Showing papers in "Chemistry: A European Journal in 2007"
TL;DR: Upon light excitation MOF-5 behaves as a semiconductor and undergoes charge separation (electrons and holes) decaying in the microsecond time scale, and photoinduced electron transfer processes to viologen generates the corresponding viologens radical cation.
Abstract: Upon light excitation MOF-5 behaves as a semiconductor and undergoes charge separation (electrons and holes) decaying in the microsecond time scale. The actual conduction band energy value was estimated to be 0.2 V versus NHE with a band gap of 3.4 eV. Photoinduced electron transfer processes to viologen generates the corresponding viologen radical cation, while holes of MOF-5 oxidizes N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine. One application investigated for MOF-5 as a semiconductor has been the shape-selective photocatalyzed degradation of phenol in aqueous solutions.
757 citations
TL;DR: The polymeric character and thermal stability of melon might render this polymer a pre-stage of g-C(3)N(4) and portend its use as a promising inert material for a variety of applications in materials and surface science.
Abstract: Poly(aminoimino)heptazine, otherwise known as Liebig's melon, whose composition and structure has been subject to multitudinous speculations, was synthesized from melamine at 630 degrees C under the pressure of ammonia. Electron diffraction, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations revealed that the nanocrystalline material exhibits domains well-ordered in two dimensions, thereby allowing the structure solution in projection by electron diffraction. Melon ([C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(NH)](n), plane group p2 gg, a=16.7, b=12.4 A, gamma=90 degrees, Z=4), is composed of layers made up from infinite 1D chains of NH-bridged melem (C(6)N(7)(NH(2))(3)) monomers. The strands adopt a zigzag-type geometry and are tightly linked by hydrogen bonds to give a 2D planar array. The inter-layer distance was determined to be 3.2 A from X-ray powder diffraction. The presence of heptazine building blocks, as well as NH and NH(2) groups was confirmed by (13)C and (15)N solid-state NMR spectroscopy using (15)N-labeled melon. The degree of condensation of the heptazine core was further substantiated by a (15)N direct excitation measurement. Magnetization exchange observed between all (15)N nuclei using a fp-RFDR experiment, together with the CP-MAS data and elemental analysis, suggests that the sample is mainly homogeneous in terms of its basic composition and molecular building blocks. Semiempirical, force field, and DFT/plane wave calculations under periodic boundary conditions corroborate the structure model obtained by electron diffraction. The overall planarity of the layers is confirmed and a good agreement is obtained between the experimental and calculated NMR chemical shift parameters. The polymeric character and thermal stability of melon might render this polymer a pre-stage of g-C(3)N(4) and portend its use as a promising inert material for a variety of applications in materials and surface science.
743 citations
TL;DR: The theoretical background for emissive metal complexes and the strategic design of the chelating C-linked 2-pyridylazolate ligands are elaborate, followed by their feasibility in functionalization and modification in an aim to fine-tune the chemical and photophysical properties.
Abstract: This article presents general concepts that have guided important developments in our recent research progress regarding room-temperature phosphorescent dyes and their potential applications. We first elaborate the theoretical background for emissive metal complexes and the strategic design of the chelating C-linked 2-pyridylazolate ligands, followed by their feasibility in functionalization and modification in an aim to fine-tune the chemical and photophysical properties. Subsequently, incorporation of 2-pyridylazolate chromophores is illustrated in the synthesis of the highly emissive, charge-neutral Os, Ru, Ir, and Pt complexes. Insights into their photophysical properties are gained from spectroscopy, relaxation dynamics, and theoretical approaches, from which the lowest-lying excited states, competitive radiative decay, and radiationless processes are then analyzed in detail. In view of applications, their potentials for OLEDs have been evaluated. The results, in combination with the fundamental basis, give a conceptual design contributed to the future advances in the field of OLEDs.
734 citations
TL;DR: The role of some key structural aspects in porous gas sensors, such as grain size and agglomeration, pore size or crack-free film morphology, are addressed.
Abstract: Semiconducting metal oxides are frequently used as gas-sensing materials. Apart from large surface-to-volume ratios, well-defined and uniform pore structures are particularly desired for improved sensing performance. This article addresses the role of some key structural aspects in porous gas sensors, such as grain size and agglomeration, pore size or crack-free film morphology. New synthesis concepts, for example, the utilisation of rigid matrices for structure replication, allow to control these parameters independently, providing the opportunity to create self-diagnostic sensors with enhanced sensitivity and reproducible selectivity.
586 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the self-assembly of perylene bisimide dye 2 into pi stacks, both in solution and condensed phase, has been studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), UV/Vis and fluorescence analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (OPM) and X-ray diffraction.
