Mechanistic Aspects of a Highly Active Dinuclear Zinc Catalyst for the Co‐polymerization of Epoxides and CO2

The dinuclear zinc complex reported by us is to date the most active zinc catalyst for the co‐polymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide. However, co‐polymerization experiments with propylene oxide (PO) and CO₂ revealed surprisingly low conversions. Within this work, we focused on clarification of this behavior through experimental results and quantum chemical studies. The combination of both results indicated the formation of an energetically highly stable intermediate in the presence of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide. A similar species in the case of cyclohexene oxide/CO₂ co‐polymerization was not stable enough to deactivate the catalyst due to steric repulsion.     

Synthesis of methyl 2-oxo-5-vinyl-2,5-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate

A synthesis of methyl 2-oxo-5-vinyl-tetrahydrofuran-3-carboxylate involving five synthetic steps from commercially available 3,4-dihydroxybutene is reported.     

Synthesis and Inclusion Properties of the Host Compound 1,3-Dihydro-1,1,3,3-tetraphenylisobenzofuran. X-Ray Crystal Structures of the Free Host and of an Inclusion Compound with 1,4-Dioxane

A novel host molecule, 1, suitable for crystalline lattice-type inclusion, has been synthesized, and its cocrystal formation ability has been investigated. Host 1 proved to be of potential use for organic solvent separation and retrieval, and a promising auxiliary for solidification of certain odorous substances. The crystal structures of the solvent-free host 1, and its complex with 1,4-dioxane (1 : 1), have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 (guest-free) is triclinic, P , with a = 9.452(2), b = 10.359(3), c = 13.116(3) Å, = 101.80(2), = 106.53(1) and = 104.32(1)°. The spacious, propeller-like molecules are held together by weak van der Waals' forces. The dioxane inclusion compound is monoclinic, P21/a, with a = 15.050(1), b = 8.641(1) and c = 20.658(1) Å, and = 94.56(1)°, and contains two crystallographically independent guest molecules, both located around symmetry centres. The molecular packing seems to be governed by C—H···O type bonds (C···O = 3.31 and 3.48 Å) from the host to the dioxane oxygens.     

Coligand role in the NHC nickel catalyzed C–F bond activation: investigations on the insertion of bis(NHC) nickel into the C–F bond of hexafluorobenzene

The reaction of [Ni(Mes₂Im)₂] (1) (Mes₂Im = 1,3-dimesityl-imidazolin-2-ylidene) with polyfluorinated arenes as well as mechanistic investigations concerning the insertion of 1 and [Ni(ⁱPr₂Im)₂] (1ipr) (ⁱPr₂Im = 1,3-diisopropyl-imidazolin-2-ylidene) into the C–F bond of C₆F₆ is reported. The reaction of 1 with different fluoroaromatics leads to formation of the nickel fluoroaryl fluoride complexes trans-[Ni(Mes₂Im)₂(F)(Ar^F)] (Ar^F = 4-CF₃-C₆F₄2, C₆F₅3, 2,3,5,6-C₆F₄N 4, 2,3,5,6-C₆F₄H 5, 2,3,5-C₆F₃H₂6, 3,5-C₆F₂H₃7) in fair to good yields with the exception of the formation of the pentafluorophenyl complex 3 (less than 20%). Radical species and other diamagnetic side products were detected for the reaction of 1 with C₆F₆, in line with a radical pathway for the C–F bond activation step using 1. The difluoride complex trans-[Ni(Mes₂Im)₂(F)₂] (9), the bis(aryl) complex trans-[Ni(Mes₂Im)₂(C₆F₅)₂] (15), the structurally characterized nickel(i) complex trans-[Ni^I(Mes₂Im)₂(C₆F₅)] (11) and the metal radical trans-[Ni^I(Mes₂Im)₂(F)] (12) were identified. Complex 11, and related [Ni^I(Mes₂Im)₂(2,3,5,6-C₆F₄H)] (13) and [Ni^I(Mes₂Im)₂(2,3,5-C₆F₃H₂)] (14), were synthesized independently by reaction of trans-[Ni(Mes₂Im)₂(F)(Ar^F)] with PhSiH₃. Simple electron transfer from 1 to C₆F₆ was excluded, as the redox potentials of the reaction partners do not match and [Ni(Mes₂Im)₂]⁺, which was prepared independently, was not detected. DFT calculations were performed on the insertion of [Ni(ⁱPr₂Im)₂] (1ipr) and [Ni(Mes₂Im)₂] (1) into the C–F bond of C₆F₆. For 1ipr, concerted and NHC-assisted pathways were identified as having the lowest kinetic barriers, whereas for 1, a radical mechanism with fluoride abstraction and an NHC-assisted pathway are both associated with almost the same kinetic barrier.

A combined experimental and theoretical study on the mechanism of the C–F bond activation of C₆F₆ with [Ni(NHC)₂] is provided.     

Synthesen von Heterocyclen, 72. Mitt.: 4-Phenyl-3,4-dihydro-carbostyrile aus α-Cyanzimtsäureamiden

Zusammenfassung Bei der Reaktion vonSchiffschen Basen mit Cyanacetylchlorid entstehen über labile Addukte -Cyanzimtsäure-anilide, die in Gegenwart von AlCl₃ zu Derivaten des 3-Cyan-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydrocarbostyrils reagieren. Aus diesen kann durch Verseifung die Cyangruppe eliminiert werden.

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The reaction of azomethines with cyanoacetyl chloride leads via instable adducts to -cyanocinnamic anilides, which with AlCl₃ undergo cyclisation to derivatives of 3-cyano-4-phenyl-3,4-dihydrocarbostyrils. The cyano group in these compounds can be removed by hydrolysis and decarboxylation.

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Herrn KollegenO. Hromatka, Wien, mit den besten Wünschen zum 60. Geburtstag.     

The structure of magnesium alanate

Mg(AlH(4))(2) was produced as a nanocrystalline powder by metathesis of NaAlH(4) and MgCl(2). Starting with a structure estimation which was developed from an evaluation of FTIR data and comparison of structural properties of two solvent adducts, quantum chemical calculations were performed on the density functional theory (DFT) level. The calculated atomic positions were used to simulate an X-ray powder diffraction pattern, based on a trigonal unit cell. The simulated pattern was congruent to experimental data. Thus, magnesium alanate exhibits a CdI(2) layer structure, the layers being formed by Mg atoms occupying the Cd sites and AlH(4) tedrahedra occupying the sites of the iodine atoms in CdI(2).     

Gas chromatographic analysis of traces of hydrogen sulfide in hydrogen

Summary A simple gas chromatographic method has been developed for analysis of hydrogen sulfide in hydrogen at the 0.5 to 100 ppm level. After enriching the traces of hydrogen sulfide by absorption in a gas loop packed with the chosen column support at 77 K it was determined by using a Chromosorb G column with silicone 550 and phthalic anhydride as liquid phases, hydrogen as carrier gas and a thermal conductivity detector. The detection limit was found to be about 0.5 ppm of hydrogen sulfide.