Monofunctionalised resorcinarenes

A convenient methodology for introducing single functional groups to the lower rim of resorcinarenes is described. The methodology allows for very convenient differential protection or derivatisation of the upper and lower rims, and a wide range of functional groups (alcohol, carboxylic acid, thiol, amine, carbamate, alkyl halide) can be incorporated as a single unit at the lower rim, opening up the way to further modification at this point and generally widening the scope for further utilising resorcinarenes. Furthermore, our approach has enabled us to link two resorcinarenes together to form novel resorcinarene dimers.     

New chiral phosphine-phosphite ligands in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation

A series of chiral phosphine-phosphite ligands 1-6 have been synthesized and used in the enantioselective palladium-catalyzed reaction of rac-1,3-diphenyl-2-propenyl acetate with dimethyl malonate as nucleophile. Ligands 1a, 2, 3, 5a, 6a, and 6b have been synthesized starting from racemic tert-butylphenylphosphinoborane. The use of dynamically resolved Li phosphide (-)-sparteine provided the optically pure ligands. Crystals of the allylpalladium (6a) complex were obtained, suitable for X-ray crystal structure determination. The X-ray crystal structure of the allylpalladium (6a) complex revealed a longer palladium-carbon bond distance trans to the phosphine moiety indicating that the attack of the nucleophile takes place at the carbon trans to the phosphine moiety. This was confirmed by the fact that the phosphine moiety did not affect the enantioselectivity directly. Under mild reaction conditions, enantioselectivities up to 83% were obtained (25 degrees C) with ligand 1e. Systematic variation of the ligand bridge and the phosphite moiety showed that the configuration of the product is controlled by the atropisomerism of the biphenyl substituent at the phosphite moiety. The conformation of the biphenyl group, in turn, is controlled by the substituent at the chiral carbon in the bridge. Ligands with large bite angles yielded higher enantioselectivities.     

Aminosulf(ox)ides as ligands for Iridium(I)-catalyzed asymmetric transfer hydrogenation

A new class of efficient catalysts was developed for the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of unsymmetrical ketones. A series of chiral N,S-chelates (6-22) was synthesized to serve as ligands in the iridium(I)-catalyzed reduction of ketones. Both formic acid and 2-propanol proved to be suitable as hydrogen donors. Sulfoxidation of an (R)-cysteine-based aminosulfide provided a diastereomeric ligand family containing a chiral sulfur atom. The two chiral centers of these ligands showed a clear effect of chiral cooperativity. In addition, aminosulfides containing two asymmetric carbon atoms in the backbone were synthesized. Both the sulfoxide-containing beta-amino alcohols and the aminosulfides derived from 1,2-disubstituted amino alcohols gave rise to high reaction rates and moderate to excellent enantioselectivities in the reduction of various ketones. The enantioselective outcome of the reaction was favorably affected by selecting the most appropriate hydrogen donor. Enantioselectivities of up to 97% were reached in the reduction of aryl-alkyl ketones.     

Self-assembly of oligomeric porphyrin rings

A cobalt porphyrin equipped with two different but geometrically complementary pyridine ligands self-assembles to form an unusually stable complex with approximately 12 porphyrin monomers arranged in a macrocyclic array.     

Tin(II) aminoalkoxides and heterobimetallic derivatives: the structures of Sn6(O)4(dmae)4, Sn6(O)4(OEt)4 and [Sn(dmae)2Cd(acac)2]2

Tin(II) methoxide reacts with N,N′‐dimethylaminoethanol (dmaeH) to yield Sn(dmae)₂ ( 1 ) along with small amounts of the hydrolysis product Sn₆(O)₄(dmae)₄ ( 2 ). The geometrically more regular iso‐structural cage Sn₆(O)₄(OEt)₄ ( 3 ) was obtained as the only tractable product isolated from reaction of 2 and Sb(OEt)₃, while 1 reacted with CdX₂ (X = acac, I) to afford Sn(dmae)₂Cd(acac)₂ ( 4 ) and Sn(dmae)₂CdI₂ ( 5 ). The X‐ray structures of 2, 3 and 4 are reported. Decomposition of 4 under aerosol‐assisted chemical vapour deposition conditions leads to amorphous tin oxide films with no detectable cadmium (i.e. ca < 2% cadmium), rather than a stoichiometric Sn:Cd oxide. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Non-contact atomic force microscopy imaging of TiO2(100) surfaces

Atomically resolved non-contact fm mode atomic force microscopy images have been obtained from TiO₂(100) surfaces. The 1×1 surface is observed, as well as the 1×3 phase previously imaged with STM. The morphology of the latter reconstruction consists of (110) microfacets. An additional reconstruction with 1×3 symmetry is observed, which is assigned to a phase intermediate between the 1×1 and 1×3-microfacet terminations.     

A Robust, Environmentally Benign Catalyst for Highly Selective Hydroformylation

By a sol-gel process a rhodium complex containing a diphosphane with a large natural P-Rh-P bite angle is covalently anchored in a silica matrix (see picture). The immobilized catalyst is a very selective hydroformylation catalyst that is completely and conveniently separated from the product and can be reused in numerous cycles.     

Mesoscopic quantum coherence in an optical lattice

We observe the quantum coherent dynamics of atomic spinor wave packets in the double-well potentials of a far-off-resonance optical lattice. With appropriate initial conditions the system Rabi oscillates between the left and right localized states of the ground doublet, and at certain times the wave packet corresponds to a coherent superposition of these mesoscopically distinct quantum states. The atom/optical double-well potential is a flexible and powerful system for further study of quantum coherence, quantum control, and the quantum/classical transition.