Terphenyl-phenanthroline conjugate as a Zn(2+) sensor: H(2)PO(4)(-) induced tuning of emission wavelength

A new terphenyl-based macrocycle 5 incorporating phenanthroline as a fluorophore has been designed, synthesized and examined for its recognition ability toward various cations (Pb(2+), Hg(2+), Ba(2+), Cd(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Na(+) and Li(+)) by UV-vis, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy. The receptor 5 showed highly selective 'Off-On' fluorescence signaling behavior for Zn(2+) ions in THF. Interestingly, the addition of H(2)PO(4)(-) ions to the [5-Zn] complex regulates the binding site for additional Zn(2+) ions and hence leads to a blue-shifted emission band.     

Encapsulation of cyanometalates by a tris-macrocyclic ligand tricopper(II) complex: syntheses, structural variation, and magnetic exchange coupling pathways

The reaction of [M(CN)(6)](3-) (M = Cr(3+), Mn(3+), Fe(3+), Co(3+)) and [M(CN)(8)](4-/3-) (M = Mo(4+/5+), W(4+/5+)) with the trinuclear copper(II) complex of 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyltris[3-(1,3,5,8,12-pentaazacyclotetradecane)] ([Cu(3)(L)](6+)) leads to partially encapsulated cyanometalates. With hexacyanometalate(III) complexes, [Cu(3)(L)](6+) forms the isostructural host-guest complexes [[[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))(2)][M(CN)(6)](2)][M(CN)(6)]][M(CN)(6)]30 H(2)O with one bridging, two partially encapsulated, and one isolated [M(CN)(6)](3-) unit. The octacyanometalates of Mo(4+/5+) and W(4+/5+) are encapsulated by two tris-macrocyclic host units. Due to the stability of the +IV oxidation state of Mo and W, only assemblies with [M(CN)(8)](4-) were obtained. The Mo(4+) and W(4+) complexes were crystallized in two different structural forms: [[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))](2)[Mo(CN)(8)]](NO(3))(8)15 H(2)O with a structural motif that involves isolated spherical [[Cu(3)(L)(OH(2))](2)[M(CN)(8)]](8+) ions and a "string-of-pearls" type of structure [[[Cu(3)(L)](2)[M(CN)(8)]][M(CN)(8)]](NO(3))(4) 20 H(2)O, with [M(CN)(8)](4-) ions that bridge the encapsulated octacyanometalates in a two-dimensional network. The magnetic exchange coupling between the various paramagnetic centers is characterized by temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility and field-dependent magnetization data. Exchange between the CuCu pairs in the [Cu(3)(L)](6+) "ligand" is weakly antiferromagnetic. Ferromagnetic interactions are observed in the cyanometalate assemblies with Cr(3+), exchange coupling of Mn(3+) and Fe(3+) is very small, and the octacoordinate Mo(4+) and W(4+) systems have a closed-shell ground state.     

Design and Synthesis of a Selective Chemosensor for Zn^2＋

A hydroxyl substituted phenolic Schiff base 1, used as sensor for detection of Zn^2＋, was synthesized and investigated. It was found that a strong fluorescence emission was observed when 1 bound to Zn^2＋ in acetonitrile, whereas no fluorescence emission was detected when 1 bound to other metal ions （Fe^2＋, Co^2＋, Ni^2＋, Cu^2＋, Cd^2＋, Hg^2＋, Mg^2＋, Pb^2＋, Ca^2＋, Ba^2＋, Sr^2＋） except for Mg^2＋, for which a weak fluorescence emission was detected in the same condition. Competition experiment showed that no obvious interference was observed in its fluorescence while 1 performed the titration with Zn^2＋ in the different mixtures of metal ions. To understand the site where Zn^2＋ coordinated to the ligand and the mechanism of binding, three other hydroxyl substituted phenolic Schiff bases 2-4 were synthesized and their binding reactions with Zn^2＋were also investigated.     

