Concerning the stability of 4,5,6,7,8-pentafluoro-1-naphthyl-magnesium bromide and the corresponding lithium derivative

4,5,6,7,8-Pentafluoro-1-naphthylmagnesium bromide and the corresponding-lithium compound at elevated temperatures do $\text{not}$ form a 1,8-dehydronaphthalyne intermediate (a 1,3-aryne) by loss of fluoride ion from C-8.     

Initial 119Sn Mössbauer Spectroscopy and X-ray Diffractometry Investigations of Electrodeposited Tin-Chromium and Tin-Zinc-Chromium Alloys

¹¹⁹Sn conversion electron Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) were employed to investigate microstructure, composition and phases present in as-electroplated Sn-Cr and Sn-Cr-Zn alloys deposited on copper substrates. In the Sn-Cr deposits Cu, -Sn, Cr-Sn phases can be identified by X-ray diffractometry. The phase composition is significantly different between the samples prepared with relatively higher and lower current densities. In the diffractograms of Sn-Cr-Zn deposits Cu, -Sn, Zn phases can be well identified. A small intensity amorphous peak is also present, which can perhaps be associated with the presence of some amorphous Zn and Sn alloy. ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra of Sn-Cr deposits exhibit an asymmetric broad main line centered near the isomer shift characteristic of -Sn as well as they contain a small component near the zero velocity which can be attributed to a SnO₂ phase based upon its characteristic. ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectra of Sn-Cr-Zn deposits are roughly similar to those of Sn-Cr deposits although the Mössbauer parameters of the third phase are different and vary with the Zn content. The presence of SnO₂ on the surface mainly in the Sn-Cr samples can be attributed to the corrosion process in the air.     

Structural trends in the dehydrogenation selectivity of palladium alloys

Alloying is well-known to improve the dehydrogenation selectivity of pure metals, but there remains considerable debate about the structural and electronic features of alloy surfaces that give rise to this behavior. To provide molecular-level insights into these effects, a series of Pd intermetallic alloy catalysts with Zn, Ga, In, Fe and Mn promoter elements was synthesized, and the structures were determined using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD). The alloys all showed propane dehydrogenation turnover rates 5–8 times higher than monometallic Pd and selectivity to propylene of over 90%. Moreover, among the synthesized alloys, Pd₃M alloy structures were less olefin selective than PdM alloys which were, in turn, almost 100% selective to propylene. This selectivity improvement was interpreted by changes in the DFT-calculated binding energies and activation energies for C–C and C–H bond activation, which are ultimately influenced by perturbation of the most stable adsorption site and changes to the d-band density of states. Furthermore, transition state analysis showed that the C–C bond breaking reactions require 4-fold ensemble sites, which are suggested to be required for non-selective, alkane hydrogenolysis reactions. These sites, which are not present on alloys with PdM structures, could be formed in the Pd₃M alloy through substitution of one M atom with Pd, and this effect is suggested to be partially responsible for their slightly lower selectivity.

Alloying is well-known to improve the dehydrogenation selectivity of pure metals, but there remains considerable debate about the structural and electronic features of alloy surfaces that give rise to this behavior.     

Designing naphthopyran mechanophores with tunable mechanochromic behavior

Mechanochromic molecular force probes conveniently report on stress and strain in polymeric materials through straightforward visual cues. We capitalize on the versatility of the naphthopyran framework to design a series of mechanochromic mechanophores that exhibit highly tunable color and fading kinetics after mechanochemical activation. Structurally diverse naphthopyran crosslinkers are synthesized and covalently incorporated into silicone elastomers, where the mechanochemical ring–opening reactions are achieved under tension to generate the merocyanine dyes. Strategic structural modifications to the naphthopyran mechanophore scaffold produce dramatic differences in the color and thermal electrocyclization behavior of the corresponding merocyanine dyes. The color of the merocyanines varies from orange-yellow to purple upon the introduction of an electron donating pyrrolidine substituent, while the rate of thermal electrocyclization is controlled through electronic and steric factors, enabling access to derivatives that display both fast-fading and persistent coloration after mechanical activation and subsequent stress relaxation. In addition to identifying key structure–property relationships for tuning the behavior of the naphthopyran mechanophore, the modularity of the naphthopyran platform is demonstrated by leveraging blends of structurally distinct mechanophores to create materials with desirable multicolor mechanochromic and complex stimuli-responsive behavior, expanding the scope and accessibility of force-responsive materials for applications such as multimodal sensing.

