First synthesis of 1-aryl-4,4-dichlorobut-3-en-1-ones. The electrochemical reduction of 1-aryl-4,4,4-trichlorobut-2-en-1-ones as a key step

The first method for the synthesis of 1-aryl-4,4-dichlorobut-3-en-1-ones is reported. Treatment of acetophenones with anhydrous chloral leads to 1-aryl-4,4,4-trichloro-3-hydroxybutan-1-ones in near quantitative yields. These compounds were efficiently dehydrated with either sulfuric or p-toluenesulfonic acid to give 1-aryl-4,4,4-trichlorobut-2-en-1-ones, which were selectively converted to the title compounds in fair to quantitative yields by electrochemical reduction. The X-ray crystallographic structure of 4,4-dichloro-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)but-3-en-1-one has been determined. The preferential formation of β,γ-unsaturated ketones with total exclusion of the corresponding α,β-unsaturated isomers has been discussed with the aid of HF and B3LYP density functional theory methods.     

Visible light driven generation and alkyne insertion reactions of stable bis-cyclometalated Pt(iv) hydrides

Hydride complexes resulting from the oxidative addition of C–H bonds are intermediates in hydrocarbon activation and functionalization reactions. The discovery of metal systems that enable their direct formation through photoexcitation with visible light could lead to advantageous synthetic methodologies. In this study, easily accessible dimers [Pt₂(μ-Cl)₂(C^N)₂] (C^N = cyclometalated 2-arylpyridine) are demonstrated as a very convenient source of Pt(C^N) subunits, which promote photooxidative C–H addition reactions with different 2-arylpyridines (N′^C′H) upon irradiation with blue light. The resulting [PtH(Cl)(C^N)(C′^N′)] complexes are the first isolable Pt(iv) hydrides arising from a cyclometalation reaction. A transcyclometalation process involving three photochemical steps is elucidated, which occurs when the C^N ligand is a monocyclometalated 2,6-diarylpyridine, and a detailed analysis of the photoreactivity associated with the Pt(C^N) moiety is provided. Alkyne insertions into the Pt–H bond of a photogenerated Pt(iv) hydride are also reported as a demonstration of the ability of this class of compounds to undergo subsequent organometallic reactions.

The photochemical generation of isolable bis-cyclometalated Pt(iv) hydrides via photooxidative C–H addition reactions is demonstrated from easily accessible Pt(ii) precursors using visible light.     

The Molecular Structure and NMR Properties of P-Phosphinoylmethyl Aminophosphonium Salts

The molecular structures of two aminophosphonium salts (bromide and tetrafluoroborate) have been determined by X-ray analysis. They have similar conformations and hydrogen bond (HB) networks: the N–H acid proton is bonded to the anion and, in the case of the fluoroborate, to the oxygen atom of the phosphine oxide, forming a pseudo six-membered ring closed by a weak N–HO intramolecular hydrogen bond (IMHB). These compounds have been studied by multinuclear NMR in solution, including the ¹⁵N-labeled derivatives, to determine a complete set of coupling constants. A coupling of 1.5 Hz between the ¹⁵N and the ³¹P nuclei, separated by three bonds, was observed experimentally for the bromide in CDCl₃ solution, which appears to be a classical ³ J _N-P across the covalent bonds and not a ^3h J _N-P across the IMHB.     

Partitioning of macrocyclic compounds in a cationic and an anionic micellar solution: a small-angle neutron scattering study

Following a previous investigation on partitioning of some macrocycle compounds in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and dodecyltrimethylammonium bromide (DTAB) aqueous solutions and their effect on the micellar structure, a small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study has been performed at fixed surfactant content (0.20 mol/L) and varying macrocycle concentrations from 0.20 up to 1.0 mol/L. Conductivity measurements have been also performed in order to evaluate the effect of the presence of macrocycles on the critical micellar concentration (cmc) of the two surfactants. SANS experimental data were fitted successfully by means of a core-plus-shell monodisperse prolate ellipsoid model. It has been found that 1,4,7,10,13,16-esaoxacyclooctadecane (18C6) and 4,7,13,16-tetraoxa-1,10-diazacyclooctadecane (22) do not interact with DTAB micelles whereas their sodium complexes interact with SDS aggregates and partially localize, as a consequence of electrostatic interaction, on the micellar surface or in the Stern layer. 2,5,8,11,14,17-Hexaoxabicyclo[16.4.0] dicosane (B18C6), as a consequence of the increased hydrophobic character with respect to 18C6, interacts with DTAB hydrocarbon chains and partially localizes in the inner part of micelles. This finding has been successfully used to justify the higher amount of B18C6 compared to the 18C6 one found in the SDS micellar phase. The substituted crown ether has been found localized both on the micelle surface via complex formation and in the inner part of micelles as a consequence of the increased hydrophobic character. For all systems, the aggregate size primarily decreases with the amount of macrocycle in the micellar phase. The interpretation of cmc trends as a function ofmacrocycle concentration gives information on its distribution between micellar and aqueous phases that is in line with SANS results.     

