Synthesis and Fluorescence Studies of Diborene Coinage Metal Complexes.

Nine different coinage metal (Cu, Ag) π complexes of diborenes with various anionic diborene (aryl, heteroaryl) and metal substituents (Cl, Br, C6F5, C2SiMe3), stabilizing neutral donors (N-heterocyclic carbene = NHC, phosphine), configurations (cis/trans, acyclic/cyclic diborene), and charges (neutral, cationic) were synthesized and characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Their optical properties were investigated by UV-vis absorption and steady-state as well as time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy in solution and the solid state to gain insights into the excited-state behavior of this unusual class of photoactive compounds and to provide structure-property relationships. The structural and electronic modification of the (B═B)···M motif greatly influences not only the visible light absorption but also the photostability and quantum yields, which can reach high values of up to f = 0.42. The lifetimes are found in the nanosecond regime, providing estimated radiative rate constants over a wide range of kr = 1.3-14 × 107 s-1, indicative of fluorescence. Intersystem crossing (ISC) is sufficiently slow for prompt emission from the S1 state to be observed, while the spin-orbit coupling in the T1 state is too weak for phosphorescence to occur at room temperature. ISC can be accelerated, however, by modifying diborene ligand substitution and the coinage metal center, hinting at the potential for exploiting the properties of long-lived triplet excited states of metal diborene complexes in the future.

Hepatic FcRn regulates albumin homeostasis and susceptibility to liver injury.

The neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn) is responsible for maintaining the long half-life and high levels of the two most abundant circulating proteins, albumin and IgG. In the latter case, the protective mechanism derives from FcRn binding to IgG in the weakly acidic environment contained within endosomes of hematopoietic and parenchymal cells, whereupon IgG is diverted from degradation in lysosomes and is recycled. The cellular location and mechanism by which FcRn protects albumin are partially understood. Here we demonstrate that mice with global or liver-specific FcRn deletion exhibit hypoalbuminemia, albumin loss into the bile, and increased albumin levels in the hepatocyte. In vitro models with polarized cells illustrate that FcRn mediates basal recycling and bidirectional transcytosis of albumin and uniquely determines the physiologic release of newly synthesized albumin into the basal milieu. These properties allow hepatic FcRn to mediate albumin delivery and maintenance in the circulation, but they also enhance sensitivity to the albumin-bound hepatotoxin, acetaminophen (APAP). As such, global or liver-specific deletion of FcRn results in resistance to APAP-induced liver injury through increased albumin loss into the bile and increased intracellular albumin scavenging of reactive oxygen species. Further, protection from injury is achieved by pharmacologic blockade of FcRn-albumin interactions with monoclonal antibodies or peptide mimetics, which cause hypoalbuminemia, biliary loss of albumin, and increased intracellular accumulation of albumin in the hepatocyte. Together, these studies demonstrate that the main function of hepatic FcRn is to direct albumin into the circulation, thereby also increasing hepatocyte sensitivity to toxicity.

Borabicyclo[3.2.0]heptadiene: A Fused Bicyclic Isomer of Borepin.

A new isomer of borepin, identified as 2-borabicyclo[3.2.0]hepta-3,6-diene by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy, was obtained by reaction of 1-mesityl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylborole with the diaminoalkyne bis(piperidyl)acetylene. Analogous reactions of the alkyne with other borole derivatives generated seven-membered borepins, in which a second equivalent of the alkyne was found to insert into the exocyclic B-C bond. Results of mechanistic DFT studies as well as differences in the reactivity of the boroles toward the diaminoalkyne are discussed.

Strongly Phosphorescent Transition Metal π-Complexes of Boron-Boron Triple Bonds.

