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Contents list for Chemical Communications, issue 39, 2008
Front cover
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4649
DOI: 10.1039/b816137m
Inside front cover
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4650
DOI: 10.1039/b816138k
Contents and Chemical Science
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4651
DOI: 10.1039/b816140m
Feature Articles
Computational and experimental tools in solving some mechanistic problems in the chemistry of Fischer carbene complexes
Miguel A. Sierra, Israel Fernández and Fernando P. Cossío,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4671
DOI: 10.1039/b807806h
Enhanced HTML article available
Combination of experimental and computational tools is exceedingly useful to unravel different thermal and photochemical transformations in Fischer carbene complexes and to foresee novel reaction pathways of these complexes.
Kagome network compounds and their novel magnetic properties
Swapan K. Pati and C. N. R. Rao,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4683
DOI: 10.1039/b807207h
The structure and magnetic properties of Kagome network compounds are described and an attempt is made to provide an explanation for their varied properties on the basis of theoretical considerations.
Communications
Enantioselective organocatalytic conjugate addition of 
-aminoketone to nitroolefins
Sébastien Belot, Sarah Sulzer-Mossé, Stefan Kehrli and Alexandre Alexakis,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4694
DOI: 10.1039/b810789k Enhanced HTML article available
Asymmetric direct Michael addition of -aminoketone to nitroolefins has been accomplished with good yields and selectivities using (S)-1-(2-Pyrrolidinylmethyl)pyrrolidine as organocatalyst and -NH-Tosyl acetone as nucleophile source. This process provides synthetically useful 2-aryl-3-amino-disubstituted 
-acetyl nitro compounds.
Temperature-triggered gate opening for gas adsorption in microporous manganese formate
Hyunuk Kim, Denis G. Samsonenko, Minyoung Yoon, Ji Woong Yoon, Young Kyu Hwang, Jong-San Chang and Kimoon Kim,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4697
DOI: 10.1039/b811087e
Microporous manganese formate shows temperature-triggered gate opening for N2 and Ar adsorption, which is not due to a structural change of the framework but due to dynamic opening of the pore aperture and/or sufficient kinetic energy of the adsorbates to overcome a barrier above a critical temperature.
Synergistic effects in gene delivery—a structure–activity approach to the optimisation of hybrid dendritic–lipidic transfection agents
Simon P. Jones, Nathan P. Gabrielson, Daniel W. Pack and David K. Smith,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4700
DOI: 10.1039/b811852c Enhanced HTML article available
We report significant synergistic effects for gene delivery using hybrid mixed systems which combine aspects of both main classes of synthetic vectors, i.e., cationic polymers and cationic lipids.
Solution identification and solid state characterisation of a heterometallic polyoxometalate {Mo11V7}: [MoVI11VV5VIV2O52(
9-SO3)]7-
Haralampos N. Miras, Daniel J. Stone, Eric J. L. McInnes, Raphael G. Raptis, Peter Baran, George I. Chilas, Michael P. Sigalas, Themistoklis A. Kabanos and Leroy Cronin,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4703
DOI: 10.1039/b811279g
A polyoxomolybdenum/vanadium-sulfite {M18} cluster-based compound, [MoVI11VV5VIV2O52(9-SO3)]7-, is reported.
Arsenic-containing hydrocarbons: natural compounds in oil from the fish capelin, Mallotus villosus
Mojtaba S. Taleshi, Kenneth B. Jensen, Georg Raber, John S. Edmonds, Helga Gunnlaugsdottir and Kevin A. Francesconi,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4706
DOI: 10.1039/b808049f
Fish oils, rich sources of health-promoting compounds, also contain arsenic bound into hydrocarbons which raises intriguing questions about the biogenesis of these arsenicals and their metabolic fate.
Total synthesis of the marine macrolide (+)-neopeltolide
Ian Paterson and Natalie A. Miller,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4708
DOI: 10.1039/b812914b
A concise total synthesis of the antiproliferative macrolide (+)-neopeltolide has been completed, utilising a Jacobsen hetero Diels–Alder reaction to install the trisubstituted tetrahydropyran ring.
A persistent P,N-heterocyclic carbene
Guido D. Frey, Maoying Song, Jean-Baptiste Bourg, Bruno Donnadieu, Michele Soleilhavoup and Guy Bertrand,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4711
DOI: 10.1039/b812333k
Conjugate acids of cyclic (amino)(phosphino)carbenes (P-NHCs) have been prepared, and several different processes have been observed during their deprotonation, which include the formation of a metastable P-NHC, an azomethine ylide, and a bicyclic phosphirane.
Soluble precursors of 2,3-naphthalocyanine and phthalocyanine for use in thin film transistors
Atsuko Hirao, Taiji Akiyama, Tetsuo Okujima, Hiroko Yamada, Hidemitsu Uno, Yoshimasa Sakai, Shinji Aramaki and Noboru Ono,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4714
DOI: 10.1039/b811674a Enhanced HTML article available
Soluble precursors of 2,3-naphthalocyanine (Nc) and phthalocyanine (Pc) were prepared and converted into insoluble semiconducting thin films of Pc and Nc.
Multinuclear alkylaluminium macrocyclic Schiff base complexes: influence of procatalyst structure on the ring opening polymerisation of 
-caprolactone
Abdessamad Arbaoui, Carl Redshaw and David L. Hughes,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4717
DOI: 10.1039/b810417d Enhanced HTML article available
Two remote dialkylaluminium centres supported by a macrocyclic Schiff base ligand exhibited beneficial cooperative effects, whilst aluminoxane-type bonding proved to be detrimental to activity for the ring opening polymerisation of -caprolactone.
Total syntheses of (±)-montanin A and (±)-teuscorolide
I-Chia Chen, Yen-Ku Wu, Hsing-Jang Liu and Jiang-Liang Zhu,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4720
DOI: 10.1039/b807218c Enhanced HTML article available
Herein, we describe the first total synthesis of (±)-montanin A and (±)-teuscorolide, two members of the Teucrium clerodane diterpenoid family. The synthesis of montanin A was first accomplished in 8 steps, from which teuscorolide was readily achieved in 2 steps
Void and filled supramolecular nanoprisms—notable differences between seemingly identical construction principles
Michael Schmittel and Bice He,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4723
DOI: 10.1039/b808988d
Void and filled supramolecular nanoprisms (void: 4900 
3) were generated in quantitative yield, but only if units serving as pillars and panels in the self-assembly were optimised with regard to their kinetic behaviour.
Hexagonal crystalline inclusion complexes of 4-iodophenoxy trimesoate
F. Christopher Pigge, Venu R. Vangala, Pradeep P. Kapadia, Dale C. Swenson and Nigam P. Rath,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4726
DOI: 10.1039/b809592b
Bifurcated I
and IO
C halogen bonding interactions assist in formation of unique iodo–arene trimers leading to nanoscale channels in inclusion complexes of trimesic acid iodophenolate.
One-pot synthesis and characterizations of bi-functional phosphor–magnetic @SiO2 nanoparticles: controlled and structured association of Mo6 cluster units and 
-Fe2O3 nanocrystals
Fabien Grasset, Frédérick Dorson, Yann Molard, Stéphane Cordier, Valérie Demange, Christiane Perrin, Valérie Marchi-Artzner and Hajime Haneda,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4729
DOI: 10.1039/b806919k
Nanostructured silica coated bifunctional nanoparticles based on [Mo6Br14]2- units as phosphorescent dye and magnetic maghemite -Fe2O3 nanocrystals were synthesized and characterized.
Effect of the nature of the metal on the breathing steps in MOFs with dynamic frameworks
Franck Millange, Nathalie Guillou, Richard I. Walton, Jean-Marc Grenèche, Irène Margiolaki and Gérard Férey,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4732
DOI: 10.1039/b809419e
A highly distorted metastable phase is observed during the reversible dehydration of an iron(III) benzenedicarboxylate Metal–Organic Framework (MOF).
Chemical and optical control of peristaltic actuator based on self-oscillating porous gel
Shu-ichi Shinohara, Takahiro Seki, Takamasa Sakai, Ryo Yoshida and Yukikazu Takeoka,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4735
DOI: 10.1039/b808427k
We demonstrate the chemical and optical control of the self-sustaining peristaltic motion of a structural colored porous hydrogel.
Microporous vanadyl-arsenate with the template incorporated exhibiting sorption and catalytic properties
Teresa Berrocal, José L. Mesa, José L. Pizarro, Begoña Bazán, Marta Iglesias, Andrés T. Aguayo, María I. Arriortua and Teófilo Rojo,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4738
DOI: 10.1039/b807250g
(C5H14N2)[(VO)3(AsO4)(HAsO4)2(OH)]·3H2O behaves as a microporous organically templated compound, with reversible adsorption and desorption of N2 at 77 K, and as an extremely efficient catalyst that catalyzes selective sulfoxide formation from organic sulfides, under mild conditions.
