Borazine: to be or not to be aromatic

Aromaticity of borazine, which has been subject of controversial discussions, is addressed. Beside a short review on aromaticity of borazine we report a detailed analysis of two molecular fields, the induced magnetic field (B ^ind) and the electron localization function (ELF). The induced magnetic field of borazine shows a long-range shielding cone perpendicular to the molecular plane, as in benzene, but lower in magnitude. Contrary to benzene, borazine shows two weakly paratropic regions, one of them inside the ring, and the second one enveloping the boron atoms. It is necessary to separate σ and π contributions to identify whether borazine exhibits π-aromatic character comparable to benzene. Nucleus-independent chemical shift (NICS) isolines show that the σ electrons are much stronger localized than π electrons, their local paramagnetic contributions generate a short-range response and a paratropic (deshielding) region in the ring center (similar to an anti-aromatic response). Three regions can be identified as chemically meaningful domains exhibiting an internally strong electron delocalization (ELF = 0.823). Borazine may be described as a π aromatic compound, but it is not a globally aromatic species, as the electronic system is not as delocalized as in benzene. Dedicated to the 70th birthday of Prof. Tadeusz Marek Krygowski.     

A combined experimental and theoretical study of metallic salts of thiapentadienyl, sulfinylpentadienyl and butadienesulfonyls

Alternative methods for the synthesis of the following acyclic salts (CH₂CHCHCHS)M [M = K, 1(K); Na, 1(Na); Li, 1(Li)], (CH₂CHCHCHSO)M [M = K, 2(K); Na, 2(Na)], (CH₂CHCHCHSO₂)M [M = K, 3(K); Na, 3(Na); Li, 3(Li)], (CH(Me)CHC(Me)CHSO₂)M [Me5-syn, M = K, 9(K); Na, 9(Na); Li, 9(Li), (CH(Me)CHCHC(Me)S)M [Me5-syn, M = K, 10(K); Na, 10(Na); Me5-anti, M = K, 11(K); Na, 11(Na)] are described, as a result of the activation of C-S bond in dihydrothiophenes by deprotonation with different bases. The effect of methyl substituents in the dihydrothiophenes is significant, which modifies considerably the choice of the base. The influence of the reaction conditions, type of solvent, base and dihydrothiophenes is analyzed. The NMR spectroscopy, including NOESY, ROESY and difference NOE establish the preferred U conformation for all derivatives, and support a delocalization of charge on the thiapentadienyl (1M) and sulfinylpentadienyl (2M) complexes. However, a conjugated diene structure is proposed on the butadienesulfonyl compounds (3M), in which the negative charge is delocalized in the SO₂ fragment and stabilized with the corresponding cations (M = K, Na and Li). In presence of traces of base, compounds 3M suffer a rearrangement, to the most stable S conformer, 13M. The stability of 3M depends on the size of the cation, the greater the size, the greater stability. Furthermore, a theoretical study shows that electronic and geometrical properties (energy conformers, charge distributions and relative stabilities) of the thiapentadienyl, sulfinylpentadienyl and butadienesulfonyl anions and their corresponding metal salts 1M-3M (M = Li, Na and K) shows to be in good agreement with the experimental findings.     

((Fluoroformyl)imido)sulfuryl difluoride, FC(O)N=S(O)F2: structural, conformational, and configurational properties in the gaseous and condensed phases

Structural, conformational, and configurational properties of the gaseous molecule ((fluoroformyl)imido)sulfuryl difluoride, FC(O)N=S(O)F(2), have been studied by vibrational spectroscopy (IR (gas) and Raman (liquid)) and quantum chemical calculations (HF, MP2, and B3LYP with 6-31+G* and 6-311+G* basis sets); in addition, the solid-state structure has been determined by X-ray crystallography. FC(O)N=S(O)F(2) exists in the gas phase as a mixture of a favored antiperiplanar-synperiplanar form (the S=O double bond antiperiplanar with respect to the C-N single bond, and the C=O group synperiplanar with respect to the S=N double bond) in equilibrium with less abundant antiperiplanar-antiperiplanar, synclinal-synperiplanar, and synclinal-antiperiplanar structures. The crystalline solid at 163 K (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 5.1323(7) A, b = 15.942(2) A, c = 16.798(2) A, beta = 95.974(3) degrees , Z = 12) consists of three similar antiperiplanar-synperiplanar forms.     

CdS nanoparticles modified to chalcogen sites: new supramolecular complexes, butterfly bridging, and related optical effects

All present approaches to surface modification of nanoparticles (NPs) with organic ligands exploit metal (cadmium) sites as anchor points. To obtain efficient interaction of NP surface with p-orbitals of organic chromophores, we utilize the chalcogen (sulfur) sites on the NP surface. These sites present several advantages stemming from a stronger interaction of their atomic orbitals with both modifier and NP core. The chalcogen modification of CdS was achieved by using a mixed ligand (2,2'-bipyridyl-N,N')(malonato-O,O')-copper(II) monohydrate complex. The weak monodentate ligands (water) are replaced by a copper-sulfur bond during the modification reaction. The structure of the product was investigated by optical spectroscopy, electron spin resonance, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The modified NP can be described as a few tens (<40) of (2,2'-bipyridyl-N,N')(malonato-O,O')-copper units attached to the CdS core. Steady-state and time-resolved luminescence measurements, molecular orbital calculations, and UPS data indicate that delocalized surface states enveloping the surface chalcogen atoms of NP, transition metal, and p-orbitals of the bipyridine ligand are present in the synthesized species. The delocalized states are made possible due to the bridging of p-levels of sulfur and pi-orbitals of bipyridine by butterfly d-orbitals of the transition metal atom placed between them. Chalcogen-modified NP can be considered as a new member of the family of supramolecular compounds based on transition metal complexes. Both NP and metal complex parts of the prepared supramolecules are very versatile structural units, and new molecular constructs of similar design, in which quantum effects of NPs are combined with optical properties of transition metal complexes, can be obtained with different NPs and metal complexes.     