Herein are reported the first π-complexes of compounds with boron-boron triple bonds with transition metals, in this case CuI. Three different compounds were isolated that differ in the number of copper atoms bound to the BB unit. Metalation of the B-B triple bonds causes lengthening of the B-B and B-CNHC bonds, as well as large upfield shifts of the 11B NMR signals, suggesting greater orbital interactions between the boron and transition metal atoms than those observed with recently published diboryne/alkali metal cation complexes. In contrast to previously reported fluorescent copper(I) π-complexes of boron-boron double bonds, the Cun-π-diboryne compounds (n = 2, 3) show intense phosphorescence in the red to near-IR region from their triplet excited states, according to their microsecond lifetimes, with quantum yields of up to 58%. While the Cu diborene bond is dominated by electrostatic interactions, giving rise to S1 and T1 states of pure IL(π-π*) nature, DFT studies show that the CuI π-complexes of diborynes reported herein exhibit enhanced metal d orbital contributions to HOMO and HOMO-1, which results in S1 and T1 having significant MLCT character, enabling strong spin-orbit coupling for highly efficient intersystem-crossing S1 → Tn and phosphorescence T1 → S0.

Abnormal Tin-Boron Exchange in the Attempted Synthesis of a Borylated Borole.

Boroles are important motifs within functional materials. With the aim to prepare a pinacolboryl-substituted derivative, the metallacycle transfer from corresponding zirconium and tin precursors has been explored. We show that the reaction of 1,1-dimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrapinacolborylstannole with dichloro(phenyl)borane does not provide the desired borole, but instead a stannyl-substituted 1-chloroboracyclopent-3-ene. Spectroscopic and structural details of this highly functionalized boracycle indicate that intramolecular interactions between the tin and oxygen atoms of the boryl substituents may account for the unexpected outcome of the tin-boron exchange reaction.

Interactions of Isonitriles with Metal-Boron Bonds: Insertions, Coupling, Ring Formation, and Liberation of Monovalent Boron.

Boryl, borylene, and base-stabilized borylene complexes of manganese and iron undergo a range of different reactions when treated with isonitriles including single, double, and partial isonitrile insertions into metal-boron bonds, ring formation, isonitrile coupling, and the liberation of new monovalent boron species. Two of the resulting cyclic species have also been found to react selectively with anhydrous HCl to form ring-opened products. The diverse isonitrile-promoted reactivity of transition-metal-boron compounds has been explored computationally.

Postmortem computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging facilitates forensic autopsy in a fatal case of poisoning with formic acid, diphenhydramine, and ethanol.

A case of fatal poisoning by ingesting formic acid, diphenhydramine, and ethanol by a 25-year-old woman who committed suicide is presented. Prior to autopsy, postmortem computed tomography and postmortem magnetic resonance tomography were performed and revealed severe damage to the stomach, the left thoracic wall, and parts of the liver. Imaging detected acid-induced fluid-fluid level within the thoracic cavity (fat-equivalent fluid and necrotic pleural effusion). This case report illustrates that postmortem cross-sectional imaging may facilitate dissection of severely damaged or complex regions, and may provide additional information compared to autopsy and toxicological examinations alone.

A paramagnetic heterobimetallic polymer: synthesis, reactivity, and ring-opening polymerization of tin-bridged homo- and heteroleptic vanadoarenophanes.

The synthesis of the first tin-bridged bis(benzene) vanadium and trovacene sandwich compounds and the investigation of their oxidative addition and insertion behavior are reported. The vanadoarenophanes and the corresponding platinum insertion products were fully characterized including electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. Controllable ring-opening polymerization of the heteroleptic tin-bridged [1]trovacenophane using Karstedt's catalyst yields a high molecular weight polymer (up to M(n) = 89 200 g·mol(-1)) composed of d(5)-vanadium metal centers in the main chain, making it a rare example of a spin-carrying macromolecule. Magnetic susceptibility measurements (SQUID) confirm the paramagnetic scaffold with repeating S = 1/2 centers in the main chain and suggest antiferromagnetic interactions between adjacent spin sites (Weiss constant Θ = -2.9 K).

Organometallic Probe for the Electronics of Base-Stabilized Group†11 Metal Cations.

A number of trimetalloborides have been synthesized through the reactions of base-stabilized coinage metal chlorides with a dimanganaborylene lithium salt in the hope of using this organometallic platform to compare and evaluate the electronics of these popular coinage metal fragments. The adducts of Cu(I), Ag(I), and Au(I) ions, stabilized by tricyclohexylphosphine (PCy3), N-1,3-bis(4-methylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (ITol), or 1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene (CAAC), with [{Cp(CO)2Mn}2B](-) were studied spectroscopically, structurally, and computationally. The geometries of the adducts fall into two classes, one symmetric and one asymmetric, each relying on the combined characteristics of both the metal and ligand. The energetic factors proposed as the causes of the structural differences were investigated by ETS-NOCV (extended transition state-natural orbitals for chemical valence) analysis, which showed the final geometry to be controlled by the competition between the tendency of the coinage metal to adopt a higher or lower coordination number and the willingness of the cationic fragment to participate in back-bonding interactions.

Ansa-bridged bis(benzene) titanium complexes.

Taking advantage of an improved synthesis of [Ti(η(6) -C6 H6 )2 ], we report here the first examples of ansa-bridged bis(benzene) titanium complexes. Deprotonation of [Ti(η(6) -C6 H6 )2 ] with nBuLi in the presence of N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (pmdta) leads to the corresponding 1,1'-dilithio salt [Ti(η(6) -C6 H5 Li)2 ]⋅pmdta that enables the preparation of the first one- and two-atom-bridged complexes by simple salt metathesis. The ansa complexes were fully characterized (NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography) and further studied electrochemically and computationally. Moreover, [Ti(η(6) -C6 H6 )2 ] is found to react with the Lewis base 1,3-dimethylimidazole-2-ylidene (IMe) to give the bent sandwich complex [Ti(η(6) -C6 H6 )2 (IMe)].

Ansa-Complexes of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H5 )(η(6) -C6 H6 )]: Preparation, Characterization, and Reactivity of [n]Manganoarenophanes (n=1, 2, 3).

We report the synthesis of [n]manganoarenophanes (n=1, 2) featuring boron, silicon, germanium, and tin as ansa-bridging elements. Their preparation was achieved by salt-elimination reactions of the dilithiated precursor [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 Li)(η(6) -C6 H5 Li)]⋅pmdta (pmdta=N,N,N',N',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) with corresponding element dichlorides. Besides characterization by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, the identity of two single-atom-bridged derivatives, [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] and [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SiPh2 ], could also be determined by X-ray structural analysis. We investigated for the first time the reactivity of these ansa-cyclopentadienyl-benzene manganese compounds. The reaction of the distannyl-bridged complex [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )Sn2 tBu4 ] with elemental sulfur was shown to proceed through the expected oxidative addition of the Sn-Sn bond to give a triatomic ansa-bridge. The investigation of the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) capability of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] with [Pt(PEt3 )3 ] showed that an unexpected, unselective insertion into the Cipso -Sn bonds of [Mn(η(5) -C5 H4 )(η(6) -C6 H5 )SntBu2 ] had occurred.

Correlations and Contrasts in Homo- and Heteroleptic Cyclic (Alkyl)(amino)carbene-Containing Pt(0) Complexes.

An improved synthetic route to homoleptic complex [Pt(CAAC(Me))2] (CAAC = cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbenes) and convenient routes to new heteroleptic complexes of the form [Pt(CAAC(Me))(PR3)] are presented. Although the homoleptic complex was found to be inert to many reagents, oxidative addition and metal-only Lewis pair (MOLP) formation was observed from one of the heteroleptic complexes. The spectroscopic, structural, and electrochemical properties of the zero-valent complexes were explored in concert with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations. The homoleptic [Pt(CAAC)2] and heteroleptic [Pt(CAAC)(PR3)] complexes were found to be similar in their spectroscopic and structural properties, but their electrochemical behavior and reactivity differ greatly. The unusually strong color of the CAAC-containing Pt(0) complexes was investigated by TD-DFT calculations and attributed to excitations into the LUMOs of the complexes, which are predominantly composed of bonding π interactions between Pt and the CAAC carbon atoms.

Synthesis of the first heteroaryl-substituted boryl complexes: strong stabilizing effects of boron-aryl π-conjugation.

The first examples of heteroarylboryl complexes were prepared and have been found to be unreactive toward a range of strong reductants, strong Lewis bases, and halide-abstraction reagents. The inertness of the complexes is attributed to strong π-conjugation between the π-basic heteroaryl groups and the π-acidic boron atom. This hypothesis is supported by comparison of the structural and spectroscopic properties of the heteroarylboryl complexes with analogous previously reported homoarylboryl complexes, with the former showing greater coplanarity of the aryl ring with the boron atom and much less facile reactivity.

Reductive Insertion of Elemental Chalcogens into Boron-Boron Multiple Bonds.

The syntheses of sulfur- and selenium-bridged cyclic compounds containing boron stabilized by N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have been achieved by the reductive insertion of elemental chalcogens into boron-boron multiple bonds. The three pairs of bonding electrons between the boron atoms in the triply bonded diboryne enabled six-electron reduction reactions, resulting in the formation of [2.2.1]-bicyclic systems wherein bridgehead boron atoms are spanned by three chalcogen bridges. A similar reaction using a diborene (boron-boron double bond) resulted in the reductive transfer of both pairs of bonding electrons to three sulfur atoms, yielding a NHC-stabilized trisulfidodiborolane. The demonstration of these six- and four-electron reductions lends support to the presence of three and two pairs of bonding electrons between the boron atoms of the diboryne and diborene, respectively, a fact that may be useful in future discussions on bond order.

From an electron-rich bis(boraketenimine) to an electron-poor diborene.

The reaction of the bisboracumulene (CAAC)2 B2 (CAAC=1-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene) with excess tert-butylisocyanide resulted in complexation of the isocyanide at boron. Though this compound might be formally drawn with a lone pair on boron, these electrons are highly delocalized throughout a conjugated π-network consisting of the π-acidic CAAC and isocyanide ligands. Heating this compound to 110 °C liberated the organic periphery of both isocyanide ligands, yielding the first example of a dicyanodiborene. Cyclic voltammetry conducted on this diborene indicated the presence of reduction waves, making this compound unique among diborenes, which are otherwise highly reducing.

The Synthesis of B2(SIDip)2 and its Reactivity Between the Diboracumulenic and Diborynic Extremes.

A new compound with the formula L-B2-L wherein the stabilizing ligand (L) is 1,3-bis[diisopropylphenyl]-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene (SIDip) has been synthesized, isolated, and characterized. The π-acidity of the SIDip ligand, intermediate between the relatively non-acidic IDip (1,3-bis[diisopropylphenyl]imidazol-2-ylidene) ligand and the much more highly acidic CAAC (1-[2,6-diisopropylphenyl]-3,3,5,5-tetramethylpyrrolidin-2-ylidene) ligand, gives rise to a compound with spectroscopic, electrochemical, and structural properties between those of L-B2-L compounds stabilized by CAAC and IDip. Reactions of all three L-B2-L compounds with CO demonstrate the differences caused by their respective ligands, as the π-acidities of the CAAC and SIDip carbenes enabled the isolation of bis(boraketene) compounds (L(OC)B-B(CO)L), which could not be isolated from reactions with B2(IDip)2. However, only B2(IDip)2 and B2(SIDip)2 could be converted into bicyclic bis(boralactone) compounds.

Exclusive π Encapsulation of Light Alkali Metal Cations by a Neutral Molecule.

Cation-π interactions are one of the most important classes of noncovalent bonding, and are seen throughout biology, chemistry, and materials science. However, in almost every documented case, these interactions play only a supporting role to much stronger covalent or dative bonds, thus making examples of exclusive cation-π bonding exceedingly rare. In this study, a neutral diboryne molecule is found to encapsulate the light alkali metal cations Li(+) and Na(+) in the absence of a net charge, covalent bonds, or lone-pair donor groups. The resulting encapsulation complexes are, to our knowledge, the first structurally authenticated species in which a neutral molecule binds the light alkali metals exclusively through cation-π interactions.

Boryl-functionalized σ-alkynyl and vinylidene rhodium complexes: synthesis and electronic properties.

