Polyaniline–DNA microsphere formation by simple electropolymerization

Polyaniline (PANI) microspheres were prepared by electrochemical polymerization. To obtain PANI having novel micro- and nanostructures, by the potential scan technique, aniline was electropolymerized in the presence of DNA using four polymerizing solutions containing different acids: H₂SO₄, C₆H₅SO₃H, HClO₄, and CF₃COOH. The growth rate of the PANI film on the electrode surface decreased by the presence of DNA, suggesting that DNA interacted with the growing PANI molecules during the electropolymerization. The growth rate also depended on the type of acid, i.e., the anion, in the polymerizing solution and was in the order of SO₄ ²⁻ > C₆H₅SO₃ ⁻ > ClO₄ ⁻ > CF₃COO⁻, which significantly coincided with the reverse order of the Hofmeister series representing the lyophilicity of the anion. When aniline was electropolymerized in the CF₃COOH polymerizing solution containing DNA, PANI microspheres were obtained without any templates. This PANI showed a sufficient redox activity in the less acidic solution in which the ordinary PANI has a slight redox activity. On the other hand, the electronic state of the PANI differed from the ordinary ones; a new absorption band was evident at 620 nm. The difference in the redox activity and electronic state suggested that the DNA molecules were incorporated in the PANI and electronically interacted with the PANI molecules.     

Extended pressure—consistent equation for simple fluids

Abstract

A previous generalization of the Percus-Yevick (PY) and hypernetted chain (HNC) equations for simple fluids, involving a density- and temperature-dependent coefficient m, is extended by including a spatial dependence in m. The new approximation yields an exact fourth virial coefficient and, by further requirement, a consistent equation of state from both the virial and compressibility forms. Comparison of calculated results for the hard sphere potential shows an improvement over the PY, HNC, and previous pressure-consistent equations     

Complex surface engineering meets simple and beautiful surface chemistry

Surface chemistry of solids is the fundamental for processes on solid surfaces and properties of solid surfaces,such as heterogeneous catalysis,electrochemistry,corrosion,thin film growth,sensing,friction and lubrication[1].Understanding surface chemistry of solids is not only of great scientific interest,but also of important technological value for optimizing surface properties and processes.Due to the complexity of solid surface structures,it is challenging to unambiguously elucidate the surface chemistry of surface properties and processes at a molecular level.     

Chiral kagomé lattice from simple ditopic molecular bricks

Self-assembly techniques allow for the fabrication of highly organized architectures with atomic-level precision. Here, we report on molecular-level scanning tunneling microscopy observations demonstrating the supramolecular engineering of complex, regular, and long-range ordered periodic networks on a surface atomic lattice using simple linear molecular bricks. The length variation of the employed de novo synthesized linear dicarbonitrile polyphenyl molecules translates to distinct changes of the bonding motifs that lead to hierarchic order phenomena and unexpected changes of the surface tessellations. The achieved 2D organic networks range from a close-packed chevron pattern via a rhombic network to a hitherto unobserved supramolecular chiral kagomé lattice.     

An efficient and simple synthesis of (−)-wine lactone

A, short and efficient diastereoselective synthesis of (−)-wine lactone (−)-4a involving FeCl₃/NaI-mediated iodolactonization of γ,δ-unsaturated acid 7 as the key step is described.     

A simple and efficient stereoselective synthesis of (−)-cleistenolide

A simple and straightforward stereoselective synthesis of α,β-unsaturated δ-lactone, (?)-cleistenolide has been accomplished in 10 steps in an overall yield of 19%, starting from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials, respectively. This linear synthesis utilizes Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation, sulfur ylide mediated epoxide opening followed by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) for the formation of six-membered lactone ring as the key step sequence.     