Abstract: The self-assembly of a new, highly fluorescent perylene bisimide dye 2 into pi stacks, both in solution and condensed phase, has been studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical polarizing microscopy (OPM) and X-ray diffraction. The NMR and VPO measurements revealed the formation of extended pi-pi stacks of the dye molecules in solution. The aggregate size determined from VPO and DOSY NMR measurements agree well with that obtained from the concentration and temperature-dependent UV/Vis spectral data by employing the isodesmic model (equal K model). In the condensed state, dye 2 possesses a hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline (LC) phase as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The columnar stacking of this dye has been further explored by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Well-resolved columnar nanostructures of the compound are observed on graphite surface. A color-tunable luminescence from green to red has been observed upon aggregation which is accompanied by an increase of the fluorescence lifetime and depolarization. The observed absorption properties can be explained in terms of molecular exciton theory. The charge transport properties of dye 2 have been investigated by pulse radiolysis-time resolved microwave conductivity measurements and a 1D charge carrier mobility up to 0.42 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1) is obtained. Considering the promising self-assembly, semiconducting, and luminescence properties of this dye, it might serve as a useful functional material for nano(opto)electronics.
536 citations
TL;DR: Eutectic mixtures of zinc chloride and donor molecules such as urea and acetamide are described and it is proposed that these constitute a new class of ionic liquids that fit well to the Hole theory model recently proposed.
Abstract: Eutectic mixtures of zinc chloride and donor molecules such as urea and acetamide are described and it is proposed that these constitute a new class of ionic liquids. FAB-MS analysis shows that the liquids are made up of metal-containing anions and cations in which the donor is coordinated to the cation. Data on the viscosity, conductivity, density, phase behaviour and surface tension are presented and these are shown to be significantly different to other related ionic liquids that incorporate quaternary ammonium salts. The conductivity and viscosity are comparable with other ionic liquids and the data fit well to the Hole theory model recently proposed.
513 citations
TL;DR: The processing of carbon nanotubes with ionic liquids is not accompanied by the disruption of the pi-conjugated nanotube structure and does not require solvents; therefore it can readily be scaled up.
Abstract: A serendipitous finding that ionic liquids gel with carbon nanotubes has opened a new possibility of ionic liquids as modifiers for carbon nanotubes. Upon being ground into ionic liquids, carbon nanotube bundles are untangled, and the resultant fine bundles form a network structure. This is due to the possible specific interaction between the imidazolium ion component and the pi-electronic nanotube surface. The resultant gelatinous materials, consisting of highly electroconductive nanowires and fluid electrolytes, can be utilized for a wide variety of electrochemical applications, such as sensors, capacitors, and actuators. Ionic liquids allow for noncovalent and covalent modifications of carbon nanotubes and fabrication of polymer composites with enhanced physical properties. The processing of carbon nanotubes with ionic liquids is not accompanied by the disruption of the pi-conjugated nanotube structure and does not require solvents; therefore it can readily be scaled up. This article focuses on new aspects of ionic liquids for designer soft materials based on carbon nanotubes.
503 citations
TL;DR: Metal nanoparticles with a small diameter and narrow size distribution that can be prepared by H(2) reduction of metal compounds or decomposition of organometallic species dissolved in ionic liquids (ILs) are catalysts for reactions under multiphase conditions.
Abstract: Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) with a small di- ameter and narrow size distribution can be prepared by H2 reduction of metal compounds or decomposition of organometallic species dissolved in ionic liquids (ILs). MNPs dispersed in ILs are catalysts for reactions under multiphase conditions. These soluble MNPs possess a pronounced surfacelike rather than single-site like cata- lytic properties. In other cases the MNPs are not stable and tend to aggregate or serve as reservoirs of mononu- clear catalytically active species.
410 citations
TL;DR: The crystal structures of the key complexes are elucidated by X-ray diffraction, which confirms that they are chiral, and analysis of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra unambiguously demonstrates that their conformations are so flexible that the chiral environment of the complexes cannot be maintained in solution at 25 degrees C and that the complexes are achiral under the polymerization conditions.
Abstract: Highly isotactic polylactide or poly(lactic acid) is synthesized in a ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic lactide with achiral salen- and homosalen-aluminum complexes (salenH(2)=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylene-1,2-diamine; homosalenH(2)=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)trimethylene-1,3-diamine). A systematic exploration of ligands demonstrates the importance of the steric influence of the Schiff base moiety on the degree of isotacticity and the backbone for high activity. The complexes prepared in situ are pure enough to apply to the polymerizations without purification. The crystal structures of the key complexes are elucidated by X-ray diffraction, which confirms that they are chiral. However, analysis of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra unambiguously demonstrates that their conformations are so flexible that the chiral environment of the complexes cannot be maintained in solution at 25 degrees C and that the complexes are achiral under the polymerization conditions. The flexibility of the backbone in the propagation steps is also documented. Hence, the isotacticity of the polymer occurs due to a chain-end control mechanism. The highest reactivity in the present system is obtained with the homosalen ligand with 2,2-dimethyl substituents in the backbone (ArCH==NCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)N==CHAr), whereas tBuMe(2)Si substituents at the 3-positions of the salicylidene moieties lead to the highest selectivity (P(meso)=0.9(8); T(m)=210 degrees C). The ratio of the rate constants in the ROPs of racemic lactide and L-lactide is found to correlate with the stereoselectivity in the present system. The complex can be utilized in bulk polymerization, which is the most attractive in industry, although with some loss of stereoselectivity at high temperature, and the afforded polymer shows a higher melting temperature (P(meso)=0.9(2), T(m) up to 189 degrees C) than that of homochiral poly(L-lactide) (T(m)=162-180 degrees C). The "livingness" of the bulk polymerization at 130 degrees C is maintained even at a high conversion (97-98 %) and for an extended polymerization time (1-2 h).
