E/Z-Configurational assignment of dehydropeptides: Differential noe enhancement between the vinyl and amide protons of an α,β-dehydro amino acid derivative

The nuclear Overhauser enahancement difference technique applied to vinyl and amide protons of an α,β-dehydroamino acid derivative allows the assignment of the E or Z configuration; E-form, NOE = 26–37% and Z-form, NOE = 0%.     

Cationic complexes of iridium: diiodobenzene chelation, electrophilic behavior with olefins, and fluxionality of an Ir(I) ethylene complex

The synthesis of a series of dicationic Ir(III) complexes is described. Reaction of Ir(CO)(dppe)I (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane)) with RI (R = CH(3) and CF(3)) results in formation of the Ir(III) precursors IrR(CO)(dppe)(I)(2) (R = CH(3) (1a) and CF(3) (1b)). Subsequent treatment with AgOTf (OTf = triflate) generates the bis(triflate) analogues IrR(CO)(dppe)(OTf)(2) (R = CH(3) (2a) and CF(3) (2b)), which undergo clean metathesis with NaBARF (BARF = B(3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3))(4)(-)) in the presence of 1,2-diiodobenzene (DIB) forming the dicationic halocarbon adducts [IrR(CO)(dppe)(DIB)][BARF](2) (R = CH(3) (3a) and CF(3) (3b)). Complexes 3a and 3b demonstrate facile exchange chemistry with acetonitrile and carbon monoxide forming complexes 4 and 5, respectively. NMR investigation of the mechanism reveals that the process proceeds through an eta(1)-diiodobenzene adduct, where labilization at the coordination site trans to the alkyl group occurs first. Complex 3a reacts with ethylene forming the cationic iridium(I) product [Ir(C(2)H(4))(2)(CO)(dppe)][BARF] (6), which demonstrates fluxional behavior. Variable-temperature NMR studies indicate that the five-coordinate complex 6 undergoes three dynamic processes corresponding to ethylene rotation, Berry pseudorotation, and intermolecular ethylene exchange in order of increasing temperature based on NMR line shape analyses used to determine the thermodynamic parameters for the processes. The DIB adducts 3a and 3b were also found to promote olefin isomerization of 1-pentene, and polymerization/oligomerization of styrene, alpha-methylstyrene, norbornene, beta-pinene, and isobutylene via cationic initiation.     

Formation of graphitic structures in cobalt- and nickel-doped carbon aerogels

We have prepared carbon aerogels (CAs) doped with cobalt or nickel through sol-gel polymerization of formaldehyde with the potassium salt of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid, followed by ion exchange with M(NO3)2 (where M = Co2+ or Ni2+), supercritical drying with liquid CO2, and carbonization at temperatures between 400 and 1050 degrees C under a N2 atmosphere. The nanostructures of these metal-doped carbon aerogels were characterized by elemental analysis, nitrogen adsorption, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Metallic nickel and cobalt nanoparticles are generated during the carbonization process at about 400 and 450 degrees C, respectively, forming nanoparticles that are approximately 4 nm in diameter. The sizes and size dispersion of the metal particles increase with increasing carbonization temperatures for both materials. The carbon frameworks of the Ni- and Co-doped aerogels carbonized below 600 degrees C mainly consist of interconnected carbon particles with a size of 15-30 nm. When the samples are pyrolyzed at 1050 degrees C, the growth of graphitic nanoribbons with different curvatures is observed in the Ni- and Co-doped carbon aerogel materials. The distance of graphite layers in the nanoribbons is approximately 0.38 nm. These metal-doped CAs retain the overall open cell structure of metal-free CAs, exhibiting high surface areas and pore diameters in the micro- and mesoporic region.     

