Evaluating the accuracy of theoretical one‐bond 13C─13C scalar couplings and their ability to predict structure in a natural product

This study explores the feasibility of using a combination of experimental and theoretical 1‐bond ¹³C─¹³C scalar couplings (¹J_CC) to establish structure in organic compounds, including unknowns. Historically, ⁿJ_CC and ⁿJ_CH studies have emphasized 2 and 3‐bond couplings, yet ¹J_CC couplings exhibit significantly larger variations. Moreover, recent improvements in experimental measurement and data processing methods have made ¹J_CC data more available. Herein, an approach is evaluated in which a collection of theoretical structures is created from a partial nuclear magnetic resonance structural characterization. Computed ¹J_CC values are compared to experimental data to identify candidates giving the best agreement. This process requires knowledge of the error in theoretical methods, thus the B3LYP, B3PW91, and PBE0 functionals are evaluated by comparing to 27 experimental values from INADEQUATE. Respective errors of ±1.2, ±3.8, and ±2.3 Hz are observed. An initial test of this methodology involves the natural product 5‐methylmellein. In this case, only a single candidate matches experimental data with high statistical confidence. This analysis establishes the intramolecular hydrogen‐bonding arrangement, ring heteroatom identity, and conformation at one position. This approach is then extended to hydroheptelidic acid, a natural product not fully characterized in prior studies. The experimental/theoretical approach proposed herein identifies a single best‐fit structure from among 26 candidates and establishes, for the first time, 1 configuration and 3 conformations to complete the characterization. These results suggest that accurate and complete structural characterizations of many moderately sized organic structures (<800 Da) may be possible using only ¹J_CC data.     

Homogeneous monotropic elastic rods: Normal uniform configurations and universal solutions

A number of simple solutions are obtained which are universal for an homogeneous monotropic elastic rod whose theory is based on a Cosserat-type model.

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Sommario Si ottengono alcune soluzioni semplici che sono universali per una trave omogenea monotropica la cui teoria è basata su un modello alla Cosserat.

     

Acoustic features of objects matched by an echolocating bottlenose dolphin

The focus of this study was to investigate how dolphins use acoustic features in returning echolocation signals to discriminate among objects. An echolocating dolphin performed a match-to-sample task with objects that varied in size, shape, material, and texture. After the task was completed, the features of the object echoes were measured (e.g., target strength, peak frequency). The dolphin's error patterns were examined in conjunction with the between-object variation in acoustic features to identify the acoustic features that the dolphin used to discriminate among the objects. The present study explored two hypotheses regarding the way dolphins use acoustic information in echoes: (1) use of a single feature, or (2) use of a linear combination of multiple features. The results suggested that dolphins do not use a single feature across all object sets or a linear combination of six echo features. Five features appeared to be important to the dolphin on four or more sets: the echo spectrum shape, the pattern of changes in target strength and number of highlights as a function of object orientation, and peak and center frequency. These data suggest that dolphins use multiple features and integrate information across echoes from a range of object orientations.     

Hopscotch method: The numerical solution of the Frank-Kamenetskii partial differential equation

Numerical solutions to the Frank-Kamenetskii partial differential equation modelling a thermal explosion in a cylindrical vessel are obtained using the hopscotch scheme. We observe that a nonlinear source term in the equation leads to numerical difficulty and hence adjust the scheme to accommodate such a term. Numerical solutions obtained via MATLAB, MATHEMATICA and the Crank-Nicolson implicit scheme are employed as a means of comparison. To gain insight into the accuracy of the hopscotch scheme the solution is compared to a power series solution obtained via the Lie group method. The numerical solution is also observed to converge to a well-known steady state solution. A linear stability analysis is performed to validate the stability of the results obtained.     

Ca12[Mn19N23] and Ca133[Mn216N260]: Structural Complexity by 2D Intergrowth

Two new calcium nitridomanganates, Ca₁₂[Mn₁₉N₂₃] (P3, a=11.81341(3) Å, c=5.58975(2) Å, Z=1) and Ca₁₃₃[Mn₂₁₆N₂₆₀] ( , a=39.477(1) Å, c=5.5974(2) Å, Z=1), were obtained by a gas–solid reaction of Ca₃N₂ and Mn with N₂ at 1273 K and 1223 K, respectively. The crystal structure of Ca₁₂[Mn₁₉N₂₃] was determined from high‐resolution X‐ray synchrotron powder diffraction data, whereas single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction was employed to establish the crystal structure of the Ca₁₃₃[Mn₂₁₆N₂₆₀] phase, which classifies as a complex metallic alloy (CMA). Both crystal structures have 2D nitridomanganate layers containing similar building blocks but of different levels of structural complexity. Bonding analysis as well as magnetic susceptibility and electron spin resonance measurements revealed that only a fraction of the Mn atoms in both structures carries a localized magnetic moment, while for most Mn species the magnetism is quenched as a result of metal–metal bond formation.     

Nanostructure-Driven Indocyanine Green Dimerization Generates Ultra-Stable Phototheranostics Nanoparticles

Indocyanine green (ICG) is the only near-infrared (NIR) dye approved for clinical use. Despite its versatility in photonic applications and potential for photothermal therapy, its photobleaching hinders its application. Here we discovered a nanostructure of dimeric ICG (Nano-dICG) generated by using ICG to stabilize nanoemulsions, after which ICG enabled complete dimerization on the nanoemulsion shell, followed by J-aggregation of ICG-dimer, resulting in a narrow, red-shifted (780 nm→894 nm) and intense (≈2-fold) absorbance. Compared to ICG, Nano-dICG demonstrated superior photothermal conversion (2-fold higher), significantly reduced photodegradation (−9.6 % vs. −46.3 %), and undiminished photothermal effect (7 vs. 2 cycles) under repeated irradiations, in addition to excellent colloidal and structural stabilities. Following intravenous injection, Nano-dICG enabled real-time tracking of its delivery to mouse tumors within 24 h by photoacoustic imaging at NIR wavelength (890 nm) distinct from the endogenous signal to guide effective photothermal therapy. The unprecedented finding of nanostructure-driven ICG dimerization leads to an ultra-stable phototheranostic platform.     

Theoretical estimates of the IR spectrum of water intercalated into kaolinite

Calculations at AM1, PM3, and HF/6‐31G levels of part of the IR spectrum of the water–kaolinite intercalated system based on a 96‐atom cluster of kaolinite with one water molecule are reported. Only the water molecule conformation is optimized. Frequencies and intensities for just the water vibrations and stretchings of four cluster hydroxyls were calculated through partial Hessian matrices and polar tensors obtained by numerical differentiation of energy gradients and dipole moment. The water molecule was found to attach to the cluster mainly through a double hydrogen bond to the siloxane inner surface, partially entering the siloxane ring hexagonal hole. Though the theoretical results predict that the water OH stretching frequencies decrease from the gas‐phase state to the intercalated state, they are still higher than expected with respect to the observed spectrum. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009