Orthogonal, convergent syntheses of dendrimers based on melamine with one or two unique surface sites for manipulation

An orthogonal, convergent route for the introduction of substoichiometric numbers of latent surface sites into dendrimers based on melamine is used to prepare targets that display one or two Boc-protected amines on the periphery. Asymmetry is the result of the stepwise incorporation of functionalized and unfunctionalized dendrons onto the triazine cores, a highly selective process due to the different reactivities of the substituted triazines. The routes to the dendrons rely on iterative reactions of the growing dendrons with triazine cores and diamine linkers. p-Aminobenzylamine is used as a linking group to avoid functional group interconversions or protecting group manipulations. Addition of the benzylamine group to the monochlorotriazine of the dendron proceeds cleanly leaving a less reactive aniline for subsequent reaction with trichlorotriazine. The routes to these targets proceed in 5 or 6 linear steps (11 or 12 total steps) in 40% overall yield. The unique surface sites can be deprotected and subjected to additional chemistries. Reaction of the monofunctionalized dendrimer with trichlorotriazine yields the desired dimer, a molecule whose increased size is evident from light scattering and tapping mode atomic force microscopy, and corroborated with computation.     

Activation of alkenes and H2 by [Fe]-H2ase model complexes

The established ability of the Fe(II) bridging hydride species (micro-H)(micro-pdt)[Fe(CO)2(PMe3)]2+, 1-H+, to take-up and heterolytically activate dihydrogen, resulting in H/D scrambling of H2/D2 and H2/D2O mixtures (Zhao et al. Inorg. Chem. 2002, 41, 3917) has prompted a study of simultaneous alkene/H2 activation by such [Fe]H2ase model complexes. That the required photolysis produced an open site was substantiated by substitution of CO in 1-H+ by CH3CN with formation of structurally characterized [(micro-H)(micro-pdt)[Fe(CO)2(PMe3)][Fe(CO)(CH3CN)(PMe3)]]+[PF6]-. Under similar photolytic conditions, H/D exchange reactions between D2 and terminal alkenes (ethylene, propene and 1-butene), but not bulkier alkenes such as 2-butene or cyclohexene, were catalyzed by 1-H+ and the edt (SCH2CH2S) analogue, 2-H+. Substantial regioselectivity for H/D exchange at the internal vinylic hydrogen was observed. The extent to which the olefins were deuterium enriched vs deuterated was catalyst dependent. The stabilizing effect of the binuclear chelating ligands, SCH2CH2CH2S, pdt, and SCH2CH2S, edt, is required for the activity of binuclear catalysts, as the mono-dentate micro-SEt analogue decomposed to inactive products under the photolytic conditions of the catalysis. Reactions of 1 and 2 with EtOSO2CF3 yielded the S-alkylated products, [(micro-SCH2CH2CH2SEt)[Fe(CO)2(PMe3)]2]+[SO3CF3]- (1-Et+), and 2-Et+, rather than micro-C2H5 analogues to the micro-H of 1-H+. The stability and lack of reactivity toward H2 of 1-Et+ and 2-Et+, indicates they are not on the reaction path of the olefin/D2 H/D exchange process. A mechanism with olefin binding to an open site created by CO loss and formation of an Fe-(CH2CHDR) intermediate is indicated. A likely role of a binuclear chelate effect is implicated for the unique S-XXX-S cofactor in the active site of [Fe]H2ase.     

Mechanism of OH formation from ozonolysis of isoprene: a quantum-chemical study

The formation and unimolecular reactions of primary ozonides and carbonyl oxides arising from the O(3)-initiated reactions of isoprene have been investigated using density functional theory and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. The activation energies of O(3) cycloaddition to the two double bonds of isoprene are found to be comparable (3.3-3.4 kcal mol(-1)), implying that the initial two O(3) addition pathways are nearly equally accessible. The reaction energies of O(3) addition to isoprene are between -47 and -48 kcal mol(-1). Cleavage of primary ozonides to form carbonyl oxides occurs with a barrier of 11-16 kcal mol(-1) above the ground state of the primary ozonide, and the decomposition energies range from -5 to -13 kcal mol(-1). OH formation is shown to occur primarily via decomposition of the carbonyl oxides with the syn-positioned methyl (alkyl) group, which is more favorable than isomerization to form dioxirane (by 1.1-3.3 kcal mol(-1)). Using the transition-state theory and master equation formalism, we determine an OH yield of 0.25 from prompt and thermal decomposition of the carbonyl oxides.     

