Electrochemical and Photochemical Conversion of [Ru3Ir(μ 3-H)(CO)13] into [Ru3Ir(μ-H)3(CO)12]

Electrochemical and photochemical properties of the tetrahedral cluster [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] were studied in order to prove whether the previously established thermal conversion of this cluster into the hydrogenated derivative [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] also occurs by means of redox or photochemical activation. Two-electron reduction of [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] results in the loss of CO and concomitant formation of the dianion [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₂]^2–. The latter reduction product is stable in CH₂Cl₂ at low temperatures but becomes partly protonated above 283K into the anion [Ru₃Ir(-H)₂(CO)₁₂]^– by traces of water. The dianion [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₂]^2– is also the product of the electrochemical reduction of [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] accompanied by the loss of H₂. Stepwise deprotonation of [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] with Et₄NOH yields [Ru₃Ir(-H)₂(CO)₁₂]^– and [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₂]^2–. Reverse protonation of the anionic clusters can be achieved, e.g., with trifluoromethylsulfonic acid. Thus, the electrochemical conversion of [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] into [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] is feasible, demanding separate two-electron reduction and protonation steps. Irradiation into the visible absorption band of [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] in hexane does not induce any significant photochemical conversion. Irradiation of this cluster in the presence of CO with _irr>340nm, however, triggers its efficient photofragmentation into reactive unsaturated ruthenium and iridium carbonyl fragments. These fragments are either stabilised by dissolved CO or undergo reclusterification to give homonuclear clusters. Most importantly, in H₂-saturated hexane, [Ru₃Ir( ₃-H)(CO)₁₃] converts selectively into the [Ru₃Ir(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] photoproduct. This conversion is particularly efficient at _irr >340nm.     

Emission of volatile sesquiterpenes and monoterpenes in grapevine genotypes following Plasmopara viticola inoculation in vitro

The grapevine (Vitis vinifera) is one of the most widely cultivated fruit crops globally, and one of its most important diseases in terms of economic losses is downy mildew, caused by Plasmopara viticola. Several wild Vitis species have been found to be resistant to this pathogen and have been used in breeding programs to introduce resistance traits to susceptible cultivars. Plant defense is based on different mechanisms, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a major role in the response to insects and pathogens. Although grapevine resistance mechanisms and the production of secondary metabolites have been widely characterized in resistant genotypes, the emission of VOCs has not yet been investigated following P. viticola inoculation. A Proton Transfer Reaction‐Time of Flight‐Mass Spectrometer (PTR‐ToF‐MS) was used to analyze the VOCs emitted by in vitro‐grown plants of grapevine genotypes with different levels of resistance. Downy mildew inoculation significantly increased the emission of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes by the resistant SO4 and Kober 5BB genotypes, but not by the susceptible V. vinifera Pinot noir. Volatile terpenes were implicated in plant defense responses against pathogens, suggesting that they could play a major role in the resistance against downy mildew by direct toxicity or by inducing grapevine resistance. The grapevine genotypes differed in terms of the VOC emission pattern of both inoculated and uninoculated plants, indicating that PTR‐ToF‐MS could be used to screen hybrids with different levels of downy mildew resistance. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.