Synthesis and crystal structure of the MgCl2(CH3COOC2H5)2· (CH3COOC2H5) adduct

The reaction of α-MgCl₂ with boiling ethyl acetate affords MgCI₂(CH₃COOC₂H₅)₂· (CH₃COOC₂H₅), which is obtained as crystals suitable for X-ray analysis only from the mother liquor. M=315.5, orthorhombic, space group P2₁22₁ (No. 18), a=25.077(3), b=8.616(1), c=7.345(1) Å, V=1587.0(3) ų, Z=4, D_x=1.32 g cm⁻³,λ A(Mo Kα)=0.71069 Å, μ=4.17 cm⁻¹, F(000)=664, T=298 K, observed reflections: 1667, R=0.059 and R_w=0.069. The structure is composed of polymeric chains of MgCl₂(CH₃COOC₂H₅₎₂ and the ethyl acetate molecules occupy a mutually trans position.     

Synthesis of bent titanocene metalloligands with the (diphenylphosphino)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl moiety. X-ray structure of [(η-C5Me4 2)2TiCl2]Mo(CO)4

The reactions of lithium(diphenylphosphino)tetramethylcyclopentadienide with CpTiCl₃ and secondly with TiCl₃ followed by CCl₄ oxidation lead to the formation of two titanocene phosphines: (η⁵-C₅H₅)[η⁵-C₅Me₄P(C₆H₅)₂]TiCl₂ (2) and [η⁵-C₅Me₄P(C₆H₅)₂]₂TiCl₂ (3), respectively. The metalloligand 3 reacts readily with Mo(CO)₄cod, Mo(CO)₅THF and Mo(CO)₆ to give in each case [(η⁵-C₅Me₄ o(CO)₄ (6) as a sole product. The structure of 6 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystal data: P , a = 11.716(1), b = 11.753(2), c = 16.110(2) Å, α = 99.06(1), β = 92.61(1), γ = 104.20(1)°, Z = 2. The molybdenum-titanium distance of 5.194(1) Å rules out any metal-metal interaction. The chlorine substitution reactions by CO in 2 and 3 and by thiolate group (pH₃C-C₆H₄-S) in 16 are reported.     

The X-ray structure analysis of bis-2,2′,N,N′-bipyridyl ketone cobalt(III) nitrate dihydrate

An X-ray structural analysis of bis-2,2′,N,N′-bipyridyl ketone cobalt(III) nitrate dihydrate, CoC₂₂H₂₀N₄O₄⁺· NO₃⁻·2H₂O,M_r=559.38 g/mol, P , a=8.862(2), b=16.195(3), c=8.772(2) Å, α=103.54(2), β=95.74(3), γ=105.07°, V=1164.4(4) ų, Z=2, D_x=1.595 g/cm³, Mo Kα radiation (λ=0.71073 Å), μ=7.8 cm⁻¹ and R=0.079, revealed a Co(III) cation in a slightly distorted octahedral environment. The structure reveals that the ligand di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk) has undergone a hydration reaction across the ketone double bond and one of the hydrate oxygen atoms coordinated to the metal forming a tridentate chelate. This new Co(dpk-hydrate)₂⁺ complex displays the least distorted geometry yet reported for either 1:1 or 1:2 (metal:ligand) complexes. A geometry optimization using the INDO model Hamiltonian as implemented in the program ZINDO was performed on the title complex with the Co³⁺ modeled as a singlet. The result of the computation corroborates the geometry of the title complex as that expected for Co³⁺.     

Characterization of galactomannans isolated from legume endosperms of Caesalpinioideae and Faboideae subfamilies by multidetection aqueous SEC

