Mono-cyclopentadienyl complexes of lanthanum: synthesis and characterization of anilido derivatives

Use of the bulky cyclopentadienyl ligand [η⁵-C₅H₂(SiMe₃)₃-1,2,4]⁻ (Cp?) allows for the isolation of monomeric, mono-ring lanthanide species. As previously reported, (Cp?)K reacts with LaI₃(THF)₄ (THF=tetrahydrofuran) in THF/pyridine to form the mono-ring complex (Cp?)LaI₂(py)₃ (1) (py=pyridine); a minor product of this reaction is the bis-ring species (Cp?)₂LaI(py) (2). The solid state structure of 2 reveals a monomeric compound containing a pseudo-tetrahedral metal center exhibiting no unusual intramolecular contacts. Addition of one equiv of KNHAr (Ar=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) to complex 1 in THF generates the mono-anilido compound (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(THF)₂ (3), which may be converted to the more stable pyridine adduct (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(py)₂ (4) by the addition of pyridine to 3. An X-ray crystal structure of 3 indicated a trigonal bipyramidal metal center with the anilido group oriented trans to the iodide atom (N1-La1-I1=123.1(3)°). A structural study on the bis-pyridine adduct 4 revealed a similar C_s-symmetric structure with a slightly increased N_anilido-La-I angle of 132.1(2)°. Addition of KNHAr to the di-iodo bipyridine adduct (Cp?)LaI₂(bipy)(py) (5), in which the two iodide atoms are cis-disposed, yields the mono-anilido complex (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(bipy)(py) (6) (bipy=2,2^′-bipyridine); this compound may also be prepared by the addition of bipy to (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(py)₂ (4). An X-ray diffraction study shows that the lanthanum center in 6 is octahedrally coordinated by a Cp? ring, an iodide, an anilido group, a pyridine molecule and two nitrogens of a bipy molecule. In this case, the anilido moiety and the iodide ligand are arranged in a cis fashion (N_anilido-La-I=111.2(2)°), resulting in a complex with C₁ symmetry. Both (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(py)₂ (4) and (Cp?)LaI(NHAr)(bipy)(py) (6) are inactive as catalysts for the hydroamination/cyclization of 2-amino-hex-5-ene.     

Phenylsulfonyl ene-allenes as efficient precursors to bicyclic systems via intramolecular [2 + 2]-cycloaddition reactions

Various phenylsulfonyl allene derivatives were prepared with double bonds tethered either to the alpha-position or the gamma-position of the allene. These substrates underwent a highly regio- and stereospecific thermal [2 + 2]-cycloaddition across the nonactivated cumulene double bond, forming distal cycloadducts (i.e., 57) in the case of alpha-tethered allenes and proximal adducts (i.e., 25) in the case of gamma-tethered allenes. The mechanistic rationale for the observed stereospecificity involves initial diradical formation, followed by a rapid ring closure to the more stable cis-fused ring system. The tether may be equipped with heteroatoms, allowing for the formation of fused heterocycles (e.g., 61), and the cycloaddition can be facilitated by the introduction of sterically bulky groups and/or by conformational rigidity to the tether. Other modes of cyclization were observed in the presence of sodium benzenesulfinate or Lewis acids, in which cases polar mechanisms prevail. The chemoselectivity is reversed for [4 + 2]-cycloadditions, which prefer instead to engage the vinyl sulfone moiety, independent of whether the tether is attached to the alpha- or gamma-position of the allene.     

A fluorimetric assay for cortisol

A simple, rapid and sensitive fluorimetric assay for the quantitative determination of cortisol is reported. The assay is based on the formation of a fluorescent dye when cortisol is incubated with a mixture of sulfuric acid and acetic acid. The fluorescence spectrum recorded for the resulting dye shows a maximum extinction at 475 nm and a maximum emission at 525 nm. The solvent 2-methyl-4-pentanone was used for extraction and was found to act as a fluorescence amplifier. A limit of detection of 2.7 μM was achieved, making it possible to forego solvent evaporation. The assay suffers minor interference from 11-deoxycortisol which exhibits low fluorescence at λ _ex: 460 nm; λ _em: 505 nm. Typical standard deviations were below 4%. We validated the assay using a biotransformation with recombinant Schizosaccharomyces pombe which regioselectively hydroxylates 11-deoxycortisol to cortisol. The method described herein is suitable for preliminary screening of microorganisms capable of steroid hydroxylation.     

Telomerization by free-radical mercaptan chain transfer. IV. Effects of structure,solvent and initiator variation on the stereochemistry of acrylate ester–mercaptan telomers

Chain-transfer constants for radicals one to five units in length were determined for the methyl acrylate–isopropanethiol system. Effects of varying ester alkyl group, mercaptan solvent and initiator on three-unit diastereomer ratio were also investigated. It was found that the proportion of syndiotactic isomer increased as the size of either the ester alkyl group or the mercaptan increased, the latter result being equivalent to a penultimate effect. Polar solvents, on the other hand, favored the formation of the isotactic form. This effect was observed in the free-radical telomerization and to an even greater degree in the base-initiated anionic telomerization. Possible reasons for solvent effects are discussed.     

