Conformational flexibility of L-alanine zwitterion determines shapes of Raman and Raman optical activity spectral bands

Detailed analysis of Raman and Raman optical activity (ROA) of L-alanine zwitterion (ALAZW) revealed that shapes of the spectral bands are to a large extent determined by the rotation of the NH(3)(+), CO(2)(-), and CH(3) groups. Aqueous solution ALAZW spectra were measured down to 100 cm(-1) and compared to complex simulations based on ab initio (B3LYP/CPCM/6-31++G**) computations of molecular energies and spectral parameters. The bands exhibit different sensitivities to the motion of the rotating group; typically, for more susceptible bands the Raman signal becomes broader and the ROA intensity decreases. When these dynamical factors are taken into account in Boltzmann averaging of conformer contributions, simulated spectra not only better agree with the experiment, but shapes of the rotational potentials can be estimated. Effects of the molecular flexibility could be also demonstrated on differences in Raman spectra of the solution, crystalline, and glass (gellike) solid states of ALAZW. Experimental Raman and ROA spectra of four model dipeptides of different rigidities (Ala-Pro, Pro-Ala, Pro-Gly, and Gly-Pro) indicate that the broadening of spectral lines can be used as a general site-specific indicator of molecular rigidity or flexibility.     

IMEP-24 analysis of eight trace elements in toys

The International Measurement Evaluation Program (IMEP) organized the IMEP-24 interlaboratory comparison after reports in the media about high levels of lead in toys. The aim of this comparison was to verify the laboratories’ capacity to evaluate trace-element levels in a possible toy-like material according to the European Standard EN 71-3:1994. As test material, it used a former certified reference material containing levels of antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, mercury, lead and selenium around the limits set in the standard.Four expert laboratories confirmed the reference values (Xref) for all elements but Hg, and established a reference value for Hg. The scatter of the results reported by the participants was large, as expected, but showed a close to normal distribution around the reference values for five of the eight trace elements. The spread of results was mainly attributed to sampling and sample preparation.One major issue observed in this exercise was the lack of legislative rules about how to report the result, or, more specifically, the use of the analytical correction, which was introduced in EN 71-3:1994 to achieve consistent interpretation of results and which is to be applied when values are equal to or above the maximum limits set in the standard. Its application by the participants was very inconsistent and led to problems in their evaluation. There is clearly a need for clarification and for more formal regulations with regard to result reporting in order to minimize the risk of confusion.Participants were also asked to give their opinion with regard to the acceptability of the test material for the market. The majority correctly considered the material as non-compliant. However, almost one-third incorrectly assessed the material as compliant.     

Electronic Transitions in Conformationally Controlled Peralkylated Hexasilanes

The photophysical properties of oligosilanes show unique conformational dependence due to σ‐electron delocalization. The excited states of the SAS, AAS, and AEA conformations of peralkylated n‐hexasilanes, in which the SiSiSiSi dihedral angles are controlled into a syn (S), anti (A), or eclipsed (E) conformation, were investigated by using UV absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and linear dichroism spectroscopy. Simultaneous Gaussian fitting of all three spectra identified a minimal set of transitions and the wavenumbers, oscillator strengths, and MCD B terms in all three compounds. The results compare well with those obtained by using the symmetry‐adapted‐cluster configuration interaction method and almost as well with those obtained by time‐dependent density functional theory with the PBE0 functional. The conformational dependence of the transition energies and other properties of free‐chain permethylated n‐hexasilane, n‐Si₆Me₁₄, was also examined as a function of dihedral angles, and the striking effects found were attributed to avoided crossings between configurations of σσ* and σπ* character.     

Alternative syntheses and X-ray diffraction analyses of the parent tricarbaborane compounds [nido-7,8,9-C3B8H11], [nido-7,8,10-C3B8H11] and [1-(η-C5H5)-closo-1,2,4,10-FeC3B8H11]

Reaction of the neutral tricarbaborane nido-7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₂ (1) with triethylamine in CH₂Cl₂ led to quantitative deprotonation and isolation of the corresponding Et₃NH⁺ salt of the [nido-7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻ anion (2). This was converted into PSH⁺ and Me₄N⁺ salts via metathetic cation exchange. Heating of the solid Me₄N⁺[7,8,9-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻ in mineral oil at 350 °C for 2 h resulted in thermal rearrangement and isolation of the cage isomeric compound Me₄N⁺[7,8,10-C₃B₈H₁₁]⁻. Finally, compound 1 was directly complexed via reaction with [CpFe(CO)₂]₂ (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅) to generate the ferratricarbollide sandwich [1-Cp-closo-1,2,4,10-FeC₃B₈H₁₁] (4) in 60% yield. The structures of all the generic compounds of tricarbollide chemistry, 1 (PSH⁺ salt), 2 (MePPh₃⁺salt), and 4, were established unambiguously by an X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Role of reaction atmosphere in preparation of potassium tantalate through sol–gel method

Potassium tantalate (KT) thin films and powders of both K₂Ta₂O₆ (KT pyrochlore) and KTaO₃ (KT perovskite) structures were prepared by means of chemical solution deposition method using Si(111) with ZnO and MgO buffer layers as a substrate. The influence of reaction atmosphere on reaction pathway and phase composition for both KT powders, and KT thin films has been studied mainly by means of powder diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. When an oxygen flow instead of static air atmosphere has been used the process of pyrolysis in oxygen runs over much narrower temperature interval (200–300 °C), relatively to air atmosphere (200–600 °C) and almost no (in case of powders), or no (in case of thin films) pyrochlore intermediate phase has been detected in comparison with treatment in air, where the pyrochlore phase is stable at temperatures 500–600 °C (powders). KT perovskite phase starts to crystallize at temperatures 50° and 150 °C lower compared to air atmosphere in case of powders and thin films, respectively. Microstructure formed by near-columnar grains and small grains of equiaxed shape was observed in films treated in oxygen and air atmosphere, respectively.     

