Linear Free‐Energy Correlations for the Vinylheptafulvene Ring Closure: A Probe for Hammett σ Values

Linear free‐energy relationships, like Hammett correlations, are fundamental in physical organic chemistry for the elucidation of reaction mechanisms. In this work, we show that Hammett correlations exist for the ring closure of six different model systems of vinylheptafulvenes (VHFs) to their corresponding dihydroazulenes (DHAs). These first‐order reactions were easily followed by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy on account of the significantly different absorption characteristics between VHFs and DHAs. Opposing effects displayed by substituent groups at two different positions are conveniently accounted for by simply subtracting the two Hammett σ values of each group. The linear correlations readily allow us to obtain unknown and approximate Hammett σ values for previously uninvestigated substituents. We also show that they can provide alternative values to the standard ones. We present values for a variety of substituent groups ranging from alkynes, sulfones, sulfoxides, and different heteroaromatics. The electronic effects exerted by substituent groups on VHFs are also reflected in their absorption maxima. Thus, we have established an empirical relationship between the absorption maximum of the VHF and the Hammett σ values of its substituents. This fine‐tuning of electronic properties is particularly important for the ongoing efforts of using the DHA/VHF molecular switch in molecular electronics devices.     

Iodo-alkynyl- and iodo-butadiynyl-ruthenium complexes

Addition of [I(py)₂]BF₄ to Ru(CCH)(dppe)Cp∗ gave the iodovinylidene [Ru(CCHI)(dppe)Cp∗]BF₄1, which could be deprotonated to Ru(CCI)(dppe)Cp∗ 2. The attempted preparation of Ru(CCCCI)(dppe)Cp∗, followed by derivatisation with tcne, gave the dienynyl Ru{CCC[C(CN)₂]CIC(CN)₂}(dppe)Cp∗ 3. The Pd(0)/Cu(I)-catalysed reaction of 3 with Ru{CCCCAu(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ afforded Ru{CCCC(CN)₂CC(CN)₂Au(PPh₃)}(dppe)Cp∗ 4 by formal replacement of I⁺ by [Au(PPh₃)]⁺. XRD structures of 1-4 are reported.     

A Stable Calcium Alumanyl

A seven‐membered N,N′‐heterocyclic potassium alumanyl nucleophile is introduced and utilised in the metathetical synthesis of Mg?Al and Ca?Al bonded derivatives. Both species have been characterised by experimental and theoretical means, allowing a rationalisation of the greater reactivity of the heavier group 2 species implied by an initial assay of their reactivity.     

A Methodology for Investigating Protein Adhesion and Adsorption to Microarrayed Combinatorial Polymers

Here, we report the use of fluorescently labelled proteins to study protein adsorption to microarrayed synthetic polymers for the first time, indicating that this method is appropriate for the study of protein adsorption on these arrays. To investigate protein adhesion directly we use atomic force microscopy (AFM) to measure the force of adhesion between a protein‐coated probe and the arrayed polymers. Both approaches show promise as methods for screening protein interactions with polymers in a microarray format. Comparison of these very different measures of protein–surface interactions indicate a good correlation.

     

Desulfurization of model and real fuels by extraction and oxidation processes using an indenylmolybdenum tricarbonyl pre-catalyst

Regulations on the permissible levels of sulfur in transportation fuels are becoming ever more strict, with a global shift towards “zero sulfur” fuels, and the revamp of existing hydrodesulfurization (HDS) facilities to meet these lower caps is cost-prohibitive. Metal-catalyzed sulfoxidation chemistry is viewed as an economically viable desulfurization strategy that could complement conventional HDS technology. In the present work, the complex [η⁵-IndMo(CO)₃Me] ( 1 ) (Ind = indenyl) was employed in the catalytic oxidative desulfurization (CODS) of model and real liquid fuels, using aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as oxidant. After optimization of the CODS reaction parameters (diesel/H₂O₂ ratio, catalyst amount, temperature), a high-sulfur (2000 ppm) model diesel containing benzothiophene, dibenzothiophene, 4-methyldibenzothiophene and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene could be completely desulfurized within 2 hr under solvent-free conditions or in the presence of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF₆) as extraction solvent. The catalyst formed under solvent-free conditions could be recycled without a significant decrease in desulfurization activity. The high performance of the CODS system was verified in the sulfur removal from a commercial untreated diesel fuel with a sulfur content of 2300 ppm, and a jet fuel with a sulfur content of 1100 ppm. Solvent-free CODS in combination with initial/final extraction gave desulfurization efficiencies of 70% for the diesel fuel and 55% for the jet fuel. CODS with [BMIM]PF₆ in combination with initial/final extraction led to a sulfur removal of 95.9% for the diesel fuel, which is one of the best results yet reported for ODS of commercial diesels.     