The synthesis, reactivity, and properties of boryl-functionalized σ-alkynyl and vinylidene rhodium complexes such as trans-[RhCl(=C=CHBMes2)(PiPr3)2] and trans-[Rh(C≡CBMes2)(IMe)(PiPr3)2] are reported. An equilibrium was found to exist between rhodium vinylidene complexes and the corresponding hydrido σ-alkynyl complexes in solution. The complex trans-[Rh(C≡CBMes2)(IMe)(PiPr3)2] (IMe=1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) was found to exhibit solvatochromism and can be quasireversibly oxidized and reduced electrochemically. Density functional calculations were performed to determine the reaction mechanism and to help rationalize the photophysical properties of trans-[Rh(C≡CBMes2)(IMe)(PiPr3)2].

Forearm Bier block: a new regional anesthetic technique for upper extremity surgery.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to introduce the technique and results of a forearm Bier block for upper extremity surgery. INTRODUCTION: Various techniques of anesthesia are used for hand surgery. Intravenous regional anesthesia, the Bier block, is an effective anesthetic technique. However, there exist several disadvantages and potential complications. We present our technique and results using the forearm Bier block. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was performed studying our experience using forearm Bier block from May to December of 2010. The technique involves exsanguination of the forearm and inflation of a pneumatic tourniquet placed distal to the elbow joint. Twenty-five milliliter of 0.5% lidocaine is injected intravenously. One hundred five patients underwent hand surgery using this technique. There were 53 females and 52 males with a median age of 56 years. In total, 121 procedures were performed. Patients were interviewed by telephone 24 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: All patients received adequate anesthesia from the block. There were no intraoperative and no postoperative complications. There were no mechanical or tourniquet problems. Average tourniquet time was 10.1 minutes. Total operating time was less than 30 minutes. DISCUSSION: Forearm Bier block presents several advantages over standard upper arm technique. Conventional Bier block involves a double tourniquet and a significant amount of lidocaine, which has potential cardiac and neurologic toxicity. Consequently, minimum tourniquet inflation time is 30 minutes. The dosage of lidocaine needed to provide analgesia using the forearm Bier block is significantly reduced, thereby minimizing the potential for these complications. This lower dose allows for shorter tourniquet time rather than the standard 30 minutes. This shorter tourniquet time in itself presents several advantages. Tourniquet pain and risk of ischemic problems are minimized, and efficiency is increased. This efficiency has practical and financial implications such as decreased total operating and recovery room times, decreased cost of medicines, and decreased operating time for the surgeon. Lastly, this technique might also be used for lower extremity surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Forearm Bier block is a safe and efficient method for upper extremity surgery. It significantly reduces the risk of complications and increases the efficiency of the surgeon and surgery facility.

Crystal structure of µ-1κC:2(η(2))-carbonyl-carbonyl-1κC-chlorido-2κCl-µ-chlorido-borylene-1:2κ(2) B:B-[1(η(5))-penta-methyl-cyclo-penta-dien-yl](tri-cyclo-hexyl-phosphane-2κP)iron(II)platinum(II) benzene monosolvate.

In the mol-ecular structure of the dinuclear title compound [η(5)-(C5(CH3)5)(CO)Fe{(µ-BCl)(µ-CO)}PtCl(P(C6H11)3)]·C6H6, the two metal atoms, iron(II) and platinum(II), are bridged by one carbonyl (µ-CO) and one chlorido-borylene ligand (µ-BCl). The Pt(II) atom is additionally bound to a chloride ligand situated trans to the bridging borylene, and a tri-cyclo-hexyl-phosphane ligand (PCy3) trans to the carbonyl ligand, forming a distorted square-planar structural motif at the Pt(II) atom. The Fe(II) atom is bound to a penta-methyl-cyclo-penta-dienyl ligand [η(5)-C5(CH3)5] and one carbonyl ligand (CO), forming a piano-stool structure. Additionally, one benzene solvent mol-ecule is incorporated into the crystal structure, positioned staggered relative to the penta-methyl-cyclo-penta-dienyl ligand at the Fe(II) atom, with a centroid-centroid separation of 3.630 (2) Å.