Heats of formation of [2.2]paracyclophane-1-ene and [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene - an experimental study

The enthalpies of formation [Delta(g)] of tricyclo[8.2.2.2(4,7)]hexadeca-1(13),2,4(16),5,7(15),10(14),11-heptaene (2, 1,2-dehydro[2.2]paracyclophane or [2.2]paracyclophane-1-ene) and tricyclo[8.2.2.2(4,7)]hexadeca-1(13),2,4(16),5,7(15),8,10(14),11-octaene (3, 1,2,9,10-dehydro[2.2]paracyclophane or [2.2]paracyclophane-1,9-diene) have been determined by measuring their heats of combustion in a microcalorimeter and their heats of sublimation by the transpiration method. Values of the strain energies (SE) [SE(2) = 34.7 kcal mol(-)(1), SE(3) = 42.0 kcal mol(-)(1)] have been derived from the gas-phase heats of formation and are compared with those from MM3 and PM3 calculations and with the corresponding value SE(1) = 30.1 kcal mol(-)(1) for the parent tricyclo[8.2.2.2(4,7)]hexadeca-1(13),4(16),5,7(15),10(14),11-hexaene (1, [2.2]paracyclophane). The higher strain energies of 2 and 3 (by 4.6 and 11.9 kcal mol(-)(1)) are in accord with the well-known increased reactivities of their aromatic rings as a consequence of their increased bending. As revealed by an X-ray crystal structure analysis, the bending in the monoene 2 corresponds to that of 1 and 3 at one of two bridging corners.     

Amidines derived from Pt(IV)-mediated nitrile-amino alcohol coupling and their Zn(II)-catalyzed conversion into oxazolines

The reaction between the platinum(IV) complex trans-[PtCl(4)(EtCN)(2)] and the amino alcohols NH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH, NH(2)CH(2)CH(Me)OH-(R)-(-), NH(2)CH(Ph)CH(2)OH-(R)-(-), NH(2)CH(Et)CH(2)OH-(R)-(-), NH(2)CH(Et)CH(2)OH-(S)-(+), and NH(2)CH(Pr(n)())CH(2)OH proceeds rapidly at room temperature in CH(2)Cl(2) to furnish the amidine complexes [PtCl(4)(HN=C(Et)NH(arcraise;)OH)(2)] (1-6) in good yield (70-80%). The related reaction between the platinum(II) complex trans-[PtCl(2)(EtCN)(2)] and monoethanolamine in a molar ratio of 1:2 in CH(2)Cl(2) results in the addition of 4 equiv of NH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH per mole of complex to give [Pt(HN=C(Et)NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)(NH(2)CH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)](2+) (7). Formulation of 1-6 is based upon satisfactory C, H, N elemental analyses, electrospray mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and (1)H, (13)C((1)H), (15)N, and (195)Pt NMR spectroscopies, while the structures of trans-[PtCl(4)((Z)-NH=C(Et)NHCH(2)CH(2)OH)(2)] (1), trans-[PtCl(4)((Z)-NH=C(Et)NHCH(2)CH(Me)OH-(R)-(-))(2)] (2), and trans-[PtCl(4)((Z)-NH=C(Et)NHCH(Et)CH(2)OH-(R)-(-))(2)] (4) were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The Z-amidine configuration of the ligands is preserved in CDCl(3) solutions as confirmed by gradient-enhanced (15)N,(1)H-HMQC spectroscopy and NOE experiments. The amidines, formed upon Pt(IV)-mediated nitrile-amino alcohol coupling, were liberated from their platinum(IV) complexes 1, 3, and 4 by reaction with Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2) (dppe) giving free NH=C(Et)NHCHRCH(2)OH (R = H 8, Et 9, Ph 10), with the substituents R of different types, and dppe oxides; the P-containing species were identified by (31)P((1)H) NMR spectroscopy. NOESY spectroscopy indicates that the liberated amidines retained the same configuration relative to the C=N double bond, i.e., syn-(H,Et)-NH=C(Et)NHCHRCH(2)OH. The liberated hydroxo-functionalized amidines 8-10 were converted into oxazolines (11-13) in the presence of a catalytic amount of ZnCl(2). A similar catalytic effect has also been reached using anhydrous MSO(4) (M = Cu, Co, Cd), CdCl(2), and AlCl(3).     

The first enantiomerically pure [n]triangulanes and analogues: sigma-[n]helicenes with remarkable features

(M)-(-)- and (P)-(+)-Trispiro[2.0.0.2.1.1]nonanes [(M)- and (P)-3] as well as (M)-(-)- and (P)-(+)-tetraspiro[2.0.0.0.2.1.1.1]undecanes [(M)- and (P)-4]-enantiomerically pure unbranched [4]- and [5]triangulanes-have been prepared starting from racemic bicyclopropylidenecarboxylic [(1RS)-12] and exo-dispiro[2.0.2.1]heptane-1-carboxylic [(1RS,3SR)-13] acids. The optical resolutions of rac-12 and rac-13 furnished enantiomerically pure acids (S)-(+)-12, (R)-(-)-12, (1R,3S)-(-)-13, and (1S,3R)-(+)-13. The ethyl ester (R)-25 of the acid (R)-(-)-12 was cyclopropanated to give carboxylates (1R,3R)-26 and (1R,3S)-26. The ester (1R,3S)-26 and acids (1R,3S)-13 and (1S,3R)-13 were converted into enantiomerically pure methylene[3]triangulanes (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28. An alternative approach consisted of an enzymatic deracemization of endo-[(1SR,3SR)-dispiro[2.0.2.1]heptyl]methanol (rac-20) or anti-[(1SR,3RS)-4-methylenespiropentyl]methanol (rac-18). This afforded (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28 (starting from rac-20), as well as enantiomerically pure (M)-(-)- and (P)-(+)-1,4-dimethylenespiropentanes [(M)- and (P)-23] starting from rac-18. The methylenetriangulanes (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28 were cyclopropanated furnishing (M)- and (P)-3. The rhodium-catalyzed cycloaddition of ethyl diazoacetate onto (S)-(-)- and (R)-(+)-28 yielded four diastereomeric ethyl trispiro[2.0.0.2.1.1]nonane-1-carboxylates in approximately equal proportions. The enantiomerically pure esters (1R,3S,4S)- and (1S,3R,4R)-30 were isolated by careful distillation and then transformed into [5]triangulanes (M)- and (P)-4 using the same sequence of reactions as applied for (M)- and (P)-3. The structures of the key intermediates (R)-12 and rac-31 were confirmed by X-ray analyses. Although [4]- and [5]triangulanes have no chromophore which would lead to any significant absorption above 200 nm, they have remarkably high specific rotations even at 589 nm with [alpha](20)D=-192.7 [(M)-3, c=1.18, CHCl(3))] or +373.0 [(P)-4, c=1.18, CHCl(3))]. This remarkable optical rotatation is in line with their helical arrangement of sigma bonds, as confirmed by a full valence space single excitation configuration interaction treatment (SCI) in conjunction with DFT computations at the B3LYP/TZVP//B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) level of theory which reproduce the ORD very well. Thus, it is appropriate to call the helically shaped unbranched [n]triangulanes the "sigma-[n]helicenes", representing the sigma-bond analogues of the aromatic [n]helicenes.     

On the calculation of absolute free energies from molecular-dynamics or Monte Carlo data

We propose a method for calculating absolute free energies from Monte Carlo or molecular-dynamics data. The method is based on the identity that expresses the partition function Q as a Boltzmann average: 1Q=w(p,x)exp[betaH(p,x)], where w(p,x) is an arbitrary weight function such that its integral over the phase space is equal to 1. In practice, to minimize statistical errors the weight function is chosen such that the regions of the phase space where sampling statistics are poor are excluded from the average. The "ideal" weight function would be the equilibrium phase-space density exp[-betaH(p,x)]Q itself. We consider two methods for constructing the weight function based on different estimates of the equilibrium phase-space density from simulation data. In the first method, it is chosen to be a Gaussian function, whose parameters are obtained from the covariance matrix of the atomic coordinates. In the second, a clustering algorithm is used to attempt partitioning the data into clusters corresponding to different basins of attraction visited by the system. The weight function is then constructed as a superposition of Gaussians calculated for each cluster separately. We show that these strategies can be used to improve upon previous methods of estimating absolute entropies from covariance matrices.     

