Ruthenium bipyridyl compounds with two terminal alkynyl ligands

Compounds of the form Ru(X2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CC6H4NO2-p)2(X2bipy = 4,4'-X(2)-2,2'-bipyridine, X = Me 3a, Br 3b, I 3c) have been synthesised from the mono-alkynyl precursors Ru(X2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CC6H4NO2-p)Cl (X = Me 2a, Br 2b, I 2c); the former are the first ruthenium bis-alkynyl compounds that also contain a bipyridyl ligand. Spectroelectrochemical investigation of 3a shows that the metal is readily oxidised to form the ruthenium(III) compound 3a+, and will also undergo a single-electron reduction at each nitro group to form 3a2-. ESR and UV/visible spectra of these redox congeners are presented. We also report the synthesis of [Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CBut)(N triple bond N)][PF6] during the attempted synthesis of Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CBut)2, and report its X-ray crystal structure and IR spectrum. X-Ray crystal structures of 3b and 3c(as two different solvates) are presented, and the nature of the intermolecular interactions seen therein is discussed. Z-Scan measurements on Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CR)Cl (R = C6H4NO2-p2a, But, Ph, C6H4Me) are also reported, and show that Ru(Me2bipy)(PPh3)2(-C triple bond CR)Cl (R = C6H4NO2-p2a, Ph) exhibit moderate third-order non-linearities.     

On the determination of the exact number of bound states of a given potential. I. General method

A general method is developed for determining the exact number of bound states for a given potential in a space of N dimensions (N ≧ 2). This is applied to a central potential of the form where λ, r₀, α are arbitrary positive numbers, and for which analytical solutions are obtained. Some properties of the degeneracy in the energy levels, with respect to the orbital angular momentum l, are also discussed.     

exo/endo-Selectivity in the Reaction of ‘Bare’ FeO+ with Bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane (Norbornane)

‘Bare’ FeO⁺ reacts in the gas phase with norbornane with collision efficiency, and the most prominent cationic products correspond to [FeC₅H₆]⁺ (32%), [FeC₇H₈]⁺ (19%), [FeC₃H₆O]⁺ (19%) and [FeC₆H₆]⁺ (14%), which are structurally characterized by ligand exchange as well as collision-induced dissociation experiments. Circumstantial evidence is provided which indicates that the complexes [FeC₅H₆]⁺, [FeC₇H₈]⁺, and [FeC₆H₆]⁺ originate from an Fe(norbornene)⁺ intermediate which itself is formed by elimination of H₂O from the [FeO(norbornane)]⁺ encounter complex. Although the reactions are preceded and/or accompanied by partial H/D exchange, the isotope distribution in the productions clearly points to a preferential endo-attack of bare FeO⁺, with an endo/exo-ratio of ca. 10.3 and kinetic isotope effects k_H/k_D for the endo-abstraction of 2.4 and of 7.7 for approaching an exo-C? H bond. The preferred endo-approach of bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane by ‘bare’ FeO⁺ is in distinct contrast to the P-450-mediated or the iron(III)porphyrin-catalyzed hydroxylation of this substrate which favor reactions at the exo-face.     

Determination of99Tc in fuel leachates using extraction chromatography

A simple technique using a combination of cation exchange and solid phase extraction chromatographic resins has been developed for the separation of⁹⁹Tc from other radionuclides present in nuclear fuel leachates. Quantification of the isolated⁹⁹Tc is accomplished using liquid scintillation counting. The method provides consistently high recoveries (>96%), generates small amounts of waste compared to classical methods, and requires less analysis time.     

A multitechnique surface analytical study of a segmented block copolymer poly(ether-urethane) modified through an H2O radio frequency glow discharge

Recent work in our laboratories has fully characterized the surface region of a segmented poly(ether-urethane) (PEU) extending from the air/polymer interfacial region through bulk depths in the micron range. This characterization utilized energy and angle dependent Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (ESCA), Attenuated Total Reflectance–Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR–FTIR), and Comprehensive Wettability Profiling (contact angle using a homologous series of liquids) as defined by Zisman. In this study this same multi-analytical-technique approach is used to elucidate changes in these PEU surfaces induced through an H₂O Radio Frequency Glow Discharge (RFGD) plasma. This investigation reports both qualitative and quantitative changes due to the modification treatments as well as the permanency of the changes effected on these surfaces through the plasma treatment. From our analyses, the amount of surface residing polyurethane (hard segment) is observed to increase due to a proposed plasma etching mechanism. Further, the addition of oxygen containing functionality is detected at the modified surfaces unique with respect to the unmodified PEU. These surface modifications which show large increases in wettability, are finally observed to be semi-permanent over a time period of 6 months.     

Design of photoactivated DNA oxidizing agents: synthesis and study of photophysical properties and DNA interactions of novel viologen-linked acridines

A new series of photoactivated DNA oxidizing agents in which an acridine moiety is covalently linked to viologen by an alkylidene spacer was synthesized, and their photophysical properties and interactions with DNA, including DNA cleaving properties, were investigated. The fluorescence quantum yields of the viologen-linked acridines were found to be lower than that of the model compound 9-methylacridine (MA). The changes in free energy for the electron transfer reactions were found to be favorable, and the fluorescence quenching observed in these systems is explained by an electron transfer mechanism. Intramolecular electron transfer rate constants were calculated from the observed fluorescence quantum yields and singlet lifetime of MA and are in the range from 1.06x10(10) s(-1) for 1 a (n=1) to 6x10(8) s(-1) for 1 c (n=11), that is, the rate decreases with increasing spacer length. Nanosecond laser flash photolysis of these systems in aqueous solutions showed no transient absorption, but in the presence of guanosine or calf thymus DNA, transient absorption due to the reduced viologen radical cation was observed. Studies on DNA binding demonstrated that the viologen-linked acridines bind effectively to DNA in both intercalative and electrostatic modes. Results of PM2 DNA cleavage studies indicate that, on photoexcitation, these molecules induce DNA damage that is sensitive to formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase. These viologen-linked acridines are quite stable in aqueous solutions and oxidize DNA efficiently and hence can be useful as photoactivated DNA-cleaving agents which function purely by the co-sensitization mechanism.     

A mild and efficient process for detoxifying polychlorinated biphenyls

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were effectively dechlorinated to biphenyl under mild conditions using an aqueous solution of sodium hypophosphite in the presence of a palladium catalyst.     

The synthesis and characterisation of ferromagnetic CaMn2O4 nanowires.

The synthesis of marokite CaMn(2)O(4) nanowires using a hydrothermal method is reported. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction measurements show that the nanowires are polycrystalline in nature with diameters between 10 and 20 nm and lengths ranging from approximately 100 to 500 nm. Most interestingly, in contrast with the bulk material, magnetization measurements show that these nanowires exhibit ferromagnetic ordering with a Curie temperature (T(C)) of approximately 40 K.     

Synthesis of monofluorinated 1-(naphthalen-1-yl)piperazines

A series of regioisomerically monofluorinated 1-(naphthalen-1-yl)piperazines is described.