Quantify the Maximum Limit Value of the Framework Ti Content in TS-1

The substitution of Si⁴⁺ by Ti⁴⁺ in titanosilicates is always limited, originally, Taramasso et al. prepared TS-1 with more than≈2wt% titanium in the lattice. Both XANES and XPS allow to titrate framework tetrahedral Ti and extra-framework TiO₂ anatase species. There was no detectable extra-framework Ti up to 1.5wt% Ti, above 1.5%. A limit of ca.1.8% of Ti incorporation into the framework of the S-lsilicalite has been calculated by titration using Raman spectroscopy or using voltametric measurments, XRD and Rietveld calculation of the unit cell expansion led to higher limit of ca.2.5%. Higher level of incorporation of as much as ca.6 and 8% were claimed. Therefore, the maximum of Ti incorporation is still a controversial matter that prompted us to develop a new technique to quantify them.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterodinuclear Ln(3+)-Fe3+ and Ln(3+)-Co3+ complexes,bridged by cyanide ligand (Ln3+ = lanthanide ions). Nature of the magnetic interaction in the Ln(3+)-Fe3+ complexes

The reaction of Ln(NO3)3.aq with K3[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Co(CN)6] in N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF) led to 25 heterodinuclear [Ln(DMF)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)Fe(CN)5].nH2O and [Ln(DMF)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)Co(CN)5].nH2O complexes (with Ln = all the lanthanide(III) ions, except promethium and lutetium). Five complexes (Pr(3+)-Fe3+), (Tm(3+)-Fe3+), (Ce(3+)-Co3+), (Sm(3+)-Co3+), and (Yb(3+)-Co3+) have been structurally characterized; they crystallize in the equivalent monoclinic space groups P21/c or P21/n. Structural studies of these two families show that they are isomorphous. This relationship in conjunction with the diamagnetism of the Co3+ allows an approximation to the nature of coupling between the iron(III) and the lanthanide(III) ions in the [Ln(DMF)4(H2O)3(mu-CN)Fe(CN)5].nH2O complexes. The Ln(3+)-Fe3+ interaction is antiferromagnetic for Ln = Ce, Nd, Gd, and Dy and ferromagnetic for Ln = Tb, Ho, and Tm. For Ln = Pr, Eu, Er, Sm, and Yb, there is no sign of any significant interaction. The isotropic nature of Gd3+ helps to evaluate the value of the exchange interaction.     

静电纺丝技术制备Y_2O_3∶Yb~(3+),Er~(3+)上转换纳米纤维及其表征

采用静电纺丝技术制备了PVA/[Y(NO3)3+Yb(NO3)3+Er(NO3)3]复合纳米纤维,将其在适当的温度下进行热处理,得到Y2O3∶Yb3+,Er3+上转换纳米纤维.XRD分析表明,复合纳米纤维为无定形,Y2O3∶Yb3+,Er3+上转换纳米纤维属于体心立方晶系,空间群为Ia3.SEM分析表明,复合纳米纤维的平均直径约为150nm;随着焙烧温度的升高,纤维直径逐渐减小.经过600℃焙烧后,获得了直径约60nm的Y2O3∶Yb3+,Er3+上转换纳米纤维.TG-DTA分析表明,当焙烧温度高于600℃时,复合纳米纤维中水分、有机物和硝酸盐分解挥发完毕,样品不再失重,总失重率为83%.FTIR分析表明,复合纳米纤维与纯PVA的红外光谱一致,当焙烧温度高于600℃时,生成了Y2O3∶Yb3+,Er3+上转换纳米纤维.该纤维在980nm的半导体激光器激发下发射出中心波长为521,562nm的绿色和656nm的红色上转换荧光,分别对应于Er3+离子的2H11/2/4S3/2→4Il5/2跃迁和4F9/2→4Il5/2跃迁.对Y2O3∶Yb3+,Er3+上转换纳米纤维的形成机理进行了讨论.     

Oxygen-containing gas-phase diatomic trications and tetracations: ReO(z+), NbO(z+) and HfO(z+) (z=3, 4)

