Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometric studies of poly(methylaluminoxane) (MAO) in the presence of [Cp2 ZrMe2 ], [Cp2 ZrMe(Cl)], and [Cp2 ZrCl2 ] in fluorobenzene (PhF) solution are reported. The results demonstrate that alkylation and ionization are separate events that occur at competitive rates in a polar solvent. Furthermore, there are significant differences in ion-pair speciation that result from the use of metallocene dichloride complexes in comparison to alkylated precursors at otherwise identical Al/Zr ratios. Finally, the counter anions that form are dependent on the choice of precursor and Al/Zr ratio; halogenated aluminoxane anions [(MeAlO)x (Me3 Al)y-z (Me2 AlCl)z Me](-) (z=1, 2, 3…︁) are observed using metal chloride complexes and under some conditions may predominate over their non-halogenated precursors [(MeAlO)x (Me3 Al)y Me](-) . Specifically, this halogenation process appears selective for the anions that form in comparison to the neutral components of MAO. Only at very high Al/Zr ratios is the same "native" anion distribution observed when using [Cp2 ZrCl2 ] when compared with [Cp2 ZrMe2 ]. Together, the results suggest that the need for a large excess of MAO when using metallocene dichloride complexes is a reflection of competitive alkylation vs. ionization, the persistence of unreactive, homodinuclear ion pairs in the case of [Cp2 ZrCl2 ], as well as a change in ion pairing resulting from modification of the anions formed at lower Al/Zr ratios. Models for neutral precursors and anions are examined computationally.

A compact and position-addressable blue ray scanning microscope (BSM) based on a commercially available Blu-ray disk pickup head (PUH) is developed for cell imaging with high resolution and low cost. The BSM comprises two objective lenses with numerical apertures (NAs) of 0.85 and 0.6 for focusing blue and red laser beams, respectively, on the sample slide. The blue and red laser beams are co-located adjacent to each other and move synchronously. A specially designed sample slide is used with a sample area and an address-patterned area for sample holding and address recognition, respectively. The blue laser beam is focused on the sample area and is used for fluorescent excitation and image capturing, whereas the red laser beam is focused on the address-patterned area and is used for address recognition and dynamic focusing. The address-patterned area is divided into 310 sectors. The cell image of each sector of the sampling area has a corresponding address pattern. Fluorescence images of monkey-derived kidney epithelial cells and fibroblast cells in which the F-actin is stained with fluorophore phalloidin CF 405 are measured by the BSM, with results comparable to those measured by a Leica TCS CP2 confocal microscope. The cell image of an area of interest can be easily tracked based on the coded address, and a large-area sample image can be accurately reconstructed from the sector images.

A binuclear iridium complex, (Cp2*Ir2(CH2O)C2B10H8) (6), with a unique metal-metal bond has been synthesized and fully characterized. Importantly, this complex is constructed via selective C-H and B(3)-H bond activation on the carborane precursor. Additionally, when the proligand (2-pyridine)(o-carboranyl)methanol ligand was combined with a half-sandwich iridium complex, selective B(6)-H bond activation or metal-carbon bond formation can be induced by the use of different bases. And the rhodium complex constructed from (2-pyridine)(o-carboranyl)methanol ligand containing a metal-carbon bond has been obtained and fully characterized.

The color change from yellow to violet allows the formation of the intermediate [Cp2 Ti(SiHMePh)(pyridine)] to be monitored in the reaction of PhMeSiH2 with a pyridine in the presence of the precatalyst [Cp2 TiMe2 ] [Eq. (a)]; the hydride [Cp2 TiH] is postulated to be the key intermediate in the catalytic cycle. The regioselective hydrosilylation of pyridine and also substituted pyridines can be catalyzed by the titanocene [Cp2 TiMe2 ]. R=Me, CO2 Et.

