Implementation of the 2015 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis in the Netherlands.

Because the occurrence of infective endocarditis (IE) continues to be associated with high mortality, a working group was created by the Dutch Society of Cardiology to examine how the most recent European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines for IE management could be implemented most effectively in the Netherlands. In order to investigate current Dutch IE practices, the working group conducted a country-wide survey. Based on the results obtained, it was concluded that most ESC recommendations could be endorsed, albeit with some adjustments. For instance, the suggested pre-operative screening and treatment of nasal carriers of Staphylococcus aureus as formulated in the ESC guideline was found to be dissimilar to current Dutch practice, and was therefore made less restrictive. The recently adapted ESC diagnostic criteria for IE were endorsed, while the practical employment of the relevant diagnostic techniques was simplified in an adapted flowchart. In addition, the presence of a multidisciplinary, so-called 'endocarditis team' in tertiary centres was proposed as a quality indicator. An adapted flowchart specifically tailored to Dutch practice for microbiological diagnostic purposes was constructed. Lastly, the working group recommended the Stichting Werkgroep Antibioticabeleid (SWAB; Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy) guidelines for IE treatment instead of the antibiotic regimens proposed by the ESC.

Molecular recognition and self-assembly special feature: Self-assembled biomimetic [2Fe2S]-hydrogenase-based photocatalyst for molecular hydrogen evolution.

The large-scale production of clean energy is one of the major challenges society is currently facing. Molecular hydrogen is envisaged as a key green fuel for the future, but it becomes a sustainable alternative for classical fuels only if it is also produced in a clean fashion. Here, we report a supramolecular biomimetic approach to form a catalyst that produces molecular hydrogen using light as the energy source. It is composed of an assembly of chromophores to a bis(thiolate)-bridged diiron ([2Fe2S]) based hydrogenase catalyst. The supramolecular building block approach introduced in this article enabled the easy formation of a series of complexes, which are all thoroughly characterized, revealing that the photoactivity of the catalyst assembly strongly depends on its nature. The active species, formed from different complexes, appears to be the [Fe(2)(micro-pdt)(CO)(4){PPh(2)(4-py)}(2)] (3) with 2 different types of porphyrins (5a and 5b) coordinated to it. The modular supramolecular approach was important in this study as with a limited number of building blocks several different complexes were generated.

Ureidobenzotriazine multiple H-bonding arrays: the importance of geometrical details on the stability of H-bonds.

A 3-ureidobenzo-1,2,4-triazine 1-N-oxide (1) was synthesized successfully. The derivative displays an acceptor-donor-acceptor-acceptor (ADAA) hydrogen-bonding motif in CDCl(3) and DMSO-d(6) solution as well as in the solid state. Although moderately strong association of 1 was observed with DAD motifs, nonspecific binding is observed with ureidopyridines featuring a complementary DADD array. Density functional calculations of conformations 1a and 1b together with two complexes revealed the clearly nonplanar geometry of the multiply hydrogen-bonded complex, in which some bonds are significantly longer (3.2 A) than is optimal for H-bonds. As a result, only very small free energies of association were calculated, in line with the experimentally observed absence of specific assembly of the components.

Centrosymmetric and pseudo-centrosymmetric structures refined as non-centrosymmetric.

The behaviour of the Flack parameter for centrosymmetric and pseudo-centrosymmetric crystal structures based on crystal structures published as being non-centrosymmetric is presented. It is confirmed for centrosymmetric structures that the value obtained for the Flack parameter is critically dependent on the Friedel coverage of the intensity data, approaching 0.5 for a coverage of 100% and sticking near the starting value for a coverage of 0%. For pseudo-centrosymmetric structures, even those very close to being centrosymmetric, it is found that it is often possible to obtain significant values of the Flack parameter. A theoretical basis for this surprising result is established. It has also been possible to establish an a priori estimate of the standard uncertainty of the Flack parameter based only on the chemical composition of the compound and the wavelength of the radiation. The paper concludes with preliminary presentations of bias in the Flack parameter and of inconsistent chemical and crystallographic data.

