An analytic fit to the X2A′ potential surface of CH+2

A quantum mechanical surface for the ground electronic state of CH⁺₂ is least-squares fit to an empirical function proposed by Sorbie and Murrell. The fitting procedure appears to be usable for a variety of attractive triatomic surfaces.     

Primary reaction dynamics of halorhodopsin,observed by sub-picosecond IR – vibrational spectroscopy

The primary all-trans to 13-cis chromophore isomerization of the light driven chloride pump halorhodopsin has been studied by means of transient absorption spectroscopy in the visible and mid-infrared regime at a time resolution of better than 100 and 220 fs, respectively. The picosecond vibrational dynamics are dominated by two time constants, i.e., 2 and 7.7 ps in accordance with the biphasic decay of the retinal excited electronic state and electronic ground state formation with 1.5 and 6.6 ps. The transient vibrational spectra of the participating electronic states strongly suggest the existence of two distinct S₁ populations as a result of an early branching reaction. It is shown that the 13-cis product is formed with the fast time constant, whereas the all-trans educt state is repopulated via both time constants. Concomitant protein dynamics are indicated by spectral changes on a similar time scale in the amide region.     

Heterobimetallic, cubane-like Mo(3)S(4)M' cluster cores containing the noble metals M' = Ru, Os, Rh, Ir. Unprecedented tri(mu-carbonyl) bridge between ruthenium atoms in [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)Ru)2(mu-CO)3]2+

Reaction of the methylcyclopentadienyl (Cp') cluster compound [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)][pts] (pts = p-toluenesulfonate) with noble metal alkene complexes resulted in the formation of four new heterobimetallic cubane-like Mo(3)S(4)M' cluster cores (M' = Ru, Os, Rh, Ir). Thus, reaction with [(1,5-cod)Ru(CO)(3)] or [(1,3-cod)Os(CO)(3)] (cod = cyclooctadiene) afforded [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)M'(CO)(2)][pts] (M' = Ru: [1][pts]; M' = Os: [2][pts]). When [1][pts] was kept in CH(2)Cl(2)/pentane solution, partial loss of carbonyl ligands occurred and the carbonyl-bridged dicubane cluster [((eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)Ru)(2)(mu-CO)(3)][pts](2) was isolated. An X-ray crystal structure revealed the presence of the hitherto unobserved Ru(mu-CO)(3)Ru structural element. The formation of cluster compounds containing Mo(3)S(4)Rh and Mo(3)S(4)Ir cores was achieved in boiling methanol by reacting [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)][pts] with [M'Cl(cyclooctene)(2)](2) (M' = Rh, Ir) in the presence of PPh(3). In this way [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)M'Cl(PPh(3))][pts] (M' = Rh, Ir) could be isolated. An alternative route to the Mo(3)S(4)Rh cluster core was found in the reaction of [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)][pts] with [RhCl(1,5-cod)](2), which yielded [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)Rh(cod)][pts](2) ([7][pts](2)). Substitution of the cod ligand in [7][pts](2) by 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)propane (dppp) gave [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)Rh(dppp)][pts](2).     

Calculations on the competition between association and reaction for C3H(+) + H2

A potential energy surface has been calculated for the competing associative and reactive ion-molecule processes involving the reactants C3H(+) + H2. Our ab initio results show that the linear ion C3H+ and H2 can directly access the deep potential well of the propargyl ion H2CCCH+, which is calculated to lie 390 kJ mol-1 below the zero-point energy of the reactants. Isomerization between the propargyl ion and the lower energy, cyclic C3H3+ ion, calculated to lie 501 kJ mol-1 below the zero-point energy of reactants, can subsequently occur via two pathways. One of these pathways involves a transition state lying 22 kJ mol-1 below the energy of the reactants while the other, which occurs at much lower energies, involves two transition states and an intermediate. The dissociation of c-C3H3+ into c-C3H2(+) + H is calculated to occur directly, without any intermediate potential energy maximum, but the energy of the products lies 7.3 kJ mol-1 above the energy of the reactants. Using the minimum energy potential pathway and properties of the stationary point structures determined via ab initio methods, we have calculated both the association rate coefficient to produce C3H3+ as a function of density and the branching ratio between the propargyl and cyclic structures of the ion. Our results are in good agreement with some experimental results and in conflict with others. Specifically, we agree with the 1:1 branching ratio measured for the propargyl and cyclic isomers of C3H3+ at 80 and 300 K and we agree with the rate coefficient for radiative association measured at 80 K. We cannot reproduce reported measurements that the reactive channel (C3H2(+) + H) is the dominant channel at 80 K and at low gas densities, or that the association channel at high densities saturates at an effective rate coefficient well below the Langevin value -2x10(-11) cm3 s-1 at 300K and 1x10(-10) cm3 s-1 at 80K.     