This paper reports on stereospecific coupling reactions between an η2 -cyclopropene ligand and pyridine derivatives, which are preferred to alternative C-H bond activation reactions. The dicyclopropylzirconocene complex [Cp2 Zr(c-C3 H5 )2 ] (1) eliminates cyclopropane to generate the η2 -cyclopropene/bicyclobutane intermediate [Cp2 Zr(η2 -c-C3 H4 )] (A). A does not activate any pyridine C-H bonds, but rather pyridine inserts into a Zr-C bond of A, yielding an azazirconacycle with a dearomatized pyridyl group [Cp2 Zr{κ2 -N,C8 -(2-c-C3 H4 )-C5 H5 N}] (2). Kinetic data, isotopelabelling experiments, and DFT calculations indicate that the rate-determining step of this stereospecific reaction is cyclopropane elimination, and that the stability of the intermediate [Cp2 Zr(η2 -c-C3 H4 )(NC5 H5 )] (A-py) governs the selectivity of the reaction. Complex 2 tautomerizes to [Cp2 Zr{κ2 -N,C8 -(2-C3 H5 )-C5 H4 N}] (6) through a base-catalyzed proton migration accompanied by cyclopropyl opening and restoration of conjugation within the zirconacycle.

Due to their striking optical properties, luminescent coordination polymers as sensors for the detection of hazardous species have drawn interest of researchers in consideration of the control of environmental pollution. In this work, the organic ligand 2-(4-((E)-2-(pyridine-2-yl)vinyl)styryl)pyridine (2-bpeb), which possesses a large π-conjugated system, was employed to react with d¹⁰ metal ions to obtain novel luminescent coordination polymers. Three complexes [Cd(2-bpeb)_0.5 (CNA)(H₂ O)] (CP1), [Cd(2-bpeb)_0.5 (NDC)] (CP2) and [Zn(2-bpeb)(BDC)] (CP3) were synthesized successfully by introducing carboxylic acids of 4-carboxycinnamic acid (H₂ CNA), 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid (H₂ NDC) and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂ BDC) as auxiliary ligands. Because of the existence of the large π-conjugated system and d¹⁰ metal ions, all of these coordination polymers exhibit striking fluorescence properties. Impressively, all of them can function as sensors for the detection of highly oxidizing anions MnO₄^- and Cr₂ O₇^2- , with an increased sensitivity for MnO₄^- .

An AgI dimer capped with labile organometallic diphosphorus ligands [Cp2 Mo2 (CO)4 (η2 -P2 )] (Cp=C5 H5 ) acts as a highly pre-organized molecular precursor to direct the construction of 1D or 2D, and 3D organometallic-organic hybrid coordination polymers upon reaction with ditopic pyridine-based linkers. The formation of the supramolecular aggregates can be controlled by the stoichiometry of the organic molecules, and the mechanism is supported by DFT calculations.

A study of the coordination chemistry of different amidato ligands [(R)N-C(Ph)O] (R=Ph, 2,6-diisopropylphenyl (Dipp)) at Group 4 metallocenes is presented. The heterometallacyclic complexes [Cp2M(Cl){κ(2)-N,O-(R)N-C(Ph)O}] M=Zr, R=Dipp (1 a), Ph (1 b); M=Hf, R=Ph (2)) were synthesized by reaction of [Cp2MCl2] with the corresponding deprotonated amides. Complex 1 a was also prepared by direct deprotonation of the amide with Schwartz reagent [Cp2Zr(H)Cl]. Salt metathesis reaction of [Cp2Zr(H)Cl] with deprotonated amide [(Dipp)N-C(Ph)O] gave the zirconocene hydrido complex [Cp2M(H){κ(2)-N,O-(Dipp)N-C(Ph)O}] (3). Reaction of 1 a with Mg did not result in the desired Zr(III) complex but in formation of Mg complex [(py)3Mg(Cl) {κ(2)-N,O-(Dipp)N-C(Ph)O}] (4; py=pyridine). The paramagnetic complexes [Cp'2Ti{κ(2)-N,O-(R)N-C(Ph)O}] (Cp'=Cp, R=Ph (7 a); Cp'=Cp, R=Dipp (7 b); Cp'=Cp*, R=Ph (8)) were prepared by the reaction of the known titanocene alkyne complexes [Cp2'Ti(η(2)-Me3SiC2SiMe3)] (Cp'=Cp (5), Cp'=Cp* (6)) with the corresponding amides. Complexes 1 a, 2, 3, 4, 7 a, 7 b, and 8 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structure and bonding of complexes 7 a and 8 were also characterized by EPR spectroscopy.

