Intramolecular Nonbonded Interactions Between Oxygen and Group VIA Elements: An Ab Initio Molecular Orbital and Density Functional Theory Investigation of the Structures of HX—CH2—COOH (X=S,Se, and Te)

Ab initio molecular orbital and density functional methods have been used to study the potential energy surfaces of the substituted acetic acids HX—CH₂—COOH, where X is one of the Group VIA Chalcophiles S, Se, or Te. The various conformers adopted by these compounds provide information regarding the energetic importance of nonbonded and hydrogen bonding interactions involving oxygen atoms with different hybridizations. Density functional and ab initio molecular orbital methods yield similar structural and energetic trends for these compounds. Calculations show that the structure of the lowest-energy conformer of each of these acids has the X—C—C—O backbone substantially twisted from planarity, similar to that previously observed for the corresponding aldehydes, HX—CH₂—CHO. In the twisted acid structures the shortest distance is within about 0.1 Å of the sum of the X and O van der Waals radii, which reduces overcrowding of the lone pairs of electrons on these atoms. In conformers where the heavy atom backbone is planar, one of the distances is significantly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii, and the total molecular energy of these conformers is higher than that of the twisted forms. The variation of X—H vibrational frequencies among conformers reflects the extent of X—H hydrogen bonding, and indicates that formation of this hydrogen bond is not the dominant factor in determining the lowest-energy conformation. When X is oxygen (HO—CH₂—COOH), the lowest-energy conformer is also nonplanar, whereas for the corresponding aldehyde, HO—CH₂—CHO, the lowest-energy conformer is a planar structure with C_S symmetry. The conformational preferences of these simple species provide reference points for inter- and intramolecular interactions in more complex systems of biological interest.     

Synthesis of 17β-hydroxy-1′-H-5α-androst-2-eno[3,2-b]pyrrole and 17β-hydroxy-1′-H-5α-androst-3-eno[3,4-b]pyrrole from O-(2-hydroxyethyl)ketoxime precursors

Pyrrolosteroids such as 17β-hydroxy-1′-H-5α-androst-2-eno[3,2-b]pyrrole ( 1 ) and the novel 17β-hydroxy-1′-H-5α-androst-3-eno[3,4-b]pyrrole ( 12 ) can be synthesized from the corresponding O-(2-hydroxyethyl)ketoxime precursors. In the case of 1 , yields compare favourably with previously reported literature methods.     

Laser-induced surface migration via surface plasmons

A classical model coupling a charged adspecies to a laser-induced surface plasmon is presented. Such coupling can enhance the rate and specify the direction of surface migration. For the particular case of an atomic oxygen ion of charge ?1 adsorbed on aluminum which is exposed to CO₂ laser radiation of intensity 1 W/cm², the velocity of migration (61.3 μm/s) is five orders of magnitude greater than the usual thermal velocities observed at room temperature.     

Tetranuclear and Octanuclear Manganese Carboxylate Clusters: Preparation and Reactivity of (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(9)(H(2)O)] and Synthesis of (NBu(n)(4))(2)[Mn(8)O(4)(O(2)CPh)(12)(Et(2)mal)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] with a "Linked-Butterfly" Structure

The reaction of Mn(O(2)CPh)(2).2H(2)O and PhCO(2)H in EtOH/MeCN with NBu(n)(4)MnO(4) gives (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(9)(H(2)O)] (4) in high yield (85-95%). Complex 4 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with the following unit cell parameters at -129 degrees C: a = 17.394(3) ?, b = 19.040(3) ?, c = 25.660(5) ?, beta = 103.51(1) degrees, V = 8262.7 ?(3), Z = 4; the structure was refined on F to R (R(w)) = 9.11% (9.26%) using 4590 unique reflections with F > 2.33sigma(F). The anion of 4 consists of a [Mn(4)(&mgr;(3)-O)(2)](8+) core with a "butterfly" disposition of four Mn(III) atoms. In addition to seven bridging PhCO(2)(-) groups, there is a chelating PhCO(2)(-) group at one "wingtip" Mn atom and terminal PhCO(2)(-) and H(2)O groups at the other. Complex 4 is an excellent steppingstone to other [Mn(4)O(2)]-containing species. Treatment of 4 with 2,2-diethylmalonate (2 equiv) leads to isolation of (NBu(n)(4))(2)[Mn(8)O(4)(O(2)CPh)(12)(Et(2)mal)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (5) in 45% yield after recrystallization. Complex 5 is mixed-valent (2Mn(II),6Mn(III)) and contains an [Mn(8)O(4)](14+) core that consists of two [Mn(4)O(2)](7+) (Mn(II),3Mn(III)) butterfly units linked together by one of the &mgr;(3)-O(2)(-) ions in each unit bridging to one of the body Mn atoms in the other unit, and thus converting to &mgr;(4)-O(2)(-) modes. The Mn(II) ions are in wingtip positions. The Et(2)mal(2)(-) groups each bridge two wingtip Mn atoms from different butterfly units, providing additional linkage between the halves of the molecule. Complex 5.4CH(2)Cl(2) crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with the following unit cell parameters at -165 degrees C: a = 16.247(5) ?, b = 27.190(8) ?, c = 17.715(5) ?, beta = 113.95(1) degrees, V = 7152.0 ?(3), Z = 4; the structure was refined on F to R (R(w)) = 8.36 (8.61%) using 4133 unique reflections with F > 3sigma(F). The reaction of 4 with 2 equiv of bpy or picolinic acid (picH) yields the known complex Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(7)(bpy)(2) (2), containing Mn(II),3Mn(III), or (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(7)(pic)(2)] (6), containing 4Mn(III). Treatment of 4 with dibenzoylmethane (dbmH, 2 equiv) gives the mono-chelate product (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(8)(dbm)] (7); ligation of a second chelate group requires treatment of 7 with Na(dbm), which yields (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(7)(dbm)(2)] (8). Complexes 7 and 8 both contain a [Mn(4)O(2)](8+) (4Mn(III)) butterfly unit. Complex 7 contains chelating dbm(-) and chelating PhCO(2)(-) at the two wingtip positions, whereas 8 contains two chelating dbm(-) groups at these positions, as in 2 and 6. Complex 7.2CH(2)Cl(2) crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1) with the following unit cell parameters at -170 degrees C: a = 18.169(3) ?, b = 19.678(4) ?, c = 25.036(4) ?, beta = 101.49(1) degrees, V = 8771.7 ?(3), Z = 4; the structure was refined on F to R (R(w)) = 7.36% (7.59%) using 10 782 unique reflections with F > 3sigma(F). Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies have been carried out on powdered samples of complexes 2 and 5 in a 10.0 kG field in the 5.0-320.0 K range. The effective magnetic moment (&mgr;(eff)) for 2 gradually decreases from 8.61 &mgr;(B) per molecule at 320.0 K to 5.71 &mgr;(B) at 13.0 K and then increases slightly to 5.91 &mgr;(B) at 5.0 K. For 5, &mgr;(eff) gradually decreases from 10.54 &mgr;(B) per molecule at 320.0 K to 8.42 &mgr;(B) at 40.0 K, followed by a more rapid decrease to 6.02 &mgr;(B) at 5.0 K. On the basis of the crystal structure of 5 showing the single Mn(II) ion in each [Mn(4)O(2)](7+) subcore to be at a wingtip position, the Mn(II) ion in 2 was concluded to be at a wingtip position also. Employing the reasonable approximation that J(w)(b)(Mn(II)/Mn(III)) = J(w)(b)(Mn(III)/M(III)), where J(w)(b) is the magnetic exchange interaction between wingtip (w) and body (b) Mn ions of the indicated oxidation state, a theoretical chi(M) vs T expression was derived and used to fit the experimental molar magnetic susceptibility (chi(M)) vs T data. The obtained fitting parameters were J(w)(b) = -3.9 cm(-)(1), J(b)(b) = -9.2 cm(-)(1), and g = 1.80. These values suggest a S(T) = (5)/(2) ground state spin for 2, which was confirmed by magnetization vs field measurements in the 0.5-50.0 kG magnetic field range and 2.0-30.0 K temperature range. For complex 5, since the two bonds connecting the two [Mn(4)O(2)](7+) units are Jahn-Teller elongated and weak, it was assumed that complex 5 could be treated, to a first approximation, as consisting of weakly-interacting halves; the magnetic susceptibility data for 5 at temperatures >/=40 K were therefore fit to the same theoretical expression as used for 2, and the fitting parameters were J(w)(b) = -14.0 cm(-)(1) and J(b)(b) = -30.5 cm(-)(1), with g = 1.93 (held constant). These values suggest an S(T) = (5)/(2) ground state spin for each [Mn(4)O(2)](7+) unit of 5, as found for 2. The interactions between the subunits are difficult to incorporate into this model, and the true ground state spin value of the entire Mn(8) anion was therefore determined by magnetization vs field studies, which showed the ground state of 5 to be S(T) = 3. The results of the studies on 2 and 5 are considered with respect to spin frustration effects within the [Mn(4)O(2)](7+) units. Complexes 2 and 5 are EPR-active and -silent, respectively, consistent with their S(T) = (5)/(2) and S(T) = 3 ground states, respectively.     