Three oxygen-containing gas-phase diatomic trications ReO(3+), NbO(3+) and HfO(3+) as well as the diatomic tetracation NbO(4+) have been observed by mass spectrometry at non-integer m/z values. These unusual triply charged molecular ion species, together with the corresponding diatomic dications ReO(2+), NbO(2+) and HfO(2+), were produced by energetic, high-current oxygen ((16)O(-)) ion beam sputtering of rhenium, niobium and hafnium metal samples, respectively, whose surfaces were dynamically oxidized by oxygen primary ion incorporation. In addition, NbO(z+) (z≤ 4) were generated by intense femtosecond laser excitation and photofragmentation (Coulomb explosion) of Nb(x)O(y) clusters and were detected through Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (TOF). Our experimental results confirm previous reports on the detection of NbO(4+), NbO(3+), NbO(2+), HfO(3+) and HfO(2+) with Atom Probe mass spectrometry, whereas ReO(3+) and ReO(2+) apparently had not been observed before. In addition, these multiply charged molecular ions have been studied theoretically for the first time. Ab initio calculations of their electronic structures show that the diatomic trications ReO(3+), NbO(3+) and HfO(3+) are long-lived metastable gas-phase species, with bond lengths of 1.61 ?, 1.62 ? and 1.86 ?, respectively. They present large potential barriers with respect to dissociation of more than 2.7 eV. The corresponding diatomic dications are thermochemically stable molecules with very large dissociation energies (>3.5 eV). Our calculations predict the diatomic tetracation ReO(4+) to be a metastable ion species in the gas phase. We compute a potential barrier toward fragmentation of 0.6 eV; its formation requires a quadruple adiabatic ionization energy of 85.7 eV. Even though our calculations show that NbO(4+) is a weakly bound (dissociation barrier ～0.1 eV) metastable molecule, it is here identified via linear time-of-flight mass spectrometry.     

High-nuclearity metal-cyanide clusters: synthesis,magnetic properties,and inclusion behavior of open-cage species incorporating [(tach)M(CN)3] (M = Cr,Fe, Co) complexes

The use of 1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) as a capping ligand in generating metal-cyanide cage clusters with accessible cavities is demonstrated. The precursor complexes [(tach)M(CN)(3)] (M = Cr, Fe, Co) are synthesized by methods similar to those employed in preparing the analogous 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) complexes. Along with [(tach)Fe(CN)(3)](1)(-), the latter two species are found to adopt low-spin electron configurations. Assembly reactions between [(tach)M(CN)(3)] (M = Fe, Co) and [M'(H(2)O)(6)](2+) (M' = Ni, Co) in aqueous solution afford the clusters [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Ni(4)Co(4)(CN)(12)](8+), [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Co(8)(CN)(12)](8+), and [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Ni(4)Fe(4)(CN)(12)](8+), each possessing a cubic arrangement of eight metal ions linked through edge-spanning cyanide bridges. This geometry is stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions between tach and water ligands through an intervening solvate water molecule or bromide counteranion. The magnetic behavior of the Ni(4)Fe(4) cluster indicates weak ferromagnetic coupling (J = 5.5 cm(-)(1)) between the Ni(II) and Fe(III) centers, leading to an S = 6 ground state. Solutions containing [(tach)Fe(CN)(3)] and a large excess of [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](2+) instead yield a trigonal pyramidal [(tach)(H(2)O)(15)Ni(3)Fe(CN)(3)](6+) cluster, in which even weaker ferromagnetic coupling (J = 1.2 cm(-)(1)) gives rise to an S = (7)/(2) ground state. Paralleling reactions previously performed with [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CN)(3)], [(tach)Cr(CN)(3)] reacts with [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](2+) in aqueous solution to produce [(tach)(8)Cr(8)Ni(6)(CN)(24)](12+), featuring a structure based on a cube of Cr(III) ions with each face centered by a square planar [Ni(CN)(4)](2)(-) unit. The metal-cyanide cage differs somewhat from that of the analogous Me(3)tacn-ligated cluster, however, in that it is distorted via compression along a body diagonal of the cube. Additionally, the compact tach capping ligands do not hinder access to the sizable interior cavity of the molecule, permitting host-guest chemistry. Mass spectrometry experiments indicate a 1:1 association of the intact cluster with tetrahydrofuran (THF) in aqueous solution, and a crystal structure shows the THF molecule to be suspended in the middle of the cluster cavity. Addition of THF to an aqueous solution containing [(tach)Co(CN)(3)] and [Cu(H(2)O)(6)](2+) templates the formation of a closely related cluster, [(tach)(8)(H(2)O)(6)Cu(6)Co(8)(CN)(24) superset THF](12+), in which paramagnetic Cu(II) ions with square pyramidal coordination are situated on the face-centering sites. Reactions intended to produce the cubic [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Co(8)(CN)(12)](8+) cluster frequently led to an isomeric two-dimensional framework, [(tach)(H(2)O)(3)Co(2)(CN)(3)](2+), exhibiting mer rather than fac stereochemistry at the [Co(H(2)O)(3)](2+) subunits. Attempts to assemble larger edge-bridged cubic clusters by reacting [(tach)Cr(CN)(3)] with [Ni(cyclam)](2+) (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) complexes instead generated extended one- or two-dimensional solids. The magnetic properties of one of these solids, two-dimensional [(tach)(2)(cyclam)(3)Ni(3)Cr(2)(CN)(6)]I(2), suggest metamagnetic behavior, with ferromagnetic intralayer coupling and weak antiferromagnetic interactions between layers.     