Further studies of M3(μ3-O)(μ-X)3(μ-O2CCH3)3L3 (M=Mo,W) type clusters with nine core electrons

Four new compounds having nine cluster electrons and cores of the types Mo₃OCl₃, Mo₃OBr₃, and W₃OCl₃ are reported. Compound (1) prepared by reduction of [Bu₄N][Mo₃OCl₆(OAc)₃] in THF with metallic zinc, was shown by X-ray crystallography to be Mo₃OCl₄(OAc)₃ (THF)₂ (1). It forms crystals in space groupP2₁ with unit cell dimensionsa=9.472(2) Å,b=13.546(4) Å,c=9.652(2) Å, =101.70(2)°,V=1201(1) Å₃,Z=2. The [Mo₃(₃-O)(-Cl)₃]⁴⁺ core is surrounded by three -O₂CCH₃ anions, one Cl^–, and two THF and has Mo-Mo distances of 2.620(1) Å, 2.613(1) Å, and 2.530(1) Å, with the shortest bond between the two Mo atoms to which the THF molecules are coordinated. Compounds [Bu₄N]₂ [Mo₃OBr₆(O₂CCH₃)₃] · Me₂CO, (2) and [Mo₃OBr₃(O₂CCH₃)₃(PMe₃)₃]₃ · BF₄, (3) are the first two nine-electron Mo₃ species with a [Mo₃(₃-O) Br₃]⁴⁺ core. Both were obtained by zinc reduction of [Mo₃OBr₆(O₂CCH₃)₃]^– in the presence of (NBu₄) Br (2) or PMe₃ and NaBF₄ (3), and each was characterized crystallographically. Compound (2) crystallized in space group Cc with unit cell dimensionsa=25.037(5) Å,b=12.827(2) Å,c=21.484(4) Å, =122.96(1)⁰,V=5790(3) ų,Z=4. While the anion has no crystallographically required symmetry, its virtual symmetry is C_3v . The Mo-Mo distances are 2.619(2) Å, 2.610(3) Å, 2.644(2) Å, with a mean value of 2.624[14] Å. Compound (3) crystallized in space groupP2₁/c with unit cell dimensionsa=10.846(2) Å,b=25.033(5) Å,c=12.641(5) Å, =94.74(2)⁰,V=3420(2) ų,Z=4. The cation occupies a general position but has virtual C_3v symmetry, with Mo-Mo distances of 2.601(2) Å, 2.610(2) Å, 2.627(2) Å, with a mean value of 2.613[14] Å. Thus the anionic and cationic Mo₃ clusters in (2) and (3), respectively, have average Mo-Mo distances that are equal within experimental error. Compound (4), [NEt₄]₂ [W₃OCl₆(O₂CCH₃)₃] is the first 9-electron compound of this type containing tungsten. It was prepared by reduction of [Et₄N][W₃OCl₆(OAc)₃] in benzene with Na/Hg. It crystallized in space groupP2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell dimensionsa=11.076(2) Å,b=14.345(2) Å,c=21.026(3) Å,V=3574(1) ų,Z=4. The anion resides on a general position but has virtual C_3v symmetry, with W-W distances of 2.577(1) Å, 2.612(1) Å, 2.584(1) Å and a mean value of 2.591[15] Å.     

Effect of reduction temperature on a spray-dried iron-based catalyst for slurry Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

An industrial iron-based catalyst (100Fe/5Cu/6K/16SiO₂, by weight) was characterized after reduction at different temperatures and after Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) in a stirred tank slurry reactor (STSR). The BET surface area and pore volume of the catalyst decreases with increasing reduction temperature, and the contrary trend was found for pore size. The iron phase compositions of catalysts reduced with syngas were strongly dependent on pretreatment conditions employed. Pretreatment with syngas at lower temperature prevents iron catalyst activation. Carburization was intensified with the increase in reduction temperature. The formation of iron carbides in reduced catalyst was necessary for obtaining stable high FTS activity. The relationship between the amount of CO₂ in tail gas during activation and the Fe³⁺ (spm) content in the reduced catalyst was observed. The rapid carburization at high reduction temperature resulted in the formation of a superparamagnetic Fe³⁺ core and an iron carbide layer of the reduced catalyst. FTS activity decreased with the increase in the reduction temperature, but the stability distinctly improved. It was found that the working catalyst loss in the heavier waxy products resulted in higher deactivation rate of the catalyst reduced at lower temperature. With the increase in the reduction temperature, the product distribution shifted towards the lower molecular weight products.     

