Theoretical Evaluation of Steric Effects in [ReH(5)(PR(3))(2)(SiR(3))(2)] Complexes with the IMOMM Method

A theoretical study including full geometry optimizations is carried out at the IMOMM(MP2:MM3) (IMOMM = integrated molecular orbital molecular mechanics) computational level on the [ReH(5)(PPh(i)()Pr(2))(2)(SiHPh(2))(2)] and [ReH(5)(PCyp(3))(2)(SiH(2)Ph)(2)] systems, the results being compared with available experimental diffraction data, as well as with MP2 results on the model system [ReH(5)(PH(3))(2)(SiH(3))(2)]. A simple scheme for the analysis of the relative weight of different contributions to the "steric" distortion is also proposed and applied to the same [ReH(5)(PPh(i)()Pr(2))(2)(SiHPh(2))(2)] and [ReH(5)(PCyp(3))(2)(SiH(2)Ph)(2)] species.     

Detection of genetically modified corn (Bt176) in spiked cow blood samples by polymerase chain reaction and immunoassay methods

The fate of DNA and protein transgenic sequences in products derived from animals fed transgenic crops has recently raised public interest. Sensitive molecular tests targeting the Bt176 genetic construct and the transgenic Cry1Ab protein were developed to determine whether plant sequences, especially transgenic sequences, are present in animal products. A protocol for total DNA extraction and purification from cow whole blood samples was first drawn up and assessed by spiking with known amounts of DNA from Bt176 maize. The limit of detection for transgenic sequences (35S promoter and Bt176-specific junction sequence) was determined by both the polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (PCR-ELISA) and the 5'-nuclease PCR assay. Four additional PCR systems were built to substantiate the results. The first detects a mono-copy maize-specific sequence (ADH promoter). Two others target multi-copy sequences from plant nucleus (26S rRNA gene) and chloroplast (psaB gene). The last one, used as a positive control, targets a mono-copy animal sequence (alpha(s1)-casein gene). Both methods detected a minimum spiking at 25 copies of Bt176 maize/mL in 10 mL whole blood samples. The sandwich ELISA kit used detected down to 1 ng transgenic Cry1Ab protein/mL spiked whole blood.     

Syntheses and structural studies on two cycloruthenapentadienyl complexes: [(CO)3RuC4(CH2OH)4]Ru(CO)3·H2O and [(CO)3RuC4(CH2CH2OH)2(C2H5)2]Ru(CO)3

Syntheses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been completed on two cycloruthenapentadienyl (CO)₆Ru₂L₂ derivatives, with L = CH₂OHC = CCH₂OH and C₂H₅C=CCH₂CH₂OH respectively. Crystal data are as follows: for [(CO)₃RuC₄(CH₂OH)₄]Ru(CO)₃·H₂O, P2₁/c, a 13.72(1), b 9.501(4), c 14.86(1) Å, β 101.10(6)°, R_w = 0.052 for 1911 reflections; for [(CO)₃RuC₄(CH₂CH₂OH)₂(C₂H₅)₂]Ru(CO)₃, P2₁/c, a 9.191(3), b 16.732(4), c 14.903(3) Å, β 113.61(4)°, R_w = 0.042 for 2865 reflections. Both compounds are built up from binuclear units, each unit being regarded as a Ru(CO)₃ fragment π-bonded to a cycloruthenapentadienyl ring. The molecular parameters are compared with those of known cyclometallapentadienyl complexes of transition metals. The presence of a semi-bridging CO group is discussed.     

Persistent (amino)(silyl)carbenes

(Amino)(silyl)carbenes, prepared by substitution reactions at a carbene center, can survive several days at 0 degrees C. These species are not push-pull carbenes as their phosphino analogues and therefore are excellent ligands for transition-metal centers.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [(η3-C3H5)(CO)2Mo(μ-S2CPCy3)-Mo(η3-CH2CMeCH2)(CO)2]

A novel dimolybdenum complex [(³-C₃H₅)(CO)₂Mo(-S₂CPCy₃)Mo(³-CH₂CMeCH₂)(CO)₂], obtained by reacting the [(CO)₂(³-C₃H₅)Mo(-S₂CPCy₃)Mo(CO)₃]^– anion with an excess of ClCH₂CMe=CH₂, has been characterized by i.r., ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H- and ¹³C-n.m.r. spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. The crystal structure of the complex, determined by X-ray diffraction, shows a definite preference for the central carbon of the S₂CPCy₃ bridge to bind to the Mo(2) atom coordinated by ³-2-methylallyl, rather than the Mo(1) atom attached to unsubstituted ³-allyl ligand.     

Total Synthesis of L-Allose,L-Talose,and derivatives.

