On the Structure and Chiral Aggregation of Liquid Crystalline Star-Shaped Triazines H-Bonded to Benzoic Acids

The ability of a star-shaped tris(triazolyl)triazine derivative to hierarchically build supramolecular chiral columnar organizations through the formation of H-bonded complexes with benzoic acids was studied from a theoretical and experimental point of view. The combined study has been done at three different levels including the study of the structure of the triazine core, the association with benzoic acids in stoichiometry 1:3, and the assembly of 1:3 complexes in helical aggregates. Although the star-shaped triazine core crystallizes in a non-C₃ conformation, the C₃-symmetric conformation is theoretically predicted to be more stable and gives rise to a favorable C₃ supramolecular 1:3 complex upon the interaction with three benzoic acids in their voids. In addition, calculations at different levels (DFT, PM7, and MM3) for the 1:3 host-guest complex predict the formation of large stable columnar helical aggregates stabilized by the compact packing of the interstitial acids by π–π and CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions. The acids restrict the movement of the the star-shaped triazine cores along the stacking axis causing a template effect in the self-assembly of the complex. Theoretical predictions correlate with experimental results, since the interaction with achiral or chiral 3,4,5-(4-alkoxybenzyloxy)benzoic acids gives rise to supramolecular complexes that organize in bulk hexagonal columnar mesophases stable at room temperature with intracolumnar order. The existence of supramolecular chirality in the mesophase was determined for complexes formed by acids derived from (S)-2-octanol. Chiral aggregation was also evidenced for complexes formed in dodecane.     

Characterization of partially transesterified poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate)s using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was used for the characterization of a partially transesterified poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate), PHA, polymer produced by the bacterial strain Alcaligenes eutrophus using saponified vegetable oils as the sole carbon sources. The transesterification was carried out separately under acidic and basic conditions to obtain PHA oligomers weighing less than 10 kDa. The intact oligomers were detected in their cationized [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) forms by MALDI-TOFMS. A composition analysis, using the MALDI-TOF spectra, indicate that the oligomers obtained via acid catalysis were terminated with a methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate end group, and those obtained by base catalysis had a methyl crotonate (olefinic) termination. In addition to HB (hydroxy butyrate), the oligomers were found to contain a small percentage of HV (hydroxy valerate). This was independently confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In comparison, the analysis of a commercial PHA polymer, transesterified under identical conditions, only showed the presence of HB, i.e. a pure PHB homopolymer. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ureidopeptide‐Based Brønsted Bases: Design,Synthesis and Application to the Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of β‐Amino Nitriles from (Arylsulfonyl)acetonitriles

The addition of cyanoalkyl moieties to imines is a very attractive method for the preparation of β‐amino nitriles. We present a highly efficient organocatalytic methodology for the stereoselective synthesis of β‐amino nitriles, in which the key to success is the use of ureidopeptide‐based Brønsted base catalysts in combination with (arylsulfonyl)acetonitriles as synthetic equivalents of the acetonitrile anion. The method gives access to a variety of β‐amino nitriles with good yields and excellent enantioselectivities, and broadens the stereoselective Mannich‐type methodologies available for their synthesis.     

Synthesis of binuclear platinum complexes containing the ligands 8-naphthyridine, 2-aminopyridine, and 7-azaindolate. An experimental study of the steric hindrance of the bulky pentafluorophenyl ligands in the synthesis of binuclear complexes

The bidentate N-donor ligands 2-aminopyridine (2-ampy), 7-azaindolate (aza) and 1,8-naphthyridine (napy) have been used to study the steric effect of pentafluorophenyl groups in the synthesis of binuclear platinum(II) complexes. The 2-ampy and aza ligands bridge two "Pt(C 6F 5) 2" fragments with Pt...Pt distances of 4.1 and 3.4 A, respectively (complexes 1 and 3). Under the same reaction conditions the napy ligand shows chelating behavior and makes the mononuclear complex ( A) highly reactive because of its strained coordination. One of the Pt-N bonds of the chelating complex is broken on reaction with HX {X = Cl ( 4), Br ( 5)} because of protonation while the anion X (-) occupies a created vacant site. The resulting mononuclear complex eliminates C 6F 5H when refluxed, and a binuclear complex ( 6) with two napy ligands bridging two "Pt(C 6F 5)Cl" fragments is obtained. The reaction of A with HPPh 2 affords a mononuclear complex ( 7) analogous to complexes 5 and 6, but reflux gives a binuclear complex ( 8) with the two napy ligands terminally bound and the PPh 2 groups bridging the "Pt(C 6F 5)napy" moieties. The reaction of A with HCCPh gives a binuclear complex; moreover, the final product does not depend on the ratio of complex A to HCCPh. Complexes 1, 4, 6, 9 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Standardization for oxygen isotope ratio measurement - still an unsolved problem

