Probing the limits of steric constraints in the oligomerization of copper(I) complexes: structures of two sterically congested oligomers

Oligomeric copper(I) clusters are formed by the insertion reaction of copper(I) aryloxides into heterocumulenes. The effect of varying the steric demands of the heterocumulene and the aryloxy group on the nuclearity of the oligomers formed has been probed. Reactions with copper(I)2-methoxyphenoxide and copper(I)2-methylphenoxide with PhNCS result in the formation of hexameric complexes hexakis[N-phenylimino(aryloxy)methanethiolato copper(I)] 3 and 4 respectively. Single crystal X-ray data confirmed the structure of 3. Similar insertion reactions of CS2 with the copper(I) aryloxides formed by 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol and 2,6-dimethylphenol result in oligomeric copper(I) complexes 7 and 8 having the (aryloxy)thioxanthate ligand. Complex 7 was confirmed to be a tetramer from single crystal X-ray crystallography. Reactions carried out with 2-mercaptopyrimidine, which has ligating properties similar to N-alkylimino(aryloxy)methanethiolate, result in the formation of an insoluble polymeric complex 11. The fluorescence spectra of oligomeric complexes are helpful in determining their nuclearity. Ir has been shown that a decrease in the steric requirements of either the heterocumulene or aryloxy parts of the ligand can compensate for steric constraints acid facilitate oligomerization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

GC-MS study of Artabotrys odoratissimus fatty oil (leaves)

GC-MS study of two fatty oil fractions from Artabotrys odoratissimus (leaves) indicated the presence of fifteen compounds namely, nonanoic acid; methyl phenyl propanoate; decanoic acid; diethyl phthalate; dibutyl phthalate; 2 - amino-3-ethyl biphenyl; 5-methyl-9-phenylnonan-3-ol; hexadeca-2,7,11-triene; 2,6-dimethyl-1-phenylhepta-1-one; 2,5-dimethyltetradecahydrophenenthrene; 1-phenylundecane; 1-isopropyl-4,6-dimethyl naphthalene; 5-(2-butyl phenyl)pent-3-en-2-ol; 1-phenyideca-1-one and 1-phenylundecan-1-one. Some of the compounds are rare occurring and biologically active.

Orthometalation in calixarenes: Synthesis and structural characterization of a novel orthopalladated calix[4]arene bisphosphite

The treatment of a symmetrically bridged p-Bu-t-calix[4] arene bisphosphite with PdCl2(NCPh)(2) yields a novel orthopalladated derivative by a C-C bond scission of a t-butyl group attached to an aryl ring. The structure of this orthopalladated calix[4]arene derivative has been established by X-ray crystallography.

Effect of Nature of the Precursor on Crystallinity and Microstructure of MOCVD-Grown ZrO2 Thin Films

In the present work, we report the deposition of zirconia thin films on Si(100) at various substrate temperatures by low-pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). Three different zirconium complexes, viz., tetrakis(2,4-pentadionato)zirconium(IV), [Zr(pd)4], tetrakis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptadionato)zirconium(IV), [Zr(thd)4], and tetrakis(t-butyl-3-oxo-butanoato)zirconium(IV), [Zr(tbob)4] are used as precursors. The relationship between the molecular structures of the precursors and their thermal properties, as examined by TG/DTA is presented. The films deposited using these precursors have distinctly different morphology, though all of them are of the cubic phase. The films grown from Zr(thd)4 are well crystallized, showing faceted growth at 575°C, whereas the films grown from Zr(pd)4 and Zr(tbob)4 are not well crystallized, and display cracks. These differences in the observed microstructure may be attributed to the different chemical decomposition pathways of the precursors during the film growth, which influence the nucleation and the growth processes. This is also evidenced by the different kinetics of growth from these three precursors under otherwise identical CVD conditions. The details of thin film deposition, and film microstructure analysis by XRD and SEM is presented. The dielectric behavior of the films deposited from different precursors, as studied by C-V measurements, are compared.