Structure–activity relationships for strategic substitution of the naphthopyran mechanophore scaffold enable polymeric materials with tunable mechanochromic behavior.     

Quantitative measure for the "nakedness" of fluoride ion sources

A quantitative measure for the donor strength or "nakedness" of fluoride ion donors is presented. It is based on the free energy change associated with the transfer of a fluoride ion from the donor to a given acceptor molecule. Born-Haber cycle calculations were used to calculate both the free energy and the enthalpy change for this process. The enthalpy change is given by the sum of the fluoride ion affinity of the acceptor (as defined in strict thermodynamic convention) and the lattice energy difference (DeltaU(POT)) between the fluoride ion donor and the salt formed with the acceptor. Because, for a given acceptor, the fluoride affinity has a constant value, the relative enthalpy (and also the corresponding free energy) changes are governed exclusively by the lattice energy differences. In this study, BF(3), PF(5), AsF(5), and SbF(5) were used as the acceptors, and the following seven fluoride ion donors were evaluated: CsF, N(CH(3))(4)F (TMAF), N-methylurotropinium fluoride (MUF), hexamethylguanidinium fluoride (HMGF), hexamethylpiperidinium fluoride (HMPF), N,N,N-trimethyl-1-adamantylammonium fluoride (TMAAF), and hexakis(dimethylamino)phosphazenium fluoride (HDMAPF). Smooth relationships between the enthalpy changes and the molar volumes of the donor cations were found which asymptotically approach constant values for infinitely large cations. Whereas CsF is a relatively poor F(-) donor [(U(POT)(CsF) - U(POT)(CsSbF(6))) = 213 kJ mol(-)(1)], when compared to N(CH(3))(4)F [(U(POT)(TMAF) - U(POT)(TMASbF(6))) = 69 kJ mol(-)(1)], a 4 times larger cation (phosphazenium salt) and an infinitely large cation are required to decrease DeltaU(POT) to 17 and 0 kJ mol(-)(1), respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that very little is gained by increasing the cation size past a certain level and that secondary factors, such as chemical and physical properties, become overriding considerations.     

Standard absolute entropy, S degrees 298 values from volume or density. 1. Inorganic materials

Standard absolute entropies of many inorganic materials are unknown; this precludes a full understanding of their thermodynamic stabilities. It is shown here that formula unit volume, V(m)(), can be employed for the general estimation of standard entropy, S degrees 298 values for inorganic materials of varying stoichiometry (including minerals), through a simple linear correlation between entropy and molar volume. V(m)() can be obtained from a number of possible sources, or alternatively density, rho, may be used as the source of data. The approach can also be extended to estimate entropies for hypothesized materials. The regression lines pass close to the origin, with the following formulas: For inorganic ionic salts, S degrees 298 /J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1) = 1360 (V(m)()/nm(3) formula unit(-)(1)) + 15 or = 2.258 [M/(rho/g cm(-)(3))] + 15. For ionic hydrates, S degrees 298 /J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1) = 1579 (V(m)()/nm(3) formula unit(-)(1)) + 6 or = 2.621 [M/(rho/g cm(-)(3))] + 6. For minerals, S degrees 298 /J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1) = 1262 (V(m)()/nm(3) formula unit(-)(1)) + 13 or = 2.095 [M/(rho/g cm(-)(3))] + 13. Coupled with our published procedures, which relate volume to other thermodynamic properties via lattice energy, the correlation reported here complements our development of a predictive approach to thermodynamics and ultimately permits the estimation of Gibbs energy data. Our procedures are simple, robust, and reliable and can be used by specialists and nonspecialists alike.     

