Phosphorescence quantum yield enhanced by intermolecular hydrogen bonds in Cu4I4 clusters in the solid state

Organo-copper(I) halide complexes with a Cu4I4 cubane core and cyclic amines as ligands have been synthesized and their crystal structures have been defined. Their solid state photophysical properties have been measured and correlated with the crystal structure and packing. A unique and remarkably high luminescence quantum yield (76%) has been measured for one of the complexes having the cubane clusters arranged in a columnar structure and held together by N–HI hydrogen bonds. This high luminescence quantum yield is correlated with a slow radiationless deactivation rate of the excited state and suggests a rather strong enhancement of the cubane core rigidity bestowed by the hydrogen bond pattern. Some preliminary thin film deposition experiments show that these compounds could be considered to be good candidates for applications in electroluminescent devices because of their bright luminescence, low cost and relatively easy synthesis processes

Hybrid materials through linkage of chalcogenide tetrahedral clusters

Tetrahedral chalcogenide clusters, with their well-defined molecular structures and interesting properties, are attractive building blocks for hybrid materials, in which porosity may be integrated with electronic or optical properties. Linkage of tetrahedral clusters often occurs through bridging chalcogenolate ligands, and results in extended structures of inorganic connectivity. However, linkage of tetrahedral clusters via organic ligands is also possible and a number of coordination polymers have already been reported. Recent advances on the synthesis and crystal structures of extended hybrid structures based on tetrahedral clusters are described here.

Organically-functionalised supertetrahedra as building blocks for hybrid materials

The crystal structures of gallium sulfides prepared under solvothermal conditions, using 4-picoline as a solvent, are described. These materials contain [Ga10S16(NC6H7)4]2− clusters, in which the terminal S2− anions have been replaced by covalently bonded 4-picoline molecules. Whilst these phases contain isolated supertetrahedral clusters separated by organic moieties, linkage of such clusters via organic ligands is possible under suitable reaction conditions. These organically-functionalised supertetrahedra could therefore be used to design novel Metal-Organic frameworks (MOFs) in which the normally-encountered metal centers are replaced by supertetrahedral clusters.

Molecular insights of p47phox phosphorylation dynamics in the regulation of NADPH oxidase activation and superoxide production

Phagocyte superoxide production by a multicomponent NADPH oxidase is important in host defense against microbial invasion. However inappropriate NADPH oxidase activation causes inflammation. Endothelial cells express NADPH oxidase and endothelial oxidative stress due to prolonged NADPH oxidase activation predisposes many diseases. Discovering the mechanism of NADPH oxidase activation is essential for developing novel treatment of these diseases. The p47phox is a key regulatory subunit of NADPH oxidase; however, due to the lack of full protein structural information, the mechanistic insight of p47phox phosphorylation in NADPH oxidase activation remains incomplete. Based on crystal structures of three functional domains, we generated a computational structural model of the full p47phox protein. Using a combination of in silico phosphorylation, molecular dynamics simulation and protein/protein docking, we discovered that the C-terminal tail of p47phox is critical for stabilizing its autoinhibited structure. Ser-379 phosphorylation disrupts H-bonds that link the C-terminal tail to the autoinhibitory region (AIR) and the tandem Src homology 3 (SH3) domains, allowing the AIR to undergo phosphorylation to expose the SH3 pocket for p22phox binding. These findings were confirmed by site-directed mutagenesis and gene transfection of p47phox_/_ coronary microvascular cells. Compared with wild-type p47phoxcDNAtransfected cells, the single mutation of S379A completely blocked p47phox membrane translocation, binding to p22phox and endothelial O2 . production in response to acute stimulation of PKC. p47phox C-terminal tail plays a key role in stabilizing intramolecular interactions at rest. Ser-379 phosphorylation is a molecular switch which initiates p47phox conformational changes and NADPH oxidase-dependent superoxide production by cells.

Metal cluster expansion by addition of low valent group 14 reagents: III. Reaction of bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]tin with M3(CO)12 or its derivatives (M = Fe, Ru, or Os): the crystal and molecular structures of M3(μ-SnR2)2(CO)10(R = CH(SiMe3)2; M = Ru or Os)

The stannylene [SnR2] (R = CH(SiMe3)2) reacts in different ways with the three dodecacarbonyls of the iron triad: [Fe3(CO)12] gives [Fe2(CO)8(μ-SnR2)], [Ru3(CO)12] gives the planar pentametallic cluster [Ru3(CO)10(μ-SnR2)2], for which a full structural analysis is reported, while [Os3(CO)12] fails to react. Different products are also obtained from three nitrile derivatives: [Fe3-(CO)11(MeCN)] gives [Fe2(CO)6(μ-SnR2)2], which has a structure significantly different from that of known Fe2Sn2 clusters, [Ru3(CO)10(MeCN)2] gives the pentametallic cluster described above, while [Os3(CO)10(MeCN)2] gives the isostructural osmium analogue, which shows the unusual feature of a CO group bridging two osmium atoms.

Synthesis, properties, and X-ray crystal and molecular structures of homoleptic alkenyls of tin and chromium

Reaction of Li(CPhCMe2) with SnCl4 or CrCl3·3thf (thf = tetrahydrofuran) affords the isoleptic compounds Sn(CPhCMe2)4 or [Cr(CPhCMe2)4] respectively. The mode of formation and chemical properties are reported for the chromium species, and the structures of the new compounds, both of which have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, are described.

Sterically hindered metal alkenyls. Part 1. Synthesis, reactions, and crystal and molecular structures of some palladium and platinum σ-alkenyls

The compounds trans-[PtBr{C(C10H15)CH2}(PEt3)2](1)(C10H15= adamant-1-yl), trans-[MBr{C(C10H7)CMe2}(PEt3)2][M = Pd (2) or Pt (3); C10H7= naphth-1-yl], and trans-[MBr{C(Ph)CMe2}(PEt3)2][M = Pd (4) or Pt (5)] have been prepared from Grignard [for (2) and (3)] or lithium reagents [for (1), (4), and (5)] and appropriate dichlorobis(phosphine)metal derivatives. Full single-crystal X-ray data are reported for (1) and (3), and reveal unusually long Pt–C(sp2) bonds. Insertion reactions into these M–C bonds occur with MeNC [for (1), (3), and (5)], and with CO [for (1) and (3)]; the latter, the first reported insertion into a Pt–C(sp2) bond, occurs under mild conditions as expected for the abnormally long M–C bonds.

Nickel(II) complexes of tetradentate NSNO pyridylthioazophenol ligands: synthesis, characterization and crystal structure

Two sets of nickel(11) complexes of a series of tetradentate NSNO ligands were synthesized and isolated in their pure form. All these complexes, formulated as [Ni(L)Cl](2) and [Ni(L)(N-3)](2) [HL = pyridylthioazophenols], were characterized using physicochemical and spectroscopic tools. The solid-state structures of two complexes (1a and 2a) were established by X-ray crystallography. The geometry about the nickel ion of the complexes is octahedral and the complexes are dimeric in nature. In 1, two Ni(II) ions are bridged by two Cl- anions while in 2 they are bridged by two azide ions in a mu-1,1-bridging fashion. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and crystal structure of a 3-D zinc phosphate, [C5N2H14][Zn-2(PO3(OH))(3)], containing (4.8) net sheets

A new 3-D zinc phosphate, [C5N2H14][Zn-2(PO3(OH))(3)], has been synthesised under solvothermal conditions in the presence of 1-methylpiperazine. The structure, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 293 K (RMM = 520.9, orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1); a = 10.0517(2) &ANGS;, b = 10.4293(2) &ANGS; and c = 14.9050(5) &ANGS;; V = 1562.52 &ANGS;(3); Z = 4; R(F) = 2.60%, wR(F) = 2.93%), consists of vertex linked ZnO4 and PO3(OH) tetrahedra assembled into (4.8) net sheets which in turn are linked through further PO3(OH) units to generate a 3-D framework. 1-Methylpiperazinium cations reside within the 3-D channel system, held in place by a strong network of hydrogen bonds. The (4.8) net sheets occur in a number of zeolite structures e.g. ABW and GIS and related zinc phosphate phases. © 2004 Academie des sciences. Published by Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.

