MIL-50, an open-framework GaPO with a periodic pattern of small water ponds and dry rubidium atoms: a combined XRD,NMR, and computational study

A new fluorinated gallium phosphate, MIL-50, has been synthesized under mild hydrothermal conditions using 1,6-diaminohexane. The chemical formula of MIL-50 is Rb(2)Ga(9)(PO(4))(8)(HPO(4))(OH)F(6).2N(2)C(6)H(18).7H(2)O. The structure is a network of hexameric units of Ga(3)(PO(4))(3)F(2) and Ga(3)(PO(4))(2)(HPO(4))F(3) via corner sharing. It creates a three-dimensional open-framework delimiting 6- and 18-ring channels running along the c axis. The diprotonated 1,6-diaminohexane and water molecules are trapped within the 18-ring pores, whereas the rubidium cations reside in the 6-ring ones. A double quantum (31)P NMR experiment and partial charge calculations indicate that water molecules are present under the form of periodic small clusters, lowering the multiplicity of one phosphorus site, P3. Though water hops within the clusters, the motion leaves the water pattern periodic. Rubidium is so tightly embedded into the framework that water moving in the large 18-ring channels does not reach it, leaving it therefore dry. The crystal framework may be ascribed to the orthorhombic space group Cmc2(1) (n degrees 36), a = 32.1510(2), b = 17.2290(3), c = 10.2120(1) A. The periodic water pattern has a different symmetry than that of the framework. A method has been devised to superpose the two sublattices that coexist in the same unit cell in order to have full occupancy of each site and to perform Madelung summations. This original method is of general interest for most zeolitic materials exhibiting a different symmetry for the framework and the template sublattices.     

Treatment of radioactive wastes: an X-ray absorption spectroscopy study of the reaction of technetium with green rust

Technetium is a long-lived product of nuclear fission that readily forms the soluble pertechnetate anion [TcO(4)](-). Green rusts (layered hydrous oxides containing both Fe(II) and Fe(III) and with interlayer sulfate or carbonate anions) concentrate >99.8% of 99Tc, present as [TcO(4)](-), from aqueous solution, even in the presence of high concentrations of NaNO(3), a common constituent of radioactive waste streams. The mechanism of removal from solution is apparently reduction and formation of strong Tc(IV) surface complexes. X-ray absorption spectroscopy shows that [TcO(4)](-) is indeed reduced by reaction with both sulfate- and carbonate-form green rusts and is found in a TcO(2)-like environment. On contact with air, the green rusts oxidize to poorly crystalline goethite but the Tc environment is unchanged. There is no increase in Tc solubility associated with oxidation of the host green rust. This behavior suggests that green rusts may be useful in the treatment of Tc-containing waste streams, in groundwater cleanup, and in restricting Tc migration from repositories.     

Solid-State and solution studies of [Ln(n)(SiW11O39)] polyoxoanions: an example of building block condensation dependent on the nature of the rare earth

The reactivity of the [alpha-SiW(11)O(39)](8-) monovacant polyoxometalate with lanthanide has been investigated for four different trivalent rare-earth cations (Ln = Nd(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Yb(III)). The crystal structures of KCs(4)[Yb(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(2)] x 24H(2)O (1), K(0.5)Nd(0.5)[Nd(2)(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(11)] x 17H(2)O (2a), and Na(0.5)Cs(4.5)[Eu(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(2)] x 23H(2)O (3a) are reported. The solid-state structure of compound 1 consists of linear wires built up of [alpha-SiW(11)O(39)](8-) anions connected by Yb(3+) cations, while the linkage of the building blocks by Eu(3+) centers in 3a leads to the formation of zigzag chains. In 2a, dimeric [Nd(2)(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(2)(H(2)O)(8)](10-) entities are linked by four Nd(3+) cations. The resulting chains are connected by lanthanide ions, leading to a bidimensional arrangement. Thus, the dimensionality, the organization of the polyoxometalate building units, and the Ln/[alpha-SiW(11)O(39)](8-) ratio in the solid state can be tuned by choosing the appropriate lanthanide. The luminescent properties of compound 3a have been studied, showing that, in solution, the polymer decomposes to give the monomeric complex [Eu(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(4)](5-). The lability of the four exogenous ligands connected to the rare earth must allow the functionalization of this lanthanide polyanion.     

Phytochemical investigation on Myristica fragrans stem bark

Myristica fragrans Houtt., the source of very important spice ‘nutmeg’ used world over is native to India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, South Africa and Southeast Asia. Phytochemical investigation of M. fragrans stem bark led to the isolation of bis-aryl dimethyl tetrahydrofuran lignans, such as grandisin [(7S,8S,7′S,8′S)-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy-7,7′,8,8′-lignan] and (7S,8S,7′R,8′R)-3,3′,4,4′,5,5′-hexamethoxy-7,7′,8,8′-lignan along with important lignans and neolignans, licarinA, licarin B, odoratisol A, (2S, 3R)-7-methoxy-3-methyl-5-((E)-prop-1-enyl)-2-(5-methoxy,3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran, elemicin, fragransin B₁, raphidecursinol B, erythro-(7S,8R)-Δ^8′-4,7-dihydroxy-3,5,3′-trimethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan, erythro-(7S,8R)-Δ⁸′-7-hydroxy-3,4,3′,5′-tetramethoxy-8-O-4′-neolignan, surinamensin.and β-sitosterol. Structures of the 12 compounds isolated were unambiguously identified by various spectroscopic methods. The former two compounds were isolated from M. fragrans for the first time. Furthermore, the X-ray crystal structure of odoratisol A is reported in this paper for the first time.     

