Thermodynamically controlled synthesis of a chiral tetra-cavitand nanocapsule and mechanism of enantiomerization

The dynamic covalent synthesis, structure and conformational dynamics of a chiral polyimine nanocapsule 1a are reported. Reaction of four tetraformyl cavitands and eight H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2) yields quantitatively 1a, which has a compact, asymmetrically folded, pseudo-C(2)-symmetric structure, as determined by X-ray crystallography, and encapsulates four CHCl(3) and three CH(3)OH guests in the solid state. In solution, 1a enantiomerizes by passing over a barrier of ΔG(298)(double dagger) = 21.5 ± 0.7 kcal mol(-1) via a refolding process.     

Electronic Effects of para‐Substitution on the Melting Points of TAAILs

Owing to numerous new applications, the interest in “task‐specific” ionic liquids increased significantly over the last decade. But, unfortunately, the imidazolium‐based ionic liquids (by far the most frequently used cations) have serious limitations when it comes to modifications of their properties. The new generation of ionic liquids, called tunable aryl–alkyl ionic liquids (TAAILs), replaces one of the two alkyl chains on the imidazolium ring with an aryl ring which allows a large degree of functionalization. Inductive, mesomeric, and steric effects as well as potentially also π π and π π⁺ interactions provide a wide range of possibilities to tune this new class of ILs. We investigated the influence of electron‐withdrawing and ‐donating substituents at the para‐position of the aryl ring (NO₂, Cl, Br, EtO(CO), H, Me, OEt, OMe) by studying the changes in the melting points of the corresponding bromide and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, (N(Tf)₂⁻), salts. In addition, we calculated (B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p)) the different charge distributions of substituted 1‐aryl‐3‐propyl‐imidazolium cations to understand the experimentally observed effects. The results indicated that the presence of electron‐donating and ‐withdrawing groups leads to strong polarization effects in the cations.     

Mass spectrometric study of the dissociation of Group XI metal complexes with fatty acids and glycerolipids: Ag2H+ and Cu2H+ ion formation in the presence of a double bond

Results of mass spectrometric studies are reported for the collisional dissociation of Group XI (Cu, Ag, Au) metal ion complexes with fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic) and glycerolipids. Remarkably, the formation of M₂H⁺ ions (M = Cu, Ag) is observed as a dissociation product of the ion complexes containing more than one metal cation and only if the lipid in the complex contains a double bond. Ag₂H⁺ is formed as the main dissociation channel for all three of the fatty acids containing double bonds that were investigated while Cu₂H⁺ is formed with one of the fatty acids and, although abundant, is not the dominant dissociation channel. Also, Cu(I) and Ag(I) ion complexes were observed with glycerolipids (including triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids) containing either saturated or unsaturated fatty acid substituents. Interestingly, Ag₂H⁺ ion is formed in a major fragmentation channel with the lipids that are able to form the complex with two metal cations (triacylglycerols and glycerophosphoglycerols), while lipids containing a fixed positive charge (glycerophospocholines) complex only with a single metal cation. The formation of Ag₂H⁺ ion is a significant dissociation channel from the complex ion [Ag₂(L–H)]⁺ where L = Glycerophospholipid (GP) (18:1/18:1). Cu(I) also forms complexes of two metal cations with glycerophospholipids but these do not produce Cu₂H⁺ upon dissociation. Rather organic fragments, not containing Cu(I), are formed, perhaps due to different interactions of these metal cations with lipids resulting from the much smaller ionic radius of Cu(I) compared to Ag(I).     

Ultra-Shallow Chemical Characterization of Organic Thin Films Deposited by Plasma and Vacuum-Ultraviolet, Using Angle- and Excitation Energy-Resolved XPS

Nitrogen (N)-rich organic thin films were deposited using both low-pressure plasma- and vacuum-ultraviolet-based techniques, from mixtures of ammonia (NH₃) and ethylene (C₂H₄). These films were investigated using angle-resolved and excitation energy resolved X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (ARXPS and ERXPS, respectively) in order to determine their sub-surface chemical profiles. These two techniques enable one to tune the ??XPS 95%?? information depth, z _95%, by varying either the angle or the excitation energy. Using a combination of both techniques, z _95% can be varied continuously from 0.7 to 11 nm. The surface-near chemistry is investigated using both high-resolution C 1s spectra and elemental concentrations derived from elemental peak intensities. Results show that while laboratory XPS, and even ARXPS, suggest homogenous surface chemistries, the novel combination of ARXPS and ERXPS points to the existence of a compositional profile in the extreme outer surface layer. Our conclusions are supported by simulations using SESSA software.     

