Enhanced Templating in the Crystallisation of Poly(E-caprolactone) Using 1,3:2,4-di(4-Chlorobenzylidene) Sorbitol

We show that small quantities of 1,3:2,4-di(4-chlorobenzylidene) sorbitol dispersed in poly(epsilon-caprolactone) provide a very effective self-assembling nanoscale framework which, with a flow field, yields extremely high levels of polymer crystal orientation. During modest shear flow of the polymer melt, the additive forms highly extended nano-particles which adopt a preferred alignment with respect to the flow field. On cooling, polymer crystallisation is directed by these particles. This chloro substituted dibenzylidene sorbitol is considerably more effective at directing the crystal growth of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) than the unsubstituted compound.

The ν2, 2ν2, 3ν2, ν4 and ν2+ν4 bands of 15NH3

The ir absorption of gaseous 15NH3 between 510 and 3040 cm−1 was recorded with a resolution of 0.06 cm−1. The ν2, 2ν2, 3ν2, ν4, and ν2 + ν4 bands were measured and analyzed on the basis of the vibration-rotation Hamiltonian developed by V. Špirko, J. M. R. Stone, and D. Papoušek (J. Mol. Spectrosc. 60, 159–178 (1976)). A set of effective molecular parameters for the ν2 = 1, 2, 3 states was derived, which reproduced the transition frequencies within the accuracy of the experimental measurements. For ν4 and ν2 + ν4 bands the standard deviation of the calculated spectrum is about four times larger than the measurements accuracy: a similar result was found for ν4 in 14NH3 by Š. Urban et al. (J. Mol. Spectrosc. 79, 455–495 (1980)). This result suggests that the present treatment takes into account only the most significant part of the rovibration interaction in the doubly degenerate vibrational states of ammonia.

Ultrafast excited state dynamics controlling photochemical isomerization of N-methyl-4-[trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium coordinated to a {Re-1(CO)(3)(2,2 '-bipyridine)} chromophore

Two Multifunctional photoactive complexes [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)-(MeDpe(+))(2)](2+) and [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) (MeDpe(+) = N-methyl-4-[trans-2-(4-pyridyl)ethenyl]pyridinium, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) were synthesized. characterized. and their redox and photonic properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry: ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV/Vis/IR) spectroelectrochemistry, stationary UV/Vis and resonance Raman spectroscopy; photolysis; picosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy in the visible and infrared regions: and time-resolved resonance Raman spectroscopy. The first reduction step of either complex Occurs at about -1.1 V versus Fc/Fc(+) and is localized at MeDpe(+). Reduction alone does not induce a trans -> cis isomerization of MeDpe(+). [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDPe(+))(2)](2+) is photostable, while [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) and free MeDpe(+) isomerize under near-UV irradiation. The lowest excited state of [Re(Cl)(CO)(3)(MeDPe(+))(2)](2+) has been identified as the Re(Cl)(CO)(3) -> MeDpe(+) (MLCT)-M-3 (MLCT = metal-to-ligand charge transfer), decaying directly to the ground state with lifetimes of approximate to 42 (73%) and approximate to 430ps (27%). Optical excitation of [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) leads to population of Re(CO)(3) -> MeDpe(+) and Re(CO)(3) -> bpy (MLCT)-M-3 states, from which a MeDpe(+) localized intraligand 3 pi pi* excited state ((IL)-I-3) is populated with lifetimes of approximate to 0.6 and approximate to 10 ps, respectively. The 3IL state undergoes a approximate to 21 ps internal rotation, which eventually produces the cis isomer on a much longer timescale. The different excited-state behavior of the two complexes and the absence of thermodynamically favorable interligand electron transfer in excited [Re(MeDpe(+))(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) reflect the fine energetic balance between excited states of different orbital origin, which can be tuned by subtle Structural variations. The complex [Re(MeDpe+)(CO)(3)(bpy)](2+) emerges as a prototypical, multifunctional species with complementary redox and photonic behavior.

