Synthesis,X-ray crystal structure and cation binding properties of a tetrahomodioxacalix[4]arene tetraester

Treatment ofp-t-butyltetrahomodioxacalix[4]arene with ethyl bromoacetate yields a tetraester derivative (4) whose crystal and molecular structure have been determined and whose ion binding properties have been assessed by phase transfer and stability constant measurements. Colorless transparent triclinic crystals (obtained from methoxyethanol) C₆₂H₈₄O₁₄,a = 10.347(2),b = 11.583(2),c = 13.448(3) Å, = 72.04(2), = 86.50(2)°, = 81.23(2)°, space group ,Z = 1, MoK radiation = 0.70930 Å. Refinement was carried out using 2221 reflections withI > 1.5(I). The complexation properties resemble those of calix[6]arene hexaester (6), although weaker, with a preference for the larger alkali cations. Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺; though not extracted, are more strongly complexed than alkali cations. Eu³⁺ is better complexed than Na⁺.Supplementary Data relating to this article are deposited with the British Library as Supplementary Publication No. SUP 82106 (22 pages) and at the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre, University Chemical Laboratory, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 9EW, U.K.     

New fluorinated hydroxamic acid reagents for the extraction of metal ions with supercritical CO2

Research to date on the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of metal ions has focused on the use of dithiocarbamates and β-diketones. Hydroxamic acids are well known as effective chelating agents for a broad range of transition metal ions. Much attention has centred in inorganic chemistry on the effect of N-substitution on metal chelate stability and selectivity, and in analytical chemistry on the immobilisation of the chelating agents to the chosen solid supports such as silica. In this paper, the synthesis of selected fluorinated mono hydroxamic acids and their N-substituted derivatives is reported. The new reagents are applied in the SFE of metal ions in particular Fe(III) using unmodified supercritical CO₂. Metal extraction is monitored using atomic absorption spectroscopy and visible spectrophotometry. The extraction efficiencies were determined as a function of pressure and temperature. The new ligands synthesised and applied were perfluorooctanohydroxamic acid (PFOHA), heptafluorobutyrichydroxamic acid (HFBHA) and their N-methylhydroxamic acid derivatives. Of the synthesised reagents, PFOHA was the most soluble and effective extractant of Fe(III) from spiked filter paper, reaching 97% extraction of the metal ion under optimised conditions. The selectivity of this ligand for Fe(III) in the presence of Cu(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) is also demonstrated.     

Heterodyne detection of enhanced backscatter

Heterodyne detection has been used to measure the enhanced backscattering from a standard target consisting of a plane mirror positioned behind a moving ground-glass disk (assumed to act as a phase screen). A tilt of the plane mirror in combination with spectral filtering of the detector output allows isolation of the double-scattered component of the light signal. When the illuminating laser and the local oscillator beams are correctly mode matched, the intensity of this signal displays the factor-of-2 increase that denotes full coherent enhancement. This full enhancement is preserved for a wide range of mirror to phase-screen spacing, in contrast with earlier observations in which direct-detection techniques were used.     

(+)‐Geodin from Aspergillus terreus

The fungal metabolite (+)‐geodin [systematic name: (2R)‐methyl 5,7‐dichloro‐4‐hydroxy‐6′‐methoxy‐6‐methyl‐3,4′‐dioxospiro[benzofuran‐2,1′‐cyclohexa‐2′,5′‐diene]‐2′‐carboxylate], C₁₇H₁₂Cl₂O₇, was isolated from Aspergillus terreus. The crystal structure contains two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Molecules denoted 1 interact through O—H...O hydrogen bonds creating chains of molecules parallel to the crystallographic 2₁ screw axis. Molecules denoted 2 interact through an O...Cl halogen bond, also creating chains of molecules parallel to the crystallographic 2₁ screw axis. Molecules 1 and 2 interact through another O...Cl halogen bond. The two molecules are similar but molecules 2 have a slightly more planar cyclohexadiene ring than molecules 1. The absolute structure of (+)‐geodin has been unequivocally assigned with the spiro centre having the R configuration in both molecules. The structurally related (+)‐griseofulvin has an S configuration at the spiro centre, a difference of potential biological and biosynthetic relevance.     

Novel synthesis of C-3-(hetero)aryl [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridines using the Stille reaction

Herein, we report a novel and high yielding approach for the preparation of the first C-3-organometallic substituted [1,2,3]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine and its application to the Stille reaction using MAOS.     

14N Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy of Amino Acids

¹⁴N ultra‐wideline solid‐state NMR (SSNMR) spectra were obtained for 16 naturally occurring amino acids and four related derivatives by using the WURST–CPMG (wideband, uniform rate, and smooth truncation Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill) pulse sequence and frequency‐stepped techniques. The ¹⁴N quadrupolar parameters were measured for the sp³ nitrogen moieties (quadrupolar coupling constant, C_Q, values ranged from 0.8 to 1.5 MHz). With the aid of plane‐wave DFT calculations of the ¹⁴N electric‐field gradient tensor parameters and orientations, the moieties were grouped into three categories according to the values of the quadrupolar asymmetry parameter, η_Q: low (≤0.3), intermediate (0.31–0.7), and high (≥0.71). For RNH₃⁺ moieties, greater variation in N?H bond lengths was observed for systems with intermediate η_Q values than for those with low η_Q values (this variation arose from different intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding arrangements). Strategies for increasing the efficiency of ¹⁴N SSNMR spectroscopy experiments were discussed, including the use of sample deuteration, high‐power ¹H decoupling, processing strategies, high magnetic fields, and broadband cross‐polarization (BRAIN‐CP). The temperature‐dependent rotations of the NH₃ groups and their influence on ¹⁴N transverse relaxation rates were examined. Finally, ¹⁴N SSNMR spectroscopy was used to differentiate two polymorphs of l ‐histidine through their quadrupolar parameters and transverse relaxation time constants. The strategies outlined herein permitted the rapid acquisition of directly detected ¹⁴N SSNMR spectra that to date was not matched by other proposed methods.     

Comparing the Predictions of the Nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann Equation and the Ion Size-Modified Poisson-Boltzmann Equation for a Low-Dielectric Charged Spherical Cavity in an Aqueous Salt Solution

The ion size-modified Poisson Boltzmann equation (SMPBE) is applied to the simple model problem of a low-dielectric spherical cavity containing a central charge, in an aqueous salt solution to investigate the finite ion size effect upon the electrostatic free energy and its sensitivity to changes in salt concentration. The SMPBE is shown to predict a very different electrostatic free energy than the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzmann equation (NLPBE) due to the additional entropic cost of placing ions in solution. Although the energy predictions of the SMPBE can be reproduced by fitting an appropriatelysized Stern layer, or ion-exclusion layer to the NLPBE calculations, the size of the Stern layer is difficult to estimate a priori. The SMPBE also produces a saturation layer when the central charge becomes sufficiently large. Ion-competition effects on various integrated quantities such the total number of ions predicted by the SMPBE are qualitatively similar to those given by the NLPBE and those found in available experimental results.     

Identification of butyryl derivatives of cyclic nucleotides by positive ion fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectrometry

The syntheses of the dibutyryl derivatives of the 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphates of adenosine, guanosine and cytidine are described. The fast atom bombardment mass spectra of these compounds are discussed, together with the mass-analysed ion kinetic energy spectra of their protonated molecular ions and of diagnostic fragments. A protocol for the identification of the derivatives is reported which includes criteria for confirming retention of the cyclic phosphodiester moiety, substitution of both heterocyclic base and ribose ring, and butyrylation of the 2′-O-position. The origins of significant fragments in the spectra are discussed.