Synthesis, structural studies, theoretical calculations, and linear and nonlinear optical properties of terpyridyl lanthanide complexes: new evidence for the contribution of f electrons to the NLO activity.

The synthesis and structural, photophysical, and second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a novel lanthanide terpyridyl-like complex family LLn(NO(3))(3) (Ln = La, Gd, Dy, Yb, and Y) are reported. The isostructural character of this series in solution and in the solid state has been established on the basis of X-ray diffraction analysis in the cases of yttrium and gadolinium complexes, theoretical optimization of geometry (DFT), and NMR spectroscopy. The absorption, emission, and solvatochromic properties of the free terpyridyl-like ligand L were thoroughly investigated, and the twist intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) character of the lowest energy transition was confirmed by theoretical calculation (TDDFT and CIS).

Metal vinylidenes and allenylidenes in catalysis: applications in anti-Markovnikov additions to terminal alkynes and alkene metathesis.

The involvement of a catalytic metal vinylidene species was proposed for the first time in 1986 to explain the regioselective formation of vinyl carbamates directly from terminal alkynes, carbon dioxide, and amines. Since this initial report, various metal vinylidenes and allenylidenes, which are key activation intermediates, have proved extremely useful for many alkyne transformations. They have contributed to the rational design of new catalytic reactions.

Photoisomerizable bipyridine ligands and macroligands: absorption, photoisomerization properties and theoretical study.

Two 2,2'-bipyridines, substituted at the 4,4'-positions by p-dialkylaminophenylazostyryl moieties p-R2N-C6H4-N=N-C6H4-CH=CH-[6 a, R2N=nBu2N; 6 b, R2N=(nBu)(C4H8OTHP)N; 6 c, R2N=(nBu)(C4H8OH)N], were successfully synthesized by using Wadworth-Emmons reactions. The X-ray structure of 6 a has been determined. Esterification of 6 c with 2-bromoisobutyroylbromide afforded 6 d.

O2 and CO binding to tetraaza-tripodal-capped iron(II) porphyrins.

A series of tris(2-aminoethylamine) (tren) capped iron(II) porphyrins has been synthesized and characterized and their affinities for dioxygen and carbon monoxide measured. The X-ray structure of the basic scaffold with nickel inserted in the porphyrin is also reported. All the ligands differ by the nature of the group(s) attached to the secondary amine functions of the cap.

Ring-opening polymerization of lactide with group 3 metal complexes supported by dianionic alkoxy-amino-bisphenolate ligands: combining high activity, productivity, and selectivity.

A series of new alkoxy-amino-bis(phenols) (H2L 1-6) has been synthesized by Mannich condensations of substituted phenols, formaldehyde, and amino ethers or diamines. The coordination properties of these dianionic ligands towards yttrium, lanthanum, and neodymium have been studied. The resulting Group 3 metal complexes have been used as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide to provide poly(lactic acid)s (PLAs).

Lanthanide complexes for second order nonlinear optics: evidence for the direct contribution of f electrons to the quadratic hyperpolarizability.

This study descibes for the first time the nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of multipolar lanthanide complexes, Na3[Ln(dipic)3]. The "metal-induced" NLO activity enhancement is confirmed as a general property of f-block elements, and the direct participation of f electrons to the hyperpolarizability beta is strongly supported by experimental data.

An opened route to 1,3-dimethylenecyclobutanes via sequential ruthenium-catalyzed [2 + 2] cycloaddition of allenyl boronate and palladium Suzuki coupling.

The regioselective head-to-head [2 + 2] cyclodimerization of allenyl boronate catalyzed by the ruthenium catalyst [Cp*RuCl(COD)] leads to a novel diboronated 1,3-dimethylenecyclobutane. Consecutive palladium-catalyzed C-C couplings open a route to novel disubstituted 1,3-dimethylenecyclobutane species. The X-ray crystalline structure of the phenyl-substituted 1,3-dimethylenecyclobutane is provided.

