Size-dependent properties of Zn(m)S(n) clusters: a density-functional tight-binding study

We present the results of our theoretical calculations on structural and electronic properties of ligand-free Zn(n)S(n) [with n ranging from 4 to 104 (0.8-2.0-nm diameter)] clusters as a function of size of the clusters. We have optimized the structure whereby our initial structures are spherical parts of either zinc-blende or wurtzite structure. We have also considered some hollow bubblelike structures. The calculations are performed by using a parametrized linear combination of atomic orbitals-density-functional theory-local-density approximation-tight-binding method. We have focused on the variation of radial distribution function, Mulliken populations, electronic energy levels, band gap, and stability as a function of size for both zinc-blende and wurtzite-derived ZnS clusters. We have also reported the results of some nonstoichiometric Zn(m)S(n) (with m+n=47, 99, 177) clusters of zinc-blende modification.     

Oxanorbornenes: promising new single addition monomers for the metathesis polymerization

Higher ring-opening metathesis propagation rates of exo-norbornene derivatives over endo derivatives are well established in the literature. Here, we report for the first time that endo-isomers of oxanorbornene derivatives show higher reactivity towards ring-opening metathesis with Grubbs'' 3rd generation catalyst (G3) than the corresponding exo-isomers. A very high selectivity for the reaction of G3 with endo over the exo-isomers could be shown. Furthermore, single molecular addition of the endo-isomers with G3 was observed. On the other hand, pure exo-monomers could successfully be homopolymerized. Mixtures of exo- and endo- monomers, however, prevented the homopolymerization of the exo-monomer. Such mixtures could successfully be copolymerized with cycloalkenes, resulting in alternating copolymers. An oxanorbornadiene derivative could be shown to undergo single addition reactions, exploited in the preparation of mono-end functional ROMP polymers. These could be selectively derivatized via endgroup selective thiol-ene click reactions. A thiol and alcohol end functional ROMP polymer was synthesized, and the efficient end functionalization was confirmed by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-ToF spectrometry.

Bridgehead revisited: endo-7-oxa norborneneimide derivatives (green) initiate faster but propagate more slowly than the analogous exo-derivatives (red) in ring-opening metathesis allowing the synthesis of alternating and end functional polymers.     

Anion-enhanced excited state charge separation in a spiro-locked N-heterocycle-fused push-pull zinc porphyrin

A new type of push–pull charge transfer complex, viz., a spiro-locked N-heterocycle-fused zinc porphyrin, ZnP-SQ, is shown to undergo excited state charge separation, which is enhanced by axial F⁻ binding to the Zn center. In this push–pull design, the spiro-quinone group acts as a ‘lock’ promoting charge transfer interactions by constraining mutual coplanarity of the meso-phenol-substituted electron-rich Zn(ii) porphyrin and an electron deficient N-heterocycle, as revealed by electrochemical and computational studies. Spectroelectrochemical studies have been used to identify the spectra of charge separated states, and charge separation upon photoexcitation of ZnP has been unequivocally established by using transient absorption spectroscopic techniques covering wide spatial and temporal regions. Further, global target analysis of the transient data using GloTarAn software is used to obtain the lifetimes of different photochemical events and reveal that fluoride anion complexation stabilizes the charge separated state to an appreciable extent.

A new type of push–pull charge transfer complex, viz., a spiro-locked N-heterocycle-fused zinc porphyrin, ZnP-SQ, is shown to undergo excited state charge separation, which is enhanced by axial F⁻ binding to the Zn center.     

Improved separation of metallothionein isoforms by the presence of cyclodextrin in capillary zone electrophoresis

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with cyclodextrin (CD) in the polyacrylamide-coated capillary was used to study metallothionein (MT) forms in the horse kidney preparation produced commercially by Sigma. It is known that CDs form complexes with hydrophobic amino acids. The results show that the presence of CD improves the separability of the various MT forms, including the MT-IA and the MT-IB forms, metallothionein aggregates, as well as the so far unidentified a and b forms. This was true both below and above the isoelectric points (pIs), although the migration times were somewhat longer at increasing CD concentrations for runs at constant voltage than with constant current.     