Syntheses and structural characterization of luminescent platinum(II) complexes containing di-tert-butylbipyridine and new 1,1-dithiolate ligands

Three new di-tert-butylbipyridine (dbbpy) complexes of platinum(II) (1-3) containing 1,1-dithiolate ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The 1,1-dithiolates are 2,2-diacetylethylene-1,1-dithiolate (S(2)C=C(C(O)Me)2) (1), 2-cyano-2-p-bromophenylethylene-1,1-dithiolate (S(2)C=C(CN)(p-C(6)H(4)Br)) (2), and p-bromophenyl-2-cyano-3,3-dithiolatoacrylate (S(2)C=C(CN)(COO-p-C(6)H(4)Br)) (3). Complex 1 exhibits a solvatochromic charge-transfer absorption in the 430-488 nm region of the spectrum and a luminescence around 635 nm in ambient temperature CH(2)Cl(2) solution. These observations are consistent with what has been seen previously in related Pt diimine 1,1-dithiolate complexes. The nature of the emissive state is assigned as a (3)(mixed metal/dithiolate-to-diimine) charge transfer, while the solvatochromic absorption band corresponds to the singlet transition of similar orbital character. The other complexes also exhibit a low-energy solvatochromic absorption. The crystal structures of two of the complexes have been determined, representing the first time that Pt(diimine)(1,1-dithiolate) complexes have been crystallographically studied. The structures confirm the expected square planar coordination geometry with distortions in bond angles dictated by the constraints of the chelating ligands. The Pt-S and Pt-N bond lengths and S-Pt-S and N-Pt-N bond angles for the two structures are identical within experimental error (2.283(2) and 2.278(2) A; 2.053(6) and 2.050(8) A; 75.01(8) degrees and 75.40(8) degrees; 79.2(2) degrees and 79.0(2) degrees, respectively). Crystal data for 1: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), with a = 7.20480(10) A, b = 20.53880(10) A, c = 19.1072(2) A, beta = 93.83 degrees, V = A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 3.34% (I > 2sigma(I)), wR2 = 9.88% (I > 2sigma(I)) for 3922 unique reflections. Crystal data for 2: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), with a = 15.0940(5) A, b = 9.5182(3) A, c = 20.4772(7) A, beta = 111.151(1) degrees, V = A(3), Z = 4, R1 = 4.07% (I > 2sigma(I)), wR2 = 8.64% (I > 2sigma(I)) for 3859 unique reflections.     

Cyclization by intramolecular carbolithiation of alkyl- and vinyllithiums prepared by reductive lithiation: surprising stereochemistry in the lithium oxyanion accelerated cyclization

The versatility of intramolecular carbolithiation of simple alkenes to yield cyclopentylmethyllithiums by unconjugated organolithiums is greatly increased (1) by generating the organolithiums by reductive lithiation of phenyl thioethers with aromatic radical anions and (2) by using allylic or homoallylic alcohol groups on the receiving alkene. This type of reductive lithiation allows virtually any kind of organolithium to be generated, usually in a connective manner. Furthermore, the allylic or homoallylic lithium oxyanionic groups on the alkene greatly accelerate the reactions and lead in most cases to completely stereoselective cyclization at -78 degrees . Most significantly, the trans stereoselectivity is the opposite from that observed when the organometallic is allylic. A four-membered ring has also been generated by this method.     

Mechanistic studies on the addition of dihydrogen to tantalocene complexes

The mechanism of dihydrogen addition to Cp(2)Ta(CH(2))(H) was examined using parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP), (13)C labeling, and comparison to the related complex Cp(2)Ta(CH(2))(CH(3)). The reaction of para-enriched hydrogen with Cp(2)Ta(CH(2))(H) leads to polarized resonances for both Cp(2)Ta(CH(3))(H)(2) and Cp(2)TaH(3), even at the earliest reaction times. Use of the labeled compound Cp(2)Ta((13)CH(2))(H) shows that the polarized resonances of Cp(2)Ta(CH(3))(H)(2) correspond to the two hydride ligands. The results thus support a mechanistic pathway of H(2) addition to an unsaturated Ta(III) intermediate, [Cp(2)Ta(CH(3))], rather than addition directly across the Ta=C bond. In a same sample comparison, the rates of initial H(2) addition and subsequent C-H reductive elimination for both Cp(2)Ta(CH(2))(H) and Cp(2)Ta(C(6)H(4))(H) were examined. The methylene complex exhibits greater reactivity than the benzyne complex, with the major difference due to the C-H coupling step, in which formation of methane is more facile than that of benzene. The reactivity of the related ethylene hydride complex, Cp(2)Ta(C(2)H(4))(H), with hydrogen was also examined. The PHIP study of this system leads to unusual and unexpected polarization, which is found to be due to a minor impurity in the sample.     

Polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) vesicle size control using solution properties and hydrophilic block length

Polymeric vesicles have attracted considerable attention in recent years, since they are a model for biological membranes and have versatile structures with several practical applications. In this study, we prepare vesicles from polystyrene-b-poly(acrylic acid) block copolymer in dioxane/water and dioxane/THF/water mixtures. We then examine the ability of additives (such as NaCl, HCl, or NaOH), solvent composition, and hydrophilic block length to control vesicle size. Using turbidity measurements and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) we show that larger vesicles can be prepared from a given copolymer by adding NaCl or HCl, while adding NaOH yields smaller vesicles. The solvent composition (ratio of dioxane to THF, as well as the water content) can also determine the vesicle size. From a given copolymer, smaller vesicles can be prepared by increasing the THF content in the THF/dioxane solvent mixture. In a given solvent mixture, vesicle size increases with water content, but such an increase is most pronounced when dioxane is used as the solvent. In THF-rich solutions, on the other hand, vesicle size changes only slightly with the water concentration. As to the effect of the acrylic acid block length, the results show that block copolymers with shorter hydrophilic blocks assemble into larger vesicles. The effect of additives and solvent composition on vesicle size is related to their influence on chain repulsion and aggregation number, whereas the effect of acrylic acid block length occurs because of the relationship among the block length, the width of the molecular weight distribution, and the stabilization of the vesicle curvature.     

Ratio comparisons of supremum and stop rule expectations

Summary Suppose X ₁,X ₂,...,X_n are independent non-negative random variables with finite positive expectations. Let T _n denote the stop rules for X ₁,...,X _n. The main result of this paper is that E(max{X ₁,...,X _n }) <2 sup{EX _t :tT _n }. The proof given is constructive, and sharpens the corresponding weak inequalities of Krengel and Sucheston and of Garling.Partially supported by AFOSR Grant F49620-79-C-0123     

Central limit theorems for percolation models

Letp 1/2 be the open-bond probability in Broadbent and Hammersley's percolation model on the square lattice. LetW _x be the cluster of sites connected tox by open paths, and let(n) be any sequence of circuits with interiors . It is shown that for certain sequences of functions {f _n }, converges in distribution to the standard normal law when properly normalized. This result answers a problem posed by Kunz and Souillard, proving that the numberS _n of sites inside(n) which are connected by open paths to(n) is approximately normal for large circuits(n).     

The growth of carbon nanostructures on cobalt-doped carbon aerogels

By carbonizing cobalt-doped aerogel precursors directly at various temperatures, or by carbon monoxide decomposition of cobalt-doped carbon aerogels, different carbon nano-features such as carbon nano-filaments and graphitic nano-ribbons were grown on cobalt-doped carbon aerogel samples. Transmission electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction characterization results showed that metallic cobalt nano-particles form when heating the cobalt-doped aerogel samples over 500 °C. At low heating temperature, many highly oriented carbon thin films can be found on metallic cobalt nano-particles. When heating the samples at 850 °C, some carbon nano-filaments are obtained. While heating the samples at 1050 °C, many graphitic nano-ribbons are grown and the framework of the interconnected carbon particles of the sample is changed. Graphitic nano-ribbons can also be grown by CO decomposition of the cobalt-doped carbon aerogels. We can therefore control and modify the nanostructures of cobalt-doped carbon aerogels by heating them at different temperatures or by using CO decomposition.