Ordering on multiple lengthscales in a series of side group liquid crystal block copolymers containing a cholesteryl-based mesogen

Hierarchical ordering in a side group liquid crystal block copolymer is investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering (SAXS and SANS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A series of block copolymers with a range of compositions was prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization, comprising a polystyrene block and a poly(methyl methacrylate) block bearing chiral cholesteryl mesogens. Smectic ordering is observed as well as microphase separation of the block copolymer. Lamellar structures were observed for far larger volume fractions than for coil-coil copolymers (up to a volume fraction of liquid crystal block, f(LC) = 0.8). A sample with f(LC) = 0.86 exhibited a hexagonal-packed cylinder morphology, as confirmed by SAXS and TEM. The matrix comprised the liquid crystal block, with the mesogens forming smectic layers. For the liquid crystal homopolymer and samples with high f(LC), a smectic-smectic phase transition was observed below the clearing point. At low temperature, the smectic phase comprises coexisting domains with monolayer S-A,S-1 coexisting with interdigitated S-A,S-d domains. At high temperature a SA,1 phase is observed. This is the only structure observed for samples with lower f(LC). These unprecedented results point to the influence of block copolymer microphase separation on the smectic ordering.

Extraction and coordination studies of the unexplored bifunctional ligand carbamoyl methyl sulfoxide (CMSO) with uranium(VI) and cerium(III) nitrates. Synthesis and structures of [UO2(NO3)(2)((PhSOCH2CONBu2)-Bu-i)] and [Ce(NO3)(3)(PhSOCH2CONBu2)(2)]

The bifunctional carbamoyl methyl sulfoxide ligands, PhCH2SOCH2CONHPh (L-1), PhCH2SOCH2CONHCH2Ph (L-2), (PhSOCH2CONPr2)-Pr-i (L-3), PhSOCH2CONBu2 (L-4), (PhSOCH2CONBu2)-Bu-i (L-5) and PhSOCH2CON(C8H17)(2) (L-6) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The selected coordination chemistry of L-1, L-3, L-4 and L-5 with [UO2(NO3)(2)] and [Ce(NO3)(3)] has been evaluated. The structures of the compounds [UO2(NO3)(2)((PhSOCH2CONBu2)-Bu-i)] (10) and [Ce(NO3)(3)(PhSOCH2CONBu2)(2)] (12) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Preliminary extraction studies of ligand L-6 with U(VI), Pu(IV) and Am(III) in tracer level showed an appreciable extraction for U(VI) and Pu(IV) in up to 10 M HNO3 but not for Am(III). Thermal studies on compounds 8 and 10 in air revealed that the ligands can be destroyed completely on incineration. The electron spray mass spectra of compounds 8 and 10 in acetone show that extensive ligand distribution reactions occur in solution to give a mixture of products with ligand to metal ratios of 1 : 1 and 2 : 1. However, 10 retains its solid state structure in CH2Cl2.

Coordination and separation studies of the uranyl ion with iso-butyramide based ligands: Synthesis and structures of [UO2(NO3)(2)((C3H7CON)-C-i{(C4H9)-C-i}(2))(2)] and [UO2(C6H5COCHCOC6H5)(2)((C3H7CON)-C-i{(C3H7)-C-i}(2))]

The coordination chemistry of iso-butyramide based ligands such as: (C3H7CON)-C-i((C3H7)-C-i)(2), (C3H7CON)-C-i(C4H9)(2) and (C3H7CON)-C-i((C4H9)-C-i)(2) with [UO2(NO3)(2) center dot 6H(2)O], [UO2(OO)(2) center dot 2H(2)O] {where OO = C4H3SCOCHCCCF3 (TTA), C6H5COCHCOCF3 (BTA) and C6H5COCHCOC6H5 (DBM)), [Th(NO3)(4) center dot 6H(2)O] and [La(NO3)(3) center dot 6H(2)O] has been evaluated. Structures for the compounds [UO2(NO3)(2)CC3H7CON{(C4H9)-C-i}(2))(2)] and [UO2(C6H5COCHCOC6H5)(2)((C3H7CON)-C-i{(C3H7)-C-i)(2))] have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Preliminary separation studies from nitric acid medium using the amide (C3H7CON)-C-i((C4H9)-C-i)(2) with U(VI), Th(IV) and La(Ill) ions showed the selective precipitation of uranyl ion from the mixture. Thermal study of the compound [UO2(NO3)(2)((C3H7CON)-C-i((C4H9)-C-i)(2))(2)] in air revealed that the ligands can be destroyed completely on incineration. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.