365 citations
TL;DR: Indoloazocines are selectively obtained with AuCl(3) as catalyst in a rare 8-endo-dig process and allenes or tetracyclic annulated derivatives are also formed as a result of an initial fragmentation reaction.
Abstract: Indoles react intramolecularly with alkynes in the presence of gold catalysts to give from six- to eight-membered-ring annulated compounds. The cationic Au(I) complex [Au(P{C(6)H(4)(o-Ph)}(tBu)(2))(NCMe)]SbF(6) is the best catalyst for the formation of six- and seven-membered rings by 6-endo-dig, 6-exo-dig, and 7-exo-dig cyclizations. Indoloazocines are selectively obtained with AuCl(3) as catalyst in a rare 8-endo-dig process. In this process allenes or tetracyclic annulated derivatives are also formed as a result of an initial fragmentation reaction. The intermolecular reaction of indoles with alkynes proceeds to form 3-alkenylated intermediates that react with a second equivalent of indole to give bisindolyl derivatives. Indoles that are substituted at the 3-position react intermolecularly with alkynes to give 2-alkenylated intermediates that can be trapped intramolecularly with the appropriate nucleophiles.
355 citations
TL;DR: By modulating the synthetic strategy based on the solvothermal and liquid diffusion method, seven further MOFs (including at least three zeolitic MOFs) of zinc(II) imidazolates, [Zn(im)2.x G] (G=guest molecule, x=0.2-1) 1 a-7 a, have been successfully synthesized.
Abstract: Attempts to create metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with zeolitic topologies, metal (zinc(II) and cobalt(II)) imidazolates have repeatedly been used as the metal-organic motifs of inorganic silicate analogues. By modulating the synthetic strategy based on the solvothermal and liquid diffusion method, seven further MOFs (including at least three zeolitic MOFs) of zinc(II) imidazolates, [Zn(im)2.x G] (G=guest molecule, x=0.2-1) 1 a-7 a, have been successfully synthesized. Of these, 1 a-3 a are isostructural with the previously reported cobalt analogues 1 b-3 b, respectively, while 4 a-7 a are new members of the metal imidazolate MOF family. Complex 4 a exhibits a structure related to silicate CaAl2Si2O8 of CrB4 topology, but with a higher network symmetry; complex 5 a has a structure with zeolitic DFT topology that was discovered in zeolite-related materials of DAF-2, UCSB-3, and UCSB-3GaGe; complex 6 a demonstrates an unprecedented zeolite-like topology with one dimensional channels with 10-rings; and 7 a displays a structure of natural zeolite GIS (gismondine) topology. All of these polymorphous MOFs were created only by using certain solvents as structure-directing agents (SDAs). Further extensive metal-organic frameworks with zeolitic topologies can be envisaged if other solvents were to be used.
TL;DR: A series of highly soluble and fluorescent core-twisted perylene bisimide dyes (PBIs) 3 a-f with different substituents at the bay area were synthesized and fully characterized by (1)H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis.
Abstract: A series of highly soluble and fluorescent core-twisted perylene bisimide dyes (PBIs) 3 a-f with different substituents at the bay area (1,6,7,12 positions of the perylene core) were synthesized and fully characterized by (1)H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, MS spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The pi-pi aggregation properties of these new functional dyes were investigated in detail both in solution and in condensed phase by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, vapor pressure osmometry (VPO), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing optical microscopy (POM), and X-ray diffraction. Concentration-dependent UV/Vis measurements and VPO analysis revealed that these core-twisted pi-conjugated systems show distinct self-dimerization equilibria in apolar solvent methylcyclohexane (MCH) with dimerization constants between 1.3x10(4) and 30 M(-1). The photoluminescence spectra of the dimers of PBIs 3 a-f exhibit bathochromic shifts of quite different magnitude which could be attributed to different longitudinal or rotational offsets between the dyes as well as differences in the respective pi-pi stacking distance. In condensed state, quite a few of these PBIs form luminescent rectangular or hexagonal columnar liquid crystalline phases with low isotropization temperatures. The effects of the distortion of the pi systems on their pi-pi stacking and the optical properties of the resultant stacks in solution and in LC phases have been explored in detail. In one case (3 a) a particularly interesting phase change from crystalline into liquid crystalline could be observed upon annealing that was accompanied by a transformation from non-fluorescent H-type into strongly fluorescent J-type packing of the dyes.