Galactomannans isolated from legume seed endosperms, including those of commercial interest, have been characterized by multidetection aqueous SEC. Galactomannans derived from seeds of the Faboideae subfamily had substantially higher M_w than those from Caesalpinioideae seeds (M_w,Fab = 2.4–3.1 × 10⁶ g/mol, M_w,Caes. = 0.86–2.1 × 10⁶ g/mol) and within the latter botanical subfamily, an apparent correlation between M_w and the degree of galactose substitution DG was found. The molar mass distributions were unimodal and differed primarily by a scale factor, with distributional widths narrower than a true Flory ‘most-probable distribution’; good fits to Schulz–Zimm model were obtained. Across subfamilies no differences were found in the exponents of [η]–M and R_v–M relationships (0.61 ± 0.02, 0.54 ± 0.01, respectively), the Flory chain stiffness ratio (C_∞ = 20 ± 1 (BSF analysis)), or the persistence length (L_p = 5.5 ± 0.2 nm) obtained from SEC fraction data. However, it was found that prefactors in the [η]–M and R_v–M relationships as well as the unperturbed parameter K_Θ decrease in proportion to DG and therefore chain density. Generalized relationships incorporating galactose-dependent prefactors were therefore developed to model SEC fraction data of native galactomannans ([η]_GM = (1800 ± 200) × M_o^−1.61 × M^0.61±0.02, R_v,GM = 0.63 ± 0.05 × M_o^−0.54 × M^0.54±0.01) as well as lower-M fractions obtained by ultrasonication ([η]_GM = (730 ± 100) × M_o^−1.71 × M_w^0.71±0.02, R_v,GM = 0.49 ± 0.05 × M_o^−0.57 × M_w^0.57±0.01, M ≈ 1 × 10⁵-native). As a consequence of this dependence and the observed patterns in molar mass variation, [η] varies within a narrow range for galactomannans as a whole despite substantial M_w differences.     

Structures, dynamic behaviour in solution and cross-coupling reactions of the α-palladiated (η-alkylarene)tricarbonylchromium complexes containing a palladium-chromium bond

Structures of the complexes (η³-C₃H₅)Pd(μ-η^6:1-CH₂PhCr(CO)₃ and (η³-C₃H₅)Pd[μ-η^6:1-CH(Ph)Ph]Cr(CO)₃ in solution were evaluated by NMR (¹H and ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy. The dynamic behaviour of the complexes was investigated. Quick rotation (on the NMR time scale) of the tricarbonylchromium groups around the axis passing through the centre of the η⁶-coordinated phenyl ring and the chromium atom takes place at room temperature and becomes slow on cooling. The η³-allylic ligand was proved to undergo no dynamic changes in solution. Unlike the solid state, the semi-bridging carbonyl groups between chromium and palladium atoms are absent or very weak in solution. Cross-coupling reactions of the complexes with organohalides are described.     

Conformation of (2→1)-β-d-fructan in aqueous solution

The conformation and dilute solution properties of (2→1)-β-d-fructan in aqueous solution were studied by gel permeation chromatography, low-angle laser light-scattering photometry, viscometry, small-angle X-ray scattering and electron microscopy. Fractions covering a broad range of weight-average molecular weights (M_w) from 1.49 × 10⁴ to 5.29 × 10⁶ were obtained from a native sample by ultrasonic degradation and fractional precipitation. For M_w < 4 × 10⁴, the intrinsic viscosity [η] varies with M_w^0.71, indicating that the fructan chain behaves as a random coil expanded by an excluded-volume effect in this molecular weight region. For M_w > 10⁵, [η] exhibits an unusually weak dependence on M_w and finally becomes almost independent of molecular weight. This behaviour is interpreted in terms of a globular conformation of the high-molecular-weight fructan molecules. Small-angle X-ray-scattering measurements and electron microscopic observations support this interpretation of the values of [η] observed.     

Reactions of ‘GaI’ with organometallic transition metal halides

Two approaches towards the synthesis of phosphine ligated half-sandwich complexes [(η^x-C_xH_x)M(PR₃)₂GaI₂]_n containing diiodogallyl ligands have been investigated. Insertion of ‘GaI’ into the Mo-I bond of (η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂I has been shown to yield the crystallographically characterized dimeric complex [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂]₂ (2). Attempts to substitute the carbonyl ligands by the phosphine ligand dppe [dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] have been shown instead to yield the sparingly soluble complex [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂]₂(μ-dppe) (3) in which the phosphine bridges two [(η⁷-C₇H₇)Mo(CO)₂GaI₂] units via a pair of P → Ga donor/acceptor bonds. By contrast, attempts to insert ‘GaI’ directly into the metal-halogen bond of phosphine ligated complexes such as (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂Cl or (η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(dppe)Cl have been shown to result in the formation of the tetraiodogallate species(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(PPh₃)₂(μ-I)GaI₃ (5) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(dppe)]⁺[GaI₄]⁻ (7).     

