Why is the association of supramolecular assemblies different under homogeneous and heterogeneous conditions?

The origin of the change of the thermodynamic properties of association between homogeneous and heterogeneous systems is highlighted by numerical experiments.     

Development of a charge-perturbed particle-in-a-sphere model for nanoparticle electronic structure

The complex surface structure of gold-thiolate nanoparticles is known to affect the calculated density functional theory (DFT) excitation spectra. However, as the nanoparticle size increases, it becomes impractical to calculate the excitation spectrum using DFT. In this study, a new method is developed to determine the energy levels of the thiolate-protected gold nanoparticles [Au(25)(SR)(18)](-), Au(102)(SR)(44) and Au(144)(SR)(60). A 3 nm thiolate-protected nanoparticle is also modeled. The particle-in-a-sphere model is used to represent the core while the ligands are treated as point charge perturbations. The electronic structures obtained with this model are qualitatively similar to DFT results. The symmetry of the arrangement of the perturbations around the core plays a major role in determining the splitting of the orbitals. The radius chosen to represent the core also affects the orbital splitting. Increasing the number of perturbations around the core shifts the orbitals to higher energies but does not significantly change the band gaps and orbital splitting as long as the symmetrical arrangement of the perturbations is conserved. This model can be applied to any gold nanoparticle with a spherical core, regardless of its size or the nature of the ligands, at very low computational cost.     

Lab-in-a-tube: ultracompact components for on-chip capture and detection of individual micro-/nanoorganisms

A review of present and future on-chip rolled-up devices, which can be used to develop lab-in-a-tube total analysis systems, is presented. Lab-in-a-tube is the integration of numerous rolled-up components into a single device constituting a microsystem of hundreds/thousands of independent units on a chip, each individually capable of sorting, detecting and analyzing singular organisms. Such a system allows for a scale-down of biosensing systems, while at the same time increasing the data collection through a large, smart array of individual biosensors. A close look at these ultracompact components which have been developed over the past decade is given. Methods for the capture of biomaterial are laid out and progress of cell culturing in three-dimensional scaffolding is detailed. Rolled-up optical sensors based on photoluminescence, optomechanics, optofluidics and metamaterials are presented. Magnetic sensors are introduced as well as electrical components including heating, energy storage and resistor devices.     

Heterolytic addition of E-H bonds across Pt-P bonds in Pt N-heterocyclic phosphenium/phosphido complexes

The reactivity of E-H bonds (E = S, O, Cl) with Pt(II) complexes ligated by an N-heterocyclic phosphido-containing diphosphine ligand have been investigated. Addition of PhSH to [(PPP)Pt(PPh(3))][PF(6)] (1) results in clean formation of [(PP(H)P)Pt(SPh)][PF(6)] (3), in which the substrate has added across the Pt-P(NHP) bond. Similar reactivity occurs when 1 is treated with ROH (R = Ph, Me), but in this case the O-H bond adds across the Pt-P bond in the opposite direction producing [(PP(OR)P)Pt(H)(PPh(3))][PF(6)] (R = Ph (4), Me (5)). HCl addition to 1 cleanly generates [(PP(H)P)PtCl][PF(6)] (6(PF6)). The neutral Pt-NHP complex (PPP)PtCl (2) exhibits similar reactivity; however, in the presence of the nucleophilic Cl(-) anion, the (PP(OR)P)Pt(H)Cl species presumably generated via addition of ROH (R = Me, Et) undergoes an Arbuzov-like dealkylation reaction to exclusively form the N-heterocylic phosphinito species (PP(O)P)Pt(H) (7).     

Synthesis, characterisation and theoretical study of ruthenium 4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl complexes: fundamental switching of the nature of S1 and T1 states from MLCT to MC

The series of complexes [Ru(bpy)(3-n)(btz)(n)][PF(6)](2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl, btz = 1,1'-dibenzyl-4,4'-bi-1,2,3-triazolyl, 2n = 1, 3n = 2, 4n = 3) have been prepared and characterised, and the photophysical and electronic effects imparted by the btz ligand were investigated. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit MLCT absorption bands at 425 and 446 nm respectively showing a progressive blue-shift in the absorption on increasing the btz ligand content when compared to [Ru(bpy)(3)][Cl](2) (1). Complex 4 exhibits a heavily blue-shifted absorption spectrum with respect to those of 1-3, indicating that the LUMO of the latter are bpy-centred with little or no btz contribution whereas that of 4 is necessarily btz-centred. DFT calculations on analogous complexes 1'-4' (in which the benzyl substituents are replaced by methyl) show that the HOMO-LUMO gap increases by 0.3 eV from 1'-3' through destabilisation of the LUMO with respect to the HOMO. The HOMO-LUMO gap of 4' increases by 0.98 eV compared to that of 3' due to significant destabilisation of the LUMO. Examination of TDDFT data show that the S(1) states of 1'-3' are (1)MLCT in character whereas that of 4' is (1)MC. The optimisation of the T(1) state of 4' leads to the elongation of two mutually trans Ru-N bonds to yield [Ru(κ(2)-btz)(κ(1)-btz)(2)](2+), confirming the (3)MC character. Thus, replacement of bpy by btz leads to a fundamental change in the ordering of excited states such that the nature of the lowest energy excited state changes from MLCT in nature to MC.     

