl substituents on the polymerizability and the cis-selectivity of the monomers. The order of the polymerizability at 50°C was as follows: BD (4.5 kg of polymer/(mol of Gd h)) ∼ IP (4.8) > DMBD (0.6). On the other hand, the cis-selectivity of the polymers was as follows: BD (98%) > IP (94%) > DMBD (35%). These results suggest that the terminal BD and IP units are controlled by the cis configuration by the coordination between the penultimate cis-vinylene unit and the catalyst metal, whereas the penultimate DMBD unit unfavorably controls the terminal DMBD unit to the cis-1,4 configuration through the back-biting coordination with difficulty by two methyl substituents compared with the penultimate BD and IP units. The validity of the back-biting coordination was examined by MO calculation with σ-allylnickel complexes. According to the formation energy with respect to the BD–BD diad, the cis–cis form is somewhat preferable to the trans–cis form through the coordination of the penultimate BD unit by ΔE = 0.028 au (ca. 17.6 kcal/mol). © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. A Polym. Chem. 36: 2283–2290, 1998