Electrochemical synthesis, structural characterization, and decomposition of rhenium oxoethoxide, Re4O4(OEt)12. Ligand influence on the structure and bonding in the high-valent tetranuclear planar rhenium alkoxide clusters

Anodic oxidation of rhenium in ethanol in the presence of LiCl as a conductive additive results with high yield in formation of a new oxoethoxide cluster, Re(4)O(4)(OEt)(12). The structure of the planar centrosymmetric metal-oxygen core of this molecule is composed of four edge-sharing Re(V)O(6) octahedra. Eight electrons are available for the formation of metal-metal bonds indicated by five relatively short Re-Re distances within the Re 4-rhombus, a "planar butterfly" type cluster. The theoretical calculations are indicating relatively low contribution of metal-metal bonding in the stability of the core. The stability of the +V-oxidation state, unusual for rhenium alkoxides can be at least partially attributed to the size effects in the packing of ligands. The X-ray powder study indicates that treatment of Re(4)O(4)(OEt)(12). in ambient atmosphere rapidly transforms it into a mixed-valence derivative Re(4)O(6)(OEt)(10) with a structure related to the earlier investigated cluster Re(4)O(6)(O(i)Pr)(10). Thermal decomposition of the latter rhenium oxoethoxide results in reduction to rhenium metal at as low temperatures as 380 degrees C, producing aggregates of metal nanoparticles with the average size of 3 nm.     

Modified Ceria-Zirconia Fluorite-Like Catalysts for the Combustion of Methane

For dispersed ceria-zirconia-based solid solutions prepared via the polymerized complex method and annealed at 700℃, effects of bulk doping by Ca, Mn, Co, Bi or Nb cations and surface modification by Mn and Pt on their structural features, surface/bulk oxygen reactivity and catalytic activity in methane combustion are considered. With up to 20 mol% doping, a structural type of homogeneous solid solutions of anion-deficient fluorite with disordered anion vacancies is formed. Doping by transition metal cations or Pt increases the mobility and reactivity of the surface/bulk oxygen. A broad variation in specific rates of methane combustion for the studied systems was observed, suggesting structural sensitivity of this reaction. In general, there is no universal relationship between the oxygen mobility, the reactivity and the catalytic activity in methane combustion, which is explained by the factor of specific methane activation on surface active sites. For the Pt-promoted samples, Pt efficiency in methane activation depends on the Pt-support interaction, and the most favorable ones being mixed Pt/MnOx and Pt/NbOx clusters on the surface of the supports that exhibit high lattice oxygen mobilities.     

Reagentless amperometric formaldehyde-selective biosensors based on the recombinant yeast formaldehyde dehydrogenase

Novel formaldehyde-selective amperometric biosensors were developed based on NAD(+)- and glutathione-dependent formaldehyde dehydrogenase isolated from a gene-engineered strain of the methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha. Electron transfer between the immobilized enzyme and a platinized graphite electrode was established using a number of different low-molecular free-diffusing redox mediators or positively charged cathodic electrodeposition paints modified with Os-bis-N,N-(2,2'-bipyridil)-chloride ([Os(bpy)(2)Cl]) complexes. Among five tested Os-containing redox polymers of different chemical structure and properties, complexes of osmium-modified poly(4-vinylpyridine) with molecular mass of about 60 kDa containing diaminopropyl groups were selected. The positively charged cathodic paint exhibited the best electron-transfer characteristics. Moreover, the polymer layers simultaneously served as a matrix for keeping the negatively charged low-molecular cofactors, glutathione and NAD(+), in the bioactive layer. Additionally, covering the enzyme/polymer layer with a negatively charged Nafion membrane significantly decreased cofactors leakage and simultaneously enhanced the sensor' stability. The developed sensors revealed a high selectivity to formaldehyde (FA) and a low cross-sensitivity to other substances (such as, e.g. butyraldehyde, propionaldehyde, acetaldehyde, methylglyoxal). The maximum current value was 34.2+/-0.72 microA/mm(2) (3.05 mm diameter electrode) and the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant (K(M)(app)) derived from the FA calibration curves was 120+/-5mM with a linear detection range for FA up to 20mM. The best observed sensitivity for reagentless sensor was 1.8 nA microM(-1) (358 Am(-2)M(-1)). The developed sensors had a good operational and storage stability. The laboratory prototype of the sensor was applied for FA testing in some real samples of pharmaceutical (formidron), disinfectant (descoton forte) and industrial product (formalin). A good correlation was revealed between the concentration values measured using the developed FdDH-based sensor, an enzymatic method and standard chemical methods of FA determination.     

Combining electrophoresis with detection under ultraviolet light and multiple ultrafiltration for isolation of humic fluorescence fractions

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of chernozem soil humic acids (HAs) followed by observation under UV (312 nm) excitation light reveals new low molecular weight (MW) fluorescent fractions. Ultrafiltration of HAs sample in 7 M urea on a membrane of low nominal MW retention (NMWR, 5 kDa) was repetitively used for separation of fluorescent and non-fluorescent species. Thirty ultrafiltrates and the final retentate R were obtained. Fluorescence maxima of separate ultrafiltrates were different and non-monotonously changed in the range of 475–505 nm. Fluorescence maxima of less than 490 nm were detected only in the four first utrafiltrates. For further physical–chemical analyses all utrafiltrates were combined into a fraction called UF < 5 (NMW < 5 kDa). Retentate R demonstrated very weak fluorescence under 270 nm excitation, while fluorescence intensity of UF < 5 was about six times higher than of the bulk HAs. Fraction UF < 5 was further ultrafiltrated on membranes of MNWR 3 kDa and 1 kDa, yielding three subfractions UF3-5, UF1-3 and UF < 1 with NMW 3–5 kDa, 1–3 kDa and <1 kDa, respectively. The validation of the UF procedure was performed by size exclusion chromatography on Sephadex G-25 column. The fluorescence maxima were found to be at 505, 488 and 465 nm for UF3-5, UF1-3 and UF < 1, respectively, with increasing of fluorescence intensity from UF3-5 to UF1-3 to UF < 1 fraction. EPR analysis showed that the amount of free radicals was the largest in retentate R and drastically decreased in fluorescent ultrafiltrates. The results demonstrate that more than one fluorophore is present in chernozem soil HAs complex.     

A structural study of (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐dibenzoyl‐1,3,5‐triphenylcyclohexan‐1‐ol chloroform hemisolvate and (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐dibenzoyl‐1‐phenyl‐3,5‐bis(2‐methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan‐1‐ol

(1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐Dibenzoyl‐1,3,5‐triphenylcyclohexan‐1‐ol or (4‐hydroxy‐2,4,6‐triphenylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diyl)bis(phenylmethanone), C₃₈H₃₂O₃, (1), is formed as a by‐product in the NaOH‐catalyzed synthesis of 1,3,5‐triphenylpentane‐1,5‐dione from acetophenone and benzaldehyde. Single crystals of the chloroform hemisolvate, C₃₈H₃₂O₃·0.5CHCl₃, were grown from chloroform. The structure has triclinic (P) symmetry. One diastereomer [as a pair of (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐enantiomers] of (1) has been found in the crystal structure and confirmed by NMR studies. The dichoromethane hemisolvate has been reported previously [Zhang et al. (2007). Acta Cryst. E 63 , o4652]. (1RS,2SR,3RS,4SR,5RS)‐2,4‐Dibenzoyl‐3,5‐bis(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐1‐phenylcyclohexan‐1‐ol or [4‐hydroxy‐2,6‐bis(2‐methoxyphenyl)‐4‐phenylcyclohexane‐1,3‐diyl]bis(phenylmethanone), C₄₀H₃₆O₅, (2), is also formed as a by‐product, under the same conditions, from acetophenone and 2‐methoxybenzaldehyde. Crystals of (2) have been grown from chloroform. The structure has orthorhombic (Pca2₁) symmetry. A diastereomer of (2) possesses the same configuration as (1). In both structures, the cyclohexane ring adopts a chair conformation with all bulky groups (benzoyl, phenyl and 2‐methoxyphenyl) in equatorial positions. The molecules of (1) and (2) both display one intramolecular O—H...O hydrogen bond.