A theoretical evaluation of steric and electronic effects on the structure of [OSO4 (NR3)] (NR3 = bulky chiral alkaloid derivative) complexes

Summary The novel theoretical scheme IMOMM, integrating ab initio and molecular mechanics contributions in a single geometry optimization process, is applied to the structural determination of different [OsO₄(NR₃)] (NR₃ = bulky chiral alkaloid derivative) species closely related to active catalysts for the asymmetric dihydroxylation of olefins. Computed values compare in a satisfactory way with available X-ray data, the relationship between the Os-N distance and the nature of the NR₃, ligand being properly reproduced. The computational scheme allows the separate quantification of electronic and steric effects, as well as the identification of the specific steric repulsions responsible for the difference.     

Rearrangement of 3-methoxy substituted [2, 1]benzisoxazole- and naphth[2,3-c]isoxazolequinones in dimethyl sulfoxide solution

The reactions of the 3-methoxy-isoxazole quinones 1 and 9 in a highly polar solution of dimethyl sulfoxide have been studied. Quinones of type 2, 4/11, 5/12, 6 and 7/13 have been isolated; nmr measurements give a detailed insight into the reaction mechanism.     

Introduction to session 2

Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology -     

X-ray investigation of the role of the mixed emulsifier in the structure formation in o/w creams

The aim of this research work was to clarify the role of the mixed emulsifier in the structure formation and water binding mode in the case of o/w creams prepared with different surfactants. The swelling behavior of mixed emulsifiers was examined by means of direct investigation methods such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction. The detailed structure image of the creams was created with the help of the latter. The influence of the structure of the hydrophilic gel phase, and the structural changes during storage were studied with rheological methods. On the basis of the results, it can be stated that the investigated creams had different structures from those mentioned in the literature: surfactant did not create a mixed bilayer with the structure to furnish fatty amphiphile; instead, micelles were formed. These results correlated well with the results of the rheological tests.     

Über die Reproduzierbarkeit der turbidimetrischen Bestimmung von Phosphorspuren mit Strychninmolybdostickstoff(V)säure

Microchimica Acta - Mit der turbidimetrischen Strychninnitrat-Methode für Phosphorspurenbestimmung nach der Version von Hegedüs und Dvorszky kann man nur dann ausgezeichnete...     

Asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder as an access to carbacephams.

A short and efficient asymmetric synthesis of the (6R,7S)-7-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-ketocarbacepham is described. The key step involves the hetero Diels-Alder reaction of the benzylimine derived from the enantiomer of Garner's aldehyde with Danishefsky's diene.     

Correct structures of Diels-Alder adducts from the natural cyclolignan thuriferic acid and its 8-epimer

A detailed analysis of one- and two-dimensional ¹H and ¹³C NMR data for the endo and the exo adducts, obtained by Diels-Alder reaction of thuriferic and epithuriferic acids with cyclopentadiene is described. The unequivocal spectral data assignment of the endo and exo structures was complemented with molecular modelling studies and confirmed through X-ray diffraction studies.     

Lanthanide modulation of the orientation of macromolecules induced by purple membrane.

Addition of Tb3+ to purple membrane (PM) suspensions changes the orientation of the menbrane normal from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the magnetic field. Residual dipolar couplings measured in protein L in the presence of PM are scaled by a factor of -1/2. NMR line broadening and cross-correlation effects induced by the addition of PM are partially reversed by Tb3+ but not by Tm3+ that has no effect on the orientation of PM. This is interpreted as the result of anisotropically restricted motion of protein L in the transiently PM-bound form.     

The determination of intrinsic reaction coordinates by density functional theory

The first implementation of the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC ) method within the density functional theory (DFT ) framework is presented. The implementation has been applied to four different types of chemical reactions represented by the isomerization process, HCN ? HNC (A); the S_N2 process, H^? + CH₄ ? CH₄ + H^? (B); the exchange process, H˙ + HX ? HX + H˙ (X ? F,Cl) (C); and the elimination process, C₂H₅Cl ? C₂H₄ + HCl (D). The present study presents for each process optimized structures and calculated harmonic vibrational frequencies for the reactant(s), the transition state, and the product(s) along with the IRC path connecting the stationary points. The calculations were carried out within the local density approximation (LDA ) as well as the LDA/NL scheme where the LDA energy expression is augmented by Perdew's and Becke's nonlocal (NL ) corrections. The LDA and LDA/NL results are compared with each other as well as the best available ab initio calculations and experimental data. For reaction (D), ab initio calculations based on MP 2 geometries and MP 4SDTQ energies have been added due to the lack of accurate published post-HF calculations on this process. A detailed discussion is provided on the efficiency of the IRC algorithms, the relative accuracy of the DFT and ab initio schemes, as well as the reaction mechanisms of the four reactions. It is concluded that the LDA/NL scheme affords the same accuracy as does the MP 4 method. The post-HF methods seem to overestimate activation energies, whereas the corresponding LDA/NL estimates are too low. The LDA activation energies are even lower than the LDA/NL counterparts. The incorporation of the IRC method into the DFT framework provides a promising and reliable tool for probing the chemical reaction path on the potential energy surfaces, even for large-size systems. IRC calculations by ab initio methods of an accuracy similar to the LDA/NL scheme, such as the MP 4 scheme, are not feasible. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.