Mononuclear five-coordinate molybdenum(IV) and -(V) monosulfide complexes coordinated with dithiolene ligands: reversible redox of Mo(V)/Mo(IV) and irreversible dimerization of [MoVS]- cores to a dinuclear [MoV2(mu-S)2]2- Core

A mononuclear five-coordinate molybdenum(IV) monosulfide complex, (Et4N)2[MoS(L)2] (L = cyclohexene-1,2-dithiolate) (1), was obtained and characterized by IR, UV-vis spectroscopic methods, and X-ray crystallography. 1 was oxidized by an equivalent ferrocenium cation to give the corresponding mononuclear molybdenum(V) complex, (Et4N)[MoS(L)2] (2), which was stable for a few minutes under a lower concentration than 0.3 mM and then further dimerized to (Et4N)2[Mo(L)2]2(mu-S)2 (3).     

Freezing of Lennard-Jones fluid in cylindrical nanopores under tensile conditions

We have shown the Lennard-Jones (LJ) phase diagram for a slit-shaped nanopore by molecular simulations and thermodynamically predicted the results with no adjustable parameter. With this success, LJ phase diagrams are predictable. In this study, the freezing of an LJ CH₄ capillary condensate under a tensile condition in a nonstructural carbon nanopore with a cylindrical geometry was examined using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. We employ a unit cell in contact with a bulk vapor phase, which is useful for the determination of the bulk vapor pressure in equilibrium with the molecules in a pore. The MD simulation results show liquid-solid (amorphous) phase transitions with a variation in the bulk vapor pressure. The frozen particles are arranged in concentric circular regions along the wall similar to those reported by Maddox and Gubbins. The freezing points are determined from the variations in density, enthalpy, arrangement, and structural functions. The obtained liquid-solid coexistence points are found to exhibit a significant dependence of the freezing point on the equilibrium bulk vapor pressure, forming an extraordinarily skewed curve on the p-T diagram, in contrast to the bulk phase coexistence that is represented by an almost vertical line. The origin of the significant dependence is considered to be the Laplace effect on the capillary condensate similar to the case with a slit-shaped pore. A simple model, which the authors earlier presented for slit-shaped nanopores, successfully predicted the p-T relation of the freezing point for cylindrical nanopores as well.     

New cyclic tellurides. Synthesis, reaction and ligand properties of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxa-4-tellura-2,6-disilacyclohexane (C6H16OSi2Te). X-Ray structure determination of C6H16OSi2TeI2

A new tellurium-containing heterocyclic compound, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-oxa-4-tellura-2,6-disilacyclohexane (C₆H₁₆OSi₂Te) (1), has been prepared by treatment of 1,3-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane with sodium telluride. Mononuclear and dinuclear palladium complexes of this telluride have been prepared by the reaction of 1 with PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ and Na₂PdCl₄, respectively. The following new derivatives of 1 have also been produced: C₆H₁₆OSi₂TeI₂ (2), C₆H₁₆OSi₂TeBr₂, C₆H₁₆OSi₂TeCl₂, C₆H₁₆OSi₂Te(CH₃)I, and C₆H₁₆OSi₂Te(CH₂Ph)Br. IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and mass spectral data of these new compounds are reported and discussed. ¹H NMR studies revealed that in CDCl₃ solution both telluronium salts reductively eliminate alkyl halide. The crystal structure of compound 2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2₁/c, with four molecules in a unit cell of dimension a 12.960(3), b 8.846(2), c 13.754(4) Å, β 92.44(2)°, R = 0.049, and R_w = 0.067 for 3599 unique reflections with |F₀| > 3σ(F₀). The compound forms a six-membered ring of a slightly displaced boat type. The geometry about the Te atom is pseudo-octahedral, with two carbon atoms (Te-C = 2.156(7) and 2.137(6) Å) and two iodine atoms of the neighbouring molecules (weak intermolecular bonds, Te · I = 3.769 and 3.806 Å) in the equatorial positions and two iodine atoms (Te-I = 2.909(1) and 2.913(1) Å) in the axial positions.     