CuCl_2/离子液体催化炔丙醇、仲胺与CO_2的三组分反应

以二氧化碳代替传统剧毒的光气等来合成氨基甲酸酯已成为研究的热点,然而现存的体系普遍需要高温高压等苛刻反应条件才能催化反应,并且很少有催化体系能够有效地回收和再利用.探索了将CuCl_2/离子液体(IL)用于炔丙醇、仲胺和CO_2的三组分反应合成β-羰基氨基甲酸酯.在常压、45℃的温和条件下,以较低催化当量(2%摩尔分数)的廉价易得的2价铜将多种类型的炔丙醇和仲胺通过简单的"一锅法"合成相应的目标化合物,并且循环利用3次后产率并未见明显下降.分步反应结合NMR监测的机理实验证明,炔丙醇与CO_2先生成的α-亚甲基环碳酸酯是反应的重要中间体,且醋酸型离子液体对炔丙醇和CO_2的活化具有重要作用.     

Push–Pull Porphyrins via β-Pyrrole Functionalization: Evidence of Excited State Events Leading to High-Potential Charge-Separated States

A new set of free-base and zinc(II)-metallated, β-pyrrole-functionalized unsymmetrical push–pull porphyrins were designed and synthesized via β-mono- and dibrominated tetraphenylporphyrins using Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. The ability of donors and acceptors on the push–pull porphyrins to produce high-potential charge separated states was investigated. The porphyrins were functionalized at the opposite β,β′-pyrrole positions of porphyrin ring bearing triphenylamine push groups and naphthalimide pull groups. Systematic studies involving optical absorption, steady-state and time-resolved emission revealed existence of intramolecular type interactions both in the ground and excited states. The push–pull nature of the molecular systems was supported by frontier orbitals generated on optimized structures, wherein delocalization of HOMO over the push group and LUMO over the pull group connecting the porphyrin π-system was witnessed. Electrochemical studies were performed to visualize the effect of push and pull groups on the overall redox potentials of the porphyrins. Spectroelectrochemical studies combined with frontier orbitals helped in characterizing the one-electron oxidized and reduced porphyrins. Finally, by performing transient absorption studies in polar benzonitrile, the ability of push–pull porphyrins to produce charge-separated states upon photoexcitation was confirmed and the measured rates were in the range of 10⁹ s⁻¹. The lifetime of the final charge separated state was around 5 ns. This study ascertains the importance of push–pull porphyrins in solar energy conversion and diverse optoelectronic applications, for which high-potential charge-separated states are warranted.     

Radiation synthesis of superabsorbent poly(acrylic acid)–carrageenan hydrogels

A series of superabsorbent hydrogels were prepared from carrageenan and partially neutralized acrylic acid by gamma irradiation at room temperature. The gel fraction, swelling kinetics and the equilibrium degree of swelling (EDS) of the hydrogels were studied. It was found that the incorporation of even 1% carrageenan (sodium salt) increases the EDS of the hydrogels from 320 to 800 g/g. Thermal analysis were carried out to determine the amount of free water and bound water in the hydrogels. Under optimum conditions, poly(acrylic acid)–carrageenan hydrogels with high gel fraction (80%) and very high EDS (800 g/g) were prepared gamma radiolytically from aqueous solution containing 15% partially neutralized acrylic acid and 1–5% carrageenan. The hydrogels were also found to be sensitive to the pH and the ionic strength of the medium.     

Nucleophilic displacement at benzhydryl centers: asymmetric synthesis of 1,1-diarylalkyl derivatives

[reaction: see text] Activation of substituted 1,1-diarylmethanols as their corresponding toluenesulfonates and subsequent displacement with a range of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur nucleophiles proceeds in 81-96% yield. Enantiomerically enriched diarylmethanols 8a-c were activated and displaced with pyridine acetate enolate with complete stereochemical inversion at carbon to yield 1,1-diarylalkyl derivatives 10a-c without loss of optical purity.     

Probing the glycosidic linkage: UV and IR ion-dip spectroscopy of a lactoside

The beta(1-->4) glycosidic linkage found in lactose is a prevalent structural motif in many carbohydrates and glycoconjugates. Using UV and IR ion-dip spectroscopies to probe benzyl lactoside isolated in the gas phase, we find that the disaccharide unit adopts only a single, rigid structure. Its fully resolved infrared ion-dip spectrum is in excellent agreement with that of the global minimum structure computed ab initio. This has glycosidic torsion angles of phi(H) (H1-C1-O-C4') approximately 180 degrees and psi(H) (C1-O-C4'-H4') approximately 0 degrees which correspond to a rotation of approximately 150 degrees about the glycosidic bond compared to the accepted solution-phase conformation. We discuss the biological implications of this discovery and the generality of the strategies employed in making it.