Cyclometalated complexes derived from calix[4] arene bisphosphites and their catalytic applications in cross-coupling reactions

Palladium and platinum dichloride complexes of a series of symmetrically and unsymmetrically substituted 25,26;27,28-dibridged p-tert-butyl-calix[4]arene bisphosphites in which two proximal phenolic oxygen atoms of p-tert-butyl-or p-H-calix[4]arene are connected to a P(OR) ( R = substituted phenyl) moiety have been synthesized. The palladium dichloride complexes of calix[4]arene bisphosphites bearing sterically bulky aryl substituents undergo cyclometalation by C-C or C-H bond scission. An example of cycloplatinated complex is also reported. The complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopic and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. During crystallization of the palladium dichloride complex of a symmetrically substituted calix[4]arene bisphosphite in dichloromethane, insertion of oxygen occurs into the Pd-P bond to give a P,O-coordinated palladium dichloride complex. The calix[4]arene framework in these bisphosphites and their metal complexes adopt distorted cone conformation; the cone conformation is more flattened in the metal complexes than in the free calix[4]arene bisphosphites. Some of these cyclometalated complexes proved to be active catalysts for Heck and Suzuki C-C cross-coupling reactions but, on an average, the yields are only modest. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Complexes of rare-earth perchlorates with ditbutyl amides of di, tri and tetraglycolic acids

New complexes of lanthanide perchlorates with di-t-butyl amides of di, tri and tetraglycolic acids have been synthesised. The complexes have the general formula Ln(DiGA)3(ClO4)3; Ln(TriGA)2 (ClO4)3 and Ln(TetGA)2 (C1O4)3, where Ln = La-Yb and Y and DiGA = N,N′, di-t-butyl diglycolamide, TriGA N,N′, di-t-butyl triglycolamide and TetGA = N,N′ di-t-butyl tetraglycolamide, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by analysis, electrolytic conductance, infrared,1H and13C nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic spectral data.Infrared spectra indicate the coordination of all the available ether oxygens and the amide carbonyls in each of the ligands, to the metal ions. IR and conductance data show that the perchlorate groups in all the complexes are ionic.1H and13C NMR data support the IR data regarding the mode of coordination of ligands to the metal ions. Electronic spectral shapes have been interpreted in terms of nine, eight and ten coordination in DiGA, TriGA and TetGA complexes respectively.

Iodine-Catalyzed Amination of Benzoxazoles: A Metal-Free Route to 2-Aminobenzoxazoles under Mild Conditions

A facile metal-free route of oxidative amination of benzoxazole by activation of C-H bonds with secondary or primary amines in the presence of catalytic iodine in aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide proceeds smoothly at ambient temperature under neat reaction condition to furnish the high yield of the aminated product. This user-friendly method to form C-N bonds produces tertiary butanol and water as the byproduct, which are environmentally benign. The application of the methodology is demonsrated by synthesizing therapeutically active benzoxazoles.

Utilizing an ionic liquid for synthesizing a soft matter polymer ``gel'' electrolyte for high rate capability lithium-ion batteries

A cross-linked polymer ``gel'' electrolyte obtained from free radical polymerization of a vinyl monomer (acrylonitrile; AN) in a room temperature ionic liquid electrolyte (N,N-methyl butyl pyrrolidinium-bis (trifluoromethanesulphonyl)imide-lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulphonyl) imide;LiTFSI-[Py(1,4)-TFSI]) for application in high rate capability rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is discussed here. This is a novel alternative compared to the often employed approach of using a molecular liquid as the medium for performing the polymerization reaction. The polymer ``gel'' electrolytes (AN:Py(1,4)-TFSI = 0.16-0.18, w/w) showed remarkable compliable mechanical strength and higher thermal stability compared to LiTFSI-[Py(1,4)-TFSI]. Despite two orders increase in magnitude of viscosity of polymer ``gels'', the room temperature ionic conductivity of the ``gels'' (1.1 x 10(-3)-1.7 x 10(-3) Omega(-1) cm(-1)) were nearly identical to that of the ionic liquid (1.8 x 10(-3) Omega(-1) cm(-1)). The present ``gel'' electrolytes did not exhibit any ageing effects on ionic conductivity similar to the conventional polymer gel electrolytes (e.g. high molecular weight polymer + salt + high dielectric constant molecular solvent). The disorder (ionic liquid) to a relative order (cross-linked polymer electrolyte) transformation does not at all influence the concentration of conducting species. The polymer framework is still able to provide efficient pathways for fast ion transport. Unlike the ionic liquid which is impossible to assemble without a conventional separator in a cell, the polymer ``gel'' electrolyte could be conveniently assembled without a separator in a Li vertical bar lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO(4)) cell. Compared to the ionic liquid, the ``gel'' electrolyte showed exceptional cyclability and rate capability (current density: 35-760 mA g(-1) with LiFePO(4) electronically wired with carbon (amorphous or multiwalled nanotube [MWCNT]).

Crystal packing and melting temperatures of small oxalate esters: the role of C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonding

The simple dialkyl oxalates are generally liquids at room temperature except for dimethyl and di-tert-butyl oxalate which melt at 327 and 343 K. The crystal structures of diethyl, di-iso-propyl, di-n-butyl, di-tert-butyl and methyl ethyl oxalates were determined. The liquid esters were crystallized using the cryocrystallization technique. A comparison of the intermolecular interactions and packing features in these crystal structures was carried out. The crystal structure of dimethyl oxalate was redetermined at various temperatures. The other compounds were also studied at several temperatures in order to assess the attractive nature of the hydrogen bonds therein. A number of moderate to well defined C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions account for the higher melting points of the two solid esters. Additionally, a diminished entropic contribution Delta S(m) in di-tert-butyl oxalate possibly increases the melting point of this compound further.

Dimethyl sulfoxide induced structural transformations and non-monotonic concentration dependence of conformational fluctuation around active site of lysozyme

Experimental studies have observed significant changes in both structure and function of lysozyme (and other proteins) on addition of a small amount of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in aqueous solution. Our atomistic molecular dynamic simulations of lysozyme in water-DMSO reveal the following sequence of changes on increasing DMSO concentration. (i) At the initial stage (around 5% DMSO concentration) protein's conformational flexibility gets markedly suppressed. From study of radial distribution functions, we attribute this to the preferential solvation of exposed protein hydrophobic residues by the methyl groups of DMSO. (ii) In the next stage (10-15% DMSO concentration range), lysozome partially unfolds accompanied by an increase both in fluctuation and in exposed protein surface area. (iii) Between 15-20% concentration ranges, both conformational fluctuation and solvent accessible protein surface area suddenly decrease again indicating the formation of an intermediate collapse state. These results are in good agreement with near-UV circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence studies. We explain this apparently surprising behavior in terms of a structural transformation which involves clustering among the methyl groups of DMSO. (iv) Beyond 20% concentration of DMSO, the protein starts its final sojourn towards the unfolding state with further increase in conformational fluctuation and loss in native contacts. Most importantly, analysis of contact map and fluctuation near the active site reveal that both partial unfolding and conformational fluctuations are centered mostly on the hydrophobic core of active site of lysozyme. Our results could offer a general explanation and universal picture of the anomalous behavior of protein structure-function observed in the presence of cosolvents (DMSO, ethanol, tertiary butyl alcohol, dioxane) at their low concentrations. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3694268]

Tertiary amine-based glutathione peroxidase mimics: some insights into the role of steric and electronic effects on antioxidant activity

In this work, several tertiary amine-based diaryl diselenides were synthesized and evaluated for their glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-like antioxidant activities using hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide and cumene hydroperoxide as substrates and thiophenol (PhSH) and glutathione (GSH) as co-substrates. A comparison of the GPx-like activity of 4-methoxy-substituted N,N-dialkylbenzylamine-based diselenides with that of the corresponding 6-methoxy-substituted compounds indicates that the activity highly depends on the position of the methoxy substituent. Although the methoxy group at 4- and 6-position alters the electronic properties of selenium, the substitution at the 6-position provides the required steric protection for some of the key intermediates in the catalytic cycle. A detailed experimental and theoretical investigation reveals that the 6-methoxy substituent prevents the undesired thiol exchange reactions at the selenium centers in the selenenyl sulfide intermediates. The 6-methoxy substituent also prevents the formation of seleninic and selenonic acids. When PhSH is used as the thiol co-substrate, the 4-methoxy-substituted diselenides exhibit GPx-like activity similar to that of the parent compounds as the 4-methoxy substituent does not block the selenium center in the selenenyl sulfide intermediates from thiol exchange reactions. In contrast, the 4-methoxy substituent significantly enhances the GPx-like activity of the diselenides when glutathione (GSH) is used as the co-substrate. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Air oxygenation chemistry of 4-TBC catalyzed by chloro bridged dinuclear copper(II) complexes of pyrazole based tridentate ligands: synthesis, structure, magnetic and computational studies