Herein, a series of multifunctional CoII coordination polymer (CP) materials, which were based on a new semi-rigid thiophene-containing bis-pyridyl-bis-amide N,N'-bis(pyridine-3-yl)thiophene-2,5-dicarboxamide (3-bptpa) ligand and different polycarboxylates, namely, [Co(3-bptpa)(1,3-BDC)]·2H2O (CP1), [Co(3-bptpa)(5-MIP)]·2H2O (CP2), [Co(3-bptpa)(1,3,5-HBTC)] (CP3), [Co(3-bptpa)(5-NIP)]·2H2O (CP4) and [Co(3-bptpa)(1,3-BDC)]·2H2O (CP5) (1,3-H2BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 5-H2MIP = 5-methylisophthalic acid, 1,3,5-H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, 5-H2NIP = 5-nitroisophthalic acid) and their polypyrrole (PPy)-functionalized hybrid materials PPy/CPn (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), have been prepared. The CP materials were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, IR spectra, UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectra (DRS), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and thermal gravimetric analyses (TG). The structural analyses indicate that CP1-CP4 reveal similar 2D networks. CP5 exhibits a 2-fold interpenetrating 3D α-Po framework. The PPy-functionalized CP1-CP5 hybrid materials PPy/CPn were fabricated by the combination of micro-size CP particles and PPyvia a facile in situ chemical oxidation polymerization process under the initiation of ammonium persulfate (APS). The photocatalytic properties of CP1-CP5 and PPy/CPn hybrid materials have been investigated in detail. As a result, after being decorated with PPy, the photocatalytic properties of the hybrid materials, particularly PPy/CP3, have been observably enhanced for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation.

An Me2 PE tetrahedrane framework is seen in complexes 2 a-c (E=P, As, Sb), which are prepared from the appropriate trichlorides and 1 in THF. The structures of the new antimony- and arsenic-containing compounds 2 b and 2 c have been determined-this is the first structural characterization of complexes with μ,η2 -PE heteroligands from elements of Group 15.

The catalytic dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of N-heterocycles have potential applications in organic hydrogen storage. Recently, Fe(HPNP)(CO)(H)(HBH3) (cp1) and Fe(HPNP)(CO)(H)(Br) (cp2), the iron(ii) complexes supported by bis(phosphino)amine pincer (Fe-PNP) (PNP = N(CH2CH2P(i)Pr2)2), have been reported to be the starting complexes which can catalyze the dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of N-heterocycles. The active species were proposed to be the trans-dihydride complexes, Fe(HPNP)(CO)(H)2 (cp4) and Fe(PNP)(CO)(H) (cp3), which can be interconverted. Here, our density functional study revealed that the N-heterocyclic substrate plays a role in the formation of cp4 from cp1, while the tert-butoxide base assists with the formation of cp3 from cp2. The mechanism for cp3 catalyzed dehydrogenation of a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) substrate to quinoline (Q) involves two main steps: (i) dehydrogenation of THQ to 3,4-dihydroquinoline (34DHQ) and (ii) dehydrogenation of 34DHQ to Q. In each dehydrogenation step, the proton is transferred from the substrate to the N of the PNP ligand of cp3. An ion-pair complex between Fe-PNP and the deprotonated substrate is then formed before the hydride at the adjacent C is transferred to Fe. Notably, the isomerization of 34DHQ to 14DHQ or 12DHQ is not necessary, as the bifunctionality of Fe-PNP in cp3 can stabilize the ion-pair complex and facilitate direct dehydrogenation of the C3-C4 bond in 34DHQ. On the other hand, the mechanism for hydrogenation of Q involves the initial formation of 14DHQ, which can easily isomerize to 34DHQ with the assistance of a tert-butoxide base. Finally, 34DHQ is dehydrogenated to THQ. As the overall energy barriers for cp3 catalyzed dehydrogenation of THQ (+27.6 kcal mol(-1)) and cp4 catalyzed hydrogenation of Q (+23.8 kcal mol(-1)) are only slightly different, reaction conditions can be conveniently adjusted to favor either the dehydrogenation or hydrogenation process. Insights into the role of metal-ligand cooperativity in Fe-PNP complexes in promoting the dehydrogenation and the hydrogenation of N-heterocycles should benefit the development of efficient catalysts for organic hydrogen storage.

The pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) antimony(iii) cations [Cp*2Sb][B(C6F5)4], [Cp2*Sb][OTf], [Cp*SbCl][B(C6F5)4] and [Cp*Sb][OTf]2 have been isolated and structurally characterised. [Cp*SbCl]+ forms dimers in the solid state via an intermolecular Sb-Cl interaction. Initial screening shows that [Cp*SbCl][B(C6F5)4] is significantly Lewis acidic and can catalyse the dimerisation of 1,1-diphenylethylene; [Cp2*Sb][B(C6F5)4] exhibits negligible Lewis acidity. Highly unstable [Cp*SbF][B(C6F5)4] could not be isolated, but stabilisation with the IMes ligand allowed isolation of [Cp*SbF(IMes)][B(C6F5)4]. Fluorodechlorination of CH2Cl2 and PhCCl3 was observed in the presence of crude [Cp*SbF][B(C6F5)4] in solution. A computational mechanistic investigation suggests that the latter proceeds via a carbocation intermediate.

In this work, a chemical model for the camphene ozonolysis, leading to carbonyl final products, is proposed and discussed on the basis of the thermochemical properties and kinetic data obtained at density functional theory levels of calculation. The mechanism is initiated by the electrophilic attack of ozone to the double bond in camphene leading to a 1,2,3-trioxolane intermediate, which decomposes to peroxy radicals and carbonyl compounds in a total of 10 elementary reactions. The thermodynamic properties (enthalpy and entropies differences) are calculated at 298 K. For the thermochemical evaluation, theoretical calculations are performed with the B3LYP, MPW1PW91, and mPW1K density functionals and the basis sets 6-31G(d), 6-31G(2d,2p), 6-31+G(d,p), and 6-31+G(2d,2p). Eventually, single point calculations adopting the 6-311++G(2d,2p) basis set are performed in order to improve the electronic energies. The enthalpy profiles suggest highly exothermic reactions for the individual steps, with a global enthalpy difference of -179.18 kcal mol(-1), determined at the B3LYP∕6-31+G(2d,2p) level. The Gibbs free energy differences for each step, at 298 K, calculated at the B3LYP∕6-311++G(2d,2p)∕∕B3LYP∕6-31+G(2d,2p) level, are used to estimate the composition of a final product mixture under equilibrium conditions as 58% of camphenilone and 42% of 6,6-dimethyl-ɛ-caprolactone-2,5-methylene. For the reaction kinetics, the bimolecular O(3) + camphene step is assumed to be rate determining in the global mechanism. A saddle point for the ozone addition to the double bond is located and rate constants are determined on the basis of the transition state theory. This saddle point is well represented by a loosely bound structure and corrections for the basis set superposition error (BSSE) are calculated, either by considering the effect over the geometry optimization procedure (here referred as CP1 procedure), or the effect of the BSSE over the electronic energy of a previously optimized geometry, included a posteriori (here referred as CP2). The rate constants, calculated at 298 K from the data obtained at the mPW1K∕6-31+G(d,p), CP1∕B3LYP∕∕6-31+G(2d,2p), and CP2∕B3LYP∕∕6-31+G(2d,2p) levels (3.62 × 10(-18), 1.12 × 10(-18), and 1.39 × 10(-18) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1)), are found in good agreement with the available experimental data at the same temperature, 0.9 × 10(-18) cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) [R. Atkinson, S. M. Aschmann, and J. Arey, Atmos. Environ. 24, 2647 (1990)]. The importance of the BSSE corrections for the final rate constants must be pointed out. Furthermore, this work will contribute to a better understanding of the chemistry of monoterpenes in the atmosphere, as well as the implications for the phenomena of pollution.