TL;DR: The system could be applied successfully for the quantification of proteins in human urine after on-line phase separation in a flow system and offers clear advantages over traditional liquid-liquid extractions, in which the use of toxic organic solvents is unavoidable.
Abstract: An ionic liquid/aqueous two-phase system based on the hydrophilic ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (BmimCl) and K(2)HPO(4) has been employed for direct extraction of proteins from human body fluids for the first time. Proteins present at low levels were quantitatively extracted into the BmimCl-rich upper phase with a distribution ratio of about 10 between the upper and lower phase and an enrichment factor of 5. Addition of an appropriate amount of K(2)HPO(4) to the separated upper phase results in a further phase separation, giving rise to an improved enrichment factor of 20. FTIR and UV spectroscopy demonstrated that no chemical (bonding) interactions between the ionic liquid and the protein functional groups were identifiable, while no alterations of the natural properties of the proteins were observed. The partitioning of proteins in the two-phase system was assumed to have been facilitated by the electrostatic potential difference between the coexisting phases, as well as by salting out effects. The system could be applied successfully for the quantification of proteins in human urine after on-line phase separation in a flow system. The use of an ionic liquid, as a green solvent, offers clear advantages over traditional liquid-liquid extractions, in which the use of toxic organic solvents is unavoidable.
TL;DR: Bond paths, both at and out of equilibrium geometries, are endowed with a specific energetic meaning that should contribute to reconcile the orthodox QTAIM interpretation with other widely accepted views, and to settle recent controversies questioning the meaning of hydrogen-hydrogen bonding.
Abstract: Evidence that the bond paths of the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) signal preferred quantum-mechanical exchange channels is presented. We show how bond paths between an atom A and the atoms B in its environment appear to be determined by competition among the A-B exchange-correlation energies that always contribute to stabilize the A-B interactions. These pairwise additive stabilizations depend neither on the attractive or repulsive nature of the classical electrostatic interaction between the atoms' charge densities, nor on the change in the self energies of the atoms involved. These other terms may well cause an overall molecular-energy increase in spite of a possibly large A-B exchange-correlation stabilization. After our proposal, bond paths, both at and out of equilibrium geometries, are endowed with a specific energetic meaning that should contribute to reconcile the orthodox QTAIM interpretation with other widely accepted views, and to settle recent controversies questioning the meaning of hydrogen-hydrogen bonding and the nature of the so-called "steric interactions", the role of bond paths in endohedral complexes, and the generality of the results provided by the QTAIM. Implications for the nature of more general closed-shell interactions are also briefly discussed.
TL;DR: The structural differences between 7 and 8 and between 9 and 10 indicate the importance of solvents for framework formation of the coordination polymers, and by varying the solvent the cis and trans conformations of H(2)chdc in 9 and10 were separated completely.
Abstract: A series of Pb(II) coordination polymers [Pb(ndc)(dpp)] (1), [Pb(ndc)(ptcp)].0.5 H2O (2), [Pb(ndc)(dppz)] (3), [Pb(ndc)(tcpn)(2)] (4), [Pb2(ndc)2(tcpp)] (5), [Pb(Hndc)2].H2O (6), [Pb(ndc)(dma)] (7), [Pb(bdc)(dma)] (8), [Pb(trans-chdc)(H2O)] (9), and [Pb2(cis-chdc)2].NH(CH3)2 (10), where ndc=1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate, dpp=4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, ptcp=2-phenyl-1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthrene, dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, tcpn=2-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthren-2-yl)naphthol, tcpp=4-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthren-2-yl)phenol, dma=N,N-dimethylacetamide, bdc=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, and chdc=1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, have been synthesized from a hydrothermal or solvothermal reaction system by varying the ligands or the solvents. Compounds 1-5 crystallize with an N-donor chelating ligand and an aromatic dicarboxylate linker. Compounds 1-4 are 1D polymers with different pi-pi stacking interactions, whereas compound 5 consists of 2D layers. The structures of compounds 7, 8, and 10 are 3D frameworks formed by connection of the Pb(II) centers by organic acid ligands. Compound 7 is chiral although the ndc ligand is achiral, while the framework of 8 is a typical 3D (3,4)-connected net. Compound 10 is the first example of Pb(II) wheel cluster [Pb(8)O(8)] units bridged by carboxylate groups. Compound 6 contains 1D chains which are further extended to a 3D structure by pi-pi interactions. Compound 9 consists of a 2D network constructed by Pb(II) centers and trans-chdc ligands. The structural differences between 7 and 8 and between 9 and 10 indicate the importance of solvents for framework formation of the coordination polymers. By varying the solvent the cis and trans conformations of H(2)chdc in 9 and 10 were separated completely. The photoluminescence and nonlinear optical properties of the coordination polymers have also been investigated.
TL;DR: This study reveals that some of the peptide molecules are converted to its corresponding ditryptophan, kynurenine form and some cross-linked products, all of which are highly fluorescent species.