Kinetic analyses for bindings of concanavalin A to dispersed and condensed mannose surfaces on a quartz crystal microbalance

A biotinylated mannotriose (Man3-bio) was dispersively immobilized in the matrix of biotinylated lactose (Gal-Glc-bio) on a streptavidin-covered, 27-MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and binding kinetics of concanavalin A (Con A) to Man3-bio in the Gal-Glc-bio matrix could be obtained from frequency decreases (mass increases) of the QCM. Association constants (K_a) and binding and dissociation rate constants (k_on and k_off) could be determined separately as the 1:1 and 1:2 bindings of Con A to Man3-bio on the surface. When Man3-bio was immobilized with content of 1 to 5 mol% in the matrix, the 1:1 binding of Con A to Man3-bio was obtained as K_a = (4 ± 1) × 10⁶ M⁻¹, k_on = (4 ± 1) × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_off = (12 ± 2) × 10^–3 s⁻¹. On the contrary, when Man3-bio was immobilized with content of 20 to 100 mol% in the matrix, the 1:2 binding of Con A to Man3-bio was obtained as K_a = (14 ± 2) × 10⁶ M⁻¹, k_on = (14 ± 2) × 10⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, and k_off = (7 ± 2) × 10^–3 s⁻¹. Thus, K_a for the 1:2 binding was 10 times larger than that for the 1:1 binding, with a three times larger binding rate constant (k_on) and a three times smaller dissociation rate constant (k_off). This is the first example to obtain separate kinetic parameters for the 1:1 and 1:2 bindings of lectins to carbohydrates on the surface.     

Prediction of peak occurrence of Dendrolimus punctatus larvae based on Bayes discriminant method

To improve the accuracy of forecasting the peak occurrence of Dendrolimus punctatus Walker, we here used the Bayes discriminant analysis to predict this peak occurrence for the first and second generation of Dendrolimus punctatus larvae based on these data from 1983 to 2016 in Qianshan County, Anhui Province. Our present results showed that this discriminant equation for the first generation was as follows: f⁽¹⁾ = ?3.2588‐6.2700x₁ + 1.2870x₂ + 0.7920x₃ + 0.4152x₄; f⁽²⁾ = ?14.5215‐8.5710x₁ + 2.9790x₂ + 2.0280x₃ + 0.5031x₄; f⁽³⁾ = ?3.5264; f⁽⁴⁾ = ?66.8312‐12.5216x₁ + 5.1740x₂ + 4.7162x₃ + 0.6033x₄. And that the prediction accuracy for the first generation was 97.22%. Whilst this discriminant equation for the second generation was as follows: f⁽¹⁾ = ?3.536‐1.192x₅ + 1.338x₆ + 0.638x_7?0.025x₈; f⁽²⁾ = ?7.317‐1.337x₅ + 4.240x₆ + 1.010x_7?0.295x₈; f⁽³⁾ = ?16.488‐3.192x₅ + 4.955x₆ + 1.900x₇–0.411x₈; f⁽⁴⁾ = ?34.502‐4.184x₅ + 7.484x₆ + 2.583x₇–0.443x₈. The prediction accuracy for the second generation was 85.71%. Overall, our findings revealed that the Bayes discriminant analysis could screen out key factors to significantly improve the prediction accuracy of peak occurrence of Dendrolimus punctatus larvae.     

A spectroscopic model for the high pH form of sulfite oxidase

The syntheses and spectroscopic properties of two monomeric oxo-Mo(V) complexes [NMe₄][MoO(SC₆H₄---CH=N---C₆H₄O)(SAr)₂] (Ar=Ph (2a), PhCH₃ (2b)) exhibiting a novel S₃NO coordination site are described. The EPR parameters of the Mo(V) complexes are almost identical with the parameters for the high pH form of sulfite oxidase, allowing further predictions for the unknown coordination site of the molybdenum cofactor in such molybdenum-containing enzymes. The Mo(V) compounds react with water to form a μ-oxo-bridged Mo(V) dimer, which is readily oxidized by oxygen to give the monomeric dioxo-Mo(VI) complex MoO₂(SC₆H₄---CH=N---C₆H₄O)(sol) (4) (sol=acetonitrile; dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)). The structure of 4 has been determined by X-ray crystallography (space group P (No. 2), a=7.855(4), b=9.530(3), c=11.676(6) Å, α=103.96(3), β=99.03(3), γ=100.73(3)°, V=814.5 ų, ρ_calc=1.79 g cm⁻³, Z=2, R(F)=0.026, R(wF)=0.026). The geometry about the molybdenum is distorted octahedral, with two terminal oxo groups cis to each other.     

