Additions of enantiopure alpha-sulfinyl carbanions to (S)-N-sulfinimines: asymmetric synthesis of beta-amino sulfoxides and beta-alphamino alcohols

The addition of the lithium anions derived from (R)- and (S)-methyl and -ethyl p-tolyl sulfoxides to (S)-N-benzylidene-p-toluenesulfinamide provides an easy access route to enantiomerically pure beta-(N-sulfinyl)amino sulfoxides. Stereoselectivity can be achieved when the configurations at the sulfur atoms of the two reagents are opposite (matched pair), thus resulting in only one diastereoisomer, even for the case in which two new chiral centers are created. The N-sulfinyl group primarily controls the configuration of the carbon bonded to the nitrogen, whereas the configuration of the alpha-sulfinyl carbanion seems to be responsible for the level of asymmetric induction, as well as for the configuration of the new stereogenic C-SO carbon in the reactions with ethyl p-tolyl sulfoxides. An efficient method for transforming the obtained beta-(N-sulfinyl)amino sulfoxides into optically pure beta-amino alcohols, based on the stereoselective non-oxidative Pummerer reaction, is also reported.     

In situ soft X-ray studies of ethylene oxidation mechanisms and intermediates on the Pt(111) surface

In situ studies of ethylene oxidation on Pt(111) have been performed using a powerful combination of fluorescence yield soft X-ray methods for temperatures up to 600 K and oxygen pressures up to 0.01 Torr. Absolute carbon coverages have been determined both in steady-state and dynamic catalytic conditions on the Pt(111) surface. Fluorescence yield near-edge spectroscopy (FYNES) and temperature-programmed fluorescence yield near-edge spectroscopy (TP-FYNES) experiments above the carbon K edge were used to identify the structure and bonding of the dominant surface species during oxidation. TP-FYNES experiments of preadsorbed ethylene coverages in oxygen pressures up to 0.01 Torr indicate a stable intermediate is formed over the 215-300 K temperature range. By comparing the intensity of the C-H sigma resonance at the magic angle with the intensity in the carbon continuum, the stoichiometry of this intermediate has been determined explicitly. Based on calibration with known C-H stoichiometries, the intermediate has a C(2)H(3) stoichiometry for oxygen pressures up to 0.01 Torr, indicating oxydehydrogenation occurs before skeletal oxidation. FYNES spectra at normal and glancing incidences were performed to characterize the structure and bonding of this intermediate. Using FYNES spectra of ethylene, ethylidyne, and acetylene as reference standard, this procedure indicates the oxidation intermediate is tri-sigma vinyl. Thus, oxidation of ethylene proceeds through a vinyl intermediate, with oxydehydrogenation preceding skeletal oxidation.     

(Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitrile as a chiral dienophile: diels-alder reactions with furan and acyclic dienes

The behavior of (Z)-3-p-tolylsulfinylacrylonitrile (1) as a chiral dienophile has been evaluated from its reactions with furan and acyclic dienes. Electrostatic interactions of the cyano group with the sulfinyl one restrict the conformational mobility around the C-S bond, thus controlling the pi-facial selectivity, which is almost complete in all cases, the approach of the diene from the less-hindered face of the dienophile (that bearing the lone electron pair) in the predominant rotamer being the favored one. The regioselectivity is also completely controlled by the cyano group. Additionally, the reactivity of compound 1 as well as its endo-selectivity are both higher than those observed for the corresponding (Z)-3-sulfinylacrylates, thus proving the potential of sulfinylnitriles as chiral dienophiles.     

Versatile reactions of a para-bromophenylacetylide iron(II) derivative and X-ray structure of the fluoro analogue. Synthesis of new redox-active organoiron(II) synthons

The synthesis of the new (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,3-(C₆H₄X) (m-2a/2b; X=F/Br) and (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄I) (2c) complexes, as well as the solid-state structure of the known (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄F) (2a) complex are described. The catalytic coupling reactions of the bromo complexes with various alkynes were next investigated. Starting from the known (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄Br) complex (2b), the synthesis of the (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄)---CC---H complex (6d) and of the corresponding silyl-protected precursors (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄)CC---SiR₃ (6b/6c; R=ⁱPr/Me) are reported. By use of lithium---bromine exchange reactions on 2b, the silyl- (7a; E=Si; R=Me) and tin- (7b–7d; E=Sn; R=Me, Bu, Ph) substituted analogues (η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC---1,4-(C₆H₄)ER₃ are also isolated. The spectroscopic and electrochemical characterisations of all these new Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox-active building blocks are presented and the electronic substituent parameters for the “(η²-dppe)(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe---CC” group are determined by means of ¹⁹F-NMR.     