The origin of open circuit voltage of porphyrin-sensitised TiO2 solar cells
Attila J. Mozer, Pawel Wagner, David L. Officer, Gordon G. Wallace, Wayne M. Campbell, Masanori Miyashita, Kenji Sunahara and Shogo Mori,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4741
DOI: 10.1039/b805027a
The performance of porphyrin-sensitised TiO2 solar cells is limited by their lower open circuit voltage compared to ruthenium complex-sensitised analogs, which is shown to arise from a reduced electron lifetime.
A reassessment of the association between azulene and [60]fullerene. Possible pitfalls in the determination of binding constants through fluorescence spectroscopy
Lorenzo Stella, Agostina L. Capodilupo and Massimo Bietti,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4744
DOI: 10.1039/b808357f
We show that the reported association between azulene and [60]fullerene is due to experimental artifacts, and suggest ways of avoiding such pitfalls.
A [(NHC)CuCl] complex as a latent Click catalyst
Silvia Díez-González, Edwin D. Stevens and Steven P. Nolan,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4747
DOI: 10.1039/b806806b
A latent catalyst for the [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of azides and alkynes has been developed in accordance with the principles of Click chemistry
A general approach to triphenylenes and azatriphenylenes: total synthesis of dehydrotylophorine and tylophorine
Andrew McIver, Douglas D. Young and Alexander Deiters,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4750
DOI: 10.1039/b811068a Enhanced HTML article available
A microwave-assisted [2+2+2] cyclotrimerization reaction was employed as the key step in the assembly of triphenylenes and azatriphenylenes. The developed approach was used in the total synthesis of phenantroindolizidine alkaloids.
Selected regiocontrolled transformations applied to the synthesis of (1S)-cis-chrysanthemic acid from (1S)-3,4-epoxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexanol
Alain Krief, Humaira Y. Gondal and Adrian Kremer,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4753
DOI: 10.1039/b808695h Enhanced HTML article available
The enantioselective synthesis of (1R)-cis-chrysanthemic acid has been achieved in a few steps, avoiding the formation of byproducts.
One-pot synthesis of a shape-persistent endo-functionalised nano-sized adamantoid compound
Michael Mastalerz,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4756
DOI: 10.1039/b808990f Enhanced HTML article available
By a reversible twelve-fold imine condensation of a rigid C3-symmetric triamine and a salicyldialdehyde a highly symmetric cage compound bearing functional groups in the interior is accessible.
Highly sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ in aqueous solution with mercury-specific DNA and Sybr Green I
Jing Wang and Bin Liu,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4759
DOI: 10.1039/b806885b Enhanced HTML article available
Sybr Green I efficiently discriminates mercury-specific DNA and mercury-specific DNA/Hg2+ complex, which provides a label-free, fast, fluorescence turn on assay for Hg2+ detection with high sensitivity and selectivity.
Ligand exchanged photoluminescent gold quantum dots functionalized with leading peptides for nuclear targeting and intracellular imaging
Shu-Yi Lin, Nai-Tzu Chen, Shu-Pin Sum, Leu-Wei Lo and Chung-Shi Yang,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4762
DOI: 10.1039/b808207c Enhanced HTML article available
Ligand exchanged gold quantum dots conjugated with cell-penetrating peptides are a new class of photoluminescent probes for nuclear targeting and intracellular imaging.
Lysine and arginine residues do not increase the helicity of alanine-rich peptide helices
James M. Stewart, Jasper C. Lin and Niels H. Andersen,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4765
DOI: 10.1039/b807101b Enhanced HTML article available
Residue-specific 13CO NMR data establish that substituting a central helical alanine with either Arg or Lys decreases helicity. This parameter, 
(13C
), is validated as a helicity measure.
Auto-hydroxylation of FIH-1: an Fe(II), -ketoglutarate-dependent human hypoxia sensor
Yuan-Han Chen, Lindsay M. Comeaux, Stephen J. Eyles and Michael J. Knapp,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4768
DOI: 10.1039/b809099h Enhanced HTML article available
HIF-asparaginyl hydroxylase (FIH-1) normally couples O2-activation to hydroxylation of Asn803 on the -subunit of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a key step in pO2 sensing. In the absence of HIF, O2-activation becomes uncoupled, leading to self-hydroxylation at Trp296 and a purple Fe(III)–O–Trp chromophore.