INDUCED DEACTIVATION OF NAPHTHALENE TRIPLETS BY CIS-PIPERYLENE

Abstract— Interaction of naphthalene triplets with trans -piperylene leads to triplet energy transfer with unit efficiency. When cis -piperylene is used as a quencher of naphthalene triplets, the efficiency of triplet energy transfer is found to be 0–76 ± 004. The rest of the quenching encounters in this case lead to deactivation of naphthalene triplets, without energy transfer.     

A Basis for Orbital Symmetry Rules

The influence of molecular symmetry on reaction rates is examined with an approach in which reactions are viewed as electronic transitions between states of reacants and products (described, in turn by quasiadiabatic potential surface). The moleculer Hamiltonian is used to derive selection rules for these transitions. The complete Hamilatonian has no useful symmetery. Neglect of non-Born-Oppenheimer and spin-orbit terms (and of other angular momentum coupling terms) leads to an apporixmate Hamiltonian and to selection rules which from the basis of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules. This apporch provides an alternative to the adiabatic potantial surfaces, reaction coordinates, and transition state theory used in more familiar discussions of the Woodward-Hoffmann rules. Further, it provides a particulary clear method for discussing violations of these symmetry rules, and for differentiating concerted and nonconcerted reactions.     

THE MECHANISM OF ENERGY TRANSFER FROM POLY-p-BENZOYLPHENYLACETIMIDO-BOVINE SERUM ALBUMIN TO SMALL-MOLECULE QUENCHERS

Abstract— Results of a quantitative photochemical study of poly- p -benzoylphenylacetimido-bovine serum albumin in the presence of small-molecule triplet quenchers are reported. The efficiency of quenching by organic salts containing low triplet energy chromophores is shown to be qualitatively dependent on their predicted association constants to the modified protein. In addition, quenching is inhibited by salts of organic acids which possess high binding affinities for the protein but do not contain chromophores of low triplet energy. Quantitative treatment of the quenching and inhibition data yields results which strongly support the operation of an 'affinity controlled' mechanism for triplet energy transfer from the benzophenone moieties of the modified-bovine serum albumin to quenchers such as α-naphthylacetate and trans -cinnamate.     

On the possible temperatures of a dynamical system

A simpleC*-algebra and a continuous one-parameter automorphism group are constructed such that the set of inverse temperatures at which there exist equilibrium states (i.e., KMS states, or, for =±, ground or ceiling states) is an arbitrary closed subset of IR{±}.With partial support of the National Science Foundation     

Larvicidal and structural studies of some triphenyl- and tricyclohexyltin para-substituted benzoates

Several new triphenyl- and tricyclohexyltin para-substituted benzoates were synthesized. Their structures were characterized by IR and Mössbauer spectroscopies. The structures were determined to be four-coordinated monomers. Larvicidal activities of the new compounds as well as other benzoates were evaluated against the 2nd larval instar of the Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Results from the screening studies indicated that the triphenyltin benzoates were more toxic towards the Ae. aegypti larvae. A quantitative-structure activity relationship was also developed for the An. stephensi larvae.     

Modeling Organic Surfaces with Self-Assembled Monolayers

The interfacial properties of organic materials are of critical importance in many applications, especially the control of wettability, adhesion, tribology, and corrosion. The relationships between the microscopic structure of an organic surface and its macroscopic physical properties are, however, only poorly understood. This short review presents a model system that has the ease of preparation and the structural definition required to provide a firm understanding of interfacial phenomena. Long-chain thiols, HS(CH₂)_nX, adsorb from solution onto gold and form densely packed, oriented monolayers. By varying the terminal functional group, X, of the thiol, organic surfaces can be created having a wide range of structures and properties. More complex systems can be constructed by coadsorbing two or more thiols with different terminal functional groups or with different chain lengths onto a common gold substrate. By these techniques, controlled degrees of disorder can be introduced into model surfaces. We have used these systems to explore the relationships between the microscopic structure of the monolayers on a molecular and supramolecutar scale and their macroscopic properties. Wettability is a macroscopic interfacial property that has proven of particular interest.