Use of software to search for higher symmetry: space group C2.

From a search of the October 2000 release of the Cambridge Structural Database we find coordinate data for approximately 1500 entries under space group No. 5: C2 or, occasionally, A2, I2 or B112. Software designed to detect cases of missed higher symmetry identified 144 entries for detailed inspection. Of these, 50 should, we believe, be revised to space groups of higher symmetry. The most common revision is to space group C2/m, which entails adding a center of inversion and usually results in important changes in bond lengths and angles.

A multiple hydrogen-bond scaffold based on dipyrimidin-2-ylamine.

A multiple hydrogen-bond array based on dipyrimidin-2-ylamine is presented, which is easily accessible. The influence of a preorganizing intramolecular hydrogen bond, tautomeric equilibria, and steric effects on the association behavior were investigated. X-ray diffraction shows that the molecules feature an ADA (acceptor-donor-acceptor) array of hydrogen-bonding sites in the solid state. The array persists in solution, and (1)H NMR titrations show that molecules with sterically nondemanding DAD arrays are selectively bound. [structure: see text]

Reaction of a complexed phosphinidene with 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphabenzene.

The terminal phosphinidene complex PhPW(CO)5 reacts with 2,4,6-tri-tert-butyl-1,3,5-triphosphabenzene to give two unexpected multicyclic organophosphorus compounds. One of them results from an initial 1,2-addition, followed by an intramolecular rearrangement. B3LYP/6-31G* calculations on simplified parent systems suggest that the reaction follows a unique concerted reaction pathway. The second, and major, product is a tetraphosphaquadricyclane derivative, which presumably results from an intramolecular [2+2] cycloaddition of an intermediate tetraphosphanorbornadiene complex. Single-crystal X-ray structures are presented for both products.

Addition of a phosphinidene complex to C=N bonds: P-ylides, azaphosphiridines, and 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions.

The terminal phosphinidene complex PhPW(CO)5 adds to the imine bond of PhHC=N-Ph to give 3-membered ring azaphosphiridines, which undergo ring-expansion with an additional imine to yield a set of four isomeric five-membered ring diazaphospholanes. Treatment with the diimines PhHC=N-(CH2)n-N=CHPh (n=2,3,4) results instead-in all three cases-in only a single isomer of the (CH2)n bridged diazaphospholane. For n=2 or 3, this aminal group is easily hydrolyzed to afford new 6- and 7-membered ring heterocycles. No intermediate azaphosphiridine complex is observed during the addition reaction to the diimines. B3LYP/6-31G* calculations on an unsubstituted, uncomplexed system suggest that the initially formed P,N-ylide of the H2C=N-(CH)2-N=CH2 diimine both kinetically and thermodynamically favors an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition over an imine insertion into the CPN ring of an intermediate azaphosphiridine. Single-crystal X-ray structures for the (CH2)2-bridged azaphospholane complex and the HCl adduct of the 7-membered hydrolysis product are presented.

Complexation and (templated) synthesis of rhenium complexes with cyclodextrins and cyclodextrin dimers in water.

Several small, lipophilic rhenium complexes form inclusion complexes with native beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD) and beta-CD dimers. Association constants larger than 10(9)M(-1) were obtained using dimers. The use of beta-CD also enabled the synthesis of these rhenium complexes in water, in excellent yields, through complexation of the otherwise insoluble corresponding ligands. The influence of the reaction time and temperature on the configuration of the reaction products has been investigated in depth for one of these complexes. Using a beta-CD dimer, it proved possible to specifically template the formation of one configuration. The strength of the complexes of the rhenium complexes in cyclodextrin dimers may allow radiolabeling of biomolecules.

Novel ruthenium(II)2 carboxylates as catalysts for alkene metathesis.

