Organometallic supramolecular chemistry with monosaccharides: triethylammonium mu-chloro-bis[chloro(eta5-cyclopentadienyl)-(methyl 4,6-o-benzylidene-beta-D-glucopyranosidato-1kappaO2,1:2kappaO3) zirconate].

The reaction of [CpZrCl3(thf)2] with methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-beta-D-glucopyranoside (beta-MeBGH2, 1) in the presence of Et3N results in the formation of the zirconate complex [Et3NH] [(CpZrCl)2(mu-Cl) (mu-(beta-MeBG)]2] (2). X-ray structure analyses were performed from the ligand precursor beta-MeBGH2 1 as well as from 2. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic chiral space group P2(1). The molecules show a flat arrangement including the benzylidene protecting group, and are packed in columns. The columns are held together in pairs by the formation of hydrogen bonds between the hydroxy functions in positions 2 and 3. Compound 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). The beta-MeBG ligands are chelating the Zr atoms through the oxygen atoms in positions 2 and 3 of the glucopyranosidato ligand revealing a 1-zircona-2,5-dioxolane moiety each; the oxygen atom in position 3 is linked to both of the Zr atoms. Additionally one chloro ligand is bridging the two Zr centers. Two terminally bound chloro ligands stick out from the two Zr atoms into a chiral U-shaped cavity constructed by the two beta-MeBG ligands. The cavity incorporates the tertiary ammonium cation [Et3NH]+ which is bound to one of the terminal chloro ligands through a hydrogen bond. The inclusion of the [Et3NH]+ cation in the U-shaped cavity, even in solution, is demonstrated by NMR spectroscopic data.

Characterisation of coupling products formed by biotransformation of biphenyl and diphenyl ether by the white rot fungus Pycnoporus cinnabarinus.

Cells of the white rot fungus Pycnoporus cinnabarinus grown in glucose were able to hydroxylate biphenyl and diphenyl ether, although growth was inhibited by these substrates at concentrations above 250 microM. 2- and 4-Hydroxybiphenyl were detected as products of biphenyl metabolism and 2- and 4-hydroxydiphenyl ether as products of diphenyl ether metabolism in the culture media. After addition of 2-hydroxydiphenyl ether and 2-hydroxybiphenyl to cell-free supernatants containing laccase as the only ligninolytic enzyme, different coloured precipitates were formed. HPLC analysis revealed the formation of additional hydrophobic metabolites with one major product per transformation. Mass spectrometric analysis of the methyl derivatives of the polymer mixture indicated dimers and trimers with different binding types. The main products were identified as dimers with carbon-carbon bonds in para-position to the hydroxyl group of the monomers by mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

A "Double-Diamond Superlattice" Built Up of Cd17S4(SCH2CH2OH)26 Clusters.

A simple preparation of Cd(17)S(4)(SCH(2)CH(2)OH)(26) clusters in aqueous solution leads to the formation of colorless blocky crystals. X-ray structure determinations revealed a superlattice framework built up of covalently linked clusters. This superlattice is best described as two enlarged and interlaced diamond or zinc blende lattices. Because both the superlattice and the clusters display the same structural features, the crystal structure resembles the self-similarities known from fractal geometry. The optical spectrum of the cluster solution displays a sharp transition around 290 nanometers with a large absorption coefficient ( approximately 84,000 per molar per centimeter).