The germanium hydroxide complexes LGe(mu-O)M(THF)Cp2 (M = Yb, 1; Y, 2; L = HC[C(Me)N(Ar)]2; Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) were prepared by the reaction of LGeOH with Cp3M (M = Yb, Y) in THF at ambient temperature with the elimination of HCp. 1 and 2 are pale-yellow solids. Both compounds crystallize isotypically as monomers in a triclinic space group P (pseudo-merohedrally twinned, two independent molecules) and were found to be stable in the solid state and in solution at room temperature. The six-membered C3N2Ge rings in 1 and 2 display a boat conformation with the germanium and the gamma-C out-of-plane. The Ge-O-M skeleton exhibits a bent arrangement (angles 151-154 degrees ). The 1H NMR investigation of 2 confirmed that the solid-state structure is also found in solution.

Six two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers (CPs), namely, poly[{μ₅-3,3-[(5-carboxylato-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy)]dibenzoato-κ⁶O¹:O^1':O³,O^3':O⁵:O^5'}bis(N,N-dimethylformamide-κO)lanthanide(III)], [Ln(C₂₁H₁₁O₈)(C₃H₇NO)₂]_n, with lanthanide/Ln = cerium/Ce for CP1, praseodymium/Pr for CP2, neodymium/Nd for CP3, samarium/Sm for CP4, europium/Eu for CP5 and gadolinium/Gd for CP6, have been prepared by solvothermal methods using the ligand 3,3'-[(5-carboxy-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy)]dibenzoic acid (H₃cpboda) in the presence of Ln(NO₃)₃. The complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray and powder diffraction, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). All the structures of this family of lanthanide CPs are isomorphous with the triclinic space group P-1 and reveal that they have the same 2D network based on binuclear Ln^III units, which are further extended via interlayer C-H...π interactions into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure. The carboxylate groups of the cpboda^3- ligands link adjacent Ln^III ions and form binuclear [Ln₂(RCOO)₄] secondary building units (SBUs), in which each binuclear Ln^III SBU contains four carboxylate groups from different cpboda^3- ligands. Moreover, with the increase of the rare-earth Ln atomic radius, the dihedral angles between the aromatic rings gradually increase. Magnetically, CP6 shows weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Gd^III ions. The solid-state luminescence properties of CP2, CP5 and CP6 were examined at ambient temperature and CP5 exhibits characteristic red emission bands derived from the Eu³⁺ ion (CIE 0.53, 0.31), with luminescence quantum yields of 22%. Therefore, CP5 should be regarded as a potential optical material.

Keywords: coordination polymer; crystal structure; lanthanide; luminescence; magnetism; polycarboxylic acid.