The reactions of [Ru-(=CHR)Cl2(PCy3)2] (1: R = Ph; 1a: R = -CH=CPh2) with silver salts of carboxylic acids afforded new dimeric complexes of the general formula [Ru2(=CHR)2-(R'CO2)2(mu-R'CO2)2(PCy3)2(mu-H2O)] (2: R = Ph, R' = CF3; 3: R = Ph, R' = C2F5; 4: R = -CH=CPh2, R' = CF3; 5: R = Ph, R' = C6F5; 6: R = -CH=CPh2, R' = C6F5; 7: R = -CH=CPh2, R'=CCl3) in good yields. With R' = CF3, C2F5 or CCl3 these complexes are active catalysts for metathesis of acyclic alkenes, including unsaturated fatty acid esters, as well as for ring closing metathesis. The reactivity of these complexes with bases and weak donor solvents has been studied and their half-life times in several media were determined.

C(arenium)-C(alkyl) bond making and breaking: key process in the platinum-mediated C(aryl)-C(alkyl) bond formation. Analogies to organic electrophilic aromatic substitution.

The reaction of cationic platinum aqua complexes 2 [Pt(C(6)H(2)[CH(2)NMe(2)](2)-E-4)(OH(2))](X') (X' = SO(3)CF(3), BF(4)) with alkyl halides RX gave various air-stable arenium complexes 3-5 containing a new C-C bond (R = Me, 3; Et, 4; Bn, 5). Electron-releasing oxo-substituents on the aromatic ligand (E = e.g., OH, b; OMe, c) enhance the reactivity of the aqua complex 2 and were essential for arenium formation from alkyl halides different from MeX. This process is initiated by oxidative addition of alkyl halides to the platinum(II) center of 2, which affords (alkyl)(aryl) platinum(IV) complexes (e.g., 9, alkyl = benzyl) as intermediates. Spectroscopic analyses provided direct evidence for a subsequent reversible 1,2-sigmatropic shift of the alkyl group along the Pt-C(aryl) bond, which is identical to repetitive C(arenium)-C(alkyl) bond making and breaking and concerted metal reduction and oxidation. Temperature-dependent NMR spectroscopy revealed DeltaH degrees = -1.3 (+/- 0.1) kJ mol(-1), DeltaS degrees = +3.8 (+/- 0.2) J mol(-1) K(-1), and DeltaG degrees (298) = -2.4 (+/- 0.1) kJ mol(-1) for the formation of the arenium complex 5b from 9 involving the migration of a benzyl group. The arenium complexes were transformed to cyclohexadiene-type addition products 7 or to demetalated alkyl-substituted arenes, 8, thus completing the platinum-mediated formation of a sp(2)-sp(3) C-C bond which is analogous to the aromatic substitution of a [PtX](+) unit by an alkyl cation R(+). The formation of related trimethylsilyl arenium complexes 6 suggests arenium complexes as key intermediates, not only in (metal-mediated) sp(2)-sp(3) C-C bond making and breaking but also in silyl-directed cyclometalation.

Steric and electronic ligand perturbations in catalysis: asymmetric allylic substitution reactions using C2-symmetrical phosphorus-chiral (bi)ferrocenyl donors.

