The Role of 2,6‐Diaminopyridine Ligands in the Isolation of an Unprecedented,Low‐Valent Tin Complex

Stabilization of the central atom in an oxidation state of zero through coordination of neutral ligands is a common bonding motif in transition‐metal chemistry. However, the stabilization of main‐group elements in an oxidation state of zero by neutral ligands is rare. Herein, we report that the transamination reaction of the DAMPY ligand system (DAMPY=2,6‐[ArNH‐CH₂]₂(NC₅H₃) (Ar=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)) with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ produces the DIMPYSn complex (DIMPY=(2,6‐[ArN?CH]₂(NC₅H₃)) with the Sn atom in a formal oxidation state of zero. This is the first example of a tin compound stabilized in a formal oxidation state of zero by only one donor molecule. Furthermore, three related low‐valent Sn^II complexes, including a [DIMPYSn^IICl]⁺[SnCl₃]^? ion pair, a bisstannylene DAMPY{Sn^II[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂}₂, and the enamine complex MeDIMPYSn^II, were isolated. Experimental results and the conclusions drawn are also supported by theoretical studies at the density functional level of theory and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

The effect of mixing methods on the dispersion of carbon nanotubes during the solvent-free processing of multiwalled carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

Several solvent-free processing methods to disperse multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in bisphenol F-based epoxy resin were investigated, including the use of a microfluidizer (MF), planetary shear mixer (PSM), ultrasonication (US) and combinations. The processed mixture was cured with diethyl toluene diamine. Three complimentary techniques were used to characterize the dispersion of the MWCNTs in cured composite samples: optical microscopy, micro Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For sample MF + PSM, optical micrographs and Raman images showed reduced agglomeration and a homogeneous distribution of MWCNTs in the epoxy matrix. SEM analysis of fractured specimen after tensile testing revealed breakage of nanotubes along the fracture surface of the composite. A comparison of the MWCNT dispersion in the epoxy samples processed using different methods showed that a combination of MF and PSM processing yields a more homogeneous sample than the PSM or US + PSM processed samples. Mechanical testing of the composites showed about 15% improvement in the tensile strength of samples processed by the MF + PSM method over other methods. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed a small decrease in the onset degradation temperature for poorly dispersed samples produced by PSM compared with the well-mixed samples (MF + PSM). These results strongly suggest that the MF + PSM processing method yield better-dispersed and stronger MWCNT/epoxy composites. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2013     

A new approach to helical primary structures of four-membered rings: (P)- and (M)-tetraspiro[3.0.0.0.3.2.2.2]hexadecane

A new approach to helical primary structures of four-membered rings uses a cycloaddition of a trimethylenketeniminium salt to suitable tailored methylenecyclobutanes to assemble the desired carbon framework. The results are short and effective syntheses of (M)-trispiro[3.0.0.3.2.2]tridecane [(M)-5], and (P)- and (M)-tetraspiro[3.0.0.0.3.2.2.2]hexadecane [(P)- and (M)-24]. Unlike helices of three-membered rings, the specific rotation decreases, as the length of the helix increases.     

The first and second cinchona rearrangement. Two fundamental transformations of alkaloid chemistry

Stereochemistry, products, and driving forces of the "first and second Cinchona rearrangement" have been investigated and a unified theory is presented. The first cage expansion affords [3.2.2]azabicyclic alpha-amino ether and is formulated via a configurationally stable bridgehead iminium ion and quasiequatorial nucleophilic attack. The second cage expansion affords beta-functionalized [3.2.2]azabicycles. In this case a nonclassical nitrogen-bridged cation is postulated to account for retention of configuration and potential reversibility of the cage expansion. The second rearrangement is favored for the so-called cinch bases (6'-R = H) in trifluoroethanol. Stereoelectronic factors, electron demand at C9, ground state conformation, and solvent type are crucial in all cases. A two-step protocol for preparing 9-epi-configured Cinchona alkaloids from 9-nat precursors is described.     