Tandem catalytic carbene addition/bicyclization of enynes. One-step synthesis of fluorinated bicyclic amino esters by ruthenium catalysis.

The reaction of diazo compounds with enynes, containing a fluorinated amino acid moiety, in the presence of the precatalyst Cp(Cl)Ru(COD) leads to fluorinated alkenyl bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane and [4.

Naked eye detection of anions by alkynyl-ruthenium exo-receptors: selective recognition of fluoride anion.

Alkynyl-ruthenium complexes bearing terminal hydrogen-bonding receptors act as efficient anion sensors exhibiting large guest-induced colour changes and show unexpectedly high selectivity to fluoride ions.

Stability of [Ru(II)(tpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+)-modified graphite electrodes during indirect electrolyses.

The stability of a graphite felt electrode modified by covalent attachment of [Ru(II)(tpy)(bpy)(OH(2))](2+) is investigated during the indirect electrolyses of alcohols in a flow cell. The continuous increase of the local potential of the electrode during the electrolyses attests to its degradation. Cyclic voltammetry analyses of the modified electrode after electrolyses show a total decrease of 80-90% of the wave corresponding to the Ru(III/II) couple.

Electrophilic activation and cycloisomerization of enynes: a new route to functional cyclopropanes.

Transformations of enynes in the presence of transition-metal catalysts have played an important role in the preparation of a variety of cyclic compounds. Recent developments in the activation of triple carbon-carbon bonds by electrophilic metal centers have provided a new entry to the selective synthesis of cyclopropane derivatives from enynes. The mechanisms of these reactions involve catalytic species with both ionic and cyclopropylcarbenoid character.

Ruthenium-catalyzed synthesis of alkylidenecyclobutenes via head-to-head dimerization of propargylic alcohols and cyclobutadiene-ruthenium intermediates.

The reaction of propargylic alcohols with carboxylic acid, or phenol derivatives, in the presence of the precatalyst [RuCl(cod)(C5Me5)] leads selectively to a variety of alkylidenecyclobutenes through head-to-head dimerization of propargylic alcohol. The first step is the formation of a cyclobutadiene-ruthenium intermediate resulting from the head-to-head coupling of two molecules of propargylic alcohol. On protonation with strong acids (HPF6, HBF4) dehydration of the cyclobutadiene complex leads to formation of an alkylidenecyclobutenyl-ruthenium complex.

First lanthanide dipolar complexes for second-order nonlinear optics.

New push-pull NLO-phores based on lanthanide complexes (Ln = La, Gd, Dy, Yb) featuring an annelated dibutylaminophenyl functionalised terpyridyl ligand have been synthesised and shown to exhibit large first-order hyperpolarizability.

Highly syndiospecific polymerization of styrene catalyzed by allyl lanthanide complexes.

Allylic complexes of lanthanides bearing a fluorenyl-based ligand are active single-component catalysts for the polymerization of styrene, giving highly syndiotactic polymers (rrrr > 99%) with low to high molecular weight (Mn = 8000-135 000) and narrow polydispersities (Mw/Mn = 1.25-2.1).

Synthesis, linear, and quadratic-nonlinear optical properties of octupolar D3 and D2d bipyridyl metal complexes.

A series of D3 (Fe(II), Ru(II), Zn(II), Hg(II)) and D2d (Cu(I), Ag(I), Zn(II)) octupolar metal complexes featuring different functionalized bipyridyl ligands has been synthesized, and their thermal, linear (absorption and emission), and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined. Their quadratic NLO susceptibilities were determined by harmonic light scattering at 1.91 microm, and the molecular hyperpolarizability (beta0) values are in the range of 200-657 x 10(-30) esu for octahedral complexes and 70-157 x 10(-30) esu for tetrahedral complexes.

Generation of cationic [Zr-[tert-butyl enolate]] reactive species: methyl abstraction versus hydride abstraction.