Evidence of a ZnCr2Se4 spinel inclusion at the core of a Cr-doped ZnSe quantum dot

Herein we report doping of ZnSe by Cr ions leads to formation of small ZnCr(2)Se(4) spinel inclusions within the cubic sphalerite lattice of a 2.8 nm CrZnSe quantum dot (QD). The Cr ion incorporates as a pair of Cr(III) ions occupying edge-sharing tetragonal distorted octahedral sites generated by formation of three Zn ion vacancies in the sphalerite lattice in order to charge compensate the QD. The site is analogous to the formation of a subunit of the ZnCr(2)Se(4) spinel phase known to form as inclusions during peritectoid crystal growth in the ternary CrZnSe solid-state compound. The oxidation state and site symmetry of the Cr ion is confirmed by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES), crystal field absorption spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). Incorporation as the Cr(III) oxidation state is consistent with the thermodynamic preference for Cr to occupy an octahedral site within a II-VI semiconductor lattice with a half-filled t(2g) d-level. The measured crystal field splitting energy for the CrZnSe QD is 2.08 eV (2.07 eV form XANES), consistent with a spinel inclusion. Further evidence of a spinel inclusion is provided by analysis of the magnetic data, where antiferromagnetic (AFM) exchange, a Curie-Weiss (C-W) temperature of θ = -125 K, and a nearest-neighbor exchange coupling constant of J(NN) = -12.5 K are observed. The formation of stable spinel inclusions in a QD has not been previously reported.     

Electronic structure of 3d[M(H2O)6](3+) ions from Sc(III) to Fe(III): a quantum mechanical study based on DFT computations and natural bond orbital analyses

The metal-donor atom bonding along the series of 3d[M(H2O)6](3+) ions from Sc(3+) to Fe(3+) has been investigated by density-functional calculations combined with natural localized bond orbital analyses. The M-OH(2) bonds were considered as donor-acceptor bonds, and the contributions coming from the metal ion's 3d sigma-, 3d pi-, and 4s sigma-interactions were treated individually. In this way, the total amount of charge transferred from the water oxygen-donor atoms toward the appropriate metal orbitals could be analyzed in a straightforward manner. One result obtained along these lines is that the overall extent of ligand-to-metal charge transfer shows a strong correlation to the hydration enthalpies of the aqua metal ions. If the contributions to the total ligand-to-metal ion charge transfer are divided into sigma- and pi-contributions, it turns out that Cr(3+) is the best sigma-acceptor, but its pi-accepting abilities are the weakest along the series. Fe(3+) is found to be the best pi-acceptor among the 3d hexaaqua ions studied. Its aptitude to accept sigma-electron density is the second weakest along the series and only slightly higher than that of Sc(3+) (the least sigma-acceptor of all ions) because of the larger involvement of the Fe(3+) 4s orbital in sigma-bonding. The strengths of the three types of bonding interactions have been correlated with the electron affinities of the different metal orbitals. Deviations from the regular trends of electron affinities along the series were found for those [M(H2O)6](3+) ions that are subject to Jahn-Teller distortions. In these cases (d(1) = [Ti(H2O)6](3+), d(2) = [V(H2O)6](3+), and d(4) = [Mn(H2O)6](3+)), ligand-to-metal charge transfer is prevented to go into those metal orbitals that contain unpaired d electrons. A lowering of the complex symmetry is observed and coupled with the following variations: The Ti(3+)- and V(3+)-hexaaqua ions switch from T(h)() to C(i)() symmetry while the Mn(3+)-hexaaqua ion moves to D(2)(h)() symmetry. The loss of orbital overlap leading to a diminished ligand-to-metal charge transfer toward the single occupied metal orbitals is compensated by amplified bonding interactions of the ligand orbitals with the unoccupied metal orbitals to some extent.     