Development of a novel approach for the production of dried genomic DNA for use as standards for qualitative PCR testing of food-borne pathogens

As part of a multi-centre European project, FOOD-PCR, the feasibility of a novel approach for production of dried bacterial DNA that could be used as certified reference materials (CRM) was assessed. Selected strains of Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157, Campylobacter jejuni and Yersinia enterocolitica were used to produce genomic DNA (gDNA). These preparations gave support to method development for qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection methods for food-borne pathogens. Purified gDNA was transformed into stable and dry gDNA by using polypropylene vials as carrier and applying a vacuum-drying technique. The gDNA preparations were shown to be sufficiently stable under ambient transport conditions without cooling and proved to have long-term stability at 5°C of at least 22 months. The dried DNA was easily reconstituted by addition of distilled water then gentle shaking. These studies have shown that production of stable and dry bacterial gDNA material is feasible and could help satisfy the increasing need for certified reference DNA positive control samples in the field of PCR testing for detection and verification of food-borne microbial pathogens.

     

The nonribosomal peptide synthetase enzyme DdaD tethers N(β)-fumaramoyl-l-2,3-diaminopropionate for Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent epoxidation by DdaC during dapdiamide antibiotic biosynthesis

The gene cluster from Pantoea agglomerans responsible for biosynthesis of the dapdiamide antibiotics encodes an adenylation-thiolation didomain protein, DdaD, and an Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase homologue, DdaC. Here we show that DdaD, a nonribosomal peptide synthetase module, activates and sequesters N(β)-fumaramoyl-l-2,3-diaminopropionate as a covalently tethered thioester for subsequent oxidative modification of the fumaramoyl group. DdaC catalyzes Fe(II)- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent epoxidation of the covalently bound N(β)-fumaramoyl-l-2,3-diaminopropionyl-S-DdaD species to generate N(β)-epoxysuccinamoyl-DAP (DAP = 2,3-diaminopropionate) in thioester linkage to DdaD. After hydrolytic release, N(β)-epoxysuccinamoyl-DAP can be ligated to l-valine by the ATP-dependent ligase DdaF to form the natural antibiotic N(β)-epoxysuccinamoyl-DAP-Val.     

Cyclization of Propargylic Amides: Mild Access to Oxazole Derivatives

The substrate scope, the mechanistic aspects of the gold‐catalyzed oxazole synthesis, and substrates with different aliphatic, aromatic, and functional groups in the side chain were investigated. Even molecules with several propargyl amide groups could easily be converted, delivering di‐ and trioxazoles with interesting optical properties. Furthermore, the scope of the gold(I)‐catalyzed alkylidene synthesis was investigated. Further functionalizations of these isolable intermediates of the oxazole synthesis were developed and chelate ligands can be obtained. The use of Barluenga’s reagent offers a new and mild access to the synthetically valuable iodoalkylideneoxazoles from propargylic amides, this reagent being superior to other sources of halogens.     

Hydrolytic Methods for the Quantification of Fructose Equivalents in Herbaceous Biomass

A low, but significant, fraction of the carbohydrate portion of herbaceous biomass may be composed of fructose/fructosyl-containing components (“fructose equivalents”); such carbohydrates include sucrose, fructooligosaccharides, and fructans. Standard methods used for the quantification of structural-carbohydrate-derived neutral monosaccharide equivalents in biomass are not particularly well suited for the quantification of fructose equivalents due to the inherent instability of fructose in conditions commonly used for hemicellulose/cellulose hydrolysis (>80% degradation of fructose standards treated at 4% sulfuric acid, 121°C, 1 h). Alternative time, temperature, and acid concentration combinations for fructan hydrolysis were considered using model fructans (inulin, β-2,1, and levan, β-2,6) and a grass seed straw (tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea) as representative feedstocks. The instability of fructose, relative to glucose and xylose, at higher acid/temperature combinations is demonstrated, all rates of fructose degradation being acid and temperature dependent. Fructans are shown to be completely hydrolyzed at acid concentrations well below that used for the structural carbohydrates, as low as 0.2%, at 121°C for 1 h. Lower temperatures are also shown to be effective, with corresponding adjustments in acid concentration and time. Thus, fructans can be effectively hydrolyzed under conditions where fructose degradation is maintained below 10%. Hydrolysis of the β-2,1 fructans at temperatures ≥50°C, at all conditions consistent with complete hydrolysis, appears to generate difructose dianhydrides. These same compounds were not detected upon hydrolysis of levan, sucrose, or straw components. It is suggested that fructan hydrolysis conditions be chosen such that hydrolysis goes to completion; fructose degradation is minimized, and difructose dianhydride production is accounted for.