Chemistry of star-forming regions

The space between stars is not empty but contains gas-phase and particulate matter under varying conditions. Neutral matter is found mainly in large regions of the interstellar medium known as "clouds", the largest of which, termed "giant molecular clouds", are essentially molecular in nature. Stars and planetary systems form inside these giant clouds when portions collapse and heat up. The details of the collapse can be followed by observation of the chemical changes in the molecular composition of the gas and dust particles. Moreover, an understanding of the chemical processes yields much information on the time scales and histories of the assorted stages. Among the most recent additions to our chemical knowledge of star formation are a deeper understanding of isotopic fractionation, especially involving deuterium, and a realization that the role of neutral-neutral reactions is more salient than once thought possible.     

Synthesis of the new, cubane-like W3S4Co cluster core. Completion of the homologous series [(eta5-Cp')3M3S4Co(CO)] (M = Cr, Mo, W)

Reaction between the cluster salts [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)][pts] (M = Mo, W; Cp' = methylcyclopentadienyl; pts = p-toluenesulfonate) and [Co(2)(CO)(8)] yielded the electroneutral clusters [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)Co(CO)]. The molecular structure of [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)W(3)S(4)Co(CO)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The unprecedented 60 electron W(3)S(4)Co cluster completes a homologous series of heterobimetallic clusters, [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)Co(CO)] (M = Cr, Mo, W), containing a cubane-like core motif.     

A complete family of isostructural cluster compounds with cubane-like M(3)S(4)M' cores (M = Mo,W; M' = Ni,Pd, Pt): comparative crystallography and electrochemistry

By reaction of the geometrically incomplete cubane-like clusters [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4))][pts] and [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)W(3)S(4)][pts] (Cp' = methylcyclopentadienyl; pts = p-toluenesulfonate) with group 10 alkene complexes, three new heterobimetallic clusters with cubane-like cluster cores were isolated: [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)W(3)S(4)M'(PPh(3))][pts] ([5][pts], M' = Pd; [6][pts], M' = Pt); [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)Mo(3)S(4)Ni(AsPh(3))][pts] ([7][pts]). The compounds [5][pts]-[7][pts] are completing the extensive series of clusters [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)M'(EPh(3))][pts] (M = Mo, W; M' = Ni, Pd, Pt; E = P, As) which allows the consequences of replacing a single type of atom on structural and NMR and UV/vis spectroscopic as well as electrochemical properties to be determined. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of [5][pts]-[7][pts] revealed that [5][pts] was not isomorphous to the other members of the series [(eta(5)-Cp')(3)M(3)S(4)M'(EPh(3))][pts] due to distinctly different cell parameters, which in the molecular structure of [5](+) is reflected in a slightly different orientation of the PPh(3) ligand. Electrochemical measurements on the series showed that the Mo-based clusters were more difficult to oxidize than their W-based analogues. The Pd-containing clusters underwent two-electron oxidation processes, whereas the Ni- and Pt-containing clusters underwent two separated one-electron oxidation processes.     

Synthesen von Heterocyclen, 121. Mitt.: Chinolizine und Indolizine V: Eine Synthese von 4-Methyl-2-chinolizinonen

Zusammenfassung Die Reaktion von 2-Pyridylessigsäurederivaten (1a, 1b) mit Diketen (2) in sied. Eisessig liefert in 1-Stellung substit. 4-Methyl-2-chinolizinone.

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Syntheses of heterocycles, CXXI: Quinolizines and indolizines. A synthesis of 4-methyl-2-quinolizinones

The reaction of 2-pyridylacetic acid derivatives (1a, 1b) with diketene (2), gives 4-methyl-2-quinolizinones.

     

Phase Transition of [2,2]‐Paracyclophane – An End to an Apparently Endless Story

In this contribution, the solid‐state low‐temperature phase structure of [2,2]‐paracyclophane is unambiguously characterised by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Additionally, a heat capacity measurement was undertaken, which proves the existence of a λ‐type phase transition at 45 K, a transition that is connected with the formation of a secondary C_p/T feature at 60 K. The low‐temperature phase (<45 K) crystallises in the lower symmetry space group P$\bar 4$ n2, whereas the high‐temperature phase (>60 K) crystallises in space group P4₂/mnm. This proves what has been postulated both by experimental and theoretical chemists but has repeatedly been dismissed as speculation many times.