Abstract: Synthetic oligopeptides with a tryptophan residue at the C-terminus have been used for the synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles at pH 11. The tryptophan residue in the peptides is responsible for the reduction of metal ions to the respective metals, possibly through electron transfer. A mechanistic pathway has been proposed to explain the reductive properties of the tryptophan moiety of the peptide based on some spectroscopic techniques, such as UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. This study reveals that some of the peptide molecules are converted to its corresponding ditryptophan, kynurenine form and some cross-linked products, all of which are highly fluorescent species. The resultant peptide-functionalized metal nanoparticles have also been characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and thermogravimatric analysis.
TL;DR: The novel functional electron localizability indicator is a useful tool for investigating chemical bonding in molecules and solids and is shown to be exactly decomposable into partial orbital contributions even though it displays at the single-determinantal level of theory the same topology as the ELF.
Abstract: The novel functional electron localizability indicator is a useful tool for investigating chemical bonding in molecules and solids. In contrast to the traditional electron localization function (ELF), the electron localizability indicator is shown to be exactly decomposable into partial orbital contributions even though it displays at the single-determinantal level of theory the same topology as the ELF. This approach is generally valid for molecules and crystals at either the single-determinantal or the explicitly correlated level of theory. The advantages of the new approach are illustrated for the argon atom, homonuclear dimers N 2 and F 2 , unsaturated hydrocarbons C 2 H 4 and C 6 H 6 , and the transition-metal-containing molecules Sc 2 2+ and TiF 4 .
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the topology of the conjugated rods can dramatically influence the TPA properties, and it becomes possible to optimize the transparency/TPA and fluorescence/ TPA efficiency trade-offs for optical limiting in the red-NIR region (700-900 nm) and for two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy applications, respectively.
Abstract: An extensive series of push-push and pull-pull derivatives was prepared from the symmetrical functionalization of an ambivalent core with conjugated rods made from arylene-vinylene or arylene-ethynylene building blocks, bearing different acceptor or donor end-groups. Their absorption and photoluminescence, as well as their two-photon-absorption (TPA) properties in the near infrared (NIR) region, were systematically investigated to derive structure-property relationships and to lay the guidelines for both spectral tuning and amplification of molecular TPA in the target region. Whatever the nature of the core or of the connectors, push-push systems were found to be more efficient than pull-pull systems, and planarization of the core (fluorene versus biphenyl) always leads to an increase in the TPA cross sections. In contrast, increasing the conjugation length as well as replacement of a phenylene moiety by a thienylene moiety in the conjugated rods did not necessarily lead to increased TPA responses. The present study also demonstrated that the topology of the conjugated rods can dramatically influence the TPA properties. This is of particular interest in terms of molecular engineering for specific applications, as both TPA properties and photoluminescence characteristics can be considerably affected. Thus, it becomes possible to optimize the transparency/TPA and fluorescence/TPA efficiency trade-offs for optical limiting in the red-NIR region (700-900 nm) and for two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF) microscopy applications, respectively.
TL;DR: The hydrothermal reactions of trivacant Keggin A-alpha-XW(9)O(34) polyoxoanions with transition-metal ions in the presence of amines result in eight novel high-nuclear transition- metal-substituted polyoxotungstates.
Abstract: The hydrothermal reactions of trivacant Keggin A-alpha-XW(9)O(34) polyoxoanions (X=P(V)/Si(IV)) with transition-metal ions (Ni(II)/Cu(II)/Fe(II)) in the presence of amines result in eight novel high-nuclear transition-metal-substituted polyoxotungstates [{Ni(7)(mu(3)-OH)(3)O(2)(dap)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))][{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(dap)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))][Ni(dap)(2)(H(2)O)(2)]4.5 H(2)O (1), [Cu(dap)(H(2)O)(3)](2)[{Cu(8)(dap)(4)(H(2)O)(2)}(B-alpha-SiW(9)O(34))(2)]6 H(2)O (2), (enH(2))(3)H(15)[{Fe(II) (1.5)Fe(III) (12)(mu(3)-OH)(12)(mu(4)-PO(4))(4)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(4)]ca.130 H(2)O (3), [{Cu(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(en)(3) (H(2)O)(3)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))]7 H(2)O (4), [{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(en)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))]7 H(2)O (5), [{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(en)(2)(H(2)O)(8)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))]7 H(2)O (6), [{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(dap)(2)(H(2)O)(8)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))] 7 H(2)O (7), and [{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(en)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-SiW(9)O(34))][Ni(0.5)(en)] 3.5 H(2)O (8) (en=ethylenediamine, dap=1,2-diaminopropane). These compounds have been structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, diffuse reflectance spectra, thermogravimatric analysis, and X-ray crystallography. The double-cluster complex of phosphotungstate 1 simultaneously contains hepta- and hexa-Ni(II)-substituted trivacant Keggin units [{Ni(7)(mu(3)-OH)(3)O(2)(dap)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))](2-) and [{Ni(6)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(dap)(3)(H(2)O)(6)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))]. The dimeric silicotungstate 2 is built up from two trivacant Keggin [B-alpha-SiW(9)O(34)](10-) fragments linked by an octa-Cu(II) cluster. The main skeleton of 3 is a tetrameric cluster constructed from four tri-Fe(III)-substituted [Fe(III) (3)(mu(3)-OH)(3)(B-alpha-PW(9) O(34))](3-) Keggin units linked by a central Fe(II) (4)O(4) cubane core and four mu(4)-PO(4) bridges. Complex 4 is an unprecedented three-dimensional extended architecture with hexagonal channels built by hexa-Cu(II) clusters and trivacant Keggin [B-alpha-PW(9)O(34)](9-) fragments. The common feature of 5-8 is that they contain a B-alpha-isomeric trivacant Keggin fragment capped by a hexa-Ni(II) cluster, very similar to the hexa-Ni(II)-substituted trivacant Keggin unit in 1. Magnetic measurements illustrate that 1, 2, and 5 have ferromagnetic couplings within the magnetic metal centers, whereas 3 and 4 reveal the antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within the magnetic metal centers. Moreover, the magnetic behavior of 4 and 5 have been theoretically simulated by the MAGPACK magnetic program package.
