Application of129Xe 2D-EXSY NMR to intra- and interparticle exchange in zeolites

2D-EXSY NMR methods were used to explore diffusion between different domains in zeolites on two very different length scales. Measurements were made on xenon-containing samples consisting of a mixture of NaX and NaY zeolite particles which give distinct resonance lines. The cross peaks observed were interpreted in terms of interparticle exchange, and exchange rates were measured as a function of particle size. This kind of experiment with a length scale of microns to mm should be useful in model studies of diffusion in packed catalyst beds. Measurements also were made to study exchange on a much smaller length scale between the main-channel and side-pocket sites in samples of microcrystalline Na-mordenite. Exchange rates and site occupancies were measured as a function of temperature, yielding activation energies for xenon desorption and intersite diffusion. Also, information was obtained on the distribution of inequivalent side-pocket sites which leads to the large xenon NMR linewidths for this type of site.     

Delamination of layered double hydroxides in polar monomers: new LDH-acrylate nanocomposites

The layered double hydroxide Mg2Al(OH)6(C12H25SO4) was delaminated to give high levels of inclusion in acrylate monomers; subsequent polymerisation of the monomers containing the LDH dispersion gave polyacrylates with the inorganic component still in the delaminated form.     

Light-directed radial combinatorial chemistry: orthogonal safety-catch protecting groups for the synthesis of small molecule microarrays

We describe the development of photolabile protecting groups based on the 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenacyl group (TMP). Orthogonal safety-catches were created by introducing an acid-activatible dimethyl ketal (AA-TMP) and an oxidatively activatible 1,3-dithiane (OA-TMP) into the photolabile TMP group. We demonstrate the application of these protecting groups in light-directed synthesis of small molecule microarrays with diversity elements radially attached to a hydroxyproline scaffold.     

A novel synthesis of the carbapen-2-em ring system

A new synthesis of the carbapenem ring system, as found in thienamycin and related natural products, has been developed. The key step involves a highly efficient carbene insertion reaction which produces the bicyclic ring system by forming the N3 bond.     

Synthesis of titanium(IV) guanidinate complexes and the formation of titanium carbonitride via low-pressure chemical vapor deposition

The mono(guanidinato) complex [Ti(NMe2)2Cl{i-PrNC[N(SiMe3)2]N-i-Pr}] (1) was prepared by reaction of [Ti(NMe2)2Cl2] with 1 or 2 equiv of the lithium guanidinate salt [Li{i-PrNC[N(SiMe3)2]N-i-Pr}]. Compound 1 has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Treatment of TiCl4 with 2 equiv of [Li{i-PrNC[N(SiMe3)2]N-i-Pr}] resulted in the formation of dark red crystals. X-ray crystallography showed that these crystals consist of a 70:30 mixture of two bis(guanidinato) complexes, namely, [TiCl2{i-PrNC[N(SiMe3)2]N-i-Pr}{i-PrNC(N=CMe2)N-i-Pr}] (2) and [TiCl2{i-PrNC[N(SiMe3)2]N-i-Pr}{i-PrNC[N(H)-i-Pr]N-i-Pr}] (3). Both compounds 2 and 3 possess a transformed guanidinate ligand. Low-pressure chemical vapor deposition of either compound 1 or [TiCl2{i-PrNC(NMe2)N-i-Pr}] (4) at 600 degrees C results in thin films of titanium carbonitride.     