Microgravimetric lectin biosensor based on signal amplification using carbohydrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles
Young-Ku Lyu, Kyung-Rae Lim, Bo Young Lee, Kwan Soo Kim and Won-Yong Lee,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4771
DOI: 10.1039/b807438k Enhanced HTML article available
A highly sensitive microgravimetric lectin Con A biosensor has been developed using mannose-stabilized Au nanoparticles as a signal amplifier.
trans-2-Aminocyclohexanol as a pH-sensitive conformational switch in lipid amphiphiles
Barbora Brazdova, Ningrong Zhang, Vyacheslav V. Samoshin and Xin Guo,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4774
DOI: 10.1039/b807704e Enhanced HTML article available
Protonation-induced conformational change of lipid tails is reported as a novel strategy to render pH-sensitive lipid amphiphiles and lipid colloids.
Bulky 4-tritylphenylethynyl substituted boradiazaindacene: pure red emission, relatively large Stokes shift and inhibition of self-quenching
Dakui Zhang, Yugeng Wen, Yi Xiao, Gui Yu, Yunqi Liu and Xuhong Qian,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4777
DOI: 10.1039/b808681h
Bulky 4-tritylphenylethynyl substituted boradiazaindacene with pure red emission, relatively large Stokes shift, high fluorescence quantum yield, and low self-quenching was efficiently synthesized and qualified as a potential EL dopant.
Diaryl ether synthesis in supercritical carbon dioxide in batch and continuous flow modes
Jin-Kyun Lee, Matthew J. Fuchter, Rachel M. Williamson, Gary A. Leeke, Edward J. Bush, Ian F. McConvey, Simon Saubern, John H. Ryan and Andrew B. Holmes,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4780
DOI: 10.1039/b808374f
Diaryl ethers have been prepared with high conversions in batch and continuous flow mode in scCO2 using a fluoride-initiated SNAr reaction.
Fabrication of hydrophobic zeolites using triethoxyfluorosilane and their application as supports for TiO2 photocatalysts
Yasutaka Kuwahara, Takashi Kamegawa, Kohsuke Mori and Hiromi Yamashita,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4783
DOI: 10.1039/b810053e
Hydrophobically modified Y-zeolites were prepared by simple modification with triethoxyfluorosilane (TEFS). These zeolites, used as supports, enhanced the efficiency of deposited TiO2 for the photocatalytic degradation of organics diluted in water.
Up-conversion luminescent switch based on photochromic diarylethene and rare-earth nanophosphors
Zhiguo Zhou, He Hu, Hong Yang, Tao Yi, Kewei Huang, Mengxiao Yu, Fuyou Li and Chunhui Huang,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4786
DOI: 10.1039/b809021a
A novel and unique route to a highly efficient luminescent switch with nondestructive readout capability by utilizing photochromic diarylethene and up-conversion LaF3:Yb,Ho nanophosphors was developed.
Self-assembling squares with amino acid-decorated bipyridines: heterochiral self-sorting of dynamically interconverting diastereomers
Alexander Rang, Martin Nieger, Marianne Engeser, Arne Lützen and Christoph A. Schalley,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4789
DOI: 10.1039/b806916f
Heterochiral self-sorting into only one stereoisomer is observed when metallo-supramolecular squares self-assemble from amino acid-substituted, dynamically interconverting bipyridine stereoisomers and dpppM(OTf)2 corners (M = Pd, Pt).
Simplified syntheses of complex multifunctional nanomaterials
Elisabeth Garanger, Elena Aikawa, Fred Reynolds, Ralph Weissleder and Lee Josephson,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4792
DOI: 10.1039/b809537j
A nanomaterial, such as a gold nanoparticle, can be reacted with a trifunctional, single-attachment-point reagent to obtain a multifunctional probe in a single step.
Spectrally tunable uncaging of biological stimuli from nanocapsules
Kimberly A. Dendramis, Peter B. Allen, Philip J. Reid and Daniel T. Chiu,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4795
DOI: 10.1039/b806685j
This paper describes the uncaging of the cellular stimuli in the far red, which is based on the photolysis of nanocapsules whose shells have been photosensitized with highly absorptive chromophores.
Molecular rotors in hierarchically ordered mesoporous organosilica frameworks
Silvia Bracco, Angiolina Comotti, Patrizia Valsesia, Bradley F. Chmelka and Piero Sozzani,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4798
DOI: 10.1039/b809559k
Periodic mesoporous organosilicas show a mobility of the diphenylene rotors with correlation times as short as a few nanoseconds, realizing an amphidynamic hybrid material. The structure and dynamics were elucidated by multinuclear solid state NMR from 30 to 500 MHz.