TL;DR: The present review summarizes the structural properties of the microporous dipeptides and discusses their potential applications.
Abstract: In the last few years dipeptides with two hydrophobic residues (hydrophobic dipeptides) have emerged as an unexpected source of stable microporous organic materials. Supramolecular self-assembly of the rather small building blocks is dictated by stringent demands on the hydrogen-bond formation by the peptide main chains and the aggregation of hydrophobic entities in the side chains. A systematic survey of structures derived from single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies has revealed the existence of two large classes of structures, differing in the dimensionality of the hydrogen-bonding patterns in the crystals and the nature of the channels. The present review summarizes the structural properties of the microporous dipeptides and discusses their potential applications.
TL;DR: Recent activities regarding the development of molecular sensors that can visualize the presence of nerve agents (and related pesticides) through changes of their fluorescence properties are outlined.
Abstract: Along with biological and nuclear threats, chemical warfare agents are some of the most feared weapons of mass destruction. Compared to nuclear weapons they are relatively easy to access and deploy, which makes them in some aspects a greater threat to national and global security. A particularly hazardous class of chemical warfare agents are the nerve agents. Their rapid and severe effects on human health originate in their ability to block the function of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme that is vital to the central nervous system. This article outlines recent activities regarding the development of molecular sensors that can visualize the presence of nerve agents (and related pesticides) through changes of their fluorescence properties. Three different sensing principles are discussed: enzyme-based sensors, chemically reactive sensors, and supramolecular sensors. Typical examples are presented for each class and different fluorescent sensors for the detection of chemical warfare agents are summarized and compared.
TL;DR: The extended heteroaromatic BTP scaffold should prove useful for the design of responsive foldamer backbones and the preparation of new magnetic and emissive materials.
Abstract: Click chemistry has been uti- lized to access 2,6-bis(1-aryl-1,2,3-tri- Anes (BTPs) as versatile extended heteroaromatic building blocks for their exploitation in supra- molecular chemistry, in particular fol- damer and ligand design. In addition to their high-yielding synthesis using Cu I - catalyzed Huisgen-type 1,3-dipolar cy- cloaddition reactions the formed tri- A moieties constitute an integral part of the BTP framework and encode both its pronounced conformational preferences as well as its chelating abil- ity. A diverse set of symmetrical and non-symmetrical BTPs carrying elec- tron-donating and -withdrawing sub- stituents at both terminal aryl and the central pyridine moieties has efficiently been synthesized and could further- more readily be postfunctionalized with amphiphilic side chains and por- phyrin chromophores. In both solution and solid state, the BTP scaffold adopts a highly conserved horseshoe- like anti-anti conformation. Upon pro- tonation or metal coordination, the BTP scaffold switches to the chelating syn-syn conformation. Iron and europi- um complexes have been prepared, successfully characterized by single- crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and investigated with regard to their spin state and luminescent properties. The extended heteroaromatic BTP scaffold should prove useful for the design of responsive foldamer backbones and the preparation of new magnetic and emis- sive materials.
TL;DR: Specific network connectivity of these MOFs indicates that the metal centers represent the most significant and alterable factor in structural assembly, although they show reliable and similar geometries.