A simple dot-blot–Sirius red-based assay for collagen quantification

The assessment of collagen content in tissues is important in biomedical research, since this protein is altered in numerous diseases. Hydroxyproline and Sirius red based assays are the most common methods for collagen quantification. However, these procedures have some pitfalls, such as the requirement of oxygen-free medium or expensive equipment and large sample size or being unsuitable for hydrolyzed collagen, respectively. Our objective was to develop a specific, versatile, and user-friendly quantitative method applicable to small tissue samples and extracts obtained from elastin purification, therefore, suitable for simultaneous quantification of elastin. This method is based on the binding of Sirius red to collagen present in a sample immobilized on a PVDF membrane, as in the dot-blot technique, and quantified by a scanner and image analysis software. Sample loading, Sirius red concentration, temperature and incubation time, type of standard substance, albumin interference, and quantification time are optimized. The method enabled the quantification of (1) intact collagen in several rat tissue homogenates, including small resistance-sized arteries, (2) partially hydrolyzed collagen obtained from NaOH extracts, compatible with elastin purification, and (3) for the detection of differences in collagen content between hypertensive and normotensive rats. We conclude that the developed technique can be widely used since it is versatile (quantifies intact and hydrolyzed collagen), requires small sample volumes, is user-friendly (low-cost, easy to use, minimum toxic materials, and reduced time of test), and is specific (minimal interference with serum albumin).

A simple protocol for the synthesis of α-substituted phosphonates

An efficient, easy-to-handle, and mild substitution reaction approach has been developed for the synthesis of phosphonate derivatives, which are very important in the field of industrial, agricultural, and medicinal chemistry. A large number of nucleophiles, including arylamines, alkylamines, heteroarylamines, primary amines and secondary amines, sulfides, and carbides were attempted to react with α-tosyloxyphosphonate 1. The reaction proceeded under catalyst-free and neat conditions and the corresponding phosphonates 2 were afforded in good yields.     

A remarkably simple α-oximation of aldehydes via organo-SOMO catalysis

A novel α-oximation reaction of unactivated aldehydes has been achieved in excellent yields by reaction with NaNO(2)-FeCl(3) couple and in the presence of pyrrolidine as organocatalyst.     

Wagner liquid–vapour pressure equation constants from a simple methodology

A methodology to determine the A, B, C, and D constants from the Wagner equation is presented. The constants for 274 pure substances were determined by minimization in the sum of the squares of the relative deviation in liquid vapour pressure. For 69 chemical compounds, vapour pressures exist over the range from 1 kPa to the critical pressure and an average absolute deviation in vapour pressure of 0.039% was calculated. Using Antoine equation coefficients and initial guesses for a correlation in terms of the acentric factor, Wagner constants were estimated for substances with limited data within the range from (1 to 200) kPa. To validate the proposed methodology, vapour pressure predictions from 1 kPa to the critical pressure were made for 52 substances using Wagner parameters estimated from limited data. A value of 0.27% in average absolute deviation results for those substances. Finally the Waring criterion was applied to check the constants presented in this paper.     

A simple path to ambient temperature ionic H- superconductors

<正>Hydride ion (H^-) has high polarizability (α_H-=10.17?³) and high redox potential (H^-/H₂:-2.3 V), and therefore is an attractive energy carrier [1,2]. The H^- superconductors play a crucial role in the development of high-density energy storage and chemical conversion technologies [3].     

A simple route to dinuclear complexes containing unusual μ-Nsulfonamido bridges

We report here the straightforward synthesis of some dimeric transition metal complexes of three Schiff base ligands, which were obtained by condensation of 2-tosylaminomethylaniline with 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (H₂L¹), 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (H₂L²), and 4-formyl-3-hydroxybenzoic acid (H₂L³), respectively. Both ligands and complexes were characterized by a combination of ¹H NMR, infrared and mass spectrometries, and elemental analyses. Furthermore, the crystal structures of H₂L² and Pd₂L²₂·2MeOH were elucidated by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of Pd₂L²₂·2MeOH has instead of typical μ-O_phenoxo bridges, repeating units held together by unusual μ-N_sulfonamido bridges. This complex is chiral, although it crystallizes as a racemate, with C_2v symmetry, where the two bridging nitrogens are asymmetric centers with identical handedness.     