Umlagerungsreaktionen von (2′-Propinyl)cyclohexadienolen und -semibenzolen

Rearrangements of (2′-Propinyl)cyclohexadienols and -semibenzenes The acid-catalyzed dienol-benzene rearrangement of 3- and 5-methyl-substituted (2′-propinyl)cyclohexadienols has been investigated. Treatment of the dienols with CF₃COOH in CCl₄ yields allenyl- and (2′-propinyl)benzenes via [3,4]- and [1,2]-sigmatropic rearrangements, respectively. The reaction with H₂SO₄ in Et₂O leeds to a mixture of allenyl-, 2′-propinyl-, 3′-butinyl- and (2′,3′-butadienyl)benzenes (Scheme 3). The latter are products of a thermal semibenzene-benzene rearrangement (cf. Scheme 9). The corresponding semibenzenes have been prepared by dehydration of the cyclohexadienols with H₂SO₄ or POCl₃ (Schemes 6 and 7). Under acidic conditions, the p-(2′-propinyl)semibenzenes 33–35 (Scheme 8) undergo [3,4]- and [1,2]-sigmatropic rearrangements to give again allenyl- and (2′-propinyl)benzenes, whereas the thermal rearrangements to the 3′-butinyl- and (2′,3′-butadienyl)benzenes (Scheme 9) involves a radical mechanism. In contrast, the o-(2′-propinyl)semibenzene b (Scheme 7) leads to (2′,3′-butadienyl)benzene 32 via a thermal [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement.     

Helicenes Built from Silacyclopentadienes via Ring‐by‐Ring Knitting of the Helical Framework

Despite the apparent diversity of the protocols developed for the synthesis of helicenes, they essentially follow the same strategy: the closure of one, or several, internal rings in a key step. Herein, we report the synthesis of a new family of the heterohelicenes consisting of fused silacyclopentadiene rings formed via a facile and novel process. The treatment of oligo(alkynilydenesilylene) precursors of type H₂C=CH?(SiMe₂?C≡C)_n?R (n=3–7), bearing a vinyl group on the terminal silicon atom, with 9‐borabicyclononane leads first to 1,2‐hydroboration of the terminal double bond which then continues with a cascade of intramolecular 1,1‐carboboration reactions accompanied with the closure of a new silole ring after each step affording the target silahelicenes with, currently, up to seven condensed silole rings and with excellent yields. According XRD analysis, the seven fused silole rings of the heptacyclic compound 11 b form an almost complete turn of a helix. The presented one‐pot sequence of reactions is the first example of ring‐by‐ring knitting of a helical framework starting from easily available linear precursors.     

Investigating the spectrum of biological activity of substituted quinoline-2-carboxamides and their isosteres

In this study, a series of thirty-five substituted quinoline-2-carboxamides and thirty-three substituted naphthalene-2-carboxamides were prepared and characterized. They were tested for their activity related to the inhibition of photosynthetic electron transport (PET) in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) chloroplasts. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized compounds was also performed against four mycobacterial species. N-Cycloheptylquinoline-2-carboxamide, N-cyclohexylquinoline-2-carboxamide and N-(2-phenylethyl)quinoline-2-carboxamide showed higher activity against M. tuberculosis than the standards isoniazid or pyrazinamide and 2-(pyrrolidin-1-ylcarbonyl)quinoline and 1-(2-naphthoyl)pyrrolidine expressed higher activity against M. kansasii and M. avium paratuberculosis than the standards isoniazid or pyrazinamide. The most effective antimycobacterial compounds demonstrated insignificant toxicity against the human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cell line. The PET-inhibiting activity expressed by IC(50) value of the most active compound N-benzyl-2-naphthamide was 7.5 μmol/L. For all compounds, the structure-activity relationships are discussed.     

Preparation of quaternary pyridinium salts as possible proton conductors

On basis of earlier experimental experience, the transfer of protons in salts of the organic cation-inorganic anion type occurs primarily through directional arrangement of the anion-anion type short hydrogen bonds. The submitted work presents the preparation of quaternary pyridinium salts of inorganic hydrogen anions in the absence of solvent molecules in their crystal structure. These substances can form only the above-described anion-anion type hydrogen bonds; in addition, the absence of solvate anions increases the stability of the prepared compounds. A total of six substituted pyridinium salts were prepared, four of which have not been described yet: 1,2,4,6-tetraphenylpyridinium perchlorate, 1-benzyl-2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium perchlorate, 1,4-dimethylpyridinium hydrogen sulphate, 1,4-dimethylpyridinium dihydrogen phosphate, 1,4-dimethylpyridinium hydrogen sulphate, and 1,2-dimethyl-5-ethylpyridinium dihydrogen phosphate. Three of these substances were characterised by X-ray structural analysis: 1,2,4,6-tetraphenylpyridinium perchlorate crystallises in the orthorhombic system, space group Pbca; 1-benzyl-2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium perchlorate crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c; and 1,4-dimethylpyridinium dihydrogen phosphate crystallises in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c. This structure contains an oriented anion network bond by short anion-anion type hydrogen bonds with the donor acceptor lengths of 2.567(3) Å and 2.557(3) Å and thus fulfils the requirements of a good proton conductor.