Determination of arsenic species and arsenosugars in marine samples by HPLC–ICP–MS

Arsenic-speciation analysis in marine samples was performed by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ICP–MS detection. Separation of eight arsenic species—As^III, MMA, DMA, As^V, AB, TMAO, AC and TeMAs⁺—was achieved on a C₁₈ column with isocratic elution (pH 3.0), under which conditions As^III and MMA co-eluted. The entire separation was accomplished in 15 min. The HPLC–ICP–MS detection limits for the eight arsenic species were in the range 0.03–0.23 μg L⁻¹ based on 3σ for the blank response (n=5). The precision was calculated to be 2.4–8.0% (RSD) for the eight species. The method was successfully applied to several marine samples, e.g. oysters, fish, shrimps, and marine algae. Low-power microwave digestion was employed for extraction of arsenic from seafood products; ultrasonic extraction was employed for the extraction of arsenic from seaweeds. Separation of arsenosugars was achieved on an anion-exchange column. Concentrations of arsenosugars 2, 3, and 4 in marine algae were in the range 0.18–9.59 μg g⁻¹. This paper was presented at the European Winter Conference 2005     

Studies on the biosynthesis of terrecyclic acid A II confirmation of the cyclization mechanism and hydrogen shifts using [2-2H3]acetate and [213C2H3]acetate

Feeding experiments with [2-³H₃]acetate and [2-¹³C²H₃]acetate in $\text{Aspergillus terreus}$ Thom No. 14 indicated that the hydrogen at C-2 in terrecyclic acid A is incorporated without migration from the precursor acetic acid; the results favour our group's earlier speculation for the cyclization to the tricyclic skeleton in the biosynthetic scheme.     

Molecular interactions between lipid bilayers and a water-soluble polymer

Molecular interactions between lipid bilayers (liposomes) and chondroitin sulfate C (CS), a water soluble polymer, have been investigated in terms of zeta-potential, particle size, microscopic-viscosity, microscopic-polarity of liposomes and permeability of calcein. Microscopic morphology is dramatically changed by the addition of CS to the positively charged liposomes (Pos.L), while it is not changed by the addition to uncharged liposomes (Unc.L) or negatively charged liposomes (Neg.L). The absolute value of the particle size of Pos.L increases with the addition of CS, while the zeta- potential of Pos.L decreases. Permeability of Pos.L decreases with an increase in the concentration of CS. Phase transition temperature of Pos.L is changed after the addition of CS. These values, however, are not changed for the other liposomes by the addition of CS. The results of gel filtration chromatography show that CS is absorbed on the Pos.L surface. Microscopic viscosity is also increased by the addition of CS to Pos.L due to the adsorption of CS.     

Cobalt-catalyzed Heck-type reaction of alkyl halides with styrenes

A cobalt complex, CoCl2[1,6-bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane], catalyzes an alkylation reaction of styrenes in the presence of Me3SiCH2MgCl in ether to yield beta-alkylstyrenes. A variety of alkyl halides including alkyl chlorides can be employed as an alkyl source. A radical mechanism is strongly suggested for this alkylation reaction.     

Reactivity of hydroperoxide bound to a mononuclear non-heme iron site

The first isolation and spectroscopic characterization of the mononuclear hydroperoxo-iron(III) complex [Fe(H(2)bppa)(OOH)](2+) (2) and the stoichiometric oxidation of substrates by the mononuclear iron-oxo intermediate generated by its decomposition have been described. The purple species 2 obtained from reaction of [Fe(H(2)bppa)(HCOO)](ClO(4))(2) with H(2)O(2) in acetone at -50 degrees C gave characteristic UV-vis (lambda(max) = 568 nm, epsilon = 1200 M(-1) cm(-1)), ESR (g = 7.54, 5.78, and 4.25, S = (5)/(2)), and ESI mass spectra (m/z 288.5 corresponding to the ion, [Fe(bppa)(OOH)](2+)), which revealed that 2 is a high-spin mononuclear iron(III) complex with a hydroperoxide in an end-on fashion. The resonance Raman spectrum of 2 in d(6)-acetone revealed two intense bands at 621 and 830 cm(-1), which shifted to 599 and 813 cm(-1), respectively, when reacted with (18)O-labeled H(2)O(2). Reactions of the isolated (bppa)Fe(III)-OOH (2) with various substrates (single turnover oxidations) exhibited that the iron-oxo intermediate generated by decomposition of 2 is a nucleophilic species formulated as [(H(2)bppa)Fe(III)-O*].     

Efficiently Synthesizing Lacto-Ganglio-Series Gangliosides by Using a Glucosyl Ceramide Cassette Approach: The Total Synthesis of Ganglioside X2

The first total synthesis of the hybrid ganglioside X2, which consisted of a highly branched octasaccharide and ceramide moieties, was accomplished by using a glucosyl ceramide cassette approach. With a disaccharyl donor, the heptasaccharide could not be constructed by glycosylation of the C4 hydroxy group of galactose at the reducing end of the pentasaccharide. In contrast, through an alternative approach with two branched glycan units, a GM2-core trisaccharide, and a lacto-ganglio tetrasaccharide, the heptasaccharyl donor could be prepared and subsequently joined with a glucosyl ceramide cassette to afford the protected ganglioside, X2. Finally, global deprotection completed the synthesis, thus affording the pure ganglioside X2.