Synthesis of tripodal aza crown ether calix[4]arenes and their supramolecular chemistry with transition-, alkali metal ions and anions

Tripodal aza crown ether calix[4]arenes, 5a, 5b, 6a and 6b, have been synthesized. The structure of protonated 5a was elucidated by X-ray crystallography to be a self-threaded rotaxane. Complexation studies of 5a and 5b towards anions using Na⁺ as countercation were carried out by ¹H NMR titration in dimethylsulfoxide-d₆ and the mixture of chloroform-d and methanol-d₄, respectively. Ligands 5a and 5b were able to form 1:1 complexes with Br⁻, I⁻ and NO₃⁻ and the complexation stability varied as follows: NO₃⁻>I⁻>Br⁻. The effect of countercation on anion complexation was also investigated. The results showed that the association constants of 5a towards Br⁻ in the presence of various cations varied as K⁺>Bu₄N⁺>Na⁺. The enhancement in anion complexation ability of 5a may result from the rearrangement of the tripodal ammonium unit in the presence of K⁺. The neutral forms, 6a and 6b, were able to form complexes with transition metal ions such as Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. The stability of the complexes followed the sequence: Ni²⁺2+Cu²⁺Zn²⁺. Compounds 6a and 6b may, therefore, potentially be used as either transition metal ion or anion receptors that can be controlled by pH of the solution.     

N-Iodosuccinimide (NIS) as a mild and highly chemoselective catalyst for deprotection of tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers

A variety of alcoholic TBDMS (t-butyldimethylsilyl) ethers are easily removed in excellent yields by treatment with a catalytic amount of N-iodosuccinimide (NIS, 5 mol %) in methanol. This method is able to deprotect TBDMS ethers of alcohols in the presence of TBDMS ethers of phenols.     

Simple test system for single molecule recognition force microscopy

We have established an easy-to-use test system for detecting receptor-ligand interactions on the single molecule level using atomic force microscopy (AFM). For this, avidin-biotin, probably the best characterized receptor-ligand pair, was chosen. AFM sensors were prepared containing tethered biotin molecules at sufficiently low surface concentrations appropriate for single molecule studies. A biotin tether, consisting of a 6 nm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain and a functional succinimide group at the other end, was newly synthesized and covalently coupled to amine-functionalized AFM tips. In particular, PEG₈₀₀ diamine was glutarylated, the mono-adduct NH₂-PEG-COOH was isolated by ion exchange chromatography and reacted with biotin succinimidylester to give biotin-PEG-COOH which was then activated as N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester to give the biotin-PEG-NHS conjugate which was coupled to the aminofunctionalized AFM tip. The motional freedom provided by PEG allows for free rotation of the biotin molecule on the AFM sensor and for specific binding to avidin which had been adsorbed to mica surfaces via electrostatic interactions. Specific avidin-biotin recognition events were discriminated from nonspecific tip-mica adhesion by their typical unbinding force (∼40 pN at 1.4 nN/s loading rate), unbinding length (<13 nm), the characteristic nonlinear force-distance relation of the PEG linker, and by specific block with excess of free d-biotin. The convenience of the test system allowed to evaluate, and compare, different methods and conditions of tip aminofunctionalization with respect to specific binding and nonspecific adhesion. It is concluded that this system is well suited as calibration or start-up kit for single molecule recognition force microscopy.     

Influence of the position of the nitro group on the structural and spectroscopic characteristics of N"-(nitrobenzylidene)isonicotinic hydrazides in the crystalline state

N"-Substituted isonicotinic hydrazides of the general formula Py—C(=O)—N(H)-N"=C(H)—R, where R is o- (1), m- (2), or p-nitrophenyl (3), were studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The position of the nitro group in these compounds has no effect on the type of the crystal structure. The crystal packings are based on stacks consisting of antiparallel planar molecules. The molecules from the adjacent stacks are linked to each other via the N—H...N_Py hydrogen bonds. Depending on the position of the nitro group, the N...N_Py distance increases in the series 3 > 1 > 2 and the energy of the hydrogen bonds decreases (according to the IR spectroscopic data) from 3.9 to 3.1 kcal mol^–1. Analysis of the IR spectra demonstrated that the intensity of absorption in the (C—H) stretching region of the pyridine ring increases substantially as the the N—H...N_Py hydrogen bond is strengthened. Some regularities of the changes, which are observed for the (NO₂) bands in the spectra of the nitrophenyl-containing conjugated molecules in solutions, persist in the crystalline state.     

Projecting average family size in rural India by the analytic hierarchy process

In this study, cultural, economic as well as certain crucial demographic factors are considered as the determinants for projecting the average family size in rural India. We use the Analytic Hierarchy Process to analyze influences of the factors which enter implicitly in a rural couple's decision‐making to determine the number of children they want to have as time goes by. We did not attempt to make distinctions among the regional differences in rural India. The outcome projected in our analysis compares favorably with the results of other demographic studies.     

Liquid crystalline properties and photochromism of 4-alkyl-N-(4-alkloxysalicylidene)anilines

Eight new homologous series of 4-alkyl-N-(4-alkloxysalicylidene)anilines were synthesized. The phase transitions of these homologues were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The homologues began to exhibit liquid crystalline phases as the terminal alkyl or alkoxyl chains were lengthened. In addition, some members of these homologues series exhibited photochromism in the solid state.     

Irradiation of detonation nanodiamonds with γ-rays does not produce long living spin radicals

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Local Near-Rings and Triply Factorized Groups

Abstract

Groups G of the form G = AB = AM = BM for two subgroups A and B of G and a normal subgroup M of G with A ∩ M = B ∩ M = 1 are called triply factorized and play an important rôle in the theory of factorized groups. In this paper, a method to construct triply factorized groups with non-abelian M using local near-rings is introduced.     

Carboxylic Acids as Directing Groups for C−H Bond Functionalization

The selective transformation of C?H bonds is one of the most desirable approaches to creating complexity from simple building blocks. Several directing groups are efficient in controlling the regioselectivity of catalytic C?H bond functionalizations. Among them, carboxylic acids are particularly advantageous, since they are widely available in great structural diversity and at low cost. The carboxylate directing groups can be tracelessly cleaved or may serve as the anchor point for further functionalization through decarboxylative couplings. This Minireview summarizes the substantial progress made in the last few years in the development of reactions in which carboxylate groups direct C?H bond functionalizations with formation of C?C, C?O, C?N, or C?halogen bonds at specific positions. It is divided into sections on C?C, C?O, C?N, and C?halogen bond formation, each of which is subdivided by reactions and product classes. Particular emphasis is placed on methods that enable multiple derivatizations by combining carboxylate‐directed C?H functionalization with decarboxylative couplings.