Well depths of XeF− and XeCl− from ion transport data

Mobility and diffusion data for F^? and Cl^? ions in Xe gas at 300 K are used to test the well depths and the “width” of the XeF^? well previously obtained by a fit to differential scattering cross sections.     

Trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylenemercury: a versatile Lewis acidic host

Trimeric perfluoro-ortho-phenylenemercury (1) constitutes one of the simplest trifunctional Lewis acidic hosts. In addition to cooperative effects arising from the proximity of the mercury(II) centers, the electron-withdrawing properties of the backbone and the accessibility of the electrophilic sites lead to the facile complexation of neutral and electron rich substrates. The planarity of the structure as well as its overall polarizability compounded with relativistic effects at mercury also permits the occurrence of non-covalent interactions and accounts for the tendency of this compound to form cofacial dimers. Collectively, the Lewis acidic properties of 1 as well as its ability to engage in non-covalent interactions can be held responsible for its ability to form extended binary supramolecular stacks with arenes. The photoluminescence observed in some of these supramolecular complexes corresponds to the phosphorescence of the aromatic substrate and indicate the occurrence of a mercury heavy atom effect.     

Metallation effects on the thermal interconversion of atropisomers of di(orthomethylarene)-substituted porphyrins

A new series of meso-substituted diaryl free-base and metalloporphyrins have been prepared. Each arene has been substituted with both a methyl group in the ortho position and a formyl group in the meta position. Rotation of the arene units is prevented at room temperature due to the steric restrictions imposed by the flanking methyl groups at the porphyrin beta-pyrrolic positions on the methyl groups at the ortho position on the meso-substituted arene unit. This allowed the alpha alpha and alpha beta atropisomers of this porphyrin to be separated and characterised. X-Ray crystallographic determination of the structure of the free-base porphyrin revealed a very flat porphyrin core. Metallation resulted in the isolation and characterisation of the nickel, zinc and copper derivatives. The assignments of the alpha alpha and alpha beta isomers are confirmed by X-ray crystallographic determination of the structures of the Cu(II) analogues. The copper alpha alpha structure exhibits a very twisted porphyrin core, the copper alpha beta structure is also distorted, but to a lesser degree. The activation energy for rotation has been calculated for each of the 2H, Ni and Zn derivatives. The energy required to rotate the arene ring increases in the order Ni < Zn approximately 2H. No significant difference in the free energy of rotation was observed between experiments carried out with the alpha alpha and small alpha beta isomers.     

The direct photo-oxidative decarboxylation of α-oxo-carboxylic acids

α-Oxo-carboxylic acids undergo photo-oxidative decarboxylation from both C-1 and C-2 positions, and reaction does not involve singlet oxygen: a mechanism involving an electron transfer reaction is postulated.     

Highly efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution promoted by O–Mo–C interfaces of ultrafine β-Mo2C nanostructures

Optimizing interfacial contacts and thus electron transfer phenomena in heterogeneous electrocatalysts is an effective approach for enhancing electrocatalytic performance. Herein, we successfully synthesized ultrafine β-Mo₂C nanoparticles confined within hollow capsules of nitrogen-doped porous carbon (β-Mo₂C@NPCC) and found that the surface layer of molybdenum atoms was further oxidized to a single Mo–O surface layer, thus producing intimate O–Mo–C interfaces. An arsenal of complementary technologies, including XPS, atomic-resolution HAADF-STEM, and XAS analysis clearly reveals the existence of O–Mo–C interfaces for these surface-engineered ultrafine nanostructures. The β-Mo₂C@NPCC electrocatalyst exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in water. Theoretical studies indicate that the highly accessible ultrathin O–Mo–C interfaces serving as the active sites are crucial to the HER performance and underpinned the outstanding electrocatalytic performance of β-Mo₂C@NPCC. This proof-of-concept study opens a new avenue for the fabrication of highly efficient catalysts for HER and other applications, whilst further demonstrating the importance of exposed interfaces and interfacial contacts in efficient electrocatalysis.

Ultrafine β-Mo₂C nanostructures encapsulated in N-doped carbon capsules featuring O–Mo–C interfaces as the active sites for HER have been unveiled.     

