Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry. Ligand-induced two-electron variations of intercluster bonding intimacy. Structures of nineteen-vertex [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19(PMe2Ph)] and the related carbene complex [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19[C(NHMe)2]

Addition of PMe2Ph to fused-cluster syn-[(eta5-C5Me5)IrB18H20] 1 to give [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19(PMe2Ph)] 3 entails a diminution in the degree of intimacy of the intercluster fusion, rather than retention of inter-subcluster binding intimacy and a nido-->arachno conversion of the character of either of the subclusters. Reaction with MeNC gives [(eta5-C5Me5)HIrB18H19[C(NHMe)2]] 4 which has a similar structure, but with the ligand now being the carbene [:C(NHMe)2], resulting from a reductive assembly reaction involving two MeNC residues and the loss of a carbon atom.     

Determination of impurities in silicon carbide powders

Summary The analysis of SiC powders used for the production of high-performance ceramics was investigated by combined procedures as well as by a direct technique including atomic spectrometric detection. For the combined chemical procedure, SiC powders (0.25 g) were completely dissolved in a mixture of HNO₃, HF and fuming H₂SO₄ in an autoclave at 240°C within 8 to 20 h. In the final 0.5% w/v solution 13 elements were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). With acid decomposition the detection limits for Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn and Zn were found to be in the range of 0.1–1 g/g; those for Al, B, Fe, Ni, Ti and V are at the 1–5 g/g level. With a Babingtontype nebulizer 1% slurries of SiC can be directly analyzed by ICP-AES. Calibration was performed by standard addition of aqueous solutions of the elements to be determined and the detection limits are close to those of ETAAS subsequent to pressure decomposition. The required analysis time was reduced from approx. 24 h to 30 min. First results for Ca, Cr, Cu, Mg, Mn, Ti and V as well as the needs to overcome systematic errors of this method, e.g. for Fe, are communicated.Part of this paper was presented at XI. International Symposium of Microtechniques, Wiesbaden, FRG, Aug. 28th–Sept. 1st 1989     

Diastereoselective synthesis of the endo- and exo-spirotetronate subunits of the quartromicins. The first enantioselective Diels-Alder reaction of an acyclic (Z)-1,3-diene

[reaction: see text]. Diastereoselective syntheses of the endo- and exo-spirotetronates 1 and 2, corresponding to the galacto and agalacto fragments of quartromicins A3 and D3, are described. The key step of these syntheses are highly enantio- and diastereoselective Lewis acid catalyzed Diels-Alder reactions of the 1,1,3,4-tetrasubstituted diene 3.     

Determination of trace metals in aluminium oxide by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with direct injection of aqueous suspensions

Trace amounts (10^-5–10^-6% $\text{w}\text{w}$) of Ca, Cr, Cu, Fe, Na and Pb in aluminium oxide can be determined by graphite-furnace a.a.s. with injection of stirred sample suspensions into the tube. Calibration is possible either with Al₂O₃ standards for peak height and peak area measurements, or with standard solutions containing no aluminium for peak area measurements (except for copper). The analytical signals do not depend on the quantity of applied sample (0.02–1 mg Al₂O₃). Relative standard deviations are 2–6%.     

A convenient route to carbon-substituted derivatives of nido-5,6-C2B8H12

An alternative route to the parent nido-5,6-C₂B₈H₁₂ dicarbaborane is reported together with a convenient synthesis of its carbon-substituted derivatives. The method is based on reactions between 4-(Me₂S)-arachno-B₉H₁₃ and alkynes R¹R²C₂ (where R¹R²=H,H; Me, Me; Ph,H, and Ph,Ph) in toluene at reflux. The characteristic reaction mode is a dicarbon insertion into the 9-vertex arachno cluster to produce a series of the 5,6-R¹R²-nido-5,6-C₂B₈H₁₀ species combined with concomitant elimination of one {BH} vertex. The products were characterised by high-field ¹H and ¹¹B NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry associated with [¹¹B–¹¹B]-COSY and ¹H{¹¹B(selective)} measurements that permitted complete assignments of all resonances to individual cluster {BH} units.     

Hydrogenation of vermistatin

Summary Hydrogenation of vermistatin, a metabolite ofPenicillium vermiculatum, affordedcis- andtrans-3-(2-carboxy-4,6-dimethoxybenzyl)-6-propyltetrahydro-4H-pyran-4-one and 4,6-dimethoxy-3-(4-propylcyclopentanon-2-yl)phthalide. The latter compound was found to be the strongest inhibitor of RNA synthesis in P 388 leukemia cells of all compounds tested.

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Hydrierung von Vermistatin

Zusammenfassung Bei der Hydrierung von Vermistatin, einem neuen sekundären Metabolit ausPenicillium vermiculatum, wurdencis- undtrans 3-(2-Carboxy-4,6-dimethoxybenzyl)-6-propyltetrahydro-4-pyran-4-on und 4,6-dimethoxy-3-(4-propylcyclopentanon-2-yl)phthalid erhalten und spektroskopisch charakterisiert. Die letztgenannte Verbindung zeigte von allen getesteten Verbindungen die stärkste Hemmwirkung auf die RNA Synthese in P 388 Leukämiezellen.

