Activation de l'hydrogène moléculaire par une petite particule de nickel

The electronic structure of an icosaedral cluster of 13 nickel atoms is studied using an Extended Hückel method. Near the highest occupied level at ?7.65 eV, h and t orbitals are accidentally degenerate so that the fundamental state possesses a high spin multiplicity (2S + 1 = 9) accounting for the magnetism of the particule. We have considered several geometries for a hydrogen molecule approaching the cluster at a minimum distance of 1.47 Å. In all cases the H-H bond is weakened because of electron transfer from the nickel towards the hydrogen atoms and partial filling of the antibonding orbital of h₂. During the increase of the H-H distance the weakening is easier than in the absence of a nickel catalyst leading to the dissociative adsorption of the molecule. The activation mechanism of H₂ requires participation of both the s and d orbitals of the metal and leads to a lowering of the spin multiplicity. Finally, we have shown that a dissociative adsorption is obtained when the H₂ molecule approaches a triangular face. After breaking of the H-H bond, the more stable system corresponds to atomic H adsorption on two opposite vertices.     

Halogénoacétates de cuivre(II): 2° Partie. Étude magnétique et spectroscopique

Electronic spectra of chloro- and bromoacetates of copper (II) (hydrated and as addition compounds with ethyl acetate) have been obtained in the solid state at 298 °K and 77 °K. The results are discussed and compared with magnetic susceptibility measurements. The band at about 27.5 kK. is present in the monomers and in the dimers and cannot be used to characterize the dimer species. It is assigned to the npπ → d_x²?y² symmetry forbidden transition.     

Purification and Characterisation of a 31-kDa Chitinase from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Myzus Persicae</Emphasis> Aphid: A Target for Hemiptera Biocontrol

Hydrolytic enzymes involved in chitin degradation are important to allow moulting during insect development. Chitinases are interesting targets to disturb growth and develop alternative strategies to control insect pests. In this work, a chitinase from the aphid Myzus persicae was purified with a 36-fold purification rate in a three step procedure by ammonium sulphate fractionation, anion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE column and on an affinity Concanavalin A column. The purified chitinase purity assessed by 1D and 2D SDS–PAGE revealed a single band and three spots at 31 kDa, respectively. Chitinases were found to have high homologies with Concanavalins A and B, two chitinase-related proteins, a fungal endochitinase and an aphid acetylhydrolase by peptide identification by Maldi-Tof-Tof. The efficiency of two potent chitinase inhibitors, namely allosamidin and psammaplin A, was tested and showed significant rate of enzymatic inhibition.     

Novel phosphonated bicyclic frameworks from Diels-Alder reaction as chelating agents of di- and trivalent metal cations

The synthesis of novel [4+2] cycloadducts by Diels-Alder (DA) reaction between diethyl 1-phosphono-1,3-butadiene and cyclic CC and NN dienophiles, such as maleimide and 1,2,4-triazole-3,5-dione derivatives, is described. These phosphonated bicyclic frameworks feature a cage shape enabling metal chelation. Indeed, stable complexes were formed in solution with M²⁺ and M³⁺ metal cations, as evidenced by HRMS in the ESI mode (electrospray ionization). L₁:M (one ligand-one metal) and L₂:M (two ligands-one metal) complexes were identified depending on the nature of the cation.     

Dipyrrinphenol-Mn(III) complex: synthesis, electrochemistry, spectroscopic characterisation and reactivity

Herein, we report the manganese complex with a novel trianionic ligand, the pentafluorophenyldipyrrinphenol ligand DPPH(3). The X-ray crystal structure reveals that the Mn(III) complex exists in a dimeric form in the solid state. Electrochemical studies indicate two quasi-reversible one electron oxidation processes. EPR data on the one electron oxidised species in solution support the formation of a monuclear Mn complex with an S = 3/2 spin system. Preliminary studies towards epoxidation reactions were tested in the presence of iodosylbenzene (PhIO) and are in favour of an oxygen-atom-transfer (OAT) reaction catalyzed by the Mn(III) complex.     

Synthesis of linear and hyperbranched tetrazine-based polyhetarylene assemblies with high nitrogen content

The synthesis of polyhetarylenes containing exclusively s-tetrazine and another nitrogen heterocycle (pyridine or s-triazine) is described. The key step involved the polymerization of a suitable di- or triamidrazone, leading to a linear or hyperbranched dihydrotetrazine-based assembly, respectively. The triazinylenetetrazinylene material stands as one of the most nitrogenated polymers ever described.     

Synthesis of 2-oxazolines and related N-containing heterocycles using [Et2NSF2]BF4 as a cyclodehydration agent

The preparation of 2-oxazolines and related N-containing heterocycles from the corresponding hydroxyamides using XtalFluor-E ([Et₂NSF₂]BF₄) as a cyclodehydration agent is described. A wide range of heterocycles are obtained under mild conditions in good to excellent yields.     

Tailoring the properties of thermoplastic starch by blending with cinnamyl alcohol and radiation processing: An insight into the competitive grafting and scission reactions

The present paper focuses on the effects of electron beam (EB) irradiation on thermoplastic materials based on destructurized starch including glycerol and water as plasticizers to assess the potentiality of cinnamyl alcohol as reactive additive capable of counterbalancing the degradation of the polysaccharide by inducing interchain covalent linkages. The tensile properties at break of test specimens of controlled composition submitted to EB irradiation at doses ranging from 50 to 200 kGy revealed the presence of competitive chain scission and bridging in samples containing cinnamyl alcohol at a relative concentration of 2.5% with regard to dry starch. The occurrence of crosslinking under particular conditions was evidenced by gel fraction measurements. The treatment under radiation was also applied to model blends including maltodextrin as a model for starch and the other ingredients to gain an insight into the radiation induced mechanisms at the molecular level. The presence of cinnamyl alcohol is found to limit degradation. Size exclusion chromatography and gel fraction allowed to monitor the effects and confirmed unambiguously the attachment of UV-absorbing chromophores onto the maltodextrin main chain. The combination of the obtained results demonstrates the possibility of altering in a favorable way the tensile properties of plasticized starch by applying high energy radiation to properly formulated blends including aromatic compounds like cinnamyl alcohol.