An algorithm for determining dynamically defined reaction paths (DDRP)

Summary A numerically stable and well-parallelizable curve variational algorithm is described for determining tangent curves of vector fields between two given stationary points. In particular, the method is suitable for finding reaction paths and saddle points on potential energy hypersurfaces (PHS). The stability of the procedure is illustrated by an artificial mathematical function, showing phases of following the reaction on the PHS.Dedicated to Professor Zoltán G. Szabó, the great teacher and scientist in reaction kinetics and in many other fields of physical chemistry, on his 84th birthday.     

Strong 1,4-P-O intramolecular interactions as a source of conformational preferences in alpha-stabilized phosphorus ylides

For the first time, the existence of a strong intramolecular 1,4-interaction between the phosphorus atom and the oxygen atom in alpha-keto-stabilized ylides has been demonstrated by means of theoretical calculations. This interaction has a notable influence on the conformational preferences and rotational barriers of alpha-stabilized phosphorus ylides and bis-ylides.     

Mixed iron cobalt carbonyl sulphides

Two new mixed iron cobalt carbonyl sulphide clusters HFe₂(CO)₉S and Fe₂Co(CO)₈(NO)S have been prepared and characterized. The hydride complex undergoes acidic dissociation in polar solvents and the resulting anion was isolated as (Et₄N)[Fe₂Co(CO)₉S]. An efficient high pressure synthesis has been found for H₂Fe₃(CO)₉S.     

Structural and energetic aspects of the protonation of phenol,catechol, resorcinol,and hydroquinone

The various protonated forms of phenol (1), catechol (2), resorcinol (3), and hydroquinone (4) were explored by ab initio quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-31G(d) levels. Proton affinities (PA) of 1-4 were calculated by the combined G2(MP2,SVP) method, and their gas-phase basicities were estimated after calculation of the change in entropy on protonation. These theoretical data were compared with the corresponding experimental values determined in a high-pressure mass spectrometer. This comparison confirmed that phenols are essentially carbon bases and that protonation generally occurs in a position para to the hydroxyl group. Resorcinol is the most effective base (PA = 856 kJ mol-1) due to the participation of both oxygen atoms in the stabilization of the protonated form. Since protonation is accompanied by a freezing of the two internal rotations, a significant decrease in entropy is observed. The basicity of catechol (PA = 823 kJ mol-1) is due to the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond, which is strengthened upon protonation. The lower basicity of hydroquinone (PA = 808 kJ mol-1) is a consequence of the fact that protonation necessarily occurs in a position ortho to the hydroxyl group. When the previously published data are reconsidered and a corrected protonation entropy is used, a proton affinity value of 820 kJ mol-1 is obtained for phenol.     

The Henicosaphosphide Iodides of Potassium and Rubidium,K4P21I and Rb4P21I

The novel ternary polyphosphides M₄P₂₁I (M = K, Rb) have been synthesized from the elements in single crystalline form, representing further examples for the formation of mixed crystals between simple salts and binary phosphides. They form as ruby‐red platelets and dark‐red prisms, respectively, and are only slightly sensitive to moisture and oxygen. The compounds are isotypic (Ccmm (no 63); Z = 4; oP104; K₄P₂₁I: a = 12.853Å; b = 21.795Å; c = 9.748Å; 1168 hkl, R = 0.033; Rb₄P₂₁I: a = 13.281Å; b = 21.868Å; c = 9.771Å; 777 hkl, R = 0.053) and feature corrugated 2D networks formed from two different types of polymerized P₇ units. The networks form large cavities filled by M⁺ and I^‐ ions. Zigzag chains of condensed trigonal M₆ prisms, centered by the I^‐ anions, separate the polyphosphide nets. The mean homoatomic P‐P bond length (d = 2.216Å) corresponds to a P‐P single bond. However, the individual P‐P distances vary with position and function (2.126 ‐ 2.247Å) and these are compared with those of the isolated P₂₁^‐3 anion.     

Some diels—alder reactions of η1-bonded cyclopentadienylmetal compounds

Bis(cyclopentadienyl)mercury readily undergoes Diels—Alder reactions with RCCR (R = CO₂Me or CF₃), CF₃CFCFCF₃, CF₃CFCF₂, (CF₃)₂CC(CN)₂, C₂(CN)₄ and Ph$\text{NCONNC}$O to give stable adducts characterised by¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C NMR, spectroscopy. Similar reactions of CF₃CCCF₃ and CF₃CFCFCF₃ with the cyclopentadiene derivatives Me₃MC₅H₅ and (Me₃M)₂C₅H₄ (M = Si, Sn) are also described.     

Therapeutic monitoring of imipramine and desipramine by micellar liquid chromatography with direct injection and electrochemical detection

A micellar liquid chromatographic (MLC) procedure was developed for the clinical monitoring of imipramine and its active metabolite, desipramine. The determination of these highly hydrophobic substances was carried out after direct injection of the serum samples using a mobile phase composed of 0.15 m SDS--6% (v/v) pentanol buffered at pH 7, pumped at 1.5 mL/min into a C(18) column (250 x 4.6 mm), and electrochemical detection at 650 mV. Using this MLC method, calibration was linear (r > 0.995) and the limits of detection (ng/mL) were 0.34 and 0.24 for imipramine and desipramine, respectively. Repeatabilities and intermediate precision were tested at three different concentrations in the calibration range and a CV (%) below 2.2 was obtained. In this MLC procedure, the serum is determined without treatment, thus allowing repeated serial injections without changes in retention factors, and reducing the time and consumables required to carry out the pretreatment process. The assay method can be applied to the routine determination of serum imipramine and its metabolite in therapeutic drug monitoring.     

A chemometric study of the simultaneous determination of calcium and magnesium in natural waters

A method for the simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of calcium and magnesium in mineral waters with an FIA system is tested. The method is based on the reaction between the analytes and arsenazo(III) at pH 8.5. The calculations of the amounts of both analytes in the samples are carried out with the H-point standard addition method (HPSAM) for ternary mixtures, and with a partial least squares (PLS) model after a proper variable selection. The results obtained for the determination of calcium were comparable using both methods. The employment of the HPSAM brings to our attention the influence of the calcium concentration in the sample to the development of the reaction between magnesium and arsenazo(III). HPSAM also permits to estimate the concentration of magnesium in the samples.     

Novel approach for asymmetric synthesis of fluorinated beta-amino sulfones and allylic amines

[reaction: see text] Enantiomerically pure gamma-fluoroalkyl beta-amino sulfones are readily synthesized in three steps starting from fluorinated imidoyl chlorides and arylmethyl sulfones. A complementary two-step sequence starting from chiral fluorinated beta-amino sulfoxides has also been developed. To illustrate the application of this procedure, a new method for the synthesis of alpha-fluoroalkyl allylic amines in optically pure form involving a Julia methylenation-desulfonylation reaction is presented.