Supramolecular Chemistry, Moldova

The XIII International Conference 'Physical Methods in Coordination and Supramolecular Chemistry' held in Chisinau (Republic of Moldova) Sept. 7-10, 1999 was organized by N. Gerbeleu (R. Moldova) and J. Lipkowski, (Poland).

Data derived from magnetic chemistry, resonance methods (NMR, ESR, Mossbauer spectroscopy, etc.), quantum chemical calculations, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography were presented. 120 participants from Poland, Russia, Romania, Ukraine, Belgium, Bielorussia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Yugoslavia, and USA attended the Conference.

J. Lipkowski (Poland) discussed interactions between solute and solvent that may be subdivided into two categories, localized interactions where the 'partner' species can easily be distinguished, and more extended general interactions. He noted that in the crystal structures of clathrate hydrates two different modes of hydration co-exist,: hydrophilic hydration, in which water is H-bonded and hydrophobic hydration in which water molecules enclathrate lipophilic parts of guest moieties. I. Haiduc (Romania) gave examples of weak but additive interactions in element-organic compounds.

M. Fonari (Moldova) presented studies of antimony trifluoride complexes with classic and modified crown ethers, including organic/inorganic synthons with charge assisted by hydrogen bonding and central atom coordination.

Calixarenes have been synthesized in an enormous variety of ring sizes. V. Kravtsov (Moldova) and E. Weber (Germany) analyzed the structures of heterocalixarene solvent inclusion complexes, heterocalix[8]arenes composed of benzimidazol-2-one and the 1,3-phenylene components in an alternate cyclic arrangement form of endo- and endo/exo singular and mixed inclusion complexes.

Other topics addressed included calix (n) pyrroles that complex anionic and neutral species (K. Swinska, Poland), stability in SiF4-H20 macrocycles (Y. Simonov, Moldova), enantioselective complexes of N-nitrosopiperidines with optically active guests (M. Gdaniec, Poland).

Ya. Voloshin (Russia) described clathratochelates of iron, ruthenium and cobalt a-dioximes, as models of metalloenzymes (biomimetics), efficient catalysts for chemical reactions, and promising materials for molecular electronics.

N. Gerbeleu (Moldova) discussed 'Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry in Coordination and Supramolecular Chemistry Investigations', including the detection of the transition from the traditional coordination compounds to supramolecular systems in polynuclear copper carboxylates.

Other presentations included talks on electronic transfer in trimeric iron carboxylates (I. Ogurtsov, Moldova), cadmium selenide in ion-selective membranes (O. Bizerea, Romania), nanoperiodic structures and mesoporous molecular sieves functionalized by amine and Schiff-base metal complexes (A. Filippov, Ukraine), and Mossbauer spectra of europium complexes with different ligands (K. Turta, Moldova).

A. Gulya closed the Conference with a lecture devoted to late Professor A. Ablov (1907-1978), the originator of the world-known coordination chemistry school in Moldova.

The participants enjoyed excellent Moldavian food and sparkling winesand the magnificently picturesque 'Old Orhei' valley.

Kinga Suwinska, Yurii Simonov