Effect of microwave irradiation on the molecular and structural properties of hyaluronan

Hyaluronan (Na⁺ salt of hyaluronic acid, HA) was extensively depolymerised by HCl-catalyzed hydrolysis at pH 3 for up to 500 min under temperature-controlled microwave irradiation. The effects of microwave heating on the hydrodynamic properties of the polysaccharide were determined by SEC-MALLS and viscometry. The weight-average molecular mass (M_w) of HA decreased from 1.44 × 10⁶ to 5000, reaching the region of higher oligosaccharides. The scission of HA chains was found to proceed randomly during the whole degradation process. Treatment of the M_w and intrinsic viscosity data according to the Mark–Houwink equation, [η] = k × M_w^α suggested three relationships with α₁ = 0.46 for M_w > 500,000, α₂ = 0.84 for M_w between 500,000 and 50,000, and α₃ = 1.13 for M_w < 50,000. The results revealed that HA with M_w > 10,000 adopts a stiffish coil conformation in solution. As monitored by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopic techniques, the primary structure of the HA chains was maintained during the microwave-assisted hydrolysis at pH 3 at 105 °C. At reaction times larger than 240 min, uv spectroscopy suggested the depolymerisation of HA was accompanied by formation of by-products produced by side reaction.     

Physicochemical properties and antitumor activities for sulfated derivatives of lentinan

Five fractions of lentinan, a β-(1→3)-d-glucan bearing β-(1→6)-d-glucopyranosyl branches, were treated with chlorosulfonic acid for 90 min at 60 °C in pyridine medium to synthesize water-soluble sulfated derivatives having the substitution degree of 1.44–1.76. The ¹³C NMR spectra of the sulfated β-glucans indicated that the C-6 position was preferentially substituted by the sulfate groups. The values of the weight-average molecular weight (M_w), radius of gyration (), and intrinsic viscosity ([η]) of the sulfated lentinan fractions were determined by size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle laser light scattering (SEC–MALLS) and viscometry in 0.15 M aq NaCl at 25 °C, respectively. The dependence of [η] on M_w for the sulfated lentinan was found to be [η] = 8.93 × 10⁻³ (mL/g) in 0.15 M aq NaCl (for M_w ranging from 14.6 × 10⁴ to 50.4 × 10⁴). On the basis of the Yamakawa–Fujii–Yoshizaki (YFY) theory, the conformational parameters of the sulfated lentinan were calculated as 950 nm⁻¹ for the molar mass per unit contour length (M_L), 4.8 nm for the persistence length (q), and 13.9 for the characteristic ratio (C_∞), indicating relatively extended single flexible chains in solution. The sulfated glucan fractions exhibited in vitro antiproliferative activities against sarcoma 180 (S-180) cells, and their inhibition ratios were lower than that of the triple-helix lentinan, but higher than that for the one with single random-coil lentinan chains.     

Synthesis and magnetic properties of bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2 ′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] squarate. Crystal structure of bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] squarate tetrahydrate

The compound [Cu₂(bipy)₂(OH)₂](C₄O₄)·5.5H₂O, where bipy and C₄O₄²⁻ correspond to 2,2′-bipyridyl and squarate (dianion of 3,4-dihydroxy-3-cyclo- butene-1,3-dione) respectively, has been synthesized. Its magnetic properties have been investigated in the 2–300 K temperature range. The ground state is a spin-triplet state, with a singlet-triplet separation of 145 cm⁻¹. The EPR powder spectrum confirms the nature of the ground state.Well-formed single crystals of the tetrahydrate, [Cu₂(bipy)₂(OH)₂](C₄O₄)·4H₂O, were grown from aqueous solutions and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The system is triclinic, space group P , with a = 9.022(2), b = 9.040(2), c = 8.409(2) Å, α = 103.51(2), β = 103.42(3), γ = 103.37(2)°, V = 642.9(3) ų, Z = 1, D_x = 1.699 g cm⁻³, μ(Mo Kα) = 17.208 cm⁻¹, F(000) = 336 and T= 295 K. A total of 2251 data were collected over the range 1θ25°; of these, 1993 (independent and with I3σ(I)) were used in the structural analysis. The final R and R_w residuals were 0.034 and 0.038 respectively. The structure contains squarato-O¹, O³-bridged bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] units forming zigzag one-dimensional chains. Each copper atom is in a square-pyramidal environment with the two nitrogen atoms of 2,2′-bipyridyl and the two oxygen atoms of the hydroxo groups building the basal plane and another oxygen atom of the squarate lying in the apical position.The magnetic properties are discussed in the light of spectral and structural data and compared with the reported ones for other bis(μ-hydroxo)bis[(2,2′-bipyridyl)copper(II)] complexes.     