Polymer blends—I. Mechanical and morphological behaviour of polyethylene/polyvinyl chloride blends

As part of a fundamental study of the behaviour of mixed plastics during reprocessing and in service, blends of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) have been investigated. It was found that Young's modulus increased steadily from pure LDPE to pure PVC whereas both tensile strength at break and elongation at break passed through a minimum at about 5% PVC. Optical and scanning electron microscope studies have related this mechanical behaviour to morphological changes in the two phase system under stress.     

Copolymerization of liquid sulfur with certain olefinic systems and structure-property studies on the polymeric materials

Liquid sulfur–olefinic reactions at 140°C forming crosslinked polysulfide polymers have been investigated. A systematic approach to the characterization and some structure–property studies on these new polymeric materials has been presented. The olefinic systems of interest are endo-and exo-dicyclopentadiene and an oligomeric alkenyl polysulfide. Equimolar S₈–olefinic system copolymers are amorphous and they show no tendency for sulfur crystallization. A correlation has been drawn between chemical structure and glass transition temperature of the copolymers and terpolymers. Mechanical properties and, in particular, chemical stress relaxation of the crosslinked polysulfide polymers have been investigated.     

Prerequisites for peptidomic analysis of blood samples: II. Analysis of human plasma after oral glucose challenge -- a proof of concept

Mass spectrometric plasma analysis for biomarker discovery has become an exploratory focus in proteomic research: the challenges of analyzing plasma samples by mass spectrometry have become apparent not only since the human proteome organization (HUPO) has put much emphasis on the human plasma proteome. This work demonstrates fundamental proteomic research to reveal sensitivity and quantification capabilities of our Peptidomics technologies by detecting distinct changes in plasma peptide composition in samples after challenging healthy volunteers with orally administered glucose. Differential Peptide Display (DPD) is a technique for peptidomics studies to compare peptides from distinct biological samples. Mass spectrometry (MS) is used as a qualitative and quantitative analysis tool without previous trypsin digestion or labeling of the samples. Circulating peptides (< 15 kDa) were extracted from 1.3 mL plasma samples and the extracts separated by liquid chromatography into 96 fractions. Each fraction was subjected to MALDI MS, and mass spectra of all fractions were combined resulting in a 2D-display of > 2,000 peptides from each sample. Endogenous peptides that responded to oral glucose challenge were detected by DPD of pre-and post-challenge plasma samples from 16 healthy volunteers and subsequently identified by nESI-qTOF MS. Two of the 15 MS peaks that were significantly modulated by glucose challenge were subsequently identified as insulin and C-peptide. These results were validated by using immunoassays for insulin and C-peptide. This paper serves as a proof of principle for proteomic biomarker discovery down to the pM concentration range by using small amounts of human plasma.     

New Explanation for Ligand Bending in Transition Metal Tris(dithiolate) Complexes

The results of Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations are reported for the trigonal prismatic complexes Mo(S(2)C(2)H(2))(3) and Mo(S(2)C(6)H(4))(3). Both complexes exhibit a bend of the S-C-C-S ligand plane away from the S-Mo-S plane. A series of calculations which systematically follow the changes in electronic structure as the bend angle alpha is varied between 0 and 30 degrees indicates that the bend can be attributed to a second order Jahn-Teller distortion. The driving force for this distortion, which allows mixing between a set of ligand pi orbitals and the metal d(z)()()2 orbital, should be greatest for d(0) systems. In these systems the bent geometry leads to the stabilization of the doubly occupied HOMO. The driving force for ligand bending should be lower in systems having more or fewer electrons (e.g. Re(S(2)C(2)Ph(2))(3) or V(S(2)C(2)Ph(2))(3), respectively). While the steric bulk of the dithiolate ligands in the latter complexes may also influence the degree of ligand bending, this is probably a secondary effect.     

Die Kristallstrukturen von KNdTe4, RbPrTe4 und RbNdTe4 — Untersuchungen zur thermischen Stabilität von KNdTe4 sowie Bemerkungen zu einigen anderen Vertretern der Zusammensetzung ALnTe4 (A = K,Rb, Cs und Ln = Seltenerd‐Metall)

Crystal Structures of KNdTe₄, RbPrTe₄, and RbNdTe₄ — Investigations concerning the Thermal Stability of KNdTe₄ as well as some Remarks concerning Additional Representatives of the Composition ALnTe₄ (A = K, Rb, Cs and Ln = Rare Earth Metal) Of the compounds ALnQ₄ (A = Na, K, Rb, Cs; Ln = Lanthanoid; Q = S, Se and Te) the crystal structures of the three new tellurides KNdTe₄, RbPrTe₄ and RbNdTe₄ were determined by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis and of the three additional new ones KCeTe₄, KPrTe₄ and CsNdTe₄ by X‐ray powder diffraction experiments. All six new compounds are isotypic with KCeSe₄. Characteristic for the crystal structure of the compounds mentioned above are layers built from (Q₂)^2— dumbbells in form of 4.3².4.3 nets with embedded cations A⁺ and Ln³⁺ between them, which are coordinated eightfold in form of square‐shaped antiprisms by Q ions. The distances Te‐Te within the dumbbells were found to be 277.8(2) pm for all investigated tellurides. By combination of X‐ray diffraction and DTA measurements it was shown that the compound KNdTe₄ is metastable at ambient temperature with a limited existence range between the temperatures 260 and 498 °C.