Gas-phase bimolecular reactions between (.)CH(2)-(CH(2))(n)-C(+)=O distonic ions and pyridine: a combined experimental and theoretical study

The gas-phase reactivities of the well-known (.)CH(2)CH(2)C(+)=O and (.)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)C(+)=O distonic ions towards neutral pyridine were studied both experimentally (six sector hybrid mass spectrometer) and theoretically (density functional theory and M?ller-Plesset ab initio calculations). Competitively to the charge exchange and protonation processes, both radical cations react with pyridine by an initial bonding between the positive charge site of the ion and the lone electron pair of the neutral molecule. At variance with previously reported studies in which such a nucleophilic interaction was proposed to play only a transient catalytic role, the initial C-N bond is likely to remain in the observed ion-molecule reaction products. The structures of the ion-molecule reactions products were probed by collisional activation at high kinetic energy and the reaction pathways were tentatively proposed on the basis of labeling experiments and ab initio molecular orbital calculations.     

Analysis of the half-projected Hartree–Fock function: Density matrix,natural orbitals,and configuration interaction equivalence

The half-projected Hartree–Fock function for singlet states (HPHF ) is analysed in terms of natural electronic configurations. For this purpose the HPHF spinless density matrix and its natural orbitals are first deduced. It is found that the HPHF function does not contain any contribution from odd-times excited configurations. It is seen in addition, in the case of the singlet ground states, this function is approximately equivalent to two closed-shell configurations, although the nature of the excited one depends on the nuclear geometry. An example is given in the case of the LiH ground state. Finally, the application of this model for studying systems of more that two atoms is criticized.     

Electrochemical behavior of the tris(pyridine)-Cu funnel complexes: an overall induced-fit process involving an entatic state through a supramolecular stress

The electrochemical behavior of the tris(pyridine) calix[6]arene Cu adducts is unique as compared to that of most classical Cu complexes in a strain-free environment. The presence of MeCN buried inside the cavity is a prerequisite for a quasi-reversible behavior in a dynamic mode. The CV behavior assisted by simulation outlines that the coordination adaptability of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox states is completely reversed, with a Td geometry enforced at either redox states. Hence, the supramolecular control of the Cu coordination by a protein-like pocket determines the dynamics of the electron transfer process, its thermodynamics, and the kinetics of the reorganizational barrier and generates a preorganized state for oxidation. This redox behavior corresponds to an overall induced-fit process generating a truly entatic highly oxidizing Cu(II) state through a protein-like strain by involvement of the secondary coordination sphere.     

Total iodine in nutritional and biological reference materials using neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

In a recent collaborative study intended to extend the variety of reference materials certified for iodine, three mineralization methods were developed to quantify the total iodine content of biological and nutritional materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A mixture of water-soluble tertiary amines was used as the matrix solution for two oxygen combustion methods and for a simple extraction at room temperature. Calibrations with matrix-matched standards, internal calibration, and isotope dilution with ¹²⁹I were used. Good agreement between neutron activation analysis (NAA) and the two combustion methods was observed except for < 0.1 mg kg^–1 iodine concentrations. The amine extraction method gave the most reliable results for the mixed diet, milk powder, and infant formula samples but low recoveries for other biological materials owing to an incomplete extraction and solubilization of iodine. The NAA method, with its freedom from reagent blank, is a useful technique for the independent determination of iodine in biological, environmental and food matrices, especially for verification of iodine results obtained by ICP-MS.     

Characterization and event specific-detection by quantitative real-time PCR of T25 maize insert

T25 is one of the 4 maize transformation events from which commercial lines have so far been authorized in Europe. It was created by polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation using a construct bearing one copy of the synthetic pat gene associated with both promoter and terminator of the 35S ribosomal gene from cauliflower mosaic virus. In this article, we report the sequencing of the whole T25 insert and the characterization of its integration site by using a genome walking strategy. Our results confirmed that one intact copy of the initial construct had been integrated in the plant genome. They also revealed, at the 5' junction of the insert, the presence of a second truncated 35S promoter, probably resulting from rearrangements which may have occurred before or during integration of the plasmid DNA. The analysis of the junction fragments showed that the integration site of the insert presented high homologies with the Huck retrotransposon family. By using one primer annealing in the maize genome and the other in the 5' end of the integrated DNA, we developed a reliable event-specific detection system for T25 maize. To provide means to comply with the European regulation, a real-time PCR test was designed for specific quantitation of T25 event by using Taqman chemistry.     

Selective lithiation of 4-(1H-1-pyrrolyl)pyridine. access to new electron-releasing ligands

The first lithiation of 4-(1H-1-pyrrolyl)pyridine has been realized. The use of BuLi-containing lithium aggregates induced the selective pyridine ring functionalization by taking advantage of the electron-donor effect of the pyrrole nucleus. Opportune substituents were introduced alpha to the pyridine nitrogen leading to new electron-enriched pyridylphosphine, bipyridine, and terpyridine ligands.     

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of some aromatic and aliphatic oximes

Aromatic and aliphatic oximes are protonated under methane or isobutane chemical ionization conditions. The structural identity of the [MH? H₂O]⁺˙ ions with nitrilium cations is established by the mass analysed ion kinetic energy method after collisional activation. The results also show the stereospecific nature of the transposition in the gas phase.     

Delocalization of the unpaired spin density in some niobocene complexes with σ-donor, π-acceptors

Extended Hückel calculations and qualitative MO have been used to analyze the EPR data relevant to the localization of the unpaired spin density in several paramagnetic niobocene complexes with σ-donor π-acceptors, acetylene, aldehyde, ketene, ketenimine, and carbon disulfide.     

Cis/trans stereochemical effects in the negative chemical ionization/OH− mass spectra of strained-ring azabicycloalkanes using MIKE and CA/MIKE spectrometry

Stereospecific decomposition reactions of isomeric (cis and trans) deprotonated molecules from azabicycloalkane derivatives as azetidinols generated under negative chemical ionization (NCI)/OH^? have been examined using mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) and collisional activation (CA)/MIKE spectra. These measurements together with the ones obtained on specifically labelled compounds enabled us to determine the origin of the stereochemical effects. The results indicate that the hydroxylic proton constitutes the preferential (?90%) site for the deprotonation process. Subsequent fragmentations of the deprotonated species observed in the second field-free region of a reversed geometry instrument are affected by the stereochemistry of the hydroxylic group. The isomer with the hydroxyl group in the cis position relative to the hydrogen at the ring junction mainly loses H₂O, while the trans isomer eliminates CH₃˙, both processes occurring with high specificity. Labelling studies indicate that two major pathways exist for the elimination of H₂O from the cis isomer and the loss of CH₃˙ from the trans isomer. The course of the reaction is determined by the ability of the stereoisomers to transfer a proton during the first decomposition step. When the size of the lactam ring is increased from a five-membered ring to a six- or seven-membered ring, these stereochemical effects tend to become less pronounced.     

Zr-promoted ‘pair’-selective and regioselective synthesis of penta-substituted benzene derivatives

Tetra-substituted zirconacyclopentadiene derivatives, obtainable via in situ generation of zirconacyclopropenes and their cyclic carbozirconation with alkynes, can be treated with alkynyllithiums to induce 1,2-migration accompanied by aromatization and protonolysis, leading to the formation of penta-substituted benzene derivatives, in which all five substituted may be different.