Parallel preparative high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line molecular mass characterization

High-throughput chemistry (HTC) is now an integral part of the lead discovery process in many pharmaceutical and related chemical companies. As this process becomes refined or improved, with the integration of systems with enhanced capabilities, and the requirement for quality compounds of high purity increases, purification is often considered a bottleneck. Although a wide range of purification techniques is available, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) is usually the preferred method of purification to produce high-purity compounds. Parallel preparative HPLC with robust UV-guided fraction collection has been shown to reduce the bottleneck and complement the parallel synthesis systems. However, despite the success of this technique, post-purification analysis of fractions to identify the target compound adds an additional level of complexity. This paper describes the interfacing of the Biotage Parallex with the MUX interface on a single quadrupole mass spectrometer, thus combining robust UV-guided fractionation with on-line MS characterization.     

Difference rule-a new thermodynamic principle: prediction of standard thermodynamic data for inorganic solvates

We present a quite general thermodynamic "difference" rule, derived from thermochemical first principles, quantifying the difference between the standard thermodynamic properties, P, of a solid n-solvate (or n-hydrate), n-S, containing n molecules of solvate, S (water or other) and the corresponding solid parent (unsolvated) salt: [P[n-solvate] - P[parent]]/n = constant = theta(P)[S,s-s], or n-S and other solvate, n'-S: [P[-solvate] - P[n'-solvate]]/(n - n') = [P[n-S ] - P[n'-S]]/(n - n') = constant = theta(P)[S,s-s] where P may be any one of: U(POT) (the lattice potential energy), V(m) (the molecular or formula unit volume), Delta(f)H degrees , Delta(f)S degrees , Delta(f)G degrees or (the standard thermodynamic functions of formation and the absolute entropy), and n can be noninteger. The constants, theta(P)[S,s-s], for each property, P, of solvate of type S, are established by correlation of the available set of experimental data. We also show that, when solid-state data for a particular solvate is sparse, theta(P)[S,s-s] can be reliably predicted from liquid-state values, P[S,l], or even gas-state values, P[S,g]. This rule offers a powerful means for predicting unknown thermodynamic data, extending the compass of currently known thermodynamic information. Systems considered involve the following solvates: H(2)O (hydrates), D(2)O, NH(3), ND(3), (CH(3))(2)O, NaOH, CH(3)OH, C(2)H(5)OH, (CH(2)OH)(2), H(2)S, SO(2), HF, KOH, and (CH(CH(3))(2))(2)O. Detailed examples of usage are given for hydrates and for SO(2).     

Enthalpies of formation of gas-phase N3, N3-, N5+, and N5- from Ab initio molecular orbital theory, stability predictions for N5(+)N3(-) and N5(+)N5(-), and experimental evidence for the instability of N5(+)N3(-)

Ab initio molecular orbital theory has been used to calculate accurate enthalpies of formation and adiabatic electron affinities or ionization potentials for N3, N3-, N5+, and N5- from total atomization energies. The calculated heats of formation of the gas-phase molecules/ions at 0 K are DeltaHf(N3(2Pi)) = 109.2, DeltaHf(N3-(1sigma+)) = 47.4, DeltaHf(N5-(1A1')) = 62.3, and DeltaHf(N5+(1A1)) = 353.3 kcal/mol with an estimated error bar of +/-1 kcal/mol. For comparison purposes, the error in the calculated bond energy for N2 is 0.72 kcal/mol. Born-Haber cycle calculations, using estimated lattice energies and the adiabatic ionization potentials of the anions and electron affinities of the cations, enable reliable stability predictions for the hypothetical N5(+)N3(-) and N5(+)N5(-) salts. The calculations show that neither salt can be stabilized and that both should decompose spontaneously into N3 radicals and N2. This conclusion was experimentally confirmed for the N5(+)N3(-) salt by low-temperature metathetical reactions between N5SbF6 and alkali metal azides in different solvents, resulting in violent reactions with spontaneous nitrogen evolution. It is emphasized that one needs to use adiabatic ionization potentials and electron affinities instead of vertical potentials and affinities for salt stability predictions when the formed radicals are not vibrationally stable. This is the case for the N5 radicals where the energy difference between vertical and adiabatic potentials amounts to about 100 kcal/mol per N5.