Structure and Crystallization of Alkaline-Earth Aluminosilicate Glasses: Prevention of the Alumina-Avoidance Principle.

Aluminosilicate glasses are considered to follow the Al-avoidance principle, which states that Al-O-Al linkages are energetically less favorable, such that, if there is a possibility for Si-O-Al linkages to occur in a glass composition, Al-O-Al linkages are not formed. The current paper shows that breaching of the Al-avoidance principle is essential for understanding the distribution of network-forming AlO4 and SiO4 structural units in alkaline-earth aluminosilicate glasses. The present study proposes a new modified random network (NMRN) model, which accepts Al-O-Al linkages for aluminosilicate glasses. The NMRN model consists of two regions, a network structure region (NS-Region) composed of well-separated homonuclear and heteronuclear framework species and a channel region (C-Region) of nonbridging oxygens (NBOs) and nonframework cations. The NMRN model accounts for the structural changes and devitrification behavior of aluminosilicate glasses. A parent Ca- and Al-rich melilite-based CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 (CMAS) glass composition was modified by substituting MgO for CaO and SiO2 for Al2O3 to understand variations in the distribution of network-forming structural units in the NS-region and devitrification behavior upon heat treating. The structural features of the glass and glass-ceramics (GCs) were meticulously assessed by advanced characterization techniques including neutron diffraction (ND), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), 29Si and 27Al magic angle spinning (MAS)-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and in situ Raman spectroscopy. ND revealed the formation of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedral units in all the glass compositions. Simulations of chemical glass compositions based on deconvolution of 29Si MAS NMR spectral analysis indicate the preferred formation of Si-O-Al over Si-O-Si and Al-O-Al linkages and the presence of a high concentration of nonbridging oxygens leading to the formation of a separate NS-region containing both SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra (Si/Al) (heteronuclear) in addition to the presence of Al[4]-O-Al[4] bonds; this region coexists with a predominantly SiO4-containing (homonuclear) NS-region. In GCs, obtained after heat treatment at 850 °C for 250 h, the formation of crystalline phases, as revealed from Rietveld refinement of XRD data, may be understood on the basis of the distribution of SiO4 and AlO4 structural units in the NS-region. The in situ Raman spectra of the GCs confirmed the formation of a Si/Al structural region, as well as indicating interaction between the Al/Si region and SiO4-rich region at higher temperatures, leading to the formation of additional crystalline phases.

The Enantioselective Total Synthesis of Bisquinolizidine Alkaloids: A Modular "Inside-Out" Approach.

Bisquinolizidine alkaloids are characterized by a chiral bispidine core (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) to which combinations of an α,N-fused 2-pyridone, an endo- or exo-α,N-annulated piperidin(on)e, and an exo-allyl substituent are attached. We developed a modular "inside-out" approach that permits access to most members of this class. Its applicability was proven in the asymmetric synthesis of 21 natural bisquinolizidine alkaloids, among them more than ten first enantioselective total syntheses. Key steps are the first successful preparation of both enantiomers of C2 -symmetric 2,6-dioxobispidine by desymmetrization of a 2,4,6,8-tetraoxo precursor, the construction of the α,N-fused 2-pyridone by using an enamine-bromoacrylic acid strategy, and the installation of endo- or, optionally, exo-annulated piperidin(on)es.

Understanding the Formation of CaAl2Si2O8 in Melilite-Based Glass-Ceramics: Combined Diffraction and Spectroscopic Studies.

An assessment is undertaken for the formation of anorthite crystalline phase in a melilite-based glass composition (CMAS: 38.7CaO-9.7MgO-12.9Al2O3-38.7SiO2 mol %), used as a sealing material in solid oxide fuel cells, in view of the detrimental effect of anorthite on the sealing properties. Several advanced characterization techniques are employed to assess the material after prolonged heat treatment, including neutron powder diffraction (ND), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), 29Si and 27Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR), and in situ Raman spectroscopy. ND, 29Si MAS-NMR, and 27Al MAS-NMR results revealed that both Si and Al adopt tetrahedral coordination and participate in the formation of the network structure. In situ XRD measurements for the CMAS glass demonstrate the thermal stability of the glass structure up to 850 °C. Further heat treatment up to 900 °C initiates the precipitation of melilite, a solid solution of akermanite/gehlenite crystalline phase. Qualitative XRD data for glass-ceramics (GCs) produced after heat treatment at 850 °C for 500 h revealed the presence of anorthite along with the melilite crystalline phase. Rietveld refinement of XRD data indicated a high fraction of glassy phase (∼67%) after the formation of crystalline phases. The 29Si MAS-NMR spectra for the CMAS-GC suggest the presence of structural units in the remaining glassy phase with a polymerization degree higher than dimer units, whereas the 27Al MAS-NMR spectra revealed that most Al3+ cations exhibit a 4-fold coordination. In situ Raman spectroscopy data indicate that the formation of anorthite crystalline phase initiated after 240 h of heat treatment at 850 °C owing to the interaction between the gehlenite crystals and the remaining glassy phase.

Syntheses of Combretastatins D-1, D-2, and D-4 via Ring Contraction by Flash Vacuum Pyrolysis.

We report the syntheses of combretastatins D-2 and D-4 as well as a formal synthesis of combretastatin D-1 by a conceptually new route harnessing a ring-contracting flash vacuum pyrolytic extrusion of sulfur dioxide from the respective 16-membered sulfone precursors. Via flash vacuum pyrolysis, even metaparacyclophanes as small and strained as the hitherto unknown oxa[1.5]metaparacyclophane could be prepared as a side product en route to combretastatin D-2 by synchronous extrusion of SO2 and CO2.

Ferrocenyl-Coupled N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Gold(I): A Successful Approach to Multinuclear Anticancer Drugs.

Four gold(I) carbene complexes featuring 4-ferrocenyl-substituted imidazol-2-ylidene ligands were investigated for antiproliferative and antivascular properties. They were active against a panel of seven cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant ones, with low micromolar or nanomolar IC50 (72 h) values, according to their lipophilicity and cellular uptake. The delocalized lipophilic cationic complexes 8 and 10 acted by increasing the reactive oxygen species in two ways: through a genuine ferrocene effect and by inhibiting the thioredoxin reductase. Both complexes gave rise to a reorganization of the F-actin cytoskeleton in endothelial and melanoma cells, associated with a G1 phase cell cycle arrest and a retarded cell migration. They proved antiangiogenic in tube formation assays with endothelial cells and vascular-disruptive on real blood vessels in the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken eggs. Biscarbene complex 10 was also tolerated well by mice where it led to a volume reduction of xenograft tumors by up to 80 %.

Iron(II) spin crossover complexes with diaminonaphthalene-based Schiff base-like ligands: mononuclear complexes.

The synthesis of new Schiff base-like ligands with extended π-system and their iron complexes is described. Some of the iron(ii) complexes with N-heterocycles as axial ligands show spin crossover behaviour. The influence of the extended aromatic system on cooperative interactions is investigated by single crystal X-ray structure analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and magnetic measurements. A combination of C-Hπ and C-HO interactions is made responsible for up to 10 K wide thermal hysteresis loops.

The First Modular Route to Core-Chiral Bispidine Ligands and Their Application in Enantioselective Copper(II)-Catalyzed Henry Reactions.

The first modular and flexible synthesis of core-chiral bispidines was achieved by using an "inside-out" strategy. The key intermediate, a NBoc-activated bispidine lactam, was constructed in enantiomerically pure form from a chirally modified ß-amino acid and 2-(acetoxymethyl)acrylonitrile in just five steps and good 48% yield. A simple addition-reduction protocol permitted a highly endo-selective introduction of substituents and, thus, a fast and variable access to 2-endo-substituted and 2-endo,N-fused bi- and tricyclic bispidines. The new diamines were evaluated as the chiral ligands in asymmetric Henry reactions. Excellent enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee and good diastereomeric ratios of up to 86:14 were reached with a copper(II) complex modified by a 2-endo,N-(3,3-dimethylpyrrolidine)-annelated bispidine. Its performance is superior to that of the well-known bispidines (-)-sparteine and the (+)-sparteine surrogate.

Enhancing the water stability of Al-MIL-101-NH2 via postsynthetic modification.

The resistance of metal-organic frameworks towards water is a very critical issue concerning their practical use. Recently, it was shown for microporous MOFs that the water stability could be increased by introducing hydrophobic pendant groups. Here, we demonstrate a remarkable stabilisation of the mesoporous MOF Al-MIL-101-NH2 by postsynthetic modification with phenyl isocyanate. In this process 86 % of the amino groups were converted into phenylurea units. As a consequence, the long-term stability of Al-MIL-101-URPh in liquid water could be extended beyond a week. In water saturated atmospheres Al-MIL-101-URPh decomposed at least 12-times slower than the unfunctionalised analogue. To study the underlying processes both materials were characterised by Ar, N2 and H2 O sorption measurements, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric and chemical analysis as well as solid-state NMR and IR spectroscopy. Postsynthetic modification decreased the BET equivalent surface area from 3363 to 1555 m(2) g(-1) for Al-MIL-101-URPh and reduced the mean diameters of the mesopores by 0.6 nm without degrading the structure significantly and reducing thermal stability. In spite of similar water uptake capacities, the relative humidity-dependent uptake of Al-MIL-101-URPh is slowed and occurs at higher relative humidity values. In combination with (1) H-(27) Al D-HMQC NMR spectroscopy experiments this favours a shielding mechanism of the Al clusters by the pendant phenyl groups and rules out pore blocking.

1,3,2-Dithiaphospholanes with an annelated 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) unit: formation and reactivity.

1,3,2-Dithiaphospholanes were prepared, containing an annelated 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) unit, bearing halogens (F, Cl, Br, and I), H, NEt2, OEt groups, or organo substituents (R = i-Pr, t-Bu, Cy, 3,5-Me2-C6H3-CH2, Ph) at phosphorus. The t-Bu derivative was structurally characterised as its sulfide. The organo-substituted derivatives escape the ring strain by irreversible (R = t-Bu; X-ray analysis) or reversible dimerisation, by which 10-membered rings are formed. Using 1,1-bis(dichlorophosphino)methane, another dimer containing a 14-membered ring could be isolated and structurally characterised. The preferred conformation of the 1,3,2-dithiaphospholanes depends on the nature of the substituent at phosphorus. For instance, the substituents R = t-Bu, NEt2 prefer the equatorial position, as indicated by diagnostic NMR data, supported by DFT calculations [B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory]. The calculations also predict the tendency for dimerisation, and calculated NMR parameters are in good agreement, in most cases, with experimental data.

Synthesis, NMR spectroscopic characterization and structure of a divinyldisilazane-(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0) complex: observation of isotope-induced chemical shifts (1)Δ(12/13)C((195)Pt).

Tetramethyldivinyldisilazane-(triphenylphosphine)platinum(0) was prepared, characterized in solid state by X-ray crystallography and in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C, (15)N, (29)Si, (31)P and (195)Pt NMR). Numerous signs of spin-spin coupling constants were determined by two-dimensional heteronuclear shift correlations (HETCOR) and two-dimensional (1)H/(1)H COSY experiments. Isotope-induced chemical shifts (1)Δ(12/13)C((195)Pt) were measured from (195)Pt NMR spectra of the title compound as well as of other Pt(0), Pt(II) and Pt(IV) compounds for comparison. In contrast to other heavy nuclei such as (199)Hg or (207)Pb, the "normal" shifts of the heavy isotopomers to low frequencies are found, covering a range of >500 ppb.

Completely miscible polyethylene nanocomposites.

A route to fully miscible polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites has been established based on polymer-brush-coated nanoparticles. These nanoparticles can be mixed with PE at any ratio, with homogeneous dispersion, and without aggregation. This allowed a first systematic study of the thermomechanical properties of PE nanocomposites without interference from aggregation effects. We observe that the storage modulus in the semicrystalline state and the softening temperature increase significantly with increasing nanoparticle content, whereas the melt viscosity is unaltered by the presence of nanoparticles. We show that the complete miscibility with the semicrystalline polymer matrix and the improvement of thermomechanical properties in the solid state is caused by the PE-coated nanoparticles being nucleating agents for the crystallization of PE. This provides a general route to fully miscibility nanocomposites with semicrystalline polymers.

Synthesis and reactivity of 4,5-[1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborano(12)]-1,3-diselenacyclopentane: opening of the icosahedron to give a zwitterionic intermediate and conversion into 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-).

The reaction of the 1,2-diselenolato-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) dianion [1,2-(1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))Se(2)](2-) with dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2) or CD(2)Cl(2)) in the presence of donor solvents gave 4,5-[1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborano(12)]-1,3-diselenacyclopentane, the title compound, which was characterized by X-ray structural analysis and NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (11)B, (13)C, and (77)Se). In the presence of pyridine, opening of the icosahedron took place, and a zwitterionic intermediate was isolated and fully characterized in the solid state by X-ray diffraction and in solution by multinuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Although such types of intermediates, prior to deboronation of the ortho-carborane cage, have been proposed several times, this is first example for which the structure has been confirmed unambiguously. This intermediate possesses a nido structure and contains a 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-) anion and a boronium cation, the latter with two pyridine rings linked to the boron atom, which has been extruded from the cage. It was shown that this process is reversible as long as the deboronation is not complete. The formation of the intermediate is accompanied by deboronation, which leads to the 7,8-dicarba-nido-undecaborate(1-) anion. The latter was prepared independently by conventional routes from the title compound, isolated as crystalline material as the tetrabutyl ammonium salt, and characterized by X-ray structural analysis and multinuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H, (11)B, (13)C, and (77)Se).

Homogeneous precipitation by formamide hydrolysis: synthesis, reversible hydration, and aqueous exfoliation of the layered double hydroxide (LDH) of Ni and Al.

Homogenous precipitation by formamide hydrolysis results in the formation of a formate-intercalated layered double hydroxide (LDH) of Ni(II) and Al(III). The formate-LDH is sensitive to the atmospheric humidity and reversibly exchanges its intercalated water with atmospheric moisture. The hydration/dehydration cycle is complete within a narrow range of 0-30% relative humidity with significant hysteresis and involves a randomly interstratified intermediate phase. When immersed in water, the formate ion grows its hydration sphere (osmotic swelling), eventually leading to the exfoliation of the metal hydroxide layers into lamellar particles having in-plane dimensions of 100-200 nm and a thickness of 9-12 nm. These nanoplatelets restack to thicker tactoids again upon evaporation of the dispersion. The intercalated formate ion can be exchanged with nitrate ions in solution but not with iodide ions. These observations have implications for many applications of LDHs in the area of carbon dioxide sorption and catalysis.

Melanoma-specific ferrocene esters of the fungal cytotoxin illudin M.

The unfavorable therapeutic index of the fungal cytotoxin illudin M was to be improved by covalent attachment of the redox modulator and phenyl isobiostere ferrocene. Esters of illudin M with ferrocenoic and 1,1'-ferrocenedioic acid were prepared, structurally characterised (X-ray), and tested for cytotoxicity [MTT assay, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide], induction of apoptosis (TUNEL assay; western blotting for caspase-9), and tumor specificity in cells of human HL-60 leukemia, human 518A2 melanoma, and in nonmalignant human foreskin fibroblasts. The diester of illudin M with 1,1'-ferrocenedioic acid was distinctly more antiproliferative and apoptosis inducing in the melanoma cells [half maximal inhibitory concentration, IC50(48 h) = 0.4+/-0.1 micromol/l] than in the HL-60 cells [IC50(48 h) = 3.0+/-1.6 micromol/l] and in the nonmalignant fibroblasts [IC50(48 h) = 3.7+/-1.9 micromol/l]. This corresponds to a doubling of the therapeutic index with respect to illudin M. The monoester of illudin M with ferrocenoic acid was nine times less efficacious in the cancer cells, when compared with the diester. In conclusion, the ferrocene diminishes the general toxicity of the illudin M moiety and increases its cell line specificity. The bis(illudinyl M) 1,1'-ferrocenedioate presumably operates by a synergistic, two-pronged attack on its molecular targets.

Hydroperoxide and endoperoxide lactones from photooxygenation of 3-alkylidenedihydrofuran-2,4-diones.

3-Alkylidenedihydrofuran-2,4-diones 1 can be photooxygenated with O(2)/TBHP to hydroperoxides 3 which slowly decompose to diols 5. Stable endoperoxides 4 are best prepared by photooxygenation of 1 with 2 equiv of O(2) in the presence of CuSO(4) and p-TosOH following a nonradical mechanism. They are rapidly reduced by anhydrous FeBr(2) to give butenolide 9 indicating a potential antimalarial activity.

Reaction of alkyn-1-yl(diorganyl)silanes with 1-boraadamantane: Si-H-B bridges confirmed by the molecular structure in the solid state and in solution.

1-Boraadamantane 1 was treated with alkyn-1-ylsilanes 2 containing one or two Si[bond]H functions. Under mild conditions, the reaction gave 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane derivatives 4 quantitatively and selectively by 1,1-organoboration. An electron deficient Si-H-B bridge was present in the product. The analogous reaction of 1 with an alkyn-1-yl-disilane 3 gave the corresponding alkene derivative 5, however, without the Si-H-B bridge. Evidence for the Si-H-B bridge in 4 was given by IR data, an extensive set of NMR spectroscopical data ((1)H, (11)B, (13)C, (29)Si NMR) including various unusual isotope effects on chemical shifts and coupling constants, as well as from the molecular structure of one example, 4 e, in the solid state. The precursor of 4 e, alkyne 2 e, Ph(2)Si(H)C[triple bond]CSi(H)Ph(2), was also studied by X-ray analysis.

Reactivity of 1,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-hexa-3-ene-1,5-diynes towards triethylborane, triallylborane, and 1-boraadamantane: first molecular structure of a 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane derivative, and the first 6,8-diborabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene derivative.

Compounds (E)- (1) and (Z)-1,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-hexa-3-ene-1,5-diyne (2) react with triethylborane (3) by 1,1-ethylboration in a 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio (in the case of 1), whereas in the case of 2 only the 1:1 product is formed. The analogous reactions of 1 or 2 with triallylborane (4) are more complex because of competition between 1,1-allyl- and 1,2-allylboration. Again, compound 2 reacts only with one equivalent of 4. In the case of 1-boraadamantane (5), 1,1-organoboration of 1 and 2 takes place either at one or at both C[triple bond]C bonds leading to compounds containing the 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane unit(s). The product of the reaction of 1 with two equivalents of 5 was characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The primary products of the reaction of 2 with 5 rearrange upon heating by deorganoboration and organoboration to give finally a tetracyclic compound 24 that contains an exocyclic allenylidene group. The product of the 1:2 reaction of 2 with 5 rearranges to give the 6,8-dibora-bicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene derivative 25. All reactions were monitored by (1)H, (11)B, (13)C, and (29)Si NMR spectroscopy.

Metal-induced B-H activation: addition of acetylene, propyne, or 3-methoxypropyne to Rh(Cp*), Ir(Cp*), Ru(p-cymene), and Os(p-cymene) half-sandwich complexes containing a chelating 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligand.

The addition reactions of the 16e half-sandwich complexes [M(eta5-Cp*)[E2C2(B10H10)]] (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl: 1S: E=S, M=Rh; 2S: E=S; M=Ir; 2Se: E=Se, M=Ir) and [M(eta6-p-cymene)[S2C2(B10H10)]] (p-cymene=4-isopropyltoluene; 3S: M=Ru; 4S: M=Os), with acetylene, propyne, and 3-methoxypropyne lead to the 18e complexes 5-19 with a metal-boron bond in each case. The reactions start with an insertion of the alkyne into one of the metal-chalcogen bonds, followed by B-H activation, transfer of one hydrogen atom from the carborane via the metal to the terminal carbon of the alkyne, and concomitant ortho-metalation of the carborane. The E-eta2-CC and the C(1)B units are arranged either cisoid or transoid at the metal. X-ray structural analyses are reported for one of the starting 16e complexes (4S), the cisoid complex 12S (from 2S and HC[triple bond]C-CH3), and the transoid complexes 9S and 14S (from 1S and HC[triple bond]C-CH2OMe, and from 3S and HC[triple bond]CH, respectively). All new complexes 5-19 were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C, and 77Se and 103Rh NMR spectroscopy when appropriate).