Trinuclear iridium and rhodium complexes: the solution to a puzzle involving the multiple coordination possibilities of 1,8-naphthyridine-2-one ligands

The multiple coordination possibilities of 1,8-naphthyridine-2-one (HOnapy) and 5,7-dimethyl-1,8-napthyridine-2-one (HOMe₂napy) ligands allow the synthesis of a variety of tri- di- and mononuclear complexes, showing fluxional behaviour and frequent exchange of the coordinated ML₂ fragments. Thus, reactions of [M₂(μ-OMe)₂(cod)₂] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with HOnapy and HOMe₂napy yield the compounds of the general formula [M(μ-OR₂napy) (cod)]_n (M = Ir, R = Me (1a, 1b, H (2); M = Rh, R = Me (3a, 3b). They crystallise as inconvertible yellow (a) and purple/orange (b) forms and also show a puzzling behaviour in solution. X-ray diffraction studies on both forms (3a, 3b) and spectroscopic data reveal that the yellow forms are mononuclear complexes whilst the dark-coloured crystals contain dinuclear complexes. In solution, the nuclearity of the complexes depends on the solvent. In addition both types of complexes are fluxional. The mixed-ligand complexes [M₂(μ-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)] M = Ir (5), Rh (6) have been isolated and characterised; they are found to be intermediates in the synthesis of the trinuclear complexes [M₃(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]⁺ M = Rh (8), Ir (9). Reactions of [IrCl(CO)₂(NH₂-p-tolyl] with the complexes [Rh(μ-OR₂napy)(diolefin)]_n followed by addition of a poor donor anion is a general one-pot synthesis for the hetertrinuclear complexes [Rh₂Ir(μ₃-OR₂napy)₂(CO)₂(diolefin)₂]⁺ (R=Me, DIOLEFIN = cod (10), tetrafluorobenzo-barrelene (tfbb) (11), 2,5-norbornadiene (nbd) (12); R=H, DIOLEFIN=cod (13)). This synthesis follows a stepwise mechanism from the mononuclear to the trinuclear complexes in which mixed-ligand heterodinuclear complexes are involved as intermediates of the type [(diolefin)Rh(μ-OMe₂napy)₂Ir(CO)₂]. Heteronuclear complexes which possess the core [RhIr₂]³⁺, such as [RhIr₂(μ₃-OR₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]BF₄ (R=Me (14), H (15)), result from the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Rh(CO)₂S_x]⁺ (S = solvent). The trinuclear complexes undergo two chemically reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The chemical oxidation of 10, 14 and 9 with silver salts gives the mixed-valence trinuclear radicals [Rh₂Ir(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]²⁺ (16), [RhIr₂(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]²⁺ (17) and [Ir₃(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]²⁺ (18), which have been isolated as the perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate salts. The EPR spectrum of 16 indicates that the unpaired electron is essentially in an orbital delocalised on the metals. The molecular structures of the complexes 3a, 3b, 6, 10b and 16a are described. Crystals of 3a are triclinic, P-1, with a = 9.7393(2), b = 14.0148(4), c = 16.0607(4) Å, α = 88.122(3), β = 83.924(3), γ = 87.038(3)°, Z = 4; 3b crystallises in the Pna2_i orthorhhombic space group, with a = 16.7541(3), B = 11.7500(8), c = 17.7508(7) Å, Z = 4; complex 6 is packed in the monoclinic space group P2_i/c, a = 9.6371(1), b = 11.8054(4), c = 27.2010(9) Å, β = 90.556(4)°, Z = 4; crystals of 10b are monoclinic, P2₁/n, with a = 17.546(7), b = 13.232(6), c = 17.437(8) Å, β = 106.18(1)°, Z = 4; crystals of 16a are triclinic, P-1, with a = 10.318(4), b = 12.562(6), C = 19.308(8) Å, α = 92.12(8), β = 97.65(9), γ = 90.68(5)°, Z = 2. The five different structures show the coordination versatility of the OMe₂napy molecule as ligand, which behaves as a N,N′-chelating (3a), bidentate N,O-donor (3b, 6), or as a tridentate N,N′,O-donor bridging ligand (10b, 16a).     

