Catalytic Nitrene Transfer by an FeIV-Imido Complex Generated by a Comproportionation Process

Nitrene transfer reactions have emerged as one of the most powerful and versatile ways to insert an amine function to various kinds of hydrocarbon substrates. However, the mechanisms of nitrene generation have not been studied in depth albeit their formation is taken for granted in most cases without definitive evidence of their occurrence. In the present work, we compare the generation of tosylimido iron species and NTs transfer from Fe^II and Fe^III precursors where the metal is embedded in a tetracarbene macrocycle. Catalytic nitrene transfer to reference substrates (thioanisole, styrene, ethylbenzene and cyclohexane) revealed that the same active species was at play, irrespective of the ferrous versus ferric nature of the precursor. Through combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, an Fe^IV tosylimido species was identified as the catalytically active species and was characterized spectroscopically and computationally. Whereas its formation from the Fe^II precursor was expected by a two-electron oxidative addition, its formation from an Fe^III precursor was unprecedented. Thanks to a combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, EPR, Hyscore and Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, we found that, when starting from the Fe^III precursor, an Fe^III tosyliodinane adduct was formed and decomposed into an Fe^V tosylimido species which generated the catalytically active Fe^IV tosylimide through a comproportionation process with the Fe^III precursor.     

Fully automated high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the analysis of free catecholamines in urine

A totally automated and reliable high-performance liquid chromatographic method is described for the routine determination of free catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) in urine. The catecholamines were isolated from urine samples using small alumina columns. A standard automated method for pH adjustment of urine before the extraction step has been developed. The extraction was performed on an ASPEC (Automatic Sample Preparation with Extraction Columns, Gilson). The eluate was collected in a separate tube and then automatically injected into the chromatographic column. The catecholamines were separated by reversed-phase ion-pair liquid chromatography and quantified by fluorescence detection. No manual intervention was required during the extraction and separation procedure. One sample may be run every 15 min, ca. 96 samples in 24 h. Analytical recoveries for all three catecholamines are 63-87%, and the detection limits are 0.01, 0.01, and 0.03 microM for norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine, respectively, which is highly satisfactory for urine. Day-to-day coefficients of variation were less than 10%.     

Assembly of a supramolecular capsule on a molecular printboard

A molecular capsule based on ionic interactions between two oppositely charged calix[4]arenes, 1 and 2, was assembled both in solution and on a surface. In solution, the formation of the equimolar assembly 1.2 was studied by (1)H NMR, ESI-MS, and isothermal titration calorimetry, giving an association constant (K(a)) of 7.5 x 10(5) M(-1). A beta-cyclodextrin self-assembled monolayer (beta-CD SAM) on gold was used as a molecular printboard to anchor the tetraguanidinium calix[4]arene (2). The binding of tetrasulfonate calix[4]arene 1 was monitored by surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. Rinsing of the surface with a high ionic strength aqueous solution allows the removal of the tetrasulfonate calix[4]arene (1), while by rinsing with 2-propanol it is possible to achieve the complete desorption of the tetraguanidinium calix[4]arene (2) from the beta-CD SAM. The K(a) for the capsule formation on a surface is 3.5 x 10(6) M(-1), thus comparing well with the K(a) determined in solution.     

Calcul de constantes de couplage nucléaires spin-spin par la méthode des orbitales moléculaires à l'aide de fonctions d'onde non-empiriques

Résumé Un calcul complet de constantes de couplage nucléaires J _HH, J _XH et J _XX (X = C, N, P) a été fait pour une série de molécules organiques dont les fonctions LCAO SCF MO exactes sont connues. L'influence de la charge nucléaire efficace des orbitales atomiques de base a été étudiée dans le cas particulier du méthane et de l'éthane. La décomposition des constantes de couplage en éléments de symétrie est employée pour la comparaison des résultats théoriques et expérimentaux.

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Numerical calculations of spin-spin coupling constants with exact LCAO SCF MO functions

Complete calculations of nuclear spin-spin coupling constants J _HH, J _XH and J _XX (X = C, N, P) have been carried out for some organic molecules the exact LCAO SCF MO functions of which are known. The results obtained using atomic basis sets with different orbital exponents are discussed in the case of methane and ethane. Theoretical values are compared to experimental data in terms of components arising from the symmetry analysis of actual coupling constants.

