UV photodissociation of the van der Waals dimer (CH3I)2 revisited: pathways giving rise to ionic features

The CH(3)I A-state-assisted photofragmentation of the (CH(3)I)(2) van der Waals dimer at 248 nm and nearby wavelengths has been revisited experimentally using the time-of-flight mass spectrometry with supersonic and effusive molecular beams and the "velocity map imaging" technique. The processes underlying the appearance of two main (CH(3)I)(2) cluster-specific features in the mass spectra, namely, I(2)(+) and translationally "hot" I(+) ions, have been studied. Translationally hot I(+) ions with an average kinetic energy of 0.94+/-0.02 eV appear in the one-quantum photodissociation of vibrationally excited I(2)(+)((2)Pi(32,g)) ions (E(vib)=0.45+/-0.11 eV) via a "parallel" photodissociation process with an anisotropy parameter beta=1.55+/-0.03. Comparison of the images of I(+) arising from the photoexcitation of CH(3)I clusters versus those from neutral I(2) shows that "concerted" photodissociation of the ionized (CH(3)I)(2)(+) dimer appears to be the most likely mechanism for the formation of molecular iodine ion I(2)(+), instead of photoionization of neutral molecular iodine.     

Rationally designed, polymeric, extended metal-ciprofloxacin complexes

Reactions of the antimicrobial fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (cfH) with metal salts in the presence of aromatic polycarboxylate ligands or under basic conditions produce fourteen new metal-cfH complexes, namely, [Ba2(cf)2(1,4-bdc)(H2O)2] x H2O (1), [Sr6(cf)6(1,4-bdc)3(H2O)6] x 2H2O (2), [M2(cfH)2(bptc)(H2O)2] x 8H2O (M = Mn3 and Cd4), [M(cfH)(1,3-bdc)] (M = Mn5, Co6, and Zn7), [Zn2(cfH)4(1,4-bdc)](1,4-bdc) x 13H2O (8), [Ca(cfH)2(1,2-Hbdc)2] x 2H2O (9) and [M(cf)2] x 2.5H2O (M = Mn10, Co11, Zn12, Cd13, and Mg14) (1,4-bdc = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, bptc = 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylate, 1,3-bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate, 1,2-bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate). Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses and further characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric analyses. The structures of 1 and 2 consist of unique two-dimensional arm-shaped layers. Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural and feature one-dimensional structures formed from the interconnection of [M2(cfH)2(H2O)2] dimers with bptc ligands. Compounds 5-7 are isostructural and contain double-chain-like ribbons constructed from [M2(cfH)2(CO2)2] dimers and 1,3-bdc. Compound 8 consists of a pair of [Zn(cfH)2]2+ fragments bridged by a 1,4-bdc into a dinuclear dumbbell structure. Compound 9 is a neutral monomeric complex. To the best of our knowledge, compounds 1-9 are the first examples of metal-quinolone complexes that contain aromatic polycarboxylate ligands. Compounds 10-14 are isostructural and exhibit interesting two-dimensional rhombic grids featuring large cavities with dimensions of 13.6x13.6 A. Up to now, polymeric extended metal-cfH complexes have never been reported.     

Vanadium 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane (V[TCNQ]2)-based magnets

A new family of molecule-based magnets of general formula V[TCNQR(2)](2).zCH(2)Cl(2) has been synthesized and characterized (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane; R = H, Br, Me, Et, i-Pr, OMe, OEt, and OPh). In addition, solid solutions of V[TCNQ](x)()[TCNQ(OEt)(2)](2)(-)(x)().zCH(2)Cl(2) composition have been prepared. Except R = Br, magnetic ordering was observed for all materials, with T(c) values between 7.5 K (R = Me) and 106 K (R = OEt), with R = H at 52 K. The substitution of electron-donating OMe and OEt groups for H in TCNQ increased T(c), whereas the substitution of less electron-donating alkyl groups (with respect to alkoxy groups) decreased T(c). The results of MO calculations indicate that neither the spin nor charge densities of the disubstituted TCNQs are sufficiently different to explain the wide range of critical temperatures. Although the structures of the amorphous materials are not known, it is proposed that the oxygen atom of the [TCNQR(2)](*)(-) acceptor (R = OMe and OEt) and the V(II) interact to form a seven-membered ring. This interaction could stabilize the structure and enhance the magnetic coupling, leading to an increased T(c). The magnetic properties of V[TCNQ](x)()[TCNQ(OEt)(2)](2)(-)(x)().zCH(2)Cl(2) deviated from the expected linear relationship with respect to x, exhibiting magnetic behavior more characteristic of a step function in a plot of T(c) versus x.     

