Extension of the Coulomb–Hole–Hartree–Fock theory to molecules

The Coulomb–Hole–Hartree–Fock method introduced by E. Clementi in the early 1960s and reparametrized more recently by S. Chakraworty and E. Clementi to compute the correlated electronic energy in atomic systems, is here extended to compute molecules. The new parametrization is obtained empirically by fitting first and second atomic ionization potentials from He to Ca and a few diatomic molecules. The present formulation makes use of either one or more determinants in order to ensure proper dissociation products, following the early proposal of G.C. Lie and E. Clementi in the context of density functional computations for molecular systems. The new formulation is tested against the dissociation energies of a large number of molecules and it is found satisfactory. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Graphene from electrochemical exfoliation and its direct applications in enhanced energy storage devices

Graphite was electrochemically exfoliated in mixtures of room temperature ionic liquids and deionized water containing lithium salts to produce functionalized graphenes and such an electrochemical exfoliation technique can be directly used in making primary battery electrodes with significantly enhanced specific energy capacity.     

Equilibrium and NMR relaxometric studies on the s-triazine-based heptadentate ligand PTDITA showing high selectivity for Gd3+ ions

A complete potentiometric and NMR relaxometric solution study on the heptadentate 2,2',2″,2'″-[(6-piperidinyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)dihydrazin-2-yl-1-ylidene]tetraacetic acid (PTDITA) ligand has been carried out. This ligand is based on the 1,3,5-triazine ring with two hydrazine-N,N-diacetate groups in positions 2 and 4 and a piperidine moiety in position 6. The introduction of the triazine ring into the ligand backbone is expected to modify its flexibility and then to affect the stability of the corresponding complexes with transition-metal and lanthanide ions. Thermodynamic stabilities have been determined by pH potentiometry, UV spectrophotometry, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy for formation of the complexes with Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), La(3+), Gd(3+), and Lu(3+) ions. PTDITA shows a good binding affinity for Gd(3+) (logK = 18.49, pGd = 18.6) and an optimal selectivity for Gd(3+) over the endogenous Ca(2+), Zn(2+), and Cu(2+) (K(sel) = 6.78 × 10(7)), which is 3 orders of magnitude higher that that reported for Gd(DTPA) (K(sel) = 2.85 × 10(4)). This is mainly due to the lower stability of the Cu(II)- and Zn(II)(PTDITA) complexes compared to the corresponding DTPA complexes, which suggests an important role of the triazine ring on the selectivity for the Gd(3+) ion. The relaxometric properties of Gd(PTDITA) have been investigated in aqueous solution by measuring the (1)H relaxivity as a function of the pH, temperature, and magnetic field strength (nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profile). Variable-temperature (17)O NMR data have provided direct information on the kinetic parameters for exchange of the coordinated water molecules. A simultaneous fit of the data suggests that the high relaxivity value (r(1) = 10.2 mM(-1) s(-1)) is a result of the presence of two inner-sphere water molecules along with the occurrence of relatively slow rotation and electronic relaxation. The water residence lifetime, (298)τ(M) = 299 ns, is quite comparable to that of clinically approved magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. The displacement of the inner-sphere water molecules by bidentate endogeneous anions (citrate, phosphate, and carbonate) has also been evaluated by (1)H relaxometry. In general, the binding interaction is markedly weak, and only in the case of citrate, a ca. 35% decrease in relaxivity was observed in the presence of 60 equiv of the anion. Phosphate and carbonate also interact with the paramagnetic ion, likely as monodentate ligands, but formation of the ternary complex is accompanied by a modest increase of r(1) due to the contribution of second-sphere water molecules.     