Azide 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions to N-propynoyl and N-propenoyl (5R)-5-phenylmorpholin-2-one: diastereocontrolled aziridine formation

N-Propynoyl (5R)-5-phenylmorpholin-2-one undergoes nonregioselective cycloaddition with aromatic azides to furnish mixtures of the corresponding triazoles, whereas N-propenoyl (5R)-5-phenylmorpholin-2-one reacts to furnish the corresponding diastereoisomerically pure aziridines in moderate to good yields, presumably via the intermediate triazolines.

trans-[Ru-III(N-N)(2)Cl-2](+) species, where N-N is bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane

Using bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane as an N-N donor ligand, a trans-[Ru-III(N-N)(2)Cl-2](+) core has been isolated from the direct reaction of the ligand with RuCl3 center dot xH(2)O and characterized structurally for the. first time. The core displays a rhombic EPR spectrum and a quasireversible Ru(II/III) couple with an E-1/2 of -0.34 V versus NHE. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

endo-Selective (3+2) cycloaddition polymerizations of nitrone monomers with olefins utilising high pressure conditions

A high pressure mediated (3+2) cycloaddition polymerization strategy has been employed to afford linear poly(isoxazolidine) architectures. Under these high pressure conditions this cycloaddition process was found to afford primarily endoheterocycles which when translated to the polymerization should ultimately affect the tacticity and resultant properties of the polymer. The stereoselectivity occurred as a result of a lower volume of activation for the endo-transition state and the application of a 'type-I' regime (HOMODipole-LUMODipolarophile) cycloaddition process that features secondary orbital interactions within the extended molecular orbitals. A variety of linker segments were employed in an attempt to affect the physical properties of the polymeric cycloadducts such as T-g and solubility in order to tailor these materials for use in coating applications. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Photochemical, photophysical and redox properties of novel fulgimide derivatives with attached 2,2 '-bipyridine (bpy) and [M(bpy)(3)](2+) (M = Ru and Os) moieties

Fulgimides monosubstituted with [M(bpy)(3)](2+) (M = Ru, Os; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) chromophore units and with a single bpy group were synthesized and investigated as components of conceivable dinuclear photochromic switches of luminescence. The E-, Z- and closed-ring (C) photoisomer forms of the bpy-bound fulgimide were successfully separated by semi-preparative HPLC. The same procedure failed, however, in the case of the [M(bpy)(3)](2+)-substituted fulgimides. Energy transfer from the excited photochromic unit to the metal-bpy centre competes with the fulgimide cyclization, reducing the photocyclization quantum yields by approximately one order of magnitude compared to the non-complexed fulgimide-bpy ligand (phi(EC) = 0.17, phi(EZ) = 0.071, phi(ZE) = 0.15 at lambda(exc) = 334 nm). The cycloreversion of the fulgimide-bpy ligand is less efficient (phi(CE) = 0.047 at lambda(exc) = 520 nm). The intensity of the (MLCT)-M-3-based luminescence of the metal-bpy chromophore (in MeCN, phi(deaer) = 6.6 x 10(-2) and tau(deaer) = 1.09 mu s for Ru; phi(deaer) = 6.7 x 10(-3) and tau(deaer) = 62 ns for Os) is not affected by the fulgimide photoconversion. These results and supporting spectro-electrochemical data reveal that the lowest triplet excited states of the photochromic fulgimide moiety in all its E-, Z- and closed-ring forms lie above the lowest 3MLCT levels of the attached ruthenium and osmium chromophores. The actual components are therefore unlikely to form a triad acting as functional switch of energy transfer from [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) to [Os(bpy)(3)](2+) through the photochromic fulgimide bridge.

The synthesis and characterisation of two new iron thioantimonates: [Fe(en)(3)](2)Sb2S5 center dot 0.55H(2)O and [Fe(en)(3)](2)Sb4S8

Two new iron thioantimonates, [Fe(en)(3)](2)Sb2S5 (.) 0.55H(2)O (1) and [Fe(en)(3)](2)Sb4S8 (2). were synthesised under solvothermal conditions from the reactions of Sb2S3, FeCl2 and S in the presence of ethylenediamine at 413 and 438 K, respectively. The products were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis and SQUID magnetometry. Compound 1 is unusual in containing isolated Sb2S54- anions formed from two corner-sharing SbS33- trigonal pyramids. These units are arranged in rippled layers, 4 A apart, parallel to the bc-plane. Octahedrally coordinated [Fe(en)(3)](2+) cations lie in depressions within these anionic layers. In compound (2), repeated corner linking of SbS33- trigonal pyramids generates SbS2- chains, which may be considered as a polymerised form of the Sb2S54- anions in 1. The SbS2- chains are separated by [Fe(en)(3)](2+) cations. In both compounds, there is an extensive network of hydrogen bonds between the nitrogen atoms of the ethylenediamine ligands and the sulfur atoms of the anions and, in the case of 1, the uncoordinated water molecule. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structure dependent rearrangement of the cyclopropylmethyl cation - isolation of a bicyclo[3.2.0]heptene

Access to 7-allyl substituted norbornene derivatives for tandem olefin metathesis via cationic rearrangement of cyclopropylmethanol substituted norbornenes is shown to be structure dependent. In some cases products that arise from cationic rearrangement of a cyclopropylmethyl cation are furnished. Thionyl chloride is shown to be superior to silica for inducing the desired rearrangement. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Molecular structures and electronic transitions of 3,6-Diphenyl-1,2-dithiin and its radical cation: a spectroelectrochemical and DFT study

One-electron oxidation of 3,6-diphenyl-1,2-dithiin yields the corresponding radical cation. The product is stable at low temperatures and can be distinguished by a triplet EPR signal. Cyclic voltammetric, UV-vis spectroelectrochemical, and DFT studies were performed to elucidate its molecular structure and electronic properties. Time-dependent DFT calculations reproduce appreciably well the UV-vis spectral changes observed during the oxidation. The results reveal a moderately twisted structure of the 1,2-dithiin heterocycle in the radical cation.

Strongly nucleophilic RhI centre in square-planar complexes with terdentate (κ3) 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ligands: crystallographic, electrochemical and density functional theoretical studies

Rh-I-terpyridine complexes have been unambiguously formed for the first time. The 2,21:6',2"-terpyridine (tpy), 4'-chloro-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (4'-Cl-tpy) and 4'-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl-ortho-carboranyl)-2,2':6',2"-terpyridine (carboranyl-tpy) ligands were used for successful syntheses and characterisation of the corresponding Rh-I complexes with halide coligands, [Rh(X)(4'-Y-terpyridine)] (X = Cl, Y = H, Cl, carboranyl; X = Br, Y = H). All four neutral Rh-tpy complexes are square planar, with Rh-X bonds in the plane of the 4'-Y-terpyridine ligands. Full characterisation of these dark blue, highly air-sensitive compounds was hampered by their poor solubility in various organic solvents. This is mainly due to the formation of pi-stacked aggregates, as evidenced by the crystal structure of [Rh(Cl)(tpy)]; in addition, [Rh(Cl)(carboranyl-tpy)] merely forms discrete dimers. The (bonding) properties of the novel Rh-I-terpyridine complexes have been studied with single-crystal X-ray diffraction, (time-dependent) density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations, far-infrared spectroscopy, electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. From DFT calculations, the HOMO of the studied Rh-I-terpyridine complexes involves predominantly the metal centre, while the LUMO resides on the terpyridine ligand. Absorption bands of the studied complexes in the visible region (400-900 nm) can be assigned to MLCT and MLCT/XLCT transitions. The relatively low oxidation potentials of [Rh(X)(tpy)] (X = Cl, Br) point to a high electron density on the metal centre. This makes the Rh-I-terpyridine complexes strongly nucleophilic and (potentially) highly reactive towards various (small) substrate molecules containing carbon-halide bonds.

Effects of the Allosteric Antagonist 1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-3-[3-(6-pyrrolidin-1-ylpyridin-2-yl)phenyl]urea (PSNCBAM-1) on CB1 Receptor Modulation in the Cerebellum

PSNCBAM-1 has recently been described as a cannabinoid CB1 receptor allosteric antagonist associated with hypophagic effects in vivo; however, PSNCBAM-1 effects on CB1 ligand-mediated modulation of neuronal excitability remain unknown. Here, we investigate PSNCBAM-1 actions on CB1 receptor-stimulated [35S]GTPγS binding in cerebellar membranes and on CB1 ligand modulation of presynaptic CB1 receptors at inhibitory interneurone-Purkinje cell (IN-PC) synapses in the cerebellum using whole-cell electrophysiology. PSNCBAM-1 caused non-competitive antagonism in [35S]GTPγS binding studies, with higher potency against the CB receptor agonist CP55940 than for WIN55,212-2 (WIN55). In electrophysiological studies, WIN55 and CP55940 reduced miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) frequency, but not amplitude. PSNCBAM-1 application alone had no effect on mIPSCs; however, PSNCBAM-1 pre-treatment revealed agonist-dependent functional antagonism, abolishing CP55940-induced reductions in mIPSC frequency, but having no clear effect on WIN55 actions. The CB1 antagonist/inverse agonist AM251 increased mIPSC frequency beyond control, this effect was reversed by PSNCBAM-1. PSNCBAM-1 pre-treatment also attenuated AM251 effects. Thus, PSNCBAM-1 reduced CB1 receptor ligand functional efficacy in the cerebellum. The differential effect of PSNCBAM-1 on CP55940 versus WIN55 actions in [35S]GTPγS binding and electrophysiological studies and the attenuation of AM251 effects are consistent with the ligand-dependency associated with allosteric modulation. These data provide the first description of functional PSNCBAM-1 allosteric antagonist effects on neuronal excitability in the mammalian CNS. PSNCBAM-1 allosteric antagonism may provide viable therapeutic alternatives to orthosteric CB1 antagonists/inverse agonists in the treatment of CNS disease.