It has been well documented that the combination of the MoFe protein of Azotobacter vinelandii nitrogenase (Av1) with the Fe protein (Cp2) from Clostridium pasteurianum nitrogenase produces an inactive, stable complex. However, we report that this heterologous nitrogenase has a low level of activity for H(2) evolution, with a specific activity of 12 nmol min(-)(1) mg(-)(1) of Av1. This activity does not arise from contaminating hydrogenase since it required the presence of both Cp2 and Av1 and showed saturation kinetics when increasing amounts of Cp2 were added to the assay. Incubation of the two proteins at a 4:1 Cp2:Av1 ratio in the absence of MgATP followed by analytical gel filtration showed, surprisingly, that the stoichiometry of the isolated complex was Av1.Cp2 instead of Av1.(Cp2)(2) as determined previously. The presence of MgATP in the elution buffer did not change the elution profile of the complex. The hydrodynamic radius of the isolated complex determined by dynamic light scattering was 5.93 +/- 0.14 nm, intermediate between Av1 and a stable 2:1 nitrogenase complex, consistent with a 1:1 assignment for the Av1.Cp2 complex. When assayed with Av2, the isolated Av1.Cp2 complex showed full half-site reactivity with a specific activity of 750 nmol of C(2)H(2) reduced min(-)(1) mg(-)(1) of Av1. The EPR spectrum of the isolated complex showed the Cp2 to be oxidized and the Av1 to retain the S = (3)/(2) signal characteristic of FeMoco. In the presence of MgATP, under turnover conditions at a 2:1 ratio of Cp2:Av1, the [4Fe-4S] center of Cp2 was protected from the chelator 2,2'-bipyridyl. This is consistent with the formation of a tight 2:1 complex of Av1.(Cp2)(2) which is more stable than the homologous Cp nitrogenase. Assuming that the Lowe-Thorneley model for nitrogenase applies and that a rate-limiting dissociation of the complex is required for H(2) evolution, then with a rate of 0.032 s(-)(1) the 1:1 complex is too stable to be involved in catalysis. The differences in the stability of the 2:1 and 1:1 complexes indicate cooperativity between the Fe protein binding sites of Av1, which structural data show to be separated by 105 A. On the basis of these observations, we propose a model for nitrogenase catalysis in which the stable 1:1 complex formed between oxidized Fe protein and the one-electron-reduced MoFe protein plays an essential role. In this scheme, the two Fe protein binding sites of the MoFe protein alternately bind and release Fe protein in a shuttle mechanism associated with long-range conformational changes in the MoFe protein.

High molecular weight, soluble, air- and moisture-stable, highly metallized (>25 wt% metal) polyferrocenylsilanes (PFS) [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me){Co2(CO)6C2Ph}]n (Co-PFS), [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me){Mo2-Cp2(CO)4C2Ph}]n (Mo-PFS), and [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me){Ni2Cp2C2Ph}]n (Ni-PFS) containing pendant cobalt, molybdenum, and nickel clusters, respectively, have been prepared via macromolecular clusterization of an acetylide-substituted PFS [Fe(eta-C5H4)2Si(Me)C(triple bond)CPh]n with [Co(2)(CO)8], [{MoCp(CO)(2)}2], or [{NiCp(CO)}2]. The extent of clusterization achieved was in the range of 70-75%. All three highly metallized polymers were demonstrated to function as negative-tone resists in electron-beam lithography, while Co-PFS and Mo-PFS were successfully patterned by UV-photolithography, allowing the fabrication of micron-sized bars, dots, and lines. These studies suggest that the highly metallized polymers may be useful in the fabrication of patterned arrays of alloy nanoparticles for both materials science and catalytic applications.

Fluorinated alkoxide ligands RO(-) (R=CH(CF3 )2 ) are the key to the isolation of compounds of the type [Cp2 Mo(OR)2 ]. When electron-donating groups R are employed, the Mo(OR)2 moiety can, and necessarily has to, serve as a ligand for Lewis acidic fragments, allowing the isolation and structural characterization of the first heterodimetallic alkoxide containing a Bi and a Mo center (1).