SERS assessment of the cancer-specific methylation pattern of genomic DNA: towards the detection of acute myeloid leukemia in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

In this label-free surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) study of genomic DNA, we demonstrate that the cancer-specific DNA methylation pattern translates into specific spectral differences. Thus, DNA extracted from an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell line presented a decreased intensity of the 1005 cm⁻¹ band of 5-methylcytosine compared to normal DNA, in line with the well-described hypomethylation of cancer DNA. The unique methylation pattern of cancer DNA also influences the DNA adsorption geometry, resulting in higher adenine SERS intensities for cancer DNA. The possibility of detecting cancer DNA based on its SERS spectrum was validated on peripheral blood genomic DNA samples from n = 17 AML patients and n = 17 control samples, yielding an overall classification of 82% based on the 1005 cm⁻¹ band of 5-methylcytosine. By demonstrating the potential of SERS in assessing the methylation status in the case of real-life DNA samples, the study paves the way for novel methods of diagnosing cancer.

Graphical abstract

     

On the use of wavelet filtering and correlation techniques in atmospheric condensed phase spectroscopy

The application of wavelet filtering and analysis in spectroscopy is discussed in relation to the analysis of complex atmospheric spectra, where contributions from condensed phase particles and gas phase molecules are present in the form of broad-band features and narrow lines, respectively. The broad-band contribution can be extracted as the 'smooth signal' component of the wavelet transform, with a large reduction in the size of the corresponding data files. This procedure is applied to an investigation of the H2SO4 aerosol content of a series of atmospheric spectra measured in the ATMOS missions. The sulfate content of the smooth signal is analysed by means of correlation techniques, using a set of laboratory reference spectra of varying sulfuric acid concentration and temperature. Correlation density maps and correlation curves are used to select the most appropriate spectral zones for sulfate analysis and to assess the sulfate aerosol content in the atmosphere subsequent to the eruption of the Mount Pinatubo volcano.     

Synthesis of 3-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-one. Revision of some structural assignments

The reported synthesis of 3-phcnyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-one (II) via brominution of o-acel-amidophenyl phcnaeyl ether (Scheme) leads in lael to the 7-bromo-3-phenyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-2-ol (VIII). The structure of the other synthetic intermediates is also revised and a one-step synthesis of the lactone II is reported hy condensation of methyl phenylglyoxalale and o-amino-phenol.     

Macrocyclic vs. dendrimeric effect. A DFT study

Macrocycles up to 15 members with different heteroatoms (N, O, and S) and dendrimeric functionalized branches were assembled, resulting in unique "collective" supramolecular hosts with several active sites for transition metal ions complexation. The nature of the interactions between these kinds of systems and metal ions of the first transition series (Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) was evaluated by calculations of the binding energies at the B3LYP/LACVP* level of theory, resulting in a preference of metal ions for macrocyclic cavity in terms of complexation; however, there is a favorable contribution in energy due to the cooperative effect of dendrimeric branches (DBs) in the inclusion process by means of long-range interactions between metal ions and the heteroatoms present in DBs. According to calculated binding energies, even when the complexation in the middle of DBs appears as a less favored situation, still competes with the complexation occurred in several known macrocycles traditionally used in the formation of inclusion complexes. The capability of macrocycles as host entities is related to some criteria like: (1) the compatibility in orbital symmetry between host and guest molecules; (2) the cavity dimensions and the negative charge inside; and (3) the hardness-softness affinity between host and guest molecules. When DBs are included in host systems, their flexibility seems to be very important, in addition to localized negative charge, which permits the occurrence of long-range interactions.     

Cyanocalix[4]arenes: synthesis,crystal structures and reactivity studies

Abstract

Herein, we describe an improved method to synthesise mono-, di- and tetra-cyanocalix[4]arene and report their crystal structure determinations. We also report our attempts to further functionalise the cyanocalix[4]arenes into dithiadiazolyl-calix[4]arenes, and propose a hypothesis as to why the cyano group on a calix[4]arene is an extremely challenging group to modify.