The strength of the σ-, π- and δ-bonds in Re2Cl 8 2−

The geometry of Re₂Cl₈²⁻ has been optimized for the eclipsed (D _4h ) equilibrium conformation and for the staggered (D _4d ) conformation at BP86/TZ2P. The nature of the Re–Re bond which has a formal bond order four has been studied with an energy decomposition analysis (EDA). The EDA investigation indicates that the contribution of the b ₂ (δ _xy ) orbitals to the Re–Re bond in the ground state is negligibly small. The vertical excitation of one and two electrons from the bonding δ orbital into the antibonding δ* orbitals yielding the singly and doubly excited states and gives a destabilization of 17.5 and 36.1 kcal/mol, respectively, which is nearly the same as the total excitation energies. The preference for the D _4h geometry with eclipsing Re–Cl bonds is explained in terms of hyperconjugation rather than δ bonding. This is supported by the calculation of the triply bonded Re₂Cl₈ which also has an eclipsed energy minimum structure. The calculations also suggest that the Re–Re triple bond in Re₂Cl₈ is stronger than the Re–Re quadruple bond in Re₂Cl₈²⁻. A negligible contribution of the δ orbital to the metal–metal bond strength is also calculated for Os₂Cl₈ which is isoelectronic with Re₂Cl₈²⁻. Contribution of the Mark S. Gordon 65th Birthday Festschrift Issue. Theoretical Studies of Inorganic Compounds. 38. Part 37 (2006) Bessac F, Frenking G, Inorg Chem 45:6956.     

Studies of the H-D exchange mechanism of malonganenone B

Malonganenone B (1) exhibits an unusual H-D exchange of a formyl proton when in deuteric-NMR solvents. Synthetic and kinetic investigations were made to probe the mechanism of this exchange, which appears to occur via an uncommon and transient amine-amide NHC intermediate.     

Simultaneous determination of carbohydrates and simmondsins in jojoba seed meal (Simmondsia chinensis) by gas chromatography

Separate methods for the analyses of soluble carbohydrates in different plants and simmondsins in jojoba seed meal are described. A reliable gas chromatographic procedure for the simultaneous quantification of D-pinitol, myo-inositoL sucrose, 5-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-D-pinitol. 2-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl-D-pinitol, simmondsin, 4-demethylsimmondsin, 5-demethylsimmondsin and 4,5-didemethylsimmondsin as trimethylsilyl derivatives in jojoba seed meal has been developed. The study of different extraction mixtures allowed for the quantitative recovery of the 9 analytes by a mixture of methanol-water (80:20, v/v) in the concentration range between 0.1 and 4%. Comparison of the separation parameters on three different capillary stationary phases with MS detection allowed for the choice of the optimal gas chromatographic conditions for baseline separation of the analytes.     

A systematic density functional and wavefunction-based study on dicarboxyl dianions −O2C–R–CO2 − with R = C2, C2X2, C2X4, and C6X4 (X = H, F)

The possible existence of the gas phase cis- and trans-maleate, i.e. completely deprotonated maleic acid (O₂C–CΗ=CΗ–CO₂)^2–, is investigated by density functional (B3LYP) and ab-initio quantum chemical methods (MP2, CCSD(T)) using large basis sets. The calculations reveal that only the trans-isomer is Coulomb stable with respect to electron loss. The results are compared to other previously investigated dicarboxylate dianions of the general form ^?O₂C–R–CO₂ ^? with R = C₂, C₂X₂, C₂X₄, and C₆X₄ (X = H, F). Fluorine substitution on the carbon framework helps to stabilize these doubly charged systems, and we predict that all of the aromatic fluorine substituted dicarboxylate dianions are Coulomb stable in the gas phase. Only the highest levels of theory reveal the slight stabilization of both the succinate dianion and the ortho-isomer of the phthalic acid dianion in unprecedented agreement with experiments.     

Ultrahigh harmonics from laser-assisted ion-atom collisions

We present a theoretical analysis of high-order harmonic generation from ion-atom collisions in the presence of linearly polarized intense laser pulses. Photons with frequencies significantly higher than in standard atomic high-harmonic generation are emitted. These harmonics are due to two different mechanisms: (i) collisional electron capture and subsequent laser-driven transfer of an electron between projectile and target atom; (ii) reflection of a laser-driven electron from the projectile leading to recombination at the parent atom.     

Even-harmonic generation due to beyond-Born-Oppenheimer dynamics

We calculate the harmonic spectrum generated by a model HD molecule in a strong laser pulse. The unequal nuclear masses lead to the emission of even harmonics, i.e., photon frequencies which are even multiples of the laser frequency. The effect does not occur within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. In the high-frequency region, the even harmonics are almost of the same order of magnitude as the odd ones.     

Bone morphogenetic protein-5 (BMP-5) promotes dendritic growth in cultured sympathetic neurons

Background  

BMP-5 is expressed in the nervous system throughout development and into adulthood. However its effects on neural tissues are not well defined. BMP-5 is a member of the 60A subgroup of BMPs, other members of which have been shown to stimulate dendritic growth in central and peripheral neurons. We therefore examined the possibility that BMP-5 similarly enhances dendritic growth in cultured sympathetic neurons.     

Bi−P Bond Homolysis as a Route to Reduced Bismuth Compounds and Reversible Activation of P4

Bismuth diphenylphosphanides Bi(NON^R)(PPh₂) (NON^R=[O(SiMe₂NR)₂], R=tBu, 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃, Aryl) undergo facile decomposition via single‐electron processes to form reduced Bi and P species. The corresponding derivatives Bi(NON^R)(PCy₂) are stable. Reaction of the isolated Bi^II radical ^.Bi(NON^Ar) with white phosphorus (P₄) proceeds with the reversible and selective activation of a single P?P bond to afford the bimetallic μ,η^1:1‐bicyclo[1.1.0]tetraphosphabutane compound.