Templated deprotonative metalation of polyaryl systems: Facile access to simple, previously inaccessible multi-iodoarenes.

The development of new methodologies to affect non-ortho-functionalization of arenes has emerged as a globally important arena for research, which is key to both fundamental studies and applied technologies. A range of simple arene feedstocks (namely, biphenyl, meta-terphenyl, para-terphenyl, 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, and biphenylene) is transformed to hitherto unobtainable multi-iodoarenes via an s-block metal sodium magnesiate templated deprotonative approach. These iodoarenes have the potential to be used in a whole host of high-impact transformations, as precursors to key materials in the pharmaceutical, molecular electronic, and nanomaterials industries. To prove the concept, we transformed biphenyl to 3,5-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl, a novel isomer of 4,4'-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (CPB), a compound which is currently widely used as a host material for organic light-emitting diodes.

Structural elucidation of homometallic anthracenolates synthesised via deprotonative metallation of anthrone.

Five novel neutral homometallic complexes which contain the anthracen-9-olate anion have been prepared and characterised by treating anthrone with an organometallic base to induce aromatisation. Three of these complexes [(donor)·M(OC(14)H(9))](2) (2-4) are dimeric and contain sodium, lithium and potassium respectively. For 2 and 3 the donor is N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) whilst for 4 it is N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA). When bimetallic reagents such as [(TMEDA)·Na(µ-(t)Bu)(µ-TMP)Zn((t)Bu)] are employed, only the alkali-metal-containing species is isolated (e.g., 2 in this case). Providing a contrast, complexes 5 [(TMEDA)·Mg(OC(14)H(9))(n)Bu] and 6 [(TMEDA)·Zn(OC(14)H(9))Et] are monomeric. The alkali metal complexes were prepared by reacting anthrone with one molar equivalent of either n-butylsodium, n-butyllithium or (trimethylsilyl)methylpotassium in the presence of the required donor solvent. For 5 and 6, equimolar quantities of di-n-butylmagnesium and diethylzinc, respectively, were reacted with anthrone in the presence of TMEDA. The solid-state structures and the arene solution structures of 2-6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy respectively.

Anaemia and iron deficiency in children with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anaemia and iron deficiency are common in children with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) however it is not known if the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency alters following diagnosis. METHODS: Laboratory results from diagnosis, and at follow up one and two years later were recorded retrospectively in children with IBD recruited from a tertiary centre. Anaemia was defined using WHO standards and iron deficiency defined using published guidelines. RESULTS: 46 children (16 girls) with Crohn's disease and 34 children (18 girls) with UC were studied. 75% of children with IBD were anaemic at diagnosis, 30% were anaemic at follow up two years later. 90% of children with Crohn's and 95% of children with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) were iron deficient at diagnosis. At follow up two years later 70% of children with Crohn's and 65% of children with UC were iron deficient. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent anaemia and iron deficiency are common in childhood IBD, prevalence alters with duration of time from diagnosis.

Remote functionalisation via sodium alkylamidozincate intermediates: access to unusual fluorenone and pyridyl ketone reactivity patterns.

Treating fluorenone or 2-benzoylpyridine with the sodium zincate [(TMEDA)·Na(µ-(t)Bu)(µ-TMP)Zn((t)Bu)] in hexane solution, gives efficient (t)Bu addition across the respective organic substrate in a highly unusual 1,6-fashion, producing isolable organometallic intermediates which can be quenched and aerobically oxidised to give 3-tert-butyl-9H-fluoren-9-one and 2-benzoyl-5-tert-butylpyridine respectively.