Nanotubes as polymer composite reinforcing additive materials – A comparative study

Nitrogen-doped bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (N-BCNTs) and their non-doped conventional counterparts, multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were compared as polymer reinforcing additives in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix. The nanotubes were synthetized by catalytic chemical vapor deposition (CCVD) method. The purity of both nanotubes was measured by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and found to be >91%. Further analysis on the morphology and size of the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were performed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The PVC powder was impregnated with CNTs in ethanol by using tip ultrasonicator. The dispersion media was evaporated, and the CNT/PVC powder was used to produce polymer fibers. The orientation of carbon nanotubes in the PVC matrix was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the presence of nanotubes were confirmed in case of all PVC samples. It can be observed on the SEM images that the nanotubes are fully covered with PVC. The tensile strength of the nanotube containing samples was tested and the N-BCNT/PVC composite was found to be better in this sense, thanks to the extraordinary structure of the nanotube. In case of the N-BCNT/PVC composite the measured young modulus was 39.7% higher, while the elongation at brake decreased by 33.6% compare to the MWCNT/PVC composite. These significant differences in the mechanical properties of the composites can be explained with the stronger interaction between N-BCNTs and PVC.     

A comparative study of the structure and properties of β-galactosidases

A comparative study of β-galactosidase amino acid sequences of E. coli and another four out of 11 microorganisms selected at the first stage was performed. It was shown that the functional amino acid residues in the catalytic domain and the ligand environment of the magnesium cation for all five sequences are identical. The mechanism of the catalytic action of E. coli and K. lactis β-galactosidases was investigated by the method of nucleophilic competition. It was shown that the mechanism of the effects of nucleophilic agents is kinetically identical both enzymes: the presence of methanol or butanediols affects the stage of degalactosylation; the presence of magnesium cations promotes the activity of both β-galactosidases; and the mechanisms of the thermal inactivation of E. coli and K. lactis β-galactosidases are different.     

α-Picolinic acid as a colorimetric reagent : A comparative study

The amount of iron in several naturally occuring samples has been determined colorimetrically with the reagent α-picolinic acid and the results obtained have been found to compare favourably with those due to o-phenanthioline     

Naphthalene-cholesterol conjugate as simple gelator for selective sensing of CN– ion

Cholesterol-based Schiff base 1 has been designed and synthesised. The Schiff base 1 forms yellow coloured gel in DMF:H₂O (2:1, v/v) and the gel is anion responsive. Among different anions, the gel phase of 1 is selectively transformed into sol in the presence of CN^– ions and validates its visual sensing. ¹H NMR, FTIR and HRMS spectroscopic techniques were adopted to study the gelation of 1 and its responsive behaviour towards anions.     

A comparative study of complexation methods for cefdinir-hydroxypropyl-��-cyclodextrin system

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroxypropyl-??-cyclodextrin (HP??CD) on the solubility and dissolution rate of Cefdinir (CEF). The methods that were employed to prepare CEF?CHP??CD complexes were Kneading (KN), Co-evaporation (CE), Spray drying (SD) and a novel approach of Microwave irradiation (MWI). The formation of inclusion complexes with HP??CD in the solid state, were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), X Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studies, and comparative studies on the in vitro dissolution of CEF were carried out. Phase solubility profile with HP??CD was classified as A_L type, indicating the formation of 1:1 stoichiometric inclusion complexes. Characterization of binary systems by DSC, FTIR, NMR, XRD and SEM indicated that SD and MWI method resulted in formation of true complexes. Binary systems showed significant increase in dissolution rate as compared to plain drug. Amongst the various binary systems, MWI products were prepared in least time with better yield and highest dissolution rate.     

Redoping — A simple way to enhance the redoxcapacity of polypyrrole films

In this work, the beneficial structural properties of polypyrrole (PPy) films formed in the presence of benzenesulfonate (BS) and para-toluenesulfonate (pTS) were combined with the good mobility of small inorganic anions as chloride by redoping (ion exchange). the combination of voltammetry as the classical method for the determination of redoxcapacity together with the analytical determination of the doping level before and after redoping by X-ray microanalysis (EDS) allow to optimize the redoping process and produce PPy films with high redoxcapacity and stability.