Mass spectral fragmentation mechanisms of some dibenzo[c,f][1,2] diazepines

The fragmentation mechanisms of 11H-dibenzo[c,f][1,2]diazepine (I), its 3,8-dichloro derivative (II), 3,8-dichlorodibenzo[c,f] [1,2]diazepin-11-one (III) and 3,8-dichloro-11H-dibenzo-[c,f][1,2]diazepin-N-oxide (IV) are discussed. The initial loss of molecular nitrogen is characteristic of I, II and III. Compound IV has a strong molecular ion, that competitively eliminates cither NO or Cl- and N₂O. The common radical ion, m/166 e present in the mass spectra of I, fluorene, 2-methyl-9,10-anthraquinone and 2-methylbenzo[c]cinnoline, appears to be formed in different states.     

Total synthesis of the ristocetin aglycon

The first total synthesis of the ristocetin aglycon is described employing a modular and highly convergent strategy. An effective 12-step (12% overall) synthesis of the ABCD ring system 3 from its amino acid subunits sequentially features an intramolecular aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction for formation of the diaryl ether and closure of the 16-membered CD ring system (65%), a respectively diastereoselective (3:1, 86%) Suzuki coupling for installation of the AB biaryl linkage on which the atropisomer stereochemistry can be further thermally adjusted, and an effective macrolactamization (51%) for closure of the 12-membered AB ring system. A similarly effective 13-step (14% overall) synthesis of the 14-membered EFG ring system 4 was implemented employing a room-temperature intermolecular S(N)Ar reaction of an o-fluoronitroaromatic for formation of the FG diaryl ether (69%) and a key macrolactamization (92%) with formation of the amide linking residues 1 and 2. The two key fragments 3 and 4 were coupled, and the remaining 16-membered DE ring system was closed via diaryl ether formation to provide the ristocetin tetracyclic ring system (15 steps, 8% overall) enlisting an unusually facile (25 degrees C, 8 h, DMF, >/=95%) and diastereoselective (>/=15:1) aromatic nucleophilic substitution reaction that benefits from substrate preorganization.     

The electrochemical synthesis ofO-ethylxanthato- andN,N′-dimethyldithiocarbamato-complexes of oxovanadium(IV), manganese (III), zinc(II), silver(I) and cadmium(II)

Summary A direct electrochemical synthetic method has been developed to effect the one-step preparation of metal xanthates and dithiocarbamates by the oxidation of the metal in an organic solution of the dixanthogen or thiuram disulphide. Results are reported for the metals: oxovanadium(IV), manganese(III), zinc(II), silver(I) and cadmium(II).     

Molecular properties of adsorbates that affect the growth kinetics of archerite (KDP)

We explore the molecular properties of adsorbates that dramatically affect growth kinetics and morphology of the [100] face of archerite, also known as potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH(2)PO(4) or KDP). Aqueous complexes of Al(III), Fe(III), and Cr(III) are known to affect KDP growth, albeit the actual step-pinning complex(es) is unknown. Using in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM), we measured changes in the growth rates of the [100] face of KDP with supersaturation in the presence of trace amounts of [Co(NH(3))(6)](3+), [Fe(CN)(6)](3-), eta(1)-[Co(NH(3))(5)HPO(4)](+), eta(2)-[Co(NH(3))(4)HPO(4)](+), eta(2)-[Co(NH(3))(4)P(2)O(7)H(2)](+), and [Rh(H(2)PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+). Unlike in experiments using trivalent-metals, these complexes do not change stoichiometry or structure on the timescale of step motion, so that the actual molecular interactions that affect growth can be studied. Step velocity and morphology on the [100] face are unaffected by outer-sphere coordination complexes of either charge. Surprisingly, inner-sphere phosphatoammine complexes do not affect growth rates regardless of how the phosphate group is coordinated to the metal. However, doping the growth solution with [Rh(H(2)PO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)](+) results in profound step pinning, matching the behavior of KDP surfaces grown in the presence of Rh(III) after an equilibration period. Not only is an inner-sphere phosphate group needed to dock a trivalent metal to the step edge, but compatible hydrogen bonding of the remainder of the inner-sphere ligands with the bulk lattice is also essential.     

Selective Hydrogenation of Acrolein Over Pd Model Catalysts: Temperature and Particle‐Size Effects

The selectivity in the hydrogenation of acrolein over Fe₃O₄‐supported Pd nanoparticles has been investigated as a function of nanoparticle size in the 220–270 K temperature range. While Pd(111) shows nearly 100 % selectivity towards the desired hydrogenation of the C=O bond to produce propenol, Pd nanoparticles were found to be much less selective towards this product. In situ detection of surface species by using IR‐reflection absorption spectroscopy shows that the selectivity towards propenol critically depends on the formation of an oxopropyl spectator species. While an overlayer of oxopropyl species is effectively formed on Pd(111) turning the surface highly selective for propenol formation, this process is strongly hindered on Pd nanoparticles by acrolein decomposition resulting in CO formation. We show that the extent of acrolein decomposition can be tuned by varying the particle size and the reaction temperature. As a result, significant production of propenol is observed over 12 nm Pd nanoparticles at 250 K, while smaller (4 and 7 nm) nanoparticles did not produce propenol at any of the temperatures investigated. The possible origin of particle‐size dependence of propenol formation is discussed. This work demonstrates that the selectivity in the hydrogenation of acrolein is controlled by the relative rates of acrolein partial hydrogenation to oxopropyl surface species and of acrolein decomposition, which has significant implications for rational catalyst design.