A water soluble Al(3+) selective colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on chemosensor and its application in living cell imaging

An efficient water soluble fluorescent Al(3+) receptor, 1-[[(2-furanylmethyl)imino]methyl]-2-naphthol (1-H) was synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic tools along with single crystal X-ray crystallography. High selectivity and affinity of 1-H towards Al(3+) in HEPES buffer (DMSO/water: 1/100) of pH 7.4 at 25 °C showed it to be suitable for detection of intracellular Al(3+) by fluorescence microscopy. Metal ions, viz. alkali (Na(+), K(+)), alkaline earth (Mg(2+), Ca(2+)), and transition-metal ions (Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cu(2+), Fe(3+), Cr(3+/6+), Hg(2+)) and Pb(2+), Ag(+) did not interfere. The lowest detection limit for Al(3+) was calculated to be 6.03 × 10(-7) M in 100 mM HEPES buffer (DMSO/water: 1/100). Theoretical calculations have also been included in support of the configuration of the probe-aluminium complex.     

Surface Complexation Modeling of K(+), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), Ca(2+), F(-), Co(2+), and Cr(3+) Ion Adsorption on Silica Gel

Surface complex formation of K(+), NO(3)(-), SO(4)(2-), Ca(2+), F(-), Co(2+), and Cr(3+) ions was determined on the surface of silica gel. Experimental data obtained by acid-base titration of suspensions were interpreted in terms of the triple-layer model. The value of the deprotonation constant of surface OH could be determined precisely but the protonation constant was rather uncertain. The logarithms of ion pair formation constants for K(+), NO(3)(-), Ca(2+), and SO(4)(2-) adsorbed in the beta-plane are log K(ipM,X) approximately 0, therefore these species can be considered inert ions in the investigated pH range. F(-), Co(2+), and Cr(3+) ions were found to be strongly sorbed in the o-plane. In order to provide a good fit and to obtain parameters independent of their initial values, all possible equilibrium must be accounted for in the models. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Pressure-induced cation migration and volume expansion in the defect pyrochlores ANbWO6 (A = NH4+, Rb+, H+, K+)

The structural and compositional evolution of four members of the ANbWO(6) (A = NH4+, Rb+, H+, K+) defect pyrochlore family have been studied as a function of pressure up to 7 GPa, using a diamond anvil cell and monochromatic synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. In response to increasing hydrostatic pressure, NH(4)NbWO(6) and RbNbWO(6) both initially contract but then undergo a fairly abrupt increase in their unit cell volumes above a characteristic threshold pressure. NH(4)NbWO(6) exhibits a 5.8% increase in the cubic unit cell edge once the pressure exceeds approximately 3.4 GPa, while the RbNbWO(6) unit cell expansion is larger ( approximately 7.5%) but less abrupt, beginning near 3.0 GPa. Rietveld refinements reveal that the reversible expansion is driven by insertion of water into the structural channels that interpenetrate the NbWO(6)(-) octahedral corner sharing framework. The insertion of extra water is accompanied by displacement of the NH(4)(+) or Rb(+) ions to a smaller site in the channel structure, which triggers the pressure-induced expansion of the pyrochlore framework. This mechanism explains the counterintuitive expansion of the pyrochlore framework in response to application of external pressure. It should be noted that the expansion exhibited by the pyrochlore framework must coincide with a decrease in the volume of the hydrostatic fluid so that the net volume of the system decreases with increasing pressure. Similar behavior is not observed for KNbWO(6).H(2)O or HNbWO(6).H(2)O, both of which contract in response to increasing pressure. For these smaller monovalent cations, pressure-induced volume expansion does not occur because the hydrated state and subsequent cation shift are already stable at ambient conditions.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron(III)-substituted, dimeric polyoxotungstates, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](n-) (n = 6, X = As(III), Sb(III); n = 4, X = Se(IV), Te(IV))