Structural and Spectroscopic Characterization of Iron(III) Dioxoporphodimethene Complexes and Their Autoreduction to an Iron(II) Complex in Pyridine

Three iron complexes of the meso-dioxo derivative of octaethylporphryin (trans-H(2)OEPO(2)) were characterized by X-ray diffraction. Green ClFe(III)(trans-OEPO(2)).1.5C(6)H(6) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 13.766(3) ?, b = 19.075(3) ?, c = 15.217(3) ?, beta = 99.87(2) degrees at 123 K with Z = 4. Refinement of 2712 reflections with F > 6.0sigma(F) and 223 parameters yielded R = 0.0624, R(w) = 0.0596. The iron complex contains a domed dioxoporphodimethene macrocyclic ligand. The observation of a five-coordinate iron(III) ion with an axial Fe-Cl distance of 2.232(2) ? and in-plane Fe-N distances averaging 2.082 ? is consistent with its high-spin (S = (5)/(2)) character. This monomer is readily converted to the green {Fe(III)(trans-OEPO(2))}(2)O using aqueous hydroxide. {Fe(III)(trans-OEPO(2))}(2)O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 23.541(8) ?, b = 15.392(5) ?, c = 18.686(8) ?, and beta = 90.09(3) degrees at 294 K with Z = 8. Refinement of 3472 reflections with F > 6.0sigma(F) and 393 parameters yielded R = 0.0484, R(w) = 0.0527. The complex possesses a crystallographically imposed 2-fold symmetry axis that passes through the oxo ligand. The dioxoporphodimethene ligands within the molecule are roof-shaped and fold away from each other. The axial Fe-O distance is 1.749(1) ? with longer in-plane Fe-N distances (average 2.077 ?). The Fe-O-Fe angle of 165.4(2) degrees deviates significantly from linearity and is more acute than related porphyrin complexes. Pyridine solutions of either the iron(III) monomer or &mgr;-oxo dimer autoreduce over a period of days to give (py)(2)Fe(II)(trans-OEPO(2)). This red compound crystallizes in the space group P2(1) with a = 19.177(4) ?, b = 20.039(4) ?, c = 10.547(2) ?, and beta = 100.36(3) degrees at 130 K with Z = 2. Refinement of 5090 reflections with one restraint and 984 parameters yielded R1 = 0.0684, wR2 = 0.1763. The complex crystallizes with two distinct molecules in the asymmetric unit; each molecule contains a different degree of disorder with respect to the trans meso oxygen atoms (50/50, 71/29). Each independent molecule exhibits severe ruffling of the macrocycle. The six coordinate iron(II) center is diamagnetic. The axial Fe-N(pyridine) distances average 1.98 ?, and the in-plane Fe-N(pyrrole) distances average 1.95 ?. A common trend observed for the dioxoporphodimethene macrocycle in all of these structures is an elongation toward the trans oxidized meso carbons. These complexes were originally prepared as cis and trans isomeric mixtures that can be enriched in the trans isomer by fractional crystallization. This is evident in their distinctive (1)H NMR spectra. In addition, these compounds are characterized by electron impact mass spectrometry and UV-visible, ESR, and infrared spectroscopies.     

Regioselective coupling of pentafluorophenyl substituted alkynes: mechanistic insight into the zirconocene coupling of alkynes and a facile route to conjugated polymers bearing electron-withdrawing pentafluorophenyl substituents