Stability and Structure of Activated Macrocycles. Ligands with Biological Applications

Single p-toluic acid pendant groups were attached to 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (15aneN5) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam) to prepare bifunctional reagents for radiolabeling monoclonal antibodies with (64,67)Cu. The ligands are 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane-1-(alpha-1,4-toluic acid) (PCBA) and 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1-(alpha-1,4-toluic acid) (CPTA). For the parent macrocycles and their pendant arm derivatives, the 1:1 Cu(2+) complexes dissociate only below pH 2. At pH 0.0 and 25 degrees C the CPTA-Cu complex has a half-life toward complete dissociation of 24 days. A new approach was developed for the estimation of the Cu(2+) stability constant for the kinetically robust CPTA. All other formation constants were determined at 25.0 degrees C with batch spectrophotometric techniques. Potentiometric titrations were used to determine the protonation constants of the macrocyclic ligands as well as of the metal chelates. The protonation constants, stability constants, and pM's are discussed in terms of both molecular mechanics calculations and the ligands' potential applicability as copper(II) radiopharmaceuticals.     

Optimizing Cs-exchange in titanosilicate with the mineral pharmacosiderite topology: framework substitution of Nb and Ge

Titanosilicates with complete or partial substitution of Ge or Nb in the framework and having the mineral pharmacosiderite topology were hydrothermally prepared and their ion-exchange properties towards Cs were studied for Ti/Ge/Si, Ti/Si, Nb/Ti/Si and pure Ge phases. The basis for the differences in the ion exchange properties measured as distribution coefficients (K_d) for these materials are detailed via structural characterization using the Rietveld refinement technique on the X-ray powder diffraction data. The differences in affinity towards Cs⁺ result either from the degree of hydration of the exchanger resulting in different coordination environments or the position of cesium ion in the eight-ring channel.     

Photochemistry of iminium salts : Electron transfer mechanisms for singlet quenching and photoaddition of n-electron donating alcohols and ethers

Several aspects of past and current studies in the area of iminium salt photochemistry are discussed. Investigations of olefin-iminium salt photoaddition and photocyclization reactions are reviewed and conclusions about electron-transfer pathways for fluorescence quenching and reaction are discussed. The results of recent studies of alcohol and ether photoaddition to 2-phenyl-1-pyrrolinium salts are presented. These C-C bond forming processes occur in moderate yields to produce β-amino alcohol or ether products. In addition, alcohols and ethers serve as efficient quenchers of pyrrolinium salt fluorescence. Rate constants for quenching appear to be dependent upon both the oxidation potential of the alcohols and ethers and the availability of C-H bond α to oxygen. This data along with deuterium isotope effects on quenching combine to suggest a common mechanism for both fluorescence quenching and photoaddition. The nature of this mechanism is tested using the comparative quenching effeciencies of the tertiary alcohols t-butyl alcohol and 1,2,2-trimethyl-1-cyclopropanol. The latter alcohol having a weak C-C bond adjacent to the hydroxyl function quenches the fluorescence of 2-phenyl-1-pyrrolium salts at a rate two orders of magnitude greater than for t-butyl alcohol. The observations made are interpreted in terms of a sequential electron-proton transfer mechanism for quenching and photoaddition. Lastly, the relationship of iminium salt photochemical studies to other investigations of electron-transfer photochemistry is discussed.     

Carbon Monoxide and Cyanide Ligands in a Classical Organometallic Complex Model for Fe-Only Hydrogenase

The Fe(I) organometallic complex [(μ-SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S)Fe(2)(CO)(6)] provides a structural model for the cyano-carbonyl diiron site of Fe-only hydrogenase as characterized by X-ray crystallography (the picture shows the structure (black) of the model overlaid with that of the Fe-Fe dimetallic site in the hydrogenase isolated from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans). Cyanide substitution of CO occurs readily and provides spectroscopic references for the active site.