Numerous organic and inorganic laboratory standards were gathered from nine European and North American laboratories and were analyzed for their delta(18)O values with a new on-line high temperature pyrolysis system that was calibrated using Vienna standard mean ocean water (VSMOW) and standard light Antartic precipitation (SLAP) internationally distributed reference water samples. Especially for organic materials, discrepancies between reported and measured values were high, ranging up to 2 per thousand. The reasons for these discrepancies are discussed and the need for an exact and reliable calibration of existing reference materials, as well as for the establishment of additional organic and inorganic reference materials is stressed. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comments on the Paper astro-ph/0103335 by C. Rubano and P. Scudellaro

We briefly comment on a paper by Rubano and Scudellaro [Gen. Rel. Grav. 34 (2002) 307, astro-ph/0103335] where they found general exact solutions for two classes of exponential potentials in a scalar field model for quintessence. In that paper the authors were led to some interesting conclusions after a proper choice of the integration constants. By using dimensionless variables we show that the integration constants can be found explicitly without additional assumptions. In consequence we revise some results and conclusions in that paper. We also reproduce observations for Type-Ia supernovae with good accuracy.     

Molecular distribution of some commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) belong to a group of nonionic surfactants that are collectively referred to as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). APEs find widespread use in heavy-duty commercial and household cleaning formulations, shampoos, and industrial processing, i.e. textile manufacture. Their environmental impact depends on the molecular distribution and the extent of their biodegradation in municipal sewage systems, waterways and rivers. We have established two sample preparation methods that have enabled the determination of the molecular distributions of six commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). In both methods, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, dissolved in acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran, was used as the matrix. In one set of experiments, the NPEs were dissolved in an acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran solvent system prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and the resulting MALDI-TOF mass spectra produced mostly sodiated molecules [M + Na](+). The NPEs, all having the formula 4-(C(9)H(19))-C(6)H(4)-(OCH(2)CH(2))(n)-OH, are Surfonic (R)N-95, N-100, N-102, N-120, N-150 and N-300. Surfonic N-95 and N-100 gave n values of 5-20; Surfonic N-102, N-120, N-150, and N-300 gave n values of 5-21, 5-22, 8-25 and 15-40, respectively. In order to develop a sample preparation method that could be used with less polar NPEs, we dissolved the NPEs (except N-300) in pentane prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and found that the MALDI spectral quality was unaffected by the solvent systems. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On-line delta(18)O measurement of organic and inorganic substances

A method for the automated sample conversion and on-line oxygen isotope ratio (delta(18)O) determination for organic and inorganic substances is presented. The samples are pyrolytically decomposed at 1400 degrees C in the presence of nickelized graphite. With the system presented organic as well as inorganic samples such as nitrates, sulphates and phosphates of 50-100 &mgr;g O can be analyzed for their delta(18)O values with a standard deviation usually better than 0.5 per thousand. Additionally, carbon isotope ratios of organic substances and nitrogen isotope ratios of inorganic nitrogenous compounds are available in the same sample run. Data for international and some inter-laboratory reference materials are presented to show the accuracy and reliability of the method. The effect of some additives on the CO yield was checked for substances which do not pyrolyze completely. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and in solution and solid state structural study of intramolecular Pt...H interactions in pentafluorophenyl platinum(II) complexes containing the ligands triazene, formamidine, and 2-aminopyridine

The preparation of the [NBu4][Pt(C6F5)3L] complexes (L=triazene, formamidine, 2-aminopyridine,) have been carried out. These ligands contain a hydrogen atom, with more or less acidic character, in a position suitable for establishing an intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction with the metal center. This interaction has been detected in solution for; its 1H NMR spectrum shows that the resonance assignable to this hydrogen has platinum satellites. For, this coupling is not observed, and the interaction, if it exists, has to be weaker because of the less acidic character of the hydrogen atom. The 2-aminopyridine ligand is more flexible than the triazene or formamidine, and also in this case, no evidence of the interaction in solution is obtained. Nevertheless, if another potential proton acceptor is present, such as ClO4- in [NBu4]2[Pt(C6F5)3(C5H6N2)](ClO4), a conventional N-H...O-Cl hydrogen bond is formed. The crystal structures of complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction.