On the nature of the fluorescent state of methylated indole derivatives

A quantitative study has been made of the solvent effects on the fluorescence properties of 1- and 3-methyl indole, with the aim of further understanding the origin of the unusually large Stokes shift in polar solvents. For the derivatives considered here the fluorescence transition probability is decreased in solvents of moderate and high polarities, and the spectrum shifts to the red. The data (in two-component, solute and solvent, systems) can be interpreted on the basis of the stabilisation, by solvent-solute relaxation, of a state with an increased charge-transfer character, relative to the initially excited state. Å consideration of the decay data for other indole derivatives suggests that this state has its origin in the ¹L₄ state (S₂ in non-polar media). Thus we conclude that the appropriate label of the fluorescent state of many substituted indoles in polar solvents is ¹L_a/CT. This is consistent with the observed solvent, temperature, time and substituent dependence of the decay kinetics of these derivatives.     

The molecular structure of di-t-butylamine, NH[C(CH3)3]2, as determined by gas-phase electron diffraction: an exceptionally sterically hindered amine

Gaseous di-t-butylamine, NHBu^t₂, has been studied by electron diffraction at a nozzle temperature of ca. 293 K. The diffraction data reveal that this amine is exceedingly hindered. Repulsive steric interactions between the Bu^t groups are mainly relieved by an opening of the CNC valence angle to 135(3)°. Evidence of steric strain may also be found in the non-zero tilts (2–3°) of the Bu^t groups, defining the angle of rotation of these groups about axes through the N-bonded carbon atoms orthogonal to the NC₂ plane. The N---C and C---C bonds, 1.467(13) and 1.561(6) Å, respectively, are on the other hand relatively unstrained. Other principal geometrical parameters are unexceptional: C---H = 1.103(10) Å, NCC = 111.3(1.5)° (mean value) and CCH = 106(2)°. The position of the N-bonded hydrogen atom relative to the NC₂ plane could not be determined. The torsional positions of the Bu^t groups, with respect to the N---C bonds, could not be derived from least-squares refinements. A large number of models with Bu^t groups in various fixed positions were considered; the best fit between the observed and theoretical intensity data was obtained with one Bu^t group being twisted 19° away from the position typified by one C---C bond of this group being anti to the remote N---C bond, and the other Bu^t group similarly twisted by 30°. When viewed along the N---C bonds, the Bu^t groups are twisted in the same direction. Viewed along the C(N)C axis, these groups come close to being staggered with respect to each other. The values of the above bond distances are those of r_a parameters. Parenthesized values denote error limits, being least-squares standard deviations multiplied by a factor of three.     

The amperometric detection of thyroid hormones following reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The principle of an assay of the major thyroid hormones by an electrochemical technique is demonstrated. The separation of 3,3',5-triiodothyronine, 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine, and thyroxine, by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is followed by their electrochemical oxidation in a thin-layer electrochemical detection cell with a low-temperature isotropic carbon working electrode. The limits of detection found were in the subnanogram range with linear response in the ranges 0–125 ng for T₃ and 0–500 ng for T₄. The approach makes the simultaneous assay of total serum thyroid hormones feasible.     

The gas chromatography, thermal analysis and mass spectrometry of fluorinated lead β-diketonates Determination of traces of lead by the integrated ion-current technique

Preparative details for perfluoroalkanoylpivalylmethanes and their lead chelates are given. Thermal analysis, gas chromatography and mass spectral studies all indicate high thermal stability, but strong column interaction makes successful quantitative gas chromatography difficult. The integrated ion-current technique is applied to determine lead heptafluorobutanoylpivalylmethanate in the range 10^-9–10^-7 g of lead, but a lower detection limit of ca. 10^-14 g is indicated.     

Stereoselective routes to substituted β-amino carbonyl compounds via heterodiene [4π+2π] cycloadditions of auxiliary-based C2 symmetric ketene acetals

Heterodiene [4π+2π] cycloadditions of (S,S)-4,5-diaryl-2-methylene-1,3-dioxolanes 1 to a series of β-amido-α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds are diastereoselective (d.r.≥4:1). The products can be purified by trituration or crystallisation and hydrolysed with acid to generate the corresponding β-amido carbonyl compounds, the overall sequence effecting an auxiliary-based enantioselective conjugate addition of an acetate enolate, leading to β-aminoacid derivatives.     

Photon-induced dissociation with a four-sector tandem mass spectrometer

The feasibility of using photodissociation of protonated peptide molecules to sequence specific fragment ions with a 193-nm pulsed laser beam in a magnetic deflection tandem mass spectrometer of EBEB configuration was demonstrated. Although the short pulse (15 ns) and low repetition rate (100 Hz) of the excimer laser permitted the irradiation of only ～ 0.02% of the (M + H)⁺ ions exiting MS-1, a photon-induced decomposition spectrum of the heptapeptide angiotensio III (M _r 930.5) was produced that was practically the same (but with better signal-to-noise ratio) as that generated by collision-activated dissociation at the same low duty cycle. Because of the low and pulsed fragment ion currents, an array detector was used to record the spectra. A dependence between laser power and abundance of fragment ions was observed (increased power increases the relative abundance of ions of low mass). Laser power was varied from 6 to 80 mJ. Formation of fragment ions from a large peptide (melittin, M, 2844.75) was also observed. The results permit the design of modifications that may increase the fragment ion yield to 10% or higher, which would make photon-induced decomposition a useful method for magnetic deflection mass spectrometers.     

Analysis of pseudopartial and partial wetting of various substrates by lead

Lead drops exhibit partial wetting on some substrates and pseudopartial wetting on others. In pseudopartial wetting, a film is in equilibrium with a capillary body with a nonzero contact angle. Using a free energy formulation appropriate for the experiments, we show the conditions under which minimization of the system energy is accurately achieved by minimizing the energy of the film alone. Using a set of simple surface energy isotherms, we explain the various wetting behaviors of lead. We contrast isotherms for autophobing systems and the metallic systems considered here.     

Total synthesis of (+)-amphidinolide A. Structure elucidation and completion of the synthesis

The structure elucidation of (+)-amphidinolide A, a cytotoxic macrolide, has been accomplished by employing a combination of NMR chemical shift analysis and total synthesis. The 20-membered ring of amphidinolide A was formed by a ruthenium-catalyzed alkene-alkyne coupling to forge the C15-C16 bond. Using the reported structure 1 as a starting point, a number of diastereomers of amphidinolide A were prepared. Deviations of the chemical shift of key protons in each isomer relative to the natural material were used as a guide to determine the locations of the errors in the relative stereochemistry. The spectroscopic data for the synthetic and natural material are in excellent agreement.     

On the Structure of the Spectra for a Class of Combustion Waves

The stability of a premixed laminar flame supported by a general combustion reaction system is considered using the Evans function method. The spectrum of the linearised second-order differential operator is investigated in detail. The special structure of the differential equations due to an Arrhenius temperature dependence is exploited. It is shown that, for certain combustion systems, the limit of the Jacobian of the reaction terms as the travelling wave coordinate approaches the front and rear of the flame is a lower triangular matrix. For this type of system a simple geometrical method is shown for the study of the essential spectrum of the linearised operator, and for determining the domain of the Evans function. The results are applied to some representative combustion reactions.     

Supersilylating agents from chlorosilanes

The addition of R₃SiCl to B(OTf)₃ gives “supersilylating agents” formulated as R₃SiB(OTf)₃Cl. The catalytic properties of these species are similar to those of the previously-described (but less accessible) R₃SiB(OTf)₄.