The reaction of Cp(2)ZrCl(2) with 2 equiv of BuLi at -78 degrees C, followed by the addition of an unsymmetrical tetra- or pentafluorophenyl substituted alkyne R(1)C[triple bond]CAr(f) (R(1), Ar(f) = (CH(2))(4)Me, p-C(6)F(4)H; Me, p-C(6)F(4)H; Ph, C(6)F(5)), resulted in regioselective couplings of these alkynes to zirconacyclopentadienes in which the Ar(f) substituents preferentially adopt the 3,4-positions (beta beta) of the zirconacyclopentadiene ring. With Cp(2)Zr(py)(Me(3)SiC[triple bond]CSiMe(3)) as the zirconocene reagent, the couplings could be carried out at room temperature; however, at higher temperatures significant quantities of the 2,4-fluoroaryl substituted (alpha beta) isomers were also formed. None of the conditions employed produced the 2,5-fluoroaryl substituted (alpha alpha) isomers. These fluoroaryl-substituted zirconacyclopentadienes were readily converted to butadienes via reactions with acids. The zirconacyclopentadiene Cp(2)ZrC(4)-2,5-Ph(2)-3,4-(C(6)F(5))(2), which resulted from the coupling of PhC[triple bond]C(C(6)F(5)), was converted to the corresponding thiophene by reaction with S(2)Cl(2), and to an arene by reaction with MeO(2)CC[triple bond]CCO(2)Me/CuCl. Mechanistic studies on zirconocene couplings of (p-CF(3)C(6)H(4))C[triple bond]C(p-MeC(6)H(4)) indicate that the observed regioselectivities are determined by an electronic factor that controls the orientation of at least one of the two alkynes as they are coupled. Additionally, these studies suggest an unsymmetrical transition state for the zirconocene coupling of alkynes, and this is supported by DFT calculations. The reaction of [(C(6)F(5))C[triple bond]CCH(2)](2)CH(2) with Cp(2)Zr(py)(Me(3)SiC[triple bond]CSiMe(3)) resulted in a zirconacyclopentadiene in which the pentafluorophenyl substituents have been forced into the 2,5-positions (alpha alpha). Zirconocene coupling of the diyne (C(6)F(5))C[triple bond]C-1,4-C(6)H(4)-C[triple bond]C(C(6)F(5)) provided a route to conjugated polymers bearing electron-withdrawing pentafluorophenyl groups.     

Cs+ -selective membrane electrodes based on ethylene glycol-functionalized polymeric microspheres

A new strategy for improving the robustness of membrane-based ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) is introduced based on the incorporation of microsphere-immobilized ionophores into plasticized polymer membranes. As a model system, a Cs⁺-selective electrode was developed by doping ethylene glycol-functionalized cross-linked polystyrene microspheres (P-EG) into a plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) matrix containing sodium tetrakis-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl] borate (TFPB) as the ion exchanger. Electrodes were evaluated with respect to Cs⁺ in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and dynamic response. ISEs containing P-EG and TFPB that were plasticized with 2-nitrophenyl octyl ether (NPOE) yielded a linear range from 10⁻¹ to 10⁻⁵ M Cs⁺, a slope of 55.4 mV/decade, and a lower detection limit (log a_Cs) of −5.3. In addition, these membranes also demonstrated superior selectivity over Li⁺, Na⁺, and alkaline earth metal ion interferents when compared to analogous membranes plasticized with bis(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DOS) or membranes containing a lipophilic, mobile ethylene glycol derivative (ethylene glycol monooctadecyl ether (U-EG)) as ionophore.     

Sampling unfolding intermediates in calmodulin by single-molecule spectroscopy

We used single-pair fluorescence resonance energy transfer (spFRET) measurements to characterize denatured and partially denatured states of the multidomain calcium signaling protein calmodulin (CaM) in both its apo and Ca(2+)-bound forms. The results demonstrate the existence of an unfolding intermediate. A CaM mutant (CaM-T34C-T110C) was doubly labeled with fluorescent probes AlexaFlour 488 and Texas Red at opposing globular domains. Single-molecule distributions of the distance between fluorophores were obtained by spFRET at varying levels of the denaturant urea. Multiple conformational states of CaM were observed, and the amplitude of each conformation was dependent on urea concentration, with the amplitude of an extended conformation increasing upon denaturation. The distributions at intermediate urea concentrations could not be adequately described as a combination of native and denatured conformations, showing that CaM does not denature via a two-state process and demonstrating that at least one intermediate is present. The intermediate conformations formed upon addition of urea were different for Ca(2+)-CaM and apoCaM. An increase in the amplitude of a compact conformation in CaM was observed for apoCaM but not for Ca(2+)-CAM upon the addition of urea. The changes in the single-molecule distributions of CaM upon denaturation can be described by either a range of intermediate structures or by the presence of a single unfolding intermediate that grows in amplitude upon denaturation. A model for stepwise unfolding of CaM is suggested in which the domains of CaM unfold sequentially.