Three series of P-chiral diphosphines based on ferrocene (1a-f, 2a-c) and biferrocenyl skeletons (3a-c), including novel ligands 1f and 3c, were employed in palladium-catalyzed allylic substitution reactions. Steric effects imposed by the phosphine residues were studied using C2-symmetrical donors 1 (1 = 1,1'-bis(arylphenylphosphino)ferrocene with aryl groups a = 1-naphthyl, b = 2-naphthyl, c = 2-anisyl, d = 2-biphenylyl, e = 9-phenanthryl, and f = ferrocenyl), whereas para-methoxy- and/or para-trifluoromethyl substitution of the phenyl moieties in 1a enabled investigation of ligand electronic effects applying ferrocenyl diphosphines 2a-c. Ligands 3 (3 = 2,2'-bis- (arylphenylphosphino)-1,1'-biferrocenyls with aryl substituents a,c = 1-naphthyl (diastereomers) and b = 2-biphenylyl) allowed for comparison of backbone structure effects (bite angle variation) in catalysis. Linear and cyclic allylic acetates served as substrates in typical test reactions; upon attack of soft carbon and nitrogen nucleophiles on (E)-1,3-diphenylprop-2-ene-1-yl acetate the respective malonate, amine, or imide products were obtained in enantioselectivities of up to 99% ee. A crystal structure analysis of a palladium 1,3-diphenyl-eta 3-allyl complex incorporating ligand (S,S)-1a revealed a marked distortion of the allyl fragment, herewith defining the regioselectivity of nucleophile addition.

X-ray crystal structures and conformational analysis of bicyclo[5.3.1]undec-1(11)-enes: twisting versus pyradidalization in anti-bredt olefins.

The synthesis of several 9,11,11-trihalo[5.3.1]propellanes and their 4-dimethylsila analogues is described. They solvolyze under formation of the corresponding isomeric 7,9,11- trihalobicyclo[5.3.l]undec-1(11)-enes which are "anti-Bredt" olefins with a strained trans double bond in a bridged eight-membered ring; in the presence of nucleophiles such as water or ethanol, the corresponding 7-hydroxy or 7-ethoxy derivatives, respectively, are obtained. On the basis of the X-ray crystal structures of four of these compounds (1a, 9a, 15, 17b), the effect of strain and of the substitution pattern on the degree of twisting and pyramidalization of the double bond is discussed.

3-(1-Hydroxyethylidene)-1-phenylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione.

Analysis of C(12)H(11)NO(3) revealed a coplanar N-substituted phenyl group on a pyrrolidine ring with two keto moieties and a hydroxyethylidene functionality. The hydroxy group forms part of a hydrogen-bonding network characterized by a short intramolecular H.O distance of 1.81 (3) A, and a longer intermolecular interaction with an H.O distance of 2.38 (3) A. Both keto groups form additional intra- and intermolecular C-H.O contacts with H.O distances ranging from 2.26 to 2.41 A.

(3R,4aS,5R)-3-Hydroxy-5-isopropenyl-3,8-dimethyl-4,4a,5,6-tetrahydro-2(3H)-naphthalenone.

In the crystal structure of C(15)H(20)O(2), molecules are associated by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy function and a keto group [O.O 2.770 (2) A], forming chains along the [100] direction in the crystal. Both six-membered rings in the decalin unit adopt envelope conformations; one section of the molecule, encompassing the extended conjugation of a C=C double bond with an enone functionality [C=C-C=O = 175.6 (2) degrees and C=C-C=C = 176.6 (2) degrees ], is flat, whilst the rest of the molecule is folded relative to the constrained part. The stereochemistry was determined from the R-(-)-carvone starting material.

Autoionization of homogeneous nickel(II) diphosphane hydrogenation catalysts. An NMR study and crystal structures of [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2] and [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2](PF6)2.