N-Acetylhexosamine triad in one molecule: Chemoenzymatic introduction of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-galactopyranosyluronic acid residue into a complex oligosaccharide

A complex trisaccharide β-d-GalpNAcA-(1 → 4)-β-d-GlcpNAc-(1 → 4)-d-ManpNAc (3) was prepared in a good yield (35%) in a transglycosylation reaction catalyzed by β-N-acetylhexosaminidase from Talaromyces flavus using p-nitrophenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-galacto-hexodialdo-1,5-pyranoside (1) as a donor followed by the in situ oxidation of the aldehyde functionality by NaClO₂. The disaccharide β-d-GlcpNAc-(1 → 4)-d-ManpNAc (2) was used as galactosyl acceptor. A disaccharide β-d-GalpNAcA-(1 → 4)-d-GlcpNAc (4; 39%) originated as a by-product in the reaction. Oligosaccharides comprising a carboxy moiety at C-6 are shown to be very efficient ligands to natural killer cell activation receptors, particularly to human receptor CD69. Thus, oxidized trisaccharide 3 is the best-known oligosaccharidic ligand to this receptor, with IC₅₀ = 2.5 × 10⁻⁹ M. The presented method of introducing a β-d-GalpNAcA moiety into carbohydrate structures is versatile and can be applied in the synthesis of other complex oligosaccharides.     

Binuclear complexes of a new hexadentate macrocyclic ligand. The crystal and molecular structure of [LCu2(CH3CO2)2](ClO4)2·5H2O

The 30-membered hexaaza macrocylic ligand, L (L=3,7,11,18,22,26-hexaazatricyclo-[26.2.2.2^13,16]tetratriaconta-1(31),13(33),14,16(34),28(32),29-hexaene), is capable of forming binuclear complexes with the divalent transition metal ions Ni, Cu and Zn. The two metal ions are bound by the two dipropylenetriamine units of the macrocycle. Extra coordination sites on the metal ions can be occupied by exogenous ligands such as acetate, chloride and thiocyanate. The crystal structure of one of the di-copper complexes is described: [LCu₂(CH₃CO₂)₂](ClO₄)₂·5H₂O crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14), with a=9.369(2), b=17.644(3), c= 27.466(3) Å, β=92.90(1)°, U=4534.7 ų and Z=4. The Cu1···Cu2 separation is 8.40(3) Å. The access for potential exogenous bridging ligands, to the cavity between the copper ions, is somewhat restricted by the two phenyl units of the macrocycle which appear almost parallel in the structure. The redox potential of the couple L(Cu²⁺)₂/L(Cu⁺)₂, recorded by cyclic voltammetry for the chloride adduct, [LCu₂Cl₂]Cl₂·5H₂O, is −0.061 V versus SCE in DMF.     

Density functional theory study of model complexes for the revised nitrate reductase active site in Desulfovibrio desulfuricans NapA

[Mo(SSCH₃)(S₂C₂(CH₃)₂)₂] ^x complexes with charges x between −3 and +3 were investigated by density functional theory computations as minimal nitrate reductase active-site models. The strongly reduced species (x = −2, −3) exist preferentially as pentacoordinate sulfo complexes separated from a thiolate anion. The oxidized extremes (x > 0) clearly prefer hexacoordinate complexes with an η²-MeSS ligand. Among the neutral and especially for the singly negatively charged species structures with η²-MeSS and η¹-MeSS ligands are energetically close to the sulfo methyl sulfide complex without SS bonding. For x = −1 the three isomers lie in a 1.5 kcal mol⁻¹ energy range. Putative mechanistic pathways for nitrate reduction from the literature were investigated computationally: (1) reduction at a pentacoordinate sulfo complex, (2) reduction at the ligand, and (3) reduction at the molybdenum center with an R–S–S ligand. All three pathways could be traced at least for some overall charges but no definite conclusion can be drawn about the mechanism. Complexes with larger dithiolato ligands were also computed in order to model the tricyclic metallopterin framework more accurately: the first heterocyclus (5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran) stabilizes the nitrate complex and the molybdenum oxo product complex by approximately 10 kcal mol⁻¹ and also reduces the activation barrier (by approximately 5 kcal mol⁻¹). The effect of the second (1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrazin) and third heterocyclus (2-amino-3H-pyrimidin-4-one) on the relative energies is relatively small. For bigger models derived from an experimental protein structure, nitrate reduction at a persulfo molybdenum(IV) complex fragment (mechanism 3) is clearly favored over the oxidation of a molybdenum-bound sulfur atom (mechanism 2). Mechanism 1 could not be investigated for the big models but seems the least favorable on the basis of the results from smaller models.     

