New Functional Cyclic Aminomethylphosphine Ligands for the Construction of Catalysts for Electrochemical Hydrogen Transformations

Eight‐membered cyclic functional bisphosphines, namely 1,5‐di‐aryl‐3,7‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐1,5‐diaza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes (aryl=2‐pyridyl, m‐tolyl, p‐tolyl, diphenylmethyl, benzyl, (R)‐(+)‐(α‐methyl)benzyl), with 2‐pyridyl substituents on the phosphorus atoms have been synthesized by condensation of 2‐pyridylphosphine, formaldehyde, and the corresponding primary amine. The structures of some of these bisphosphines have been investigated by X‐ray crystallography. The bisphosphines readily form neutral P,P‐chelate complexes [(κ²‐P,P‐L)MCl₂], cationic bis‐P,P‐chelate complexes [(κ²‐P,P‐L)₂M]²⁺, or a five‐coordinate complex [(κ²‐P,P‐L)₂NiBr]Br. The electrochemical behavior of two of the nickel complexes, and their catalytic activities in electrochemical hydrogen evolution and hydrogen oxidation, including the fuel‐cell test, have been studied.     

Comparison between experiment and computer modeling for simple MILOconfigurations

The MILO is a crossed-field HPM, high power microwave source which uses its self-generated magnetic field to cut off electron flow to the anode. A detailed comparison of experimental results and a computer simulation has been made for a number of simple axisymmetric MILO structures designed to operate at 1 GHz. The structures were built from demountable components which enabled the number of cavities and their dimensions to be rapidly altered. Measurements were made of the fluctuating magnetic fields at the end of each cavity. The amplitude and depth of RF modulation of the magnetic fields, although repeatable, changed drastically from one configuration to the next; these parameters were compared with predictions from VIPER, a 2-D electromagnetic PIC code. Good quantitative agreement was obtained between experiments and the simulation in most situations, although, late in the current pulse, after about 100 ns, the level of RF began to decay; a phenomenon which became more pronounced as the applied voltage was increased. The decay was attributed to plasma formation on the cavity vanes and subsequent electron emission; this explanation was verified by computer modeling electron emission and by using vanes make from polished stainless steel in place of aluminum vanes     

Synthesis and characterization of novel chelated dimethylamino lithium alkoxides: molecular structures of [1‐LiOC(C6H11)2‐2‐NMe2C6H4]2 and [1‐LiOCPh2CH2‐2‐NMe2C6H4]2

From the reaction of 1‐HOCPh₂‐2‐NMe₂C₆H₄ ( 1 ), 1‐HOC(C₆H₁₁)₂‐2‐NMe₂C₆H₄ ( 2 ) and 1‐HOCPh₂CH₂‐2‐NMe₂C₆H₄ ( 3 ) with n‐BuLi in diethyl ether, the solvent‐free chelated dimethylamino lithium alkoxides [1‐LiOCPh₂‐2‐NMe₂C₆H₄]₂ ( 4 ), [1‐LiOC(C₆H₁₁)₂‐2‐NMe₂C₆H₄]₂ ( 5 ) and [1‐LiOCPh₂CH₂‐2‐NMe₂C₆H₄]₂ ( 6 ) were obtained. The lithium alkoxides 4 – 6 were characterized by ¹H, ⁷Li, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structure determinations of 5 and 6 were carried out. Compounds 5 and 6 are examples of structurally characterized solvent‐free chelated dimethylamino lithium alkoxides and 6 is a rare example of this type containing a seven‐membered ring. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Studies of the electrical double layer and of adsorbed species on electrodes using modulated specular reflectance spectroscopy

The optical properties of adsorbed hydrogen on a platinum cathode have been studied. The results are interpreted in terms of r and s-adatom formation for the two types of adsorption. The reflectivity change in the double layer region of potential is ascribed to an electroreflectance contribution from the metal. Studies of the simple double layer formed between KF solution and a lead or mercury electrode show that the reflectivity changes caused by the diffuse double layer are small compared with contributions from the compressed water in the inner layer and from the electroreflectance effect.     