Polyacidic multiloading metal extractants
Ross J. Gordon, John Campbell, David K. Henderson, Dorothy C. R. Henry, Ronald M. Swart, Peter A. Tasker, Fraser J. White, Jenny L. Wood and Lesley J. Yellowlees,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4801
DOI: 10.1039/b810610j Enhanced HTML article available
Polynucleating di- and tri-acidic ligands can substantially increase the molar and mass transport efficiencies for the recovery of base metals by solvent extraction.
Copper nanoparticles on hydrotalcite as a heterogeneous catalyst for oxidant-free dehydrogenation of alcohols
Takato Mitsudome, Yusuke Mikami, Kaori Ebata, Tomoo Mizugaki, Koichiro Jitsukawa and Kiyotomi Kaneda,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4804
DOI: 10.1039/b809012b Enhanced HTML article available
We developed a highly efficient heterogeneous catalytic system using hydrotalcite-supported Cu nanoparticles (Cu/HT) that can successfully promote the oxidant-free dehydrogenation of various alcohols under liquid-phase conditions.
Use of a simple surface-active initiator in controlled/living free-radical miniemulsion polymerization under AGET and ARGET ATRP conditions
François Stoffelbach, Nebewia Griffete, Chuong Bui and Bernadette Charleux,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4807
DOI: 10.1039/b809163c Enhanced HTML article available
This communication describes the first example of the efficient use of a simple amphiphilic molecule as both a surfactant and an initiator in the miniemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate under AGET and ARGET ATRP conditions.
Gold-catalyzed efficient tandem assembly of terminal alkynes and arynes: synthesis of alkynylated biphenyl derivatives
Chunsong Xie, Yuhong Zhang and Yuzhu Yang,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4810
DOI: 10.1039/b806821f Enhanced HTML article available
Gold catalysts have been found to catalyze the tandem assembly of arynes and terminal alkynes efficiently in the presence of CuI under mild reaction conditions to provide useful alkynylated biphenyl derivatives.
Bromine–lithium exchange under non-cryogenic conditions: TMSCH2Li–LiDMAE promoted C-2 lithiation of 2,3-dibromopyridine
Philippe C. Gros and Fatima Elaachbouni,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4813
DOI: 10.1039/b810453k Enhanced HTML article available
The first fully C-2 selective bromine–lithium exchange in 2,3-dibromopyridine was performed at 0 °C in toluene using the TMSCH2Li–LiDMAE reagent (LiDMAE = Me2N(CH2)2OLi). The reaction occurred without isomerization of the lithio intermediate while preventing elimination into pyridyne.
Synthesis of highly phenylene substituted p-phenylene oligomers from pyrylium salts
Christian Mahler, Ute Müller, Walter M. Müller, Volker Enkelmann, Chulsoon Moon, Gunther Brunklaus, Herbert Zimmermann and Sigurd Höger,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4816
DOI: 10.1039/b807382a Enhanced HTML article available
A simple route towards functionalized p-phenylene oligomers is described that does not use metal-mediated cross-coupling reactions.
Gold nanoparticles synthesis and stabilization via new 
clicked
polyethyleneglycol dendrimers
Elodie Boisselier, Abdou K. Diallo, Lionel Salmon, Jaime Ruiz and Didier Astruc,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4819
DOI: 10.1039/b808987f
Whereas click dendrimers with non-polyethylene glycol tethers do not stabilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), new click dendrimers with tetraethylene glycol and triethylene glycol (TEG) tethers stabilize small AuNPs (1.9 nm) inside the dendrimers of first and second generations (resp. 81 and 243 TEG tethers) and larger AuNPs (4.1 nm) outside the dendrimers of generation zero (27 TEG tethers).
A C–H activation–CO2-carboxylation reaction sequence mediated by an 
Iridium(dppm)
species. Formation of the anionic ligand (Ph2P)2C–COOH
Jens Langer, María José Fabra, Pilar García-Orduña, Fernando J. Lahoz and Luis A. Oro,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4822
DOI: 10.1039/b809331h
The selective carboxylation of dppm with CO2 under mild conditions, mediated by iridium, yields an organometallic analogue of carbodiphosphorane CO2 adducts.
Specific interactions between silver(I) ions and cytosine–cytosine pairs in DNA duplexes
Akira Ono, Shiqi Cao, Humika Togashi, Mitsuru Tashiro, Takashi Fujimoto, Tomoya Machinami, Shuji Oda, Yoko Miyake, Itaru Okamoto and Yoshiyuki Tanaka,
Chem. Commun., 2008, 4825
DOI: 10.1039/b808686a Enhanced HTML article available
Specific binding of Ag(I) cations significantly stabilizes the cytosine–cytosine base pair mismatches in DNA duplexes.
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