Crystal structures of cyclomaltohexaose (α-cyclodextrin) complexes with p-chlorophenol and p-cresol

Crystal structures of cyclomaltohexaose (α-cyclodextrin) complexes with p-chlorophenol and p-cresol have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The space group of the α-cyclodextrin–p-chlorophenol complex is P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell dimensions of a=15.299(3), b=24.795(5), c=13.447(5) Å, and that of the α-cyclodextrin–p-cresol complex is P2₁ with unit cell dimensions of a=7.927(7), b=13.568(7), c=24.54(1) Å, β=90.41(8)°. In spite of the similar structures of guest molecules, both complexes have different inclusion modes and packing structures.     

Solution structure investigations of olefin Pd(II) and Pt(II) complex ion pairs bearing α-diimine ligands by F, H-HOESY NMR

Complexes [M(η¹,η²-C₈H₁₂OMe)((2,6-(R)₂---C₆H₃)N=C(R′)---C(R′)=N((2,6-(R)₂---C₆H₃))]PF₆ (where M=Pd, R=H and R′₂=Me₂ (1), M=Pd, R=Me and R′₂=Me₂ (2), M=Pd, R=Et and R′₂=Me₂ (3), M=Pd, R=iPr and R′₂=Me₂ (4), M=Pd, R=iPr and R′₂=An (5), M=Pt, R=iPr and R′₂=An (6)) were synthesized by the reaction of [M(η¹,η²-C₈H₁₂OMe)Cl]₂ with the appropriate α-diimine ligand in the presence of NH₄PF₆. Their ion pair structure in solution was investigated by detecting dipolar interactions between protons belonging to the cation and fluorine nuclei of the anion (interionic contacts) in the ¹⁹F, ¹H-HOESY NMR spectra. In complexes 1–4, the anion in solution is located close to the peripheral protons of the α-diimine ligand and it interacts with the R′ protons and with the R protons that point toward the R′ groups. The steric protection of apical position exerted by the R substituents is clearly illustrated by the absence of interionic contacts between any protons of the cycloctenylmethoxy-moiety and the anion for R≥Me in 1–4. In complexes 5 and 6 the interactions between the anion and the peripheral N,N protons also predominate but other anion–cation orientations are significantly present and, consequently, the interionic structure is less specific.     

Investigation of amino acid containing [FeFe] hydrogenase models concerning pendant base effects

The present investigations deal with the modeling of the peptide surrounding of [FeFe] hydrogenase using amine containing disulphides to simulate possible influences of the amino acid lysine (K237) on the electrochemical and electrocatalytic properties of biomimetic compounds based on [Fe2S2] moieties. Fe₃(CO)₁₂ was reacted with Boc-4-amino-1,2-dithiolane, Boc-Adt-OMe (Adt = 4-amino-1,2-dithiolane-4-carboxylic acid, Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl) and Boc-Adp tert-butyl ester (Adp = (S)-2-amino-3-(1,2-dithiolan-4-yl)propionic acid) to elongate the FeN distance in comparison to the well known [Fe₂{(SCH₂)₂NR}(CO)₆] model complexes. Efforts to deprotect the complexes containing Boc-4-amino-1,2-dithiolane with trifluoroacetic acid result in the formation of [Fe₃(μ³-O)(μ-O₂C₂F₃)₆(OC₄H₈)₂(H₂O)]. The novel [2Fe2S] complexes are characterized using spectroscopic, electrochemical techniques and X-ray diffraction studies.