Solubility and distribution of radon in organic solvents

The influence of physicochemical properties of solvents on the solubility of radon in them can be described by multiparameter linear equations taking into account various solvent characteristics; the decisive (and negative) effect on the radon solubility is exerted by the cohesion energy density and polarity of the solvent. This approach is efficient for summarizing data on the distribution ratios of radon between organic and aqueous phases.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of neutralized α-hydroxy acids by tris(pyridine-2-carboxylato)manganese(III)

The kinetics of oxidation of the neutralized -hydroxy acids: lactic, -hydroxyisobutyric, mandelic, benzilic and atrolactic acids by tris(pyridine-2-carboxylato)manganese(III) have been studied. The reactions were carried out in a Na(pic)-picH [Na(pic) = sodium salt of pyridine-2-carboxylic acid and picH = pyridine-2-carboxylic acid] buffer medium in the 4.89–6.10pH range. The oxidation rate was found to be independent of pH, and rate follows the order: benzilate > mandelate >atrolactate>lactate > -hydroxy isobutyrate. The oxidation products are MeCHO, Me2CO, PhCHO, Ph2CO and PhCOMe for the respective reactions. A mechanism is proposed involving intermediate formation of hepta-coordinated MnIII complexes in a fast step. The complexes then decompose to give free radicals and MnII in the rate determining step. The free radicals subsequently react with another molecule of the MnIII species to give the respective carbonyl compounds in a fast step.     

Ion-exchange behaviour of copper ferricyanide

A new inorganic ion exchanger, copper ferricyanide prepared by adding copper nitrate to a potassium ferricyanide solution at 80°C has been found to be stable in acids and salt solutions. It has been characterized by chemical analysis, thermogravimetry. X-ray and infrared spectroscopy. Distribution coefficients determined for various metal ions show that the exchanger has a high affinity for heavy univalent cations. The variation of K_d for a number of metal ions as a function of nitric acid concentration and ammonium nitrate has been investigated to elucidate the probable exchange mechanism and to work out conditions for elution. Binary separations of Cs from a number of other metal ions were achieved on the column of exchanger. The exchanger is useful for the separation of¹³⁷Cs.     

Absorption spectrometric and thermodynamic study of charge transfer complexes of menadione (Vitamin K3) with a series of phenols

The electron donor-acceptor (EDA) interactions between menadione (i.e., 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, which is also called 'Vitamin K3') and a series of phenols (viz., phenol, resorcinol and p-quinol) have been studied in CCl4 medium. In all the cases, charge transfer (CT) bands have been located. The CT transition energies (h nu(CT)) of the complexes are found to change systematically with change in the number and position of the -OH groups in the aromatic ring of the phenol moiety. From the trends in the h nu(CT) values, the Hückel parameters (h(O) and k(C-O)) for the -OH group have been obtained. The CT transition energies are well correlated with the ionisation potentials of the phenols. From an analysis of this variation the electron affinity of Vitamin K3 has been found to be 2.28 eV. The stoichiometry of the complexes in each case has been found to be 1(menadione):2 (phenol). Formation constants of the complexes have been determined at four different temperatures from which the enthalpies and entropies of formation of the complexes have been estimated.     

Interaction of the excited singlet state of neutral red with aromatic amines

Quenching of neutral red (NR; neutral form of the dye) fluorescence by a number of aromatic amines has been investigated in acetonitrile solutions. The bimolecular quenching constants ( k _q) obtained from steady-state and time-resolved measurements for a particular donor–acceptor pair are seen to be the same within experimental error. Correlation of the changes in the k _q values with the oxidation potentials of the donors (amines) indicates that electron transfer (ET) is the mechanism operative in the present systems. Direct evidence for ET has been obtained from picosecond transient absorption studies on a suitable amine–NR pair. Experimentally determined k _q values are seen to correlate well with the free energy changes (Δ G ⁰) for the ET reactions, within the framework of the Marcus outer sphere ET theory. From the correlation between the experimentally determined and theoretically calculated k _q values, it appears that solvent reorganization plays a major role in governing ET dynamics in the systems investigated.     

Palladium-mediated synthesis of 5-substituted 4-alkynylthieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones

We describe here, the first palladium-mediated tandem C-C bond forming reaction between 3-iodothiophene-2-carboxylic acid and terminal alkynes to afford the unexpected 5-substituted 4-alkynylthieno[2,3-c]pyran-7-ones in good yields.