Nature of the chemical bonds in HCN and C2N2

The function (M), which measures the effect of the bond formation on the electron density distribution, has been calculated for HCN and C₂N₂. The charge build up in the CN bonds is found to be quite the same in both molecules, which indicates that the outer bonds of C₂N₂ are practically unaffected by conjugation.

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Zusammenfassung Die Funktion (M), ein Maß für die Änderung der Elektronendichteverteilung durch Bildung von Bindungen, wurde für HCN und C₂N₂ berechnet. Danach ist die Ladungsanhäufung in den CN-Bindungen für beide Moleküle praktisch gleich, was darauf hinweist, daß die äußeren Bindungen im C₂N₂ durch die Konjugation kaum verändert werden.

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Résumé La fonction (M), qui mesure l'effet de la formation des liaisons sur la distribution de la densité électronique, a été calculée pour HCN et C₂N₂. D'après les calculs, l'accumulation de charge dans les liaisons CN est pratiquement la même dans les deux molécules, ce qui indique que les liaisons extérieures de C₂N₂ ne sont en fait pas affectées par la conjugaison.

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We are thankful to Miss Cl. Litt for programming the calculation of the function and to Mrs. M. Henseval for drawing the density contours.     

Sur les dérivés de la fluorénone VI Les acides bromo-3-fluorénonecarboxylique-2 et bromo-2-fluorénonecarboxylique-3 et la bromo-3-méthyl-4-fluorénone

Starting from 2-amino-3-bromo-9-oxofluorene and from 3-methylfluorene respectively the preparation of 3-bromo-9-oxofluorene-2-carboxylic acid and of 2-bromo-9-oxofluorene-3-carboxylic acid is described. A synthesis of 3-bromo-4-methyl-9-oxofluorene is also given.     

Bonding and redox properties of [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)(L)] (tmbp=4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine; L=CO, PPh(3)) clusters with an unprecedented electron-deficient metallic core and doubly bridging biphosphinine dianion

Herein we describe in detail the bonding properties and electrochemical behavior of the first known triosmium carbonyl clusters with a coordinated redox-active ligand 4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine (tmbp), the phosphorus derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine. The clusters investigated were [Os(3)(CO)(10)(tmbp)] (1) and its derivative [Os(3)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(tmbp)] (2). The crystal structures of both clusters are compared with those of relevant compounds; they served as the basis for density functional theory (DFT and time-dependent DFT) calculations. The experimental and theoretical data reveal an unexpected and unprecedented bridging coordination mode of tmbp, with each P atom bridging two metal atoms. The tmbp ligand is formally reduced by transfer of two electrons from the triangular cluster core that consequently lacks one of the metal-metal bonds. Both 1 and 2 therefore represent 50e(-) clusters with a coordinated 8e(-) donor, [tmbp](2-). The HOMO and LUMO of 1 and 2 possess a predominant contribution from different pi*(tmbp) orbitals, implying that the lowest energy excited state possesses a significant intraligand character. This is in agreement with the photostability of these clusters. DFT calculations also predict the experimentally observed structure of 1 to be the most stable one in a series of several plausible structural isomers. Stepwise two-electron electrochemical reduction of 1 and 2 results in dissociation of CO and PPh(3), respectively, and formation of the [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)](2-) ion. The initially produced radical anions of the parent clusters, in which the odd electron is predominantly localized on the tmbp ligand, are sufficiently stable at low temperatures and can be observed with IR spectroelectrochemistry. The electron-deficiency of the cluster core in 1 permits facile electrocatalytic substitution of a CO ligand by tertiary phosphane and phosphite donors.     

Preparation of Neutral Ionophores for Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metal Cations and their application in ion selective membrane electrodes

The preparation of a series of non-cyclic, uncharged ligands able to selectively complex alkali and alkaline earth metal cations is described. These molecules are designed to be used as carriers for cations through membranes. Some of the compounds show high Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ selectivity, respectively, in liquid membrane electrodes.     

Cleavage of iron2-alkenyl and iron2-alkynyl bonds by mercury(II) chloride

Reactions of HgCl₂ with η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂R (R  CH₂CHCH₂ and CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂) in THF at 25°C rapidly afford $\text{1}\text{1}$ adducts of the two reactants. These adducts were converted to the corresponding PF₆^? salts, [η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂(η²-CH₂C(R)CH₂HgCl)]⁺ PF₆^? (R  H and CH₃), for characterization. Slower reactions with cleavage of the ironcarbon σ bond and elimination of the R group from η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂R occur for R  CH₂CHC(CH₃)₂, CH₂CHCHC₆H₅, and CH₂CCC₆H₅. Both elimination and $\text{1}\text{1}$ adduct formation are observed when R  CH₂CHCHCH₃. The kinetics of the cleavage reactions are presented and possible mechanisms for both cleavage and $\text{1}\text{1}$ adduct formation are discussed.     