Aqueous Solution Chemistry of the Mo(3)PdS(4) Cube: Substitution Reactions and the Double to Single Cube Interconversion Induced by CO, Two Phosphines, Cl(-), Br(-), and NCS(-)

The kinetics of conversion of an edge-linked double cube, in this case [{Mo(3)PdS(4)(H(2)O)(9)}(2)](8+), to the corresponding single cube [Mo(3)(PdX)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+), has been studied for the first time. Reaction is induced by six reagents X = CO, two water-soluble phosphines, Cl(-), Br(-), and NCS(-), which complex at the tetrahedral Pd. The first stage of reaction is fast and is accompanied by color changes, e.g. purple to dark blue in the case of Cl(-), assigned as double to single cube conversion. With X = CO and the two phosphines, when absorbance changes are intense enough for stopped-flow monitoring with reactants at Pd-SCN. On removal of e.g. Cl(-) by chromatography or addition of Ag(+), the double cube re-forms.     

Determination of total,and bound Se in sera by INAA

In this study we report on the comparison between the total selenium in serum (total Se) with that which is apparently bound to high molecular weight (>12,000 D) species, presumably proteins (bound Se). Nine hundred seventy seven (977) serum samples arising out of a population-based epidemiological study were prepared in duplicate for the determination of total Se by pipeting directly into irradiation vials; and separate duplicate aliquots were dialyzed against DI water for the determination of bound Se. All samples were analyzed by neutron activation analysis via^77mSe (17.4 s). A small dialyzable Se component (6%) (free Se), defined as the difference between the total Se minus the bound Se, was identified.     

Inclusive ϱ0,K *±(892) andf production in\bar p p Interactions at 12 GeV/c

Inclusive production of ?⁰,K ^*±(892), andf is studied in \(\bar p\) p interactions at 12 GeV/c. The inclusive cross sections for ?⁰,K ^*±(892), andf are found to be 6.7±0.3 mb, 1.0±0.2 mb, and 1.4±0.3 mb, respectively. The differential cross sections are presented as a function of c.m. rapidity, Feynmanx and square of the transverse momentump _T ² . Comparison with the correspondingpp data shows some interesting differences which can be attributed to the \(\bar p\) p annihilation. The results are compared with the predictions of the quark fusion model.     

Reaction of pentaammine(urea-O)cobalt(III) cation with chlorine and hypochlorous acid in aqueous solution

Summary The Co(NH₃)₅[OC(NH₂)₂]³⁺ cation in aqueous acid reacts with chlorine and hypochlorous acid, with two sequential steps observed in each case. Rate constants for both steps show a first-order dependence on [oxidant], with k₁/k₂ always <20, but varying with the choice of reactant and acid. Rate constants with Cl₂ as reactant are faster than with HOCl, possibly related to preferential attack by Cl⁺ compared with OCl^– on the bound urea. Competition by ions (HSO ₄ ^– , Cl^– or NO ₃ ^– ) measured by product analysis of reactions conducted in 1 M acid produced competition ratios R (R=[CoX]/[CoOH₂][X]) which are similar to values determined with a range of leaving groups previously, indicating a mechanistic constancy. No formation of Co(NH₃)₅Cl²⁺ was observed in reactions conducted in H₂SO₄ or HNO₃, implying that free Cl^– is not generated at the reaction site and captured by the metal ion. Electronic and vibrational spectra of the intermediate formed in the two stage reaction is indicative of a change from an O-bound to an N-bound ligand in forming that intermediate, although it cannot be a simple isomerization due to the dependence on [oxidant]. A possible mechanism is discussed.     

Thermodynamics of binding of 2-methoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine and 2-methoxy-3-isobutylpyrazine to the major urinary protein

In the present study we examine the thermodynamics of binding of two related pyrazine-derived ligands to the major urinary protein, MUP-I, using a combination of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), X-ray crystallography, and NMR backbone (15)N and methyl side-chain (2)H relaxation measurements. Global thermodynamics data derived from ITC indicate that binding is driven by favorable enthalpic contributions, rather than the classical entropy-driven hydrophobic effect. Unfavorable entropic contributions from the protein backbone and side-chain residues in the vicinity of the binding pocket are partially offset by favorable entropic contributions at adjacent positions, suggesting a "conformational relay" mechanism whereby increased rigidity of residues on ligand binding are accompanied by increased conformational freedom of side chains in adjacent positions. The principal driving force governing ligand affinity and specificity can be attributed to solvent-driven enthalpic effects from desolvation of the protein binding pocket.