Interaction of the lacunary [alpha-XW(9)O(33)](9-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) with Fe(3+) ions in acidic, aqueous medium leads to the formation of dimeric polyoxoanions, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)) in high yield. X-ray single-crystal analyses were carried out on Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-AsW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O, which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/m, with a = 20.2493(18) A, b = 15.2678(13) A, c = 16.0689(14) A, beta = 95.766(2) degrees, and Z = 2; Na(6)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SbW(9)O(33))(2)] x 32H(2)O is isomorphous with a = 20.1542(18) A, b = 15.2204(13) A, c = 16.1469(14) A, and beta = 95.795(2) degrees. The selenium and tellurium analogues are also reported, [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](4-) (X = Se(IV), Te(IV)). They are synthesized from sodium tungstate and a source of the heteroatom as precursors. X-ray single-crystal analysis was carried out on Cs(4)[Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)] x 21H(2)O, which crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P macro 1, with a = 12.6648(10) A, b = 12.8247(10) A, c = 16.1588(13) A, alpha = 75.6540(10) degrees, beta = 87.9550(10) degrees, gamma = 64.3610(10) gamma, and Z = 1. All title polyanions consist of two (beta-XW(9)O(33)) units joined by a central pair and a peripheral pair of Fe(3+) ions leading to a structure with idealized C(2h) symmetry. It was also possible to synthesize the Cr(III) derivatives [Cr(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-XW(9)O(33))(2)](6-) (X = As(III), Sb(III)), the tungstoselenates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-SeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16)(-)(4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), and the tungstotellurates(IV) [M(4)(H(2)O)(10)(beta-TeW(9)O(33))(2)]((16-4n)-) (M(n+) = Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Hg(2+)), as determined by FTIR. The electrochemical properties of the iron-containing species were also studied. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry aided in distinguishing between Fe(3+) and W(6+) waves. By variation of pH and scan rate, it was possible to observe the stepwise reduction of the Fe(3+) centers.     

Structural characterization of glycoporphyrins by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry

Porphyrin derivatives having a galactose or a bis(isopropylidene)galactose structural unit, linked by ester or ether bonds, were characterized by electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ES-MS/MS). The electrospray mass spectra of these glycoporphyrins show the corresponding [M + H](+) ions. For the glycoporphyrins with pyridyl substituents and those having a tetrafluorophenyl spacer, the doubly charged ions [M + 2H](2+) were also observed in ES-MS with high relative abundance. The fragmentation of both [M + H](+) and [M + 2H](2+) ions exhibited common fragmentation pathways for porphyrins with the same sugar residue, independently of the porphyrin structural unit and type of linkage. ES-MS/MS of the [M + H](+) ions of the galactose-substituted porphyrins gave the fragment ions [M + H - C(2)H(4)O(2)](+), [M + H - C(3)H(6)O(3)](+), [M + H - C(4)H(8)O(4)](+) and [M + H - galactose residue](+). The fragmentation of the [M + 2H](2+) ions of the porphyrins with galactose shows the common doubly charged fragment ions [porphyrin + H](2+), [M + 2H - C(2)H(4)O(2)](2+), [M + 2H - C(4)H(8)O(4)](2+), [M + 2H - galactose residue](2+) and the singly charged fragment ions [M + H - C(3)H(6)O(3)](+) and [M + H - galactose residue](+). The fragmentation of the [M + H](+) ions of glycoporphyrins with a protected galactosyl residue leads mainly to the ions [M + H - CO(CH(3))(2)](+), [M + H - 2CO(CH(3))(2)](+), [M + H - 2CO(CH(3))(2) - CO](+), [M + H - C(10)H(16)O(4)](+) and [M + H - protected galactose](+). The doubly charged ions [M + 2H](2+) fragment to give the doubly charged ions [porphyrin + H](2+) and the singly charged ions [M + H - protected galactose residue](+) and [M + H - CO(CH(3))(2)](+). For the porphyrins where the sugar structural unit is linked by an ester bond, [M + 2H](2+), ES-MS/MS showed a major and typical fragmentation corresponding to combined loss of a sugar structural unit and further loss of water, leading to the ion [M + 2H - sugar residue - H(2)O](2+), independently of the structure of the sugar structural unit. These results show that ES-MS/MS can be a powerful tool for the characterization of the sugar structural unit of glycoporphyrins, without the need for chemical hydrolysis.     

ToF-SIMS depth profiling analysis of the uptake of Ba2+ and Co2+ ions by natural kaolinite clay

The sorption behavior of Ba(2+) and Co(2+) ions on a natural clay sample rich in kaolinite was studied using time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Depth profiling at 10-A steps was performed up to a 70-A matrix depth of the clay prior to and following sorption. The results showed that Co(2+) is sorbed in slightly larger quantities than Ba(2+), with significant numbers of ions fixed on the outermost surface of the clay. Depletion of the ions K(+), Mg(2+), and Ca(2+) from the clay lattice was observed to accompany enrichment with Co(2+) and Ba(2+) ions. The data obtained using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated insignificant structural and morphological changes in the lattice of the clay upon sorption of both Ba(2+) and Co(2+) ions. Analysis using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed that the average atomic percentage (+/-S.D.) of Ba and Co on kaolinite surface were 0.49 +/- 0.11 and 0.61 +/- 0.19 , respectively, indicating a limited uptake capacity of natural kaolinite for both ions.     