Tuning aromaticity in trigonal alkaline earth metal clusters and their alkali metal salts

In this work, we analyze the geometry and electronic structure of the [X_nM₃]^n?2 species (M = Be, Mg, and Ca; X = Li, Na, and K; n = 0, 1, and 2), with special emphasis on the electron delocalization properties and aromaticity of the cyclo‐[M₃]^2? unit. The cyclo‐[M₃]^2? ring is held together through a three‐center two‐electron bond of σ‐character. Interestingly, the interaction of these small clusters with alkali metals stabilizes the cyclo‐[M₃]^2? ring and leads to a change from σ‐aromaticity in the bound state of the cyclo‐[M₃]^2? to π‐aromaticity in the XM₃^? and X₂M₃ metallic clusters. Our results also show that the aromaticity of the cyclo‐[M₃]^2? unit in the X₂M₃ metallic clusters depends on the nature of X and M. Moreover, we explored the possibility for tuning the aromaticity by simply moving X perpendicularly to the center of the M₃ ring. The Na₂Mg₃, Li₂Mg₃, and X₂Ca₃ clusters undergo drastic aromaticity alterations when changing the distance from X to the center of the M₃ ring, whereas X₂Be₃ and K₂Mg₃ keep its aromaticity relatively constant along this process. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009     

Influence of gamma radiation onto polymeric matrix with papain

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme that has been widely used as debridement agent for scars and wound healing treatment. However, papain presents low stability, which limits its use to extemporaneous or short shelf-life formulations. The purpose of this study was to entrap papain into a polymeric matrix in order to obtain a drug delivery system that could be used as medical device. Since these systems must be sterile, gamma radiation is an interesting option and presents advantages in relation to conventional agents: no radioactive residues are formed; the product can be sterilized inside the final packaging and has an excellent reliability. The normative reference for the establishment of the sterilizing dose determines 25 kGy as the inactivation dose for viable microorganisms. A silicone dispersion was selected to prepare membranes containing 2% (w/w) papain. Irradiated and non-irradiated membranes were simultaneously assessed in order to verify whether gamma radiation interferes with the drug-releasing profile. Results showed that irradiation does not affect significantly papain release and its activity. Therefore papain shows radioresistance in the irradiation conditions applied. In conclusion, gamma radiation can be easily used as sterilizing agent without affecting the papain release profile and its activity onto the biocompatible device is studied.     

Vibrational spectra and gas-phase structure of N-methyl-S,S-bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfimide, CH3N=S(CF3)2

The molecular structure of N-methyl-S,S-bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfimide, CH3N=S(CF3)2, was determined by gas electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations [B3LYP and MP2 with 6-31+G(2df,p) basis sets]. Furthermore, vibrational spectra, IR (gas) and Raman (liquid), were recorded. These spectra were assigned by comparison with analogous molecules and with calculated frequencies and intensities (HF, B3LYP, and MP2 with 6-311G basis sets). All experimental data and computational methods result in a single conformer with syn orientation of the CH3 group relative to the bisector of the two CF3 groups. The molecule possesses C1 symmetry, slightly distorted from CS symmetry. The N=S bond length in this compound [1.522(10) A] is longer than that in imidosulfur difluorides RN=SF2 [1.476(4) A - 1.487(5) A].     

Ti‐Catalyzed Barbier‐Type Allylations and Related Reactions

Versatility of titanium : Titanocene(III) complexes catalyze Barbier‐type allylations, intramolecular crotylations (cyclizations), and prenylations of a wide range of aldehydes and ketones. These reactions take place at RT under mild conditions compatible with many functional groups; provide good yields of open‐chain and cyclic homoallylic alcohols, including heterocyclic derivatives; and can be conducted enantioselectively by using enantiomerically pure titanium catalysts.

     

Prediction by the ASOG method of liquid–liquid equilibrium for binary and ternary systems containing 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate

Ionic liquids are neoteric, environmentally friendly solvents (since they do not produce emissions) composed of large organic cations and relatively small inorganic anions. They have favorable physical properties, such as negligible volatility and wide range of liquid existence. Moreover, many different cations and anions can be used to synthesize ionic liquid, so the properties can be designed by the use of selected combinations of anions and cations. Liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) data for systems including ionic liquids, although essential for the design and operation of separation processes, are still scarce. However, some recent studies have presented ternary LLE data involving several ionic liquids and organic compounds such as alkanes, alkenes, alkanols, water, ethers and aromatics. In this work, the ASOG model for the activity coefficient is used to predict the LLE for 11 binary and 17 ternary systems including the ionic liquid 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate plus alkanes, alkenes, alkanols, ketones, carboxylic acids and aromatics. New group interaction parameters were determined by using a modified Simplex method, minimizing a composition-based objective function. The results are satisfactory, with rms deviations of about 4%.