Towards Solar Energy Storage in the Photochromic Dihydroazulene–Vinylheptafulvene System

One key challenge in the field of exploitation of solar energy is to store the energy and make it available on demand. One possibility is to use photochromic molecules that undergo light‐induced isomerization to metastable isomers. Here we present efforts to develop solar thermal energy storage systems based on the dihydroazulene (DHA)/vinylheptafulvene (VHF) photo/thermoswitch. New DHA derivatives with one electron‐withdrawing cyano group at position 1 and one or two phenyl substituents in the five‐membered ring were prepared by using different synthetic routes. In particular, a diastereoselective reductive removal of one cyano group from DHAs incorporating two cyano groups at position 1 turned out to be most effective. Quantum chemical calculations reveal that the structural modifications provide two benefits relative to DHAs with two cyano groups at position 1: 1) The DHA–VHF energy difference is increased (i.e., higher energy capacity of metastable VHF isomer); 2) the Gibbs free energy of activation is increased for the energy‐releasing VHF to DHA back‐reaction. In fact, experimentally, these new derivatives were so reluctant to undergo the back‐reaction at room temperature that they practically behaved as DHA to VHF one‐way switches. Although lifetimes of years are at first attractive, which offers the ultimate control of energy release, for a real device it must of course be possible to trigger the back‐reaction, which calls for further iterations in the future.     

Novel selenium containing non-detergent sulphobetaines

The first selenium containing non-detergent sulphobetaines are described. They have been prepared in multi-gram quantities from readily available pyridyl precursors. Incorporation of selenium was achieved using nucleophilic organoselenide anions. The resulting products were shown by ⁷⁷Se NMR spectroscopy to be homogeneous with respect to selenium oxidation state.     

Lithium and aluminium complexes supported by chelating phosphaguanidinates

Diisopropylcarbodiimide, (i)PrN[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]N(i)Pr, inserts into the lithium-phosphorus bond of in situ prepared "Ph(2)PLi(THF)(n)" to afford the lithium salt, [Li(Ph(2)PC{N(i)Pr}(2))(THF)(n)](x)(2a); alternatively, this compound can be made by deprotonation of the neutral phosphaguanidine, Ph(2)PC{N(i)Pr}{NH(i)Pr}(1a) with (n)BuLi. Displacement of the THF solvate in 2a is readily achieved with TMEDA to afford Li(Ph(2)PC{N(i)Pr}(2))(TMEDA)(3a). X-Ray crystallographic analyses show that 2a exists as a dimer in the solid state with a folded ladder structure and an N,N' chelating phosphaguanidinate, while 3a is monomeric with N,P-coordination of the ligand to lithium. Compound 2a reacts via a transmetallation pathway with AlMe(2)Cl to afford the dimethylaluminium complex, Al(Ph(2)PC{N(i)Pr}(2))Me(2)(4a), which can also be prepared by protonation of a methyl group of AlMe(3) using 1a. The formation of a series of dialkylaluminium compounds has been investigated employing this latter pathway using both 1a and the N,N'-dicyclohexyl analogue, Ph(2)PC{NCy}{NHCy}(1b), affording Al(Ph(2)PC{NR}(2))Et(2)(5a,b), Al(Ph(2)PC{NR}(2))(i)Bu(2)(6a,b) and the diphenylaluminium compound Al(Ph(2)PC{N(i)Pr}(2))Ph(2)(7a). The oily nature of most of the dialkyl compounds and high sensitivity to oxygen and moisture lead to difficulty in manipulation and characterization; however, NMR spectroscopy indicated highly pure products (>95%) upon removal of the solvent. The molecular structures of the crystalline examples 4a and 7a are reported, showing monomeric aluminium species with symmetrically chelating phosphaguanidinate ligands. The series of aluminium compounds AlLCl(2){L=[EC{NiPr}(2)](-): A, E=Me; B, E=Me(2)N; C, E=(Me(3)Si)(2)N and D, E=Ph(2)P} were investigated using density functional theory. In the more simple cases A and B, the delocalized electron density of the metallacycle was represented by a combination of the HOMO and an orbital of lower energy (A, HOMO-5; B, HOMO-6). The HOMO-1 in B was pi-bonded across the Me(2)N-C bond suggesting delocalization of electron density into the metallacycle. In the more complex systems C and D, delocalization within the metallacycle was less extensive due to the (Me(3)Si)(2)N- and Ph(2)P-moieties. A number of occupied orbitals in D, however, display phosphorus 'lone-pair' characteristics, indicating that these species have the potential to behave as Lewis bases in the formation of poly(metallic) systems.