Flavone C-glycosides from Trichuriella monsoniae (L.f.) Bennet

In the first phytochemical investigation of Trichuriella monsoniae, three known flavonoidal C-glycosides, isoswertisin 1, 2″-O-β-d-galactosyl isoswertisin 2 and 2″-O-β-d-xylosyl isoswertisin 3 were isolated from the methanolic extract of the whole plant. Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic studies including 2D NMR and HRMS, and the structure of 2 was supported by single crystal X-ray data studies. Further, NMR assignments for 3 are being reported for the first time.     

Time-dependent responses of wounded human skin fibroblasts following phototherapy

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The penetration and distribution of laser light in target tissue is dependent on the wavelength of the light. One problem with most of the published data on laser irradiation is that most studies do not record the duration between the exposure and the evaluation. This study aimed to establish if the dose, wavelength or duration of effect (1h or 24h) influences the biological responses of irradiated fibroblasts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study established cellular responses of normal and wounded human skin fibroblasts to helium-neon (632.8 nm), diode (830 nm) and Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser irradiation using one exposure of 5 J/cm(2) or 16 J/cm(2) on day 1 and again on day 4. Cellular responses to laser irradiation were evaluated by measuring changes in cell viability (ATP viability and caspase 3/7 activity) and cell proliferation (ALP enzyme activity and bFGF expression), 1h and 24h post irradiation. RESULTS: Wounded cells exposed to 5 J/cm(2) using 632.8 nm showed an increase in ATP viability after 1h, a decrease in caspase 3/7 activity after 24h and an increase in cell proliferation after 24h. The results suggest that changes in parameters such as ATP viability should be observed directly after laser irradiation (1h) whereas other parameters such as caspase 3/7 activity, bFGF expression and ALP enzyme activity should be measured at least 24h after the final exposure. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that the duration of effect should be included as one of the main laser parameters when reporting on the effects of laser irradiation. It is important to establish time-dependent responses as the results may provide an understanding of the cellular responses following laser irradiation.     

A Miniaturized Linear Wire Ion Trap with Electron Ionization and Single Photon Ionization Sources

A linear wire ion trap (LWIT) with both electron ionization (EI) and single photon ionization (SPI) sources was built. The SPI was provided by a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamp with the ability to softly ionize organic compounds. The VUV lamp was driven by a pulse amplifier, which was controlled by a pulse generator, to avoid the detection of photons during ion detection. Sample gas was introduced through a leak valve, and the pressure in the system is shown to affect the signal-to-noise ratio and resolving power. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) for benzene was 80 ppbv using SPI, better than the LOD using EI (137 ppbv). System performance was demonstrated by distinguishing compounds in different classes from gasoline.

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A method for characterizing adsorption of flowing solutes to microfluidic device surfaces

We present a method for characterizing the adsorption of solutes in microfluidic devices that is sensitive to both long-lived and transient adsorption and can be applied to a variety of realistic device materials, designs, fabrication methods, and operational parameters. We have characterized the adsorption of two highly adsorbing molecules (FITC-labeled bovine serum albumin (BSA) and rhodamine B) and compared these results to two low adsorbing species of similar molecular weights (FITC-labeled dextran and fluorescein). We have also validated our method by demonstrating that two well-known non-fouling strategies [deposition of the polyethylene oxide (PEO)-like surface coating created by radio-frequency glow discharge plasma deposition (RF-GDPD) of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (tetraglyme, CH(3)O(CH(2)CH(2)O)(4)CH(3)), and blocking with unlabeled BSA] eliminate the characteristic BSA adsorption behavior observed otherwise.     

Iridium‐Catalyzed Reductive Nitro‐Mannich Cyclization

A new chemoselective reductive nitro‐Mannich cyclization reaction sequence of nitroalkyl‐tethered lactams has been developed. Relying on the rapid and chemoselective iridium(I)‐catalyzed reduction of lactams to the corresponding enamine, subsequent nitro‐Mannich cyclization of tethered nitroalkyl functionality provides direct access to important alkaloid natural‐product‐like structures in yields up to 81 % and in diastereoselectivities that are typically good to excellent. An in‐depth understanding of the reaction mechanism has been gained through NMR studies and characterization of reaction intermediates. The new methodology has been applied to the total synthesis of (±)‐epi‐epiquinamide in four steps.