(1S, 4R, 5S, 6S)-5-exo, 6-exo-(Isopropylidenedioxy)-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-2-one ((?)- 1 ) was transformed with high stereoselectivity to L -allose. Similarly, enantiomer (+)- 1 was transformed into L -talose. The ketones (+)- 1 and (?)- 1 were derived from furan and 1-cyanovinyl (1S)-camphanate and 1-cyanovinyl (1R)-camphanate, respectively.     

Thermal and electrochemical C-X activation (X = Cl,Br, I) by the strong Lewis acid Pd3(dppm)3(CO)2+ cluster and its catalytic applications

The stoichiometric and catalytic activations of alkyl halides and acid chlorides by the unsatured Pd(3)(dppm)(3)(CO)(2+) cluster (Pd(3)(2+)) are investigated in detail. A series of alkyl halides (R-X; R = t-Bu, Et, Pr, Bu, allyl; X = Cl, Br, I) react slowly with Pd(3)(2+) to form the corresponding Pd(3)(X)(+) adduct and "R(+)". This activation can proceed much faster if it is electrochemically induced via the formation of the paramagnetic species Pd(3)(+). The latter is the first confidently identified paramagnetic Pd cluster. The kinetic constants extracted from the evolution of the UV-vis spectra for the thermal activation, as well as the amount of electricity to bring the activation to completion for the electrochemically induced reactions, correlate the relative C-X bond strength and the steric factors. The highly reactive "R(+)" species has been trapped using phenol to afford the corresponding ether. On the other hand, the acid chlorides react rapidly with Pd(3)(2+) where no induction is necessary. The analysis of the cyclic voltammograms (CV) establishes that a dissociative mechanism operates (RCOCl --> RCO(+) + Cl(-); R = t-Bu, Ph) prior to Cl(-) scavenging by the Pd(3)(2+) species. For the other acid chlorides (R = n-C(6)H(13), Me(2)CH, Et, Me, Pr), a second associative process (Pd(3)(2+) + RCOCl --> Pd(3)(2+.....)Cl(CO)(R)) is seen. Addition of Cu(NCMe)(4)(+) or Ag(+) leads to the abstraction of Cl(-) from Pd(3)(Cl)(+) to form Pd(3)(2+) and the insoluble MCl materials (M = Cu, Ag) allowing to regenerate the starting unsaturated cluster, where the precipitation of MX drives the reaction. By using a copper anode, the quasi-quantitative catalytic generation of the acylium ion ("RCO(+)") operates cleanly and rapidly. The trapping of "RCO(+)" with PF(6)(-) or BF(4)(-) leads to the corresponding acid fluorides and, with an alcohol (R'OH), to the corresponding ester catalytically, under mild conditions. Attempts were made to trap the key intermediates "Pd(3)(Cl)(+)...M(+)" (M(+) = Cu(+), Ag(+)), which was successfully performed for Pd(3)(ClAg)(2+), as characterized by (31)P NMR, IR, and FAB mass spectrometry. During the course of this investigation, the rare case of PF(6)(-) hydrolysis has been observed, where the product PF(2)O(2)(-) anion is observed in the complex Pd(3)(PF(2)O(2))(+), where the substrate is well-located inside the cavity formed by the dppm-Ph groups above the unsatured face of the Pd(3)(2+) center. This work shows that Pd(3)(2+) is a stronger Lewis acid in CH(2)Cl(2) and THF than AlCl(3), Ag(+), Cu(+), and Tl(+).     

Settling of paraffin crystals in cooled middle distillate fuels

The mechanism of action of additives that control the sedimentation of paraffin crystals after their crystallization in model diesel oil has been studied by means of a new experimental approach. The chemical analysis of the crystals and detailed measurements of the sedimentation phenomenon give new insights into this complex process. Thus, the wax antisettling additives used for preventing wax crystal sedimentation adsorb at the surfaces of wax particles and provide them with enhanced colloidal stability. The settling rate is not related to the size of the crystals or the viscosity of the liquid medium, but to the ability of the additives to prevent the aggregation of wax crystals. The reported methodology makes it possible to investigate the fundamental mechanisms, but also to evaluate structure-activity relationships of the various additives used in the petroleum industry.     

Spectrophotometric and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study of Temperature- and Pressure-induced Changes in the Intimate Solvation of Neodymium (III) in N,N-Dimethylformamide and Trimethylphosphate

The temperature- and pressure-dependent equilibria for the addition of an extra N, N-dimethylforrnamide (DMF) or trimethylphosphate (TMP) ligand onto [Nd (DMF)₈]³⁺- and [Nd(TMP)₆]³⁺-species respectively have been measured by visible spectrophotometry. Complementary NMR. studies on other lanthanide ions show a gradual shift in preference for the lower coordination number across the lanthanide series.