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Zusammenfassung VollstÄndige Berechnungen der Spin-Spin-Kopplungskonstanten J _HH, J _XH und J _XX (X = C, N, P) werden für einige organische Moleküle durchgeführt, deren genaue LCAO-SCF-MO-Funktionen bekannt sind. Der Einflu\ der effektiven Kernladungszahlen der Basisfunktionen wurde im Falle von Methan und Äthan untersucht. Die theoretischen und experimentellen Werte werden nach ihrer Zerlegung in Symmetriekomponenten miteinander verglichen.

     

Dérivés de la dihydro-2,4 triazole-1,2,4 thione-3 et de l'amino-2 thiadiazole-1,3,4 à partir de nouvelles thiosemicarbazones d'esters

A new general synthesis of 4,5-disubstituted 2,4-dihydro-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiones is proposed. These heterocycles are obtained by the action of primary amines, arylhydrazines or aroylhydrazines on the thiosemicarbazones of eaters. These last compounds are prepared by action of chlorhydrates of iminoethers on thiosemicarbazide in dimethylformamide. These thiosemicarbazones react also with strong acids, acid anhydrides and chlorides; by thermolysis and they give 2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives. Also, two derivatives of 1,2,4-triazolo[3,4-b]-1,3,4-thiadiazole have been prepared.     

Direct Isocoumarin Synthesis Through LDA-Promoted Addition of Acetaldehyde on Orsellinate. An Abrupt Synthesis of 6-Hydroxymellein,a Fungal Phytotoxin

The LDA-promoted addition of acetaldehyde on orsellinate gives (±) 6 -hydroxymellein, a fungal phytotoxin, with a 51% yield.     

Exciton Interactions,Excimer Formation,and [2π+2π] Photodimerization in Nonconjugated Curcuminoid-BF2 Dimers

We describe the synthesis of a series of covalently linked dimers of quadrupolar curcuminoid-BF₂ dyes and the detailed investigation of their solvent-dependent spectroscopic and photophysical properties. In solvents of low polarity, intramolecular folding induces the formation of aggregated chromophores, the UV/Vis absorption spectra of which display the optical signature characteristic of weakly-coupled H-aggregates. The extent of folding and, in turn, of ground-state aggregation is strongly dependent on the nature of the flexible linker. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence emission spectroscopies show that the Frenkel exciton relaxes into a fluorescent symmetrical excimer state with a long lifetime. Furthermore, our in-depth studies show that a weakly emitting excimer lies on the pathway toward a photocyclomer. Two-dimensional ¹H NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) allowed the structure of the photoproduct to be established. To our knowledge, this represents the first example of a [2π+2π] photodimerization of the curcuminoid chromophore.     

Synthesis of Anhydronectriachrysone,an Extensively Conjugated γ-Pyrone

The synthesis of anhydronectriachrysone (2) through the DIBAH reduction of toralactone (3), followed by dehydration of the corresponding lactol (4) is reported (38% yield).     

Phytochemical Investigation and Biological Activities of Lantana rhodesiensis

Lantana rhodesiensis Moldenke is a plant widely used to treat diseases, such as rheumatism, diabetes, and malaria in traditional medicine. To better understand the traditional uses of this plant, a phytochemical study was undertaken, revealing a higher proportion of polyphenols, including flavonoids in L. rhodesiensis leaf extract and moderate proportion in stem and root extracts. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was also determined using three different assays: the radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, the FRAP method (Ferric-reducing antioxidant power) and the β-carotene bleaching test. The anti-malarial activity of each extract was also evaluated using asexual erythrocyte stages of Plasmodium falciparum, chloroquine-sensitive strain 3D7. The results showed that the leaf extract exhibited higher antioxidant and anti-malarial activities in comparison with the stem and root extracts, probably due to the presence of higher quantities of polyphenols including flavonoids in the leaves. A positive linear correlation was established between the phenolic compound content (total polyphenols including flavonoids and tannins; and total flavonoids) and the antioxidant activity of all extracts. Furthermore, four flavones were isolated from leaf dichloromethane and ethyl acetate fractions: a new flavone named rhodescine (5,6,3′,5′-tetrahydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone) (1), 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′,5′-pentamethoxyflavone (2), 5-hydroxy-6,7,3′,4′-tetramethoxyflavone (3), and 5,6,3′-trihydroxy-7,4′-dimethoxyflavone (4). Their structures were elucidated by ¹H, ¹³CNMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and MS-EI spectral methods. Aside from compound 2, all other molecules were described for the first time in this plant species.