Four dinuclear bis(mu-Cl) bridged copper(II) complexes, Cu-2(mu-Cl)(2)(L-X)(2)](ClO4)(2) (L-X = N,N-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazole-1-yl)-methyl]benzylamine with X = H(1), OMe(2), Me(3) and Cl(4)), have been synthesized and characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. In these complexes, each copper(II) center is penta-coordinated with square-pyramidal geometry. In addition to the tridentate L-X ligand, a chloride ion occupies the last position of the square plane. This chloride ion is also bonded to the neighboring Cu(II) site in its axial position forming an SP-I dinuclear Cu(II) unit that exhibits small intramolecular ferromagnetic interactions and supported by DFT calculations. The complexes 1-3 exhibit methylmonooxygenase (pMMO) behaviour and oxidise 4-tert-butylcatechol (4-TBCH2) with molecular oxygen in MeOH or MeCN to 4-tert-butyl-benzoquinone (4-TBQ), 5-methoxy-4-tert-butyl-benzoquinone (5-MeO-4-TBQ) as the major products along with 6,6'-Bu-t-biphenyl-3,4,3',4'-tetraol and others as minor products. These are further confirmed by ESI- and FAB-mass analyses. A tentative catalytic cycle has been framed based on the mass spectral analysis of the products and DFT calculations on individual intermediates that are energetically feasible.

Synthesis of substituted nitroolefins: a copper catalyzed nitrodecarboxylation of unsaturated carboxylic acids

A novel, mild and convenient method for the nitrodecarboxylation of substituted cinnamic acid derivatives to their nitroolefins is achieved using a catalytic amount of CuCl (10 mol%) and tert-butyl nitrite (2 equiv.) as a nitrating agent in the presence of air. This reaction provides a useful method for the synthesis of beta,beta-disubstituted nitroolefin derivatives, which are generally difficult to access from other conventional methods. Additionally, this reaction is selective as the E-isomer of the acid derivatives furnishes the corresponding E-nitroolefins. One more salient feature of the method is, unlike other methods, no metal nitrates or HNO3 are employed for the transformation.

Molecular structures and antiproliferative activity of side-chain saturated and homologated analogs of 2-chloro-3-(n-alkylamino)-1,4-napthoquinone

Side chain homologated derivatives of 2-chloro-3-(n-alkylamino)-1,4-naphthoquinone {n-alkyl: pentyl; L-5, hexyl; L-6, heptyl; L-7 and octyl; L-8} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, H-1 NMR, UV-visible spectroscopy and LC-MS. Compounds, L-4, n-alkyl: butyl; L-4}, L-6 and L-8 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The single crystal X-ray structures reveal that L-4 and L-8 crystallizes in P2(1) space group, while L-6 in P2(1)/c space group. Molecules of L-4 and L-8 from polymeric chains through C-H center dot center dot center dot O and N-H center dot center dot center dot O close contacts. L-6 is a dimer formed by N-H center dot center dot center dot O interaction. Slipped pi-pi stacking interactions are observed between quinonoid and benzenoid rings of L-4 and L-8. Orientations of alkyl group in L-4 and L-8 is on same side of the chain and polymeric chains run opposite to one another to form zip like structure to the alkyl groups. Antiproliferative activities of L-1 to L-8{n-alkyl: methyl; L-1, ethyl; L-2, propyl; L-3 and butyl; L-4} were studied in cancer cells of colon (COLO205), brain (U87MG) and pancreas (MIAPaCa2) where L-1, L-2 and L-3 were active in MIAPaCa2 (L-1 = 1-2 > L-3) and COLO205 (L-2 = L-3 > L-1) and inactive in U87MG. From antiproliferative studies with compounds L-1 to L-8 it can be concluded that homologation of 2-chloro-3-(n-alkylamino)-1,4-napthoquinone with saturated methyl groups yielded tissue specific compounds such as L-2 (for MIAPaCa2) and L-3 (for COLO205) with optimal activity. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alkyl chain substituted 1,9-pyrazoloanthrones exhibit prominent inhibitory effect on c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)

N-Alkyl substituted pyrazoloanthrone derivatives were synthesized, characterized and tested for their in vitro inhibitory activity over c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Among the tested molecules, a few derivatives showed significant inhibitory activity against JNK with minimal off-target effect on other mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) family members such as MEK1/2 and MKK3,6. These results suggested that N-alkyl (propyl and butyl) bearing pyrazoloanthrone scaffolds provide promising therapeutic inhibitors for JNK in regulating inflammation associated disorders.