Highly efficient transfer of chirality from macrocyclic conformation in the tandem oxy-Cope/Claisen/ene reaction

We report three highly stereoselective pericyclic reactions occurring in cascade leading to the synthesis of Decalins skeletons possessing two contiguous quaternary centers. The tandem reaction is triggered by an oxy-Cope rearrangement to create in situ a 10-membered ring enol ether macrocyle 6, which immediately rearranges via a Claisen [3,3] shift to the corresponding E-cyclodec-6-en-1-one 7. The latter spontaneously cyclizes via a transannular ene reaction to produce Decalin 5. Analysis of the mechanism with respect to the origin of the high diastereoselectivity of the tandem oxy-Cope/Claisen/ene reaction is presented.     

Tailor-made functionalization of silicon nitride surfaces

This communication presents the first functionalization of a hydrogen-terminated silicon-rich silicon nitride (Si3Nx) surface with a well-defined, covalently attached organic monolayer. Properties of the resulting monolayers are monitored by measurement of the static water contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). Further functionalization was performed by reaction of Si3Nx with a trifluoroethanol ester alkene (CH2=CH-(CH2)8CO2CH2CF3) followed by basic hydrolysis to afford the corresponding carboxylic acid-terminated monolayer with hydrophilic properties. These results show that Si3Nx can be functionalized with a tailor-made organic monolayer, has highly tunable wetting properties, and displays significant potential for further functionalization.     

First anhydrous gold perchlorato complex: ClO(2)Au(ClO(4))(4). Synthesis and molecular and crystal structure analysis

Chlorine trioxide, Cl(2)O(6), reacts with Au metal, AuCl(3), or HAuCl(4).nH(2)O to yield the well-defined chloryl salt, ClO(2)Au(ClO(4))(4). The crystal and molecular structure of ClO(2)Au(ClO(4))(4) was solved by a Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction data. The salt crystallizes in a monoclinic cell, space group C2/c, with cell parameters a = 15.074(5), b = 5.2944(2), and c = 22.2020(2) A and beta = 128.325(2) degrees. The structure displays discrete ClO(2)(+) ions lying in channels formed by Au(ClO(4))(4)(-) stacks. Au is located in a distorted square planar environment: Au-O = 1.87 and 2.06 A. [ClO(4)] groups are monodentate with ClO(b) = 1.53 and ClO(t) = 1.39 A (mean distances; O(b), oxygen bonded to Au; O(t), free terminal oxygen). A full vibrational study of the Au(ClO(4))(4)(-) anion is supported by DFT calculations.     

Transition Metals in the Synthesis and Functionalization of Indoles [New Synthesis Methods (72)]

The use of transition-metal complexes as reagents for the synthesis of complex organic compounds has been under development for at least several decades, and many extraordinary organic transformations of profound potential have been realized. However, adoption of this chemistry by the practicing synthetic organic chemist has been inordinately slow, and only now are transition-metal reagents beginning to achieve their rightful place in the arsenal of organic synthesis. Several factors contributed to the initial reluctance of synthetic organic chemists to use organometallic reagents. Lacking education and experience in the ways of elements having d electrons, synthetic chemists viewed organometallic processes as something mysterious and unpredictable, and not to be discussed in polite society. Organometallic chemists did not help matters by advertising their latest advances as useful synthetic methodology, but restricting their studies to very simple organic systems lacking any serious functionality (e.g., the “methyl, ethyl, butyl, futile” syndrome). Happily, things have changed. Organometallic chemists have turned their attention to more complex systems, and more recently trained organic chemists have benefited from exposure to the application of transition metals. This combination has set the stage for major advances in the use of transition metals in the synthesis of complex organic compounds. This review deals with one aspect of this area, the use of transition metals in the synthesis of indoles.     

Spectroscopy and reactivity of a photogenerated tryptophan radical in a structurally defined protein environment

Near-UV irradiation of structurally characterized [Re(I)(CO)3(1,10-phenanthroline)(Q107H)](W48F/Y72F/H83Q/Y108W)AzM(II) [Az = Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin, M = Cu, Zn]/[Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 produces a tryptophan radical (W108*) with unprecedented kinetic stability. After rapid formation (k = 2.8 x 106 s-1), the radical persists for more than 5 h at room temperature in the folded ReAzM(II) structure. The absorption spectrum of ReAz(W108*)M(II) exhibits maxima at 512 and 536 nm. Oxidation of K4[Mo(CN)8] by ReAz(W108*)Zn(II) places the W108*/W108 reduction potential in the protein above 0.8 V vs NHE.