Treatment of the neutral methyl-Zr-enolate [Cp(2)Zr(Me)[O(tBuO)C=CMe(2)]] (1) with one equivalent of B(C(6)F(5))(3) or [HNMe(2)Ph][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] as a methyl abstractor in THF at 0 degrees C leads to the selective formation of the free ion pair complex [Cp(2)Zr(THF)[O(tBuO)C=CMe(2)]](+) [anion](-) (2) (anion=MeB(C(6)F(5))(3) (-), B(C(6)F(5))(4) (-)), which is relevant to the controlled polymerization of methacrylates. Cation 2 rapidly decomposes at 20 degrees C in THF with release of one equivalent of isobutene to form the cationic Zr-carboxylate species [Cp(2)Zr(THF)(O(2)CiPr)](+) (3), through a proposed intramolecular proton transfer process from the tert-butoxy group to the enolate. The reaction of 1 with one equivalent of B(C(6)F(5))(3) or [HNMe(2)Ph][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] in CH(2)Cl(2) leads to the direct, rapid formation of the dimeric micro-isobutyrato-Zr dicationic species [[Cp(2)Zr[micro-(O(2)CiPr)]](2)](2+) (4), which gives 3 upon dissolution in THF.

Tissue detection of diphenylchlorin sensitizer (SIM01) by fluorescence and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Cancer is today a major problem of public health. Unfortunately, the current treatments remain still too often impotent or too heavy compared to the gross national product of many countries. The use of PDT in the treatment of the malignant tumours currently raises great hopes.

Highly enantioselective synthesis of cyclopropylphosphonates catalyzed by chiral ruthenium porphyrins.

[reaction: see text] The asymmetric addition of diisopropyl diazomethylphosphonate to styrene derivatives was carried out by using chiral ruthenium porphyrins as catalysts. The reaction proceeded under mild conditions and gave trans-cyclopropylphosphonates with good yields and high ee's (up to 92%). A progressive increase for stereochemical effectiveness exists between enantiomeric excess and the number of chiral goups linked to ruthenium porphyrins.

First enantioselective allylic etherification with phenols catalyzed by chiral ruthenium bisoxazoline complexes.

Regio- and enantioselective substitution of cinnamyl chloride by phenols has been achieved with up to 82% enantiomeric excess, using a ruthenium catalyst prepared from [Cp*(CH(3)CN)(3)Ru][PF(6)] and a chiral bisoxazoline ligand.

Organic cross-linked electropolymers as supported oxidation catalysts: poly((tetrakis(9,9'-spirobifluorenyl)porphyrin)manganese) films.

Anodic oxidation of free base and manganese complexes of tetraspirobifluorenylporphyrins leads to the coating of the working electrode by insoluble electroactive poly(9,9'-spirobifluorene-free and manganese porphyrin) films which electrochemical behavior and physicochemical properties are described. After removal from the electrode, the manganese-complexed polymers were evaluated as catalysts for the oxidation of alkenes by iodobenzene diacetate or iodosylbenzene. The results show that the reactions proceeded very efficiently at room temperature with good yields.

All-optical orientation of photoisomerizable octupolar zinc(II) complexes in polymer films.

A new type of 4,4'-bis(styryl)-2,2'-bipyridine functionalized by a dialkylamino-azobenzene group has been prepared. This ligand has allowed the preparation of photoisomerizable octupolar tris(bipyridyl)zinc(II) complexes and the corresponding star-shaped polymer by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA). The photoisomerization properties of such new metallo-chromophores have been studied.

Bis-allenylidene metal complex and unique related radical with delocalization of one electron over both trans carbon-rich chains.

We report the preparation of the first real bis(allenylidene) metal complex trans-[Ph2C=C=C=Ru=C=C=CPh2(dppe)2]2+, and its one electron reduction that gives a stable radical with the unpaired electron delocalized over both trans carbon-rich chains linked by the ruthenium atom, on the basis of spectroscopic and DFT, QM(DFT)/MM computational studies.