Structural Motifs in Aryl Organogermanium Ge-O Derivatives for Material Design.

The aim of this work was to understand the main structural features and ways of formation of Ge-O bonds in organogermanium compounds under the conditions of ArnGeHal4-n (Hal = halide) hydrolysis. The structural types of these compounds were considered, providing 11 blocks (A-K). The molecular structures of the novel compounds [(p-FC6H4)3Ge]2O (1), [(p-F3CC6H4)3Ge]2O (2), and cyclo-[(p-F3CC6H4)2GeO]4 (3) were studied through XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis. The molecular structure of [(p-F3CC6H4)3GeO]4Ge (4), representing a novel structural type, was also investigated. The data presented in this study will be important in the design of materials with useful properties based on group 14 element derivatives with element-oxygen bonding.

Aluminum Salen Complexes Modified with Unsaturated Alcohol: Synthesis, Characterization, and Their Activity towards Ring-Opening Polymerization of ε-Caprolactone and D,L-Lactide.

A highly efficient one-step approach to the macromonomer synthesis using modified aluminum complexes as catalysts of ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone and D,L-lactide was developed. The syntheses, structures, and catalytic activities of a wide range of aluminum salen complexes, 3a-c, functionalized with unsaturated alcohol (HO(CH2)4OCH=CH2) are reported. X-Ray diffraction studies revealed a tetragonal pyramidal structure for 3c. Among the complexes 3a-c, the highest activity in bulk ROP of ε-caprolactone and D,L-lactide was displayed by 3b, affording polyesters with controlled molecular weights at low monomer to initiator ratios (Mn up to 15,000 g mol-1), relatively high polydispersities (Ð~1.8) and high number-average functionalities (Fn up to 85%).

DFT Investigation of the η6 ⇌ η6-Inter-ring Haptotropic Rearrangement of the Group 8 Metals Complexes [(graphene)MCp]+ (M = Fe, Ru, Os).

Metalcyclopentadienyl complexes (MCp)+ (M = Fe, Ru, Os) bound to the large polyaromatic hydrogenated hydrocarbon (PAH) C96H24 used as a model for pristine graphene have been studied using a density functional theory (DFT) generalized gradient approximation (PBE functional) to reveal their structural features and dynamic behavior. The inter-ring haptotropic rearrangements (IRHRs) for these complexes were shown to occur via two transition states and one intermediate. The energy barriers of the η6 ⇌ η6 IRHRs of the (MCp)+ unit were found to be 30, 27, and 29 kcal/mol for M = Fe, Ru, and Os, respectively. These values are significantly lower than the values found previously for smaller PAHs. Both polar and nonpolar solvents were found not to affect significantly the energy barrier heights. Investigated transition metal complexes could be used in general as catalysts in the design of novel derivatives or materials with promising properties. Metalcyclopentadienyl complexes (MCp)+ of PAHs show catalytic properties mainly due to their structural details as well as their important characteristic of inter-ring haptotropic rearrangement. IRHRs take place usually by intramolecular mechanisms. During IRHRs, the MLn organometallic groups (OMGs) undergo shifting along the PAH plane and could coordinate additional reagents, which is important for catalysis. Large PAHs such as graphene, fullerenes, and nanotubes possess intrinsic anticancer activity, and numerous arene complexes of Ru and Os have been proven to have anticancer properties as well. We suppose that coordinating Ru or Os to very large PAHs could synergistically increase the anticancer activity of resulting complexes.

Austalides V and W, new meroterpenoids from the fungus Aspergillus ustus and their antitumor activities.

Two new austalide meroterpenoids, named austalides V and W (1 and 2), were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus ustus VKM F-4692. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with related known compounds. The main structural feature of both compounds is a tetrahydrofuranyl ring (G), a structural fragment, first found in austalides. Austalides V (1) and W (2) were able to inhibit the propagation of prostate and bladder cancer cells; this biologic activity is possibly related to the inhibition of a number of key pathways regulating cell growth and migration.

1,2-Bis(triazolyl)tetraphenyldigermanes: Synthesis, Structure and Properties.

Using the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of [HC≡C-GePh2 -]2 (1) and a number of RCH2 N3 , this work described the synthesis of a series of novel heterocyclic digermanes, bitriazoles [1,4-C2 HN3 (CH2 R)GePh2 -]2 , 2-12 (R=Ph, p-Tol, p-C6 H4 NMe2 , p-C6 H4 OMe, p-C6 H4 Br, m-C6 H4 NO2 , 2-Naphth, CH2 -p-OC6 H4 CHO, CH2 -p-OC6 H4 COOMe, CH2 P(O)(OEt)2 , COOEt), difficult to produce by other methods. The structural peculiarities of these compounds were studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy and by XRD analysis (for 6, 9 and 10). The properties of 1-12 were studied by UV/vis and luminescence emission spectroscopy, electrochemistry and DFT calculations, indicating an effective conjugation in their molecules.

Formation of Azaphilone Pigments and Monasnicotinic Acid by the Fungus Aspergillus cavernicola.

Due to the ever-increasing demand for healthy and safe food, much attention has been gained by natural food colorants. This study showed the culture fluid extract of the fungus Aspergillus cavernicola VKM F-906 to contain red pigment and monasnicotinic acid (MNA) in predominant amounts. The structure of the pigment corresponded to cis-cavernamine (red pigment, RP). Two tautomers, NH and OH forms, in rapid equilibrium were present in a solution of RP. The critical factors for RP to form were the presence of NH4+ salt and pH 6.3-6.5. In vitro experiments showed that MNA was synthesized from RP as a result of chemical transformations without the participation of enzymes. In this case, the main influence on the reaction rate is exerted by the pH of the medium, which is associated with the keto-enol tautomerism of RP in solution. The culture broth extract and MNA exhibited antifungal activity against Fusarium fungi.

Molecular Oligogermanes and Related Compounds: Structure, Optical and Semiconductor Properties.

The optical (UV/Vis absorbance, fluorescence in the solid state and in solution) and semiconducting properties of a number of di- and trigermanes as well as related silicon- and tin-containing germanes, 1-6 ((p-Tol)3 GeGeMe3 (1), Ph3 SnGe(SiMe3 )3 (2), (C6 F5 )3 GeGePh3 (3), (p-Tol)3 GeSiMe2 SiMe3 (4), (p-Tol)3 GeGeMe2 Ge(p-Tol)3 (5), (p-Tol)3 GeSiMe2 SiMe2 Ge(p-Tol)3 (6)) were investigated. Molecular structures of 5 and 6 were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. All compounds displayed luminescence properties. In addition, a band gap (of about 3.3 eV) was measured for compounds 1-6 showing that those molecules display semiconductor properties.

Aluminum complexes based on pyridine substituted alcohols: synthesis, structure, and catalytic application in ROP.

A series of substituted pyridine dialcohols (2,6-bis(hydroxyalkyl)pyridines), 1-4, was used for the synthesis of various types of aluminum complexes. Aluminum methyl derivatives, 2-4a, were obtained by the reaction of AlMe3 with the corresponding ligand or transmetallation reactions of germylenes. Aluminum chloride complexes, 3-4b, were obtained by substitution of the Me group under the action of chlorinating agents. Methoxy-, 2-4c, or benzyloxy-, 2d, aluminum complexes were synthesized in transalkoxylation reaction of Me2Al(OX) (X = Me, Bn) by the corresponding ligand. All complexes obtained were thoroughly investigated by multinuclear NMR and X-ray analysis. It has been established that the structure of the ligand (number of carbon atoms) determines the nature of the complexes formed. Compounds were used as initiators of ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide and ε-caprolactone and showed moderate activity with controlled or immortal character.

New oligogermane with a five coordinate germanium atom: the preparation of 1-germylgermatrane.

The first example of an oligogermane, N(CH2CH2O)3Ge-Ge(SiMe3)3 (1), containing a hypercoordinate germanium atom was prepared and characterized by various methods (NMR, UV/vis, and X-ray analysis). The electronic structure of compound 1 was investigated via DFT calculations.

DFT study of intramolecular interring η6,η6-haptotropic rearrangements in tricarbonylchromium complexes of 2-aminobiphenyl and 4-aminobiphenyl.

DFT studies have been carried out to investigate the role of nitrogen participation in the interring haptotropic rearrangements of [(η(6)-C6H5)(C6H4-4-NH2)]Cr(CO)3 and [(η(6)-C6H5)(C6H4-2-NH2)]Cr(CO)3. For the para-substituted case, where intramolecular coordination of nitrogen to chromium is not possible, DFT modeling predicts an activation barrier of 32.5 kcal mol(-1), which is in very close agreement with the experimentally determined value of 32.57 kcal mol(-1). In the case of the ortho-substituted isomers, modeling of a mechanism that does not invoke stabilization via nitrogen coordination yields a predicted energy barrier of 32.7 kcal mol(-1), while a mechanism that does invoke nitrogen participation and accounts for interconversion of rotational isomers gives a predicted value of 30.2 kcal mol(-1). This is consistent with the experimentally determined value of 31.22 kcal mol(-1). These data provide evidence that intramolecular stabilization via nitrogen coordination to chromium is responsible for the ortho substituted isomer undergoing haptotropic rearrangement with a rate nearly five times greater than that observed for the para isomer. For the mechanism that invokes ortho-amino group participation, transition state analysis in the frame of Bader theory shows that each transition state along the proposed mechanistic pathway has a bond critical point between nitrogen and chromium.

Palladium complexes with stabilized germylene and stannylene ligands.

The syntheses of novel Pd complexes with germylene and stannylene ligands are reported. [MeN(CH2CH2NC6F5)2Sn]4Pd (2) and [MeN(CH2CPh2O)(CH2CH2O)Ge]4Pd (8) were obtained by different methods including ligand substitution in (Ph3P)4Pd or by the reaction of the free corresponding germylene or stannylene with (Ph3P)2PdCl2 or Pd(OAc)2. Crystal structures of complexes 2, 8 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic activity of complexes 2, 8 was examined in the Suzuki-Miyaura and Heck cross-coupling.

Lariat ethers with fluoroaryl side-arms: a study of CFmetal cation interaction in the complexes of N-(o-fluoroaryl)azacrown ethers.

New lariat ethers, N-(o-fluorophenyl)aza-15-crown-5 (F-A15C5) and N,N'-bis(o-fluorophenyl)diaza-18-crown-6 (F(2)-A(2)18C6), were prepared by the N-arylation of the corresponding azacrown ethers. The interaction of the ligands with metal cations was studied in solution by (1)H and (19)F NMR (in acetone-d(6)) and UV spectroscopy (MeOH) confirming the formation of complexes of F(2)-A(2)18C6 with K(+), Na(+), Ag(+), Ba(2+), Pb(2+) and of F-A15C5 with Na(+) and giving evidence of CFmetal cation interaction. Cation binding constants (beta, evaluated by UV titration method), demonstrate that F-A15C5 and F(2)-A(2)18C6 form more stable complexes than their fluorine-free analogs. The effect depends on the nature of the metal cation and is at a maximum for hard, singly charged cations (up to 3 logbeta units for K(+) complex of F(2)-A(2)18C6). The X-ray structures of complexes [Pb(F(2)-A(2)18C6)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) () and [Ba(F(2)-A(2)18C6)(ClO(4))(2)] () reveal short Pb-F (2.805 A) and Ba-F (2.965 A) contacts. Complex is centrosymmetric (C(i)), while complex has C(2) symmetry with one-side coordination of o-fluorophenyl groups to Pb(2+). This "one-side" coordination mode of Pb(2+) is indicative of a partial localization of the Pb(2+) lone pair.