Application of P-stereogenic aminophosphine phosphinite ligands in asymmetric hydroformylation

New chiral aminophosphine phosphinite ligands with a stereogenic center at the aminophosphine phosphorus atom were prepared based on (R,S)-ephedrine as the chiral auxiliary and backbone. Substituents at the chiral aminophosphine as well as at the phosphinite phosphorus atom were varied. These new ligands were applied to the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric hydroformylation of vinyl arenes. The enantiomeric excess reached up to 77%. 1H and 31P NMR studies of the Rh complexes under syngas pressure reveal that [HRh(CO)2(PP)] complexes with the NP* moiety in an axial position are responsible for enantioselectivity.     

Alkene metatheses in transition metal coordination spheres: dimacrocyclizations that join trans positions of square-planar platinum complexes to give topologically novel diphosphine ligands

The alkene-containing phosphines PPh((CH2)(n)CH=CH2)2)2 are prepared from PPhH(2), n-BuLi, and the corresponding bromoalkenes (1:2:2), and combined with the platinum tetrahydrothiophene complex [Pt(mu-Cl)(C(6)F(5))(S(CH2CH2(-))2)]2 to give the square-planar adducts trans-(Cl)(C(6)F(5))Pt(PPh((CH2)(n)CH=CH2)2)2 (11, 93-73%; n=a, 2; b, 3; c, 4; d, 5; e, 6; f, 8). Ring-closing metatheses with Grubbs' catalyst (2) are studied. With, two isomers of trans-(Cl)(C6F5)[formula: see text](14)Ph)(15e) are isolated after hydrogenation. Both form via dimacrocyclization between the trans-phosphine ligands, but differ in the dispositions of the PPh rings (syn, 31%; anti, 7%). The alternative intraligand metathesis product trans-(Cl)(C6F5)[formula: see text](14)Ph)2 (16e) is independently prepared by (i) protecting 4e as a borane adduct, H(3)B.PPh((CH(2))(6)CH=CH2)2, (ii) cyclization with 2 and hydrogenation to give H(3)B[formula: see text] (14), (iii) deprotection and reaction with 12. The sample derived from 11e contains < or = 2% 16e; mass spectra suggest that the other products are dimers or oligomers. The structures of syn-15e, anti-15e and 16e are verified crystallographically, and the macrocycle conformations analyzed. As expected from the (CH(2))(n) segment length, 11a undergoes intraligand metathesis to give (Z,Z)-trans-(Cl)(C6F5)Pt[formula: see text]CH2)2)2 (86%), as confirmed by a crystal structure of the hydrogenation product. Although 11b does not yield tractable products, 11c gives syn-(E,E)-trans-(Cl)(C6F5[formula:see text](21%). This structure, and that of the hydrogenation product (syn-15c; 95%), are verified crystallographically. Analogous sequences with 11d,f give syn-15d (5 and 14% overall).     

Automation of solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry extraction of eucalyptus volatiles

Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography (GC)-ion-trap mass spectrometry (ITMS) is employed to analyze fragrance compounds from different species of eucalyptus trees: Eucalyptus dunnii, Eucalyptus saligna, Eucalyptus grandis, and hybrids of other species. The analyses are performed using an automated system for preincubation, extraction, injection, and analysis of samples. The autosampler used is a CombiPAL and has much flexibility for the development of SPME methods and accommodates a variety of vial sizes. For automated fragrance analysis the 10- and 20-mL vials are the most appropriate. The chromatographic separation and identification of the analytes are performed with a Varian Saturn 4D GC-ITMS using an HP-5MS capillary column. Several compounds of eucalyptus volatiles are identified, with good reproducibility for both the peak areas and retention times. Equilibrium extraction provides maximal sensitivity but requires additional consideration for the effect of carryover. Preequilibrium extraction allows good sensitivity with minimal carryover.     

Multiple quantum dynamics in linear chains and rings of nuclear spins in solids at low temperatures

Multiple quantum spin dynamics is studied using analytical and numerical methods for one-dimensional finite systems of nuclear spins 12 coupled by dipole-dipole interactions at low temperatures. Exact expressions for intensities of multiple quantum coherences at low temperatures were obtained in the approximation of the nearest neighbor interactions. The time growth of multiple quantum coherences was analyzed numerically when all the dipole-dipole interactions in one-dimensional systems consisting of 6/8 spins were taken into account. It is shown that the growth of multiple quantum coherences gets faster when the temperature decreases, and the intensities of multiple quantum coherences can be negative at low temperatures.