Group 14 triple-decker cations.

The triple-decker cations trans-[(Cp*Sn)(2)(mu-eta(5):eta(5)-Cp*)](+) and trans-[(Cp*Pb)(2)(mu-eta(5):eta(5)-Cp*)](+) have been prepared and structurally characterized as their [B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) salts from the reactions of [Cp*M][B(C(6)F(5))(4)](M = Sn, Pb) with the appropriate decamethylmetallocene. Both triple-decker cations adopt a cisoid arrangement of terminal Cp* groups, whereas the two known triple-decker main-group anions possess a transoid arrangement of terminal Cp groups. The reason for this conformational difference has been probed on the basis of DFT calculations.

Gender role, sexual orientation and suicide risk.

BACKGROUND: There has been interest in the relationship between homosexuality, gender role and suicide risk. Though homosexuals are more likely to identify as cross-gender, research has not simultaneously examined sexual orientation and gender role in assessing suicide risk. In the current study, the unique and interactive effects of sexual orientation and gender role were assessed in regard to suicidal ideation, related psychopathology and measures of coping. METHODS: 77 participants were recruited from an undergraduate psychology subject pool (n=47) or from gay, lesbian and transgender student organizations (n=30) and assessed on measures of gender role, homosexuality, and psychopathology. RESULTS: Consistent with expectations, cross-gender role (i.e., personality traits associated with the opposite sex) is a unique predictor of suicidal symptoms. Moreover, gender role accounted for more of the overall variance in suicidal symptoms, positive problem orientation, peer acceptance and support, than sexual orientation. After accounting for gender role, sexual orientation contributed little to the variance in suicidal symptoms, associated pathology and problem-solving deficits. There was no support for gender role by sexual orientation interaction effects. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional nature of the data limits statements regarding causality. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-gendered individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, appear to have higher risk for suicidal symptoms. Researchers and clinicians should assess gender role in evaluations of youth samples.

Synthesis and characterization of a coordinated oxoborane: Lewis acid stabilization of a boron-oxygen double bond.

The first example of a stable oxoborane monomer (LB=O) stabilized by complexation to AlCl3 has been prepared by the reaction of LAlCl2 with BCl3 followed by treatment with H2O in CH2Cl2 (L = [HC(CMe)2(NC6F5)2]). DFT calculations reveal that considerable boron-oxygen double bond character is retained in this complex.

pi-Indenyl tin(II) and lead(II) compounds.

The syntheses and structures of the first indenyl-substituted tin(II) complexes, [Sn{1,3-(SiMe3)2C9H5}2] and [Sn(C5Me5)-{1,3-(SiMe3)2C9H5}], are described; the lead(II) analogue of the latter compound has also been prepared and structurally characterized.

Fluoroaryl-substituted aminoalane dimers: syntheses and structures.

Six dimeric aminoalanes of formula [Me(2)Al-mu-N(H)Ar(F)](2)(Ar(F)= 4-C(6)H(4)F (1), 2-C(6)H(4)F (2), 3,5-C(6)H(3)F(2)(3), 2,3,4,5-C(6)HF(4)(4), 2,3,5,6-C(6)HF(4)(5) and C(6)F(5)(6)) have been prepared by treatment of the appropriate fluoroaniline with AlMe(3) in toluene solution at 25 degrees C. The structures of 1-6 were determined by X-ray crystallography.

The molecular structure of tetra-tert-butyldiphosphine: an extremely distorted, sterically crowded molecule.

The molecular structure of tetra-tert-butyldiphosphine has been determined in the gas phase by electron diffraction using the new DYNAMITE method and in the crystalline phase by X-ray diffraction. Ab initio methods were employed to gain a greater understanding of the structural preferences of this molecule in the gas phase, and to determine the intrinsic P-P bond energy, using recently described methods. Although the P-P bond is relatively long [GED 226.4(8) pm; X-ray 223.4(1) pm] and the dissociation energy is computed to be correspondingly small (150.6 kJ mol(-1)), the intrinsic energy of this bond (258.2 kJ mol(-1)) is normal for a diphosphine. The gaseous data were refined using the new Edinburgh structure refinement program ed@ed, which is described in detail. The molecular structure of gaseous P(2)Bu(t)(4) is compared to that of the isoelectronic 1,1,2,2-tetra-tert-butyldisilane. The molecules adopt a conformation with C(2) symmetry. The P-P-C angles returned from the gas electron diffraction refinement are 118.8(6) and 98.9(6) degrees, a difference of 20 degrees, whilst the C-P-C angle is 110.3(8) degrees. The corresponding parameters in the crystal are 120.9(1), 99.5(1) and 109.5(1) degrees. There are also large deformations within the tert-butyl groups, making the DYNAMITE analysis for this molecule extremely important.

Crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase.

The Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase is a multifunctional heme-dependent enzyme that activates the core anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid. Numerous studies have been undertaken to elucidate the enzyme-dependent mechanism of isoniazid activation, and it is well documented that mutations that reduce activity or inactivate the catalase-peroxidase lead to increased levels of isoniazid resistance in M. tuberculosis. Interpretation of the catalytic activities and the effects of mutations upon the action of the enzyme to date have been limited due to the lack of a three-dimensional structure for this enzyme. In order to provide a more accurate model of the three-dimensional structure of the M. tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase, we have crystallized the enzyme and now report its crystal structure refined to 2.4-A resolution. The structure reveals new information about dimer assembly and provides information about the location of residues that may play a role in catalysis including candidates for protein-based radical formation. Modeling and computational studies suggest that the binding site for isoniazid is located near the delta-meso heme edge rather than in a surface loop structure as currently proposed. The availability of a crystal structure for the M. tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase also permits structural and functional effects of mutations implicated in causing elevated levels of isoniazid resistance in clinical isolates to be interpreted with improved confidence.

Enzyme-catalyzed mechanism of isoniazid activation in class I and class III peroxidases.

There is an urgent need to understand the mechanism of activation of the frontline anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase. To address this, a combination of NMR spectroscopic, biochemical, and computational methods have been used to obtain a model of the frontline anti-tuberculosis drug isoniazid bound to the active site of the class III peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase C. This information has been used in combination with the new crystal structure of the M. tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase to predict the mode of INH binding across the class I heme peroxidase family. An enzyme-catalyzed mechanism for INH activation is proposed that brings together structural, functional, and spectroscopic data from a variety of sources. Collectively, the information not only provides a molecular basis for understanding INH activation by the M. tuberculosis catalase-peroxidase but also establishes a new conceptual framework for testing hypotheses regarding the enzyme-catalyzed turnover of this compound in a number of heme peroxidases.

Isolation of C-H...C(pi) complexes from the reaction of stable carbenes with hydrocarbons.

Several imidazolium-hydrocarbon salts have been isolated from the reaction of stable carbenes with hydrocarbons and some of the products have been structurally characterized showing ion pair formation in the solid state characterized by the presence of well defined and transferable C-H...C(pi) interactions.

An unprecedented mode of ligation for a bridged amido-cyclopentadienide (constrained geometry) ligand; pi-olefinic interactions with gallium and indium.

The surprising reaction of GaCl3 or InBr3 with the di-Grignard reagent [Me2Si(C5Me4)(N-t-Bu)](MgCl)2 x THF results in salts of the bimetallic anions of composition [X3M[C5Me4(N-t-Bu)]MX2]- (M = Ga, X = Cl; M = In; X = Br) in which the MX2 moiety undergoes an eta2-interaction with one of the double bonds of the localized cyclopentadienide ring.

Synthesis of 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidenes and their interaction with acetonitrile and chalcogens.

Two new, more convenient methods for the synthesis of 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidenes are described. Four new 1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidenes have been prepared using these methods: 1-(1-adamantyl)-3,4-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2a), 1-(1-adamantyl)-3-phenyl-4-(p-bromophenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2b), 1-(1-adamantyl)-3-phenyl-4-(alpha-naphthyl)-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2c), and 1-(1-adamantyl)-3,4-di(p-bromophenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-5-ylidene (2d). The X-ray crystal structures of 2d and the precursor salt 1-(1-adamantyl)-3,4-di(p-bromophenyl)-1,2,4-triazolium bromide (1e) are described. Compound 2a reacts with CH(3)CN via C-H insertion to form 1-(1-adamantyl)-3,4-diphenyl-5-cyanomethyl-5H-1,2,4-triazoline (3), and 2a and 2d react with elemental sulfur and elemental selenium, respectively, to form the corresponding thione (4) and selenone (5).

Novel supramolecular architectures in group 13 perfluoroaryl complexes. Synthesis and structures of [AlMe(C6F5)(mu-Me)]2 and GaMe(C6F5)2.

Novel supramolecular architectures are observed in the solid state structures of [AlMe(C6F5)(mu-Me)]2 (1) and Ga(C6F5)2Me (2) via pi-pi stacking between C6F5 rings and intermolecular aryl-F-->Ga interactions, respectively.

The contrasting behaviour of bridged amido-cyclopentadienyl (constrained geometry) group 15 chlorides and cations derived therefrom.

The first group 15 amido-cyclopentadienyl (constrained geometry) cations have been prepared and structurally characterized; the structure of the stibenium cation is different from those of the corresponding phosphenium and arsenium cations.

The crystal structure of the 'pentamethylcyclopentadienyl cation' is that of the pentamethylcyclopentenyl cation.

The recently reported X-ray crystal structure of the [B(C6F5)4]- salt of the 'pentamethylcyclopentadienyl cation' is actually that of pentamethylcyclopentenyl tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate.

Dialkyl aluminium amides: new reagents for the conversion of C=O into C=NR functionalities.

A new methodology for the preparation of alpha-diimines and beta-aminoenones has been devised and represents an alternative route to these and related nitrogenous ligands bearing highly electronegative substituents.