Solution-based assembly of conductive gold film on flexible polymer substrates

Conductive films of gold were assembled on flexible polymer substrates such as Kapton and polyethylene using a solution-based process. The polymer substrates were modified by using argon plasma and subsequent coupling of silanes with amino- or mercapto- terminal groups. These modified surfaces were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. Colloidal gold was assembled onto the silane-modified surface from solution. The gold particles are attached to the surface by covalent interactions with the thiol or amine group. Formation of a conductive film is achieved by increasing the coverage of gold by using a "seeding" method to increase the size of the attached gold particles. Field emission scanning electron microscopy was used to follow the growth of the film. The surface resistance of the films, measured using a four-point probe, was about 1 Omega/sq.     

Identification de stérols à chaîne latérale oxygénée dans une éponge de l'espèce Hyrtios

Thirty-two sterols are identified in the sponge Hyrtios sp. In addition to fourteen monohydroxylated compounds, the sterol fraction contains eight functionalized sidechain sterols, three of them new: 3 β-hydroxy-24-norchol-5-en-23-al (19) , (22-trans)-3 β-hydroxycholest-5, 22-dien-24-one (20) and (22R, 23R, 24S) or (22S, 23S, 24S)- 22,23-epoxy-24-methylchoest-5-en-3 β-ol (24). The probable biological origin, rather than artifact production, of these undescribed components is discussed.     

Microencapsulated Cu(acac)2: a recoverable and reusable polymer-supported copper catalyst for aziridination of olefins

Microencapsulated copper(II) acetylacetonate was prepared and used in the aziridination of alkenes employing [N-(p-tolylsulfonyl)imino]phenyliodinane (PhINTs) as the nitrogen source. Microencapsulated copper(II) acetylacetonate [MC-Cu(acac)₂] catalyst was reused for several cycles with consistent activity.     

Mechanism of oxidation of iron(II) chelates by hexavalent chromium and heptavalent manganese in aqueous sulfuric acid and micellar media - a kinetic approach

Summary Oxidation of the Fe^II chelates [FeL] (L = phen or bipy) by Cr^VI and Mn^VII in H₂SO₄ medium was found to proceed through the formation of a bimetallic insertion complex which decomposes in the slow step, followed by electron transfer from [FeL] to the oxidant. The reactions are catalysed by both anionic and non-ionic micelles [SDS and triton-x (Tx), respectively]. A mechanism is suggested involving electrostatic stabilization of the cationic forms of the Fe^II chelates by anionic SDS and the partial anionic character of polyoxyethylene moiety of Tx, respectively. The marginal catalysis of cationic micelles (CTAB) is attributed to co-anion-micellar interactions.     

Buffers for the Physiological pH Range: Thermodynamics of the Second Dissociation of N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N′-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic Acid From 5 to 55°C

The second acidic dissociation constants pK ₂ of the ampholyte N-(2-hydroxyethyl) piperazine-N-2-hydroxypropanesulfonic acid (HEPPSO) have been determined at seven temperatures from 5 to 55°C from emf measurements utilizing hydrogen and silver–silver chloride cells without liquid junction. The thermodynamic quantities, G°, H°,S°, and C _p ^o have been calculated from the temperature coefficient of pK ₂. At 25°C, the pK ₂ = 8.042 and at 37°C, pK ₂ = 7.876; hence, buffer solutions of HEPPSO and NaHEPPSOate are important for pH control in the region close to that of clinical fluids (blood serum). Conventional pH values from 5 to 55°C as well as those obtained from liquid junction correction at 25 and 37°C have been reported for three buffer solutions with the compositions (molality scale): (1) equimolal mixture of HEPPSO (0.04 m) + NaHEPPSOate (0.04 m) + NaCl (0.12 m); (2) HEPPSO (0.08 m) + NaHEPPSOate (0.08 m); and (3) HEPPSO (0.08 m) + NaHEPPSOate (0.08 m) + NaCl (0.08 m).     

Photosensitivity,substituent and solvent-induced shifts in UV-visible absorption bands of naphthyl-ester liquid crystals: a comparative theoretical approach

The substituent- and solvent-induced shifts in UV-visible absorption bands of naphthyl-ester nematic liquid crystals, viz., 4-octylphenyl-6-octyloxy-2-naphthoate (NAPHE1) and 6-octyloxy-2-naphthylyl-4-octyloxybenzoate (NAPHE2), have been investigated using the DFT, CNDO/S and INDO/S methods. A correlation has been made between molecular charge distribution and phase stability based on Mulliken, Loewdin, AM1, PM3, MNDO, CNDO/S and INDO/S methods. The observed π→π* and n→π* electronic transitions have been reported. The substituent- and solvent-induced shifts in absorption bands, transition energies and energy gaps have been discussed. The photosensitivity of the molecules has been analysed based on these shifts. It has been observed that the substituent has a dominant role on both absorption maxima and energy band gap, whereas the solvent has a dominant role only on absorption maxima, and no effect has been observed on the energy gap. These shifts may provide beneficial consequences in determining the end use of compounds.     

Mixed Boron(III) and Phosphorous(V) Complexes of meso‐Triaryl 25‐Oxasmaragdyrins

Two unprecedented mixed B^III/P^V complexes of meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrins were synthesized in appreciable yields under mild reaction conditions. These unusual 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complexes containing one or two seven‐membered heterocyclic rings comprised of five different atoms (B, C, N, O, and P) were prepared by reacting B(OH)(Ph)‐smaragdyrin and B(OH)₂‐smaragdyrin complexes, respectively, with POCl₃ in toluene at reflux temperature. The products were characterized by HRMS and 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy. X‐ray crystallography of one of the mixed B^III/P^V smaragdyrin complexes indicated that the macrocycle is significantly distorted and contains a stable seven‐membered heterocyclic ring within the macrocycle. The bands in the absorption and emission spectra were bathochromically shifted with reduced quantum yields and singlet‐state lifetimes relative to the free base, meso‐triaryl 25‐oxasmaragdyrin. The mixed B^III/P^V complexes were difficult to oxidize but easier to reduce than the free base. The DFT‐optimized structure of the 25‐oxasmaragdyrin complex with two seven‐membered heterocycles indicated that it was a bicyclic spiro compound with two half‐chair‐like conformers. This was in contrast to the chair‐like conformation of the complex with a single seven‐membered heterocyclic ring. Moreover, incorporation of a second phosphate group in the former case stabilized the bonding geometry and resulted in higher stability, which was reflected in the bathochromic shift of the absorption spectra, more‐positive oxidation potential, and less‐negative reduction potential.