Abstract: To systematically explore the higher-dimensional network structures with mixed connectivity, a series of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with unusual (3,6)-connected net topologies are presented. These crystalline materials include [{[Mn(btza)2(H2O)2].2 H2O}n] (1), [{[Zn(btza)2(H2O)2].2 H2O}n] (2), [{[Cu(btza)2].H2O}n] (3), and [{[Cd(btza)2].3 H2O}n] (4), which have been successfully assembled through a predesigned three-connected organic component bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetate (btza) with a variety of octahedral metal cores based on the modular synthetic methodology. The topological paradigms shown in this work cover the 2D CdCl2, 3D (4(2).6)2(4(4).6(2).8(7).10(2)), and pyrite (pyr) types. That is, when properly treated with the familiar first-row divalent metal ions, btza may perfectly furnish the coordination spheres for effective connectivity to result in diverse (3,6)-connected nets. Beyond this, a detailed analysis of network topology for all known 3D (3,6)-connected frameworks in both inorganic and inorganic-organic hybrid materials is described. Specific network connectivity of these MOFs indicates that the metal centers represent the most significant and alterable factor in structural assembly, although they show reliable and similar geometries. In this context, the combination of the distinct d10 AgI ion with btza in different solvents affords two isomorphous MOFs [{[Ag(btza)].glycol}n] (5) and [{[Ag(btza)]CH3OH}n] (6) with a binodal 4-connected 3D SrAl2 (sra) topology. The network structures of MOFs 1-3 and 5 turn out to be more complicated and interesting if one considers the hydrogen bonding between the host coordination frameworks and the intercalated solvent molecules. Furthermore, the role of the included solvents in the generation and stabilization of MOFs 1-6 is also investigated.
TL;DR: The monodisperse, highly water-soluble, superparamagnetic, and biocompatible magnetite nanocrystals should find immediate important biomedical applications.
Abstract: A high-temperature solution-phase hydrolysis approach has been developed for the synthesis of colloidal magnetite nanocrystals with well-controlled size and size distribution, high crystallinity, and high water solubility. The synthesis was accomplished by the hydrolysis and reduction of iron(III) cations in diethylene glycol with a rapidly injected solution of sodium hydroxide at an elevated temperature. The high reaction temperature allows for control over size and size distribution and yields highly crystalline products. The superior water solubility is achieved by using a polyelectrolyte, that is, poly(acrylic acid) as the capping agent, the carboxylate groups of which partially bind to the nanocrystal surface and partially extend into the surrounding water. The direct synthesis of water-soluble nanocrystals eliminates the need for additional surface modification steps which are usually required for treating hydrophobic nanocrystals produced in nonpolar solvents through the widely recognized pyrolysis route. The abundant carboxylate groups on the nanocrystal surface allow further modifications, such as bioconjugation, as demonstrated by linking cysteamine to the particle surface. The monodisperse, highly water-soluble, superparamagnetic, and biocompatible magnetite nanocrystals should find immediate important biomedical applications.
TL;DR: Very fast, reversible, polyethylene (PE) chain transfer or complex-catalysed "Aufbaureaktion" describes a "living" chain-growing process on a main-group metal or zinc atom; this process is catalysed by an organo-transition-metal or lanthanide complex.
Abstract: Very fast, reversible, polyethylene (PE) chain transfer or complex-catalysed "Aufbaureaktion" describes a "living" chain-growing process on a main-group metal or zinc atom; this process is catalysed by an organo-transition-metal or lanthanide complex. PE chains are transferred very fast between the two metal sites and chain growth takes place through ethylene insertion into the transition-metal- or lanthanide-carbon bond-coordinative chain-transfer polymerisation (CCTP). The transferred chains "rest" at the main-group or zinc centre, at which chain-termination processes like beta-H transfer/elimination are of low significance. Such protocols can be used to synthesise very narrowly distributed PE materials (M(w)/M(n)<1.1 up to a molecular weight of about 4000 g mol(-1)) with differently functionalised end groups. Higher molecular-weight polymers can be obtained with a slightly increased M(w)/M(n), since diffusion control and precipitation of the polymers influences the chain-transfer process. Recently, a few transition-metal- or lanthanide-based catalyst systems that catalyse such a highly reversible chain-growing process have been described. They are summarised and compared within this contribution.
TL;DR: The transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular cycloisomerization of propargylic carboxylates provides functionalized bicyclo[n.1.0]enol esters in a very diastereoselective manner and, depending on the structure, with partial or complete transfer of chirality from enantiomerically pure precursors.
Abstract: The transition-metal-catalyzed intramolecular cycloisomerization of propargylic carboxylates provides functionalized bicyclo[n.1.0]enol esters in a very diastereoselective manner and, depending on the structure, with partial or complete transfer of chirality from enantiomerically pure precursors. The subsequent methanolysis gives bicyclo[n.1.0] ketones, hence resulting in a very efficient two-step protocol for the syntheses of α,β-unsaturated cyclopropyl ketones, key intermediates for the preparation of natural products. The results from mechanistic computational studies suggest that they probably proceed through cyclopropyl metallocarbenoids, formed by endo-cyclopropanation, that undergo a 1,2-acyl migration. Finally, the potential of the intermolecular reaction and the related pentannulation of propargylic esters bearing pendant aromatic rings are also discussed.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the PEPPSI catalyst system is very adept at performing sequential KTC coupling reactions, analogous to multicomponent reactions, which allow complex polyaryl and polyheteroaryl architectures to be produced in one single operation.