Direct iodination of alkanes

[reaction: see text] A cheap and efficient iodination of hydrocarbons can be achieved by generating tert-butyl hypoiodite from iodine and sodium tert-butoxide. The alkane is reactant and solvent, and this metal-free process provides a clean solution for their direct iodination.     

Electrochemistry of niobium(V) in sulfuric and methanesulfonic acids: formation of the Nb3O2(SO4)6(H2O)(3)(5-) cluster and designed electrochemical generation of "Nb3O2" core clusters by double potential pulse electrolysis

The electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of niobium(V) and the Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) cluster in sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, constant potential electrolysis, and spectroelectrochemistry. These chemical systems were suitable to probe the formation of "Nb(3)O(2)" core trinuclear clusters. In 9 M H(2)SO(4) the cluster Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) exhibited a reversible 1-electron reduction peak at E(pc) = -1.30 V vs Hg/Hg(2)SO(4) electrode, as well as a 4-electron irreversible oxidation peak at E(pa) = -0.45 V. Controlled potential reduction at E = -1.40 V produced the green Nb(3.33+) cluster anion Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(6-). In 12 M H(2)SO(4) Nb(V) displayed two reduction peaks at E(pc) = -1.15 V and E(pc) = -1.30 V. It was determined that the first process involves a quasi-reversible 2-electron reduction. After reduction of Nb(V) to Nb(III) the following chemical step involves formation of [Nb(III)](2) dimer, which further reacts with Nb(V) to produce the Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6(H(2)O)(3)(5-) cluster (ECC process). The second reduction peak at E(pc) = -1.30 V corresponds to further 2-electron reduction of Nb(III) to Nb(I). The electrogenerated Nb(I) species also chemically reacts with starting material Nb(V) to produce additional [Nb(III)](2). In 5 M H(2)SO(4), the rate of the second chemical step in the ECC process is relatively slower and reduction of Nb(V) at E = -1.45 V/-1.2 V produces a mixture of Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) and [Nb(III)](2) dimer. [Nb(III)](2) can be selectively oxidized by two 2-electron steps at E = -0.65 V to Nb(V). However, if the oxidation is performed at E = -0.86 V, the product is Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-). A double potential pulse electrolysis waveform was developed to direct the reduction of Nb(V) toward selective formation of the Nb(3)O(2)(SO(4))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(5-) cluster. Proper application of dc-voltage pulses alternating between E(1) = -1.45 V and E(2) = -0.86 V yields only the target trinuclear cluster. Analogous double potential pulse electrolysis of Nb(V) in methanesulfonic acid generates the "Nb(3)O(2)" core cluster Nb(3)O(2)(CH(3)SO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(3)(+).     

1,3,5-Trideoxy-1,3,5-tris(dimethylamino)-cis-inositol,an Efficient Ligand for Hard Trivalent Metal Ions. Determination of the stability constants of the FeIII,AlIII, and CuII complexes in aqueous solution

The complexes [Fe(tdci)₂]Cl₃ and [Al(tdci)₂]Cl₃ (tdci = 1,3,5-trideoxy-1,3,5-tris(dimethylamino)-cis-inositol) were prepared and characterized by mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic-susceptibility measurements. The formation constants were determined in aqueous solution (25°, 0.1M KCl) by potentiometric titration. pK values of H₃(tdci)³⁺: 5.89, 7.62, 9.68; Fe^III complexes: log β_ML = 18.8, log β = 32.6; Al^III complexes: log β_ML = 14.3, logβ = 26.4. The protonated complex [FeH(tdci)₂]⁴⁺ has also been identified. In contrast to the high stability of the Fe^III and Al^III complexes, only weak interactions of tdci with Cu^II have been observed in aqueous solution (25°, 0.1M KNO₃).     