The synthesis of a number of nickel(II) complexes containing the didentate phosphane ligand 1,2-bis(di(o-methoxyphenyl)phosphino)ethane (o-MeO-dppe) is reported. Two types of complexes have been synthesized, i.e., the mono(chelate) complex (1) of the general formula [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)X2] (where X = Cl, Br or I) and the bis(chelate) complex (2) of the general formula [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2]Y2 (where Y = PF6 or trifluoroacetate (TFA)). These complexes have been characterized using electronic absorption and NMR spectroscopy. The structures of the mono(chelate) complex [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2] (1c) and of the bis(chelate) complex [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2](PF6)2 (2e) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)I2] crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with Z = 4, a = 12.1309(1) A, b = 16.5759(3) A, c = 17.6474(2) A, beta = 119.3250(10) degrees. [Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2](PF6)2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with Z = 4, a = 22.5326(3) A, b = 13.6794(2) A, c = 21.7134(3) A, beta = 107.1745(7) degrees. In both structures the nickel ion is in a square-planar geometry with a NiP2I2 and NiP4 chromophore, respectively. Using 1H and 31P[1H] NMR spectroscopy the behavior of the complexes in various solvents has been studied. It appears that in solution these nickel complexes are involved in an autoionization equilibrium: 2[Ni(o-MeO-dppe)X2] <==>[Ni(o-MeO-dppe)2](2+) + ["NiX(4)"](2-). The ionized complex (3) consists of a cationic unit in which a nickel atom is surrounded by two didentate phosphane ligands, and an anionic unit that stoichiometrically consists of a nickel atom and four anions. The position of the autoionization equilibrium is highly dependent on the anion and the solvent used. In a polar solvent in combination with weakly coordinating anions only the ionized complex is observed, whereas in an apolar solvent in combination with coordinating anions only the mono(chelate) complex occurs. A comparison of the behavior of o-MeO-dppe with its unsubstituted analogue dppe in combination with nickel(II) acetate using 31P[1H] NMR spectroscopy shows that the latter is more readily oxidized.

[eta(2)-(E)-But-2-enedinitrile](N,N'-di-phenyl-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]-heptane-2,3-diimine-N,N')-palladium(0).

The zero-valent palladium in [Pd(C(4)H(2)N(2))(C(22)H(24)N(2))] is coordinated to two imine N atoms of a derivatized camphor ligand, and to the olefinic C atoms of a pi-bonded fumaronitrile group. The N--Pd--N bite angle of 77.31 (9) degrees is similar to angles observed in other zero-valent palladium diiminoalkene species. The asymmetry of the camphor moiety leads to two different orientations of the N-aryl groups relative to the PdN(2) plane [C==N--C--C torsion angles of 102.4 (4) and 39.4 (4) degrees ].

Polycationic (mixed) core-shell dendrimers for binding and delivery of inorganic/organic substrates.

The convergent synthesis of a series of polycationic aryl ether dendrimers has been accomplished by a convenient procedure involving quantitative quaternarization of aryl(poly)amine core molecules. The series has been expanded to the preparation of the first polycationic, mixed core-shell dendrimer. All these dendrimers consist of an apolar core with a peripheral ionic layer which is surrounded by a less polar layer of dendritic wedges. These cationic, macromolecular species have been investigated for their ability to form assemblies with (anionic) guest molecules. The results obtained from UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopies, and MALDI-TOF-MS demonstrate that all the cationic sites throughout the dendrimer core are involved in ion pair formation with anionic guests giving predefined guest/host ratios up to 24. The large NMR spectroscopic shifts of resonances correlated with the groupings located in the core of the dendrimers, together with the relaxation time data indicate that the anionic guests are associated with the cationic core of these dendrimers. The X-ray molecular structure of the octacationic, tetra-arylsilane model derivative [Si(C6H3[CH2NMe3](2)-3,5)4]8+. 8I- shows that the iodide counterions are primarily located near the polycationic sphere. The new polycationic dendrimers have been investigated for their catalytic phase-transfer behavior and substrate delivery over a nanofiltration membrane.

(5S)-3-oxo-4-oxa-endo-tricyclo[5.2.1.0(2,6)]dec-8-en-5-yl acetate.

The molecular structure of C(11)H(12)O(4), based on a norbornene core, was established to confirm the configuration of an acetoxy side-chain group in addition to the formation of the endo product. The acetoxy side chain lies in an axial position relative to the five-membered fused ring. Bond distances and angles show no unusual features, with all geometric parameters lying within their expected ranges. The overall stereochemistry of the molecule was ascertained from the chiral furanone starting material.