The concept of efficient electrolysis by linking photoelectrochemical biphasic H2 evolution and water oxidation processes in the cathodic and anodic compartments of an H-cell, respectively, is introduced. Overpotentials at the cathode and anode are minimised by incorporating light-driven elements into both biphasic reactions. The concepts viability is demonstrated by electrochemical H2 production from water splitting utilising a polarised water-organic interface in the cathodic compartment of a prototype H-cell. At the cathode the reduction of decamethylferrocenium cations ([Cp2*Fe(III)]+) to neutral decamethylferrocene (Cp2*Fe(II)) in 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) solvent takes place at the solid electrode/oil interface. This electron transfer process induces the ion transfer of a proton across the immiscible water/oil interface to maintain electroneutrality in the oil phase. The oil-solubilised proton immediately reacts with Cp2*Fe(II) to form the corresponding hydride species, [Cp2*Fe(IV)(H)]+. Subsequently, [Cp2*Fe(IV)(H)]+ spontaneously undergoes a chemical reaction in the oil phase to evolve hydrogen gas (H2) and regenerate [Cp2*Fe(III)]+, whereupon this catalytic Electrochemical, Chemical, Chemical (ECC') cycle is repeated. During biphasic electrolysis, the stability and recyclability of the [Cp2*Fe(III)]+/Cp2*Fe(II) redox couple were confirmed by chronoamperometric measurements and, furthermore, the steady-state concentration of [Cp2*Fe(III)]+ monitored in situ by UV/vis spectroscopy. Post-biphasic electrolysis, the presence of H2 in the headspace of the cathodic compartment was established by sampling with gas chromatography. The rate of the biphasic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was enhanced by redox electrocatalysis in the presence of floating catalytic molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) microparticles at the immiscible water/oil interface. The use of a superhydrophobic organic electrolyte salt was critical to ensure proton transfer from water to oil, and not anion transfer from oil to water, in order to maintain electroneutrality after electron transfer. The design, testing and successful optimisation of the operation of the biphasic electrolysis cell under dark conditions with Cp2*Fe(II) lays the foundation for the achievement of photo-induced biphasic water electrolysis at low overpotentials using another metallocene, decamethylrutheneocene (Cp2*Ru(II)). Critically, Cp2*Ru(II) may be recycled at a potential more positive than that of proton reduction in DCE.

The reaction between [(TPA)Fe(MeCN)2](OTf)2 and [nBu4N](Cp*MoO3) yields the novel tetranuclear complex [(TPA)Fe(μ-Cp*MoO3)]2(OTf)2, 1, with a rectangular [Mo-O-Fe-O-]2 core containing high-spin iron(ii) centres. 1 proved to be an efficient initiator/(pre)catalyst for the autoxidation of cis-cyclooctene with O2 to give cyclooctene epoxide. To test, which features of 1 are essential in this regard, analogues with zinc(ii) and cobalt(ii) central atoms, namely [(TPA)Zn(Cp*MoO3)](OTf), 3, and [(TPA)Co(Cp*MoO3)](OTf), 4, were prepared, which proved to be inactive. The precursor compounds of 1, [(TPA)Fe(MeCN)2](OTf)2 and [nBu4N](Cp*MoO3) as well as Cp2*Mo2O5, were found to be inactive, too. Reactivity studies in the absence of cyclooctene revealed that 1 reacts both with O2 and PhIO via loss of the Cp* ligands to give the triflate salt 2 of the known cation [((TPA)Fe)2(μ-O)(μ-MoO4)](2+). The cobalt analogue 4 reacts with O2 in a different way yielding [((TPA)Co)2(μ-Mo2O8)](OTf)2, 5, featuring a Mo2O8(4-) structural unit which is novel in coordination chemistry. The compound [(TPA)Fe(μ-MoO4)]2, 6, being related to 1, but lacking Cp* ligands failed to trigger autoxidation of cyclooctene. However, initiation of autoxidation by Cp* radicals was excluded via experiments including thermal dissociation of Cp2*.

The mechanism of reversible alkyne coupling at zirconium was investigated by examination of the kinetics of zirconacyclopentadiene cleavage to produce free alkynes. The zirconacyclopentadiene rings studied possess trimethylsilyl substituents in the alpha-positions, and the ancillary Cp2, Me2C(eta(5)-C5H4)2, and CpCp* (Cp* = eta(5)-C5Me5) bis(cyclopentadienyl) ligand sets were employed. Fragmentation of the zirconacyclopentadiene ring in Cp2Zr[2,5-(Me3Si)2-3,4-Ph2C4] with PMe3, to produce Cp2Zr(eta(2)-PhC[triple bond]CSiMe3)(PMe3) and free PhC[triple bond]CSiMe3, is first-order in initial zirconacycle concentration and zero-order in incoming phosphine (k(obs) = 1.4(2) x 10(-5) s(-1) at 22 degrees C), and the activation parameters determined by an Eyring analysis (DeltaH(double dagger) = 28(2) kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = 14(4) eu) are consistent with a dissociative mechanism. The analogous reaction of the ansa-bridged complex Me2C(eta(5)-C5H4)2Zr[2,5-(Me3Si)2-3,4-Ph2C4] is 100 times faster than that for the corresponding Cp2 complex, while the corresponding CpCp* complex reacts 20 times slower than the Cp2 derivative. These rates appear to be largely influenced by the steric properties of the ancillary ligands.