Photolithographic synthesis of cyclic peptide arrays using a differential deprotection strategy

We report here a strategy for the photolithographic synthesis of diverse, spatially addressable arrays of cyclic peptides which employs a differential deprotection strategy for the combinatorial addition of side chains to a pre-fabricated cyclic core.     

Controlled structural variations in templated uranium sulfates

A series of experiments in the UO(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(2).2H(2)O/H(2)SO(4)/1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine/H(2)O system were conducted to determine the effects of variation in initial reactant concentrations on the reaction products. Several reaction gels were produced, in which the composition varied from 16:80:4:500 UO(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(2).2H(2)O/H(2)SO(4)/1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine/H(2)O to 4:92:4:500 UO(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(2).2H(2)O/H(2)SO(4)/1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine/H(2)O. Single crystals of two new organically templated uranium sulfates, [N(3)C(6)H(18)](2)[(UO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(8)].5H(2)O and [N(3)C(6)H(18)][(UO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(3)(HSO(4))].4.5H(2)O, were isolated. Both compounds exhibit structures in which the inorganic frameworks are two-dimensional and the protonated amines reside between layers, participating in extensive hydrogen bonding. The composition and structure of each compound is dependent on the nature of the starting concentrations. Crystal data: for [N(3)C(6)H(18)](2)[(UO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(8)].5H(2)O, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), a = 21.5597(3) A, b = 10.2901(2) A, c = 22.8403(3) A, beta = 96.7436(7) degrees, and Z = 4; for [N(3)C(6)H(18)][(UO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(SO(4))(3)(HSO(4))].4.5H(2)O, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/a (No. 14), a = 15.7673(4) A, b = 10.5813(3) A, c = 16.7710(5) A, beta = 99.9216(9) degrees, and Z = 4.     

Bis(phosphino)borates: a new family of monoanionic chelating phosphine ligands

The reaction of dimethyldiaryltin reagents Me(2)SnR(2) (R = Ph (1), p-MePh (2), m,m-Me(2)Ph (3), p-(t)BuPh (4), p-MeOPh (5), p-CF(3)Ph (6)) with BCl(3) provided a high-yielding, simple preparative route to the corresponding diarylchloroboranes R(2)BCl (R = Ph (10), p-MePh (11), m,m-Me(2)Ph (12), p-(t)BuPh (13), p-MeOPh (14), p-CF(3)Ph (15)). In some cases, the desired diarylchloroborane was not formed from an appropriate tin reagent Me(2)SnR(2) (R = o-MeOPh (7), o,o-(MeO)(2)Ph (8), o-CF(3)Ph (9)). The reaction of lithiated methyldiaryl- or methyldialkylphosphines with diarylchloroboranes or dialkylchloroboranes is discussed. Specifically, several new monoanionic bis(phosphino)borates are detailed: [Ph(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (25); [(p-MePh)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (26); [(p-(t)BuPh)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (27); [(p-MeOPh)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (28); [(p-CF(3)Ph)(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (29); [Cy(2)B(CH(2)PPh(2))(2)] (30); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P[p-(t)BuPh](2))(2)] (31); [(p-MeOPh)(2)B(CH(2)P[p-(t)BuPh](2))(2)] (32); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P[p-CF(3)Ph](2))(2)] (33); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(BH(3))(Me)(2))(2)] (34); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(S)(Me)(2))(2)] (35); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(i)Pr(2))(2)] (36); [Ph(2)B(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] (37); [(m,m-Me(2)Ph)(2)B(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] (38). The chelation of diarylphosphine derivatives 25-33 and 36 to platinum was examined by generation of a series of platinum dimethyl complexes. The electronic effects of substituted bis(phosphino)borates on the carbonyl stretching frequency of neutral platinum alkyl carbonyl complexes were studied by infrared spectroscopy. Substituents remote from the metal center (i.e. on boron) have minimal effect on the electronic nature of the metal center, whereas substitution close to the metal center (on phosphorus) has a greater effect on the electronic nature of the metal center.