Folding of the thrombin aptamer into a G-quadruplex with Sr(2+): stability, heat, and hydration.

It has been shown that the DNA aptamer d(G(2)T(2)G(2)TGTG(2)T(2)G(2)) adopts an intramolecular G-quadruplex structure in the presence of K+. Its affinity for trombin has been associated with the inhibition of thrombin-catalyzed fibrin clot formation. In this work, we used a combination of spectroscopy, calorimetry, density, and ultrasound techniques to determine the spectral characteristics, thermodynamics, and hydration effects for the formation of G-quadruplexes with a variety of monovalent and divalent metal ions. The formation of cation-aptamer complexes is relatively fast and highly reproducible. The comparison of their CD spectra and melting profiles as a function of strand concentration shows that K+, Rb+, NH(4)+, Sr(2+), and Ba(2+) form intramolecular cation-aptamer complexes with transition temperatures above 25 degrees C. However, the cations Li+, Na+, Cs+, Mg(2+), and Ca(2+) form weaker complexes at very low temperatures. This is consistent with the observation that metal ions with ionic radii in the range 1.3-1.5 A fit well within the two G-quartets of the complex, while the other cations cannot. The comparison of thermodynamic unfolding profiles of the Sr(2+)-aptamer and K+ -aptamer complexes shows that the Sr(2+)-aptamer complex is more stable, by approximately 18 degrees C, and unfolds with a lower endothermic heat of 8.3 kcal/mol. This is in excellent agreement with the exothermic heats of -16.8 kcal/mol and -25.7 kcal/mol for the binding of Sr(2+) and K+ to the aptamer, respectively. Furthermore, volume and compressibility parameters of cation binding show hydration effects resulting mainly from two contributions: the dehydration of both cation and guanine atomic groups and water uptake upon the folding of a single-strand into a G- quadruplex structure.     

Energetics of Ce and Pu incorporation into zirconolite waste-forms

The General Utility Lattice Program (GULP) has been used to model the zirconolite lattice, calculate the energies of substituting Ce(3+), Ce(4+), Pu(3+), Pu(4+) and Fe(3+) into the lattice both as single and multi-defect systems and model the formation of Ce(3+), Ce(4+), Pu(3+) and Pu(4+) doped zirconolite lattices. These results have been compared against experimental observations, with particular emphasis on those Ce containing solid solutions that exhibit Ce(3+)/Ce(4+) mixed valence characteristics. It is found that the Ce(3+)/Ce(4+) mixed valence is as a result of reduction within the lattice, with the Ce(3+) being stabilised on the Ca site, and that this behaviour would not be expected for the corresponding Pu solid solutions.     

Beta-silyl-substituted silaadamantyl,silabicyclo[2.2.2]octyl,silanorbornyl, and 1-silacyclohexyl cations. A theoretical (DFT and GIAO NMR) study

Parent 1-silaadamant-1-yl (1+) and a series of mono-beta-silyl-substituted- (2-Me+, 2-F+, 2-Cl+, 2-Br+), bis-beta-silyl-substituted- (3-Me+), and tris-beta-silyl-substituted (4-Me+)-1-silaadamant-1-yl cations were studied by the DFT method at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level and by GIAO NMR at the B3LYP/ 6-31G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level. The geometries, relative energies, NMR chemical shifts, and charge distribution in the bridgehead silylium ions are discussed and compared. The magnitude of the beta-silyl effect (the Si-C-Si+ hyperconjugation) is gauged as a function of structure. Related model studies on the silabicyclo[2.2.2]octyl (5+, 6+, 5a+, and 6a+), silanorbornyl (7+ and 8+), and silacyclohexyl cations (9+ and 10+) were carried out in which the effect of beta-silyl substitution on geometry, stability, and NMR chemical shifts was probed. The acyclic model Me3Si-CH2-Si+(Me)2 (11+) was used to gauge the influence of the twist angle between the p-orbital at Si+ and the C-Si bond on relative stability and on the changes in the 29Si NMR chemical shifts. Finally, interaction of 1+ with H2O and MeOH and 2-Me+ with H2O was also examined. The resulting optimized structures (12+, 13+, and 14+) and the computed NMR chemical shifts are most compatible with the formation of silaoxonium ions.