     

Ten-vertex polyhedral azametallaborane chemistry: a unique nido-6,9 to nido-6,8-cluster isomerization

Reaction of the [arachno-4-NB(8)H(12)](-) anion with [RhCl(2)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))](2) in CH(2)Cl(2) at room temperature affords a mixture of red '6,9' isomer [9-(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))-nido-6,9-NRhB(8)H(11)] () and its yellow '6,8' isomer, [8-(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))-nido-6,8-NRhB(8)H(11)] (). Under the same conditions, reactions of with [IrCl(2)(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))](2) and [RuCl(2)(eta(6)-MeC(6)H(4)-4-(iso)Pr)](2) give the '6,8' isomers, yellow [8-(eta(5)-C(5)Me(5))-nido-6,8-NIrB(8)H(11)] () and red [8-(eta(6)-MeC(6)H(4)-4-(iso)Pr)-nido-6,8-NRuB(8)H(11)] (), respectively. In contrast, [IrCl(PPh(3))(3)] yields orange [9,9-(PPh(3))(2)-9-H-nido-6,9-NIrB(8)H(11)] (), which exhibits the '6,9' configuration. Compound isomerizes quantitatively in solution to give . At high temperatures, compound gives the yellow '6,8' species, [8,8-(PPh(3))(2)-8-H-nido-6,8-NIrB(8)H(11)] (), in low yields. Possible mechanisms for the unprecedented 6,9 --> 6,8 isomerization are discussed.     

Use of the diffusive gradients in thin films technique (DGT) with various diffusive gels for characterization of sewage sludge-contaminated soils

The diffusive gradients in thin film technique (DGT) was used for characterization of South Moravian arable soils (sampling sites Zlín, Tuřany, and Chrlice) amended by sewage sludge in the 1980s. Two types of polyacrylamide diffusive gel with different pore size (APA gels—cross-linked with agarose and RG gels—cross-linked with bis-acrylamide) were employed. The (bio)available parts of Cd, Cu, and Ni and the proportions of inorganically and organically complexed species of these metals were assessed. The degree of metal resupply from the soil solid phase to the soil solution was also determined. Metal concentrations obtained by the DGT technique were lower by almost 4 to 5 orders of magnitude in comparison with those obtained by extraction with aqua regia. DGT concentrations of metals were also lower by approximately 1 to 2 orders of magnitude in comparison with those obtained by extraction with sodium nitrate (commonly used for assessment of the (bio)available part of metals). Results obtained by DGT measurement were expected to be closer to the actual content of available metal species than results obtained by extraction with sodium nitrate. Using RG gels together with APA gels provided resolution of inorganically and organically complexed metal species and their proportional representation. Inorganic metal species (particles smaller than 1 nm) formed a predominant part of assessed metal content in all studied soil samples and horizons. However, there was the exception of the cadmium content in the middle profile of Chrlice sandy soil sample. Ratio R values indicated that resupply of Cd, Cu, and Ni from the solid phase to the soil solution varied for individual soil samples and individual depth profiles. Mobile and labile species of Cd, Cu, and Ni were much more closely related to upper rather than deeper horizons. This observation correlates very well with the mechanical treatment and amendment of the studied soils.     

Dimethylsulfide-dicarbaborane chemistry. Isolation and characterisation of isomers [9-(SMe2)-nido-7,8-C2B9H10-X-Me] (where X = 1, 2, 3 and 4) and some related compounds. An unusual skeletal rearrangement

Oxidative coupling by FeCl(3) of the [nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)-9-Me](-) anion 1a with SMe(2) yields a mixture of four isomers of 9-(SMe(2))-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)-X-Me, where X = 1, 2, 3 and 4 (compounds 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d respectively). On high dilution of the reaction mixture, the 9-(SMe(2))-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)-10-Me 2e isomer is also isolated in a low yield. The isomers are separated by HPLC, and are identified and characterised by NMR spectroscopy and by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of 2c and 2d. The formation of the products implies an unexpected cluster rearrangement, which is discussed in terms of dsd and vertex-flip reaction pathways. Two additional isomers, 9-(SMe(2))-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)-5-Me 2f and 9-(SMe(2))-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)-6-Me 2g occur when [nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)-5-Me](-) 1b is used as the starting substrate, in a reaction in which no cluster rerarrangement is observed. The corresponding bromide, [nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(11)-5-Br](-) 1c, behaves similarly, forming only 9-(SMe(2))-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)-5-Br 2h and 9-(SMe(2))-nido-7,8-C(2)B(9)H(10)-6-Br 2i.     

Macropolyhedral boron-containing cluster chemistry. Synthesis of the nineteen vertex monocarbaborane [9-(terBuNH2)-(anti)-9-CB18H20] by direct carbon-atom Aufbau

[9-((ter)BuNH(2))-(anti)-9-CB(18)H(20)], in 36% yield from anti-B(18)H(22), sodium naphthalene and (ter)BuNC, constitutes the first example of a clean cluster carbon-addition Aufbau to form a macropolyhedral carbaborane.