The anions [(ZrOH(CO3)3)2]6− and [(ZrOH(C2O4)3)2]6−: single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the complexes guanidinium zirconium carbonate [(C(NH2)3)3ZrOH(CO3)3·H2O]2 and sodium zirconium oxalate Na6(ZrOH(C2O4)3)2·7H2O

The complex [(C(NH2)3)3ZrOH(CO3)3·H2O]2 (A) has been shown by means of a single crystal X-ray diffraction study to contain [C(NH2)3]+ cations and dimeric anions of formulation [(ZrOH(CO3)3)2]6−. The anion is centrosymmetric with each metal being bonded to two bridging OH groups and three chelating CO2−3 ions. The Zr atoms are thus eight coordinate with a dodecahedral environments. The ZrO distances formed by the bridgng OH groups are shorter than those formed through zirconiu carbonate interactions. The non-bonded Zr…Zr distance is 3.47(2) Å. An infrared spectroscopic investigation of A provides data which support the findings of the crystallographic study. Likewise the complex Na6(ZrOH(CO2O4)3)2·7H2O (B) contains the anion [(ZrOH(C2O4)3)2]6−. This anion is structurally related to the anion in A as each Zr atom has an eight-coordinate dodecahedral environment being bonded to two bridging OH groups and three chelating oxalate ligands, but has no imposed crysallographic symmetry. The Zr…Zr non-bonded distance is 3.50(1) Å. The OZrO bridge angles are 69.7(4)° and A and 67.4(3)° in B.

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and catalytic activity of the manganese(II) complex [Mn(bdoa)(H2O)3](bdoaH2 =benzene-1,2-dioxyacetic acid)

Benzene-1,2-dioxyacetic acid (bdoaH2) reacts with Mn(CH3CO2)2·4H2O in an ethanol-water mixture to give the manganese(II) complex [Mn(bdoa)(H2O)3]. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex shows the metal to be pseudo seven-coordinate. The quadridentate bdoa2− dicar☐ylate ligand forms an essentially planar girdle around the metal, being strongly bondedtransoid by a car☐ylate oxygen atom from each of the two car☐ylate moieties (mean MnO 2.199A˚) and also weakly chelated by the two internal ether oxygen atoms (mean MnO 2.413A˚). The coordination sphere about the manganese is completed by three water molecules (mean MnO 2.146A˚) lying in a meridional plane orthogonal to that of the bdoa2− ligand. Magnetic, conductivity and voltammetry data for the complex are given, and its use as a catalyst for the disproportionisation of H2O2 is described.

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the copper(I) dicarboxylic acid complex [Cu(η1-bdoaH)(PPh3)3] (bdoaH2 = benzene-1,2- dioxyacetic acid)

The copper(II) complex [Cu(bdoa)(H2O)2] (bdoaH2 = benzene-1,2-dioxyacetic acid) reacts with triphenylphosphine (1:4 mol ratio) to give the colourless copper(I) complex [Cu(η1-bdoaH)(PPh3)3] (1) in good yield. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex shows the copper atom at the centre of a distorted tetrahedron, and is ligated by the phosphorus atoms of the three triphenylphosphines and one carboxylate oxygen atom of the bdoaH− ligand. Significant intermolecular hydrogen-bonding exists between the pendant carboxylate OH function of one molecule and the uncoordinated “ketonic” oxygen of a neighbouring molecule. Complex 1 is non-conducting in chloroform but ionizes readily in acetonitrile. The cyclic voltammogram of an acetonitrile solution of 1 shows a single irreversible anodic peak for the oxidation of the PPh3 ligands and the copper(I) centre, and a single irreversible cathodic peak for the reduction of the bdoaH− ion. IR and mass spectral data for 1 are given.