Organozirconocenes are versatile synthetic intermediates that can undergo carbonylation to yield acyl anion equivalents. Zirconocene hydrochloride ([Cp2 ZrHCl]) is often the reagent of choice for accessing these intermediates but generates organozirconocenes only from alkenes and alkynes. This requirement eliminates a broad range of substrates. For example, organozirconocenes in which the zirconium center is bonded to an aromatic ring, a benzylic group, or an alkyl group that possesses a tertiary or quaternary carbon atom α to the carbon-zirconium bond can not be formed in this way. To provide more generalized access to acyl zirconium reagents, we explored the transmetalation of Grignard reagents with zirconocene dichloride under a CO atmosphere. This protocol generates acyl zirconium(IV) complexes that are inaccessible with the Schwartz reagent, including those derived from secondary and tertiary alkyl and aryl Grignard reagents.

Zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins possess sperm receptor-binding activities. Antibodies against ZP can block sperm-egg interaction and thereby prevent fertilization. The feasibility of developing a safe contraceptive vaccine based on the ZP has been hampered by the finding that active immunization with autologous or heterologous ZP proteins results in infertility that is associated with ovarian dysfunction. A mouse model was used to investigate mechanisms of the ovarian pathology that is induced by active immunization with a 13mer peptide derived from mouse ZP3 (mZP3(330-342)). This peptide includes one native B-cell epitope and two nested T-cell epitopes. Ovarian pathology could be transferred into naive recipients by CD4+ T cells, but not by antibodies, from immunized mice, suggesting the importance of T cells in the mechanism of ovarian pathogenesis. Moreover, immune responses, as well as disease induction, were restricted to H-2a,k,u,s,axb haplotypes. On the basis of this mouse model, a strategy to generate a contraceptive anti-ZP antibody response without a pathogenic T-cell response, irrespective of H-2 haplotype, is described. The B-cell epitope was modified by amino acid substitution to eliminate the overlapping oophoritogenic T-cell epitope, and was linked to a promiscuous foreign T-cell epitope, bovine RNase94-104. The resultant chimaeric peptide (CP2) induced anti-ZP antibodies in 100% of the eight strains of inbred mice with different H-2 haplotypes without significant disease induction. An antifertility trial in B6AF1 female mice immunized with CP2 showed that the anti-ZP antibody was associated with a reduction in fertility. This infertility was reversed with a decline in anti-ZP antibody titre. Preliminary data show that this strategy of vaccine design may also be applied to primates.

While TKI are the preferred first-line treatment for chronic phase (CP) CML, alloHCT remains an important consideration. The aim is to estimate residual life expectancy (RLE) for patients initially diagnosed with CP CML based on timing of alloHCT or continuation of TKI in various settings: CP1 CML, CP2 + [after transformation to accelerated phase (AP) or blast phase (BP)], AP, or BP. Non-transplant cohort included single-institution patients initiating TKI and switched TKI due to failure. CIBMTR transplant cohort included CML patients who underwent HLA sibling matched (MRD) or unrelated donor (MUD) alloHCT. AlloHCT appeared to shorten survival in CP1 CML with overall mortality hazard ratio (HR) for alloHCT of 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-4.9; p = .02). In BP CML, there was a trend toward higher survival with alloHCT; HR = 0.7 (0.5-1.1; p = .099). AlloHCT in CP2 + [HR = 2.0 (0.8-4.9), p = .13] and AP [HR = 1.1 (0.6-2.1); p = .80] is less clear and should be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Keywords: Chronic myeloid leukemia; allogeneic stem cell transplant; tyrosine kinase inhibitors.