Dalton Transactions Blog

David Emslie and colleagues from McMaster University describe the synthesis of a new rigid NSN-donor ligand as well as the preparation of uranium(IV) and uranium(III) complexes using this ligand and a previously prepared NON-donor ligand. A combination of cyclic voltammetry, DFT calculations and Atoms In Molecules calculations were used to compare U–SAR₂ and U–OAr₂ bonding and the results indicated increased covalency in U-SAR₂ bonds that is probably due to the short U-S distances and tight C-S-U angles in the complexes.  This work will aid the advancement of approaches for lanthanide/actinide separation in nuclear fuel reprocessing as well as analytical actinide detection.

Rigid NON- and NSN-ligand complexes of tetravalent and trivalent uranium.

Download the full paper below which is being published as part of an upcoming Dalton Transactions special issue, New Talent: the Americas…

Rigid NON- and NSN-ligand complexes of tetravalent and trivalent uranium: comparison of U–OAr₂ and U–SAr₂ bonding
Balamurugan Vidjayacoumar,  Sougandi Ilango,  Matthew J. Ray,  Terry Chu,  Kristopher B. Kolpin,  Nicholas R. Andreychuk,  Carlos A. Cruz,  David J. H. Emslie,  Hilary A. Jenkins and James F. Britten
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT30247K

You may also find this 2010 Dalton Transactions themed issue on New horizons in organo-f-block chemistry interesting.

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Ira Weinstock and colleagues from Ben Gurion University of the Negev have used cryogenic transmission electron microscopy to evaluate the interactions of polyoxometallates of different dimensions and shapes with gold nanoparticles.  The study revealed  a “face-down” orientation of the Pressyler ion  [NaP₅W₃₀O₁₁₀]^14–, and a “tilted” orientation for the Finke-Droege ion [P₄W₃₀Zn₄(H₂O)₂O₁₁₂]^16–, contributing to important ongoing studies on the design of functional-POM protected metal nanoparticles.

"Face-down" orientation of Pressyler ion maximises interactions between cluster anion and Au surface.

To read more, download the communication now – it’s free to access.

Orientations of polyoxometalate anions on gold nanoparticles
Shelly Sharet,  Ella Sandars,  Yifeng Wang,  Offer Zeiri,  Alevtina Neyman,  Louisa Meshi and Ira A. Weinstock
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT30592E

The findings in the above HOT communication are due to be included in an upcoming themed issue on Polyoxometalates, guest edited by Leroy Cronin and Deliang Long.

Yifeng Wang and Ira Weinstock’s previous Dalton Transactions perspective might also be of interest….

Cation mediated self-assembly of inorganic cluster anion building blocks
Yifeng Wang and Ira A Weinstock
Dalton Trans., 2010, 39, 6143-6152
DOI: 10.1039/C0DT00166J

Are you following us on Twitter? @DaltonTrans

Thomas Gilbert from Northern Illinois University reports on a computational study looking at Ar₃B–ONN–PR₃ complexes that result from reactions between borane-phosphine frustrated Lewis pairs and N₂O.  By exploring the structure, stability, mechanism of formation and functionalisation of Ar₃B–ONN–PR₃ complexes, we can further understand how frustrated Lewis pairs can capture small molecules, like N₂O, and hold them for derivatisation, in a similar way to enzymes.

A key finding from this study is a symbiotic relationship that forms between Lewis acid and Lewis base to overcome endothermic or weakly exothermic energetics, forming one structural isomer in preference to others.  Gilbert makes several other exciting conclusions so download the manuscript whilst it’s free to find out more….

Computational studies of complexation of nitrous oxide by borane–phosphine frustrated Lewis pairs
Thomas M. Gilbert
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT30208J

Frustrated Lewis pairs are compounds or mixtures combining sterically hindered Lewis donors and acceptors.  Such systems are capable of unique reactivity with fascinating applications in stoichiometry and catalysis.  Dalton Transactions will be publishing a themed issue on frustrated Lewis pairs later in the year – below are some other articles due to be included in the issue:

Exchange chemistry of tBu₃P(CO₂)B(C₆F₅)₂Cl
Rebecca C. Neu,  Gabriel Ménard and Douglas W. Stephan
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT30206C

Dimeric aluminum–phosphorus compounds as masked frustrated Lewis pairs for small molecule activation
Steffi Roters,  Christian Appelt,  Hauke Westenberg,  Alexander Hepp,  J. Chris Slootweg,  Koop Lammertsma and Werner Uhl
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT30080J

Dinuclear ruthenium complex ΔΔ-Rubb7 selectively binds a destabilised segment of DNA

Richard Keene and colleagues report an inert dinuclear polypyridylruthenium(II) groove binding metal complex that exhibits slow exchange DNA binding in this HOT article.  Such compounds have potential as anti-microbial agents as they can block the interaction of important proteins with DNA.

For more details, download the article which is free to access for 4 weeks.

An approach to therapeutic agents through selective targeting of destabilised nucleic acid duplex sequences
Fangfei Li,  Daniel K. Weber,  Joy L. Morgan,  J. Grant Collins and F. Richard Keene
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT12146H

This paper is part of forthcoming themed issue on Application of Inorganic Chemistry for non-Cancer Therapeutics. Here are some other articles due to be published in this issue….

Interference of a new cyclometallated Pt compound with Cu binding to amyloid-ß peptide
Isabelle Sasaki ,  Christian Bijani ,  Sonia Ladeira ,  Valérie Bourdon ,  Peter Faller and Christelle Hureau
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT12177H

In vitro inhibitory properties of ferrocene-substituted chalcones and aurones on bacterial and human cell cultures
Keshri Nath Tiwari,  Jean-Philippe Monserrat,  Arnaud Hequet,  Carine Ganem-Elbaz,  Thierry Cresteil,  Gérard Jaouen,  Anne Vessières,  Elizabeth A. Hillard and Claude Jolivalt
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT12180H

Polyanionic N-donor ligands as chelating agents in transition metal complexes: synthesis, structural characterization and antiviral properties against HIV
Sandra García-Gallego,  Javier Sánchez Rodríguez,  José Luis Jiménez,  Michela Cangiotti,  Maria Francesca Ottaviani,  M. Ángeles Muñoz-Fernández,  Rafael Gómez and F. Javier de la Mata
Dalton Trans., 2012
DOI: 10.1039/C2DT11793B