Nickel carbonyl adsorption on the Ni(111) surface

Overlayers formed by the adsorption of Ni(CO)₄ in CO on the Ni(111) surface at 100 K were characterized using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy and thermal desorption spectroscopy. At temperatures below 135 K, molecular nickel carbonyl adsorbs on the CO saturated Ni(111) surface as suggested by several observations. Vibrational transitions characteristic of molecular Ni(CO)₄ are dominant. The energy dependence of both the elastic and inelastic electron scattering cross sections are dramatically altered by Ni(CO)₄ adsorption. All of the mass spectrometer ionization fragments typical of molecular Ni(CO)₄ are observed in the narrow thermal desorption peak at 150 K. The inelastic scattering cross sections for both adsorbed nickel carbonyl and adsorbed CO on the Ni(111) surface suggest that a nonresonant dipole scattering mechanism is dominant.     

Spin-singlet clusters in the ladder compound NaV2O5

The space group of alpha(')-NaV2O5 turns below T(c) = 34 K from Pmmn with all V sites equivalent, into Fmm2 with three independent vanadium sites per layer. This is incompatible with models of charge ordering into V4+ and V5+. Our structure determination indicates that the phase transition consists of a charge ordering with three distinct valence states, formally V4+, V4.5+, and V5+. The singlet formation is not associated with dimerization on the spin ladder, but with the formation of spin clusters. Finally, we ascribe the quadrupling of the c axis to the large polarizability of the V2O5 skeleton.     

Dependence of pulser driving responses on electrical and motional characteristics of NDE ultrasonic probes

Acoustic performance in ultrasonic transmitters can be improved by means of a suitable electrical driving response and matching/tuning networks. It is important to predict this electrical response, but doing so is not easy because it departs notably from the nominal pattern with the loading probes. In practice, the analysis of HV pulser spikes in NDE applications requires fairly complex models in the transient regime and, in addition, non-linear problems could arise, especially in the case of tuned transmitters. In this paper, the most relevant influences of loading characteristics of NDT ultrasonic probes on the pulser electrical driving responses are evaluated in time and frequency domains. Conventional pulse generators and typical NDE pulsers are considered. Driving responses are analysed across commercial ultrasonic probes and, alternatively, across similar purely electrical loads. Distinct influences on pulser responses from electrical and motional sections of the probes are identified. All these aspects are studied on the basis of experimental and computer results.     

Chemistry of chloroethylenes on Cu(100): bonding and reactions

The bonding and reactions of chloroethylenes (vinyl chloride, trans- and cis-dichloroethylene, trichloroethylene) on a Cu(100) surface have been investigated by temperature-programmed desorption and reaction, near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) studies and measurements of changes of the surface work function. The monolayer molecules adsorb molecularly intact at 95 K via π coordination. The molecules orient with their molecular planes parallel to the surface with little increase (<0.02 Å) in the C---C bond distance compared with the gas phase values. The degree of thermal dissociation increases with the extent of halogenation, and no chlorine is present in the hydrocarbon reaction products liberated from the surface. Both cis- and trans-1.2-chloroethylene produce acetylene and a small amount of benzene, while dissociation of trichloroethylene generates acetylene and deposits a carbon residue on the surface. Vinyl chloride desorbs from Cu(100) without reaction.     

Vibrational characterization of carbon monoxide oxidation on the Pt(111) surface

The surface reaction between coadsorbed carbon monoxide and atomic oxygen has been characterized using high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, coupled with temperature programmed reaction spectroscopy on a Pt(111) surface characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. Preferential oxidation of bridge bonded CO is not observed despite the fact that bridge bonded CO is adsorbed less vigorously than linearly bound CO. Saturation of the Pt(111) surface with one quarter of a monolayer of atomic oxygen completely suppresses the adsorption of bridge bonded CO. However, substantial coverages of bridge bonded CO can be coadsorbed if the Pt(111) surface is only partially saturated with atomic oxygen. The vibrational data for reaction of coadsorbed CO and atomic oxygen is consistent with a reaction mechanism involving reaction of mobile CO along oxygen island perimeters.