Thermisches Verhalten von Cyclopropa[c]chromenen

The Cyclopropa[c]chromenes 14 , trans-and cis- 15 , trans-and cis- 16 and 17 rearrange on heating > 200° in N, N-diethylaniline to give 2-alkyl-2H-chromenes 7, 8, 21, 22. The rate determining step of this rearrangement is the ‘homoelectrocyclic’ ring opening of the cyclopro-pa[c]chromenes to give ω-allyl-quinomethanes of type 4. These intermediates show fast [1,5s] and [1,7a] H-shifts, followed by electrocyclic ring closure. Deuterium labelling experiments are in agreement with this mechanism. The remarkable dependence of the rates of rearrangement with respect to the stereochemistry of the cyclopropa[c]chromenes (cf. table 2) suggests that in the first step only one of the two possible disrotatory modes of ring opening is involved.     

Reactions of Ru3(CO)12 with Diphosphenes — A New Route to 50‐Electron Ru3P2 nido‐Clusters

The reaction of the symmetric diphosphene 2, 4, 6‐(CF₃)₃‐C₆H₂‐P=P‐C₆H₂‐2, 4, 6‐(CF₃)₃ 4 with Ru₃(CO)₁₂ led to the 50‐electron Ru₃P₂ nido‐cluster Ru₃(CO)₉[μ‐P‐C₆H₂‐2, 4, 6‐(CF₃)₃]₂ 5 , which in solution at room temperature displays hindered rotation of the aromatic rings about the C(aryl)—P bonds. The structure of 5 was determined by X‐ray crystal structure analysis; its Ru₃P₂ centre forms a distorted square pyramid with one ruthenium atom at the apex. One of the two C₆H₂(CF₃)₃ groups is also appreciably distorted. Temperature‐dependent ¹⁹F NMR studies of the [A₃M₃X]₂ spin system (A = M = CF₃, X = ³¹P) of 5 indicated a rotational barrier ΔG^≠ of 82.3 kJ mol^‐1 at 141 °C. The same Ru₃P₂ core was obtained by the reaction of the unsymmetric diphosphene Mes*‐P=P‐Mes 11 with Ru₃(CO)₁₂; hindered rotation about the C(aryl)—P bonds was also observed, in this case.     

Forward and backward pericyclic photochemical reactions have intermediates in common, yet cyclobutenes break the rules.

Photochemical pericyclic reactions are believed to proceed via a so-called pericyclic minimum on the lowest excited potential surface (S(1)), which is common to both the forward and backward reactions. Such a common intermediate has never been directly detected. The photointerconversion of 1,3-butadiene and cyclobutene is the prevailing prototype for such reactions, yet only diene ring closure proceeds with the stereospecificity that the Woodward-Hoffmann rules predict. This contrast seems to exclude a common intermediate. Using ultrafast spectroscopy, we show that the excited states of two cyclobutene/diene isomeric pairs are linked by not one, but by two common minima, p* and ct*. Starting from the diene side (cyclohepta-1,3-diene and cycloocta-1,3-diene), electrocyclic ring closure passes via the pericyclic minimum p*, whereas ct* is mainly responsible for cis-trans isomerization. Starting from the corresponding cyclobutenes (bicyclo[3.2.0]heptene-6 and bicyclo[4.2.0]octene-7), the forbidden isomer is formed from ct*. The path branches at the first (S(2)/S(1)) conical intersection towards p* and ct*. The fact that the energetically unfavorable ct* path can compete is ascribed to a dynamic effect: the momentum in C=C twist direction, acquired--such as in other olefins--in the Franck-Condon region of the cyclobutenes.     

Alstonia scholaris: Struktur des Indolalkaloides Narelin

Alstonia scholaris: The structure of the indole alkaloid nareline Besides the known akuammidine, picralinal, picrinine and pseudoakuammigine a new indole alkaloid called nareline (M=352) was isolated from Alstonia scholaris R. BR. , which belongs to the plant family of Apocynaceae. Its structure 2 was deduced by single crystal X-ray diffraction. 2 represents the absolute configuration. The spectroscopic data of 2 and its derivatives (Scheme 1) as well as their chemical behavior support this structure. In biogenetic sense nareline is related to the bases akuammiline ( 4 ) and picraline ( 5 ) (Scheme 2). In contrast to those the C-atom 5 is exocyclic and represents an aldehyde group which forms together with the oxygen atom of the N (4)-hydroxylamine group a cyclic half acetale. - By oxidation (CrO₃/CH₃COOH) of 2 the oxindol derivative 19 (oxonareline) is formed which contains a cyclic acetal as a partial structure element (Scheme 4).     

Critical parameters and optimization of a magnesium-selective liquid membrane electrode for application to human blood serum

Summary The selectivity of a new magnesium ionophore (ETH 7025) induced in membranes of different compositions is experimentally studied in view of the ion activities in human serum. The required selectivity coefficient against calcium for the application of an ion-selective magnesium electrode to human serum is calculated for the worst case. Other critical parameters for the application of a liquid PVC-based ion-selective membrane to undiluted human serum discussed are: the sensor lifetime which is related to the lipophilicity of the carrier as well as the ruggedness of the membrane against interactions with components of the relatively lipophilic sample.     

Watching photoinduced chemistry and molecular energy flow in solution in real time

Energized molecules are the essential actors in chemical transformations in solution. As the rearrangement of bonds requires a movement of nuclei, vibrational energy is often the driving force for a reaction. Vibrational energy can be redistributed within the "hot" molecule, or relaxation can occur when molecules interact. Both processes govern the rates, pathways, and quantum yields of chemical transformations in solution. Unfortunately, energy transfer and the breaking, formation, and rearrangement of bonds take place on ultrafast timescales. This Review highlights experimental approaches for the direct, ultrafast measurement of photoinduced femtochemistry and energy flow in solution. In the first part of this Review, we summarize recent experiments on intra- and intermolecular energy transfer. The second part discusses photoinduced decomposition of large organic peroxides, which are used as initiators in free radical polymerization. The mechanisms and timescales of their decarboxylation determine the initial steps of polymerization and the microstructure of the polymer product.     

Fuzzy theory in analytical chemistry

The concept of fuzzy theory is described in order to provide the analyst with the means for dealing with vague statements, uncertain observations or the fuzziness of human perception and interpretation, in general. In a theoretical part, basic notions of fuzzy theory are given, such as types of membership functions, operations with fuzzy sets, definitions of fuzzy numbers, points, functions, and relations, and the use of linguistic variables. The difference between fuzziness and probability is outlined. The applications section demonstrates advantages of fuzzy theory methods compared to common mathematical methods with respect to data handling for calibration of analytical methods, to classification of Chromatographie and spectroscopic patterns, to component identification and multicomponent analysis, and to designing fuzzy expert systems for selection of analytical procedures.     

Encapsulated guest molecules in the dimer of octahydroxypyridine[4]arene

Recently a new type of calix[4]arenes has been synthesized via condensation of 2,6-dihydroxypyridine and a number of aldehydes. This type of pyridine[4]arenes forms capsules consisting of two single pyridine[4]arenes. These capsules can incorporate different guest molecules, like carboxylic acids and amides in this case. We proved that the guest acids really are incorporated inside the cavity of the capsules by electrospray mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations.