Solution and X-Ray Crystal Structures of the Di- and Tetra-allyl Ether of tert- utylcalix[4]arene

The di- and tetra-allyl ethers of tert-butylcalix[4]arene 1 and 2 have been prepared by alkylation of tert-butylcalix[4]arene with allyl bromide and K₂CO₃ using different reaction times. Solution ¹H NMR measurement of the di-allyl ether 1 and X-ray crystal structures of the complexes of 1 with chloroform (1a) or methanol (1b) indicate the cone conformation of 1 in which intramolecular hydrogen bonding can be maximized. The crystalline state conformers 1a and 1b are distorted in different grades depending on the solvent. While methanol is incorporated in the macrocycle, chloroform molecules do not occupy the cage. The solution ¹H NMR spectra of tetra-allyl ether 2 show the co-existence of the cone and partial cone conformation. The partial cone conformer of 2 was investigated by X-ray crystallography. In this compound hydrogen bonding is not existent. The conformer distribution is likely affected by steric and template effects.     

Femtosecond Spectroscopic Studies on the Red Light-Absorbing Form of Oat Phytochrome and 2,3-Dihydrobiliverdin

Abstract— The excited state behavior of the red light-absorbing form of phytochrome (Pr) was studied on the femtosecond time scale. After excitation of Pr with 75 fs laser pulses at 616 nm the kinetics of the transient absorption changes was recorded at selected wavelengths probing mainly the bleaching of the Pr ground-state absorption and the stimulated emission. The kinetic data obtained indicate the population of an excited state with a 3 ps lifetime immediately after excitation. This state precedes the formation of another excited state with a 32 ps lifetime. The decay of the latter state is followed by the appearance of a first product state that is assumed to represent lunii-R. In addition, 2,3-dihydrobiliverdin, which is considered to be an adequate model of the Pr chro-mophore, was included in the femtosecond studies. The absorption difference spectra recorded at various delay times show an immediate bleaching of the ground-state absorption. Simultaneously with bleaching a broad transient absorption appears between 410 and 525 nm. The data analysis yields similar kinetic components as they were observed in the decay of Pr. It is suggested from this finding that within the first tens of picoseconds after excitation the excited-state properties of Pr are mainly determined by the properties of the chromophore itself.     

Design, synthesis, and photophysical studies of a porphyrin-fullerene dyad with parachute topology; charge recombination in the marcus inverted region

As part of a continuing investigation of the topological control of intramolecular electron transfer (ET) in donor-acceptor systems, a symmetrical parachute-shaped octaethylporphyrin-fullerene dyad has been synthesized. A symmetrical strap, attached to ortho positions of phenyl groups at opposing meso positions of the porphyrin, was linked to [60]-fullerene in the final step of the synthesis. The dyad structures were confirmed by (1)H, (13)C, and (3)He NMR, and MALDI-TOF mass spectra. The free-base and Zn-containing dyads were subjected to extensive spectroscopic, electrochemical and photophysical studies. UV-vis spectra of the dyads are superimposable on the sum of the spectra of appropriate model systems, indicating that there is no significant ground-state electronic interaction between the component chromophores. Molecular modeling studies reveal that the lowest energy conformation of the dyad is not the C(2)(v)() symmetrical structure, but rather one in which the porphyrin moves over to the side of the fullerene sphere, bringing the two pi-systems into close proximity, which enhances van der Waals attractive forces. To account for the NMR data, it is proposed that the dyad is conformationally mobile at room temperature, with the porphyrin swinging back and forth from one side of the fullerene to the other. The extensive fluorescence quenching in both the free base and Zn dyads is associated with an extremely rapid photoinduced electron-transfer process, k(ET) approximately 10(11) s(-)(1), generating porphyrin radical cations and C(60) radical anions, detected by transient absorption spectroscopy. Back electron transfer (BET) is slower than charge separation by up to 2 orders of magnitude in these systems. The BET rate is slower in nonpolar than in polar solvents, indicating that BET occurs in the Marcus inverted region, where the rate decreases as the thermodynamic driving force for BET increases. Transient absorption and singlet molecular oxygen sensitization data show that fullerene triplets are formed only with the free base dyad in toluene, where triplet formation from the charge-separated state is competitive with decay to the ground state. The photophysical properties of the P-C(60) dyads with parachute topology are very similar to those of structurally related rigid pi-stacked P-C(60) dyads, with the exception that there is no detectable charge-transfer absorption in the parachute systems, attributed to their conformational flexibility. It is concluded that charge separation in these hybrid systems occurs through space in unsymmetrical conformations, where the center-to-center distance between the component pi-systems is minimized. Analysis of the BET data using Marcus theory gives reorganization energies for these systems between 0.6 and 0.8 eV and electronic coupling matrix elements between 4.8 and 5.6 cm(-)(1).     

Structural insights into aluminum chlorofluoride (ACF)

The structure of the very strong solid Lewis acid aluminum chlorofluoride (ACF, AlCl(x)F(3-x), x = 0.05-0.3) was studied by IR, ESR, Cl K XANES, (19)F MAS NMR, and (27)Al SATRAS NMR spectroscopic methods and compared with amorphous aluminum fluoride conventionally prepared by dehydration of alpha-AlF(3) x 3H(2)O. The thermal behavior of both compounds was investigated by DTA and XRD. In comparison to ACF, amorphous AlF(3) prepared in a conventional way is not catalytically active for the isomerization reaction of 1,2-dibromohexafluoropropane, which requires a very strong Lewis acid. Both compounds are mainly built up of corner-sharing AlF(6) octahedra forming a random network. The degree of disorder in ACF is higher than in amorphous AlF(3). Terminal fluorine atoms were detected in ACF by (19)F NMR. The chlorine in ACF does not exist as a separate, crystalline AlCl(3) phase. Additionally, chlorine-containing radicals, remaining from the synthesis, are trapped in cavities of ACF. These radicals are stable at room temperature but do not take part in the catalytic reaction.     

A HF Loaded Lewis-Acidic Aluminium Chlorofluoride for Hydrofluorination Reactions

The very strong Lewis acid aluminium chlorofluoride (ACF) was loaded with anhydrous HF. The interaction between the surface of the catalyst and HF was investigated using a variety of characterization methods, which revealed the formation of polyfluorides. Moreover, the reactivity of the HF-loaded ACF towards the hydrofluorination of alkynes was studied.     

1,2- and 1,3-diphosphetanes from alkylidenephosphines

Abstract

Alkyl- or arylbis(trimethylsilyl)phosphines as well as tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine and the corresponding arsines react with acyl chlorides to give [1-(trimethylsiloxy)alkylidene]phosphines 1 and -arsines 2; most of their 2,2-dimethylpropylidene derivatives are thermally stable at room temperature. With the same class of phosphines as starting compounds and carbon disulfide [bis(trimethylsilylsulfano)methylidene]phosphines 3 are formed, whereas [(dialkylamino)methylidene]-4 and [diarylmethylidene]phosphines 5 or the corresponding arsines 6 and 7 can be obtained from acyl amides or ketones.¹     

Human biomonitoring of emerging pollutants through non-invasive matrices: state of the art and future potential

Human biomonitoring (HBM) is a scientific technique that allows us to assess whether and to what extent environmental pollutants enter humans. We review here the current HBM efforts for organophosphate esters, emerging flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl substances, and phthalate esters. Use of some of these chemicals has already been banned or restricted; they are regularly detected in the environment, wildlife, and human matrices. Traditionally, blood and urine collection have been widely used as sampling methods. New non-invasive approaches (e.g., saliva, hair, nails) are emerging as valid alternatives since they offer advantages with respect to sampling, handling, and ethical aspects, while ensuring similar reliability and sensitivity. Nevertheless, the identification of biomarkers of exposure is often difficult because chemicals may be metabolized in the human body. For many of the above-mentioned compounds, the mechanisms of the favorable metabolization pathways have not been unraveled, but research on important metabolites that could be used as biomarkers of exposure is growing. This review summarizes the state of the art regarding human exposure to, (non-invasive) HBM of, and metabolism of major organophosphate esters, emerging flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl substances, and phthalate esters currently detected in the environment.

Composition of oxygen precipitates in Czochralski silicon wafers investigated by STEM with EDX/EELS and FTIR spectroscopy

In this work, we investigated the stoichiometry of oxygen precipitates in Czochralski silicon wafers. The thickness dependence of the Cliff–Lorimer sensitivity factor for the silicon/oxygen system was determined and applied for the investigation of the stoichiometry of oxygen precipitates by EDX. The results show that both plate‐like oxygen precipitates and a transitional form between plate‐like and octahedral precipi‐ tates consist of SiO₂. This was confirmed by EELS low loss spectra where the typical spectrum for amorphous SiO₂ was observed. Moreover, the absorption band of plate‐like precipitates at 1227 cm^–1 was found in the low temperature FTIR spectrum. It was demonstrated that this band can only be simulated by the dielectric constants of amorphous SiO₂. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Living free radical donor-acceptor copolymerization of styrene and N-cyclohexylmaleimide and the synthesis of poly[styrene-co-(N-cyclohexylmaleimide)]/polystyrene block copolymers

Styrene/N-cyclohexylmaleimide copolymers with small polydispersities and controlled molecular weights were synthesized by a free radical copolymerization using an iniferter system consisting of benzoyl peroxide and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl. Due to the interactions of the electropositive (styrene) and electronegative (N-cyclohexylmaleimide) monomers the brutto polymerization rates are higher than for other living polymerizations initiated with the same iniferter system. The prepared copolymers were used as macroiniferters for bulk polymerization of styrene.     

Formation of a Special Intermediate during Phase Transformation of Zeolite NaA to Nepheline

In the process of phase transformation of zeolite NaA to nepheline under hydrothermal conditions a special intermediate occurs. This is due to the high reaction rate of nepheline formation in the presence of water molecules. Consequently, the usually observed amorphous material with high condensed silica does not occur as separate phase. – The intermediate which is formed due to the destruction of the long-range order of zeolite is significantly short-range ordered. The phase transformation process starts at the outer surface of zeolite crystals, thus generating a diffusion barrier for sorption uptake processes.