Dinuclear Cu(II) complexes of isomeric bis-(3-acetylacetonate)benzene ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

Highly versatile coordinating ligands are designed and synthesized with two β-diketonate groups linked at the carbon 3 through a phenyl ring. The rigid aromatic spacer is introduced in the molecules to orient the two acetylacetone units along different angles and coordination vectors. The resulting para, meta, and ortho bis-(3-acetylacetonate)benzene ligands show efficient chelating properties toward Cu(II) ions. In the presence of 2,2'-bipyridine, they promptly react and yield three dimers, 1, 2, and 3, with the bis-acetylacetonate unit in bridging position between two metal centers. X-ray single crystal diffraction shows that the compounds form supramolecular chains in the solid state because of intermolecular interactions. Each of the dinuclear complexes shows a magnetic behavior which is determined by the combination of structural parameters and spin polarization effects. Notably, the para derivative (1) displays a moderate antiferromagnetic coupling (J = -3.3 cm(-1)) along a remarkably long Cu···Cu distance (12.30 ?).     

Development of a stereoselective Ugi reaction starting from an oxanorbornene β-amino acid derivative

We have synthesised a novel oxanorbornene β-aminoacid derivative and employed it in a stereoselective Ugi reaction. Hypothesis regarding the mechanism taking place during the reaction have been made and validated through the determination of the relative and absolute configuration of the Ugi adducts. Use of the correct choice of solvents can increase stereoselection. The resulting bicyclic peptidomimetics can be used as a novel class of pluripotent substrates to be elaborated according to the synthetic strategies previously elaborated in our laboratories.     

Osteopontin: A Uranium Phosphorylated Binding‐Site Characterization

Herein, we describe the structural investigation of one possible uranyl binding site inside a nonstructured protein. This approach couples spectroscopy, thermodynamics, and theoretical calculations (DFT) and studies the interaction of uranyl ions with a phosphopeptide, thus mimicking a possible osteopontin (OPN) hydroxyapatite growth‐inhibition site. Although thermodynamical aspects were investigated by using time‐resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLFS) and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), structural characterization was performed by extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) at the U L_III‐edge combined with attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. From the vibrational and fluorescence spectra, several structural models of a UO₂²⁺/peptide complex were developed and subsequently refined by using theoretical calculations to fit the experimental EXAFS obtained. The structural effect of the pH value was also considered under acidic to moderately acidic conditions (pH 1.5–5.5). Most importantly, the uranyl/peptide coordination environment was similar to that of the native protein.     

Catalyst‐ and Solvent‐Dependent Stereodivergence in the Intramolecular Et2Zn/Pd0‐Promoted Carbonyl Propargylation: Mechanistic Implications

Carbonyl‐tethered propargylic benzoates undergo intramolecular carbonylpropargylation upon treatment with Et₂Zn in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd⁰ with the formation of 2‐alkynylcyclopentanol products. A ligand/solvent effect on the cis/trans selectivity (referring to the relative positions of alkynyl and OH groups) of ring‐closure has been found. In a non‐coordinating solvent (benzene), increasing the electron‐donating ability of the phosphine ligand (while decreasing its dissociation ability) leads to an increased tendency towards the trans product. On the other hand, the combination of a coordinating solvent (THF) and PPh₃, an easily dissociated phosphine, results in the exclusive formation of cis products. Experimental and computational results are compatible with a divergent behavior of an allenylethylpalladium intermediate that partitions between competitive carbonyl‐addition and transmetalation pathways, each leading to a different diastereoisomer. These results also suggest that the dissociating ability of the phosphine regulates that behavior.     

The relative permittivity of 1,2-dimethoxyethane and N,N-dimethylformamide mixtures from −10 to 40°C

Binary solutions of N,N-dimethylformamide and 1,2-dimethoxyethane have been investigated by means of dielectric measurements at temperatures ranging from –10 to +40°C, and for nine mixtures covering the whole miscibility field expressed by the mole fraction of one component (0X₁1). The experimental data were used to study the dependence of on T and X₁, of the type = (T), = (X₁), and = (T,X₁). Further, the excess mixing function _E has been evaluated in order to identify particular patterns of interaction between unlike molecules and any other factor that could modify such patterns. The minimum in the _E vs. composition plots suggests the formation of an adduct of stoichiometric ratio DMFDME=11 at all the investigated temperatures.