Aggregation of donor base stabilized 2-thienyllithium in a single crystal and in solution: distances from X-ray diffraction and the nuclear Overhauser effect

Various 2-thienyllithium derivatives were investigated in the solid state by X-ray diffraction and in solution by 2D NMR experiments. The determined structures of [(Et(2)O)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](4) (1), [(THF)(2)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](2) (2), [(DME)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](2) (3), [(TMEDA)Li(C(4)H(3)S)](2) (4), and [(PMDETA)Li(C(4)H(3)S)] (5) (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane, TMEDA = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene-1,2-diamine, and PMDETA = N,N,N',N",N"-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) were solved in nondonating toluene and provide firm ground for diffusion-ordered NMR spectroscopy as well as heteronuclear Overhauser enhancement NMR spectroscopy. The distance relation of nuclear Overhauser effects with a factor of r(-6) is employed to gain further insight into the aggregation degree of 1-5 in solution. Comparison of the slope provided by the linear region of the buildup curves and of the ∑r(-6) calculated distances from the crystal structures offers a handle to judge the structure retention versus conversion in solution. The structures of 3-5 are maintained in toluene solution. The data of 2, however, indicate a partial dissociation or a rapid exchange between the vertices of a tetrameric core and free THF molecules. Auxiliary exchange spectroscopy investigations showed that the signals of the nitrogen donor base containing compounds 4 and 5 exchange with the signals of nonlithiated thiophene. This is explained by exchange of the deuterium by a hydrogen atom via lithiation of toluene molecules.     

The role of group 14 element hydrides in the activation of C-h bonds in cyclic olefins

Formally, triple-bonded dimetallynes ArEEAr [E = Ge (1), Sn (2); Ar = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2)] have been previously shown to activate aliphatic, allylic C-H bonds in cyclic olefins, cyclopentadiene (CpH), cyclopentene (c-C(5)H(8)) and 1,4-cyclohexadiene, with intriguing selectivity. In the case of the five-membered carbocycles, cyclopentadienyl species ArECp [E = Ge (3), Sn (4)] are formed. In this study, we examine the mechanisms for activation of CpH and c-C(5)H(8) using experimental methods and describe a new product found from the reaction between 1 and c-C(5)H(8), an asymmetrically substituted digermene ArGe(H)Ge(c-C(5)H(9))Ar (5), crystallized in 46% yield. This compound contains a hydrogenated cyclopentyl moiety and is found to be produced in a 3:2 ratio with 3, explaining the fate of the liberated H atoms following triple C-H activation. We show that when these C-H activation reactions are carried out in the presence of tert-butyl ethylene (excess), compounds {ArE(CH(2)CH(2)tBu)}(2) [E = Ge(8), Sn(9)] are obtained in addition to ArECp; in the case of CpH, the neohexyl complexes replace the production of H(2) gas, and for c-C(5)H(8) they displace cyclopentyl product 5 and account for all the hydrogen removed in the dehydroaromatization reactions. To confirm the source of 8 and 9, it was demonstrated that these molecules are formed cleanly between the reaction of (ArEH)(2) [E = Ge(6), Sn(7)] and tert-butyl ethylene, new examples of noncatalyzed hydro-germylation and -stannylation. Therefore, the presence of transient hydrides of the type 6 and 7 can be surmised to be reactive intermediates in the production of 3 and 4, along with H(2), from 1 and 2 and CpH (respectively), or the formation of 3 and 5 from 1. The reaction of 6 or 7 with CpH gave 3 or 4, respectively, with concomitant H(2) evolution, demonstrating the basic nature of these low-valent group 14 element hydrides and their key role in the 'cascade' of C-H activation steps. Additionally, during the course of these studies a new polycyclic compound (ArGe)(2)(C(7)H(12)) (10) was obtained in 60% yield from the reaction of 1,6-heptadiene and 1 via double [2 + 2] cycloaddition and gives evidence for a nonradical mechanism for these types of reactions.     

Reversible and irreversible higher-order cycloaddition reactions of polyolefins with a multiple-bonded heavier group 13 alkene analogue: contrasting the behavior of systems with π-π, π-π*, and π-n+ frontier molecular orbital symmetry

The heavier group 13 element alkene analogue, digallene Ar(iPr(4))GaGaAr(iPr(4)) (1) [Ar(iPr(4)) = C(6)H(3)-2,6-(C(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2)], has been shown to react readily in [n + 2] (n = 6, 4, 2 + 2) cycloaddition reactions with norbornadiene and quadricyclane, 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene, 1,3-cyclopentadiene, and 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene to afford the heavier element deltacyclane species Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(7)H(8))GaAr(iPr(4)) (2), pseudoinverse sandwiches Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(8)H(8))GaAr(iPr(4)) (3, 3(iso)), and polycyclic compounds Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(5)H(6))GaAr(iPr(4)) (4) and Ar(iPr(4))Ga(C(7)H(8))GaAr(iPr(4)) (5, 5(iso)), respectively, under ambient conditions. These reactions are facile and may be contrasted with other all-carbon versions, which require transition-metal catalysis or forcing conditions (temperature, pressure), or with the reactions of the corresponding heavier group 14 species Ar(iPr(4))EEAr(iPr(4)) (E = Ge, Sn), which give very different product structures. We discuss several mechanistic possibilities, including radical- and non-radical-mediated cyclization pathways. These mechanisms are consistent with the improved energetic accessibility of the LUMO of the heavier group 13 element multiple bond in comparison with that of a simple alkene or alkyne. We show that the calculated frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) of Ar(iPr(4))GaGaAr(iPr(4)) are of π-π symmetry, allowing this molecule to engage in a wider range of reactions than permitted by the usual π-π* FMOs of C-C π bonds or the π-n(+) FMOs of heavier group 14 alkyne analogues.     

Click strategies for single-molecule protein fluorescence

Single-molecule methods have matured into central tools for studies in biology. Foerster resonance energy transfer (FRET) techniques, in particular, have been widely applied to study biomolecular structure and dynamics. The major bottleneck for a facile and general application of these studies arises from the need to label biological samples site-specifically with suitable fluorescent dyes. In this work, we present an optimized strategy combining click chemistry and the genetic encoding of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) to overcome this limitation for proteins. We performed a systematic study with a variety of clickable UAAs and explored their potential for high-resolution single-molecule FRET (smFRET). We determined all parameters that are essential for successful single-molecule studies, such as accessibility of the probes, expression yield of proteins, and quantitative labeling. Our multiparameter fluorescence analysis allowed us to gain new insights into the effects and photophysical properties of fluorescent dyes linked to various UAAs for smFRET measurements. This led us to determine that, from the extended tool set that we now present, genetically encoding propargyllysine has major advantages for state-of-the-art measurements compared to other UAAs. Using this optimized system, we present a biocompatible one-step dual-labeling strategy of the regulatory protein RanBP3 with full labeling position freedom. Our technique allowed us then to determine that the region encompassing two FxFG repeat sequences adopts a disordered but collapsed state. RanBP3 serves here as a prototypical protein that, due to its multiple cysteines, size, and partially disordered structure, is not readily accessible to any of the typical structure determination techniques such as smFRET, NMR, and X-ray crystallography.     

Single samarium atoms in large fullerene cages. Characterization of two isomers of Sm@C92 and four isomers of Sm@C94 with the X-ray crystallographic identification of Sm@C1(42)-C92, Sm@C(s)(24)-C92, and Sm@C3v(134)-C94

Two isomers of Sm@C(92) and four isomers of Sm@C(94) were isolated from carbon soot obtained by electric arc vaporization of carbon rods doped with Sm(2)O(3). Analysis of the structures by single-crystal X-ray diffraction on cocrystals formed with Ni(II)(octaethylporphyrin) reveals the identities of two of the Sm@C(92) isomers: Sm@C(92)(I), which is the more abundant isomer, is Sm@C(1)(42)-C(92), and Sm@C(92)(II) is Sm@C(s)(24)-C(92). The structure of the most abundant form of the four isomers of Sm@C(94), Sm@C(94)(I), is Sm@C(3v)(134)-C(94), which utilizes the same cage isomer as the previously known Ca@C(3v)(134)-C(94) and Tm@C(3v)(134)-C(94). All of the structurally characterized isomers obey the isolated pentagon rule. While the four Sm@C(90) and five isomers of Sm@C(84) belong to common isomerization maps that allow these isomers to be interconverted through Stone-Wales transformations, Sm@C(1)(42)-C(92) and Sm@C(s)(24)-C(92) are not related to each other by any set of Stone-Wales transformations. UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and computational studies indicate that Sm@C(1)(42)-C(92) is more stable than Sm@C(s)(24)-C(92) but possesses a smaller HOMO-LUMO gap. While the electronic structures of these endohedrals can be formally described as Sm(2+)@C(2n)(2-), the net charge transferred to the cage is less than two due to some back-donation of electrons from π orbitals of the cage to the metal ion.