Abstract: An easily employed, highly versatile Kumada-Tamao-Corriu (KTC) protocol utilizing the PEPPSI (Pyridine, Enhanced, Precatalyst, Preparation, Stabilization and Initiation) precatalysts 1 and 2 is detailed. The ease-of-use of these catalysts and the synthesis of a wide range of hindered biaryls, large coupling partners and drug-like heterocycles, in high yield, makes the PEPPSI-KTC protocol very attractive. The high reactivity of the PEPPSI system allowed a tetra-ortho-substituted heterocycle, 11 to be synthesized at room temperature for the first time using any protocol. The PEPPSI protocols also tolerated the Boc protecting group and phenols required no protection in modified conditions. A relatively large scale (10 g) reaction was also performed with no loss in performance. Furthermore, PEPPSI-IPr, 1, was compared to previously reported highly active phosphine ligands 42, 43, and 44 and was shown to result in significantly better yields under identical conditions. Finally, we demonstrated that the PEPPSI catalyst system is very adept at performing sequential KTC coupling reactions, analogous to multicomponent reactions, which allow complex polyaryl and polyheteroaryl architectures to be produced in one single operation.
TL;DR: The features of the solid-liquid phase transition were analyzed, namely the glass transition temperature and the heat capacity jump associated with the transition from the non-equilibrium glass to the metastable supercooled liquid.
Abstract: More than 50 ionic liquids were prepared by using imidazolium, quaternary ammonium, and guanidinium cations and various anions. In these series, different cationic structures such as 1-benzyl-3-methylimidazolium [Bzmim]+, 1,3-dibenzylimidazolium [BzmiBz]+, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium [C8mim]+, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium [C10mim]+, tricapryl-methylammonium [Aliquat]+, benzyltriethylammonium [BzTEA]+, phenyltrimethylammonium [PhTMA]+, and dimethyldihexylguanidinium [DMG]+ were combined with anions, p-toluenesulfonate [TSA](-), dicyanoamide [DCA]-, saccharine (2-sulfobenzoic acid imide sodium salt) [SAC]-, trifluoroacetate [TFA]-, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [Tf2N]-, trifluoromethanesulfonate [TfO]-, and thiocyanate [SCN]-. Important physical data for these ionic liquids are collated, namely solubility in common solvents, viscosity, density, melting point and water content. Apart from the viscosity, the Newtonian and non-Newtonian behavior of these ionic liquids is also disclosed. Stability of these ionic liquids under thermal, basic, acidic, nucleophilic, and oxidative conditions was also studied. The features of the solid-liquid phase transition were analyzed, namely the glass transition temperature and the heat capacity jump associated with the transition from the non-equilibrium glass to the metastable supercooled liquid. A degradation temperature of each ionic liquid was also determined. Comparisons of the properties of various ionic liquids were made.
TL;DR: Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass-spectrometric analysis of the filtrate from the reaction mixture of 4-bromonitrobenzene with phenylboronic acid demonstrated that the palladium metal hardly leached into the solution within the limits of the detector, thus suggesting that the present Suzuki-Miyaura reaction proceeded by heterogeneous catalysis.
Abstract: A mild and efficient ligand-free Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction catalyzed by heterogeneous Pd/C was developed. Aryl bromides and triflates undergo the cross-coupling with aryl boronic acids in excellent yields without the presence of any additives in aqueous media at room temperature. Aryl vinyl boronic acids are also applicable to this coupling reaction and provide the trans-stilbene derivatives in high yields. The application of wet-type Pd/C to the coupling reaction was achieved without any loss of activity under aerobic conditions, and the reuse of Pd/C is feasible for a fifth run without significant loss of activity. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) mass-spectrometric analysis of the filtrate from the reaction mixture of 4-bromonitrobenzene with phenylboronic acid demonstrated that the palladium metal hardly leached into the solution within the limits of the detector (<1 ppm), thus suggesting that the present Suzuki-Miyaura reaction proceeded by heterogeneous catalysis.
TL;DR: The electron-donating properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes with 4,4'-R-substituted aryl rings and their respective dihydro ligands were studied to show significantly more cathodic redox potentials and significantly enhanced donating properties.
Abstract: The electron-donating properties of N-heterocyclic carbenes ([N,N'-bis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)imidazol]-2-ylidene and the respective dihydro ligands) with 4,4'-R-substituted aryl rings (4,4'-R=NEt2, OC(12)H(25), Me, H, Br, S(4-tolyl), SO(4-tolyl), SO2(4-tolyl)) were studied. Twelve new N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized as well as the respective iridium complexes [IrCl(cod)(NHC)] and [IrCl(CO)2(NHC)]. Cyclic voltammetry (DeltaE1/2) and IR (nu (CO)) can be used to measure the electron-donating properties of the carbene ligands. Modifying the 4-positions with electron-withdrawing substituents (4-R=-SO(2)Ar, DeltaE1/2=+0.92 V) results in NHC ligands with virtually the same electron-donating capacity as a trialkylphosphine in [IrCl(cod)(PCy3)] (DeltaE1/2 =+0.95 V), while [IrCl(cod)(NHC)] complexes with 4-R=NEt2 (DeltaE1/2= +0.59 V) show drastically more cathodic redox potentials and significantly enhanced donating properties.